An early transaction in 1636, between certain natives of Keskaechquerem and Jacobus van Corlaer, conveyed to the latter a tract of salt marsh, called Castuteeuw, or Kes-asketu, i.e., "where grass is cut." This is described as being "the middlemost of three flats," which may be identified as those marshy areas that bound the INDIAN NOTES — \ Canarsie neck of cultivated land along the margin of Jamaica bay.

The "middlemost" is apparently that tract which now includes Canarsie Beach Park, and is bounded on the westward by the Bestevaars kill or Paardegat basin. It was accessible by some pathway such as the old Meadow lane still shown upon the city map. "The westernmost of the flats, called Kestateuw," was the tract of meadow through which Paardegat creek makes its way, and "the easternmost" was the great marsh bounded by Fresh creek.

Of these the western meadow became known, in 1652, as Amersfoort flat, or the flat "at the bay," and the title is still continued on modern maps. Proceeding from Flatlands westward, by the King's highway and its predecessor, the Ancient Path, another important native settlement was reached, which was situated at Gerritsen basin.