The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-30
"CONYE" ISLAND.
Some Ancient Lawsuits Concerning
New York's Sea Beach.
MRS. GIFFORD'S CLAIMS INVALID.
Coney's Legal Value and the Pros
pectiye Litigation.

In view OF the recent discussion in regard TO the
title 70 coney Island the probability that many
legal complications likely arise over tho contest
for that valuable property, HERALD reporter
yesterday dstailed to visit ex-senator Gerard Who It
well known has made many interesting researches
into the history OF the past its bearings upon local
and Dutch colonial events.
Mr. Gerard told the reporter that he hnd given
much attention to that ancient prir cpalty but had
been interested reading various articles In the
papers relative TO the claims OF the Clifford family,
(which as ii appeared to DO the subjects of It'll
CATION.
II SO, the gentleman stated. there would be .crta-
bic rafting OF dry bones and old matters the Dutch
period would be brought to light that had been Gov
cred mp for centuries; even tho spirits of RIP Van
Wrinkle. Captain KID and the Flying Duchman might
BIO summoned to state what they knew of the locality
that had until lately been treated as an abandoned
desert. but was now redwivus as a marine bonanza.
RKpoRrER-l should like to know more particu-
ary, II agreeable to you, Mr.. Gerard, what interest
Ing Historical facts you may have gathered to the
Island?
Senator GERARD-well. Sir, 1 have, from time 20
time, noted few Items relative to the history OF the
island, which will refer to and briefly summarize for
you.
CoHEY ISLANDS FIRST SETTLERS
AS understand the records, Lady Deborah Moody,
Areiugeo from the Massachusetts colony, about 1853
on account oil some differing views relative to infant
baptism, abandoned that colony under pressure from
ihe enlightened pilgrim fathers OF the period, and
took refuge with the Dutch Of New Netherlands, with
her SON and several Of her English friends She was
welcomed, as were all religious refugees, by tho
Dutch, except perhaps, the Qaakers. under stuyvc.
rant, who were deemed political malcontonts Many
tantf INN ittoap m dvu,th ~
bort sctted in Nieuw Nedsrand, and Baptis,s from
England, Huguenots and Waoons from France and
tho Spanish Netherlands, nnd Waldenscs from Pied.
mont. 1t Ia also to DO remembered, to the credit Of
The Dutch, that Roger Williams fed 10 New Amster.
lam when driven from Massachusetts, and Mrs. Ann
Hutchinson found there refuge from persecution.
The witchcraft delusion found no home with our
Dutch ancestors, although they had New England for
an example, distractng homes and leading protesting
innoccnts to the stake.
To resume, however. Lady Moody and her friends
settled near the island, at the place called Craven
Eandt, now called Gravesend, In 1863. They with the
consent OF the then Dutch Governor Kiet) pastured
their cattle the island and subseq uenv received
patent or ground brief therefor l am at present
uncert tain whether the patent the land abso.
uely or the right OF pasturage. This, however,
be ascertained. Tho town about the same time re-
ceived patent for land adjacent to the island.
GRAvEsESD's PATENT.
In 1854 there was deed given by the Indian
owners (probably of the Canarsie tribs) to the
patentees Inhabitants OF Gravesend for the neck
OF land from Antoine Johnson's house southwark
and Conyne Island with all the meadow ana marsh
land thereto belonging" Prior to this Indian deed
I'm 1873 Governor Kieft had given patont to one
Van Saee tor ABOUT two hundred or land slying
In bay over against Copyne lslaud." This patent
was subsequently, confirmed by the first EngIish
Govcrnor (Nichols 10 one Brown as loyal 10
Van Saiee, the Dutch patcntee. by neither Van
Salee's or Browns patent was the island conveyed,
bet 1t was within the limits Of the patent to town
Lady Moody and her friends, constituting tho mag.
strates and inhabitants OF Gravesend continued in
peuccabe possession and use OF the island for ward
Of nineteen years. with tho exceptions of divers hos
tile incursions from tho Indians. Twice was Lldy
did the spirited old lady rspuisc ana boat them Off
sne was oae oil tho sturdy heroines OF those sturdy
times
In 1861, however, the peaccabe possession OF the
schout and magistrates OF Gravessnd was nterfersd
with. Evert Peters aud harmanus Vedder appeared
upon the scene, and IN the name OIL one De Wolfe,
merchant OF Ausei dam, under claim OF the right Of
island ami gave notice to the magistrates Of Tho
town 10 drive away their cattle They also tore down
the fence erected by the town and drove away the
hogs and cattle on the island. Van Opdyck's title
based upon a ground brief have not the date OF
t. II Was alleged TO be Invalid BY tho
then begin. The town representatives produced a
civil process, then called mandamus from tue Court
at New M praying thai IN cy mig nj he main.
tanned IN possession and that opdyck's representa-
tyes m Ipht be cpioned from interIer,ng with them
In 1864 tho scLout and mseIsra,cs OF Cravesend
obtn,nea iudpment from the n,rorror nsncraI ora
Councii OF New Amste-Iam against inc CLAIM, nsdc
by Van Opoy ok - repre, epts,ivos
The Director General 0Governor, and his Coupc,l
formed the appellate court from inc couri At New
Amsterdam com no sed OF The sch ont Two buroomas
tiers and ye ~ WINS inc cour, of inst
The testimony Of twenty witnesses from tue
town OF Gravcsend was iaxen on this trial. sTno
worthy Dutch lawyc who conducted the proceedings
10 successfuI issue for the town Was maid ior his
services. we are informed the modest remuperatlon
OF eight skepes OF aruy peas worth three HORNS n
skcpcl ma king b,s com s ION 6or,ns
or less than 49, The above trial 10 have gwen
u quietus TO Van Opdyck's claims
AyoTurp ocoupAST
Subsequently the town of Grayeecpd nnd Brown
to Van SaIec) haa as to some
meadow land ndjoin ng the neck or island, apdit was
ordered by the then Court OF Assize in alton
nm order made by Governor Loyeiaco In 1869 that
the said neck or island should be cid aud enjoyed 10