History of the New Netherlands, Province of New York, and State of New York

In this two-volume set, first published in 1839, students and history scholars will find William Dunlap's extensive history of New Netherlands, an area from the St. Lawrence river to the Delaware Bay, stretching from the coast westward through what is now upstate New York.

The Dutch landed at Noten Eylant, now Governor's island, and quickly spread their settlers over the territory they wished to claim. They further acquired Manhattan Island, founded New Amsterdam, and took up trading in earnest. Dunlap chronicles the many treaties signed with the local Indian tribes and details for readers how the various areas of the Northeast came to bear their current names.

In this volume, he also discusses the intrusion of the English into New Netherlands, Holland's battle to retake its colony, and the eventual ceding of the colony to England for good. Volume I ends with the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.


American historian and playwright WILLIAM DUNLAP (1766-1839) was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He managed the John Street Theatre and the Park Theatre in New York. Among his many plays are Andre (1798) and The Virgin of the Sun (1800).