Indian Paths in the Great Metropolis
Here a branch path- INDIAN PATHS way, probably on the line of the latter street, led to the neighboring village of Rechtauck or Rechtanck (3), which was situated on Corlears hook. The shore-line along this part of the island faces almost due south, and from the vicinity of Market street eastward the shore-line was composed of high banks of sandy soil. Near Jefferson street there was a depression through which a little fresh-water brook made its way into a pond situated in the block bounded by Jefferson, Henry, Clinton, and Madison streets.
This appears to have been the only source of fresh-water supply in the entire tract, and, situated as it was with a southern exposure sheltered between rising ground east and west, the latter being covered with timber even as late as 1766, with a good beach in front, the space in the vicinity of the pond offered about as attractive conditions for village life as could be desired, and was therefore, in all probability, the site of Rechtauck.
Though the existence of this station is recorded in local history, its precise situation was of so little concern to early writers that they made no note of it.