The meadows had been previously subdivided into similar lots, and allotted in like manner, with the exception of one lot in the Canarsee Meadows, which was set apart for the use of the schoolmaster, for the time being. Corlaer's and Twiller's Flats, so called after the names of the original purchasers, Anthony Van Corlaer and Wouter Van Twiller, the first Dutch governor, were also previously subdivided, but not fully alloted, with the exception of a small tract of woodland lying between, and adjoining these Flats, which was assigned to some of the patentees, and a lot reserved for the use of the school.

About the year 1706, an encroachment was made on the patent of the town of Flatbush, by inhabitants of Newtown, and on the 3d day of April, in the same year, the town unanimously agreed that every patentee should contribute six shilling to carry on and pay the expenses of a law suit, in defending the Patent from this encroachment. From this time forth at the annual town meetings, two persons were chosen to guard the interests of the town in regard to their meets and bounds, as set forth in their Patent. These were called "Dorps mannen," or Townsmen, and subsequently Defenders of the Patent. This controversy appears not to have been satisfactorily adjusted until the year 1721.

Corlaer's and Twiller's Flats, remained unoccupied until the close of the revolutionary war. They were then sold by the proprietors and owners, at the rate of sixteen dollars per acre. The proceeds of the sale of Corlaer's Flats, were chiefly devoted to the erection of "Erasmus Hall Academy," while those arising from the sale of Twiller's Flats, were divided among those who would not consent to relinquish their right for the benefit of the academy, in reference to which, chiefly the sales had been effected. The academy was greatly benefitted by this sale, but we shall have occasion to speak more at large upon this, when we come to trace the Literary History of the town.

On the 12th of November, 1695, the court made an order requiring each of the towns to cause to be immediately erected, a good pair of stocks, and a good pound, by which it seems, they were resolved to keep both man and beast in proper subjection. Whether this order at the time was strictly complied with on the part of the town of Flatbush, we know not. But twenty-nine years after this, on the records of the Board of Supervisors of the county, under date of the 17th of November, 1724, there is the following charge.

"To a Stocks for Flatbush, — £1. 9. 6." These stocks remained for a number of years. They were erected in front of the court-house, and many will remember to have seen them. There was also about these same premises, a whipping-post, which was used partly for offenders in the town, and partly for the pun-