INSTINCT
Vriessendael
Edgewater, United States
<center>"Vriessendael"<br> 1640<br> Colony of David DeVries</center> The first known colony in present Bergen County was founded in 1640 by David Pietersz DeVries, a Dutch explorer, sea captain and patroon. Then part of New Netherland, the plantation included the Bouough of Edgewater. Here, DeVries built his house and raised tobacco, corn and cattle. In 1643 the settlement was destroyrd in a war with the Hackensack and Tappan Indians.