Henry Hudson, an Englishman sailing for the Dutch East India Company with the ship the Half Moon, ‘discovers’ the still relatively unknown Muhheakantuck River in northeast America that would later be named after him.
Merchants unite and form the New Netherland Company; The beginning of New Netherland as a separate territory by license of the Dutch States General; Fort Nassau is built.
New Netherland becomes an official Dutch colony and province, under the auspices of the West India Company, established in 1621; Arrival of the first colonists.
The English claim the region, discovered by an Englishman, Hudson, as their territory. Under threat of war, Peter Stuyvesant is forced to hand New Netherland over to the English.
Click here for a more elaborate chronological list.
The Story of the Becoming of New Netherland, New York. (BNN)
In September 1609, the Englishman Henry Hudson sails up a North-American river known to the native tribes as the Muhheakantuck, ‘the river that flows both ways,’ in the ship the Half Moon. Hudson was sailing for the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to search for the northeastern passage to Asia.
About this initiative
Traditionally, the history of New Netherland was written (by Anglo-Americans, the English, and the Dutch) with the starting point set at the coincidental discovery, in 1609, of the river and valley that would, in 1664, be named after the English explorer, Henry Hudson. History books then jump to 1624 when the region, under the auspices of the West India Company, becomes a new province of the Dutch Republic.
About Hubert de Leeuw
In the early 1990s, Hubert de Leeuw (Tilburg, 1961), entrepreneur from the Low Countries, begins to research the history of the origin of New Netherland, the region on the east coast of North America, which today is known as New York State. During that time de Leeuw is in Seattle on business – he is going to introduce the five-gallon water cooler system used in the North America to the Netherlands – and makes a trip to Vancouver, just over the border in Canada.
Bookshop
Under the title, “Coming to Terms with Early New Netherland – New York History”, Hubert de Leeuw, in collaboration with Timothy Paulson, has issued a trio of English language books on the origins of New Netherland.
Dutch versions are in the works, as well as three other books about, amongst other topics, the original 16th- and early 17th-century text of the primary sources about the history of New Netherlands (and New York) transcribed in the Dutch language used at that time. These will be released in the autumn.
These titles are all available for download. Each of the English-language books, free of charge, in PDF format, or order them as an e-book, or as a printed and bound book with the links listed below.

By researching, among others, primary sources, Paulson and De Leeuw show in 1610 – 1614 how in four short years the Dutch mariners and traders in the Hudson Valley laid a base for what, in 1624, would become the colony New Netherland.
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In 1609, Henry Hudson Revisited the credit given to this English explorer for being the ‘first one’ to discover the valley of the Muhheakantuck River is questioned. Today Hudson is honored like a hero, but is that praise deserved?
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eBook (through Amazon): $ 4,95
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Paperback (through TheBookPatch): $ 4.95 (incl. shipping costs/handling)
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Paperback (through Amazon): $ 4,95
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eBook (through Amazon): $ 4,95 Order
Paperback (through theBookPatch): $ 4.95 (incl. shipping costs/handling) Order
Paperback (through Amazon): $ 4.95 (incl. shipping costs/handling) <Order
Future Releases

The Prehistory of the New Netherland Company

Broken Chain
How the White and Indian Worlds Remembered Henry Hudson and the Dutch

Dutch primary Sources – Vol. I
About New Netherland, New York beginnings – 1609-1624

Dutch primary Sources – Vol. II
About New Netherland, New York beginnings – 1609-1624

A Movie Script About the Early History of New Netherland & New York During the Period 1609-1624
The River that Flows Both Ways

Honor Where Honor is Due
New insights and new truths about the origin of New Netherland, New Amsterdam, and New York
Part I: 1609-1614

Van Meteren’s Virginia 1607-1612
By John Parker
Honor Where Honor is Due
New insights and new truths about the beginnings of New Netherland, New Amsterdam and New York
In May of this year, the historical pamphlet Honor Where Honor is Due will be published. In this document, a new vision of the origins of New Netherland, New York, and the unique Dutch-American relationship are presented. Honor Where Honor is Due is the first part of a two-part series and focuses on the period 1609-1614, when free Dutch mariners and traders laid the foundations for what would eventually be the city and state of New York. The pamphlet notes Henry Hudson’s famous 1609 journey in The Half Moon to the east coast of the New World. Part Two details the period of 1615-1624. This brochure provides a preview of the Part One of Honor Where Honor is Due. If, after reading, you discover you would like to know more, please add your email to our mailing list and we will send updates on the official release dates. You can access the preview by clicking here to download the PDF.
Blog/Info
ONN has, after thorough study, developed a vision of the history of New Netherlands and New York that is more detailed and nuanced than the existing history. ONN, however, does not claim to have a monopoly on the truth. The motive is ”truth” and ”honor to whom honor is due.” Nothing more, nothing less. We strive to find, through dialogue and constructive discussions, the truth – even if there are multiple versions of the historical perspectives of this specific time in history. ONN is pleased to invite you to contribute to the blog.