Adriaen Block

Adriaen Block was a Dutch private trader and navigator best known for exploring the coastal and river valley areas between present-day New Jersey and Massachusetts during the four voyages from 1611 to 1614.

In the 1590s, Block was already active as a merchant and mariner transporting wood from Northern Europe to deforested Spain, and participating in trading voyages to the Dutch East Indies. In 1609 he decided to turn his activities to the West. Therefore he joined Henry Hudson in exploring the waters off the coast of present day New York and New England. Upon returning, Adrian was appointed by the Dutch government as the head of the expedition which aim was to obtain the furs from the Indians of the Hudson River Valley.

During his exploration of North America, Adriaen established the early trade connections with the Native Americans. He is also credited for being the first European to enter Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River, and to determine that that Manhattan and Long Island are islands.

Upon returning in 1614, Block compiled a map of his voyage together containing known information of the time. It was the first that applied the name "New Netherland" to the area between English Virginia and French Canada, and to present Long Island as separate from Manhattan.