noun
- plural of patroon: wealthy landowners in colonial Dutch America who received large estates in exchange for bringing settlers to New Netherland
Usage: historical
Examples
- The patroons controlled vast territories along the Hudson River.
- Dutch patroons were granted feudal-like privileges over their lands.
- Many patroons brought dozens of families from Europe to work their estates.
- The patroon system created a hierarchy similar to European feudalism.
- Some patroons became extremely wealthy through their agricultural enterprises.
- The influence of patroons extended well beyond the colonial period.