 When the Dutch settlers arrived in the early seventeenth century, the Canarsee, already weakened by disease, hunger, and warfare, began to sell their land to the settlers and commenced on a long westward migration that would take them as far as Illinois territory.The land was sold by the Indians to Joris Jansen Rapalje.Rapelje acquired the land for farming purposes; it was renamed to Breuckelen circa 1646.