"Near where the foot of Freeman Street now lies, a point of land jutted abruptly beyond the shore line into the river for a considerable distance. This point, covered with river ooze and green grass, naturally attracted the gaze of the sailors on passing vessels, who gave this verdant projection the name of Green Point."

-Historic Green Point, 1918

Fourteen Frenchmen and a Dutchman walk into a bar...

from Historic Green Point, 1918:

The earliest authentic record in the history of Green Point dates from the purchase of the land from the Indians by the Dutch West India Company in 1638. The ancient town records of Bushwick reveal the founding of the Township of Bushwick by Governor Stuyvesant in 1660, four years before New Amsterdam passed under the control of the English and became New York. It will be recalled that he was the last of the Dutch governors of New Amsterdam, he was of wooden leg and peppery temper. It appears that the governor recieved a petition reciting the fact that "Fourteen Frenchmen with a Dutchman Pieter Janse Wit, their interpreter, have arrived here." Acting favorably upon this petition the Dutch governor founded the Township of Bushwick. The establishment of this township marks the beginning of social and political life for this section.