History of the Town of Flatbush

each towne, whereof foure shall remaine in their office two yeares successively, and foure shall be changed for new ones, every yeare; which election shall preceed the election of constables, in point of time, in regard the constable for the yeare ensuing, is to bee chosen out of that number which are dismist from their office of overseers." The following is a summary of the duties of the overseers, as stated by Judge Furman, in his notes on Brooklyn. They were authorized together with the constable, to hold town courts, for the trial of causes under £5. On the death of any person, they were to repair with the constable to the house of the deceased, and inquire after the manner of his death, and of his will and testament; and if no will was found, the constable, in the presence of the overseers, was, within forty-eight hours, to search after the estate of the deceased, and to deliver an account of the same, in writing, under oath, to the next justice of the peace. They together with the constable, made all assessments. If any overseer died during his term, the rest of the overseers by a major vote, made choice of another in his place: and if the person so chosen, refuse to serve, he forfeited the sum of £10. towards defraying the town charges. They were to settle the bounds of the town, within twelve months after the bounds were granted. They had the power of regulating fences. They were authorized, together with the constable, to make choice of two out of the eight overseers, of church affairs. They and the constable were frequently to admonish the inhabitants, "to instruct their children and servants, in matters of religion, and the lawes of the country." They, with the constable, appointed an officer " to record every man's particular marke, and see each man's horse and colt branded." The constable and two of the overseers, were to pay the value of an Indian coat for each wolf killed; and they were to cause the wolf's head to be " nayled over the door of the constable, their to remaine, as also to cut of both the eares, in token that the head is bought and paid for."

The following is the most complete list of the overseers of Flatbush that could be obtained.

In the year 1683, the "overseers," were changed to "commissioners." The act regulating their appointment, and prescribing particularly their duties, was passed by the first General Assembly of this Colony, November 1st, 1683. It is not necessary to recite the provisions of this act. The only list that we have been able to obtain of the commissioners appointed under this act, in the town of Flatbush, is the following:

The constables, overseers and commissioners, were sworn before the court of Sessions, before they entered