In 1685, in an action between Derick Storm, and the inhabitants of Flatbush, it is recorded, "An agreement read between Storm and Joseph Hegeman, Cornelius Berrian, John Stryker, William Guilliamsen, and others, in behalf of ye town of Fflatbush, uppon which, Storm prayed a sallarry, may be allowed him, for serving the town as schoolmaster to their children. Ordered that Court Steephens and Symou Jansen, examine ye accounts, and agreement between them, and these partys to stand to their determination."

In the same year, Theodorus Polhemus, for refusing to stand constable for Flatbush, although legally elected, was by the court fined five pounds to the public.

On the 7th, of November, 1685, at the session of the second colonial assembly, held under the administration of Governor Dongan, an act was passed for removing the court of Sessions of Kings county, from Gravesend to Flatbush. The cause for this, stated in the preamble of the act, is the inconvenience to which the inhabitants of the county are subjected, in travelling so far as Gravesend. Flatbush is about the geographical centre of the county of Kings, and afforded in this respect the most eligible place for holding the courts and presented the least disadvantages to the inhabitants of the county, who might have judicial business to attend to. It was thenceforth named as the seat of justice for the county, and continued such till the year 1832, when the court-house was destroyed by fire. A court-house was accordingly erected in Flatbush, in 1686, for the accommodation of the county, on the spot of ground which is still called the courthouse lot. It remained till a larger one was built in the year 1758, an account of which we shall subsequently give.

A controversy arose as early as 1678, between Flatbush and Brooklyn, relative the boundary line between the respective towns. The northern boundary of the town of Flatbush according to their purchase from the Indian proprietors and the patent which they had obtained was described to be by the hills. The inhabitants of Brooklyn, contended that their right of ownership extended to the foot of the hills, and that this was the true and proper boundary line between the two towns, and that the Indian conveyances to both parties would admit of this and of no other construction. The inhabitants of Midwout on the other hand, contended, that such a construction of their northern boundary interfered with their just rights, and would lead to great embarrassment, doubt and uncertainty; nay, that from the general surface of the town of Flatbush, being an inclined plane, gradually sloping to the south, such a construction would locate their northern boundary in the town of Flatlands, and perhaps even in the Bay, or waters edge. In consequence of this difference, the matter was submitted to the decision of the Court of Sessions. At a session of that court, held at Gravesend, on the 18th, of December, 1678, the subject of difference was, by consent of both towns, referred to Captain Jaques Cortelyou, and Captain Richard Stillwell, to decide, and it was ordered that their "report should be determinative." Messrs. Cortelyou and Stillwell complied with the requisition of the court, and five years afterwards submitted the following report.

To the Worshipfull Court of Sessions, now sitting at Gravesend, June 21st, 1683. These may certifie, that in obedience to an order from said court, and by consent of both towns, of Brooklyn and Flatbush, to runn the line be-