(Dutch, patroon, a patron.) A grantee of land to be settled under the old Dutch governments of New York and New Jersey.
The following articles from the "Freedoms and Exemptions" granted to the Dutch West India Company, will show what were some of the privileges of the Patroons:
Art. 3. All such shall be acknowledged Patroons of New Netherland who shall, within the space of four years next after they have given notice to any of the Chambers of the Company here, or to the Commander of the Council there, undertake to plant a colonie there of fifty souls upwards of fifteen years of age; one-fourth part within one year, and within three years of the sending of the first, the remainder, to the full number of fifty persons, to be shipped from hence, on pain, in case of wilful neglect, of being deprived of the privileges obtained, etc.
Art. 5. The Patroons, by virtue of their power, shall and may be permitted, at such places as they shall settle their colonies, to extend their limits four miles along the shore, that is, on one side of a navigable river, or two miles on each side of a river, and so far no the country as the situation of the occupiers will permit, etc.
Art. 8. The Patroons may, if they think proper, make use of all lands, rivers, and woods lying contiguous to them, for and during so long a time as this Company shall grant them to other Patroons or particulars.
For a further account of the privileges of the Patroons, See O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Vol. I. p. 112.