juan rodriguez (transliterated to dutch as "jan rodrigues") was one of the first people associated with europe to live there. he was a merchant from santo domingo. he was born in santo domingo of portuguese and african descent, and he came to manhattan during the winter of 1613–14. he trapped for pelts and traded with the local people as a representative of the dutch. broadway, from 159th street to 218th street in upper manhattan, is named juan rodriguez way in his honor.