Colen Donck facts for kids

Colen Donck (which means "Donck's Colony" in English) was a very large piece of land in what is now New York. It covered about 24,000 acres (97 square kilometers). This land was located along the southern Hudson River. Today, this area includes parts of The Bronx and Yonkers. It was created by a Dutch-American lawyer and land developer named Adriaen van der Donck.

History of Colen Donck

How Colen Donck Started

Colen Donck was a special type of land grant called a "patroonship." This meant someone was given a large area of land to develop. Adriaen van der Donck received this land in 1646. He got it from Willem Kieft, who was the Director General of New Netherland. Van der Donck was given the land because he helped as an interpreter and peacemaker. He worked to solve problems between the Dutch settlers and the Native Americans.

Before van der Donck received it, the Dutch West India Company had bought the land. They purchased it from its Native American owners in 1639. At that time, the land was known as "Kiskiskeck."

Where Was Colen Donck?

Van der Donck's land started just north of Manhattan island. It stretched along the Hudson River for about twelve miles. The land also went eastward as far as the Bronx River. This huge area became much of what we know today as The Bronx. It also included parts of southwestern Westchester County.

Life at Colen Donck

Adriaen van der Donck named his large estate Colen Donck. He built his home between what is now Van Cortlandt Lake and Broadway. He also built a saw mill on the Neperan River. This mill was located where the river flows into the Hudson. Later, he built a grist mill. This mill was used to process corn grown on old Native American cornfields.

Van der Donck showed friendship by paying the Native American chief Tacharew. Tacharew's tribe used to live on that land. This area later became part of Van Cortlandt Park. The estate was so big that local people called van der Donck the "Jonkheer." This Dutch word means "young gentleman" or "squire." This is where the name "Yonkers" comes from today!

The End of Colen Donck

Adriaen van der Donck was alive in August 1655. He passed away on Manhattan island in 1655. After his death, his widow remarried. She then moved to Maryland. She later sold the land to her brother, Elias Doughty. He began to sell off smaller parts of the large estate. A portion of Colen Donck later became part of the Manor of Fordham. The northern section became the Manor of Philipsburg.