An article on the history of Broadway1 states that "The Post Road or Boston Road as it was originally called, was the first highway laid out through the length of the island," and the remark is also made that "the topographical character of the INDIAN PATHS island in this vicinity was of a broken or rocky character, diversified with swamps and a briery growth, with but slight attractions to the agriculturist." Along its course, northward of Astor place, we have only one recorded place of Indian occupancy, a tract at East 14th street bearing the name "Shepmoes" (99), probably a title descriptive of a local feature, the "little brook."8 (See Map II.) As there was quite a tract of marshland along the west side of the trail at this part of its course, it is probable that this plantation extended east of the path, over the level lands of the later Tiebout farm.

But this area does not have the characteristics of shelter and an accessible spring, which were indispensable elements in the selection of native dwelling places.