A Dutch Map of New Netherlands ca. 1630.
(Note:  Map is looking toward the west.)

In 1623, Richard Denton was graduated from Cambridge University, and settled in an established Church of England in Halifax, where he remained until 1630.  While in Cambridge, Denton became interested in the debate about church policy led by Cartwright.  Denton did not leave the Church of England at the outset.  However, his seven years in Halifax made it clear that he could no longer remain in the orders of the Church of England.  With followers from this church, Coley's Chapel in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, he started for New England in the Puritan exodus of 1630-1640.  They stopped first in Massachusetts, then moved to Weathersfield and Stamford. 

In 1643, a committee from Rev. Denton's settlement went to Long Island to spy out the land.   They met with the Indian chiefs of Marsapeague, Mericock and Rockaway and received from them a conveyance of two-thirds of Great Plains, now known as Hempstead Plains.   The above document is a 1740 copy of the agreement of November 18, 1643.

Robert Fordham and John Carman are mentioned in this document, as is Micah Smith.  In 1644, Rev. Richard Denton led the migration from Stamford to Hempstead, Long Island, NY.

(Translation of the above)

November 13th, 1643.

wereas Unto men by these Presents that wee of Masepeage Meriack or Rockaway wee hoes names are here under written have Sett over and Sold unto Robert Fordham and John Carman on Long Island Inglishmen ye halfe Moiety or Equal pt of ye Greate plains lying towards ye South Side of Long Island to be Divided or measured by a Straight line and from our present town to be northward and from ye North End of ye line to Run with a due East and West Line, to ye Uttmosts extent Limits of itt and from both Ends, to run down with a Strait Square Line to ye South Side with all ye woods Lands meadows marsheas pastures apperttenances here unto belonging Containing within ye Compass of ye Said Lines, to have and to hold to them and theire, heirs and Assigns for Ever in Witness where of wee have here unto Sett our hands ye Day and year above written.

Signed and Delivered the mark of ye Sagamore
In ye presence of of Masepeage
Steven Son Iarane his mark
John Rockwall Pamaman his mark
Francis Conor Remoj his mark
Wainis his mark
Whanage his mark
Yarafus his mark
this is Reorded in New York taken out of a Good that is kept in the records of Hempstead and is not entered, this Copy taken by Micah Smith (Clerk of Hempstead as well as I could by Reason of itt being very much shattered as witness my hand (signed) Micah Smith.