[15] In 1655, a large body of Northern Indians made a descent on Staten Island, and massacred 67 persons; after which they crossed to Long-Island, and invested Gravesend; which place was relieved by a party of soldiers from New-Amsterdam. It appears from the records that these Indians were on their way to commence a war against the Indians on the east end of Long-Island. The inhabitants of Flatbush were ordered by Governor Stuyvesant, in 1656, to enclose their village with palisadoes to protect them from the Indians. These fortifications were required to be kept under the English government, as will appear by the following record of the Court of Sessions for the West Riding of Yorkshire upon Long-Island, December 15th, 1675. “The towne of Fflatbush having neglected the making of ffortifications, the Court take notis of it, and reffer the censure to ye Governor.” [16] There were also a “Clerk” in most if not in all of these towns, who seems to have been authorised to take proof of the execution of wills; whether he was the Town Clerk does not appear. This officer was differently appointed in the different towns. In Bushwick he was appointed by the Commissioners of the town, and in New-Utrecht he was elected by the people, and approved of by the Governor. [17] This law provides, that any person not having a visible estate, or a manual craft or occupation, coming into any place within this province, should give security, not to become chargeable within two years: and the captains of vessels bringing passengers into this province, were required to report them to the chief magistrate of the place, within 24 hours after their arrival. Under the Dutch government the poor were supported out of the fines imposed for offences committed, and by contributions taken up in the Churches. [18] Sept. 14, 1696, about 8 o’clock in the evening, John Rapale, Isaac Remsen, Joras Yannester, Joras Danielse Rapale, Jacob Reyersen, Aert Aersen, Tunis Buys, Garret Cowenhoven, Gabriel Sprong, Urian Andriese, John Williamse Bennet, Jacob Bennet, and John Meserole, jr. met armed at the court-house of Kings, where they destroyed and defaced the king’s arms which were hanging up there. [19] The West Riding was composed of the towns of Brooklyn, Bushwick, Flatbush, Flatlands, New-Utrecht, and Gravesend, together with Staten-Island and Newtown. [20] At the same period, the salary of the clerk of the county was _L_10. per annum. [21] This minister died in the month of June, 1676. [22] This minister was naturalized in the Court of Sessions for Kings County, November 8, 1715. [23] This office was held by George S. Wise, Jun, Esq. until his death in November, 1824. [24] Governor Nicolls in a letter to the Duke of York, November, 1665, informed him “that such is the mean condition of this town, (New-York) that not one soldier to this day has lain in sheets, or upon any other bed than canvass and straw.