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MINUTES OF THE COURT
OF
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK W V.
,652-1656 gMr"^ '"'^'^'"^ ""ITljrillZl
Translated and edited
by
A. J. F. VAN LAER
Archivist, Division of Archives and History
VOLUME I
ALBANY
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1920
^'\
«''>
^
16
SEP 181944
The University of the State of New York
Division of Archives and History
August 17, 1920
Dr John H. Finley
President of the University
Dear Sir:
I herewith transmit and recommend for pubHcation the first
volume of the Minutes of the Court of Fort Orange and Bever-
tvycl^, April 15, 1 652-December 12, 1656, translated and
edited by A. J. F. van Laer, Archivist of the Division of
Archives and History.
This is the first volume of a series of translations of Dutch
manuscripts which form important sources for the early history
of New York State. Without these translations the student or
historiographer of the early annals of our State will always be
seriously handicapped.
Though our historical scholars are generally competent to use
French and German in their investigations, they are rarely found
able to read Dutch with facility. Even those who are equipped
to use the printed page in that language are unable to read cor-
rectly manuscripts written in hands which are difficult of decipher-
ment and which frequently require patient reconstruction by an
expert in Dutch palaeography.
New York is fortunate in possessing this material but its
early history from a political, religious, institutional and economic
viewpoint can not be easily written until the Dutch manuscripts
which exist in New York City, Albany, Kingston and other
places in the Hudson valley are translated and published in
English.
Very truly yours
James Sullivan
State Historian and Director
Approved for publication
President of the University and
Commissioner of Education
[5]
PREFACE
The court of Fort Orange and the village of Beverwyck, whose
minutes are published herewith, was erected by proclamation
issued by Director General Peter Stuyvesant on April 1 0, 1 652.
By virtue of this proclamation the main settlement of the colony
of Rensselaerswyck was taken out of the jurisdiction of the
patroon and created into an independent village by the name of
Beverwyck, which afterwards became the city of Albany. The
erection of the court was the final act in the high-handed pro-
ceedings whereby Director Stuyvesant brought to a close the
long standing controversy between the Dutch West India Com-
pany and the authorities of the colony of Rensselaerswyck
regarding the jurisdiction of the territory around the fort.
Questions in regard to this jurisdiction had arisen as early as
1632, when the patroon of the colony claimed that all the land
on the west side of the Hudson river, from Beeren island to
Moenemin's Castle (on Peobles island, at the mouth of the
Mohawk), even including the ground on which Fort Orange
stood, had been bought for him, whereas the company main-
tained that the territory of the fort, which was erected in 1624,
six years before the purchase of the land of the colony from the
Indians, belonged to the company and consequently was not
included in the purchase.
Perhaps to avoid the difficulties which were Hkely to arise
from these conflicting claims, or for other reasons connected with
the control of the fur trade, the patroon intended that the main
settlement of the colony, including the church, the houses of the
sheriff, the minister and the sexton, as well as the brewery and
the dwellings of the tradesmen and mechanics, should be located
in what was known as the Greenen Bosch, a pine grove on the
east side of the river, opposite the company's fort. Definite
instructions to that effect were given by him in letters to Arent
van Curler and Domine Megapolensis, dated August 4, 1639,
and June 3, 1642, and documents of later date seem to indicate
[7]
8 Fort Orange and Beverrv^ck
that before 1648 a substantial settlement had sprung up on the
east side of the river.
In a brief submitted by Brant van Slichtenhorst in 1656 to
the district court of the Veluwe, in the Netherlands, the state-
ment is made that on his arrival in the colony, in March 1648,
there were, besides the patroon's trading house, but three houses
standing near the fort; that in August of the same year eight
houses had been built; and that at the end of his administration,
in 1652, there was a settlement of about one hundred houses.
Considering these statements in connection with various allusions
to building operations which occur in the records, it seems that
between 1648 and 1652, apparently at Van Slichtenhorst's
initiative and probably for reasons of greater safety and con-
venience, the settlers on the east side of the river gradually
removed to the west side, in the immediate vicinity of the fort.
The erection of these new houses soon attracted the attention
of Director Stuyvesant, who objected to their location on the
ground that they endangered the security of the fort. Claiming
that the jurisdiction of the fort included all territory within range
of cannon shot, reckoned at 600 geometrical paces of 5 feet to
the pace, he ordered the destruction of all buildings within a
radius corresponding to this range, a distance which was after-
wards estimated at 1 50 rods. The order called forth a vigorous
protest from Van Slichtenhorst, who regarded it as an invasion
of the patroon's rights and who proceeded with the erection of
the buildings. A bitter controversy ensued, in the course of
which various charges were brought against Van SHchtenhorst,
who was summoned to appear at the Manhatans and was there
thrown into prison and detained for four months. At length, in
the spring of 1652, being determined to setde his dispute with
Van Slichtenhorst, Director Stuyvesant repaired to Fort Orange
and there issued his proclamation erecting a court for Fort
Orange and the village of Beverwyck, apart from and inde-
pendent of that of the colony of Rensselaerswyck.
The newly created court, which was termed a Kleine BancJ^
van Justitie, an inferior bench of judicature, was a court for the
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656' 9
trial of civil and minor criminal causes, from which an appeal lay
to the Director General and Council of New Netherland. The
court was composed of the commies, or commissary of the fort,
afterwards bearing the title of vice director, and a variable num-
ber of commissarissen, or local magistrates, often designated in
English documents of the period as " commissaries." Of these
the commies, who acted as prosecuting officer and who repre-
sented the company, was appointed for an indefinite term of
years directly by the Director General and Council of New
Netherland, while the magistrates, at least in theory, represented
the people and were appointed annually from a double number
chosen by the inhabitants. When sitting as a criminal court, the
officer presided and demanded justice of the magistrates, v/ho
not only found whether the accused was guilty, but also deter-
mined the penalty that should be imposed him.
The jurisdiction of the court comprised Fort Orange, the vil-
lage of Beverwyck, Schenectady, Kinderhook, Claverack, Cox-
sackie, Catskill and, until May 16, 1661, when a court was
established at the Esopus, also the region around Kingston.
Excluded from the jurisdiction was the colony of Rensselaers-
wyck, which maintained its own court, side by side with that of
Fort Orange and the village of Beverwyck until 1665, when by
order of Governor Richard Nicolls the two courts vv'ere consoli-
dated. A record of the court of Rensselaerswyck for the period
1 648-52, when it was presided over by Van Slichtenhorst, has
been preserved, but no record exists of judicial proceedings after
the last mentioned date. Considering that the majority of the
tenants of the patroon had become burghers of Beverwyck and
had their cases tried before the local court, it is fair to assume
that the court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck was rarely, if
ever, called upon to exercise its judicial functions after 1 652, and
that therefore no record was kept.
As an illustration of the primitive conditions under which the
court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck conducted its sessions, it
is interesting to read the description of the first two buildings that
10 Fort Orange and BeverTv^ck
were occupied by the court. This description has been preserved
in a memorandum which was presented by Vice Director La
Montagne to the Director General and Council of New Nether-
land on September 4, 1660, in justification of the expenditures
incurred by him in- building the second court house in 1657-58.
The description of the original building is as follows:
The old house was 26 feet and 9 inches Rhineland measure in length
and two stories high, built all around of one inch boards and having a
pavihon shaped roof, covered with old shingles, as said before. Under-
neath was a cellar, 1 9 feet wide and as long as the width of the house.
The first story had eight beams, resting on corbels, and was divided in
two by a pine partition ; at the north end was a room, 1 6 or 17 feet in
width, and at the south end a vestibule, 1 feet wide. The second story
consisted of a single room used by the court, without ceiling or chimney,
and to reach this room one had to climb a straight flight of stairs through
a trap door.
The old building, which stood close to the fort, on the present
steamboat square, had by 1657 sagged at the north end in such
a way as to crush almost completely the house of Lambert van
Valckenburgh and its general condition was so dilapidated that
repairs seemed useless. It was therefore torn down to make room
for a larger brick building, which in the above-mentioned memo-
randum is described as follows:
A brick building was built, with two cellars, each 21 feet square,
separated by a two-brick wall. The foundation of the said cellar is 3 or
4 feet in thickness, built of substantial stone (hauled a distance of 1 6
miles), 6 feet high, to the level of the ground, and on top of this is a brick
wall, two feet high and three bricks thick, upon which rest the cellar beams.
The first story is divided into three parts: at the north end is a room 21
feet square, inside measure, v\nth a brick chimney; at the south end a
kitchen 16 feet in width and 21 feet in length, also with a chimney and
provided with a bedstead and cupboard of wainscot; and in the middle
a hallway 5 feet wide, separated from the large room by a one-brick wall.
The upper story is divided by a half-brick wall into two equal parts, each
21 feet square. At the north end is a room intended for the court; at
the other end an office, in which are a wainscoted bedstead and a chimney.
Access to this floor is by a winding stairway and a separate landing. On
Court Minutes, J 652-1 656 11
this landing there are three doors, one to the left, which gives access to
the court room; another toward the front, which gives access to the office
and which is faced by an oval window in the west wall; and a third door
to the right, which gives access to the attic by means of a winding stair-
case. This attic extends over the whole house and above it there is a
loft, suitable for the storage of powder and other ammunition. In short,
it is a strong and substantial house, the walls below and above (upon
which the beams rest without corbels) being one and a half bricks thick,
provided at each gable end with a double chimney, braced by 42 anchors
and built of choice clinker brick. The house is covered with well burned
tiles and in every one's opinion makes a strong, commodious and handsome
structure.
The records of the court, which under different names con-
tinued to exist until the erection of the mayor's court of the city
of Albany in 1686, have for the greater part been carefully
preserved. They consist of eight books of minutes, all written
in the Dutch language, of which six, containing the minutes
for 1652-56, 1658^59. 1668-73, 1675-84, 1676-80, and
1680-85, are kept in the Albany county clerk's office, and the
remaining two volumes, containing the minutes for 1657 and
1 660, form part of volume 1 6 of the A^en; York Colonial Manu-
scripts in the New York State Library.
A complete calendar of the minutes, with the exception of
those for 1657 and 1660, which are listed in the Calendar of
Historical Manuscripts, edited by E. B. O'Callaghan, was pre-
pared by Berthold Fernow, in 1894-95, under the direction of
Wheeler B. Melius, in connection with the publication of the
printed Index to the Albany county records, of which Mr Melius
was the superintendent. A copy of this calendar, with editorial
and genealogical notes by C. A. Hollenbeck, who used the
pseudonym of " Jed," appeared under the heading " Historical
Fragments " in the Sunday issues of the Albany Argus for
October 18. 1903-April 23, 1905.
Translations of the minutes for 1658-59, which are entered
in a record entitled Mortgage[s] No. 1 , 1652-1660, were
included among the manuscripts of the late Professor Jonathan
12 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
Pearson, which were recently placed at the disposal of the New
York State Library by the author's sons and which, with the
exception of these minutes, were published under the title of
Earl^ Records of the Cit]) and County of Albany and Colon])
of Rensselaersivyck, but, as far as known, no full translation of
the entire series of minutes has ever been made.
That the oldest judicial and administrative records of the city
and county of Albany should thus, for a period of more than
two hundred years, have remained virtually a sealed book, is
much to be regretted. It is surprising in view of the fact
that as early as December 31,1 768, an act was passed providing
for the translation of the Dutch records in the custody of the
clerk of the city and county of Albany. The bill, which was
introduced in the General Assembly by Col. Philip Schuyler,
referred to a committee and favorably reported by Abraham Ten
Broeck, makes no mention of any court records and was appar-
ently primarily intended to provide for the preservation and
translation of deeds and other writings which as the act says
" greatly concern the Estates and property of the Freeholders
and other Inhabitants of the said County, and in their present
Condition are in danger of being lost." As another section of
the act, however, refers to the turning over to the translator by
the clerk of *' all the Dutch Records and Writings remaining in
his custody," it may be assumed that the court records were
meant to be included. Whatever may have been the intention
of the introducer of the bill, there is no evidence to show that
any such translations as were contemplated by the act were ever
made.
The first book of minutes, of which a translation appears in
the present volume, is a folio volume of 321 pages, which con-
tain the proceedings of the court from April 15, 1652, to
December 12, 1656. The handwriting in the book varies, the
first part being apparently that of Joannes Dyckman, who was
commissary of Fort Orange from 1651 until June 1655, when
he was incapacitated by insanity. During the administration of
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 13
Joannes Dyckman, Pieter Ryverdingh was court messenger and
for some time also clerk, and it is possible that some of the
entries are in his handwriting.
Johan de Deckere, who succeeded Dyckman, was appointed
presiding commissary at Fort Orange on June 21, 1655, and the
minutes from July 13th of that year until July 17, 1656, were
kept by him. Johannes de La Montagne, who offered to go to
Fort Orange on August 22, 1656, was appointed the same day
and received his commission as vice director on September 22d
of that year. The first entry signed by him occurs under date
of October 13, 1656, and appears to be in the handwriting of
Johannes Provoost, who during the administration of La Mon-
tagne was the clerk of the court. The court messenger at that
time was Ludovicus Cobes, who received his appointment on
August 7, 1656. For the period from October 4 to December
12, 1656, an engrossed copy of the minutes is found in part 2
of volume 16 of the A^en; York Colonial Manuscripts, in the
New York State Library, of which use has been made to supply
the signatures to the entry of October 4, 1 656, which are cut out
of the original record, presumably for the sake of securing the
autograph of Peter Stuyvesant, who on that date presided over
the court.
In making the translations, the effort has been to combine close
adherence to the original text with a fairly fluent English render-
ing, a task which in view of the technical character and often
defective form of expression of the original minutes has proved
most difficult.
Albany, N. Y., Juhj 20, 1920
A. J. F. VAN Laer
COURT MINUTES
1652-1656
[1]^ In the name of the Lord, Amen
Proceedings of the Inferior Court of Justice erected and estab-
lished in Fort Orange tp order of the Hon. Petrus Stw^-
vesant and the Hon. Council of New Netherland, pursuant
to the instructions and the oath taJ^en on the 1 0th of April
1652, and the request of the burghers of the aforesaid fort
and Beverrv^ck, situated Tvithin the established limits.
Monday, April 15, 1652
Present:
Joannes Dyckman Abraham Staets Volckert Jansz
Cornelis Theunisz van Westbroeck
Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh, appearing before the court,
requests that he may proceed with the erection of his house, as
the prohibition and nonallowance thereof involve his, Vosburgh's,
total ruin.
Whereupon, it being taken into consideration that the house
which he is erecting stands behind the dwelling of Commandant
Brant Arisz van Slichtenhorst ^ and therefore does not greatly
crowd or obstruct the fort, and seeing also the great expense
already incurred by him, his request is granted.
^ Figures within brackets indicate pages of the manuscript. Elsewhere
brackets show material supplied by the editor.
^ April 23, 1652, a patent was granted to Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh
for " a parcel of land, ten rods square, adjoining on the south a lot and
garden of van Slechtenhorst, on the north a vacant lot, extending from
the side of the wagon road to the stockade in the rear." The original of
this patent is in the possession of the Albany Institute and Art and
Historical Society.
[15]
16 Fort Orange and Bevern^^ck
Whereas several persons have applied for permission to build
on some lots between the two kills, it is after deliberation
approved, wherefore Dirrick Jansz and Abraham Pietersz Vos-
burgh are chosen and appointed surveyors to make a proper
survey.
[2] Upon the petition of Rut Arentsz to have a lot near his
house, it is resolved to refer the same to a committee to be
appointed for that purpose.
Upon the petition of Hermen Bastiaensz, carpenter, for per-
mission to erect a house commenced by him, as the petitioner
incurred great expense even before the date of the prohibition by
the Director General and Council and his house is not especially
crowding the fort, being situated near the mouth of the first kill,
consent is hereby given him to proceed with the building.
Commissary Joannes Dyckman, Volckert Jansz and Cornelis
Theunisz van Westbroeck are appointed a committee to look
after the surveying of lots and gardens, but the Hon. Abram
Staets is unanimously requested, in case his honor can be present,
to assist the aforesaid committee.
In accordance with the instructions, it is resolved that the
regular sessions of the court shall be held on Tuesday of each
week, at ten o'clock in the forenoon.
Extraordinary Session, April 17, 1652. Post Meridiem
Present:
Jo: Dyckman Ab: Staets Vol: Jansz
Cor: Theu: v: Westbroeck
Jan Machielsz and Jacob Luyersz, plaintiffs, about charges
of theft
Sander Leendertsz, defendant
The defendant states under oath that he brought no complaint
against the plaintiffs, but that his negress circulated the story.
Resolved, to examine the negress for further information.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 17
[3] The instructions drawn up for the surveyors, Dirrick
Jansz and Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh, having been examined,
are adopted, whereupon, being summoned to come into the room,
they have taken the usual oath before this court.
Jan Verbeeck, an inhabitant of Beverwyck, having appeared
before the court, has taken the usual burgher oath.
Jan Thomasz and Marten Hendrixsz, inhabitants of Bever-
wyck, confirmed by oath before the court a certain affidavit for
the behoof of Pieter Hertgers and Jan Verbeeck, concerning the
discharge of the said persons from their duties as magistrates of
the colony of Rensselaerswyck.
The court messenger, Pieter Ryverdingh, has been allowed
the following fees, to wit:
For each citation, 6 stivers
For each attachment, 12 stivers
For each presentation of a petition, 4 stivers
Tuesday, April 23, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz C: T: Westbroeck
J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
Thomas Chambre, plaintiff, against Isaack de Forrest,
defendant.
Plaintiff in default.
Volckgen Juriaens, plaintiff, about a blow with the fist and
abusive words, according to deposition, against Geertruyt
[Jeronimus] ,^ defendant.
The defendant is for her abusive language and assault and
threats made here against the court condemned to pay a fine of
six guilders, with order to leave the plaintiff henceforth in peace.
[4] Jan van Hoesem, plaintiff, against Willem Juriaensz.
defendant.
^ She was the wife of Jochem Becker, the baker.
18 Fort Orange and Beveriv^ck
The dispute between the parties about the lot having been
heard, it is resolved to adjourn the case until further advice from
the Hon. General, who will be written to about it.
Pieter Bronck, appearing in court, requests that he may take
possession of the lot as staked out. The court, having heard
Cornelis Theunisz van Westbroeck and listened to verbal argu-
ments on both sides, refers the matter to magistrates Jan Labite,
Volckert Jansz and Andries Herpertsz, to examine the same and
dispose thereof.
Jacob, the brewer, having requested permission to build an
addition to his house, standing near the first kill, [the court,]
taking into consideration that he has everything ready thereto
and that the work can not be left undone without considerable
loss to him, grants his request for very urgent reasons.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
CORNELUS ToNISEN
Ordinary Session, April 30, 1652
Jan van Hoesem, plaintiff, for slander
Jochem Becker, baker, defendant
Jochem, the baker, is ordered to bring proof of his accusations
at the next session of the court.
Caspar Jacopsz appearing before the court and requesting that
he may have the lot granted him by this court, between Jacob
Adriaensz, wheelwright, and Tunis Jacopsz, consent thereto is
given for certain reasons.
[5] The court having considered the request of Jan van
Hoesem to have the use of the lot on which he dwells and his
garden, according to the resolution of the court of the colony,
dated the 1 8th of January last, it is upon examination of the said
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 19
resolution decided by this court that the lot and garden shall
from now on be assigned to Jan van Hoesem, upon condition
that Willem Juriaensz shall have the right to occupy the house
in which he now dwells as long as he lives, it being recommended
that he furnish proper accommodation for Jan van Hoesem.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Jochem Becker,
defendant.
Defendant is ordered this day week to bring proper proof of
the slanderous charges against the aforesaid commissary and
president.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Labatie
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
cornelus tonisen
Ordinary Session, May 7, 1652
Present:
Jo: Dyckman J: Labatie Andries Herpertsz
Rut Jacobsz V: Jansz
Cornelis Theunisz van Westbroeck
Volckgen Juriaens, the wife of Jan van Hoesem, plaintiff, on
account of slander
Geertruyt, the wife of Jochem, the baker, defendant
Styntge Symants declares that she knows nothing of the plain-
tiff but what is honorable and virtuous.
Defendant is ordered, on pain of severe punishment, to bring
the proofs of which she has boasted into court on the next court
day, when a decision will be rendered by this court.
[6] Reyer Elbertsz, residing outside the limits of this fort,
has been granted the use of some low land near the third kill,
allotted to him to be fenced in and cleared of trees, and to have
the use thereof until further order.
20 Fort Orange and Beveriv})cl(
Upon the request of Wouter Aertsz van Putlen to have a
piece of land for a house lot and a vegetable garden situated
near the cripple bush, behind Marten, the brewer's, it is decided
to let him have the same as soon as he shall have taken the oath
of allegiance to the company. Rut Jacobsz and Jan Labatie
being appointed a committee to lay out the aforesaid land for
him. This day the aforesaid Wouter Aertsen has taken the oath
of allegiance.
This day Juriaen Theunisz has denied under oath in court
the charges brought a week ago in the matter of Commissary
Dyckman and Jochem, the baker.
Commissary Dyckman entering a complaint about insults
offered to him by the person of Jacob Jansz Schermerhooren, it
is ordered that the court messenger shall summon him to appear
on the next court day.
The ordinance prohibiting the tapping of wine and beer on
Sunday during divine service is taken up again and adopted and
published this day.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSEN
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
CORNELUS ToNISEN
Ordinary Session, May 14, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Labatie A: Herbertsz
A: Staets V: Jansz C: T: v: Westbroeck
Jan Machielsz, plaintiff, against Cathalina Sandertsz, defendant.
The defendant's first default.
[7] Joost, the baker, plaintiff, against Pieter Bronck, defendant.
Defendant's first default.
Hendrick van Driest, being summoned to appear, is asked why
he enlarged his garden on his own account by moving his clap-
board fence? The accused admits his guilt, whereupon Mr
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 21
Abraham Staets and Jan Labatie are appointed to make an
inspection and to take such measures as they shall see fit.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Jacob Clomp,
defendant.
Defendant acknowledges that he drew his knife twice, but
says that he was provoked thereto first. Case adjourned until
the next court day.
The request of Dirrick Bensingh, corporal, to have provision-
ally a garden next to Ariaen van Alckmaer and to fence the
same with palisades, is granted on condition that in case here-
after other arrangements are made, he shall have to give up the
same, and the bounds thereof shall be shown him by Mr Abra-
ham Staets and Jan Labatie, appointed for that purpose.
Volckgen Juriaens, wife of Jan van Hoesem, plaintiff against
Geertruyt, the wife of Jochem Becker, the baker.
Defendant being for the third time in default, it is decided
to summon her for the last time to appear on the next court day,
when final judgment will be given. Meanwhile she shall be
notified that if she has any proofs to submit, she must do so before
the aforesaid time, on pain of arbitrary punishment.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staets
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Jan Labatie
VOLCKART JaNSZ
CORNELUS TONISEN
[8] Extraordinary Session, May 29, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz C: T: Westbroeck
J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
After examination of the letter and the points of the request
concerning the amplification of the instructions for this court of
22 Fort Orange and Beverw^c^
justice, it is resolved to send the same to the deputies, Mr
Abraham Staets and Rutger Jacopsz, who are at the Manhatans.
A complaint having been made to this court by Volckgen Jans,
that Jochem Becker, the baker, has put up a pigsty opposite
the door of Jan van Hoesem, it is decided that whereas the said
Becker has done this directly against the order of this court and
also created an obstruction and nuisance to the house of the
aforesaid Jan van Hoesem, it is ordered that he, Becker, must
within the time of three days tear down the said pigsty and
remove it to a more convenient place, on pain of forfeiting twelve
guilders to the sheriff.
Upon examination of the marginal annotation on the petition
presented by Willem Juriaensz to the Director General and
Council of New Netherland, it is resolved to abide by the reso-
lution passed on the 30th of the preceding month.
On the complaint of Jan Verbeeck about the running away
of his boy to Margriet Willems, in view of the fact that accord-
ing to the authentic copy of the contract he was bound for
another year, the aforesaid boy is ordered by this court imme-
diately to reenter his master's service, on pain of punishment to
be determined for that purpose and Margriet Willems is ordered
not to detain the aforesaid boy on pain of arbitrary punishment.
Upon the request of Volckgen Jans, wife of Jan van Hoesem,
for permission to erect a small bark house on her lot, the Hon.
Volckert Jansz and Cornelis Theunisz van Westbroeck are
appointed to point out to her a suitable place therefor.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
Cornelus Tonisen
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 23
[9] Extraordinary Session, ultimo May 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz C: T: v: Westbroeck
J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, aged 25 years, and Maeriecke
Ryverdinxs from Dansick, aged 24 years, having requested to
enter the married state, permission is granted to have the first
proclamation of the banns take place on Sunday next.
Volckert Jansz, magistrate, plaintiff, about abusive language
and assault, against Jochem Becker, the baker, defendant.
The court having examined the documents in the case, it is
resolved to send them to the deputies of this court at the Man-
hatans, to be communicated to the supreme authorities there,
whose order thereon they are to w^rite and forward to us.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Labatie
Andries Herberts
Cornelus Tonisen
Post Meridiem
Whereas Jochem Becker declared this morning that some
members of this court immediately reported at the house of Jan
van Hoesem what had taken place here in court, this is entered
here with a view of questioning and examining the aforesaid
Becker further about this matter and in case of lack of proof
to punish him therefor by arbitrary sentence, as this tends greatly
to the disparagement of this court.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Labatie
Volckart Jansz
Andries Herberts
Cornelus Tonisen
24 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
[10] Ordinary Session, June 3, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz C: T: Westbroeck
J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
Volckert Jansz, in the name of Joost, the baker, plaintiff, against
Pieter Bronck, defendant.
Defendant is ordered to present to the court proper proof that
the point of the plowshare is broken off and that he sent back
a gun undamaged. When proper proof hereof is furnished, the
court shall pronounce judgment regarding the claim of 50
guilders [for damages].
Jan Machielsz, plaintiff, against Cathalina Sanderts, defendant.
The case is adjourned until the next court day.
It is resolved to have the palisades of the garden of the old
Captain * pulled up, if he refuses to do it himself, and to give
Jan van Hoesem permission to put new palisades around it and
from now on to take actual and personal possession of the
^^^*^^"' Joannes Dyckman
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
CORNELUS ToNISEN
Ordinary Session, Tuesday, June 11,1 652
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
A: Staets V: Jansz C: Theunisz van Westbroeck
R: Jacobsz
Jacob Luyersen and Jan Machielsen, plaintiffs, against
Cathalina Sanders, defendant.
The negress is ordered to depart within the space of four
days, on account of the false accusations brought against the
fair name of the plaintiffs, either to the island of Cornelis
Segertsz, or elsewhere, provided that she shall present the bill
* Willem Juriaensz, baker. See Van Rensselaer Borvier Mss, p. 820.
U«-xr(? ^.;a-^V^- ^-'^^V^
'iff;tr^-V-®'-^ ^^"-^
^^^^ ^M^U^U^ i^^^^-9 -^-^^'^-^^
W-'^'
'(„..o-,
,A-^< /,—
lT<-,».. r^ Tv^
.-Aij' V-"YS,
-r
Minutes of June 1 1, 1652, in the handwriting of Joannes Dyckman
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 25
for the costs of the suit to the persons with whom the negress
shall come to live and cause the same to be paid to the plaintiffs,
but the aforesaid plaintiffs are ordered promptly to pay the court
messenger what is due him..
[11] Jacob Luyersz, plaintiff, against Jacob Flodder, defend-
ant, for slander.
The defendant is ordered to pay to the presiding officer a sum
of twelve guilders by way of fine and for the poor six guilders,
since the aforesaid defendant declared that he had nothing to
say to the dishonor of the plaintiff, as he did.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Jochem Becker, the
baker, defendant.
The defendant declares that he has nothing further to say
in regard to the charges heretofore brought against the person
of the plaintiff; consequently, that he is forced to admit that he
lied. Furthermore, pursuant to the directions of the Hon. Gen-
eral, it is resolved to detain him and to send him a prisoner to
the Manhatans, to answer, if he can the complaint of the fiscal
there.
On the demand made by President Dyckman, that Geer-
truyt, the wife of Jochem, the baker, shall declare that she has
nothing to say against Volckgen Jans but what is honorable
and virtuous and in addition pay the expenses which the said
Volckgen Jans may have incurred, with the costs, and that
furthermore the said Geertruyt shall pay to the president, in his
capacity of sheriff, a fine of fifty guilders, the aforesaid Geer-
truyt, having appeared before the court and being asked whether
she had anything to say against Volckgen Jans but what was
honorable and virtuous, has declared No.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staas
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Jan Labatie
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
CORNELUS ToNISEN
26 Fort Orange and BeverTv\)ck
Ordinary Session, June 18, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
R: Jacopsz V: Jansz C: Theu van Westbroeck
Jacob Luyersz, appearing before the court, requests a place
for a house, one board in length, on the spot where his present
house stands. After deliberation it is resolved to grant his
request and that later a garden will be assigned to him for his
convenience.
[12] Geertruyt, the wife of Jochem, the baker, is ordered to
deliver to the court this day week the fines which she has been
condemned to pay.
This day Adriaen Jansz from Leyden and Maria Rever-
dinghs from Danswyck were united in marriage before the court
here.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
Cornelus Tonisen
Ordinary Session, June 25, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Labatie C: T: Westbroeck
R: Jacopsz V: Jansz
After examination in court upon interrogatories of Geertruyt
Jeronimus, wife of Jochem Becker, the baker, and Femmetgen
Alberts, wife of Hendrick Jansz Westerkamp, regarding the
abusive words spoken by Jacob Jansz Stol, commonly called
Hap, against the respective magistrates, they have answered as
may be seen in the said interrogatories, as was done likewise by
the offender himself.
Court Minules, 1652-1656 11
Ordinary Session, July 2, 1652
Present:
J : Dyckman J : Labatie C : T : v : Westbroeck
A: Staets
President Dyckman, plaintiff, against Jacob Jansz Hap,
defendant.
It is resolved this first time to excuse the abusive words spoken
by the defendant, but to enjoin and warn him to refrain from
doing so in the future, on pain of being punished accordingly.
Willem Bout, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, defendant.
Defendant's first default.
J. Dyckman
Abraham Staas
Jan Labatie
cornelus tonisen
[13] Ordinary Session, July 16, 1652
Present :
J: Dyckman J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
R: Jacobsz V: Jansz C: Theunisz van Westbroeck
Herman Bastiaensz, plaintiff against Thomas Sandertsen,
defendant.
The matter in dispute is put in the hands of Rem Jansz, smith,
Jan Verbeeck, Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh and Pieter Hert-
gers to conciliate the parties if possible and otherwise to report
to the court.
Upon the complaint of Jan Machielsz and Jacob Luyersz
that the negress of Sander Leendertsen continues to reside here
notwithstanding the sentence of the court, it is ordered that
Officer Dyckman shall conduct the negress outside the limits
[of the village] and whoever harbors her again inside shall for-
feit the first time six guilders and the second time twelve guilders
and the third time shall receive arbitrary correction.
28 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
President Dyckman and Jan Verbeeck are appointed a com-
mittee to procure a list of burghers who are willing to subscribe
for the support of the church and the minister and to make a
report of their findings.
Joannes Dyckman
Rut Jacobsz
Jan Labatie
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
cornelus tonisen
Tuesday, July 30, 1652
Present :
J: Dyckman V: Jansz
J: Labatie C: Theunisz van Westbroeck
Jan van Aecken, plaintiff, against Jan Daret, defendant.
Defendant's first default.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
CoRNELUS ToNISEN
[14] Tuesday, August 6, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Labatie V: Jansz
Joost, the baker, plaintiff, against Pieter Bronck, defendant.
The defendant having submitted for his defense that Jan van
Breemen is indebted to him in the sum of fifty guilders and
that last year he assigned his claim against Jan van Breemen to
the plaintiff, and seeing that payment has not yet taken place and
is acknowledged to have been refused, the case is adjourned
until the arrival here of Jan van Bremen.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 29
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Jan Machielsz, defendant.
Defendant is condemned to pay the plaintiff the sum of one
hundred and thirty-seven guilders and three stivers within the
space of three months, according to his own confession, on pain
of execution.
Jacob Clomp, plaintiff, against Dirrick Jansz Croon, defend-
ant, in regard to a dispute about ax handle planks. The parties
are referred to Rem Jansz, smith, and Philip Pietersz Schuler,
as referees, to reconcile parties if possible.
Jan van Aecken, plaintiff, against Jan Daret, defendant.
Defendant's second default.
Geertruyt Jeronimus, plaintiff, against Styntgen Laurens,
defendant.
Defendant's first default.
Dirrick van Nes, plaintiff, against Jan Verbeeck, defendant.
Both parties' first default.
The petition being read of Adriaen van Ilpendam, whereby
he requests that he may be promoted to the post of secretary
and that to this end a letter of recommendation from this court
may be sent to the Hon. Director General and the Hon. Coun-
cil, his request is granted.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
[15] Extraordinary Session, Wednesday, August 7, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
R: Jacobsz V: Jansz C: Theu: v: Westb:
Jan Labatie, plaintiff, against Jan Clomp, defendant, for 84
guilders due to Thomas Higge according to power of attorney
from Jan van Brem.en and attached in the hands of the Hon.
Rut Jacobsz.
30 Fort Orange and BeverTV})ck
The court sets aside the attachment by Jacob Clomp of the
aforesaid sum of 84 guilders in the hands of the Hon. Rut
Jacopsz and orders him to pay the balance of the money to the
plaintiff upon security, provided that the defendant may bring
in his alleged claim against Thomas Higge on account of the
sale of grain, which shall be his security for the recovery of the
amount. Meanwhile, the defendant is ordered to pay imme-
diately the costs of convening this court, on condition that if it
is found later that his claims on account of the sale are justified,
the court will order Thomas Higge promptly to reimburse the
defendant for this present outlay,
Dirrick Nes, plaintiff, against Jan Verbeeck, defendant, about
a debt of sixty guilders for blue linen and children's stockings.
The defendant declares that there is an overcharge of 6
guilders and in addition that he has something to claim on
account of the stockings. As the parties base their claims on
the writing of Dirrick Claesz Boot, at present at the Manhatans,
they are ordered to write to him, Boot, about it to advise
them of the truth, with offer to confirm by oath what he has to
say, upon the receipt of which the court will render judgment.
Meanwhile Dirck Nes is ordered promptly to pay the costs of
convening this court, upon condition that they will be refunded
if it is hereafter found that his claims were well founded.
The court messenger, Pieter Ryverdingh, is allowed fifteen
stivers from each party for this extraordinary session.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Jan Labatie
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
CORNELUS ToNISEN
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 31
Extraordinary Session, August 8, 1 652
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Labatie A: Herper^tsz
R: Jacopsz V: Jansz C: Theu: v: Westbroeck
Dirrick Jansz Kroon, plaintiff, against Herman Bastiaensz,
defendant.
The plaintiff requests a receipt for some beavers taken with
him to Holland for joint account, for which the defendant
acknowledges that he has been paid. The defendant promises
to grant the plaintiff a receipt and is hereby ordered to do so by
this court in the amount of fl. 1277:15. Furthermore, the
defendant is ordered to present and deliver to the court on Tues-
day next the debit and credit account of the house, loss and
profit, earnings and other matters outstanding between them
both, when the plaintiff shall make payment and the defendant
give a receipt.
Jan Jansz, plaintiff, against Willem Albertsz, defendant,
for beavers in the hands of Jan Machielsz, tailor, which are
attached by the defendant. The court sets aside the attachment
issued against the said beavers and condemns the defendant to
pay the costs of convening the court.
Joannes Dyckman
Rut Jacobsz
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
CORNELUS ToNISEN
32 Fort Orange and Beverrvy^ck
[17] Extraordinary Session, August 20, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
A: Staests V: Jansz C: Theu: v: Westb:
R: Jacopsz
Jan Labatie, plaintiff, against Hendrick Jansz Westerkamp,
defendant, on account of eight beavers which the defendant owes
to Philip Gerary,^ acording to a note of the 16th of August
of last year.
The court orders the defendant to pay the aforesaid eight
beavers in specie to the plaintiff, by virtue of his power of attor-
ney, within the space of ten days, on pain of execution.
Evert Tesselaer, plaintiff, against Marten, the mason, defend-
ant, on account of some merchandise bought by the defendant
from the plaintiff, amounting to the sum of 11. 141 : 10, which
was to be paid cash.
The court orders the defendant to pay the aforesaid sum of
fl, 1 4 1 : 1 to the plaintiff within the space of two days, or to
return the plaintiff's goods, on pain of execution.
Dirrick Nes, plaintiff, against Willem Albertsz, defendant.
Defendant's first default.
Cornelis Jacopsz, plaintiff, against Jochem, the baker, for
[payment of] fl. 136 in beavers for wages earned.
The court orders the defendant to pay the aforesaid sum of
fl. 136 to the plaintiff in beavers within the space of ten days,
on pain of execution.
Geertruyt Jeronimus, plaintiff, against Styntgen Laurens and
Volckgen Jans, defendants.
The court orders each of the defendants to pay the sum of
twelve guilders to the president for fighting and as they charge
the plaintiff with having called them names, which [18] they
have not been able to prove, the parties on both sides are fur-
Philip Geraerdy, a tavernkeeper at New Amsterdam.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 33
thermore ordered to hold their tongues and to leave each other
in peace, as otherwise the court will take such measures as shall
be found necessary.
Dirrick Bensinck, corporal here in Fort Orange in the ser-
vice of the West India Company, having last year resided at
the Manhatans in New Amsterdam and at that time sold to
the Reverend Domine Joannes Magapolensis a certain house
and garden situated there, has appeared before this court and
acknowledged that he has been satisfied and paid therefor in
full, the first penny with the last. In order that they may be
mutually at ease and to prevent all further demands, he requests
that this may be entered in the court record and that an extract
therefrom be given him, the more so as he, Bensingh, can neither
read nor write; which request is hereby granted him.
Philip Pietersz Scheuler is granted the lot heretofore given
to Claes Croon, on the east side of Annetgen Bogardus, as it
is assumed that he, Kroon, will not build upon it.
Jan van Aecken, plaintiff, against Jan Daret, defendant, for
the recovery of fl. 1 50, loaned to him last year.
The defendant's third default. He is therefore ordered to
pay the plaintiff the aforesaid fl. 150 within the space of four
days and to appear and present himself here before the court
a week from today to purge himself of the escape from arrest
and in case of refusal he shall immediately betake himself out-
side of this jurisdiction and remain there, on pain of appre-
hension.
Joannes Dyckman
Abraham Staes
Rut Jacobsz
Jan Labatie
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
CORNELUS ToNISEN
34 Fort Orange and Beverrv^ck
[19] Ordinary Session, August 26, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman A: Herpertsz C: Theunisz
R: Jacopsz J: Labatie A: Staats
V: Jansz
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, plaintiff, against Hendrick Jansz
Westerkamp, defendant, for the sum of fl. 166, to be paid in
beavers.
The defendant is ordered to pay the aforesaid sum of fl. 166
in merchantable beavers to the plaintiff on the first of June 1 653
next, on pain of peremptory execution.
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, plaintiff, against Jan Daret,
defendant.
Defendant's first default.
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, plaintiff, against Pieter Bronck,
defendant, for the sum of fl. 64, to be paid in beavers.
The court orders the defendant to pay the aforesaid sum of
fl. 64 in beavers to the plaintiff within the space of 24 hours,
but to deduct certain fl. 33:7, vv^hich the plaintiff owes the
defendant.
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, plaintiff, against Lambert van
Valckenburgh, defendant, for the sum of fl. 535 in beavers.
The court orders the defendant to pay to the plaintiff accord-
ing to his promise made here, the half of the aforesaid sum of
fl. 535 provisionally at the Manhatans in New Amsterdam
before the departure of the ships lying ready to sail for patna
and the balance by the middle of June of next year and in case
of nonpayment execution in full is ordered.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staes
Rut Jacobsz
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 35
[20] Ordinary Session, September 3, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz C: T: van Westbroeck
R: Jacopsz A: Herpertsz
Cornelis Jacopsz, plaintiff, against Pieter Bronck, defendant,
in regard to some claims.
The case is adjourned until the next session.
Arent Cornelisz Vogel being summoned and having appeared
before the court is ordered and directed to present this day
week his papers and the proofs which he may have or can
secure, when judgment will be rendered.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
cornelus tonisen
Extraordinary Session, September 4, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz A: Herpertsz
R: Jacobsz
Willem Albertsz from Monickendam, plaintiff, against Jacob
Clomp, defendant, about 1 00 boards of the Hon. Rut Jacopsz
taken from plaintiff and put on board.
The court orders the defendant to return the one hundred
boards loaded into his yacht '< Seepaert and to deliver them
undamaged and free of charge on land, as he put them on
board contrary to orders, and therefore to pay and turn over
to Willem Albertsz the costs of the court. Furthermore, parties
are at the first opportunity to settle with each other in regard
to the accounts which they may heretofore have had together.
This day, Willem Albertsz has sworn before the court that
he had given no orders to Jacob Clomp to put the aforesaid
36 Fort Orange and BeverTV\)cI(
boards on board. The resolution being taken up again, it is
provisionally decided to let the above written judgment take
effect.
[21] There was read a certain writing and petition sent to
this court by Mr de Hooges, secretary and commissioner of the
colony of Rensselaerswyck, whereby he requests [relief] from
annoyance caused him by the person of Willem Albertsz in
demanding payment for an Edam cheese and six cans of wine,
the first of which was retained as compensation for writing and
the second were paid for by Joost, the baker.
After deliberation, it is resolved and decided to order Willem
Albertsz to leave the aforesaid Mr de Hooges hereafter in
peace and unmolested, on pain of punishment to be determined
later. Meanwhile, he is to pay at once six guilders to the poor
on account of the offensive conduct in the matter toward the
person of the aforesaid Mr de Hooges.
As regards the fine of Willem Albertsz for fighting, the
president is requested to submit his complaint and conclusion in
writing on the next court day.
Joannes Dyckman
Rut Jacobsz
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
Extraordinary Session,. September 6, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz
R: Jacopsz A: Herpertsz
Jan Machielsz, tailor, plaintiff, against Willem Albertsz,
defendant, charging that the defendant accused the plaintiff of
having stolen a cheese.
The court having examined the witnesses called and the
parties and found that the plaintiff's charges are not true, they
first condemn the plaintiff to pay the costs of the suit and fur-
Present:
J : Dyckman
V: Jansz
R: Jacopsz
A: Herpertsz
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 37
thermore order the parties on both sides to keep still and to
behave themselves on pain of arbitrary correction.
The court having further examined the declarations made the
day before yesterday by Geertruyt Jeronimus and Marritgen
Jans regarding the drawing of the knife by Willem Albertsz
from Monickendam, [22] sentence is passed in accordance with
the complaint and conclusion, as may be seen from the
documents.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
C : Theuniszz v : Westbroeck
Interrogatories conducted by this court concerning the crime
committed by Frans Gabrielsz from Delft against the daughter
of Goosen Gerretsz, as may be seen from the contents thereof.
Upon consideration of the notice concerning the taking away
of the canoes from the shore, it is resolved to post the same as
drafted.
Joannes Dyckman
Rut Jacobsz
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
Extraordinary Session, September 20, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz C: Theunisz v: Westbroeck
R: Jacopsz A: Herpertsz
In the matter of Frans Gabrielsz from Delft, at present a
prisoner pursuant to the interrogatories conducted last Tuesday
in regard to the crime committed by him, has accordingly con-
38 Fort Orange and Beverw^cl^
fessed as shown in the margin [of said interrogatories] , where-
upon it is resolved to send the same to the Hon. General in
order to learn his honor's very wise opinion and order thereon.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
CORNELUS ToNISEN
[23] Ordinary Session, October 8, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman A: Herpertsz V: Jansz
R: Jacobsz C: Theunisz v: Westbroeck
Merten, the mason, an inhabitant of Beverwyck, appears and
acknowledges that he is indebted to Jan Jansz from Gotten-
burgh in the sum of fifty-eight beavers, which [he promises]
to pay to [him] or his attorney next year before the departure
of the ships, for which he hereby binds his house and goods
according to the preference [of the payee].
Brecht Jacop's daughter, plaintiff, against Abram Pietersz
Vosburgh, defendant, for 4|/2 beavers for goods supplied for
his maintenance.
The defendant is ordered to pay the plaintiff within eight
days three beavers in specie and twelve guilders in good, strung
seawant.
Joannes Dyckman
RuTGER Jacobsz
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
CoRNELUS TONISEN
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 39
Extraordinary Session, October 13, 1652
Present.
J: Dyckman A: Herpertsz C: T: v: Westbroeck
R: Jacopsz
The court having read and examined a certain authorization
granted by the Hon. Director General and Council of New
Netherland on the 28th of September last, concerning the per-
son of Frans Gabrielsz from Delft, at present a prisoner here
on account of a crime committed by him, and also the letter
sent to the presiding officer and the advice contained therein,
it is unanimously resolved to have the delinquent appear before
this court and once more to [24] read to him his confession
made heretofore upon interrogatories. Having come down and
appeared before us, he has confessed as before and made the
same statement that upon his confession was entered in the
margin, with some additions. Whereupon, after deliberation, the
president is requested to have the whipping post and its appurte-
nances made ready for tomorrow to punish the delinquent as an
example to others.
On motion of the president made ex officio about the crime
committed by Arent Cornelisz Vogel, who was imprisoned but
released on bail, to have him provisionally also further examined
tomorrow, his request is granted.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
VOLCKART JaNSZ
cornelus tonisen
Andries Herberts
40 Fort Orange and Beverrv^ck
Extraordinary Session, October 14, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz C: Theunisz v: Westbroeck
R: Jacobsz A: Herpertsz
Having seen the written bill of complaint and demand pre-
sented by the president against the delinquent, Frans Gabrielsz
from Delft and duly weighed everything, we have concluded to
condemn him, as we do hereby, as set forth at large in the record
of the sentence, the execution of which is ordered to follow.
[The court] having examined and carefully considered the
written complaint and demand presented by the president in his
official capacity against the delinquent, Arent [25] Cornelisz
Vogel, at present held in custody on account of the crimes com-
mitted by him, and also read the evidence against him, it was
resolved to summon the witnesses to confirm their testimony by
oath. Which being done, it was in accordance with legal pro-
cedure decided to have him brought to the place of justice, to
be exposed to public [scorn].
However, before the sentence was read to him, the delinquent
was informed that he was free to appeal, on condition of giving
bail for the carrying out of the sentence. Whereupon, at the
delinquent's request, two bailsmen appeared, to wit, Willem
Fredrixsz and Marten Hendrixsz, who after recital of the crimes
committed by the delinquent and the sentence that had been
imposed upon him, begged to be excused from becoming bail.
As the delinquent was unable to get any other persons to go bail
for him, the sentence was left to take its course in accordance
with its terms and as is to be seen more fully from the text, which
to that end will be recorded in the Sentence Book.
Joannes Dyckman
RuTGER Jacobsz
VoLCKART Jansz
cornelus tonisen
Andries Herberts
Court Minutes, J 652-1656 41
Ordinary Session, October 22, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz C: T: v: Westbroeck
R: Jacopsz
Volckert Jansz, plaintiff, against Pieter Bronck, defendant,
for fifty guilders due by the defendant according to a note
assigned in favor of Joost Theunisz, baker, at the Manhatans.
The court orders the defendant [26] to pay the plaintiff
the aforesaid sum of fifty guilders, the defendant to look to Jan
van Bremen for the recovery of the sum and to make payment
within the space of four weeks.
A petition was read of Jan Thomasz and Laurens Jansz,
burghers of Beverswyck, setting forth that shots are frequently
fired at night by the Christians themselves, notwithstanding the
ordinances against it, and requesting for the sake of preventing
many accidents in the future that a warning may be issued by
this court.
Whereupon, after deliberation, it is resolved to note that
proper provision in the matter will be made by the court for the
future, and to request the president to make inquiries as to the
persons who are guilty.
Machiel, the lademal^er,^ appearing in court, requests to have
a lot next to the lot[s] of Gerret, the cooper, and Annetgen
Bogardus, which request is granted, notwithstanding said lot has
heretofore been granted to Klaes Kroon, at the Manhatans, the
president undertaking to defend the title against the claims of
the said Croon.
The president having announced that he understood and was
informed that those of the colony,^ directly contrary to our
® The usual meaning of the word lademaker is that of a man who makes
gexveerladen, or gunstocks, i e, a gunstock maker. Occasionally, how-
ever, the word occurs in the sense of a man who makes chests of drawers,
in other words, a cabinet maker.
^ The authorities of the colony of Rensselaerswyck.
42 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
instructions, intended to make improvements to their building,*
it is resolved to have the court messenger, Pieter Ryverdingh,
serve our order on them in writing, as may be read therein at
length.
[27] Extraordinary Session, October 28, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz C: T: van Westbroeck
R: Jacobsz A: Herpertsz
The court having examined the written request made of the
court of the colony, and also the protest and prohibition to repair
the building erected in spite of our protest which they thus far
occupy and reside in by sufferance, and being informed that they
intend to proceed with the repairs, it is, after mature deliberation,
in view of the friendly request, protest and prohibition that have
been made and pending the reciept of an answer to the letter
written by the president to the Hon. General, resolved to leave
the matter for the present in statu quo, until further order.
Whereas the president and the court messenger have informed
the court that the Hon. Jan Labatie, appointed magistrate of
this court, is going to live in the colony on the farm of Cornelis
Theunesz van Breuckelen and therefore resigns from the office
of magistrate, it is resolved to proceed anew to the nomination
and election of an extraordinary magistrate. The Hon. Pieter
Hertgers was elected by a plurality of votes and after the afore-
said Hon. Jan Labatie is duly released from his oath he will be
installed in the office of extraordinary magistrate of this court
and take the oath prescribed by our instructions.
Joannes Dyckman
RuTGER Jacobsz
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
cornelus tonisen
® Logemeni.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 43
[28] Ordinary Session, November 5, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman A: Herpertsz C: Theu: v: Westbroeck
Evert Noldingh, plaintiff, against Jan van Breemen, defend-
ant, for wages earned according to the contract, amounting to
fl. 56:16.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff the aforesaid sum
of fifty-six guilders, sixteen stivers, within the space of fourteen
days, on pain of execution.
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Jan van Bremen, defendant,
for fifty guilders which he owes plaintiff.
The court having examined the circumstances of the case,
order the defendant within fourteen days to present his evidence,
showing what damage he suffered as to the plowshare and the
gun, in order to pronounce and render judgment in accordance
with the decision of the 22d of the preceding month.
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, plaintiff, against Jan van
Bremen, defendant, for fl.63:8:-, which he owes plaintiff for
merchandise received according to the account submitted.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff the aforesaid sum
of fl.63:8:-, within the space of six weeks, on pain of execution.
Joannes Dyckman
Andries Herberts
cornelus tonisen
[29] Extraordinary Session, November 16, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman A: Herpertsz C: Theunisz van Westbroeck
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Willem Albertsz
from Monickendam, defendant, on account of the defendant s
offensive conduct toward the person of Mr de Hooges, secretary
of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, and his wife, according to
the deposition and the testimony of Joost Theunisz, the baker,
44 Fori Orange and Beverw}^ck
and the extract from a letter of the Rev. Domine Megapolensis,
All of which papers, together with the sentence in the case passed
by this court on the 4th of September last, [having been exam-
ined], it is decided, in view of the fact that there is no quorum
present on the bench, to adjourn the case until the return of the
magistrates who are absent, when final decision and sentence will
be pronounced.
Meanwhile, the defendant is placed under arrest [with
order] not to depart before further decision in the matter is
made, unless released on bail.
Joannes Dyckman
Andries Herberts
CORNELUS ToNISEN
Ordinary Session, December 3, 1652
Present:
Omnes
Received, a letter from the Hon. General Petrus Stuyvesant,
dated the 26th of November 1652, and with it two ordinances,
one of which, prohibiting the use of grain for brewing, is
unanimously approved by all the magistrates for publication and
for being posted. As to the other, regarding the tapsters' excise,
the Hon. Rutger Jacopsz and Volckert Jansz declare them-
selves personally in favor of further communication [with the
Director General], as [30] they have objections to its being
published and posted.
Evert Nolden, tailor, requests to have a lot between the road
near Annetgen Bogardus and Machiel, the lademaker.® The
Hon. Volckert Jansz and Cornelis Theunisz von Westbroeck
are appointed a committee to lay out and convey the said lot and
road.
® tusschen den Tvegh van omtrenl annetgen Bogardus ende Machiel de
lademaker; literally, " between the road, from about Annetgen Bogardus
and Machiel, the lademaker."
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 45
Pieter Adriaensz, commonly called Gemacl(eUjcJ(, a resident
of the fort, is upon the verbal report of Jacob Jansz Hap pro-
visionally given permission to tap, on condition that in tapping
and entertaining company he shall act quietly, in accordance
with the provisions of the ordinance issued for that purpose.
Merten, the mason, is at his request granted the lot behind
his place, on condition that if within six weeks he does not begin
to build and gradually proceed with the work until it is finished,
he shall be deprived thereof.
Hendrick Cassersz from Oldenborgh requesting a lot for a
plantation near Wouter Aertsz van Petten, wheelwright, and a
small hop yard, he is granted the same on condition that if he
does not commence his plantation in the spring, he shall be
deprived thereof, and that he must leave alone the lot of the
aforesaid Wouter Aertsz and the necessary road or roads there-
abouts.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staes
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
Cornelus Tonisen
[31] Extraordinary Session, December 6, 1652
The lot granted heretofore to Philip Pietersz Scheuler, to
the east, say to the west, of Marten, the mason, is approved
and definitely entered as granted to him.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staes
RuTGER JaCOBSZ
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
Cornelus Tonisen
46 Fori Orange and Beverrv^ck
Extraordinary Session, December 28, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz C: Theu: v: Westbroeck
A: Staets A: Herpertsz J: Labatie
R: Jacopsz
On the date hereof. Evert Brantsen from Amersfoort, a
soldier, is released by Commissary Dyckmans from his oath to
the company taken as a soldier and engaged by this court as
under-sheriff provisionally until next May, at wages of fl.18
a month and fl.lOO for board, whereupon he has taken the oath
of fidelity as under-sheriff.
Herman Bastiaensen, an inhabitant of Beverwyck, under
arrest for misdemeanors committed by him regarding which evi-
dence has been gathered, being arraigned before this court, has
made confession and denial as set forth at length in the docu-
ments thereof. Therefore, the commissary is requested, if pos-
sible, to secure further evidence to be presented at the next ses-
sion of the court, which he has undertaken to do. At the request
[of the delinquent] [32] to be released on bail, this is for
certain reasons granted upon severe conditions specified in the
bail bond, whereupon Willem Fredrixsz, commonly called Bout,
an inhabitant of Beverwyck, has appeared and after the bail
bond was read to him, signed the bond as it stood before this
court.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staes
Rut Jacobsz
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
Andries Herberts
cornelus tonisen
Court Minutes, 1652-/656 47
Ordinary Session, January 7, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman R: Jacopsz V: Jansz
A: Staets J: Labatie
The commissary having submitted and complained to this
court that in spite of the contract made with Herman Bastiaensen,
carpenter, the Hon. Company's house is not being finished, not-
withstanding the protest, friendly request and threats made, so
that the company's house remains unfinished, to the great loss,
prejudice and damage, not only of the company, but also of
him, the commissary, and even of this court, it is after mature
deliberation resolved and decided to order the aforesaid Herman
Bastiaensz, as this court does hereby, to finish the work on the
Hon. Company's house without any delay and not to let any
good and suitable weather go by without working, on pain of
having the aforesaid work executed and carried to completion
by others [33] at the expense of the said Herman Bastiaensen,
who is hereby ordered promptly to regulate himself accordingly.
An extract herefrom shall be sent to him by the court messenger
to regulate himself accordingly.
Jochem Becker, plaintiff, against Jan van Hoesem, defendant,
for having hired of Willem Juriaensen the house standing on the
plaintiff's lot, which he was prohibited from occupying.
Upon examination of the resolution concerning the lot passed
by this court on the 30th of April last, it is decided that as long
as Willem Juriaensz lives he shall be free to lease his aforesaid
dwellinghouse to whomsoever he pleases.
Secondly, Jochem Becker, plaintiff, has exhibited a certain
written contract made with Jan van Hoesem and Willem
Juriaensen concerning the aforesaid lot, his furniture and baker s
trade, which being read, Jan van Hoesem has requested a copy
of the aforesaid contract, which request is granted on condition
that Jan van Hoesem shall be bound to file his answer before
the next session of the court.
48 Fori Orange and BeverTv^cl^
Jan Claesz Brant, appearing before the court, requests a lot
in Beverwyck, across the first kill, for the purpose of building
thereon. After deliberation it is resolved and decided to
request and appoint the Hon. Rutger Jacopsz and Volckert
Jansz to lay out for him a lot near Willem Hap on the line.
The Hon. Abraham Staets having requested that the
[description] [34] of the lot heretofore granted to him might
be entered here, this is granted and it is situated as follows:
Adjoining on the east side Rut Jacopsz, between [whose lot
and his] there is a path five feet wide, reaching across the first
kill; on the west side the hill, [length] six rods, two feet; south-
wards eight rods, on the north side the common wood road,
twenty-five rods; again southward to the first kill, eight rods,
and further along the boundary line of the said kill to the afore-
said five foot path.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staes
Rutger Jacobsz
Jan Labatie
VoLCKART Jansz
Ordinary Session, Tuesday, January 14, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
A: Staets V: Jansz C: Th: v: Westbroeck
R : Jacobsz
Upon the request of the Hon. Jan Labatie for permission to
take possession for his own use of the garden heretofore given
to Jan Martensz, behind this fort, marked W 7, said permission
is hereby granted him on condition that he obtain a patent
from the Hon. General.
The president having stated that Jochem, the baker, accord-
ing to the judgment of the court dated the 26th of August,'*
^° Not entered in the minutes.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 49
owes him fl.50 on account of a dispute and that these have
not yet been paid, the court decides that he must pay within
fourteen days on pain of execution, which the officer is hereby
authorized to levy.
[35] Jochem Becker, plaintiff, against Jan van Hoesem,
defendant.
The defendant having appeared, requests that a member of
this court proceed in his name against the plaintiff in the matter
of the lot in issue between Jan van Hoesem and Willem Juria-
ensz, for which Jan van Hoesem received the patent.
The Hon. Rutger Jacopsz is unanimously chosen for this pur-
pose, the present entry taking the place of a power of attorney.
Plaintiff says that the lot belongs to Willem Juriaensz.
Rutger Jacopsz, appearing for the defendant, demands
security for the judgment.
Parties are ordered to give security for the judgment and to
produce their evidence on the next court day when judgment
will be pronounced.
Jochem Becker is notified and ordered to remove his lumber
lying in the public road within twenty-four hours, on pain of
forfeiting fifty guilders, of twice the amount on second notice,
and of arbitrary correction on third notice.
On the side of Jan van Hoesem, Andries Herpertsz and
Cornelis Theunisz van Westbroeck have become sureties for
the judgment at the termination of the suit.
[36] This day, Arent Andriesz has taken the oath of burgher
of Beverwyck before this court.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staas
Rutger Jacobsz
Jan Labatie
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
50 Fori Orange and Beverw^ck
Ordinary Session, January 22, 1652
Present:
J: Dyckman R: Jacobsz V: Jansz
A: Staets J: Labatie
Volckert Jansz, plaintiff, against Pieter Bronck, defendant,
for payment of fl.50 for Joost Theunisz, the baker.
The court having taken into consideration the judgment ren-
dered by it, orders by virtue thereof prompt payment or execu-
tion.
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Jan van Bremen, defendant,
for the recovery of fifty guilders according the above written
judgment given against the defendant.
The court order defendant to pay plaintiff within twenty-four
hours, on pain of execution.
Barent Cramer, plaintiff, against Jan van Bremen, defendant,
for the sum of fl.56:16, according to the judgment heretofore
rendered.
Defendant says that he does not want to fulfil the contract
because he was drunk when he signed it.
The court orders that defendant shall remain under arrest
and imprisoned for debt until he has paid the aforesaid sum to
the plaintiff, or gives security to the satisfaction of the plaintiff.
J. Dyckman
Abram Staas
Jan Labatie
RuTGER Jacobsz
VoLCKART Jansz
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 51
[37] There was read a petition from Goosen Gerritsz,
burgher and inhabitant of Beverwyck, praying for a building
lot, situated close to the third kill, on this side, with the thicket
or swamp lying close to it. Resolved to note in the margin that
the Hon. court is favorably disposed to accommodate the peti-
tioner with a lot, but as to the other [ground] , as it is considered
best to keep this for common use, the request can not be granted.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staas
Jan Labatie
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Ordinary Session, Tuesday, January 28, 1653
Present :
J : Dyckman J : Labatie A : Herpertsz
R: Jacopsz V: Jansz C: Theu: v: Westb:
Jochem Keteluyn having requested permission to have a lot
next to Jan Claes Brant, on the north side, the same is granted
and the Hon. Rutger Jacopsz and Volckert Jansz are requested
to indicate the bounds of the lot, in order that he may obtain
his ground brief in connection with his permit to build.
Commissary Dyckmans, plaintiff, against Pieter Adriaensen,
innkeeper, defendant, on account of having tapped after com-
mencement of divine service.
Defendant acknowledges that on the 19th of this month he
was fined by the under-sheriff and that he used abusive language
when fined.
The court orders him to pay the officer the sum of six guilders
as a fine and if he is hereafter caught again, the double amount.
[38] A petition was read of Willem Fredrixsz, praying for
permission to erect a horse mill in Beverwyck and to have the
exclusive right to operate it for some time. Resolved to note
in the margin that She petitioner must first indicate to this court
52 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
where he intends to put this mill and that then the matter will
be taken under further consideration.
Jacob Hap and Jan de Visscher being called, the second
default is taken against them.
Rutger Jacopsz, plaintiff, against Jochem Becker, defendant.
Plaintiff wants to know, first, whether the defendant still
claims that the lot of Jan van Hoesem according to the ground
brief belongs to Willem Juriaensz, and what proof he has
thereof?
Secondly, plaintiff demands that the defendant, pursuant to
the order of the court, give security for the judgment.
The defendant says that before the coming of the Hon.
General to Beverwyck, no one had any ground of his own. The
defendant refuses to give security or to bind himself for some
one else and prefers to discontinue the suit.
The court orders the parties to live henceforth in peace and
not to molest one another about the lot, on pain of being dealt
with by this court as it may see fit; but with this provision, that
the Hon. Magistrates Abraham Staets and Volckert Jansz are
appointed to show the old captain " a place on the aforesaid
lot where he may pile up his fire-wood, or to indicate to him
how far he may use the lot, in order that the aforesaid Jan van
Hoesem may properly fence off [39] his lot to suit his con-
venience.
On the complaint of Jochem Becker that Jan van Hoesem
or his family were throwing hot ashes or embers against his clab-
boards, which he fears may some day cause a fire to the great
detriment of himself and his neighbors, it is resolved to have the
court messenger, Pieter Ryverdingh, enjoin the said van Hoesem
in the name of this court from doing so in the future.
Joannes Dyckman
Rutger Jacobsz
VoLCKART Jansz
Jan Labatie
cornelus tonisen
Andries Herberts
^^ Willem Juriaensz.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 53
Ordinary Session, February 11,1 653
Present:
J: Dyckman Jan Labatie A: Herpertsz
A: Staets V: Jansz
Goosen Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz.
Both parties in default.
Herman Bastiaensz against Cornelis Hendrixsz, defendant.
First default of both parties.
Jacob Jansz Schermerhooren, plaintiff, against Adriaen Jansz
from Leyden, about a certain lot situated next to the lot of the
plaintiff, near the hill, marked No. 4, drawn by him last year,
but afterwards promised to the plaintiff, or to Lysbet Cornelis,
wife of Gisbert Cornelisz, whereof sufficient evidence has been
shown to this court.
The Hon. Magistrate Jan Labatie, [40] appearing for the
defendant to answer the plaintiff's demand, says that the
defendant had no power to give away the lot, for if he did
not wish to take possession of it, it reverted to this court.
The court having heard both sides, assign the lot from now
on to Lysbet Cornelis, on condition that she must secure a
ground brief therefor and that the defendant may take posses-
sion of the lot drawn by her on the conditions agreed to.
Goosen Gerritsen, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, tailor,
defendant, for beer furnished and money due, amounting to
fl.86:-
Defendant admits the debt.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff the aforesaid sum
of fl.86:- or thereabouts, within the space of six weeks, on pain
of execution.
Willem Fredrixsz having requested on January 28, last past,
permission to erect a horse mill for the convenience of the
burghers, it is after deliberation resolved to grant him permission
to do so on his own lot, on condition that he keep within the street
line; but as to his request for exclusive privilege, he is referred
54 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
to the Hon. General and Council of the province at the Man-
hatans.
Received and read a letter from the Hon. General, dated the
first of this month, giving notice of and inclosing an ordinance
prohibiting the baking and sale to the Indians [41] of white
bread and cake and the malting of hard grain, w^hereupon it is
resolved to cause the same to be published.
On receipt of a letter from the Hon. General about the non-
imposition of the tapsters' excise on beer and wines for a time,
it is upon reconsideration of the matter resolved to give public
notice that innkeepers shall hereafter not be allowed to ask
more than 8 stivers for a mutsje of brandy and nine stivers for
a can of beer, on pain of forfeiting for the first violation one
hundred guilders, the second time twice as much and of receiving
arbitrary punishment the third time.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staes
Jan Labatie
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
cornelus tonisen
Ordinary Session, Tuesday, February 18, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman V: Jansz A: Herperts
A: Staets J: Labatie C: Theu: v: Westb:
R : Jacopsz
Rut Arentsz, plaintiff, against Aert Jacopsz, defendant.
Parties' first default.
Herman Bastiaensz, plaintiff, against Dirrick Jansz, defend-
ant, about some disputed accounts outstanding between them.
The arguments on both sides having been heard by the court,
it IS decided that the plaintiff shall on demand promptly pay
to the defendant what he is found to have received more than
his share of the common account.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 55
[42] [Plaintiff] also [demands] the sum of fl.21 1 :-, for
some gunstocks ^^ made together. At the request of the defend-
ant the case is put over to the next court day.
Steven Jansz, plaintiff, against Marten, the brewer, defendant,
for carpenter's wages, moneys advanced and goods.
Defendant admits the debt.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff in accordance
with the terms of the contract made together, within eight weeks,
on pain of execution.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Jochem Becker,
defendant, for baking cake and white bread contrary to the
ordinance.
Defendant says that he has not baked since the publication
of the ordinance.
Jan van Hoesem, or Rut Jacobsz, as attorney, plaintiff,
against Jochem Becker, defendant, about the accounts of the
expenses incurred by the parties during the suit about the lot
of Jan van Hoesem, claimed by the old captain, Willem Juri-
aensen. The court orders parties on both sides to pay the costs
of the suit, and in case they are not satisfied with the judgment
pronounced on the 28th of the preceding month and find them-
selves aggrieved by it, they are given the right to appeal to the
Hon. General and Council of New Netherland. The court
having heard the report made on the aforesaid date by the Hon.
Abraham Staets and Volckert Jansz, the same is approved as
to its provision that the old captain, Willem Juriaensen, may
possess the aforesaid lot as long as he lives.
[43] Jan Smit, plaintiff, against Jan Gauw, defendant, for
wounds inflicted on plaintiff by defendant. Plaintiff claims
damages for pain and injury suffered and also payment of the
surgeon's fees.
Defendant states that it was plaintiff's fault and that he
pushed him and claims damages for lost time.
The court orders parties on both sides to present their evidence
on the next court day.
*^ Laaden.
56 Fort Orange and BeverwytJ^
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Jacob Flodder,
defendant, for fighting last Sunday with a hoe against Ellert,
at the house of Pieter Bronck.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Elbert Gerbertsz,
defendant, for drawing his knife against Jacob last Sunday at
the house of Pieter Bronck.
Defendant denies at first.
Pieter Bronck being questioned on oath says, Yes. Like-
wise the under-sheriff.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff at once a fine
of twenty-five guilders and a like sum of twenty-five guilders
to the poor, with the proviso that he shall remain in custody until
the aforesaid payments are made.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Rut Adriaensz,
tailor, defendant, and Lysbet Rosekrans, on account of carnal
conversation, committed according to mutual [44] confession
on the seventh of this month at the house of the said Rut
Arentsz.
Rut Arents declares that she, the said Lysbet Rosekrans, is
and will remain a whore and that he does not want to marry
her.
The aforesaid Rut Arentsz and Lysbet Rosekrans are ordered
to appear on the next court day to hear the sentence of the court.
Joannes Dyckman
Upon the request of the Hon. Magistrate Jan Labatie for
permission to build on the corner of the first kill and to have
the lot between the kill and the lot provisionally inclosed by
Sander Leendertsen, said request is granted, the lot to be
properly surveyed and the lines indicated to him.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staas
Rut Jacobsz
Jan Labatie
VOLCKART JanSZ
Andries Herberts
cornelus tonisen
Court Minutes. 1652-1656 57
Ordinary Session, Tuesday, March 4, 1 653
Present :
J: Dyckman R: Jacobsz V: Jansz
A: Staets J: Labatie A: Herpertsz
Jan Smit, plaintiff, against Jan Gauw, defendant, for wounds
inflicted by defendant on plaintiff's hand.
The court having heard the arguments on both sides and con-
sidered what took place at the last session, decides and orders,
as it does hereby, that defendant shall pay plaintiff immediately
the surgeon's fees, without the plaintiff having anything to claim
on account of permanent injuries.
[45] The written complaint and demand being read of the
president, ex officio, against Herman Bastiaensz, for cutting,
down the street line post, and the court having considered the
serious consequences which in future might result therefrom, but
being in hopes that he will behavj better in the future, he is
ordered by this court to pay the commissary, in his capacity as
prosecuting officer, a fine of fifty guilders, and in addition to
make promise of better behavior.
Dirrick Jansz Kroon, plaintiff, against Herman Bastiaensz,
defendant, on account of a dispute about former accounts.
First, as to the collecting of the money, they are referred to
the judgment heretofore rendered.
Secondly, as to the gunstock making, they are referred to
Ariaen Jansz from Leyden and Master Ariaen van Ilpendam,
arbitrators and referees, in order to come to an agreement if
they can, of which a report is to be made to this court.
Giertgen Nannix, being cited before the court, declares at
the request of Commissary Dyckman that Rut Arentsz before
going home [promised that he would] legally marry her and
that to that end he would give her a ring as a pledge of marriage
before sleeping with her.
Conmiissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Elbert Gerbertsz and
Jacob, the carpenter, defendants, for having wounded each other
in the neck and caused the blood to flow.
58 Fort Orange and Beverrv^ck
The parties are ordered to present their evidence at the next
session of the court.
Pieter Bronck has become bail for the appearance of Elbert
Gerbertsz on the next court day.
[46] A petition was read from the respective bakers in
Beverwyck, requesting mitigation of the ordinance concerning
the baking of white bread, pretzel and cookies to be sold to the
Indians. Resolved to refer the petitioners to the ordinance.
Joannes Dyckman
Abram Staas
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Jan Labatie
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
Ordinary Session, Tuesday, March 18, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman R: Jacobsz V: Jansz
Jan van Hoesem, plaintiff, against Merten, the mason,
defendant.
Parties' first default.
Jan de Visser, plaintiff, against Merten, the mason, defendant.
Defendant's first default.
Dirrick Bensingh, plaintiff, against Merten, the mason,
defendant.
Jan Labatie, plaintiff, against Jochem Becker, defendant.
Defendant's first default.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Abraham Pietersz
Vosburgh, defendant, for fl. 16, which he must pay to Arent
Schapenbout and which the commissary desires shall be paid
to him on account of a fine.
Resolved, that the same shall for the present remain attached ;
also the money which is due to him from Merten, the brewer,
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 59
wherefore the court messenger is ordered to attach the one and
the other anew until such time as this court shall make a further
decision in the matter.
[47] Pieter Ryverdingh, plaintiff, against Jacob Luyersz and
Jan Machielsz, defendants, for messenger fees amounting to
fl.l8:15:-
Defendants say that Sander Leendertsen must pay the same
according to the judgment previously rendered by this court.
Ordered that the plaintiff may cite the parties or Sander
Leendertsen to appear on the next court day.
Jan Labatie, plaintiff, against Jacob Hap, defendant, on
account of lighting and a blow with the fist.
Plaintiff's first default.
A petition having been read from the respective bakers resid-
ing in Beverwyck, whereby they request permission to sell some
white bread for the Indians, especially cake, for reasons more
fully set forth in the petition, it is decided that as the president
and some of the members of this court are to leave for the Man-
hatans, they may discuss the matter with the Hon. General, the
report whereof shall be awaited. Until such time the petitioners
must have patience and shall not be allowed to sell either stuff
to the Indians.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Extraordinary Session, Saturday, April 5, 1653
Present:
The Hon. Fiscal Thienhoven J : Dyckman A : Staets
C : Theunisz van Westbroeck Paulus Leendertsz J: Labatie
Maximihaen van Geel A: Herpertsz V: Jansz
The honorable fiscal and the delegates from the city of New
Amsterdam have in the presence of the commissaries of this
inferior court of justice verbally and in writing set forth and
60 Fort Orange and Beverw})ck
explained the reasons which have induced the Hon. Director
General and Council of New Netherland to send the aforesaid
delegates hither, said reasons being in the main twofold, namely:
First, that the ordinances heretofore issued concerning the
malting and using of hard grain for brewing purposes have been
duly published by this court and observed [48] as far as
practicable, in connection with which the honorable delegates
in the name of the Hon. Director General and Council of New
Netherland thank the commissary and members of this court
for the timely warning in regard to the consumption [of beer]
as aforesaid, but that the court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck
has thus far failed to put into execution the orders regarding the
publication, posting and observance of the aforesaid well-meant
and necessary ordinances. For this reason the honorable fiscal,
together with the Hon. Paulus Leendertsen and Maximiliaen
van Geel, were sent in order that they, with Commissary Dyck-
man and two members of this court, whereto after deliberation
were chosen Abraham Staets and Jan Labatie, might request
them, namely those of the court of Rensselaerswyck aforesaid,
once more and finally, to publish and post the same. For which
purpose the court messenger, Pieter Reverdingh, was sent to the
director of the colony, Jan Baptista van Rensselaer, to inquire
when it would be convenient for his honor to have their honors
call upon him, whereupon the court messenger reported that he
received for answer that his honor would let them know in the
afternoon.
Secondly, the honorable fiscal and the delegates aforesaid
have exhibited an order for a day of fasting and prayer to be
held on the 9th of this month, being Wednesday, and thereafter
on the first Wednesday of each succeeding month, which it
resolved to communicate to the court of the aforesaid colony and
subsequently to the Reverend Domine Gideon Schaets, in order
that it may thus be observed and punctually carried out in
accordance with the good intention and meaning of the Hon.
General and Council of New Netherland.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 61
[49] Extraordinary Session, Thursday, April 10, 1653
Present:
The honorable fiscal Maximiliaen van Geel J: Verbeeck
Paulus Leendertsz J : Dyckman J : Thomasz
For the accommodation of the good inhabitants here, sur-
veyors have been summoned to lay out some lots beyond Gysbert
Cornelisz, from his lot to the palisades of the land in use by
Thomas Jansz, which surveyors having reported that eight lots,
each forty feet wide, may be conveniently laid out, the first lot
is given to Commissary Dyckman, the second to Domine Gideon
Schaets, the third to Abraham Staets, the fourth to Jan Labatie,
the fifth to Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, and the sixth to Pieter
Ryverdinck, the other [two] lots to be granted later when there
is occasion for it.
CoR: VAN TiENHOUEN
Joannes Dyckman
Extraordinary Session, Saturday, April 12, 1653
Present:
The honorable fiscal R: Jacopsz J: J: Schermerhooren
Paulus Leendertsen A: Herpertsz C: Theunisz
M: van Geel J: Verbeeck Jan Thomasz
J : Dyckman
Commissary Dyckman having submitted to the court that yes-
terday, with the consent and order of the honorable fiscal, he
had caused Jochem Becker, the baker, to be summoned by
Pieter Reverdingh, the court messenger, because in violation of
the ordinance he had in the absence of the commissary publicly
blown the horn to sell white bread, directly contrary to the tenor
of the ordinance of the Hon. Director General, and in addition
given out and stated to the Hon. Abraham Staets that he had
permission thereto from the aforesaid commissary, he has
appeared before the court and persisted in his statements, and
62 Fort Orange and Beverrv^ck
appealed to Hendrick Jansz Westerkamp, also a baker in Bever-
wyck as a witness, who being also summoned to appear by order
of this court, was asked whether he, Westerkamp, had any
knowledge thereof, whereupon he declared, No, so that the state-
ment is found to be untruthful. The court having considered
the evil consequences and results which might arise if no proper
provision were made, especially at this juncture of time, [50]
in the matter of disregard of the well-meant ordinances of the
Hon. Director General and Council of New Netherland and
false accusation of the commissary, therefore condemn the afore-
said Becker, as they do hereby, to pay a fine of fifty guilders
within twenty-four hours, on pain of execution, one-third to go
the poor.
This court having seen and read the written complaint and
demand of the Hon. Fiscal Cornelis van Thienhooven against
Jochem Becker, baker in Beverwyck, and the proper evidence
in the case, showing contempt of this court and that some time
ago he not only slandered the Hon. Magistrate Volckart Jansz
and called him names, but also wanted to attack him by force
with the sword which he had put on, demanding that his honor
should go outdoors and intending to cut him; also that he has
failed to show proper respect for this court and has refused to
move the pigpens according to the order of this court which to
the annoyance and detriment of his neighbor he had erected in
front of the door; furthermore that he has unjusdy accused the
honorable magistrates, namely, by stating that when they came
out of court they reported what had taken place at the house of
Jan van Hoesem; and that he has falsely charged Commissary
Dyckman with having offered to Jan van Hoesem to deliver to
him the lot of Willem Juriaensen for three beavers, all according
to his own confession made before this court; all of which are
matters of very serious consequence; therefore, this court have
unanimously decided, as they do hereby, to condemn him, on
promise and in hopes of better behavior, to pay a fine of one
hundred guilders, to be paid within twenty-four hous, on pain of
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 63
peremptory execution, or the double amount within forty-eight
hours, and so on in succession, whereof one-third is to go to the
poor, one-third to this court and one-third to the prosecuting
officer. Also that he shall immediately tear down and remove
the pigpens, or that they shall be immediately torn down by
order of this court.
[51] Extraordinary Session, Post meridiem, April 12, 1653
Present:
The honorable fiscal J: Dyckman J: Thomasz
Paulus Leendersen R: Jacopsen C : Theunisz van Westb'.
Maximiliaen van Geel A: Herpertsen
Before this court appeared Jan van Hoesem and Willem
Juriaensen and exhibited a certain contract made between them
under date of the 30th of January 1 650.
Parties on both sides having been heard and the matter being
duly considered, it is decided and ordered by the court that the
aforesaid contract shall in all its parts and according to the tenor
thereof be completely observed and carried out by the parties
on both sides, with the understanding that the property men-
tioned in the contract shall be placed in the hands of Jan van
Hoesem to have the use thereof according to the terms of the
said contract. Furthermore, to prevent all further disputes and
differences, it is ordered that Willem Juriaensen shall have to
comport himself as a decent old man should and at noon and
in the evening come to meals at regular hours as is proper and
shall also have to be satisfied with the ordinary food which Jan
van Hoesem daily provides for himself and his family; there-
fore, that Jan van Housem is not bound to supply Willem
Juriaensen outside of his own house with food, or drink, or
money for board.
64 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
Ordinary Session, Tuesday, April 29, 1653
Present:
J : Dyckman J : Verbeeck Cor : Theunisz van Westbroeck
R: Jacopsz J: J: Schermerhoorn Jan Thomasz
A: Herpertsz
Jan Barentsz Poest, plaintiff, against Marten, the brewer,
defendant, for two thousand brick delivered by plaintiff to the
defendant.
Defendant admits that he is indebted for the brick and that
he built his oven with them.
Plaintiff says that he heard Hendrick de Mof ^^ say that the
defendant broke his contract first.
The court orders the plaintiff to produce at the first oppor-
tunity the evidence which he claims to have of the breaking of
their contract, when this court will consider the matter further
and take a decision.
The Reverend Domine Gideon Schaets having appeared
before the court requests to have a garden heretofore drawn by
lot by Dirrick Bensingh, [marked] No. 24.
[52] The said Dirrick Bensingh having appeared, has
offered to relinquish the same and it is therefore given to his
Reverence.
Dirrick Bensinck is granted a garden behind the fort, No. 1 1 ,
with the consent of the Hon. Jacob Jansz Schermerhoren, who
gets No. 16 in place thereof.
The garden heretofore provisionally given to Dirrick Ben-
singh, next to Ariaen from Alckmaer, it is decided to give to
Hendrick Jochemsz, upon condition that he, Pfendrick Jochemsz,
shall compensate Dirrick Bensinck for the palisades, carting of
brick, etc., it being left to the discretion of the Hon. Andries
Herpertsz and the Hon. Jan Verbeeck to indicate to said Ben-
singh how much he is entitled to claim therefor.
Steeven Jansz, plaintiff, against Merten, the brewer, defend-
ant, for 187 guilders due by defendant to plaintiff for wages
^A contemptuous expression applied to a German.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 65
earned by him, in regard to which judgment has been given
before.
Defendant promises to do his best to pay within 8 or 14
days at the longest fl.50; another fl. 50 a month later and the
rest at the first opportunity.
Dirrick Bensingh, plaintiff, against Merten, the mason,
defendant, for fl.I04:- for goods delivered.
Defendant admits the debt.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff the aforesaid
sum of fl. 1 04 : — on the first of August next ensuing, on pain
of execution.
Jochem Becker, plaintiff, against Jan van Hoesem, defend-
ant, for throwing dirty water and dirt on plaintiff's [53] lot.
Defendant and his family are ordered by the court to refrain
therefrom, on pain of [forfeiting] the first time twelve guilders,
the second time twenty-four guilders, and [of being subjected]
the third time to arbitrary correction.
Upon the request of the Hon. Jan Labatie that the case
betV'/een Rut Arent and Lyssbet Rosekrans pending before this
court might be disposed of, the officer is requested and ordered
to have the complaint and demand ready at the next session of
the court.
There was read a petition of Thomas Sanderts and Master
Ariaen van Ilpendam, praying for extension of time in which
to fence in their garden heretofore granted to them. Time is
given them until the first of October next.
There was read a petition from Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh,
praying for permission to tap now and then beer by the can for
home consumption. As the same is contrary to the ordinance,
the request is denied.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Cornelus Tonisen
Jacob Jansen Schermerhooren
66 Fort Orange and BeverTv^c^
Ordinary Session, May 13, 1653
Present:
Rut Jacopsz J : J : Schermerhoorn J : Thomasz
An : Herpertsz C : T : van Westbroeck J : Dyckman
J : Verbeeck
Dirrick Jansz, ensign, being asked whether he was wilHng to
work yonder on the gristmill, or not, says. No, and is guilty
tiierefore of contempt of the order of both courts.
Pieter Hartgers declares that he does not recognize in this
matter the order of the magistrates, but only of the Hon.
General.
Goosen Gerretsen declares that if the Hon. General orders it,
he will work.
Volckert Jansz declares that if it were erected between the
boundary posts, he would do so, otherwise not.
[54] Jochem Becker being summoned to appear, is notified
that he must this day pay the fines heretofore imposed on him,
amounting to fl.250:— on pain of forfeiting fl.12 additional for
each day th^t he delays to pay.
Rut Jacopsz, plaintiff, against Jacob Clomp, defendant, for
the balance of a last of wheat which defendant promised to
deliver to plaintiff according to contract and of which 12
schepels have been delivered.
Parties are ordered to produce their documents and proofs
on the next court day.
Jan Barentsz Poest, plaintiff, against Merten, the brewer,
defendant, for 2000 brick and payment.
Parties satisfied.
Philip Pietersz, plaintiff, against Willem Albertsz, defendant.
Defendant's first default.
There was read a writing from the Hon. Cornelis van Thien-
hooven, fiscal, in the name of the Hon. General, besides Mr
Rensselaers and Domine Schaets. Resolved to write about it
to the Hon. General.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 67
Frans Barents, Jacob Jansz Schermerhoren and Symon
Volckertsz, having appeared, request that they may be excused
from paying the fines for not yet having fenced in their gardens.
Granted in view of the fact that they have aheady taken
possession of the said gardens.
Willem Juriaensen having appeared before the court and pro-
tested that he is still willing to fulfil the contract made between
him and Jan van Hoesem, he is informed that he can have his
opponent summoned to appear on the next court day.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
Cornelus Tonisejnj
Jan Thomasz
[55] Extraordinary Session, June 6, 1653
Present:
J : Dyckman J : Verbeeck C : Thuenisz van Westbroeck
R : Jacobsz J : J : Schermerhoorn Jan Thomasz
A: Herpertsz
Philip Pietersz Scheuler, plaintiff, against Willem Albertsz
from Monickendam, defendant, for contempt of this court in
escaping on the 13 th and going away on the 14th of May last
with his yacht which the plaintiff had attached and for some
insults offered to the president in person which on trial the
defendant could neither prove nor make good.
The witnesses being heard and everything being considered
that pertains to the case, the defendant is ordered to pay to the
officer of this bench the sum of forty guilders, in addition to the
costs of the extraordinary session and messenger fees, the
defendant being ordered to pay the said sum within twenty-four
hours and to declare, as he has done, that he has nothing to say
68 Fori Orange and Beverrv^ck
about the officer, nor about the plaintiff, PhiHp Pietersz, but
what is fair and honorable.
Fines fl. 40:-
Messenger fees 7 : [ 1 0]
Extraordinary session, two days 32 : -
Total fl. 79:10
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhoor[en]
CORNELUS ToNISEN
Ordinary Session, June 10, 1653
Present:
Dyckman A: Herpertsz J: J: Schermerhoom
R: Jacopsz J: Verbeeck C : Theunisz van Westbroeck
Evert Pels, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, defendant.
Defendant's first default.
Claes Jacobsz, plaintiff, against Claes Cornelisz Croon,
defendant, for a year's rent of a house standing at the Man-
hatans, hired by defendant, Claes Rips and Frans . . , ,
for the sum of one hundred guilders, to be paid by them
[jointly and] severally, and due on the 27th day of March
1652.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff the sum of one
hundred guilders within the space of three weeks, on pain of
execution.
Steven Jansz, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, defendant.
Defendant's first default.
Blank in the original record.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 69
[55a] Willem Fredrixsz, plaintiff, [against] Juriaen Theu-
nisz, defendant, for fl.57 due to plaintiff.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff the aforesaid sum
of fl.57 within the space of six weeks.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Jacob Clomp,
defendant, for having sold some brandy or strong drink to the
savages, according to the deposition.
The court orders that his person and yacht shall remain
attached until the witnesses who made the aforesaid deposition
shall have been further examined under oath and the court have
further investigated the case.
Resolved, to post an order prohibiting [people from letting]
chickens, hogs, or other animals come on the bastions of the
fort and requiring said bastions to remain properly closed, on
pain of forfeiture [of said animals] at the discretion of the court.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhoor[en]
Jan Thomasz
Ordinary Session, June 1 7, 1 653
Present:
J: Dyckman A: Herpertsz Jan Verbeeck
R: Jacobsz J: J: Schermerhooren Jan Thomasz
Andries de Vos, appearing before the court, requests thai
inasmuch as Jan Labatie has conveyed to him his lot No. 4,
past Thysen's, he be granted the ownership thereof on the usual
conditions and writing. Whereupon Labatie, being summoned,
has approved the same and the request is granted.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Albert Gerritsz,
defendant, for fighting with Lambert Cornelisz, on the second
of June last, [55b] in the company's garden.
70 Fort Orange and Beverw})c}^
The deposition about the fight being examined and the defend-
ant being found guilty according to the contents of the deposi-
tion, the defendant is ordered to pay the plaintiff within three
days the sum of forty guilders, with costs.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
Jan Thomasz
Extraordinary Session, June 19, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman A: Herpertsz C: Theu: v: Westbroeck
R : Jacobsz J : Verbeeck J : J : Schermerhooren
Gillis Douwesz Fonda, plaintiff, against Jan Dirrixsz van
Bremen, defendant, for delivery of a hog, for which he deliv-
ered a half anker of brandy and [paid] some incidental expenses,
amounting to about 11.30: -, for the payment of which the Hon.
Rut Jacopsz has become surety.
Aert Aertsz, plaintiff, against Jan Dirrixsz van Bremen,
defendant, on account of fl. 10 for some stockings, which the
defendant is alleged to owe the plaintiff.
The plaintiff declares that he does not know whether they
were charged or not when they settled their accounts.
The defendant refers to his account.
The parties are ordered to examine the account and if not
paid, [the defendant is] to satisfy [the plaintiff].
Jan Dirrixsz van Bremen declares under solemn oath that
Jacob Symonsz Clomp, skipper, lately sold brandy in a kettle
to the savages at Catskill. Furthermore, in the form of an ordi-
nary declaration, that some beavers' worth of brandy was sold
by Jacob Clomp to the savages at the Esopus, according [56]
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 71
to the complaint made to him by some inhabitants of the Esopus,
who declared that they suffered great annoyance from them in
consequence thereof. And as to Katskill, that the trouble and
difficulties which have arisen are the result thereof and are also
due to Kit Davitsz.
This day. Jacobus Theunisz from Naerden has by solemn
oath confirmed the above deposition concerning the sale of
brandy by Jacob Clomp, as shown by his signature.
Willem Fredrixsz has become bail for Jacob Symonsz Clomp
on account of the selling of strong drink to the savages in the
sum of ten hundred guilders and signed [the bond] with his
own hand.
Jacob Clomp is granted permission to sail for the Manhatans,
on condition that he take on board or with him as much grain
as he can get to be delivered at the Manhatans.
Jacob Clomp has admitted before this court that he sold a
kettle to the savages and that after the payment was made, there
being 8 or 9 stivers too much, he gave the savages brandy
therefor.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jacob Schermerhooren
[57] Ordinary Session, Tuesday, July 5, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman R: Jacopsz J: J: Schermerhqoren
Evert Pels, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, tailor, defendant,
for the sum of fl. 134:5, for cloth furnished to him.
Defendant's third default.
The court orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff the above-
mentioned sum of fl. 134:5, within the space of three weeks, on
pain of execution.
12 Fori Orange and BeverW])ck
Elmerhuysen Kleyn, plaintiff, against Thomas Jansz, defend-
ant, about the purchase of 34 schepels of maize, @ 30 stivers.
Parties appeal to Dirrick Bensinck, Case adjourned until
the next court day.
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Jan Machielsz, defendant.
Defendant's first default
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jacob Jansen Schermerhooren
Ordinary Session, July 8, 1653
[Present:]
J: Dyckman J: Verbeeck
A: Herpertsz C: Theu: Wesbroeck
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Jan Machielsz, defendant,
for the sum of fl.78:- which defendant owes plaintiff and for
which the president became surety.
Ordered that the defendant shall pay the plaintiff \vithin the
space of three weeks, or else that the surety shall be bound to
do so.
Pieter Winnen, plaintiff, against Jacob Adriaensz, wheel-
wright, defendant, on account of the making of a wagon for the
harvest, one-half of the payment for which he has already
received, but which he fails to deliver.
The court orders the defendant to finish the wagon at the
earliest opportunity [58] and to deliver it to the plaintiff, or, if he
remains in default, to compensate the plaintiff for his loss, the
plaintiff being authorized to recover such loss from the defend-
ant where and in such a way as he shall see fit.
Herman Bastiaensz, plaintiff, against Dirrick Jansz Croon,
defendant, in regard to disputed accounts.
Decided that Herman Bastiaensz shall return first three
Court Minutes, J 652-1 656 73
beavers and thereafter the half of the money of Goosen Gerrit-
sen, whereupon receipts signed by both parties shall be exchanged
and parties must be satisfied.
Joannes Dyckman
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
cornelus tonisen
Ordinary Session, July 15, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Verbeeck J: Thomasz
R: Jacobsz A: Herpertsz C: T: v: Westbr:
Paulus Schrick, plaintiff, [against] Femmetgen Albertsz.
defendant, for fl.lOO or l2|/2 beavers, according to obligation.
The court orders the defendant to pay the aforesaid sum of
one hundred guilders to the plaintiff before the departure of the
ships for patria, on pain of execution, the house to be plaintiff s
security and he to be preferred to others.
Mariken ten Haer, plaintiff, against Jochem Becker, plaintiff
being charged with having beaten her at the house of Hendrick
Jansz Westerkamp and thrown her goods into the street, accord-
ing to the declaration of Hendrick Jansz Westerkamp.
Defendant's first default.
Jacob Clomp, plaintiff, against Jan Dirrixsz van Bremen,
defendant, for two hundred and twenty-seven guilders which
defendant is alleged to owe plaintiff.
Plaintiff swears to the correctness of his book, showing that
so much is due him by balance of accounts and confirms the
debt by oath.
[59] The court orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff the
above-mentioned sum of two hundred and tv/enty-seven guilders
and not to depart without having given security for the payment
to the satisfaction of the plaintiff.
Marten Marttensz declares that by order of Jacob Symonsz
74 Fori Orange and Bevern>};c^
Klomp he passed a little brandy in a kettle over the side of the
bark to the savages at Katskill.
The court having seen the written complaint and demand of
Commissary Dyckmans, plaintiff ex officio against Jacob
Symonsz Clomp, defendant, for having sold brandy to the sav-
ages, and having examined the sworn testimony and all further
evidence in the case, the honorable members of this court there-
fore condemn the defendant to pay immediately a fine of two
hundred and fifty guilders, two-thirds to go to the officer here
and one-third to the bench, on condition that if further evidence
be found that he has done so, he shall be punished at the dis-
cretion of the court.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
Extraordinary Session, July 25, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman An: Herpertsz J: J: Schermerhooren
Rut Jacopsz Cor: Theunisz J: Thomasz
Merten Ottsen, plaintiff, against Willem Albertsz from
Monickendam, defendant, for 34 beavers and fl. 2 :-, which the
plaintiff claims the defendant owes him for the purchase of a
yacht called the Gloe^ende Oven (Glowing Oven), sold by
the plaintiff to the defendant according to the bill of sale.
The court, having examined both parties and duly considered
the case, orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff the above-
mentioned sum of 34 beavers and fl. 2 :- before sundown and to
bring it here into court, [60] provided that the defendant shall
also be bound to pay the costs of the trial and to appear here
before the court with the beavers, on pain of execution.
Joannes Dyckman
Court Minutes, J 652-1 656 75
Ordinary Session, August 19, 1653
Present:
Rut Jacopsz Cor: Theunisz Jacob Schermerhooren
An : Herpertsz
Jan Lamontagne, plaintiff, against Adriaen van Ilpendam,
defendant, for fl. 64. which the defendant owes A: Keyser on
account of the defendant's father's estate, as shown by said
Keyser's account.
The defendant states that he has not had so much, but only
[goods to the value] of fl. 55:5, as may be seen by his note.
The arguments on both sides having been heard, the honorable
court orders A. Keyser to present further evidence against the
defendant, to which reference is made by him in his letter.
Furthermore, the plaintiff, as attorney in the name of his
honorable father,^^ demands of the defendant the sum of fl. 88 ;—
earned by the plaintiff in curing the defendant's wife. As the
defendant says that to the best of his knowledge fl. 51:15- was
paid to the plaintiff, the court orders the defendant to pay the
attorney, as plaintiff, the remaining sum of fl. 36:5, before the
plaintiff's departure from here. In case the attorney finds after-
wards that the aforesaid money was not paid and feels himself
aggrieved, he may further seek to recover the aforesaid fl. 5 1 : 1 5
from the defendant.
[61] Ordinary Session, October 14, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman An: Herpertsz J: J: Schermerhooren
Rut Jacopsz J: Verbeeck Cor: Theunisz
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Hendrick Jochem
and Lourens Jansz, defendants, on account of fighting and
wounding of the person of Lourens Jansz, and against Lourens
Jansz on account of assault in Hendrick Jochem's house and
beating Hendrick Jochem's wife.
Doctor Johannes de la Montagne.
76 Fort Orange and 5evenp\jc^
The court having examined all the evidence in the case, con-
demn the defendants to pay fines, to wit, Hendrick Jochems in
the sum of forty guilders and Lourens Jansz in the sum of thirty
guilders, with the stipulation that they must henceforth leave
each other unmolested and in peace, on pain of further action
by the court.
Commissary Dyckman, ex officio plainti^, against Jacob
Luyersz, defendant, on account of an assault committed on the
9th of this month on the public street upon the plaintiff and
Mr Slechtenhorst.
Case adjourned until the next court day. Meanv/hile the
plaintiff is requested to present his written com.plaint and demand,
the defendant being sent home to file his answer on the next
court day.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
CORNELUS ThONISZ
Monday, October 21, 1653
Present:
The Hon. General An: Herpertsz J: J: Schermerhoren
J: Dyckman Jan Verbeeck Cor: Theunisz
R: Jacopsz
Whereas some extraordinary expenses have been incurred in
repairing the fort, building the guardhouse and executing other
works, and some other work still remains to be done, such as
making necessary repairs to the bridge in the village of Bever-
wyck, which make it necessary to raise funds out of which the
expenses incurred or still to be incurred for necessary [62]
repairs may be defrayed; Therefore, the Honorable General
and the Honorable Magistrates of the aforesaid Fort Orange
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 77
and the village of Beverwyck having made a general calcula-
tion of the expenses incurred and still to be incurred, the said
Honorable General and the Honorable Magistrates have for
the present time not been able to find a more expedient or suit-
able means [of paying thesel than by levying a general tax on
the houses, lots and single persons trading here, as follows:
A dwelling house with interior finishing shall pay fifteen
guilders, and if the house is leased, the tenant and the owner
shall each pay one-half.
A vacant lot or garden, half as much; and
A single person, not having any house or lot, one pound
Flemish.
And the worthy Abraham Staets, captain of the burgher
guard, and Sander Leendertsz are hereby authorized to col-
lect the aforesaid moneys once for all, and after collection, to
make payment to the creditors in the presence of the aforesaid
court, in the absense of the Honorable General, and as treasurers
to take care of the surplus, to be used and employed on other
occasions as the needs of the aforesaid village and Fort Orange
may require.
Thus done and ratified on the 21st of October and taken up
again on the 22d of October 1653, in Fort Orange in N:
Netherland.
P. Stuyvesant
J: Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
Cornelus Thonisen
78 Fort Orange and Bevenv^^cl^
[63] Wednesday, October 22, Anno 1653
By the Hon. General and the magistrates of Fort Orange
and the village of Beverwyck have been examined and inspected
the documents in the suit between Willem Juryaensen and Jan
Fransen van Hoesem, growing out of a contract made and
entered into by them on the 30lh of January 1650, which said
contract the parties on both sides have failed to fulfil, especially
the plaintiff, Willem Juryaensen, as shown by his categorical
answer made on the 30th of November 1651 before the court
of the colony, as follows: "Willem Juryaensen, being asked
by the court whether he is willing to fulfil the contract entered
into on the 30th of January 1650 with Jan van Hoesem, answers,
No. Agrees with the record, Anthony d'Hooges." By which
answer the defendant, Jan van Hoesem, claims and maintains
that the contract has been broken by the plaintiff himself and
that therefore he is not bound by it.
The defendant further says and maintains that the plaintiff,
Willem Juryaensen, has broken the aforesaid contract not only
by words, but also by deeds, in failing to perform or carry out
the stipulations of the contract, namely, to serve the defendant
and to teach him to bake, and by removing the baking utensils
to prevent the defendant from baking and make it impossible for
him to do so.
The court, therefore, finds that according to the foregoing
statements the contract was violated and annulled by the plain-
tiff himself and that under the rule of law the defendant might
be relieved of the necessity of pleading and the plaintiff's claim
and demand be denied. However, in view of a subsequent
judgment given by the aforesaid court and also considering the
needy circumstances of the plaintiff and the fact that the
defendant by virtue of the contract has built upon a part of the
lot claimed by the plaintiff, and that the parties can not live
together, the Hon. General and the magistrates order that the
plaintiff shall as long as he lives stay in the old bake house, have
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 79
the use of the bake oven and the utensils belonging thereto,
together with his own furniture and household goods, and be
free to dispose of them as he shall see fit. As to the claim of
the lot, which by virtue of the contract was partly built upon
by the defendant, the plaintiff, Willem Juriaensen, occupies the
same only by sufferance and is not entitled thereto by any patent
or conveyance ; consequently, he is not able or competent to dis-
pose thereof as he might do of his own property. However, in
view of the plaintiff's poverty and the fact that he has resided
for a considerable time on the aforesaid lot and used it as a
garden, the Director General and [64] the magistrates afore-
said order and decide that the defendant, Jan van Hoesem, shall
pay the plaintiff for improvements the sum of one hundred and
twenty-five guilders, in three instalments, to wit, one-third cash,
one-third a year from this date and the last third within two
years, the parties respectively being ordered to acquiesce herein
on pain of being fined twenty pounds Flemish, to be applied at
the discretion of the court. And in case it should hereafter be
found that the plaintiff, Willem Juryaensen, according to his
wont, should continue to blaspheme and abuse the name of God
or His service, or any of the magistrates of the court, whether
in general or in particular, he shall without exception be cor-
rected by the court, either by the infliction of banishment or
corporal punishment, as the case may require.
Thus done and decided, this 22d of October 1653, by the
court of Fort Orange.
The Hon. Director General has engaged as surveyor, for
the service of the court and the burghers here, Harmen Bastia-
ensz, carpenter, who has taken the following oath before the
Hon. Director General:
I, Harmen Bastiaensen, promise before the Hon. Director
General that in the office of surveyor I shall conduct myself
uprightly, without making any false returns either in favor or to
the prejudice of any one. So, help me God Almighty.
60 Fort Orange and BeveriD^ck
[65] Tuesday, November 25, 1653
Present:
J : Dyckman A : Herpertsz J : J : Schermerhoren
R: jacobsz J: Verbeeck C: Theunisz van Westbroeck
Pursuant to the judgment rendered on the 12th of the pre-
ceding month, Volckgen Jans, in the stead of her husband, Jan
Fransz van Hoesem, who is absent, has in accordance with the
aforesaid judgment brought into court forty guilders, being the
first payment or instalment which he, Jan van Hoesem, is to pay
to Willem Juryaensen, thereby complying thus far on her part
with the aforesaid judgment, which forty guilders have been
handed to the collector, Pieter Reverdingh, to be turned over
to Willem Juriaensz, and in case he, Willem Juriaensen, refuses
to accept and receive them, the said Reverdingh shall report the
circumstances on the next court day.
In order to stop and prevent the excise frauds of beer and
wine as much as possible in the future, it is decided to have the
following notice posted, in order that every burgher and
inhabitant of this jurisdiction may govern himself accordingly
and at the same time to give the president in his capacity of officer
power to inspect the houses and cellars of all tapsters when there
is occasion for it or necessity may demand it.
Notice
Whereas in the presence and with the approval of the Hon.
Director General it has been decided by this court that, in order
to stop and prevent as far as possible all frauds of the excise of
beer and wine, every burgher and inhabitant of this jurisdiction,
as well as the tapsters, bsfore having their purchased heavy
beer and wines carried into their houses and cellars, shall be
bound to obtain, or cause to be obtained, a proper certificate
from the collector, Pieter Reverdingh, without paying hov/ever
any excise, but only a fee of two stivers for the writing of the
certificate of delivery, [66] on pain of forfeiture of the beer,
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 81
wines, or distilled liquors, and in addition of paying the requisite
fine; therefore, this is hereby brought to the notice of the com-
munity, in order that every one may in the future govern him-
self accordingly and prevent his suffering any loss, notwithstand-
ing it has heretofore been ordered and proclaimed that no sloops
coming from the Manathans may unload before they have
obtained consent or the officer has been on board to make a
proper inspection, on pain of incurring the penalty provided
therefor.
Thus done at the session of this court, in Fort Orange, on the
date above written.
Warrant for the president, in his capacity of
officer, to inspect the houses and cellars of all the
tapsters living within this jurisdiction
The commissary, Joannes Dyckman, is hereby authorized by
this court to inspect on occasion, as often and repeatedly as it
will suit his convenience or circumstances may require it, the
houses of all tapsters belonging to this jurisdiction, and in case
he finds any heavy beer, or wines, or distilled liquors which have
not been entered, to seize these and to do therewith as is proper,
and whoever is found to oppose this shall be dealt with according
to the exigency of the case. In witness whereof this is signed in
Fort Orange, on the date above written, and was signed : Rutger
Jacobsz, Andries Herpertsz, Jan Verbeeck, Jacob Schermer-
hooren, Cornelis Thonisz, Jan Thomasz.
Joannes Dyckman
Rutger Jacobsz
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerho[oren]
Jan Thomasz
Cornelus Thonisen
82 Fori Orange and Beveriv^c}^
[67] Tuesday, November 9, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Verbeeck Cor: Theunisz
R: Jacopsz J: Schermerhoren Jan Thomasz
A : Herpertsz
The collector, Pieter Reverdingh, reports to the court that
by order of the court he has offered to Willem Juriaensen the
forty guilders in seawan, being the first payment or instalment
which he was to hand said Willem Juriaensz in the name of
this court, but that he, Willem Juriaensen, has refused to accept
said money. Whereupon it is decided that this money shall for
the present remain in the hands of the collector aforesaid, until
further order of this court.
Rem Jansz, smith, by virtue of a power of attorney from
Jan Jansz from Gottenborgh, shown to this court, demands in
his, Gottenborgh's, name of Merten Herpertsz, mason, [pay-
ment] according to a bond executed before schepens on the 8th
of October 1651, in the sum of fifty-eight beavers, which he
agreed to pay even before the departure of the ships and which
IS not yet paid, [praying that] in case of longer delay he may
proceed to execution and in that way secure payment.
Resolved, that the defendant, Merten, the mason, shall be
bound to satisfy plaintiff within the space of six weeks, on pain
of peremptory execution, according to law.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against the following per-
sons, on account of their not having built upon or fenced in their
lots or garden assigned and granted to them within the specified
time granted to each, on pain of being fined fl.25, and whose
time has long since expired.
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden has adduced reasons for excuse
which are so far-fetched that he, the defendant, or the person
who claims the title to the lot, shall at the first opportunity have
to tender and pay the required twenty-five guilders to the officer.
Gabriel Leendertsen, about inclosing his garden, although he
has not built on any lot, according to the order. He offers
Court Minutes, 1 652-1656 83
excuses which are so far-fetched that he must build in the spring
at the latest on a lot to be requested by, and assigned to, him»
on pain of being deprived of the garden and of paying imme-
diately to the ofRcer a fine of fl.25 and fl.3 for having used
abusive language before this court, total 11.28, in case he fails
to build,
[68] The commissary, for reasons above written:
Master Adriaen van Ilpendam, schoolmaster, who has offered
excuses which are accepted as sufficient.
The excuses of Rem Jansz, smith, being heard, but not judged
sufficient, he is ordered to pay at the first opportunity the sum
of twenty-five guilders.
Machiel, the lademaf^er, condemned likewise in the sum of
fl.25.
Pieter Bronck, as above, fl.25.
Goosen Gerritsz likewise in the sum of fl.25.
Pieter Hertgers for not inclosing his two gardens, one of
himself and the other of Annetgen Bogardus, @ fl.25 :- each,
is condemned in a fine of fl.50,
Merten, the mason, in the sum of fl.25, for not having built
on his lot behind his house.
Lourens Jansz absent, and his first default.
Jacob Clomp and Willem Bout. Parties' first default.
Jochem Ketelhuyn, on account of the garden. First default.
Ellert Gerritsz. First default.
Jacob Luyersz, being summoned and informed of the com-
plaint and demand of the officer, ex officio, on account of the
assault committed in the street, appeals [for his defence] to the
personal appearance of Mr Slichtenhorst before this court.
Resolved, to request Mr Slichtenhorst to consent to appear
on the next court day, in order to proceed upon a surer founda-
tion.
Hendrick Jochemsz, innkeeper, for smuggling a half barrel
of good beer, laid in last Saturday.
84 Fort Orange and BeverTv^ck
Defendant acknowledges the fact but states that he has not
been able to enter the same on account of the inconvenience of
his wife's being in childbed.
Resolved, this first time to overlook the matter, he to pay
the excise without any fine, but that in the future he shall have
to guard himself against repeating the offense, on pain of paying
the full fine provided in such cases.
Elmerhuysen Kleyn and Jan, the soldier, being summoned
to appear, they are notified that they must henceforth perform
the company's service as required, whereupon Elmerhuysen has
answered that he was out of the service. Resolved, that the
commissary shall inform the Hon. General hereof by letter.
[69] Albert, the carpenter, being cited to appear on account
of the inclosing of his garden, first default [is entered against
him].
The collector, Pieter Reverdingh, reports to the court that
Herman Bastiaensz, Hendrick Jochemsz and Willem Bout
bought some goods of the persons who perished, which until now
they have not paid for. They are ordered to pay the collector
without delay for what they have received, on condition that
they are to share pro rata with the other creditors in the dis-
tribution and shall receive what is proper.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
Jan Thomasz
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 85
Tuesday, December 23, 1653
Present:
J: Dyckman A: Herpertsz Jan Thomasz
R: Jacopsz J: J: Schermerhoren
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Merten Herpertsz, mason,
defendant, for fl.358:14-, which defendant ovv^es plaintiff.
Requests payment, or in default thereof a bond executed before
this court.
Defendant's first default,
Jacob Jansz Schermerhoren, plaintiff, against Merten Her-
pertsz, mason, defendant, for what is due by defendant to plain-
tiff according to his account for goods delivered a long time ago,
amounting to fl.247 :— and also for upsetting a canoe, in which
were about 30 schepels of maize and a mudde of beans, which
were thereby spoiled and perished through his carelessness.
Defendant's first default.
Albert Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Merten Herpertsz, mason,
defendant, for 32 beavers which defendant [70] owes plaintiff,
according to a bond in which he specially binds and mortgages
his house, arising from wages earned in building his house and
goods delivered to him, upon which the defendant has paid six
beavers on account.
Defendant's first default.
Albert Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, tailor,
defendant.
Defendant's first default.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff ex officio, against Jacob
Symontsz Clomp, defendant, for payment of a fine of fl.250:—
imposed by sentence of the 15th of July last.
Defendant is again ordered by the court to bring this money
and to deposit it within twenty-four hours in the hands of the
collector, Pieter Reverdingh, on pain of peremptory execution,
but with this reservation that in case he has hereafter any charges
to bring against the officer in regard to any words passed at the
86 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
house of Willem Fredrixsz, according to the deposition exhibited
[to the court], he, the defendant, can do so, but that mean-
while he must comply with the sentence.
This being brought to the defendant's notice, he declares that
he is not willing to do so and refuses to satisfy the judgment.
Commissary Dyckman, ex officio plaintiff, against Willem
Fredrixsz Bout, defendant, on account of slander, abusive lan-
guage and assault committed on the plaintiff when the honorable
court on the 9th instant was sitting at the house of Pieter Bronck
to settle the accounts of the persons who perished, namely Frans
Borremans, Jurgen Evertsz and Abraham Jacobsz, carpenter,
when, as set forth in the complaint and demand of the president
and officer, he dared to villify the honorable court there; where-
fore it is resolved [71 ] to insert the same here as follows, to wit:
Commissary Dyckman, in his capacity of officer ex officio
plaintiff, against Willem Fredrixsz Bout, defendant.
Whereas this day two weeks ago, being the 9th day of this
month of December, the plaintiff was sitting with the members
of the court here in the house of Pieter Bronck, innkeeper, to
make an estimate of the goods left behind and sold by the per-
sons who perished, namely, Frans Forremans from Veuren,
Jurgen Evertsz from Rencum and Abram Jacopsz, carpenter,
and of what might be due by and to the joint creditors and
debtors, in order to do justice to every one according to law and
to give satisfaction as far as [the money] will go; it happened
that the defendant, while the plaintiff sat at the table with some
members of the court to make the aforesaid calculation and
consider the matter, has dared to assault the plaintiff without a
word of warning or reply and in the presence of the court has
almost pushed him off the bench on which he sat, so that the
honorable court, on account of the confusion which arose from
the defendant's attack, were forced to suspend the business com-
menced. Yes, what is more, after the plaintiff had arisen, he
not only threatened to beat him, but in addition often and
repeatedly called him an unfaithful man and a rascal and that
he had shown himself as such to the defendant, repeating the
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 87
same statement many times, and whereas this took place publicly
and in the presence of the court as aforesaid, it is not necessary
to have any further proof that the common and honest testi-
mony which may be secured from the bystanders if necessary.
The plaintiff, therefore, in the capacity aforesaid, demands
that the defendant, in vinculis, as a criminal and malefactor,
[72] shall have to answer for his deeds and in case the court
here, contrary to the plaintiff's rightful expectations, refuses to
do justice in the matter, he requests that the defendant may
meanwhile remain in vinculis until the river is open, in order to
be sent in irons to the Hon. General and Council of New Nether-
land at the Manathans to answer there before their honors for
his crimes if he can; and otherwise, that he be punished here
as an example to others, justice having been made an object of
derision, as far as it lay in his power. As the plaintiff trusts
that his demand for imprisonment will not be denied, he awaits
an order thereon from this court. This 23d of December 1653,
in Fort Orange, and was signed: Joannes Dyckman.
Which complaint and demand having been read and exam-
ined by this court, it is resolved by their honors that a copy
thereof shall be served on the defendant at his house, with order
to deliver his written defense on the next court day, when the
further complaint and demand of the officer are to follow.
Maximiliaen de Winter, appearing before the court, requests,
in accordance with the recommendation of the Hon. General,
that he be permitted to dwell in the company's little house, [the
same to serve for the accommodation] of himself as well as or
the court messenger, Pieter Reverdmgh.
The matter being taken into consideration it is resolved ana
decided that as the clerk urgently needs a small place to write
in and to keep his writings and papers, the same shall be kept
therefor in the future, but that for the present the said de Winter
shall also be allowed to reside there until further order.
The collector, Pieter Reverdingh, has presented to the court
his account [73] of the receipts and disbursements of the per-
68
Fort Orange and Bevern)^c^
sons who perished, Abraham Jacopsz, carpenter, Jurgen Everlsz
from Rencum and Frans Bormans from Veuren, which is
accepted and approved.
Commissary Dyckman, ex officio plaintiif, against Lourens
Jansz, defendant, to reply to the following interrogatories:
Interogatories on which this court is to examine Lourens Jansz,
burgher and inhabitant of Beverwyck
1 How old he is and where Answers, 48 years and born
born?
2 Whether about four
months ago he was not in the
Esopus with Commissary
Dyckman ?
3 Whether, when there, he
did not understand and hear
Christoffel Davits say, in pres-
ence of the commissary, that
he, Christoffel, had sold to
the savages at one time 22
mutsgens of brandy and after-
wards also a half anker of
brandy ?
4 Whether he did not
understand and hear Marcelis,
at//
oesem.
Answers, Yes.
answers
, Yes.
Answers, Yes, and that
Christoffel Davits himself said
the servant of Mr de Hulter, that the sackemaas of the sav-
say that he, Christoffel Davits, ages themselves had been to
now and then had sold not see him. Kit Davits, and
one, but several ankers of begged him not to sell any
brandy to the savages, which more brandy to the savages, as
he, Marcelis, had noticed and through it they got into serious
seen [74] while he lived there fights with each other and
at the house of Christoffel made trouble.
Davits?
Husum, in Schleswig.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 89
Which interrogatories, the questions as well as the answers,
were sworn to by the defendant before the officer.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jacob Schermehooren
Jan Thomasz
Extraordinary Session, Wednesday, December 25, 1653
Present:
All, with the exception of Jan Verbeeck
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Poulus Thomasz, defendant,
for fl. I26:15st. which are due to plaintiff by defendant.
The defendant being heard, admits that he owes plaintiff
fl.l09:-.
The plaintiff offers to swear that the entire sum aforesaid is
due to him.
The defendant is ordered by this court not to leave this juris-
diction without having satisfied the plaintiff, either by paying
him, or by giving good security. Furthermore, the defendant
is condemned to pay the costs of the suit, provided that the
plaintiff shall advance the money and have a claim on the
defendant for the return and restitution thereof. And in case
the plaintiff swears that according to his book he is entitled to
the entire amount aforesaid, the defendant shall have to pay
and satisfy the plaintiff.
It is decided and resolved to have the court messenger sum-
mon Jan Barentsz Wemp [75] to appear on the next court
day, provided that he, Wemp, bring with him the order he may
have from the Hon. General as to inclosing the lot next to that
of Gysbert Cornelisz, deceased.
90 Fort Orange end Bev^rw^ck
Propositions made this day by Stick Stiggery and others
in the name and on the part of the Maquas
First, that this court would write to the French authorities In
Canada that the peace conckided between the Maquas and the
aforesaid French was agreeable to us and that we or the
Christians were well pleased with it. To which was answered,
Yes, and that at the first opportunity we should communicate
the matter to the Hon. General.
The Maquas further requested that this court would write
to the French nation there that in case they had any difficulties
and again got involved in war with the French savages, that the
French should keep out of it. Whereupon the Maquas were
given for answer that this would be written by this court alone.
Which propositions and answers were made in the presence
of two French delegates, whereupon it was resolved to send the
following letters in French or Latin to Mess"^^ de Loison and
Boucher, the contents of which are as follows:
To Mons"" Johan de Loison,^'''' governor in Quebec and Pierre
Boucher, commander on the three rivers.
To Mons*" Loison
Honorable, etc.
We have duly received your honor's agreeable letter of the
19th of the past month of November and learned both from
this letter and the report made by the two Frenchmen who were
sent to us and some Maquas Indians of the treaty of peace made
between your honor's nation and the Maquas, in which we
rejoice not a little with your honor, seeing that this sad war has
to our deep sorrow been carried on for so long between [76]
your honor and the said Indians, which we should have liked
to have ended sooner, but v/hich it seems could not be brought
^^^Jean de Lauson, governor of Canada, 1651-56.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 91
about. We, on our side, hope that the same may continue for
a long time, for the best of your honor and ourselves. On our
side we have never failed to ransom the Christian prisoners of
your nation out of the hands of these cruel people, as far as it
was possible, which by nature and God's command we found
it our duty to do and which we therefore did gladly, even at a
considerable sacrifice and expense to the community here, as
your honor can readily understand yourself. This nation of
the Maquas has even this day promised us that as far as it is in
their power they will observe and carry out the [terms of] peace
concluded [with them] and they have requested us to ask your
honor that the same might be done on your side, which we doubt
not, provided there be no shortcoming on their side.
Furthermore, if they, the Maquas, should become involved
in any v/ar or trouble with your honor's savages, they request
that your honor and your honor's nation would not interfere*
which we could not do otherwise than promise them [to write]
and which we therefore do hereby, and which we shall also at
the first opportunity communicate by letter to the Hon. General,
at the Manathans.
On our part we shall not fail to make every effort in our
power to keep the Maquas disposed to continue the recently
concluded peace, much innocent Christian blood of this nation
having been shed to our great sorrow. We doubt not of your
honor's good disposition and earnest inclinations toward us, such
as we, by reason of the close alliance between our respective
principals, also bear toward your honor and your nation and
which on all occasions that may arise, as has been shown here-
tofore and as behooves close allies, [77] shall not be lacking
on our part. Meanwhile, after greetings, we commend your
honor and all the good friends there to [the protection of] God.
Canaqueese, the bearer hereof, a savage who is much beloved
by the Maquas, has requested of us a letter of recommendation
92 Fort Orange and Beverw^cli
to your honor, in order that he may be well treated there and
be allowed to go and come freely, which we request hereby.
Dependmg thereon, we remain.
Your honor's willing servants, the president and
magistrates of the court of Fort Orange and
Beverwyck.
And was signed in the name and by order of the
aforesaid court,
Joannes Dyckman
Fort Orange, December
25, 1653
Mutatis mutandis a letter was sent the same day to Mons'
Pieter Boucher, governor on the three rivers, except [that it was
stated therein] that we had received his honor's letter of the
eleventh of November aforesaid.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jacob Schermerhooren
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
[78] Tuesday, January 6, 1654
Present :
All, except Jan Verbeeck
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Merten Herpertsz, defend-
ant, for fl.358:- which the defendant admits he owes to the
plaintiff according to a note signed on the 1 0th of December last
past.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff the aforesaid sum
of fl.358:- within six weeks, on pain of execution.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 93
Jacob Jansz Schermerhoren, plaintiff, against Merten Her-
pertsz, defendant, for fl.247 :- which the defendant owes plain-
tiff and further for 30 schepels of maize and a mudde of beans
which were lost through the defendant's carelessness, as shown
by the affidavit of Christoffel Davits.
The court orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff the afore-
said fl.247:!- within six weeks, on pain of execution. As to
the maize and beans, parties are referred by this court to Rem
Jansz, the smith, and Adriaen Jansz from Ley den, a» referees,
who are to bring about an agreement if they can and to report
their findings to this court.
Lysbet Cornelis' daughter, plaintiff, against Merten Her-
pertsz, defendant, for fl. 1 74 :— which defendant owes plaintiff
according to the account handed in.
The defendant admits the debt.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff the aforesaid
fl. I 74 :- within six weeks, on pain of execution.
[79] Albert Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Merten Herpertsz,
defendant, for fl.208:- or 26 beavers, which are due to the
plaintiff from the defendant for wages earned and for what he
furnished the defendant according to the defendant's own con-
fession.
The court orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff the afore-
said sum of fl.208:- within six weeks, on pain of execution.
Albert Gerretsz, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, tailor,
defendant.
Defendant's first, that is to say, second default.
Jacob Jansz Flodder, plaintiff, against Dirrick Bensingh,
defendant, on account of the purchase of a half interest in a
yacht called the Princess Ro^ale, according to the bill of sale
executed before Commissary Dyckman on the first of this month,
bought by the defendant of Jacob Jansz Stoll.
The arguments on both sides having been heard, it is decided
to refer parties to Volckert Hansz and Pieter Hertgers, referees,
who are to bring about an agreement if they can and to report
their findings to this court.
94 Fort Orange and Bevern>^ck
Steven Jansz, plaintiff, against Roeloff Jacopsz, innkeeper,
defendant, about a mudde of wheat.
Defendant's first default.
Jacob Symontsz Clomp, appearing before the court, com-
plains that Commissary Dyckman has attached some moneys in
the hands 180] of Jan van Bremen at Katskill, and also about
some abusive language used at the house of Willem Fredrixsz.
The court orders the attachment vacated whenever he, Clomp,
delivers to this court the fl.250:- which he must pay pursuant
to the sentence heretofore pronounced, which money he. Clomp,
is to deliver into the hands of the Hon. Rutger Jacopsz, under
the penalty provided.
Upon examination of the account of Goosen Gerritsen for
beer delivered to the Hon. Company and to Commissary Dyck-
man, it is resolved at his request to give for apostil that he will
be paid next spring, or that he must wait until the arrival of the
Hon. General, when a decision will be made as to the payment
of the aforesaid account.
At the request of Merten Herpertsz, mason, it is resolved that
his house and garden will be sold by this court, for the purpose
of paying his joint creditors out of the proceeds of the sale, at
the house of Pieter Bronck, innkeeper, a week from the follow-
ing Monday, being the 19th of this month of January, at two
o'clock in the afternoon.
Commissary Dyckman and the collector, Pieter Reverdingh,
are authorized by this court, this afternoon, at the house of
Pieter Bronck, to make up the accounts of the persons who were
lost and drowned, and in accordance therewith to settle with
every one pro rata to the amount that is due him and draw bills
of exchange on whom and for such amounts as may be necessary.
Joannes Dyckman
Rutger Jacobsz
Andries Herberts
Jacob Schermerhooren
Cornelus Thonisen
Jan Thomasz
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 95
[81] Tuesday, January 13, 1654
Present:
Omnes dempto Rutger Jacopsz
Albert Andriesz, plaintiff, against Merten Herpertsz, defend-
ant, about boards delivered to plaintiff by the defendant to the
value of 27 beavers.
Defendant declares that he does not know how he can pay
for them.
The court decides that the plaintiff may take back the boards
delivered by him, notwithstanding the attachment issued against
them, and in case there are any less than the full number
delivered, he can afterwards make this known to the court, so
as to recover damages for them if possible.
Cornelis Thomasz, plaintiff, against Merten Herpertsz,
defendant, for fl.78:- which plaintiff claims for washing
defendant's dirty linen.
Defendant admits the debt, and is ordered to pay plaintiff
the fl.78:- within six weeks, on pain of execution.
Albert Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, tailor, defend-
ant, for four beavers and fl.56 in seawan, for wages claimed by
plaintiff of the defendant.
The court orders defendant to pay plaintiff the aforesaid
amount with costs within six weeks, on pain of execution, and
as to the complaint made by the defendant that the ground
timbers of his house have not been properly laid and that the
uprights are cut too short, parties are referred to the surveyors,
who are to inspect the work and to report their findings to this
court.
[82] Steven Jansz, plaintiff, against Roeloff Jacopsz, defend-
ant, for fl.lO, which defendant owes plaintiff.
Defendant's second default.
At the request of the Hon. Andries Herpertsz a garden Is
granted to him behind the fort among those that have not yet
been allotted, for the benefit of his small house next to his resi-
dence, at the place to be hereafter indicated to his honor.
96 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
Hendrick Jochems, being summoned to testify in regard to
wKit look place in his presence on the 1 0th instant between Jacob
Jansz Stoll and Lourens Jansz, in the course of their fight at his
house, declares as may be seen by his declaration. Whereupon
Commissary Dyckmans is requested and ordered to prepare
interrogatories for the further exammation of the witness on the
next court day. Likewise Rem Jansz, smith, being also sum-
moned to appear, declared that he was not present at the fight,
but only heard some contentious words out of the mouth of
Lourens Jansz and that he went away to tend to his own affairs.
Joannes Dyckman
Andries Herperts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
[83] Tuesday, January 20, 1654
Present :
Omnes dempto Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Adriaensen, wheelwright, plaintiff, against Jan Dir-
rixsz van Bremen, defendant, about five schepels of wheat which
defendant is said to owe plaintiff.
Defendant's first default. The court, however, enjoins the
defendant [not] to depart from here for Katskill unless he
satisfies the plaintiff. Furthermore, with respect to the officer's
complaint about some slanderous remarks uttered last November
before the honorable court, the defendant must make amends to
the court before his departure from here ; likewise for having last
year run away and escaped from the arrest caused to be made
by Jacob Symentsz Klomp. And in case the defendant should
venture to leave without permission, he shall with or against his
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 97
consent be brought back from Katskill at his own expense. And
in order that he may hereafter not plead ignorance hereof, a
written extract from this order shall be served upon the defendant
by the court messenger; all cum expensis.
Willem Fredrixsz, innkeeper, appearing before the court,
requests the privilege of contracting in a lump sum for the excise
on the beer which he may have occasion to tap in one year in
his house, which in view of the fact that but few members of the
court are present is laid aside until the next court day. Mean-
while he may provisionally lay in the beer that is to be received
by him on obtaining a certificate from the collector, Pieter
Reverdingh.
[84] Stoffel, the carpenter, has handed in a memorandum
that there is due him by Merten Herpertsz, mason, according to
his own admission, fl.31 :4:-, which is entered here by way of
memorandum and information.
Claes Gerritsz has requested a lot on the hill near [the lot
of] Andries de Vos, Granted to him at the place hereafter to
be indicated to him, together with a garden for his use.
There was read a petition of Andries de Vos, requesting per-
mission to fence in a piece of land behind his lot, to the south of
the third kill, into the woods, to be used as a pasture and meadow
land.
Decided to note in the margin of his petition that as but few
members are present at this meeting, he may present his request
a week from today, when the court will take favorable action
in the matter.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jacob Schermerhooren
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
98 Fort Orange and Beverrvy^ck
[85] Extraordinary Session, Saturday, January 24, 1654
Present:
Omnes
Jacob Adriaensen, wheelwright, plaintiff, against Cornelis
Segertsz, defendant, about the purchase of a house and lot and
a garden belonging thereto.
The defendant says or declares that he is willing to accept
the house in accordance with the contract of sale, upon proper
security.
The court adjudges that the parties must at once have the
contract entered into by them put in writing and that the grantor,
when the first payment is made, must furnish two sufficient sure-
ties for the delivery [of the property] free from all claims, the
term of the security to extend from the date of the first payment
until the delivery is completed. The first payment, of one hun-
dred beavers, is to take place promptly on the first of May next
and the successive payments according to the terms of the con-
tract made and agreed upon by them and hereafter to be written.
And the defendant is ordered to pay the costs of this [session of
the] court, as he, the purchaser, upon offer of security, has
refused to accept and take the aforesaid house and also been
unwilling to have the contract put in writing and to forward the
work.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 99
[86] Extraordinary Session, Sunday, January 25, 1654
This court having been reHably informed that the Rev.
Domine Gidioni Schaets, at the close of the morning service, has
announced from the pulpit that whoever had any charges to
bring against the person of Brant van Slichtenhorst must do so
at once, on pain of forever after keeping silent, it is after careful
examination of the matter decided by this court to draw up a
protest against it in writing and to have the commissary serve it
orally at the close of the afternoon service, so as to be heard by
the entire congregation, as follows:
Cry by the commissary:
Hear Ye, good inhabitants of Fort Orange and Beverwyck
and all others who belong to the jurisdiction of the same!
I, Joannes Dyckman, commissary and vice director of Fort
Orange in the service of the honorable West India Company,
together with my associate councilors or magistrates of the court
of the aforesaid Fort Orange and Beverwyck, in the name and
on behalf of the Honorable Company aforesaid and the Honor-
able Director General Peter Stuyvesant and the Honorable
Council of New Netherland, representing the supreme govern-
ment of this country, are constrained to protest publicly in this
place where it is customary to hold divine service, although dis-
likmg to do so, seeing that this place is not intended for the
administration of justice, but only to be used for divine service.
The fact is, however, [87] that it has come to the attention
of the commissary and the magistrates aforesaid — some of
whom have even heard it themselves and therefore have certain
knowledge thereof — that this forenoon, at the close of the
morning service, it has pleased the Rev. Domine Gidioni Schaets,
contrary to the order and opinion of this court and without its
previous consent, to announce publicly from the pulpit that who-
ever had any charges to bring against Brant van Slichtenhorst,
the former director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, must do
so forthwith, or hereafter remain silent.
100 Fori Orange and Beverrvyck
Considering that the said Slichtenhorst has three times, or on
three distinct court days, in April 1652, by several inhabitants
of this place been legally cited to appear before the Hon. Director
General and Council of Netherland to answer their complaints,
presented in this fort in the form of petitions or otherwise, and
on his third failure to appear been declared completely in default,
notwithstanding due opportunity was a^orded him to obtain right
and justice, the same as every one else, upon presentation of
proper proof in the matter — which would not have been refused
him, Slichtenhorst, if he had appeared — the court of the afore-
said fort, and hence also of this place, feel that they can not sit
idly by, but must notify this good community that in case he,
Slichtenhorst, should make any further announcements (however,
not there, which is judged improper, but rather by or before the
judge or judges), the honorable magistrates of this court forbid
all good inhabitants aforesaid, in spite of the announcement which
has been made that all charges against his person must be brought
before the court of the colony, [88] to do so, or to comply
therewith, as it is considered illegal, since he can not be sum-
moned to appear before that bench of justice, but only before
the court of this place and the plaintiffs' own competent judges.
As what has been done or occurred herein and all similar
practices are not only prejudicial to the Hon. Company and the
good inhabitants aforesaid, but, as is claimed and presumable in
such cases and by such means, also tend to make the good
inhabitants disobedient and rebellious to their lawful superiors,
this will serve therefore to inform every one that, pursuant to
the orders issued by the supreme government and the proper
authorities aforesaid, the honorable magistrates of this court pro-
hibit such announcement, or announcements, from being made
in the future, under [threat of] calling [the offender] further
to account and [subjecting him to] heavy penalties, the honor-
able court declaring hereby the announcement which has been
made to be re infacta, or null and void, and forbidding similar
a;wiouncements from being made hereafter.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 101
Served by the commissary in the presence of the attendmg
congregation, on the date above written, at the close of the
second service, while, or before, the people were leaving the
church.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
Andries Herberts
Tuesday, January 27, 1654
Present:
Omnes dempto Andries Herpertsz
Jacob Symontsz Klomp, master of a bark, plaintiff, against
Jan Dirrixsz van Bremen, defendant, for fl. 102:8:- which the
plaintiff claims is due him from the defendant by balance of
account for various goods delivered.
The court orders the defendant to pay the aforesaid sum of
one hundred and two guilders and eight stivers before his
departure for Katskill, or in default thereof to give security for
the prompt payment as soon as the river is open, under the penalty
heretofore provided.
Lysbet Cornelis' daughter, plaintiff, against Merten Herpertsz,
that is to say, Jacob Schermerhoren, defendant, for 30 schepels
of maize and one mudde of beans of the plaintiff, which were
lost through the defendant's fault.
The courl, having duly examined and considered the docu-
ments, adjudges that the defendant must pay the plaintiff the
sum of thirty-six guilders within the space of six weeks, on pain
of execution.
Lysbet Cornelis, plaintiff, against Gerrit Jansz, defendant.
102 Fort Orange and BeverB^pc^
The plaintiff demands a perfect deed of conveyance of the
house standing in the fort, adjoining on the south side the Hon.
Company's newly built house and on the north side as the house
and lot to all appearances stand and are situated, for which the
plaintiff says the defendant was fully paid in the lifetime of her
deceased husband, Gysbert Cornelisz.
The defendant admits that he was paid in full to his satisfac-
tion according to the contract of sale and that the ground brief
was also handed and delivered by him to the deceased" at the
Manathans, to be entered in this record [90] because he
promised to free the purchaser from all further claims in regard
to the aforesaid house and lot foi a year and a day, according
to law; persisting once more that he delivered the ground brief
to Gysbert Cornelisz, deceased, at the Manathans, which is
entered here by way of memorandum to serve the purchaser and
plaintiff in the future in the stead of a proper deed and convey-
ance, until such time as it shall be convenient [to execute the
latter].
Claes Gerritsz, appearing before the court, requests permis-
sion to have a lot in Beverwyck to build thereon a house and in
addition a garden for his use. The matter being considered, it
is resolved and decided to appoint and authorize two magistrates
to allot to him a lot and garden, the Hon. Rutgert Jacopsz and
Andries Herpertsz, magistrates of this court, being appointed
for that purpose and to make a report of their findings to this
court.
Whereas the commissary and officer, Dyckman, complains
that he is not yet fully paid the fine imposed by sentence on
Arent Cornelisz Vogel, commonly called *' Schapenbout,'"^
amounting to six guilders for himself and ten guilders for the
poor here, and whereas this court is informed that the said Vogel
has sixteen guilders coming to him from Abraham Pietersz Vos-
^^ Tlie original record has: "was by the deceased delivered and
handed to him."
^® Meaning: Leg of mutton.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656
103
burgh, master carpenter, for nails delivered to him it is decided
that the said Vosburgh shall pay the aforesaid sixteen guilders
to both parties, each pro rata what is due to them, provided that
the court shall free the said Vosburgh from all further claims
on that account.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Jacob Schermerhooren
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
[91] Tuesday, February 3, 1653*®
Present:
All, except Jan Verbeeck
Various persons examined on interrogatories regarding the
crimes committed by Jacob Jansz Stoll, of Amsterdam. In the
first place, the person of Jochem Becker, baker.
How old he is and where Answers, 38 years; at Jeve-
born ? ren.
Whether last summer he did
not keep watch in this fort as
corporal of the burgher guard? Answers, Yes.
Whether, at one time, being
on watch with his corporal's
guard, he did not see Jacob
Jansz Stoll come to the guard-
house drunk and full, or at
least quite intoxicated, after
the men had gone on watch? Answers, Yes.
About how long ago? Declares that he has for-
gotten, or does not know very
well, the exact time.
^^This should be 1654.
104
Fort Orange and Beverwyck
What he, Hap, did there
and whether he did not go to
his house to get his sv/ord, in-
tending to clear out the guard-
house therewith?
Whether he at that time did
not strike Mr Adriaen van
Ilpendam, clerk of the burgher
guard, standing before the fire
at the guardhouse?
Whether he, Hap, having
fetched his sword, did not by
force try to fight with him, the
corporal, life for Hfe?
Whether it was Jacob
Hap's turn to do guard duty?
Whether he. Hap, having
thereafter come outside [92]
the gate of this fort, wanted to
assault the said Mr Adriaen,
and not only him, but any
other bystanders who wanted
and were willing to fight?
Whether in the guardhouse,
after the watch was set, he
used much useless and abusive
language to one person and
another?
Whether, he, the deponent,
has any further statements to
make in the matter?
Answers, Yes, and that he
gave Adriaen, the school-
master, a handkerchief to fight
against him with his sword and
threatened to cut and hack at
him, the corporal, with the
sword, holding it unsheathed in
front of said corporal's nose
and saying: " I dare you to
draw 5'our colonel's rapier."
Declares that he does not
know exactly whether he did
or not, but only saw that there
was some trouble near the fire.
Declares, Yes, holding for
that purpose the naked sword
before said corporal's face.
Answers, No.
Answers, Yes, and said to
Mr Adriaen, " Draw your
sword;" and wanted to attack
him by force, which was pre-
vented by the deponent and
others.
Answers, Yes, but especially
to Mr Adriaen, calling him a
burgher's dog and boy, yes, the
dog of all the burghers.
Answers, No.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656
05
The deponent has with upUfted fingers confirmed these
answers by oath.
Goosen Gerritsz, being heard, declares that last summer, the
precise time he does not know, Jacob Jansz Stoll, after the
mounting of the guard, made some trouble and out of mischief
fired the gun which he had with him.
Resolved that the defendant shall be examined once more on
the above interrogatories on the next court day.
Interrogatories for the examination of Jan Machielsz and
Gerrit Jansz from Swoll.
How old
where born?
they
are an(
Whether last year they did
not come to the guardhouse as
burghers to do guard duty?
Whether they did not see
Jacob Jansz Stoll go to his
house to get his sword to attack
therewith the burgher watch
and insult them?
[93] Whether he did not
try to attack Jochem Becker,
the corporal of the burgher
guard, with his sword and
wanted to fight with him with
his naked sword?
Whether he did not make
other trouble at the guardhouse
at that time?
Whether it was his watch?
Answers, Jan Machielsz,
aged 55 years, born at Edam,
and Gerrit Jansz born at Swoll.
They say. Yes, when it was
their turn.
They declare. Yes, and that
they saw the sword, but do not
know who brought it there or
gave it to Jacob.
Ansv/er,
challenged
fight.
that
the
he, Jacob,
corporal to
Answer, Yes, and he struck
Mr Adriaen van Ilpendam,
standing by the fire, without
cause.
They say. No.
The deponents have with uplifted fingers confirmed the above
statements by oath before this court.
106
Fori Orange and Beverrv^ck
Answers, Yes, that he him-
self understood and heard
Christoffel Davits say so.
Interrogatories on which this court is to examine Marcelis
Jansz from Bommel, former servant of Mr Johan de Hulter.
First, how old he is and Answers, at Bommel, 25
where born? years of age.
Whether, about four months Answers, Yes, and that he,
ago, he, besides Commissary Davits, said so in the presence
Dyckman and Lourens Jansz, of still others,
did not hear Christoffel Davits
say that at one time alone he
sold 22 mutsgens of brandy to
the savages?
Whether from this selling of
brandy and drinking of the
savages no trouble resulted and
arose and whether the sachems
of the savages there did not
come to said Davits and in
their way forbade him to sell
any more brandy to the savages
and begged him not to do so,
as they got into great trouble
and disputes with one another
while being drunk?
Whether he did not see Answers, Yes, but that he
Christoffel Davits now and does not know the quantity,
then sell some brandy to the
savages ?
Whether he knows or has Answers, Yes, especially
been informed that some because the horses of Thomas
trouble among the Christians Clabbort had been in the corn,
and the savages has resulted
therefrom, especially with the
Christians?
He, Marcelis Jansz, has with uplifted fingers confirmed these
answers by oath.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 107
Herman Bastiaensz, carpenter, appearing before the court,
requests payment of fl. 106:5:-, due him for wages earned in
building the Hon. Company's new house. It is decided that he
will be paid in three months, if the treasury allows it.
On the peiiticn of Andries de Vos, presented on the 20th of
the preceding month, praying for some land behind his lot,
stretching toward the woods, to be used as a pasture and meadow,
it is resolved to make the following apostil: Inasmuch as the
people here intend for their support, each one according to his
needs, to pasture and keep some cattle there themselves, the said
request is for the reason aforesaid for the present denied and
not granted.
Upon the request of Annetge Bogardus, permission is given
her from now on to take possession of and use the garden of, or
heretofore granted to, Jacob Jansz Schermerhoren.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jacob Schermerhooren
Cornelus Thonisen
Jan Thomasz
[95] Tuesday, February 10, 1654
Present:
Omnes
Commissary Joannes Dyckman, [plaintiff, against] Goosen
Gerritsz, defendant.
Defendant's first default. Likewise Lourens Jansz, to testify
concerning the shooting done by Jacob Jansz Stoll after the
mounting of the guard.
Willem Fredrixsz, being summoned to appear in court,
declares that Jacob Symontsz Klomp, fourteen days ago, used
much abusive language toward this court, Adriaen Jansz from
Leyden and himself and also that he was thereby forced to leave
108 Fort Orange and Beverrv^c'k
and go out of his house, as otherwise he would have been forced
to make a stand against him, Clomp, with his knife in his hand.
Pieter Bronk, being summoned to appear, declares that
Jacob, the carpenter, and Willem Jansz Prins, on Sunday, or
the day before yesterday, bravely fought at his house and in
order that they should not injure each other with knives, he,
Bronck, had broken both their knives in their pockets before they
began to fight.
Jacob, the carpenter, summoned to appear in court on account
of fighting, defendant is in default.
Willem Jansz Prins declares that he does not know much
about having been fighting, as he was dead drunk, but admits
that on Sunday, even during the service, he was drinking at the
house of Pieter Bronck.
Resolved to have them both summoned to appear again on
the next court day.
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, being summoned to give testi-
mony of the truth in regard to what was done and said in his
presence two weeks ago at the house of Willem Fredrixsz by
Jacob Symontsz Clomp, the first default is entered against the
witness and it is decided to have him cited again to appear on
the next court day.
Upon resumption of the matter, it is resolved to adjourn the
case of Jacob Luyersz, delinquent, for mischief committed on
the street, until the arrival of the Hon. Director General, for
reasons submitted and known to this court.
The Hon. Jacob Jansz Schermerhoren and Jan Thomasz,
[96] magistrates of this court, are authorized to lay out for
Hendrick Marcelis a lot on the hill, or wherever it may be most
convenient and to make a report thereof to this court.
Whereas Luykas Andriesz, skipper, complains that some
money is due him by Willem Albertsz from Monickendam and
that for that reason he had taken possession of a boat belonging
to said Willem Albertsz, it is decided by this court that he,
Luykas Andriesz, may keep possession of said boat until he is
paid and satisfied.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1656
109
Interrogatories on which this court is to examine Jan Roelofsz,
burgher of Beverwyck.
First :
How old he is and where
born?
Declares and answers as
follows:
20 years and born in this
country.
Answer, When it was his
Whether last year he did
guard duty here in this fort turn,
together with other burghers?
Whether among other things Declares, Yes, and that he
he did not see Jacob Jansz heard him fire off his gun after
Stoll, coming to the guard- the mounting of the guard,
house drunk with a loaded
gun, make much noise and
commotion in the guardhouse?
Whether he has any other Answers, No.
statements to make concerning
it?
Upon the request and complaint made to this court by the
purchaser of the house of Merten Herpertsz, mason, sold by
this court on the 19th of the preceding month of January, now
occupied by Mr Johan de Hulter, who is having a cellar dug
on the lot next to the house, which the purchaser claims and
considers to be detrimental to the aforesaid house, it is resolved
and decided to order the court messenger, as he is ordered hereby,
in the name of the court to forbid Mr de Hulter aforesaid to
have said work done, with order not only to stop said work, but
also to replace the dirt and to have the lot put back in the state
in which it was before the work was commenced. Furthermore,
as according to the custom of the fatherland [97] delivery of
all houses, lots and other pieces of real estate sold by the court
pursuant to a writ of execution is made promptly on payment
of the first instalment and a quitclaim deed therefor is given
on payment of the final payment, this serves as a warning to Mr
de Hulter aforesaid that on the first of May next the court will
1 1 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
make delivery of the aforesaid house and lot to the purchaser
on payment of the first instalment, notwithstanding the fact that
Mr de Hulter according to the contract might have the lease of
the aforesaid house a little while longer, as this court, as stated
above, governs itself according to the law and customs of the
fatherland. And whereas by the terms and conditions of sale
it was expressly stipulated that [the court] was selling every-
thing as it was, without [the parties] having the right to raise
any questions from any cause whatsoever, this serves to inform
Mr de Hulter that on the first of May next he shall have to
vacate the aforesaid sold house, in order that proper delivery
thereof may be made; also that he must not make any further
repairs; the court declaring further that inasmuch as the lessee
had certain knowledge of the sale, he shall have to bear all
expenses which were incurred by him on the aforesaid house and
lot since the sale or which he may incur in the future.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
Jan Thomasz
Cornelus Thonisen
[98] Tuesday, February 17, 1654
Present:
Dyckman Schermerhoren
J: Verbeeck Jan Thomasz
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, being summoned to testify to
the truth of what was done in his presence two weeks ago today
at the house of Willem Fredrixsz by Jacob Symontsz Clomp,
declares that he, Clomip, spoke many abusive words to him and
challenged him to come outside the door, but that he did not
draw a knife.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 Ml
The court having considered what is above written and also
the declaration made in regard to it at the last session of the
court and having further taken into consideration that on Satur-
day a week ago he fought with Jacob van Loosdrecht, they con-
demn the aforesaid Clomp to pay a fine of fl. 12 to the officer,
with costs.
Jan Barentsz Poest being cited to appear before the court to
show his authority for fencing o^ the lot next to Gysbert Cor-
nelisz, deceased, on the south side, has exhibited his ground brief
thereof granted by the Hon. Director General, of which this
serves as notice.
Lourens Jansz from Hoesem, being summoned by the court,
has answered the following interrogatories as indicated in the
margin.
Interrogatories on which this court is to examine Lourens
Jansz, burgher of Beverwyck.
How old he is and where Answers, at Hoesem,^" 43
born? years old.
Whether last year he did Declares, [Yes], when it
not do guard duty in the fort was his turn,
with other burghers?
If, among other things, he Answers, Yes, that he heard
did not see Jacob Jansz Stoll, it and that [Jacob] was using
having come to the guardhouse much abusive language,
drunk or at least quite full, fire
off his gun out of mischief after
the guard had gone on duty?
Whether he has anything Answers, No.
more to state about it?
The honorable treasurers, Abraham Staets and Sander Leen-
dertsen, having appeared before the meeting, declare that they
have gone the rounds to collect the fifteen guilders ordered to
be assessed on each house for the completion of the bridges in
Husum, a seaport town of Sleswick.
\ 1 2 Fori Orange and Bevervpyck
Beverwyck, pursuant to the order of the Hon. General and this
court, but that they did not succeed very well. It is resolved
thereupon to have the following notice posted immediately in
three suitable places. [The notice] reads as follows:
The honorable magistrates of this court order all burghers
and inhabitants belonging to this jurisdiction who have any house
or houses standing in and therefore belonging to this jurisdiction
to pay within fifteen days from this date fifteen guilders to the
appointed honorable treasurers, Abraham Staets and Sander
Leendertsen, pursuant to the order of the Hon. Director Gen-
eral and this court, for the building of the bridges contracted for
in the village of Beverwyck and to defray other expenses already
incurred or still to be incurred. Furthermore, every one who
has been granted a lot, on which he has not yet built and which
still lies vacant, shall pay half as much; and each free person
residing in this jurisdiction and exercising his trade there six
guilders; on pain, in case of failure to pay within the aforesaid
appointed time, of forfeiting the first day after the period when
payment should have been made three guilders, the next day
six guilders, and so on successively each day twice as much,
and finally of peremptory execution. And in order that no one
may claim ignorance hereof, the honorable court aforesaid has
caused this to be posted in the usual places. Thus done, rati-
fied and considered the second time by the aforesaid court in
Fort Orange, this 17th day of the month of February 1654.
Underneath was written. By order of the honorable court in this
place, and was signed, Joannes Dyckman.
It is resolved to summon the surveyor, Abraham Pietersz
Vosburgh, to appear on the next court day, with reference to
the garden heretofore granted to Jacob Jansz Schermerhooren,
which it is understood has been given to Andries de Vos with-
out the knowledge of this court.
[100] It is resolved to order the surveyors to measure the
lot behind the lot of Sander Leendertsen and inclosed by him.
Whereupon the aforesaid Sander Leendertsen being summoned.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 113
he is asked whether the aforesaid small lot was also granted to
him? He says that it was promised to him, but that it is not
yet mentioned in his ground brief. It is resolved to communi-
cate this to the magistrates of this court who at present are at
the Manathans and about this and other points to send them a
letter reading as follows:
To the Honorable Magistrates Rutger Jacobsz, Andries
Herpertsz and Cornelis Theu. van Westbroeck, at present at
the Manathans.
Honorable, Wise, Prudent and Very Discreet Friends and
Fellow Members of this Court:
Inclosed herewith are authentic copies of the terms of sale
of the house of Merten Herpertsz, mason, and the subsequent
resolution passed at the request of the purchaser, on account of
the digging of a hole for a well or a cellar in the purchased
lot, together with a memorandum for your honors in case Mon-
sieur de Hulter should make any further request there to remain
in the house that was sold as lessee during the term of the lease,
in which [copies] we hope you will find sufficient arguments and
reasons against the frivolous contentions of Monsieur de Hulter
aforesaid, trusting further to what your honors in such case may
be pleased and able to advance in support thereof.
Herewith go also the measurements of the lot of Sander
Leeiidertsen, showing how much was granted to him and how
much he has inclosed with posts contrary to orders, which per-
son, being on that account by order of the officer legally sum-
moned to appear before the court, declared yesterday that the
addition to his lot is not mentioned in his ground brief, but was
promised to him, so that your honors will be pleased to make
further inquiry about it. As far as we can judge, Sander Leen-
dertsen has done this on his own authority; if so, the officer here
will have to institute proceedings against him to prove his title.
On the other hand, we should like to see this place [101]
[disposed of] as we with the consent of the Hon. General
decided, namely, to have Rutger Jacobsz and Willem Fredrixsz
114 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
build a good horse mill on it, for the use and convenience of the
burghers here, the said place being all the more suitable there-
for because it is close to the kill and the river, so that it is con-
venient to convey the grain to and from it by water. We have
thus far not been able to find a more suitable location for this
necessary structure. Furthermore, as Herman Bastiaensen has
sold his house and should like to build another dwelling house
on his lot on the first kill, also toward the river side, so far from
the fort that it will obstruct this fort very little, [we hope] that
he will be permitted to build, as he must have a place to live in.
Having nothing further [to communicate] for the present, we
commend your honors, with our greetings, to the grace of God
and remain.
Your honors' willing servants and friends and fel-
low members of this court, the president and magis-
trates of the court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck.
Fort Orange, February 1 8, 1 654
Was signed: JoANNES Dyckman
Jacob Schermerhoren
Jan Verbeeck
The memorandum follows:
Memorandum for the magistrates Rutger Jacobsz,
Andries Herbertsz and Cornelis Theunisz van West-
broeck, who have gone to the Manathans.
That herewith go authentic copies of the conditions of sale
of the house of Merten Herpertsz, mason, and the resolution
passed at the request of the purchaser concerning the digging of
a hole for a cellar or a well in the lot sold next to the aforesaid
house.
Which memorandum is intended to serve their honors at the
Manathans if necessary in case Monsieur de Hulter should make
there any further request to remain in the aforesaid house accord-
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 115
ing to the lease drawn up between the aforesaid mason and
de Hulter.
First, that he, the mason, had no right to lease the said house
in this manner, because various judgments against him, upon
evidence of debt, had been given by this court before he leased
the aforesaid house, to wit, that [1021 he must make payment
to his creditors within six weeks, according to the aforesaid judg-
ments, on pain of execution.
That he being unable to satisfy his creditors within the afore-
said time, [the court] was forced to proceed to execution.
That the sale, having been made by the court, necessarily
breaks the lease, as he had no right to grant it.
It being the accepted rule in such cases that sale breaks the
lease, according to the custom of the fatherland and that
although this is not stipulated in the terms of the lease, the lease
becomes void of itself, notwithstanding ordinarily the amount
of the rent and the period of the lease are specified, which is
done only to make the houses and real estate bring higher prices
and which has also been the sole aim of this court in stipulating
that the first payment must be made on the first of May next.
In the fatherland delivery takes place on payment of the first
term, being the day on which the leases of houses usually begin.
No one may lease his real estate for a year and a day whose
affairs are in a shaky condition and whose creditors have already
secured several judgments against him;
For in the fatherland all leases in such case are void when
the first payment is made.
Even the insolvent person, if he lives in one of his houses,
must vacate the same when the first payment is made;
For otherwise the insolvent person would allow himself as
much time to live therein as he pleased, which is not permitted
by the courts in Holland, as may be seen by thousands of cases,
but must vacate at the time stated.
Furthermore, a mortgage on the aforesaid house for a year
and a day has been granted and executed with the knowledge
1 1 6 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
and at the request of the lessor, which contains that the afore-
said house is specially mortgaged to Jan Jansz from Gottenburgh,
to be sold by him when he pleases [ 1 03 ] and whereas the pur-
chaser has furthermore offered instead of the first payment only
to pay the full amount upon delivery, it would be a great loss
and detriment to the general creditors to whom larger or smaller
amounts are due if, on account of this lease, they would have
to wait a year and a day before being paid and thereby be
deprived of considerable interest;
For the net interest per year, as calculated in this country,
on the purchase price of the aforesaid house, plus the cost of
necessary repairs to be made, will far exceed the stipulated rent
paid by the lessee.
Furthermore, it is expressly stipulated in the terms of sale
that the honorable court sells everything as it is, without either
the purchaser or the lessee having the right to raise any questions,
from whatever cause it may be.
And whereas Monsieur de Hulter at present dwells in this
jurisdiction and therefore can not be regarded otherwise than
as a subject and burgher thereof, it is surprising that without
notifying this court he brings further suit in the matter there.
If he denies that he is a burgher and subject of this jurisdic-
tion, he must without any gainsay depart therefrom according
to the opinion of all reasonable minds;
For no one may reside therein, not only in this but in all
other jurisdictions, without duly respecting and obeying the gov-
ernment and courts thereof.
In case he acknowledges it, it is surprising that he ignores his
own competent judges and there seeks judicial relief.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Jacob from Loos-
drecht, defendant.
Defendant's second default.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
Jan Thomasz
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 117
[104] Tuesday, March 3, 1654
Present:
J : Dyckman J : J : Schermerhoren
J: Verbeeck Jan Thomasz
Commissary Joannes Dyckman, plaintiff, against the follow-
ing persons:
Jan Hendrixsz. Defendant's first default.
Hendrick Gerritsz, for having been drinking at Hendrick
Jochemsz, after the ringing of the bell. Also first default.
The commissary, plaintiff, against Jurriaen Theunisz, glazier
and innkeeper, and Claes vande Hooge bergh, on account of
fighting on Shrove Tuesday at the house of Jurriaen Theunisz.
Jurriaen Theunisz, appearing, declares that his opponent came
into his house drunk and beat him, thereby committing violence
in his house.
It is decided to have the parties summoned again at the first
opportunity.
Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh declares that having some time
or some days ago been called upon to survey the lot of Dirck
Bensingh and being busy therewith and things not going as he,
Bensingh, liked, he said to the aforesaid surveyor: " The stake
which stands there is more trustworthy than you are and if you
do not survey according to the stakes which stand there, you
survey falsely," and other similar remarks. The aforesaid sur-
veyor maintaining that the above written statements were made,
it is resolved and decided to have the said Dirrick Bensingh and
both the surveyors summoned again to appear on the next court
day.
The commissary aforesaid, plaintiff, against Jochem Becker
and Jacob Willemsz de Wolff, defendants, on account of fight-
ing which took place last Saturday evening at the house of Jacob
Willemsz.
Jacob Willemsz declares that the old captain's hens sitting
on the nest to lay, they were chased off the nest by Jochem
Becker, who said that they were his hens, and when Jacob said.
1 1 8 Fort Orange and Bevertv^ck
"What do you mean? they are the old captain's hens," Jochem
Becker challenged Jacob Willemsz to come outside the door.
The latter not coming, he ran into the house after Jacob, grabbed
him by the throat or neck and gave him a sound beating besides,
calling him an old dog, without the deponent having hit him
in return.
The old captain, Willem Juriaensz, being summoned by the
court, declares that what Jacob testified to above, happened as
he said.
[ 1 05 ] Willem Hoffmeyer being also summoned to testify
to the truth in regard to the matter aforesaid, the first default
is entered against him, but it is decided to have him summoned
again to appear on the next court day.
Jochem Becker declares that Jacob returned the blows and
pulled him by the hair and called him a dog and a son of a
bitch. Resolved to summon him to reappear also.
Jacob from Loosdrecht, carpenter, having been fighting twice,
once at the house of Hendrick Jochemsz and once at Pieter
Bronck's, is ordered to pay to the officer here the sum of ten
guilders, with costs, to be paid immediately.
Abraham Crabaat, for having last Shrove Tuesday walked
along the street in woman's clothes, is, although it is the first
time and he offers the excuse that he did not know that he was
doing wrong, condemned to pay a fine of six guilders for the
benefit of the poor, with costs, to be paid immediately, provided
that if he, Crabaat, or any one else should hereafter undertake
to do this again, he shall be arbitrarily punished as an example
to others.
Albert Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Rut Arentsz, tailor, defend-
ant, for fl.76:- in seawan and fl.32 in beavers, which defendant
owes plaintiff for wages earned and other things.
The court having heard the arguments on both sides, con-
demn the defendant to satisfy and pay the plaintiff what is here-
inbefore written within the space of twenty-four hours, on pain
of peremptory execution.
Court Minnies, 1 652-1 656 1 19
Jan Labatie, plaintiff, against Jochem Becker, defendant,
about some dispute concerning their respective lots. Resolved
that this court itself will this afternoon make an inspection in
order to be able to render a proper decision and to settle their
dispute in accordance with the merits of the case.
[106] Thomas Sandertsen, smith, appearing before the court,
declares his inability to pay the assessment of fifteen guilders on
each house, nevertheless expressing his willingness in the matter.
The court having heard his reasons for being excused, accepts
them in so far that instead of fifteen guilders, he will have to
pay only five guilders, once, to the treasurer, being thereby for
this time excused from making further payments, without any
precedent being established thereby.
The court having seen and examined what the commissary
ex officio as plaintiff has exhibited in writing against the delin-
quent, Jacob Jansz Stoll, order the defendant aforesaid to pre-
sent his written answer thereto promptly on the next court day,
on pain, etc.
The schout of the colony of Rensselaerswyck having come
into court has delivered the following writing:
To the Honorable Judges of the Court of Fort
Orange and Beverwyck
As officer of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, I respectfully
petition your honors aforesaid as follows: Whereas it has
pleased the Hon. Joannes Dyckman some time ago, at the house
of the lord patroon, at the close of divine service in the after-
noon, to read publicly to the congregation a protest concerning
the announcement of the departure of Brant van Slichtenhorst,
formerly director of the aforesaid colony, and it is [but] just
that one should have positive knowledge, which one can not
gather from hearsay alone, according to all [legal] customs,
therefore, in my official capacity aforesaid, I request that an
authentic copy of the aforesaid protest which was read may be
exhibited and delivered to me, in order that I may know the
120 Fort Orange and BeverTv\)ck
matter itself and the foundation thereof, whereupon I expect
your honors' apostil and consent to be written in the margin
hereof. Underneath was written, Your honors' wilHng servant,
and was signed, Gerrit Swart, officer. Done this 3d of March
A° 1654, at the house of the lord patroon of the aforesaid
colony.
Whereupon it is resolved to make the following apostil:
The Honorable Schout and officer of the colony of Rensse-
laerswyck having come into court, [1071 has delivered a cer-
tain writing whereby a copy is requested of the protest against
the reading or announcement made from the pulpit in regard
to the affairs of Brant van Slichtenhorst, the former director of
the aforesaid colony, served by Commissary Dyckman by order
of this court on the 25th of January last in the church in the
hearing of the congregation who were present. It states among
other things that it is just that one should have positive knowledge
which one can not gather from hearsay, according to all [legal]
customs, and requests that an authentic copy of the aforesaid pro-
test may be exhibited and delivered to him, in order that he
may know the matter itself and the foundation thereof and that
an apostil may be entered on his petition. This serves therefore
to state that the court in so far does not judge his request unjust
and therefore shall furnish him with an authentic copy, subject
only to this condition that his honor shall first or at the same
time deliver to this court in exchange a copy of what that fore-
noon was proclaimed in the matter by the Reverend Domine
Gidiony Schaets, such being in accordance with all legal cus-
tom. This court is unable to see that it is otherwise bound
to do so and therefore also intends not to send the protest to
his honor or whoever else may demand the same in such a man-
ner, which is deemed impudent, unless it receives beforehand
what was read from [the pulpit]. Otherwise, it intends to delay
the same until the arrival of the Honorable Director General,
who according to his honor's letter meanwhile received we expect
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 121
at the first opportunity and to whose wise judgment we shall
gladly defer the matter, considering it without reason that in case
the proclamation is refused us, this court should be bound to send
and furnish the protest to their honors of the colony, but being
ready and willing, if the proclamation is delivered to this court,
immediately to remit a copy as aforesaid of the protest to the
officer aforesaid, or whoever may ask for the same in the name
of the colony.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
Jan Thomasz
[108] Extraordinary Session, Friday, March 13
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Verbeeck C: Thuenisz
A: Herpertsz J: J: Schermerhoren J: Thomasz
R: Jacopsz
Pieter Adriaensen Soo Gemackelyck, plaintiff, against Cor-
nelis Vos, defendant.
Defendant's first default. About a tub of butter shipped by
plaintiff's mother at the Manathans in defendant's yacht and
not delivered to the plaintiff, according to the exhibited letter
written by plaintiff's mother to plaintiff for that purpose, in
which it is stated, as shown to this court, that there were 33
pounds of butter in it.
Furthermore, that the defendant the day before yesterday,
at the house of Willem Bout, twice drew his knife and several
times made a stab at the plaintiff with it, close to his body or
belly.
The first case is adjourned until the arrival in person of the
plaintiff's mother herself, who is expected here any day from
the Manathans, and the second case until later. Meanwhile,
122 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
the plaintiff is ordered to advance the money to pay for
the expenses of the court, further disposition in the matter to be
made when it shall have been established who is right and who
is wrong.
Herman Bastiaensen, plaintiff, against Pieter Adriaensen Soo
Gemackelyck, defendant, for fl.750:- for wages earned by him,
of which fl.150:-, or thereabouts, are alleged to have been
paid. The plaintiff demands payment of the entire amount, not-
withstanding the defendant says that the contract made between
them, which is exhibited, is not yet fully carried out, he being
willing to pay the first five hundred guilders and the balance as
soon as the work is finished according to the contract.
The court, having heard the arguments and debates on both
sides, orders and adjudges that the defendant shall remain in
custody until the work shall have been inspected by two impar-
tial carpenters and that after they have made their report he
shall be allowed to go home on bail. Claes Jansz from Baere^^
and Claes from Rotterdam are appointed inspectors to inspect
the work this day and [109] to report their findings to this
court, as compared with the specifications, of which a copy or
the originals will be put into the hands of the appointed car-
penters. The expenses involved therein shall be paid by the
guilty or delinquent party, on pain of peremptory execution.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
^^ Baarn, in the province of Utrecht.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 123
Tuesday, March 17, 1654
Present:
The Hon. General Rut: Jacopsen Cor: Theunesz
Mr Sille An: Herpertsen Jan Thomasz
J: Dyckman J: Schermerhoren
Herman Bastiaensen, carpenter, plaintiff, against Pieter
Adriaensen Soo Gemackelyck, defendant, about a certain dis-
pute brought before the court on Friday last about wages earned
in building the house of the aforesaid Gemackelyck.
The court having heard the debates and arguments on both
sides and having also examined the written report of the two
impartial carpenters appointed last Friday to inspect the work,
order and adjudge that the plaintiff must still make in the afore-
said house a Bol Cosl;n,"" tongue and groove and make tight the
ceilings, and hang the doors and windows. As to the one gable,
which has not been tongued and grooved and planed according
to the contract, but nailed down, the board overlapping one
another, this shall remain thus as an offset against the extra work
that has been done according to the written report. The court
further condemn the plaintiff to pay the costs of the suit and
order the defendant, as soon as the aforesaid work shall have
been done, promptly to pay the stipulated wages.
Resolved to draw an order on the honorable treasurers here
in favor of the carpenter, Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh, in the
sum of two hundred guilders to be deducted from the amount
which he has asked for making the two bridges here in
Beverwyck.
The court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck on the safe arrival
here of the Hon. Director General and the Hon. Nicasius Sille,
have deemed it necessary and proper to submit to their honors
the following request, which was this day delivered to their
honors :
^ A window with three lights, the lower sashes swinging in or out,
and the upper one being stationary.
124 Fort Orange and Bevertv^cJ^
That this court, [110] from experience, for reasons herein-
after stated, can (subject to correction) come to no other con-
clusion than that they are forced to request that the bench of
Justice of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, which until now has
been allowed to continue in the place where it was accustomed
to meet, may be removed and ordered to [hold court] outside
of this jurisdiction or the established limits.
For it is evident that they have caused the minister, Gidion
Schaets, to announce and serve public notice in the church stand-
ing in this jurisdiction that all the inhabitants of this as well of
their jurisdiction who had any charges to bring against the per-
son of Brant van Slichtenhorst must make them known and
plead before their bench of justice, on pain of keeping for ever
silent, and that without regard of persons, whoever they might
be, which can not be understood otherwise as to include also
(with all due respect) your honors and the respective members
of this court.
How impudent this is, your honors can [readily see], it being
contrary to your honors' express written orders and command
given almost two years ago to those of the colony, when this
bench of justice was erected and established, we on our side,
according to our bounden duty, having never attempted to treat
the court of the colony in any other than a friendly way, saving
the privileges of each, nor sought to be with the court of the
colony aforesaid on any other terms than those of love and
friendship, the two jurisdictions mutually respecting each other's
rights.
[Praying therefore,] that it may be ordered and decreed that
all persons residing in this jurisdiction may (saving the right of
appeal) be summoned only before this bench of justice, without
regard of persons.
And whereas those of the colony judge [otherwise, that] all,
or such as have taken the oath to the patroon, who at present
reside in this jurisdiction and who intend to remain there, may
be ordered, whenever the occasion may require it, to plead their
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 125
causes before this bench and to stand trial here, after being
legally cited or otherwise summoned to appear, if need be.
That the same, when residing in this jurisdiction, [111] may
also be bound to take the common burgher oath, or in case of
refusal be ordered to depart, since without it they can not be
deemed or adjudged otherwise than in contempt. An example
whereof was seen by this court in the person of Brant van
Slichtenhorst who, having been three times legally cited to appear
in court by a private person of this jurisdiction, gave for answer
that this court had no jurisdiction over him, as he had taken the
oath to the patroon.
And if the court of justice of the colony should remain where
it is, this can only tend to the great prejudice of this court, as
they daily make the inhabitants of this jurisdiction believe that
there is to be a change and that, being returned under the jurisdic-
tion of the patroon, they will be regarded as perjurers, in conse-
quence of which the inhabitants here can not be held as well as
they should to their bounden duty and obedience, but become
refractory and on the contrary forget the respect which they owe
this court.
The colony extends far and wide and between the farms
established by the patroon there are still many lands which are
not yet bought or occupied by the patroon or his subjects, but
are cultivated by the natives themselves, to the great prejudice
of this country; for the savages being allowed to plant them,
they imagine after a time that they belong to them and there-
after use the lands as their own, to the great loss and detriment
not only of the inhabitants, but also of the land itself, which
otherwise might be bought, paid for and cultivated by the
inhabitants, to the great convenience of themselves and conse-
quently of the country. It is therefore requested that these lands,
which have not yet been purchased of the natives, may by order
of your honors be bought, paid for and occupied and cultivated
by the private inhabitants, according to your honor's pleasure
and with your consent.
126 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
As on the 8th of April next three of the magistrates will have
been for two years in consecutive service and the term which
they agreed to serve will therefore expire and the time arrive for
others to take their places, we have below nominated a [112]
double number of five persons, from whom three are to be chosen
by your honors to fill the vacancies.
Abraham Staets
Volckert Jansz V left the service last year
Jan Labatie
Rutger Jacobsz
Andries Herpertsen
Cornelis Theunisz
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhoren
Jan Thomasz
► whose time expired on the 8lh of April
► have served one year
Nomination of four to complete the number of twelve, or to
serve as magistrates:
Pieter Hartgers is one of the twelve
Frans Barentsz
Sander Leendertsen
Gerrit Jansz from Swoll
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden
The rest of what this court has to propose and to request, they
request permission to propose orally, whereupon they expect your
honors' favorable apostil.
Your honors' very obedient and
Fort Orange, faithful [servants], the commissary
March 16, 1654 and magistrates of Fort Orange and
Beverwyck.
Delivered this day to the honorable gentlemen and signed by
all the members of this court. After some verbal questions had
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 127
been asked of their honors, orders were given to put them into
writing and to deliver [the petition] to their honors, which was
done, the contents or tenor being as follows :
To the Hon. Director General Peter Stuyvesant
and the Hon. Nicasius Sille
Shew with due reverence to your honors. Commissary Joannes
Dyckman and the magistrates [113] of the Court of Fort
Orange and Beverwyck, that they, the petitioners, find by experi-
ence that notwithstanding the placards that have been issued,
whereby all tapsters residing in this jurisdiction are required to
pay the regular and appointed tapsters' excise on wine, beer
and distilled liquors which they tap, retail or sell, in such way
as the ordinance provides, the wine, beer and distilled liquors
are not entered as they should be, but that much smuggling is
going on and that the burghers here have to pay the tax put
by the tapsters on the aforesaid liquors, whether they smuggle
and thereby pay no excise, or not. The petitioners, therefore,
would not be surprised if, in order to prevent the smuggling in
the future, it were better to have the excise on beer, wine and
distilled liquors publicly farmed out to the highest bidder, and
left to the farmer first for a year and thereafter for longer,
according to your honors' pleasure and decision, provided that
the tapsters of the heavy beer and wines, before they are allowed
to have these carried or brought into their houses or cellars, must
obtain from the appointed collector, or farmer, or farmers, of
the excise a proper certificate that they have paid the excise, and
furthermore that every burgher must also get a similar certificate
from the collector or farmer of the [excise on] beer, wine and
distilled liquors, without however having to pay any excise, but
only the fee for writing the certificate, under the penalty to be
provided by your honors.
It is furthermore to be considered whether in the future those
of the colony ought not to pay the established tapsters' excise
as well as the tapsters in this jurisdiction, who complain that
128 Fort Orange and Bevern^y^ck
they sell their beer, wine and distilled liquors as cheap as those
of the colony, notwithstanding the fact that they must pay the
excise and in addition must do guard duty, as they [114] did
last year, from which those of the colony are exempt, which
they consider to be of benefit to the colony as well as to this
jurisdiction. Also that they are bound, together with the other
burghers of this jurisdiction, to bear the extraordinary charges
for the maintenance of bridges, etc., which however are used
also by the residents of the colony, yes, even had to help build
up and fortify this fort, although in times of need it would
serve as a place of refuge for those of the colony, as well as for
themselves and other burghers, and other such like reasons.
Upon the complaint of the burghers here, the petitioners find
and have daily experienced that the bakers do not act in good
faith in the matter of baking bread for the burghers, but bolt
the flour from the meal and sell it greatly to their profit to the
savages for the baking of sweet cake, white bread, cookies and
pretzels, so that the burghers must buy and get largely bran for
their money, and even then the bread is frequently found to be
short of weight, and they ask one guilders, yes, as much as 24
stivers for such poor and short-weight baked bread. Which the
petitioners in the interest of this community have thought it
necessary to bring to your honors' attention, in order that in the
future your honors may provide herein as you shall see fit, in
the interest of the community here and especially of the plain
and common people, who can not bake themselves, so that if
this continues the Christians must eat the bran while the savages
eat the flour; [praying therefore] that a proper weight and a
price for the sale of proper bread may be set.
Whereas the people here, at Katskill, Esopus and elsewhere
are very short of schepel measures, whether whole, half, or quar-
ter schepels, to measure grain and other commodities, your
honors are requested to be pleased to order a reasonable quantity
from pairia to supply the people therewith [115], provided that
every one who receives one is to pay for it. Otherwise, one
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 129
person and another measuring with a little tub or keg, great dis-
putes are Hkely to be caused and to arise among the people.
Furthermore, as the petitioners are often compelled to take
off time to attend to the duties of this, their accepted office, to
the great loss and detriment of themselves and the public service,
they request your honors to be pleased to authorize that each
of the magistrates during the term of his service or office be given
a yearly salary at the discretion and pleasure of your honors,
the same to be paid out of the excise, the general or other funds.
Expecting hereupon your honors' favorable apostil, they are
and will remain.
Your honors obedient and faithful servants, the
magistrates of the court of Fort Orange and
Beverwyck.
Fort Orange, this 1 7th
of March 1654.
Delivered this day to their honors, signed by all the members
of this court. Received for answer that the written order and
answer to this and the preceding petition would be sent at the
first opportunity from the Manathans,
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herperts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
130 Fort Orange and Beverrv})ck
[116] Tuesday, March 31, 1654
Present:
Omnes
Jacob Luyersen, being summoned by the court to pay to the
treasurers the fifty guilders levied on every house pursuant to
the resolution, has requested eight days' grace, v^hich are granted
him, when he must promptly pay the aforesaid sum to the
treasurers.
Roeloff Jansz and Jacob Gerritsz, who have leased the house
of Cornelis Theunisz for the unpaid half [of the tax], are
ordered to pay each one half as required.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Jochem Becker and
Jacob Willemsen de Wolff, defendants, on account of assault
and battery by Jochem Becker upon Jacob Willemsz de Wolff
at his house on the last of February preceding.
The court having heard the statements of both sides and
also examined the evidence, it is resolved to condemn Jochem
Becker to pay a fine of thirty guilders to the officer here within
the space of forty-eight hours, on pain of execution and to order
the aforesaid Becker, as is done hereby, to leave his neighbor,
the aforesaid Jacob Willemsz, and all others henceforth unmo-
lested and in peace, on pain of arbitrary correction.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Dirrick Bensingh,
defendant, on account of abusive words spoken to the surveyors,
which being further investigated by the court, it is decided to
condemn him to pay a fine of twelve guilders to the officer before
sundown.
Jan Thomasz, as attorney for Claes Thysz Cnyver, plaintiff,
against Willem Albertsen from Monickendan, defendant, about
the delivery of some casks to the value of fl. 1 44 :-, to be paid
in grain or beavers.
The court having heard the statements and arguments on both
sides, [117] it is resolved to condemn the defendant to pay the
sum of fl.144:- demanded by plaintiff, within the space of six
weeks, on pain of execution. Also, that meanwhile the defend-
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 131
ant is not to depart from here without giving proper security for
the payment aforesaid, provided that whatever the defendant
has paid on account shall be deducted from the aforesaid sum.
Dirck Bensingh, having appeared before the court, requests
a strip of ground in the rear of his lot. The magistrates, or some
of them, are requested to make an inspection of the same.
Jacob Luyersen is notified that he must file his answer to the
written complaint of the officer, sent to his house by order of
the court, on or before the next court day, subject to the penalty
provided.
It is resolved to have Lambert van Valckenburgh summoned
to appear in court on account of the things done or committed
by him last Wednesday two weeks ago at the house of Gerrit
Jansz from Swoll, together with the witnesses who were present.
The request of Philip Pietersz Scheuler to enlarge his lot on
the hill somewhat is granted, the president and Andries Her-
pertsz and Jacob Schermerhoren being appointed a committee
to show him how far [he may go].
Albert Andriesz appearing in court complains that besides
the boards received by him from Merten Herpertsz from
de Huher's lot, there is due to him fl.70:3:12. Resolved to
summon Merten Herpertsz to appear on the next court day to
see if Mr de Hulter can not spare some more boards.
Resolved to draw the following orders on the treasurers for
materials delivered to this fort and for wages:
To the carpenters, in the sum of fl.l28:10, in settlement of
an account of fl.242:-
Albert Andriesz, for 116 boards (a) 24 stivers, fl. 139:4 :-
Also to Rut Jacopsz for boards delivered, per account to be
^ °^°* Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herperts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerho[oren]
CORNELUS ThONISE[n]
Jan Thomasz
132 Fori Orange and Beverrv^ck
[118] Extraordinary Session, Thursday, April 2, 1654
Present:
Omnes dempto Cornelis Theunisz
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Claes van den
Hoogen Bergh, defendant, about fighting of the defendant and
Juriaen Theunisz on Shrove Tuesday at the house of Juriaen
Theunisz. According to the declaration made by Juriaen
Theunisz before this court on the third of March, the defendant
came into his house drunk and assaulted and beat him.
The court having heard the declarations and arguments ot
both parties, order the defendant to pay a fine of sixty guilders,
once, within the space of twenty-four hours, and not to go out-
side the limits [of this jurisdiction] until he has paid, on pain of
further punishment. This covers also the abusive and threaten-
ing language addressed by the defendant to one of the members
of this court while still in session, to wit, that if he, the defend-
ant, had him in another place, he would teach him differently,
etc.
Theunis Dirrixsz, appearing in court, requests that. Rut
Arentsz, tailor, having died, he may undertake the settlement
of the estate of the deceased, provided that this court nominate
and appoint two curators besides him.
The matter being taken into consideration, the appearer*s
request is granted, he being accepted and appointed as curator
and the Hon. Rutger Jacopsz and Goosen Gerritsz being asso-
ciated with him, the three of them as curators to settle the estate
of the aforesaid deceased as best they can and in due time to
render a proper accounting thereof to this court.
Joannes Dyckman
Rutger Jacobsz
Andries Herperts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 133
[119] Tuesday, April 21. 1654
Presenl:
Omnes dempto Rutger Jacopsz
Marritgen Claes' daughter, plaintiff, against Roeloff Jacopsz,
defendant, about an anker of brandy furnished by plaintiff to the
defendant and money advanced to him.
The defendant's wife, appearing, says that the plaintiff sold
two ankers of brandy to the defendant, of which to her knowl-
edge she had one taken out of the cellar again, notwithstanding
it had already been entered.
The court having heard the statements and arguments of both
parties, condemn the defendant to pay the plaintiff within the
space of three days nine whole, good, merchantable beavers,
leaving it to the choice of the plaintiff to deliver the other or
second anker of brandy to the defendant and to receive ten
beavers for the said anker and the money advanced, or, in case
of failure to deliver said anker, to receive nine beavers. And in
case the payment does not take place within the aforesaid time,
it is ordered to proceed to peremptory execution.
Jacob Hendrixsz Sibbinck, plaintiff, against Jacob Adriaen-
sen, wheelwright, defendant, for ten beavers for wages earned
on the house in which the defendant dwells.
Defendant's first default.
The Hon. Andries Herpertsz and Jacob Jansz Schermer-
horen are appointed to lay out for Jacob Hendrixsz Sibbinck a
garden next to the garden of Gillis Pietersz.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Hendrick Biermans,
defendant, for assault and battery.
Defendant's first default.
Pieter Bronck, for himself as well as for Anker Brynsen and
Lourens Lourensen, asks for six months* extension of time with-
out having to pay any fines [for not building] on the lots granted
to them in Beverwyck, because they can not get nails and for
other reasons. Their request is granted.
134 Fort Orange and Deverrvyck
[ 1 20] Jacob Luyersz being summoned by tbe court on
account of previous misdemeanors, the court for various rea-
sons them thereunto moving have resolved to pardon the afore-
said person with reference to the misdemeanor committed by him
and the hereinbefore mentioned abusive w^ords spoken to the
officer.
The defendant appearing in court has begged forgiveness and
stated that he knows nothmg of the commissary and Officer
Dyckman and his wife but what is honorable and virtuous. He
is condemned however for assault committed on the public street
to pay the officer at once a fine of 25 guilders, for the benefit of
Officer Dyckman.
Joannes Withart, plaintiff, against Volckert Jansz and Pieter
Hartgers, defendants, about payment for goods left in the year
1652 by Evert Tesselaer in the hands of the defendants.
Parties are referred to referees, Commissary Dyckman, Arent
van Curler, Jan Baptista van Rensselaer and Anthonis de
Hooges, to agree on such terms as they can, the referees to
report their findings to this court.
Joannes Dyckman
Andries Herperts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
[121] Tuesday, April 28, 1654
Present:
Omnes
Jacob Hendrixsz Sibbinck, plaintiff, against Jacob Adriaen-
sen, wheelwright, defendant, about ten beavers which are due
to the plaintiff from the defendant for wages earned on the
defendant's house sold to Cornells Segertsen.
The defendant admits the aforesaid debt.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 135
The court orders the defendant to pay the aforesaid ten
beavers to the plaintiff promptly on the first of May, which pay-
ment is to be made out of the first term of payment of the pur-
chase money of the house, without any gainsay.
Jacob Jansz Schermerhooren, plaintiff, against Jacob Adri-
aense, wheelwright, defendant, for fl. 1 1 8 : 1 3 :-, which the
defendant owes to Elysbet Cornelis, of whom he has a power
of attorney to collect the aforesaid money.
The defendant admits the aforesaid debt.
The court orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff the afore-
said fl.l 18:13:- in the following instalments, to wit, fl.50:- out
of the first payment of the purchase money of the house sold
by him to Cornelis Segertsen and the balance until the payment
in full of the aforesaid sum out of the second payment, promptly,
without any exceptions.
Claes Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Brant van Slichtenhorst,
defendant, for 20 beavers of the defendant in the hands of the
Hon. Rutger Jacopsz, attached by the plaintiff.
Defendant's first default.
Goosen Gerritsen, plaintiff, against Merten, the mason, for
fl.75:8:8-, entered here for the sake of notification.
[122] Jan Witthardt, plaintiff, against Pieter Hartgers and
Volckert Hansz, defendant, about a claim for goods left by
Evert Tesselaer in the hands of the defendants.
The court having heard the statements and arguments on both
sides, order that the defendants may retain the sum of fifty
guilders out of the plaintiff's moneys in their hands, which has
regard to the money advanced and expenses incurred on the side
of the defendants during the litigation carried on by the con-
tracting parties in Holland, upon condition that in case the plain-
tiff, or his principals there, are condemned to pay the costs or
the suit, they shall have and receive therefor the aforesaid sum.
But in case it hereafter turns out to be otherwise and the defend-
ants have definite advice and proof that the plaintiff is not con-
demned there in the costs aforesaid, the defendants shall be
136 Fort Orange and Beverrv^ck
bound, instead of the fifty guilders which they retained, to pay
promptly to the plaintiff or the authorized agents of Evert
Tesselaer one hundred guilders, upon proof and evidence as
aforesaid. Furthermore, the defendants are ordered to satisfy
and pay immediately and promptly to the plaintiff the balance
of the money for the goods which were left by Tesselaer in the
custody of the defendants.
Gerrit Jansz from Swoll being summoned by the court to
give testimony to the truth in regard to the dispute which took
place at his house between Andries Herpertsen and Lambert
van Valckenborgh at the time of the departure of the Hon. Gen-
eral, the defendant's second default [is entered against him].
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Hendrick Bierman,
defendant, for assault and battery.
Defendant's second default.
Commissary Dyckman is ordered by the court to pay to
Willem Albertsen from Monickendam, instead of fl. 1 08 : which
he owes him, eighty-eight guilders precisely within the space of
fourteen days, and this on account of some abusive language
addressed to the commissary according to the affidavits exhibited;
he, Willem Albertsz, declaring before this court that he knows
nothing further about the said commissary but what is honorable
and virtuous.
[123] A petition was read of Anthonio de Hooges, demand-
ing payment by Jacob Adriaensen, wheelwright, first, of fl.228 :-
for boards delivered by his father-in-law, Albert Andriesz ; sec-
ondly, also by Jacob Adriaensen, of the sum of 35 beavers due
to Jan Tjebkens Schellinger for merchandise delivered by said
Schellinger to Jacob Adriaensen, according to the note, the peti-
tioner being authorized to receive both sums aforesaid.
Jacob Adriaensen admits before this court that he owes both
of said sums and whereas said de Hooges requests that payment
be made out of the first payment on the house sold by Jacob
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 137
Adriaensen to Cornelis Segertsen,^^ it is decided and ordered
that the said payment shall be made in two terms, to wit, the
half of both amounts out of the first payment and the remaining
half out of the second payment which Jacob Adriaensen is to
receive for the aforesaid house.
And as regards the said de Hooges's third request contained
in this petition, to have added to his lot one and a half rods,
extending south and north, which according to his ground brief
it was heretofore measured short, the same is granted him.
It is decided to have Merten Herpertsen, mason, summoned
to appear on the next court day to answer various complaints on
the part of his creditors.
Robbert Vastrick, in the name of his brother, Gerrit Vastrick,
demands of Jacob Adriaensen, wheelwright, for merchandise
delivered, according to his note of hand, the sum of fl.379:-,
of which he, Jacob Adriaensen, has paid four beavers on account.
Jacob Adriaensen acknowledges the aforesaid debt.
Robbert Vastrick demands payment out of the first payment
for the house sold by Jacob Adriaensen to Cornelis Segertsen.
The court condemns and orders Jacob Adriaensen, wheel-
wright, to pay the aforesaid fl.379:-, less four beavers, as fol-
lows, to wit: one hundred guilders before the departure of the
returning ships sailing from here for patria and the balance out
of the second payment to be received for the house sold by him,
according to the contract made.
[124] An order drawn on the treasurers in favor of Goosen
Gerritsz, in the sum of fl.6:10:-, for 13 lbs. of nails delivered
for the fort.
Cornelis Segertsen having a claim of fl.41 :10 against Jacob
Adriaensen, wheelwright, asks permission to deduct this from
the first payment for the house purchased by him, which is
granted. And in order that the receipt and distribution or pay-
ment to the creditors of Jacob Adriaensen, wheelwright, may
^^ In the margin is written: " The attachment of the money is declared
valid."
138 Fort Orange and BeverTv^ck
proceed more orderly, the honorable magistrates, Andries Her-
pertsen and Jan Thomasz, are appointed and charged therewith.
Carsten, living with the Hon. Jan Thomasz, is for the present
excused from paying the fine for his lot in Beverwyck due on
the first of May.
Joannes Dyckman
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herperts
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
CORNELUS ThONISEN
Jan Thomasz
Friday, May 30, 1654 [April 30. 1654]
Present:
J : Dyckman J : Schermerhoren A : Herpertsen
J: Ver'beeck J: Thomasz C: Thonisz
R: Jacopsz
Willem Fredrixsz Bout is hereby ordered to take his choice,
either, as soon as this is shown to him, to stop furnishing imported
beer to retailers, or to stop tapping; also not to lay in large
quantities of small beer in his house; he, Willem Fredrixsz, being
ordered to give his answer to the court messenger upon the exhibi-
tion hereof and to state which of the two things according to
the custom of Holland he intends to and will do, the court mes-
senger to note the statement or answer hereon and to make his
return thereof on the next court day,
Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh is ordered to begin the bridge
across the third kill within eight days and to proceed with the
work until completed ; and in case he does not comply herewith,
the contract shall again be let by the court at the said Vosburgh's
own expense and charge.
Court Minutes, J 652-1 656 139
[125] According to the communication from the Hon. Gen-
eral and the Supreme Council in regard to the nomination of
officers made by this court, there have been chosen this day, in
the place of the retiring magistrates, Rutger Jacopsz, Andries
Herpertsz and Cornelis Theunisz van Westbroeck, whose term
of office has expired, the Hon. Sander Leendertsen, Pieter
Hertgers and Frans Barentsz Pastoors, who being summoned
to come into court have taken the following oath of fidelity
before the commissary:
We, the undersigned, Sander Leendertsen, Pieter Hartgers
and Frans Barentsen, in the capacity of magistrates and judges
of the bench of justice of Fort Orange and Beverwyck, promise
and swear in the presence of Almighty God and our fellow
brethren that we shall help to do true equity and justice between
man and man and further in all matters to promote and assist
the administration of justice and the government according to
the best of our knowledge and ability ; also, that we shall in every
way conduct ourselves loyally and faithfully toward the Hon.
States General of the United Netherlands, the Hon. Directors
and Masters of this New Netherland province and the Hon.
Director General and Council residing at New Amsterdam;
with the further promise that we shall help to maintain here the
Reformed Religion according to the Word of God and the
regulations of the Synod of Dordrecht and not to tolerate pub-
licly any sect, all in the best interest of this jurisdiction and
community. So truly help us God Almighty.
The honorable retiring or former magistrates, Rutger Jacopsz,
Andries Herpertsz and Cornelis Theunisz, are duly discharged
from their oath and most highly thanked for their honors' former
good fellowship and the good service rendered to the company
and to the public.
140 Fori Orange and Beverwyck
[126] Tuesday. May 5. 1654
Presenl:
J: Dyckman San: Leendertsen J: Schermerhoren
J: Thomasz F: Barentsen P: Hergers
J: Verbeeck
Rutger Jacobsz, plaintiff, against Willem Albertsen from
Monickendam, defendant, about fl.35 :- for beer delivered.
The defendant admits the aforesaid debt.
The court orders the defendant to pay the aforesaid fl.35:—,
or the sum demanded, to the plaintiff within the time of six weeks,
on pain of execution.
Rutger Jacopsz requests to have a garden to go with the
house which he intends to build within a short time on his lot
next to his dwelling house, which request is granted. And as to
the request of Leendert Philipsz, the Hon. Magistrates Jacob
Schermerhoren and Sander Leendertsen are appointed a com-
mittee [to consider the matter].
Willem Albertsen appearing before the court acknowledges
that he is satisfied by Rutger Jacopsz for two months' hire of
his yacht, leased for the service of the Hon. General.
Hendrick Driesz,^* plaintiff, against Jochem Becker, defend-
ant, for shooting plaintiff's dog three days ago on the public
street.
Parties have compromised before this court, the defendant
offering to have a young dog trained with others and when
trained to deliver it to the plaintiff in the place of the dog that
was killed ; but as the deed was done in the public street and the
plaintiff's dog was killed, the officer is allowed one beaver, which
the defendant is to pay within twenty-four hours.
Hendrick Driess, plaintiff, against Merten Herpertsen, mason,
defendant, for fl.200:-, which defendant is alleged to owe
plaintiff according to the note exhibited.
Hendrick Andriessen, from Doesburg.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 141
The defendant admits the aforesaid debt, which is entered
here only for the purpose of notification.
Jan van Twiller, appearing for Gerrit Vastrick, has exhibited
a note of Merten Herpertsen in the sum of fl.449:-, which the
said Herpertsen admits he owes.
[127] Willem Albertsen from Monickendam, plaintiff,
against Pieter Bronck, or Eldert de Goyer, defendants.
Defendant's first default.
The commissary, plaintiff, against Hendrick Biermans,
defendant, for assault and battery.
The defendant declares that he knows nothing about it. Case
adjourned until some other time. Meanwhile, the commissary
is to make further inquiry.
Jochem Becker is ordered to sheet the [bank of the] kill on
the side of Jan Labatie, as far as he, Becker, has dug it up,
provided that the small corner of land provisionally added to
his lot, to wit, Labatie's, shall be left until further order of this
court, an extract from this record to be sent to the homes of
both of them to regulate themselves accordingly.
Merten Herpertsen acknowledges that he owes the following
amounts :
Gabriel Leendertsen
fl.l8:-
Hendrick Jochemsz
fl.80:-
Dirrick Jansz Kroon, acording to
obligation
fl.27: (beavers)
Volckert Jansz
fl.31 :-
Pieter Hartgers, for beer delivered.
that is to say, a beaver coat
delivered
fl.32:-
Sander Leendertsen, for nails
fl.l7:3:-
142 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
Willem Fredrixsz coming into court requests permission to
continue the wholesale trade in beer, on condition that he will
not lay in any beer in his house, other than that which is used
for tapping and will enter this each time. It is decided that he
may provisionally do so on that basis, provided that the beer
which he does not tap, he must have the people themselves fetch
from the brewery and that he may in no way take in or lay in
any small beer in his house.
Claes Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Mr Brant van Slichtenhorst,
defendant, about 20 beavers due by defendant, attached by
plaintiff in the hands of Rutger Jacopsz.
The plaintiff, appearing, submits a copy of a certain judgment
given or pronounced by the Hon. Director General and the
Supreme Council of New Netherland under date of July 19,
1652, whereby it appears that the defendant [128] on his third
default of appearance was condemned at the Manathans by the
Hon. General and the Supreme Council aforesaid to return the
peltries and goods which he had taken out of the plaintiff's chest,
or the value thereof.
It is decided by this court that if the defendant has any objec-
tion to make against this, he may appear in person on the next
court day, the plaintiff declaring that he intends to have the
defendant for the third time legally summoned to appear at that
time.
The commissary and president of this court is this day
appointed to examine and look over the account of the collector,
Pieter Ryverdingh, and to make a report of his findings.
Interrogatories upon which this court is to examine Volckgen
Jan's daughter, the wife of Jan Fransz van Hoesem, and
Jan Bembo, a soldier.
Court Minutes, 1652-/656
43
A:
nswer
, Yes.
Answer, Yes.
Answer, Yes.
Answer, From the house
Willem Bout.
Answer, a mengel can.
of
How old they are? Of competent age.
Whether the evening before
the Hon. General came up
here, the commissary did not
come to the house of Jan van
Hoesem?
Whether the commissary,
coming there, did not find a
party of drunken savages?
Whether among them there
was not a savage who sat and
drank good beer?
Whether they know where
it was obtained, that is to say,
the good beer?
How large was the can?
Whether the commissary did
not give the savage twelve sti-
vers to have the can filled
again?
Whether they did not taste
whether it was black beer?
[129] Resolved that Sander Leendertsen, Willem Bout,
Jan Machielsz, Jan Hendrixsz and Herman Bastiaensen shall
build a convenient bridge in the road across the sewer which
they have dug together. Also, that they must do so at the first
opportunity, under the penalty to be provided, as otherwise it
tends to obstruct the public road
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
Jan Thomasz
Sander Lenrsen
Pieter Hertgertsz
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
mswer
, Y^
es.
A
nswer
, Yes.
144 Fort Orange and Beverrv^ck
Tuesday, May 12, 1654
Present:
Omnes
Willem Fredrixsz, plaintiff, against Rutger Jacobsz,
defendant.
The plaintiff appearing much intoxicated before the court is
ordered to depart.
Jan van Hoesem, plaintiff, against Merten Herpertsen, mason,
defendant, for fl.52:8:-, which the defendant owes plaintiff.
The defendant admits the aforesaid debt, which serves here
by way of notification.
Jan Labatie is ordered to return at the first opportunity the
ten barrels of lime and the 1 600 bricks which he borrowed from
the commissary, which he agrees to do accordingly.
Jan Labatie, plaintiff, against Gillis Pietersz, defendant, about
the purchase of plaintiff's house at the Manathans, sold by the
defendant for the plaintiff, and some nails left by the plaintiff
in the defendant's hands, requesting a proper accounting of both.
The defendant says that he rendered an accounting at the
Manathans in the presence of the purchaser of the house.
[130] The defendant undertakes further at the first opportunity
to write about the account to the Manathans, so as to be able
to make an accounting of one thing and another in proper form.
It is decided to give the defendant four weeks' time from this
date and if within that time no accounting is made by the
defendant, the plaintiff may apply to this court, when further
action will be taken in the matter complained of.
Claes Gerritsen, plaintiff, against Mr Brant van Slichtenhorst,
defendant, about 20 beavers due by the defendant attached by
the plaintiff in the hands of Rutger Jacobsz.
Defendant's third default.
The court orders Rutger Jacopsz to let the plaintiff have the
20 beavers and to satisfy him, upon sufficient security, in accord-
ance with the judgment rendered by the Hon. General and the
Supreme Council.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 145
Symon Groot is ordered to build within two montlis upon the
lot that has been granted to him, on pain of having to pay the
full fine.
Symon Groot, on account of Jan Peeck, demands of Merten,
the mason, fl.61 :- according to the account.
Merten, the mason, admits the aforesaid debt. Entered here
[by way of memorandum] .
Pieter Lot is given until [Amsterdam] fair^^ to build upon
the lot granted to him. In case he does not build by that time,
he shall pay the full fine and because he has not yet begun, he
must pay one beaver to the officer.
Hendrick Gerritsen is to pay two beavers for not having built
upon his lot.
Jacob Hendrixsz Sibbinck likewise two beavers.
Jacob Hendrixsz Sibbinck is granted a garden, adjoining on
the west Gillis Pietersen, on the north Pieter Hartgers, on the
east the wagon road and on the south the cripple bush, in length
7 Yi rods and in breadth on the north side 4 rods and 10 feet
and on the south side 4 rods.
Wynant Gerritsen is ordered tc pay a fine of fl.25 :— to the
officer for not having built upon his lot and fl.6:- for having
fought; to be paid within 48 hours.
Luykas Pietersz fl.25:- for not having built upon his lot, to
be paid within 48 hours.
[131] Machiel Ryckertsen is condemned to pay four guilders
to the officer for having last day of prayer sat drinking at the
house of Jacob Luyersen during divine service.
Gabriel Leendertsen is ordered to hold back fl.25 out of the
money which he must pay Lourens Jansz on account of the pur-
chase of the house and to pay this to the officer because Lourens
Jansz has not fenced in his garden.
Resolved that the gardens which have been laid out shall this
afternoon be distributed by lot or otherwise to those who have
made request therefor.
^^ September 23d.
146 Fort Orange and BeverrvycJ^
Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh being summoned by the commis-
sary and officer to appear in court to settle as far as possible the
disputes which have arisen among the burghers on account of
the faulty surveying and also on account of some gardens which
without the knowledge of this court are being fenced in or have
been granted away, the said Vosburgh is ordered to deliver in
to this court his surveyor's book, which he, Vosburgh, said he
would consider doing. However, it is decided that the court
messenger shall immediately go with the said Vosburgh to his
house, he, Vosburgh being ordered to give the aforesaid book
to the court messenger ; but as the court messenger reports to this
court the said Vosburgh's unwillingness in this matter, it is
decided for the second time and per superabundance to send the
court messenger to him, Vosburgh, with the same order as afore-
said. The said messenger reporting for the second time [Vos-
burgh's] unwillingness, it is resolved that tomorrow, upon his
refusal to deliver the aforesaid surveyor's book kept by him, the
officer shall take him into custody until further order of this
court.
Upon the request of Elysabet Cornelis' daughter, the Hon.
Pieter Hertgerts, together with the Hon. Jacob Schermerhoren
and the Hon. Cornelis Segertsen are appointed guardians of the
two children left by Gysbert Cornelisz, deceased.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
Jan Thomasz
Sander Lenrsen
Pieter Hertgerts
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 147
[132] Tuesday, May 19. 1654
Present:
J : Dyckman Sander Leendertsen J : Schermerhoren
J: Thomasz Frans Barentsz Pastoors Pieter Hertgerts
J: Verbeeck
Willem Fredrixsz, plaintiff, against Rutger Jacopsz, defend-
ant, about a barrel of beer or twenty guilders which defendant
claims to have delivered to plaintiff upon mutual settlement of
accounts and execution of a general receipt for beer delivered
by defendant to the plaintiff.
Plaintiff denies this and refers to the receipt executed and
signed jointly by the defendant and Goosen Gerritsen.
Plaintiff is ordered to produce the aforesaid receipt in court
together with the delivery book of the defendant, in order that
the date, etc., may serve as evidence and the judgment of this
court in the case may thereupon follow.
Leendert Philipsz being summoned to appear in court in
regard to the lot granted to him and the officer's claim that it has
not been built upon within the appointed time, the defendant,
appearing, claims that the person of Herman Bastiaensen gave
him permission to delay. Decided that Herman Bastiaensen
shall be summoned to appear on the next court day together with
his opponent.
Isaac Allerton, plaintiff, against Thomas Sandertsen, smith,
defendant.
Plaintiff demands of defendant fl. 1 95 :- according to the note
signed by him.
The defendant admits the aforesaid debt and promises to pay
the plaintiff through Jan van Aecken out of the first payment
for the house sold by him, [paying] to him or the aforesaid
van Aecken, first the sum of one hundred guilders and a year
later the balance, being fl.95 :-, to the plaintiff or his agent and
substitute here.
The court having heard the statements on both sides and found
that the parties are satisfied therewith, order that the said agree-
ment shall be strictly carried out by the defendant, on pain, etc.
148 Fort Orange and Beverrvyck
[133] Whereas it is found by experience and brought to the
attention of this court that some of the inhabitants of this juris-
diction venture to sail in canoes, rowboats, or other vessels from
here to the Esopus and Kats[k]il plain to sell brandy or liquor
to the savages along the way, or at the aforesaid places, to the
considerable detriment of the good inhabitants there, it is decided
to have notices posted that no one residing w^ithin this jurisdiction
and consequently belonging thereto shall be allowed to sail
thither from here in any rowboats, canoes or other vessels with-
out having the same inspected here by the officer and without
having obtained proper consent to go thither from and in the
name of this court, on pain of forfeiture by those who shall be
found to have acted contrary hereto of the sum of fifty guilders
for each offense for the benefit of the officer here.
Willem Fredrixsz Bout being summoned to appear in court
on account of the sale of strong beer to the savages, the court,
having also examined the affidavits and informations secured by
the officer for that purpose, condemn the defendant to pay a fine
of twenty-five guilders for the benefit of the officer, with costs,
to be paid within 48 hours.
Merten Herpertsz, mason, being summoned to appear in court
by the following persons, acknowledges that he is well and truly
indebted to them as follows:
Willem Fredrixsz fl. 21 1 :-
Jacob Jansz Stoll 180:-
To Lourens Lourensen, twenty-six good, merchantable
beavers, which is entered here by way of memorandum.
Jacob Jansz Plodder, having failed to build upon his lot
granted to him in Beverwyck within the proper and specified
time, is condemned to pay a fine of sixteen guilders for the benefit
of the officer.
[134] Eldert Gerbertsen, because he has failed to inclose
the lot that was granted to him within the proper and specified
time, is condemned to pay within 48 hours a fine of ten guilders
for the benefit of the officer.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 149
Geertruyt Jeronimus, being summoned to appear in court on
account of some abusive and slanderous words spoken and
addressed to the members of this court that were present, the
first default is entered against her.
Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh being summoned to appear in
court to show why he does not begin and complete the bridge
across the second kill, according to the contract made by him,
has brought forward some reasons for excuse. However, the
appearer is ordered to begin the aforesaid work during the com-
ing Whitsuntide and then to complete it; otherwise, in case of
further delay, the contract for the work shall at his own cost and
charge be let by public bidding, as the failure to make or com-
plete the bridge tends to the great inconvenience of the burghers
here.
Jan Verbeeck, plaintiff, against Thomas Koninck, defendant,
for the balance of payment due to plaintiff by defendant for the
delivery and sale of a house to the defendant, in payment for
which the plaintiff received some boards from the defendant, who
sent them to the Manathans to Mr Jacob, the surgeon, but which
are said to have been found not merchantable there.
The defendant says that he received the boards from Evert
Pels, who owed him good boards.
The plaintiff says that he has not seen the boards that were
delivered.
The court, having heard the statements and arguments on
both sides, is of opinion that the parties must recover their loss
in connection with the boards delivered from Evert Pels, who
delivered them, and if they have been shipped to the Manathans,
there and in such way as they shall see fit.
It is decided that Goosen Gerritsen must without delay move
back the palisades inclosing his lot on the hill [135] as far as
the stakes that have been set by this court on the street line,
beside the palisades, on pain of incurring the penalty to be pro-
vided, without prejudice to the demands of the officer.
150 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
Upon the request of Claes from Rotterdam and Oom Dirrick
that they may each obtain a lot in connection with the gardens
that were granted to them, it is decided to adjourn the matter
until further advice from the Hon. General and the Supreme
Council.
Stoffel, the carpenter, having set a post near his lot, far out-
side of the line, in the common road, to begin inclosing his lot
from that point, it is ordered that the aforesaid Stoffel must
remove said post and the Hon. Magistrates Jacob Schermer-
horen and Pieter Hertgerts are appointed to stake out the proper
line and to do or cause to be done whatever is required.
Upon the request of Cornelis Segertsen to have a piece of
woodland and to be allowed to fence it in as a pasture for his
cattle, lying behind the inclosed land of Jan Barentsz Poest, it
is decided to give for answer that this court will this day make
an inspection thereof in order afterwards to pass a resolution
thereon.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
Pieter Hertgerts
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[136] Friday, May 22, 1654
Present:
J : Dyckman J : Schermerhoren J : Thomasz
P: Hertgertsz J: Barentsz Pastoors
Jacob Jansz Stoll, plaintiff, against Jacob Plodder, Eldert
Gerbertsz, Willem Bout and Sander Leendertsen, defendants.
The plaintiff exhibits a written contract made the day before
yesterday between him and Jacob Plodder, whereby Jacob
Plodder sold to the plaintiff certain two horses belonging to the
sawmills, or being his. Plodder's, which in accordance with the
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 151
aforesaid sale were yesterday also delivered to the plaintiff by
him, Flodder. [This,] however, [is objected to by] the sureties
of the said Flodder, to wit, Sander Leendertsen and Willem
Fredrixsz Bout, in view of a special contract signed by the said
Flodder in regard to [the lease of] the two mills on the fifth
kill, whereby his goods such as belong to mills and further all
his other goods, none excepted, which he then had or might
acquire or gain in the future, were specially mortgaged and
pledged as security to the aforesaid sureties, as may appear more
at large from the contract signed by Jacob Jansz Flodder, it
being the intention of the aforesaid sureties, as they have openly
declared before this court, that the horses that were sold may
not be removed from there until and before Jacob Jansz Flodder
shall have delivered to the lessee with the mills two similar, good
horses, in the stead of those that were sold.
One thing and another being duly considered by this court,
they are unable to conclude that at the request of the sureties
the horses may not be removed until the aforesaid Flodder shall
have brought to the aforesaid mills two hores as aforesaid in the
stead of the two that were sold; on the other hand, in order to
satisfy the claims which the sureties make in virtue of the afore-
said written contract signed by Jacob Flodder, he can first of
all duly discharge the aforesaid sureties from the obligations of
the bonds signed by them in regard to the aforesaid mills on the
fifth kill, [137] since the claims of the sureties aforesaid in this
matter, as soon as they are discharged, of themselves cease or
become void.
Meanwhile, since the plaintiff claims that he suffers much loss,
expense and damage by reason of the fact that the aforesaid
horses are not delivered to him according to the bill of sale, the
plaintiff can recover these from the person of Jacob Flodder,
whether by further contract, arbitration, or otherwise, in all
where and in such way as he shall see fit. Meanwhile the afore-
152 Fort Orange and Beverxp^ck
said Jacob Plodder is condemned in the costs of this extra-
ordinary session of the court, advanced by the plaintiff.
Joannes Dyckman
Jacob Schermerhooren
PlETER HeRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Thursday, June 4, 1654
Present:
Omnes
A letter having been received yesterday from the Hon.
Director General Peter Stuyvesant of the 31st of the preceding
month, regarding the rumors about the English, ordering that
the soldiers be sent dow^n, both those who are in the service and
those who were discharged some time ago, and also to enlist
people in the country's service and to send them down at the
first opportunity, it is decided to have the drum beat and to
enlist all those one can get and who present themselves, on
condition that they be given a little money in hand, and further
upon wages of the Hon. Company without prejudice to this
court. Furthermore it is decided to reply to the aforesaid writ-
ing as may appear at length from the letter book.^^
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
PlETER HeRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
^^ Minuyjtboeck; apparently referring to a book in which letters and
possibly drafts of other documents were entered and kept for purposes
of reference. No such book is now in existence.
Court Minutes, J 652-1656 153
[138] Tuesday, June 9, 1654
Present:
Omnes
Cornelis Theunisz, plaintiff, against Roeloff Jacopsz, defend-
ant, about ten beavers and two guilders for house rent claimed
by plaintiff from defendant.
The defendant admits the aforesaid debt.
The court having heard the statements and arguments on both
sides, condemn the defendant to pay the plaintiff the aforesaid
ten beavers and two guilders in seawan within the time of six
months, the attached property of the defendant to remain
attached until he has paid or given sufficient security for the
payment.
Roeloff Jacopsz, plaintiff, against Jan Gouw, defendant, about
7 Yz beavers which plaintiff owes the defendant and for which
[the latter] has attached goods belonging to the plaintiff. The
plaintiff says that money is due him from Jacob Adriaensen,
wheelwright, and that he assigned this to the defendant in pay-
ment [of his debt] . It is decided that the plaintiff may have
Jacob Adriaensen, wheelwright, summoned to appear before the
court on the next court day.
The court having heard the complaint of Roeloff Jacopsz
against Jan Gouw, that the latter daily goes off with his wife,
etc., the case is adjourned until the next court day, or some other
time when further evidence about it may be presented.
Jacob Adriaensen, wheelwright, plaintiff, against Jacob from
Loosdrecht, carpenter, defendant, about some work which the
defendant agreed to do for the plaintiff, and which he did not
finish according to his promise, etc.
Defendant's first default.
Jan Roelofsen, for not having built upon his lot within the
appointed and proper time, is ordered to pay one beaver within
24 hours.
154 Fort Orange and Beverrvyck
[139] Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Huybert Jansz
de guyC^ defendant, about ff. 74:- which the defendant is
alleged to owe plaintiff.
The defendant admits the aforesaid debt.
The defendant is ordered to remain under arrest until he pays
the seventy-four guilders demanded, or otherwise gives sufficient
security that payment will be made within the space of three
months.
Arent van den Bergh, plaintiff, against Arent Andriesz,
defendant, on account of a dispute about a gun for which the
plaintiff paid a certain sum in hand and which the defendant
claims to be his gun.
The court is of opinion that the gun must be restored, pro-
vided the defendant bears part of the expense, as is proper.
Steven Jansz, plaintiff, against Merten, the brewer, defendant,
about fl.45 or fl.46 for wages earned by the plaintiff [for work]
on defendant's house.
The defendant says that to his inconvenience the plaintiff quit
the work which he had agreed to do. Furthermore that the
defendant had the timber for two window frames hewn for the
plaintiff, which the plaintiff himself should have hewn.
The court having heard the arguments on both sides, refers
the parties to referees, Herman Bastiaensen, surveyor, and Claes
Jansz from Baere[n],^^ carpenter, who are to inspect the work
this day, according to the verbal agreement, and to make a report
thereof to this court on the next court day.
Evert Pels, plaintiff, against Jan Fransen van Hoesem,
defendant, on account of fl. 62 :-, which the defendant owes the
plaintiff for the delivery of boards.
The court orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff the afore-
said sum of sixty-two guilders, according to the note, within the
space of twice twenty-four hours, on pain of execution.
[140] Rutger Jacopsz and Goosen Gerritsen, in the name
of those in the community here who keep cattle, have requested
" The rascal,
^® Baarn, a village in the province of Utrecht
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 155
permission to close the common road with gates so as to form a
corral for the cattle, on condition of building a footstep on each
side. Is provisionally granted until further inspection.
Andries de Vos, having a power of attorney from Abraham
Pietersen Vosburgh, has delivered to the court a written answer
to the v/ritten complaint heretofore presented to this court by the
commissary in regard to the offenses committed by the aforesaid
Vosburgh. The same being read, the commissary and officer
here has agreed to make a replication thereto at the first oppor-
tunity as required by law.
There having been presented to this court the written report
of the referees, Herman Bastiaensen, surveyor, and Claes Jansz
from Baren, carpenter, heretofore appointed to inspect the work
in dispute between Steven Jansz and Merten, the brewer, and
to report thereon, it appears that Merten aforesaid, according
to the best of their knowledge, is entitled to deduct the sum of
eleven guilders from Steven Jansz's account. The said report
is approved and Steven Jansz is condemned, as he is found to
have been at fault, to make proper compensation to the referees
in addition to having the eleven guilders deducted from his
account.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
PlETER HeRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[141] Tuesday, June 16, 1654
Present:
Omnes dempio Sander Leendertsen
Jan Adriaensen, plaintiff, against Evert Pels, defendant, for
the sum of forty-four beavers and six otters, amounting together
to the sum of four hundred guilders, in part payment of which
the plaintiff, or his agent has accepted an account against the
156 Fort Orange and Bevern^^ck
Hon. Company for wages earned by the defendant, according to
a power of attorney given to Jan Jansz from Gottenborg in
favor of Willem Houttum. The aforesaid account amounts to
two hundred and eighty-five guilders and four stivers, so that
there is still due to the plaintiff on account of his master, Willem
Houttum, or whoever it may concern, the sum of one hundred
and fourteen guilders, sixteen stivers.
The court having heard the statements and arguments on both
sides, are of opinion that the defendant must pay to the plaintiff
the sum of one hundred and fourteen guilders and sixteen stivers
before the departure of the first ship from this country for patriae
the above mentioned account of fl. 285 :4-, shown to the court
and accepted in payment by the plaintiff or his attorney accord-
ing to the signature, serving to make up the payment in full.
The Hon. Andries Herperts has delivered in court an account
of disbursements made last year to Keese Waeye, despatched
expressly with letters to the Manathans, amounting in seawan,
etc., to fl.35: 8 stivers; and for cutting quarry stones for the new
Company's house next to Jochem Keteluyn, twenty guilders,
amounting together to the sum of fl. 55 : 8 stivers, which sum
the collector is ordered to pay him. But as to his honor's further
claims on account of his having been sent last year to the Mana-
thans as a delegate from this court to the general Lantdagh, the
expenses whereof amounted according to the account to fl. 1 50:-,
the payment thereof is deferred until the Hon. General shall
have been written to about it.
[142] Leendert Philipsz, plaintiff, against Herman Bastiaen-
sen, defendant, about the lot in dispute at the last session of the
court.
Defendant's first default.
Jan Gouw, plaintiff, against Roeloff Jacopsz, defendant.
The defendant appeals to [the testimony of] Jacob Adriaen-
sen, wheelwright, whom he may cause to be summoned to appear
on the next court day.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 157
Dirrick Bensinck, being summoned by the commissary and
officer to appear before the court to testify in regard to the situa-
tion of his garden, drawn by lot by the Hon. Jacob Schermer-
horen and with the leave and consent of this court transferred by
him to the aforesaid Dirrick Bensingh, has declared as follows,
to wit:
That last Whitsunday morning, while he, Bensinck, was
standing in front of his door, Andries de Vos and Abraham
Pietersz Vosburgh came to him and asked him, Bensinck, first,
whether he had complained about his garden to this court, where-
upon he, Bensingh, said: " It is still my garden, although you
people have inclosed it without my consent," and that he had
enough reason to complain because they had taken his garden
away from him without his knowledge and that they knew that
it was his garden was certain, for they had previously asked him
to contribute his share in erecting the fences between them.
Whereupon they replied that rather than have him, Bensinck,
make much fuss about it, they would given him back his garden,
provided that he would pay and reimburse them for the expenses
incurred by them on the garden. Whereupon he, Bensinck,
answered them that they had no power to give away the garden,
but that the authority in the matter rested with this court, which
had once granted it to him. He therefore requests that he may be
continued by this court in the possession of this garden and be
allowed to keep what was once given to him, he, Bensinck,
declaring [143] further that Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh, upon
resurveying [the lots], found that on the side of his house,
between him and Willem Hap, there was more ground [than
originally stated] and that he had allotted them each a few feet
of ground.
Commissary Dyckman, plaintiff, against Luykas Pietersen,
defendant.
158
Fori Orange and Beverrv^ck
Answer, No.
Defendant's first default.
Interrogatories upon which the Hon. Andries Herperlsen
and CorneHs Theunisz van Westbroeck, recently retired
magistrates, have been examined.
Whether they gave their Answer, No.
consent to the giving away of
the garden of Dirrick Ben-
sinck, formerly owned by
Jacob Schermerhoren ?
Likewise of the garden
which Luykas Pietersen has
inclosed and for which he
received a ground brief with-
out the knowledge of this
court?
Likewise of the garden of
Cornelis Vos, next to Mr
Rensselaer's?
Likewise in regard to the
extension of the lot of Abra-
ham Pietersz Vosburgh, where
he lives?
They declare that
know nothing about it.
they
They declare that they
know nothing about the new
extension and the Hon. And-
ries Herpertsen declares that
Abraham Pietersen Vosburgh
has without their knowledge,
on his own authority, added
a piece to Mr de Hooges's
garden, given and allotted to
him by this court. They offer,
if need be and required, to con-
firm the preceding declarations
by oath.
The petition of Pieter Lot for a garden to go with his lot
is laid aside until the next court day.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 159
Post Meridiem
The Hon. Volckert Jansz, formerly a magistrate, being legally
summoned by this court to testify in regard to the lot of Abraham
Pietersen Vosburgh, has testified as follows, namely: That he
and other magistrates of this court had shown to the aforesaid
Vosburgh [144] the length and breadth of the lot, [extending]
to certain stakes that were driven into the ground, and that the
said Vosburgh in first inclosing his lot had governed himself
accordingly and that he is not aware that any additional land
was afterwards granted to the said Vosburgh. Also, as sworn
surveyors ought to be trusted to make the survey, that he has
not verified the number of rods of the survey.
Secondly, that the lot of Cornelis Vos, near the bridge, was
ordered by the Hon. de Hooges to be laid out with an angle for
the greater convenience in using the road across the bridge.
Wednesday, June 17, 1654
Present:
Omnes dempio Sander Leendertsen
A petition was read from Adriaen Jansz from Leyden pray-
ing for permission to have a lot next to the palisades of Thomas
Jansz for a public house instead of a city tavern, in accordance
with the consent obtained from the Hon. General and the Hon,
Supreme Council of New Netherland, written in the margin of
his petition, dated the 30th of April last past; whereupon it is
decided that the respective members of this court shall first
inspect the place. Commissary Dyckman and Jacob Schermer-
horen being appointed to lay out and measure off the lot, they
report to this court that in virtue hereof they have for this pur-
pose laid out a lot for the aforesaid Adriaen Jansz from Leyden,
next to the road along the palisades of Thomas Jansz, in width.
160 Fort Orange and Beverivyck
front and rear, five rods and eight feet, in length fourteen rods,
which is entered here by way of memorandum.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
PlETER HeRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[145] Extraordinary Session, Thursday, June 18, 1654
Present:
As before.
A petition having been read of Andries de Vos and Abraham
Pietersen Vosburgh, demanding proof of the term " delinquent "
in the order issued on the statement of the offenses committed by
Abraham Pietersen Vosburgh, filed in writing by the commissary
and officer, it is decided to make an apostil thereon, as follows:
Whereas the Honorable Court ordered the defendant by
Tuesday, being the next court day, to present his written rejoinder
to a certain replication filed by the commissary and officer
regarding the offenses committed by the defendant, which replica-
tion was sent to him by the court messenger and in the absence
of the defendant and his wife presented by the court messenger
to the defendant's attorney, the aforesaid court messenger has
in a written return made to this court set forth that he received
from the defendant's attorney the statement that the defendant's
attorney, Andryes de Vos, was not inclined to receive any writs
of the court until the charge of being a delinquent had been
proved to the defendant by the officer and that the aforesaid
attorney had received instructions to that effect from the
defendant before his departure. Whereupon the court has con-
cluded to order the aforesaid replication to be sent once more
to the defendant's house, with the express command that he
Court Minutes, J 652-1 656 161
must strictly observe and comply with the order thereon issued
by this court, the defendant, or his attorney, being further
ordered once more [146], as they are hereby, that they, or
either of them, must next Tuesday, without delay, appear before
this court and at the same time deliver the documents or proofs
which the defendant may have to submit in his defense, when the
officer shall likewise produce his evidence to the contrary, to
show that the defendant on all counts is a delinquent, as the
officer fully undertakes to do.
And whereas the officer has requested that as he, in his
capacity as aforesaid, is to prove the defendant to be a delin-
quent, the latter [may be ordered to] submit his counter proofs,
if he has any, at the same time as the officer — which request the
court judge to be not unreasonable — they finally order the
defendant to appear on Tuesday next and to argue his case
against the officer orally and in writing.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
PlETER HeRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[147] Tuesday, June 23, 1654
Present:
Omnes dempto Sander Leendertsen
Last Sunday a letter was received by this court from the
Honorable General, of the 1 7th of this month, wherein he
advises the court of the bad news received from the north and
that on that account, for the better defense of the Manathans,
they were not only busy repairing the old works, but also obliged
to begin some new ones. Complaining of the scarcity of money
162 Fort Orange and Beverw^cJ^
in the treasury, he requests that the most prosperous of the
burghers here lend a helping hand and that this court would be
pleased to negotiate a loan of money, on condition that it be
i-eturned within a year, either in duties, or otherwise, for which
his honor and the honorable councilors offer their persons and
property as security.
After careful consideration of the matter, this court has
decided to summon the most prosperous and loyal citizens and
to communicate the matter to them, with the recommendation
that they assist the Honorable General in this great emergency,
who, having been summoned one by one and appeared in court,
have signed for the following amounts, which they have agreed
to furnish promptly for the purpose and on the conditions here-
inbefore written, and which it is decided to send at once by the
sloop of Jacob Symontsz Klomp, in company of two other
sloops, which are lying ready to sail for the Manathans. They
have contributed and signed as follows:
Arent Andriesz, two beavers fl. 16;
Cornelis Theunisz, 25 beavers 200;
Andries Herpertsz, in seawan 70 ;
Abraham Staets, in seawan 200 ;
Gerrit Jansz, cooper, 50 beavers 400;
[148] Brought forward from preceding page fl. 886;
Jan van Hoesem, four beavers 32;
Herman Bastiaensen, four beavers 32 :
Hendrick Jochemsz, in seawan 1 00 :
Jan Hendrixsz, four beavers 32;
Joannes Dyckman, in seawan 28;
Jochem Becker, five beavers fl. 40;
Jacob Schermerhoren, 12|/4 beavers 100;
Karsten Jansz, smith, 6 beavers and 2 fl. in seawan. . 50;
Pieter Looxkermans, 1 ]/£ beavers 12;
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 163
Jacob Thysz vander Heyden, 1 1/2 beavers 12:—
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, 6 beavers and 2 fl. in
seawan 3
Volckert Jansz, 20 beavers 1 60 ;
Evert Jansz Wendel, four beavers 32;
Pieter Bronck, 2 beavers 16;
Frans Barentsen, in seawan 16;
Cornelis Vos, 2 beavers 16;
Pieter Hertgers, 12^ beavers and fl. 70 in seawan. . 170;
Rem Jansen, 5 beavers 40;
Jan Labatie, 12|/'2 beavers 100:
Jan Thomasz, in seawan 1 00;
Thomas Jansz, one beaver and fl. 2 in seawan 10;
Claes Hendrixsz, carpenter, a note payable by
Willem Beeckman, to be collected by the Hon.
General 50 :—
Willem Bout, 10 beavers 80:-
Goosen Gerritsen, 15 schepels of wheat and 2
beavers fl. 61 :—
Total 192 Vi beavers and fl.590 in seawan fl. 2225 :-
But in recounting the number it was found that there was one
beaver too much, which was sent also, as follows:
144 whole beavers
18 drielingen [2/3 skins]
75 half beavers
On the 26th of June the above amount was sent off by Jacob
Symontsen Clomp and by the accompanying sloop, Claes Thysz,
164 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
master, the wheat, in the presence of the honorable magistrates,
Jan Verbeeck and Jacob Jansen Schermerhoren.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jacob Schermerhooren
PlETER HeRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[149] Tuesday, June 30, 1654
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Schermerhoren Frans Barentsz
J: Verbeeck Pieter Hertgerts
Andries des Vos, as attorney for Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh,
being summoned to appear in court, is notified and ordered once
more and as an extra warning to himself and his principal that
he must two weeks from this date produce in court all the evi-
dence which he may have in defense of Abraham Pietersz Vos-
burgh, on pain, etc. Meanwhile the officer, Dyckman, has not
been neglectful but offered to deliver to this court the documents
and papers which he can produce in support of his charges against
Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh and [requests] that the replication
to which he must make answer be again sent to him by the
court messenger.
Jochem Becker, being summoned by the commissary and
officer to appear in court to testify whether Elmerhuysen Kleyn
and Gerrit Slichtenhorst did not sell brandy to the savages and
whether he did not have certain knowledge thereof, more than
the common rumor and complaint thereof among the burghers,
has declared as follows:
That about two months ago, the exact day he has forgotten,
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 165
he saw a certain savage get brandy and drink it at the house,
who, coming out of their house drunk, picked up a maul lying
near the house of Jan van Hoesem's farm and therewith forcibly
banged open the door of his house and thereupon greatly
molested him and his family. Also, that when he banged with
the maul on the door, the dowels came out of the casing and
that he committed many other outrages. Furthermore, that after-
wards a Mahican, commonly called " Whoremaster," being
there in the house drunk and wishing to pay for the brandy drunk
in the house, with enough money, so it seemed, was given a
sound thrashing by Elmerhuysen and Slichtenhorst, and on com-
ing out of the house made a good deal of trouble here and there.
Jacob Adriaensen, wheelwright, has requested that the attach-
ment of the goods of Jacob from Loosdrecht at the house of
Andries Herperts, might be declared valid.
The same is declared valid.
[150] Willem Jansz Stoll being summoned to appear in
court on account of his having stabbed Dirrick Lammertsz, this
day two weeks ago, at the house of Hendrick Jochemsz, with a
knife, has sent in his stead Willem Fredrixsz, who, appearing,
has requested in the name of the aforesaid Stol that the matter
might be compromised, which the officer is ordered by this court
to do, with this reservation, however, that in case he can not
compound with the parties to his satisfaction and as is proper,
in the presence of two arbitrators, he can let the action stand,
to be hereafter disposed of by this court.
Meanwhile, the witnesses who were present, having been sum-
moned by the commissary and officer to appear in court, have
declared as follows:
^ At this point, there is written in the margin : " He further declares
that he saw them hold the glass in the hand and fill it with brandy and
that he drank it in the house, tapped in their own glass."
166
Fort Orange and Beverivyck
Interrogatories upon which the honorable court are to
examine Hendrick Jochemsz, Jan Gouw, Thomas San-
dertsen and Wynant Gerritsen.
Whether yesterday, two
weeks ago, in the afternoon,
they were not at the house of
Hendrick Jochemsz?
Whether they did not see
there some persons who were
bowling and who they were?
Whether, in the course of
the game, some trouble did not
arise and through whom?
Who the first person was to
make trouble?
Whether Willem Jansz Stoll
did not come with a bare knife
in his hand and suddenly
stabbed Dirrick?
Whether they know how
Dirrick received the stab?
Whether Dirrick did not
seek to retreat from one place
to the other?
Answer, Yes.
They declare they them-
selves, with the exception of
Hendrick Jochemsz, and some
others were bowling there.
They declare that they saw
no trouble, except during the
last game.
That Dirrick said to Willem
Jansz Stoll, shaking him by the
sleeve, without striking him,
that he should keep his mouth
shut, or he would sew it up
with a waxed thread. Willem
said that Dirrick was a beggar.
Willem said: "Go and get a
sword or a rapier and strike, if
you are an honest fellow!"
They declare, Yes, and that
he said among other things to
Thomas Sandertsen: "Will
you take it up for him?" stab-
bing and cutting in every
direction.
They declare that they paid
no attention to it and do not
know exactly how.
They declare. Yes, and that
others meanwhile did their
best to separate them.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 167
[151] Stoffel, the carpenter, having come into court, requests
payment for four bolt locks and one door lock for the guard
house, the first being delivered for the bastions of the fort,
amounting together to fl. 9:-. Decided to grant him and draw
an order on the honorable treasurers for the amount.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HeRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Tuesday, July 7, 1654
Present:
J: Dyckman Jan Thomasz Pieter Hertgerts
J: Schermerhoren Sander Leendertsen Frans Barentsz
Jochem Becker, baker, being legally summoned by the com-
missary and officer to appear here on account of the declaration
made before this court on the 30th of the preceding month,
which was again read to him, Becker, he has at the request of
the president and officer with uplifted fingers, by solemn oath,
confirmed the said declaration regarding the sale of brandy to
the savages by Elmerhuysen Kleyn and Gerrit Slichtenhorst, for
so far as it appears thereby,
A petition was read of Dirrick Lammertsen from Otmarssen,'"
setting forth that yesterday three weeks ago, without any resist-
ance on his part, he was stabbed and wounded by Willem Jansz
Stoll, which said Stoll, as he understands, has compounded with
the commissary and officer as to his due and the surgeon's fee,
and praying therefore that for his pain and suffering and loss of
time he may also be granted some compensation by this court.
Whereupon it is decided to note in the margin that the lieutenant
^° Ootmarssum, in the province of Overyssel, Netherlands.
168 Fort Orange and Beverrvyck
may before the next court day file a statement about it with this
court, when this court will take his claims into further considera-
tion and pass a resolution thereon.
Marcelus Jansz, plaintiff, against De Paus, defendant, about
a half barrel of beer.
The defendant as well as the plaintiff refer to the witnesses
who were present.
The case is adjourned until the next court day, when the
parties may have the witnesses summoned also.
[152] Roeloff Jacopsz, plaintiff, against Tryntgen Jacop*s
daughter, defendant, about an attachment levied by the defend-
ant on some of the plaintiff's goods.
The court having heard the statements and arguments on both
sides, decide and order that the goods which are attached by
the defendant shall remain attached until the plaintiff pays the
defendant the sum which she claims the plaintiff owes her, or
else gives sufficient security for the payment thereof.
Willem Albertsz from Monickendam, plaintiff, against Ellert
Gerbertsen, defendant, about reimbursement for the costs of the
summons by this court, advanced by the plaintiff.
The defendant's first default.
Cornelis Theunisz van Westbroeck, being subpoenaed by the
officer to appear before the court to testify whether any of the
goods attached at the house of Andryes Herpertsen, belonging
to Jacob Loosdreght, have since the attachment been removed
from the aforesaid house and delivered to the aforesaid Loos-
dreght, declares. Yes, and that he had certain knowledge thereof,
offering to confirm, etc.
Luykas Pietersz is ordered to pay two beavers to the officer,
because he has not built upon his lot within the appointed time,
the same to be paid now, promptly within 24 hours, instead of
the fl. 25 :— which he was heretofore ordered to pay.
Merten, the brewer, and his wife have declared at the
request of the officer that last Tuesday, in the evening, Seeger
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 169
Cornelisz came and knocked at their door, wanting to drink
there, and when at first he received no answer and was not let
in, kicked in the door in such a way that the dowels came out
of the posts and casing. Coming in with Jacob from Loosdreght,
he wanted to have beer tapped, which they did not have and
was not in the house. Not being able to get it, he used many
vile and abusive words, calling him, Merten, a whoremaster and
his wife a whore and [saying] that she was found with Frans
Thomasz in the thicket. [They furthermore declare] that the
lamp was put out and that Jacob from Loosdreght wanted per
force to get into the woman's bed and that coming near [153]
the bed, he did not hesitate to grab and touch here, but did so.
Adriaen Claesz Brant being subpoenaed to appear in court
to give further evidence in the matter aforesaid, as far as it is
in his power, has testified as follows:
That Seeger Cornelisz at the time mentioned first came and
knocked at the door, wanting to come in, and when he received
no answer, kicked it in with his feet or opened it by force in
such a way that the dowels came out of the casing; that there-
upon he came into the house by force, using many abusive words,
but [that the witness], as he went to bed, knows nothing further
about it.
Merten, the brewer, on account of various excuses offered
by him, is, instead of the fl.l5:- to be contributed toward the
building of the bridges and other expenses, ordered to contribute-
promptly fl.lO:-
Neis, or Jacob Adriaensz, wheelwright, plaintiff, against
Jacob from Loosdreght, defendant, about claims which the
plaintiff alleges he has against the defendant on account of his
not carrying forward and finishing the work undertaken by him.
The defendant being absent, the court decides that the plain-
tiff may have the defendant summoned to appear on the next
court day. Defendant's first default.
170 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
Merten, the mason, declares that he owes Hermanus Hertogh
no more than ten beavers, or fl. 80:-, for goods bought and
received.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[154] Extraordinary Session, Friday, July 15, 1654
Present:
Omnes
After mature consideration of the present juncture of time,
this court has for various reasons thought it necessary to call
some of the most favorably disposed of the citizens here before
the court, to propose to them the necessity and the reasons which
this court thinks it has to send a present to the Maquas: first
because the savages, on account of the scarcity of merchandise,
have been obliged to give much more than ordinarily for the
goods which they bought by the measure. It is to be noted,
however, that the good inhabitants themselves had to forego
what was bought out of their own much needed supply, which
was the cause and origin of the high cost of the same. How-
ever, when the ships come here, [it is proposed] to promise them,
according to the circumstances, to let them have the goods
cheaper, on the old basis.
Secondly, to renew the old alliance and friendship between
both sides.
Thirdly, in order that they shall in the future not kill our
cattle, as has happened heretofore.
Fourthly, that in case the savages should again make some
presents, as they are accustomed to do, these shall be divided
among the [present] givers, or their order, in proportion to the
amount contributed by them.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 171
Rutger Jacobsz has presented five fathoms of seawan, a kettle
and four hatchets
Sander Leendertsen, six fathoms of seawan, three kettles,
three hatchets and two pounds of powder
Jacob Schermerhoren, three pounds of powder
Commissary Dyckman, four fathoms of seawan
Pieter Hertgerts, two pounds of powder, six fathoms ditto
and four hatchets
[155] Jan Thomasz, five fathoms of seawan
Volckert Jansz, two pounds of powder, four fathoms of
seawan
Andryes Herpertsen, four fathoms of seawan
Goosen Gerritsen, four fathoms of seawan
Frans Barentsz, three fathoms ditto
Jan Verbeeck, three fathoms of seawan
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Pieter Hartgerts
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Tuesday, July 31,1 654
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Schermerhoren
J: Verbeeck Frans Barentsen
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Luykas Pietersz, defendant,
about a tavern debt amounting to fl. 193:2:-.
The defendant having been summoned and an attachment
issued against him, the first default is entered against him.
Willem Albertsen, plaintiff; against Ellert Gerbertsen,
defendant.
Defendant's second default.
172 Fori Orange and Beverrvy^ck
Cornelis Houtewael, plaintiff, against Claes Hendrixsz,
defendant, as surety for Jacob Jansz Flodder with reference to
the monthly wages claimed by the plaintiff, amounting to
fl.60:-
The defendant's first default.
Cornelis Gerbrantsen, plaintiff, against Jacob Symontsen
Clomp, defendant, about fl.60: 1 1 stivers, for wages earned on
the defendant's sloop.
The court having heard the statements and arguments on both
sides, have ordered, as they do hereby, that the defendant shall
pay the plaintiff before his departure from here the sum of
fl. 60 : 1 1 :-, demanded, on pain of execution.
[156] Mr Johan de Hulter, plaintiff, against Willem Albert-
sen from Munickendam, defendant, about a jack loaned by the
plaintiff to the defendant, which was not returned in good con-
dition, whole and in order as it was delivered by the plaintiff to
the defendant.
The defendant says that he returned the same.
The parties may on the next court day appear before this
court with their evidence to show whether the jack was returned
in the same condition as it was delivered, when judgment in the
matter shall be given.
The case of Seeger Comelisz is adjourned until the next court
day, or the first opportunity, to take the oaths of the witnesses.
This court having carefully considered the complaints made
to it by Catharina Liberis, widow of Pieter Theunisz from
Brunswyck, deceased, at Katskill, and also examined the pro-
visional will made and afterwards approved bj' this court at the
request of the petitioner, with regard to the surviving daughter
of the deceased aforesaid, have concluded that in virtue of the
will made [by the deceased] the aforesaid widow shall remain
in full possession of the properly there until such time as she
may marry or die and, furthermore, that if she can not come to
a legal agreement with the aforesaid surviving daughter or her
husband about the complaints made as aforesaid, they must both
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 173
leave the farm at once, without being allowed to come on it
again for the time of six months, or to give any orders there, on
pain, etc. Meanwhile, this court shall in that case settle the
matter in such a way as by both sides shall be considered reason-
able and just.
[157] Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh being summoned by the
commissary and officer to appear in court on account of the
offenses committed by him and appearing with his attorney,
Andryes de Vos, they both request that the matters pending
before this court growing out of [acts] committed by him and
his wife, Geertruyt Pieter's daughter, may at this [critical]
juncture of time be composed and settled by arbitrators to be
chosen by both sides. Whereupon the court, taking into account
the present dangerous times, condescend to do so, on condition
that if they can not come to any satisfactory agreement, the
action shall remain unabated. On the side of the commissary
were chosen and appointed the present honorable magistrates,
and on the defendant's side Rutger Jacopsz and Goosen Ger-
ritsen, whose award is inserted here as follows:
Abraham Pietersen Vosburgh and his attorney, Andryes de
Vos, having this morning requested in court that the matters in
dispute pending before this court [as to offenses] committed by
the aforesaid Vosburgh and his wife, in actions, words or deeds,
may be settled by arbitrators, it is by way of compromise agreed
by the arbitrators appointed by the defendant on the one side
and those appointed by the honorable court on the other side
that all causes of action and claims which the officer may to
this date have against the aforesaid Vosburgh shall be composed,
annulled, canceled and settled, on condition that the officer
shall receive from the aforesaid Vosburgh as a fine the sum of
two hundred and fifty guilders, one half to be paid promptly
within six weeks and the other half within six weeks thereafter.
However, the aforesaid Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh is to remain
deposed from his office of surveyor. Andryes de Vos is retain
the garden inclosed by him, but the lot on which he [158]
174 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
resides and which he enlarged far beyond its proper limits, con-
trary to the order of this court, he shall reduce in size according
to the pleasure of this court, without any objection, and the
whole extent of the garden of Luykas Pietersz shall revert, as
it does hereby, to this court. Provided, finally, that the wife
of Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh shall come and appear before
this court and declare that she has nothing to say about any of
the members but what is honorable and of good repute. For the
faithful performance hereof signed with their own hands, this
15th of July 1654. Was signed: Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh.
As arbitrators: Rutger Jacobsz, the mark X of Goosen Ger-
ritsen, set with his own hand.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Frans Barensen Pastoors
Tuesday, August 11,1 654
Present:
Omnes
In response to a communication from the Hon. Director
General, the Hon. Commissary and Jan Verbeeck are appointed
a committee [to confer with him] in accordance with the com-
mission and instructions to be given to their honors.
[The court] having heard the report of the honorable com-
mittee, consisting of the commissary and Jan Verbeeck,
[appointed to go] to the Esopus to measure the lands there, and
having furthermore examined the petition of Evert Pels, stating
that the lands bought by them looked to the eye larger than
they were actually found to be and requesting that he. Evert
Pels, may be allowed to purchase some of the land which the
Hon. General intends to keep for himself, it is decided that the
committee going to the Manathans are to confer about the matter
there and exhibit the aforesaid petition.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 175
[159] Whereas some savages, both Maquas and Senecas,
have this day, according to ancient custom, made a present to
this court, it is, in order to give them some powder in return,
thought proper to present them among other things with 25 lbs
of powder. The Hon. Abraham Staets is therefore requested
to let them have the same from the Hon. Company's powder
which is in his honor's custody^ provided that he shall be dis-
charged by this court from the obligation to account for it to the
Hon. General and hereafter communicate to his honor the con-
tents of the present. The aforesaid savages have furthermore
made some propositions to which answer in proper form was
made.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Tuesday, August 25, 1654
Present:
Omnes
Cornelis Houtewael, plaintiff, against Claes Hendrixsz, or
Jacob Flodder, defendant, about wages earned by the plaintiff
of the defendant, amounting to the sum of sixty guilders.
The defendant is ordered to pay the aforesaid sixty guilders
to the plaintiff within the space of twenty-four hours, on pain of
execution.
Jochem Becker, plaintiff, against Daniel Rinckhout, defend-
ant, about some grain measures which he gave and loaned to
the defendant at the house of Broer Cornelis and which have
not been returned.
The court orders the defendant to return the said loaned
articles to the plaintiff within two days, on pain of paying a fine
of ten guilders.
176 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
Geertruyt Pieters, having been legally summoned, the second
default is entered against her.
[160] On account of [goods?] advanced for the savages,
it is decided to grant and draw in favor of the Hon. Jacob Jansz
Schermerhoren an order in the sum of fl. 15 :-
Upon the petition of the court messenger, Pieter Ryverdingh,
it is decided that of the excise money received he is to retain
the sum of one hundred guilders and must charge that to his
account.
For important reasons it is decided to farm out this very after-
noon the wine and beer tapsters' excise from now until the first
of May next, in accordance with the notices posted, and to let
the farming proceed. On the conditions read to him, Jacob
Hendrixsz Maat became the farmer and gave security in the
sum of fl. 1300:— for the period aforesaid.
Gerrit Seegertsen having made a request for a building lot,
the matter is postponed until the return of the honorable com-
mittee [now] going to the Manathans.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Pieter Hartgerts
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Tuesday, September 1 , 1 654
Present:
J: Dyckman Pieter Hertgertsz
J: Thomasz Frans Barentsz
Geertruyt Pieters, the wife of Abram Pietersz Vosburgh,
being legally summoned by the commissary, the third default is
entered against her.
Jacob Hendrixsz Maat having a week ago bid in the farming
of the usual tapsters' excise on wine and beer, has presented a
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 177
certain writing whereby he requests that in order the better to
prevent frauds in the matter, the burghers as well as [161 ] the
tapsters may be ordered to obtain a proper certificate from the
farmer or the impost master, to wit, of wines and strong beer
only, paying two stivers for each certificate, before they be
allowed to take them into their houses or get them from the
brewers, or unload them from the incoming sloops and store
them, and that the former ordinances on the subject may be
renewed.
Whereupon it is decided to make the following apostil:
Proper action thereon will be taken and for that purpose the
ordinances will be published and posted anew and the same will
in every way be enforced as is proper.
As to the second point, regarding the brewers, he may at any
time inquire, or have inquiry made, what beer is brewed or
imported, without being necessitated thereby to make an inspec-
tion of the brewers' houses. But the brewers shall not be allowed
to furnish any strong beer to the burghers or tapsters until a
proper certificate from the farmer, or impost master, or his col-
lector, is shown to them, on pain, etc.
As to the third point, regarding the time within which every
one shall be obliged to get a certificate, or certificates, from the
farmer, this is approved, on condition that the impost master shall
have to post a notice, or notices, to that effect, stating where the
collector resides, or where the certificates may be obtained.
[162] The impost master is promised, however, that [the
regulations] will in all respects be properly enforced.
The Hon. Jacob Jansz Schermerhoren having this day a
week ago resigned from this court in order to go to Patria, his
honor is with a clasp of the hand thanked for his good comrade-
ship, the pains which he has taken and the good service per-
formed by him as a magistrate of the honorable court here, both
in the interest of the people and of the Hon. Company. At his
178 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
honor's request, an extract herefrom will be placed in his hands
to serve him by way of testimonial in case of need.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Wednesday, September 2, 1654
Resolved to give Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh in part pay-
ment [of his bill] for the two bridges made in Beverwyck an
order on the honorable treasurers for the sum of fl.75:-
Joannes Dyckman
Present.
J
J
J
[163] Tuesday, September 9, 1654"
Dyckman Pieter Hertgerts
Verbeeck Frans Barentsz^*
Thomasz
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Jacob Jansz Flodder, defend-
ant, about fl. 920:-, which the defendant acknowledges that he
owes, less thirty guilders for some freight brought up the river
for the plaintiff.
The parties are to agree about the payment if possible, other-
wise they may apply again to this court.
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Luykas Pietersz, defendant,
about a tavern debt amounting to fl. 1 92 : 1 3 :— .
The defendant admits the debt.
^^ Thus in the original. The date should be September 8, 1 654.
^^ The original has Frans Brantsz.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656
79
The defendant is ordered to pay the aforesaid sum of
fl. 1 92 : 1 3 :- to the plaintiff within the time of six weeks, on pain
of execution.
Jan Hendrixsz, plaintiff, against Jan van Aecken, defendant.
Claes Gerritsz being subpoenaed by the court declares that
Jan van Aecken let Jan Hendrixsz have a half interest in the
purchase of the house of Thomas.
Defendant's first default.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[164] Friday, September 12, 1654
Present.
J
J
J
Dyckman
Vei'beeck
Thomasz
Pieter Hertgerts
Frans Barentsz Pastoors
Jacob Hendrixsz Maet, being subpoenaed by the court to
testify whether he has not seen like the commissary that Maria
Jans, the wife of Steeven Jansz, sold some brandy to the squaw
or to the savages, declares that Maria Jans tapped and gave to
the squaw some brandy in a small pewter bottle and received
therefore some seawan in the presence of others, such as Cees
Pott, Claes Hendrixsz and Ariaen Claesz, who for so far as
they have seen it have confirmed this statement on oath. Ariaen
Claesz declares that he saw a pewter bottle with brandy, which
brandy to the best of his knowledge was tapped to the squaw
by Maria Jans. The same is also sworn to by Jacob Hendrixsz
Maet, who testifies that she poured the brandy which she gave
Should be September II, 1654.
180
Fort Orange and Beverrv\)c1(
to the squaw from a bottle in her cupboard, which he confirms
on oath. Claes Hendrixsz declares that he tasted the brandy,
but that he did not see from whom or how the squaw got the
brandy.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Tuesday, September 28, 1654**
Present:
J: Verbeeck J: Thomasz F: Barentsz
Interrogatories on which this Honorable Court is to examine
Marten Ottensen, commonly called Swager ^^ Merten.
How old he is and where Answer: Thirty-four years,
born? born at Amsterdam.
Whether he has not been at Says: Yes, and that he
the house of Jacob Luyersz, was there about the 25th of
where Cornelis the Swede, this month,
now sailing on the Karreman,
was present and on what day?
[165] Whether he was not
called outside by the said
Swede?
Whether among other things
the said Swede did not ask
whether he was in any service
and had sailed to the Cape?
Whether he did not ask said
Marten if he was willing to
serve the Queen ?
Answer : Yes.
Answer : Yes.
Answer: Yes.
'* This should be, September 29. 1 654.
^^ Srvager means brother-in-law.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656
181
Answer : Yes.
A
nswer :
mswer :
Y
es.
Yes.
A
nswer :
Y
es.
Answer: He said, ** Yes,
but keep still about it.'*
Whether he did not say, " I
have something secret to tell
you, but you must keep quiet?"
Whether he did not say, " I
have come here by order of the
Queen to spy out this place?"
Whether he did not [ask
him] again to keep still, as
otherwise it would cost them
both their lives?
Whether thereupon he did
not promise to [let him] be his
lieutenant in this service?
Whether he, Swager Mar-
ten, the next day, asked the
aforesaid Cornelis, the Swede,
if he knew what he had said to
him?
Whether further he did not Answer: That he did have
ask Swager Marten whether them at the Manathans.
he had two or three guns? Whereupon he, Cornelis the
Swede, said, "All right, keep
still; we shall see what to do
further in sailing thither."
This day, the 28th of September, Swager Marten has taken
the usual oath on the aforesaid questions and answers in the pres-
ence of the attending magistrates.
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Frans Barenttsen Pastoo[r]s
182 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
[166] Extraordinary Session, September 30, 1654
Present:
J: Verbeeck P: Hertgerts J: Thomasz
Andryes Herpertsen, plaintiff, against Femmetgen Wester-
kamp, widow of Hendrick Jansz Westerkamp, deceased,
defendant.
The plaintiff demands that the defendant's daughter serve out
and fulfil her term of service according to her promise and
contract.
The defendant requests [permission] to take away her
daughter in accordance with the promise which she made her
deceased husband on his deathbed, unless the plaintiff's contract
be held valid.
The court, having heard the statements and arguments on
both sides, order that the promise made by the defendant to her
deceased husband on his deathbed shall be carried out, on con-
dition that the defendant's daughter shall remain five weeks
longer with the plaintiff, in order that he may in that time look
out for another servant.
Uldrick Kleyn having come into court requests that he may
be released from confinement and set free, which is granted him
on condition that he shall hereafter at the request of this court
come to justify himself
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERS
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 183
Extraordinary Session, Thursday, October 15, 1654
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Thomasz Pieter Hertgerts
J: Verbeeck Sander Leendertsen Frans Barentsen
Maria Jans, the wife of Steeven Jansz, plaintiff, against
Abraham Crowaet,^^ defendant, for payment of fl. 148 and one
stiver according to a judgment of the court of the colony of
Rensselaerswyck dated the 27th of August last past. At the
request of the commissary and officer, the plaintiff declared that
the attachment levied on the goods in the sloop of Jacob
Symontsz Clomp was not vacated before his departure from here.
Eldert Gerbertsz, plaintiff, against Jacob Symontsz Clomp,
defendant, about one hundred guilders which Jacob Clomp or
the defendant received from the plaintiff and for which [167]
he promised to deliver hogs to the plaintiff. [The plaintiff
alleges] that the defendant brought some hogs up the river but
sold them to others for eighty guilders.
The court, having heard the arguments and debates on both
sides, enjoin the defendant from leaving here without having
given sufficient security. Meanwhile the officer here is requested
and ordered on account of the wounding of Ariaen Claesz to
take the sails and the rudder from board the defendant's sloop.
The wife of Pieter Cornelisz having requested a lot, consent
is given, but the granting of the lot is postponed until the sur-
veying of the lots.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Pieter Hartgers
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Meaning: Abraham, the Croat,
184 Fori Orange and Bevertv^ck
Tuesday, October 20, 1 654
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Thomasz Frans Barensz Pastoors
J: Verbeeck Sander Leendertsz
Steeven Jansz, plaintiff, against Abraham Crowaet," defend-
ant, about the preceding claims.
The court decides that the chest of Abraham Crobaet on
board the sloop of Jacob Symontsz Clomp shall remain attached
until the claim is satisfied.
Jan Hendrixsz, plaintiff, against Jan van Aecken, defendant.
The plaintiff says that in company with Jan van Aecken he
bought the house of Thomas Sanders. Parties are referred to
Mr Anthonius de Hooges, Goosen Gerritsen, Gillis Pietersz and
Rem Jansz, referees, to agree if they can.
Adriaen Dirrixsz de Vries, being summoned to appear in
court, complains that some time ago the officer served a notice on
him and used many abusive words, complaining of the violence
committed.
Cors Boutsen, appearing, requests to know the reasons for
his detention. Is told that they will be communicated to him
at the proper time.
Marcelis Jansz declares that Cors Boutsen [168] came to
his house with the knife on his hat, wanting to assault him, and
complains of violence committed at his house by Cors Boutsen,
Luykas Pietersen and Herman Janssen.
Gillis Pietersen declares that Cors Boutsen stood with the
knife on his hat and challenged whoever was willing to a fight.
Uldrick Kleyn declares that he heard the window crash
through which the aforesaid three, to wit. Cors Boutsen, Luykas
Pietersen and Herman Jansz, broke in.
Eldert Gerbertsz still demands payment for the 100 boards
delivered to Jacob Symontsz Clomp, for which he promised to
"' The original has "Abrabraham Crowaet," and in the next line,
"Arabraham Crobaet,**
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 185
bring him hogs from the Manathans, but which he sold and
delivered as security to others, requesting that payment be made
therefor and that the goods attached under the warrant of
attachment against Jacob Symonsz Clomp may remain attached
until he is satisfied. The request is granted.
Lambert van Valckenburgh has requested to have a lot.
Postponed until the drawing of lots.
Hendrick Gerritsz requests to have a garden in connection with
the house which he built on the lot purchased by him. He is
notified that the matter will be taken into consideration at the
first opportunity.
Theunis Cornelisz van Slingerlant requests a lot. Post-
poned until the drawing of lots. Likewise [the requests of]
Albert Andriesz and Barent Albertsen.
Claes Jacopsz requests a lot. Postponed until the drawing
of lots.
Joannes Magapolensis having requested to have a lot, a lot
will be assigned to him on the hill, when the drawing of lots
takes place. Carsten Carstensen and Gerrit Segertsen have also
requested lots. Postponed as above.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[169] Extraordinary Session, Wednesday, October 21, 1654
Present:
J: Dyckman J: Thomasz Frans Barentsen Pastoors
J: Verbeeck Sander Leendertsen
Gillis Pietersen being duly subpoenaed and summoned,
declares that Marcelis Jansz and Cors Boutsen both had their
knives out and that Cors Boutsen came with his knife on his hat
to Marcelis's house and again challenged whoever would [to
a personal combat] .
186 Fort Orange and Beverw^c^
Uldrick Kleyn declares that when they first came to the door
they wanted perforce to have [beer] tapped and broke open the
window through which Luykas Pietersz jumped in first; that
Marcehs fetched his sword to defend himself, but that he
[Pietersz] remained inside by force and that thereafter Cors
Boutsen and Herman Jansz also broke in and, coming inside,
tapped in spite of the tavernkeeper beer from a half barrel which
they gave away there to others.
Cors Boutsen admits that he also climbed through the window
and that the window was broken open, but he does not know
exactly by whom.
Luykas Pietersz declares that seeing Marcelis standing there,
he was the first of the three to climb through the window and
further declares as above.
Herman Jansz declares that he also climbed through the
window but that, contrary to the declaration of Luykas Pietersz,
he did not see Marcelis standing before the window.
Uldrick Kleyn declares that he heard the breaking of the
window and that he saw them break in, to wit, Luykas Pietersz,
Cortsz and Marceles, whereupon and on all of this [evidence]
it is decided to hold the persons of Cors Boutsen, Luykas Pieter-
sen and Herman Jansz in custody in irons until further order.
Jacob from Loosdrecht asks for a lot. Deferred to the draw-
ing of lots.
Joannes van Twiller requests permission of the court to have
a door leading out of the fort. Decided to write about it to the
Hon. General [ I 70] and to submit the matter to his wise and
superior judgment. Meanwhile, the court is of opinion that for
the security of the fort it would be better and more suitable if he
had [a door] on the west side, within the fort. However, they
leave the matter to the pleasure of the Hon. General.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Vereeeck
Jan Thomasz
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 187
Tuesday, November 3, 1654
Present:
J. Dyckman J. Thomasz Frans Barentsen Pastors
J. Verbeeck Sander Leendertsen
Jacob van Loosdrecht, plaintiff, against Maria Jans, being
the wife of Steeven Jansz, defendant.
The plaintiff declares that the defendant sold brandy to the
savages and that he saw it.
Maria Jans declares that she said to the plaintiff that she
would not do it for fifty, or even one hundred guilders, and that
she did not sell any brandy to the savages. She requests that
the matter may be disposed of.
The officer having put the matter into the hands of the magis-
trates, it is decided not to enter into any agreement regardmg it
until the case of Uldrick Kleyn is taken up also.
Jan Roelofsz is chosen and appointed surveyor besides Her-
man Bastiaensen, and is bound hereafter to take the surveyor's
oath.
Wednesday, November 25, 1654
Oath taken by Jan Roelofsz, surveyor, chosen and appointed
by this court on the 3d of this month:
I promise and swear in the presence of Almighty God that
without [favor or] prejudice to any one I shall do the surveying
in the presence of [the two members of the] [171] committee
of this honorable court. So help me God Almighty.
This day, on the date above written, Jan Roeloffsz, surveyor,
has taken the surveyor's oath.
Claes Hrendricxsz, carpenter, requests to have a lot
Willem Jansz Stoll, [a lot]
Jan Labatie, a lot
Jan Lammertsz, soldier, a lot
Adriaen Claesz requests a lot
Jacob Adriaensz soo gemackelyck, [a lot]
Joannes Dyckman
88
Fori Orange and Beverrv^ck
Tuesday, December 2, 1654
Present:
J: Dyckman Sander Leendertsen
J: Verbeeck Pieter Hertgerts
The honorable consistory here, plaintiffs, against Claes Ripsz,
have requested in the presence of the defendant that the defend-
ant may be examined on [interrogatories] as follows:
We, the undersigned, Gedeon Schaets, minister, Rutger
Jacobsz, elder, and Anthony de Hooges, deacon, being appointed
a committee by the honorable consistory, request that the honor-
able court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck may be pleased to
have Claes Ripsen, summoned before the court at our instance,
according to our duty, answer the following interrogatories and
then to take into consideration our arguments.
First, whether Klaes Ripsz
does not admit having had
carnal conversation with the
sister [of] the wife of Teunis
Jacopsz?
[ 1 72] Whether he promised
to marry her or not?
Whether he has acknowl-
edged that he is the father of
the child of which the aforesaid
woman was recently delivered,
or not?
Whether he has requested
to have the banns of marriage
proclaimed here, or not?
Wliether he was informed
that it had already taken place,
or not?
Answer, Yes.
Answer, Yes, that he would
marry her.
Answer, Yes.
Answer, Yes.
Answer, Yes, that he was
so informed.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 189
And for certain reasons he Answer, Yes.
is asked whether he does not
often sleep with her yet under
one cover as man and wife?
All this, or the foregoing. Answer, Yes.
being admitted by Klaes
Ripsz, he is asked whether he
is willing to marry her, or not?
When? Says, he expects news from
his father, whom he has written
about it.
Moreover, all excuses and subterfuges about this are very
illogical for, seeing that man is mortal, it would be full of danger
for them to depart [without being married] ;
First, because, although it may be argued that they are
engaged, this is neither binding [173] nor legal, as long as they
are not united in marriage in the customary way.
Secondly, because as a consequence thereof the aforesaid
child would be illegitimate.
Thirdly, because of people who live together like man and
wife one can never know when the woman will again be pregnant
by him.
Therefore, in view of the inevitable results and consequences
above mentioned, we come to the positive conclusion that in
order to avoid all scandal, to prevent further mischief, to pro-
mote good order, to maintain justice and finally to fulfil our
bounden duty, Klaes Ripse must be united with the aforesaid
person at the first opportunity. Whereupon we expect the judg-
ment of the honorable court aforesaid. Thus done in Fort
Orange, the first day of December 1 654. Was signed : Gedeon
Schaets, pastor in loco, Rutger Jacopsz, elder, and Anthonius
de Hooges, deacon.
The honorable court having heard the arguments and debates
on both sides, condemn the defendant to marry the aforesaid
person even this day, and as the aforesaid woman is sickly and
190 Fort Orange and Bevern^yck
can not well take the trouble [to go out], the Reverend Gedeon
Schaets is requested to [perform the marriage at her house].
Otherwise, if he, Claes Ripsz, refuses to do so, he shall imme-
diately be put in irons, until he marries her. Which being pro-
posed to him, it was found that he had nothing but frivolous
excuses to offer and therefore was put in irons.
[174] Tuesday, December 1, 1654
Present:
J, Dyckman Sander Leendertsen
J. Verbeeck Frans Barentsen
Andryes de Vos, plaintiff, against Claes Gerritsz, Cornells
Pietersz and Jan Andryesz, defendants, to give testimony to
the truth, whether it is not known to them when Mr Rensselaer,
[either himself] or through Jan Barentsz Poest, took possession
of the farm of Jan Barentsz Poest. They declare that they
were there at that time and heard, to wit, Claes Gerritsz, that
the taking out of the grain by Andryes de Vos was refused and
that he was forbidden to have further access to the barn, such
being done by them jointly, or as the deponents declare by Jan
Barentsz Poest, offering to confirm this on oath.
Baeffgen Pieters, plaintiff, against Maria Jans, defendant, in
a dispute about a water pail.
Maria Jans claims that the pail aforesaid was given to her.
Baeffgen Pieters, plaintiff, against Aert Otterspoor, defendant,
about a tavern debt of fl. 1 9 or fl.20.
Defendant's first default.
Mr Johan de Hulter having come into court has exhibited a
certain letter written to Cristoffel Davitsz by the Hon. General.
It is decided to have the same copied and in addition to notify
him, Christoffel Davits, that he must give the aforesaid gentleman
peaceful possession [of the land] in response to his complaints
and if he sees fit have the case argued by his competent
[attorney].
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 191
Maria Jans, plaintiff, against Abraham Crowaet, defendant.
The defendant's third default and he is ordered to satisfy the
plaintiff before his departure, on pain of arrest for debt.
[176]^* Pieter Bronck, being subpoenaed by the court,
declares that he took out of the hand of Jacob Flodder and
broke a pair of dividers which he held while in dispute with
Hendrixsz, deceased, but whether he, Flodder, intended to do
any harm with them he does not know.
Master Jacob, surgeon, declares that Jan Gouw cut Piet Bout
across the hand.
Jan van Hoesem has brought into court fl. 80:-, in addition
to the fl. 40:-, making together one hundred and twenty guilders,
in payment in full by Jan Fransz van Hoesem for the lot of
Willem Juriaensen, according to the judgment [against him] by
this court, dated the 25th of November last.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Tuesday, December 15, 1654
Present:
J. Dyckman Jan Thomasz Frans Barentsen Pastoors
J. Verbeeck Sander Leendertsz
Maria Jans, plaintiff, against Abram Crowaet, defendant, for
fl. 17:10:- and sixty guilders heretofore disbursed for conven-
ing the court in extraordinary session, and that he shall not depart
from here until he has paid sixty guilders on account and in part
payment of the sum of fl. 138, with costs.
Whereas Maria Jans, the wife of Steven Jansz, defendant,
on the third of November last acknowledged before this court
that she sold brandy to the savages, it is decided that the honor-
able magistrates shall send her a sealed memorandum stating
In numbering, page 1 75 has been omitted.
192 Fori Orange and Beverw^ck
what she therefor and on that account ought to pay to the officer;
that she must comport herself according to their good advice,
with further warning not to do so any more in the future, on
pain of arbitrary correction.
[178]^^ CorneHs, who lives with Poest, has been assigned lot
No. 5.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Tuesday, December 22, 1654
Present:
J. Dyckman San: Leendertsz
J: Thomasz Pieter Hertgertsz
Interrogatories on which this honorable court, at the request
of Andryes de Vos, is to examine Ryck Rutgertsz from
Bunnick and Goosen Gerritsen
Whether the witness, to wit, He admits that he heard
Goosen Gerritsen, does not [what was said],
admit having been some time
ago with the plaintiff on the
farm of Jan Barentsz Poest to
trade together in regard to
some dry boards and that they
agreed about the purchase?
Whether he, Andryes de Answers, Yes.
Vos, did not then go out of the
door and among other things
complain that against his will
he had been forcibly deprived
by Jan Barentsz of the use of
"" In numbering, page 1 77 has been omitted.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656
193
the barn, for the threshing of
both oats and pease, and that
he had thus far been unable to
get a copy of the contract, so
that he did not know at all
how he must govern himself?
Whether he, Andryes de
Vos, did not send him, Goosen
Gerritsen, to go to the honor-
able secretary, Anthonius de
Hooges, to ask for a copy of
the contract about the purchase
of the [179] wheat and that
the plaintiff, Andryes de Vos,
would get it two days later
when he came to the fort?
Also, whether Secretary de
Hooges did not reply then that
Mr Rensselaer had the con-
tract and had locked it in his
desk and that therefore he
could not do so?
Whether Ryck Rutgertsz
was not present on the farm
and whether he acknowledges
that he was present in the barn
when Mr Rensselaer and
Mons"^ Adriaen vander Donck
and a servant came there while
they were busy putting the
wheat in the barn as they were
not allowed to put it in the
stacks ?
Whether he, Ryck Rut-
gertsz, does not acknowledge
7
Answers, that upon this re-
quest he went to Anthonius de
Hooges.
Answers, Yes, that he asked
for it, but received for answer
that Mr Rensselaer had locked
it in his desk. This declaration
he has confirmed by oath.
Answers, Yes.
Declares, that Mr Rensse-
laer said that he was entitled to
194 Fort Orange and BeverTvy^ck
that he then did not know that the use of the half of the bam
Mr Rensselaer had forbidden and that he would have the use
to put it in there because the of it.
summer wheat had to be put in
there and that he was entitled
to the barn as well as Andryes
de Vos, as buyer of the grain,
as he had bought his wheat on
the same condition ?
Which declaration Ryck Rutgertsz with uplifted fingers has
confirmed by oath.
[180] Tuesday, December 22, 1654
Present:
J. Dyckman Sander Leendertsen
J. Thomasz Pieter Hertgerts
Jan Thomasz, plaintiff, against Willem Jansz Schut,
defendant.
The plaintiff declares that the defendant has again hired him-
self out for a year at fl.240 and free washing.
The defendant denies it and says that he would rather leave
than serve out the aforesaid time.
The court, having heard the arguments and pleadings on both
sides, forbid the defendant to leave, or to hire himself to any one
in this jurisdiction during the aforesaid time, and order him to
serve out his time with the plaintiff, on pain of banishment, the
defendant being further ordered to regulate himself according
to the [contract].
Roeloff Jacopsz, plaintiff, against Hans Inckluis, defendant,
forfl. 23:8:-.
The defendant admits the aforesaid debt and promises to pay
it within the time of six weeks.
Roeloff Jacopsz, plaintiff, against Merten, the mason, defend-
ant, for H. 5:8:—.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 195
The defendant agrees to pay this at the first opportunity.
Luykas Pietersz, being summoned to appear in court, has with
uplifted fingers declared under oath that he is not guilty of the
breaking open of Marcelis's window.
Cors Boutsz's defense having been heard, he is ordered to
deliver 40 boards to the plaintiff.
Jan van Aecken, plaintiff, against Carsten Meyndertsen,
defendant, about some hardware for which they sent beavers to
Holland for joint account.
Defendant's first default.
Jacob Hendrixsz Maet has brought into court fl.160:- in
seawan, in payment of the first term of the lease of the excise,
[181] which is entered here for future use.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERTS
Extraordinary Session, Wednesday, December 23, 1654
Present:
J. Dyckman Pieter Hertgerts
Sander Leendertsen Frans Barentsz
Jan van Aecken, plaintiff, against Carsten Fredrixsz, defend-
ant, about some beavers sent for joint account to Holland to
obtain hardware, which has now arrived and is in the hands of
the defendant.
The court, having heard the arguments and debates on both
sides, order the defendant to deliver to the [plaintiff] the goods
sent over and to settle all accounts even this day, if it is possible,
and the defendant is ordered to pay the costs of this extraordinary
session, amounting to fl. 28:10:-.
Joannes Dyckman
Pieter Hartgerts
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
196 Fort Orange and Beverivyck
Tuesday, January 13, 1654 [1655]
Present:
J. Dyckman Sander Leendertsz Jan Thomasz
J. Verbeeck Pieter Hertgers Frans Barentsz
Evert Pels requests this honorable court that whereas by
balance of accounts fl.276:7:- is due him from Jan van Bremen,
the latter's effects at Katskill may remain attached until he first
and before all [others] shall have been paid.
There being likewise due to the Hon. Pieter Hertgerts from
the said Jan van Bremen the sum of fl. 270:—, he requests that
he may be promptly paid as soon as Evert Pels shall have been
paid.
And there being due to Willem Fredrixsz Bout from the
aforesaid Jan Dirrixsz van Bremen about three hundred guild-
ers, he requests that the first two persons being paid he may and
shall then, upon production of proper proof, be paid for one-third.
Which requests being approved, they are communicated to
Jan Dirrixsz van Bremen by letter, to regulate himself accord-
ingly in paying the persons who had his property attached.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Pieter Hartgers
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[183] Tuesday, January 26. 1654 [1655]
Present:
J. Dyckman J. Thomasz Pieter Hertgerts
J. Verbeeck Sander Leendertsz Frans Barensz
A petition was read of Jacques Thysz, requesting permission
to have the use of the lot granted to Master Jacob, the surgeon,
situated next to the lot of Commissary Dyckman. It is decided
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 197
to state in an apostil that for certain reasons, instead of the afore-
said lot, another lot, on the hill, has been granted to the petitioner,
but if his wife and children should in addition need another lot
for themselves, he may in that case again apply to this honorable
court.
Upon the request of Jacob Jansz Stoll of the one part and
Claes Hendrixsz from Wtrecht of the other part about the
[exchange of] said first party's two houses standing in this fort
and the other party's [house] standing at the Manathans, at
present occupied by ... , the commissary and officer here,
together with the Hon. Sander Leendertsz and Pieter Hertgerts,
are appointed by this honorable court to have said parties come
before them this morning to legally convey [said houses] to one
another as they sold them in accordance with the contract of sale.
Klaes Ripsz, being summoned by the court and once more
questioned in regard to the declaration made by him on the
second of December last, has again persisted in said declaration,
but there being read to him the declarations made on the 4th
instant at the request of the commissary and officer by the
Reverend Domine Gidiony Schaets and Adriaen Jansz from
Leyden, as shown by the said documents, [184] the aforesaid
defendant, Klaes Ripsz, has suddenly denied the testimony given
by him and declared that he knows nothing as to the substance
thereof. It being thereupon decided to summon the Reverend
Domine Gidiony Schaets and Adriaen Jansz aforesaid to appear
as witnesses in the presence of the defendant, the said witnesses,
who deserve full credence, have made their former testimony
seem conclusive, whereupon the officer has demanded sentence.
Having stood outside and being sharply examined in regard
to the offenses committed by him in word and deed, the defendant
has confessed his guilt, admitted that he acted wrongly and
prayed for forgiveness, which is granted with the understanding
that the first time he is again heard to utter such words, he shall
198 Fort Orange and Beverrvyck
be punished as an example to others and that he must pay fifty
guilders to the commissary and officer.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[185] Tuesday, February 2, 1655
Present:
J: Dyckman San: Leendertsz Frans Barentsen Pastoors
J. Thomasz Pieter Hertgerts
At the funeral of the child of Hendrick Jochemsz, Claes Ger-
ritsz said that Cornelis Vos had given the houses the [nick] names
that are in circulation, which Hendrick Jochemsz overheard in
the presence of Jacob Hap.
A written statement was read, signed by the Hon. Anthonius
de Hooges and Adriaen Jansz from Leyden, of this date, regard-
ing the matter of Cornelis de Vos and Claes Gerritsz, in general
as to the well-known accusation that Cornelis Vos and Claes
Gerritsz had a hand in giving the names that are in circulation,
together with a declaration of each, as may be seen more fully
from the statement.
Jacob Hendrixsz Maet, plaintiff, against Pieter Bronck,
defendant for fl. 129: 14:-
23: 2:-
fl. 152: 16:-
Of the old account of the farmer [of the excise], fl.274 must
[be credited] to his account toward payment of the second term,
on account of wages earned by Abram Jacobsz, deceased, on
the new Company's house, leaving fl. 93:18, which Pieter
Bronck must pay in addition to what the farmer receives.
Court Minutes. 1652-1656 199
Jochem Becker declares that Cornells Vos gave the [nick]
names and that he heard so from the mouth of Claes Rotterdam,
his servant, at the harvest feast of Oom Dirrick.
Jochem Becker and Jan van Hoesem request that as the old
captain's house is no longer fit for occupation, the same may be
put in proper repair.
Before any repairs are made fearing that an accident may
take place, it is decided to have a further inspection made at a
convenient opportunity.
[ 186] Claes Gerritsz being summoned by the court and being
asked whether he knew who was guilty of bestowing the [nick]
names that are in circulation, declares that some time ago, sitting
in the evening at the house of Cornelis Vos, he heard out of his
own mouth that he had given the following names:
First, the house of Jan Thomasz, " The Cuckoo's Nest *
(het Koeckoecif Nest)
Goosen Gerritsen's house he gave the name of " Concord
(de Eendracht)
Rut Jacopsz' house " The Whistling Wind " {Soesende
Wint) , to the best of hh knowledge
The house of Jan van Aecken, " The Finch's Nest " {het
Vinclienesi)
The house of Andryes Herpertsz, " The House of 111 Man-
ners" ('/ Huys Onbeschoft)
The house of Philip Pietersz Schuldert, " Fly like the Wind "
(Vliegende Wint)
Evert Wendel, " The Griffin " {de Vogel Crijp, literally,
the Grasping Bird)
The house of Gerrit Jansz, ** The House of Discord
{Haspel in de Sack op het DackY^
*" Literally : Spool in the bag on the roof. The word Haspel, which
means a spool, is used figuratively in the sense of an awkward, incom-
petent person. Of persons who frequently quarrel or disagree, it is said
that they get along like haspels in een zak, like spools in a bag. The
expression as a whole, however, as it occurs in the text, is obscure.
200 Fort Orange and Beverw\)ck
The house of Dirck Jansz Kroon, " The Savingsbank ** (de
Spaerpot)
He also declared having heard the house of Mr de Hooges
mentioned, but that the exact name had escaped him.
Mother Bogaerdus's house, " The Vulture World " (de
GiersTverelt)
The house of Volckert Jansz is called " The Bird Song "
{de Vogelsanck)^°^
Mr Rensselaer's house, " Spoiled early " (Vroegh bedorven)
Pieter Hertgerts's house, he named " The little sparrow "
[het Hu^smusgen, used figuratively for a home body, a stay at
home]
Claes Gerritsz has with uplifted fingers confirmed the fore-
going on oath.
A petition was read of Adriaen van Ilpendam, schoolmaster,
praying for the exclusive right to keep day and night school and
that the other schoolmaster who begins to keep night school may
be enjoined from doing so. It is decided to note in the margin
that the honorable court can for the present not find sufficient
reasons for forbidding said schoolmaster to do so.
J: DyCKMAN
Jan Thomasz
Pieter Hartgers
Frans Barentsz Pastoors
* In the city of Gouda, de Vogelenzang was a street assigned to women
or 111 fame. The word may be used here in some such opprobrious sense.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 201
[187] Tuesday, February 23, 1653 [1655]
Present:
J. Dyckman J. Thomasz Pieter Hertgerts
J. Verbeeck San: Leendersz Frans Barentsz Pastoors
Upon the complaint of Grietgen Jacop's daughter that Cors
Boutsz had assaulted her on the public street and annoyed her,
it is decided that the officer shall gather further information about
the circumstances and that meanwhile Cors Boutsen shall be
released from his provisional confinement on [promise] to
reappear and defend himself.
Eldert Gerbertsz requesting that he may be allotted a garden
in connection with his lot, the matter is postponed for certain
reasons until the river is open.
Jacob Hendrixsz Maet being summoned to appear in court
and the charges against him having been read to him in regard
to the things committed and done by him late last Sunday
evening, he is ordered to submit his counter evidence on the next
court day.
Willem Fredrixsz being summoned to appear in court
declares that Symon, the baker, and he, being at the house of
Willem Fredrixsz, heard it stated that Claes Gerritsz had named
the eating house " Seldom satisfied " (Selden satt) and the
house of Cornelis Vos "The Finch's nest" (het Vinckenest).
Symon, the baker, being subpoenaed declares as above, to wit,
like Willem Fredrixsz.
Grietgen Jacop's daughter declares that Cors Boutsen last
evening pulled her apron by force from her body and that she
was forced to leave it in his hands and that it was kept by him,
Cors Boutsen, although, as Grietgen Jacops declares, she was not
then asked for any payment. [Thus declared] in the presence
of Adam Dmgeman, to whose testimony she, Grietgen Jacop's
202 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
daughter, [188] refers and who may be further examined in
regard to it.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Thursday, February 25, 1655
Present:
J : Dyckman J : Thomasz Pieter Hertgerts
J: Verbeeck San: Leendertsz Frans Barentsz Pastoors
There was read a written petition of Pieter Adriaensen Soo
Gemackelyck, stating that the impost master, Jacob Hendrixsz
Maet, last Sunday caused to be attached two and a quarter
barrels of good beer and also had them removed without first
having notified him, notwithstanding the beer was brewed of his
own grain, and excusing himself on the ground of former usage
and custom in the matter.
Whereupon the honorable court have decided to give for
answer that the petitioner was not unacquainted with the fact
that he was not allowed to export any strong beer, wine, or
distilled liquors out of this jurisdiction without having first
secured a proper certificate from the impost master. Concerning
which, in order the better to convince him thereof, he is hereby
reminded of the ordinances of the Hon. General and the Supreme
Council published and posted to that end for several years and
at different times, from which the petitioner had sufficient and
definite knowledge on the subject and therefore was not allowed
to do so on pain of the penalty thereto provided. Although he
maintains that the beer was brewed from his own grain, the
honorable court, knowing that the aforesaid ordinances were not
published and posted without his knowledge, judge, according
to the custom of the fatherland, that no strong beer may be
removed from one place or jurisdiction to the other, [189] on
Court Minutes, 1 652-} 656
203
pain of confiscation of the same, which being a custom of the
fatherland, according to whose laws and regulations they must
govern themselves in this country, they declare the aforesaid beer
confiscated and furthermore, for good reasons, [condemn the
petitioner] to pay the sum of fifty guilders to the impost master.
Interrogatories on which at the request of the commissary
and officer here is to be examined Henrick Jansz Reur,
court messenger of the colony of Rensselaerswyck.
First, whether before or Answer, Yes, that he was
about the time of the freshet there at that time,
he was at the house of Steeven
Jansz, whose wife is called
Maria?
Whether Herman Jansz van
Valckenburgh was there, or at that time
came into the house?
Whether at that time he did
not in a violent outburst say in
the presence of the bystanders
that the last time he was in
irons he had seen the wife of
the aforesaid commissary have
carnal conversation and com-,
mit adultery with other persons,
indicating the size of the horns
that were put on the commis-
sary?
WTio else were present?
Answer, he was in the house
Declares, Yes.
Whether the deponent did
not upbraid him and said:
" You should keep still, for if
the husband hears of it, he will
fight with you?"
Whether he has anything
else to say regarding it?
Supposedly, Jacob Loos-
drecht.
Answer, Yes.
mswer
, No.
204
Fort Orange and Beverrv^ck
On the 26th of February, Hendrick Jansz Reur has with
uplifted [190] fingers confirmed these interrogatories by oath.
Interrogatories on which this honorable court at the request
of Commissary Joannes Dyckman is to examine Jacob
Hendrixs Maet, he to answer categorically, yes, or no
First, how old he is and
where born?
Whether before or about
the time of the late freshet he
was at the house of Steeven
Jansz, the wife named Maria,
and when?
Whether at that time Har-
man Jansz van Valckenburgh,
commonly called " Scheele
Herman " (Cross-eyed Her-
man) was not sitting there,
drinking?
Whether he did not hear
him relate and declare that
when he was last in irons he,
Herman Jansz van Valcken-
burgh, aforesaid, saw the wife
of the commissary aforesaid
have carnal conversation and
commit adultery with others,
showing with outstretched arms
the size of the horns which
were put on the said commis-
sary's head?
Says, About 24 years and
born at Loosdreght.
Says, He does not know.
Says, He saw him drinking.
Answers and declares. Yes.
With offer, if need be, to confirm the foregoing by oath,
this 26th of February 1655.
Whether he has anything
more to say and what?
A;
nswers
. No.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656
205
[191] Thursday. February 26, 1654 [1655]
Interrogatories on which Loys Jacobusz is examined in court
Present:
Ut supra
First, how old he is and
where born?
Whether sorne time ago, and
how long, at the house of
Adriaen Jansz from Leyden,
in the hallway, he did not
reveal to Mr de Hooges the
scandalous name that was
given to him, or his wife?
Secondly, he is asked from
whom he heard it?
About 22 years and born at
Herentaels/^
Answers, Yes.
Declares, That he heard it
from Susanna de Truy, the
wife of Evert Wendel, the
tailor.
Loys Jacobusz has offered, if need be, to confirm this, his
declaration, by oath, and it is decided to subpoena both persons,
the wife of Evert Wendel as well as Loys Jacobusz, to appear
on the next court day.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERTS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
" Herenthals, a city in the province of Antwerp, Belgium.
206 Fori Orange and Beverrv^cli
Friday, February 26, 1654
Present:
J. Dyckman J. Thomasz Pieter Hertgerts
J. Verbeeck San: Leendersz Frans Barentsz Pastoors
The written demand and conclusion drawn up by the officer
against Herman Jansz van Valckenburgh on account of various
serious crimes committed by him having been examined, sentence
in the matter is postponed until tomorrow.
[192] Saturday. February 27. 1655
Present:
Omnes
The written demand and conclusion of Joannes Dyckman.
commissary and officer here, against Herman Jansz van Valcken-
burgh, at present in custody, being read and reread, the following
sentence is pronounced on account of the crimes committed by
him:
Sentence
Herman Jansz van Valckenburgh, at present in custody on
account of various crimes committed by him, has, after being
confronted with all the evidence, voluntarily confessed that he
committed them.
First, the prisoner, some time ago, of his own accord, together
with his accomplices broke open the window of Marcelis Jansz,
of which complaint was lodged with the honorable court by the
officer, and which, he confesses, was done by him out of pure
mischief. Then, after the window was broken open, he climbed
into the house and according to the complaints of Marcelis Jansz
assaulted and molested him in his own house; scattered the fire
over the floor in starting a fire on the hearth of the inside room,
without allowing the woman or the man of the house to come
into the inside room to extinguish the fire which had commenced
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 207
to burn one of the doorposts and the floor; until finally the afore-
said Marcelis was assisted by the officer, who upon his com-
plaint about assault went with him and found the conditions as
described [ 1 93 ] and caused the fire to be extinguished ; without
which to all appearances the house would have suffered con-
siderable damage from the fire that was started, yes, would have
been totally ruined.
Furthermore, secondly, he has confessed that lately when they
were riding the goose, he, on the public street, (be it said without
disrespect) befouled the servant, or one of the men of Mr de
Hulter commonly called Voogel, which he publicly confesses in
accordance with the testimony thereof secured by Adriaen
Claesz ; therefore violating and disturbing the peace on the public
highways and streets.
Last Monday evening, coming to the house of Steeven Jansz,
he threatened to beat him, Steeven, in his house, whereupon [the
said Herman] taking off his coat, he, Steeven, was forced to
turn [for help] to the officer, who took him into custody, first
asking the witnesses who were present whether it was true, who
declared [it to be] absolutely [true], as may be seen more at
large by the declarations.
About the time of the last freshet, sitting at the house of
Steeven Jansz with his feet in irons, he declared openly that he
had seen the wife of Commissary or Officer Dyckman commit
adultery with several persons, showing with outstretched arms
the size of the horns which he saw put on the commissary, accord-
ing to the information and sworn interrogatories procured thereof,
which being read to him, he has publicly denied the same and
declared that he knew nothing about it, the prisoner declaring
that he was drunk that evening and that the next day he was
informed by others that he had said so, but that he knows nothing
about the aforesaid [194] person but what is consistent with
honor and virtue.
208 Fori Orange and Beveriv^ck
Furthermore, he has here and there made much noise and
created many disturbances by fighting, etc., which he must admit
himself.
The Honorable Court having heard these and other complaints
and the same having been proved by his own confession, have
condemned the prisoner, as they do condemn him on the demand
made by the officer upon due evidence, pronouncing sentence in
the name and on the part of the High and Mighty Lords the
States General, his Highness the Prince of Orange, the Honor-
able Directors of the West India Company and the Honorable
General and the Supreme Council of New Netherland, as
follows :
Herman Jansz van Valckenburgh shall be brought to the place
where it is customary to execute justice and be put in the flogging
iron, with a few rods hanging from the post above his head and
on his breast a sign with the words " False Accuser." Further-
more, the prisoner shall be banished from this jurisdiction for the
period of six consecutive years, upon the sole condition that if the
prisoner hereafter commits any further offenses, the old charges
and the new shall be dealt with together as they deserve, the
Honorable Court being moved to mitigate and reduce the
sentence to this extent in the hope that he may improve his con-
duct, although the crimes committed by him demand greater and
severer punishment.
Thus done and sentenced the 26th of February and executed
on the 27th of this month of February, in full view of the people
who were present.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERS
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 209
[195] Tuesday. March 2, 1655
Present:
J. Dyckman J. Thomasz Pieter Hertgertsen
J. Verbeeck San: Leendertsz
Herman Jacopsz, plaintiff, against Claes Hendrixsz, defend-
ant, about one month and six days' house rent which the plaintiff
claims is due him from the defendant. The respective parties
being heard, it is decided to refer them, as is done hereby, to
referees and arbitrators, to wit, Andryes Herpertsz and Rem
Jansz, smith, to agree if they can.
Jan Barentsz Wemp, plaintiff, against Claes Gerritsz, defend-
ant, about a wagon which is broken and which was loaned by
the plaintiff for the use of the defendant. It is decided that the
plaintiff, if he considers his cause just, may prosecute the matter
further.
Cornelis Vos is given a copy of the deposition about the miss-
ing tub of butter, to file his answer thereto on the next court day.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Pieter Hartgers
[196] Tuesday, March 16, 1655
Present:
J. Dyckman J. Thomasz Pieter Hertgertsz
J. Verbeeck San: Leendertsz
Jacob Hendrixsz Maat, plaintiff, against Steeven Jansz, car-
penter, defendant, about one hundred boards according to the
note signed by the defendant.
The defendant admits the aforesaid debt and agrees to satisfy
the plaintiff as required one month before the departure of the
ships from this country for P atria.
210 Fort Orange and Beveriv^ck
The honorable schout of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, plain-
tiff, against Claes Hendrixsz, carpenter, defendant, about certain
interrogatories read to the defendant on account of the wounding
of Evert Pels and Gysbert Cornelisz, as appears more fully from
the document which is returned to his honor, together with the
confession.
Jan Barent Wemp, plaintiff, against Claes Gerritsz, defendant.
Jan Thomasz, as attorney for the plaintiff, alleges that the
wagon loaned by the plaintiff was broken by the defendant, but
the defendant says that he did so in the service of Andryes de
Vos.
Ordered that the plaintiff may summon the defendant, or
Andryes de Vos, on the next court day to answer his complaint.
Wybregh Jacob's daughter, plaintiff, against Aelgen Jan's
daughter, defendant, on account of some opprobrious words said
to the plaintiff at her house.
The defendant admits having said them, but appeals to the
testimony of Hester, the wife of Herman Bastiaensen, whom the
plaintiff may cause to be subpoenaed on the next co;;.i. i.:
[197] Cornelis Vos, being summoned to appear in court, is
ordered and notified on the next court day promptly to clear
himself of the charge of having given the familiar nicknames;
also to explain the meaning of the words and to declare what
induced him thereto and who advised him to do so and whether
he did it alone, or who helped him with it.
Rem Jansz, smith, requests a lot on the hill for his brother-
in-law, Michiel de Karreman,*^ which is granted him on the
same conditions that are granted to others, the gardens to be
assigned afterwards by lot.
Jan van Hoesem and Jochem Becker request that the old
captain's house, which is unfit to be used any longer as a bakery,
may be put in a proper state of repair. They are notified that
before any one undertakes to bake in it, it must first be properly
repaired, in order that no dreaded fire may break out there in
the future.
" Michiel, the carter.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 211
And as to the charge that some bakers, who are freemen, bake
without having taken the oath, it is decided to issue further
resolutions on the subject, as elsewhere no one is allowed to
exercise a trade who has not taken the burgher oath.
Upon the request of Ysbrant Eldersz to have a lot near the
third kill, it is decided that an inspection thereof shall be made.
[198] Hendrick Gerritsz, tailor, and Rem Jansz, smith, hav-
ing appeared before the honorable court, Flendrick Gerritsz
aforesaid acknowledges that he is satisfied and paid by Rem
Jansz for a certain house and lot, standmg and situated in Bever-
wyck, as he, Hendrick Gerritsz, bought the same lately from
Rut Arentsz, tailor, deceased, bounded on the south by a wagon
road, on the west by a plain, and on the east by Lourus Jansz,
or whoever bought the house of him; hereby completely convey-
ing and transferring said house and lot to the purchaser, Rem
Jansz, from now on forever, without the grantor retaining any
further right or interest in the same, just as it was granted and
conveyed to him, Hendrick Gerritsz, by the curators appointed
to administer the estate of the aforesaid Rut Arentsz, tailor,
deceased; requesting that this conveyance made this day before
the honorable court may be held and remain inviolate and that
extracts from this register may be issued to the parties to serve
them in the future. Which request being granted, copies will be
issued as required.
Upon the written demand and conclusion of Joannes Dyck-
man, commissary and officer here, against Jacob Hendrixsz
Maat, defendant, on account of deeds committed by him at the
house of Steeven Jansz, both within and outside of the door,
according to the evidence thereof, and also on account of draw-
ing his knife on the 21st of February aforesaid, in the evening,
and his own confession in the matter, it is decided to condemn
the defendant to pay [199] a fine of one hundred and fifty
212 Fori Orange and BeverTv})ck
guilders for the benefit of the aforesaid officer, with costs, payable
promptly within forty-eight hours, without any exemption.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
PlETER HaRTGERTS
The same date.
Given and granted to the honorable magistrates five lots on
the hill, marked No. 1 to No. 5.
Sander Leendersz, No. 1 , on the west side of Philip Pietersz.
Frans Barensz, No. 2, on the west side of Sander Leendertsz.
Pieter Hertgerts, No. 3, on the west side of Frans Barentsz.
Jan Thomasz, No. 4, on the west side of the guardhouse.
No. 5, on the west side, adjoining it.
Joannes Dyckman
Jan Verbeeck
Jan Thomasz
Pieter Hartgerts
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
[200] Tuesday. April 27, 1655
Present:
J. Dyckman J. Thomasz Frans Barentsz Pastoors
J. Verbeeck Pieter Hertgertsz
Joannes Dyckman, commissary and officer here, plaintiff,
against Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh, defendant.
First, in the matter of a note in the sum of two hundred and
fifty guilders in favor of the plaintiff, given by way of compromise
for the crimes committed by the defendant, on which, in the
presence of his referees, Rutger Jacopsz and Goosen Gerritsz,
he promised to pay one half within six weeks and the other half
three months later, according to his own request and that of his
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 213
referees, but which has not yet been paid. The defendant
appearing before this honorable court, he is for the reasons
alleged by him given additional time to make payment within
three weeks from this date, on pain of peremptory execution.
Secondly, the defendant is notified that in so far as he extended
his lot contrary to the orders and regulations, he must draw in
his lines within forty-eight hours, as otherwise the officer in his
official capacity, by order and conmiand of this honorable court,
shall have to do so. However, he is warned once more and, if
unwilling, [the officer is] to proceed with the execution of the
first as well as the second order at the expiration of the periods
aforesaid.
Joannes Dyckman, commissary and officer, plaintiff, against
Cornelis Vos, defendant.
The defendant, appearing, hands in his defense, stating that
he is not guilty of nicknaming the houses and persons, in direct
contradiction to the oath of Claes Gerritsz. Whereupon it is
decided that the officer must bring in his replication in legal form
on the next court day, for the purpose of examining the parties
with reference thereto.
[201] Grietgen Nanningh's daughter, plaintiff, against Jan
Witmont, defendant, on account of a pewter can with brandy
which was stolen, [the plaintiff] requesting the return of her can.
Whereupon it is decided to notify her that this honorable court
shall at the first opportunity take care that the aforesaid can be
returned to her.
Claes Jacobsz promises to make the payment on account of
his lot on the hill within forty-eight hours.
The commissary and officer here, plaintiff, against Jochem
Becker, defendant, on account of a pail of good beer found some
time ago among the savages in going the rounds, referring to the
testimony and declarations of Willem Jansz Stoll and Marcelis
Jansz.
Jan Thomasz, plaintiff, against Willem Jansz Schut,
defendant.
214 Fori Orange and Z3evern;\jc^
The plaintiff refers to the testimony and declarations of Arent
the Noorman and Marcelis, but during the session of this
honorable court the defendant has agreed to serve the plaintiff
for two months, a week or two more or less, which will begin
on the first of May next.
The honorable magistrates, Jan Verbeeck and Pieter Hert-
gerts, are appointed and chosen treasurers of this honorol/k ;
to receive the excise moneys of the impost master as well as the
moneys for the lots which have been granted.
Evert Pels, plaintiff, against Pieter Bronck, defendant,
because Pieter Bronck, in spite of the attachment of the prop-
erty in the hands of Jan van Breemen, has not paid but removed
the grain that was attached.
The defendant, that is to say, the plaintiff, refers to the testi-
mony of Arent the Noorman and Marcelis Jansz, who were
present in Katskill and whom the plaintiff may cause to be
subpoenaed on the next court day.
[202] Femmetgen Albert's daughter, plaintiff, against Jacob
Willemsz de Wolff and Gerrit Sleghtenhorst, defendants, the
defendants being absent, about a bolting chest which was
delivered to the defendants and which she needs and which she
delivered to the defendants only at the leasing of the house.
The commissary and officer agrees to notify the defendants
that they must return the chest free of costs and charges as they
received it and do so immediately.
Maria Jans, wife of Steeven Jansz, is notified that she must
promptly pay for the bed sold to the Hon. Pieter Hertgerts, with
her consent and notwithstanding the attachment, or else deliver
the bed to his honor within the time of three weeks.
The foregoing two pages are by mistake Incorrectly entered
and are therefore rewritten as follows:
Grietgen Manning's daughter, plaintiff, against Jan Witmont,
defendant, about a pewter can with brandy, which was stolen.
Requests that the aforesaid can be returned.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 215
Whereupon it is decided to notify her that this honorable court
will at the first opportunity take care that the aforesaid stolen
can be returned to her.
Claes Jacobsz promises within forty-eight hours to make the
required payment for his lot on the hill.
The commissary and officer here, plaintiff, against Jochem
Becker, defendant, about a pail of good beer, found some time
ago among the savages by [the guard going] the rounds.
The defendant refers to the testimony and declarations of
Willem Jansz Stoll and Marcelis Jansz, who are to be further
examined about it.
Jan Thomasz, plaintiff, against Willem Jansz Schut, defend-
ant, about a renewal of contract of service by the same, the
defendant [203] to swear to the truth [of his statements]. Said
service is alleged to be for the period of four months, commencing
at the opening of the trade.
Parties thereupon agree and the defendant promises by hand
clasp that he will serve the plaintiff for the period of two months,
commencing the first of May next, or a week or two later, pro-
vided that he shall receive reasonable wages.
The honorable magistrates, Jan Verbeeck and Pieter Hert-
gerts, are chosen and appointed treasurers of this honorable court
to receive the excise moneys of the impost master as well as the
money that is promised and due for the lots that have been
granted.
Evert Pels, plaintiff, against Pieter Bronck, defendant,
because Pieter Bronck, notwithstanding the three attachments
that were issued against the grain in the possession of Jan van
Bremen, has not paid, but removed the grain thence. The plain-
tiff refers for corroberation of his statements to the testimony of
Arent Andries and Marcelis Jansz, who being absent, but hav-
ing been with the plaintiff at Katskil, may again be summoned
to appear on the next court day to give further testimony in the
matter as is proper.
Femmetgen Albert's daughter, plaintiff, against Jacob Wil-
lemsz de Wolff and Gerrit Slechtenhorst, defendant:..
216 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
Defendants' first default, on account of a bolting chest,
delivered to the defendants and which she needs, being delivered
by the plaintiff only at the leasing of the house.
The commissary and officer agrees to notify the defendants
that they must return the aforesaid bolting chest free of costs
and charges as they received it, namely, immediately and as is
proper.
[204] Maria Jans, wife of Steeven Jansz, is notified that she
must promptly pay within three weeks for the bed sold to the
Hon, Pieter Hertgerts, with her consent and in spite of the
attachment which was issued, or in default thereof deliver the
bed to his honor at the expiration of the aforesaid time.
Extraordinary Session, Tuesday, May 1 , 1 655 **
Present:
J. Dyckman J. Thomasz Frans Barentsz
J. Verbeeck Pieter Hertgerts Volckart Jansz
Volckart Jansz, appearing in court, protests against the way
they now begin to set off the lot of the poorhouse and requests
that a plot may be made thereof upon further inspection.
Pursuant to a letter sent to the honorable court by the honor-
able supreme council of New Netherland under date of the 1 1th
of April last past, showing that his honor, Volckart Jansz, has
been chosen by the honorable supreme court of New Netherland
as a magistrate of this court and as associate justice of this bench
of justice, in the stead of Jacob Jansz Schermerhoren, who has
gone to Holland, [the said Volckart Jansz,] being summoned
and the aforesaid order and letter having been read to him, has
with some exceptions taken the following oath as magistrate of
this honorable court. The oath of Volckart Jansz reads as
follows :
May I, 1655, came on a Saturday,
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 217
I, Volckart Jansz, chosen by the honorable supreme council
of New Netherland as magistrate of this honorable court, to fill
the place which has become vacant, promise and swear that as a
good and faithful magistrate I shall to the best of my knowledge
help this honorable court to administer law and justice, as
required. So truly help me God Almighty.
On the date hereof Volckart Jansz took his seat as magistrate
of this honorable court and was wished much success therewith.
Jacob Jansz Flodder being arrested for some slanderous words
spoken about this honorable court, is notified that next Tuesday
at nine o'clock he must take care to appear and at the same time
hear the demand and conclusion which the commissary and officer
shall make and institute in regard thereto.
Femmetgen Alberts again requesting the return of her bolting
chest, she is told that she may have her opponents summoned to
appear on Tuesday next.
Rut Jacopsz requesting how much shorter he must make his
garden on the west side, he is told that the court when it adjourns
shall make a further inspection thereof and show him.
Herman Bastiaensz, surveyor, requests that he may be dis-
charged from his office of surveyor, or properly sustained therein,
complaining [206] among other things that Willem Teller has
anew moved out his palisades and that others had done likewise.
[The court decides that] he shall be upheld in his capacity
of surveyor and that Willem Teller shall be notified that he must
before Tuesday next move back the newly set palisades of his
garden, on pain of having the honorable court provide therein
and have the aforesaid extension taken off.
Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh, appearing before this honorable
court, requests that upon paying the fine for which he gave a
note to the officer in the sum of fl.250:-, he may be exempt from
the obligation to move back the fence of his lot, which is granted
him on certain conditions, he to appear before this honorable
court on Tuesday next, when, if the court approve of it, the piece
of ground that has been added shall be granted anew, if it seems
advisable and the court is satisfied therewith.
218 Fori Orange and Beverrv^ck
[207] Tuesday. May 9. 1655**
Present:
J. Dyckman J. Thomasz Frans Barentsz
J. Verbeeck Pieter Hertgerts Volckert Jansz
A petition was read of Herman Jacobsz of Amsterdam, pray-
ing that he may be quahfied as beer carrier. Whereupon it is
decided to note in the margin that the brewers' helpers thus far
perform this work themselves and that for this reason it can not
be taken away from them. And as for delivering the bread
grain, that there is already a carter to do this.
Joannes Dyckman, commissary and officer here, has delivered
to the court a certain replication to the answer filed by Cornelis
Vos, which it is decided to place in the hands of the opponent
to file his rejoinder thereto on the next court day, to justify him-
self if he can.
A petition was read of Hendrick Jochemsz, requesting restitu-
tion of the one hundred guilders which he advanced to the Hon.
General and the honorable members of the Supreme Council, the
same to be applied with others toward the payment of duties.
Whereupon it is decided that the commissary and officer shall
at the first opportunity when he goes to the Manathans take the
aforesaid petition with him to promote the restitution through one
merchant or another, or else and especially, as he bought there-
with some goods of Theunis Tempelier, to promote the settle-
ment or payment thereof, to wit, of the aforesaid one hundred
guilders.
And as to his request for permission to build a room as an
extension to his house, the commissary and officer shall be given
orders to promote that as much as possible.
[208] A petition was read of the bakers of Beverwyck,
requesting in the first place that the weight of bread be regulated.
Whereupon it is decided to write in the margin that this honorable
court will do so at the first opportunity.
** The date should be May 11,1 655.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 219
As to the abuse that some bakers continue to bake without
having taken the oath, this will be prevented as much as possible.
And as to the request that they may form a guild, the honor-
able members of this court consider this for the present for certain
reasons not advisable.
Pieter Bronck, being summoned, is enjoined from tapping
strong beer, for the reason that he brews the same, in whatever
manner it may be, and on actmg contrary hereto he shall the
first time forfeit 25 guilders, the second time forfeit 50 guilders
and the third time receive arbitrary correction, provided that he
shall be permitted to draw the wines which he has now in the
cellar accordmg to the gage.
Rut Jacobsz, plaintiff, against Femmetgen Alberts Geverts,
defendant, about the sum of about fl,400 which are due to the
plaintiff by the defendant according to the account rendered
thereof and of which the plaintiff demands payment.
The court having heard the statements and arguments on both
sides, order and condemn the defendant, Femmetgen Alberts,
to pay the plaintiff each half year, in part payment of the account,
the sum of one hundred guilders, promptly, on pain, etc.
Pieter de Vlamingh [the Fleming] requests lot No. 5, toward
the hill, of which a further inspection will be made.
[209] Marcelis Jansz and Arent Andriesz, being summoned
to appear in court, declare at the request of Evert Pels that they
heard from the mouth of Jan van Bremen that [Pieter Bronck]
promised to pay Evert, but as the aforesaid person, being here,
hid himself, it is decided that in returning from the Manathans
they shall, if they please, in passing bring the aforesaid Jan van
Bremen with them, in order that he may give an account of him-
self here before the honorable court.
Claes Jansz, carpenter, and Willem Jansz Stoll declare that
they heard Ryndert Pietersz say that he heard from the mouth
of Dirrixsz van Bremen that Pieter Bronck had promised to pay
Evert Pels, for which reason Evert Pels requests that Jan
Dirrixsz van Bremen be summoned to come here at his own
220 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
expense, if in the wrong, to appear before this honorable court
to justify himself, which is granted.
Geurt Hendrixsz, plaintiff, against Philip Pieters Scheuler,
defendant, about an interest in a drag net which the defendant
bought of Geurt Hendrixsz, whereupon it is decided that in order
to learn the truth he may have those who entered the partner-
ship and had an interest in the drag net summoned to appear on
the next court day, when the parties will be further examined.
Maria Jans, wife of Steeven Jansz, being summoned by the
officer on account of a pewter pint measure which she sold to
the Hon. Pieter Hertgerts and which was stolen and given
[210] to Jan Witmont and which belonged to Giertgen Bouts,
she is notified that she must turn over to the Hon. Pieter Hert-
gerts what she received therefor in order that the missing pint
may be returned free of costs and charges to Giertgen Bouts.
Jan Gauw requesting that he may have the lot which was
heretofore granted to Carsten living in the Grenen Bosch and
which was not built upon within the proper time, this is granted
him on condition that he agree with the officer and satisfy him
with regard to the fine to be paid because the lot was not built
upon within the stipulated time.
Hendrick Jochemsz is granted permission to have the burghers
shoot the target*^ provided he keeps good order and takes care
that no accidents occur or result therefrom.
^^ Den papega^ te laaten schielen; a method of target shooting which
is described by George McCall Theal, in his History and Ethnography of
Africe south of the Zambesi, vol. 2, p. 316, as follows: "A figure
resembling a parrot, and hence called a papegaa'i, was fixed upon a pole
in the center of a circle with a radius of eighteen metres. The marksmen
chose their position upon an arc of this circle in the order in which they
paid the subscription fees, which were — to residents of Stellenbosch one
shilling, and to all others four shillings. They fired in the same order,
standing and without rests for their guns. The small prizes were — for
knocking off the head four shillings, the right wing two shilHngs, the left
wing one shilling and sixpence, the tail one shilling, and a splinter six-
pence. The great prize was given to him who knocked off the rump and
by doing so destroyed the whole figure. It was five pounds in cash from
the honourable company and whatever subscription money was in hand.
The winner was escorted home in state by the whole body of shooters,
and had the title of King of the Marksmen until some one else wrest it
from him."
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 221
Steeven Jansz, plaintiff, against Jan Jansz, defendant, about
some money due him for tavern expenses.
The defendant is ordered to pay the plaintiff one-half now or
within a month and the other half two months later, promptly,
without any exceptions.
Maria Jan, wife of Steeven Jansz, is ordered by this honor-
able court to suspend tapping in this fort for the period of two
weeks from this date, precisely.
The commissary and officer is ordered to pay within the space
of forty-eight hours [211] to Jacob Jansz Plodder the sum
of fifty-six guilders, being the [half?]^*' of what the officer
received from the hands of the aforesaid Flodder on account
of the late Hendrixsz, but the officer retains nevertheless entire
his cause of action on account of his misbehavior in the public
street on Saturday last in calling the honorable commissary and
some magistrates of the court here bloodhounds and tirants
steeped in liquor, for which he may proceed against him vv'hen
time and opportunity offer themselves.
The court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck learning that the
result and outcome of the fight between Steven Jansz and Jacob
Hendricksz Maat offers and furnishes them good reasons and
motives for being vigilant and watchful with respect to the proper
administration of justice according to their bounden duty, the fact
in the case being that Steven Jansz was wounded and struck by
the aforesaid Jacob Jansz with a knife in his left side in such
a way that he is in peril of losing his life and considering that
the aforesaid fight took place within the district and jurisdiction
of the aforesaid colony, they therefore propose and submit the
matter to the honorable court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck
with the friendly request, if Jacob Hendricksz above mentioned
should happen to stay or sojourn in their honors' jurisdiction,
that they would be pleased by legal process to deliver him into
the hands of their officer in order that he may take full charge
of the case [212] and proceed against his person as shall be
The Dutch text has ; tselt.
222 Fort Orange and Beveriv^cli
found proper according to law, the equity hereof being founded
on the reciprocal duty to accommodate Ithe court of Fort
Orange and Beverrwyck] in case a similar situation should pre-
sent itself on their side, their honors being well aware that this
is a mutual obligation resting upon all, especially associated,
courts. Whereupon they expect a speedy resolution and answer,
since there may be periculum in mora. Done at the session of
their honors of the aforesaid colony, this 2d of July 1655.*^
Below was written: By order of the same, (signed) A: de
Hooges, secretary.
Tuesday, June 8, 1 655
Present:
J : Verbeeck Sander Leendersz F^ Barentsz
J: Thomasz P'. Hartgers V*. Jansz
Rem Jansz, smith, plaintiff, against Willem Hap, defendant,
about the final payment of 550 guilders in beavers, which the
defendant still owes on the house bought of the plaintiff, standing
in Fort Orange.
The court, having heard the arguments and pleadings on both
sides, order the defendant to satisfy and pay the plaintiff the
aforesaid sum of 550 guilders acording to the contract of
sale within three weeks, or at the latest at the end of the month
of June, promptly, without any exception.
Andries de Vos, appearing, requests a copy of the testimony
and interrogatories secured and drawn up some time ago by the
honorable court.
[213] The impost master, Jacob Hendricksz Maat, being
summoned by the honorable court to turn over to the court the
third and last payment or term of the amount bid by him at the
farming out of the excise here, has done so on his appearance in
court, so that he has paid in full what he owed for the excise
on wine and beer, from the first term to the last.
Thus in the original record. Perhaps a mistake for June 2, 1655.
Court Minutes, / 652-1 656 223
Same date
Maria Goosens, wife of Steven Jansz, charged with and hav-
ing confessed to the sale of some brandy to the savages, is ordered
to pay a fine of 300 guilders and prohibited from coming into
this place for a year and six weeks, and this by way of pardon
and intercession in her behalf on the part of the magistrates.
Tuesday, July 13, 1655
Present:
J. de Deckere ^' S. Leendertsz F». Barentsz
J. Verbeecq P^. Hartgers V'. Jansz
J. Tomasz
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Juriaen Jansz, defendant.
The plaintiff states and the truth is that the defendant on the
7th of this current month of July has not hesitated in the pres-
ence and hearing of the honorable magistrates, P^ Harties and
Frans Barentsz Pastoor, to denounce in scandalous, villanous
and contemptuous terms the ordinance against going into the
woods to trade, published on the first of July last, and to speak of
it in such a way as if the magistrates of this court were thereby
trying to reserve the entire trade to themselves; also, to make
the aforesaid gentlemen, and hence the entire court, [214] out
to be and to call them so to speak before the whole world asses,
who were incapable of carrying out the provisions of their pla-
cards and ordinances against those who violated them, all of
which are matters of serious consequence in a well regulated
country where justice and government prevail, which ought not
to be suffered, but severely punished.
^^ Johannes de Deckere was appointed on June 21, 1655, presiding
commissary at Fort Orange, vice Joannes Dyckman, in accordance with a
resolution of the Director General and Council of New Netherland of
June 16, 1655. See NeTi> York Colonial Manuscripts, vol. 6, p. 57
and 59.
224 Fort Orange and Beverivy^ck
Therefore, the plaintiff, in his capacity aforesaid, demands
that the defendant shall be condemned to withdraw his state-
ments here in court and furthermore, bareheaded, with folded
hands and on bended knees pray God and the court and the
aforesaid two honorable magistrates for forgiveness, declaring
that he is heartily sorry and promising that he will nevermore in
the future do the same, nor anything like it, and that in addition
he shall be condemned to pay for the benefit of the plaintiff the
sum of six hundred guilders, wilh costs, or such other amount, etc.
The honorable members of this court having heard the verbal
testimony of the defendant, condemn him to declare publicly
that he spoke ill and that he is heartily sorry about it and further
condemn him to pay for the benefit of the officer the sum of
eighty guilders, to be paid within twenty-four hours, on pain of
being apprehended. One-third hereof is set aside for the poor.
1215] Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Bout, defendant.
He demands condemnation in a fine of [blank] guilders
because the defendant on the fourth of July last, on Sunday
evening, after the ringing of the bell, continued to serve and tap
liquor, etc.
Remitted.
Idem, plaintiff, against [blank]
He demands ut supra, because the defendant after the afore-
said time sat drinking.
Ut supra.
Idem, plaintiff, against [blank]
He demands ut supra because ut supra.
Ut supra.
[216] Tomas Clabbort, plaintiff against The[u]nis Jacobsz,
defendant.
He demands condemnation in the sum of fl.2270:-, on
account of the purchase of certain grain, less the amount that
has been paid, etc.
The honorable court having heard the parties and also Andries
de Vos, who interposed and undertook to carry on the defense
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 225
for the defendant, and having taken into consideration all that
is to be considered in the matter, condemn the aforesaid defend-
ant and Andries de Vos, each in solido to tender and pay the
aforesaid sum of fl.2270:-, less the amount that has been paid,
provided that one paying, the other shall be released, without
prejudice to the cause of action for damages which the defend-
ant and the interposer think they have against Mr Renselaer
and his associates, for various reasons. Actum ut supra.
[217] Marcelis Jansz, plaintiff, against Corn. Pot, defend-
ant, for the sum of fl.1101 :2:— , for tavern expenses.
The magistrates condemn the defendant to pay the amount
asked within the space of fourteen days.
Marcelis Jansz, farmer of the wine excise, jointly with the
officer, plaintiffs, against Daniel Verwegen, defendant.
He demands that the defendant be condemned to pay a fine
of five hogsheads of wine, or the value thereof. Also that a
certain hogshead of wine, which on the 23d of May last was
removed by the defendant without a permit, be declared con-
fiscated, or [the defendant be condemned] to pay the value
thereof, or other penalty, etc.
The court, having heard the parties on both sides and taken
everything into consideration, declare the hogshead of wine,
which according to his own confession was removed by the
defendant on the 23d of May last, confiscated, provided that
the defendant may redeem the same for the sum of eighty
guilders. The second demand is denied,
Volkert Jansz and P^ Hartgers, magistrates, cause it to be
noted in connection with the aforesaid sentence that it was
decreed against their advice, it being on the contrary their opin-
ion that the defendant ought to be absolved, provided he declare
that the aforesaid hogshead is the same as that which he entered
on the 15th of May aforesaid at the farmer's office.
[218] Theunis Jacobsz, plaintiff, against Andries de Vos,
defendant.
8
226 Fort Orange and Beverrv^cl^
He demands that the defendant be condemned to indemnify
him, the plaintiff, with reference to the judgment heretofore
demanded by Tommas Clabbort against the plaintiff.
The defendant agrees to carry on the defense for the plaintiff.
Whereas it is said that Gerrit Banker through a certain
savage let some other savages with their beavers come into his
house, and Rut Jacobsz, Jacob Teunisz, Evert Wendel and
Philip P"^". were then near there, they, being subpoenaed to tes-
tify to the truth for the benefit of the commissary and officer
here, in his official capacity, have deposed and declared as
follows :
Ruth Jacobsz declares that he asked of the said savage, and
Philip P"^". and Jacob Teunisz that they heard [him ask],
whether the said savage had traded with certain savages, where-
upon the aforesaid savage said. Yes.
The aforesaid Philip P*^". and Evert Wendel declare in addi-
tion that the said savage came out of the house of the said
Philip P"^". and that the said savage spoke to them and picked
up a certain package of beavers belonging to them and went
away with it, whereupon all the other savages speaking to the
first savage followed him and together were seen to enter the
house of Gerrit Banker.
[219] Interogatories upon which at the request
of Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here,
are to be heard and examined under oath Tomas
Paulw, Willem Teljer and Symon Leen, all being
summoned to testify to the truth.
First, to ask the deponents' Tomas Paulw declares that
ages. he is 54 years old; Willem
Teljer 39, and Symon Leen
34 years.
Secondly, whether on Wed- They declare. Yes.
nesday last, the 7th of this
month of July, they did not
Court Minutes, 1652-1656
111
hear and see that a dispute and
quarrel arose between Jochim,
the baker, and Gerrit Slechten-
horst, about the piHng up of
some wood?
Likewise, whether immedi-
ately after the said persons did
not each pick up an ax and
take hold of it to hack each
other and whether this was not
prevented and stopped by the
intervention of the deponents^
Fourthly, whether he, Joch-
im, the baker, after the said
separation, did not run home
and returning with a naked
sword in the hand made for
the aforesaid Slechtenhorst?
[220] Fifthly, whether the
said Slechtenhorst, seeing this,
did not retreat to the house of
the aforesaid Tomas Paulw,
but was followed into the said
house and whether the said
Jochim, being seized by the
said Tomas Paulw, let him
take the sword, or gave it to
him, or both?
Sixthly ,*° whether the said
Slechtenhorst, seeing the said
Jochim without sword, did not
begin to fight with the said
Jochim in the house of the
aforenamed Tomas Poulw and
whether the said Jochim in the
They declare that the said
persons each took up an ax,
but that they were stopped and
prevented [from using them]
and that Jochim, the baker,
was the first to take up the ax.
They declare, Yes.
Tomas Paulw and Symon
Leen declare. Yes. Willem
Hil says that he knows nothing
about it.
Symon Leen declares that
things took place as stated.
Tomas Poulw declares that
he saw the said persons fight
in his house.
Willem Teljer declares that
he knows nothing about it.
The original has " Fifthly," by mistake.
228
Fort Orange and Bevenv})cl^
course of the struggle and
while the said Slechtenhorst
lay underneath did not tear at
his male organs in a scandalous
way, causing him to yell and
scream ?
Whether the said Jochim,
being threatened by Symon
Leen to have his hand cut otf
if he did not stop tearing at the
aforesaid improper place, was
not somewhat frightened and
disturbed thereby, got up and
ran home through the bakery,
out of the back part of the
house ?
[221] Whether they, the
witnesses, did not also see that
the said Slechtenhorst then also
ran home and returned with a
naked cutlass, challenging the
aforesaid Jochim to fight with
him to the death, or to see who
would be the bravest?
And what else followed
after that?
Symon Leen declares as
stated.
Tomas Paulw declares that
he saw the said Jochim run
away.
Willem Teljer declares that
he knows nothing about it.
Symon Leen and Tomas
Poulw declare as stated.
Willem Teljer declares that
he saw the said Slechtenhorst
come with a naked sword.
They declare that Jochim,
the baker, then ran away and
the said Slechtenhorst returned
home.
Thus done and deposed on the date above written.
There appeared before the honorable magistrates Claes Ger-
ritsz and declared that in satisfaction of a certain judgment of
the honorable court given under date of the 1 2th of May 1 654
in favor of Rut Jacobsz for the restitution of the 20 beavers
belonging to Brant van Slechtenhorst which are in his custody,
he specially binds his house and lot and furthermore his person
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 229
and properly, nothing excepted, submitting them to the control
of all courts and judges. Actum ut supra.
[222] There was read a petition presented by Jochim, the
baker, Jacob Willemsz, Tomas Paulw and Daniel Ringhaut,
bakers, on which was entered and given the following apostil:
The magistrates hereby prohibit and forbid the petitioners to
put any sugar, currants, raisins, or prunes in any bread which
they bake and hence to sell the same, on pain of forfeiting fifty
guilders for the benefit of the officer. Actum ut supra.
Wednesday. July 14, [1655]
Present:
Omnibus.
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Jochim, the baker, defendant.
The plaintiff says and declares it to be the truth that the
defendant on the 7th of July last tried to attack and wound
the person of Gerrit Slechtenhorst with an ax, and being pre-
vented from doing so, ran after him and pursued him with a
naked sword into the house of Tomas Paulw ; also that he fought
with him there and tore at the male organs of said Slechtenhorst
in a very scandalous way, trying to mutilate and ruin him, being
only prevented from so doing by threats, whereby, in addition to
disturbance of the public peace, also private injury and violence
has been committed against the person and in the house of the
aforesaid Tomas Paulw;
The plaintiff, therefore, in his capacity aforesaid, demands
that the defendant [223] be condemned to pay a fine of one
thousand guilders.
The defendant requests a copy of the demand together with
a copy of the interrogatories.
The same, plaintiff, against Gerrit Banker, Herman
[Vetter?].^"
Harmen Vedder?
230 Fort Orange and Bevenv^ck
The plaintiff says that it is the truth that the defendant lately,
though a certain savage, has not hesitated to entice some other
savages to come with their beavers into his house, contrary to
the ordinance issued against it.
The plaintiff, ex officio, as above, therefore demands that
the defendant be fined three hundred guilders and in addition
be suspended from the exercise of his trade for the period of
one year, all in accordance with the ordinance aforesaid, or
[that the court impose such] other penalty [as it may see fit].
The magistrates having given the defendants the privilege to
deny the charges upon oath and they remaining thus far in
default, have nevertheless granted them time until the next court
day to take the oath, on pain of being condemned to pay the
fines and penalties provided by the ordinance. Meanwhile the
defendants are prohibited and enjoined from carrying on any
trade or barter with the savages until Tuesday next.
[224] Jacob Hap, appearing before the court, requests an
apostil on his petition presented heretofore, namely, praying for
permission and consent to purchase of the native Indians a small
piece of land situated [blank].
It is decided to postpone the matter until the return of the
honorable general and to notify him that in case consent is given,
he shall be the first and next person.
Monsieur Jan de Hulter appearing before the court requests
letters of recommendation to the honorable council in New
Netherland, in order that they may be pleased to pass and to
cause to be published a certain ordinance to inhibit, restrain and
control the insolence, opposition and disobedience of his servants
in particular and others in general.
It is decided to communicate and recommend this to the hon-
orable council.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656
231
They declare accordingly.
[225] Tuesday. July 20. 1655
Presentibus omnibus
preter Sander Leendertz
Interrogatories on which at the request of Johan
de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio,
are to be heard and examined under oath Rut
Jacobsz, Jan Daret, Philips P"^., Goosen Gerritsz
and Andries Jacobsz, all subpoenaed by the court
to testify to the truth.
First, whether they, the
deponents, on Friday last, did
not hear a certain savage
acknowledge, confess and
affirm that without any previ-
ous gift [on his part] he had
received as a present from
Catelyn Sanders, wife of
Sander Leendertsz, a piece of
cloth, then shown by him and
thrown around his body?
Whether the said savage did
not declare also that he still
had all his beavers and that
before [leaving] he would
first trade with the said
Catelyn?
Whether the said savage did
say also that he would receive
some more presents and what
they were?
[226] What else they can
testify to in this matter?
Dec!
are as a
bovc.
TTiey declare as above and
that he would receive in addi-
tion to the piece of cloth a
piece of linen and stockings.
They declare that they
know nothing more about it.
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Catelyn Sanders, wife of Sander Leendertsz.
defendant
232 Fort Orange and BeverTv^ck
He demands that the defendant be fined three hundred
guilders and suspended from her business for a year and six
weeks, in view of the fact that she has recently, or last week,
undertaken to give or donate a piece of cloth to a certain savage,
contrary to the ordinance issued against the making of presents,
or such other penalty, etc.
The defendant admits that she gave the savage a piece of
cloth, but that she received from him first two beavers and then
a lynx coat.
The plaintiff persists in his demand by way of replication.
The defendant persists by way of rejoinder.
The plaintiff asks that the defendant make oath.
The magistrates order the defendant to declare under oath
that she received as present from the aforesaid savage first two
beavers and then a lynx coat and that in return therefor she
gave the said savage a piece of cloth.
The defendant took the oath.
[227] The same, plaintiff, against Jacob Backer, defendant
and prisoner.
The plaintiff says and the truth is that the defendant last Fri-
day did not hesitate to declare openly and in so many Dutch
words that the sentence, meaning and referring to the sentence
passed last Tuesday against Daniel Vervelen, was a false sen-
tence; and whereas this is an intollerable wrong and flagrant
insult to the honorable magistrates of this court, whom the plain-
tiff in virtue of his office ought to and is bound to defend;
Therefore, the plaintiff demands that the defendant and
prisoner be condemned to make honorable and profitable amends
for this wrong; honorable [amends], by appearing in court and
there, bareheaded, with folded hands and on bended knees pray-
ing God and the court for forgiveness and acknowledging that
the said words thoughtlessly escaped him and consequently, that
he is heartily sorry; and profitable [amends], by paying for the
benefit of the plaintiff the sum of six hundred guilders, or some
other amount.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 233
The defendant denies the charges.
The plaintiff persists.
The same, plaintiff, against Jochim, the baker.
The defendant to reply.
The defendant answers promptly in writing.
The plaintiff persists by way of replication.
The defendant by way of rejoinder requests copies of the
plaintiff's evidence.
Pieter Ryverdingh, plaintiff, against Huybert Jansz, defend-
ant, for payment of the sum of fl. 53 :3 :- on account of the pur-
chase of a barrel of Holland beer.
The defendant admits the debt and requests eight days' delay.
The court gives judgment for the plaintiff and grants the
requested delay.
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Gerrit Banker, to testify in accordance with
the order made on the last court day.
The defendant refuses to make oath.
The plaintiff therefore demands that he be condemned to
pay the fines and penalties provided by the ordinance.
The court allows the defendant eight days' time to make the
said declaration under oath, on pain as stated in the previous
order. Meanwhile, the defendant is prohibited from doing any
trading or bartering with the savages.
[229] There was read a petition of Teunis Corn[elisz] van
Vechten, praying that he might be authorized and have the
privilege to drive the cart, to the exclusion of others.
It is decided to defer the matter until the home coming of the
honorable general and, in case the going around with the cart
be granted to any one in particular, to procure that he shall be
the first one in line for the position. Done, the 20th of July
1655.
234 Fort Orange and Beverxp^cJ^
Tuesday, July 27, 1655
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Gerrit Slechtenhorst, defendant.
The plaintiff says and declares it to be the truth that the
defendant on the 7th of July last ventured first to pick and start
a quarrel with Jochim Wesselsz, the baker, then to threaten him
with an ax, and afterwards to fight with said Jochim, the baker,
in the house of Tomas Paulw, and on being separated from him
by others, to pursue the said Jochim with a naked cutlass in his
hand and to strike with the said cutlass against the transom bar
of the door of the said Tomas Paulw, thereby, in addition to
the public disturbance committing private injury and violence
against the person and house of the aforesaid Tomas Paulw;
Therefore, the plaintiff demands that the defendant be con-
demned to pay a fine of six hundred guilders, or some other
penalty, etc.
The defendant obtains a copy of the demand.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jochim Wessels, baker, defendant, to
produce his evidence and desist from producing [further testi-
mony].
The defendant agrees to submit all his evidence on the next
court day and then to desist from further production [of evi-
dence] .
Idem, plaintiff, against Gerrit Bancker, defendant, to take
the oath in conformity to the order of the preceding session of
the court, on pain as stated therein.
The defendant says that as yet he is not willing to take
the oath.
The plaintiff requests consequently that defendant be con-
demned to pay the fines and penalties provided by the ordinance
referred to and mentioned in the aforesaid order.
The magistrates, seeing that the defendant not only remains
in default, but openly in court refuses to take the oath, condemn
the defendant to pay a fine of three hundred guilders and pro-
hibit the defendant from doing any trading or bartering with the
savages for the period of an entire year.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 235
Idem, plaintiff, against Marcelis Jansz, defendant, because
the defendant on Sunday last served or continued to serve drinks
during divine service.
Demands that the defendant be fined six guilders in accord-
ance with the ordinance.
The magistrates condemn the defendant to pay a fine of four
guilders.
[231 ] Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Jansz Stoll. Demands
that the defendant be lined three guilders because he sat drinking
last Sunday during divine service at the house of Marcelis Jansz.
The defendant admits having been at the house of Marcehs
Jansz aforesaid, but denies that he was drinking. Agrees volun-
tarily to pay the line, which, however, for certain reasons will
be refunded to him.
Robbert Vastrick, plaintiff, against Abram Pietersz, defend-
ant, for the sum of sixty guilders and six stivers, according to his
note. Demands therefore that the defendant be ordered to pay
the amount.
The defendant admits the debt.
The plaintiff requests judgment against the defendant.
The magistrates condemn the defendant to pay the amount
asked in beavers, according to the note and his admission made
in court.
Abram Pietersz Vosburgh, plaintiff, against Pouwels Lam-
roertsz, defendant, requesting that the defendant be ordered to
serve the plaintiff six consecutive days, commencing on this date.
The magistrates, having heard both parties, condemn the
defendant in the sum of twenty-four guilders, or otherwise, at his
choice and option, to the aforesaid six days' service, to commence
tomorrow.
Steven Jansz, plaintiff, against Willem Hofmeyer. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Claes Wip, defendant. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jan Gou, defendant. Default.
Appeared before this honorable court, Frans Barentsz Pas-
toor, our fellow servant, and declared that he offered himself as
236 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
surety for Pieter Bronck for the benefit of Ca[r]sten and Meyn-
dert, the smiths, for the recovery of eleven and a half beavers,
belonging to them and in the custody of Louris Jansz, he, the
surety, promising to release the said Ca[r]sten and Meyndert
from all damage and claims, binding therefor his person, etc.
Done on the date above written, in the presence of the under-
signed magistrates.
Frans Barentsz Pastoors
[233] Tuesday, August 24 [1655]
Present:
J. de Deckere Sander Leendertsz Frans Barentsz
Rutger Jacobsz Andries Herpertsz Volkert Jansz
According to the notice received from the honorable general
and the honorable supreme council, upon the nomination made
by this honorable court, there were chosen, in the place of the
retiring magistrates, Jan Verbeeck and P^ Hertgers, whose term
has expired, Rutger Jacobsz, Andries Herpertsz and Dirck Jansz
Croon as extraordinary magistrate, of whom the two ordinary
magistrates (Dirck Jansz Croon being away from home, or
absent) , after being summoned by the court, have taken the fol-
lowing oath of fidelity before the commissary:
We, the undersigned, in the capacity of chosen magistrates of
the bench of justice of Fort Orange and Beverwyck, promise and
swear hereby that together with our fellow magistrates we shall
help to administer law and justice between man and man and
according to the best of our knowledge and ability help to main-
tain and execute the same; also in all respects to conduct our-
selves loyally and faithfully toward the honorable States General
of the United Netherlands, the honorable directors and patroons
of this New Netherland province and the honorable general and
council residing in New Amsterdam. So truly help us God
Almighty.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 237
On this date the oath was taken by Rutger Jacobsz and on
the 26th by Andries Herpertsz and they were wished much
success.
And on the 20th of September the oath was taken by Dirck
Jansz Croon.
[234] Johan de Deckere, officer here, ex officio plaintiff,
against Gerrit Slechtenhorst, defendant, to make answer.
The defendant promptly makes answer in writing.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jochim Wesselsz, baker, defendant, to
submit all his evidence in accordance with the promise made on
the last court day, and to desist from introducing further evidence.
Default.
Thursday, August 26, [1655]
Present:
R. Jacobsz S. Leendertsz V. Jansz
Andries Herpertsz Frans Barentsz
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Gertruyt Nanninghs, defendant, about the fine
of 6 guilders because the defendant served liquor on the day of
prayer.
Default. Fine remitted.
Pieter Ryverdingh, messenger, coming before the court,
requests that he may draw and receive the sum of fifty guilders
out of the excise money.
The request being approved, it is decided to give him an order
or the farmer of the excise.
[235] Tuesday. November 23, 1655
Presentibus omnibus
preter R. Jacobsz
Pieter Lokermans demands of Claes Hendrixse restitution of
ten beavers promised by him for a certain lot and consequently
release from the obligation to purchase the same.
238 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
The defendant says that he is not bound to return the beavers,
as it was unnecessary for him to deliver the ground brief to the
plaintiff as soon as the river was open.
The court, having heard the parties, denies the plaintiff his
demand and orders the defendant to fulfil his promise.
A petition is read of Ludovicus Cobes, requesting permission
to keep day and evening school.
The petitioner's request is granted.
Upon the request of Jochim, the baker, presented in the form
of a petition, namely, that the straw roof of the house of Willem
Juriaensz may be condemned and he be ordered, on account of
the danger involved, to cover the same with boards instead, the
petitioner's request is granted and it is furthermore decided that
the aforesaid Willem Juriaensz shall be ordered and urged to
effect the same within eight, or at the longest within fourteen days.
After deliberation it is decided, in default of a sufficient supply
of money, to take out of the excise money the sum of two hun-
dred guilders to be used in this juncture of time for necessary
purposes.
Tuesday, November 30, 1655
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Jochim, the baker, defendant, to present as yet
his evidence and to waive the right to produce further testimony.
The defendant submits his evidence.
The court orders the witnesses to be reexamined.
Idem, plaintiff, against Gerrit Slechtenhorst, defendant, to
proceed with the case. The parties rest and submit no further
evidence, requesting decision and sentence.
The court condemns the defendant to pay a fine of twenty-five
guilders and costs.
The defendant states that he intends to appeal.
[236] Idem, plaintiff, against Jacob Hap, defendant.
He demands that the defendant be fined 300 guilders for
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 239
having now about three weeks ago ventured to injure and wound
the person of Dirk van Hamel severily in the head with a mug.
The defendant admits the charge brought against him by the
plaintiff.
The plaintiff asks that sentence be pronounced.
The court condemns the defendant to pay a fine of thirty
guilders.
Idem, plaintiff, against the same defendant.
He demands that a fine of one hundred guilders be imposed
because the defendant recently threw a knife, wounding his
servant, Isaack Floris in the shoulder.
The defendant says that the act was committed in haste.
The court condemn the defendant to pay a fine of twenty
guilders.
Idem, plaintiff, against the wife of Willem Bout,'^ defendant.
He demands that she be fined six guilders for having last
Sunday served liquor or entertained company during divine serv-
ice, contrary to the ordinance issued against it.
The court condemn the defendant to pay the fine requested.
Volckert Jansz as-ks to have it noted that the aforesaid sentence
was passed contrary to his advice.
Pieter Ryverdingh, plaintiff, against Jan Gou, defendant.
Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Poulus the Noorman.
Default.
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, appears and
declares that he appeals from the above sentence pronounced
against Jacop Hap to the honorable director general and council
of New Netherland, serving notice that he will submit his
grievances and prosecute his appeal there and in such way as
he shall see fit.
[237] Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex
officio plaintiff, against Jannitge Jans, wife of Adriaen Dircksz
Vries, at present a prisoner, defendant.
Geertruyt Nanninghs.
240 Fort Orange and Beverrv^ck
The plaintiff says that it is the truth that the prisoner has not
hesitated on the 26th of September last, being Sunday, to sell
brandy to a certain savage, contrary to the placard and ordinance
issued against it.
He demands therefore, in the name of the supreme authorities
of this province, the honorable director general and council of
New Netherland, that the prisoner shall be brought to the place
where it is customary to execute justice and that she shall there
be publicly exposed at the whipping post and be punished with
the rod; furthermore, that all her property shall be declared
forfeited for the benefit of the officer, that she shall be forever
banished from this country and be condemned to pay the costs
and expenses of the trial.
The court, having heard the confession of the prisoner, admin-
istering justice and preferring leniency to the rigor of justice,
condemn the prisoner to be publicly exhibited at the whipping
post, the rod being suspended above her head ; declare her .prop-
erty, if she has any, forfeited for the benefit of the officer, and
order her, as soon as the river is open, to leave this province for-
ever, on pam of incurring heavier punishment, and condemn her
to pay the costs and expenses of the trial. Thus passed on the
sixth of November in the presence of all the magistrates and pro-
nounced on the first of December following; present, the com-
missary and all the magistrates.
J. DE DeCKERE
1655
Sander Lenrsene
Frans Barentsz Pastoors
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 241
[238] Tuesday, December 7, 1655
Presentibus omnibus
preter Volkert Jansz
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Hendrick Jochimsz, defendant.
He demands a fine of fl. 12:0: because the defendant on
Sunday last, in the fore and after noon, has entertained company,
contrary to the ordinance issued against it.
The court, having heard the parties on both sides, condemn
the defendant to pay the fine asked.
Idem, plaintiff, against Herman Bamboes, defendant.
He demands a fine of fl.6:0, for reasons as above.
The court ut supra.
Appeared in court Jacob Willemsz, baker, and Willem Jansz
Schut, being subpoenaed to testify to the truth, and declared
under solemn oath at the request of Johan de Deckere, commis-
sary and officer here, that it is true that they, in the month of
July last, were present at the house of Tomas Paul, when
Jochim, the baker, and Gerrit Slechtenhorst were fighting and
that they consequently saw that the said Jochem several times
tore at the male organs of the said Slechtenhorst and that he,
Jacob Willemsz, forced said Jochim's hand away from the said
place and that they afterwards heard the said Jochim say that
he would have torn them, meaning the said instrument with its
appendix, from his body, if he had not been prevented therefrom.
So truly may Almighty God help the deponents. Actum ut
supra.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jochem, the baker, defendant, request-
ing sentence, the order of the last court day being complied with.
The court, having heard the arguments and defense on both
sides, having examined the documents respectively submitted and
having taken into consideration all that is to be considered, con-
demn the defendant to pay a fine of one hundred guilders and
costs.
242 Fort Orange and BeverTv\)ck
[239] Appeared in court Tomas Paul, Jacob Willemsz and
Hans Coenraets, and declared at the request as above, by true
words, in the place of an oath, that it is true that on Saturday
last, to the house of the aforesaid Jacob Willemsz came the wife
of Carsten the Noorman, having in her hands two round sugar
cookies and saying, on being asked, that she had obtained or
bought them at the house of Jochim, the baker; also, that some
time thereafter there came out of the house of Jochem, the baker,
a certain savage, carrying an oblong sugar bun, which he said
he had likewise obtained or bought at the house aforesaid. All
of which they offer, if need be and required, to confirm by oath.
Actum ut supra.
Marcelis Jansz, plaintiff, for the attachment of certain house
rent amounting to the sum of about fl. 130:-, in the custody of
Claes Hendrixse, belonging to Jacob Adriaensz, wheelwright,
defendant.
He demands security in the amount of fl. [blank] , for tavern
expenses and beer furnished, etc.
The court decrees the attachment.
J. DE DeCKERE
1656
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
[240] Tuesday, December 14, 1655
Presentihus omnibus
preter V. Jansz
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, plaintiff,
against Claes Hendrixse, defendant, for the fine of H. 1:10:-.
because the defendant eight days ago in the evening, after the
ringing of the bell, was found sitting in the tavern of Herman
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 243
Bamboes, contrary to the ordinance made about this, for which
see.
The court condemn the defendant to pay the fine and costs.
Domine Gedeon Schaets requests in the name of Paulus
Schrick payment by Gerrit Slechtenhorst of the sum of fl. 100:-,
belonging to Femmitge Aelbrechts, for which he offers to give
security.
The court, having heard both parties, orders Gerrit Slechten-
horst to turn over and pay the requested one hundred guilders to
Domine Schaets, under security for their restitution if it should
be found to be proper.
Goossen Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Herman, the brewer,^
defendant. Default.
Dirck Bentsingh, plaintiff, against Michiel Ryckertsz,
defendant.
He demands the restitution of fl. 250:—, received by the
defendant on account of the sale of a certain lot, which the
defendant is now unable to deliver in accordance with the
provisions of the contract.
The court order the defendant to return the requested fl.250:—
to the plaintiff.
Johan de Deckere, ex officio plaintiff, against Jochem, the
baker, defendant, for a fine of fl. 50:-, because the defendant
last Saturday sold to a certain savage a sugar bun, contrary to
the ordinance passed on that subject.
The defendant is willing to pay the fine, provided the charge
be proved.
The plaintiff agrees to prove the same.
[241 ] There appeared in court Domine Gedeon Schaets and
declared that he offered himself as surety and principal for the
restitution of the one hundred guilders which Gerrit Slechtenhorst
has heretofore been ordered to pay for the benefit of P. Schrik,
" Harmen Harmensen Gansevoort?
244 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
promising to release the said Slechtenhorst from all further claims,
binding himself thereto as by law provided.
Gideon Schaets
J. DE Deckere
1656
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
Tuesday, January 18, 1656
Presentlbus omnibus
Jan Hendrixse, plaintiff, against Jan Baptist van Renselaer,
defendant.
He requests compensation for a certain sow run over by the
defendant's horse, valued at the sum of four beavers, or so much
more or less as the magistrates or honest people shall consider
proper.
The court refers the parties to Goosen Gerritsz and Philip
P*"*^. Schuyler, referees.
Tomas Chambers, plaintiff, against Jacob Hap, defendant.
Default.
Roelof Jacobsz, plaintiff, against Maerten, the farmer,
defendant and prisoner.
He demands payment of the sum of 11. 11 :2 :- due for tavern
expenses.
Default.
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer, demands a fine
of sixteen guilders for violation of the ordinance against sleighing.
The court holds the matter under consideration.
[2421 Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex
officio plaintiff, against Willem Teller, defendant.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 243
He demands that the defendant be arbitrarily mulcted for
having fought a week ago last Sunday with Tierk Claesz.
The defendant agrees to compound with the officer. The
officer accepts.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jan van Housen, defendant. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Tierk Claesz, defendant. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jan van Bremen, defendant. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Piet Bont, defendant. Default.
Frans Barentsz, our fellow member of the board, having
shown to us that except at his great discomfort, loss and incon-
venience he is no longer able to attend to and take up the monthly
collection ordered by the Honorable Director General Petrus
Stuyvesant, he requests therefore that with respect to said duties
in connection with his office of deacon he may now be relieved
and that such other person as the court shall deem fit may be
appointed and substituted in his place.
The court, having weighed the reasons of the aforesaid Pas-
toor, order and hereby request the person of Evert Wenael to
take up the aforesaid collection in the stead of the said Frans
Barentsz, together with Willem Tellier, and to allow himself to
be employed therein. Actum ut supra.
J. DE DeCKERE
1656
[243] At the request of Thomas Chambers, he is granted
and ceded a lot for a house, in width, front and rear, ten rods
and eight feet; in length, twelve rods and eleven feet; adjoining
to the north Abram Pietersz Vosburch, to the south Claes
Hendrixse, and to the west the wagon road; therefore, a lot for
two gardens is included herein.
Frans Barentsz Pastoor asks to have a note made in connection
herewith that he does not approve of granting the aforesaid
246 Fort Orange and Beverxv^cJi
request any further than to the third post of the lot and fence of
Abram Vosburch.
J. DE DeCKERE
1656
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Rutger Jacobsz
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
Tuesday, February 1 , 1 656
Preseniibus omnibus
preter S. Leendertsz
Tomas Chambers, plaintiff, against Jacob Hap, defendant.
He requests that the defendant according to his promise made
on the last of December last past before the members of both
the courts, take the oath.
The defendant requests eight days' time in order meanwhile
to gather additional testimony.
Arent Vogel, plaintiff, against Jan van Bremen, defendant.
He demands the sum of fl. 1800:'— as compensation for
damages which the plaintiff suffered through the defendant's
failure to haul logs for him, the plaintiff, according to his promise
and verbal agreement, or at least, to haul as many as the
defendant agreed to and was bound to haul.
The parties agree to get together their evidence.
[244] Pieter Ryverdingh in the capacity of attorney of
Steven Jansz, plaintiff, against Jacob de Looper, defendant.
He demands and requests condemnation in the sum of
fl. 34:1 8, due for tavern expenses according to the book.
The defendant admits the debt and requests that execution
be deferred for three weeks.
The court orders the defendant to pay the fl. 34:18 demanded
and defers the executions according to the request.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 247
Idem, plaintiff in the capacity aforesaid, against Jan Gou.
He demands payment of the sum of fl.35 :4 :- for expenses as
above.
The defendant admits the debt and agrees to pay within the
time of two months.
The court gives judgment for the plaintiff and allows six
weeks delay.
Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Hofmeyer, defendant.
Demands judgment for fl. 20: 16, by balance of accounts, on
account of expenses as above.
The defendant claims that he settled with Mary Goossens and
therefore does not owe as much. He agrees to prove it.
Idem, plaintiff, against Poulus Maertens, defendant.
Default.
The officer demands a fine of sixteen guilders for violation of
the attachment. The court takes the matter under advisement.
Idem, plaintiff, against Abram Pietersz Vosburch, defendant.
Default.
[245] Frans Barentsz Pastoor, plaintiff, against the same
defendant. Default.
Johan de Deckere, ex officio plaintiff, against Tierck Claesen,
defendant.
He demands that the defendant be fined sixteen guilders for
having fought last Sunday with Willem Tellier and killed a goat
of Sander Leendertsz.
The court, having heard the defendant's confession, condemns
him to pay a fine of two and a half beavers.
Idem, plaintiff, against the same defendant, for having been
found last Sunday in the company of the Lutherans, performing
divine service, contrary to the ordinance issued agamst it.
Demands therefore that he be fined fl. 6.
The court, having heard the confession of the defendant, con-
demns him to pay the fine demanded.
Idem, plaintiff, against Hendrick Jochemsz, defendant
248 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
He demands that the defendant be fined six guilders for hav-
ing Sunday a week ago continued to serve liquor during divine
service.
The court, having heard parties on both sides, condemn the
defendant to pay the fine asked.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jan van Bremen, defendant. He
demands that the defendant be fined fl. 300, for having in the
month of May last past wounded the person of Hans Vos with
a carving knife.
The court refer the parties to two referees, one to be chosen
by each.
[246] Idem, plaintiff, against Jochem, the baker, defendant,
to proceed with the case.
The defendant persists in his former statement that he is
satisfied to pay the fine, provided the crime be proved.
1 he plaintiff agrees to do so.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jacob Hap, defendant. He demands
that the defendant be fined fi. 1 00 for having last week scandal-
ously beaten and wounded his wife and thrown firebrands at her,
so that the sparks or embers flew through the partition door into
the plaintiff's residence.
The defendant acknowledges that he beat his wife and drew
blood.
The court are of opinion that the defendant is not punishable
for it as it happened between man and wife.
Idem, plaintiff, against Hendrick Jansz, the cowherd,
defendant.
He demands that the defendant be put in irons and arbitrarily
punished, because the defendant is suspected of having made and
distributed some notorious lampoons, or pasquils.
The defendant admits having composed or helped to compose
a lampoon or little verse, without having, as he says, injured any
one s honor or reputation.
The court order the defendant to be provisionally put in irons
and held for further examination.
Court Minutes, J 652-1 656 249
Jochem, the baker, has promised in court to satisfy the officer
at the latest before Easter in regard to the fine of one hundred
guilders which he was condemned to pay on the 7th of December
1655.
[247] Resolved that on Thursday next every one must bring
in his account as to what is due him on account of wages and
materials furnished for the fort, the block house and its appur-
tenances, as well as to what was contributed by him toward
presents for the Indians and the ransom of prisoners from the
Esopus. Also that on the date aforesaid the building and com-
pletion of the aforesaid block house and the appurtenances
thereof will be publicly let to the lowest bidder.
The commissary and officer, Johan de Deckere, requests that
for so far as he is exercising the duties of secretary here, he may
on that account and for the keeping of the minutes or court pro-
ceedings receive for each part of the work a reasonable salary
and this provisionally.
1 he foregoing request being examined, it is flatly rejected by
Rut Jacobsz and Volckert Jansz and laid aside by the other
members of the court until the arrival of Mr Stuyvesant.
J. Deckere
1656
Sander Lenrse
Frans Barentsz Pastoors
VoLCKART Jansz
RuTGER Jacobsz
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
250 Fori Orange and BeverTV\)ck
Tuesday, February 8, 1656
Presentibus omnibus
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Claes Teunisz. Default.
Maritge Dyckmans, plaintiff, against Abram Pietersz Vos-
burch, defendant, requesting a new writ of execution upon a
judgment of this honorable court dated the 27th of April last.
The court, having heard the defendant, grants the requested
writ of execution and orders the defendant to pay the sum of
fl. 100:- within 14 days, putting off the further execution for
the time of six weeks.
[248] Frans Barentsz Pastoor, plaintiff, against Abraham
Pietersz Vosburch, defendant, demanding payment of the sum
of fl. 214:6:- in beavers for beer delivered, according to balance
of accounts. Also that the defendant be condemned to pay in
addition the sum of fl. 60:- for so much advance [in price] on
thirty beavers not included, for which the plaintiff has been
obliged to accept and receive fl. 243 : 1 6 in seawan, at eight
guilders the beaver, all according to the contract thereof.
The defendant, admitting the aforesaid debt of fl. 214:6:—
says nevertheless that he is not held to pay the same otherwise
than for one third part in beavers, which he agrees to do, claim-
ing that this is sufficient and that in case of refusal and in virtue
of the said offer he is not further or otherwise liable and demand-
ing that all further claims and the fl.60:- demanded [by the
plaintiff] be denied.
The plaintiff persists in his demand. The defendant likewise
in his.
The court, before rendering a decision in the matter, refer
parties to Goossen Gerritsen and Willem Bout, referees.
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, plaintiff,
against Tomas Paul. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Hans Coenraets. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jochem, the baker, to proceed with
the case.
The defendant offers to declare under oath that he did not
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 251
sell any sugar bun to the savage, as stated by the plaintiff, nor
that he has any knowledge that such took place at his house.
The case is dismissed.
[249] Idem, plaintiff, against the same defendant, demand-
ing that the defendant be fined fl. 12:- because a week ago
today a lightweight loaf was found at the defendant's contrary
to the ordinance made with reference thereto.
The court, having heard the defendant, condemn him to pay
the fine demanded.
Idem, plaintiff, against Daniel Ringhout, defendant, on
account of the same offense.
The court fine him as above.
Idem, plaintiff, against Hendrik Jansz, the cowherd, defendant
in detention.
Whereas the defendant, or person in detention, acknowledges
that he wrote and made a lampoon, which being read is found
to be slanderous and defamatory, the plaintiff persists in his
conclusion or else demands that the defendant be condemned to
pay a pecuniary fine.
The court condemn the defendant to pay a fine or penalty of
20 guilders and in addition 6 guilders for jailer's fee and other
expenses.
Idem, plaintiff, having attached certain house rent and a house
standing here in the fort, belonging to Aelbert, the Noorman, in
regard to which the defendant ^^ makes complaint.
He concludes that the attachment, as being duly and lawfully
made, shall hold good until the termination of the case. Further-
more, that the defendant shall be condemned to pay first a sum
of fifteen times six guilders and in addition a sum of twenty-five
guilders, all because the defendant on Sunday a week ago
together with fifteen other persons were found holding separate
■'^ Overgedaechde, meaning a defendant who is summoned to appear
before a court other than that to whose jurisdiction he would ordinarily
be subject. In this case, Albert Andriessen Bradt, the Noorman, being
a tenant of the patroon, apparently claimed that the court of Beverwyck
had no jurisdiction over him.
252 Fort Orange and Bevertvy^ck
divine service at the house of Willem Juriaensz, contrary to the
ordinance passed against it.
Default w^ith decree granting the attachment.
[250] Tomas Chambers, plaintiff, against Jacob Jansz Stol,
defendant, to make oath as requested.
The defendant, having taken the requested oath, declares
that he and Johanna de Hulter, in regard to the expense of hav-
ing their grain thrashed at the Esopus, had agreed with the afore-
said Chambers on the following conditions, namely, that as soon
as each of the three received his or her grain, or the same was
thrashed, each party was to pay his own expenses, but that
nothing was said or agreed upon as to each of them bearing,
share and share alike, the total expense of thrashing the grain,
except that it was agreed upon that the cost of shipping would
be borne and paid by each in proportion to the quantity of his
grain. So help him God.
Interrogatories upon which, at the request of
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here,
is to be heard and examined Lambert van Valcken-
burch, sergeant of the burgher company, being sum-
moned by the court to give testimony to the truth.
Whether he, the witness, Answer, Yes.
yesterday, a week ago, in the
evening, was not molested on
the public highway because he,
as sergeant, by order of his
captain, wanted to take one
Willem Hap to the guard
house?
Who the aforesaid persons Declares that he saw but
were and how many there one person, without knowing
were of them? who he was or being acquainted
with him, only, that he heard
that it must have been a certain
tailor, the brother-in-law of
Dirk Bentsingh.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 253
Whether he, or they, did Declares that the aforesaid
not come for him with bare person did as stated in the
knives, intending to attack him, question,
in order to wrest the said Hap
from his hands?
Who else were present there. Declares that of the persons
what else happened in connec- who were present he does not
tion with the said molestation know a single one and that he
and how the same ended? took the said Hap to the guard
house.
Thus done and declared on the date above written,
Preseniibus ui supra.
J. DE DeCKERE
1656
Sander Lenrsen
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
VOLCKART JaNSZ
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
Tuesday, February 15, 1656
Presentihus omnibus
MarceHs Jansz, plaintiff, against Daniel Ringhout, defendant,
about payment of fl. 19: 4:- for the excise on three half aams
of brandy on account of tapsters' excise.
The court, having heard the parties, denies the plaintiff's
demand.
1252] Frans Barentsen Pastoor, plaintiff, against Abram
Pietersen Vosburch, defendant.
Default.
Tierck Claesz, plaintiff, against Tomas Paul, defendant.
The court, having heard the parties, refers them to Jan
Tomasz and Cornehs Teunisz Bos, to reconcile parties if
possible.
254 Fori Orange and Beverrvyck
Jacob Jansz Schermerhoorn, having order and power of
attorney from Cornelis Boon, residing at Dordrecht in Holland,
and in that capacity plaintiff against Jacob Loserik, defendant,
about payment of the sum of fl. 1065:6:-, in satisfaction of the
second payment on the house bought of the said Boon by the
defendant in the month of July of last year, 1^55.
The defendant requests delay to recover the amount from
Steven Jansz.
Granted by the court.
Jacob Loserik, plaintiff, against Steven Jansz, defendant.
Default.
Sander Leendertsz, plaintiff, against Tierk Claesz, defendant,
about payment of fl. 25 :- in compensation for a goat killed by
the defendant.
The court refers the parties to Jan Verbeecq and Jan Tomasz,
referees.
[253] Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex
officio plaintiff, against Hendrik Jansz, cowherd, defendant,
demanding that the defendant be fined fl. 100 for having this
day a week ago drawn a knife on the person of Jacob Loserik.
The defendant admits having drawn a knife, but [says] that
he wounded no one.
The plaintiff demands sentence as above.
The court takes the matter under advisement.
Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Hap, defendant. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jacob Loserik, defendant, demanding
that he be fined three hundred guilders for having this day a
week ago attempted to hurt the person of Hendrik Jansz, cow-
herd, with a knife, in such a way that the stab made two holes
and broke the knife, which was left in the coat of the aforesaid
Hendrik Jansz, and that furthermore he threw him backwards
into the water.
The defendant denies the deed but requests nevertheless a
copy of the plaintiff's charge.
The plaintiff agrees.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 255
Idem, plaintiff, against Aelbert, the Noorman, defendant,^
to have the second default entered against him.
The plaintiff, in view of the defendant's failure to appear,
requests the second default.
The court grants the request.
[254] Rut Jacobsz, our fellow^ member of the court, having
requested permission to make or suspend a water wheel for a
small mill in the kill behind his dwelling house, his request is
granted.
Volckert Jansz and Jan Tomasz, representing also Pieter
Hertgers, having requested that the five or six feet of ground of
the public road included within the inclosure of the lot on which
their brewery stands, which have been provisionally granted to
them by Commissary Johan de Deckere and Rutger Jacobsz,
may be confirmed [to them] by the court as a body, their request
is unanimously granted until further order to the contrary.
Upon the remonstrance and petition of Jochem, the baker,
that the resolution heretofore passed in condemnation of the
thatched roof of Willem Juriaensz and the order given for its
removal may be executed, it is upon further examination of the
matter and in consideration of the lack of means of the aforesaid
Willem Juriaensz decided to delegate the Hon. Commissary
Johan de Deckere, together with Frans Barentsz Pastoor and
Dirk Jansz Croon, magistrates, to persuade and request the
neighbors of the aforesaid Willem Juriaensz to make a voluntary
loan and contribution in money, as much as each one is pleased
to give, to replace the condemned thatched roof by one of
boards, in order thereby, as far as possible, to prevent all danger
of fire. The persons who contribute any money shall as security
for the restitution thereof have a mortgage on the house or its
improvement, the contributors after the death of the said Willem
Juriaensz to be reimbursed from time to time out of the house
rent in proportion to their respective contribution and in case the
^* Albert Andriessen Bradt.
256 Fort Orange and Beveru>})cJ(
present owner of the lot of the aforesaid house, or the person
who may acquire his title, [255] should wish to tear down the
said house after the death of the aforesaid Willem Juriaensz, he
shall be holden to reimburse them as aforesaid.
The aforesaid proposition having been made by the said dele-
gates to the aforesaid persons, they have promised to contribute
to the aforesaid purpose as follows:
Jochem, the baker, has promised to furnish thirteen boards and
the roof timbers
Sander Leendertsz, 12 boards and eight guilders' worth of nails
Rutger Jacobs, 5 boards
Andries Herpertsz, 8 boards
Jacob, the baker, 10 guilders
Jan van Housen, 25 boards
Jan Tomasz, privately, 12 boards
The same, jointly with Volckert Jansz and Pieter Hertgers, 15
guilders
The deacons [blank]
For the restitution of all of which aforesaid moneys the com-
missary and magistrates, by virtue of their authority, bind and
mortgage the aforesaid house and the improvements thereof for
the benefit of the aforesaid persons.
The three ordinances sent by the Hon. General and the
Supreme Council of New Netherland to the Commissary and
the magistrates and received by them on the 9th of this current
month of February, being read and examined, it is decided to
publish two of them relating to the combination and concentra-
tion of the separate dwellings and the farming of the fur trade.
The third, relating to the excise, or the payment of the 20lh
penny on slaughtered cattle, hogs, sheep and goats, it is for
pregnant reasons considered inadvisable to publish or post, it
being apparent that at this juncture of time and on account of
the excessive expense [256] to which the community is put in
repairing the fort, the block house and other works thereabout.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656
257
and in ransoming the prisoners, it would only cause complaint,
opposition and friction, which at the first opportunity when the
river is open will be submitted and brought to the attention of
the aforesaid Hon. General and Supreme Council.
Interrogatories on which at the request of Johan
de Deckere, commissary and officer here, Jan Gou
and Willem Berck are to heard and examined
under oath, they being legally summoned to give
testimony to the truth.
First, whether they, the wit- They declare in conformity
nesses, on Tuesday last were
not at the house and tavern of
Baefge Pieters, and whether
there were not also present
Jacob Loserik and Hendrik
Jansz, cow herd?
Whether some dispute did
[with the question].
They declare. Yes, and that
Loserik and Hendrik Jansz
and about what?
not arise between the aforesaid the dispute arose because he,
Hendrik, touched the said
Loserik's body, at least that
they saw no other cause or
reason.
They declare that the said
Loserik first went out of the
door and was immediately fol-
Also, whether the aforesaid
quarreling persons did not draw
their knives and attempted to
hurt or wound each other and lowed by the said Hendrik;
v/hether the said Hendrik
Jansz in the course of the fight
did not receive a cut in his
thumb and afterwards a stab
in his coat, in such a way that
the knife of the said Loserik
broke into pieces?
that they both drew their
knives and that the said Lose-
rik thrusting at his opponent
struck his leather coat and that
the knife broke into pieces, but
that they do not know how, nor
in what way, the said Hendrik
received the cut in his thumb.
258 Fort Orange and Beverxi^^ck
[257] Finally, what else They declare that the said
they have to testify in regard Loserik, on delivering the
to this? thrust, ran up to the said Hend-
rick and pushed him back-
vs^ards into the v^^ater.
Thus declared and deposed on the date above written.
J. DE DeCKERE
1656
Sander Lenrsen
Frans Barentsen Pastoor
VOLCKART JaNSZ
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
Tuesday, February 22, 1656
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Willem Jansz Stoll, defendant, about the fine of
one hundred guilders, because the defendant yesterday three
weeks ago, being the last of January, drew a knife on the ser-
geant of the burgher guard.
The defendant says that he has no knowledge of his drawing
the knife.
The plaintiff agrees to prove the same.
Idem, plaintiff, against Aelbert Andriesz, defendant, to
answer the complaint and conclusion brought against the defend-
ant on the 8th of this month.
The defendant admits the substance of the complaint and
offers to pay twenty-five guilders, but refuses the further
demands.
The plaintiff refuses the offer and persists in his complaint and
conclusion.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 259
The court having heard the defendant and his plea and exam-
ined the ordinance, condemn the defendant to pay the demanded
fme [258] of fl.1 15:--, declaring the attached house and house
rent subject to execution as security for the fine.
Volckert Jansz has a note made of the fact that he does not
concern himself with the aforesaid case or sentence.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jacob Loserik, defendant.
The plaintiff persists in his demand by way of replication.
The defendant agrees to secure evidence.
Jacob Loserik, plaintiff, against Steven Jansz, defendant in
regard to security.
He demands that the defendant be ordered to guarantee him
against all loss and damage and release him from all costs which
may result from the suit brought against him, the plaintiff, on
the last court day by Jacob Jansz Schermerhoorn.
The defendant requests an adjournment of eight days or until
the river is open.
Granted by the court.
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Claes Teunisz, defendant,
requesting execution of a certain judgment in the sum of fl.201 :—
given by the court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, declining
settlement.
The court grants the desired execution, but at the defendant's
request nevertheless suspends the same for six weeks.
[259] Pieter Ryverdingh, plaintiff, against Jacob Adriaensz,
wheelwright, defendant.
Default
J. DE DeckerE
1656
Sander Lenrsen
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
260 Fort Orange and Beveriv^ck
Tuesday, March 14, 1656
Presentibus:
J. de Decker Andries Herp'sz
Rutger Jacobs V. Jansz
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, plaintiff,
against Claes Jansz, defendant, about the fine of fl.6:- because
the defendant on Sunday two weeks ago was found sitting in
the tavern of Herman Bamboes, drinking.
Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Frans Pietersz for the same cause.
The court condemn the defendant to pay a fine of fl.3 :- and
12 stivers for costs.
Idem, plaintiff, against Poulus Lambertsz, defendant, as
above. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Claes Ribse, defendant. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Hendrik Jansz, cow herd, defendant,
asking that the court give its opinion.
The court condemn the defendant to pay a fine of fl.20:- to
the officer and ten guilders for the bench.
The plaintiff protests against the above sentence as far as the
ten guilders are concerned.
[260] Idem, plaintiff, against the wife of Jan with the beard.
Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Annitge Lamberts. Default.
Jacob Jansz Flodder, plaintiff, against Margariet Slechten-
horst, to show cause why the defendant caused plaintiff's tiles
to be attached, or else, to have the attachment vacated.
Default.
J. DE Deckere
1656
Sander Lenrsen
Frans Barentsz Pastoors
Rutger Jacobsz
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 261
Tuesday, April 4. 1656
Presentlbus:
J. de Deckere F. Barentsz A. Herpertsz
S. Leenderts R. Jacobsz V. Jansz
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, plaintiff,
against Baefgie Pieters, because the defendant last Sunday a
week ago treated him, the plaintiff, very badly and by closing
her door interfered with and impeded him in the exercise of his
office, wherefore the plaintiff demands that the defendant be con-
demned to pay a fine of fifty guilders for the benefit of the poor
and that in addition she be enjoined from exercising her trade
for the space of six weeks and [condemned to pay] the costs.
The court, having heard the defendant, condemned her to
pay a fine of fl.25 :- within twenty-four hours.
Idem, plaintiff, against Poulus Lambertsz, defendant, about
the fine of fl.6:— because on Sunday February 21 he was found
during divine service in the tavern of Herman Bamboes.
The court having heard the confession of the defendant con-
demn him to pay a fine of fl.3:12:—
Idem, plaintiff, against Claes Jansz, as above.
The defendant agrees to pay fl.3 :—
[261 ] Idem, plaintiff, against Jan Maertens, alias Wever.
Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Herman Bamboes. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Jansz Stoll. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Annetge Lamberts, about the fine of
fl. 12:— because the defendant has spoken and acted very badly
toward him, the plaintiff.
The court, having heard the defendant, condemn her to pay
a penalty or fine of fl.4:4:-
Idem, plaintiff, against Jacob Loserik. Default
Idem, plaintiff, against Piet Bout, defendant
262 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
The plaintiff says that it is the truth that the defendant last
Saturday a week ago at the house of Herman Bamboes com-
mitted great insolence, disturbance and violence, drew his knife
and challenged and dared every one, especially the aforesaid
Bamboes, to thrust and cut in such a way that the said Bamboes
was forced to complain about it to him, the plaintiff, as officer,
wherefore the plaintiff demands that the defendant be condemned
to pay a fine of two hundred guilders.
The defendant says that he was pestered and teased by every
one and requests to have a copy of the complaint.
The plaintiff accepts the aforesaid confession in his favor, but
grants nevertheless the requested copy.
P^ Colebrantsz, plaintiff, against Moj; Aeltgie.^" Default.
[262] There appeared in court Cornelis Barentsz Slecht,
hereby certifying at the request of Joffrou Johanna de Hulter,
widow of the late Johan de Hulter, that it is true that he, the
appearer, during the late troubles with the savages on the part
of the aforesaid Joffrou has delivered on account and for the
behoof of Tomas Chambers, first, 1 50 lb. of butter, five schepels
of flour and four traces. Also that with one Pieter Bruynen,
also a servant of the said Joffrou, he has attended and served
at the house of the aforesaid Chambers, as is confirmed and
corroborated by the aforesaid Bruynen, also appearing here, and
that he served in the capacity of a cook at the house aforesaid.
May God Almighty help him, the appearer. Done on the date
above written.
Sander Lenrsen
Frans Barentsen Pastoors
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
'' Fair Alida.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 263
Tuesday, April 18. 1656
Presentibus omnibus
preier A. Herpertsz
We, the undersigned, declare hereby that we offer ourselves
as sureties and principal debtors for the payment of such sums
of money as have been agreed to by the honorable court of this
fort for the building of the block-house church and the wages
thereof, binding ourselves therefor according to law. Done as
above,
Herman Bastiaensz, plaintiff, against Claes Jacobsz, defend-
ant, about payment of wages earned.
The court, having heard the parties, refer them to Stoffel
Jansz and Claes Jansz, referees.
A petition being read of the bakers, requesting permission to
charge and receive 18 stivers for an ordinary wheaten loaf of
eight pounds and live stivers for a white loaf of one pound, their
second request is granted.
[263] There appeared Pieter Hertgers and CorneHs Teunisz
Bos, who declared that they offered themselves as sureties for
the performance and fulfilment of all the conditions on which
Stoffel Jansz and Jan Roelofsz, in accordance with the specifica-
tions and by public bid have agreed to build the block-house
church, binding themselves thereto according to law. Done as
above.
We, the undersigned, hereby declare that we offer ourselves
as sureties and principal debtors for the payment of such sums
of money as the honorable court have promised to Stoffel Jansz
and Jan Roelofsz for building the block-house church and the
wages thereof, binding ourselves thereto as by law provided.
Done as above.
Sander Lenrsen
Jan Verbeecq, Jan Tomasz, Jochem FCeteluyn, Auckes
Bruynsen and Arien Jansz from Leyden are ordered to build on
their vacant lots within one month, or at least to put them in
264 Fort Orange and Bevertv})ck
such shape that the work can to all appearances not be stopped
but must necessarily proceed, on pain of being deprived of their
lots which shall be placed at the disposal of the court, to which
end an inspection will then be made. All this without prejudice
to the rights already acquired or to be acquired by the officer.
It is furthermore decided that all those who this day have not
registered their lots in conformity with the order brought to
every one's knowledge by the notices that have been posted, shall
be and remain deprived and divested of the same. Done as
above.
Tjerck Claesz requests permission to have the lot of Jacob
Jansz Flodder. Granted.
[264] We, the undersigned, promise hereby, each in his own
capacity, that we shall indemnify and hold the aforesaid sureties,
Sander Leendertsz and Philip P"^. Schuyler harmless in regard
to all costs and damages resulting from their surety bond inserted
above. Therefore we submit ourselves as counter sureties, bind-
ing therefor our properties and those of our inhabitants, none
excepted, submitting the same to the control of all courts and
judges. Done as above.
J. DE DeCKERE
1656
Frans Barentsz Pastoors
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
Extraordinary Session, Wednesday, April 19, 1656
Presentibus omnibus
P'. Hertgers, Jan Tomasz and Volckert Jansz, plaintiffs and
parties arresting, against Herman Bamboes, defendant and per-
son arrested.
They demand that the arrest, etc. and furthermore that the
defendant be condemned to pay the sum of fl.l408:-, one-third
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 265
part to be paid in beavers or grain, on account of the delivery
of beer, according to the tally kept thereof, declining settlement.
The defendant admits the debt, except what he paid on it,
and requests that payment of the balance may be delayed until
the coming month of June, offering meanwhile to leave as a
pledge and deliver into the hands of the plaintiffs the sum of one
thousand guilders, upon condition that if he, the defendant, does
not make any payment before that time, they, the plaintiffs, shall
be at liberty to satisfy themselves out of the aforesaid money
and that in case he make payment meanwhile, they, the plain-
tiffs, shall be bound to deliver to him, the defendant, one hundred
beavers in lieu of the aforesaid one thousand guilders.
1265] The plaintiffs accept the offer as it stands, provided
that the thousand guilders be this day delivered into their hands.
The court accordingly condemn the defendant to pay the sum
demanded, provided that he may deduct therefrom what he shall
prove having paid thereon. Furthermore, they order him to
deliver this day the thousand guilders offered by him into the
hands of the plaintiffs, under the conditions specified and afore-
mentioned, and condemn him to pay one-half of the costs of
this court. Actum ut supra.
J. DE DeCKERE
1656
Sander Lenrsen
Frans Barentsz Pastoors
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
DiRCK Jansen Croon
266 Fort Orange and Beverrv^ck
Tuesday, April 25, 1656
Presentihus omnibus
preter V. Jansz
Johan de Deckere, ex officio plaintiff, against Juriaen, the
glazier. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Tellier, defendant.
The plaintiff says and it is the truth that the defendant in
the week before Easter did not hesitate to close and fence off
at both ends with boards and palisades a certain common or pub-
lic road, alley, or foot path, situated opposite the house of Abram
Pietersz Vosburch, going to the river, whereby the same was
made useless, notwithstanding the fact that the defendant,
through the court messenger was forbidden and prohibited from
doing so by the said Vosburch, as the party most directly con-
cerned. Also that upon inspection by this honorable court and
survey made by the surveyor it was found that the aforesaid
defendant had inclosed within the fence of his garden about four
and a half feet of ground of the aforesaid foot path or public
road from the wagon road to the river and consequently lessened
its width [266] aside from the fact that the defendant has
encroached at least a foot or two along the public road outside
of the old palisades and thereby narrowed the public wagon
road. All of which being seen and considered by this honorable
court and the ground brief of the defendant's garden being also
examined, it clearly appeared therefrom that the defendant had
unjustly taken possession of the aforesaid four feet and a half of
land as well as the one or two feet of ground and added them
to his garden in bad faith. The surveyor being thereupon, with
the advise and consent of the magistrates who were present,
ordered by the plaintiff to saw off and tear down the fence or
boards at the end of the defendant's garden, according to the
tenor of the ground brief, the defendant began to address and
assail not only the plaintiff but also the magistrates in very
angry, abusive and threatening terms, saying in particular that
it would end in killing, putting himself with an angry face not
only in a posture of defense, but actually becoming agressive.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 267
trying either to break the saw or by force or violence to wrest
it from the hands of the surveyor and thereby as much as was
in his power to prevent the carrying out of the order and com-
mand given to the surveyor, and openly notifying the court that
force and violence were used agamst him by the said sawing
and that he vv^ould complain thereof. To this must be added
that the defendant some time ago has not hesitated to state even
in court that the building of the block-house, or certain pro-
ceedings by the court concerning it, would cry to Heaven for
vengeance; all of which things were spewed out, spoken, or
attested in the face of the court, or in the face or presence of
the plaintiff and the magistrates while they were exercising their
functions and therefore representing the supreme authorities of
this province, and consequently in the highest degree injurious,
intolerable and of evil consequence. The plaintiff, in the capac-
ity above mentioned, demands therefore [2671 that the
defendant shall immediately and without the formality of a
regular trial, as in this matter there is no need of any evidence
or testimony and no further investigation is required, be con-
demned to pay a fine of fl.600:—
The defendant gave for answer that he did not care anything
about the aforesaid matter and thereupon left immediately.
The plaintiff persists in his complaint and demand.
The defendant having again come into court has openly
accused and told the president, Johan de Deckere, that he had
forcibly deprived him of the aforesaid foot path or alley and
given it to another person.
The president protests against this slanderous charge and
demands honorable and profitable reparation, intending other-
wise to bring suit and to prosecute it where and in such way as
he shall see fit.
The court order the officer to furnish the defendant with a
copy of the aforesaid complaint.
Fop Jansz, carpenter, plaintiff, against Rutger Jacobsz,
defendant, about payment of the sum of fl.42:- for ten a half
days' wages at J/2 beaver a day.
268 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
The court, having heard the parties, condemn the defendant
to pay the sum of fl.42:—
Rutger Jacobs, Goossen Gerritsz and Teunis Dirxse,
appointed by order of the court curators of the estate and prop-
erty of the late Rut Arentsz, and in that capacity plaintiffs
against Johannes Dyckman, in charge of the administration of
the effects, moneys and income of the said estate, defendant,
about payment of the sum of fl.261 :4:— which he, Dyckman,
according to his own statement and account spent less than he
received.
The wife of the aforesaid Dyckman, appearing for him on
account of his disability, says that she has no knowledge of the
matter or of the money and therefore can not make answer.
[268] The plaintiffs persist in their demand.
The court having examined the list or account in the afore-
said Dyckman's own handwriting, from which it appears that
there was a balance of fl. 261 :4:- left, condemn him to pay the
sum demanded.
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Jacob Loserik, defendant, to have him present
his evidence and to have sentence pronounced.
The court taking the matter under advisement, meanwhile
refer the parties to referees, each party to choose one.
Frans Barents Pastoor, having power of attorney from Mar-
cehs Jansz, excise master, plaintiff, against Jacob Loserik, former
farmer of the excise, defendant, about payment of the sum of
fl. 1 83 :- on account of some remnants of wine, beer and brandy
which at the expiration of the defendant's term of service were
found in the cellars or houses of the tapsters according to the
gager's certificates.
The court, having heard the parties, holds the matter under
advisement.
Teunis Slingerlant is at his request granted a garden.
J. DE Deckere
1656
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 269
[269] Extraordinary Session, Monday, May 1, 1656
In the place of the retiring magistrates, Sander Leendertsz,
Frans Barentsz Pastoor and Volckert Jansz, according to the
copy of the resolution of the Hon. Director General and Coun-
cil of New Netherland, Jacob Schermerhoorn and Philip P".
Schuyler, of the double number nominated, have been chosen and
confirmed as ordinary magistrates and Goossen Gerritsz as extra-
ordinary magistrate, who, being summoned by the court, have
taken the following oath of fidelity before the commissary, except
Goosen Gerritsz, who with various excuses, such as they were,
declined to do so.
We, the undersigned, being chosen magistrates of the bench
of justice of Fort Orange and Beverwyck, promise and swear
in the presence of God Almighty and our fellow members, that
we shall help to do true equity and justice between man and
man and furthermore cause to execute and help to promote all
matters relating to justice or administration according to the best
of our knowledge, and in all respects conduct ourselves loyally
and faithfully toward the Lords States General of the United
Netherlands, the Honorable Directors of the Chartered West
India Company and the Hon. Director General and Council
of New Netherland, with the further promise that we shall help
to maintain here the Reformed Religion according to God 3
Word and the regulations of the Synod of Dordrecht and not
publicly tolerate any sect. So help us God Almighty.
After having been congratulated the aforesaid Schermerhoorn
and Philip Pf^ have this day taken their seats.
[270] The retiring magistrates are released from their oath
and thanked for their faithful services and the performance of
their official duties, with promise that with respect to their honor-
arium of fl.150:- a year, their claims will when the time is con-
venient and the treasury supplied with funds be taken into con-
sideration together with those of the present and future
magistrates and be paid.
270 Fort Orange and Beverrvyck
After deliberation it is decided and concluded that the mag-
istrates who retire at the end of each year shall for the space of
one year after the expiration of their term of office be exempt
and relieved from attending the usual burgher watch, but that
nevertheless, in case of need and when commanded, they shall
be bound and liable to take part in all extraordinary rounds
and do guard duty the same as other burghers. This resolution
will be communicated and made known to the military council
in order that they may hereafter govern and regulate themselves
accordingly. Actum ut supra.
On the second of May Goossen Gerritsz has taken the afore-
said oath of fidelity before the Commissary.
The above resolution, providing that the retiring magistrates,
both the ordinary and extraordinary ones, shall for the space of
one year be free and exempt from the usual rounds and guard
duty (except under pregnant circumstances when the public wel-
fare and need require it), is confirmed and approved by us, so
that the captain and lieutenant and the lower officers of the
burgher company are hereby ordered to let them enjoy this
exemption. Given over our own and usual signature, this day,
the 8th of November 1656.
P. Stuyvesant
[271] Tuesday, May 2, 1656
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plamtiff, against Jacob Loserik, defendant, requesting a decision.
The court, having heard the parties on both sides and having
examined the evidence submitted by them, condemn the defend-
ant to pay a fine of seven and a half beavers, to be paid within
twenty- four hours.
" The following lines are in the handwriting of Peter Stuyvesant.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1656
271
Interrogatories on which at the request of Johan
de Deckere, commissary and officer here, made ex
officio, is to be heard and examined Juriaen Jansz,
glazier, being summoned by the court to give testi-
mony to the truth.
Declares, Yes.
Whether he, the witness, on
the 25th of March last was
not at the house or tavern of
Herman Bamboes and whether
there was not also present
there one Piet Bont, who
sought to make trouble and to
revive an old dispute with him,
the said P'. Bont saying: " It
cost me once nine beavers and
I shall not stop even if it
should cost me ten beavers
more?"
Who else were present
there?
Declares that among others
Hendrik Jansz, the cowherd,
Jan Roelofsz and Jacob
Loserik were present there.
Declares, Yes.
Declares, Yes, but as to the
questions in regard to Roe-
lofsz, he did not see what took
Whether he, Piet Bont, did
not draw a knife and wanted
to cut him, the witness, with it?
Fourth, whetlier he, the wit-
ness, when the said P'. Bont
tried to hurt him and was stab-
bing at him, did not draw back place but heard about it
and retreat to the back room
and whether Jan Roelofsz
thereupon did not say to said
Bont: "You act like a
rascal." Also whether he,
P^ Bont, then did not try to
272 Fort Orange and Beverrv^c^
attack the said Jan Roelofsz
and if the said Jan Roelofsz,
picking up a wood ax and
hacking in the direction of
P'. Bent's body, did not strike
the door post?
There appeared Herman Bamboes, who after the above ques-
tions had been read to them, declared that he agreed with the
statements made therein and that they were in all respects in
accordance with the truth.
Thus done and declared on the date above written.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jan Roelofsz, defendant. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Hendrik Jansz, cowherd, defendant.
Default.
Frans Barentsz Pastoor, plaintiff, against Jacob Loserik,
defendant, to request that judgment be pronounced.
The court refers the parties to referees, one to be chosen by
each party.
Barent Aelbertsz is granted a garden behind the fort, marked
No. 16, in with 4 rods, in length 8 rods.
Jan van Housen, appearing before the court, requests a lot on
the hill to build thereon a house.
After deliberation his request is granted and a lot shall be
assigned to him, for which he is to pay to the court, for the bene-
fit of the public, the sum of sixty guilders.
[273] Tuesday, May 30, 1656
Johan de Deckere, ex officio plaintiff, against Jan, the weaver,
defendant. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Tellier, defendant, requesting
sentence.
The defendant requests that the plaintiff be ordered to sign
the complaint which he caused to be delivered to him.
Court ^nnutes, 1 652-1 656 273
The plaintiff, declining the aforesaid request as being irrele-
vant and impertinent, again requests that sentence be pro-
nounced, the more so as he can produce no other witnesses than
the members of the court themselves and the case therefore is
not of a nature to follo^v the ordinary course of proceedings,
much less to be held up and kept pending by reason of the afore-
said frivolous request.
The court order the defendant to present all his evidence (if
he thmks he has any) on the next court day. m order that the
court may then make such disposition in the matter as it shall
judge proper; in default whereof judgment shall be rendered
de piano.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jan Roelofsz. detendant. Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against \\ illem Telier. in a case of atrocious
slander.
The plaintiff says and it is the truth that the defendant has
not hesitated on Tuesday, the 23th of April last, to cast in his
teeth in open court the ver>- villainous, hateful and slanderous
accusation that he had forcibly deprived him. the defendant, of
and given to another person a certain alley or foot path, ^\■hich
the court in the week before Easter in accordance with the
description in the defendant's o\vn ground brief had decided not
to belong to him, but to be a com.mon alley or foot path; which
is [274] so wide of the truth that he, the plaintiff, turning the
aforesaid accusation around, can in accordance \\'ith the afore-
said decision of the court state on good authority that on the con-
trary he. the defendant, in contempt and disobedience of his
lawful superiors has in the most unjust, violent and forcible ^vay
tried to possess himself of the said foot path and in bad faith
to fence off and use the same, in regard to which he. the plain-
tiff, has instituted a special action in this honorable court. The
plaintiff, therefore, considering himself in the highest degree
injured, affronted and \vounded in his honor, reputation and office
by the aforesaid false and impudent libel, slander and accusa-
tion, and being consequently forced for the sake of reparation to
resort to and make use of the means and ways of justice;
274 Fort Orange and BeverivycJ^
Demands that the defendant shall be condemned to make
honorable and pecuniary reparation for the aforesaid villainous
and false slander, namely, honorable reparation by appearing in
court and there bareheaded and with folded hands and on
bended knees praying God, the court and the plaintiff, if he
desires to be present, for forgiveness, confessing that he has
unjustly and contrary to the truth made the aforesaid accusation
and that he knows nothing of the plaintiff but what is honorable
and virtuous and that he has in the aforesaid particular exer-
cised his functions correctly and therefore that he is heartily sorry
about it all, but promises never to do the like again; pecuniary
reparation, by paying to the plaintiff, to be distributed by him
among the poor, the sum of six hundred guilders, he, the plain-
tiff, being satisfied to declare under solemn oath that he would
not care to suffer the said or similar insult again for the afore-
said or any larger amount, [275] demanding costs or other
[penalty].
The defendant persists in his previous statement.
The plaintiff asks that sentence be pronounced.
The court [decides] as in the other case preceding this.
Jacob, the baker, plaintiff, having attached certain eighteen
beavers belonging to Jan Gou, and at present in the custody of
Jochem, the baker, defendant,
He demands that the attachment [be sustained] and further-
more that judgment be given in the sum of fl.48:- for the recov-
ery of money loaned.
Default and attachment sustained.
Goossen Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Abram P"^". Vosburch,
defendant. Default.
Arien Symonsz, plaintiff, against Herman Bamboes, defend-
ant, about the payment of 50 beavers, being the balance of a
larger sum due for the purchase of certain wines and other goods,
accordmg to the account thereof, the plaintiff being ready, upon
the payment aforesaid, to restore to the defendant the seawan
that was left with him as security.
Court Minutes, f 652-1 656 275
The court, having heard the confession of the defendant, give
judgment for the number of beavers demanded.
Herman Bamboes, plaintiff, against Margriet Clabborts,
defendant, about payment of the sum of fl. 82 : 1 7 :- for beer
and other [liquors] fetched [at his tavern], according to the
account thereof.
The court, having heard the parties on both sides and also
the solemn declaration of the plaintiff, give judgment against the
defendant for the sum of fl. 71 :17:—
[276] Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Hofmeyer, defendant.
Default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Carsten, the Noorman, defendant,
about payment of the sum of fl. 11:19:—
The defendant admits the debt and requests a delay of four
weeks.
The court consequently gives judgment, granting the delay
requested.
Idem, plaintiff, against Daniel Ringhout, defendant. Default.
P^ Ruyverdingh, plaintiff, against Jan de Cuyper. Default.
Jan Peeck, plaintiff, against Maria Dyckmans, for the pay-
ment of fl. 1627:— on account of the purchase of certain two
houses standing here in the fort, with a garden thereto belong-
ing, bid on and bought by the defendant's husband at public
auction, declining settlement. Otherwise, the plaintiff asks per-
mission again to take possession of the aforesaid two houses and
to offer and sell the same at public auction to the loss or benefit
of the aforesaid [defendant's] husband and his sureties.
The court, having heard the parties on both sides, grants the
plaintiff permission to take possession of the aforesaid two houses
and garden and to sell them at public auction to the loss or
benefit of the aforesaid Dyckman and his sureties.
Jacob Loosdrecht, plaintiff, against Steven Jansz. Default.
[277] Cornelis Teunisz Bos, having power of attorney from
Jacob Adriaensz, plaintiff, against Cornelis Segersz, defendant.
276 Fort Orange and Bevern>^ck
for the sum of fl. 537:— by balance of account of the purchase
of a certain house.
The defendant admits the debt and requests delay until fall.
The court orders the defendant to pay the sum demanded,
delaying execution for the space of six weeks.
P^ Bronck, plaintiff, having attached a certain sum of money
in tTie custody of Frans Barentsz, belonging to Jan van Bremen,
defendant.
The wife of the defendant asks for adjournment until her
husband's return.
Upon the petition of a number of burghers and inhabitants of
Beverwyck, praying that the corral or palisades in front of their
houses may be removed, the following marginal note is entered:
The court, having taken the petitioners' or remonstrants'
request into consideration, [favors it] to the extent [of
promising] that, as soon as the church shall have been erected,
due regard will be had to it, the court to make such disposition
in the matter as the circumstances of the time will then allow.
Philip P"^". Schuyler is granted and allowed an addition to
his lot on which his house stands, at present surveyed as follows :
Adjoining on the south the wagon road, in length 9 rods, 5
feet; on the west side the hill, in width 5 rods, 1 1 feet; on the
north side P^ Hertgers, in length 9 rods, 7 feet; and on the
east side Sander Leendertsz, in width 6 rods and 2 feet.
There was read a petition of some bakers, praying that they
and all other bakers, present and future, be prohibited from
baking any sweetmeats to be sold to the savages.
Whereupon the following apostil is given: It is left to the
choice and option of the petitioners and all other bakers to bake
and use the specified sweetmeats, or not. Done the 9th of June
1656.
[278] The officer and commissary, Johan de Deckere, noti-
fies Dirk Bentsingh that he will institute his action against him
on account of the very abusive and villainous terms used by him
about the court before all the world, namely, that they were a
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 111
pack of rascals, villains and dogs, where and in such way as
he shall see fit
J. DE DeCKERE
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jacob Schermerho[orn]
DiRCK Jansen Croon
Tuesday, June 27, 1 656
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against Jochem, the baker, defendant.
First default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Daniel Ringhout, defendant, for pay-
ment of the fine of fl. 24 :- because the defendant on the first of
this current month of June baked light weight white bread, con-
trary to the ordinance, and asking also that he be condemned
to suspend his trade for the space of six weeks.
The court orders the payment of the fine and the suspension
of his trade, respectively, as demanded.
Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Hofmeyer, defendant, for pay-
ment of the fine of fl.l2:- on account of the matter before
mentioned.
The court orders the payment to be made.
Idem, plaintiff, against Tomas Paul, defendant.
First default.
[279] Idem, plaintiff, against Cornelis Cornelisz, defendant,
to pay the fine of fl.6:— for some fighting.
The court condemns the defendant to pay the fine of four
guilders.
Idem, plaintiff, against P^ Bont, defendant, to submit his
evidence, and furthermore requesting judgment.
The court refer parties to Frans Barentsz and Jan Verbeecq,
referees.
Anna de Hulter, plaintiff, against Tomas Chiambers, defend-
ant. The plaintiff requests that the defendant be ordered to
278 Fort Orange and Sever iv^ck
institute his action for any claims which he may have against her,
simul et semel, on pain of having judgment given against him by
default.
The defendant requests adjournment until next week.
Goossen Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Abram P"^ Vosburch,
defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of the sum of fl. 439:3,
according to his note of hand, to be paid with 1 beavers and the
balance in seawan.
The defendant admits the debt and offers to pay 1 00 guilders
a week.
The court orders the defendant to pay the sum demanded as
agreed to by him.
Jannitge Jans, plaintiff, against Hendrik, the baker, defend-
ant. First default.
Cornelis Cornelisz, plaintiff, against Willem Hofmeyer,
defendant, about payment of the sum of fl.75:- for tavern
expenses.
The court, having heard the confession of the defendant,
orders him to pay the sum demanded.
[280] Idem, plaintiff, against Claes Uylenspiegel, defendant.
First default.
P^ Bronk, plaintiff, having attached the sum of fl. 283:3, in
the custody of Frans Barentsz, belonging to Jan van Bremen,
against said van Bremen, defendant.
He demands that the attachment be sustained and further-
more that the defendant be ordered to pay the aforesaid fl.283 :3,
on account of the delivery of some goods.
The court gives judgment for the plaintiff and declares the
money attached to be security for the debt and subject to
execution.
Maria Dyckmans, plaintiff, having attached a certain sum of
fl.84 :- m the custody of and belonging to as above, on account
of house rent, to be paid in grain, beavers, or the value thereof.
The defendant ut supra.
The court ut supra.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 279
Poulus Cornelisz, plaintiff, against Claes Cornelisz van den
Berch, defendant, about payment of three beavers, according to
his note.
The court refers parties to referees, each party to choose one.
P^ Ryverdingh, plaintiff, against Herman Bamboes, defend-
ant, about payment of 28 beavers and 3 guilders, 9 stivers, for
the delivery of some goods.
The defendant admits the debt. The court gives judgment
for the plaintiff.
[281] Herman Bamboes, plaintiff, against Jochem, the
baker. First default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Daniel Ringhout, defendant, about
payment of the sum of fl.42:- for tavern expenses.
The defendant admits the debt and agrees to pay within six
weeks. The court gives judgment accordingly.
Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Hofmeyer, defendant, about
payment of the sum of fl.27:— for tavern expenses.
The defendant admits the debt. Judgment for the plaintiff.
Idem, plaintiff, against Dirk Bentsingh, defendant, for pay-
ment of 5 beavers for canceling the purchase of a house.
The court gives judgment for the plaintiff.
Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Hap, defendant. First
default.
" Salomon La Chair, plaintiff, against Abraham van Linthout,
defendant, whose goods he caused to be attached, for payment
of the sum of fl. 328:— by balance and settlement of accounts,
at least by provisional judgment.
The defendant says that he has a counter claim, but he can
not present it at this place and time.
The court grants the provisional judgment asked and declares
the goods attached to be security therefor and subject to execu-
tion, without prejudice to the defendant's right in the principal
matter at issue.
^^ Salomon La Chair and Jacob van Couwenhoven were sureties for
the payment by Abraham van Linthout of the purchase price of a yacht.
See Records of Nerv Amsterdam, 1653-74, 2:82,100.
280 Fort Orange and Beverxp\^ck
[282] Extraordinary Session, Thursday, June 29, 1656
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, ex officio
plaintiff, against P'. Bont, defendant, asking that judgment be
given.
The court condemn the defendant to pay a fine of four
beavers.
Idem, plaintiff, against Jochem, the baker, defendant.
He demands that the defendant be condemned to pay a fine
of fl. 24:- and in addition be suspended for six weeks from
exercising his trade, all because the defendant on the 7th of this
current month baked light weight white bread, contrary to the
ordinance.
TTie court, having heard the defendant, condemn him to pay
the fine demanded and suspend him for six weeks from the
exercise of his trade.
Idem, plaintiff, against Tomas Paul and his wife, defendants,
first, to pay a fine of fl, 12 :- for cause as above, and in addition
fl. 25:- because the defendant's wife called the plaintiff and
the members of the court as they were making the inspection a
pack of extortioners and devils.
The court condemn the defendant and his wife to pay the
sum of fl. 22:- within twenty-four hours.
Idem, plaintiff, against Geertruy Haps. Default
[283] Tuesday, July 4, 1656
Johan de Deckere, commissary and president of the bench of
justice, plaintiff ex officio, against Willem Telier, defendant, to
produce his evidence, if he has any, and asking that judgment
be given accordingly.
The court, having taken everything duly into consideration,
order the defendant to pay the sum of one hundred guilders for
the benefit of the plaintiff.
Idem, plaintiff ex officio, against the same defendant, all as
above.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1 656 281
The court as above order the defendant to pay a fine of
fl. 50:- for the benefit of the poor.
Andries Herperts causes a note to be made that the aforesaid
sentence was rendered contrary to his judgment, his opinion being
that the aforesaid defendant on the first count should have been
condemned to pay the sum of fl. 150:- and on the second count
a fine of 300 guilders and in addition be ordered to make
honorable reparation.
Idem, plaintiff, against Marcelis Jansz, asking permission to
levy on Abram P"^". Vosburch the sum of fl. 4:-, belonging to
the defendant and attached in the hands of the said Vosburch.
The court orders Abram Vosburch to turn over the said four
guilders to the plaintiff, against his receipt.
Idem, plaintiff, having attached certain moneys in the custody
of Tomas Chiambers, belonging to Jacob Loserik, requesting as
above permission to levy the money in his custody.
The court grants the request.
[284] Jacob Gerritsz, plaintiff, against Tomas Chiambers,
defendant, about payment of the sum of fl. 382:— for wages
earned in building a barn, mill and house, to be paid in beavers
or grain.
The court, having heard the parties on both sides, order the
defendant to pay the sum of fl. 382 :—
Anna de Hulter, plaintiff, against Tomas Chiambers, defend-
ant, to institute his action.
The defendant exhibits a copy of his account.
The plaintiff takes a copy thereof.
Andries de Vos, plaintiff, against P^ Bronk, defendant, for
payment of the sum of fl. 600:-, to be paid one third in seawan
and the rest in beavers.
The defendant admits the debt.
The court therefore gives judgment for the plaintiff.
P^ Bronk, by virtue of a transfer [of claim] from Christoffel
Davidts, plaintiff, against Jacob Gerritsz, defendant, for pay-
ment of the sum of fl. 264 :4 :-, according to his note, payable in
beavers or grain.
282 Fort Orange and BeverTV\)ck
The defendant admits the debt.
The court gives judgment for the plaintiff.
Herman Jacobsz, plaintiff, against Jochem, the baker, defend-
ant. Second default.
Idem, plaintiff, against Willem Hap, defendant. Second
default.
[285] Cornelis CorneHsz, plaintiff, against Claes Uylen-
spiegel, defendant, for payment of the sum of fl.60:— for tavern
expenses.
The defendant requests delay until the fall.
The court gives judgment for the plaintiff, granting delay of
execution for six weeks.
Michiel Jansz, plaintiff, against Jan Michielsz, defendant, for
payment of the sum of fl. 31:1 :— , by balance of accounts
adjusted in the year 1646.
The court, having heard the parties on both sides, order the
defendant to pay the sum demanded, denying the defendant his
counter claim.
There was submitted and presented a certain memorial of
the honorable consistory of the village of Beverwyck, stating and
setting forth that one Michiel Antonisz from Uytrecht, owing
to a certain mistaken and untruthful report of a certain neighbor,
who had lived in one and the same street next to one Grietge
Jacobs, the aforesaid Michiel's first wife, that she, meaning
instead of the wife, the mother, was dead and buried, had there-
upon, mistaking the one for the other, married for the second
time one Femmetge Aelberts, residing in Katskil ; that since that
time the first wife, the aforesaid Grietge Jacobs from Amster-
dam, had also arrived here and revealed herself, whereupon the
aforesaid Femmetge had declared that she wished no longer to
live with the aforesaid Michiel Anthonisz, being of opinion that
the said Grietge Jacobs, having the oldest papers, should have
the priority and continue her marriage with the aforesaid Michiel
Anthonisz, her own and lawful husband; that the same for the
reasons aforesaid was also requested by the aforesaid Grietge
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 283
Jacobs; furthermore, that the aforesaid case, being not [286]
only of an ecclesiastical but also of a political nature, is referred
to the christian authorities to request their approval, the aforesaid
consistory requesting finally that at the instance of the said
Femmetge Aelbrechts she be granted letters of divorce.
The commissary and magistrates, having examined the afore-
said memorial and the request made therein and having sum-
moned the said Michiel Anthonisz and Grietgen Jacobs to
appear before them and confronted them with each other and
heard their respective prayers and requests, have after mature
deliberation considered, first, that the aforesaid case was con-
trary neither to the laws of God nor of man, the more so as the
aforesaid Michiel Anthonisz had for nine years been out of the
country and for a period of more than five successive years
had heard or received no word or sign from the aforesaid Grietge
Jacobs ; also, that all marriages by mistake are ipso jure null and
void, and finally, that the aforesaid Femmitge Aelberts has
renounced her aforesaid matrimonial rights and relmquished them
in favor of the aforesaid parties who were first joined in marriage.
They therefore approve the aforesaid memorial and ordain, order
and consent that the said Michiel Anthonisz and Grietge Jacobs
shall be and remain husband and wife and that the bonds of
marriage between them are not dissolved by the second marriage
with the aforesaid Femmitge, declaring the said Femmitge freed
therefrom, restoring her to her former liberty and granting her
the right at all times to marry again, where and whomsoever she
pleases, without interference or objection by any one.
[287] Tuesday, July 17, 1656
Presentihus omnibus
preter Philip P"^
Johan de Deckere, commissary and officer here, requests an
interpretation of a certain order issued by this honorable court
on the 18th of April last, in regard to certain persons who had
and have thus far failed to build on their vacant lots and conse-
284 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
quently whether Arien Jansz from Leyden was not then or is
not now subject to a fine of fl.25 :— ?
The court, having examined the aforesaid request, declare
that they were then and are still of opinion that the aforesaid
Arien Jansz from Leyden is liable and they therefore condemn
him hereby to pay a fine of fl. 25 :— , on pain of forfeiting the lot,
and this regardless of the provisions of the aforesaid order.
Daniel Ringhout, plaintiff, against Juriaen Teunisz, defendant,
for payment of 2 1 beavers for the purchase and delivery of some
brandy.
The defendant admits the debt and promises to pay the plain-
tiff before his departure for the fatherland.
The court accordingly gives judgment for the plaintiff,
Juriaen Teunisz, plaintiff, against Baefge Pieters, defendant,
for payment of 28 beavers for brandy delivered.
The defendant admits the debt.
The court accordingly gives judgment for the plaintiff.
Jan van Housen, plaintiff, against Hendrik Gerritsz, defend-
ant. Default.
Dirk Jansz Croon, plaintiff, against Symon Groot, defendant.
Default.
[288] Idem, plaintiff, against Cornelis Vos, defendant, for
payment of the sum of fl. 464, by balance of a larger amount
for some merchandise delivered, payable in beavers with the
interest thereon, according to the custom of the trade, or other
arrangement.
The defendant admits the debt.
The court orders the defendant to pay the sum demanded
within the space of 1 4 days, on pain of execution.
Idem, plaintiff, having attached certain 3|/2 beavers in the
custody of Meyndert, the smith, and also 1 1/2 ditto, in the care
of Rem Jansz, belonging to Moy Aeltie,'^ the wife of Huybert
. . . , against the said Moy Aeltie, defendant.
Default, with order sustaining the attachment
'^ Fair Alida.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 285
Pieter Bronck, plaintiff, against Jan, the weaver, defendant.
Default.
Appeared in court Mr Abram Staets and Sander Leendertsz,
in charge of the receipt and disbursement of a certain contribution
heretofore ordered and levied on property ov^ners for defraying
the cost of the bridge and other expenses, who exhibited their
account and turned over the balance of the money, amounting to
fl. 7 :3 :-. The same being accepted and the account being veri-
fied, the court has expressed its satisfaction therewith and thanked
them for their trouble, releasing them hereby from all claims for
the money received.
Commissary Johan de Deckere has turned over to Rutger
Jacobsz and consigned to him the sum of fl. 93:5:-, heretofore
in his custody on account of Jacob Adriaensz.
[289] Wednesday, October 4, anno 1656"°
The honorable officer, plaintiff, against Henderick Henderick-
sen, baker, defendant.
The officer says that the defendant was fined by the court
twenty-four guilders for having baked light weight bread and
ten guilders for using abusive language, which sentence he has
refused to comply with and to satisfy. Also, that on account
of his refusal he was prohibited from baking, which order in
contempt of the court he has also refused to obey.
[The defendant gives] for answer that he has never baked
bread for the Christians that was found short of weight, but as
to the savages, he declares that he did not know that it was
forbidden.
Whether he was not fined thirty-four guilders by the court?
[Answers] , Yes.
°® Of the remainder of this volume, covering the minutes from October 4
to December 12, 1656, a copy is in part 2 of volume 16 of the New
York Colonial Manuscripts, calendared in Calendar of Historical Manu-
scripts, edited by E. B. O'Callaghan, part I, Dutch Manuscripts, 1630-
1664. p. 312-13.
286 Fort Orange and Beverwy^ck
Whether the first and second time that notice was served on
him, he refused to comply with and satisfy the sentence?
Answers, that he put it off until the arrival of the officer.
Whether, upon further refusal, he was not enjoined by the
court from baking for the space of six weeks?
Answers, that the court messenger served notice on him to that
effect, but that he gave the court messenger for answer, " Why
should I stop baking? My money is ready."
[290] The court messenger being thereupon personally
examined and the writ returned by him being inspected, his report
is that the defendant answered : " I must nevertheless go on
and await what will come of it."
Being asked further whether he has been obedient and stopped
baking? Answers, No.
The officer demands that he be fined the double amount and
be suspended from the exercise of his trade for the period of three
months and remain under arrest until the fine is paid.
A vote being taken, the defendant is by a majority of those
present condemned to pay the fine demanded and as an example
to others suspended for the space of six weeks, or else ordered
to compose with the officer.
[P. Stuyvesant
RUTGER JaCOBSEN
Anderies Herbertsen
Jacob Janssen Schermerhoorn
Philip Pietersen]'"
[291] Whereas Egbertjen Egberts, innkeeper in the village
of Beverv/yck, in contempt and disregard of the ordinances and
placards of the Director General and Council and in violation
of the express prohibition of the commissary and magistrates of
The signatures, which are cut from the record, are supphed from
the copy m part 2 of volume 1 6 of the New York Colonial Manuscripts
m the State Library.
Court Minutes, 1 652-1656 287
the aforesaid village, has not hesitated to sell beer to the savages
or, as she herself declares, to give it to them for some tapoesjens,
according to her own confession made without being subjected
to pain or duress, therefore the officer, in his capacity of plain-
tiff, for the maintenance of the aforesaid ordinances and placards,
in accordance with the published and frequently renewed ordi-
nances, has demanded that the aforesaid Egbertje Egberts be
fined five hundred guilders and moreover as an example to others
be subjected to arbitrary corporal punishment and correction
and be banished from this country, as the very sad and dangerous
accidents resulting from the tapping, selling, or giving of wine or
beer to the savages indeed require that on account of the afore-
said disregard and violation of the original and more than once
renewed ordinances and the sad accidents resulting from the
drunkeness of the savages, the aforesaid Egbertjen Egberts as
an example to others receive arbitrary corporal punishment there-
for and be banished from this country. Nevertheless, the
Director General and the magistrates of this court, taking into
consideration the voluntary admission of guilt by the said
Egbertje Egberts and being for the present inclined to show
leniency instead of rigor (on which, however, in the future no
one is to rely), have [292] sentenced and condemned the afore-
said Egbertjen Egberts, as they sentence and condemn her
hereby, to pay a fine of three hundred guilders, she to remain
under civil detention until the judgment is satisfied or satisfactory
security is given ; the further demands of the officer being denied.
Thus done, sentenced and condemned at the session of the
Hon. Director General and the Magistrates of the village of
Beverwyck, this 6th of October Anno 1656.
P. Stuyvesant
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jacob Jansen Schermerho[oren]
Philip Pietersen
288 Fori Orange and BeverxD^ck
[293] Whereas Willem Hoffmeyr, born in Brazil." aged
about twenty years, in notorious disregard and contempt of the
well meant ordinances and placards of the Director General and
Council of New Netherland and in violation of the orders and
directions of the commissary and magistrates of Fort Orange and
the village of Beverwyck, has not hesitated to sell and peddle
beer to the savage barbarians, as he without pain or duress con-
fesses and admits that he, Willem Hofmeyer, at present in
custody, once with two half barrels in a canoe and afterwards,
on the 22d, 23d and 24th of July last past, with five half barrels
of good and small beer mixed together, sailed up the river and
sold and peddled the beer among the savages (notwithstanding
the strict prohibition of the Director General and Council) and
what is worse, had it sold and peddled for him by one savage
to other savages; and whereas, furthermore, in further contempt
of court, the said prisoner, while he was being examined on
account of the said offense and released on bail, has not hesitated
the same day to admit 28 drunken savages to his house and con-
trary to the express prohibition and warning of the court to pour
out or sell beer to them, which disobedience, disregard, yes, con-
tempt of good order and justice, as well as his frequent violations
and transgressions of the well meant ordinances and placards of
the Director General and Council of New Netherland issued and
repeatedly renewed against the dangerous and harmful sale of
[2941 beer or wine to the savages, are matters of very evil and
injurious consequences which in a land of justice, as an example
to others, can and ought not to remain unpunished ; therefore, the
Director General together with the magistrates of Fort Orange
and the village of Beverwyck, in the name and on the part of the
High and Mighty Lords, the States General of the United
Netherlands and the Honorable Directors of the Chartered West
"^ His name does not appear in " Doopregister der Hollanders in
Brazilie," 1633-54, published in Algemeen Nederlandsch Familieblad,
1888-89, vols. 5 and 6, but under date of January 9, 1647, is recorded
the baptism of Sigismundus, son of Harman Hoffmeyer and Joanna
Hoffmeyers.
^
7 I ■
c*- '^■
.. I
'■-'Vk ; ;-\ ,-t..^,f>
I '- ' -4.
Ct\"i- . i»»-
v^^- :.> -n^ ^"'7
Minutes of October 6, 1656, in the handwriting of Peter Stuyvesant
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 289
India Company, administering justice in the case, upon the com-
plaint and demand of the officer and in view of his own free and
voluntary confession, sentence and condemn the aforesaid Willem
Hoffmeyer, now in custody, as they sentence and condemn him
hereby, to pay a fine of five hundred guilders and to be banished
from this country for the space of three years, he to remain in
strict confinement until the judgment is satisfied. Thus done and
sentenced at the session of the Director General and the magis-
trates of Fort Orange. This day, the sixth of October 1656.
P. Stuyvesant
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jacob Jansen Schermerhoor[en]
Philip Pietersen
[295] Whereas Dirckie Harmense, innkeeper in the village
of Beverwyck, in disregard and contempt of the ordinances and
placards of the Director General and Council and contrary to
the express prohibition of the commissary and magistrates of the
aforesaid village, has not hesitated to sell, or, as she herself
declares, to give, beer to the savages for some tapoesjens, accord-
ing to her own confession made without pain or duress, where-
upon the officer, in his capacity of plaintiff, for the maintenance
of the aforesaid ordinances and placards, in accordance with the
provisions of the aforesaid and repeatedly renewed ordinances,
has demanded that the aforesaid Dirckje Harmens be fined five
hundred guilders and furthermore that as an example to others
she receive arbitrary corporal punishment and correction and be
banished from this country, as the sad and dangerous accidents
resulting from the tapping, selling or giving of wine or beer to
the savages indeed demand that in view of the aforesaid dis-
regard and violation of the aforementioned and more than once
renewed ordinances and the sad accidents resulting from the
drunkeness of the savages the aforesaid Dirckje Harmens, as an
example to others, receive arbitrary and corporal punishment
290 Fori Orange and Beverrv^ck
and be banished from this country. However, taking into con-
sideration the voluntary confession of the aforesaid Dirckjen
Harmens, the Director General and the magistrates of this court
are for the present inclined [206] to show leniency instead of
ligor (on which, however, no one should rely in the future) and
have sentenced and condemned the aforesaid Dirckjen Harmens,
as they sentence and condemn her hereby, to pay a fine of three
hundred guilders, she to remain in civil detention until the satis-
faction of the judgment or until she shall have furnished satis-
factory security, the further demands of the officer being denied.
Thus done, sentenced and condemned at the session of the
Director General and the magistrates of the village of Bever-
wyck, this 6th of October Anno 1 656.
P. Stuyvesant
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
Jacob Jansen Schermerho[oren]
Philip Pietersen
The 12th of October the officer arrested a certain drunken
savage, committing insolence, and brought him on a brewer's
wagon to the fort where he was placed in confinement.
[297] The 13th of October Anno 1656, at the request of
the officer of Fort Orange, the savage named Macheck Sipoeti,
a Mahican, was examined by Jan Tomassen, well acquainted
with the Mahican language, in the presence of the Hon. J. B.
Rencelaer, director of the colony of Renselaerswyck, and the
Hon. Ruth Jacobsen and Anderies Herbertsen, magistrates of
the court of Fort Orange and the village of Beverwyck.
He was asked first where he had been drinking, whereupon he
answered, in an Indian house, situated near the Gojer's kill."^
He was then asked where the savages had obtained the
brandy, whereupon he answered, on the east side of the river,
from the Dutch, who lived there.
'^Near Schodack. See Earl^ Records of Alban}), 2:131.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 291
Thirdly, he was asked the names of the Dutch who had sold
or given them the brandy, whereupon he answered that he did
not know their names.
Finally, he was asked how large the cask was, whereupon he
indicated the size in such a way that one was able to judge that it
must have been an anker.
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
La Montagne
[298] Ordinary Session, October 17, 1656
Fredrick Hendericksz, skipper, plaintiff, against Henderick
Jochimsen, defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment by the defendant of 37 whole
beavers, due him on a note.
The defendant admits the debt.
The parties being heard by the court, the defendant is ordered
to pay the plaintiff the number of 37 whole beavers, at once.
Jan Jansen van Ekel, plaintiff, against Abraham Pietersen.
The defendant having failed to appear the second time, default
is entered against him.
Gossen Gerritsen, plaintiff, having power of attorney from the
widow of Reyer Stoffelsen, against Gillis Pietersen. The plain-
tiff, in his capacity, demands payment of the sum of 200 guilders,
according to a note of hand which he exhibits in court.
The defendant admits the debt.
The parties being heard, the court orders the defendant to pay
the aforesaid sum of 200 guilders within the space of two months.
Lowies Cobus, having power of attorney from Jan Peeck,
plaintiff, against Claes Ripsen, defendant.
He demands payment of 50 guilders made over to the defend-
ant, arising from a certain fine.
The defendant says that he satisfied the former officer Dyck-
man for the aforesaid sum.
292 Fort Orange and JSeveriPijcJ
The wife of the aforesaid Dyckman, in the absence of her
husband, acknowledges that the aforesaid sum was paid to her
husband. The defendant is discharged by the court from the
plaintiff's demand.
[299] Gossen Gerritsen, attorney for the widow of Reyer
Stoffelsen, plaintiff, against Chrlstoffel Davids, defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of 60 guilders in corn.
The defendant admits the debt and promises to pay, on con-
dition that the note which he executed in favor of Reyer Stoffel-
sen be returned to him; also a silver beaker which he gave to
Reyer Stoffelsen, deceased, to have it remodeled in Holland.
The parties having been heard, the defendant is ordered by
the court to pay the said sum of 60 guilders in corn within the
space of six weeks, provided that the note, if there is one, be at
the same time returned to him. As to the beaker, he is to cor-
roborate his claim by testimony.
Gossen Gerritsen, plaintiff, against Lambert van Valcken-
borch, defendant.
Ov/ing to nonappearance of the defendant, default is entered
against him.
Gossen Gerritsen, plaintiff, against Claes Teunissen, defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is taken against him.
Isbrant Eldersen, plaintiff, against Leendert Philipsen, defend-
ant. The plaintiff demands the return of a pair of black cloth
sleeves given to the defendant to be altered.
The defendant admits that he received the half sleeves from
the plaintiff, but claims that they were stolen from his house.
The parties having been heard, the defendant is ordered to
restore the sleeves in question, or pay 8 guilders cash for them.
Jan Gouw, plaintiff, against Harmen Jacobsen, defendant.
For want of appearance, default is taken against the defendant.
[300] Tomas Poulussen, plaintiff, against Tjerck Claesen.
The plaintiff demands payment of 6 beavers.
The defendant admits the debt, but claims that 1 6 guilders is
due him by the plaintiff for wages.
The plaintiff maintains that he does not owe as much.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 293
The parties having been heard, the defendant is ordered to
pay 4 beavers to the plaintiff w^ithin the space of six weeks, and
meanwhile to settle the dispute in regard to the wages and after
the liquidation to pay to the plaintiff the balance, if any there be,
of the value of 2 beavers,
N. B. The time of payment expires on the first of December.
The officer, plaintiff, in a criminal case, against Jurriaen the
glazier, defendant.
The officer says that the defendant in the night of the 1 1 th
of October, coming from the watch to the door of his house,
knocked on said door and after it had been opened by his wife,
drew his sword from the scabbard and struck with it his own
wife, saying : " You d whore and rascal," at which noise
Cornelis Pietersen Hoogenboom, then lying asleep on a chest,
woke up and fled to the garret, where he was followed by the
defendant, who held a candle and his naked sword in his hand
and finally, without any altercation, cut and wounded Cornelis
Pietersen in his right arm, as appears from the complaint of the
said CorneHs Pietersen Hogenboom, the report of Mr Jacob de
Hinsse, surgeon, and the testimony of Jan Barentsen, carpenter,
Jan de Graef and Pieter, the baker, [301] examined by the
honorable magistrates upon interrogatories.
The defendant says that on knocking at his door, he heard
a noise of some one climbing into his garret, whereupon he con-
ceived a suspicion of theft or other mischief, which caused him
to visit his garret and finding there Cornelis Pietersen Hoogen-
boom hidden under a bedstead, he thought himself justified in
attacking him in his own house as a thief or criminal, considering
that the sun had set.
The magistrates, having learned from the report of the surgeon
that the wound is not dangerous and heard from the witnesses
the circumstances of the case, order, in consideration of the cir-
cumstances, that the defendant shall settle with the officer, pro-
vided however that he compensate Cornelis Pietersen Hoogen-
boom for maintenance, medicine and lost time.
294 Fort Orange and Beverwyck
Gommer Poulussen requests the court to grant him a place
for a garden. The magistrates have taken the matter under
advisement and will accommodate the petitioner according the
situation of the place.
La Montagne
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
[302] October 21, Anno 1656
Extraordinary session requested by Marceles Janssen
Marcelus Janssen, plaintiff, against Pieter Adriaensen, alias
Soogemackelyck.
The plaintiff demands prompt payment of six hundred and
twenty-five guilders, which the defendant promised to pay him
within the space of fourteen days, which have now expired.
The defendant brings into court 386 guilders in strung and
loose seawan, which the plaintiff accepts. He consents that the
attachment against the defendant be vacated, but demands that
he shall pay the costs of the extraordinary session.
The parties having been heard, the court orders that they
shall each pay one half of the costs of the extraordinary session.
Lowies Cobus, plaintiff, against the wife of Jeles Fonda.
The plaintiff complains that the defendant without his knowl-
edge or consent has taken an apron belonging to his wife hanging
on the fence.
The defendant denies the charge and alleges that the plain-
tiff's wife gave her the said apron as a pledge for five and a half
beavers, and the defendant being not satisfied with the apron as
a pledge for the said sum, the plaintiff's wife gave her an under
shirt in addition.
[303] The parties having been heard by the court, the court,
seemg that they have neither proof nor witnesses, order the
defendant to confirm her statement by oath, giving her time until
the next court day to consider the solemnity of an oath.
■v,C,' ;v^._-.^<v^ ^p.>r._,v .,>.^1>'' 1
cj ......... ^, ,^
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li
Minutes of October 17, 1656, signed by Commissary La Montagne
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 295
Carsten Fredrickx, being summoned by order of the court to
place a value on his lot which he must cede for the accom-
modation of this community to remove to the said lot a house
leaning against the church, demands one hundred beavers, where-
upon the court decides to take the matter under advisement
La Montagne
RUTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
[Ordinance for the Sweeping of Chimneys]"
[304] Whereas daily experience teaches us that in conse-
quence of the foul and unswept condition of the chimneys, they
often take fire and generally the houses also, yes, frequently the
neighboring buildings, especially when they are covered with
inflammable materials, whereby great damage is done not only to
houses and goods, but — sad spectacle — to people also ; there-
fore, the vice director and magistrates of this court, wishing as
a matter of their official duty to prevent such accidents to the best
of their ability, do hereby order all burghers and inhabitants of
Fort Orange and the village of Beverwyck, and each one in
particular, to keep the chimneys of the respective houses clean
and free from danger of fire, on pain of forfeiture of one pound
Flemish for every chimney which shall be found dirty and
declared as such 15 days after the publication hereof.
Done in Fort Orange, the 24th of October 1656.
La Montagne
RuTGER JaCOBSZ
Andries Herberts
*^ Printed in Laips and Ordinances of New Netherland, p. 257.
296 Fort Orange and Beverivy^ck
[305] Ordinary Session, October 24, Anno 1656
Johannes van Twillert, plaintiff, against Christoffel Davidts,
defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of the sum of 564 guilders,
8 stivers, according to the voluntary confession [of the defend-
ant] , w^hereupon judgment was given by the court of Rencelaers-
w^yck and by virtue thereof an attachment secured against certain
moneys in the custody of Jacob Janssen Stollen and Tomas
Chambert.
The defendant admits the debt and agrees that the plaintiff
shall receive from the hands of the aforesaid Jacob Janssen
Stollen and Tomas Chambert the moneys attached, up to the
amount of his debt due to the aforesaid van Twillert.
The magistrates, having heard the confession and the consent
of the defendant, [give judgment for] the aforesaid sum of 564
guilders and 8 stivers and order that the property in the hands of
Jacob Janssen Stollen and Tomas Chambert may be levied upon
by the plaintiff to the amount of 564 guilders and 8 stivers.
Jan Janssen van Eeckel, plaintiff, against Abraham Pietersen
Vosbergh.
The plaintiff requests execution of the judgment given against
the defendant on the 29th of August last, whereby the defendant
was ordered to pay twelve beavers within six weeks, which have
now expired.
The wife of the defendant, appearing instead of her husband,
offers to pay cash in seawan, or in beavers in the spring.
The plaintiff accepts the offer of payment in beavers on the
first of June, provided the defendant give him one beaver by
way of interest.
The magistrates, having heard the agreement between the
parties, order the defendant to pay the sum in question to the
plaintiff on the first of June Anno 1657, provided that the
defendant shall pay the plaintiff one beaver as interest.
[306] Jan Janssen van Eeckelen, plaintiff, against Abraham
Pietersen Vosburgh.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 297
The parties being heard, it is ordered that the defendant,
Abraham Pietersen, shall personally appear.
Evert Pries, plaintiff, against Jan van Aecken, defendant.
The plaintiff demands compensation for damage suffered by
him on goods in his chest, which was entrusted to the care of the
defendant and which damage occurred through the defendant's
fault.
The defendant says that he did not have the care of the chest,
but that it was left at his house by the plaintiff.
The magistrates order the parties each to choose a referee to
adjust the matter.
Lowies Cobus, attorney of Jan Peeck, plaintiff, against Abra-
ham Vosbergh, defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is entered against
him.
Jan Gouw, plaintiff, against Harmen Jacobsen, defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of I 7 and a half beavers.
The defendant offers to make payment in seawan or grain.
The magistrates, having heard the parties, order the defendant
to pay the number of 1 7 and a half beavers within the space of
six weeks.
Frans Barentsen, plaintiff, against Abram Pieter Vosbrugh.
For want of appearance of the defendant, default is taken
against him.
[307] Fop Barentsen against Cornelis Vos, defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is taken against him.
Cornelis Teunissen requests for Tomas Janssen Mingael a
lot for a house, situated between Pieter Loockermans and Pieter
Messen.
The honorable magistrates have taken the matter under
advisement in order to accommodate the petitioner in all fairness.
298 Fort Orange and Bevenv^ck
Ultimo October Anno 1656
Ordinary session held in Fort Orange. Present: La Mon-
tagne, commissary and Rutgher Jacobsz and Andries Harperss:,
magistrates.
Juffrouw Johanna Thullert,*^ plaintiff, against Harmen Jacob-
sen, defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is entered against
him.
Juffrouw Johanna Thullert, plaintiff, against Govert Hen-
dericksen, defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is entered against
him.
Jochim, the baker, plaintiff, against Willem Hoffmeyr,
defendant.
The parties having been heard, the court refers the case to
referees chosen by the parties respectively, to settle the matter in
an amicable manner.
Henderick Anderiessen, plaintiff, [308] against Henderick
Gerritsen, defendant.
The plaintiff demands reparation for injury to his reputation
done by the defendant.
The defendant denies that he has injured the plaintiff's repu-
tation in any way.
The court orders the plaintiff to prove his charges.
Jan Janssen van Eeckelen, plaintiff, against Abraham Pieter-
sen Vosbergen, defendant.
The plaintiff demands compensation for two hogsheads of
French wine, the balance of three, put by the plaintiff in the
defendant's cellar, which were spoiled through the defendant's
fault, as the said defendant refused to sell them to some who
tried to buy them.
The defendant maintains that the said damage is not his fault,
as the wine was not placed in his care, but only put in his cellar
with his consent by the plaintiff, who gave him permission to sell
of it as much as he could, which he did, having sold one [hogs-
•* Madam Johanna de Hulter.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 299
head]. The remaining two hogsheads, which spoiled, he tried
to improve with the help of Mr van Hamel, as the plaintiff after-
wards also sought to do with the said Hamel's help.
The parties having been heard, the court orders the plaintiff
to take back the wine in question. In regard to the damage,
[309] the plaintiff's demand is denied and the defendant is
discharged.
Jochim, the baker, requests the court to grant him a place for
a garden.
The court will take the request under advisement and after
inspection of the place requested, accommodate the said Jochim
in all fairness.
The Honorable Anderies Herbertsen, magistrate, has declared
before the court that the 27th of this month a Maquaes savage
came quite drunk into his house and after committing many acts
of violence left some goods in his house. Coming the other day
to the said house to fetch his goods, he declared to the deponent
that the wine which made him drunk was bought by three squas
from Barent Pietersen, the miller.
November 7, Anno 1656
Ordinary session. Present: La Montagne, commissary;
Rutgher Jacobsz:, Andries Harperss:, Jacob Schermerhooren
and Philip Pieterss:, magistrates.
Juffrouw Johanna t'Hulter, plaintiff, against Tomas Clabbort,
defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of a certain account delivered
to the defendant.
The defendant maintains that he satisfied her by means of a
counter-claim delivered to the plaintiff.
The parties having been heard, it is ordered by the court that
the plaintiff shall within the space of fourteen days state her
objections to the defendant's account.
[310] Juffrouw t'Hullert,^^ plaintiff, against Govert Hen-
dericksen, defendant.
Madam Johanna de Hulter.
300 Fort Orange and Beveriv^ck
The defendant failing to appear, default is taken against him.
N. B. Also default for the second and third times.
Harmen Jacobsen, plaintiff, against Jan Roeloffsen, Gerrit
Hendericksen and Huybert Janssen, defendants.
The court orders the defendant, Huybert Janssen, to pay the
admitted debt within the space of three months and orders
default to be entered against Jan Roeloffsen and Gerrit Hen-
dericksen.
Arent vanden Berch, plaintiff, against Henderick Gerritsen,
defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is taken against him.
Cornelis Teunissen, plaintiff, in a case of slander against
Abraham Stevensen Crawaet, defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is taken against him.
The officer, in a case of slander and insolence, plaintiff,
against Tomas Chambert, alias Clabbort.
The plaintiff demands reparation for abusive remarks made
in his presence and that of the entire court about the honorable
directors, the director general and council and the entire court
on the 6th of November last in the house of Willem Freederick-
sen Bout, where the [311] said court and the surveyors were
met to decide some question regarding the survey.
The defendant excuses himself on the ground that he was
drunk and does not know what he said or did, saying that he is
sorry that he used offensive language to his superior authorities.
He promises not to do it again and declares that he is ready to
undergo such punishment as he deserves in case he should repeat
the offense, craving pardon for the fault committed.
The court, observing the defendant's sorrow and his promises,
and considering the condition he was in when he uttered the said
abusive remarks, excuses him for the present from undergoing
the merited punishment and, preferring leniency to rigor, con-
demn the defendant to pay a fine of one hundred and fifty
guilders, to be paid within the space of six weeks.
N. B. the time will expire on the 20th of December.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 301
November 22, Anno 1656
Ordinary session held in Fort Orange. Present: Rutgher
Jacobss:, Andries Harperss:, Jacob Schermerhooren and
Philippe Pieterss:, magistrates.
Frans Barentsen Pastoor, plaintiff, against Abraham Pietersen
Vosborch, defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of a balance of twenty-seven
pieces of beaver at fl. 10 apiece, in seawan, which the defendant
paid him in seawan at fl. 8 apiece, so that there is still due him
fl. 54.
[312] The defendant maintains that he paid the twenty-
seven beavers in full in seawan, at fl. 8 apiece.
The parties having been heard, the defendant is ordered to
pay the plaintiff the sum of fl. 54 in seawan.
Frans Barentsen Pastoor, plaintiff, against Jan van Breemen,
defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is taken against him.
Frans Barentsen Pastoor, plaintiff, against Jan Martensen,
alias the weaver, defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is taken against him.
Lowies Cobus, as attorney, plaintiff, against Frans Barentsen
Pastoor, defendant.
The plaintiff says that he had ten beavers attached in the
hands of the defendant, which ten beavers the defendant paid
in spite of the attachment.
The defendant says that he paid them by order of the court.
The plaintiff asks adjournment until the next court day, in
order to have Pieter Brouwer subpoenaed.
The court consents to the adjournment.
Fop Barentsen, plaintiff, against Cornelis Vos, defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of one hundred and fifty
guilders loaned by him to the defendant some weeks ago.
The defendant denies that he owes the plaintiff any money.
[313] The court orders the plaintiff to prove the alleged debt
on the next court day by written contract or testimony of
witnesses.
302 Fort Orange and Beverw^ck
November 28, Anno 1 656
Ordinary session held in Fort Orange. Present: Rutgher
Jacobs:, Andries Harpertss:, Jacob Schermerhooren and
Philippe Pieterss:, magistrates.
Juffrouw de Hulter, plaintiff, against Jan Gouw.
The plaintiff demands payment for 1200 tiles, amounting to
seven and a half beavers.
The defendant denies that he owes the plaintiff the sum of
fl. 64.
The parties having been heard, the defendant is ordered by
the court to pay the plaintiff the sum of 11. 64 in beavers within
the space of six weeks.
Cornelis Cornelissen, the younger, plaintiff, against Claes
Vylens, defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is taken against him.
Foppe Barens, plaintiff, against Cornelis Vos, defendant.
The plaintiff, pursuant to the order of the court of the 22 of
November last, produces Marcelus Janssen and Harmen
Bastiaensen, as witnesses, who, appearing, testify that being
requested by the parties to adjust their differences, the defend-
ant's wife said that she would not speak of anything that hap-
pened before, as a result of which they, [314] the deponents,
parted without having accomplished anything.
The court orders that a copy of the testimony of the witnesses
shall be delivered to the defendant for his consideration and if
he has any objections to make he is to submit them on the next
court day.
Arent van den Berch, plaintiff, against Henderick Gerritsen,
defendant.
The parties having been heard, the defendant is ordered to
pay 3 beavers when called upon to do so.
The following persons are summoned to appear on account of
their being found in the taverns after the ringing of the bell, con-
trary to the ordinance:
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 303
Harmen Jacobsen B ambus, tavernkeeper. Paid.
Jan Gauw 1 n^ r u
IT ,, . '^Uerault.
Harmen, the carpenter J
Jan Eeckelen. Paid.
Teunis Jacobsen. Default.
Albert, the carpenter, tavernkeeper. Paid.
Geurt Hendericksz ) pj r i
Gerrit Viesbeeck \
Daniel, the baker. Paid.
Henderick Clootendrae})er (ball turner) "|
Henderick, the tailor, alias " Cordiael " VDefault
Henderick, alias the " Styve Snyder" (stiff tailor) j
Jacob Janssen van Noortstrant requests the court to be
appointed gager of the casks.
The court grants the request
[315]^" Ordinary session held in Fort Orange on the 5th of
December Anno 1656.
Present: Andries Harpartss:, Jacob Schermerhooren and
Philippe Pieterss:, magistrates.
Anderies Herbertsen, as attorney of Goosen Gerritsen, plain-
tiff, against Claes Teunissen, defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of a note of fl. 848:—
The defendant admits that he owes a certain balance of
account and offers to pay it with his house, requesting that the
plaintiff show his power of attorney.
The court orders the plaintiff to show his power of attorney
on the next court day.
[316] Anderies Herbertsen, plaintiff in a case of slander,
against the wife of Henderick, the baker, defendant.
The plaintiff says and complains that the defendant in his
absence has called him a double thief who stole her meat out
The upper half of the page is blank.
304 Fort Orange and Beverwy^ck
of the tub and her firewood out of her house, which he offers to
prove.
The defendant denies having made such accusations, but
admits that she said that the plaintiff as her accuser has been the
cause of her husband being obhged to pay a fine of fl. 68, as a
result of which they had to go without meat and wood.
The parties having been heard, the court orders the plaintiff
to furnish the defendant with a copy of his complaint, to which
she is to make answer on the next court day.
Jacob Schermerhoorn, plaintiff, against Christoffel Davids,
defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of 1 4 schepels of maize, being
the balance of a note executed more than 10 years ago.
The defendant denies that he owes the amount, but declares
that he is satisfied to pay it if the plaintiff swears to it.
The plaintiff having taken the oath, the court orders the
defendant to pay the plaintiff two beavers in specie and 10
stivers in seawan.
Claes Hendericksz, plaintiff, against Gerrit Slechtenhorst,
defendant.
The plaintiff demands the defendant's reasons for forbidding
him to build on his own ground,
[317] The defendant says that the ground on which the
plaintiff was busy building, belongs to him as lessee and he main-
tains that no one has a right to build thereon without his consent
during the term of his lease.
The plaintiff exhibits a lease in the defendant's own hand-
writmg, in the margin of which was written that the plaintiff was
to have the use of the yard at present in controversy.
The defendant maintains that such use was granted to the
plaintiff only to keep his woodpile there and to use the ground
for bleaching purposes, offering to prove the same.
The parties having been heard, the court orders the defendant
to prove on the next court day that he has granted the use of the
yard to the plaintiff only for the purpose of piling up wood and
of bleaching there.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 305
Pieter Loockermans, plaintiff, against Matteus Abrahams,
defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of three and a half beavers.
The defendant admits the debt and offers to pay, provided
that the three beavers in the hands of Jan Gauw, which the
plaintiff has caused to be attached, shall be left at his disposal.
The court orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff the three
and a half beavers. Meanwhile, the attachment of the three
beavers is sustained.
Matteus Abrahamsen, plaintiff, against Jan Gauw, defendant.
The defendant failing to appear, default is taken against him.
[318] Foppe Barentsen, plaintiff, against Cornelis Vos,
defendant.
The defendant submits his defense in writing, of which a
copy is asked by the plaintiff.
The court orders the defendant to furnish the plaintiff with
a copy of his defense, to which he is to file his answer on the
next court day.
Albert Gysbertsen, wheelwright, requests a certain lot for a
garden.
The court will first inspect the place so as to accommodate
the petitioner according to its location.
Arent van Curler, having power of attorney from Adriaen
Janssen from Leyden, tavernkeeper in the colony of Renselaers-
wyck, plaintiff, against Marcelus Janssen, formerly farmer of
the excise on wine, beer and liquor sold by the tavernkeepers of
Fort Orange, the village of Beverwyck and the dependencies
thereof, defendant.
The plaintiff demands the return of an anker of brandy which
the defendant about 13 months ago, on his own authority and
without the knowledge of and consent of the officer of Fort
Orange and the village of Beverwyck, unlawfully seized on the
public street and highway and appropriated to himself, for which
aforesaid [319] anker of brandy, the principal duly ordered
and directed his servant to obtain a retail certificate from the
306 Fori Orange and Beverw^ck
aforesaid farmer, as was actually requested, according to the
affidavit filed herewith. The plaintiff requests therefore that
the defendant be ordered to restore the aforesaid anker of brandy
without loss or damage, all according to law.
Was signed : Arent van Curler.
The defendant requests a copy of the plaintiff's demand.
The court orders that a copy of the plaintiff's demands shall
be delivered to the defendant
December 12, Anno 1656
Ordinary session held in Fort Orange
Harmen Jacobsen, plaintiff, against Pieter Stevensen,
defendant.
The plaintiff demands payment of fl.30, which the defendant
owes.
The defendant admits that he owes fl.23 : 1 2, and no more.
The court orders the defendant to pay the acknowledged sum
of fl.23: 12.
Leendert Philipsen, plaintiff, against Tierck Claessen,
defendant.
[320] The plaintiff says that the defendant, having hired a
house from him, has without his knowledge sublet it to some one
else and requests that the rent thereof be paid to him.
The defendant agrees to it.
The court orders that the plaintiff shall receive the rent of his
own house.
Foppe Barentsen, plaintiff, against Cornelis de Vos,
defendant.
The defendant asks for a copy of the plaintiff's demand.
The court orders the plaintiff to furnish the defendant with a
copy of his demand, to file his answer thereto on the next court
day.
Anderies Herbertsen, plaintiff, against Claes Teunissen.
defendant.
Court Minutes, 1652-1656 307
The plaintiff exhibits his power of attorney.
The court refers the parties to the previously issued order.
Frans Barentsen Pastoor, plaintiff, against Jan van Bremen
and Pieter Bronck, defendants.
The parties failing to appear, the second default is taken
against Jan van Bremen and the first default against Pieter
Bronck.
Claes Hendericksen, plaintiff, against Gerrit Slechtenhorst,
defendant.
The defendant produces Jan de Ret " as a witness, who testi-
fies that he was present when the copy [321] of the lease
between the parties was changed or added to and that he heard
the defendant simply grant the use of the yard in question to the
plaintiff, but that he did not hear him give any consent to build
thereon.
"Jan Dareth.
Finis
INDEX
Abeel, Stoffel Jansen, see Jansen,
Stoffel
Abrahams, Matteus, 305
Adriaensen, Jacob, wheelwright, lot,
18, 187 ; to finish wagon, 72 ;
house sold to Cornelis Seger-
sen, 98, 137, 275, 276; to testify
in court, 153, 156; attachment
of money due to, 242; money
of, paid to Rutger Jacobsen,
286;
sues Van Bremen, 96 ; Van
Loosdrecht, 153, 165, 169 ;
sued for wages, 133, 134; for
debt, 135, 136, 137; by Ryver-
dingh, 259
Adriaensen, Jan, 155
Adriaensen, Pieter, permission to
tap, 45 ; fined for unlawful
tapping, 51; sues Cornelis
Vos, 121 ; petition regarding
attachment of beer, 202;
sued for wages, 122, 123; for
debt, 294
Adriaensen, Rut, see Arentsen, Rut-
ger
Aelbrechts, Femmitge, see Alberts,
Femmetgen
Aeltgie (Fair Alida), 262, 284. See
also Jans, Aelgen
Aertsen, Aert, 70
Aertsen, Wouter, see Van Putten,
Wouter Aertsen
Albert, the carpenter, see Gerritsen,
Albert
Alberts (Aelbrechts), Femmetgen,
examination of, 26 ; sued for debt,
72>, 219; widow of Hendrick Jan-
sen Westerkamp, 182 ; sues De
Wolff and SHchtenhorst, 214, 215,
217; called Geverts, 219; money
belonging to, 243 ; married to
Michiel Antonisz, 282 ; marriage
annulled, 283
Albertsen (Aelbertsen), Barent, 185,
272
Albertsen, Willem, complaints
against by De Hooges, 36, 43;
fighting, 36, 37; settlement
with Dyckman, 136; paid for
lease of yacht, 140;
sues Clomp 35; Bronck, 141;
Gerbertsen, 168, 171 ;
sued for beavers, 31 ; by Dirck
Nes, 32; for stealing a cheese,
36; by Schuyler, for contempt
of court, 66, 67; for debt, 74,
108, 130, 140; for return of a
jack, 172
Allerton, Isaac, 147
Andriessen (Bradt), Albert, sues
Herpertsen, 95, 131 ; payment to,
131; son-in-law, 136; requests a
lot, 185 ; prosecuted for holding
separate divine service and attach-
ment of house rent, 251, 255, 25S
Andriessen (Bradt), Arent, oath of
burgher, 49 ; dispute about a gun,
154; loan of money to Director
General, 162; testimony, 214, 215,
219
Andriessen (Driess, Van Driest),
Hendrick, 20, 140, 298
Andriessen, Luykas, 108
Andryesen, Jan, 190
Antonisen, Michiel, 282, 283
Appel, Adriaen Jansen, see Jansen
(Appel), Adriaen
Arent the Noorman, see Andriesen
(Bradt), Arent
Arentsen, Rutger, petition for lot,
16; sues Jacobsen, 54; promise
to marry Giertgen Nannix, 57 ;
death, 132; house, 211; settle-
ment of estate, 268
sued for debt, 53, 7i ; for
slander, 56, 65; for wages, 95,
118; by Bout, 27; by Jansen,
68 ; by Gerritsen, 85, 93
Ariaen from Alckmaer, see Pieter-
sen, Ariaen
3IO
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
Backer, Jacob, 232
Backer, Jochim, see Wesselsen,
Jochem
Bamboes (Bambus), Herman Jacob-
sen, prosecuted for violating
ordinances, 241, 303; com-
plaints against, for unlawful
acts at his tavern, 243, 260,
261, 262, 271 ; appearance in
court, 272;
sues Margaret Chambers, 275;
Jochem Wesselsen, 279;
sued by De Deckere, 261 ; for
debt, 264, 274, 279
Banker (Bancker), Gerrit, 226, 229,
230, 2:^2, 234
Barentsen (Barens), Foppe, 297,
301, 302, 305, 306
Barentsen, Frans, see Pastoor, Frans
Barentsen
Barentsen, Jan, 293
Bastiaensen, Harmen, house, 16, 114;
misdemeanors, 46, 57; work on
Company's house, 47; engaged
as surveyor, 79, 187; ordered
to pay collector for goods, 84;
requests payment of wages,
107; to build bridge, 143;
referee, 154, 155; loan of
money to Director General,
162; wife Hestor, 210; to be
upheld in capacity of surveyor,
217; testimony, 302; prose-
cuted for violating ordinances,
303;
sues Sanders, 27; Hendricksen,
53; Jansen, 54; Croon, 72;
Adriaensen, 122, 123; Jacob-
sen, 263;
sued for receipt for beavers, 31;
about a lot, 147, 156
Becker, Jochem, see Wesselsen,
Jochem
Beeckman, Willem 163
Bembo, Jan, soldier, 84, 142
Bensingh (Bensinck, Bentsingh),
Dirck, garden, 21, 64, 157, 15S;
sale of house and garden, 33;
appeal to, 72; purchase of
yacht, 93; survey of lot, 117;
Bensingh (Bensinck, Bentsingh),
Dirck — Continued
asks for more ground, 131;
brother-in-law, 252;
sues Herpertsen, 58, 65 ; Ryckert-
sen, 243;
sued for abusive language, 130,
276; for canceling purchase of
a house, 279
Berck, Willem, 257
Biermans (Bierman), Hendrick, 133,
136, 141
Bogardus, Annetgen, 41, 44, 83, 107,
200
Bont (Bout), Piet, wounded by Jan
Gouw, 191 ; prosecuted by De
Deckere, 245 ; for violence at house
of Bamboes, 261, 271 ; referees to
consider case, 277; fined, 280
Boon, Cornelis, 254
Boot, Dirck Claessen, 30
Borremans (Forremans), Frans, 86,
88
Bos, Cornelis Teunissen, see Van
Westbroeck, Cornelis Teunissen
Boucher, Pierre, 90
Bout, Piet, see Bont, Piet
Bout, Willem Fredericksen, bails-
man, 40, 46, 71; horse mill,
SI. 53, 113; ordered to pay
collector for goods, 84; com-
plaints about various actions
at his house, 86, 94, 108, no,
121, 300; request to pay taps-
ters' excise in lump sum, 97;
testimony against Clomp, 107;
trade in beer, 138, 142, 143,
148; to build bridge, 143;
money due to, 148, 196; sued
for sale of horses, 150; loan
of money to Director General,
163 ; appears in court for Stoll,
165 ; statement on nicknames
of houses, 201; wife of, 239;
referee, 250;
prosecuted about lot, 83 ; for
slander and assault, 86; for
serving liquor on Sunday,
224;
sues Arentsen, 27; Jacobsen, 144,
147; Teunissen, 69
COURT MINUTES, 1652-1656
3"
Bouts, Geertgen, wife of Willem
Fredericksen Bout, 220. See also
Nanningh (Nannix), Geertgen
Boutsen, Cors, 184, 185, 186, 195, 201
Bradt, Albert Andriessen, see An-
driessen, Albert
Bradt, Arent Andriessen, see An-
driessen, Arent
Brant, Adriaen Claessen, 169
Brant, Jan Claesen, 48, 51
Brantsen, Evert, 46
Bronck, Pieter, lot, 18; fighting at
his house, 56, 86, 108, iiS;
bailsman, 58; asks for exten-
sion of time for building on
lots, 133 ; loan of money to
Director General, 163 ; testi-
mony about Jacob Plodder,
191 ; enjoined from tapping
beer, 219; surety for, 236;
mentioned, 94;
sues Michielsen, 29; van Bremen,
43, 276, 278; Herpertsen, ii^,
92 ; Thomassen, 89 ; Jansen,
154; Pieters)en, 171, 178;
Plodder, 178; Gerritsen, 281;
Teunissen, 250, 259; Marten-
sen, 285 ;
sued by Joost the baker, 20, 24,
28; for debt, 34, 41, 50, 198,
281 ; by Jacobsen, 35 ; about
his lot, 83 ; by Albertsen, 141 ;
about payment for grain, 214,
215, 219; by Pastoor, 307
Brouwer, Jacob de, see Gerritsen,
Jacob, brewer
Brouwer, Pieter, 301
Bruynen, Pieter, 262
Bruynsen (Brynsen), Auckes (An-
ker), 133, 263
Buildings, occupied by court, 10
Calendar of the minutes, 11
Canaqueese, an Indian, 91
Carstensen (the Noorman), Carsten,
lot, 138, 185, 220; suit for recovery
of beavers, 236; wife, 242; sued
for debt, 275
Carstensen (Cassersen), Hendrick,
45
Chambers (Clabborts), Margriet,
275
Chambers (Chambre, Clabbort,
Chiambers), Thomas, lot, 245;
accounts with Slecht, 262;
moneys in custody of, 281,
296; mentioned, 106, 226;
prosecuted for slanderous re-
marks about court, 300;
sues de Forrest, 17; Jacobsen,
224; Jacob Stol, 244; 246;
252;
sued by Anna de Hulter, 277,
281, 299; for debt, 281
Clabbort, Thomas, see Chambers,
Thomas
Clabbort, Margriet, see Chambers,
Margriet
Claes, Marritgen, 133
Claessen, Ariaen, 179, 183, 187, 207
Claessen, Dirrick, see Boot, Dirck
Claesen
Claessen, Tierck, lot, 264 ; sues
Powell, 253;
prosecuted for fighting, 245, 247;
for being with Lutherans,
247;
sued by Leendertsen, 254; for
debt, 292 ; for house rent, 306
Clauw, Frans Pietersen, see Pieter-
sen, Frans
Cleyn, see Kleyn
Clomp (Klomp), Jacob Symonsen,
complaint about attachment of
money, 94; abusive language,
94, 107, 108, no; fined, in;
money sent to Director Gen-
eral in sloop of, 162; men-
tioned, 71, 96, 183, 184;
prosecuted for fighting, 21 ; for
selling brandy to savages, 69,
70, 71, 74;
sties Croon, 29; van Bremen, 73,
loi ;
sued for debt, 29, 30; for re-
turn of boards, 35 ; for non-
delivery of wheat, 66; about
lot, 83; for payment of fine,
312
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
Clomp (Klomp), Jacob Symonsen —
Continued
85; for wages, 172; for failure
to deliver hogs, 183, 184
Clomp, Jan, 29
Clootendraeyer, Hendrick, 303
Cnyver, Claes Thysen, 130
Cobes (Cobus), Ludovicus, asks
permission to keep school, 238;
attorney for Jan Peeck, 291, 297;
sues the wife of Jeles Fonda, 294;
sues Frans Barentsen Pastoor, 301.
See also Jacobussen, Loys
Coenraets, Hans, 242, 250
Coeymans, Barent Pietersen, see
Pietersen, Barent
Coeymans, Luykas Pietersen, see
Pietersen, Luykas
Colebrantsen, Pieter, 262
Coninck (Koninck), Thomas, 149
Cornells, Broer, see Teunissen, Cor-
nelis, from Breuckelen
Cornells, the Swede, 180, 181
Cornells, Lysbet, 53, 93, loi, 135,
146
Cornelissen, Arent, see Vogel, Arent
Cornelisen
Cornelissen (Van den Berch, Van
den Hoogen Bergh), Claes, 117,
132, 279
Cornelissen, Cornelis, 277, 278, 282
Cornelissen, Cornelis, the younger,
302
Cornelissen, Gysbert, from Breuc-
kelen, 210
Cornelissen, Gysbert, from Weesp,
wife, 53, 102; lot, 61, 89, in; de-
ceased, 89; guardians of children,
146
Cornelissen, Lambert, 69
Cornelissen, Marten, see Van Yssel-
steyn. Marten Cornelisen
Cornelissen, Pieter, wife of, 183
Cornelissen, Poulus, 279
Cornelissen (Van Voorhout), Seeger,
169, 172
Cornelissen, Teunis, see Van Slinger-
lant, Teunis Cornelisen; Van
Vechten, Teunis Cornelisen
Court, jurisdiction, 7, 8-9; buildings
occupied by, 10
Court records, handwriting, 12
Cramer, Barent, 50
Croaet (Crabaat, Crowaet), Abra-
ham Stevensen, 118, 183, 184, 191,
300
Croon (Kroon), Claes Cornelissen,
33, 41, 68
Croon (Kroon), Dirck Jansen, money
due to, 141 ; house nicknamed,
2Co; magistrate, 236; to re-
quest contributions for Wil-
lem Jurriaensen, 255 ;
sues Bastiaensen, 31, 57 ; Groot,
284;
sued about axhandle planks, 29;
regarding disputed accounts,
72. See also Jansen, Dirrick
Daniel, the baker, see Rinckhout,
Daniel
Daret, Jan, sued by van Aecken, ::8,
29, 33 ; by Jansen, 34 ; testimony
regarding Catelyn Sanders, 231 ;
witness for Gerrit Slichtenhorst,
307
Davidts (Davits, Davitsen), Chris-
toflFel, complaints about selling
brandy to savages, 71, 88, 106;
letter to from Director General,
190; transfer of claim to Pieter
Bronck, 281 ; sued for debt, 292,
296, 304 ; mentioned, 93
De Deckere, Johannes appointed
commissary, 223 ; salary, request
for, 249; to request contributions
for VVillem Jurriaensen, 255
De Forest (Forrest), I saack, 17
De Goyer, Eldert, 141
De Graef, Jan, 293
De Hinsse, Surgeon Jacob, 149, 191,
196, 293
De Hooges, Anthony, offensive con-
duct of Albertsen toward, 36, 43;
petition from, 136; referee, 134,
184; lot, 137; garden, 158; charges
against Claes Ripsen, 188; state-
COURT MINUTES, 1652-1656
313
De Hooges, Anthony — Continued
ment regarding nicknames given to
houses, 198; house, 200; men-
tioned, 78, 159, 193, 205
De Hiilter, Johan, servant, 88, 106,
207; house, 109, 113, 114; brings
further suit, 116; sues Albertsen,
172; requests letters of recom-
mendation to the honorable coun-
cil, 230; widow, 262; mentioned,
131, 190
De Hulter (Thullert), Madam Jo-
hanna, agreement with Cham-
bers and Stol about grain,
252; mentioned, 262;
sues Chambers, 277, 281, 299;
Jacobsen, 298 ; Hendricksen,
299; Gouw, 302
De Karreman, Michiel, 210
De Looper, Jacob, see Teunissen,
Jacob
De Paus, 168
De Truy, Susanna, 205
De Visscher (Visser), Jan, 52, 58
De Vlamingh, Pieter, 219. See also
VVinnen (Winne), Pieter
De Vos, Andries, lot, 69, 97, 173 ;
request for pasture, 107 ; gar-
den, 112, 173; attorney for
Vosburgh, 155, 173 ; petition
of, 160; summoned to court,
164, 210; requests copy of
testimony, 222; judgment
against, 224; mentioned, 157,
210; sued by Jacobsen, 225;
sues Gerritsen and others, 190,
192; Bronck, 281
De Vries, Adriaen Dircksen, 184, 239
De Wever, see Martensen, Jan
De Winter, Maximiliaen, 87
De Wit, Tierck Claessen, see Claes-
sen, Tierck
De Wolff, Jacob Willemsen, see
Willemsen, Jacob
Dingeman, Adam, 201
Dirck (Dirrick), Oom, 150, 199
Dircksen, Adriaen, see De Vries,
Adriaen Dircksen
Dircksen, Jan, see Van Bremen, Jan
Dircksen
Dircksen (Dirricksen), Theunis, 132,
268
Douw, Volckert Jansen, see Jansen,
Volckert
Douwesen Gillis, see Fonda, Gillis
Douwesen
Driesen, Hendrick, see Andriessen,
Hendrick
Dutch records, act of I/68 providing
for translation of, 12
Dyckman, Joannes, on committee to
survey lots, 16; on committee to
provide for support of church, 28;
lot, 61, 196; authorized to inspect
houses of tapsters, 81 ; complaint
against, 94; to prepare case, 96;
protest against Dominie Schaets'
announcement, 99; reads protest
regarding Slichtenhorst, 119; cases
referred to, 134; to pay Willem
Albertsen, 136; to examine ac-
counts of collector, 142; report on
lot for Adriaen Jansen, 159; loan
of money to Director General, 162;
gives presents to Maquas, 171 ; on
committee to confer with Director
General, 174; wife, 203, 204, 207,
268, 292; successor as commissary,
223; settlement of Rut Arentsen's
estate, 268; mentioned, 60, 62, 102,
106, 127
Dyckmans, Maritge, 250, 275, 278
Eeckelen, Jan, see Van Eeckel, Jan
Janssen
Eencluys, Hans Jansen, see Inckluis,
Hans Jansen
Egberts, Egbert j en, 286, 287
Elbertsen, Reyer, 19
Eldertsen (Eldersen), Ysbrant, 2H,
292
Evertsen, Jurgen, 86, 88
Fernow, Berthold, il
Plodder, Jacob Jansen, prosecuted
for fighting, 56; fined for not
building on lot, 148; complaint
against, 191 ; slanderous words
about court, 217, 221; money
to be paid to, 221 ; lot, 264 ;
314
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
Floddef, Jacob Jansen — Continued
sues Bensingh, 93 ; Margaret
Slichtenhorst, 260;
sued for slander, 25 ; about sale
of horses, 150, 152; for wages,
172, 175; for debt, 178
Floris, Isaack, 239
Fonda, Gillis Douwesen, 70, 294
Forremans, Frans, see Borremans,
Frans
Fredericksen, Carsten, 195, 295
Fredericksen, Meyndert, 236, 284
Fredericksen, Willem, see Bout,
Willem Fredericksen
Gabrielsen, Frans, 37, 39, 40
Gansevoort, Harmen Harmensen, 243
Gardenier, Jacob Jansen, see Flod-
der, Jacob
Gauw, Jan, see Gouw, Jan
Geraerdy (Gerary), Philip, 32
Gerbertsen, Elbert, prosecuted for
fighting, 56, 57; bail for, 58;
fined for failure to inclose lot,
148
sues Clomp, 183, 184; garden,
201 ;
sued about sale of horses, 150;
for costs of summons, 168, 171
Gerbrantsen, Cornelis, 172
Gerret, the cooper, 41. See also
Jansen, Gerrit, from Swoll
Gerritsen, Albert, garden, 84;
prosecuted for fighting, 69; for
violating ordinances, 303 ;
sues Herpertsen, 85; Arentsen,
93, 95, 118
Gerritsen, Claes, lot and garden, p7,
102 ; sues van Slichtenhorst,
13s, 142, 144; testimony re-
garding house of Thomas
Sanders, 179; accused of giv-
ing nicknames to houses, 198,
201 ; testimony regarding Cor-
nelis Vos, 213 ; restitution of
beavers in his custody, 228;
sued, about taking grain from a
barn, 190; about a wagon, 209,
210
Gerritsen, Ellert, 83
Gerritsen, Goosen, crime against
daughter, 57; lot, 51; fined for
not building on lot, 83 ; pay-
ment of account for beer, 94;
testimony in trial of Jacob
Stoll, 105; prosecuted by
Dyckman, 107; curator of
Arentsen's estate, 132, 268;
payment to for nails, 137;
palisades inclosing lot, 149;
requests permission to form
corral for cattle, 154; loan of
money to Director General,
163 ; gives presents to Maquas,
171 ; referee, 173, 184, 212, 244,
250; testimony on use of a
barn, 192 ; house nicknamed,
199; testimony regarding Cate-
lyn Sanders, 231 ; magistrate,
269 ; mentioned, 66, 73, 147 ;
sues Arentsen, 53 ; Herpertsen,
135 ; Gansevoort, 243 ; Vos-
burgh, 274, 278; Pietersen,
291 ; Davidts, 292 ; Teunissen,
292, 303 ; Van Valckenburgh,
292
Gerritsen, Hendrick, prosecuted for
drinking after ringing of the
bell, 117; fined for not build-
ing on lot, 145; garden, 185;
house and lot, 211 ;
sued by van Hoesen, 284; for
slander, 298; by Vandenburgh,
300, 302
Gerritsen, Jacob, carpenter, 57, 108,
130, 281
Gerritsen, Jacob, the brewer, 18
Gerritsen, Wynant, 145, 166
Geverts, Femmetgen Alberts, see
Alberts, Femmetgen
Glen, Sander Leendertsen, see Leen-
dertsen, Sander
Goosens (Goossens), Maria, 223, 247.
See also Jans, Maria
Gottenborgh, Jan Jansen, see jansen,
Jan
COURT MINUTES, 1652-1656
315
Gouw (Gauw, Gou), Jan, sues Jacob-
sen, 156, 292, 297 ; testimony
regarding fighting at Jochem-
sen's house, 166; attack on
Bout, 191 ; lot, 220 ; testimony
on fighting at house of Baefge
Pieters, 257;
prosecuted for fighting, 55, 57;
for violating ordinances, 303;
sued for debt, 153, 247, 274, 302;
by Jansen, 235 ; by Ryver-
dingh, 239; by Abrahamsen,
305
Greenen Bosch, 7, 220
Groot, Symon, 145, 284
Gysbertsen, Albert, 305
Hansen, Volckert, see Jansen, Volc-
kert
Hap, Jacob Jansen, see Stol, Jacob
Jansen
Hap, Willem, see Stol (Hap),
Willem
Haps, Geertruy, 280
Harmen, the carpenter, see Bastiaen-
sen, Harmen
Harmensen, Dirckie, 289, 290
Harmensen, Harmen, see Ganse-
voort, Harmen Harmensen
Hartgers (Hertgers, Harties), Pieter,
referee, 27, 93; magistrate, 42, 126,
139, 236; fined for not inclosing
garden, 83 ; sued for payment for
goods, 134, 135 ; money due to,
141, 196; lot, 145, 212, 276; ap-
pointed guardian, 146; loan of
money to Director General, 163 ;
gives presents to Maquas, 171 ;
conveyance of houses, 197 ; house
nicknamed, 200; bed sold to, 214,
216; appointed treasurer of court,
214, 215; dispute about pint meas-
ure, 220 ; sentence decreed against
advice of, 225 ; sues Bamboes, 264 ;
grant of land to, 255; gift for re-
pairing Jurriaensen's house, 256;
surety for payment for block-
house church, 263 ; mentioned, 17,
66, 150, 223
Helmensen, Jan (Jan with the
beard), 260
Hendrick, alias the " Styve Snyder,"
303
Hendrick, the baker, see Hendrick-
sen, Hendrik
Hendrick, the tailor, alias " Cor-
diael," 303
Hendrick Clootendraeyer (ball
turner), 303
Hendricksen, 191, 221
Hendricksen, Claes, loan of money
to Director General, 163;
surety for Plodder, 172, 175;
testimony regarding Maria
Jans, 179, 180; lot, 187, 245;
house, 197; fined, 242; money
in custody of, 242; sues Slich-
tenhorst, 304, 307;
sued for house rent, 209; by
Swart, 210; for return of
beavers, 237
Hendricksen, Cornelis, 53
Hendricksen, Frederick, 291
Hendricksen, Gerrit, 300
Hendricksen, Geurt (Govert), 220,
298, 299, 303
Hendricksen, Hendrik, 278, 285, 303
Hendricksen, Jacob, see Maat, Jacob
Hendricksen ; Sibbinck, Jacob
Hendricksen
Hendricksen, Jan, sued by Dyckman,
117; to build bridge, 143; loan of
money to Director General, 162;
house, 179, 184; sues van Aecken,
179; sues Jan Baptist van Rensse-
laer, 244
Hendricksen, Marten, bailsman, 40;
sued for debt, 55, 58, 64, 66, 154,
155, 194; complaint about Seeger
Cornelisen, 168; to contribute for
bridge, 169; mentioned, 17
Herbertsen (Herpertsen), Andries,
referee, 18, 64, 102, 209;
garden, 95 ; letter to from mem-
bers of court, 113; memo-
randum for, 114; magistrate,
126, 236; dispute with Van
Valckenborgh, 136; term of
3i6
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
Herbertsen (Herpertsen), Andries
— Continued
office expired, 139; accounts
with Keese Waej'e, 156; ques-
tioned in court on various
matters, 158; loan of money to
Director General, 162; gives
presents to Maquas, 171 ;
house nicknamed, 199; gift for
repairing Jurriaensen house,
256; sentence rendered con-
trary to his judgment, 281 ;
statement on selling liquor to
savages, 299; attorney of
Goosen Gerritsen, 303 ; case of
slander, 303; mentioned, 49,
131, 133, 138, 165, 168, 290;
sues Femmetgen Westerkamp,
182; Claes Teunissen, 306
Herpertsen, Marten, lot, 45, 83; sale
of house and garden, 94, 109,
113, 114; complaints by cred-
itors, 137;
sued for debt, 32, 38, 65, 82, 83,
85. 92, 93, 95. 97, loi, 131, 135,
140, 141, 144, 145, 148, 170;
by van Hoesen, 58 ; by the Vis-
scher, 58; by Bensingh, 58
Hertgers, Pieter, see Hartgers, Pieter
Higge (Higgins), Thomas, 29, 30
Hoflfmeyer, Willem, summoned to
court, 118; fined, 277; pun-
ished for selling beer to sav-
ages, 288;
sued by Jansen, 235, 247 ; by
Bamboes, 275; for debt, 278,
279; by Wesselsen, 298
Hollenbeck, C. A., 11
Hoogenboom, Cornelis Pietersen, 293
Houses, nicknames given to, 198-200,
210, 213
Houtewael, Cornelis, 172, 175
Houttum, Willem, 156
Inckluis, (Eencluys), Hans Jansen,
194
Indians, sale of liquors to, 69, 70, 71,
74. 88, 106, 164, 167, 286-91
Jacob, the brewer, see Gerritsen,
Jacob, brewer
Jacob, the carpenter, see Gerritsen,
Jacob, carpenter
Jacobs (Jacops), Grietgen, 201, 282
Jacobs, Tryntgen, 168
Jacobs, Wybregh (Brecht), 38, 210
Jacobsen, Abraham, 86, 88, 198
Jacobsen (Jacopsen), Aert, 54
Jacobsen, Andries, 231
Jacobsen, Caspar, 18
Jacobsen, Claes, 68, 185, 213, 215, 263
Jacobsen, Cornelis, 32, 35
Jacobsen, Herman, petition to qualify
as beer carrier, 218;
sues Hendricksen, 209; Wessel-
sen, 282; Roeloflfsen and
others, 300; Stevcnsen, 306;
sued by Gouw, 292, 297 ; by
Johanna de Hulter, 298
Jacobsen (Jacopsen), RoeloflF, sues
Gouw, 153; Tryntgen Jacobs,
168; Inckluis, 194; Marten the
farmer, 244;
sued for debt, 94, 95, 133; for
house rent, 153; by Gouw, 156
Jacobsen, Rutger, referee, 20, 51, 102,
173, 212; boards belonging to,
35 ; opinion on tapsters' ex-
cise, 44; residence, 48; at-
torney for Jan van Hoesen, 49,
52, 55 ; money for, from
Clomp, 94; letter to from
members of court, 113; horse
mill, 113; memorandum for,
114; magistrate, 126, 236; pay-
ment for boards, 131 ; curator
of Arentsen's estate, 132, 268;
term of office expired, 139;
garden, 140, 217; hires yacht,
140; requests permission lo
form corral for cattle, 154;
gives presents to Maquas, 171 ;
charges against Claes Ripsen,
188; house nicknamed, 199;
testimony, 226, 231 ; judgment
in favor of, 228; rejects Johan
de Deckere's request for
COURT MINUTES, 1652-1656
317
Jacobsen, Rutger — Continued
salary, 249; water wheel for a
small mill, 255; gift for re-
pairing Jurriaensen's house,
256 ; money paid to, 285 ; men-
tioned, 22, 29, 30, 70, 135, 142,
144, 255, 290;
sues Clomp, 66; Albertsen, 140;
Femmetgen Alberts, 219;
sued by Fredericksen, 144, 147;
for wages, 267
Jacobsen (Jacopsen), Teunis, 18, 188,
224, 225, 303
Jacobusen, Loys, 205. See also
Cobes, Ludovicus
Jan de Cuyper, see Schut, Jan
Jan, the soldier, see Bembo, Jan
Jan, the weaver, see Martensen, Jan
Jan with the beard, see Helmensen,
Jan
Jans, Aelgen, 210. See also Aeltgie
(Fair Alida)
Jans, Jannitge, 239, 278
Jans, Maria, sale of brandy to
savages, 179, 187, 191 ; sues Croaet,
183, 191 ; dispute about a water
pail, 190 ; must pay for bed, 214,
216; dispute about a pint measure,
220; ordered to suspend tapping,
221. See also Goosens, Maria
Jans, Marritgen, 37. See also Ryver-
dingh, Marriecke
Jans, Volckgen, see Jurriaens, Volck-
gen
Jansen (Appel), Adriaen, from Ley-
den, marriage, 23, 26; lot, 53,
61, 82, 159; referee, 57, 93;
testimony of what occurred at
the house of Fredricksen, 108,
no; nominated magistrate,
126; loan of money to Director
General, 163 ; charges against
Claes Ripsen, 197; statement
regarding nicknames given to
houses, 198; ordered to build
on lot, 263; fined, 284; dispute
about an anker of brandy,
305 ; mentioned, 107, 205 ;
sues Westerkamp, 34; Daret, 34;
Jansen (Appel), Adriaen — Con-
tinued
Bronck, 34; van Valcken-
burgh, 34; van Bremen, 43
Jansen, Claes, from Baarn, appointed
inspector, 122, 154; report, 155;
testimony, 219; fined, 260, 261;
referee, 263
Jansen, Claes, from Rotterdam, 122,
150, 199
Jansen, Dirck, 16, 17, 54, 66. See
also Croon, Dirck Jansen
Jansen, Fop, 267
Jansen, Gerrit, from Swoll, house
sold by, loi ; testimony, 105, 136;
magistrate, 126; loan of money to
Director General, 162; house nick-
named, 199; mentioned, 131. See
also Gerrit, the cooper
Jansen, Harman, see Van Valcken-
burgh, Herman Jansen
Jansen, Hendrick, the cowherd, ac-
cused of making lampoons, 248,
251; fighting, 254, 257; prosecuted
by de Deckere, 254, 260, 272 ; men-
tioned, 271
Jansen, Hendrick, see also Reur,
Hendrick Jansen ; Westerkamp,
Hendrick Jansen
Jansen, Herman, 184, 186
Jansen, Huybert, de guyt, 154, 233,
284, 300
Jansen, Jacob, see Flodder, Jacob
Jansen; Schermerhoom, Jacob
Jansen; Stol (Hap), Jacob Jansen
Jansen, Jan, sues Albertsen, 31;
money due to, 38; power of at-
torney to Rem Jansen, 82; holds
mortgage on house, 116; power of
attorney given to, 156; sued for
debt, 221. See also Van Eeckel,
Jan Janssen
Jansen, Juriaen, 223, 224, 266, 271,
293
Jansen, Karsten, 162
Jansen, Laurens, petition, 41 ; fight-
ing, 75. 96; testimony on sale of
brandy to savages, 88; testimony
on shooting by Stol, 107, iix;
house, 145, 211; mentioned, 83, 106
236
3l8
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
Jansen, Marcelis, servant of Mr de
Hulter, 88; complaint of as-
sault, 184, 185, 206; testimony,
106, 213, 214, 215, 219, 302;
prosecuted for serving drinks
during divine service, 235 ;
sues De Paus, 168; Pot, 225;
Vervvegen, 225 ; Hendricksen,
242; Rinckhout, 253; Loserik,
268; Adriaensen, 294;
sued by Herpertsen, 281 ; by van
Curler, 305
Jansen, Michiel, 282
Jansen, Paulus, the Noorman, 239
Jansen, Rem, referee, 27, 29, 93, 184,
209; demands payment of bond,
82; fined, 83; loan of money to
Director General, 163; lot, 210;
house and lot, 211; sues Willem
Hap, 222; mentioned, 96, 284
Jansen, Roeloff, 130
Jansen, Steven, wife, 179, 183, 187,
191, 203, 204, 214, 216, 220, 221,
223 ; assault on, 207 ; sued by
van Loosdrecht, 209, 254, 259,
275; fighting with Jacob Hen-
dricksen Maat, 221 ; men-
tioned, 207, 211, 254;
sues Hendricksen, 55, 64, 154,
155 ; Arentsen, 68 ; Jacobsen,
94i 95; Croaet, 184; Hofmeyer,
23s ; Jan Jansen, 221 ; Jacob
Teunissen, 246
Jansen (Abeel), Stoffel, carpenter,
97, 150, 166, 263
Jansen (Mingael), Thomas, 61, 72,
159, 163. See also Mingael, Tomas
Janssen
Jansen (Hansen, Douw), Volckert,
to oversee surveying of lots,
16, 48, 51 ; referee, 18, 22, 52,
93; opinion on tapsters' ex-
cise, 44 ; Becker's attack on,
62 ; magistrate, 126, 216, 269 ;
sued for debt, 134, 135; money
due to, 141 ; testimony regard-
ing Vosburgh's lot, 159; loan
of money to Director General,
Jansen (Hansen, Douw) Volckert —
Continued
163; gives presents to Ma-
quas, 171 ; house nicknamed,
200; request concerning lot of
poorhouse, 216; sentence de-
creed against advice of, 225,
239; rejects Johan de Deck-
ere's request for salary, 249;
grant of land to, 255 ; gift for
repairing Jurriaensen's house,
256; mentioned, 55, 66, 259;
sues Becker, 23; Bronck, 24, 41,
SO ; Bamboes, 264
Jeronimus, Geertruy, sued for abu-
sive language and assault, 17, 19,
21, 25; fined, 26; sues Styntgen
Laurens and Volckgen Jans, 29,
32; testimony regarding Albertsen,
2,7; first default entered against
her, 149
Jochem, the baker, sec Wesselsen,
Jochem
Jochemsen, Hendrick, garden, 64;
sued for debt, 84, 291 ; sum-
moned to testify, 96; money
due to, 141 ; loan of money to
Director General, 162; testi-
mony regarding Stol and
Dirck Lammertssen, 166; pe-
tition for restitution of money,
218; granted permission for
burghers to shoot the target,
220; fined, 241, 247; men-
tioned, 117, 118, 165, 166, 198;
prosecuted for fighting, 75 ; for
smuggling beer, 83
Joost, the baker, see Teunissen,
Joost
Jurriaen, the glazier, see Jansen,
Juriaen
Jurriaens (Jans), Volckgen, sues
Geertruy Jeronimus, 17, 19, 21, 25 ;
house, 22 ; sued by Geertruy Jeroni-
mus, 32; payment of money for
Jurriaensen, 80; testimony, 142
Jurriaensen (Juryaensen), Willem,
sued about lot, 17, 67, 78, 80;
house and lot, 19, 47, 49, 52, 55, 62,
191, 199, 210, 238; petition by, 22;
COURT MINUTES, 1652-1656
319
Jurriaensen (Juryaensen), Willem —
Continued
garden, 24; contract with van Hoe-
sen, 63, 67, 78; refuses to accept
money, 82; testimony, 118; house,
contributions requested for repair-
ing roof, 255 ; mentioned, 252
Karreman, ship, 180
Ketelhuyn, Jochem, 51, 83, 156, 263
Keyser, Adriaen, 75
Kleyn, Elmerhuysen, 72, 84, 164, 167
Kleyn, Uldrick, 182, 184, 186, 187
Knyver, see Cnyver
Koninck, see Coninck
Kroon, see Croon
Labatie (Labite), Jan, referee, 18,
21 ; to lay out land, 20 ; re-
signs as magistrate to live in
the colony, 42; garden, 48;
pleads cases, 53 ; house and
lot, 56; lot, 61, 69, 187; mag-
istrate, 126; ordered to return
lime, 144; loan of money to
Director General, 163 ; men-
tioned, 60, 65, 141 ;
sues Clomp, 29; Westerkamp,
32; Becker, 58, 119; Hap, 59;
Pietersen, 144
La Chair, Salom.on, 279
Lademaker, see Machiel, the lade-
maker
Lamberts, Annitge, 260, 261
Lambertsen (Lammertsen), Poulus,
235, 260, 261
Lammertsen, Dirck, 165, 166, 167
Lammertsen, Jan, 187
La Montague, Jan, 75
Laurens, Styntgen, 29, 32
Lauson (Loison)', Jean de, governor
of Canada, 90
Leen, Symon, 226
Leendertsen, Gabriel, 82, 141, 145
Leendertsen, Paulus, 60
Leendertsen (Glen), Sander, ne-
gress, 16, 24, 27; lot, 56, 112,
113, 212, 276; must pay fees,
59; to collect tax, 77, in;
maeistrate. 126. I30. 269: ref-
Leendertsen (Glen), Sander — Con-
tinued
eree, 140 ; money due to, 141 ;
to build bridge, 143 ; gives
presents to Maquas, 171 ; con-
veyance of houses, 197 ; wife,
231; sues Claesen, 254; gift
for repairing Jurriaensen's
house, 256; surety bond, 264;
payment of money to court,
285 ; mentioned, 247 ;
sued for slander, i6; about sale
of horses, 150
Liberis, Catharina, 172
Loison, Johan de, see Lauson, Jean
de
Loockermans, Pieter, 162, 237, 297,
30s
Loosdrecht, Jacob, see Van Loos-
drecht, Jacob Hendricksen Maat
Loserik, Jacob, sec Van Loosdrecht,
Jacob Hendricksen Maat
Lot, Pieter, 145, 158
Lourensen, Lourens, 133, 148
Luyersen (Van Kuyckendall), Ja-
cob, house and garden, 26;
complaint about negress, 27;
sued for messenger fees, 59;
prosecuted for abusive lan-
guage and assault, 76, 83, 108,
134; must pay treasurers, 130;
must file answer to complaint,
131; pardoned, 134; to pay
fine, 134; mentioned, 145, 180
sues Leendertsen, 16; Cathalina
Sanders, 24; Plodder, 25
Maat (Maet), Jacob Hendricksen,
farmer of the excise, 176; re-
quests that burghers obtain
certificate for beer, 176-77;
summoned to testify, 179;
payment for excise on wine
and beer, 195, 222; charges
against, 201 ; attachment of
beer, 202 ; testimony, 204 ;
judgment against, 211 ; fight-
ing, 211, 221 ;
sues Bronck, 198; Jansen, 209.
See also Van Loosdrecht, Ja-
cob Hendricksen Maat
320
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
Macheck Sipoeti (Indian), 290
Machiel, the lademaker, 41, 44, 83
Machielsen, Jan, see Michielsen, Jan
Maerten, the farmer, see Van Yssel-
steyn, Marten Cornelisen
Maertens, Poulus, 247
MarceHs, Hendrick, 108
Marten, S wager, see Ottsen (Otten-
sen), Martin
Marten, the mason, see Herpertsen,
Marten
Martensen (Van Alstyne), Jan, 48,
261, 272, 285, 301
Marttensen, Marten, yji
Megapolensis, Johannes, 33, 44, 185
Melius, Wheeler B., 11
Meussen (Messen), Pieter, 297
Meyndert, the smith, see Frederick-
sen, Meyndert
Meyndertsen, Carsten, 195
Michielsen (Machielsen), Jan, com-
plaint about negress, 27 ; tes-
timony at trial of Jacob Stol,
IDS ; to build bridge, 143 ;
mentioned, 31 ;
sues Leendertsen, 16; Cathalina
Sanders, 20, 24; Albertsen,
36;
sued by Bronck, 29, 72; for mes-
senger fees, 59 ; for debt, 282
Mingael, Tomas Janssen, 297. See
also Jansen, Thomas
Nanningh (Nannix), Geertgen, 57,
213, 214, 237, 239. See also Bouts,
Geertgen
Nes, Dirck, see Van Nes, Dirck
Nicknames given to houses, 198-200
Nolden (Nolding), Evert, 43, 44
Otterspoor, Aert, 190
Ottsen (Ottensen), Marten, 74, iSo
Pastoor, Frans Barentsen, excused
from paying fine, 67; magis-
trate, 126, 139, 223, 269; loan
of money to Director General,
163 ; gives presents to Maquas,
171; lot, 212; surety for Pieter
Pastoor, Frans Barentsen — Con-
tinued
Bronck, 235 ; opinion on grant-
ing a lot, 245; asks for relief
from certain duties, 245 ; to
request contributions for Wil-
lem Jurriaensen, 255; referee,
277 ; mentioned, 276, 278 ;
sues Vosburgh, 247, 250, 253, 297,
301 ; Loserick, 268, 272 ; van
Bremen, 301, 307; Martensen,
301 ; Vos, 301 ; Bronck, 307
Paulw, Tomas, see Powell, Thomas
Pearson, Jonathan, Ii-I2
Peeck, Jan, 145, 275, 291, 297
Pels, Evert, boards delivered by, 149;
sued for debt, 155; petition of,
174; money due from van
Bremen, 196, 219; wounding
of, 210;
sues Arentsen, 68, 71 ; van Hoe-
sen, 154; Bronck, 214, 215, 219
Philipsen, Leendert, 140, 147, 156,
292, 306
Pieter, the baker, 293
Pieters, Baefifgen, 190, 257, 261. 284
Pieters, Geertruyt, 173, 176
Pietersen, Abram, see Vosburgh,
Abraham Pietersen
Pietersen, Ariaen, 21, 64
Pietersen (Coeymans), Barent, 299
Pietersen, Cornelis, 190, 192. See
also Hoogenboom, Cornelis Pieter-
sen
Pietersen (Clauw), Frans, 260
Pietersen, Gillis, garden, 133, 145;
sale of house, 144; referee, 184;
testimony regarding a fight, 184,
185 ; sued for debt, 291
Pietersen (Coeymans), Luykas, fined
for not building- on lot, 145, 168;
prosecuted by Dyckman, 157; gar-
den, 158, 174; sued for debt, 171,
178 ; complaints against of vio-
lence, 184, 186; not guilty of
charges, 195
Pietersen, Philip, see Schuyler,
Philip Pietersen
Pietersen, Ryndert, 219
COURT MINUTES, 1652-1656
.^21
Poest, Jan Barentsen sues Marten
Hendricksen. 64, 66; fencing off
lot, III; farm, 150, 190, 192; men-
tioned, 192. See also Wemp, Jan
Barentsen
Pot (Pott), Cornelis, 179, 225
Poulus, the Moorman, see Jansen,
Paulus
Poulussen, Gommer, 294
Powell (Paulw, Paul), Thomas,
testimony, 226, 242 ; petition of,
229; prosecuted by de Deckere,
250, 277, 280; sued by Claesen,
253; sues Claesen, 292; mentioned,
229, 234, 241
Pries, Evert, 297
Prins, Willem Jansen, 108
Quick, Jacob Teunissen, see Teunis-
sen, Jacob
Rensselaerswyck, court of, 9; con-
solidated with court of Fort
Orange, 9
Rcur, Hcndrick Jansen, 203
Rinckhout (Ringhaut), Daniel, pros-
ecuted for violating ordi-
nances, 251, 277; petition, 229;
judgment against, 277; sues
Teunissen, 284 ; summoned to
court, 303;
sued about grain measures, 175;
for payment of excise, 253 ;
by Bamboes 275, 279
Ripsen (Rips, Ribsen), Claes, 68,
188, 197, 260, 291
Roelofsen, Jan, testimony regarding
Jacob Stol, 109; fined for not
building on lot, 153 ; appointed
surveyor, 187 ; to build the
block-house church. 263 ; pros-
ecuted by de Deckere, 272, ;
mentioned, 271 ;
sued by Bamboes, 272 ; by Jacob-
sen, 300
Rosekran5, Lysbet, 56, 65
Rotterdam, Claes. see Jansen, Claes,
from Rotterdam
Rutgcrtsen, Ryck, 192
Ryckertsen, Michicl, 145, 243
Ryverdingh, Marriecke, 23, 26. See
also Jans, Marritgcn
Ryverdingh (Rcverdingh, Ruyver-
dingh), Pieter, fees, 17, 30;
lot, 61 ; offers money to Jur-
riaensen, 80, 82; certificate of
delivery of beer and wine, to
give, 80, 97 ; residence, 87 ; to
make up accounts of persons
drowned, 94; accounts, 142,
176; money paid to, 237; men-
tioned, 42, 52, 60, 84, 85 ;
sues Luyersen and Michielsen,
59; Jansen, 233; Gouw, 239;
Jacob Teunissen, 246; Adri-
aensen, 259; Jan Schut, 275;
Bastiaensen, 279
Sanders (Sandertsen), Cathalina,
20, 24, 231
Sanders (Sanderts), Thomas, gar-
den, 65 ; unable to pay assess-
ment, 119; testimony regard-
ing Stol and Dirck Lammert-
sen, 166; house, 179, 184; men-
tioned, 166;
sued by Bastiaensen, 27 ; for
debt, 147
Schaets, Rev. Gideon, lot, 61 ; gar-
den, 64; announcement from pul-
pit regarding Van Slichtenhorst,
99, 120, 124; charges against Claes
Ripsen, 188, 197; surety for SHch-
tenhorst, 243; requests money for
Schrick, 243; mentioned, 60, 66
Schapenbout, Arent, 58
Schellinger, Jan Tjebkens, 136
Schcrmerhoorn ( Schermerhoren) ,
Jacob Jansen, insult to offi-
cials. 20; lot, 53; garden, 64,
67, 107, 112, 157, 158; judg-
ment against, Id ; to lay out
lots, 108, 131, 133, 150; magis-
trate, 126, 269; referee, 140;
appointed guardian, 146; re-
port on lot for Adriaen Jan-
sen, 159; loan of money to
Director General, 162; gives
J22
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
Schexmerhoorn ( Scherinerhoren) ,
Jacob Jansen — Coniimied
presents to Maquas, 171 ;
money paid to, 176; testi-
monial to, 177; gone to Hol-
land, 177, 216; mentioned, 164;
sues Herpertsen, 85, 93 ; Adri-
aensen, 135; Loserik, 254, 259;
Davidts, 304
Schools, 238
Schrick, Paulus, 73, 243
Schut (de Cuyper), Jan, 275
Schut, Willem Jansen, 194, 213, 215,
241
Schuyler (Schuler, Scheuler, Schul-
dert), Philip Pietersen, cases re-
ferred to, 29, 244; lot, 33, 45, 131,
276; sues Albertsen, 66, 67; house
nicknamed, 199; interest in a drag
net, 220; testimony, 226, 231;
surety bond, 264; magistrate, 269
Scgertsen, Cornelis, island of, 24;
house sold to, 98, 134, 135, 137;
claim against Jacob Adriaensen,
137; appointed guardian, 146; re-
quest for woodland, 150; sued for
debt, 275
Segertsen, Gerrit, 176, 185
Sibbinck, Jacob Hendricksen, 133,
134, 145
Sille, Nicasius de, 123
Slecht, Cornelis Barentsen, 262
Slichtenhorst, Brant, see Van Slich-
tenhorst, Brant Aertsen
Slichtenhorst, Gerrit, sale of brandy
to savages, 164, 167; dispute
about chest, 214, 215 ; fighting,
227, 229; prosecuted for fight-
ing, 234, 237, 238; surety for,
243;
sued for debt, 243; about lease
of yard, 304, 307
Slichtenhorst (Slechtenhorst), Mar-
gariet, 260
Slingerlant, Teunis, see Van SHnger-
lant, Teunis Cornelisen
Smit, Jan, 55, 57
Staets, Abraham, cases referred to,
21, 52; lot, 48, 61; to collect tax.
Staets, Abraham ■ — Continued
77, III; magistrate, 126; loan of
money to Director General, 162;
to present powder to Indians, 175;
payment of money to court, 285;
mentioned, 22, 55, 60, 61
Stevensen, Abraham, see Croaet,
Abraham Stevensen
Stevensen, Pieter, 306
Stiggery, Stick, an Indian, 90
Stoffel, the carpenter, see Jansen
(Abeel), Stoffel
Stoffelsen, Reyer, 291, 292
Stol (Hap), Jacob Jansen, abusive
words against magistrates, 26, 27 ;
fighting, 59, 96; testimony on
shooting by, 103, 107, 109, 1 1 1 ;
ordered to present answer to
charges, 119; money due to, 148;
horses sold to, 150; house, 197;
requests permission to purchase
land, 230; prosecuted for fighting,
238; fined, 238; appeal from sen-
tence, 239; sued by Chambers, 244,
246, 252; not punished for beating
wife, 248 ; moneys in the custody
of, 296; mentioned, 45, 52, 93, 198
Stol (Hap), Willem Jansen, lot, 48,
157, 187; fighting, 165, 166,
167; testimony, 213, 215, 219;
ordered to pay for house, 222;
taken to guard house, 252 ;
prosecuted, for drinking during
service, 235 ; by de Deckere,
2=4, 258, 261 ;
sued by Bamboes, 279; by Jacob-
sen, 282
Stuyvesant, Peter, 7, 8, 13, 44, 270
Swager, Marten, see Ottsen (Otten-
sen). Marten
Swart, Gerrit, 120, 210
Symants, Styntge, 19
Symon, the baker, see Volckertsen,
Symon
Symonsen, Aricn, 274
Tappen, Juriaen Teunissen, see
Teunissen, Juriaen
COURT M.INUTES, 1652-1656
323
Teller (Teljer, Tellier), Willem,
complaint against, 217 ; testi-
mony, 226 ; fighting, 247 ; to
take up monthly collection,
245;
prosecuted for fighting, 244; for
encroachments on public road
and slander, 266, 272, 273, 280
Tempelier, Theunis, 218
Ten Haer, Mariken, T2)
Tesselaer, Evert, 32, 134, 135
Teunissen, Claes, 250, 259, 292, 303,
306
Teunissen (Theunesen), Cornells,
from Breuckelen, 42, 175
Teunissen, Cornells, see also Van
Westbroeck, Cornells Teunissen
Teunissen (Theunisen), Jacob, 71,
226, 246
Teunissen (Theunissen), Joost, 20,
28, 36, 41, 43, 50
Teunissen (Tappan, Theunissen),
Juriaen, denies charges against,
20; sued for debt, 69, 284; fight-
ing at house of, 117, 132; sues
Baefge Pieters, 284
Teunissen (Theunissen), Pieter, 172
Theunisen, see Teunissen
Thomassen, Cornells, 95
Thomassen, Frans, 169
Thomassen (Witbeck), Jan, petition,
41 ; magistrate, 108, 126 ; loan
of money to Director General,
163 ; gives presents to Maquas,
171; house nicknamed, 190;
attorney for Wemp, 210; lot,
212; referee, 253, 254; grant
of land to, 255 ; gift for re-
pairing Jurriaensen's house,
256; ordered to build on lot,
263 ; examination of an Indian,
290; mentioned, 17, loS. 138;
sues Albertsen. 130; Schut, 194,
213, 215; Bamboes, 264
Thomassen, Poulus, 89
Tbullert, Johanna, see De Hulter,
Madam Johanna
Thysen, Claes, 163
Thysen, Jacques, 69, 196. See a'so
Vander Heyden, Jacob Thysen
Uylenspiegel, Claes, 278, 282
Van Aecken, Jan, sued by Hen-
dricksen, 179; house, 184;
house nicknamed, 199; dispute
about a chest, 297 ; mentioned,
147;
sues Daret, 28, 29, 33 ; Meyn-
dertsen, 195; Fredericksen,
195
Van Alckmaer, Ariaen, see Pieter-
sen, Ariaen
Van Alstyne, Jan Martensen, see
Martensen, Jan
Van Bremen, Jan Dircksen, indebt-
edness, 28, 41, 196; testimony
regarding Clomp, 70; attach-
ment of money in hands of,
94, 214, 215, 219; summoned
to court, 219; prosecuted for
various offenses, 96; by de
Deckere, 248 ; for wounding
Hans Vos, 248; mentioned, 29;
sued for debt, 41, 50. 70, 73, loi ;
for delivery of a hog, 70; for
failure to haul logs, 246; by
Bronck, 276, 278; by Pastoor,
301, 307
Van Breuckelen, Cornelis Theunesen,
see Teunissen, Cornelis
Van Couwenhoven, Jacob, 279
Van Curler, Arent, 134, 305
Van den Berch, Claes Cornelissen,
see Cornehssen, Claes
Van den Bergh (Berch), Arent, 154,
300, 302
Van den Hoogen Bergh, Claes, see
Cornelissen, Claes
Vander Donck, Adriaen, 193
Vander Heyden, Jacob Thysen, 163.
See also Thysen, Jacques
Van Driest, Hendrick, see Andries-
sen, Hendrick
Van Duynkercken, Adriaen Jansen,
see Jansen, Adriaen
Van Eeckel (Ekel, Eeckelen), Jan
Janssen, 291, 296, 208. 303
Vnn Geel. Maximiliaen, 60
Van Groenwout, Juriaen Jansen, see
Jansen, Juriaen
324
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
Van Hamel, Dirk, 239, 299
Van Hoesen (Hoesem, Housen),
Jan Franssen, lot and garden,
18, 24, 49, 52, 55, 62, 191, 272;
wife, 19, 21, 22, 80, 142; house,
47; contract with Jurriaensen,
63, 67, 78; loan of money to
Director General, 162 ; request
concerning Jurriaensen's house,
199, 210; gift for repairing
Jurriaensen's house, 256; men-
tioned, 143, 165 ;
sues Jurriaensen, 17, 78, 80;
Becker, 55; Herpertsen, 58,
144 ; Gerritsen, 284 ;
sued about house, 47 ; by Becker,
65; for debt, 154; by de Deck-
ere, 245
Van Ilpendam, Adriaen Jansen, re-
quests promotion to office of sec-
retary, 29 ; referee, 57 ; garden,
65 ; sued for debt, 75 ; excuses ac-
cepted, 83 ; attack on by Stol, 104,
105 ; day and night school, 200
Van Kuyckendall, Jacob Luyersen,
see Luyersen (Van Kuyckendall),
Jacob
Van Linthout, Abraham, 279
Van Loosdrecht (Loserik), Jacob
Hendrickscn Maat, fighting,
III, 118, 254, 257; attachment
of goods, 165, 168; complaint
against, 169 ; summoned to
court, 169; lot, 186; mentioned,
203, 271, 281 ;
prosecuted by Dyckman, 116;
for fighting, 254 ; by de Deck-
ere, 261, 268, 270;
sues Maria Jans, 187; Steven
Jansen, 254, 259, 275;
sued by Adriacnsen, 153, 169
for payment for house, 254
by Jansen, 259 ; for debt, 268
by Pastoor, 272. See also
Maat, Jacob Hendricksen
Van Naerden, Hendrick Jansen. see
Jansen, Hendrick, the cowherd
Van Nes, Dirck, 29, 32
Van Noortstrant, Jacob Janssen,
303
Van Putten (Van Petten), Wouter
Aertsen, 20, 45
Van Rensselaer, Jan Baptista, court
messenger sent to, 60 ; referee,
134; in possession of farm of
Poest, 190; house nicknamed, 200;
proposed actions against, 225 ;
sued by Jan Hendricksen, 244;
mentioned, 66, 158, 290
Van Schoonderwoert, Tennis Jacob-
sen, see Jacobsen, Teunis
Van Schoonderwoert, Rutger Jacob-
sen, see Jacobsen, Rutger
Van Slichtenhorst (Slechtenhorst),
Brant Aertsen, assault on, 76, 83;
announcement in church concern-
ing, 99, 124 ; protest regarding,
119, 120; says court has no juris-
diction over him, 125 ; beavers due
to Claes Gerritsen, 135, 142, 144;
restitution of beavers, 228; men-
tioned, 15
Van Slingerlant, Teunis Corneliscn,
185, 268
Van Slyck, Cornelis, see Teunissen,
Cornells
Van Thienhooven, Cornelis, 62, 66
Van Twiller (Twillert), Jan (Jo-
hannes), 141, 186, 296
Van Valckenburgh, Herman Jansen,
203, 204, 206, 208
Van Valckenburgh, Lambert, sum-
moned to court, 131 ; dispute
with Herpertsen, 136; requests
a lot, 185; testimony, 252;
sued for debt, 34; by Goosen
Gerritsen, 292
Van Vechten, Teunis Cornelisen, 233
Van Voorhout (Wip), Claes Cor-
nelissen, 235
Van Voorhout, Seeger Cornelissen,
see Cornelissen, Seeger
Van Westbroeck (Bos), Cornelis
Teunissen, on committee to
oversee surveying of lots, 16;
appearance in court, 18;
COURT MINUTES. 1652-1656
325
Van Westbroeck (Bos), Cornelis
Teunissen — Continued
referee, 22, 44, 253; surely, 49,
263; letter to from members
of court, 113; memorandum
for, 114; magistrate, 126;
lease of house, 130; term of
office expired, 139; questioned
in court on various matters,
158, 168; loan of money to
Director General, 162; attor-
ney, 275 ; requests lot for
Mingael, 297;
sues Jacobsen, 153; Croaet, 300
Van Ysselsteyn, Marten Cornelisen,
244
Vastrick, Gerrit, 137
Vastrick, Robbert, 137, 235
Vedder (Vetter), Harmen. 229
Veeder, Symon Volckertsen, see
Volckertsen, Symon
Verbceck, Jan, takes burgher oath,
17; complaint about boy running
away, 22 ; referee, 27, 64, 254, 277 ;
to provide for support of church,
28; sued for debt, 29, 30; magis-
trate, 126, 236; sues Coninck, 149;
gives presents to Maquas, 171; on
committee to confer with Director
General, 174; appointed treasurer
of court, 214, 215 ; ordered to build
on lot, 263; mentioned, 164
Vcrvelen (Verwegen), Daniel, 225,
232
Visbeeck (Viesbeeck), Gerrit, 303
Visscher, Harmen Bastiaensen, see
Bastiaensen, Harmen
Vogel (Voogel), Arent Cornelisen,
35, 39, 40, 102, 207, 246
Volckertsen, Symon, baker, 67, 201
Vos, Cornelis, garden, 158; lot, 159;
loan of money to Director
General, 163; accused of giv-
ing nicknames to houses, 198;
house nicknamed, 201 ; missing
tub of butter, 209; summoned
to court for giving nicknames,
210; not guilty, 213; replica-
tion to answer filed by, 218;
Vos, Cornelis — Continued
sued by Adriaensen, 121 ; for
debt, 284; by Barentsen, 297,
301, 302, 305, 306
Vos, Hans, 248
Vosburgh, Abraham Pieterscn, house,
15, 266; surveys by, 16, 17,
117; referee, 27; indebtedness,
102 ; petition to tap beer, 65 ;
part payment on bridges, 123;
to begin bridge, 138; faulty
surveying, 146; bridge not
built, 149; de Vos answers
complaints about, 155; lot,
158, 159, 213, 217, 24s; petition
of, 160; ordered to appear in
court, 160-61, 164, 297 ; replica-
tion again to be sent to, 160,
164; arbitration of dispute,
173; wife, 174, 176; payment
for bridges, 178; sues Lam-
mertsen, 235; disputed ac-
counts, 281; mentioned, 112,
157;
sued for debt, 38, 58, 212, 235,
250; by Ryverdingh, 247; by
Pastoor, 247, 250, 253, 297,
301 ; by Maritge Dyckmans,
250; by Gerritsen, 274, 27S; by
van Ekel, 291, 296, 29S; by
Cobes, 297
Vrooman, Pieter Meussen, see Meus-
sen (Messen), Pieter
Vylens, Claes, 302
Waeye, Keese, an Indian messenger,
156
Wemp, Jan Barentsen, 89, 209, 210.
See also Poest, Jan Barentsen
Wendel, Evert Jansen, 163, 199, 205,
226, 245
Wesselsen (Becker), Jocliem, the
baker, wife, 17, 21, 26; pigsty,
22; judgment against, 48, 241;
to pay fine, 61-62, 66, 130, 249,
280; testimony in trial of
Jacob Stol, 103; attack on by
Stol, 105; to sheet bank of
326
FORT ORANGE AND BEVERWYCK
Wesselsen (Becker), Jochem — Con-
tinued
kill, 141 ; loan of money to
Director General, 162 ; testi-
mony regarding sale of brandy
to savages, 164, 167 ; statement
regarding nicknames of
houses, 199 ; request concern-
ing Jurriaensen's house, 199,
210, 238, 255 ; quarrel with
Slichtenhorst, 227, 229, 234,
237, 241 ; petition presented by,
229 ; sells to savages, 242, 243 ;
denies selling to savages, 250;
gift for repairing Jurriaen-
sen's house, 256; beavers in
custody of, 274 ; request for a
garden, 299;
prosecuted for abusive language
and assault, 23 ; for violating
ordinance on baking, 55, 61,
251, 280; for fighting, 117, 130,
227, 229, 237, 238, 241 ; about
beer found among savages,
213, 215 ; by de Deckere, 233,
248, 250, 277;
sues Van Hoesen, 47, 49, 65 ;
Rinckhout, 175; Hoffmeyer,
298;
Wesselsen (Becker), Jochem — Con-
tinued
sued for slander, 18, 19, 25 ; for
debt, 32; about a lot, 52, 119;
by Labatie, 58; for assault,
73 ; for shooting a dog, 140 ;
by Bamboes, 279 ; by Jacobsen,
282
Westerkamp, Femmetgen, 182. See
also Alberts, Femmetgen
Westerkamp, Hendrick Jansen, wife,
26, 182; sued for debt, 32, 34;
testimony, 62; mentioned, 73
Wever, see Alartensen, Jan
Willems, Margriet, 22
Willemsen, Jacob, prosecuted for
fighting, 117, 130; dispute about
chest, 214, 215; petition presented
by, 229; testimony, 241, 242; gift
for repairing Jurriaensen's house,
256; sues Wesselsen, 274
Winnen (Winne), Pieter, 72. See
also De Vlamingh, Pieter
Wip, Claes, see Van Voorhout, Claes
Cornelissen
Witbeck, Jan Thomassen, see
Thomassen, Jan
Witmont, Jan, 213, 214, 220
Witthardt (Withart). Tan, 134, 135
i^
Y