Page "Common law" Paragraph 84

The state of New York, which also has a civil law history from its Dutch colonial days, also began a codification of its law in the 19th century.

The only part of this codification process that was considered complete is known as the Field Code applying to civil procedure.

The original colony of New Netherlands was settled by the Dutch and the law was also Dutch.

When the English captured pre-existing colonies they continued to allow the local settlers to keep their civil law.

However, the Dutch settlers revolted against the English and the colony was recaptured by the Dutch.

When the English finally regained control of New Netherland they forced, as a punishment unique in the history of the British Empire, the English common law upon all the colonists, including the Dutch.

This was problematic, as the patroon system of land holding, based on the feudal system and civil law, continued to operate in the colony until it was abolished in the mid-19th century.

The influence of Roman Dutch law continued in the colony well into the late 19th century.

The codification of a law of general obligations shows how remnants of the civil law tradition in New York continued on from the Dutch days.