Jochem Pietersen Kuyter

In a joint venture with Jonas Bronck, Kuyter mounted an expedition to settle in New Netherland aboard a ship they had hired, "de Brant von Trogen" (The Fire of Troy).

Kuyter settled with his farmers and herdsmen upon a tract of 400 acres (160 ha; 0.63 sq mi) of fine farming land, of which he had obtained a grant from the Dutch West India Company.

In March 1644, the house was burned downed, presumably by the indigenous population who rampaged across the colony in response to attacks at Pavonia and Corlear's Hook.

Recognizing the danger of such actions to his own administration, Stuyvesant refused to consider Melyn and Kuyter's demands and caused them to be tried for lèse majesté.

The States-General acted favorably upon their appeal and issued a writ of mandamus dated April 28 ordering Director-General Stuyvesant to appear in person, or through his representative, to sustain his judgment against them.

A black, circular seal with a notched, outer border. The center contains a shield or crest with a crown atop it. In the shield is a beaver. Surrounding the shield are the words "SIGILLVM NOVI BELGII".
Map (c1639) Manhattan situated on the North Rivier with numbered key showing settlements with 42 representing the Zegendael homestead. #43, across the Harlem River represents that of Bronck [ 3 ] settled the land on the Bronx side of the river.