A 330th Anniversary

Today is the 330th anniversary of the oldest item in our archives, a deed with intact wax seals. Peter and Annetje --members of the Dutch Reformed Church of Gowanas, which disbanded in 1968 -- sold their land on Staten Island.

The back of the sheepskin document reads "Sealed & Delivered in the Presence of Cornelius Corsen."

They owned land to the west of our deed. Our cemetery originated as the Corsen family burial ground and they were prominent Congregants. Daniel Corsen became the Richmond County Clerk.