Patroon facts for kids

A patroon was a special kind of landholder in the 1600s. This was during the time when the Dutch colony of New Netherland existed in what is now the eastern United States. Patroons were given huge areas of land and had many special rights, almost like a mini-ruler of their own territory.

The idea of patroons started in 1629 with something called the Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions. The Dutch West India Company created this system to encourage people to move to and settle in New Netherland. These large land areas were called patroonships.

What Was a Patroonship?

A patroonship was a very large piece of land. It could stretch for about 16 miles along one side of a major river, or 8 miles if it was on both sides. In 1640, the rules changed, making new plots half that size. Also, any Dutch American could then buy an estate.

Patroon's Powers and Duties

Being a patroon came with a lot of power. A patroon could set up their own civil and criminal courts. They could also choose local officials and own the land forever.

In return, the patroon had to bring at least 50 families to settle on their land within four years. These families became tenants who worked for the patroon. They didn't have to pay public taxes for ten years, but they did have to pay rent to the patroon. Sometimes, a patroonship even had its own village and churches.

Slavery in Patroonships

Patroons were allowed to acquire enslaved people. The Dutch West India Company's rules allowed this. Patroons were often the richest people in New Netherland. They used enslaved people in many parts of the colony. Most enslaved people lived near New Amsterdam or further north around Fort Orange (now Albany, NY) and Rensselaerswijck. Patroons were almost the only colonists in New Netherland who owned slaves.

After Dutch Rule

The patroon system continued even after the English took over New Netherland in 1664. It also lasted after American independence in 1783. The large land areas were then called manors, but sometimes still referred to as patroonships.

Famous Patroonships

The biggest and most successful patroonship was the Manor of Rensselaerswyck. Kiliaen van Rensselaer started it. Rensselaerswyck covered almost all of what are now Albany and Rensselaer counties in New York State. It also included parts of Columbia and Greene counties.

Other Early Patroonships

• Zwaanendael (in what is now Delaware Bay) was started by Samuel Blommaert and Samuel Godyn. It was later abandoned after conflicts with local people.
• Pavonia (in Hudson County) was started by Michael Reyniersz Pauw. It was later sold back to the Dutch West India Company.
• Staaten Eylandt (now Staten Island) was owned by Cornelis Melyn. This patroonship faced problems with the Raritan tribe and company politics.
• Achter Col (on the Hackensack River) was stopped early because of a war called Kieft's War.

Other Large Private Lands

Some other large private land areas were:

• Colen Donck (in Bronx and Yonkers) owned by Adriaen van der Donck.
• Bronx owned by Jonas Bronck.
• Vriessendael owned by David Pietersen de Vries. He also had the first land claim for Staten Island.

English Manors

After the English took over, they also granted large manors:

• Fordham Manor in the Bronx was granted in 1671. It was the first manor under English rule.
• Bentley Manor was owned by Christopher Billopp.
• Livingston Manor (in Dutchess and Columbia counties) was a huge area owned by Robert Livingston the Elder.
• Pelham Manor was owned by Thomas Pell.

Resistance and Abolition

Some people resisted the patroon system. For example, Jacob Leisler led a rebellion, and later there was the Anti-Rent War. These were times when people fought against the power of the landholders.

The word "patroonship" was used until 1775. At that time, the British parliament changed the rules. They called the lands "estates" and took away some of the special legal powers. Many Dutch Americans did not like this change. They often supported American independence. After the American Revolutionary War, the new New York state government did not change the law back.

The Manor of Rensselaerswyck was finally broken up in the early 1800s. This happened after its last owner, Stephen Van Rensselaer III, passed away. His sons split the property. After tenant farmers won the right to refuse to pay rent, much of the land was sold off. The land then became different counties and towns in New York's Capital District.

In Popular Media

• The film Dragonwyck (film) is based on a story related to these large estates.