So much of the land thus acquired as the inhabitants of Flatbush had occasion for, they took up, enclosed, and improved. The rest was left in common, until by the increase of their population it should be needed. They remained thus in quiet possession of all their lands until the year 1675, when Captain Richard Betts laid claim to a certain parcel or tract, lying in the New Lots, for which he said he had obtained a deed from the Indians, of prior date to the one just recited, given in the year 1663. We are not able to locate precisely the premises thus called in question. The matter was tried at the court of Sessions, held in Gravesend, for that year, when the deed of Mr. Betts was allowed, and a verdict given in his favor. But an appeal was taken by the inhabitants of the town, to the General Court of Assizes, which was holden in the same year, 1675, in the city of New-York. Hereupon a full and fair hearing of the case, the verdict rendered at the court of Sessions was set aside, and the court ordered, as follows:—"That the land shall lye in common to fflatbush, and the townes adjacent, as it heretofore hath been, and that the towns who have the beneffit of the comonage shall pay their equall proportion of the purchase money to the Indyans and costs of this suite."

It was probably in consequence of this suit, that the inhabitants of Flatbush sought and obtained a separate patent for that part of the town called New-Lots. This was granted by Gov. Edmond Andros on the 25th day of March, in the year 1677, to Arian Lamberse and others, to the number of thirty-seven persons. This Patent we have not been able to procure. It was probably granted on condition of the payment of a certain quit rent to the Governor, which opinion is confirmed from the fact, that complaint was subsequently made to the court of Sessions, held at Gravesend, against the constable of New Lots, for not taking up and paying over the same, upon which diverse orders were passed by the court relating thereto. About the time of the settlement of New Lots, several of the inhabitants of Midwout, or Flatbush, also removed to New-Jersey, and formed settlements on the Raritan and Milstone rivers, and also in the county of Monmouth, then called Neversink. Their numerous descendents now occupy these and other different parts of New-Jersey.

Shortly after this period, it would appear from some records of the Court of Sessions, held at Gravesend, that there was some dissatisfaction between the towns of Flatbush and Flatlands, relative to their boundary line. It was fixed under the administration of Governor Nicolls, in the year 1666. But another award and agreement on the subject was made, bearing date the 11th day of May, 1677. What the precise terms of this agreement were, we are unable to tell, as we have not been able to find the document. But not long after, it appears from the following extracts, from the records of the court, that the town of Flatlands complained of some trespass committed by the inhabitants of the town of Flatbush. At the session of the court held June 1679, we find the following record. "The