What is the patroon system

In the United States, a patroon was a landholder with manorial rights to large tracts of land in the 17th century Dutch colony of New Netherland in North America. Through the Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions of 1629, the Dutch West India Company first started to grant this title and land to some of its invested members.

A landholder in New Netherland who, under Dutch colonial rule, was granted rights to a large tract of land in exchange for bringing 50 new settlers to the colony.