UNIVERSITY of CALIPORNJ/
AT
LOS ANGELES
LIBRARY
MINUTES OF THE COURT
OF
RENSSELAERSWYCK
1648-1652
Translated and edited
by
A. J. F. VAN LAER
Archivist, Division of Archives and History
ALBANY
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1922
127868
The University of the State of New York
Division of Archives and History
December 21. 1922
Dr. Frank P> Craves
President of the University
DEAR SIR:
I herewith transmit and recommend for publication the volume
entitled Minutes of the Court of RensselaersTvycJj;, April 2, 1 648
to April 15, 1652, translated and edited by A. J. F. van Laer,
Archivist of the Division of Archives and History.
In point of view of date this volume precedes the Minutes of
the Court of Fort Orange and Bevertv^cJf already published.
Reference to the preface by the translator and editor will show
the position which these minutes occupy in relation to the previous
publication. Their importance in giving a picture of the legal,
institutional and economic conditions of the time has already been
called to your attention in the volume to which reference has
been made.
Very truly yours
JAMES SULLIVAN
State Historian and Director
Approved for publication
FRANK P. GRAVES,
President of the University and
Commissioner of Education
15]
PREFACE
The court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, whose minutes
for 16481652 are published herewith, formed from an early
date an important part of the judicial organization of the
province of New Netherland. The court was erected by
Kiliaen van Rensselaer by virtue of the power conferred upon
him by the charter of Freedoms and Exemptions of 1 629, which
provided that members of the Dutch West India Company who
within four years after giving notice to the company should
plant in New Netherland a colony of fifty adults should be
acknowledged as patroons and should hold their land from the
company as a perpetual fief of inheritance, with " high, middle
and low jurisdiction." By these terms the patroons were
authorized to administer civil and criminal justice, in person or
by deputy, within the limits of their respective colonies and to
erect courts whose jurisdiction should extend to matters affecting
life and limb, although article 20 of the charter provided that
from all judgments given by the courts of the patroons above 50
guilders there should be appeal to the director general and
council of New Netherland. 1
The first step to organize a court in the colony of Rensselaers-
wyck was taken by the patroon on July 1, 1632, when he
appointed Rutger Hendricksz van Soest schout and empowered
him to administer the oath of schepen to Roelof Jansz van
1 This appeal applied only to judgments in civil cases. According
to the Dutch criminal procedure of that period, conviction was had only
upon confession by the criminal, extorted by torture, if necessary. From
sentences rendered upon such conviction there was no appeal. The
right of appeal was largely nullified by a pledge which the patroon
exacted from the colonists not to appeal to the supreme court of New
Netherland. Kieft and afterwards also Stuyvesant held that this was
an infringement of the charter, but the patroon, in a letter to Kieft,
dated May 29, 1 640, maintained that a clause to that effect was
inserted in the contracts with the colonists merely for the purpose of
preventing them from wasting their time and money in needless litigation.
See Van Rensselaer Bowier Mss, p. 476, and Doc. rel. to Col, Hist,
N. 7., 1 :423.
7]
8 Colony of
Master-land, Gerrit Theusz de Reus, Maryn Adriaensz, Brant
Peelen and Laurens Laurensz, all of whom, with the exception
of de Reus, were then residing in the colony. The patroon issued
instructions for the schout and schepens on July 20, 1632, and
sent these to the colony by his nephew Wouter van Twiller, the
newly appointed director general of New Netherland, who also
took with him a silver plated rapier with baldric and a hat with
plumes for the schout, and black hats with silver bands for the
schepens.
Van Twiller sailed from the island of Texel, on the ship
" Soutberg," shortly after July 27, 1 632, and arrived at New
Amsterdam in April of the following year. He had with him
a power of attorney from Kiliaen van Rensselaer to administer
the oath of schout to Rutger Hendricksz van Soest, but as far
as can be judged from the meager information that is available
did not administer the oath.
Conditions, just then, were not favorable for the erection of a
court in the colony. Differences had arisen in the board of
directors of the Dutch West India Company in regard to the fur
trade and efforts were made by those who were opposed to the
agricultural colonization of New Netherland to deprive the
patroons of the privileges granted to them by the charter of
Freedoms and Exemptions. Van Rensselaer complains of this
in a memorial presented by him to the Assembly of the XIX on
November 25, 1633, 1 in which he makes the statement that in
July, 1632, he had people and animals enough to start five farms,
but that his efforts were frustrated because the Company refused
to let him have carpenters, smiths and other mechanics and also
declined to furnish his people with supplies, in exchange for grain
and dairy products.
Taking this statement in connection with the facts that Rutger
Hendricksz' term of service as a farmer was about to expire and
that his name does not appear in the records of the colony after
1634, it seems safe to conclude that when Van Twiller arrived
1 Van Rensselaer Bowier Mss, p. 23550.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 9
in New Netherland Rutger Hendricksz had determined to leave
the colony and declined to accept the position of schoiit.
Van Twiller wrote to the patroon and recommended Brant
Aertsz van Slichtenhorst for the post, 1 but before his letter was
received the patroon had already made other arrangements and
entered into a contract with Jacob Albertsz Planck, whereby the
latter was engaged as schout for the period of three years.
Planck received his instructions on April 27, 1634, and soon
after sailed for the colony, where he arrived on or just before
the 1 2th of August. His instructions provided that on his arnval
in New Netherland he was to present himself before Director
Van Twiller and to request him to administer to him the oath
of office " instead of to Rutger Henrickssz, according to previous
power of attorney " and, furthermore, that at the first oppor-
tunity he was to choose three schepens from among the fittest of
the colonists, so that he could hold court if need be. Presumably,
therefore, the court of the colony was first organized shortly after
August 12, 1634.
The court as then constituted corresponded to the usual courts
of schout and schepens as they at that time existed in most of
the manors of the Netherlands. It was evidently intended to be
a court of limited civil and criminal jurisdiction, for the patroon,
in a letter to Wouter van Twiller, dated April 23, 1634, dis-
tinctly states that Michiel Pauw, in his colony of Pavonia, calls
Cornelis van Vorst his " chief officer," but that for his own
reasons he desires that " Jacob Planck shall as yet not be other-
wise entitled than as officer," thereby indicating, it seems, that
he was not to have the rank of a city schout, or the presiding
officer of a superior court having power to inflict capital punish-
ment. 2
1 Van Rensselaer Bowler Mss, p. 281 .
2 Wassenaer, under date of November 1626, speaking of the court
at Manhattan as at first established by Minuit, says : " The council
there administers justice in criminal matters as far as imposing fines,
but not as far as corporal punishment. Should it happen that any one
deserves that, he must be sent to Holland with his sentence." J. F.
Jameson, Narratives of New Netherland, p. 84.
10 Colony of
Planck not only held the position of schout, but also that of
commies, or trading agent and administrative officer of the
colony. His services were not satisfactory, so that at the expira-
tion of his term, in August 1637, he was not reappointed. The
patroon, however, had difficulty in finding a suitable successor
and requested Planck to remain until the arrival of Arent van
Curler, who was sent out as -his assistant in the latter part of
December of that year. Planck was back in Holland in August
1 639, and probably left the colony shortly after May 1 2th, when
the patroon wrote to Director General Kieft: " I am negotiating
about sending some people of capacity to my colony, but they
were not able to make up their minds so quickly and to get ready,
and in the former officer, Jacob Planck, I do not find a proper
manager. He knows more about trading furs, which have been
of greater profit to him than to me ; however, I wish to part with
him in friendship and not to give the least occasion for dissatis-
faction among my people, for they stir one another up." Having
failed to find a successor to Planck, the patroon, the same day,
entrusted the administration of justice and the general manage-
ment of the colony to three gecommitteerden, or commissioners,
namely, Arent van Curler, Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickendam
and Cornelis Teunisz van Breuckelen. Of these, the first was
made secretary and bookkeeper of the colony and until further
order was also to act as officer and commies, the second was
made receiver of tithes and supercargo of the vessel, and the
third was appointed the patroon's voorspraecfye, or attorney, to
defend his interests. These three commissioners managed the
affairs of the colony until the arrival of Adriaen van der Donck,
who was commissioned officer of justice on May 13, 1 641 . Just
how long Van der Donck held the post of officer is not known.
He arrived in the colony in August 1641, and like Planck and
other officials of the colony was probably appointed for a period
of three years, so that his term of office would seem to have ex-
pired in August 1 644. 1
1 Cf. Doc. rd. to Col Hist. N. Y. 1 :431, 532-33.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 1 1
Just about this time word must have reached the colony of the
death of the patroon. An entry in the minutes of the director
general and council of New Netherland under date of August 8,
1 644, 1 in which reference is made to " the heirs of Mr Renselaer,
deceased," shows, namely, that Kiliaen van Rensselaer died, not
in 1646, as stated by O'Callaghan, Brodhead and all other
writers, but some time prior to August 1644, and perhaps as
early as the fall of 1643, when the patroon's letters to the colony,
published in the Van Rensselaer BoTvier Manuscripts, ceased.
The patroon's estate and title now descended to his eldest son,
Johannes, who, being a minor, was with his property placed
under the guardianship of his uncle Johan van Wely and his
cousin Wouter van Twiller. Upon these guardians, therefore,
devolved the duty of appointing a successor to Van der Donck.
The latter had been lax in the performance of his duties, so that
many abuses had sprung up in the colony and a firmer hand was
needed in dealing with the colonists. The man chosen for this
purpose was Brant Aertsz van Slichtenhorst, the same person
who in 1633 had been recommended by Van Twiller for the
position of schout of the colony.
Van Slichtenhorst was appointed director of the colony on
November 10, 1646, but before this appointment was made,
Van der Donck had already left the colony and Nicolaes Coorn,
the commander of Rensselaers-Steyn, a small fort on Beeren
Island, at the southern entrance to the colony, had taken his
place. Coorn acted as officer of the colony until Van Slichten-
horst's arrival in March 1648, but was then given the title of
Offrcier Luytenant, or deputy sheriff, and made Van Slichten-
horst's assistant, in which capacity he was soon succeeded by the
1 alter 's nephew, Gerrit van Wenckum.
Of the records of the court, from its organization in 1634 to
the end of Nicolaes Coorn's term as officer, nothing has been
preserved and little is known of what actually happened in the
*Nev> York Colonial Mss, 4:99.
12 Colony of Rensselaer sTvycfy
colony beyond what may be gathered from the patroon's corre-
spondence, which stops in 1643.
Several facts, however, are known which show, not only that
court was held between 1 643 and 1 648, but that during or even
before this period the court had ceased to be a court of limited
civil and criminal jurisdiction. One of these facts is that on
February 4, 1644, and again on August 28, 1647, sentence of
banishment was pronounced on Willem Jeuriaensz ; another, that
on August 13, 1644, a similar sentence was pronounced on
Adriaen Willemsz; and still another that, apparently in 1646,
Wolf Nyssen, a native of Fulda, in Hessen, 1 was executed for
a crime which is not mentioned in the accounts. This execution
is the only case of capital punishment in the colony of which we
have any record. The sentence was carried out by a negro
named Jan, who received 38 guilders for the task. The name
of the negro does not appear in the account books of the colony
except under the date mentioned above. It is probable that he
was a slave belonging to the Company, who had been hired for
the special purpose, for on March 9, 1643, in connection with
the arrest of refractory colonists, the patroon wrote to Van der
Donck : ** I am almost thinking of asking some of the negroes
(with consent of the honorable Director Kieft) or even to employ
for your assistance some Indian of good courage and obedience
who would then also be of service to you in other things."
Van Slichtenhorst, as already stated, was appointed on
November 1 0, 1 646. He received his instructions and took the
Vol in Hessenlant;" N Y. Col. Mss, 2:61 a; 3:1 35a. Cf.
Van Rensselaer Boivier Mss, p. 830, where " t'Stift " has been inter-
preted erroneously as referring to the Sticht, or bishopric of Utrecht.
2 Van Rensselaer Bo&ier Mss, p. 642. September 27, 1646, a slave
named Jan Francisco, the younger, was manumitted by the director gen-
eral and council of New Netherland at the request of Domine Mega-
polensis. This may have been the negro who was employed to carry
out the sentence in the colony. See Laws and Ordinances of New
Netherland, p. 60.
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 13
oath of office on September 4, 1647, 1 and on the 26th of the
same month sailed for his post. He landed in Virginia on
December 1 2th, thence proceeded by another ship to Manhattan,
which he reached on February 7, 1648, and finally arrived in
the colony on March 22d. Van Slichtenhorst was then 59 years
of age. 2 He was born at Nykerck, in the province of Gelder-
land, where his ancestral estate, known as the Aert-Brantsgoed,
extending on both sides of the Slichtenhorst road, adjoined the
property of the Van Twillers and was situated not far from Cor-
laer, the original seat of the Van Curlers. Thus, long before his
coming to New Netherland, he must have been well acquainted
with both Wouter van Twiller and Arent van Curler, the latter
of whom was at the time of his appointment in Holland and
returned with him to New Netherland.
Van Slichtenhorst married early in January 1614, at Nykerck,
Aeltje van Wenckum, a distant relative of Kiliaen van Rens-
selaer, by whom he had nine children, namely, four sons and
five daughters, of whom Arend, the historian of Gelderland, and
a daughter Goudje, or Hillegonda, remained in Holland. A
younger daughter, Margaret, and his son Gerrit 3 accompanied
him to New Netherland, and the other children died young. He
was a deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church at Nykerck from
1 For abstracts of Van Slichtenhorst's commission and instructions and
the form of the oath, see G. Beernink, De Ceschiedschrijver en Rechts-
geleerde Dr. Arend van Slichienhorst en zijn vader Brant van Slichten-
horst, Stichter van Albany, Hoofdstad van den Staat New-York (Werken
uitgegeven door de Vereeniging Gelre, No. 12), Arnhem, 1916,
p. 155-64.
2 According to Mr Beernink, Van Slichtenhorst was on January 1 ,
1656 more than 67 years old, and in 1664, 76 years of age. See
his biography, p. 216, 255.
3 Gerrit van Slichtenhorst married Aeltje Lansing. He had a daughter
Aeltje, or Alida, born at Beverwyck, who married, first, Gerrit van
Schaick, and secondly, Pieter Davidz Schuyler. In O'Callaghan,
History of New Netherland, 2:69, this daughter Aeltje is erroneously
given as a daughter of Brant Aertsz van Slichtenhorst. Margaret, or
Grietje, van Slichtenhorst became the wife of Philip Pietersz Schuyler.
Cf. G. W, Schuyler, Colonial New York, 1 : 1 79, and also 1:171, where
Arent van Slichtenhorst is erroneously called Brant Aertsz van Slichtea-
horst's brother.
14 Colony of Rensselaerstvyck
1619 to 1622, and from 1621 to 1627 was subcollector at the
same place for Joncker Carel Bentinck ten Berencamp, one of
the representatives of the nobility of the district of the Veluwe,
who held the lucrative office of collector or receiver.
Van Slichtenhorst's name first appears in connection with New
Netherland under date of June 25, 1 632, when he was appointed
commissary of stores by the Amsterdam Chamber of the Dutch
West India Company. 1 He was to sail in that capacity to New
Netherland in the company of Director Wouter van Twiller,
but was unexpectedly detained by his former employer, Bentinck,
owing to a litigation in which the latter was involved with the
inhabitants of Nykerck. Having, in view of his appointment,
already disposed of his property at Nykerck, Van Slichtenhorst
first removed to Harderwyck, 2 where his son Arend attended the
university, but soon after changed his residence to the city of
Amersfoort, where from 1636 to 1644 he held the position of
lieutenant schout, and where he remained until his departure for
New Netherland in 1 647. Before coming to New Netherland,
therefore, Van Slichtenhorst had considerable experience, both
as an administrative officer and as deputy schout.
His contract with the guardians of the young patroon provided
that he was to hold the positions of hoofd-officier and director of
the colony for the period of three years from the date of his
arrival in the colony. As hoofd-officier, he was to preside over
the court, to act as public prosecutor and to perform the com-
bined duties of a modern sheriff and chief of police. As director,
he was the chief administrative officer of the colony and as such
was to collect the patroon's revenues derived from farms, mills,
licenses to trade, etc., of which he was to render a strict account,
1 For a facsimile of this commission and a printed copy of the text,
see Beernink, p. 69, 77.
2 Mr Beernink, p. 83, states that the principal street at Harderwyck,
called the Donkerstraat, was on account of its many prominent residents
dubbed the Jonkerstraat. It is not unlikely that the Jonker straet at
Beverwyck, or Albany, afterwards corrupted to Yonker street, derived
its name from this nickname of the corresponding street at Harderwyck.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 15
with the understanding, however, that he was not to engage in
the fur trade, or to act as commies. For the performance of
these various duties he was to receive a salary of 900 guilders a
year, of which 150 guilders were to be paid in Holland to his
daughter Hillegonda, who shortly after his departure married at
Nykerck Pieter van der Schuer. In addition to this salary, Van
Slichtenhorst was to receive one third of the fines and the pro-
ceeds from confiscated property, above the amount of ten guil-
ders ; below that amount, he was to have the entire sum, provided
that one half was to go the deputy schout. As a third source of
income, he was to have the toepachten, or fees paid in addition
to the annual rent and tithes of the farms.
The contract further provided that with his daughter Mar-
garet, his son Gerrit, and his nephew Gerrit van Wenckum, the
director was to enjoy free passage and board to New Nether-
land l and that in addition he should receive 1 50 guilders for
moving expenses. After his arrival in the colony, he was to
have, rent free, the house and garden formerly occupied by the
commies, Arent van Curler, and, furthermore, four cows and
two horses on shares, 8 acres of plowed land and as much pasture
as was needed for the horses and cattle. Finally, he was to
receive 5 per cent of the profits of the trade which the guardians
expected to carry on between Amsterdam and New Nether land,
but in regard to which they at that time did not wish to commit
themselves definitely.
Van Slichtenhorst's instructions, dated September 4, 1647,
consisted of 24 articles. They provided in substance that upon
his arrival at the island of Manhattan he was to present his
respects to the director general and deliver to him a letter from
the guardians of the patroon. At the first opportunity he was
to proceed to the colony, call upon Domine Megapolensis, make
known his official capacity and ask his advice in regard to the
1 Van Slichtenhorst's wife died before January 1, 1645, and there-
fore did not accompany him to New Netherland. See Beernink,
p. 119.
16 Colony of Rensselaerswycfy
administration and redress of the colony. He was then to present
his commission to the council, thank the members for their serv-
ices and summon Anthony de Hooges and Abraham Staets, in
order to notify them of their appointment as gecommitteerden by
the patroon. He was furthermore to make regulations for the
proper observance of the " Sabbath of the New Testament," to
enforce the contracts and the ordinances, to collect the revenues,
and to attend to the proper administration of justice, taking care
not to keep persons for a long time in detention at the expense of
the colony, but to bring them speedily to trial and, whenever
required, to inform the court of the names of the persons who
were in custody and the cause of their arrest.
The court as organized by Van Slichtenhorst consisted at first
of four and afterwards of five persons, of whom two were desig-
nated as gecommitteerden, or commissioners, and two, or after-
wards three, are in the record indiscriminately referred to as
raden, raetspersonen, gerechtspersonen, or rechtsvrienden. The
duties of the gecommitteerden were primarily of an administrative
nature, while those of the raden, contrary to what one might
expect from the title, seem to have been chiefly judicial. The
gecommitteerden represented the patroon and acted under definite
instructions from the guardians. The raden, on the other hand,
were appointed by the director, but represented the colonists, it
being at that time held sufficient if persons who were to represent
others were chosen from among them, so as to represent their
class. The only requirement was that they should not be in the
patroon's service. Goossen Gerritsz made a point of this on
October 22, 1648, when as one of the reasons for his being
unable to accept the office of gerechtspersoon he stated that he
was " not yet on a free basis with the patroon." The objection,
however, was overruled, so that he was obliged to serve.
The members of the court were as a rule chosen from among
the most prominent residents of the colony. De Hooges, one of
the first commissioners, had been sent out in 1 64 1 as assistant to
Arent van Curler. Upon the latter's departure for the Nether-
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 17
lands, in October 1 644, he was put in charge of the colony and
given the title of commies. After the arrival of Van Slichten-
horst, he became secretary of the colony, a position which he
occupied until his death in October 1655. Staets was a surgeon
and trader, who came to the colony in 1 642. He held the office
of raetspersoon from February 5, 1643, to April 10, 1644, and
from the latter date to April 10, 1648, was Presideerende, or
presiding officer of the council. As gecommitteerde, he was
before June 5, 1649, succeeded by Jan van T wilier, whose place
in turn, on January 5, 1651, was taken by Arent van Curler.
The office of raet, or gerechtspersoon, was held by such men as
Andries de Vos, Rutger Jacobsz van Schoonderwoert, Goossen
Gerritsz van Schaick, Jan Verbeeck and Pieter Hertgers, all of
whom were prominent members of the community, and who
afterwards became members of the court of Fort Orange and
Beverwyck.
The proceedings of the court presided over by Van Slichten-
horst cover the period from April 2, 1648, to April 15, 1652.
They form the most important source for the history of the colony
during that period, but unfortunately add but little to what is
known from other sources in regard to the outstanding event of
that period, namely, the controversy between Van Slichtenhorst
and General Peter Stuyvesant regarding the jurisdiction of the
territory around Fort Orange, which forms one of the dramatic
episodes of the history of New Netherland. As is well known,
this controversy had its origin in the claim made by the patroon,
as early as 1 632, that '" all the lands lying on the west side of
the river, from Beyren Island to Moeneminnes Castle,"
" even including the place where Fort Orange stands," 1 had been
bought and paid for by him. The Dutch West India Company,
on the other hand, maintained that the territory of the fort, which
was erected several years before the land of the colony was
purchased from the Indians, belonged to the Company and con-
1 Instructions to Rutger Hendricksz van Soest, July 20, 1 632 ; Van
Rensselaer Bowler Mss, p. 212.
18 Colony of
sequently was not included in the patroon's purchase. The ques-
tion had remained unsettled during the lifetime of Kiliaen van
Rensselaer, but came to an issue when Van Slichtenhorst, soon
after his arrival in the colony, began to issue permits for the
erection of houses in the immediate vicinity of the fort. Stuy-
vesant objected to the erection of these houses on the ground that
they endangered the security of the fort and ordered the destruc-
tion of all buildings within range of cannon shot, a distance at
first reckoned at 600 geometrical paces of 5 feet to the pace,
but which afterwards was reduced to 1 50 Rhineland rods. 1 The
order called forth a vigorous protest from Van Slichtenhorst, who
regarded it as an unwarranted invasion of the patroon's rights,
and he proceeded with the erection of the buildings. A counter
protest followed and in 1 65 1 charges were brought against Van
Slichtenhorst, who was summoned to appear before the director
general and council at Manhattan and there detained for 4
months. The controversy continued after his return, but was
definitely settled on April 1 0, 1 652, when a proclamation, drawn
up by the director general and council of New Netherland on the
8th of the same month, was issued in the colony for the erection
of a separate court for Fort Orange, independent of that of the
colony.
The erection of this court was a serious blow to the colony of
Rensselaerswyck, from which it never fully recovered. By
virtue of this proclamation, the main settlement of the colony,
which was known as the Fuyck, but Which in the court record
is generally referred to as the byeenrvoninge, or hamlet, was
taken out of the jurisdiction of the patroon and erected into an
independent village by the name of Beverwyck, which after-
wards became the city of Albany. 2 As a result of this action,
'Doc. rel to Col Hist. N. Y. t 14:191. One Rhineland rod equals
12.36 English feet.
2 The directors of the West India Company afterwards repudiated
Stuyvesant's action and on April 2, 1674, declared: "That the
abovenamed Patroon Renselaer and co-partners have been already,
from the year XVI C and thirty, and are true owners of the abovenamed
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 19
the jurisdiction of the court of the colony was thereafter confined
to the sparsely settled outlying districts of the colony, so that the
cases which came before it must have been very few. No con-
secutive judicial record of the court of the colony after April 1 5,
1 652, has been preserved, but entries in the minutes of the court
of Beverwyck indicate that the court of the colony continued to
hold sessions.
Van Slichtenhorst vigorously protested against the erection of
the court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck and with his own hands
tore down the proclamation which had been posted on the house
of the patroon. For this he was arrested on April 1 8, 1 652, and
taken to Manhattan, where he was detained until August 1653.
With his arrest, Van Slichtenhorst's administration came to a close.
On July 24, 1 652, he was succeeded as director by Jan Baptist
van Rensselaer * and as officer of justice by Gerard Swart, so
that thereafter the two functions were no longer combined in one
person. The latter had been commissioned schout on April 24,
1652, 2 and continued to hold this position until 1665, when by
order of Governor Richard Nicolls the court of the colony was
consolidated with that of Fort Orange and the village of Bever-
wyck. The year 1665 therefore marks the end of the existence
of the first local court that was organized in the province of New
Netherland, outside of New Amsterdam.
Van Slichtenhorst returned to the Netherlands shortly after
July 1655 and took up his residence with his daughter Hille-
gonda, who at Nykerck had married Pieter van der Schuer.
hamlet named BeversTvycfc or Willemsiadt, and that the possession by
their late Director could not take away nor diminish said ownership;
declaring, therefore, that the abovenamed Company has no right, action
nor pretension thereto, leaving the right of ownership in the abovenamed
Patroon and associates" Doc. rel to Col Hist N. Y. t 2:558, 560-61.
1 Johan Baptist van Rensselaer had been in the colony since June, 1 65 1 .
Van Slichtenhorst's term as director expired on March 22, 1651, but he
continued to exercise his functions until his arrest on April 18, 1652.
2 Swart's commission, dated April 24, 1652, and his instructions,
dated May 6, 1652, are printed in O'Callaghan, History of Neiv
Netherland, 2:564-66.
20 Colon]} of RensselaerstvycJ?
Before his departure from the colony, the commissioners had
approved a debit and credit account covering the years 1648-
1650, which showed that for this period of his administration
there was due to him from the patroon the sum of 13,799 guil-
ders, 2 stivers and 12 pence. 1 The patroon considered this
amount excessive and refused to pay it, whereupon Van Slichten-
horst brought suit against him in the district court of the Veluwe,
in the province of Gelderland. Judgment was given for the
plaintiff, but on an appeal taken by Van Rensselaer to the
Klaarbanfy, or court of appeals, at Engelanderholt the decision
was reversed, so that in the end the former director failed to
recover any considerable amount. The case dragged on in the
courts from 1656 to 1661. The following year, Van Slichten-
horst commenced a second action against the patroon, but before
any decision was reached Johan van Rensselaer died and further
proceedings were abandoned.
Van Slichtenhorst now turned his attention to the completion
of an historical work, entitled: Hoe en "Wanneer Celderlandt tot
eene voogdhye is afgesondert, 8781666, which is ascribed to
his son Arend. In 1 664, he became feeble minded and was no
longer able to take care of his affairs. As his daughter had a
large family and his condition made quieter surroundings neces-
sary, he was placed in the home of Evert Elberts, a carpenter
at Nykerck, where two years later, on or just before September
26, 1 666, he died at the advanced age of 78 years.
Van Slichtenhorst is one of the few New Netherland officials
of whose complete career we have any detailed knowledge. Mr
Beernink sums up his character by stating that he was *' a man
of many-sided knowledge and great ability, of recognized
1 A translation of this account is given in the Appendix. April 4,
1652, the directors of the Dutch West India Company wrote to Stuyve-
sant: "From what we can learn here, the owners of the Colony of
Rensselaerswyck have here come to an agreement and will probably send
over another manager, but we doubt, whether they will easily get rid
of Slechtenhorst, for it is said here, that he demands from the owners
14000 to 15000 guilders; we know not, how true it may be." Doc.
rel to Col. Hist. N. Y., 14:171.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 21
integrity and proved fidelity, of rare courage and unfailing per-
severance, which at times amounted to obstinacy; an untiring
champion for the rights of others and of himself." 1 The present
minutes of the court presided over by Van Slichtenhorst contain
many personal touches which testify to his ability and devotion
to duty, but the general impression left by these minutes is that
he was a man of aggressive temperament and arbitrary and
unyielding disposition, who frequently came into needless con-
flict with his associates and the colonists.
One point in connection with Van Slichtenhorst's administra-
tion on which much emphasis has been laid by Mr Beernink is
worthy of special notice. On the strength of a statement made
by Van Slichtenhorst in the course of his litigation with Johan
van Rensselaer, that on his arrival in the colony there were but
three houses standing near the fort, that by August 1648 eight
houses had been built, and that at the end of his administration,
in April 1652, there was a settlement of about one hundred
houses, Mr Beernink calls him " the founder of Albany." This
title needs qualification, for it is well known that in 1646 and
1 647 severe freshets had carried away a number of houses in the
colony, so that the sudden building activity during Van Slichten-
horst's administration may mean nothing more than that people
were replacing the buildings that had been lost. On the other
hand, there are various indications that before 1648 the main
settlement of the colony was, not on the west, but on the east
side of the Hudson river, in the so-called Greenenbosch, after-
wards corrupted to Greenbush, a pine grove opposite the ferry. 3
It is possible, therefore, that at Van Slichtenhorst's initiative this
settlement was, either for greater security, or for other reasons,
gradually removed to the vicinity of Fort Orange, in which case
there would be considerable justification for regarding him as the
1 Beernink, p. 260.
2 Beernink, p. 175, 202, 204.
3 See Van Rensselaer Bowler Mss, p. 454, 619. Also Van Curler's
letter to the patroon, June 16, 1643, in O'Callaghan, History of New
Netherlands 1 :459, 462 464.
22
real founder of the city of Albany. It is interesting in this con-
nection to read what Father Isaac Jogues, in his Novum Bel-
gium, has to say about the colony. Writing in 1646, but de-
scribing conditions as he found them in 1643, he says:
"There are two things in this settlement (which is called Renselaers-
wick, as if to say, settlement of Renselaers, who is a rich Amsterdam
merchant) first, a miserable little fort called Fort Orenge, built of
logs, with four or five pieces of Breteuil cannon, and as many pedereros.
This has been reserved and is maintained by the West India Company.
This fort was formerly on an island in the river; it is now on the
mainland, towards the Hiroquois, a little above the said island.
Secondly, a colony sent here by this Renselaers, who is the patron.
This colony is composed of about a hundred persons, who reside in some
twenty-five or thirty houses built along the river, as each found most
convenient. In the principal house lives the patron's agent; the minister
has his apart, in which service is performed. There is also a kind of
bailiff here, whom they call the seneschal, who administers justice. All
their houses are merely of boards and thatched, with no mason work
except the chimneys. The forest furnishing many large pines, they make
boards by means of their mills, which they have here for the purpose."
While Father Jogues does not specify whether the houses
stood on the east or on the west side of the river, it is evident from
his description that in 1643 there was no compact settlement
around Fort Orange. It would seem therefore that what Van
Slichtenhorst actually did, was to have the separate dwellings
that stood on both banks of the river removed to the vicinity of
the fort. Such a concentration of the settlement, for the greater
security of the inhabitants, similar to that which ten years later,
at Stuyvesant's suggestion, was carried out at Wiltwyck, 2 would
satisfactorily explain the peculiar usage of the term byeenrvo-
ninge, literally, " a dwelling together," by which the hamlet is
repeatedly designated in the court minutes. Mr Beernink con-
siders the employment of this term in the sense of a village so
remarkable, that he cites it as a distinct proper name, which was
1 J. F. Jameson, Narratives of New Netherland, p. 261-62.
2 See Resolution of the inhabitants of Esopus, May 31, 1658, at the
beginning of " The Dutch Records of Kingston," revised translation by
Samuel Oppenheim, in vol. XI of the Proceedings of the New York State
Historical Association.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 23
given to the settlement by Van Slichtenhorst, but which hereto-
fore has been overlooked. 1 This, however, does not seem to be
the case, for the name never became current outside of the locality
and is not mentioned in the declaration made by the directors of
the Dutch West India Company in 1674, in which they speak
of " the hamlet, first called de Fu];c, afterwards BeversTvycfy,
and now Willemstadt, whereabouts Fort Orange is built."
The use, moreover, in Arend van Slichterihorst's defense of his
father before the district court of the Veluwe, of such a phrase
as eene Byeemvoeningh van omtrent honderd huysen (a settle-
ment of about one hundred houses), cited by Mr Beernink, 3 suf-
ficiently proves that the word byeenrvoninge was employed as a
common noun.
As shown in the preceding pages, the minutes of the court pre-
sided over by Van Slichtenhorst form the only record of the
court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck that has been preserved.
The record breaks off on April 15, 1652, the very date on which
the first session was held of the newly created court of Fort
Orange and the village of Beverwyck. The present record,
therefore, connects directly with the first book of minutes of the
last named court, of which a translation has recently been pub-
lished by The University of the State of New York.
The record, in its original form, was a paper covered volume
of 114 leaves, which on the front cover bore the title of
" Gerechtsrolle der Colonie Rensselaerswyck." It is jepeatedly
cited under this title in the second volume of O'Callaghan's His-
tory of New Netherland and has been used extensively in the
compilation of the list of settlers of the colony which is printed
at the end of the Van Rensselaer Borvier Manuscripts, but the
complete text of the record has heretofore not been available in
print.
Beernink, p. 139, 202,204.
2 Doc. rel to Col Hist. N. Y., 2:558.
3 Beernink, p. 208, 253.
24 Colony of Remse/aersnnjc
The record belongs to the archives of the colony which,
together with the later records of the manor of Rensselaerswyck,
were for many years kept in the patroon's office, a one-story
brick building with a fireproof vault, which until recently stood
near the south west corner of Broadway and Tivoli street, in
the northern part of the city of Albany. It was with these rec-
ords, in 1 899, removed to the Albany county clerk's office x and
from there, in 1906, as part of the same collection of records,
transferred to the New York State Library. There, less than
5 years later, it was severely damaged in the fire which on
March 29, 191 1, broke out in the western portion of the State
Capitol and in a few hours destroyed not only the general con-
tents of the Library but also many valuable records, including
the greater part of the Rensselaerswyck manuscripts.
As shown by the illustrations, the lower part of the record is
completely charred, the portion containing the last two or three
lines of every page being severed from the rest of the manuscript
and in some cases lost. Wherever possible, the writing on these
charred fragments has been carefully deciphered, so that the text
as here presented is to a large extent complete.
The main body of the record is in the handwriting of Anthony
de Hooges, who throughout the period of Van Slichtenhorst's
administration and until his own death, in 1655, held the office
of secretary. Here and there, however, pages occur in another
hand, which is probably that of Gerrit van Wenckum, Van
Slichtenhorst's nephew, who according to the account printed in
the appendix did considerable copying. Throughout the record
there are many additional entries and marginal annotations by
Van Slichtenhorst. In the translation no systematic effort has
been made to indicate these changes of handwriting, which as a
rule are without special significance.
November 20, 1922
A. J. F. VAN LAER
a See chapter 268, Laws of 1896, and chapter 471, Laws of 1899,
making provision for the safe keeping of the "Van Rensselaer papers"
in the Albany county clerk's office.
COURT MINUTES OF RENSSELAERSWYCK
1648-1652
[ 1 ] In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
we begin this court record. 1
This day, Thursday, April 2 Anno 1 648
Hendrick Westerkamp is granted permission and consent to
support himself in the colony by day-labor or otherwise. He
may therefore select a place, whereupon we shall resolve further.
Jacob Adriaensz is ordered to serve out his term with Evert
Pels for the space of one year and to report to Evert Pels within
four days from this date, under penalty of forfeiting, the first
time four guilders, for remaining in default another four days
eight guilders, and the third time sixteen guilders; and of receiv-
ing arbitrary punishment the fourth time.
Jacob Lambertsz van Dorlandt having committed a crime in
wounding Paulus Jansz, Noorman, and the court having heard
the director's complaint in the matter, the delinquent is con-
demned to pay the director a fine of twenty-five guilders, with
costs, [the parties] being warned hereafter to keep the peace,
[under penalty of] condemnation.
[Iv] 2 Thursday, April 9 Anno 1648
Whereas we observe the great rashness of Jacob Adriaensz
in entering into another man's service, having been, namely,
as appears from the foregoing judgment, first with Evert Pels
and being now with Cornelis Segersz, which is a matter that is
not to be tolerated, therefore, leaving the foregoing judgment
1 Inden Name onses Heeren ende Heylandis Jesu Christ! aenvangen toy
desen Cerecht Rolle. Figures within brackets represent the pages of the
original manuscript. Elsewhere, brackets indicate material supplied by
the editor.
2 Iv means first folio verso or reverse.
[25]
26 Colony of Rensselaersrvycfy
unabated, we order that Jacob aforesaid for his rashness and in
reparation of the loss which Cornelis may suffer thereby shall
pay to Cornelis Segersz, inclusive of the earnest money and pre-
vious expenses, the sum of twenty-five guilders.
[2] Court proceedings, April 16 Anno 1648
At the director's demand, Quiryn Cornelisz is ordered for the
last time to present before Thursday next, without further delay,
further proof of his account and an accurate statement about the
farm, both as to receipts and expenditures, on pain, in case he
remains in default, of being placed in confinement and kept on
bread and water until he shall produce further proof, and fur-
thermore of arbitrary punishment at the discretion of the court.
Whereas the time allowed to Jacob Adriaensz expired two
days ago and we find that as yet he has not reported to Evert
Pels, it is ordered, as it is ordered by us hereby, that the honor-
able director and the court messenger shall this coming Saturday
take him to his place of destination and, in case of opposition to
this our order, he shall de facto be taken into custody and be
put on bread and water.
Cornelis Theunisz from Breuckelen is ordered to bring in and
settle his account on Wednesday next, when [ ]
him [ ] forfeiture [ ]/
[2v] Apostil on the petition of Nicolaes Coorn
First, as to the capacity in which he serves the honorable court,
he is Lieutenant Officer. 2 As to his salary, the honorable court,
subject to ratification by the honorable guardians, 3 according to
instructions, have granted him one pound Flemish in addition to
his former pay for service and board, that is to say, thirty-six
guilders a month.
1 Manuscript destroyed.
2 Officier Luytenant, meaning deputy sheriff.
3 Johan van Wely and Wouter van Twiller, the guardians of the young
patroon, Johannes van Rensselaer, the minor son of Kiliaen van Rensselaer,
deceased, then in Holland.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 27
Secondly, as to the name of Stads Herberg (City Tavern),
permission to use the same is granted him, as well as permission
to build according to his request at the place to be assigned to
him, provided that he enter into a proper contract for that pur-
pose. But the court can not resolve to grant him the exclusive
right to tap.
The court confirms and renews the sentence pronounced on
August 28, 1 647, upon Willem Jeuriaensz 1 on account of the
assault committed against the person of Antony de Hooges. The
honorable director, therefore, is requested and directed to execute
and carry out the same in all its parts and provisions.
[3] Thursday, April 23 Anno 1648
At the request of Cornelis Teunisz for an extension of time to
render his account, permission is granted him for the last time,
without prejudice to our previous order, to render his account on
Tuesday next, without fail, on pain of forfeiture of one pound
Flemish, or six guilders.
Quiryn Cornelisz remaining in default as regards the previous
order, peremptory order is hereby given that he be found and
made to execute the same, according to circumstances.
The matter of Jacob Jansz Plodder, in regard to the contract
of the new mill and the two stallions, is put over to next Thurs-
day. As to the payment for the kill, two of us will be appointed
to sign and give a receipt.
Extraordinary session, April 25 Anno 1648
After Quiryn Cornelisz according to the previous judgment
had been placed in confinement, it was at Hans Vos's urgent
request agreed to hold his bail and suretyship valid, on condition
of binding 'himself as principal for the [appearance] of the per-
son of [Quiryn Cornelisz] on Monday [week], being the 4th
1 Willem Jeuriaensz was sentenced in 1644 and again in 1647 for hav-
ing attempted to stab de Hooges with a knife. See p. [5860] of this
record and O'Callaghan, History of Neto Netherland, 1 :437-38.
28 Colony of
of May of the year above written and for his proceeding with
the case [ ] whereupon [said Quiryn
Cornelisz was released from] confinement.
[3v] Thursday, April 30 Anno 1648
Upon the petition of Jan Verbeeck and Jan Michielsz the fol-
lowing serves for apostil: Their request is granted, namely,
they may both, with a helper, to the exclusion of all others, take
up the tailor's trade, binding themselves by contract for the
accpmmodation of the colony, provided that neither of them
shall be entitled to receive more than 36 stivers for a day's work
and the helper 30 stivers. But as to the request that no one
shall be allowed to take any work into the fort, 1 we can not
approve of this for reasons us thereunto moving.
Cornelis Segersz is ordered to pay Reyer Stoffelsz, according
to the assignment by Adriaen vander Donck, the sum of 49
guilders within the space of six weeks, in default whereof the
said sum will be demanded of him by legal process. But if he
can prove within the aforesaid time that he does not owe Vander
Donck anything, this assignment will be of no value. On the
other hand, from this date until the next Reyer Stoffelsz is
debarred from exacting the first payment due to him.
Jan Van Bremen 2 is condemned to pay the fine for [strik-
ing?] Hans Vos in [ ] wheat.
1 Meaning that the colonists of Rensselaerswyck should be prohibited
from employing a tailor in Fort Orange outside of the jurisdiction of the
colony.
2 According to G. Beernink, De Geschiedschrijver en Rechtsgeleerde
Dr. Ar end van Slichienhorst en zijn vader Brant van Slichtenhorst, p.
1 70, Jan Dircksz van Bremen came, not come from the city of Bremen,
in Germany, as theretofore supposed, but from Amersfoort, in the
province of Utrecht, van Bremen being the family name. It is possible,
however, that Mr. Beernink confuses him with Jan Dircksz, English-
man, mentioned in these minutes under date of November 1 9, 1 648, who
is given in the accounts of the colony as from Amersfoort. In Resolutions
of Brazil (W. I. Co. Oude Co., No. 68, Rijksarchief, The Hague),
under date of Sept. 24, 1637, appears the following entry: "Jan
Dircksz van Bremen, Constabel (gunner), who came into the country
on the ship Graeff Ernesius, fl. 64:."
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 29
[4] Evert Noldingh l is at his request granted permission to
support himself by teaching school and to have a lot laid out
for him.
It is ordered that Willem Jeunaensz must render his account
next Saturday, before noon, notice of which will be served on
him by the court messenger.
Cornelis Theunisz from Breuckelen is once more ordered and
commanded to render his account next Tuesday, on pain of for-
feiting twenty-five guilders.
Thursday, May 7 Anno 1 648
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Hans Jansz from
Rotterdam, for having beaten an Indian. First default.
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Jan van Bremen,
for mischief done at night before and on the door of Jacob Jansz
Stol.
[4v] May 11, 1648
Hans Vos attaches fl. 120 in the hands of Nikolaes Koorn
and fl. . . . in the hands of Cornells Segersz, on account
of the debt alleged to be due by Adriaen vander Donck.
Thursday, May 28, 1648
Quiryn Cornelisz is ordered to complete his term of service
with Evert Pels during the planting, according to his agreement,
under penalty of forfeiting fl.25.
Upon the verbal request of Nicolaes Koorn, made here before
the court, that he may receive and be paid certain private debts
due him by some of the patroon's farm hands and others, the
honorable gentlemen of the court have resolved and ordered, as
they do hereby, that Nicolaes Koorn shall render to the director,
commissioners and councilors (Gecommitteerden ende Raeden)
1 He was a tailor by trade and apparently a private master. See
note under entry of November 23, 1650, and Minutes of the Court
of Fort Orange and Beverrvydf, 1 :43, 44, 200, 238.
30 Colony of RensselaersTvycJt
of this colony a statement of the goods which he received from
the late honorable patroon, according to his invoices, and render
a proper account of everything for our inspection and careful
examination and, furthermore, that he shall act in accordance
with the order to be issued by us on Tuesday next, being the
2d of June of the year 1 648.
[5] April 26, anno 1648, Director Slichtenhorst protested
against a certain writing of the Honorable General P. Stuyve-
sant, about the proclamation of a day of fasting and prayer,
whereby he is considered to have infringed the right and
authority of the honorable patroon. This writing was delivered
just before the commencement of divine service, so that [the
court] had no time to read it.
[6v] * Court proceedings, June 1 Anno 1648
Pieter Cornelisz and Harmen Bastiaensz are provisionally
referred to arbitrators.
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Thomas Chamber,
Jacob Jansz, farmer on the Vlacte, 2 and Claes Teunisz Uylen-
spiegel. First default.
Court proceedings, July 2 Anno 1648
Jacob Jansz, farmer on the Vlackte, says that he heard Jan
Thomasz say first that Claes Tyssen was an informer. He is
given eight days in which to clear himself of the charge that he
too said so and is therefore ordered to appear at the expiration of
that time.
Claes Teunisz denies that he called Claes Tysschen an
informer. It may be true, he says, but [he knows no] more
about it than that others said so.
Is granted time and cited to appear.
1 Folios 5v and 6 are blank.
2 Jacob Jansz from Stoutenburch. The farms was later known as
the Schuyler Flatts.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 31
[7] Thomas Chamber being asked whether on the 4th of
June of this year he was not with some other persons on the
Vlackte, answers that he will say neither no nor yes and that
none of those sitting on the bench can prove to him that he called
Claes Tyssen an informer. He says that he will not take an
oath in his own case. Is granted a delay and cited like the fore-
going persons.
Hans Vos is ordered to complete his term of service and to
serve six days in addition for time lost by him.
Thursday, July 16 Anno 1648
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Harmen Bastiaensz,
defendant, and Gerrit Jansz, cooper, and Evert Noldingh.
Having seen the written contract between Jan Thomasz and
Thomas Chamber about the building of the house of the said
Jan Thomasz, whereby Thomas Chamber binds himself to make
said house tight all around by the end of April of this year, and
finding that the time is passing by, Thomas Chamber is ordered
to start the work next Monday, but without [ ]
[ ] fine of 30 stivers [ ] for lost
time.
[7v] [The court] having at the request of the Honorable
Director Slichtenhorst heard the urgent and insistent demand
made by Marten Hendricksz for payment of his lawful account
and finding that the goods or the value thereof are in the hands
of Teunis Cornelisz, as shown by his debit account, it is resolved
that Teunis shall likewise by legal process be forced to make
payment within the space of 1 4 days from this date. In case of
failure to pay within eight days after the appointed time, he
shall forfeit three guilders; [for failure to pay] within three days
after the last mentioned date he shall incur the double fine; and
thereafter he shall be dealt with according to law as the circum-
stances may require.
Marten Hendricksz is ordered to satisfy and pay Willem
Fredericksz what is due according to their mutual account within
the space of one month from this date.
32 Colony of Rensselaerstvycfy
Whereas Domine Megapolensis has recently suffered great
loss through theft and requests to have the houses in the Greenen
Bos searched, 1 without casting any reflection on the honest and
the innocent, his Reverence's request is granted, with the under-
standing that no offense in the least shall be given to honest per-
sons. In case of refusal, people [shall be dealt with] according
to law.
[8] Court proceedings, July 23 Anno 1648
Cornelis Theunisz from Breuckelen and Evert Pels are
ordered to settle their accounts within eight days and then to
consider and determine together who is to satisfy Claes Tyssen.
Cornelis Theunisz appeals [from the decision].
Adriaen vander Donck undertakes at the very first oppor-
tunity to collect as far as possible for Hans Vos at the Man-
hatans the forty-seven guilders which are due to Hans Vos from
Simon Waelingen, according to his order, the previous attach-
ments heretofore levied by Hans Vos against Corn : Segersz, N :
Coorn and others being hereby vacated and declared void.
Extraordinary session, September 9, 1648
It is resolved that Cornelis Jansz shall receive the gun inven-
toried [among the effects] of the farm heretofore used by
Quiryn, in consideration of the purchase under contract.
[8v] Court proceedings, October 8, 1648
Claes Gerritsz confesses that he wounded Jan, the smith, with a
plow staff, drawing blood.
Whereupon the honorable director draws a complaint,
demanding the imposition of a fine of three hundred guilders.
Cornelis Segersz being cited on account of some derogatory
remarks which he is alleged to have made in the tavern about
1 Megapolensis resided on the east side of the Hudson river, in what
was known as the Greenen Bosch, or pine grove, afterwards corrupted to
Greenbush. See Van Curler's letter to the patroon, June 16, 1643, in
E. B. O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1 :459.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 33
the person of Andries de Vos in his capacity as magistrate (ge-
rechts persoon), the defendant declares that he has nothing to
say about the person of Andries de Vos as regards his office and
special duty and conduct but what redounds to his honor and
virtue, declaring that he conducts himself as an honest man is
bound to do.
This he has declared here before the court.
A. DE HoOGES, Secretary.
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Cornelis van Es and
his wife, separately, Pieter Claesz and Evert Pels. First
default.
The order of [July] 23 of this year as to the question between
Cornelis Teunisz and Evert Pels is renewed and they are once
more ordered to settle their mutual accounts within eight days
after date, to wit, as far as Claes Tyssen is concerned, under
penalty of forfeiting six guilders each, and [so] from eight days
to eight days.
[9] Evert Pels is cited:
1 To pay the wages earned by Claes Tyssen
2 To pay for one half of the pease that were mowed and for
the great damage and loss of time [suffered by Claes
Tyssen] as the result of the beating
3 To pay the fine for beating Claes [Tyssen]
4 On account of his wife's abusive language to the honorable
director, when he served the complaint.
Upon the petition of Michiel Jansz, praying that he may
receive a final settlement of accounts, the following serves for
apostil : That he is to have his account of everything including
the trade, ready by next Saturday, or, in case his journey should
thereby by delayed, sooner, in order that, [the court] securing
thorough evidence of everything, a final settlement may be
reached and agreed upon.
34 Colony of
Extraordinary session, October 1 0, 1 648
Michiel Jansz is arrested and ordered under penalty of the
lord's highest fine to make out and render his yearly account, in
debita forma, as head farmer and lessee, from the year 1638 to
the year 1646, inclusive, as well as of the trade and the horses
delivered to him, for which he must furnish two sufficient sure-
ties. [ ] appraisal [ ] which he
received [ ] buildings [ ]
At the same time, Monday next, being the 12th of this month,
is appointed as the court day [on which answer is to be made].
[9v] Extraordinary session, October 12, 1648
Michiel Jansz, having been arrested about disputed accounts
and having appointed Teunis Dircksz and Jan Louwrensz as
sureties for the satisfaction of the judgment, they accept the
suretyship, offering themselves as sureties for the principal and
Jan Louwrensz submitting himself to the court here.
Acknowledged before me,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
Extraordinary session, October 13, 1648
Michiel Jansz being again arrested for having in time of war
sold contraband munitions of war to the Indians and, secondly,
for having sent his servant with about 50 beavers to the house
De Hoop, 1 without paying any recognition on them, Michiel
Jansz before the court binds his person and property as security
for the satisfaction of the judgment, submitting himself to the
court here, the next court day being set for the trial.
1 Fort Hope, on the Connecticut river.
Court Minutes, / 648-1 6 52 35
Court proceedings, October 15 Anno 1648
The case between Willem Jeuriaensz and the widow of
Matty s Jansz, the court being incomplete, is put over to 1 the next
court day.
Evert Pels, for having beaten Claes Tyssen, offers to pay the
fine provided [by law].
Claes Tyssen declares here before the court and Broer Cor-
nelis 1 that Evert Pels, having with him Cornelis Teunisz, called
him a rascal and a thief.
Evert Pels, appearing on account [
[ ] offers now [ ]
[ ] but remains [ ]
October 15, [10] Cornells Quirynen is arrested at the request
for Cornelis ^ Cornells van Es, with order not to depart before
van E 8 he has paid or furnished sufficient sureties for the pay-
ment of the note signed by him on account of Roeloff
Cornelisz.
Likewise, all that is due to Quiryn Cornelis and Cornelis
Quirynen from Broer Cornelis is attached in the hands of the
said Broer Cornelis.
Ext : Permission is granted to Evert Jansz, tailor, residing on
the island of Manhatans, to transport himself hither and to sup-
port himself here by exercising his trade, provided that he build
at his own expense, for which a place will be indicated to him.
August 3, 1648, Jan Barentsz Poest caused Cornelis Segersz
to be asked in court by the director whether he, Cornelis Segersz,
stood by the words which he on the first of said month addressed
to him, Jan, in the presence of Aerndt Andriesz, Pouwels Noor-
man and the servant of the aforesaid Aernt, accusing him, Jan,
of being a rascal and a [thief?] and the greatest liar at present
1 Cornells Teunisz from Breuckelen.
36 Colony of
in the colony, which aforesaid accusations Cornelis Segeresz even
at the time of the examination promised to prove by several wit-
nesses, but afterwards before the said director was obliged to
take back, stating that he knew naught of the said Jan but what
was honorable and good.
Which I certify,
B. v. SLICHTENHORST, Director.
[10v] The honorable director, Brandt van Slichtenhorst,
plaintiff, against Michiel Jansz, defendant.
1 In the first place, the defendant must give security for the
satisfaction of the judgment and choose his domicile where notice
or legal summons may be served in his absence.
2 Michiel Jansz is asked whether he was not engaged upon
the same [terms as those of the] contract which Gerrit de Reus
made with the honorable patroon and whether he did not occupy
the farm called " de Hooge Berch ' n from the year 1 640 to the
year 1 646 upon the same conditions ?
3 [The plaintiff demands] that the defendant, as the
patroon's farmer, render a true account and statement of the
grain and crops and of the cattle, butter, milk and hogs for the
years 1638 and 1639, and this for each year separately, and in
detail. Also a statement as to what he has done with all the
property aforesaid and that within a specified time, according to
his own request of October 8, 1648; if not, the plaintiff places
his loss on that score at the sum of five hundred guilders, plus
lawful damages.
4 [The plaintiff demands] that the defendant in his capacity
of former lessee of the patroon's farm called *' den Hogen
Berch," from the year 1640 to the year 1646, inclusive, render
an accurate account, for each year separately, of the crops which
the defendant received, as well as of the cattle, wagon and plow
1 Literally, the High Hill. The farm was situated on the east side
of the Hudson river, on the Mill creek.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 37
and further of all the farm implements, household effects, linen,
woolens, nothing excepted, which were entrusted to him in the
year 1 640, and of all the grain, cattle, butter and milk produced
and raised on the aforesaid farm after the year 1640, together
with a statement as to what he has done with it all, said account to
be rendered within a specified time; if not, the plaintiff in his
capacity aforesaid charges for his loss on that account the sum
of two thousand guilders, plus lawful damages.
5 That the defendant return to the plaintiff in the colony tru
three horses which he took with him out of the colony in the year
1646, in as good condition as they were at the time, and this
within a specified time; if not, the plaintiff places his loss on that
account at [ ] and fifty guilders for lawful damages.
6 That the defendant within a specified time shall submit an
accurate inventory of all the household effects, linens, woolens
and everything else that the defendant and his wife took with
them out of the colony; otherwise the plaintiff will charge for
his loss in that respect the sum of 500 guilders plus lawful
damages.
[11] 7 That the plaintiff and the defendant within three
days shall have the house, barn, barrack and further all the
buildings occupied by him to the year 1646, appraised by
impartial carpenters, who are also to estimate and appraise in
what state he left said buildings two years ago; otherwise the
plaintiff will charge for his loss the sum of 2000 guilders plus
lawful damages. And in case of refusal, the plaintiff shall have
the appraisal made by impartial persons at the defendant's
expense.
8 That the defendant shall within a specified time render a
specified and detailed account of the total cost of the patroon's
house in the way of building, materials and expenses; otherwise
the plaintiff will charge for his loss on that account fifteen hun-
dred guilders, plus lawful damages.
And whereas the defendant at his departure for the Man-
hatans presented a final account, written with his own hand, as
127808
38 Colony of Rensselaerstvycfy
he has admitted in court, entitled: "Account of all that is in my
custody on the farm, belonging to the farm," which showed that
he still had in common with his patroon the sum of two thousand
nine hundred and fifty-four guilders, eleven stivers, the honorable
plaintiff demands that the half of the aforesaid sum be deposited
with the court, with costs.
9 That the defendant shall also show how many beavers, otter
skins, or other peltries he has traded or otherwise received during
his term, each year separately. Otherwise, the plaintiff will place
his loss at 1000 guilders, plus lawful damages.
10 Whereas it is notorious that Michiel Jansz has traded
many skins, proof is demanded, first of all, that the defendant
had the right to trade these and, in default of such proof, the
plaintiff concludes that the defendant, in accordance with his
contract, has forfeited all his earned wages and all the effects
which he had here in this country and, furthermore, that he is to
be arbitrarily punished for having traded those forbidden peltries.
With costs.
1 1 Whereas M ichiel Jansz on October 1 0, 1 648, was
arrested by Director Slichtenhorst within the limits of the juris-
diction of the colony and without furnishing sureties has ventured
to move into another jurisdiction, so that he has not only [vio-
lated] the jurisdiction of the court and the high and low jurisdic-
tion of the honorable patroon, but also has [acted in contempt of]
our aforesaid patroon whose place we here occupy [ ]
[ ] broken the arrest [ ]
[ I fine [ ].
[ 1 1 v] Director Brandt van Slechtenhorst, plaintiff, against
Michiel Jansz, defendant.
Whereas the defendant has heretofore, at the time of the war
at the Manhatans, ventured to barter forbidden ammunition with
the savages against some peltries, at the expense of much
Christian blood of our Christian neighbors, who are of the same
religion and subject to the same sovereignty and power, only to
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 39
satisfy his vulgar greed, contrary to the placard of the High and
Mighty Lords the States General and the ordinance of the
honorable council of New Netherland, the plaintiff concludes
that the defendant has forfeited his life, or else is liable to such
arbitrary punishment and heavy fine as the honorble court shall
consider fit to impose, and [demands that] in addition he be
condemned to pay fifty guilders [to the director] by way of a
fee or fine, according to the aforesaid placard and ordinance.
And whereas the defendant, or person arrested in the year
1644, ventured to send his servants out of the colony with an
order in his own handwriting and about 50 beavers, without pay-
ing any recognition for them either at Fort Orange or at the
Manhatans, and whereas these servants having come to the
assistant in Fort De Hoop, 1 sold said beavers to the English who
were stationed at the trading house of Mr Wytingh, contrary to
the express order of the aforesaid placard, the honorable plain-
tiff concludes that the aforesaid beavers or the value thereof are
subject to confiscation and [demands] that in addition he be
condemned to pay a fine of fifty guilders and also be arbitrarily
punished as an example to others, according to the aforesaid
ordinance. Cum expensis.
Was signed: [B. v. Slichtenhorst, Director]
Agrees with the original,
Which I certify,
A. DE HoGES, Secretary.
1 Fort Hope, on the Connecticut river.
40 Colony of
[ 1 2v] * Court proceedings, October 22 Anno 1 648
Jan Verbeeck, upon sufficient security, is granted permission to
pay his debt to the honorable patroon in five instalments, namely,
fl. 1 50 a year, and the fifth payment to discharge the entire debt,
provided that if he builds on tike west shore, he shall die first year
be free from paying rent.
Jacon Jansz Stol
Goosen Gerritsz
Pieter Hertgers
Corn: van Es
Pieter Claesz
The director promises to help the widow of Mattys, deceased, 2
get the fl. 5o due her, either through Willem Jeuriaensz, or else
at the very first opportunity.
Finding that Nicolaes Coorn has presumed to go to the Man-
hatans, notwithstanding he was ordered by the court on the 1 9th
of August of this year to show and deliver to us within 1 4 days
after that date a more complete account of everything, as many
things were found to have been omitted and passed over, of which
we have never seen any account but which he had nevertheless
November 15, ' m n j s possession, we therefore once more order
1649, the notice , . . KT . . .,.,..,
was served and * ne salc * Nicolaes Coorn peremptorily within eight
[a copy of the days after the service of the next notice to present
datehMded'to anc ^ deliver the account, under penalty of the
him. lord's highest fine.
[13] The honorable court having more than once had the
person of Goossen Gerritsz urged by the honorable director of
this colony to allow himself to be employed in the capacity of
magistrate (gerechtspersoon) , and [said Goossen Gerritsz] now
appearing, he declares :
1 Folio 1 2 recto is blank.
2 Mathijs Jansz.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 41
1 First, that he considers himself incompetent for it.
2 Secondly, that he owns no house and lot here and there-
fore is not bound to serve.
3 Thirdly, as thus far he is not on a free basis with the
patroon, he can not resolve to accept the office, but as
soon as that comes about, he will offer the patroon his
services in everything.
Which reasons having been duly weighed and considered by
us, we have deemed, as we still deem, that they are not of such
weight that this good cause should thereby suffer and Goossen
Gerritsz be held excusable.
Therefore, once more and for the last time, we kindly request
him voluntarily to accept the vacant office ; otherwise, though very
reluctantly, we shall find ourselves forced to resort to other
means.
Goossen Gerritsz accepts the magistrate's office, provided he
may first make a trip to the Manhatans, which is granted.
[14] 1 Director Slichtenhorst, plaintiff, against Cornells van
Es, defendant.
Whereas on the 1 4th of September 1 648, at the public leasing,
where Director Slichtenhorst, sitting with the commissioners, oc-
cupied the place of the honorable patroon, Cornelis Hendricksz
Van Es three several times, in the presence of the Reverend
Domine Megapolensis and publicly in the presence of all the
bystanders, dared to call the director a cheat, charging him with
having cheated his son-in-law, Peeler Claesz, and stating that
the director did not keep his word with his son-in-law, [said
director] brought these slanderous words to the attention of the
aforesaid gentlemen in the presence of all the bystanders and
cited him to appear on the first court day and on the 21st of
September summoned him once more to appear before the afore-
said court, to be held on the 1 st of October 1 648. And whereas
Director Slichtenhorst has taken these gross insults much to heart
1 Folio 1 3 verso tlank.
42 Colony of
and would not willingly have suffered them for anything under
the sun, he being a person of good standing and reputation and
moreover the director and representative of the honorable patroon
as proprietor of the colony here, and it being intolerable that a
subject, by attacking his honor and character, should thus, with-
out right or reason, several times publicly, unjustly and grossly
insult his overlord, which constitutes a capital crime; therefore,
it is requested that he give security for the satisfaction of the
judgment and his life, and furthermore, that the offender shall
go or be taken into custody, as the director also offers to do, and
prosecute the case from day to day, during two terms, on con-
dition that the costs shall be paid by the party who is in the
wrong, and furthermore according to law. The director of the
aforesaid colony demands that Van Es, being the offender, shall
appear before the full council and declare that he is sorry
that he uttered the aforesaid slanders and that he knows
nothing of the aforesaid director but what is consistent with
honor and virtue. Furthermore, that in addition the offender
shall be condemned to pay for each time a fine of [ ] ,
said money to be deposited with the court and this to three times
the amount of the fine provided by the resolution and ordinance
of May [ ], 1648; all cum expensis.
[ 14v] Also, that Van Es be condemned to pay the same fines
as above because on September 14, 1648, at the public leasing,
after everybody had been separately called into the room and the
conditions had been read to them in order to proceed with the
leasing, according to the day and hour appointed therefor at
least two weeks in advance, he ventured in collusion with others
to make trouble in order that the honorable patroon's property
should not be leased at a proper figure and the day result in
failure, the said Van Es and his son-in-law, Pieter Claesz,
together with others, in order to achieve their wicked purpose,
leaving the room in the presence of the said director, the domine
and the commissioners. And as this is a matter of great conse-
quence, the aforesaid director demands that Van Es shall for
that crime be once more condemned to pay the aforesaid fine of
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 43
300 guilders, by virtue of the aforesaid ordinance, and in addition
be arbitrarily punished as an example to others. Cum expensis.
The Honorable Director Slichtenhorst, plaintiff, against Pieter
Claesz, defendant.
A complaint on account of slander is likewise brought against
the person of Pieter Claesz, because he has several times, openly
and before everybody, said to the director: " You must acknowl-
edge that you are a liar," and in addition accused the director of
cheating him and not keeping his word, as an honest man should,
of which proof is demanded. Furthermore, [the director] brings
the same charges against him as against Van Es and also
demands that Pieter Claesz shall be condemned to pay three
times fl. 6, for having at the serving of the summons on September
21,1 648, three times in the presence of the domine and the afore-
said director wickedly sworn by God's holy name and blood,
that he was no Christian and [ ] . Therefore,
that he shall for each time and as often as three times be con-
demned to pay a fine of six guilders and in addition be arbitrarily
punished, according to the aforesaid ordinance of May [ ],
Anno [ 1 648] , with costs.
The plaintiff also demands that the defendant as
security for the satisfaction of the judgment in every
respect shall be immediately taken into custody and
in addition [be asked to deposit] two hundred
guilders.
[15] Court proceedings, November 19 Anno 1648
This day, Goossen Gerritsz has taken the oath of fidelity as
magistrate before Director Slichtenhorst.
Claes Gerritsz here, before the court, denies and declares
untrue the statement made by Director Slichtenhorst that he,
Claes Gerritsz, four years ago, had traded more than one hundred
beavers on the island of Cornelis Segersz.
Claes Gerritsz declares here that Arendt van Curler gave him
permission to trade.
44 Colony of RensselaersTv^cJf
Claes Gerritsz says that Ruth Jacobsz told him that he was at
liberty to strike Jan Dircksz, Englishman, 1 if he were obstinate,
N. B. January 18, Director Slichtenhorst, in my presence,
served notice on Cornelis Segersz that he, Cornelis, on May 14,
1648, told Mr Slichtenhorst that Claes Gerritsz four years ago
dwelt with him and in that year had traded more than one hun-
dred beavers, which statement of the director the said Cornelis
did not contradict, but tacitly practically admitted.
Acknowledged by me,
A. DE HoOGES, Secretary and witness
/
The honorable director, plaintiff, vice Jochem Kettelheym,
against Jacob Lambertsz, defendant.
Each party to be condemned to do likewise.
In the first place, the honorable plaintiff offers all his readily
available property, amounting to the sum of fl. 2500, and to
deliver therefor fl. 2500
For so much as is due to him from the Vlackte or
Corler, about fl. 200
Cornelis Segersz [ ]
[ ]elis shall Cornelis [ ]
[ ] Evert Pels and the [Goyer?]
[ ]
[15v] November 26, 1648, Jan Appel filed an answer in
behalf of Michiel Jansz.
Director Slichtenhorst, plaintiff, against the wife of Cornelis
van Es and Van Es, as husband and guardian of his wife. First
default.
Whereas the wife of Cornelis van Es on September 1 8, Anno
1648, greatly slandered Councilor de Vos in his private and
official capacity, which defamation de Vos called upon the
1 Given in Van Rensselaer Bowler Mss, p. 818, as from Amersfoort.
but not otherwise.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 45
director and the Domine to witness, to wit, that he, de Vos, was
accused of having said that if he had a seat in the government he
would make them suffer for the insults which they had heretofore
offered to him, de Vos, of which proof is demanded, or else, in
default of proof, the plaintiff, with the director, as joint com-
plainant, demand that she shall appear before the full council
and acknowledge that she said, too much and that she is heartily
sorry, and furthermore, that she shall be condemned to pay a
fine of six guilders, to be pledged immediately, and in addition
be arbitrarily punished as an example to others, according to the
ordinance of May 28, 1 648, cum expensis.
The same, against Cornelis van Es.
Whereas Cornelis van Es was cited on October 29, 1 648, for
having out of spite threshed out a quantity of oat straw, which
in winter is the best fodder, and thrown the straw on the manure
pile, to the detriment of the next lessee and the patroon's horses
and cattle, which is a matter of grave consequence, which in a
land of justice neither can nor ought to be tolerated, the plaintiff
demands that said van Es be condemned to pay a fine of 25
guilders and to make good the loss of the straw, cum expensis,
the more so as the said van Es on the 18th of November afore-
said positively told the director that he would not give the
patroon's horses any oats, much less hunt them up before the
winter, when one ought to put them in the stable, as another had
driven them off and he did not care to claim them, but preferred
to let them run wild, and also protested that he would not do it,
for which reason the director on the 1 9th ditto attached the per-
son of van Es and all his readily convertible and inconvertible
property, forbidding him to leave the colony under penalty of
the lord's highest fine, to prevent all loss and damage as to horses
and cattle through neglect or mischief on his part, or through
accident, and also as security for the rent. [The director
further demands] that he shall vacate the house and barn next
New Year and shortly render to the director a specified account
46 Colony of
of everything, including the trade, for each year separately;
otherwise the director shall place his loss on that account at the
sum of [ ], with lawful damages, cum expensis.
[ 1 6] Court proceedings, December 3 Anno 1 648
Whereas Jacob Lambertsz has heretofore accused the person
of Jochem Kuttelheym of being an informer and we, for reasons
us thereunto moving, consider it best that the matter do not go
further, therefore, Jacob Lambertsz aforesaid declares here
before the court that he knows nothing about the person of
Jochem Kettelheym but what is honorable and virtuous, Jochem,
on having this acknowledgment recorded, declaring the same of
Jacob Lambertsz, without prejudice to the action of the honor-
able plaintiff. Cum expens/s.
JACOB LAMBERSEN
This is the X mark of JOCHEM KETTELHEYM,
made with his own hand
In case any one upon sufficient evidence is found guilty of
injuring the honor of Jochem Kettelheym, calling him an
informer, he will be fined ten guilders, without prejudice to the
director's further demand according to the circumstances of the
case.
Pieter Claesz declares as many as three times here before the
court that he is sorry that he swore, the [director retaining his
action against him according to the] ordinance. Cum expenses.
[16v] December 1648
Claes Uyllespiegel summoned twice and fined once on account
of over-driving the horses, first on December 1 , and on the
[10th] of December notified for the second time that he was
fined and in case he had any objection to make, to come to the
court a week from next Thursday, being the 1 7th of December.
Court Minutes, / 648-16 52 47
December 1648 Claes Uyllespiegel cited twice and fined once
on account of driving the horses, first on the
1st of December, and on the tenth of Decem-
ber for the second time, being notified that he
was condemned and in case he had any objec-
tion, that he must appear in court on Thursday
week, being the 1 7th of this month.
1 2 Evert Pels summoned on account of wounding
Tomes Jansz. Also because he, or his servant,
took another man's cow without his consent.
Also on account of beating Claes Tyssen.
Also on account of his delivered grain which
he received from Broer Cornelis for his labor
and which was delivered to Evert Pels, as he,
Pels, admitted on the aforesaid date.
Said Pels was summoned also on account of
wages earned by Claes Tyssen and on account
of the damage of the pease. Finally, E. Pels
was summoned also on account of the abusive
language used by his wife in addressing the
director, for all of which together he must
make answer on Thursday next, being the
1 7th of this month.
13 Peter 1 is cited by Hans Vos to fulfil his [con-
tract of] service.
1 7 Symon Joesten is summoned and called upon,
on pain of being fined the maximum amount,
to give testimony to the truth and has refused
to make oath in the presence of Mr Hoogens.
On the 19th ditto Symon Joesten was again
summoned and admonished once more to make
a declaration.
1 Pieter Claesz.
48
Colony of
21 Huybert was summoned for the second time,
[on pain] of 3 guilders, to give testimony to
the truth.
December Joshem Kettelheym and Jurien, 1 Pels's serv-
ant, summoned to give testimony to the truth
upon interrogatories.
Gisbert, the tavernkeeper, 2 summoned to give
testimony.
Hans in Cluys is summoned to appear in court
on Thursday next.
Jacob Lambertsz summoned.
6 January Jochem Kettelheym [ ] summoned
to give testimony about Van Nes and the
beating of Hans Vos. Peter Claesz sum-
moned to [appear in court]
[ ] cited to appear on the
21st [ ].
Symon Jansz cited [ ] on pain of
t ].
[17] The Hon. Director Slechtenhorst, plaintiff, against
Claes Gerritsz, defendant.
Having heretofore given sufficient security to satisfy the judg-
ment, the honorable plaintiff says that the defendant was engaged
as farmer (bou^necht) by the honorable patroon on the 26th
of May anno 1640, which He still is on the same terms as the
former farmers, to wit, Gerrit de Rues, Cornelis Tuenisz, Cor-
nelis Maesz, Zymon Walichsz and Michiel Jansz, according to
the contracts of the defendant and the aforesaid persons, which
contracts specifically mention, and by every one has been agreed
and sworn to, that they are not to trade in peltries on forfeiture
of their wages and all their effects, applying all the more to the
effects of the defendant, who has never had permission, nor even
asked, so to do. To whicK must be added that no one has been
1 Juriaen Bestval.
2 Gysbert Cornelisz, from Weesp.
Minutes of December 3, 1648, probably in the handwriting of Gerrit
van Wenckum
Court Minutes, / 648-1 6 52 49
allowed to sell forbidden ammurtition to the savages, on pain of
being punished with death, and in case any one denounces any
one for having acted contrary thereto, he shall receive a reward
of fifty guilders. And whereas the honorable plaintiff on the
28th of September anno 1 648 found in the defendant's posses-
sion six bars of lead, he is liable to pay the aforesaid fine in
accordance with the placard of the Lords States [General] and
the Hon. Chartered West India Company, dated the 3 1 st of
March anno 1639, and the ordinance of the honorable patroon
and also of the fort and the colony, dated the 8th of May anno
164 [5?]. Granting even that the defendant had obtained con-
sent to trade which he in no wise had like Master Abra-
ham, 1 Henrick Albertsz, Reyer Stoffelsz, Sander Leenersz and
others, who contracted with the honorable patroon to trade, the
defendant would nevertheless be bound each time to report and
specify the number of all such peltries and to send them to the
patroon and to no one else, and in addition be obliged to pay
one guilder for each beaver as well as one sixth part to the honor-
able patroon, or his agent, on pain of confiscation of all the
peltries and furthermore of all the defendant's effects, according
to the contracts of the aforesaid persons. In addition to all this
the defendant has been bold enough, contrary to the express order
and sentence of this court, dated the 23d of June anno 1645, and
notwithstanding all this, to venture to carry on the trade continu-
ously on his own authority, without paying any recognition or
entering any peltries, in spite of the honorable patroon's order to
contract and the sentence of the court, whereby the defendant
has committed the highest offense, which in a land of justice
neither can nor ought to remain unpunished, the defendant having
violated thereby not only the patroon's high and low jurisdiction,
but also acted in contempt of [17v] the court here and in the
highest degree offended the Lords States [General] , whose place
we occupy here. The honorable plaintiff, for the reasons afore-
1 Abraham Staets, surgeon.
50 Colony of Rensselaerstvyck
said, therefore demands that the defendant within forteen days
shall make an accurate return of all the peltries traded by him,
specifying the number for each year separately from the year
1 640 to this date, in default of which the plaintiff shall count the
loss at ten hundred guilders in addition to legal damages.
Furthermore, that he shall be condemned to give security for the
payment of 50 guilders aforesaid and that on account of his
offense, to wit, that the defendant without consent has traded on
his own authority, he shall be condemned to pay a fine of 500
guilders, and that in addition he shall forfeit all his effects and
be arbitrarily punished as an example to others, cum expensis.
And all this without prejudice to the plaintiff's further causes of
action, both on account of the fighting engaged in by the
defendant and the selling or bartering of forbidden ammunition,
and on account of the confiscation and having traded contrary to
the sentence and the ordinance.
December 1 7, Reyntgen, 1 the skipper, and Slichtenhorst have
attached the wagoner's 2 wages in the hands of Evert Pels.
[ 1 8] Extraordinary session, December 1 6 Anno 1 648
The parties, to wit, Willem de Key and Thomas Chamber,
as husband and guardian of his wife, in a dispute about two
ankers of brandy, are ordered to present additional evidence and
proof for our further information.
Court Proceedings, December 1 7 Anno 1 648
Director Slichtenhorst, prosecutor and plaintiff, against Claes
Teunisz and some horse racers (paerden jachters), for judgment
according to the petition of the honorable director.
Whereas those guilty of riding at excessive speed, according
to the apostil on the petition to that effect, are declared to have
1 Reynier Thymensz? Cf. Van Rensselaer Bowler Mss, p. 815.
2 Jacob Aertsz.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 51
forfeited six guilders for each offense, in addition to the damage
done to the horses, each person, moreover, having been sum-
moned to appear on this day to defend himself; and whereas
Claes Uylenspiegel, three several times, yes, even twice on the
same day, notwithstanding the fine and the prohibition and warn-
ing by the honorable director and the prohibition of their honors'
ordinance, out of pure mischief and in spite of the court, has
presumed to ride past the director's door as fast as the horse could
run, he, Claes, always having the lead over the others, whereby
he has not only violated [the authority of] the honorable patroon
in his high and low jurisdiction and [that of] the court here,
but also [that of] the Lords States General whose places we
occupy and committed the highest crime [against them] ; there-
fore, the honorable plaintiff demands that the aforesaid Claes
shall be publicly exposed in the pillory and be banished from the
colony, in accordance with the custom of the fatherland, where
those who disobey and disregard the lord's prohibition and ban-
ishment are punished with death; or that the same shall be
apprehended and for the first offense be [confined] for four
days, for [the second offense eight days], and for the third
offense sixteen [days, and in addition] [18v] be exposed and
banished as above written, as an example to others ; cum expenses.
And that all the others, for the damage and abuse of the horses,
in addition to a fine of one pound Flemish, shall for each offense
pay three guilders to the poor and furthermore be arbitrarily
punished; cum expensis.
N. B. Their honors will please do their duty, in order that
the dumb animals may not again do justice themselves and put
the court to shame, as has happened before.
Hans Vos, being summoned to appear by Pieter de Boer on
account of his contract of service for four months, which he here
admits and promises to fulfil, is ordered to fulfil the same and to
satisfy Pieter, on pain of paying the fine imposed heretofore on
Jacob Aertsz, ivaegenaer (wagoner), in case he remains in
default.
52 Colony of
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Evert Pels, defend-
ant, for having wounded Thomas Jansz in the head with a piece
of wood and drawing blood. Demands condemnation according
to the ordinance of the Hon. Chartered West India Company
at the Manhatans, or of Amsterdam, and as Evert Pels had his
servant get the canoe of Thomas Jansz without his knowledge
or consent, the plaintiff maintains that Evert Pels has forfeited
the sum of 25 guilders according to the former ordinance, all
cum expensis.
The same, against the wife of Evert Pels.
Whereas she slandered the honorable director and the other
members of the court in general, the honorable plaintiff concludes
that she is liable to a fine of 300 guilders in accordance with the
ordinance, and demands that she be fined five times six guilders,
cum expensis.
[19] Evert Pels is ordered to pay and satisfy the 26 guilders
which he owes Claes Tyssen, in money or goods, as stipulated,
cum expensis, saving his claim against Cornelis Teunisz.
The honorable court, having considered the wilful violation
of our former ordinance by those who ride their horses at a reck-
less speed, hereby condemn each offender for each violation to
pay the stipulated fine. But as to Claes Teunisz called Uylen-
spiegel, observing the mischief and recklessness committed by
him in spite of the express prohibition [of such riding], he is
hereby, on pain of corporal punishment, warned not to disregard
the words, admonition and prohibition of the honorable director,
especially [when acting] against the ordinances and orders of
the honorable court. This time, therefore, by way of mitigation
of sentence, only a fine, as above, is imposed upon him.
The honorable court, for reasons them thereunto moving, have
granted Claes Gerritsz time until one month from this date to
settle his account, on condition that he shall forfeit one pound
Flemish for each week that he remains in default after the afore-
said time and of giving security for the satisfaction of the
judgment.
Last part of minutes of December 1 7, 1 648, in handwriting of Anthony
de Hooges. Below, bond of Pieter Hartgers for the return of a horse,
in handwriting of Brant van Slichtenhorst
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 53
28 January 1649 Having seen the honorable director's corn-
Copy of sentence pl a j n t against Claes Gerritsz for beating [Jan
[Jan Dircksz] Dircksz] , which Claes Gerritsz has acknowl-
Englishman. edged, [he] is condemned [ ].
[ 19v] Cornelis Hendricksz van Es repeats his charge that the
director wronged his son-in-law, 1 which he is to prove.
Cornelis Hendricksz van Es having several times by oppro-
brious words slandered the person of the Hon. Director Slichten-
horst, according to the complaint instituted in the matter, of
which complaint a copy was handed to him three weeks ago, and
[said van Es] now appearing in court, he persists that the honor-
able director wronged or unjustly treated his son-in-law, Pieter
Claesz. Which bald assertion remaining without any further
evidence or proof, it is considered a great crime that such slander
should be so loosely uttered.
Appeared Willem Kay, together with Peter Hartgers, his
brother-in-law, 1 which said Peter Hartgers has lawfully bound
himself as surety for the return within fourteen days, in as good
condition as it now is, of the horse of the Vlacte called Ham-
stien, with the saddle. And in case the aforesaid horse should
be injured, [he binds himself] to make good the damage, and if
it should die or stay away to pay one hundred and twenty guil-
ders for it, cash. Which said conditions the aforesaid Hartgers
has agreed to in court with a clasp of the hand, on the 21st of
December 1648.
[signed] B. v. SLICHTENHORST
On the 27th ditto the horse was returned in as good condition
as it was when received.
1 sn>ager, a word which may mean either son-in-law, or brother-in-law,
but which is here used in the sense of son-in-law, referring to Pieter Claesz.
See minutes of May 22, 1649.
1 swaeger. Catrina Roelofs, the wife of Willem Key, and Sytje
Roelofs, the wife of Pieter Hartgers, were sisters, both being daughters
of Anneke Jans Bogardus by her first husband, Roelof Jansz from Master-
land. The entire bond is in the handwriting of Van Slichtenhorst.
54 Colony of RensselaersTv^cff
[20] Extraordinary session, December 19 Anne 1648
Resolved that the honorable director shall once more summon
Evert Pels to pay the wages of Claes Tyssen within twice
twenty-four hours, it being found that he has given two summer
skins, valued at 16 guilders, which is not acceptable. And in
case he refuses to pay, the director is to advance the money,
subject to the restitution of double the amount.
On the 21st ditto, notice was served on Evert Pels in the
presence of Mr Hoogens, by affixing said notice to the door. 1
Cornelis van Es and Pieter Claesz declare before the court
here that they have nothing to say about the person of the honor-
able director but what is right and honorable and that they are
very sorry for having used slanderous language against the honor-
able director, saving the honorable director's further complaints,
cum expenses.
Aknowledged before me,
ANTONIO DE HOOGES, Secretary
The Hon. Director Brandt van Slichtenhorst by this, his
signature, promises to save Rutger Jacobsz and keep him harm-
less from all loss and damage which may be caused to the said
Rutger Jacobsz by the Hon. General Petrus Stuyvesant or his
agents on account of the building which he intends to erect near
the First kill, 2 toward the hill. And the lease of the said house
shall begin next Easter Anno 1649. Done in the colony of
Rensselaerswyck, this 21st of December Anno 1648.
[B. v. SLICHTENHORST]
[20v] June 22, 1648, Hans Vos was dismissed until after
harvest time.
1 Memorandum in the handwriting of Van Slichtenhorst.
2 The Rutten kill. See Early Records of the City and County of
Albany, 2:43.
Minutes of December 1 9, 1 648, showing signature of Anthony de Hooges,
secretary
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 55
December 23 Anno 1648
Hans Vos again engaged as court messenger for the period of
four months on condition that he is to receive wages on the basis
of 50 guilders a years and shall work for the honorable director
two or three days a week at one guilder a day in addition to his
wages and board and whenever he shall work for Pieter de Boer
he shall receive wages according to the contract between them
and if working for others whatever he can get. He shall also be
held in the morning to fetch a pail of water, to cut fire wood and
to spade one half of the garden, without receiving wages there-
for. And Hans Vos has this day by shaking of hands, instead
of an oath taken before the honorable director, promised during
the aforesaid time faithfully to acquit himself of all his duties.
[In the margin is written:]
This contract remaining intact, Hans Vos has again agreed
to serve, on condition that he shall receive twenty guilders per
month, and he has promised to work one day a week for the
patroon without pay. This 31st of January Anno 1650. His
term of service begins New Year 1650.
Hans Vos has confirmed this by
the shaking of hands instead of
an oath.
Cornelis Segersz is asked whether he acknowledges the signa-
ture which was put by him under the contract of his farm, dated
August 25, 1643, to be his, or not, and if he does, the honor-
able director demands that he be condemned to fulfil the contract
in all its parts. Cum expensis.
[Cornelis] Segersz
[admits that the] signature
[is his and is therefore] bound
[to fulfil the contract in] all
its parts.
[A. DE Hoo]cES, Secretary
56 Colony of
[21 ] Director Slichtenhorst, plaintiff, against Hans in Cluys,
defendant.
Whereas Hans in Cluys * has twice, even as recently as last
Sunday and that in the presence of the Domine, ventured to come
by force into the director's house and to insult, affront and
slander him in the highest degree with respect to his office, and
boldly and impudently dared to ask him in public whether he,
Slichtenhorst, was officer and judge alone in the colony, saying
that he wanted a justification of his sentence from him, Slichten-
horst, and many other insolent words, of which proof is
demanded while the court is in session, or in default of proof
that the delinquent by sentence of this honorable court shall be
declared infamous and to have forfeited the sum of 300 guilders
for having spoken rudely and insolently to the director. Con-
sidering however that the delinquent has but small wages, [the
director] concludes that he has forfeited each time, that is twice,
10 guilders and [demands] that in addition he be declared
infamous and furthermore that the delinquent be kept on water
and bread or at the most be arbitrarily punished as an example
to others, all at the discretion of the court, cum expenses.
1 guilders agreed upon in the presence
of the Domine and finis.
[21v] Court proceedings, January 7 Anno 1649
Jacob Lambertsz has this day by agreement finally paid his
fine in the matter of his former dispute with the honorable
director and Jochem Kettelheym.
January 7 Anno 1649
Cornelis van Es's contract regarding his farm being read to
him word for word by the secretary, de Hooges, he is asked by
the honorable director whether he acknowledges the same or not,
1 Hans Jansz, from Rotterdam.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 57
whereupon he answers that he acknowledges it in all its parts
and provisions. It is ordered therefore that within 1 4 days, after
the first notice, he must give sufficient security for the judgment,
and in case he fails to do so within eight days after that date, he
shall be fined double the amount, and so forth.
[In the margin is written:]
The 1 4th ditto notice was served on van Es with injunction to
van Es and his wife not to molest Andries de Vos and his family
by word or deed and [the contract] was once more read to him
by de Hoogens.
January [?], Vos also included in the injunction.
January 9 Anno 1649
Gysbert Cornelisz being questioned in regard to the dispute
between Jan van Bremen and Hans Vos, Gysbert declares that
Jan van Bremen tried to put Hans Vos out of his, Gysbert's
house, whereupon Gysbert said to the aforesaid Jan that he had
nothing to say in his house and if he wished to give orders, he
should do so in his own house. Furthermore, that Hans was
struck by Jan while Gysbert was away, eating.
[22] Court proceedings, January 21 Anno 1649
The 20th ditto, Poulyntje l was summoned for having in an
angry mood drawn his knife on Huybert, 2 the servant of de Vos,
in the brewery, for which he was fined fl, 1 00, according to the
ordinance. Also, because said Poulyntje struck Huybert with
his fists and made his nose bleed, for which he was fined the like
amount.
Poulyntje admits that he struck Huybert in such a way that
his nose bled.
1 Paulus Jansz.
2 Huybert Jansz.
58 Colony of RensselaersTvyclt
As regards Cornells van Es:
1 Judgment of fl. 150 with interest; also fl. 36:15, two skins;
with costs.
2 Judgment on account of the oat straw ; "1 To give security
with costs. J for both
3 Sentence on account of slander by the wife of van Es.
Jan van Bremen. This day, the 1 5th of January of this year,
Jan van Bremen was summoned for having in the spring, at the
house and in the presence of Cryn Cornelisz, first struck Hans
Vos on the head with his fist and then, without reason or excuse,
drawn his knife on him and cut him about the head. And
whereas the said van Bremen has heretofore engaged in fighting,
he therefore owes a double fine according to the ordinance, so
that he has forfeited:
for fist blows, fl. 25 double the amount fl. 50
for drawing his knife, fl. 100; double, fl. 200
March 30, 1648, Jacob Jansz Stol complained of violence
commited by Jan van Bremen at night on his door and windows,
for which he incurred a fine of fl. 1 50, and as it took place in the
night, double the amount.
Also that at midnight he severely wounded Kit Davits in the
head with a pair of tongs, for which he incurred a fine of fl. 300,
or double the amount, fl. 600.
Furthermore, that he, van Bremen, made bold to take Hans
Vos, the court messenger, by the arm and rudely tried to push
him out of the house of the tavernkeeper, or another man's house,
making him out to be an informer, 1 all without cause or excuse,
of which proof is demanded. And that thereafter, while Hans
Vos was quietly standing under the mantepiece, smoking his
tobacco pipe, he dealt him a blow on the head with his fist. All
of which things in a land where justice is administered neither
1 In the margin is written: And confirmed this on the 23rd of January
in the presence of Van Bremen, saying that he called said Vos a thief
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 59
can nor ought to be tolerated, but should be promptly and arbi-
trarily punished, in order that the guilt of bloodshed may not
come upon the heads of the patroon's judges [ ]
[ ].
[22v] Pieter Claesz offers himself before the court as surety
for Cornelis van Es to satisfy all judgments in actions which the
honorable director may bring against said van Es, in toto.
Witness,
A. DE HOOGES
Andries de Vos is to pay for the patroon's dues on his mill
at Bethlehem the sum of fl. 62 : 1 a year.
January 29, 1649, Cornelis, called Vossgen, has taken the
farm next to Rem Jansz, smith, to the north, on the same con-
ditions as others, the lease whereof shall commence next Easter.
The ramafyer 1 summoned for having fought on the 4th ditto
in such a way that a piece of skin was torn from his face. Note.
[23] [Ordinance] published the 31st of January Anno 1649
The honorable director and commissioners of the colony of
Rensselaerswyck, finding that many colonists on their own
authority daily use the patroon's horses to draw logs and stone 2
and thereby cripple said horses and make them lame and stiff
and greatly abuse them, contrary to the good intentions and pur-
pose of the aforementioned patroon and his director and com-
missioners who have put the said horses at their disposal only
for the purpose of doing therewith their legitimate farm and other
work, without injuring or abusing the same; and finding further-
more that some drive their horses until they are warm and [tired]
and then let them stand in the cold, hungry and thirsty, before
the doors of the tavernkeepers and other persons, thus spoiling
them; THEREFORE, their honors have ordained, as they do
1 Jacob Adriaensz, wheelwright.
2 At this time there was considerable building going on in the colony.
60 Colony of Rensselaerstvyck
ordain hereby, that no one shall be allowed to drive the patroon's
horses for money [by the hour] or by the load, or to lend them
to others to draw wood or stone, beyond such use as he may have
to make of them himself for his farm or household, on pain of
forfeiting for each load or violation [of this ordinance], the first
time three guilders, the second time six guilders, the third time
nine guilders and arbitrary correction.
And as it is not their honors' intention to prevent any one from
being accommodated for his money, they have no objection if
those who are willing to drive for pay or by the load purchase
two or more horses at their own expense and use them as they
please to accommodate every one. Otherwise, their honors will
make further provision in the matter.
Every one is to govern himself accordingly.
Thus done at a duly attended meeting
[of the council] and published on the
date above written.
[23v] Copy
Apostil granted by the honorable director general and council
of New Netherland upon the petition presented by Adriaen
vander Donck at the meeting of January 21 Anno 1649.
The honorable director general and council having noted the
contents of the petition order Director Slechtenhorst to release
the grain attached by him, provided that the petitioner give
security for the compensation for the horse, for which Director
Slichtenhorst is to sue the petitioner before his competent judges.
Thus done in council at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.
Underneath was written: By order of the honorable director
and council, and was signed : Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary.
Agrees with the original apostil, Cornelis van Tienhoven,
Secretary.
Agrees with the original copy,
Which I certify,
A. DE HoOGES, Secretary
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 61
I, Brandt van Slichtenhorst, in the capacity of director of the
colony of Rensselaerswyck, notify you, Adriaen vander Donck,
or whatever other Christian name you have, and let you know
that on the 2d of January 1649, in my capacity aforesaid I
caused the court messenger of this colony to attach, first, two
hundred schepels of wheat which are still in the hands of Cornells
Segersz, per balance of the agreement entered into with the afore-
said Cornelis Segersz, and whatever else belonging to you, vander
Donck, is in the custody of the said Cornelis Segersz, and this
in order to recover payment or compensation for a black stallion,
valued at 300 guilders, and 5 cows at 80 guilders apiece, belong-
ing to the honorable patroon and entrusted to the hands of vander
Donck, with the interest thereon. So that, in my capacity afore-
said, I hereby summon you, vander Donck, for so far as you may
have an interest in the aforesaid wheat and other property, to
appear on the 27th day of May Anno 1649 before the court of
the aforesaid colony, in order to hear all such demand and
prayer for relief as I, in my capacity aforesaid, may have to make
and submit. In regard to which you must govern yourself as in
your judgment will seem best. In the colony of Rensselaers-
wyck, the [ ] of February Anno 1649. 1
Agrees with the original,
Which I certify,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
[24] Court proceedings, February 4 Anno 1649
On the 27th of January, the honorable director summoned
Nicolaes Koorn [to appear] in regard to vilification of the per-
son of Hans Vos, court messenger, in making him out to be a
rascal and an informer, demanding that [said Koorn] either
prove said accusations in court, or else declare before the court
that he knows nothing about said Vos but what is honorable and
1 Marginal annotations destroyed.
62 Colony of
right. Also for defamation of the honorable patroon and his
director and council committed in the tavern, saying that they
defrauded him and that fl. 1600 was stil-l due him and witheld
from him, which involves not merely a question of defamation,
but also causes uneasiness among the common people, as if he,
Koorn, was being defrauded to that extent, or so much was
witheld from him.
Thomas Chamber and Jochem Kettelheym, on the 12th of
July 1 648, three several times engaged in fisticuffs in such a way
that Tomas's face and nose bled profusely, and that on a Sunday
in the presence of the honorable director, for which he is liable
to the double fine, with costs.
On the same date, the aforesaid Thomas came to the door of
the trading house, to the director's, and again asked to fight and
within the hearing of Dominus Megapolensis swore three or four
times in most ungodly fashion, using God's Holy Name in vain,
notwithstanding the honorable director and the minister rebuked
him severely for it, 1 it being Sunday and the director and the
'minister being present; for which he has incurred three times the
fine of six guilders, double, or three times twelve guilders.
The 25th of January 1649, Thomas Chamber in the tavern
publicly called Hans Vos a rascal and an informer. And as
Thomas did not stop, they threw mugs and other things at each
other, so that the mugs broke, and this in the presence o Mons r .
Looper 2 and Master Abraham, 3 for which he is liable to the
double fine.
Furthermore, [the director demands] that he, Thomas, while
the court is in session, shall prove that Hans Vos is a rascal, or
else declare that he knows nothing about him but what is right
and honorable.
[24v] It is ordered that Evert Pels, next Thursday shall
1 In the margin is written : Thomas Chamber admits that he swore as
stated.
2 Captain Jacob Loper.
3 Surgeon Abraham Staets.
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 63
present in court here the account of Claes Tyssen regarding the
pease and five weeks' wages claimed by him, on pain of forfeiting
three guilders. 1
Consent is given to Jan van Bremen to have a copy of the
director's complaint, on condition that he plead thereto on the
next court day.
Whereas the honorable director, commissioners and council
of this colony, on the 7th of December 1648, ordered and
warned all the colonists, farmers and users of the honorable
patroon's property that they must within the space of fourteen
days deliver their accounts in writing to the aforesaid honorable
director, specifying the accounts for each year separately, under
the penalty expressed in the said ordinance, which they have
thus far failed to do, and finding that the winter has nearly gone
by and spring is at hand and that the grain and effects daily
disappear and become lost and the honorable patroon in every-
thing receives less recognition than a total stranger; therefore,
their honors wishing to provide therein, hereby forbid all those,
whoever they may be, who occupy the patroon's property on
half or one third shares, or on payment of a yearly rental, to
alienate, remove or dispose of any goods, whether grain, or other
commodities, without having first satisfied the honorable patroon
for everything, including the tithes, but without prejudice to the
servants' wages, which shall be paid with the knowledge and
advice of the aforesaid director, on pain of forfeiture for each
transgression of the sum of 25 guilders and the alienated goods
or other effects by those who in all fairness shall be judged to
have violated the ordinance. R:Wyck, this 6th of February
anno 1649, pursuant to the resolution of their honors aforesaid.
Was signed: A. de Hooges, Secretary.
[25] February 18 Anno 1649
Jacob Adriaensz, raedemaecfcer (wheelwright) , denies before
us that he fought on the 4th of this month.
1 In the margin is written: February 12, notice served on Pels.
64 Colony of
February 22 Anno 1649
Whereas Jacob Adriaensz, raedemaecfyer, and Jacob Adria-
ensz, tvaegenaer (wagoner), on the 21st of February 1649, not-
withstanding the director's warning and on penalty of the highest
fine to be imposed by him, as many as three times made bold to
prevent the director from making an arrest as he was having
hold of the delinquent's clothes and body, by holding on to his
arms and body in such a way that he could not follow, saying
also several times that they would not let him go along, which in
a land of justice neither can nor ought to be tolerated, as every
one in case of need is bound to lend the officers of justice a help-
ing hand, according to the rule of the dear fatherland, for which
according to law each of them must stand in the delinquent's
place and expect the same punishment, and in addition for each
offense forfeit the sum of 300 guilders and receive arbitrary cor-
rection according to the ordinance of the 28th of May 1 648, and
whereas each of them has committed the highest crime not only
against the patroon by violating Hs high and. low jurisdiction but
also against the States General, whose place is occupied here,
therefore, the honorable plaintiff demands, first, that each person
shall give security for the satisfaction of the judgment, or, in
default thereof, that they shall be placed in confinement and
defend their case there; cum expensis.
For which purpose the raedemaecffer is summoned to appear
on the 22d and the fvaegenaer on the 23d of February, at about
9 o'clock in the forenoon.
The raeJemaec/fer's first default.
The honorable director has declared by true words that the
above took place as follows:
The 21st of February 1649, the honorable director, assisted
by his son and Hans Vos, having come to the house of Jan
Verbeeck, in the Greenen Bos, to arrest Jacob Toenys, the
servant of Jan Verbeeck, on account of abusive language and
violence between the son of the honorable director and said
Jacob Toenys, Jacob raedemaecfyer, Jacob rvaegenaer and
Harmen Bastiaensen ventured, notwithstanding the honorable
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 65
director forbade them to do so on pain of the highest fine which
he could impose, to prevent the honorable director from arresting
the aforesaid Jacob Toenys [the remainder of the declaration is
illegible or destroyed].
[25v] February 23 Anno 1649
It is ordered that Jacob Adriaensen shall give security for the
judgment, or in default thereof be taken into custody.
The same is ordered with reference to Jacob Aertsz,
waegenaer.
Evert Pels from Steltyn, 1 by this his signature becomes surety
and bail for Jacob Aertsz, tvaegenaer, for the satisfaction of the
judgment and the costs in the action for preventing the execution
of justice or making the arrest, as the court of this colony shall
determine. Done this 25th of February Anno 1649.
EVERT PELS
In the same way, in every respect, Evert Pels and Rutger
Jacobsz become sureties and bailsmen for Jacob Adriaensz,
raedemaecfyer.
RUT JACOBSZ
EVERT PELS
Acknowledged before me,
A: DE HOOGES, Secretary
The case of Jacob Aertsz, ivaegenaer, and Jacob Adriaensz,
raedemaecfyer, is with the full consent and approval of the honor-
able director and Rut Jacobsz and Evert Pels, as sureties for
the aforesaid persons, put for decision into the hands of two
neutral and impartial men having legal knowledge and they
therefore promise mutually to abide by the decision and to
observe it in all respects.
The parties aforesaid have mutually and voluntarily agreed
to this, the [ ] of June Anno 1649.
Acknowledged before me,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
1 Stettin, Germany.
3
66 Colony of .Rensse/aersnnjc^
[26] February 22 Anno 1649
Whereas Jacob Aryaensz, rademaecfyer, Jacob Aertsz,
ivagenaer, and Herman Bastiaensz, on February 21, 1649, in
spite of the director's warning and under penalty of his highest
fine, dared as many as three times each time publicly to prevent
the director from making an arrest, while he had hold of the
delinquent's 1 body, immediately after [said delinquent] without
any cause, much less justification, had struck his son Wencom, 2
and in addition called him an informer and tried to force Wen-
com to keep off his own patroon's ground, according to the delin-
quent's own declaration (it being indeed intolerable and unheard
of that a subject's servant should thus wrongly maltreat and
grossly insult his lawful superior's son), and they, [the defend-
ants], held the delinquent by the arms and body and repeated
several times that they would not let him go with the director,
which in a land of justice neither can nor ought to go unpunished
(as every one in case of need is bound to lend a helping hand to
the officers of justice, according to the rule of the dear father-
land) , therefore, they have forfeited life and limb and according
to written law must stand in the delinquent's place and severally
receive the same punishment, fine and amercement for the crime
committed, while in addition they have forfeited the sum of three
hundred guilders, according to the ordinance of May 28, 1648,
posted in this colony. And whereas each of the persons arrested
has not only committed the most serious crime within the high
and low jurisdiction of the honorable patroon, but has also in the
highest manner violated the jurisdiction of the States General,
whose place and administration of justice are represented here,
therefore the honorable plaintiff demands that each person shall
first of all give bail for the satisfaction of the judgment, since
1 Jacob Toenys, servant of Jan Verbeeck.
2 Gerrit van Wencom, who at that time held the office of deputy schout
of the colony, was not the director's son, but his nephew. He was suc-
ceeded by the director's son, Gerrit van Slichtenhorst, which might account
for the error, except for the fact that the entire entry is in the handwrit-
ing of the director himself.
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 67
they own no real estate here, the more so as Jacob rvagenaer has
hertofore grossly insulted the former officer, Verdonck, 1 and
broken the lord's bonds [of justice] ; or, in default thereof, that
they may be placed under civil arrest or in confinement and there
made to defend their case, all cum expensis. 2
February 21, 1 649, the honorable director, assisted by his
son and Hans Vos, having come to the house of Jan Verbeeck
to arrest the person of [Jacob Toenys, servant of Jan] Verbeeck,
on account of abusive words . . . [the remainder of the
page is destroyed.]
[In the margin is written:]
The honorable director, his honor's son and Hans Vos declare
by true words that this took place as here stated.
Which [I certify,]
[A. DE HOOGES, Secretary]
[26v] Court Proceedings, March 4 Anno 1649
Jan Reyersz acknowledges that he owes Albert Andriesz
fl. 71 and promises to pay the same at the first opportunity to
the deaconry of this colony.
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Harmen Bastiaensz,
defendant. Cum expen&is. First default.
Aert Pietersz ~]
^, . ^ ,. } hirst default.
C^uiryn Cornelisz J
Appeared in the afternoon:
Quiryn Cornelisz, who admits that he owes Albert Andriesz
fl. 69:, but for the present has no means of paying.
Quiryn Cornelisz declares that in the fore part of the year 1 643,
as the wedding guests were going over the ice to the wedding of
the daughters of van Es, a mare of the said Cryn and a stallion
1 Adriaen van der Donck.
2 In the margin is written: The 3d ditto, Hans Vos served notice on
Rut Jacobs and Evert Pels.
68 Colony of RensselaersTv\)cf(
of van der Donck were drowned near the sn>arte, or paerde
hoed?, 1 and that he, Cryn, is under the impression that van der
Donck received therefor from the wedding guests one hundred
and fifty guilders.
[27] Jaques Neulewels declares here that the servant of
Sander Leendersz on March 1 , 1 649, went into the woods with
a savage, who had a whole loaf of bread, which was cut up in
the woods for the savages and after they had eaten it, they went
with six packs, led by the servant, together into Sander's house.
March 11 Anno 1649
Sander Leendersz acknowledges the contract made by him
with the late patroon on March 28, 1 639, and says that he knows
of no other contract than that. It must therefore be carried out
in all its parts, as well as that granted by the court on February
23, Anno 1645.
Sander Leendersz admits having sailed two yachts since 1641,
for three years, and says that he knows of no other contracts.
Catalyn Sanders admits that she signed with her own hand
the contract made with the patroon on March 28, Anno 1639,
and that she has a copy of it at her house. Whereupon complete
condemnation is asked.
Catalyn Sanders also acknowledges the contract entered into
with the court of this colony on February 23, Anno 1645, and
says that she knows of no other contracts.
Catalyn says that they sailed two yachts of the patroon, but
not while they tapped liquor.
March [ ] Cornelis Segersz has through Hans Vos
[requested that he be] released by the court from [
1 Now Parda hook, about a mile south of Van Wie's point.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 69
[27v] Court proceedings, March 18, 1649
Harmen Bastiaensz having heard the complaint of the honor-
able director read to liim, answers that they must call him before
his competent judges.
Cornells Segersz has agreed with Thomas Keuningh to take
his boy into his service from this date, paying him according to
the time, provided that the boy must serve in the next harvest.
If in binding he keeps up with one mower, he is to receive one
guilder; if with two, two guilders.
Cornelis Segersz being in dispute with Willem de Key about
pease purchased by him, their case is referred to two neutral
arbitrators, whose decision as to their value they are to follow,
to wit, such arbitrators as they shall nominate.
Jacob Lambertsz Dorlandt is ordered to pay to the honorable
director the fine imposed upon him by sentence within the space
of fourteen days after the service of notice, under penalty of
execution and a fine of fl.3. 1
The case of Jacob waegenaer and Jacob raedemaecker is sub-
mitted to the discretion of impartial men, with the consent of the
honorable director and Ruth Jacobsz and Evert Pels, as sureties.
[28] Court proceedings, March 25 Anno 1649
A warrant of arrest and summons having been served upon
Willem de Key at the request of Cornelis Segersz on account of
200 schepels of wheat which he, Willem de Key, admits having
taken on board his yacht and carried past the house of Evert
Pels, but which on account of the inclemency of the early winter,
at Willem de Key's request, were taken out of the yacht by the
said Cornelis and removed to the Greenen Bos to the brewery
1 In the margin is written : March [ ] , Hans Vos served notice
on Jacob Lamberts.
70 Colony of
and the house of Domine Megapolensis, 1 Willem de Key
answers that at the first opportunity he will reply to everything in
writing.
Apostil on the petition of Nicolaes Koorn
Serves for apostil:
Nicolaes Koorn is again referred to the order last sent to him,
but for certain reasons the time is prolonged or extended until
this day fortnight, under the penalty heretofore provided.
Jan Thomasz's contract is canceled by the honorable director
for so far as he is concerned.
On the date above written Evert Pels transfers and conveys
to Jeuriaen Bestvall the house, haybarracks and barn as they
have to this date been used by Evert Pels, everything to be
appraised at a convenient time by impartial men.
[28v] April3 Anno 1649
Sander Leendersz becomes surety for all actions and fines
which the honorable director may institute against or demand of
his servant, Egbert Doysz, submitting himself to the court here.
Sander Leendersz, by his signature, promises to perform this.
Witnessed by me,
A: DE HOOGES, Secretary
On the date above written the following notice was served on :
Cornelis Teunisz van Westbroeck
Volckert Hansz, and
Cornelis Vos
You have license to carry on lawful trade, but in no wise to
carry on any illegitimate trade, as is daily done by you in running
into the woods to meet the savages who come with beavers and
1 Domine Megapolensis resided on the east side of the Hudson river,
obliquely opposite Fort Orange in the so-called Kercffbuurte, or church
neighborhood, which by O'Callaghan, History of Nev> NetherlanJ,
1 :330, and' Brodhead, History of the Stale of Ne> York, 1 :343 is
erroneously placed on the west side of the river, near the Beaver's
creek. Cf. Van Rensselaer Bonier Mss, p. 454, 619.
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 71
in promising them presents of stockings, hatchets and other goods
if they will come to your houses to trade, and after having thus
traded with them giving them a little note to tell other savages
where you dwell and such presents as will induce them to come
to you to trade.
You are hereby warned and forbidden by the court to carry
on such illegitimate trade, in violation of the ordinance.
Cornelis Teunisz promises to observe this, provided those of
the fort do likewise, as heretofore they have not done.
Volckert Hansz agrees to do as Cornelis Teunisz.
Cornelis Vos promises the same.
[29] April 15 Anno 1649
Cornelis Teunisz van Breuckelen having been notified that he
is alleged to have said that changes were made in the contracts
after the time the leases were signed, which he denies, asks that
the case be put over until Rutger Jacobsz comes up the river.
Also, that Cornelis Teunisz on April 5, 1649, having called
to the honorable director to come out of his house, gave up the
lease of his farm, to which the honorable director consented on
condition that he should render his accounts, which Cornelis
Teunisz admits.
On the petition of Cornelis Segersz it is ordered that he must
first turn all his accounts regarding the grain over to the director
and that then a copy will be exhibited at his expense.
Jacob Lambertsz is again ordered to satisfy the judgment of
March 8, 1 649, within eight days from the time notice is served,
under penalty of six guilders, and if he remains in default another
eight days, nine guilders.
[In the margin is written:] 3 days after the 1 5th of this month,
notice was served on Jacob Lambertsz by Slichtenhorst himself,
on the land of Thomas Jansz.
Whereas Claes Gerritsz has thus far failed to satisfy the judg-
ment of December 1 7, 1 648, he is again ordered to satisfy the
72
Colony of
same within three weeks from the time notice hereof is served,
on pain of forfeiting two pounds Flemish.
The honorable director, plaintiff,
against
Jacob Schermerhorn
Gerrit, the cooper 1
floelandt, 2 the nephew (neve) of
Mr Stuyvesant
[1st] default <
defendants
Pieter Loockemans
Marten, the mason 3
Rem, the smith 4
Willem Jansz Stol
Hendrick Driesz
Meynert, a carpenter
Lammert van Valckenburgh
[29v] Court proceedings, April 29 Anno 1649
Nicolaes Coorn is ordered once more and for the last time
that he must render and deliver his account and statement of
all his claims in the form heretofore mentioned within the space
of twice twenty-four hours, under the penalty provided.
[In the margin is written:] May [ ], written notice was
served on Coorn.
Cornelis Teunisz van Breuckelen to be asked in court whether
he still stands by the words spoken by him twice on April 7,
1649, to Director Slichtenhorst, to wit, that he, Slichtenhorst,
had changed the contracts under which the six lots were leased
on September 1 4, 1 648, after the leases were signed and that the
copies which they had procured of the said contracts or agree-
ments did not agree with the original terms which were read to
1 Gerrit Jansz,
2 Roelandt Savary? See minutes of March 16, 1651.
3 Marten Harmensz?
4 Rem Jansz.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 73
them at the time the aforesaid leasing took pkce, to which
he added that he and Rutger Jacobsz and two or three other
persons would prove what is stated above. Whereupon a cate-
gorical answer, yes or no, is demanded, and in case no answer
is made, that it be taken that he, Breuckelen, still stands by what
he said.
Cornells Teunisz asking for a copy of the foregoing charges
and eight days' delay in which to make answer, his request is
granted.
Whereas Cornelis Hendricksz van Es has before this been
called upon and urged by the honorable director of the colony
of Rensselaerswyck to pay a certain bond given in case Cryn
Cornelisz should fail to pay, amounting to the sum of one hun-
dred and fifty guilders, and also an absolute assignment of thirty-
six guilders, fifteen stivers, as per account of Roelof Cornelisz,
which aforesaid bond is signed by the said van Es and Cfornelis]
Crynen, who was also called upon to pay before the said van Es,
but declared that he had [no money] for the present. And
whereas Cornelis [van Es] , for the reason aforesaid, caused
Cornelis Crynen to be arrested and summoned to appear in court,
as he did appear twice, to recover the amount from him, but
van Es failed to appear and to prosecute his action, therefore
Cornelis Crynen [ 1
[30] so that for the reason above mentioned it is ordered that
he, van Es, shall tender and pay the amount of the bond and
the assignment, with interest at the rate of one penny in sixteen,
before his departure from here, referring him for the recovery of
the amount to the person against whom his action must be
brought and whom he caused to be arrested and summoned to
appear, to wit, Cornelis Crynen ; all cum expensis.
r.. [ Cornelis van Es
rirst . persons attached and summoned
j K ? and r i
default n . _ to appear on the next court day,
Pieter Claes
which is now, action being brought by the director against both
and by Andries de Vos against Pieter Claesz.
74 Colony of
Hans Vos is ordered by the court to proceed to the house of
Cornells van Es and Pieter Claesz, to watch over their property
until they shall have rendered their accounts and performed their
duties, all on payment of proper wages to Hans Vos.
This day, May 3, 1649, Jacob Hevick has leased from the
director and commissioners of this colony at twenty guilders a
year, for the term of six years, a certain house belonging to him
and a garden situated north of the house and farm of Jan
Baerentsz and south of that of Thomasz Jansz, provided that
Jacob Hevick shall have free of rent all the land that he shall
clear within the aforesaid time ; furthermore Jacob must in addi-
tion yearly deliver two pairs of fowls. The lease commenced
at Easter.
B. v. SLICHTENHORST
This is X the mark of
JACOB HEVICK, made with his own hand
JAN VAN TWILLER
This is the X mark of
WILLEM FREDERICKSZ, as witness
Acknowledged before me,
A: DE HoOGES, Secretary
[In the margin is written:]
As heretofore a considerable trade was carried on at this
place, but this has now almost completely ceased, this is the
reason that the place rents for not more than 20 guilders a year.
[30v] This day, the 4th of May 1 649, Antony de Hooges
and Pieter Hertgers have jointly leased from the honorable
director of this colony, for the term of three years, for a garden,
the ground lying to the north of and close under [the walls of]
Fort Orange, to the south of and next to the yard of the honor-
able patroon, being the ground where heretofore the trading
house of the honorable patroon stood, and to the east of the
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 75
churchyard, 1 on condition that they give one beaver a year. In
case necessity requires it, the director reserves the right to lay
out a road through the garden to the churchyard, or an emer-
gency road, 2 on condition that two gates shall be made and kept
in repair at the patroon's expense. The lessees have signed this
lease with their own hands. Done in Rensselaerswyck, on the
date above written.
A: DE HOOGES
PIETER HERTGERS
Court proceedings, May 6 Anno 1649
Pieter Claesz promises here before the court to deliver up the
house, barn and hay barracks used by him last year in as good
condition as he received them.
[A note in the margin says:] De Vos has used his barn five
years, his dwelling house three years and the hay barrack four
years.
1 voorde tydt van drie Jaeren gepacht de grant tol een tuyn gelegen
benoorden dicht ondert Fort Orangien, besuyden naest aenden Hoff
vande Ed: Heer Patroon, synde de gront daer voor desen het handelhuys
vande Ed: Heer Patroon heeft geslaen, ende beoosten het fyercffhof. The
patroon's Hoff probably refers to the garden belonging to the patroon's
house, which was occupied by Van Slichtenhorst. Van Slichtenhorst
afterwards claimed that he had more than a hundred sleigh loads of
manure drawn into this hof and kept the clapboard fence around it in
repair at his own expense. The term ffercffhof may be used in the general
sense of a burying ground, but may also mean the plot around the former
trading house of the patroon, which according to a petition presented
by de Hooges on March 27, 1648, had shortly before been turned
into a church. The words: "being the ground where heretofore the
trading house of the honorable patroon stood," are inserted in the margin
and may, perhaps, in the original have been inserted in the wrong place
and be intended to apply, not to the Hoff, but to the ground leased for a
garden.
2 Nooiroech. Hugo de Groot, Inleiding tot de Hollandsche Rechts-
Celeerdheyd, Book II, chap. 35, 7, says: Noodweg is een u>eg alleen
le gebrulcffen tot den oogst, tot een lijck ofte andere noodzakellcJfheid
(Noodrveg is a road to be used only for the transportation of crops, a
dead body, or for other necessary purposes).
76 Colony of
May 28 Anno 1649
Whereas Director Slichtenhorst caused 200 schepels of wheat
belonging to Adriaen vander Donck to be attached, whereof a
written notice was sent to him and a date was set for trial of the
case on the 27th of May Anno 1649, payment is demanded for
the horses, cattle and the appurtenances thereof, according to
the notice, cum expensis; and in case of failure to appear, [it is
demanded that] the first default [be granted], with the benefit
thereof, and the right to serve peremptory notice de novo and to
appoint another day for trial.
[31] Whereas Gysbert Cornelisz aende Berch was ordered
some time ago to deliver to Evert Pels two cows with a heifer
and he, Gysbert, being called upon and urged to do so, has posi-
tively and stubbornly refused to give up the aforesaid cattle, he
is hereby ordered by the court to deliver the said cattle to Evert
Pels or his agent under the penalty of three guilders for one day's
delay, six guilders for two days, nine guilders for three days and
so on multiplied, and arbitrary correction, cum expensis.
[In the margin:] May 19, this order was served and read
to him.
For which refusal the aforesaid Gysbert is summoned to
appear in court under penalty of the highest fine to be imposed
by the patroon.
Court proceedings, May 20 Anno 1649
[Part of the page left blank]
May 22, 1649
Pieter Claesz is released from his bail bond executed for his
father-in-law 1 van Es, dated March [ ]
[ ] his own action [
[31v] Copy
Pieter Claesz, [you are hereby] ordered to let Jan van
Bremen have two of the strongest horses, one stallion and one
Schoon vaedcr.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 77
gelding, which said Jan shall feed oats at his expense, for which
room shall be given him at your house, and in case you refuse,
you are liable to the fine imposed in such cases. Guard yourself
against damage. February 3, Anno 1649.
By order of the director and the commissioners,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
Court Proceedings, May 29 Anno 1649
The honorable court of this colony of Rensselaerswyck having
examined the complaint of the director against Michiel Jansz,
together with the answer, replication and rejoinder, and having
duly considered everything, hereby order the said defendant to
render an itemized account of everything in proper form to the
aforesaid director.
[32] May 31, 1649
Whereas question has arisen between Director Slichtenhorst
and Mons r . Adriaen vander Donck about the claim heretofore
presented by vander Donck, the director, after examination of
his lawful debit and alleged credit accounts, caused two hundred
schepels of wheat belonging to vander Donck to be attached,
according to the writ served on him, in which the date on which
he was to appear was 'fixed at the 27th of May 1649. Vander
Donck having appeared on the 2 1 st instant, it was arranged and
agreed that the 21st instead of the 27th woulci serve as the date
of appearance, as it actually did serve, as will sufficiently appear
from the complaint and the written answer of vander Donck, in.
his own hand. And whereas vander Donck claims and alleges
that the appointed day passed without prosecution of the case,
and he, in bad faith, transferred his title to the aforesaid 200
schepels of wheat to others (in derogation of vander Donck's
former agreement), as vander Donck has himself declared in
the presence of the said Slichtenhorst and Antonio de Hooges,
therefore, the court messenger, by order of the director, on the
78 Colony of
3 1 st of the aforesaid month of May, once more served an attach-
ment against the person of the said vander Donck and by mutual
consent arranged to have court held at two o'clock in the after-
noon of the said 31st of May; however, without prejudice to
Director Slichtenhorst's former legal right as regards the wheat
transferred to others, which remains intact as before and for
which the former attachment was made, his case being prose-
cuted from day to day, at the expense of the party who shall be
found in tha wrong, for which security is demanded ; all without
loss or damage, cum expensis.
Furthermore, an attachment is served against him to make
reply to written interrogatories.
Extraordinary session, on the date above written
The honorable court shows that the 200 schepels of wheat
belonging to Adriaen vander Donck, which were attached, can
not be received or delivered without the consent of the court, as
the attachment was made by order of the court
[remainder illegible].
[32v] Copy
After the fire, in the year 1646, had destroyed one of the
[two] farms on Casteels island, Adriaen vander Donck, who
had had possession thereof, resolved to sell his remaining interest
in the farm, with the consent of and before the court. After the
sale, vander Donck resolved to leave the colony, which he did,
also with the consent of the court, having first delivered his
account to Mons r . de Hooges. But as they could not finally
settle the accounts in regard to the burned house and some other
claims on both sides, they decided to write at the first opportunity
for advice to the guardians of the patroon of the colony and then
to settle their accounts. Thereupon vander Donck departed.
Anno 1647, after the arrival of the ship Fa/c^emer, vander
Donck brought suit before the court against Mons r . de Hooges,
while he was at the Manhatans and demanded final settlement,
but de Hooges had not yet sent over the account, so that he was
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 79
ordered to do so at the first opportunity, when they were to pro-
ceed with the case. The account was sent over on the ship de
Princes, which was wrecked and the account was lost. Anna
1648, Director Brant van Slichtenhorst arrived and vander
Donck several times requested him, verbally and in writing and
also by petition to pay the money coming to him according to
his account, but never received any. Finally, some effects of
vander Donck having been attached by the director of this colony
anno 1 649, the [ ] of May, it was agreed upon by Director
Brant van Slichtenhorst on the one side and Adriaen vander
Donck on the other side [ ]
[ ]
[33] guardians of the honorable patroon of this colony and-
Adriaen vander Donck, upon this condition and stipulation that
whoever is entitled to anything shall receive the money there, 1
without the parties referring each other to New Netherland.
And in case it should happen that the honorable guardians on
the one side and Adriaen vander Donck on the other side had
any points about which they could not agree, neither of the
parties, to wit, neither the honorable guardians, nor vander
Donck, shall have the right to resort to or make use of judicial
proceedings to settle the matter, but both parties, the guardians
as well as vander Donck, shall be held to leave their dispute to
the decision of arbitrators, whom they shall mutually chose, each
party choosing one according to his pleasure and the two joining
to themselves a third person, to whom all disputes shall be left
for final decision, without either side attempting to do anything
to the contrary. And the director of the colony of Rensselaers-
wyck hereby promises and binds himself that the honorable
guardians on their part shall faithfully carry out this contract
without any exception, just as vander Donck on his part promises
to do this. But in case either one of the parties, except by reason
of death or other serious misfortune, should fail to perform his
1 Namely, in Holland. '
80 Colony of Rensselaerstvycfy
part, the other party shall be free to recover his loss and damage
wherever it shall seem best to him.
Furthermore, Director Slichtenhorst shall not write to his
honorable masters about this matter or advise them of it without
showing Adriaen vander Donck before his departure [ ]
[ ]
[33v] vander Donck, after receipt of the gravamina to be
brought forward by the honorable Director Slichtenhorst, shall
deliver to his honor the reply with such other gravamina, if any,
as he may have, and thus mutually exchange the papers in the
case. Thus done and decided in good faith on the date above
written, and in witness of the truth confirmed with their usual
signatures and sealed with their seals, in the colony of Rens-
selaerswyck. And was signed:
B. v. Slichtenhorst
Adriaen vander Donck
And besides their
names sealed with the seals of
both of them.
Below was written:
Thus signed and sealed and acknowledged
before me, secretary of the colony of
Rensselaerswyck,
Antonio de Hooges, Secretary
After collation this is found to agree with the original,
Certified by me,
A: DE HOOGES, Secretary
[34] Court proceedings, June 3 Anno 1649
Thomas Jansz, plaintiff, against Evert Pels, about surgeon's
fees for wounds inflicted.
Evert Pels says that he is not bound to make compensation,
because Thomas Jansz was just as guilty as he was.
Court Minutes, 1643-1652 81
Hans Vos is ordered and commanded to go to the house of
Gysbert aende Berch and there by judicial process to levy the
share of the animals for the farm of Evert Pels, as was ordered
heretofore, to wit, 2 cows and one heifer.
June 4 Anno 1649
The honorable director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck and
Evert Pels have by mutual consent, without any further claims
on their part in any manner whatsoever, completely, referred and
turned over to Mons r . Adriaen vander Donck and Jan Lourisz
Appel for proper decision and settlement the legal questions at
issue between them both, to which [decision] they fully submit
themselves.
B. v. SLICHTENHORST EVERT PELS
Acknowledged before me,
A: DE HOOGES, Secretary
[34v] June 5 Anno 1649
Director Brant van Slichtenhorst and A. de Hooges and
Johannes van Twiller as commissioners have after mature
deliberation ordered and decided, as they do hereby, that
Adriaen vander Donck may not receive or unload the two hun-
dred schepels of wheat attached in the hands of Cornelis Segersz,
except upon security given by two sufficient sureties before the
court here, in default whereof the attachment will remain in full
force.
Johannes van Twiller is granted permission by the honorable
director to transport out of the colony for Mr Stuyvesant a horse
belonging to Cornelis Segersz, provided he receive in return a
horse of Curagao or other breed ; and Joannes van Twiller hereby
guarantees the honorable director against all loss. Dated as
above.
JAN VAN TWILLER
82 Colony of Rensselaerstvycfy
Pieter Claes has left the colony of Rensselaerswyck with the
knowledge and consent of the honorable director of the aforesaid
colony, on condition that he would satisfy and pay Hans Vos for
performing his duties at his house by order of the court, accord-
ing to the resolution. Also upon condition that in accordance
with his own promise he would deliver up the house, bam and
hay barracks heretofore used by him, in as good condition as
he found them. Done in the colony of Rensselaerswyck, this
day, the 5th of June 1 649.
June 6, 1649 Jacob Jansz Stol, for the fine incurred on
account of [assault on] Hans Vos committed on the same date
and the court day set for the first [of July].
[35] Extraordinary session, June 8, 1649
Claes Tyssen, on June 7, 1 649, had the court messenger serve
an attachment against Adriaen vander Donck here in the colony
and appoint a court day, namely, the 8th of this month, on which
to settle his account and make payment according to the agree-
ment between the parties.
Claes Andriesz and Dirck Hendricksz, both of Hilverson, are
ordered to fulfil their contract of service with those to whom they
are assigned, under penalty, on the next default, of being put on
bread and water for eight days at their own expense, with costs.
This will serve as a strict warning that they must faithfully per-
form their service, their first offense being hereby overlooked.
Adriaen vander Donck declares here before the court, by
handfast, that he owes Claes Tyssen no more than fl. 53, say
fifty-three guilders.
Willem Fredericksz becomes surety for vander Donck's debt
of fl. 53 to Claes Tyssen.
Court proceedings, June 10 Anno 1649
Antony de Hooges becomes surety for two hundred schepels
of wheat in the hands of Cornelis Segersz which are levied by
the director on account of Adriaen vander Donck.
Court Minutes, I648-/652 83
Cornells Segersz is ordered by the court to deliver to the
honorable director of this colony, or his agent, two hundred
schepels of wheat for the payment of [ ] on pain
of forfeiting six guilders for [ ] delay
after notice shall have been served.
[35v] This 14th of June 1649, Christoffel Davits has in my
presence taken over Dirck Hendricksz from Hilverson and by
handfast promised to keep the director free from all loss and
damage.
Which I certify,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
Court proceedings, June 1 7 Anno 1 649
Cornells Segersz, being summoned to appear about the pay-
ment to be made to Jan van Bremen on account of the honorable
director, as per his order, promises and is hereby ordered imme-
diately to satisfy and pay Jan Dircksz in wheat or other goods
of sufficient value and in case the parties have any other differ-
ence between them, they may adjust, and settle their accounts
with one another, and if they can not agree, exhibit the matter
in court, all without prejudice to the claim of the honorable
plaintiff.
Director B. v. Slichtenhorst, plaintiff, against Jan Louwerensz,
defendant, being arrested and summoned to appear on this date
about slander, according to the complaint of the plaintiff. Non
comparwt. First default.
18 June 1649 Jan Tomensz and Jan Hageman summoned
by Vos for the second time, under penalty of 3 gl.
Appeared, but refused to take the oath.
1 9 ditto Jan Tomensz and Jan Hageman summoned for the
third time, under penalty of 6 gl., to appear on Monday
at 9 o'clock.
ditto Volckert Hansz summoned by Vos to appear on
the same day, or the 19th ditto, but did not appear.
84 Colony of
21 ditto Jan Tomensz and Jan Hageman summoned for the
third time under penalty of 9 gl. to appear on the 22d
ditto [to give testimony?] to the truth and again sum-
moned to appear on the 24th.
On the 22d, Jan Appel was summoned for the second time at
Slichtenhorst's demand to appear on the 24th.
[36] Court proceedings, June 24 Anno 1649
The director, plaintiff, against Jan Louwrensz Appel. Second
default.
Jan Haegeman and Jan Thomasz, being summoned. First
default.
Jan Verbeeck has appointed this day for Gerrit Vasterick to
appear in court. Non comparuit. First default.
June 28, 1649. Jan Dirricksz owes Peter Claes 235 gls.,
which money has been attached in the hands of Jan Dirricksz as
security for the delivery [by Peter Claesz] of the patroon's horse
and the house in as good a condition as he received them, and
for the wages of Hans Vos.
This day, the 29th of June 1649, Director B. v. Slichten-
horst, in the presence of Antonio de Hooges and Johannes van
Twiller, has delivered to Claes Bordingh all the writings and
papers in the suit between the said Mr Slichtenhorst and Adriaen
vander Donck, to deliver them faithfully to Adriaen vander
Donck.
[Marginal annotation] July 22, 1649, Claes Bordingh
reported that he delivered the documents to Verdonck, to wit,
on July 6, 1 649, early in the morning, as he came out of bed.
June 28, 1 648 [ 1 649] , Hans Vos, in the name of the director,
summoned Jan Appel in the colony to appear in court on July 1 ,
1649.
The 29th ditto, Cornelis Tuenisz van Brueckelom summoned
for the second time at the request of the director to appear in
court on the 1 st of July.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 85
Court proceedings, July 1 Anno 1649
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Jan Haegeman,
defendant.
1 Proof is demanded that he had permission to trade
beavers, powder and lead in the colony.
2 How many beavers he traded there?
3 To give security for the judgment.
Jan Lourensz and Cornelis Theunisz van Breuckelen sum-
moned to appear. First default.
[36v] July 1 . Jan Louwerensz Appel summoned again, for
the fourth time, to appear here before the court on the 8th of
this month.
July 3. Carsten, the Noorman, summoned on a writ of attach-
ment at the request of de Hoogens to appear on the next court
day, being the 8th of this month.
Court proceedings, July 8 Anno 1649
Aert Pietersz, being summoned to appear before the court at
the instance of Domine Megapolensis, as attorney, to state
whether he is willing and intends to fulfil his promise to a cer-
tain woman, named Blancke Ael, 1 Aert Pietersz says, Yes,
and promises to have himself legally united to her in matrimony
at the first opportunity.
Jan Louwerensz being summoned for the fourth time on a
warrant of attachment, makes no answer, much less purges him-
self of the charges against him, but requests judgment.
Carsten Carstensz, being summoned, non comparuit. First
default.
The honorable director asks for the last time citation and then
peremptory sentence in the matter of Jan Appel.
Claes Gerritsz states here before the court that he pays no
regard to the sentence of December 1 7, 1 648.
1 Literally : Fair, or light-complexioned, Alicia.
86 Colony of
On the 8th instant Jan Appel was summoned in the colony to
appear again or once more before the court on the 15th.
July 12, Broer Cornelis was cited to appear before the court
on the 15th.
The 12th ditto, Jacob Aryaensz RamaecJ^er was cited to
satisfy the judgment against him for the payment of the rent for
the year 1648. Also that on account of his fisticuffs with
Cornelis boer 1 on the island on June 20, 1 649, in the presence of
witnesses.
[37] Court proceedings, July 15 Anno 1649
The honorable director issues an attachment against Jacob
Aryaensz Rademaecfyer to satisfy the judgment and pay the rent
for the year 1648, and to satisfy the plaintiff in regard to the
fine to be paid for fighting with Kees de boer on June 20, 1 649,
in the presence of witnesses.
The director, plaintiff, against Teunis Dircksz, defendant,
about the rent of the brewery. First default.
Christoffel Davits admits here before the court that he loaned
the horse which perished to Thomas, 2 a mason and an English-
man.
The honorable court, having heard and read the complaint
of the director of this colony against Jan Louwrensz Appel and
finding that Jan Louwrensz was summoned four or five times,
but has not brought in any formal answer and only asked that
sentence should be pronounced. And whereas he has as yet
not brought forward any proper defense and seems tacitly to
admit the charges, the honorable court have decided, as they
decide hereby, that if Jan Louwrensz does not purge himself on
the next court day of the charges brought by the director, he
shall be condemned to pay the lord's highest fine and all the
costs of the suit incurred according to the declaration to be made
1 Cornelis Segersz van Voorhout, farmer on Castle island.
2 Thomas Fairfax.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 87
thereof and if he does not appear and properly purge himself
of the charges, he shall be declared in contempt.
[37 v] Whereas the honorable director has caused Teunis
Dircksz to be summoned to appear on account of the receipt of
the payment of the rent of the brewery and he has failed to
appear, the director is authorized, upon condition of giving
security, to levy on the property of Mr Abraham Staas and
Pieter Hertgers for the balance of the aforesaid rent.
Copy
We, Abraham Staas and Jacob Jansz Stol, acknowledge that
we become bail, each one separately, for the appearance of the
wife of Sander Leendersz, in the action brought by Director
Slichtenhorst according to the written summons read to her, dated
July 16, 1649, submitting ourselves to the judicature of the
colony of Rensselaerswyck, each in the amount of ten hundred
guilders. Witness our hands, this 1 6th of July 1 649. Including
herein Margariet Willems.
Was signed: Abram Staas
Jacob Jansz Stoll
Tys Pietersz is ordered to repair within the space of twenty-
four hours after the service of this notice to the house of the
honorable director, to receive there instructions with whom he
is to stay according to his contract, under the penalty of six
guilders for the first failure to comply with this order, and in
case he refuses, he shall be forced thereto by writ of execution.
Order is also issued to Broer Cornelis to refrain from lodging
or harboring him.
This 3 1 st day of July 1 649. Jacob Jansz van Stoutenburch
having been summoned under a writ of attachment to appear on
the 2d of August of the same year to acknowledge or repudiate
his mark affixed to the lease, dated May 5, 1649, and the
appraisal of the goods on the Vlackte, amounting to fl. 1426,
and whether he did not accept the aforesaid goods according to
88 Colony of
the specification thereof in the presence of the director, Domine
Megapolensis and other witnesses, he is asked to give security
for one year's rent and the amount of the appraisal, or else to
enter into custody.
Jacob Jansz acknowledges his signature to the deed and that
he took over the aforementioned goods according to the appraisal.
[38] The director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck being
bound under the contract with Claes Segeresz to deliver to him,
at the commencement of his lease, the land of his farm in condi-
tion to be cultivated by him and finding thereon ten morgens
seeded with winter wheat, Claes Segersz shall next winter make
compensation for the seed grain and the labor and expense which
have gone into it, and at the end of his lease leave the stubble on
the land, according to the contract. Done in the colony of Rens-
selaerswyck, primo August Anno 1 649.
Was signed B: v: Slichtenhorst
A: de Hooges, witness
July 16, Director Slichtenhorst served notice on Jacob Jansz
Hap, and August 2, 1 649, on Sander Leendertsz, Frerick Lub-
bertsz, Cornelis Jansz, Harmen Dousz, skippers, not to take any
colonists with them to the Manhatans or out of the colony with-
out his, Slichtenhorst's, consent. The 6th ditto the same notice
was served on Aryaen Bloemert and Jan de Caper.
August 10, 1649, Cornelis Segersz summoned by Slichten-
horst on the part of Gysbert [Adriaensz] to appear on the 12th
ditto.
1 1 ditto 1 649. Willem Juriaensz being summoned to appear
because he accused Jacob Jansz Stol in public of being a whore-
monger and Stol's [wife] of being a whore, which led to a fight,
the plaintiff demands that the defendant be condemned to pay a
double fine; cum expensis.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 89
[38v] The honorable officer, plaintiff, against Cornelis
Segersz, defendant.
Cornelis Segersz being summoned to appear on the 12th ditto,
being an extraordinary court day, to answer the complaints made
to the officer by Gysbert Adriaensz and his brother, because the
defendant, last Sunday, without any reason, much less excuse,
suddenly struck Gysbert in the face with a glass and severely
wounded him, not only cutting a deep gash, but also severing
some arteries, which is lethal ; l and whereas the defendant here-
tofore has more than once, both by word and deed, committed
such outrages and is in the highest degree punishable; therefore,
the plaintiff demands that he be condemned to pay double the
fine of 300 guilders, in accordance with the ordinance of Ams-
terdam or the Manhatans, and that in addition he be arbitrarily
punished as an example to others. Also that the defendant fur-
thermore be condemned, in accordance with the complaint, to
pay the costs of the extraordinary session of the court, all cum
expensis.
Whereas Cornelis Segersz on August 1 , 1 648, ventured in
the presence of Arent Andriesz, Poulus Noorman and the serv-
ant of the aforesaid Arent to accuse Jan Baerentsz Poest in pub-
lic of being a rascal and the biggest liar in the colony and agreed
to prove it by several witnesses, and upon examination in court
by Officer Slichtenhorst repeated the assertion and on the 3d of
the same month, being again questioned in court, was obliged to
retract his statements and deny his accusations; and whereas the
defendant in a similar way defamed the person of Councilor
Vos, as shown by the minutes of the court of October 8, 1 848 ;
therefore, the plaintiff demands that the defendant be condemned
to pay for each offense the sum of fl. [25?], two thirds to go to
the poor and one third to the plaintiff, all cum expensis.
letael is.
90 Colony of
[39] Extraordinary session on account of vacation
August 1 2 Anno 1 649
Cornells Segersz asks for a copy of the complaint. 1
[The court] having seen the signature subsequently added on
the same paper to the lease of the other farms, which signature
Cornells Segersz before us acknowledges to be his and whereby
he binds himself under the aforesaid contract, he is hereby
ordered to observe the same and especially to have the buildings
on the farms rented by him appraised by neutral carpenters, in
accordance with the aforesaid contract, for which one carpenter
shall be chosen by each party, that is, one on the part of the
patroon and one on the part of Cornelis Segersz. And in case
Cornelis Segersz should oppose this and act contrary to his own
signature subscribed in the first place, he shall be liable to pay
the loss which the patroon shall suffer thereby, the court to pro-
ceed further against him according to law.
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Willem Jeuriaensz,
defendant. First default.
August 12, 1649. Cornelis Segersz summoned for the sec-
ond time to appear this day week, being, the 1 9th of this month.
Court proceedings, September 2 Anno 1 649
[Christoff]el Davits, plaintiff, against Thomas [Fairfax],
Englishman, defendant.
[ ] being asked for the second time
[ ] in the presence of [
[ ].
[39v] Court proceedings, September 9 Anno 1 649
Cornelis Segersz is granted a lot in the byeenrvooninge (ham-
let) , near the first kill, on the same terms as other free men, com-
mencing next Easter.
1 In the margin is written : Corn. Segersz being cited by the honorable
director and asked in court whether he would not allow the houses and
the land to be appraised, he said, No, and the buildings should not be
appraised as high as the amount they had actually cost. Whereupon it
was ordered as shown [in the record] .
Court Minutes, / 648-1 652 91
[In the margin is written:] Canceled December 30, 1650.
Likewise, Abraham Staas.
Andries de Vos becomes surety for [the satisfaction of the
judgment in] the action [for the recovery of the loss] of the horse
entrusted to Christoffel Davits, which was drowned.
Whereas Thomas . . -, 1 the Englishman, requested that
Christoffel Davis should furnish surety for the satisfaction of the
judgment (as he has done), on condition that he also would
furnish surety (as he promised to do) , and now, appearing, pro-
duces none, it is ordered hereby that on account of the aforesaid
contumacy he shall be taken into custody by the honorable
director and his goods placed in safe-keeping. Cum expensis.
Whereas Tomes . . ./ the Englishman, has fled from the
colony to the fort (Director Slichtenhorst having made efforts to
carry out the above order on the date above written, but he
having run away and escaped into the aforesaid fort, the afore-
said director on the 13th instant and again on the 14th called
on Mons. Laberte, 2 as the person in command of the said fort,
and requested the aforesaid Labete to arrest said Tomes's per-
son and attach his goods in order to carry out the aforesaid
order of the honorable court, and handed him the judgment to
comply therewith in all its parts, according to the order of Mr
Stu [v] esandt, which he agreed to do in the presence of said
Slichtenhorst and Tomes himself.
[40] Copy
This day, the 3d of June 1649, Adriaen vander Donck and
Jan Louwerensz Appel, having been requested by B. v. Slichten-
horst, director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, of the one part,
and Evert Pels of Statyn and Rut Jacobsz, as sureties and
bondsmen of and in the name of Jacob Aertsz, wagoner, and
Jacob Adriaensz, wheelwright, of the other part, [to act as
referees] in the dispute which they, to wit, the wheelwright and
1 Blank in the original. His name was Fairfax.
2 Jean Labatie.
92 Colony of
the wagoner, had with the director of this colony as plaintiff on
account of certain offenses committed by them, and the matter
having by both sides been placed completely and entirely into
the hands of the aforesaid Adriaen vander Donck and Jan
Louwerensz Appel, they have in all conscience and after a care-
ful examination of all that is to be taken into account decided
and concluded that inasmuch as their offenses are inexcusable
each of the persons shall for himself pay to the plaintiff the here-
inafter specified fines, to wit: fl. 50 , that is to say, the
wagoner fifty guilders and the wheelwright fifty guilders, each.
Also, for expenses, each shall pay:
to the plaintiff fl. 8-
to the secretary 8-
to Hans Vos 7-
All of which we consider to be right and proper. Further-
more, in the interest of the administration of justice, by way of
honorable amends, the delinquents shall appear in court and
there acknowledge that they have done wrong and have fallen
into error through ignorance and drunkeness, praying the court
to forgive them.
Thus done and concluded in the colony of Rensselaerswyck,
on the date above written, and in, witness of the truth subscribed
with our usual signatures. Was signed: Adriaen vander Donk,
Jan Louwrensz Appel.
Agrees with the original,
Which I certify,
A: DE HOOGES, Secretary
A copy hereof shall be delivered to each without charge.
[40v] Copy
This day, the 4th of June 1 649, we, Adryaen vander Donck
and Jan Louwersen Appel, have been requested by B. v.
Slichtenhorst, director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, of the
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 93
one part, and Evert Pels of Statyn, 1 of the other part, to settle
a certain question at issue' between them in the court, said matter
at issue being completely and fully, just as it stands, placed into
our hands and absolutely referred to us, the aforesaid Adriaen
vander Donck and Jan Louwerensz Appel; whereupon, after
mutual examination and consideration of the same, we have
found and decided as follows:
First, in regard to Claes Tyssen, Evert Pels shall restore to
the honorable director within the space of eight days the 26
guilders which the director paid to Claes Tyssen and for the
loan of the money pay to the director the sum of fl. 116.
Furthermore, for the notice served on Klaes Tyssen, his servant,
Evert Pels shall for certain reasons pay to the honorable director
the sum of fl. 4
For summons served there by the director .... fl. 3 4
To de Hoogens, for writing fl. 2 10
To Hans Vos for citation fl. 116
Thus done and ratified by us as regards the matter of Claes
Tyssen.
As to the matter of Tomes Jansz it is decided that Evert Pels
shall pay to the Hon. Director B. v. Slichtenhorst the sum of
ten guilders, once, for costs and expenses. Finally, Evert Pels
shall pay to the officer, once for all, the sum of fl. 10, on con-
dition that the director shall not trouble said Pels or his people
any more, provided Evert Pels pays as above written within thf
space of eight days. Thus done to the best of our knowledge
and decision in the colony of Rensselaerswyck, on the date above
written. And was signed: Adryaen vander Donck, Jan
Louwerensz Appel.
I certify that the foregoing agrees with the original
A: DE HoOGES, Secretary
[41] This day, Tuesday, September 21 Anno 1649, Jan
Dircksz van Bremen complains to the honorable director about an
1 Stettin, Germany.
94 Colony of
assault committed upon him on the public road near the house
of Willem Teyller by Dirck Hendricksz from Hilversom and
requests that justice be done in the matter.
The plaintiff was cut with a knife from the right to the left
side of his lower lip, from the upper corner down to his chin, so
that the right side [of his lip] hangs down loose.
He says that to the best of his knowledge the Croat l stabbed
him with a knife through his sleeve, from the side, and that on
his turning around Dirck gave him the cut. That thereafter the
Croat and Aert Aertsz attacked each other with knives and that
subsequently Dirck aforesaid wounded said Aert.
[In the margin] This day, November 29 Anno 1649, Aert
Aertsz acknowledges and confirms this declaration which was
sworn to.
Quod attestor, A: DE HoOGES, Secretary
Information taken by the director from the
mouth of Franz Jacobsz, bachelor, about
1 7 years old
Declares that Claes Andriesz from Hilversom, about mid-
night, between the 20th and 2 1 st of October 1 649, lay sleeping
in the Greenen Bos, down on the river bank, before the house
where Evert Pels lives, and that Jacob Lambertsz two or three
times in succession rolled down from the upper part of the bank
over the body of Claes aforesaid, who, being awakened thereby
and angry, struck said Jacob on the head, first with his fist and
then with a stone, in such a way that Jacob fell. Getting up
again, Jacob ran up the bank and got a knife with which he
approached Claes, saying, after he had sharpened the knife a
couple of times on the ground, Now stand your man! Where-
upon Claes, seeing this, came up the height and struck Jacob,
who cut Claes several times across the body with the back of the
knife .
[Note in the margin:] [Claejs says that de
Goojer . . . the presence . . . has
1 Abraham Stevensz.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 95
[41 y] November 12. Cornelis Segersz, or Claesen, has on
his own authority slaughtered an old cow, for which he is sum-
moned to appear on Thursday next.
Extraordinary session, the 15th day of November Anno 1649
In consideration of the high prices of foodstuffs and all that
appertains thereto and consequently of all commodities, as is
daily shown, Mons r - Arent van Curler is granted six guilders a
week for board of the mechanics who do any building or other
work at the patroon's expense on the farm called '' de Vlackte,"
the same being hereby also granted to all others who furnish any
board at the proper expense of the patroon.
Court proceedings, November 18 Anno 1649
Copy
The Honorable Slichtenhorst, director of the colony of Rens-
selaerswyck, will please issue an attachment against Willem
Menten on the Vlackte for the sum of two hundred and twenty-
eight guilders, thirteen stivers (fl. 228-13).
Actum, October 18, 1649. Was signed: Adriaen Jansz van
Leyden.
Agrees with the original,
A: DE HOOGES, Secretary
Attached and cited on the above mentioned court day by
Director Slichtenhorst.
[42] Date as above
Evert Pels and Willem Fredericksz summoned by Director
Slichtenhorst in regard to the rent for the farm formerly occupied
by Cryn Cornelisz and the mill formerly used by Jacob Plodder,
for which he is to give security according to the contract of the
farm and the mills.
Willem Fredericksz, appearing, acknowledges that he leased
96 Colony of Rensselaersivycfy
the farm for fl. 400 in addition to the tithes and the toepacht l
and the mills together for fl. 1 25 a year. Furthermore, as to the
wheat of Pieter Teunisz, that they received this at fl. 55 the
morgen," no more morgens, no more pay. Evert Pels, first
default.
Adriaen Jansz, plaintiff against Willem Mynten, asks suffi-
cient security for [vacating] the attachment. Willem Menten,
first default
Cornelis Segersz. First default.
Upon the petition of the honorable director in the matter of
Michiel Jansz, it is appointed that the former judgment shall be
enforced and he is ordered once more to bring in his account,
accompanied by vouchers properly signed by sureties, in [the
beginning?] of April Anno 1650, or sooner, under penalty
[of final judgment] by default.
Notice was served on Toenis Dircksz the 22d of November
1649.
] November 1649 . . . [Remainder of page
destroyed. ]
[42v] Court proceedings, December 2 Anno 1649
Willem Menten admits that he owes Jan Lourisz the sum of
228 guilders.
Baerent Pietersz summoned by the director.
Ordered that each one shall mark his bags and that Baerent
Piertersz shall despatch each one's business as soon as possible,
in order that no more complaints may be heard.
December 8. Juriaen Westval and Jochem Ketelheym sum-
moned to appear on the 1 6th of this month. December 1 6, first
default.
9 ditto. Evert Pels and Willem Fredericksz summoned like-
wise. December 1 6, first default.
1 Something in the nature of a quitrent, generally paid in kind, to which
Director van Slichtenhorst was entitled. See Van Rensselaer Boivier
Mss, p. 762.
2 1 morgen = 2 acres.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 97
9 [ditto]. Beernt, the miller, 1 summoned likewise. Decem-
ber 1 6, first default.
December 1 3 Anno 1 649
Gerrit van Wencom declares that a certain Mahican, whom
he [found] at [Aer]t Jacobsz's, at Bethlehem, on Wednesday,
the 8th of December 1649, [said Indian] being quite drunk
with anise water, assaulted and fell upon him in cold blood and
almost strangled him, in such a way that his head was extremely
swollen, but that he was accidently released by another Indian.
Aertsz and Hans Vos declare
last week. . . [Remainder of page destroyed] .
[43] They declare also that the strong liquor was sold to the
Indians by Aert Jacobsz by wooden bowlfuls and tapped to
them in large quantities, the wine being mixed with water, but
that Aert aforesaid was unwilling to tap to any one, among others
to Gerrit van Wencom, who did not have ready money, saying
that he would have nothing to do with that, not even in case of
the director, so that Aert Jacobsz came back empty handed.
And that Aert Jacobsz said that for a gill of wine (mixed half
and half with water) , he could get eight stivers from the Indians.
The aforesaid deponents have confirmed and corroborated the
foregoing by the clasping of hands with the director, instead of
by oath.
Quod attestor,
A: DE HOOGES, Secretary
This day, the 1 4th of December Anno 1 649, the director and
commissioners have sold to Ruth Jacobsz a black stallion of 10
years and a bay gelding of 8 years, both for fl. 225, and for
pasturing each horse [he is to pay] yearly fl. 8.
1 Barent Pietersz Coeymans, referred to above.
4
98
Colony of
Court proceedings, December 16 Anno 1649
Willem Teyller declares that Thomas Chambers on the 21st
day of November 1 649, on the bridge of the [fort] , being drunk,
committed assault . . . [Remainder of page destroyed].
[43v] Extraordinary session, December 17 Anno 1649
Jacob Hevick, appearing this day before the court upon the
[summons] of the director, in regard to some boards of the
honorable patroon which were missing and which the director
informs us for certain he saw at his house, admits here that some
time ago and again to-day he offered to settle for them with the
aforesaid director.
The commissioners, basing their action on the ground of the
aforesaid offer of settlement, which no innocent person would
have made, upon the director's proposal order in the first place
his arrest and, secondly, that proceedings be taken against him
according to law, all with costs.
Extraordinary session, December 18 Anno 1649
Examination of Jacob Hevick
Jacob is asked what has be-
come of the old boards which
a short time ago were lying
near his house and which now
are gone?
Is asked whether he carted
or carried them away?
Is asked: [By day or] by
night?
[44] Is asked where he
obtained the 16 new boards
lying near his house?
Answer
the yard.
They are lying in
Answer: He carried them
away.
Answers: [Remainder of
page destroyed].
Answers: 2 from Crynen
2 from Casteels
island
12 from the Mill
Kill
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 99
Is asked what he paid for Answers: Nothing,
them?
Is asked: By day or by Answers: By night,
night, namely from the Mill
Kill?
Question: In what manner? Answers: With a canoe.
Is asked: From where? Answers: From the strand,
where the other boards are
lying.
Is asked who helped him? Answers: He did it alone.
December [22] 1649, Rut Jacobsz has taken the oath as
member of the council (raets vrundi) , the oath being admin-
istered by the director in the presence of the commissioners.
[44v] Extraordinary session, December 20 Anno 1649
[Blank space]
Mr Rutger Jacobsz took his oath as councilor on the 22d of
December.
Extraordinary session, December 22, 1649
Two qualified arbitrators having been chosen in the matter
of Jacob Hevick, to wit, Andries de Vos and Rutger Jacobsz,
they have (as the result of arbitration and with the consent of
the director according to previous conclusion) decided before the
honorable court of this colony, in the first place, that Jacob
Hevick shall restore the stolen property, or the value thereof, to
the person from whom he stole it. Furthermore, that he shall
pay to the honorable director a fine of seven guilders and two
beavers, in addition to the costs of convening the court in extra
session, according to the order [ ] and otherwise by
declaration [ ] [ ]
fifty guilders [ ] [ ] thanks the gentle-
men for [ ]
[Remainder of page destroyed].
100 Colony of Rensselaersv>\)cJ(
[45] Memorandum. In the beginning of October 1649, the
director and commissioners decided to exchange some of the
honorable patroon's stallions for mares of Mr Arent van Curler,
pro Tata, according to the value of each, which was afterwards
done.
October 5, the patroon's sheep were sold to Mr Stuyvesant,
for the reason that the wolves daily destroyed many of them and
this bait also resulted in the loss of some calves.
About the same date, the director and commissioners, on the
earnest presentation of Mr Stuyvesant, presented a mare, on
condition of receiving in return at the first opportunity a Curasao
mare, the first foal of which, or the value thereof, is promised to
his son.
September 22, a stallion was sold to Andries de Vos for
fl. 50. This stallion had an accident happen to its scrotum
whereby it lost much blood, not without danger to its life, for
which reason it was sold at so low a price.
Court proceedings, December 30, 1649
Evert Pels acknowledges his signature to the contract of the
farm formerly occupied by him and agrees to render his account
within 14 days.
[ ] security for the farm . . . [remainder
of the page destroyed] .
[45v] Copy
Aert Jacobsz: Deliver to Jan Reyersz, the bearer hereof,
the extra heifer which you have. It will be accounted to you for
good delivery and be deducted from the number [of animals] in
your possession. In the colony of Rensselaerswyck, this 27th of
December Anno 1649. And was signed: B. v. Slichtenhorst.
Lower was written:
Aert Jacobsz is ordered once more to deliver the said heifer
to the aforesaid person, under penalty of forfeiture of three
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 101
guilders for each day's delay after sight hereof. R-Wyck, the
30th of December 1649. And was signed: A. de Hoogens, by
order as above.
Certified by me, as director,
B. v. SLICHTENHORST
[Note in the margin:]
Picket l declares in the presence of the director, Mr Hoogens
and Mons r . Verbrugge and in his house that Aert Jacobsz and
his wife said to him and Jan Reyersz, when lately they went to
get the aforesaid heifer and after they had first shown the order
from the director and the commissioners, that they did not care
a rap for a such a little note and, furthermore, that when Picket
wanted to untie the aforesaid animal and could not undo the
rope, the wife of the said [Aert] forcibly prevented him from
using his knife and grabbed the knife with which Picket intended
to cut loose the animal.
1650, January 10. Abraham, otherwise called Crowaet,
summoned to appear on the 13th of this month.
The 1 1 th ditto, the director arrested Jacob van Schermerhoorn
in the colony on account of assault committed upon him in his
own or the patroon's jurisdiction and summoned him to appear
on the 1 3th of January. First default.
The 1 1 th ditto, Cornelis Segersz was likewise summoned by
the director to appear on the 13th, on account of an assault com-
mitted upon him. First default.
The 1 3th ditto, Hans in Cluys 2 was summoned to appear on
the 20th of January to make payment and to state whether he
stands by what he said to the wagoner 3 in the presence in the
presence of Tomas Koeninck's wife and others. First default.
The 13th ditto. Van Es summoned again to appear on the
next court day, to wit, the 20th, and forbidden to tap according
to the ordinance and the ordinance read to him in the presence
1 Michel Picquet.
2 Hans Jansz, from Rotterdam, also called Eencluys.
3 Aert Jacobsz.
102 Colony of RensselaersTvycfj;
of Messrs Rut Jacobsz and Goesen Gerritsz, and he promises to
appear in 14 days.
The 1 4th, Abraham Crowaet summoned the second time, the
notice being served on [Louwerns Jansz?] in whose house he
lives.
Louwerens also summoned to appear on the [ ] ditto, to
give testimony [ ] having tapped
wines [ ]
Tomes Compeer, 1 to whom notice was served there as above.
Baernt, the miller, 2 [ ]
[Remainder of page destroyed].
[46] Copy
Any one desiring to lease [one of] the following places is to
repair two weeks from next Monday, being the 3 1 st of January
1650, to the house of Gysbert Cornelisz, tavernkeeper, [where]
on such terms as shall then be read [will be offered] :
Casteels island, as a whole, heretofore used by Cornelis
Segersz.
Also, the farm of Jan van Bremen, and about six morgens of
land used by Cristoffel Davits and Cryn Cornelisz.
Also, two millstones, to be sold to the highest bidder
Pass it along!
Copy
Annual notice is given hereby that no one who is in arrears to
the patroon as to rent shall undertake to remove any grain, or
boards, or other effects, or in the spring send them away in any
vessels, under penalty of forfeiting the grain or effects thus sent
away and of paying in addition a fine of twenty-five guilders.
Neither shall any skipper knowingly venture to transport any
such goods, under the penalty above mentioned, nor transport
any such persons under the penalty provided by the ordinance by
the Hon. General Peter Stuyvesant.
May every one guard himself against loss.
1 Thomas Higgins.
2 Barent Pietersz Coeymans.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652
103
January [ ] Aernt at Betelhem [Bethlehem] to pay
[ ] rent, as well as the rent for the year 1649 . . .
[Remainder of the page destroyed],
[46v] Interrogatories on which is to be
examined under oath Stintgen Peters, the
wife of Louwerens Jansz, living on the farm
of Aryaen Huybertsz
First, her age.
1 Whether she, the witness,
on New Year's eve, did not
have some people in her house,
to wit, Baernt, the miller, and
his brother, Lucas, Abraham,
otherwise called Craewaet,
Tomes Compeer, Englishman,
Peter de Goyer, and Tuenis,
the servant?
2 Whether in the fore part
of the night, at about 2 o'clock
in the morning, there were not
two shots fired before her
door?
3 Also, which persons did
the firing? (
4 Whether, at the aforesaid
firing Hans Vos did not come
to her house, as one could not
tell what it meant, whether it
was done by friend or enemy?
5 Whether Baernt, the miller,
and his brother did not try to
hit Hans Vos, who was sent
there by order of the director
and whether Aryaen Huy-
bertsz and the wife of the said
Declares : About 40 years.
Answers: Yes.
Says, she heard it, but was
in the barn to milk the cows.
Says, that she does not know
exactly.
Answers as [stated] in the
question.
Says, that she was then
already in bed.
104
Colony of RensselaersrvycJt
Answers as above.
Answers in accordance with
the question.
Baernt did not try to prevent
it?
6 Whether Beernt and his
brother tore Hans Vos's bald-
ric from his body and to
pieces ?
Also, whether Beernt, after
the witness had gone to bed,
did not get [six] sausages from
the garret, that the same fell
. so that she, the wit-
ness, ran out of her bed and
[recovered] some pieces of the
six sausages [and pulled] an-
other piece out of Beernt's
[hand] ?
[47] Court proceedings, January 20 Anno 1650
As to the affairs of Jacob Hevick, as something, or so much
as shall appear to the honorable patroon by lawful account, is
due him from the patroon, the amount thereof, subject to the
patroon's decision, is for the present deducted from his debt.
Abraham Stevensz admits that on New Year's eve, 1 650, he
fired twice at the house of Adr[i]aen Huybertsz.
January 29, 1650
Teunis Cornelisz acknowledges that he surrendered his lease
of the farm to the director on January 27, 1650, which the
director accepted on condition that he must pay [what he owed] .
Teunis Cornelisz answers that another house was promised
him and that the present one is not habitable on account of the
smoke, which sometimes makes it necessary for him to lead his
wife outdoors, and that he gave it up on that account.
The director answers that Steven Jansz called on his honor
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 105
and told him that the lumber was not yet all near the [house],
which Theunis Cornelisz admits, but he says that the building
need not have been delayed on that account.
[47v] Court proceedings, February 3, 1650
Abraham Stevensz has this day leased the meadow ( f^a/eije)
behind the farm of Broer Cornells for one and a half beavers a
year, on condition that all expenses shall be borne by him, and
this for the period of four or five years.
February 17, 1650
The director, for his charges in connection with the misde-
meanor committed by Abraham Stevensz Croaet in shooting
during the night, is granted, in accordance with his bill, forty
guilders, once, which the said director is to levy by execution.
Hans Vos is granted by tne court the sum of one hundred
guilders for his supervision during the past year at the house of
Cornelis van Es and Pieter Claesz, for which execution may be
had against van Es, as surety, on condition that he be given two
weeks' notice.
[48] Cornelis van Es and Teunis having been summoned to
appear on the date above written, the first default is entered
against them.
Hans Vos is granted by the court the sum of eight guilders for
having in the name of the patroon, at the peril of his life, pursued
the fugitive, Harmen vanden Bogaert, outside the limits of the
colony. 1
Know all men by these presents that the honorable director
and commissioners of the colony of Rensselaerswyck of the one
part and Tuenis Dircksz van Vechten of the other part intend to
sell to the highest bidder the brewery in the Grenen Bosch, to
^ee resolution of the director general and council of New Netherland
of February 8, 1648 (N. Y. Col. Mss, 4:360). See also J. H. Innes,
New Amsterdam and its People, p. 6871.
106 Colony of
wit, the house, caldron, vat, tubs and whatever else pertains to
the brewery, as it shall be found on the day of sale, when the
conditions as set forth in the inventory will be read. Those who
are interested are to repair Monday week, being the 7th of
March anno 1650, to the house of Gysbert Cornelisz, tavern-
keeper, and there, having heard the conditions, to seek their
advantage.
Pass it along!
February 26, 1650, Mons r . Verbrugge in the name of the
Hon. General Peter Stuyvesant [protested against] the taking
possession of Catskil.
Cornelis Segersz and Aert Jacobsz of Betelhem summoned
[ ] February 1650.
[One or two lines destroyed].
[48v] Court proceedings, March 3, 1650
Resolved that Cornelis Segersz, pursuant to the ordinances of
May 31 and June 10, 1649, shall pay to the director for the
benefit of the patroon, within the space of three weeks after the
date hereof, the 200 schepels of wheat attached, or the value
thereof in merchantable goods, under penalty of peremptory exe-
cution, on condition that the director give security and a receipt
therefor.
[Notes in the margin:] 'The 200 schepels of wheat of
Cornelis Segersz, by way of memorandum." * This judgment
was read to him in court."
Resolved that Cornelis Segersz's account shall be examined,
whatever is wrong to be rejected and what is right to be accepted,
and that the matter at issue shall then be referred to the honorable
masters, on condition that Cornelis Segersz furnish surety for the
payment.
[Note in the margin:] " This was also read to him in court."
The director, plaintiff, against Jacob Flodder, defendant.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 107
The director demands that Jacob aforesaid, for having
wounded Poulus, the Noorman, in the head with a tankard, be
fined fl. 300, according to the ordinance.
The defense of Jacob and Poulus is put over until [a week?]
from this day.
[49] The director, plaintiff, against Christoffel Davits,
defendant:
For having hit Ryck Rutgersz on the head with a post ; double
fine;
For having beaten his servant black and blue; same fine as
above ;
For having struck Jan van Bremen on the head with a
tankard, making two wounds; fl. 300.
Jeuriaen Bestval acknowledges his signature to the contract.
Thomas Fairfax is ordered to furnish surety within two weeks
from this day for the judgment in the action brought against him
by Christoffel Davits.
Gysbert aende Berch 1 promises within two weeks to furnish
surety for the rent of his farm and to pay as much as possible.
Jacob Lambertsz is warned once more to pay his fine to the
director within the space of two weeks, or to furnish two sufficient
sureties.
[49v] March 2, 1650. Vos attached all the grain on the
Hoogen Berch.
9 ditto. All the grain on the farms of Tunis 2 and Jochim 3
attached by Vos.
9 ditto. Dirck de Goyer 4 summoned to appear on the 1 7th
ditto.
15 ditto. The director attached all the grain of Cornelis
Segersz, both thrashed and unthrashed.
1 Gysbert Cornelisz from Breuckelen, so named from the farm called
the Berch, or the Hooge Berch (the High Hill), occupied by him.
2 Teunis Dircksz van Vechten.
3 Jochem Kettelheym.
4 Dirck Hendricksz, from Hilversum, in the Gooi, province of North
Holland.
108 Colony of
Court proceedings, March 1 7 Anno 1 650
Those who hold under a lease any property of the patroon,
whether farms, mills, or other [property from which they receive]
emoluments, must sign the lease within the space of three weeks
after the notice is served, on pain of being deprived of the lease.
All those who heretofore have held any property in common
with the patroon and afterwards have kept the farm implements,
household effects and other property for their private use, con-
trary to all law, are ordered hereby to deliver a correct inventory
thereof within two weeks from the date of service of the notice
and to confirm the same by oath, after which both sides shall
choose impartial persons to make an appraisal.
[In ^the margin is written:] March 21, 1650, notice was
served on Toenis Dircksz and Broer Cornelis.
Jan Reyersz offers himself as surety for Ryck Rutgersz for the
fulfilment of his contract in all its parts.
[50] The director is granted permission and hereby urged to
arrest de facto and take into bodily custody one Dirck de Goojer,
the court being ready to hear the director's complaint against him.
Likewise, Claes 1 and Jacob Lambertsz, his comrades.
This day, Mr Carel van Bruggen, assisted by Pieter Prins
and Jan Labatie, as witnesses, has delivered to the director a
protest against claiming title to Catskil.
Jacob Plodder says here [in court] that Poulus called him a
rascal, for which he is fined by the director.
Claes Segersz and Jeuriaen Bestval offer themselves as sureties
for the payment of three years' rent by Gysbert Coraelisz aende
Berch and confirm this by the clasping of hands.
Jacob Plodder denies that the director saw him drinking at
the house of Gysbert Cornelisz, tavernkeeper, on Sunday morn-
ing, December [13?] 1648.
The director, Jacob Plodder and Poulus, the Noorman, sub-
mit their differences for final decision to the commissioners and
councilors of this colony.
1 Claes Andriesz.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 109
Ryck Rutgersz acknowledges that he sold to Jacob Plodder-
the lumber which is ready for the house or barn.
[50v] Extraordinary session, Friday, March 18, 1650
Personal confession of Claes Andriesz of Hilversom
He admits that on July 16, 1649, he struck at Hendrick
Driesz * with a knife.
He denies 2 that on September 20, 1 649, he drew a sheath
instead of a knife across the director's body.
He denies that Steven Jansz shut the door in his face.
He admits that he treated the director insolently on the public
road between Thomas Jansz's and Gysbert's and asked the
director what induced him to summon him, but says that the
director asked him first why he had not appeared.
He denies that he challenged his master, Jan Baerentsz, but
admits the challenged Steven Jansz once, but did not draw a
knife.
He denies that on September 20, 1649, he ran after Jan van
Bremen.
He admits that on January 31, 1 650, he struck Gysbert aende
Berch on the forehead.
He admits that he asked Steven Jansz whether he had been
yet to the director's, whereupon Steven replied, Yes, and he then
said that he [the director] might speak to him about it if he chose.
He denies having challenged Steven Jansz with a knife on
February 20, 1650.
[In the margin is written:] March 26, 1650, he begged for-
giveness on his knees.
[51] Confession of Dirck Hendricksz of Hilversom
He admits that on July 12, 1649, he unhitched one of the
patroon's horses which was tied near the patroon's house and
1 Hendrick Andriesz, from Doesburch.
2 beffent (admits) is changed to ontfyeni (denies).
1 1 Colony of Remse/aersnn?c
rode it into the Casteels island creek, with the result that the
horse was drowned under him.
He denies having slandered the director on December 19,
1 649. [ In the margin is written : ] Hans Vos testifies that he did.
He denies having practically prevented Jan van Bremen
before the door of the barn of Evert Pels from taking a horse
out of the barn.
He acknowledges having entered into a contract with the
patroon and also that on his own authority he left the service.
He says that Adriaen Huybertsz on Shrove-Tuesday invited
him to his house out of friendship and that he did not seek
trouble.
He denies that Thomas Chamber struck him or that they
grappled with each other.
He admits that on September 20, 1 649, he ran after Jan van
Bremen and Aert Otterspoor and cut said Jan Dircksz with a
Irnifp
Knire.
Dirck declares that Jacob Lambertsz took Claes Andriesz,
who lay sleeping on the river banck near the house of Evert Pels,
by the arm and rolled with him down the bank, whereupon Claes
struck said Jacob with a stone and that thereupon Jacob went to
get his knife and wounded said Claes.
[51v] Extraordinary session, March 19 Anno 1650
Gysbert Cornelisz, tavernkeeper, and Pieter Prins declare
that the savages, who some time ago made the disturbance before
the patroon's house, had come over drunk from the other side.
Extraordinary session, March 21 Anno 1650
Dirck Hendricksz declares that Croaet, last fair day, 1 held a
knife in his hand while grappling with Aert Aertsz. He says
that Jan van Bremen and Aert did him no harm at the time.
generally referring to the Amsterdam fair, which according
to New York Colonial Mss, 1:268, came in 1641 on September 22.
In this case, however, according to the minutes, September 21, 1649,
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 1 1 1
Extraordinary session, March 22 Anno 1650
Andries Herberts offers himself as surety for Thomas Fairfax
in the action brought against him on account of the horse that
was drowned.
Cornelis Teunisz van Westbroeck binds himself as surety for
Jacob Lambertsz, to wit, in the sum of fl. 83, due of old, which
he promises to pay within three weeks.
Goossen Gerritsz binds himself as surety for Jacob Lambertsz,
to wit, in fl. 150, the amount determined upon by composition.
[52] Croaet says that Jan van Bremen and Aert Otterspoor
last fair day did him no harm. Croaet admits having drawn a
knife on Aer but says that Aert drew his knife first.
Upon the director's request that Croaet [be ordered to] give
bail, consent is given, on condition that Jan van Bremen and Aert
likewise, give bail.
Extraordinary session, March 25 Anno 1650
The case of Claes for definite reasons adjourned until
to-morrow, in order with God's help to dispose of it if possible. 1
[52v] Extraordinary session, March 26 Anno 1 650 2
In the matter of several serious misdemeanors of Claes
Andriesz from Hilversum.
On the very urgent prayer of his master, Jan Baerentsz
is intended. It would be interesting to know whether as early as 1649
a fair was actually held in the colony. It may in this connection be
observed that an act passed on November 11, 1692, provided "that
there be held and kept in the City and County of Albany, two ffairs
yearly the first ffair to be kept at Albany and to Commence the third
Tuesday of July and to end on the fryday then next following being in
all four days inclusive and no longer and the second fair to be held at
Crawler [Craloo] in Renselaer Wyck on the third Tuesday in October,
and to end on the ffryday following being in all four dayes inclusive and
no Longer." Colonial Laws of New York, 1 :298. See also ordinance
of March 10, 1648, in Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland,
p. 89.
1 In the margin is written: March, summoned late." The rest of the
page is blank.
2 Also printed in Van Rensselaer Bowler A/ss, p. 73132.
1 1 2 Colony of RensselaersTvycJt
Wemp, and his wife, and perceiving the great need of the same,
the honorable members of this court are moved to decide as
follows, but upon the express pledge of the delinquent.
1st. That he, Claes Andriesz, shall not enter any tavern of
this place to drink beer, wine or distilled liquors.
2d. That he shall promise under oath that he will faithfully
serve his present master and master's wife, or any other master
whom he may get in the colony, and do their work and obey
them in everything. Also, that he will not leave their service or
the colony before and until he has fulfilled his obligations to
them, the director and the patroon according to his contract and
promise and that on the Lord's day of rest he will go to hear
God's Holy Word instead of going to the tavern and will show
and yield all proper obedience to the public authorities.
3d. That he shall also promise under oath that he will give
no one, whether man, woman or any aged person, either by word
or deed, the least cause for complaint which might result in
damage of any sort; [53] and if he does, he shall be publicly
punished for all his previous misdemeanors, though all his fines,
costs of extraordinary sessions of the court, etc., had been paid.
All that is hereinbefore written, Claes Andriesz aforesaid,
without fetters, promises to perform in every respect, fully con-
firming the same by oath in the presence of the aforesaid honor-
able members of the Court, according to his own hand, binding
therefor his person and property, which he now owns or here-
after may own, be it in this country, in the fatherland or else-
where; to this end submitting himself to the honorable court and
to all other courts and justices, without exception, all with costs.
In witness whereof, he has signed this with his own hand in the
colony of Rensselaerswyck, this 26th of March Anno. 1650.
CLAES ANDRIESZ
And Claes Andriesz has made a formal promise as above
before this honorable court.
Quod attestor,
A. DE HoOGES, Secretary
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 113
Jan Baerentsz Wemp promises and hereby binds himself to
pay within one month from this date one hundred guilders in
part payment of the fines of Claes Andriesz. Dated as above.
March 30, 1650. Cornelis Toenisz and Abraham Stevensz
de Capiteyn * summoned to appear to-morrow.
[53v] Court proceedings, March 31 Anno 1650
Willem Jeuriaensz acknowledges his signature to his contract.
Also, that he bought in the year 1 648 one cow and in the year
1649 another cow from the patroon, at the prices agreed upon.
Cornelis Teunisz van Westbroeck denies that recently and
again on March 26, 1 650, at the leasing of the farms at the house
of Pieter Bronck, he called Hans Vos a rascal or a thief catcher.
Upon the petition of the honorable director:
Passing by all other considerations, it is ordered in general
that he shall bind himself by definite agreement to comply with
what the honorable guardians shall ordain, binding therefor his
property, present or future, in the possession of himself or his
heirs, under submission to the honorable court here, or wherever
it may please the honorable patroon or his agent. Provided that
van Es (after a copy of everything has been handed to him)
shall within the space of two months from this date bring in his
account and send a remonstrance setting forth his arguments to
the honorable guardians.
Underneath was written:
By order of the honorable court aforesaid,
A. DE HooGES, Secretary
[54] Jan Dircksz binds the 200 guilders due him by the
patroon and furthermore his liquid as well as not readily avail-
able assets as security for the judgment and also for Arent
Otterspoor.
1 Literally: Abraham Stevensz, the captain. He is in other places
referred to as de Croaet, the Croat, and may have been a soldier in
the army of Count Montecucculi which invaded the province of Gelder-
land and the Gooi in 1629.
1 1 4 Colony of RemselaersrvycJf
Ruth Jacobsz offers himself as surety for the satisfaction of
the judgment in 'the case of Abraham Steventz Croaet.
Extraordinary session, April 4, 1650
Jan van Bremen says that Willem Menten was present at the
fight between him and Dirck Hendricksz of Hilversum.
Judgment as to the horse drowned by Dirck Hendricksz from
Hilversum:
The director maintains that Christoffel Davits is bound to
make good the loss of the horse.
The two commissioners (gecommltteerden) , namely, de
Hooges and Jan van Twiller, and the two councilors (Raeden) ,
Ruth Jacobsz and Goossen Gerritsz, maintain as follows:
That the horse was intrusted to Christoffel Davits, but that he
lent it to one Thomas Fairfax, his servant, for his own use as well
as, among other things (as Thomas has declared before us), to
fetch bread for Christoffel Davits. But that, after Thomas had
left the horse, properly hitched, in the public square near the
fort, trusting to [the safety of] the common road and the
[vicinity of?] the patroon's house, Dirck Hendricksz, also a
servant of said Christoffel Davits, unhitched the horse and riding
it deliberately let it drown, and that now, being in irons, and
being admonished about it by the director, as the guilty [
[ ] they maintain . . .
[remainder of the page destroyed].
[In the margin is written:] The director appeals from the
judgment. Certified by me, A. de Hooges.
[54] Antony de Hooges protests here before the commis-
sioners and councilors that Director Brant van Slichtenhorst has
to this date rendered no account to them, the commissioners, as
required by his instructions.
Mr Brant van Slichtenhorst states that he would doubtless
have received something if Antony de Hooges had not snapped
it up.
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 115
Aernt Aertsz van Otterspoor offers himself as surety for the
payment by Dirck Henricksz of two hundred guilders for the
offenses committed by him according to the judgment of the court.
Witness my mark, the 1 4th of April 1 650.
This is the mark made by Aernt Aerntsz
Otterspoor X with his own hand
in the presence of Jan van Twiller
Extraordinary session, April 5 Anno 1650
Dirck Hendricksz Coojer is ordered for the present to go at
the first opportunity in the service of the patroon to Katskil, his
case to be disposed of some time hereafter according to his
conduct.
[55] Court proceedings, April 28 Anno 1650
Catalyn Donckersz 1 is ordered to compound for her offense
with the honorable director.
The 12th of May Anno 1650
After the close of the sermon, 2 the director, in the presence of
A. de Hooges and Rutger Jacobsz, offered and proposed to
Jacob Waelingen to let him have the lease of the farm of Teunis
Cornelisz, but he declined it. Also, at first, to let him have the,
use of the farm of Pieter Teunisz, which he likewise declined.
In the afternoon he agreed with Teunis Dircksz about the six
morgens of land in the rear of the farm of the said Teunis
Dircksz, cultivated by Teunis Cornelisz, on the following 1 terms :
Teunis Dircksz shall pay to Teunis Cornelisz for the seed
which is at present on the land fifty guilders,- and to the patroon
for this year's rent, one hundred guilders. At the next stubble
1 The wife of Sander Leendertsz Glen.
2 Naer het eyndigen vande Predicalie. May 12, 1650, came on a
Thursday.
1 1 6 Colony of
time, the land shall revert to the patroon, to be leased as con-
venient. And Teunis Dircksz agrees to take the land without
any horses, cattle, or other conditions.
[55v] May 19, 1650. Teunis Dircksz cited to appear before
this court a week from to-day, being the 26th of this month.
Copy 1
To the Honorable, Valiant, Very Worshipful Mr Petro Stuy-
vesant, Director General of New Netherland, Curasao,
etc., and to his honor's associated Council:
Whereas we understand from others and especially are
informed in writing that your honors are instructed and conse-
quently intend to oppose and prevent the settlement of Catskil,
which was undertaken and is proceeding by order of the honor-
able guardians, and thus come into conflict with the latest order
of their honors aforesaid, as the accompanying copy will show,
we are compelled to remonstrate to your honors, since two con-
flicting matters can not be reconciled unless one give way and
your honors must realize that it is impossible for us not to follow
the instructions which according to our oath we are bound to
carry into effect as far as it is possible, that such [opposition] is
unbecoming united fellow countrymen and incompatible with the
bond of union by which we are all joined together and that on
the contrary we should help each other in every possible way.
Our first request and proposal, therefore, is that your honors will
be pleased to postpone the execution of your plans and have
patience until by the first opportunity we are advised by our
lords and masters how to govern ourselves. Meanwhile, we
promise not to transport, nor to allow to be transported thither,
any people, tools or other necessaries, until we have further
advice, when we shall consider ourselves in duty bound to write
again.
1 For extracts from this remonstrance see O'Callaghan, History of New
Netherland, 2:161.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 117
Wherewith, Honorable, Valiant, Very Worshipful Gentle-
men, Mr Peter Stuyvesant and the Council, we commend
you to the protection of Almighty God and send you greet-
ings from the director and commissioners of the colony of
Rensselaerswyck.
Signed: B. V. SLICHTENHORST
A: DE HoOGES, Commissioner
Rensselaerswyck, June 15 Anno 1650
[56] Court proceedings, June 23 Anno 1650
Resolved that the fl. 1 92 which Claes Tyssen honestly earned
on the Vlackte shall be paid to him by the director.
Evert Pels, having been summoned, did not appear.
Court proceedings, June 30 Anno 1 650
The ordinance of the Honorable Stuyvesant and the Council
of New Netherland, in regard to the regulation and change in
value of the wampum, dated May 30, 1650, 1 is approved and
ratified by us in its entirity, so that every one is to govern himself
accordingly.
The honorable director, commissioners and councilors of this
colony, having weighed and considered the contents of the ordi-
nance concerning the depreciation of the wampum, now posted
in Fort Orange, have for pregnant reasons ratified and hereby do
ratify the same, so that every inhabitant of this colony is to
govern himself accordingly and to comply with the provisions of
the aforesaid ordinance, under the penalty provided, which shall
be enforced by this honorable court. Let every one guard him-
self against damage.
Done in the colony, the 30th day of June A. R. 5, 1650. 2
A: DE HOOGES, Secretary
1 Printed in Lates and Ordinances of Ne~a> Netherland, p. 11516.
2 Anno Regni 5, meaning the fifth year of the reign of Johannes van
Rensselaer, the second patroon. According to O'Callaghan, History of
New Netherland, 1:345; 2:68, and Brodhead, History of the Slate
1 1 8 Colony of Rensselaer sTvycfc
[56v] Jan van Twiller, Gerrit Vasterick, A. de Hooges,
Ruth Jacobsz and Goossen Gerritsz having examined the seawan
of the patroon which was received before the depreciation of the
seawan, find that the same must be valued at eight for one stiver
and as the greater part of it is strung, those who take it in pay-
ment shall receive according to the custom and the provisions of
the ordinance.
And whereas the seawan in the treasury before the publica-
tion, according to .the specified account thereof, amounted to the
sum of [blank] , it is decided that the patroon shall stand the loss.
Certified by me,
A: DE HOOGES, Secretary
Court proceedings, July 13 Anno 1650
Tomes Sanders, smith, residing at or about the Manhatans
is granted permission to move hither and to settle here with his
family in the village (byeerrtvoninge) , to support himself by
means of his usual trade.
Whereas the director, commissioners and councilors are
informed by way of rumor that Cornells Teunisz van Westbroeck
takes the person of Jan Hagemans, free trader, and his goods
into his house, without advising any one thereof, contrary to the
instructions received by us, he is hereby notified and ordered to
abstain therefrom and to send him away, under penalty of con-
fiscation of the goods in the possession of the said Jan Hagemans.
of New York, 1 :420, Kiliaen van Rensselaer died in 1 646, and the
same year the guardians of the young patroon rendered homage to the
States General in the name of their ward. According to the above
date, this must have taken place before June 30, 1 646. In an entry
in the minutes of the council of New Netherland, under date of August
8, 1644 (New York Colonial Mss, 4:199) reference is made to "the
heirs of Mr. Renselaer, deceased." This shows that, contrary to the
statements heretofore made, Kiliaen van Rensselaer died, not in 1 646,
but some time prior to August 8, 1 644, possibly as early as the fall of
1643, when his communications to the colony ceased. Johannes van
Rensselaer was not definitely invested with the high, middle and low
jurisdiction of the colony until after April 7, 1650. See Resolution
of the States General of that date in Doc. rel. to Col Hist. N. Y., I :383.
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 119
. :\i
[57] l Extraordinary session, July 15, 1650
Jan van Hoesen complains of injury done to him by Willem
Jeuriaensz, as follows:
That some days ago he called the wife of Jan van Hoesen a
whore, with the result that from excitement she had a mis-
carriage; also, that yesterday, being the 14th of this month, he
repeated the insult, while the wife lay sick in bed.
[In the margin is written:] Annetje, Constapel's wife, 2 says
that she heard Capiteyn 3 call her a whore when she lay already
sick in bed.
He, Willem Jeuriaensz, says that the neighbors told him that
he said it.
He declares that Willem Jeuriaensz told him that a while ago,
to wit, on March 31,1 650, when he was last summoned and
appeared before the court to pay for two cows which he had
received, he, Willem Jeuriaensz, had a knife concealed in his
sleeve, adding further that if the director had attempted to do
anything to him, Willem, about the said payment, or any one
had attacked him, he would have received a rip from him.
Jan van Hoesen declares that Willem Jeuriaensz has often
and repeatedly said to him and accused him of it that the contract
between them was fraudulently drawn, said contract being signed
by Willem Jeuriaensz and Jan Fransz van Hoesen and acknowl-?
edged before B. v. Slichtenhorst, A: de Hooges, J: van Twiller,
Goossen Gerritsz and Cornelis Teunisz.
As Johan van Twiller and Gerrit Vasterick are absent, the
[case] aforesaid is adjourned until the 17th of July aforesaid at
the usual time.
*At the top of the page is written: nota vant bannlssement, memor-
andum of the banishment.
2 Annetje Juriaens, the wife of Andries Herbertsz, alias Constapel.
She was a sister of Volckje Juriaens, the wife of Jan van Hoesen.
3 Willem Jeuriaensz, alias Capiteyn.
120 Colony of
[57v] Extraordinary session, July 17 Anno 1650
The honorable director requests the corporal apprehension of
Willem Jeuriaensz on account of the aforesaid crimes.
Annetje, the wife of Constapel, says that Volckje, when she
had the miscarriage, said that it was caused by excitement, due
to the abusive language of Willem Jeuriaensz.
Aertje Cornelis, the wife pf Thomas Sandersz, smith, declares
as above.
Willem Jeuriaensz, in contempt of the honorable court, says
that he is a person of 21 years, whereas it is known to us that he
is at least 70 years of age.
The commissioners and councilors consent to the corporal
apprehension of Willem Jeuriaensz.
Delivered to Commissioner Johan van Twiller, for the honor-
able guardians of the patroon, three court records corresponding
with [and extending] up to this [record]. 1
Pursuant to the resolution of the commissioners and councilors
and with the consent of the honorable director this court record
is turned over to me, Antonio de Hooges, secretary of this place,
on this date, the 1 7th of July Anno 1 650. 2
[58] Extraordinary session, July 18 Anno 1650
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Willem Jeuriaensz.
Whereas Willem Jeuriaensz on account of his rascality and
misdeeds was on two separate occasions sentenced to leave the
colony and banished forever, to wit, in the year 1 644 and again
1 drie Cerechls Rollen respondeerende tot op deese; apparently referr-
ing to the court records that were kept in the colony prior to the adminis-
tration of Bant van Slichtenhorst, which are missing.
2 This entry, taken in connection with the complaint made by de Hooges
against Van Slichtenhorst on April 4, 1 650, seems to indicate that
Van Slichtenhorst had refused to let de Hooges have the custody of
the record, but that at the latter's request the court directed that it be
turned over to him. The minutes, both before and after this date,
are in the handwriting of de Hooges, so that he must have had access
to the record for the purpose of making his entries.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 121
in September of the year 1647, which last time the delinquent
petitioned the court to grant him a respite, pledging himself in
said petition not to molest any one, either directly or indirectly, in
or out of court, under penalty of forfeiting his property then in
his possession or thereafter to be acquired and of being imme-
diately sent out of the colony, as apears by the said petition,
upon which petition a respite was granted in an apostil entered
on the same, and whereas he has since pursued and more particu-
larly now does pursue his former ways;
And whereas, secondly, he has unjustly accused many honest
persons of having fraudulently drawn up the contract between
him and Jan van Hoesen, and among others has impugned the
honor of some members of this honorable court;
And whereas, thirdly, he has boasted that when he was sum-
moned by the court to pay for the purchase of two cows he had
a knife concealed in his sleeve and that if the plaintiff had laid
hands upon him he would have cut him with it;
And whereas, furthermore, when he was summoned to appear
to answer for these and other crimes, [58v] he did openly insult
the honorable court of this place, saying to several people: " I
invite you to the funeral; I am summoned before the court and
must hang;" and further committed other rascalities;
Therefore, all this being taken into consideration, the plaintiff
demands that the former sentences shall be put into effect and
that in addition the delinquent shall be publicly exhibited on the
scaffold for his crimes, to wit, that he shall be whipped and
branded and that thereafter he shall be forever banished from
the colony. Furthermore, that all his property and effects shall
be confiscated and forfeited to the benefit of the honorable plain-
tiff.
[59] 1 The honorable commissioners and the council of the
colony of Rensselaerswyck, having read the demand of the
1 Another translation of the sentence is printed in O'Callaghan, History
of New Netherlands 1 :437-38.
122 Colony of
honorable director as plaintiff against Willem Jeuriaensz, baker,
and having duly weighed and considered all that is therein set
forth and to be considered, and finding:
That on account of his misdeeds he was before, on the 4th of
February 1644, banished from the colony by the honorable
court ;
That afterwards, because he had attempted to stab the person
of Antony de Hooges, t!hen the patroon's corm;s, with a knife on
the public road and thereby, as much as in him lay, had com-
mitted a murder, he was again banished from the colony on the
28th of August 1 647, but on his petition granted a respite, under
penalty of forfeiture of all property and banishment in case he
should molest any one, whether in or out of court, or cause any
annoyance deserving punishment;
And finding furthermore all that is set forth in the honorable
plaintiff's conclusion, to wit:
That he, the delinquent, has so frightened and shocked a cer-
tain woman that according to her complaint she had a mis-
carriage ;
Secondly, that he has unjustly accused and slandered honest
people, among them some members of the honorable court of this
place, in connection with the signing of the agreement between
him [59v] and Jan van Hoesen, saying that they had drawn it
up fraudulently;
Thirdly, that, having been called upon to pay for the purchase
of two cows, he boasted on coming home tfhat he had a knife
concealed in his sleeve and that if he had been arrested on
account of it, he would have paid the director with it;
Furthermore, having been summoned to answer for these
enormous crimes, he has openly derided the honorable court here,
saying to several people : " I invite you to the funeral ; I am
summoned before the court; I must hang."
Furthermore, we are assured by trustworthy people that he
said to a certain woman who was about to partake of the Lord's
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 123
Supper: "If it is a piece of bread you want, come to me, I will
give it to you." And other rascalities.
So that he is a blasphemer, a public nuisance, a murderer, as
far as his intention is concerned, a person who holds the court and
justice in contempt and a disturber of the common peace. The
honorable court, aforesaid, therefore, have sentenced [60] and
adjudged, as they sentence and adjudge hereby, that the former
sentences concerning the banishment shall be carried out, so that
he, Willem Jeuriaensz is hereby banished from the district and
jurisdiction of this colony, henceforth and forever, with order to
depart by the first vessel and never to return, on pain of corporal
punishment. All cum expensis.
Thus sentenced and ratified in Collegia, this 1 8th day of July
Anno 1650.
To my knowledge,
A. DE HoOGES, Secretary
The honorable commissioners and councilors decide that Hans
Vos shall be paid by the director according to his account.
The honorable Goossen Gerritsz, in accordance with the
previous promise, is by unanimous vote granted permission to
engage in the tapping business.
This date, skipper Reynert Pietersz from Bolswaert was in
the presence of A. de Hooges called upon . . . [two lines
burned off] .
[60v] Court proceedings, July 27 Anno 1650
Resolved that Willem Jeuriaensz shall in irons be brought on
board the yacht of Rutger Jacobsz and then be unshackled, Rut-
ger Jacobsz having promised to make room for him on his yacht
[and to take him] to the Manhatans.
The court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck are of opinion
that Michiel Jansz with such an answer as he made on April 4,
1 650, has not satisfied the judgment of May 29, 1 649, and the
order of November 18 of the same year.
124 Colony of
The aforesaid Michiel Jansz or his sureties are therefore once
more peremptorily ordered, under penalty of having judgment
given against them by default, to file an answer within two months
from this date, and to support it with proper proof, and also to
sign the two accounts which have been handed in.
The honorable director promises Gysbert Cornelisz * to reduce
his rent for two years to forty guilders on account of board of
Johan van Twiller, provided that Johan van Twiller becomes
surety that he will settle for it with the patroon.
[ In the margin is written : ] The director protests that he does
not promise Gysbert to credit him with two years' rent [from?]
this date, July 28, Anno 1650; also, that he demands proof of
the charges for board.
Jan Helms is to accept the grain of Jan van Bremen on the
following conditions:
He is to receive the winter grain according to appraisal, in
connection with which it is to be noted that he, Jan Helms, shall
be free from paying tithes.
And Jan van Bremen shall pay the rent out of the winter grain
and the quantity credited to him by appraisal, the amount to be
delivered to Jan Helms to be reduced in proportion to the rent.
[Marginal note:] This date, August 5, 1650, the wheat of
Jan van Bremen was appraised by Aert Jacobsz and Ryck
Rutgersz, lawfully summoned for that purpose by the director,
at five [hundred schepels?].
[61 ] Adriaen Jansz from Leyden is granted permission to col-
lect and receive his debts outstanding in the colony.
Extraordinary session, July 28 Anno 1650
[Blank space]
1 Gysbert Cornelisz, the tavernkeeper.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 125
Court proceedings, August 4 Anno 1650
Willem Jeuriaensz requests to be released from confinement
to tend to his affairs, on condition that he will comply with the
last sentence. Granted.
Witness my hand,
A. DE HoOGES, Secretary
Extract from a certain document
The son-in-law of Megapolensis, who has been a minister here
and who was forbidden to preach by the Classis of Alcmaer,
goes over with the same ship. ' In case he should attempt to per-
form any church service in the colony, we order Director Slich-
tenhorst not to employ him thereto or to tolerate him in the
colony, about which we shall write him personally if time will
permit it. And whereas we have been requested by the Deputies
of the Classis of Amsterdam to make this known here, we hereby
order the director and commissioners of our colony to carry out
our instructions in this matter.
The name of the minister is Wilhelm [Grasmeer].
This order was contained in a letter to [Gerrit] Vasterick,
sent to him by Wouter van Twiller.
[61v] Special meeting, 1 August 15 Anno 1650
We, the undersigned, attest and declare that we have seen and
read a certain rough note (fyladde) written by Gerrit Vasterick,
purporting to be an extract from a letter concerning the minister,
Grasmeer, to prevent him from preaching. Which copy, being
neither collated with the original, nor authenticated or signed by
any one, was unsatisfactory to Director B. v. Slichtenhorst, who
said that one could take no action on such a scrap of paper.
Whereupon the director, together with de Hooges and Ruth
Jacobsz, went to the said Vasterick's house, where the director
1 Buytentydtsche vcrgaederinge.
126 Colony of
asked if it was not possible to get an authentic copy? Said
Vasterick answered that he had given a copy. The director
replied that it was not authentic and was not signed. Where-
upon Vasterick made Jan van Twiller (for he, himself, lay sick
in bed owing to some accident) get the letter. Having the letter
in his hands, Vasterick demanded his former copy, which was
handed to him without any suspicion, the plan being that de
Hooges should make an extract from the letter for so far as the
aforesaid matter was concerned. But Vasterick declined this
and read some things from the letter, which de Hooges took
down from his mouth. Having obtained this writing, we saw
that we had been deceived by Vasterick's trick in demanding
back his former copy, for it in no sense corresponded therewith.
This much Vasterick let us see, that the letter was signed by
Wouter van Twiller only and addressed to Vasterick alone.
This is a true account of what took place and we offer if need
be to confirm this on oath. Done in the colony of Rensselaers-
wyck, on the date above written.
B. V. SLICHTENHORST, director of the said colony
A. DE HOOGES, commissioner and secretary of the said colony
RUTGER JACOBSZ
[62] Hereupon their honors aforesaid and the other members
of the court have resolved and decided as follows :
Whereas Vasterick, according to the foregoing attestation, is
found guilty of fraudulency in writing, so that one does not know
which copy is correct, or whether either of the two is to be
accepted, as neither is properly copied, or compared (for one can
read to another anything one pleases), much less authenticated;
And whereas, secondly, it is notorious that the disease which
Vasterick has at present is of such a nature that he ought not to
carry it from a whorehouse into a court of justice, this being a
place for which such persons are unfit ;
Therefore, their honors aforesaid, having noticed this, have
firmly resolved not to allow him to sit on the bench until he has
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 127
purged and cleared himself of the aforesaid charges and assured
and convinced us of the contrary.
By order of their honors aforesaid,
A. DE HoOGES, Secretary
[62v] Special meeting, August 20 Anno 1650
Whereas the case of Claes Gerritsz was to come up this day,
we have decided and thought it advisable to leave the differences
between the honorable director and him to the decision and award
of two impartial men to be appointed for that purpose, provided
that the wages which are still due him, to wit, those which he
earned in the employ of Brant Peelen, deceased, and Broer Cor-
nelis, and on the Vlackte, shall remain as a pledge or security for
the award to be rendered by the aforementioned persons.
Meeting of the inhabitants regarding the rumors of war
concerning the Maquas, held on the 21st of September
1650
Information, as to what took place on the 2 1 st of September
1650: v
Rem Jansz, residing in Fort Orange, declares that on the 20th
of September 1650, it happened that a certain Tapaen savage,
at the house of Arent Andriesz, unasked and unexpectedly said
to him : ' You Dutchmen have now been selling guns long
enough to the Maquas, for they came to us last summer and made
presents in order that we should help them to kill you when the
ice was on the water. They also went to the savages to the south
and offered them a large nootas of seawan, whereupon they
promised to lend them the helping hand."
Jacob Jansz Stol declares that the savage [63] said the same
thing to him.
Albert Andriesz declares likewise and they say that when
they asked him earnestly whether it was true, he said: " Come
128 Colony of jRensse/aersnn?c
and take me and bind me fast and if it does not happen within
the aforesaid time, then cut off my head."
That this happened as above stated they declare here
before the court in the presence of several inhabitants.
Witness my hand,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
September 8, 1 650.
Whereas the need teaches us to adopt measures, we have
granted permission to have the patroon's cannon, consisting of
three pieces, to wit, a six-pounder, a five pounder and a three-
pounder, used until further order in Fort Orange. But in order
that the patroon may not be deprived of his property, the under-
signed persons acknowledge that they have borrowed the afore-
said pieces on condition that the patroon or his agent may have
them back whenever he needs them or it may suit his pleasure.
JAN LABATIE
This is the mark X of PlETER JACOBSZ,
set with his own hand
[63v] September 23 Anno 1650
The insecurity of our lives and property oppresses us contin-
ually, living as we do under the unrestrained domination of in-
human people and cruel heathen. And while, indeed, we had
some intimation of this last year, it shows itself particularly at
present through evident indications and plausible predictions and
earnest warnings which are communicated to us, not by the afore-
said parties, but by far distant Indians. Which being the case,
although some think it advisable to have recourse to arms and
resistance, and to exchange our weak position for that of their
superior strength, their honors, the directors, commissioners and
councilors, realizing the need, have resolved and determined, for
1 soo snijt mi] de hah af. Cf. O'Callaghan, History of New Neiher-
land, 2:162.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 129
the welfare of the colony of our lord patroon, the preservation of
the commonwealth and the protection of our wives and children,
to commission and empower Mons r - Arent van Curler, Gerrit
Wencom, Cornells Teunisz van Breuckelen, Thomas Chamber
and Volckert Hansz, being requested thereto, to repair with a
present to the Maquas country, to renew the former alliance and
bond of friendship ; which they hereby willingly undertake to do.
Done in the colony, on the date above written.
Quod attestor,
A. DE HoOGES, Secretary 1
[64] The same date, we summoned Jan Labatie, inhabitant of
Fort Orange, to come to the house of the director and requested
him, as he is reasonably experienced in the use of the Maquas
language, to consent to be likewise employed as an ambassador
to the Maquas country, whereupon he replied that he would not
do that for anything in the world. He was asked again why, and
whether it was not better to embrace peace than to begin a war in
which we could not possibly survive? Labatie answered that it
mattered little to those in the fort how it went, whether it was war
or peace. 2 Whereupon he left.
[64v] Special meeting about the welfare of the colony in con-
nection with the rumors of war with the Maquas,
September 27 Anno 1 650
Before the meeting proceeded to business, the following took
place :
It has happened that the abuses of which public notice was
given last Sunday in accordance with the ordinance were brought
to our attention by the inhabitants here themselves. But as the
work once commenced ought to attain its final aim and object, it
has occurred to us that it is very necessary that the running into
1 Another translation of this resolution is in O'Callaghan, History
of New Netherlands 2 : 1 62-63.
2 In the margin is written: " Nota bene."
130 Colony of
the woods, the delivering of notes and the sending of brokers (a
source of much mischief, quarreling and discord) be stopped.
And as this can not be done properly and decently without the
consent of the inhabitants of Fort Orange, they have therefore,
in confirmation of their good intention and inclination, for so far
as they are concerned, signed these with their own hands.
[The remainder of the page is blank.]
[65] Extraordinary session, September 30 Anno 1650
On the above date, Jacob Waelingen was offered and tendered
by the court the half of Casteels island, called Welys Burch, 1
heretofore used by Adriaen vander Donck, which offer Jacob
Waelingen has declined and refused to accept.
Extraordinary session, primo October Anno 1 650
Jacob Waelingen, after previous delay, insisting urgently that
he be permitted to transport himself with his wife and children to
the Manhatans to seek their advantage there, as they until now
have not well been able to support themselves here, and it being
evident that they can not be detained against their will, we have
thought it to the best interest of the patroon to release him from
all claims and demands and consequently have granted them per-
mission to leave the colony and to seek their advantage wherever
they please.
[65v] The 2d of October, Anno 1650, in the afternoon, the
ambassadors left. The director and Antony de Hooges at that
time called them aside and urged them not to attempt or to do
anything but what would tend to the benefit and welfare of the
patroon and his colony, the peace of the inhabitants and the pro-
motion of the common weal, which by handshake they promised
to do.
1 There were two farms on Castle island, one called Rensselaers Burg,
and the other Welys Burg. See " Map of the colony of Rensselaerswyck,
about 1632," in Van Remselaer Bonier Mss.
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 131
After delivery of the letter from the honorable gentlemen our
superiors, the lord patroon Johan van Rensselaer and the
co-directors Samuel Bloemaert and Johannes de Laet, this
[record] was begun anew. The letter was received November
19, 1650.
November 24, 1650
Jan Verbeeck, plaintiff, against Jan Dircksz, Englishman, 1
defendant.
It is adjudged that the defendant shall pay Jan Verbeeck the
balance of his debt cash.
The director, plaintiff,
against
Christoffel Davits |
Jacob Lambertsz !- Default [for failing to appear in] court
Abraham Stevens I
[66] Abraham Stevensz is ordered to produce witnesses by
December 8, 1650, that he did not draw a knife on Jan
Carstensz.
Extraordinary session, November 28 Anno 1650
The honorable director and commissioners [of the colony] and
the commissary of Fort Orange, Charles van Bruggen, having
under pressure granted permission to a certain savage named
den U\) to erect a small house to the north of the aforesaid fort,
which tended to become a great nuisance to the colony as well as
to the fort, Mons r - Labatie, to do away with [the source of]
former troubles, has this day bought said little house of him
and paid for it, to which consent is given by us on condition that
a proper recognition to the honorable patroon and the co-directors
1 According to Van Rensselaer Bowier Mss, p. 818, he came from
Amersfoort. See also note on Jan Dircksz van Bremen, under date of
April 30, 1648, in this volume.
2 The Owl.
132 Colony of RensselaerstvycJt
of this colony be paid to the director. In witness whereof this is
subscribed as follows:
The mark X of den Lfy/, named STICHTIGERI, made with
his own hand
B. v. SLICHTENHORST
A. DE HOOGES
ADRIAEN JANSZ," witness
[66v] December 13 Anno 1650
Steven Jansz, carpenter, upon examination by the director,
declares that on the 12th of this month a certain company of
persons came to his house to drink, having played golf for brandy,
which they drank there. And that one Teunis Jansz, sailmaker,
accused the wife of said Steven Jansz of having erased two
strokes at the same time, although she had tapped two glasses for
it. Whereupon one Philip, the gunstock maker, 2 also took part
in the dispute, wanting to have a voice in it. 3 So that Gysbert
Cornelisz, the tavernkeeper, got into a dispute with said Philip,
saying among other things that they should not make such charges
without being able to prove them, with the result that he, Gys-
bert, received a wound in his left breast, but does not know how
it happened or who did it, as three or four persons were wrestling
together.
[67] On the date aforesaid the honorable director attached
the money in the hands of Jeuriaen Bestval which is due to
Jochem Kettelheym, on account of a claim which the director
1 Probably Adriaen Jansz van Ilpendam, then a schoolmaster and
afterwards a notary public. See p. [96] .
2 Philip de Lademaecfyer. On page [7Qv] he is referred to as Philip
Pietersz Laedemaeclfer, whicK would seem to identify him with Philip
Pietersz Schuyler.
s A marginal note, to be inserted at this point, reads as follows : Which
made the wife of Steven Jansz very angry, whereupon Philip said:
"Have your husband come! " So that Steven Jansz, after some
words, struck said Philip with his fist on the forehead, whereupon they
clinched.
Court Minutes, / 648-1 652 133
has against said Jochem, for which Jochem is summoned to
appear on Thursday after New Year. [Note in the margin:]
1 st Default.
December 20 Anno 1650
Jacob Adriaensz and Claes Andriesz being categorically
questioned by the director in regard to the fight which recently
took place at the house of Steven Jansz, carpenter, answer as
follows :
Claes Andriesz says that after Steven Jansz and Philip, the
gunstock maker, had struck each other with their fists, Philip,
going out of the door, challenged Gysbert, whereupon those who
were inside held Gysbert fast, so that Philip came back into the
house and got into a quarrel with Gysbert.
This, Jacob says also. And that in this turmoil Gysbert was
wounded, that is to say, Philip knocked Gysbert down and when
Gysbert got up again, he was wounded.
[67v] The aforesaid deponents declare that otherwise there
was no trouble or dispute, except first between Steven Jansz
and Philip and then between Philip and Gysbert.
Which, by handshake and true words,
instead of an oath, they have declared
to the director to have thus taken place.
The 27th day of December Anno 1650
The honorable director has this day arrested Philip, the gun-
stock maker, [to remain within the limits of] the colony under
penalty of three hundred guilders, and appointed a week from
next Thursday as the day on which he is to appear in court.
The same day, Philip has in the presence of Jacob Jansz Stol
requested permission to go outside the [said limits of the ] arrest
into the fort, to which consent is given on condition that he
promise to appear in person on the appointed day and to give
security for the satisfaction of the judgment and the costs, [68]
which being promised by him, permission is granted said Philip.
134 Colony of
On the date aforesaid the honorable director has in like man-
ner once more arrested Jacob Jansz Stol in the colony, in the
first place to fulfil the contract between the late patroon and his
predecessor, Hendrick Albertsz, deceased, and furthermore to
answer for all his crimes committed to this day, and also
appointed the 5th of January Anno 1650 as the day on which
he is to appear in court, but notwithstanding the arrest he has
without giving bail gone outside the jurisdiction of the colony
into the fort, in contempt of the liberties * obtained.
Aert Jacobsz was summoned on December 14, 1650, to
appear on January 5, Anno 1651 , on account of his dispute with
Jan Helms.
Abraham Stevens Croaet, on December 15th, summoned for
the second time to appear on the above court day.
Christoffel Davits summoned for the second time to appear on
the above court day.
Cornelis Cornelisz van Voorhout summoned to appear on the
above court day.
December 22, Gysbert Cornelisz from Weesp is granted the
garden heretofore used by Carsten Carstensz at one beaver
yearly, on condition that [68v] whenever the honorable masters
need it, he will have to give it up, subject to reimbursement for
his outlay.
1 January 1651 Seger Cornelisz, Peter, the Frenchman, and
Jan Tyssen summoned to appear on the 5th of
this month, at nine o'clock.
2 ditto Egbert Sanders's servant, Jem; 2 Toenis Cor-
nelisz. On the 3d, Henrick Driesz, Mr Rut-
ger Jacobsz' servant.
3 ditto Jan Helmsz summoned in writing, in the name
of the patroon, against Aert Jacobsz.
1 Vryheeden; meaning the liberties or privileges, granted by the charter
of Freedoms and Exemptions, of 1 629.
2 James.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 135
3 ditto Jan Baerentsz, by legal process, attached in
the hands of Jan Reyersz and Ricke[r]t
Rutgersz at Betelem [Bethlehem], all the
moneys due from them to Claes Andriesz,
[notifying them] again to pay, which notice
was received by Jan Reyersz.
Sept. 9, 1650 ft v Slichtenhorst, director, plaintiff, against
Attached and T . T c> i i r i
summoned. J ac t> Jansz Jbtol, defendant.
First default. [Plaintiff demands] whether he, Stol, is willing
to carry out all the provisions of the contract dated
Jan. 5 1651 j une 7> 1642> O f n i s predecessor, Hendrick
Second
default. Albertsz, deceased, and [continued] after his
death, and if so, to give security for the satisfaction
of the judgment. 1
Jacob Jansz says that he submits himself to the
arbitral judgment of impartial men and the director.
1 648, May 30 For having struck Hans Vos, when he
suspected no harm, on the forehead with his fist
and in addition spoken evil of the director afore-
mentioned.
For the defamation fl. 10:
And for the blow with the fist,
according to the ordinance dated
December?, 1649, also fl. 10: -
All cum expenses.
[69] ^1648, June 6, Jacob Jansz fought against Andries
Constapel with his fists, at the house of Gysbert
Cornelisz, tavernkeeper, for which he forfeits
fl. 10:-
1648, July 6, Jacob Jansz, on his own authority, cut
down two logs (masts), up above, in the
patroon's wood, and had them hauled to the
strand, where they were attached, notwithstand-
ing which he shipped them on the 8th ditto out
1 Stol succeeded Harry Albertsz as ferry master.
136 Colony of Rensselaersrvycfy
of this jurisdiction, thereby acting in utter con-
tempt of the court.
The honorable plaintiff, therefore, demands
that he be arbitrarily punished, as an example to
others. Also, that he pay the patroon for the
timber and for violating the attachment, fl. 50,
according to the ordinance and custom of the
Manhatans, all cum expensis.
1648, December 27, Jacob Jansz was fined for having
with some other persons been drinking at the house
of Gysbert Cornelisz during divine service.
1649, June 2, Jacob Jansz, without cause, threw a
tankard at Hans Vos, the court messenger,
smashing his face, so that for two months he
could not perform his duties, for which according
to the ordinance of the Manhatans he has for-
feited the sum of fl. 300, all cum expensis.
[69v] 1649, August 4, Jacob Jansz again removed a log
(mast), for which he forfeits the amount above
stated.
1 649, 1 1 ditto, he struck Willem Jeuriaensz on his back
with a tankard, at the house of Gysbert Cornelisz,
for which he forfeits fl. 10.
And because Abraham Pietersz, carpenter,
wanted to prevent it, he struck him on the head,
for which is due fl. 10:
1650, September 29, he fought with Pieter Hertgerts
and struck de Hooges on the left eye with his fist,
and greatly injured the thumb of Volckert Hansz
in his own house, all of which took place in the
presence of the honorable fiscal, for which he has
incurred the double penalty.
And for contempt of court, in ignoring the
attachment and summons, the same fine as above.
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 137
1650, December 12, he struck Gysbert Cornelisz,
tavernkeeper, and Claes Andriesz with a golf
club at the house of Steven Jansz, for which,
together, he forfeits fl. 20:
And whereas the aforesaid Jacob Jansz was
summoned and arrested in the colony and in
violation thereof has gone outside trie limits of
the aforesaid jurisdiction, without giving bail,
the honorable plaintiff maintains that he has for-
feited the sum of fl. 20 [and demands] that he
give security for the satisfaction of the judgment
or sentence.
[70] Court proceedings, January 5 Anno 1651
It being taken into consideration that Mons r . Arent van Curler
as far back as the arrival of the honorable director was nominated
as commissioner (gecommittecrde) , but by serious obstacles has
until this date been prevented from taking office, 1 he has on this
highly pressing occasion accepted the same and consequently
taken the proper oath before the honorable director.
Whereas the annual term [of office] of Goossen Gerritsz has
expired and he for some important reasons urgently requests to
be discharged, we have, recognizing [the justice of] the same,
granted his request and discharged him, thanking him hereby for
his faithful service.
And in his place are nominated Jan Verbeeck and Pieter
Hertgers.
Regarding the question at issue between Aert Jacobsz and Jan
Helms, it is adjudged that each shall pay a fine of seventy-five
guilders, cum expenses.
[70v] Philip Pietersz, gunstock maker, requests delay until
the next court day, which is granted him on condition that he give
security for the satisfaction of the judgment.
maef door mercfyelycfte impedimenten tot data te rugge is gestelt.
138 Colony of Rensse/aersnxpd?
Jan Labatie offers himself as surety for the judgment.
Whereas the annual ordinance concerning the shooting at night
mentions in general, but not in particular, the shooting on New
Year's eve;
And whereas, secondly, the renewal of the said ordinances has
recently been neglected;
It is decided that the New Year shooters shall for this time
be excused, without prejudice to the director's action against
those who fired during the service.
Decision rendered by:
ARENT VAN CURLER
ANTONY DE HOOGES
RUTGER JACOBSZ
GOOSSEN GERRITSZ
The honorable director appeals from the above decision.
Cornelis Cornelisz van Voorhout summoned by the director.
First default.
Abraham Stevens denies that he drew his knife on Jan
Carstensz, but admits that he fought with him.
Teunis Cornelisz denies that he fired his gun at New Year
during the night.
[71] [Marginal note in the handwriting of van Slichten-
horst:] 9 ditto, Jochem Kettelheym summoned again to appear
on the 12th.
January 10, 1651
Hans Vos complains that Dirck de Gojer 1 has threatened to
assault him at Catskil and that he understood from said Dirck
that he had given orders to Claes Andriesz and Jacob Lambertsz,
Go/ers, 2 some time when they saw him here in the colony, to do
the same.
1 Dirck Hendricksz, from Hilversum, in the Gooi.
2 The jsame as Coolers, or Gooilanders, meaning men from the Gooi,
or Gooiland, a district in the southeastern part of the province of North
Holland, Netherlands.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 139
Whereupon an injunction is served on said Dirck to refrain, on
pain of corporal punishment, from molesting Hans Vos either by
word or deed.
And Jan Dircksz van Bremen is authorized to serve the notice
on said Dirck in the name of the patroon.
Furthermore, the director is to forbid Claes Andriesz and
Jacob Lambertsz [to molest Hans Vos] under the penalty above
mentioned.
[71v] Court proceedings, January 12 Anno 1650
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Jochem Kettelheym,
defendant.
Jochem -1648, July 12, Jochem Kettelheym and Thomas
Chamber three several times struck each other with
fists, so that their noses and mouths bled, and that on
a Sunday, in sight of the director, for which they have
incurred the triple penalty of fl. 10 each, according
to the ordinance of May 28, 1 648, amounting together
to fl. 30:-
December 27, Jochem confessed that during divine
service he had been sitting [in the tavern], drinking
brandy with Plodder, 1 the Noorman, 2 Capitayn, 3 and
Rem, the smith, 4 for which according to the ordinance
of May 28, 1648, and that of the Manhatans, is
due fl. 6:-
Jochem 1650, July 31, Jochem promised to pay for solder
Pietersz 5 4 schepels of wheat fl. 10:-
December 13, the director attached, in the hands of
Jeuriaen Bestval, all the moneys due from him to said
Jochem, in order to secure payment; in the first place
fl. 40, which he, Jochem, then owed to Nocolaes
1 Jacob Jansz Gardenier, alias Flodder.
2 Poulus, the Noorman.
3 Abraham Stevensz.
4 Rem Jansz.
5 Apparently the same person as Arent Pietersz, alias Solder. See
Van Rensselaer Bonier Mss, p. 814.
140 Colony of
Jochem Koorn and which were attached in his hands, accord-
submit m to Koorn's own admission, as appears by de
evidence Hooges's endorsement on file. What is more, Coorn
that he* aid severa ^ times importuned the director, both in his house
Koom. and on the road, about this attachment. ... fl. 40:-
1 65 1 , January 9, summoned and must first purge
himself before he can be heard.
[72] The honorable director, plaintiff, against
Cornelis Cornelisz van Voorhout, defendant.
1649, June 20, the defendant fought with the
Raemaecker (wheelwright) with fists, in the presence
v of Hans Vos and others at the house of Gysbert, the
tavernkeeper, for which each has forfeited the sum
of fl. 10:-
Drew his knife on Christoffel Davits, for which he
has forfeited fl. 100:-
April 1 7, Jan van Bremen complained about the
defendant on account of violence and blows, for which
is due a double fine, first on account of the matter com-
plained of and secondly because it happened at night,
@ fl. 10 fl. 40:-
November' 7, he fought with Thomas Chamber,
using his fists ; due fl. 10:
Admits that 1650, September 30, the defendant, wihtout any
in Gysbert's reason or lawful cause, struck Jan Labatie in the lava-
house, tory of Gysbert Cornelisz with his fists, for which he
must pay the double fine fl. 20:-
1651, January 5. Kit Davits summoned.
January 10. Summoned [again].
January 11, 1651 , the director has notified and summoned the
newly nominated members of the court, to wit, Pieter Hertgers
and Jan Verbeeck, to take the proper oath and on this date in
their official capacity to enter upon their duties.
Baerent Pietersz, having been summoned by the director on
January 11,1 649, to show where he each year bought his wheat,
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 141
answers that he requests an order from the court that he must do
so. To which the director replies that if he to-day brings in his
proof, he will not have [his account?] reduced.
[72v] Cornelis Cornelisz Vos, being summoned to find out
who on New Year's eve during the service fired off guns in front
of his door, answers that he does not know. Being asked who
were at Harmen Bastiaensz's, he answers, seven or eight persons.
This day, Jan Verbeeck has taken the proper oath as a mem-
ber of the court (gerechtspersoon) and is admitted by the court.
Marten Harmensz having been granted a lot in the village
(byeemvooninge) to build there, promises that he will not have
any intercourse or dealings with any private traders, namely, with
those of the fort.
Teunis Jacobsz and his wife, being summoned by the director
about 1 1/8 loot (5/8 ounce) of gold found by them, declare
that they found it behind the homestead (hofste) of Gysbert, the
tavernkeeper, and sold it to Gerrit Vasterick for fl. 18, without
knowing who lost it.
Which gold being examined by the court here is found to be
purified and partly engraved gold.
The director having thereupon submitted the question whether
it is to be kept for the benefit of the patroon and the co-directors,
or to be restored to Vasterick;
It is resolved that it shall be returned to Gerrit Vasterick.
[73] It is further considered necessary, as thus far little atten-
tion has been paid to the maintenance of public roads, to the great
inconvenience and even danger of the inhabitants here, that some
bridges be built, to wit, one across the first kill, in the village
(byeemvooninge) , with railings and benches to sit on; one across
the third kill; one across the beaver kill, with railings; and a
wagon bridge around the rear (een rybruch achterom) . Also,
that a convenient staircase be built on the outside of the church
(een bequaeme trap aende k erc k Torde gemaecJft) .'
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Jacob Lambertsz,
defendant.
142 Colony of
On the 9th of October 1650, Jacob Lambertsz, being armed,
with a sword on his side, dared by word and deed, on the
Hoogen Berch, in the highest manner to insult the director, who
came there with Steven Jansz, carpenter, to perform his duties,
without giving any reason or occasion thereto in the least. In
the presence of Teunis Dircksz and Gysbert aende Berch, he
wanted to compel the director, first, to drink with him and then
to fight a duel with him. Furthermore, he used such vile
language about the court, his past crimes, and his arrest, that one
can not well put it down with the pen, saying he would [73v]
wipe his Gooiland . . . with it and that he had enough of
the director and all the gentlemen, so that finally Teunis Dircksz
and Gysbert had to take Jacob away.
He has likewise insulted de Hooges and also Hans Vos.
Which things in a land of justice can not go unpunished, it
being intolerable that one should thus, without any reason what-
ever, rudely assail one's lawful superiors and their servants and
even threaten to do them harm, where (as in the case of the
delinquent) the court has shown such leniency in imposing
sentence.
The honorable plaintiff, therefore, in the first place requests
[a warrant for the] corporal apprehension [of the defendant].
Teunis Dircksz, Gysbert aende Berch and Tys Evertsz
declare that Jacob Lambertsz carried a sword on his side and
that on coming down the hill he said to the director : ' You
carry a sword? I do too. If you are an officer, I am one also."
That meanwhile they had together drawn out the manure for
Gysbert and that for fun they had made said Jacob out to be
the officer.
Which by handshake instead of an oath they
declare to have thus taken place.
[Here follow two or three lines which have become illegible.]
[74] About midsummer anno 1649, the honorable general
being here, he requested Jan Baerentsz to haul out some logs
(masts), which he refused, saying that the horses and the land
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 143
which he had in use belonged to the patroon, so that he first
ought to have consent thereto. Whereupon the honorable
general came to the director and after relating the aforesaid con-
versation requested that permission might be given, whereupon
consent was given by the director.
Also, Jan Labatie, having been written to by the honorable
general to send him a certain negro residing at the house of Broer
Cornelis, he came to the director's house to request in the first
place permission to apprehend the aforesaid negro and in the
second place that the director would assist him, Labatie, in
making the arrest, whereupon the director gave said Labatie
permission and lent him the helping hand in making the arrest.
[74v] Steven Jansz, carpenter, being asked by the director
whether at any time he received any beer from said director to
retail it;
Secondly, whether he ever asked and received permission from
the director to tap;
Answers, that he never received any beer from the director
and he tapped without previous consent.
Steven Jansz has declared this by
handshake, with true words, instead
of an oath, to be as stated.
This 1 8th day of January Anno 1 65 1 .
[ 75 ] Court proceedings January 1 9 Anno 1 65 1
This day Pieter Hartgerts has taken the oath of member of the
court (Gerechts persoon) before the director and is admitted as
such.
Upon the request of Andries de Vos what the director has to
say against his brother-in-law, Baerent Pietersz, the director
answers that he sent 93 1 /2 schepels of wheat to the mill and
that he got back but 74 schepels.
The director says that he deserves more credence than a thief.
Whereupon Andries de Vos says : " You may be that your-
self."
144 Colony of
Andries de Vos says with reference to Ruth Jacobsz and Jan
Verbeeck . . . [the remainder of the page is blank].
[75v] Extraordinary session, January 20 Anno 1651
November 25, 1648, Thomas Chamber reported that one of
his cows had been shot dead in the wood by the savages.
Also, November 14, 1649, Thomas aforesaid again reported
that a mare was shot dead by the savages.
Proof hereof follows, according to the contract:
Jan Andriesz from Dublin and Thomas Heggens declare
before the court that they found the cow that was killed in the
woods, the horns being cut off, the bowels removed, the fat cut
away, a piece cut out of the belly and the rest being left lying
in the woods, about which complaint was made at the time by
Thomas Chamber to the director.
They declare this by handshake, with true
words instead of an oath, to be a fact.
Jan Andriesz from Dublin and Poulus Jansz from Gorcum
declare that they found the aforesaid mare lying dead in the
woods, having been shot through the soft part of the belly.
This the witnesses declare in the manner as
above, in the presence of,
The honorable director
Arent van Curler
and myself,
A. DE [HOOGES, Secretary]
[Note in the margin, at the bottom of the page, illegible.]
[76] Whereas some dispute has arisen between Director
Brant van Slichtenhorst and Jacob Jansz Stol about the contract
made between the late patroon and Hendrick Albertsz, deceased,
concerning the beaver trade mentioned in said contract, and find-
ing that he, Jacob Jansz, can have no knowledge of the aforesaid
trade of his predecessor ;
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 145
Secondly, that it is commonly known that he, Hendrick
Albertsz, deceased, made it his special business to work and not
to trade;
And that, owing to the aforesaid obscurity, no solution can
be found except by submitting the question to the decision of
impajrtial men, the following persons have been chosen thereto by
both sides, to wit: Mons r . Arent van Curler, Antony de Hooges,
Mr Abraham Staas and Evert Pels; who, after careful con-
sideration of everything, have decided that for the aforesaid trade
until the death of the aforesaid predecesor, including the trade of
the said Jacob Jansz for the period of about eight months in the
year 1648, there is due fl. 36: wherewith all claims and
demands on account of the aforesaid contract shall be settled and
released.
Thus signed by us, the aforementioned arbitrators, this 20th
day of January Anno 1 65 1 .
ANTONY DE HOOGES
ARENT VAN CURLER
ABRAM STAAS
EVERT PELS
[76v] Court proceedings, January 26 Anno 1651
It is decided that Thomas Chamber by virtue of his contract
shall have the right to use the pasturage specified therein for the
grazing of his own cattle, without charge.
As, also in accordance with the contract, he proved on
January 20, 1 65 1 , that the savages killed a horse and a cow, he
is by virtue thereof entitled to have them replaced by others with-
out compensation.
Court proceedings, February 2 Anno 1 65 1
Teunis T^ honorable director, plaintiff, against Teunis
fc s Dircksz and Cornelis Teunisz van Westbroeck, in their
default, capacity as administrators of the estate of the late
Cornelis Maesz, defendants.
146 Colony of Rensselaerswycfc
The same, against Teunis Dircksz in particular, about
insults offered to the honorable director.
[77] Whereas a question has arisen between the
honorable director, Brant van Slichtenhorst, and Baerent
Pietersz, the cases of both parties are dismissed, without
prejudice to the good name and reputation of either.
Thus done in collegio, on the date above written.
_. Jacob Lambertsz, defendant.
rirst
default. [The rest of the page is blank.]
[77v] Brant van Slichtenhorst, director of the colony of Rens-
selaerswyck, plaintiff, against Teunis Dircksz, defendant.
Whereas by virtue of their oath and the orders of the honor-
able patroon the gentlemen [of the court] of the aforesaid colony
are required and commanded to see to it that all the farmers
each year, in accordance with their contract, render an itemized
account and statement [of everything] , inclusive even of the fur
trade, and make payment, and this not in gross, but in detail,
the said defendant has thus far failed to do so, notwithstanding
the aforesaid gentlemen, as often as twice a year, by public
ordinance (in addition to many verbal reminders by the said
plaintiff) have given abundant warning that every one must
within certain days deliver an account in writing with the
vouchers thereof to the director aforesaid and that no one may
transport out of the colony, or even remove from one place to
another, any grain, boards, or other effects until and before the
honorable patroon or his director are satisfied, on pain of con-
fiscation of the grain and effects as provided by said ordinance
and of paying in addition a fine of fl. 25 for each default.
This does especially apply to those who have an open account,
like this defendant, who is bound to render an account of
the years 1638 and 1639, as well as of the building
done by him and the farm implements and grain which he
received as former farm hand of the honorable patroon. Also,
as farmer, from the year. 1 640 to 1 648, with the fl. 1 6 for each
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 147
farm hand. Furthermore, for the years 1 649 and 1 650, accord-
ing to the agreement of March 1 7, 1 650, of the patroon's common
property, which the defendant leased at a public bidding for
fl. 500 a year, in addition to the tithes and recognition, according
to the conditions of September 14, 1648. Furthermore, the
defendant, in the year 1648, promised to pay for tithes 28
schepels of wheat and 28 schepels of oats and in the years 1 649
and 1 650 the defendant managed on his own authority, without
the knowledge of the director, much less of the commissioners,
to appropriate the lord's tithes, and to keep to himself all the
rent, tithes and the patroon's common property and disposes
thereof as if they were his own, contrary to the patroon's
prohibition, as appears on folio 50 of the court record, and only
seeks his own profit and tries to cheat the patroon out of his law-
ful property [78] and possessions. And even dares bodly and
without shame, in the presence of the director and Domine Mega-
polensis, to assert that he paid fl. 9000, in return for which he,
the defendant, received but fl. 2000, as was done even lately, on
May 8, 1650. Which, indeed, is putting it on altogether too
thick and quite incredible.
Furthermore, apart from the aforesaid ordinances, the honor-
able plaintiff, in the name of the patroon, attached in the year
1649 the defendant's grain, both threshed and unthreshed, for-
bidding the same to be removed, much less to be transported out
of the colony before the defendant had rendered his lawful
accounting and statement as aforesaid. Notwithstanding this,
contrary to and in spite of all this, the defendant has carted the
grain past the director's door and last year furnished two lasts
of wheat to Hendrick, the baker, and others. Also, on April 2 1 ,
1650, he caused skipper Jan de Kaeper to take 401 schepels of
oats and in the fall, on November 14, 160 schepels of oats to
the Manhatans, and further on his own authority alienated all
his grain.
And when the director by proper judicial proceedings tries to
prevent it, he, the defendant, calls said director a thief and a
148 Colony of
rescal and, if the plaintiff had not prevented it, would, on
February 16, 1650, in the morning, at about 9 o'clock, as the
director was busy writing in his own office, have stabbed him
with his own pen knife in the presence of his own son and the
director's two [grand] children. 1 Which aforesaid deeds, neither
can nor ought to be suffered to go unpunished. Therefore, as
the defendant has not only defied the director and this honorable
court and violated their ordinances as well as the Freedoms law-
fully obtained by the honorable patroon from their High Might-
inesses, but also gravely offended the Lords States General whose
place is likewise occupied here, the honorable plaintiff, in view of
all these circumstances, demands:
In the first place, that the defendant shall within a specified
time be peremptorily ordered to render his lawful account, [78v]
under penalty of judgment by default and such damages (and
he would not have it happen again for ten thousand guilders) as
the plaintiff in his capacity shall reckon to have suffered, with
costs, and without prejudice to the former fines.
Secondly, that all the grain delivered, sent away, removed or
shipped by the defendant during the years 1 648, 1 649 and 1 650
shall be confiscated by virtue of the aforesaid ordinance. And
furthermore that the defendant be condemned to pay the full
amount of all the fines which in accordance with said ordinance
he has incurred to this date, [the plaintiff] requesting security
for the satisfaction of the judgment, all with costs.
Finally, that he be made to pay the rent and toepacht of the
six morgens of land for the year 1650, and as surety for Jan
Helms also be made to pay his rent and toepacht for 1 650, with
costs.
1 The will of Gerrit van Slichtenhorst, dated Oct. 12, 1683, proved
Sept. (Dec.?) 29, 1685 (N. Y. Hist. Soc., Collections, 1892, 25:170,
470471), mentions seven children: Alida, wife of Peter Davids Schuy-
ler, Elizabeth, wife of Nicholas William Stuyvesant, Bata, wife of Jan
Oost, Helagont, Gerrit, Rachel and Yonde. Two of the younger chil-
dren, Gerrit and Gouda, or Hillegonda, afterwards moved to the Dutch
colony of Surinam. See De Navorscher, 1918, 67:436-37.
Court Minutes, / 648- f 652 149
The same demand the director likewise makes in regard to the
defendant and Cornells Teunisz van Westbroeck, in their
capacity of guardians of the minor children of Cornells Maessen,
deceased.
Director Brant van Slichtenhorst, plaintiff, against Teunis
Dircksz van Vechten, defendant, for slander.
Whereas the defendant, on the first of February 1650, when
the plaintiff in his official capacity came to the house of Cornelis
Teunisz van Breuckelen to make an inventory of the patroon's
cattle, in the presence of nearly all the authorities of the colony
and of Fort Orange, the Domine and about ten witnesses, dared
1 6 or 17 separate times greatly to abuse the plaintiff, saying :
''Are you to be our director and ruler? You are an old, gray
thief and a rascal and you have stolen my own property and I
shall prove it," adding thereto all sorts of abuse and this without
any cause or occasion for it. Which slanderous remarks the
plaintiff brought to the attention of the court and for which the
defendant is now [79], the 2d of this month, summoned to
appear before the full court, but does not appear, so that in the
first place proof of his statements is demanded as before.
Secondly, the defendant, on December 19, 1649, and again
on February 16, 1650, at the house of Pieter Bronck likewise
slandered the plaintiff (and also called Domine Megapolensis
an informer, as appears more at large by the bill of complaint) ,
which slander the said plaintiff has taken much to heart, being
a person of good reputation and character, who neither in his
private nor in his official capacity is willing to suffer such injury
for anything under the sun and which in a land of justice should
not go unpunished, it being intolerable that people should thus
fail to respect their lawful authorities, both ecclesiastical and
civil.
The honorable plaintiff concludes therefore that the defendant
for such repeated, public, deliberate, false and lying accusation
must and ought to be punished as an example to others.
Furthermore, that for all the aforesaid slanders he shall make
150 Colony of
honorable and pecuniary amends, as follows : In the first place,
that he shall appear before the entire court and resting on his
bare knees pray God, .the court and the director for forgiveness;
that he shall then with his right hand slap his mouth and say as
many times as he has slandered with it, " Mouth, thou hast
spoken falsely and lyingly." And that for each slander he shall
in addition be condemned to pay a fine of fl. 300, two thirds
thereof to be for the director and one third for the poor, in
accordance with the ordinance of May 28, 1648; and that
furthermore he shall be punished as stated above, all cum
expends, the plaintiff demanding security for the judgment.
The defendant, some time ago, in crossing the river with
Domine Megapolensis, likewise, without any reason whatever,
addressed many vile words to the Domine, who at the time was
an estimable minister here in the colony, making him out to be an
informer and a rascal [79v] and, after having uttered said
slander, crowded in upon the minister with the intention of
stabbing him unexpectedly with a knife, so that the minister upon
his approach warned the defendant not to come nearer, or he
would hit him with a piece of wood on the side of his head in
such a way that he would fall out of the boat into water.
And as the defendant has not been able to prove the aforesaid
charges, he must be regarded as a slanderer, who in addition has
committed assault and violence, for which according to the
ordinance of May 28, 1648, he is liable to a fine of fl. 150, and
as the same took place on Sunday, the double amount according
to the ordinance, or fl. 300, and for drawing his knife, fl. 100,
according to the ordinance of the Manhatans, amounting in all
to . . . fl. [blank] ; all cum expensls.
Furthermore, the plaintiff has summoned the defendant to
obtain payment of the stipulated toepachten * for the year 1 648,
in addition to the tithes and the amount in cash stipulated in the
contract of September 14, 1648; together with the toepachten
*A sort of quitrent to which the director under his contract with the
guardians of the young patroon was entitled.
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 151
for the years 1649 and 1650, at fl. [blank] a year, all cum
expensis.
The defendant, furthermore, has dared to put an exhorbitant
price on his and the patroon's earliest grain, selling the mudde
at eleven guilders, which is a violation of the patroon's ordinance,
it being the particular duty of the commissioners and the court
to prevent that any one fix the price of the grain in such a way
as to oppress the poor people and his fellow men as much as is
in his power ; for which offense he is liable to the patroon's high-
est fine.
[80] September 18, 1648, Teunis Dircksz ordered Willem
Menten four times in succession to fire a musket in the brewery
during the night, by which repeated shooting those of the fort
and in the colony were quite startled and frightened, thinking
that it was an alarm; whereupon those in the fort returned the
firing, as a signal that they would come to the rescue, and Mons r .
Labatie with some soldiers, who were assigned to the task of
pulling down the houses in the Fuycfy * and who were ordered to
go, during the night sailed across the river to relieve them. When
Mons r . Labatie and the aforesaid soldiers came into the Grenen-
bos, Teunis Dircksz gave them six gallons and a half barrel of
beer for their trouble. For which improper shooting by night,
he has forfeited -for each time the sum of fl.10, according to the
ordinance of October 16, 1648, and in addition is to be arbi-
trarily punished as an example to others. All cum expenses.
The 19th ditto, Teunis Dircksz called Teunis Cornelisz a
rascal and a thief and in addition beat him in his own house
1 The Dutch name for a funnel shaped hoopnet. The name may
originally have been applied to the houses in the immediate vicinity of
the fort, which were built along convergent lines, as distinguished from
the term fcj?eenn>oni'nge, which in this record is used repeatedly to designate
the entire village. It is interesting to note that on the island of Curacao,
in the Dutch West Indies, there is a harbor called de Fuyclf, which is
referred to by de Laet as early as 1 644. See his Historic ofte laerlijclf
Verhael van de V errichtinghen der Geociroyeerde WestIndische Com-
pagnie, p. 436. Cf. also Doc. rel to Col. Hist. N. Y., 2:558, and
Journal of Jasper Dancfyaerts, 16791680, ed. by B. B. James and
J. F. Jameson, in " Original Narratives of Early American History,"
p. 216.
152
about the head with his fists and pulled the hair out, of his head,
because he had hired the six morgens of land which the com-
missioners in leasing his land had kept to themselves, which
attempt to give the patroon's property a bad name and make it
useless is a matter of serious import and consequence, for which
he has forfeited the sum of fl. 10 for each excess, to wit, first,
for calling him a rascal, secondly a thief, thirdly, for having
struck him with his fists, and fourthly for pulling his hair and
trying to make the patroon's property useless, amounting together
to fl. 40:- and in addition, arbitrary correction.
In May 1649, the defendant fought, first with Pieter Hert-
gers, and then with Mr Abraham Staas, with fists, at their house
in the brewery, for which he has forfeited fl. 10 each, or fl.20:-,
all cum expenses.
[80v] February 21,. 1649, Teunis Dircksz was fined because
he let a sleigh with two horses in very cold weather stand with-
out food or cover before the door of Jan Verbeeck, for which
according to the ordinance he has forfeited, for the first time,
the sum of fl. 3 :
Director Brant van Slichtenhorst, plaintiff, against Seger
Cornelisz, defendant.
Whereas the defendant, on December 23, 1648, before the
full court, acknowledged his signature affixed t'o the contract of
August 25, 1643, upon which acknowledgement, as appears on
folio 21 of the court record, he was condemned to fulfill all the
terms of the contract, which has since expired, it follows that the
defendant must deliver in the first place, the house, brew house,
three hay barracks, hogpen, wagon, plow, harrows, harness, and
furthermore all the farm implements, horses, cows and hogs,
according to the inventory, information and contract made with
vander Donck in the year 1 646, all in good condition and wall
and roof tight, 1 according to the plain language of the contract,
*At this point is written in the margin: " 2d, must deliver in good condi-
tion the number of animals and the aforesaid farm tools; 3d, the build-
ings; 4th, or, in case of failure, the honorable plaintiff will count the loss
at fl. 1500, plus damages and costs."
Court Minutes, / 648-1 652 153
which the patroon will not suffer any one to misconstrue or inter-
pret otherwise than it stands, and which reads as follows: " The
patroon shall to begin with provide [the buildings] at his expense,
provided that the farmer shall thereafter at his expense maintain
them and keep them in repair, and at the expiration of the lease
deliver them back in as good condition as he received them."
Nota. For which the defendant is asked to give security or, in
default thereof, to go under arrest.
[81 ] Also, that the defendant within a short time shall comply
with and satisfy the judgment of August 1 2, 1 649, in regard to
his refusal to have an appraisal made of the patroon's own build-
ings, under penalty of arrest, for the first time.
Also, payment for the 23 morgens of wheat appraised at fl. 75,
with interest at 10% until full payment is made, as is customary
here, and also to give security therefor.
Whereas all the colonists have each year, spmetimes twice, by
publicly posted notices been warned that every one must deliver
to the director his account in writing, for each year separately,
with the necessary vouchers, the defendant nevertheless
obstinately remains in default to render his account for the years
1644, 1645, 1646 and 1647, under the penalty provided by the
ordinance, and is to pay the balance agreed upon on March 3,
1 650, and to give security therefor.
Also, the defendant, last year, on his own authority, appro-
priated the patroon's tithes, without once notifying thereof the
director, much less the commissioners, for which he has for-
feited for each morgen 4 schepels of wheat, according to the
regulations made by the late patroon in regard to the tithes, in
addition to the value of the same.
Furthermore, the defendant has dared daily to have teaming
done with the patroon's horses, which were entrusted to him
only to do his farm work with, employing thereto one, two and
even three horses at a time, as the plaintiff himself has seen, in
violation of the ordinance of March 31,1 649.
The plaintiff, therefore, demands that the defendant be con-
154 Colony of Rensselaerswyck
demned to render within a specified time an account of his illegi-
timate gains; that [81 v] the halfe of said gains shall be declared
to be for the benefit of the honorable patroon and that he alone,
without loss to the patroon, shall be required to make good the
damage suffered on account of the horses that are stiff, crippled,
lame, blind, dead or drowned; the plaintiff maintaining further
that the defendant ought to be arbitrarily punished for having
misused the property that was entrusted to him; all cum expenses.
Also, that the defendant be ordered within a definite time to
make a correct return of all the beer that was brewed by him
and to pay therefore one guilder per barrel, according to the
ordinance of the honorable patroon.
February 14. Jacob Lambertsz, defendant.
Also: Teunis Dircksz
Corn: Segersz
Jan Carstensz
Corn: Teunisz van Westbroeck
Jan Michielsz
Willem Jeuriaensz
Willem Fredericksz
Aert Jacobszl Of these, the grain, threshed and
Jan Helms J unthreshed, was attached.
[82] Court proceedings, February 16 Anno 1651
Teunis Dircksz acknowledges his signature as surety affixed
to the contract of sale of the farm of Jan Helms.
Cornelis Teunisz acknowledges his signature as surety affixed
to the contract of sale of the farm of Aert Jacobsz.
Andries de Vos, having been requested to act as assistant to
the guardians of the orphans of the late Cornelis Maessen,
accepts the appointment before the court.
Upon the petition of Andries de Vos, praying to be released
[from his contract] regarding the use of the water and the build-
ing of a mill in the vicinity of the farm of Thomas Chamber, on
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 155
account of the difficulties and inconveniences connected there-
with, as shown in a previous remonstrance, his reasons are
accepted by us at their face value and admitted to be valid;
consequently, -fiat is entered upon his petition.
Willem Jeuriaensz acknowledges his signature to his contract
dated May 7, 1638.
Upon the petition of Jan Thomasz and Volckert Hansz, pray-
ing payment of what is due to them by the honorable patroon,
the following serves for apostil: If they render a true account,
statement and proof of what is coming to them from the honor-
able patroon, they will be satisfied to that amount in goods
of the honorable patroon.
[In the margin is written:] The director appeals from the
above decision.
[82v] Court proceedings, March 2 Anno 1651
Jacob Adriaensz summoned to pay land rent of the year 1 648.
The term of the lease of the homestead of Casper Jacobsz
shall commence at Amsterdam fair 1 anno 1 65 1 .
Teunis Dircksz agrees to answer the director's complaint in
two weeks, provided that a copy be handed to him.
Cornelis Segersz is likewise granted a delay of two weeks,
precisely.
As to the attachment, Cornelis Segersz promises here before
the court that he will deliver to the honorable director four hun-
dred schepels of wheat, on condition that he to whom anything
shall turn out to be due by settlement of accounts, shall receive it.
In regard to the proposal made the honorable director about
the ordinance concerning the depreciation of loose seawan, 2 issued
and communicated to us by the honorable general and council of
New Netherland, we report that we are forced to follow it, for
the reason that otherwise we should draw all the unstrung sea-
1 September 22.
2 See Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, p. 1 15-18.
156 Colony of Rensselaersivyclt
wan from the Manhatans to the colony, to the considerable loss
and damage of the honorable patroon and the inhabitants.
March 7, 1 65 1 , the Honorable Director Slichtenhorst
attached the threshed and unthreshed grain of [Claes Segersz?]
for the payment of the patroon's highest fine.
On the same date and in like manner the director attached
the grain of Jeuriaen Bestval and also summoned him in order
to secure payment for the years 1 649 and 1 650.
The 1 1 th ditto, Cornelis Segersz was summoned in his capa-
city of lessee for the payments as above on account of Claes
Segertsz.
[83] Cornelis Segertsz having appeared in court on the 2d
day of March aforesaid, after receipt of the complaint brought
against him by the honorable director, and having been asked by
the plaintiff whether he had answered it, he replied that he did
not consider himself sufficiently able to refute the same and
requested that for lack of advocates or attorneys a member of
the court might be appointed defensoris loco to answer the same.
The honorable members of the court, therefore, having duly con-
sidered the defendant's request and not seen fit to reject it, but
on the contrary wishing to grant his just request, have after some
controversy and opposition finally ordered and directed Antonio
de Hooges to undertake the task. Which the said de Hooges
(as in duty bound to their honors aforesaid) has accepted, upon
this special condition that he should not become involved in the
suit. Whereupon the honorable plaintiff suggested [that he
accept the appointment] without prejudice to his honor and oath,
which the said attorney promised., Whereupon, as a further
pledge, the honorable director and Mons r . Arent van Curler as
commissioner have offered him, de Hooges, the right hand, in the
presence of
{Rutger Jacobsz and ^|
Pieter Hertgers j magistrates
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 157
[83v] Court proceedings, March 16 Anno 1651
Cornells Segersz, being once more confronted with the judg-
ment of March 3, 1650, declares and earnestly represents that
he has serious objections thereto, and humbly but urgently
requests that the question which may result from his account may
be referred, not to the honorable masters, who are prejudiced in
the matter, but to impartial judges or persons learned in the law,
by whose decision both parties may abide.
Which request being taken up and considered by their honors
aforesaid, they have decided to allow room for fair play and
therefore granted his request.
Presentibus: Mr Brant van Slichtenhorst, director
Arent van Curler, commissioner
A: de Hooges, commissioner and secretary
Rutger Jacobsz ""j
Pieter Hertgers and L magistrates
Jan Verbeeck
Gysbert Cornelisz acknowledges that on January 31, 1650,
he leased Casteels island for fl. 1910.
What was attached in the hands of Thomas Chamber on
account of Claes Teunisz amounts to fl. 1 34 : 1 0-
And after payment of that money on account of Jan Ver-
beeck fl. 45:-
The honorable director hereupon requests judgment.
Claes Teunisz requests that the money due to him from the
honorable patroon be paid.
The director demands payment from Jochem Kettelheym on
account of the farm of Jeuriaen Bestval, for so far as his share
as principal is concerned.
[84] December 21 Anno 1650
Carsten Carstensen, being asked by the director whether he
sold the garden heretofore used by him, situated north of the lot
158 Colony of
of Gysbert Cornelisz from Weesop * and south of the honorable
Company's [ground], as to the ground, the use thereof, or any-
thing else?
Answers, that he sold to Jacob Jansen Schermerhoorn the
palisades and the produce that was in it last summer for four
beavers, and the hogpen for one beaver, so that he has neither
sold nor enjoyed any use or ownership, but only [sold] the
produce and building for so far as they were his own.
He says also that when the garden was granted to him, he was
a free colonist under contract with the honorable patroon of this
colony.
This he has declared to be true, in the presence of:
Mons r . Arendt van Curler
Mons r . Gerrit Vasterick
Mons r . Roelant Savery 2
At the request of Director Brandt van Slichtenhorst,
Which I certify,
A. de Hooges, Secretary
This day, the 22d of December 1 650, Carsten Carstensen has
again declared in court that the above statements are true and
consequently confirmed them by handshake and true words,
instead of an oath.
Which I certify,
A. de Hooges, Secretary
Jan Baerensen, who has had the use of the aforesaid garden
before Carsten, declares that he took it by order, authority and
consent of Cornelis Tuenisz from Brueckelen, at that time officer
of this colony. 3 Testified to, this 27th of March 1651. Which
I certify, A. de Hooges, Secretary.
1 The same as Weesp, a city near Amsterdam.
2 He was a glazier; see Appendix II.
3 At the bottom of the page, in a later hand, is written : " Cornelis
Teunisz from Breuckelen, officer of this colony. When? **
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 159
[84v] August 18 Anno 1651
With common consent it is resolved to send away some extracts
from the court minutes concerning the proceedings between the
honorable director and Claes Gerritsz.
The court once more orders Claes Gerritsz to satisfy the judg-
ment of August 20, 1650, within six weeks after notice hereof
is served, under the penalty of two pounds Flemish.
Whereas question has arisen between Director Slichtenhorst
and Domine Megapolensis in regard to the account between them
and the payment thereof, Domine Megapolensis is kindly
requested this coming autumn to come to the colony of Rens-
selaerswyck at the expense of the honorable patroon and the
co-directors, in order to preach God's Holy Word and administer
the sacraments and among other things to settle the aforesaid
account and question and pay according to his ability.
Rensselaerswyck, August 18, anno 1651.
[The director,
Slichtenhorst?]
[85] This day, the 18th of August anno 1651, Hendrick
Reur from Munster is engaged as court messenger for the period
of one year, to acquit himself faithfully of his duties, for which
he is to receive a salary of one hundred guilders a year and in
addition thereto fees for citations and arrests.
And Hendrick Reur has by shaking hands with the director,
instead of taking an oath, promised before the court that he will
faithfully conduct himself.
[The rest of the page is blank.]
[85v] Extraordinary session, September 6, 1651
As to the question which has arisen between Pieter Bronck
and Joost Teunisz from Norden;
Whereas, on receiving an order on Jan van Bremen, Joost
Teunisz turned over to Pieter Bronck the obligation between
160 Colony of Rensselaerstvydt
them, which amounts to giving a receipt, but whereas Joost
Teunisz has not yet received the fifty guilders, owing to the fact
that to this date he has not been at the house of Jan van Bremen
for that purpose, and we are informed that at the time the order
was made out the money was ready, it is adjudged that Joost
Teunisz must provisionally seek to recover the amount from the
aforesaid Jan van Bremen and in case for some time to come
there is no likelihood of payment, Pieter Bronk must secure pay-
ment before he may receive the balance of his own account from
Jan van Bremen.
As to the costs of the extraordinary session, amounting to
fl. 18:10, Joost Teunisz is condemned to pay two thirds, or
fl. 12:10, and Pieter Bronck one third, or fl. 6:-
[86] As to the defamation, Joost Teunisz declares before the
court that he has nothing to say against Pieter Bronck that
reflects on his honor or virtue, if he only gets his pay.
As to the calling of names, which Joost had no right to, as
he should have let the court settle their difference, he is con-
demned to make reparation by paying a fine of eight guilders to
the director and two guilders to the poor.
As to the matter in dispute between Jacob Jansz Plodder,
plaintiff, and Hendrick Andriesz, defendant, the court has
thought best to call in two impartial person to examine the boards
and to determine whether they are merchantable, or not, to which
purpose are appointed the following persons, namely : Mr Abram
Pietersz 1 and Harman Bastiaensz, who are to make their report
to the court, which shall then adjudge the matter as it shall see fit.
Whereas Jacob Jansz Plodder sold a certain quantity of
boards to Hendrick Andriesz, which were to be merchantable
and now form the subject of a dispute because the delivery is
said to have taken place out of season, the honorable court has
thought fit to refer the matter to Harman Bastiaensz and Willem
Fredericksz Bout, to examine said boards and to determine
1 Abraham Pietersz Vosburg.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 161
whether they are merchantable, or not. The persons aforesaid
having declared before the court that some of the boards are not
merchantable, the honorable court have decided and adjudged
that in their opinion Jacob Jansz Plodder is bound to take back
the boards and Hendrick Andriesz is ordered to return said
boards at his expense to Jacob Jansz Plodder, or to make pay-
ment therefor. The costs of convening the court in extraordinary
session are to be paid by Jacob Jansz. Done in collegia, the 6th
of September 1 65 1 .
By order of the director and council of the colony of Rensse-
laerswyck, in [their] absence.
[86v] Court proceedings, September 7 Anno 1651
Cited are:
Claes Teunisz
First Marten Hendricksz
default 1 Evert Pels
Thomas Keuningh
Extraordinary session, 9 ditto, 1 65 1
j Evert Pels
I Marten Hendricksz
Court proceedings, September 14 Anno 1651
The judgment of August 20, 1 650, concerning Claes Gerritsz,
being read to Cornelis Segersz, he declares that he has made no
payment, whereupon the director levies an attachment.
Cornelis Cornelisz van Voorhout cited to pay:
For the rent of the year 1650 fl. 100:-
For tithes fl. 15:-
For[ ] [ ]
1 [ ] [ 1
6
162 Colony of
For [ ] pair [ ] fl. 30:-
He promises to pay the same at the first opportunity.
[87] Thomas Chamber and j
Default Claes Teunisz
First default Teunis Cornelisz
Evert Pels and Martten Hendricksz being summoned to
appear in regard to payment for the brewery and their note of
March 15, 1650, acknowledge their signature and debt and
promise at the first opportunity to make some payment according
to their ability.
Claes Gerritsz has cited the honorable director.
Claes Gerritsz is arrested by the honorable director [to
remain] within the [limits of the] colony, under penalty of the
lord's highest fine.
Upon the petition of Pieter Bronck for permission to have a
suitable house erected for tapping purposes, for which he has had
a quantity of lumber piled near his house, the director asks that
in accordance with the instructions from the honorable guardians
but two taverns be allowed. Whereupon, the court having heard
the said instructions read, it is unanimously decided that for the
convenience of the public [the petition of] Pieter Bronck [shall
be granted], whereupon the director [has withdrawn his
request] .
[87v] Thomas Chamber again cited to appear on Thursday
next.
Court proceedings, September 28 Anno 1651
Cited:
f Evert Pels
Second default. J .
I Marten Hendncksz
Thomas Keuningh
Sander Leendersz
Second ClaCS GemtSZ
default Teunis Cornelis
Court Minutes, 1648-1652
163
Agreed
together.
Claes
Cornelisz
suffers his
first default.
Attachment of money due to Claes Gerritsz by
Broer Cornelis.
Willem Fredericksz caused Cornelis de Vries to be
summoned.
Rutger Adriaensz caused Claes Cornelisz to be
summoned.
Evert Pels and Marten Hendricksz acknowledge
their signatures to the note, one dated March 14,
1 650, amounting to fl. 2200 :-
the other the 1 5th ditto, in the sum of . fl. 200 :-
[Interest?] fl. 96:-
For expenses
fl. 2496:-
5:8-
Total due fl. 2501 :8-
In addition, Marten has received
personally 35 :
fl. 2536:8-
[Two lines destroyed.]
[88] to pay the third part within one month after the date hereof
and the balance in February of the year 1652.
Thomas Chamber complains that Adriaen Dircksz from Bil *
refuses to serve out his term and wastes and neglects his time,
claiming to be free, contrary to the contract signed by him, dated
March 24, 1651.
Adriaen Dircksz acknowledges his signature to the contract.
He says that he does not want to stay with Thomas Chamber, to
whom he is bound.
For the maintenance of good order and justice and to curb the
refractory spirit and intolerable insolence of the indented servants,
lf t Bildt, in Friesland?
164
it is adjudged that Adriaen Dircksz shall de facto be taken into
custody by the officer and for the space of fourteen days be kept
on bread and water at his own expense and that Thomas
Chamber may at the expense of said Adriaen hire another servant
to take Adriaensz Dircksz's place.
Jochem Wessels requests a lot to build thereon and to support
himself by baking. Granted on condition that he contracts to
[one or two lines destroyed].
[88v] Claes Gerritsz says that the director used violence
against him.
The director demands once more that Claes Gerritsz within
a short time satisfy the judgment against him, or pay the damages
specified in the complaint and give security therefor, or have his
person taken into custody. Likewise, as to the fines, that he
give security or be placed in confinement.
[The defendant is] to make answer on the next court day.
Claes Gerritsz declares here before the court that Ruth
Jacobsz did not know of the judgment of August 20, 1 650, as
the man says.
Court proceedings, October 5 Anno 1 65 1
Citations :
Claes Cornelisz cited by Rutger Adriaensz
Claes Teunisz, Teunis Cornelisz and Jan Michielsz cited by
kW the director in regard to question arisen between Rutger
Adriaensz and Claes Cornelisz
As to the defamation, Rutger shall [ ]
provided that according to the debt Claes pay to Rutger
[ ] one beaver [ ] according to
[ i
[About two lines burned off.]
Court Minutes, / 648-1 652 165
[89] This is the account between Rutger and Claes:
Claes debit to Rutger Credit
One beaver for a fur This is paid according
cap fl. 8 : - to agreement about
For two citations 1:4 a wagon fl. .
And the [extract from and according to debt. 1 : 1
the] minutes -:12
fl. 9:16
fl. 1: 1
Remains [to be paid] fl. 8:15 cum expensis.
Jan Michielsz acknowledges that he owes the patroon fl. 85.
The director asks judgment against him and interest, all cum
expensis.
Jan Michielsz is condemned to pay the eighty-five guilders
promptly within two months after date.
Teunis Cornelisz cited for the third time to pay the sum of
fl. 1000, with interest, according to valid account.
It is maintained that he must purge himself of his defaults and
give security before he can be heard and that then judgment
ought to be given against him, cum expends.
The court, per superabundance, grants a fourth and per-
emptory citation.
Claes Gerritsz having been ordered by the court to make
answer this day and having remained in default, said Claes Ger-
ritsz is ordered once more, peremptorily, within the space of
eight days, to satisfy the judgment demanded by the plaintiff, to
wit, to state precisely how much he has traded each year and to
pay the damages mentioned in the aforesaid complaint, under
penalty of judgment by default, and to bind his person and
property as security for the judgment, without prejudice to the
director's further claims and demands.
[89v] Through the mediation and upon the persistent request
of certain petitioners, Adriaen Dircksz, a prisoner, is this day,
166 Colony of Rensselaerswycfy
the seventh of September, graciously released from confinement,
on condition that he, Adriaen Dircksz, promises to perform his
duties faithfully and in all obedience, without in any wise acting
sullenly, or opposing his master in whose service he is, and to
serve out his bounden time, under penalty of double punishment,
as the case may deserve, all cum expensis.
October 12 Anno 1651
Jan Baerentsz having asked the court for an extension of his
lease on account of the excessive expenses incurred on his farm,
we, having noted his diligence and the good progress made by
him and considering such persons to be extremely useful here,
have consented to have his lease prolonged or extended for the
period of four or six years, at his option.
[90] Extraordinary session, October 18 Anno 1651
Whereas Rutger Jacobsz has more than once urgently
requested to be discharged from his office of magistrate (Gerechts
Persoori) and presented the reasons which move him to do so,
we, desiring to oblige him in the matter, have to fill his place and
office first urged Mons r . Johan Baptista van Rensselaer to allow
himself to be prevailed upon to take his place and finally obtained
his honor's consent thereto. In confirmation of which his honor
has by handshake with the director and with the approval of the
commissioners (gecommitteerden) been confirmed and installed
in said office.
Which I certify,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
On the date above written, Adriaen from Alckmaer has
agreed that for a certain house standing to the north of Fort
Orange, heretofore built by a savage named den Uyl, 1 through
pressure brought to bear upon us by virtue of their superior
The Owl. His Indian name was Stichtigeri.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 167
strength, he, Adriaen, would pay yearly one beaver to the agents
of the honorable patroon and the co-directors, submitting himself
hereby to the court and the laws of the colony. In witness of
the truth, this is signed by Adriaen aforesaid with his own hand.
By me, ADRIAEN PlETERSZ VAN ALCKMAER
Which I certify,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
The lease commences at Easter of this year, 1 65 1 .
[90v] Court proceedings, October 19, 1651
Thys Baerentsz admits his debt shown on folio 43 of the
" Book of Monthly Wages," amounting to three hundred and
forty-one guilders, fourteen stivers, whereupon the director
demands judgment against him, with the accrued interest.
Thys Baerentsz is granted a delay of six weeks in which to
make payment, under penalty of execution.
Thomas Keuningh being cited by the director to pay for the
half of a bull, amounting to the sum of fl. 35 in beavers, toward
which fl. 1 is credited to him, the director asks that he be con-
demned to pay.
Thomas Keuningh is ordered to pay within the space of one
month after this date.
As to the question which has arisen between Jochem, the baker,
and Jacob Luyersz, it is ordered that Jacob Luyerse shall imme-
diately fulfil his contract with Jochem and that each of them
shall produce his evidence as to the difference between them on
Thursday next, on which day they are this day summoned to
appear.
Jan Michielsz having heretofore been summoned to pay
fl. 251, is ordered . . . [two lines destroyed].
[91] Gillis Fonda earnestly requests permission to support
himself by distilling liquor in the Greenen Bos, in the house
belonging to Evert Pels, next to the brewery. His request is
168 Colony of Rensselaerstvycfy
granted on condition that he enters into a contract in regard to
the duties to be paid to the honorable masters.
Extraordinary session, October 21 Anno 1651
Resolved and therefore ordered and decided that all the
inhabitants of this colony residing round about and near the vil-
lage (byeefflVGoninge) shall be held on Thursday next, being
the 26th of this month, to make ready at their expense to cut
down the underbrush in the thicket behind the fort, from there
to the third kill, along the hill, and to remove said underbrush,
each one for himself, in order to prevent many accidents and
inconveniences, in the interest of all.
[91v] Court proceedings held on October 26 Anno 1651
Whereas on the last court day, as a special favor, it was
proposed that Claes Gerritsz submit the differences between him
and the director to the decision of impartial men and whereas
the appointed day has now arrived, the parties have agreed to
refer their question to neutral persons, two to be appointed by
each, on condition that if the authorized agents can not agree,
the former claims shall remain intact and that the decision must
be rendered peremptorily within the space of eight days.
Jochem, the baker, and Jacob Luyersz, cited by the director.
Jacob Luyersz declares that Jochem struck him with a piece
of wood, which blow he warded off with his arm. Also, that
he had a biscuit knife in his hand, with which he threatened him,
Jacob, in the house of Hendrick, the baker, and that he called
him a dog.
Jochem declares that Jacob drew a knife on him first.
Claes Cornelisz admits that he owes Tys Baerentsz one hun-
dred guilders to date, and no more.
pint default yj^ director and Gerrit Vasterick have cited Evert
Pels.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 169
[92] Court proceedings, November 2 Anno 1651
Dirck van Schelluyne, appearing before this court as the
attorney and the authorized agent in the case of Michiel Jansz,
has first of all exhibited and produced in court his appointment
and commission as a notary, dated April 8 Anno 1650, which
being carefully examined and read by us is found to be duly,
firmly and bindingly authenticated in the name of their High
Mightinesses by the honorable secretary Cornelis Mus * and con-
firmed by the signatures of their High Mightinesses aforesaid, so
that we properly recognize him as such.
Cryn Cornelisz and Hans Jansz from Rotterdam requesting
permission to erect a saw mill on a certain kill situated on the
west side of the river, a little north of Beeren island, their request
is granted on the same conditions as other mills, provided they
submit themselves to the government and judicature of this
colony.
[92v] Aert Otterspoor having been summoned by Jan, the
smith, about defamation, says and declares before the honorable
court that if he has slandered said Jan (which he does not
know), he is sorry. Cum expenses.
The compensation for expenses is fixed by the court at three
guilders.
[93] Extraordinary session, November 4 Anno 1651
The honorable court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, having
seen and examined and carefully considered all the documents
in the proceedings carried on between Director Brant van
Slichtenhorst, as plaintiff, on one side, and Michiel Jansz, as
defendant, on the other side, with the continuation thereof by
Notary Dirck Schelluyne, as attorney, have adjudged and
decided, as they hereby do adjudge and decide, that the
defendant, or his sureties in the matter, shall tender and pay to
1 Cornells Musch. The commission is printed in Documents relative
to the Colonial History of the State of New York, 1 =384.
1 70 Colony of
the honorable plaintiff the sum of two thousand nine hundred and
fifty-four guilders, and eleven stivers, the receipt of which, clear,
by balance of accounts, the defendant (as appears by his signa-
ture), has acknowledged in court. The just half thereof, that is,
fourteen hundred and seventy-seven guilders and five stivers,
eight pence, the defendant, or his sureties, are ordered to pledge
within the space of six weeks after the date hereof.
Likewise, for three horses received by him, which the
defendant took with him at his departure [from the colony],
valued at one hundred and fifty-six guilders and ten stivers each,
amounting to the sum of four hundred and sixty-nine guilders, ten
stivers, the defendant, or his sureties, are ordered to pledge the
amount aforesaid as above.
As to any further lawful claims which the defendant may have
aside from the liquid assets mentioned in his aforesaid account,
he is once more ordered to present proof thereof before the first
of May anno 1 652, under penalty of judgment by default, and
in case upon examination by the court said claims are found to
be properly proven, they will be credited to the defendant's
account.
Furthermore, the defendant is condemned in the sum of thirty
guilders for the costs of this extraordinary session.
Done in the colony, this 4th day of November anno 1 65 1 .
By order of the honorable court,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
[93v] Court proceedings, November 9 Anno 1651
[Blank space.]
Extraordinary session, November 10 Anno 1651
The honorable director and Claes Gerritsz having heretofore
chosen Mr Johannes Dyckman and Mons r - Dirck Schelluyne as
arbitrators on the part of the director and Andries Herbertsz and
Willem Fredericksz as arbitrators on the part of Claes Geritsz,
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 171
they on this day, the date above written, appeared to settle the
differences between them and in view of the limited powers of the
arbitrators have jointly and severally agreed and contracted to
settle' all the questions and differences which have thus far arisen
between them out of court and to place them entirely [94] into
the hands of the aforesaid arbitrators, on condition that each
party shall waive all right of exception or whatever may in any
wise conflict with the full power of attorney given by him, under
penalty if either of the principals should violate this agreement
or object to the decision or award of the arbitrators of forfeiting
the sum of seventy-five guilders to the poor ; for the fulfilment of
which they bind themselves according to law. But with this
exception and reservation that if the authorized agents can not
agree or compose the differences, that then all former judgments
and writings regarding the aforesaid differences shall stand and
remain intact. In witness whereof the principals have confirmed
and ratified these by their signatures. Done in the colony of
Rensselaerswyck, the year and day above written.
B. v. SLICHTENHORST
The mark X of CLAES GERRITSZ, made with his own hand.
In the capacity aforesaid the authorized agents have found and
awarded, as they hereby do find and award, as follows:
As to the forbidden trade carried on by Claes Gerritsz, he
shall pay therefor to the director the sum of one hundred guilders,
at twenty stivers apiece, once, and [94v] no more.
Secondly, as to the unlawfully traded furs and the contraband
goods found in the possession of said Claes Gerritsz, it is decided
that they shall remain confiscated and forfeited for the benefit
of the honorable director in his official capacity.
Finally, as to the insulting and slanderous remarks addressed
by Claes Gerritsz to the person of the honorable director, it is
decided that by way of fine the said Claes Gerritsz shall within
the space of 14 days from the date hereof turn over and pay
once for all the sum of twenty five guilders for the benefit of the
poor and a like sum to the honorable director.
172 Colony of
Furthermore, he shall admit to the director that he did wrong.
All with the costs of the extraordinary session and this arbitration.
Wherewith all the disputes which to this date have arisen and
occurred between the parties are finally disposed of and settled,
the parties on both sides being for ever after enjoined from taking
any legal or extrajudicial action in the matter. Thus done by
the authorized agents on the date above written. In witness
whereof they have hereto affixed their signatures.
JOANNES DYCKMAN
D. V. SCHELLUYNE
1651
ANDRIES HERBERTS
The mark of X WlLLEM FREDERICKSZ, made with
his own hand
[95] In accordance with the aforesaid arbitration, Claes
Gerritsz has by handshake, in the presence of the aforesaid
authorized agents, acknowledged to the honorable director that
he has done wrong. Date above written.
Which I certify,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
Court proceedings, November 16 Anno 1651
The following were cited:
Hans first Hans Jansz from Rotterdam cited by Evert Pels
default. Adriaen de Vries and Evert Noldingh cited by the
honorable director
default!* : Claes Uylcnspicgel cited by Mr Dyckman
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Evert Noldingh,
defendant.
Whereas the defendant has committed a criminal offense by
striking Adriaen Dircksz in the face with a pair of tongs, thereby
completely smashing his nose and mortally wounding him, without
any reason or occasion for it in the least, which serious crime in
a land of justice may not remain unpunished; therefore, the
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 173
honorable director demands that he shall be arbitrarily punished
and in addition be condemned to pay a fine of fl. 300, or be put
to hard labor, according to the ordinance, cum expensis. And
furthermore, that he shall give security for the satisfaction of the
judgment, or be placed under arrest. [Two lines burned off.]
[96] It is resolved and decided that on every court day the
bell shall be rung, in order that every one may know the time
when the court convenes.
Court proceedings, November 23 Anno 1 65 1
It is resolved and ordered that on the 28th of November of
this year, being next Tuesday, every inhabitant of this colony
shall take the burgher oath, according to the formulary. 1
Citations :
Mr Dyckman causes Claes Uylenspiegel 2 to be cited.
Claes Uylenspiegel Cornelis Cornelisz van Voorhout.
The honorable director Jochem, the baker.
Mr Dyckman requests that the wages earned by Jan Weble 3
be deposited with the court, until proper liquidation.
Upon the petition of Adriaen Jansz, schoolmaster, 4 the follow-
ing apostil is entered:
The petitioner is granted for this current year, from now on,
without thereby establishing any precedent, in alleviation of his
house rent, out of the emoluments of this colony, the sum of
fifty guilders, once.
[96v] Court proceedings, November 30 Anno 1651
The honorable director causes Jochem, the baker, and Jacob
Luyersz to be cited.
Jan Michielsz Claes Uylenspiegel.
1 For the form of this oath and the names of the persons who took
it, see O'Callaghan, History of Neiv Netherland, 2 : 1 76.
2 Claes Teunisz, alias Uylenspiegel, meaning the wag, or joker.
3 This name is not identified. Perhaps intended for Jan Wemple.
4 Adriaen Jansz van Ilpendam, who on February 2, 1655, petitioned
the court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck for the exclusive right to keep
day and night school. He was apparently in the colony on November
1 74 Colony of Rensselaerstvyclt
Teunis Dircksz cited and his property attached at the request
of the director.
Jeuriaen Bestval cited and his property attached at the request
of the director.
Property of Claes Segersz attached.
Property of Evert Pels attached.
Property of Cornelis Cornelisz van Voorhout attached.
This day, Mr Joannes Dyckman, assisted by Jean Labatie,
Jacob Jansz Stol and Pieter Ruyverdingh, delivered to the court
a writ of appeal signed by the Honorable General P. Stuyvesant,
dated November 20, 1651.
Jacob Luyersz denies having drawn a knife on Jochem, the
baker.
The court having heard the parties, to wit, Jochem, the baker,
and Jacob Luyersz, and having duly considered everything, con-
demn the said Jochem, for striking [Jacob Luyersz] with a piece
of wood, to pay fl. 10, and [the said Jochem] as well as Jacob
Luyersz for drawing knives, to pay each a fine of fl. 10.
Willem Jeuriaensz being asked in court whether he is willing
to carry out the contract entered into with Jan van Hoesen, dated
January 30, 1 650, he answers, No.
28, 1 650, and was probably engaged as schoolmaster not long after
September 9, 1650, when the. court of the colony passed the fol-
lowing resolution: "Whereas the Honorable director, the commissioners
and councilors of the colony are earnestly requested to provide the
inhabitants with a competent schoolmaster and to appoint one, and
recognizing the need thereof and that such appointment would tend to
the uplift of a well ordered republic; therefore, having duly considered
the same, we have in the first place, of our own free will chosen and
appointed as curators and commissioners for the building of a suitable
school, the securing of a voluntary contribution from these inhabitants
thereto, and the supervision and administration and authority over the
same, their honors, Monsr. Arent van Curler and Goossen Gerritsen,
who are hereby authorized thereto and also voluntarily accept the same.
Done in the colony of Rensselaerswyck, this 9th day of September Anno
1650. (Signed) B. v. Slichtenhorst, A. de Hooges, Rut Jacobsem. A.
van Curler, and the mark X of Goossen Gerritsz, made with his own
hand. ("Leases and Contracts," 164852, p. 19, Rensselaerswyck
Mss.)
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 175
[97] Court proceedings, December 7 Anno 1651
The following citations were made:
Jacob Aerts caused to be cited Evert Pels
The honorable director Jochem Kettelheym
Willem Jeuriaensz
Jeuriaen Bestval
Evert Pels
Teunis Dircksz and
Kees Schoester, 1 on
the part of the minor
children Jacob Aertsz, wagoner
Mr Dyckman Corn. Cornelisz van Voorhout
Jacob Aertsz, acknowledging his debt for the purchase of
goods belonging to the estate of Cornelis Maesz, deceased,
amounting to the sum of fl. 65 : 1 2 :8, is ordered promptly to pay
the aforesaid money with the interest thereof at the rate of one
penny in sixteen to be reckoned from Shrove Tuesday 1649.
Jeuriaen Bestval and Jochem Kettelheym are hereby per-
emptorily and strictly ordered promptly to pay the arrears of
money next Thursday, or to furnish two sufficient sureties, or, in
default thereof to go to debtor's prison.
Willem Jeuriaensz acknowledges his signature affixed to the
contract dated May 7, anno 1638.
[97v] December 1 1 , anno 1 65 1 , the director, on account of
the crime committed [by Huybert Jansz], attached all the
money in the hands of Mons r . van Curler which is due to Huy-
bert Jansz by Mons r . van Curler.
Court day held on December 14, 1651
The 7th ditto, [the director?] caused to be cited the guardians
of the children of the late Cornelis Maessen;
1 Cornells Teunisz van Westbroeck, one of the guardians of the minor
children of Cornelis Maesz van Buren. See Van Rensselaer Borvier M$s,
p. 181.
1 76 Colony of RensselaerswycJt
Default also, Claes Segersz, Jeunaen Bestval and Jan Reyersz.
Default ditto, pieter Bronck had Aert Otterspoor cited
Default ditto, Aert Otterspoor Jan van Bremen
Default Gysbert aende Berch and Claes, his brother
Default Jochem Kettelheym and Jeuriaen Bestval
Aert Jacobsz and Cornells Teunisz, as surety for the aforesaid
Aert Jacobsz, cited to acknowledge or deny their signatures
affixed to the contract dated August 16, anno 1649.
Jan Reyersz admits the debt for goods received from the
estate of the late Cornelis Maessen. Is therefore condemned to
pay, the same as others.
The director attached fl. 500 in the hands of Jan Reyersz,
due to Ryck Rutgersz.
Aert Jacobsz and Cornelis Teunisz acknowledge
Thls their signatures affixed to the aforesaid contract and
wa read to Aert, or the surety, is condemned to pay within six
Aert Jacobsz weeks the two years' rent due for the years 1 649
1 rf" 1
!? . r and 1650 according to the contract, under penalty
Teunisz on &
ihe 21st of execution, [98] and the remaining rent next
dltto - Easter anno 1 652, Aert, or his surety being likewise
condemned to pay this.
The director has notified Aert Jacobsz of the cancellation of
the lease of the nearest farm at Bethlehem, heretofore occupied
by him, with order to leave the same next spring, anno 1652,
unless he, or his surety, promptly turn over and pay the arrears
of rent, tithes, recognitions, etc., according to the contract.
Aert Jacobsz and Cornelis Teunisz van Westbroeck cited to
appear on the 2 1 st of December anno 1 65 1 .
Court proceedings held the 21st of December Anno 1651
Whereas Hendrick Westerkamp, contrary to the published
ordinance, on the 18th of this month had Jan Baerentsz and
Claes, the Brabander, haul firewood, and Hendrick admits hav-
ing been warned by Jan Baerentsz, after which he had four more
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652 177
sleigh loads hauled, he [and the] drivers are condemned accord-
ing to the ordinance.
] Febm- Whereas Jan Baerentsz and Jan Reyersz corn-
notice was plain that Claes Andriesz troubles them about some
served on money which he claims to be due, they are hereby,
persons under penalty of the lord's highest fine, enjoined
B. v. Slich- and forbidden from troubling each other any more,
orst ' without prejudice to each person's rights.
Director
[98v] Court proceedings, January 4 Anno 1652
Cited at the request of the director:
Ryck Rutgersz
Kees Schoester
Lucas, the brother-in-law of Jan Thomas
Aryen, the servant of Cornelis Vos
Gysbert aenden Berch
Claes, his brother
Ryck Rutgersz acknowledges his debt on folio 76 of the
director's book, amounting to fl. 944, whereupon the director
demands judgment against him, without prejudice to any further
claims or right which Ryckgert may have.
The court orders Ryck Rutgersz, if he has any counter claims,
to produce them within the space of fourteen days and after
previous and proper inspection of them to liquidate accounts and
furnish sufficient sureties for the payment, or els^ to go to debtor's
prison.
This was read to Ryck Rutgersz.
Whereas Claes Cornelisz, being the servant and brother of
Gysbert aende Berch, last year, on a Sunday, came to the house
of the director and in a spiteful tone said that he " would get his
pay " from Gysbert, even if the director and the gentlemen of
the court were standing by, which actually did happen and can
not be tolerated in a land of justice, the honorable plaintiff con-
cludes that the guilty party is therefor in die highest degree liable
1 78 Colony of Rensselaer sivy elf
to arbitrary punishment, as an example to others, irrespective of
his right to recover what is due to him, all in conformity with the
former ordinances and the plaintiff's duty, cum expensis.
Gysbert Cornelisz admits that he has taken some grain for his
brother Claes and delivered it.
Gysbert acknowledges his indebtedness in the sum of fl. 1981 ,
as per folio 44 of the director's book, but as to the fl. 540 for
the number of morgens received he claims that it is sufficient for
him to make restitution at the expiration of the lease according
to appraisal.
[99] The court order Gysbert aenden Berch, if he has any
counter claims to make with reference to the fl. 1 98 1 , or other
accounts, to produce them without fail within eight days after
this date and then after previous and proper examination to
liquidate accounts and furnish sufficient sureties for the payment
or go to debtor's prison.
It is decided that a copy of the director's complaint shall be
handed to Cornells Teunisz van Westbroeck to make answer
thereto on next Thursday and to furnish sureties for the satis-
faction of the judgment.
The director concludes that whereas Lucas, the brother-in-law
of Jan Thomasz, and Aryen, the servant of Cornelis Vos, on the
yacht of Willem Albertsz have beaten said Willem over the
head till he bled, knocking off some pieces of skin, they have each
forfeited the sum of fl. 25, for which they must give security.
It is resolved that the heavy cannon belonging to the honorable
masters, being two in number and lying in the fort, shall from
there be brought back to the colony.
If is agreed that Steven Jansz shall receive his wages at fl. 20
a month, clear, and that he shall not be charged for board at
the places where he has worked.
Whereas Claes Cornelis, the brother of Gysbert aende Berch,
in spite of the prohibition and arrest, has taken and appropriated
to himself some grain, in contempt of this honorable court, and
in addition has heretofore used these insulting words, namely,
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 179
that '* he would get it, even if the director and the other gentle-
men were standing near," which is intolerable in a land of justice,
he is condemned to pay a fine of fl. [ ] , for which he is to
furnish sureties, the ordinances remaining in force. Cum
expensis.
[In the margin is written:] This sentence was rendered on
January 11,1 652, and entered here by mistake.
[99v] Court proceedings, January 11 Anno 1652
Citations :
Teunis Cornelisz
Willem Albertsz
Lucas, the brother-in-law of Jan Thomasz
Adriaen, his mate
Gysbert aende Berch
Claes, his brother
Willem Albertsz says that he was beaten by Lucas first,
before he took the sword from its place.
What Teunis Cornelis acknowledges he
owes according to folio 74 of the director's
book, amounts to the sum of fl. 1 280 : 1 1 :
His credit account as above amounts to.. fl. 616:15:12
So that he remains indebted fl. 663 : 1 6 : 1 2
For counter claim on account of incon-
venience of the house, hauling logs, etc., is
deducted . fl. 100:-
Balance to be paid fl. 563:16:12
Except the straw and the four beavers paid on account of the
patroon for covering the hay barrack.
Whereas Teunis Cornelisz at the afofesaid liquidation of
accounts asks permission to pay the aforesaid sum in instalments,
permission is granted him to pay the money promptly in three
180 Colony of
payments, the first one month from this date, the second a month
later and the third likewise after one month, making in all a
period of three months, payment to be made in good currency or
merchandise within the space of 1 4 days, for which he is to bind
himself and furnish sureties, under penalty of execution.
[100] Robbert Vasterick offers himself as surety for Lucas,
the brother-in-law of Jan Thomasz, and his comrade Aryen, in
the actions brought against them to this day by the honorable
director in the matter of Willem Albertsz, namely, on account
of the fight.
Upon the petition of Cornelis Teunisz van Westb[roeck] the
following apostil is given: The petitioner is granted a delay of
eight days, provided he give security for the satisfaction of the
judgment before instituting his defense. Done in the colony of
R:Wyck, this llth of January 1652. Was signed: To my
knowledge,
A. de Hooges, Secretary
Court proceedings, January 18, 1652
The honorable director caused to be cited:
Tys Baerentsz
Robbert Vasterick
Willem Albertsz
Hans Jansz from Rotterdam
Tys Baerentsz being cited with reference of the judgment of
October 19, 1651, is once more and peremptorily ordered and
commanded to pay the money mentioned therein within one month
after this date, under penalty of being put upon the limits, or to
give security therefor,
Hans Jansz from Rotterdam denies that he fought with Jacob
Plodder, much less that he drew a knife.
Upon the complaint of Evert Pels and in view of the ordinance
of November 16, 1 65 1 , on account of lost time and abuse and
contempt of court, Hans Jansz from Rotterdam is condemned
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 181
to pay a fine of twenty guilders, without prejudice to the claim
of Evert Pels.
The court having considered the complaint of the honorable
director against Willem Albertsz, on the one side, and Lucas,
the brother-in-law of Jan Thomasz, and Aryen, the servant of
Cornelis Vos, on the other side, and heard the parties and the
witnesses, have condemned Willem Albertsz and Lucas afore-
said each to ... [one or two lines destroyed].
[ 1 OOv] Ryck Rutgersz is once more ordered to comply with
the ordinance of January 4, 1652, under the penalty as above.
Jan van Hoesen is from this date granted the lot of Willem
Jeuriaensz, provided that he, Willem, shall remain in his house
as long as he lives or the occasion requires.
Cornells Teunisz van Westbroeck offers his house and effects
as security for the judgment in regard to the complaint of the
honorable director.
Court proceedings held on January 25 Anno 1652
Upon the petition of Evert Pels, containing a request for the
lot next to the garden of Gysbert, the tavernkeeper, it is decided
as follows:
1 The petitioner's request for the lot and horse mill is granted.
Gysbert [aende Berch] is authorized to draw [logs] for the
petitioner during eight days, but not to use any mares.
Upon the petition of Reyer Elbertsz, praying that he may be
permitted to burn brick, it is decided to make the following
apostil: The petitioner is granted permission to try if it will
succeed, in which case a formal order on the subject will be
made, but that the place, etc., will be shown him.
Whereas heretofore a lot was granted to the poor in full
ownership, next to the lot of Sander Leendersz, it is decided that
the same shall . . . [one or two lines destroyed].
[101] 2 Jeuriaen Teunisz, glazier, is granted a lot between
Gysbert Cornelisz, the tavernkeeper, and the land of Thomas
182 Colony of
Jansz, which will be shown to him, provided that the lease is to
commence next Easter.
The honorable director having represented that Dirck Jansz
is bound to submit to the court an invoice of the goods imported
by him into the colony and the court finding that much trouble
may arise from such importations, it is resolved and decided that
Dirck aforesaid shall [be required to] take the burgher oath
and that the house which was built by Harmen Bastiaensz and
the said Dirck shall be transferred to Dirck's name, on condition
that he enter into a contract and pay the duties to the honorable
masters.
Jochem Wesselsche, baker, is hereby expressly
26 5 januar ordered and commanded within the space of eight
days from this date to have the lumber and the hog-
pen lying and standing on the lot of Jan van Hoesen removed
from said lot to the lot assigned to him, under penalty of having
the director order it done at their expense and to his profit.
Likewise, the said Jochem, his wife and the members of the
family are strictly enjoined from assaulting, molesting or
troubling Jan van Hoesen or his family in any way by word or
deed, under penalty of fifty guilders, in addition to the ordinary
fine. The same injunction is issued to Jan van Hoesen and family
with regard to Jochem Wesselsche.
[101v] Court proceedings, February 1 Anno 1652
Citations :
By the director:
Jochem Wesselsz and his wife
Tys Baerentsz
By Pieter Bronck:
Paulus Thomasz
Paulus Thomasz admits that he owes Pieter Bronck
fl. 165:16.
Pieter Bronck asks judgment and security for the payment.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 183
Paulus Thomasz being asked in court by the honorable
director on what conditions he and Jan van Bremen, Pieter
Teunisz, Compeer 1 and others were to take up and possess the
land promised to them at Catskil, answers that they were to use
the land for ten years free from any taxes, but that at the
expiration of the ten years they were to pay tithes, whereupon
they took the oath of fidelity before and to Mr Dyckman.
The above, Paulus Thomas declares by
handshake and on the truth of a man,
instead of under oath, before the director,
to have thus taken place.
[102] Mr Johannes Dyckman, appearing in court with the
request that he may be permitted to have as much timber cut and
hauled as will be necessary for a new house, his request is granted.
3 Jan Baerentsz Wemp requesting permission to have a lot
next to the palisades, north of Thomas Jansz, on condition that
the lease shall commence at Easter anno 1653, his request is
granted provided that the lot shall be pointed out to him and
that he must contract like others.
Whereas Jan Baerentsz aforesaid requests that the half of
the increase of the cattle may belong to him in full ownership,
as mentioned in his contract, it is resolved and decided to let him
have the same.
4 Hendrick Reur is granted the lot next to that of Jeuriaen,
the glazier, on condition that he shall make a contract like others,
the lease to commence Easter anno 1653.
5 Steven Jansz is granted the lot next to Hendrick Reur.
The lease commences Easter anno 1653.
6 Jacob Simonsz Klomp is granted the lot next to Steven
Jansz. The lease commences Easter anno 1653.
7 Marten Hendrick Verbeeck [is granted the lot] next to
Jacob Simonsz. The lease commences as hereinbefore stated.
He shall support himself by brewing.
1 Thomas Higgins.
184 Colony of
[102v] Whereas the honorable director on the one side and
Jan Thomasz and Volckert Hansz on the other side by way of
compromise have heretofore referred their mutual differences to
the decision and award of the honorable guardians in the father-
land l and to this date have received no information or decision,
the parties hereby mutually release each other from the aforesaid
compromise, their difference remaining in the same state as before
and intact, just as if no submission [to the guardians] had taken
place.
Court proceedings, February 8 Anno 1652
Cited by the director:
Ruth Jacobsz, about payment or restitution of 64 schepels of
wheat.
Thomas Sandersz, smith.
Pieter, the Frenchman*.
The honorable director, plaintiff, against Thomas Sandersz,
smith, and Pieter, the Frenchman, defendants.
Whereas on the first day of February of this year they pre-
sumed to fight with each other with knives, with the result that
Thomas aforesaid was wounded in his left arm, the honorable
director concludes that each of them, by virtue of the ordinance,
has incurred the penalty of fl. 300, for which they are to be put
on the limits.
[ 1 03 ] Peremptory order is issued by the court that both
parties, Thomas Sanders as well as Pieter, the Frenchman, must
present their evidence by Thursday next.
Mr Dyckman proposes the question whether the gentlemen
of the court did not promise him copies of the deeds of purchase
and conveyance of this colony?
Answer : Yes.
Asks: Why, then, they were not exhibited?
Is informed that an answer thereto was given.
Mr Dyckman, having a placard from the Hon. Director
General Petro Stuyvesant, proposes to post the same in the fort
1 Meaning the guardians of Johannes van Rensselaer, the young patroon.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 185
as well as in the colony. Says also that he will show authority
thereto from their High Mightinesses and the Company.
The honorable director first requests a copy to examine it.
Mr Dyckman asks and requests permission to publish and post
the placard in the colony.
The honorable director again answers, No.
Mr Dyckman says that he will ask it once more and that then
. . . [blank].
[ 1 03v] * Extraordinary session, February 9 Anno 1 652
Whereas on February 8, 1652, Mr Johannes Dyckman,
accompanied by five persons and his assistant appeared before
the full assembly and there with much circumstance explained
his instructions, reading among other things a placard of the Hon.
General Petro Stuyvesant and the Council of New Netherland
regarding certain claims to some ground around Fort Orange,
and first asked us for permission to post this placard in the colony
and then, when according to our duty this was refused, assured
us among other things that such was the order of their High
Mightinesses, therefore, [be it known,] that we shall first calmly
await the order of their High Mightinesses aforesaid and that in
case of refusal or lack of remonstrance [on their part] we shall
in honor and by virtue of our oath be bound to protest against all
damage, mischief or injury which may result therefrom.
And in case, contrary to our expectation, without the approval
of their High Mightinesses aforesaid, any placards should be
posted within the jurisdiction of the colony, [we promise] that
any person who shall tear them down shall at the expense of the
honorable masters be released from all costs, loss or damage.
B. v. SLICHTENHORST, Director of the
colony of Rensselaerswyck
A. DE. HOOGES, Secretary
A VAN CURLER
J. B. [VAN RENSSELAER]
1 In the margin is written : A copy hereof was shown to Mr. Johannes
Dyckman on Feb. 26, 1652.
186 Colony of
[ 1 04] The honorable court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck,
by virtue of the agreement dated September 28, anno 1650,
request Mr Johannes Dyckman in all amity and friendship,
according to the tenor of the agreement just mentioned, to restore
the three cannon belonging to the honorable masters. Done in
collegia, this 9th day of February Anno 1652. Was signed:
B. V. Slichtenhorst, Director
of the colony
A. de Hooges, Secretary and
Commissioner
A. van Curler
J. B. V. Rensselaer
Jan Verbeeck
Whereas Harmen Bastiaensz has the lumber for a house ready
at the place assigned to him and in view of the placards lately
posted by the Company is reluctant to proceed with the building;
the more so as Mr Dyckman on the date underwritten has for-
bidden him to do so, therefore the director hereby releases him
from all demonstrable loss or damage which he may suffer on
that account. Done in Rensselaerswyck, this 9th of February
Anno 1652. Was signed:
B. V. Slichtenhorst, Director of the
colony of Rensselaerswyck
[104v] Extraordinary session, February 12 Anno 1652
Arrested and cited by the director to appear in court this day,
at 9 o'clock in the forenoon:
Jan Dircksz van Bremen and
Pieter Teunisz van Brunswyck
The parties having failed to appear after their names had
been legally called, the first default is given against them.
The honorable director asks that a second and a third per-
emptory summons be issued to appear on Thursday next.
The court rules: Fiat.
Mons r . Arent van Curler and Mons r . Johan Baptist van
Rensselaer attest at the request of the director that Jan Dircksz
Court Minutes, / 648-1 652 187
van Bremen on December 27 Anno 1651, in their presence,
acknowledged his signature to the contract made with the honor-
able director and the commissioners on the 18th of January of
the year aforesaid.
Court proceedings, February 1 5 Anno 1 652
Cited by the director are:
The court, for
reasons, has at their pi eter T eun j sz an d , 2d and 3d peremptory
request granted them
8 days' delay. Jan van Bremen J summons
First default.
f Teunis Dircksz
Second default, "i T~> in
I Kyck Kutgersz
The court messenger reports that according to his warrant he
served the second and third peremptory summons on Jan van Bre-
men and Pieter Teunisz and that they accepted them, but replied
that they could not appear on this day, [but would appear] a
week from this date.
[ 1 05 ] Mr Johannes Dyckman, assisted by Master Abraham
Staas, Jacob Jansz Stol, Jan Labatie and Pieter Ruerdingh,
assistant, appearing after proper request for admittance, has
handed in two placards, addressed to the Commander and those
of the jurisdiction of Rensselaerswyck, one of the 27th and the
other of the 29th of January 1652, and signed Andreas Johannis
Christman, Clerk. Also an extract from the Resolution Book of
the Hon. Director General and Council of New Netherland,
of Monday, January 29 Anno 1 652.
Also the answer to our request for restitution of the honorable
masters' cannon, dated February 15, 1652, and signed Johannes
Dyckman, Abram Staas and Jacob Jansz Hap.
Upon the petition of Thomas Sandersz it is decided as follows :
For reasons set forth in the petition and in order to be accom-
modating the honorable court have upon his petition reduced the
amount of the fine to thirty guilders.
Whereas the question between the honorable director and
188 Colony of
Jan Thomasz has been pending in court for a long time and no
response or decision has been received from [the honorable
guardians in] the fatherland to whom the case was referred, the
parties absolutely submit themselves to [the decision of] four
arbitrators, of whom each side is to choose two, two to be taken
from the court and two from outside the court, to whom they
leave the matter completely.
The honorable director chooses from the court, Mons r - J. B.
v. Rensselaer, Mons r - van Curler is chosen by them both. Jan
Thomasz chooses from the court, Pieter Hartgers.
[105v] Court proceedings, February 22 Anno 1652
Delivered to Mr Dyckman an extract from the deed of con-
veyance of the colony dated August 6, Anno 1 63 1 .
Also, a copy of the grant by their High Mightinesses to dis-
pose of the fief [by will], dated February 5, Anno 1641.
Mr Dyckman having once more proposed the question
whether we would consent and approve to have the aforesaid
placards posted and published, the honorable director, in the
name of the board, has answered: " In no wise, as long as I
have a drop of blood in my body, unless you show me first an
authorization from their High Mightinesses or our honorable
masters."
First Pieter Jacobsz ^1
Johan Labatie n behalf f the direct r
Director Slichtenhorst, plaintiff, against Jan Labatie and
Pieter Jacobsz, defendants.
The honorable plaintiff, by virtue of the agreement, demands
restitution of the patroon's cannon, loaned in good faith, or else
claims damages in the amount of fl. 225 for each piece plus law-
fyl damages, because the plaintiff paid the board and wages of
Master Steven and Andries de Vos in making the gun carriages
and to give security therefor or submit to civil arrest.
1 In the margin is written : A copy hereof was shown to Mr. Johannes
Dyckman on Feb. 26, 1652.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 189
[106* 2d and p ieter Teunisz
id citations and i-Cltcd
failure to appear Jan van Bremen J
This is added
here by order They are therefore declared contumacious and
of the honorable . . . . . i i r i 11 i
court, the 18th judgment is given against them by derault, all sub-
December Anno j ec j- t o proper accounting.
1653.
Court proceedings, February 29 Anno 1652
Interrogatories drawn up for the examination of Gerardus van
Wencom, Hendrick Jansz Reur and Jan Bastiaensz
The honorable director asks the above named persons whether
they do not recollect having seen on the 8th of this month that
when Mr Dyckman, accompanied by five persons and his
assistant, appeared before the court, he brought with him into the
middle part of the house three soldiers, who were fully armed,
namely, with their side arms, two carrying muskets with lighted
fuses and one carrying a snaphance?
The deponents jointly declare as stated in the foregoing
article.
Director Slichlenhorst protests and complains of violence com-
mitted by Mr Dyckman's soldiers on New Year's eve in having
several times, contrary to the ordinance, shot burning fuses on
the roof of the patroon's house and also on the house of the
director, which is covered with thatch, so that the fore part
of the house seemed ablaze and the director's son, in the intense
cold, was moved to spring naked out of bed to extinguish several
papers, and having therefore endangered not only the honorable
masters' house, property and papers, but more particularly some
people's lives. . . . [about two lines destroyed].
[106v] Secondly, the aforesaid director complains and pro-
tests about great and notorious violence and maltreatment
received by his son on New Year's day last past at the hands of
Mr Dyckman and his soldiers, who suddenly grabbed him by
the hair and at the same time struck him on the forehead so that
he fell down and in the presence of the aforesaid Dyckman not
190 Colony of
only beat him black and blue, but dragged him through ttie mud
and mire and treated him inhumanly as if he were a criminal,
yes, struck his children with their guns and threatened to shoot
them, but were prevented from doing so. And that without any
reason or occasion therefor in the least, so that from this cruel
abuse of power a massacre might easily have resulted. And he,
Dyckman, encouraged his soldiers in their evil work, while they
thus inhumanly treated the director's son and his children, by
calling out aloud: "Beat him now and may the devil take
him! "
Likewise, the aforesaid director complains and protests about
violence committed by Mr Dyckman in coming on the 8th of
February 1 652 with his six persons and three soldiers, armed with
guns with lighted match and side arms, at the time that the court
was in session, into the house of the honorable masters and into
another man's jurisdiction, of which the director was informed
and had knowledge only after the court had adjourned. And
whereas no one has a right to enter another's jurisdiction by force
of arms [107] except with the previous consent of the officer or
the commissioners of the court, this tends not only to the dis-
paragement of the court, but also of the authority of our supreme
government, which is likewise represented here.
Furthermore, the director complains and protests against the
insults offered by Mr Dyckman on the 8th ditto in bringing his
assistant and the aforesaid persons into the court and ordering
him to sit down at the table and to make a note of everything that
he, Dyckman, proposed, against which Director Slichtenhorst
expressly protested, refusing to suffer it in any way and ordering
him to get out, as he did. And afterwards, the aforesaid Dyck-
Iman again made him come in, against the aforesaid protest and
the order of the director, so that violence prevailed over justice.
1 [In the margin is written:] And when Dyckman was told that the
scandalous treatment of the director's children would be avenged, the said
Dyckman ordered his gunner, Pieter Jacobsz, to load his pieces with
[ball] , saying that they would fire through the director's house, as the
said gunner himself confessed to the director and is well known to every
one.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 191
[107v] Citations:
The honorable director causes Rutger Jacobsz and' Jacob
Jansz to be arrested in the colony and to be cited to appear on
the 22d of this montH on account of the crime committed against
the person of Albert, the carpenter.
23d ditto. Jan Thomasz causes Claes Uylespiegel to be
arrested and cited.
Jan Thomasz claims that Claes Teunisz owes him fl.72.
Claes Teunisz admits the debt as above.
Jan Thomasz asks judgment or security for the amount afore-
said.
Claes Teunisz promises by handshake before the director to
pay the aforesaid fl. 72 in good faith to Jan Thomasz within the
space of five weeks after this date, binding thereto his person and
property, according to law, for which he will give a note in due
form.
r Jacob Jansz Stol and
First default J .-. T ,
1 Kutger J acobsz
This day the director gave notice to Adriaen Huybertsz that
he must leave his farm on the first of May next.
[108] Extraordinary session, March 2 Anno 1652
Information taken by the director about Claesje, a negress,
being the slave of Sander Leendersz, accused of theft.
She declares that she stole the following goods from her
master and gave them to the following persons :
To Jan Michielsz
He gave her an Two white blankets, taken by him from the
old undershirt
and promised her
a new one and 1 bundle of bar lead, which he took himself
a cap with lace. r .1 11
out or the cellar
2 bundles of combs, taken by him from the
room
192
Colony of RensselaersTvycf?
Catalyn Sanders
denies that she
loaned any candles
to him and adds
that he said that
the negress stole
them from her
and brought them
to her.
o ,, I He admits this, but says
3 or 4 candles [ . .
A . , { twice three, which she
Again D candles . ...
1 brought him.
The negress declares that Jan Michielsz
drew his knife and forced her to give him
the lead and also asked for mackerel and
beef.
Also to Jacob Luyersz, as follows:
3 yards of red cloth. He promised to take
her to the Manhatans and that she would
then get a husband.
1 tub of butter, taken by him, saying that he
bought it from her master, adding:
* Your mistress knows about it."
8 bars of lead
Also a handkerchief full of butter, fetched
by him on condition that shq should take
it to the Manhatans.
She also declares
that with tears in
his eyes and folded
hands he begged her
two or three times,
saying: " My dear
Catalyntje, forgive
me the wrong I have
done you."
He also prayed de
Hoges to come sometime
to console him, as at
times he had a hard
struggle and suffered
great temptations.
This took place at
the house of Jan
Verbeeck . . . house,
on a ... afternoon
. . . [five or six
words destroyed] .
[108v] Court proceedings, March 7 Anno 1652
Cited at the request of the director:
First
default
Claes Braebander l and his servant
Rutger Jacobsz
Claes Gerritsz
Aert Jacobsz
Kees Schoester 2
Goossen Gerritsz
1 Claes Jansz from Bockhoven, in Brabant.
2 Cornells Teunisz van Westbroeck.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 193
Jan Michielsz say that those who bring the aforesaid charges
against him, lie.
The director demands bail to the action against Jan Michielsz
within the space of eight days.
Jan Michielsz offers.to go to prison in lieu of bail.
Jacob Luyersz admits that the negress showed him a cap, but
denies that he gave her the cap. He acknowledges that the
negress openly accused him in the presence of Jacob Jansz
Stol and Philip Pietersz Scheuler. 1 He says that he had no rea-
son for taking the cap out of the negress' hands or for putting it in
his pocket, except that he was dejected in spirit.
The director demands bail as in the case of Jan Michielsz.
Jacob Jansz Stol declares that the negress in his presence said
to Jacob Luyersz that he had given her the cap in order that she
should keep still about the butter.
[109] 2 Whereas Claes Jansz van Bockhoven, contrary to
the ordinance of October 16, 1648, renewed on November 23,
1 65 1 , out of spite, against the special prohibition of the director,
had his servant, for whom he is responsible, draw [wood] for
Lambert van Valckenburch, he is condemned to pay at once,
according to the ordinance, three guilders for each load. Actum
in Collegia, on the date above written.
Present :
Claes Jansz has satisfied this judgment Director B. V. SHchtenhorst
in the sum of sixteen guilders and ten . O 1
stivers, for which the director issued A. Van Curler
and signed a receipt on the date above J. B. Van RenSSelaer
Jan Verbeeck
Pieter Hertgers
To my knowledge,
A. DE HOOGES, Secretary
1 Philip Pietersz Schuyler.
2 The following lines are cancelled at the top of the page: Claes the
Braebander says that he will pay the full fine, if he gets a certificate signed
by the entire court, which he says he will then send to Mr. Stuyvesant.
7
194 Colony of Rensselaersrvyck
Having seen the replication of the director against Cornelis
Teunisz van Westbroeck, the same is put into the hands of the
opponent to make answer thereto without fail within two weeks
after this date.
[109v] Court proceedings, March 14 Anno 1652
Cited by the director : Claes Gerritsz.
Pieter Hertgerts causes Teunis Dircksz to be cited.
Goossen Gerntsz causes Jacob Lambertsz, shoemaker, to be
cited.
Teunis Dircksz releases and discharges Pieter Hertgerts from
his obligation as surety for the patroon's interest as to the purchase
of the brewery in the Grenen Bos.
Extraordinary session, March 1 6 Anno 1 652
Hendrick Westerkamp says that at the request of Commissary
J. Dyckman he made an affidavit concerning the former brick-
yard, a little south of the first kill, in which he declared that the
same belonged to the company and that they had a small house
there.
Extraordinary session, March 1 9 Anno 1 652
Whereas Johannes Dyckman, commissary of Fort Orange,
and his adherents by forcible means have ventured to enter the
jurisdiction of the colony of Rensselaerswyck and to erect [three]
several boundary posts, without serving notice thereof on the
court, the court messenger is ordered to demand in the presence
of the accompanying witnesses [110] by what order and author-
ity Mr Dyckman has undertaken to commit this trespass on the
colony. And in default of any authority from their High Might-
inesses, we are in honor and by virtue of our oath, in the name of
our honorable masters, bound to have the said posts removed and
taken away from their places, protesting before God Almighty
and their High Mightinesses aforesaid against the trespass and
public violence that has been committed and demanding reparation
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 195
of all loss and damage and calamities which have already resulted
or may hereafter result therefrom.
Sent to Mr Dyckman : A copy of the above resolution.
Secondly, a short memorandum and deduction, dated
March 19, 1652.
Thirdly, an answer to the positive questions of March 16
and 18, 1652.
The court messenger reports that he delivered the aforesaid
writings to Mr Dyckman in the presence of Sander Leendersz
and Jan Thomasz, requested to act as witnesses thereto, and that
he replied that he would answer them this evening.
[llOv] Court proceedings, March 21 Anno 1652
Upon the petitions of Jan Michielsz and Jacob Luyersz it is
resolved :
Serves for apostil: The negress of Sander Leendersz first
made known or gave publicity to the matter, whereupon, being
examined by us, she declared as is known to the petitioners, to
which declaration they are hereby referred.
Upon the petition of Thomas Chamber it is resolved:
Serves for apostil: The petitioner shall receive what is due
him according to the contract.
Extraordinary sessions, March 22 Anno 1 652
By the director the following were summoned to appear before
the court:
Sander Leendersz
Catalyn Donckesz, his wife
Egbert Dojesz, their servant
Catalyn and Egbert declare that Commissary Dyckman on
March 21 , [1 652] , came to the house of Sander Leendersz and
asked whether the [negress was] theirs? Answered, Yes.
Whereupon he answered: ' [She must go with me to the Fort;
she has slandered [honest] people and the case is not [being
196 Colony of Rensselaersivyclt
prosecuted."] Catalyn replied: "Not without the consent of
my husband." The commissary said: " I shall make her come
and have soldiers get her." Thereupon Sander [111] was asked
to come home by his servant, being at that time at the house of
Willem Fredericksz. Coming home, Sander Leendersz asked
Commissary Dyckman what he wanted? He said he wished to
take the negress with him. Sander Leendersz asked:" For what
reason? " The commissary replied: " Because she has slandered
honest people and the case is not prosecuted." Sander Leendersz
said: " Mons r - Dyckman, not this evening, but come to-morrow,
we shall then see what we can do." Whereupon Mons r - Dyckman
angrily replied: "If you refuse me, I have the power to take you
and your wife and your whole family and to ruin your house and
to shoot it to pieces, for you dwell on the Company's ground."
Whereupon Sander answered: " I have nothing to do with you;
I can not give allegiance to another lord before I am released
from the first." The commissary said: '* Wait, wait, until Mr
Stuyvesant comes up the river; then I will teach you differently."
Sander replied : ' When Mr Stuyvesant comes up the river, I
may perhaps have as much right as you have." Whereupon the
commissary drew his rapier and threatened to run said Sander
through, so that Sander in defending himself was stabbed.
Thereupon the commissary went to the fort. Sander Leendersz
declares also that the same day he was by order of Commissary
Dyckman summoned by Huybert de [Guyt] to come to the fort
[ 1 1 1 v] . On entering the fort, Sander Leendersz said: " Good
morning Mons r - Dyckman, what is your pleasure?" Whereupon
he answered: " I arrest you here in the fort. I understand that
you have two commissions." Sander replied: 'That is true,
in fact, I have three of them, one from Mr Kieft, deceased, one
from Mr Stuyvesant and one from the honorable masters of the
colony." They jointly declare by true words and handshaking
with the honorable director, instead of an oath, that all this took
place as stated. Dated as above.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 197
March 25 Anno 1652
Philip Pietersz Scheuller declares that Mr Dyckman said to
him on the 20th of this month that when Mr Stuyvesant came
up the river and he did not care to see it, 1 he should see to it that
he was not present, or go down the river. And Philip Pietersz
asking: Why?, he replied that he would not have his father-in-
law very long and that he, Dyckman, had written information
to that effect.
Philip Pietersz Scheuller and Robert Vasterick declare that
it occurred on New Year's day, 1 652, that when, as more fully
stated before, a soldier was scandalously beating the honorable
director's son 2 and dragging him over the ground in the fort and
they, the deponents, as far as they could were trying to prevent
it, the commissary [112] threatened to run them through if they
dared to interfere.
Catalyn Donckesz declares that Mr Dyckman, on the 21st of
this month, said to her at her house that a gallows was being
built for three persons and that upon her query for whom, he
replied: "For Mr Slichtenhorst, his son and J. B. van Rens-
selaer."
They, [the deponents], by handshake and true words,
instead of an oath, have severally declared that the
above took place as stated.
Which I certify,
A. DE HoOGES, Secretary
March 30 Anno 1652
The honorable director states that he and his son went this
morning with the order granted [by the court] to the house of
Cornelis Segersz to receive the outstanding debt due to the
honorable masters, but that Cornelis Segersz refused to deliver
it, yes, what is more, that the loft door was nailed tight, about
which the honorable director highly complains and protests.
1 Meaning, the arrest, or execution, of Director van Slichtenhorst,
Schuyler's father-in-law.
2 Gerrit van Slichtenhorst.
198 Colony of RensselaersrvycJt
[112v] Extraordinary session, March 30 Anno 1652
This date Whereas Director Slichtenhorst by virtue of his
defendant office and his oath, upon a warrant and order from
in court. the honorable commissioners v/ent this morning with
his people to the house of Cornelis Segersz to get a
little grain from the defendant's loft in part pay-
ment of his large debt, offering to give the defendant an acquit-
tance therefor, and the said defendant, contrary to the order,
refused to deliver the grain to the plaintiff and nailed the loft
door tight, so that the plaintiff was not master of his promised
grain and own ground and the defendant obeyed others more
than his lawful authorities, wholly contrary to the oath taken
by him; therefore, the plaintiff demands that the defendant shall
not only be condemned to deliver his threshed grain within twice
24 hours on the plaintiff's loft, as is customary, but that the
defendant shall remain under arrest until such time as the
defendant has delivered to the plaintiff the threshed and
unthreshed grain, and that in addition he shall be arbitrarily
punished as an example to others. All cum expensis of this
extraordinary session, of which the defendant is the sole cause,
having treated the order of the honorable court with contempt.
[113] Cornelis Segersz is hereby ordered by the
This I read cour t within the space of four days after this date to
Segersz remove and bring one hundred and fifty schepels of
in court. wheat to the loft of Gysbert Cornelisz from Weesp,
under penalty of ten guilders for each day that he
remains in default. And the aforesaid grain is to
remain at the place aforesaid until the accounts on both sides
shall have been delivered and judgment in the matter shall have
been pronounced by the court.
April 1, 1652, Sergeant Daniel Litschoo came by order of
Mr Stuyvesant into the house of the honorable masters, leaving
14 armed soldiers standing before the door, and asked Slichten-
horst whether he was willing to take down the flag? Whereupon
Court Minutes, / 648-1 652 199
Slichtenhorst answered, No, and that he had nothing to say here,
unless he first showed authority from our honorable masters and
their High Mightinesses. The sergeant replied : ' Then I shall
get it." Against which Slichtenhorst strongly protested.
Likewise it appears that the sergeant and his 14 soldiers,
armed with loaded muskets, when they were outside the yard,
fired out of spite not only within the jurisdiction of the colony,
but also came within the enclosed place of the honorable masters
and by force hauled down the flag from the staff, against the
will and consent of the director.
[113v] April 9, 1652
In accordance with the preceding resolution it is again resolved
that the honorable director, according to the account in Ledger
No. F, folio 12, shall pay to Adriaen Huybertsz three hun-
dred and thirty-four guilders, fifteen and a half stivers,
(fl. 334-15-8).
By order of the honorable commissioners,
To my knowledge,
A. DE HOOGES
April 10, 1652
Pieter Rywerdingh having this day, without asking, posted a
placard * on the honorable patroon's house, the honorable
1 According to E. B. O'Callaghan, History of New Neiherland, 2:183
and J. R. Brodhead, History of the Stale of New York, \ :535, this
placard was issued by General Stuyvesant while on a visit to Fort Orange
and contained a proclamation erecting in Fort Orange a Court of Justice
for the village of Beverwyck and its dependencies, apart from, and
independent of, that of Rensselaerswyck. The text of this proclamation
has not been preserved, but it is likely that it was the same proclamation
as that which under date of April 1 5 is referred to as having been drawn
up by the director general and council of New Netherland on the 8th of
that month The minutes of the court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck
show that the members of the newly created court took the oath on April
10, 1652, and that the first session of the court was held on April 15,
the very date of the last entry in the record of the court of the colony
of Rensselaerswyck presided over by Van Slichtenhorst.
200 Colony of
director protested against it, whereupon the aforesaid Rywer-
dingh answered that whatever came of it the Hon. General
Petrus Stuyvesant would make good.
April 15 Anno 1652
We, the undersigned, declare that on this date Pieter Jacobsz
tore down a certain placard of the court of this colony, which
was affixed to the house of Gysbert Cornelisz. 1
This declare: Mons r - J. B. van Rensselaer, Johan van Twiller
and Hendrick Jansz Reur.
We declare that on this date Pieter Ryverdingh, court mes-
senger of Fort Orange, posted on the house of the honorable
patroon a [proclamation] 2 drawn up on the 8th of this month by
the director general and council of New Netherland, against
which a protest was made by the director of this colony, who
thereupon tore it down, as well as the counterpart thereof affixed
to the house of Gysbert aforesaid.
Attested by the honorable director,
Mons r - J. B. van Rensselaer and Hendrick
Jansz Reur.
1 Gysbert Cornelisz, the tavernkeeper.
2 This word is omitted in the text. See preceding note.
APPENDIX
The following inventory of effects taken at the house of Brant
Aertsz van Slichtenhorst in 1652, and the debit and credit
account of his administration of the colony of Rensselaerswyck,
1648-1650, form part of the documents which were submitted
by Van Slichtenhorst as exhibits in his suit against Johan van
Rensselaer and the copartners of the colony. They are bound
at the beginning of a volume of about 300 pages, marked:
" N 15.3. 3 Renselaer C a - V. Slichtenhorst," which is deposited
in the Rijksarchief in the province of Gelderland, at Arnhem,
and which contains the documents in the suit instituted by Van
Slichtenhorst in the Landgericht of the Veluwe and in the case
of appeal of Van Rensselaer against Van Slichtenhorst before
the Klaarbanfy at Engelanderholt.
Both documents are printed in Dutch as appendices XI and
XII to Mr G. Beernink's biography of Dr Arend van Slichten-
horst and his father Brant van Slichtenhorst, which forms No. 1 2
of the Werfyen of the historical society " Gelre."
I
INVENTORY
Copy
Inventory of all the effects, contracts, bills of sale, both old
and new, and the accounts of the colony as to receipts, disburse-
ments and the animals, for each year separately, of the entire
colony, which at the time of Director Slichtenhorst's arrest in
the year 1 652 were" left at the office in the custody of the young
patroon Renselaer or afterwards turned over to him:
1 Two tables, one in the front room and the second where
communion service is held
2 Two iron chains, or pothooks
3 A baking trough
201
202 Colony of Rensse/aersnnjcfc
4 Two scales with several weights
5 Four old andirons
6 Two curtains, a small rug before the bedstead and another
before the fireplace
7 Three or four old chairs
8 A small brew kettle with a narrow neck, obtained in the
Greenenbos
9 A brass-bound schepel measure in the brewery which was
and still is in the Grenenbos
1 Some stones lying in the yard which came from Rensselaers-
teyn
1 1 A book called de Inleydinghe van de Hollandsche rechts-
geleerdheid i
1 3 2 All the books of Mr Korler and also of De Hoges, received
by the said Director
14 Cornelis Maessen's account and inventory of his undivided
estate, and the agreement [of the purchasers?] that they
accept the land at the Manhatans for the purchase money
1 6 2 Also the court record and several ordinances, kept and
issued by Slichtenhorst
17 An obligation of Roelof Cornelissen, for which Van Essen
is surety, of the 7th July 1646
18 An obligation of Dom. Bogardus, dated July 9, 1647
19 A writ of attachment of money due to Broer Cornelis by
Captain Blaeuvelt
20 An obligation of Evert Pels, dated May 15, 1650
21 The copy of the contract of sale of the brewery, dated
March 7, 1650
22 The inventory of Quiryn Cornelissen's incumbered estate
23 Slichtenhorst's account book of the colony, in which he
settled with every one in presence of Mr Renselaer
24 Slichtenhorst's account of receipts and disbursements
" Introduction to Dutch Jurisprudence," a famous book by Hugo
Grotius, of which many editions have appeared.
2 Items 1 2 and 1 5 do not appear.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 203
25 Copy of Slichtenhorst's contract with the honorable guardians
[of the young patroon], executed [at Amsterdam] on
November 10, 1646
26 Two ordinances of Mr Stuvesand of the year 1652
27 A resolution of the Director and Council at the Manhatans,
or answer which Shchtenhorst and the magistrates of the
colony received upon their petition for the release of their
Director
28 Declaration of Van Essen l regarding the two drowned
horses, together with a petition
29 A blue blank-book and an arithmetic
30 A petition of the colonists, after they had taken the oath 2
Underneath was written : These aforesaid documents I have in
part received from the hands of Mr Slichtenhorst and I know
where and in whose custody the others are.
Copy, marked K, among the documents of
the suit of Brant van Slichtenhorst vs.
Johannes van Rensselaer, 1656-61, in the
handwriting of Dr Arend van Slichtenhorst.
II
ACCOUNT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS BY BRANT VAN
SLICHTENHORST AS DIRECTOR OF THE COLONY OF RENS-
SELAERSWYCK
1648-1650
A. Receipts
Brant van Slichtenhorst, director of the colony of Rensselaers-
wyck, debits himself with the receipt of what the colony afore-
said has produced during the period of his administration, as
follows :
1 Cornells Hendricksz van Es, or van Nes. See minutes of the court of
the colony of March 4th, 1649.
2 Probably the oath taken on November 28, 1 65 1 . See minutes of
November 23, 1651, in this volume.
204 Colony of
1 648 The grain received from the Vlackte, as
appears under A, amounting by bal-
ance to fl. 115:12: 8
By tithes of Thomas Schamber, 1 16
schepels of wheat 40: :
1649, May 1 7 By amount assigned by me to
Jan van Bremen, to be paid by Peter
Claes, as appears on fol. 80 266 : 3 :
And 1650 inclusive, received from Rutger
Jacobs and Adryaen Huybers 895:14:
Feb. 8 Received from Albert Andries 6:10:
April 27 Delivered by Thomas Jans 32
schepels of wheat, fl. 80; also 19
days' hauling for the patroon, at
fl. 5 a day, fl. 95 175::-
Received from Teunis Cornelis 1 72 : 1 5 :
Received from Cornelis van Nes 392 : 6 :
May 12 Received from the guardians
of the children of the late Cornelis
Maess 463:10
Received from Cornelis Segers 923 : 1 7
Received from Jan Verbeeck 150:
Received from Broer Cornelis 128:
Received from Evert Pels 130:
Received from Jacob Hevick 20:
Received from Abraham Staas and
Pieter Hertgers 758:16: 8
Sold two mill stones for 320: :
November 7 Sold an old cow to Jan Labatie for 70: :
ditto Sold an ox to Carel van Bruggen 44: :
Received from Jan Hagemans for the
right to trade 48: :
Thomas Chambers.
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 205
From Goossen Gerrits for one year's
rent of the brewery, from May 1 649
to May 1650 450::-
For the patroon's dues, one guilder on
every tun 330: :
From Goossen Gerrits for one year's
ground rent and right to trade, from
July 16, 1649, to date, 1650,
received four beavers 32: :
Received from Cornelis Cornelissen
Vos, as above, four beavers 32: :
From Cornelis Teunissen van Wijs-
broeck for two years' rent and fod-
der, at 3 beavers a year 48: :
By sale of 16 sheep to Mr
Stuyvesant fl. 208
By an order on Dominus
Megapolensis for the sale
of books 80
288::
1648 and 1649
Sold to Hogers one cow for fl. 66
Also 2 cows @ fl. 40 each 80
Also 2 goats and 2 lambs 20
Also 2 window panes @
fl. 4-1 Ost 1 each 9
175::-
Sold to Steven Jans, carpenter, with
advice, 2 goats and 2 lambs for 20: :
By attachment of monies in the hands of
Nicolaas Coorn, which were due to
Hans Vos 51::-
Received from Henrick Backer 30: :
1 Stivers.
206 Colony of
Jan Thomas and Volckert
Jans have furnished 1 1 8
Ibs. nails for the barn of
Jan Berents @ 10 st. fl. 59
Also 5 rapier blades at
fl. 2-10 each 12:10
71:10:-
Sander Lenerts has paid by an order
on Andries Herberts 50: :
Received from Steven Jans,
carpenter, 98 boards @
16 st. each 78: 8:-
14 more @ 18 st. each 12:12:
91::
For 30 rapier blades, which were broad,
rusted and not merchantable, pre-
sented to the [Indian] chiefs, valued
at one guilder each, amounting to 30: :
Received from Cornelis Segers 200
schepels of wheat, by attachment of
what was due there to Adriaen van
der Donck 500::
fl. 7319:12:
B. Disbursements
The following is the account of disbursements out of the afore-
said funds, during the years 1648, 1649 and 1650
Paid to Dominus Megapolensis toward
settlement of his account fl. 2997: 8:
Paid to Hoges 1365::-
For making and covering a hay barrack
on the farm of Teunis Cornelissen, 4
beavers 32 : :
For purchase of the kill called Papena-
kick and expenses, disbursed and paid 264: :
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 207
The purchase and expenses of Kastil
[Katskil] 1 1239: 4:-
The purchase of Klaverrack 2 amounts to 653 : 9 :
1 648, August 4 Presented to the chiefs of the
Maquas of the three castles 125: :
Came short on the claim of
the Maquas, anno 1648 fl. 225
and anno 1649 100
325::
Expenses incurred on account
of the Indians Anno 1 648 400
In the year 1649 200
In the year 1650 100
700::
For damage suffered through lack of
use of the garret and the cellar, con-
trary to my contract, and caused by
Vasterick and his family (de siin-
neri) for which compensation must be
made to me 300: :
Paid to Andries Herberts 200: :
Paid to Frederick Lubberts for freight
of ten barrels of lime 28: :
Paid to Evert Duyckingh 3 for window
panes 44 : :
To skipper Reynert Pieter Beth for
bringing the panes up the river 3:10 :
Paid to Abraham Pieters, carpenter,
for wages, counting in his board 138:12 :
1 April 19, 1649.
2 May 27, 1649.
3 Mr. Beernink, p. 1 67, states that Evert Duyckingh, at the end of
his account, offered to burn coats of arms or marks in glass. He was,
therefore, probably the man who made the window panes with the arms
of the Van Rensselaer, Schuyler and other families that were placed in
the church built in 1 65 6.
208 Colony of Rensselaerswyck
Paid to Roelandt Savery for setting
panes 37: 5:
Paid to Abraham Staas
by order of the
honorable guardians fl. 139: 5:
Paid him on account of
the patroon 26 : 1 3 :
165:18:
To Dirck Jans, carpenter, for mason-
workj including his board 9:10 :
Paid to Hans Vos for his services as
court messenger for about a year and
for wages and board 790 : 5:12
Paid to Rutger Jacobs for taking the
wife and children of Dominus Mega-
polensis and their effects to the Man-
hatans 20: :
Paid to Frederick Lubbertsen for taking
Dominus Megapolensis and his son
and chest from the colony to the
Manhatans 30: :
Paid to Frederick Lubberts for [pas-
sage of] the Dominus who had come
here to hold divine service, etc. 8: :
Paid to Steven Jans,
carpenter, for annual
wages until August
13, 1650 fl. 544:13: 8
and for board 137: :
681:13: 8
According to resolution of the court,
dated November 15, 1649
To Jan de Kaper for bringing Steven
Jans, carpenter, together with his
wife, child and baggage up the river 20: :
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 209
Paid to Jacob Hey for
500 single [nails] @
fl. 1 :4 the hundred fl. 6: :-
and 200 double [nails]
@ fl. 2:8 4:16:-
10:16:-
Paid to Adriaen Bloemaert 100 Ibs.
double sunddel [solder, or floor?]
nails 4 beavers @ fl. 8 32: :
Paid to Jan Appel for 70 Ibs. of nails
3 1/2 beavers 28: :
Jan Appel has also delivered to Pieter
Teunissen 1 Ibs. of nails, to Teunis
Cornelissen 20 Ibs. ditto, together 30
Ibs., for which was paid 12: :
Paid to Jan Labatie, for making a bak-
ing trough, hanging the doors of the
court yard (plaats) of the patroon,
and expenses 7: :
Also paid to Jan Labatie for nails fur-
nished to Jan van Bremen at Beth-
lehem, two beavers 16: :
Paid to Nicolaes Coorn for 300 nails
@ fl. 1 :4 the hundred 3:12:-
Paid to Albert Andriessen for four
hemlock timbers 1 : :
Paid to Willem Fredericksen and Her-
man Bastiaens for making two cots,
of which one was spoiled 6: :
Paid to Reyer Stoffels for altering three
iron chimney anchors and for nails 1 : 6:
Paid to Andries de Vos for two days'
wages for work in the cellar and
board 7: :
210 Colony of Rensselaersrvycfy
Paid to Beernt Gerrits for
8 1/2 days' wages for
work in the cellar and
on the upper roof @
fl. 1:10 a day fl. 12:15:-
and for 8 1/2 days'
board 8:10:-
21: 5:-
To Jacob Hevick for
15 1/2 days' labor in
the cellar @ fl. 2 a
day fl. 31::-
and for board 15:10:
46:10:-
To Huybert Jansz. for bringing 69
schepels of oats on board for Dom.
Megapolensis and to Carsten Car-
stens for measuring, together 2: :
In 1648 and 1649, until 11 April
1650, Thomas Jansz. has
hauled clay, dirt and lumber
for 19 days at fl. 5 a day 95
and board 19
114::-
To Jan Berents for 1 days' haul-
ing as above at fl. ^ a day 50
and for board 10
60::
To said Jan Berents for [work on] the
new buildings 202 : :
Paid to Jan Smith for 44 days'
labor at fl. 1:10 a day 66
51 days' board 51
117::
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 211
Paid to Jacob Aryaens for a wheel-
barrow 6 : :
Paid for a ladder 2:10:-
For my extra trouble and writings
against Pieter Stuyvesant regarding
the buildings in the Byeemvoninghe 250: :
Paid to Gerrrit van Wencom for copying
all the writings six times at fl. 5 each 30: :
For firing by order of the honorable
guardians upon the arrival of the
Hon. General in 1 648 a salute of six
guns and on his departure three, for
which, with the cleaning of the gun,
was used 24 Ibs. of powder @ fl. 2
the pound; also three days' board of
Jan van Bremen and Hans Jans from
Rotterdam, together 54: :
Paid by order of the guardians to a
squaw whose corn was eaten by the
patroon's horses 7 : :
To 4 beavers sent by Rutger Jacobs
for 2000 bricks from the north for the
chimney and for the freight, together 35 : :
Paid for 2 reams and 4 quires of paper 29 : :
Paid for locksmith's work 11:16 :
For 5 hatchets 9:10:-
For covering 4 sashes with
cloth 3:12:-
24:18:
1 648, September 1 4 At the leasing of 6 lots
paid in premiums to the highest
bidder in cash, as appears from the
minutes 32 : 1 :
212 Colony of
Paid to Gysbert Cornelissen, innkeeper,
for tavern expenses at the leasing and
for wine for communion service, the
toll on which is due to the patroon 1 76 : 6 :
Paid to Abraham Staas for two large
locks for the ankle shackles, one
beaver 8: :
To 4 1 /2 schepels of wheat sent to the
fatherland 11: 5 :
Paid to Jan, the boy of Cornells Segers,
for hunting up the patroon's boat
which the savages had stolen 1 :10:
Paid for the purchase of the house of
Jan van Bremen, now situated on the
farm of Jan Berents 327: 8:
To commission paid for the sale of the
brewery 23 : :
1 648 and 1 649 To the sons of Cornelis Segers
for 3 days' hauling of heavy logs
with four horses and for board 6 : :
Paid June 15, 1649, upon order
on the part of the patroon for
ransom of a French Christian 56
and anno 1650 for another
French Christian 6
62::
1 650, January 3 1 Paid in commissions at the
leasing of the farms of Jan [van]
Bremen and Cornelis Cornelissen and
the sale of the two mill stones 47::
ditto, April 14 Paid to Christoffel
Davits in settlement of de Hoges'
account 6 : :
To Rem Jansen, smith, for ironwork for
the patroon's house 27: :
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 213
By order of the court arrested Dirck
Henricks, Claes Andriessen and
Jacob Henricks, whereof the director
has handed in a specified account of
expenses
Claes estimated at 1 04 : 1 4 :
Dirck at 118:10:-
223: 4:-
For the reimburstment of which
expenses security has been
given.
Paid to Vasterick for
Dirck Henricks 115: :
and for a hat 14: :
Whereas the said Dirck by a judg-
ment of the hororable court was
ordered to go to Katskill in the
service of the patroon, it follows that
the director must be reimbursed for
the monies advanced by him with
interest 1 29 : :
In the winter of 1650 fire broke out
three times in the patroon's chimney
and was attended with great danger.
The expenses of extinguishing the fire
and bricking up the holes amounted to 27: :
Sent to the patroon 64 beavers @ fl. 8 512 : :
Paid to Claes Tyssen according to the
judgment and receipt 200: :
To Gerrit van Wenkom for his services
as lieutenent-schout (deputy sheriff),
for 2 years, at fl. 300 a year 600: :
Whereas the guardians promised Slich-
tenhorst by contract a free dwelling
as van Curler has had heretofore, but
214 Colony of
others instead of Slichtenhorst have
enjoyed this and he therefore has had
no free dwelling, but a very unfree
(onvrpe, i.e., without any privacy)
and forlorn house and small barn, he
reckons that he has thereby suffered
yearly a loss and damage of more
than fl. 1 50, amounting in three years
to 450::
There is also due to Slichtenhorst for
extra pay and all his expenses 309: :
Due also to Slichtenhorst for expenses
on account of colonists and gentlemen
who come and go and entertainments,
yearly fl. 200, in three years 600: :
Due to me for extra trouble and writings
on account of Adriaen van der
Donck 250::-
Also for writings, trouble and expenses
in connection with proceedings against
Michiel Jansen 200 : :
Due to Gerrit van Wenkom for copying
all the foresaid writings six times @
fl. 5 each 30::-
Slichtenhorst is by virtue of his contract
entitled to 4 milchcows at fl. 20 a
year, which cows he, Slichtenhorst,
has used not for his own benefit, but
largely for that of the lord patroon, to
occupy the vacant farms, in order
thus to keep out the savages as far
as possible, the more so as the savages,
one after the other, even took posses-
sion of the empty houses; amounts in
three years to 240: :
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 215
Also for the promised horses at fl. 30
a year, in three years 180: :
Also for 4 morgens of arable land at
fl. 20 a year, amounting in three
years to 240: :
Also for loss of 4 morgens of pasture at
fl. 1 a year each and the increase of
cattle, amounting in three years to 120: :
Also the late rumors, called the Maquas
war, cost me in addition to other
large presents 159: :
Also to expenses connected with the
arrest of William Juriaens, assessed
by the honorable court according to
the declaration at 118: :
Paid in specie for five captured wolves,
according to the ordinance 24: :
Whereas the Director was commissioned
in writing to go to the Manhatans
about three matters concerning in the
highest degree the jurisdiction of the
lords patroons, the total charges for
the trip are 131: 2 :
To balance of accounts of Jan van
Twiller, for money advanced to
Frederick Lubberts. Also for 23
weeks' board, which, being called
upon to pay the same before his
departure, he said in the presence
of all the magistrates would be paid
by the patroon. Also for 8 schepels
or oats, amounting in all to fl. 160,
against which there is credited to him
fl.27, so that there is still due to me 133: :
216 Colony of Rensse/aersn>j;c
Whereas the seawan was reduced in
value at the Manhatans, to wit, from
six to eight [beads] for one stiver, I
stated in a memorial to the honorable
court that, as I had a considerable
quantity on hand, I could not afford
the loss. July 23, 1650, I was by
decision of the court, referred to the
patroon, the amount allowed being 310: 4:
Still due per cash account 1 408 : 5 :
1650, 28 Sept. Presented to the principal
chief of the third castle who came to
see us according to his custom:
For clouts 3:4:
Four knives : 6:
Four awls : 1 :
A few days' board 7: 5:
10:16: -
Whereas I have had more than a hun-
dred sleighloads of manure drawn
into the patroon's garden and kept
the clapboard fence around the yard
in repair at my own expense, and
my contract provides that the ex-
penses are to be charged to the
patroon and the same has cost me
me at least one hundred guilders,
there is due 1 00 : :
The amount of salary which according
to the contract must be paid here in
this country is fl. 750 a year, amount-
ing for three years, to wit from March
22, 1 648, to ditto 1 65 1 , to 2250 ::
Total amount due fl. 21118:14:12
Court Minutes, 1648-1652 217
From this is to be deducted the receipts
specified above 7319:12:
Net amount due fl. 13799: 2:12
This date, the 20th of January anno
1651, the above account Was ex-
amined by the commissioners of the
colony of Renselaerswyck, who
found the disbursements to amount
to fl.21118:14:12
The receipts 7319:12:
So that there remains due fl. 13799:2:12
Thus done in accordance with the instructions of the commis-
sioners and of the Hon. Director Brandt van Slichtenhorst, dated
the 4th of September Anno 1 647.
Done at Renselaerswyck, on the date above written.
Was signed : Antonius de Hooges, Secretary and
Commissioner
A. van Curler, Commissioner
Being asked for information in regard to the above account,
Arent van Curler wrote on September 1 , 1 659, to Johan van
Rensselaer as follows: 1
Dear Sir and worthy cousin :
Salute! There being a time for everything, this opportunity
presents itself, which I do not wish to let pass. As to Slichten-
horst, of whom your honor writes that he obtained a judgment
for some thousands on the basis of the account of about 13,000
guilders which the late De Hoges and I are said to have signed,
I think it is true that we signed it, but that we approved it, non
credo. Why is no attention paid to our way of signing it?
Owing to the length of time that has passed, I have for-
gotten the circumstances, but (under correction) it seems to me
1 The Dutch text of the letter is printed on p. 245-46 of Mr. Beer-
nink's biography of Van Slichtenhorst.
218 Colony of
and my recollection is that we examined the accounts and the
vouchers and found the receipts to be so much and the disburse-
ments so much, but as to having signed, approved and ratified
the same, I trust we did not, as the commission of the commis-
sioners gives them power to examine and discuss the director's
accounts provisionally, but the approval must come from the
patroon and the co-directors.
Miinheer, mon cousin,
Your willing cousin and servant,
Was signed: A. van Curler
INDEX
Accounts, to be rendered by colon-
ists, 63, 146
Adriaensen, Gysbert, attacked by
Cornells Segersen, 88, 89
Adriaensen, Jacob, the wagoner, see
Aertsen, Jacob, the wagoner
Adriaensen (Aryaensen), Jacob,
wheelwright, fighting, 59, 86;
denies fighting, 63; attempt to pre-
vent director from making arrest,
64, 66 ; summoned, 64, 86, 155 ; first
default, 64; to give security for
judgment, 65 ; surety, 65, 69, 91 ;
case to be decided by referees, 65 ;
attachment against, 86; fined, 92;
examined as to fight at house of
'Steven Jansen, 133; fighting with
Kettelheym, 140
Adriaensen, Maryn, schepen, 8
Adriaensen, Rutger, see Arentsen,
Rutger
Ael, Blancke, 85
Aertsen, Aert, see Otterspoor, Aert
Aertsen (Adriaensen, Aryaens),
Jacob, the wagoner, to serve out
term with Evert Pels, 25; entered
another man's service, 25 ; court
order concerning, 26; wages at-
tached, 50; attempt to prevent
director from making arrest, 64,
65, 66; summoned, 64, 175; to give
security for judgment, 65 ; surety
for, 65, 69, 91 ; case to be decided
by referees, 65; fined, 02; testifies,
97; debt, 175; cited Evert Pels,
175; accounts, 211; mentioned, 51
Albany, 18; Van Slichtenhorst's
claim as founder, 13, 21, 22 ; pa-
troon's office, 24; fair at, in
Albertsen, Hendrick, ferry master,
135 ; Stol to carry out contract
with patroon, 134, 135, 144; men-
tioned, 49
Albertsen, Willem, see Blaeuvelt,
Captain Willem Albertsen
Amersfoort, 14
Amsterdam fair, no
Andriessen, Albert, money due to
from Jan Reyersen, 67; money due
from Quiryn Cornelissen, 67 ; state-
ment concerning Maquas, 127 ; ac-
counts, 204, 209
Andriessen, Arent, 35, 89, 127
Andriessen, Claes, from Hilversom,
44; ordered to fulfil contract of
service, 82; accused of fighting, 94;
taken into custody, 108; confession,
109; attacked by Lambertsen, no;
case adjourned, in; promises to
give no cause for complaint, in;
fined, 113; questioned regarding
fight at house of Steven Jansen,
133; money due to, 135 ; attacked
by Stol, 137; forbidden to molest
Hans Vos, 139; complaints about,
177; accounts, 213; mentioned, 138
Andriessen (Driessen), Hendrick, at-
tacked by Claes Andriessen, 109;
summoned, 134; dispute with Plod-
der, 160; sued by director, 72
Andriessen, Jan, from Dublin, state-
ment on killing animals, 144
Appel, Jan, see Louwrensen, Jan
Arentsen, Rutger, summons Cornelis-
sen, 163, 164
Aryaensen, Jacob, see Adriaensen,
Jacob
Aryen (Adriaen), the servant of
Cornelis Vos, 177, 178, 181 ; surety
for, 180
Attorneys at law, lack of, 156
Barentsen, Jan, sec Wemp, Jan
Barentsen
Barentsen, Thys, debts, 167; granted
delay, 167; money due to, 168;
cited, 180, 182
Bastiaensen, Harmen, case referred
to arbitrators, 30; sued by director,
31, 67; attempt to prevent director
from making arrest, 64, 66; reply
to complaint of director, 69; to act
[219]
220
Colony of Rensselaerswycfy
,Bastiaensen, Harmen Continued
as referee, 160; house, 182; for-
bidden by Mr Dyckman to erect
house, 186; accounts, 209; men-
tioned, 141
Bastiaensen, Jan, examination of, 185
Beeren Island, n, 169
Beernink, G. ; biographer of Van
Slichtenhorst, quoted, 13, 14, 15, 21,
22, 23, 207
Bentinck ten Berencamp, Joncker
Carel, 14
Bestval, Juriaen, summoned, 48, 96,
156, 174, 175, 176; transfer of
property to by Pels, 70; acknowl-
edges signature to contract, 107;
surety for Gysbert Cornelissen,
108; property attached, 132, 139,
156, 174; farm of, 157; ordered to
pay debts, 175
Beth, Reynert Pieter, see Both, Rey-
nert Pieter
Bethlehem, 97, 103, 135, 176
Beverwyck (Beverswyck), erected an
independent village, 18; court of
justice erected, 18, 23, 199; men-
tioned, 19, 23
Blaeuvelt, Captain Willem Albert-
sen, attacked, 178, 179, 180; cited
179, 180; judgment against, 181;
accounts, 202
Bloemaert, Adryaen, not to take
colonists to Manhattan without
director's consent, 88; accounts,
209
Bloemaert, Samuel, instructions re-
ceived from, 131
Boer, Pieter de, see Jansen, Pieter
Bogardus, Anneke Jans, daughters,
53
Bogardus, Rev. Everardus, 202
Bordingh, Claes, papers in suit
delivered to Van der Donck, 84
Bosie, Pieter, the Frenchman, sum-
moned, 134; prosecuted for fight-
ing, 184
Both (Beth), Reynert Pietersen,
skipper, 50, 123, 207
Boundary posts, 194
Bout, Willem Fredericksen, Marten
Hendricksen ordered to pay, 31 ;
mark as witness, 74; surety for
Van der Donck, 82 ; summoned, 95,
96; sued by director, 154; to act as
referee, 160; summons de Vries,
163, 170; mark of, 172; accounts,
209; mentioned, 196
Brewery, 86, 87, 105, 151 ; contract of
sale, 202
Brick, Reyer Elbertsen to try manu-
facture of, 181
Bridges, 141
Bronck, Pieter, dispute with Joost
Teunissen, 159; petition to have a
tavern, 162; cited Otterspoor, 176;
cited Thomassen, 182; money due
to, 182; mentioned, 113, 149
Burgher oath, 173
Byeenwoninge, use of term, 22-^3;
ground around to be cleared of
underbrush, 168; mentioned, 90,
118, 141, 151, 211
Cannon, borrowed from patroon, 128 ;
court requests restitution of, 178,
186; answer to request, 187; resti-
tution if demanded by Van Slich-
tenhorst, 188
Capital punishment, only case of in
colony, 12
Carstensen (the Noorman), Carsten,
summoned, 85; garden, 134, 157;
statements sworn to, 158; accounts,
210
Carstensen, Jan, reported attack on,
131, 138; sued by director, 154
Casteels island, 78, 102, 130; leased,
157
Catskill (Kastil, Katskil), settlement
of opposed, 106, 108, 116; land at
promised to certain persons, 183;
purchase and expenses of, 207
Chambers, Thomas, sued by director,
30; remarks about Claes Tyssen,
31 ; ordered to start building house,
31; dispute about brandy, 50; fight-
ing with Kettelheym, 62, 139, 140;
fighting with Vos, 62 ; complaint
Court Minutes, 1648-1652
221
Chambers, Thomas Continued
against, 98; to renew alliance with
Maquas, 129; animals shot by
savages, 144; right to use pastur-
age without charge, 145 ; mill near
farm, 154; money in hands of at-
tached, 157 ; cited, 162 ; complains
of Adriaen Dircksen, 163; may
hire another servant, 164; petition,
195; accounts, 204; mentioned, no
Christman, Andreas Johannis, placards
signed by, 187
Church, 75 ; staircase built on outside
of, 141 ; coats of arms in, 207
Claesen, Cornelis, see Segersen, Cor-
nelis
Claesje, a negress, 191
Claessen, Pieter, sued by director, 33,
43, 73 ; first default, 40 ; fined, 43 ;
to fulfil his contract of service, 47 ;
summoned, 48; claims unjust treat-
ment by director, 43, 53 ; regrets
using slanderous language, 54;
surety for Van Es, 59; sued by
de Vos, 73; Hans Vos to watch
property, 74 , 105 ; house, barn and
hay barracks, 75 ; released from
bail bond, 76; ordered to let Jan
van Bremen have horses, 76; left
Rensselaerswyck, 82; money due
to, 84; accounts, 204; mentioned,
41, 42, 46, 53
Claverack (Klaverrack), purchase,
207
Coats of arms, burnt in glass, 207
Coeymans, Barent Pietersen, see
Pietersen, Barent
Coeymans, Lucas Pietersen, see Piet-
ersen, Lucas
Compeer, Tomes, see Higgins,
Thomas
Coninck (Keuningh, Koeninck),
Thomas, boy to be taken into serv-
ice, 69 ; wife, mentioned, 101 ; cited,
161, 162 ; ordered to pay for bull,
167
Constapel, see Herbertsen, Andries
Coorn (Koorn), Nicolaes, acted as
officer of the colony, 1 1 ; apostil on
Coorn (Koorn), Nicolaes Con-
tinued
petition of, 26, 70; attachment of
money in hands of, 29; to render
statement of goods received, 29; at-
tachment against vacated, 32;
ordered to present accounts, 40, 72;
summoned in regard to slandering
Hans Vos, 61 ; notice served on,
72; money due to, 140; accounts,
205, 209
Cornelis, Aertje, 120
Cornelis, Broer, see Teunissen, Cor-
nelis, from Breuckelen
Cornelissen, Claes, summoned, 163,
164, 176, 177, 179; admits debts,
1 68; complaint against his brother
Gysbert, 177; fined, 178
Cornelissen, Cornelis, van Voorhout,
see Van Voorhout, Cornelis Cor-
nelissen
Cornelissen, Gysbert (aen den
Berch), from Breuckelen, ordered
to deliver cattle, 76; animals from
his farm for Evert Pels, 81 ; surety
for, 107, 108; statement regard-
ing Lambertsen, 142; cited, 176,
I 77, 179 J acknowledges indebted-
ness, 178; authorized to draw logs,
181 ; mentioned, 142
Cornelissen, Gysbert, from Weesp,
tavernkeeper, summoned, 48; state-
ment regarding Van Bremen and
Vos, 57 ; statement regarding
Indians, no; rent reduced, 124;
dispute with Philip Schuyler, 132,
133; granted a garden, 134; fight-
ing at his house, 135, 140; drink-
ing at his house, 136; attacked by
Stol, 137; lease of Casteels island,
157 ; garden, 181 ; Cornelis Seger-
sen to deliver wheat to, 108;
placard on house torn down, 200;
accounts, 212; mentioned, 102, 106,
108, 109, 141, 158, 181
Cornelissen, Pieter, from Munnick-
endam, commissioner, 10; referred
to arbitrators, 30
222
Colony of
Cornelissen, Quiryn (Cryn), ac-
counts, 26, 27 ; released from con-
finement, 28; service with Evert
Pels, 29 ; money due to, 35 ; first
default, 67; horse drowned, 67;
bond, 73 ; farm, 95 ; land to be sold,
102 ; requests permission to erect
a saw mill, 169; inventory of
estate, 202 ; mentioned, 32, 58
Cornelissen, Roelof, 35; accounts, 73,
202
Cornelissen, Seger, suinmond, 134;
sued 'by director, 152
Cornelissen, Teunis, ordered to pay
Marten Hendricksen, 31 ; farm,
104, 115; house, 104; payments to
by Dircksen, 115; summond, 134,
162, 164, 165, 179; denies shooting,
138; slandered by Dircksen, 151;
first default, 162; accounts, 204,
209; mentioned, 206
Court messenger, duties, 55 ; ap-
pointed, 159. See also Reur,
Hendrick; Vos, Hans
Court of Fort Orange and Bever-
wyck, erected, 18, 199
Court of Rensselaerswyck, erected,
7 ; jurisdiction, 7, 9, 12 ; appeal
from, 7; organization, 16; main
settlement of colony taken out of
its jurisdiction, 18; consolidated
with court of Fort Orange, 19;
minutes connect with those of Fort
Orange court, 23; members in 1651,
157; bell to be rung when court
convenes, 173
Court records, extent of, 23; kept by
de Hooges, 24, 120; original title,
24; sent to Holland, 120; extracts
sent to Holland, 159; listed in Van
Slichtenhorst's inventory, 202
Craloo, fair at, in
Croa<et, see Stevensen, Abraham
Croon (Kroon), Dirck Jansen, to
take the burgher oath, 182; house,
182 ; accounts, 208
Crynen (Quirynen), Gornelis,
arrested, 35 ; money due to, 35 ; bond
signed by, 73; summoned, 73
Davits, Christoffel, attacked by Van
Bremen, 58; takes over Dirck
Hendricksen, 83 ; statement regard-
ing a horse, 86; sues Fairfax, 90,
107; horse drowned, 91; taken into
custody, 91 ; land to be sold, 102 ;
sued by director, 107; to make
good loss of horse, 114; default
for failing to appear in court, 131 ;
summoned, 134, 140; attacked by
Kettelheym, 140; accounts, 212
Day of fasting and prayer, Slichten-
horst's protest against order for, 30
De Caper (Kaeper), Jan, not to take
colonists to Manhattan without
director's consent, 88; took grain
to Manhattan, 147 ; accounts, 208
De Gooier (Gojer), Dirck, see
Hendricksen, Dirck
De Goyer, Peter, 103
De Guyt, see Jansen, Huybert
De Hooges (Hoogens), Anthony,
commissioner, 16; in charge of
colony, 17; secretary of the colony,
17; main body of record in hand-
writing of, 24; assault on, 27;
sued by Van der Donck, 78;
decision on Van der Donck's wheat,
81 ; surety for wheat, 82 ; payments
to by Pels, 93 ; opinion regarding
loss of horse, 114; judgment re-
garding horse certified by, 114;
protests regarding Van Slichten-
horst's accounts, 114; letter to
Governor Stuyvesant, 117; exam-
ination of seawan, 118; court
records in custody of, 120; at-
tacked by Jeuriaensen, 122; investi-
gation of authenticity of letter to
Vastrick, 125; attacked by Stol,
136;' decision regarding New Year
shooters. 138; insulted by Lambert-
sen, 142; decision on dispute be-
tween director and Stol, 145 ; to
act as attorney for Segersen, 156;
books, 202 ; accounts, 205, 206, 212 ;
signature, 33, 34, 30, 44, 55, 60, 6t,
63, 65, 67, 70, 74, 77, 80. 81, 83, 88,
92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 101, 112, 113,
Court Minutes, 1648-1652
223
De Hooges (Hoogens), Anthony
Continued
117, 118, 123, 125, 127, 128, 129, 132,
144, 158, 166, 167, 170, 172, 174,
180, 185, 186, 193, 199, 217; men-
tioned, 54, 56, 57, 77, 78, 84, 85,
101, 115, 119, 130, 140, 157
De Key (Kay), Willem, dispute
about brandy, 50; dispute with
Segersen, 69; warrant of arrest,
69; statement by, 70; appearance
in court, 53; wife, 53
De Laet, Johannes, instructions re-
ceived from, 131
De Princes, ship, wrecked, 79
De iReus, Gerrit Theussen, schepen,
8; mentioned, 36, 48
De Vos, Andries, office of raet held
by, 17; derogatory remarks about,
33; slandered by wife of Van Es,
44; Van Es not to molest, 57; in-
junction served on, 57; servant,
57; payment for mill, 59; sues
Pieter Claessen, 73 ; surety for
Davits, 91 ; arbitrator in case of
Plevick, 99; stallion sold to, 100;
requests director to state charges
against brother-in-law, 143; ap-
pointment as assistant to guardians
of orphans, 154; petition regarding
use of water and building mill,
154; accounts, 209; mentioned, 75,
188
De Vries, Adriaen Dircksen, com-
plaint about, 163 ; acknowledges
signature to contract, 163 ; pun-
ished, 164; released from confine-
ment, 165 ; cited, 172 ; attacked by
Nolden, 172
De Vries, Cornelis, summoned, 163
Dircksen, Adriaen, see De Vries,
Adriaen Dircksen
Dircksen, Jan, see Van Bremen, Jan
Dircksen
Dircksen, Jan, the Englishman,
beaten by Claes Gerritsen, 53 ; sued
by Verbeeck, 131 ; mentioned, 28,
44. no, 113. See also Jan, the
Smith
Dircksen, Teunis, appointed as surety,
34; sued by director, 86, 145, 140,
149, 154; summoned, 87, 105, 116,
174, 187, 194; notice served on, 96,
108 ; to sell brewery, 105 ; grain
attached, 107 ; agreement with
director regarding land, 115; state-
ment regarding Lambertsen, 142 ;
punished and fined, 150, 152; or-
dered shooting by night, 151 ;
slandered Teunis Cornelissen, 151;
surety for Jan Helms, 154; agrees
to answer director's complaint, 155 ;
cited Jacob Aertsen, 175 ; releases
Pieter Hartgers from obligation as
surety, 194; mentioned, 142
Distillery, in Greenen Bosch, 167
Donckers, Catalyn, see- 'Sanders,
Catalyn
Doussen, Harmen, not to take
colonists to Manhattan without
director's consent, 88
Doyssen (Dojesen), Egbert, servant
of Sander Leendertsen, 70; sum-
moned, 134, 195
Driesen, Hendrick, see Andriessen,
Hendrick
Duyckingh, Evert, accounts, 207; of-
fers to burn coats of arms in glass,
207
Dyckman, Johannes, to act as
referee, 170; signature, 172; cites
Uylenspiegel, 172, 173 ; request con-
cerning wages earned by Jan
Weble, 173 ; delivers to court
Stuyvesant's writ of appeal, 174;
cites Van Voorhout, 175 ; timber
for house, 183 ; promised copies of
deeds of purchase and conveyance
of colony, 184; asks permission to
post placard in the colony, 184-85,
188; requested to return cannon,
186; placards presented by, 187;
answer to request for cannon
signed by, 187; extract from the
deed of conveyance of the colony
delivered to, 188; copy of grant by
their High Mightinesses delivered
to, 188 ; soldiers of, complaint of
224
Colony of
Dyckman, Johannes Continued
violence committed by, 189; erec-
tion of boundary posts, 194; dispute
with Leendersen about a negress,
195 ; remarks about Van Slichten-
horst, 197; mentioned, 183, 194
Eencluys, Hans Jansen, see Inckluis,
Hans Jansen
Elberts, Evert, 20
Elbertsen, Reyer, permitted to burn
brick, 181
Evertsen, Tys, statement regarding
Lambertsen, 142
Fair, no-ii
Fairfax, Thomas, horse lent to, 86,
114; sued by Davits, 90; charges
against Davits, 91 ; fled from
colony to fort, 91 ; ordered to
furnish surety, 107; surety for, in
First kill (Rutten kill), 54
Flag of the colony, hauled down by
order of Director Stuyvesant, 198,
199
Flodder (Gardenier), Jacob Jansen,
mill, 27, 95 ; sued by director, 106 ;
complaint against Jansen, 108;
denies drinking, 108 ; submits dif-
ferences to commissioners, 109;
buys lumber, 109; drinking, 139;
dispute with Hendrick Andriessen,
160; fighting, 180
Fonda, Gillis, 167
Fort De Hoop (Hope), 34, 39
Fort Orange, dispute as to jurisdic-
tion of territory around, 17, 185;
buildings around fort ordered torn
down, 18, 151 ; separate court for,
18, 199; inhabitants alarmed by
shooting in the Greenen Bosch, 151
Francisco, Jan, 12
Fredericksen, Willem see Bout, Wil-
lem Fredericksen
Furs, confiscated, 171
Fuyck, origin of name, 151 ; houses
torn down by soldiers, 151; men-
tioned, 18, 23
Gardenier, Jacob Jansen, see Flod-
der, Jacob Jansen
Gecommitteerden (Commissioners),
temporarily administer colony, 10 ;
duties, 10, 16 ; approved appointment
of J. B. van Rensselaer as magis-
trate, 166
Gerechtspersonen (rechtsvrienden) ,
duties, 16
Gerret, the cooper, see Jansen, Gerrit
Gerritsen, Beernt, accounts, 210
Gerritsen, Claes, confesses wounding
Jan, the smith, 32; denies state-
ment about trading beavers, 43 ;
quotes Ruth Jacobsen, 44; sued by
director, 48; given time to settle
account, 52 ; accused of beating Jan
Dircksen, 53 ; ordered to satisfy
judgment, 71, 164-165; pays no re-
gard to sentence, 85 ; decision on
case submitted to referees, 127,
1 68; court records concerning, 159;
judgment concerning, 161 ; arrested,
162; eked, 162, 192, 194; money
due to, 163 ; complaint regarding
director, 164; statement by, 164;
referees chosen, 171 ; mark, 171
Gerritsen, Goosen, 16; office of raet
held by, 17; second default, 40;
urged to accept office of magistrate,
40 ; accepts magistrate's office, 41 ;
takes oath of fidelity as magistrate,
43 ; surety for Jacob Lambertsen,
in; opinion regarding loss of
horse, 114; examination of seawan,
118; permission to engage in tap-
ping business, 123; discharged at
own request, 137; decision regard-
ing New Year shooters, 138;
supervision of school, 174; mark
of, 174; cited, 192; cited Lambert-
sen, 194 ; accounts, 205 ; mentioned,
102, 119
Glen, Sander Leendertsen, see Leen-
dertsen, Sander
Gooier (Gojer), meaning of term,
138
Grasmeer, Rev. Wilhelm, 125
Court Minutes, 1648-1652
225
Greenen> Bosch, 21, 64, 94, 105; resi-
dence of Megapolensis, 32; houses
searched, 32; brewery, 151, 194;
shooting in, 151; distillery, 167;
brew kettle, 202
Grotius, Hugo, 202
Guyt, see Jansen, Huybert
Hageman (Haegeman), Jan, sum-
moned, 83, 84; sued by director,
85; ordered sent away, 118; ac-
counts, 204
Hans in Cluys, see Inckluis (Een-
cluys), Hans Jansen
Hansen, Volckert, see Jansen,
Volckert
Hap, Jacob Jansen, see Stol, Jacob
Jansen
Harderwyck, 14
Harmensen, Marten, the mason, sued
: by director, 72; no dealings with
private traders, 141
Hartgers (Hertgers), Pieter, office
of raet held by, 17; first default,
40 ; surety for return of horse, 53 ;
wife, 53; lease of land, 74; levy
on property, 87; attacked by Stol,
136 ; nominated as magistrate, 137 ;
to take oath of office, 140 ; admitted
as member of court, 143 ; fighting
with Dircksen, 152; witness, 156;
referee in case of Jan Thomassen,
188; cited Dircksen, 194; obliga-
tion as surety, release of, 194; ac-
counts, 204; mentioned, 157, 193
Helms (Helmsen), Jan, to receive
grain, 124; dispute with Jacobsen,
134; summoned, 134; fined, 137;
surety for, 148, 154; sued by
director, 154
Hendricksen, Cornell's, see Van Nes,
Cornells Hendricksen
Hendricksen (Henricks) , Di'rck.
from Hilversom, ordered to fulfil
contract of service, 82; taken over
by Christoffel Davits, 83 ; assault on
Van Bremen, 94; summoned, 107;
taken into custody, 108; horse
drowned by, 109, 114; charges
8
Hendricksen (Henricks), Dirck
Continued
against Croaet, no; fighting, 114;
surety for, 115; ordered to Katskil,
115; complaint about, 138; injunc-
tion served on, 139; accounts, 213
Hendricksen, Marten, see Verbeeck,
Marten Hendricksen
Hendricksen, Rutger, of Soest, ap-
pointed schout, 7, 8; does not hold
office, 9; mentioned, 17
Henricks, Jacob, accounts, 213
Herbertsen (Herberts, Constapel),
Andries, surety for Thomas Fair-
fax, in; wife, 119; fighting with
Stol, 135; to act as referee, 170;
signature, 172; accounts, 206, 207
Hertgers, see Hartgers
Hevick, Jacob, lease of house, 74;
mark of, 74; sued by director, 98;
examination, 98; decision of arbi-
trators, 99; money due to, 104;
accounts, 204, 210
Hey, Jacob, accounts, 209
Higgins (Compeer), Thomas, shoot-
ing during the night, 103 ; statement
on killing animals, 144; land at
Catskil, 183 ; mentioned, 102
Hoofd-officier (chief officer), 9, 14
Hooge Berg, location of, 36
Horse, sold to Gen. Stuyvesant, 81 ;
presented to Gen. Stuyvesant, 100
Horse mill, 181
Horses, speeding of, 50-51, 52;
neglect of, 59 ; ^ employment for
other than personal use forbidden,
59-60; exchanged, 100; cruelty to,
152; used for teaming, contrary to
ordinance, 153; removed to Man-
hattan, 170
Houses, ordered to be torn down, 18 ;
torn down by soldiers, 151 ;
Commissary Dyckman forbids erec-
tion of house of Harmen Bastiaen-
sen, 186; expenses of protests
against destruction, 211
Huybertsen (Huybers), Aryaen,
notice to leave farm, 191 ; pay-
ments to by director, 199 ; accounts,
204; mentioned, 103, 104, no
226
Colony of RenssdaerslvycJt
Inckluis (Eencluys), Hans Jansen,
accused of beating an Indian, 29;
summoned, 48, 101, 172, 180; sued
by director, 56; requests permission
to erect a saw mill, 169; denies
fighting, 1 80; fined, 180; mentioned,
211
Indians, sale of contraband munitions
of war to, 34; sale of liquor to, 97;
drinking, no; permission to erect
house, 131 ; cattle killed by, 144,
145; house of near Fort Orange,
166; accounts with, 207; see also
Maquas
Inventory of Slichtenhorst's office,
201
Jacobsen, Aert, sells liquor to
Indians, 97; to deliver heifer to
Reyersen, 100; refused to obey
Director's order, 101 ; to pay rent,
103; summoned, 106, 134, 176, 192;
grain appraised by, 124; fined, 137;
sued by director, 154; surety for,
154; judgment, 176; lease of farm
may be canceled, 176; mentioned,
97, 101, 134
Jacobsen, Casper, lease of homestead,
155
Jacobsen, Franz, statement by, 04
Jacobsen, Pieter, mark, 128; sued by
director, 188 ; cited, 188 ; tears down
a placard, 200; mentioned 100
Jacobsen, Rutger, office of raet held
by, 17; remarks to Claes Gerritsen,
44; promised protection by Van
Slichtenhorst, 54 ; surety for Jacob
Adriaensen, 65, 69, 91 ; surety for
Jacob Aertsen, 69, 91 ; sale of
horses to, 97; takes oath as
councilor, 99; arbitrator in case of
Hevick, 99; surety for Abraham
Stevensen, 114; opinion regarding
loss of horse, 114; examination of
seawan, 118; to take Willem
Jeuriaensen on his yacht, 123 ; in-
vestigation of authenticity of letter
sent to Vastrick, 125; servant, 134;
Jacobsen, Rutger Continued
decision regarding New Year
shooters, 138; witness, 156; did not
know of judgment, 164; successor
appointed, 166; signature, 174;
cited, 184, 191, 192; first default,
191; accounts, 204, 208, 211; men-
tioned, 71, 73, 102, 115, 144, 157
Jacobsen, Ruth, see Jacobsen, Rutger
Jacobsen, Teunis, summoned, 141
Jan, the boy of Cornelis Segers, 212
Jan, the smith, 32, 169; accounts, 210.
See also Dircksen, Jan, Englishman
Jans, Anneke, see Bogardus, Anneke
Jans
Jansen, Adriaen, from Leyden, signa-
ture, 95 ; sues Mynten, 96 ; permis-
sion to collect debts, 124
Jansen, Adriaen, Van Ilpendam, see
Van Ilpendam, Adriaen Jansen
Jansen, Albert, the carpenter, 191
Jansen, Claes, from Bockhoven, con-
demned for hauling firewood, 176;
cited, 192 ; to pay for hauling wood,
193; satisfies judgment, 193
Jansen, Cornelis, to receive a gun, 32 ;
not to take colonists to Manhattan
without director's consent, 88
Jansen, Dirck, see Croon, Dirck
Jansen
Jansen, Evert, to support himself by
tailoring, 35
Jansen, Gerrit, the cooper, sued by
director, 31, 72
Jansen, Hans, see Inckluis, Hans
Jansen
Jansen, Huybert, de guyt, summoned,
48; attacked by Paulus Jansen, 57;
crime committed by, 175; accounts,
210; mentioned, 196
Jansen, Jacob, from Stoutenburch,
remarks about Claes Tyssen, 30 ;
sued by director, 30, summoned, 87 ;
acknowledges signature, 88
Jansen, Jacob, see also Plodder, Jacob
Jansen ; Stol, Jacob Jansen ;
Schermerhoorn, Jacob Jansen
Jansen, Louwerens, 102; wife, 103
Court Minutes, 1648-1652
227
Jansen, Mathijs, widow sues Jeuriaen-
sen, 35 ; money due to, 40
Jansen, Michiel, accounts, 33, 34, 77,
96; arrested, 34; appointment of
sureties, 34; again arrested, 34;
sued by director, 36-39; Appel files
answer in behalf of, 44; has not
satisfied judgments, 123; ordered
to file answer, 124; attorney for,
169; court decision, 169; men-
tioned, 48, 214
Jansen, Paulus, the Noorman, assail-
ant fined, 25, 107; attack on
Huybert Jansen, 57; fined, 108;
submits differences with Plodder to
commissioners, 109; drinking, 139;
statement on killing animals, 144;
mentioned, 35, 89
Jansen (de Boer), Pieter, contract
with Hans Vos, 51; mentioned, 55
Jansen, Rem, the smith, sued by
director, 72; rumors of war with
Maquas, 127; drinking, 139; ac-
counts, 212; mentioned, 59
Jansen, Roelof, of Masterland,
schepen, 7; daughters, 53
Jansen, Steven, carpenter, quarrels
with Claes Andriessen, 109; fight
at house of, 132, 133, 137; wife ac-
cused by Teunis Jansen, 132 ; state-
ment on receiving beer, 143 ; wages,
178; lot, 183; accounts, 205, 206;
brought to colony, 208; mentioned,
104, 109, 142, 183, .188
Jansen, Symon, cited, 48
Jansen, Teunis, sailmaker, 132
Jansen, Thomas (Tomes), wounded
by Evert Pels, 47, 52; sues Pels,
80; court decision regarding, 93;
accounts, 204, 210; mentioned, 71,
74, 109, 182, 183
Jansen (Hansen), Volkert, forbidden
to carry on unlawful trade, 70;
summoned, 83 ; to renew alliance
with Maquas, 129 ; attacked by
Stol, 136; dispute with director,
184; accounts, 155, 206
Jeuriaensen, Willem, see Juriaensen,
Willem
Joesten, Symon, summoned, 47
Jogues, Father Isaac, quoted, 22
Juriaens, Annetje, 119, 120
Juriaens, Volckje, 119, 120
Juriaensen (Jeuriaensen), Willem,
sentence of banishment, 12; sen-
tence confirmed, 27; accounts, 29,
215; sued by widow of Mattys
Jansen, 35, 40; sued for slandering
Stol's wife, 88; sued by director,
90, 154; acknowledges signature to
contract, 113, 155, 175; complaint
against, 119; apprehension of, 120;
twice banished from colony, 120,
122 ; punished and forever banished,
121 ; attack on de Hooges, 122; to
be brought on board yacht of
Rutger Jacobsen, 123; requests to
be released from confinement, 125 ;
attacked by Stol, 136; not willing
to carry out contract with Van
Hoesen, 174; cited, 175; lot, 181
Katskil, see 'Catskill
Kees de boer, see Segersen, Cornelis
Kees Schoester, see Van Westbroeck,
Cornelis Teunissen
Kerckbuurte, location of, 70
Kerckhof, 75
Kettelheym (Kuttelheym), Jochem,
sues Lambertsen, 44 ; remarks about
by Lambertsen, 46 ; persons slander-
ing will be fined, 46 ; summoned, 48,
96, 133, 138, 175, 176; dispute with
Lambertsen settled, -56; fighting,
62, 139, 140; grain attached, 107;
'money due to, 132 ; sued by director,
139; debts, 157, 175
Keuningh, Thomas, see Coninck,
Thomas
Key (Kay), Willem, see De Key
(Kay)
Kieft, Willem, letter from patroon
to, 10; mentioned, 12, 106
Klaverrack, see Claverack
Klomp, Jacob Simonsen, lot, 183;
mentioned, 183
Koninck, Thomas, see Coninck,
Thomas
228
Colony of
Koorn, Nikolaes, see Coorn (Koorn),
Nicolaes
Labatie (Laberte), Jan, requested to
arrest Fairfax, 91; witness, 108;
borrows cannon from patroon, 128;
refuses to be ambassador to
Maquas country, 129; buys house,
131; surety for Schuyler, 138; at-
tacked by Kettelheym, 140; to send
a certain negro to Gen. Stuyvesant,
143 ; delivered to court Stuyvesants'
writ of appeal, 174; placard pre-
sented by, 187; sued by director,
188 ; cited, 188 ; mentioned, 151 ; ac-
counts, 204, 209
Lademaecker, Philip Pietersen de,
132, 137
Lambertsen, Jacob, of Dorlandt, fined,
25, 69, 107; sued by director, 44,
141, 154; retracts remarks about
Jochem Keelhuyn, 46; summoned,
48, 194; paid fine, 56; ordered to
satisfy judgment, 71 ; notice served
on, 71 ; accused of fighting, 94 ;
taken into custody, 108; attack on
Claes Andriessen, no; surety for,
in; default for failing to appear
in court, 131 ; forbidden to molest
Hans Vos, 139; mentioned, 138, 146
Lansing, Aeltje, 13
Laurenssen, Laurens, schepen, 8
Lawyers, lack of, 156
Leendertsen (Glen, Lenerts), Sander,
servant, charges against, 68; state-
ments by, 68; surety for actions
against his servant, 70; wife, sued
by director, 87 ; not to take colonists
to Manhattan without director's
consent, 88; wife, 115; cited, 162,
195 ; slave accused of theft, 191,
195 ; dispute with Dyckman about
a negress, 195 ; accounts, 206 ; men-
tioned, 49, 181, 195
Liquor, sold to Indians, 97
Litschoo, Sergeant Daniel, 198
Logs, cut in patroon's wood, 135
Loockemans, Pieter, sued by director,
72
Loper, Capt. Jacob, 62
Louwrensen (Appel), Jan, appointed
as surety, 34; files answer in behalf
of Michiel Jansen, 44; dispute be-
tween Pels and director referred
to, 81, 92; sued by director, 83, 84;
summoned, 84, 85, 86, 102; court's
decision, 86; referee in case of
Jacob Aertsen and Jacob Adriaen-
sen, 91 ; money due to, 96 ; signa-
ture, 92; accounts, 209
Lubbertsen, Frederick, not to take
colonists to Manhattan without
director's consent, 88; accounts,
207, 208, 215
Luyersen, Jacob, dispute with Jochem,
the baker, 167, 168; cited, 173;
denies attacking Jochem, 174; fined,
174; stolen goods given to, 192;
statement by, 193; petition, 195
Maessen, Cornelis, see Van Buren,
Cornelis Maessen
Manhattan, first court at, 9
Maquas, rumors of war with, 127;
resolution to renew alliance with,
128-29; accounts with, 207
Masterland, see Jansen, Roelof
Mechanics, allowance for board, 95
Megapolensis, Rev. Johannes, resi-
dence, 32, 70; losses by theft, 32;
has Aert Pietersen examined as to
his matrimonial intentions, 85 ; son-
in-law, 125; slandered by Van
Vechten, 149, 150; accounts with
director, 159, 206; sale of books,
205 ; leaves colony, with wife and
children, 208; mentioaed, 12, 15,
41, 62, 88, 147, 208, 210
Menten, see Meynten
Meynert, a carpenter, sued by director,
72
Meynten (Menten, Mynten), Willem,
attachment against, 95 ; debts, 96 ;
sued by Jansen, 96; ordered to
shoot during the night, 151 ; men-
tioned, 114
Court Minutes, 1648-1652
229
Michielsen, Jan, apostil on petition of,
28; sued by director, 154; cited,
164, 167; debts, 165; cited Uylen-
spiegel, 173; stolen goods given to,
191 ; denies charges, 193 ; offers to
go to prison in lieu of bail, 193 ;
petition, 195
Mill, Plodder's contract, 27; near
Thomas Chambers' farm, 154
Musch, Cornelis, 169
Neulewels, Jaques, statement by, 68
New Year's eve, shooting, 138
Nijssen, Wolf, see Nyssen, Wolf
Nolden (Noldingh), Evert, school
teacher, 29; sued by director, 31,
172; cited, 172; punished, 172
Nyssen, Wolf, executed, 12
Oost, Jan, wife, 148
Ordinances, on driving patroon's
horses, 59; on value of wampum,
117; concerning shooting at night,
138; against hauling firewood, 176;
listed in Van Slichtenhorst inven-
tory, 202
Orphans, guardians of, 149, 154, 175
Otterspoor, Aert, accused of fighting,
94, no, in; surety for Dirck
Hendricksen, 115; summoned, 169,
176; cited Van Bremen, 176; men-
tioned, no, 113
Paerde hoeck (Parda hook), 68
Papenakick kill, 206
Patroon and co-directors, instructions
received from, 131
Patroons, see Van Rensselaer, Jo-
hannes ; Van Rensselaer, Kiliaen
Pauw, Michiel, 9
Pavonia, 9
Peelen, Brant, schepen, 8; mentioned,
127
Pels, Evert, Jacob Adriaensen to
serve out term with, 25; service of
Quiryn Cornelissen with, 29; ac-
counts, 32, 33, 202, 204; sued by
director, 33, 52, 93; quarrel with
Claes Tyssen, 33, 35, 52, 62; sum-
Pels, Evert, Jacob Adriaensen
Continued
moned, 47, 54, 95, 96, 161, 162, 168,
175; servant, 48; wife sued by di-
rector, 52 ; notice served on, 54 ;
surety for Jacob Aertsen, 65, 69,
91 ; surety for Jacob Adriaensen,
65, 69, 91 ; transfer of property to
Jeuriaen Bestval, 70; Gysbert
Cornelissen ordered to deliver cattle
to, 76; sued by Thomas Jansen, 80;
animals for farm, 81 ; dispute with
director to be decided by referees,
81, 93; decision regarding, 93; first
default, 96; acknowledges signature
to contract of farm, 100; non-
appearance, 117; decision on dispute
between director and Stol, 145 ;
acknowledges signature and debt,
162, 163; cited Hans Jansen, 172;
property attached, 174; request for
lot and horse mill granted, 181 ;
mentioned, 35, 44, 50, 69, 94, HO,
167, 180
Peters, Stintgen, wife of Louwerens
Jansen, 103
Picquet (Picket), Michel, statement
by, 10 1
Pieter, the Frenchman, see Bosie,
Pieter
Pietersen, Abraham, see Vosburgh,
Abraham Pietersen
Pietersen, Adriaen, lease of house,
167
Pietersen, Arent, first default, 67;
summoned, 85 ; payment to, 139
Pietersen (Coeymans), Barent, sum-
moned, 96, 97, 140; shooting dur-
ing the night, 103; charges against
by director, 143; case dismissed,
146; mentioned, 102
Pietersen (Coeymans), Lucas, brother-
in-law of Jan Thomas, shooting
during the night, 103; prosecuted
for beating Willem Albertsen, 177,
178, 179, 181 ; surety for, 180
Pietersen, Reynert, see Both, Reynert
Pietersen
Pietersen, Tys, ordered to director's
house, 87
230
Colony of
Planck, Jacob Albertsen, first to hold
office of schout, 9; other offices
held by, 10; not reappointed, 10
Poest, Jan Barentsen, see Wemp, Jan
'Barentsen
Poor, lot belonging to, 181
Poulus, the Noorman, see Jansen,
Paulus
Poulyntje, see Jansen, Paulus
Prins, Pieter, witness, 108; statement
regarding Indians, no
Quirynen, see Crynen
Raden, see Raetspersonen
Raetspersonen (raden), duties, 16
Rechtsvrienden, see Gerechtspersonen
Rensselaers Burg, 130
Rensselaers Steyn, n, 202
Rensselaerswyck manuscripts, deposi-
ted in Albany county clerk's office,
24; turned over to State Library,
24; largely destroyed by fire, 24
Reur, Hendrick, Jansen, from Mun-
ster, engaged as court messenger,
159; salary, 159; lot, 183; exami-
nation of, 189; statement by on
proclamation erecting court of Fort
Orange and Beverwyck, 200; men-
tioned, 183
Reus, Gerrit Theusz de, see De Reus,
Gerrit Theussen
Reyersen, Jan, debts, 67, 176; Jacob-
sen to deliver heifer to, 100; surety
for Ryck Rutgersen, 108; moneys
in hands of attached, 135, 176;
cited, 176; complaint about Claes
Andriesen, 177; mentioned, 101
Reyntgen, the skipper, see Both, Rey-
nert Pietersen
Roelofs, Catrina, 53
Roelofs, Sytje, 53
Rutgersen, Ryck, attacked by Davits,
107; surety for, 108; sells lumber,
109; grain appraised by, 124;
moneys in hands of attached, 135 ;
money due to, 176; cited, 177, 187;
judgment against, 177; ordered to
comply with ordinance, 181
Rutten kill, 54
Ruyverdingh (Ruerdingh), Pieter, de-
livers to court Stuyvesant's writ
of appeal, 174; placard presented
by, 187 ; placard posted by, pro-
claiming erection of court of Fort
Orange and Beverwyck, 199
Sabbath, observance, 16
iSanders, Catalyn, wife of Sander
Leendertsen Glen, 115; summoned,
195; statements by, 68, 192, 197
Sandersen, Thomas, permission to
settle here, 118; wife, 120; cited,
184; sued by director, 184; fine
reduced, 187
Savary (Savery), Roelandt, sued by
director, 72; witness, 158; accounts,
208
Saw mill, request to erect mill near
Beeren island granted, 169
Schepens, designated by patroon, 7;
to be appointed by Planck, 9
Schermerhoorn, see Van Schermer-
horn
School, 29; petition to keep day and
night school, 173
'Schoolmaster, committee appointed to
engage, 174
Schout, original appointee, 7; first to
hold office, 9
Schuyler (Scheuller), Philip Pieter-
sen, 13 ; dispute with Steven Jansen,
132, 133; arrested, 133; requests
permission to go outside jail limits,
133 ; requests delay, 137 ; quotes Mr
Dyckman's remarks about Van
Slichtenhorst, 197 ; father-in-law,
197; mentioned, 193
Schuyler, Pieter Davidsen, 13; wife,
148
Schuyler Flatts, 30
Seawan, depreciation, 117, 118, 155,
216. See also Wampum
Segersen, Claes, contract with di-
rector, 88; surety for Gysbert
Cornelissen, 108; grain attached,
156; accounts, 156; property at-
tached, 174; cited, 176. See also
Segersen, Cornelis
Court Minutes, 1648-1652
231
Segersen, Cornells, Jacob Adriaensen
in service to, 25 ; ordered to pay
Reyer Stoffelsen, 28; attachment of
money in hands of, 29; attachment
against vacated, 32; derogatory re-
marks about de Vos, 32 ; derogatory
remarks about Poest, 35, 89;
acknowledges signature, 55 ; wheat
in hands of attached, 61, 81, 82;
request to be released by court, 68 ;
to take boy into service, 69; dis-
pute with Willem de Key, 69;
requests arrest of de Key, 69;
accounts, 71 ; horse sold by, 81 ;
ordered to deliver wheat, 83; sum-
moned, 83, 88, 89, 90, 95, 101, 106,
156; farmer, 86; sued for slander,
89; lease of farms, 90; granted a
lot, 90 ; canceled, 91 ; first default,
96; to pay director, 106; account to
be examined, 106; grain attached,
107; sued by director, 154; granted
a delay, 155 ; promises to deliver
wheat, 155; requests that case be
referred to impartial judges, 157;
attachment against, 161 ; refuses to
pay debt, and deliver grain, 197.
198 ; punished, 198 ; to deliver grain
to Cornelisen, 198; accounts, 204,
206; boy, 212; sons, 212; men-
tioned, 43, 44, 102
Ship de Princes, 79
Ship Soutberg, 8
Ship Valckenier, 78
Shooting at night, ordinance concern-
ing, 138
Skippers, not to take colonists to
Manhattan without director's con-
sent, 88; not to transport goods of
persons in arrears to patroon, 102
Slichtenhorst, Brant, see Van
Slichtenhorst, Brant Aertsen
Smith, Jan, see Jan, the smith
Solder, see Pietersen, Aert
Soutberg, ship, 8
Stads Herberg (City Tavern), 27
Staets (Staas), Abraham, commis-
sioner, 16 ; offices held by, 17 ; levy
on property, 87 ; bail for appearance
Staets (Staas), Abraham Con-
tinued
of wife of Sander Leendersen, 87 ;
decision on dispute between director
and Stol, 145; fighting with Dirck-
sen, 152; placards presented by,
187; answer to request for cannon
signed by, 187; accounts, 204, 208,
212 ; mentioned, 49, 62, 91
Stevensen (Stevens), Abraham, ac-
cused of fighting, 94; summoned,
101, 102, 113, 134; shooting during
the night, 103, 104, 105; lease of
meadow, 105; charges against, no,
in; surety for, 114; default for
failing to appear in court, 131 ;
ordered to produce witnesses, 131 ;
admits fighting, 138; drinking, 139
Stichtigeri, an Indian, 132, 166
Stoffelsen, Reyer, payment to by
Cornelis Segersen, 28; accounts,
209; mentioned, 49
Stol (Hap), Jacob Jan sen, first de-
fault, 40; complaint against Jan
Van Bremen, 58 ; fined, 82 ; bail for
appearance of wife of Sander
Leendersen, 87; not to take
colonists to Manhattan without
director's consent, 88; slandered by
Juriaensen, 88; wife slandered by
Juriaensen, 88; statement concern-
ing Maquas, 127; arrested, 134;
charges against, 135 ; sued by
director, 135; succeeded Harry
Albertsen as ferry master, 135;
fined, 136; to give security for
satisfaction of judgment or sen-
tence, 137 ; dispute with director
about Hendrick Albertsen's con-
tract, 144; delivered to court
Stuyvesant's writ of appeal, 174;
placards presented by, 187 ; answer
to request for cannon signed by,
187 ; cited, 191 ; first default, 191 ;
mentioned, 29, 133, 193
Stol, Willem Jansen, sued by director,
72
Stuyvesant, Nicholas William, wife,
148
232
Colony of Remselaerstvyclt
Stuyvesant, Peter, controversy with
Van Slichtenhorst, 17 ; proclama-
tion of day of fasting and prayer,
30; protection promised Rutger
Jacobsen from, 54; nephew, 72;
horse sold to, 81 ; protests against
taking possession of Catskill, 106;
letter from director to on settle-
ment of Catskill, 116; ordinance
regulating wampum, 117; director
consents to certain requests of, 143;
signs writ of appeal, 174; placard
from, Mr Dyckman proposes to
post, 184-85, 188; claims ground
around Fort Orange, 185 ; orders
flag of colony hauled down, 198;
accounts, 205 ; mentioned, 102, 196,
211
Swart, Gerard, officer of justice, 19
Taverns, director requests that but
two be allowed, 162
Teller (Teyller), Willem, complaint
against Chambers, 98; mentioned.
<M
Teunis, the servant, 103
Teunissen, Claes, see Uylenspiegel,
Claes Teunissen
Teunissen (Theunisen, Toenisen),
Cornells, from Breuckelen, com-
missioner, 10; accounts, 26, 27, 29,
32, 33, 71, 204; appeals from de-
cision of court, 32 ; gives up lease
of farm, 71 ; requests (delay in
case, 71, 73; accuses Slichtenhorst
of changing contract, 72; sum-
moned, 84, 85, 86, 113; order is-
sued to regarding Tys Pietersen,
87 ; notice served on, 108 ; to renew
alliance with Maquas, 129; garden
sold with his consent, 158; debts,
163; mentioned, 35, 47, 48, 52, 105,
119, 127, 143, 149, 202
Teunissen, Cornelis, see also Van
Westbroeck, Cornelis Teunissen
Teunissen, Jeuriaen, glazier, lot, 181 ;
mentioned. 183
Teunissen, Joost, from Norden. dis-
pute with Bronck, 159; fined, 160
Teunissen, Pieter, wheat, 96; farm,
115; land at Catskill, 183; cited,
186, 187; judgment against, 189;
accounts, 209
Teyller, Willem, see Teller, Willem
Theusz, Gerrit, see De Reus, Gerrit
Theussen
Thomassen (Tomensen), Jan, re-
marks about Claes Tyssen, 30; con-
tract about building house, 31 ; con-
tract canceled by director, 70 ; sum-
moned, 83, 84; accounts with pa-
troon, 155 ; brother-in-law, 177, 178,
179, 180, 181 ; dispute with director,
184; case submitted to referees,
188; cites Uylenspiegel, 191; ac-
counts, 206; mentioned, 195
Thomassen, Paulus, cited, 182; ad-
mits debts, 182; land at Catskill,
183
Thymensen, Reynier, 50
Toenys, Jacob, attempt to arrest, 64,
66, 67
Toepacht, 15, 96, 148, 150
Trading house, 62, 74
Tyssen (Tysschen), Claes, remarks
concerning, 30, 35 ; beaten by Evert
Pels, 33, 35, 47; wages, 47; Pels
ordered to pay, 52, 54, 63 ; accounts
with Van der Donck, 82; decision
regarding dispute with Pels, 93 ;
payments to, 117; accounts, 213;
mentioned, 32, 33
Tyssen, Jan, summoned, 134
Uyl, den (Stichtigeri), an Indian,
131, 132, 166
Uylenspiegel, Claes Teunissen. denies
calling Claes Tysschen an informer,
30; sued by director, 30, 50; speed-
ing horses, 46. 47, 51 ; fined. 46, 52 ;
director demands he be banished
from colony. 51; accounts, 157;
cited, 161, 162, 164, 172, 173, I9i;
debts, 191
Valckenier, ship, 78
Van Alckmaer, Adriaen Pietersen, see
Pietersen, Adriaen
Court Minutes, 1 648-1 652
233
Van Bremen, Jan Dircksen, fined, 28,
58; account of, 28; accusation
against, 29; dispute with Vos, 57,
58; complaint against by Stol, 58;
to have copy of director's com-
plaint, 63; horses, 76; money due
to, 83; debts, 84; money in hands
of attached, 84; complaint about
assault, 93; farm, 102; attacked by
Davits, 107; fighting with Croaet,
no, in; statement about fighting,
114; grain of, 124; to serve notice
on Dirck Hendricksen, 139; com-
plaints against Kettelheym, 140;
cited, 176, 186, 187, 189; land at
Catskill, 183; acknowledges signa-
ture to contract, 187; judgment
against, 189; accounts, 204, 209,
211, 212; mentioned, 109, no, 131,
159
Van Breuckelen, Cornells Teunissen,
see Teunissen, 'Cornelis
Van Bruggen, Carel, see Verbrugge,
Carel
Van Buren, Cornelis Maessen, 48 ; ad-
ministrators of estate, 145; guard-
ians of minor children, 149, 154,
175; accounts, 202; accounts with
guardians of children, 204; men-
tioned, 176
Van Curler (Korler, Corlaer), Arent,
sent out as assistant to Planck, 10;
commissioner, 10; offices held by,
17; allowance for board of me-
chanics, 95; horses, 100; to renew
alliance with Maquas, 129; accepts
office of commissioner, 137; de-
cision regarding New Year shoot-
ers, 138; signature, 144, 174, 185,
186, 217, 218; decision on dispute
between director and Stol, 145 ; wit-
ness, 158; supervision of school,
174; money in hands of attached,
175 ; referee in case of Jan
Thomassen, 188; books, 202; letter
to Johan van Rensselaer, 217; men-
tioned, 15, 16, 43, 156, 157, 186,
193, 213
Van den Bogaert, Harmen Meyndert-
sen, pursuit by Vos, 105
Van der Donck, Adriaen, commis-
sioned officer of justice, 10; suc-
cessor to, ii ; patroon's letter to,
12; debts, 29, 82; to collect money
for Hans Vos, 32; petition pre-
sented by, 60; dispute with Di-
rector regarding payment for ani-
mals, 61; insulted by Jacob Aert-
sen, 67; horse drowned, 68; wheat
attached, 61, 76, 77, 82; court de-
cision concerning wheat, 78; sells
interest in farm, 78; to leave the
colony, 78; sued de Hooges, 78;
agreement with Van Slichtenhorst
regarding dispute, 79; dispute be-
tween Pels and Director referred
to, 81, 92; may not receive or un-
load wheat, 81 ; attachment against
by Claes Tyssen, 82; sued by di-
rector, 84; referee in case of Jacob
Aertsen and Jacob Adriaensen, 91 ;
signature, 92; accounts, 206; men-
tioned, 28, 130, 214
Van der Schuer, Pieter, 15, 19
Van Dorlandt, Jacob Lambertsen, see
Lambertsen, Jacob
Van Es, Cornelis Hendricksen, see
Van Nes, Cornelis Hendricksen
Van Hoesen, Jan, complains against
Jeuriaensen, 119; wife slandered,
119; Jeuriaensen's contract with,
174; granted lot of Jeuriaensen,
181 ; injunction issued to, regarding
Wesselsen, 182; mentioned, 182
Van Ilpendam, Adriaen Jansen,
schoolmaster, witness, 132; petition
of, 173; day and night school, 173
Van Leyden, Adriaen Jansen, see Jan-
sen, Adriaen, from Leyden
Van Munnickendam, Pieter Cornelis-
sen, see Cornelissen, Pieter
Van Nes (Es, Essen), Cornells
Hendricksen, sued by director, 33,
41, 45, 73', and wife sued by di-
director, 33, 44; arrest of Quiry-
nen at request of, 35; first default,
234
Colony of
Van Nes (Es, Essen), Cornelis
Hendricksen Continued
40; fined, 42; testimony about to
be given, 48 ; slandered director, 53 ;
regrets using slanderous language,
54; contract regarding farm, 56; in-
junction served on, 57; statement
regarding, 58; surety for 59; wed-
ding of daughters, 67 ; asked to pay
bond, 73 ; bond signed by, 73 ; Hans
Vos to watch property, 74, 105 ;
summoned, roi, 105 ; declaration of
regarding drowned horses, 203 ; ac-
counts, 204; mentioned, 76, 113, 202
Van Rensselaer, Jan Baptist, director,
19; appointed magistrate, 166; sig-
nature, 185, 186; referee in case of
Jan Thomassen, 188; Mr Dyck-
man's remarks about, 197 ; statement
by on proclamation erecting court
of Fort Orange and Beverwyck,
200 ; mentioned, 186, 193
Van 'Rensselaer, Johannes, guard-
ians, n, 26, 184; second patroon,
117, 118; death, 20; instructions re-
ceived from, 131 ; exhibits in Van
Slichtenhorst's suit against, 201,
203 ; letter to from Van Curler, 217
Van Rensselaer, Kiliaen, court
erected by, 7; memorial presented
to the West India company, 8;
date of death, n, 118; succeeded as
patroon by his eldest son Johan-
nes, II, 26
Van Schaick, Gerrit, 13
Van Schaick, Goosen Gerritsen, see
Gerritsen, Goosen
Van Schelluyne, Dirck, attorney for
Michiel Jansen, 169; to act as
referee, 170; signature, 172
Van Schermerhorn, Jacob Jansen,
sued by director, 72 ; arrested, 101 ;
produce from garden sold to, 158
Van Schoonderwoert, Rutger Jacob-
sen, see Jacobsen, Rutger
Van Slichtenhorst, Aeltje, or Alida,
13, 148
Van Slichtenhorst, Arend, historian,
13, 20, 201, 203
Van Slichtenhorst, Bata, 148
Van Slichtenhorst, Brant Aertsen,
recommended for schout, 9; suc-
ceeds Van der Donck, 1 1 ; appointed
director of colony, n, 203; arrival
in colony, 13; sketch of, 13-14;
wife, 13, 15; children, 13; contro-
versy with Stuyvesant, 17; protests
against erection of court of Fort
Orange and Beverwyck, 19; ar-
rested, 19; returns to the Nether-
lands, 19; actions against the pa-
troon, 20; completes historical work
of his son Arend, 20; death, 20;
character, 20; his claim to being
called the founder of Albany, 21-
23 ; entries by in court record, 24 ;
protest against Stuyvesant's proc-
lamation of day of fasting and
prayer, 30; signature, 36, 39, 53,
54, 74, 88, 132, 174, 185, 186; state-
ment about Claes Gerritsen, 43;
slandered by Van Nes, 53 ; promises
to indemnify Rutger Jacobsen, 54 ;
to release grain attached by him,
60; son, 64, 66; garden, 75; deci-
sion on Van der Donck's wheat, 81 ;
requested to render his account to
the commissioners, 114; refused to
let de Hooges have custody of
court records, 120; investigation of
authenticity of letter to Vastrick,
125; accused of violence, 164; ar-
rest, 107, 201 ; inventory of effects
taken at house of, 201-3; exhibits
in his suit against Johan van Rens-
selaer, 201, 203; account of re-
ceipts and disbursements by, 203-
17; mentioned, 13, 31, 54, 119, 157
Van Slichtenhorst, Elizabeth, 148.
Van Slichtenhorst, Gerrit, director's
son, 13, 15, 66, 197; children, 148
Van Slichtenhorst, Gerrit, director's
grandson, 148
Van Slichtenhorst, Goudje, or Hille-
gonda, 13, 15, 148
Van Slichtenhorst, Margaret, 13, 15
Van Slichtenhorst, Rachel, 148
Van Slichtenhorst, Yonde, 148
Court Minutes, 1648-1652
235
Van Slyck, Cornells, see Teunissen,
Cornelis, from Breuckekn
Van Stoutenburch, Jacob Jansen, see
Jansen, Jacob, from Stoutenburch
Van Tienhoven, Cornelis, secretary,
signature, 60
Van Twiller, Jan (Johannes), offices
held by, 17; mark as witness, 74;
decision on Van der Donck's wheat,
81 ; sells horse to Gen. Stuyvesant,
81 ; signature, 81 ; opinion regard-
ing loss of horse, 114; witness,
115; examination of seawan, 118;
court records delivered to, 120;
charges for board, 124; statement
by on proclamation erecting court
of Fort Orange and Beverwyck,
200; accounts, 215; mentioned, 84,
119, 126
Van Twiller, Wouter, arrival at New
Amsterdam, 8; letter of patroon to,
9; guardian for Johannes van
Rensselaer, n, 26; mentioned, 14,
125
Van Valckenburgh, Lambert, 193;
sued by director, 72
Van Vechten, Teunis Dircksen, see
Dircksen, Teunis
Van Voorhout, Cornelis Cornelisen,
summoned, 134, 138, 173, 175; sued
by director, 140 ; debts, 161 ; prop-
erty attached, 174; accounts, 212
Van Voorhout, Cornelis Segersen,
see Segersen, Cornelis
Van Vorst, Cornelis, 9
Van Wassenaer, Nicolaes, quoted, 9
Van Wely, Johan, guardian for Jo-
hannes van Rensselaer, II, 26
Van Wenckum, Aeltje, wife of Van
Slichtenhorst, 13; death, 15
Van Wenckum (Wencom), Gerrit,
Van Slichtenhorst's assistant, II ;
record partly in his handwriting,
24; director's nephew, 66; assaulted
by drunken Indian, 97; to renew
alliance with Maquas, 129; exami-
nation of, 189; paid for copying,
211, 214; salary as deputy sheriff,
213; mentioned, 15
Van Westbroeck, Cornelis Teunissen,
forbidden to carry on unlawful
trade, 70; surety for Jacob Lam-
bertsen, in; denies slandering Vos,
113; ordered to send Jan Hagemans
away, 118; sued by director, 145,
154; guardian of minor children of
Cornelis Maessen, 149, 175; surety
for Aert Jacobsen, 154; cited Aert-
sen, 175 ;_ cited, 176, 177, 192;
judgment, 176; director's complaint
against, 178; debts, 179; granted
delay, 180; offers security for judg-
ment, 181 ; replication of director
against, 194; accounts, 205
Vasterick, Gerrit, to appear in court,
84; examination of seawan, 118;
letter to, concerning a minister,
Grasmeer, 125 ; accusations against,
126; gold sold to, 141; witness,
158; summons Pels, 168; accounts,
207, 213; mentioned, 119
Vasterick, Robert, surety for Lucas
and Aryen, 180; cited, 180; state-
ment about Mr Dyckman, 197
Verbeeck, Jan, office of raet held by,
17; apostil on petition of, 28;
debts, 40; servant of, 64, 66, 67;
sues Dircksen, 131 ; nominated as
magistrate, 137; to take oath of
office, 140; admitted as member of
the court, 141; accounts, 157, 204;
signature, 186; mentioned, 64, 67,
84, 144, IS2, 157, 192, 193
Verbeeck, Marten Hendricksen, de-
mand for payment of accounts, 31;
ordered to pay Willem Frederick-
sen, 31; cited, 161, 162; acknowl-
edges signature and debt, 162, 163;
lot, 183
Verbrugge (Van Bruggen), Carel,
protests against taking possession
of Catskill, 106, 108; commissary
of Fort Orange, 131 ; accounts, 204 ;
mentioned, 101
Vlackte, de, farm, 95
Vol (Fulda), in Hessen, 12
236
Colony of Rensselaerstvycfc
Vos, Cornells Cornelissen, farm, 59;
forbidden to carry on unlawful
trade, 70 ; summoned, 141 ; servant,
177, 178, 179, 181; accounts, 205
Vos, Hans, request concerning Quiryn
Cornelissen, 27; attachment of
money, 29; ordered to complete
term of service, 31 ; money due to,
32; contract of service with Pieter
Claessen, 47; beating, 48; sum-
moned, 51 ; dismissed until after
harvest time, 54; court messenger,
55; dispute with Van Bremen, 57;
attacked by Van Bremen, 58;
slandered by Koorn, 61 ; fighting
with Chambers, 62 ; ordered to watch
property of Van Es and Claessen,
74; payment of wages to, 74;
ordered to levy animals for Evert
Pels, 81 ; assault on, 82 ; wages,
84; summons issued by, 84;
slandered by Segersen, 89; pay-
ments to, 92; payments to by Pels,
93 ; testifies, 97 ; granted money for
supervision of house, 105 ; money
for pursuit of fugitive, 105 ;
attached grain, 107; testimony
regarding Dirck Hendricksen, no;
slandered, 113; accounts, 123, 205,
208; attacked by Stol, 135, 136;
complaint about Hendricksen, 138;
protection from assault, 139; in-
sulted by Lambertsen, 142: men-
tioned, 28, 64, 67, 68, 69, 82, 83,
103, 140
Vosburgh, Abraham Pietersen, at-
tacked by Stol, 136; to act as
referee, 160; accounts, 207
Vossgen, Cornells, see Vos, Cornell's
Cornelissen
Waelingen, Jacob, offered lease of
farm, 115; refused to accept offer
of half of Casteels island, 130;
Waelingen, Jacob Continued
granted permission to leave the
colony, 130
Waelingen (Walichsen), Simon, 48;
money due to Hans Vos, 32
Wampum, ordinance regulating value
of approved, 117. See also Seawan
Weble, Jan, 173. See also Wemp,
Jan Barentsen
Welys Burch, 130
Wemp, Jan Barentsen, slandered by
Segersen, 35, 89; requests clemency
for servant, 112; to pay fines of
Claes Andriessen, 113; attachment
of moneys, 135 ; requested to haul
logs, 142; garden, 158; lease ex-
tended, 166; condemned for haul-
ing firewood, 176; complaint about
Claes Andriessen, 177; lot, 183;
cattle, 183; accounts, 206, 210, 212;
mentioned, 74, 109. See also
Weble, Jan
Wendel, Evert Jansen, see Jansen,
Evert
Wesselsen (Wessels), Jochem, re-
quests a lot, 164; dispute with
Luyersen, 167, 168, 174; cited, 173,
182; fined, 174; injunction issued,
182
Westerkamp, Hendrick, permission
to support himself in the colony,
25; wheat for, 147; condemned for
hauling firewood, 176; brickyard,
194 ; accounts, 205 ; mentioned, 168
Westval, Juriaen, see Bestval, Juriaen
Willems, Margariet, 87
Willemsen. Adriaen, sentence of
banishment, 12
Willemstadt, IQ. 23. See also Bever-
wyck
Wiltwyck, 22
Witbeck, Jan Thomassen, see
Thomas sen, Jan
Wolves, 100
Whiting (Wytingh), William, 39
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