1635

Dutch settlers buy land in Queens.

Some settle in Breuckelen (Brooklyn) named after a Dutch village. Others live in Midwout, now Flatbush. Flushing area of Queens in named after Vlissingen in Netherlands.

Van Twiller marries the niece of an Amsterdam citizen with property up the Hudson River. He arrives in Manhattan, orders a fort to be built, deeds himself good tobacco land in Greenwich Village, buys 3 islands, and approximates a share in 15.000 acres in Brooklyn and Long Island. He invites his staff to a drinking contest: after a keg of brandy has been drunk, a fight erupts, and Van Twiller fires a cannon. A spark sets light to the compound roof and the structure burns down. Even after his corruption is discovered and he is dismissed, he remains the island's wealthiest citizen.

Palisade erected across neck of Manhattan, along line of Wall Street. Fort Amsterdam complete.