The Flatlands tract as granted June 16, 1636, comprised all the land between Gerritsen creek and Paardegat creek, including modern South Flatbush, Vandeveer Park, and Westminster Heights Park. This, however, did not include Winippague, for that island INDIAN PATHS wag granted to Captain John Underbill ten years later as a reward for his doughty services in slaughtering troublesome natives. The little settlement of Nieuw Amersfoort grew up at the intersection of the Indian paths, around a native station, the site of which became that of the church, while the Indians' burial-ground became its churchyard.

Frederick Van Wyck80 states that this place was the seat of religious rites, and relates also that Indian remains were disturbed from time to time in the burying-ground. The supply of water within this settlement, upon which it depended, was a spring at the head of a small stream leading to Jamaica bay. This brook extended between Avenues K and L, and found an outlet in the watercourse that made of Winippague an island.