Gerrit Boon

Gerrit Boon became a sugar refinerer in the city, working for his brother-in-law.

Boon believed that harvesting maple syrup could be a year-round activity, so slavery on the sugar plantations could be avoided.

He had a budget of $30,000 ($555,824 in 2024 dollars) to hire carpenters, masons and other workmen to create a village for the affluent.

Boon's efforts were unsuccessful due in part to incomplete knowledge of the region and bad luck.

Boon left Holland and moved to Heeswijk, North Brabant, but died with small debts at the local shops, and wine dealers in Gouda.