Speaking of NY...
I believe this could be explained in the sense of patroonships--or rather manors or manrialism generally. The patroon (Dutch manor chief) didn't pay rent (another word for taxes). It was tenants of the patron that paid rent to the patroon. A patroonship could have cities, villages, courts, etc. If you say you live in U.S. patroonship or sub-patroonship or sub-patroonship whatever it might be, then what can the patroon expect of ya?The deeded tracts were called patroonships and could span 16 miles in length on one side of a major river, or 8 miles if spanning both sides. In 1640 the charter was revised to cut new plot sizes in half, and to allow any Dutch American in good standing to purchase an estate. The title of patroon came with powerful rights and privileges. A patroon could create civil and criminal courts, appoint local officials and hold land in perpetuity. In return, he was required by the Dutch West India Company to establish a settlement of at least 50 families within four years on the land.[2] As tenants working for the patroon, these first settlers were relieved of the duty of public taxes for ten years, but were required to pay rent to the patroon. A patroonship sometimes had its own village and other infrastructure, including churches.
Albany's county seat happens to be the capital of the State of New York. The 50 States might be types of patroonships created by the United States (as contrasted with those which created the United States of America).The largest and most successful patroonship in New Netherland was the Manor of Rensselaerswijck, established by Kiliaen van Rensselaer. Rensselaerswijck covered almost all of present-day Albany and Rensselaer counties and parts of present-day Columbia and Greene counties in New York State.
Ever notice any new construction projects where the owners are given a tax break for a period as an incentive to purchase property? (*nods*--quite common...even these days)
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