In March 1638, Swedish colonists led by Peter Minuit landed in Wilmington, Delaware and established New Sweden on the west bank of the Delaware River. The area had previously been claimed by both the English and the Dutch, but neither had managed more than marginal occupation. Minuit had been a director of the Dutch West India Company's New Netherland colony, and he was familiar with the terrain and local custom. He purchased the right to settle the land from the Susquehannocks.