USA > New York > New York City > The minutes of the Orphanmasters court of New Amsterdam, 1655 to 1663 > Part 5
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Jan Jelisen Koeck produces the list of all, from whom he has received the money for the Rattle watch, and of those, who are unwilling to pay.
Lodowyck Pos appearing, he is informed, the Bur- gomasters have heard, that he had said to those
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among the Burghers, who have paid, they need not pay for the Rattle watch, which he denies.
The Burgomasters decide, that the members of the Rattlewatch shall be exempt from the payment on condition, that they shall also call (the hours) outside of the gates, the Landgate as well as the Watergate*, for which the people living there must pay to support the Rattlewatch.
Before the Board came Jan Cornelissen from Vrensburgh, Cornelis Barensen and Matthys Muller, members of the Rattle watch, who requested to be ex- empted from payment of the watch money, where- upon they were informed of the preceding resolution.
Pieter Jansen, ships carpenter, asks for permission to build a house in the Maagde Paatje (Maiden Lane), alongside of Cornelis the smith, back of the wharf, which is granted and an order accordingly made.
Claas van Elslandt the younger is ordered to fetch his father and coming back he says, Mr. Cornelis van Ruyven has given his father some letters, arrived from the South, to deliver, which he is doing now.
At the request of the Churchmasters the following order is handed to Jan Gillizen Koeck :
Order.
The Burgomasters of this City of Amsterdam in N. N., having taken into consideration the request
* The landgate was at Wall Str. and Broadway, the watergate at Wall Str. and Pearl.
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of the Churchmasters of said City, herewith authorize and qualify Jan Jelisen Koeck to take care, that the bell be tolled for the dead at the proper time, also to preserve the pall, collect the hire thereof for the church as well as the fee for ringing the bell, the rent for the straps, benches and boards; to keep a record of all, who have died and are buried, without concerning himself with anything else in this regard. Done at Amsterdam in N. N. February 25, 1661. By order etc.
Order for the Churchmasters
Having received the remonstrance of the Church- masters concerning the pews in the church and the vacant seats in them, the Burgomasters of the City of Amsterdam in N. N. think, it is proper, that the vacant seats in the pews should be rented out or sold for the benefit of the Church and therefore grant the request. Done ut supra. By Order etc.
Having received the returns of the election of Churchmasters, Orphanmasters and Firewardens the Burgomasters have submitted the following nomi- nations to the Honble Director General and Council. Honourable, Valiant Gentlemen.
Whereas the term of the Honble Nicasius de Sille as Churchmaster has expired; whereas the Honble Paulus L. van de Grift, late Orphanmaster, has been confirmed by your Honours as Burgomaster and Sieur Joannes de Peyster, having served as Orphan-
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master two consecutive years, requests to be dis- charged and whereas Sieur Hendrick Kip senior has continued as Firewarden for some years, while Sieur Jan Jansen de Jongh, also Firewarden, has removed outside of the Landgate, therefore the Burgomasters of this City, to whom you have referred the nomi. nations, submit a double number for each office, as follows :
For Churchmaster
Honble Joannes de Decker, Councillor of N. N.
Honble Cornelis van Ruyven, Secretary.
For Orphanmasters
Marten Cregier, Old Burgomaster
Cornelis Steenwyck
Hendrick Kip senior
Hendrick Jansen van der Vin
For Firewardens
Vernaer Wessels Hendrick Willemsen the Baker
Jan Jansen van Brestee Claas Gangelofzen Visser.
We request, that you will. please to elect from these, whom you deem fit for these duties. Done etc.
By Order etc
Friday, March 4, 1661, present (as before), Claas van Elslandt the younger handed to the Burgo- masters the following record of the confirmation of Church and Orphanmasters and Firewardens :
Executive Minutes
Extract from the Register of Resolutions of the Director General and Council of New Nether- land, adopted at their meeting Thursday, March 3, 1661.
Having received and read the nominations for the offices of Churchmasters, Orphanmasters and Fire- wardens, as submitted by the Burgomasters of this City, the Director General and Council have there- from continued, chosen and confirmed
As Churchmaster Honble Nicasius de Sille con- tinued.
As Orphanmasters Messrs. Marten Cregier, Old Burgomaster, and Cornelis Steenwyck, Old Schepen.
As Firewardens Hendrick Willemsen the Baker and Claas Gangelofzen Visser.
Done at Fort Amsterdam in N. N., date as above. Beneath stood: Agrees with the Register-Signed C. v. Ruyven, Secry.
The request of Allard Coninck, asking to be ex- cused from purchasing his small Burgerright, because at the time of the great war he with others has helped to work on the wall, is answered by : Pursuant to the privileges, granted by the Director General and Council of N. N. petitioner's request cannot be granted, but he must pay like others.
Claas van Elslandt senior appearing, he is told, that complaints are made against him, because he does not behave well as gravedigger and when invit- ing people to a burial, and because of his age and long residence here he is warned to behave
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better henceforth and the following order is given him:
The Burgomasters of the City of Amsterdam in N. N. have taken into consideration the request of the Churchmasters and herewith charge and direct Claas van Elslandt the elder to take care only of the graves of the dead, dug in the church and in the church yard; to look after the bier being fetched and brought back to the proper place; to invite, accord- ing to old custom, everybody to the funeral, walk decently before the corpse and to demand and receive pay only for his services, without asking for more. Done February 25, 1661. By Order etc.
Before the Board appeared Eghbert Meindersen, to whom was read the request and affidavit of the sworn butchers against him and he was asked, what he had to say. He answers, that that is only spite, for as regards the sick pig, he can prove by ten wit- nesses, that it had only a sore throat and that they came to appraise the pig in the evening at about 9 o'clock, when he was going to bed, whereupon he told them, to value and slaughter it, which they would not do. Thereupon he went with them and valued the pig at 24 fl .; they asked, whether he would take it for that price, he said Yes and kept it. As to the slaughter ticket, he did not allow anybody to go away, who brought the money ; he cannot give credit, as he has over 300 fl. outstanding for the last year.
The following answer is given to the request of the sworn butchers: Petitioners are referred to the
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Court of Burgomasters and Schepens in re the sick pig and may there enter their suit against Eghbert Meindersen. Concerning the slaughtering of cattle, allowed him until further orders, he is ordered not to let anybody run after the excise ticket, if he has paid for it.
Abraham Pietersen Molenaar (miller), who has some of the City's money on interest, appears and as the City needs the capital, he is told to go to Mr. Olof Stevensen and ask, whether he will take the loan on his account and satisfy the City, he, Abraham, giving a mortgage on his house, the interest to be remitted. He answers, the City has not demanded interest from him, but promises to go and speak with Olof Stevensen.
The servants of Coenraat ten Eyck appear, of whom Jan Jelissen Koeck says, they are not willing to pay the Rattlewatch dues. They say, that by their con- tract with him, they are exempted from it, and are or- dered to pay, retaining their recourse on their master.
Marritje Roelofs is also accused by said Jan Jelissen with not paying the Rattle watch dues and says, she is willing to do it as soon as she can, whereupon she is ordered to do as the others.
Aaltje Mareschal is allowed fourteen days more, in which to pay for her Burgher right.
Order concerning the Orphanmasters.
Whereas according to the Extract from the Register of Resolutions of the Director General
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and Council, dated March 3, 1661, from the nomi- nations by the Burgomasters of this City the Honble Marten Cregier, Old Burgomaster, and Cornelis Steenwyck, Old Schepen, have been con- firmed as Orphanmasters vice Paulus Leendersen van der Grift, late Orphanmaster and now Burgo- master, and Joannes de Peister, therefore said Marten Cregier and Cornelis Steenwyck are here- with ordered and authorized, to enter upon the duties of Orphanmasters with Mr. Oloff Stevensen Cortlant and serve as such. Done at the session of the Burgomasters of the City of Amsterdam in N. N. March 4, 1661.
Order concerning the Churchmasters.
Whereas according to the Extract (ut supra) the Honble Nicasius de Sille has been continued by the Director General and Council as Churchmaster, therefore he is herewith requested and authorized to perform the duties of said office for the ensuing year with Hendrick Jansen van der Viss. Done ut supra.
Order concerning the Firewardens.
Whereas according to the Extract (ut supra) from the nominations by the Burgomasters Hendrick Willemsen the baker and Nicolaas Gangelofsen Visser have been confirmed as Firewardens with Evert Duyckingh vice Hendrick Hendricksen Kip and Jan Jansen de Jongh, therefore said Hendrick
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Willemsen the baker and Claas Gangelofsen Visser are herewith ordered and authorized to enter upon the duties of Firewardens and to serve as such with the old Firewarden Evert Duyckingh. Done as above.
Friday, March 11, 1661, present as before.
Before the Board appeared Pieter Wolfersen van Couwenhoven, who requested, that his accounts with the City might be closed. Having examined the accounts the Burgomasters find, that Pieter van Couwenhoven has still to receive from the City 52 fl. 16 .- , provided the City undertakes to pay 371 fl. 16 .- for planks, which the Company ought to pay.
Isaack de Foreest is asked to pay for the lot, bought from the City by Jelis Pietersen ; he answers, Immetje, the widow of Frans Clasen must pay for it. Immetje produces a writing showing, that the lot, which said de Foreest has bought, has been paid for, but upon examination of the writing, it is found, that the payment was for houserent. Isaack de Foreest is told, he must pay, as he has bought the lot, whereupon he requests permission to sell the house again, and as Immetje, being a widow, is not in the condition to raise the money for the payment, which the Burgomasters under- stand, she is given time and ordered to look about and raise the money.
Jacques Corteljau asks for the Burgherright for
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his brother-in-law, who intends to establish himself as wheelwright. He is told to go to the Treasurer.
Pieter Andriesen, alias the Chimney sweep, asks for a conveyance of the lot, bought from the City, and is ordered to go to the President for a note.
Daniel Vervelen is ordered to pay for his Burgher- right, whereupon he says, Mr. Oloff Stevensen had told him, he must pay for it 20 fl. in wampum.
Jurrien Janzen van Auweryck is ordered to pay for his Burgherright and the bucket money; he promises to do his best.
Ambrosius Weerhem coming in and asked for payment of his Burgherright, answers and promises to work it off in the service of the City.
Lambert Hendricksen is ordered to pay for his Burgherright according to obligation.
Metje Greveraat is asked, why she has not yet paid her money for the Rattle watch and for her Burgherright. She answers, that she cannot do it, as she does not earn as much as a man and there- fore she requests, to be excused, but she is ordered to pay, the payment for the Burgherright being meanwhile suspended.
Aris Otte is asked, why he does not pay the fire- bucket dues and says, that Jan Jansen Hagenaar had undertaken to pay it. He is ordered to do it himself, having his recourse on Jan Jansen or his heirs.
Rem Jansen Smitt called upon for payment of
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his Burgherright, pretends he ought to be excused, because he has been so long in the country.
Andrees Joghimzen, asked why he does not pay his share (of the taxes ?), promises to pay 10 fl.
Daniel Litsco is told, that according to the books and papers of Jacob Kip, the former Secretary, he still owes 92 fl. 10 .- excise dues for the year 1654, whereupon he shows a receipt, dated December 29, 1654.
The wife of Eghbert van Borsum also is told, that she owes 179 fl. 12 .- excise dues for 1654; she answers, that she did not know, she owed it, as she had never been asked for it and that she had always paid, when the collector came.
Maria Polett, told as before, that she still owes 70 fl. 12 .- excise dues for 1654, says, she does not owe, having paid it to Kip.
Abraham de la Noy is informed, it has been found, that he owes 127 fl. 16 .- excise dues for the aforesaid year, but he disproves it by his book.
Sybout Clazen asks for the appointment of arbi- trators on the accounts between himself and his wife, which request having been considered, the case is referred to Sieurs Jacob Strycker and Joannes de Peister, late Schepens of this City, in the presence of Schepen Pieter van Couwenhoven.
Extract from the Register of Resolutions of the Director General and Council of New Netherland, adopted at their meeting Thurs- day, March 10, 1661.
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of the Burgomasters.
The Burgomasters of this City are directed to de- liver to the Secretary of the Director General and Council in due shape the City's accounts of receipts and expenditures during the last year, 1660, and to do so henceforth every year on the day before the old Burgomasters leave office and the new ones enter upon it, as it is done in the praiseworthy govern- ment of the City of Amsterdam. Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, date as above. Beneath stood: Agrees with the original. Signed Corn. van Ruyven, Secretary.
Friday, March 18, 1661, at the City Hall present (as before).
Before the Board appeared Jacob Kip, late Secre- tary, who was told, that according to his accounts of the excise there were people still in debt for the general excise on beer and wine, who when spoken to about it, said they had paid. He answers, he says delivered his accounts to the Company and is asked to furnish to the Burgomasters an extract from these accounts, so that a balance of his account may be sent to each debtor.
Lodowyck Pas entering reports, that the Rattle- watch importune him about fuel and he does not know, how much is allowed them. He is told, no fire wood has been allowed. Pieter Schaafbanck is asked, how much wood has been given to the Rattle- watch: he says, 200 pieces, and the Queekers* have
* This word may mean Quakers or pupils.
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had about 100 pieces. He is ordered, to demand and receive from Resolveert Waldron the money, which he has had from the Queekers for wood.
Albert Pieterzen, the bugler, says, he has been spoken to about the money for his Burgerright, but as he is an old Burgher he ought to be exempted from paying it. The Burgomasters agree to wink at it and inform the Treasurer.
Tomas Swartwout is asked, how it comes, that he does not pay for his Burgerright and his fire buckets dues. He answers, he has not been able to raise it and that he has sold his land, to satisfy everybody. It is therefore resolved, to wait yet for some time.
Jan Gerrizen van Buytenhuys is asked, why he does not pay for his Burgherright, and says, he can- not raise it, but promises to pay next May and then says, in a month.
Jan Janzen from Rotterdam is asked, why he does not pay his fire buckets dues and answers, he has paid them. He is then told, that he has another house, for which he must pay, but as it is a small building, he is allowed to pay one florin in wampum instead of in beaver and ordered to do so.
Roelof Hendricksen, summoned for non-payment of his Rattlewatch dues, says, he has not so much, and it is resolved, to be lenient with him.
Herry Bresar, summoned for refusing to pay the Rattlewatch dues, says, the watchmen do not come to, where he lives. The Captain of the Rattlewatch, being spoken to about it, says, that according to
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orders, they have not to go farther than the Maagde Paatje (Maiden Lane), whereupon he is told, that this order referred to bad weather, at any other time they had to go as far as Tomas Hal's.
Stoffel Elswaart, summoned for non-payment of his Rattlewatch dues, says, he has no money and has earned none for a long time, but he offers to deliver 100 pieces of firewood for one year's dues, which is accepted and he is promised, that if the wood should be more, than he owes, he shall be paid the difference.
Jan Jelizen states, that he has not been able to col- lect the dues from Claas van Elslant senior, Bruyn the mason, nor from Jeremias Jansen and his brother.
Before the Board appeared the Honble Marten Cregier and Cornelis Steenwyck, who are informed of the resolution of the Director General and Council confirming their election as Orphanmasters: they are requested to do their duties in this office, which they promising to do, their commission in communi forma is given to them.
On the 11th of April, 1661. Abraham Cermel has been accepted as Rattle watchman and has taken the oath of fidelity.
Friday, April 15, 1661, at the City Hall present (as before).
Jonas Barteltsen appears before the Board and a bargain is made with him for cases in the Council-
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chamber, to place therein the City's papers, books, etc., for which he is to receive 4 fl. per day.
Mrs. Wessels requests. that the concierge (Sheriff's officer) be ordered, to execute the judgement of January 4, 1661, against Jacob Jansen Sam. So ordered.
The wife of Leendert Arendsen, summoned for non-payment of Rattle watch dues, requests, to be excused : whereupon she was promised, that she should not be spoken to about it very soon.
The following Ordinance was delivered to the skippers, now in port :
N. N., skipper of the ship X. Y. Z., is herewith ordered by the Burgomasters of this City, to pay to their Treasurer for the accommodations in dis- charging his cargo at the landing place 8 stivers per last,* less goods and wares pro rata, of which he may charge two thirds to his freighters. Done etc. April 28, 1661.
Frans Jansen from Amsterdam petitions for the Burgherright and it is ordered, that the petition be granted, on condition that he pay to the Treasurer, what is due. Done etc. April 30, 1661.
Order.
Treasurer Marten Cregier is hereby directed by the Burgomasters of this City not to receive pay- ment for Burgherright from anybody, unless the same has been asked for and obtained from them. Done etc. April 30, 1661.
* 4000 pounds.
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Wednesday, May 4, 1661, at the City Hall pres- ent (as before).
Before the Board appeared Abraham Staats, who is informed of the order of the Director General and Council, concerning the obtaining of the Burgher- right and its benefits. He has absented himself from here for four consecutive months and was for- bidden to carry anybody along, unless he did first pay his dues to the City.
The carriers of the Weighhouse appearing on a complaint, that an anker of Annis had been found half empty, were asked, who had brought it to the Weighhouse. Barent Jacobsen says, he has done it and Crey Jacobsen, that he has carried it out.
Balthasar de Haart is informed, that he is re- ported having complained to Fiscal Nicasius de Sille, that his anker of Annis was laying half empty in the Weighhouse. He says, it was about one fourth empty, but while it was on the bridge or at the landing place it was full ; he has not moved it and has later seen, that it had been rolled about. Asked, whether he demands satisfaction or whether the matter shall be further examined, he answers, the Fiscal had told him, he should call some neigh- bours as witnesses and that he should make no further complaint. He is then informed, of what the Fiscal has said against the porters and they, returning, are ordered, not to place goods into the Weighhouse and to pay more attention to mer- chants' property.
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Friday, May 6, 1661, at the City Hall present (as before) and Marten Cregier.
Hendrick Jansen van der Vin, appearing before the Board, requests, that the bond for the lot, on which he has built a house, be annulled, as he has paid it, showing a receipt from Cornelis van Ruyven for two-thirds of the pay. Having examined it the Burgomasters consent to the annulling of the bond. Hendrick Jansen further requests, that the lot be measured, saying, that 412 feet of the 9 feet alley belongs to him, as the lot was sold according to bill of sale, and that he be exempted from sheet piling along the river and on the Graft. He is told, the case will be examined.
Order.
The Court Messenger Claas van Elslant junior is herewith ordered by the Burgomasters to forbid all skippers, sailing from here to Fort Orange or else- where, to take along any passenger, arrived here in the last ships from Fatherland, or their goods, unless they can show the written consent of the Burgo- masters or Treasurer, under a penalty of 150 fl. Done etc.
Friday, July 8, 1661, at the City Hall present Messrs. Paulus Leenderzen van der Grift and Allard Anthony.
Before the Board appeared Arent Jurriaensen Lantsman, who is told, that complaints are made
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against him, because he does not live in peace with his wife. He is ordered to guard against more com- plaints and answers, the parents are the cause; they stir her up, saying, she must not submit and may in time wear the breeches. He complains, they treat him badly. Lodowyck Pos coming in is told, that this brother-in-law* has complained bitterly of him, as he of him. He requests, they might both be heard and after it had been done, Lantsman was ordered, to live in peace with his wife.
Sybrant Janzen Galma and Tomas Lambersen are told, that the pew of Burgomasters and Schepens has to be made larger and they are requested to do it, fetching the wainscot from Mr. de Sille and the City paying for it.
The Rattlewatch is ordered, not to call before day break: Rise up from bed etc. They ask for light and are promised for the present two pounds of candles.
The porters of the Weighhouse ask for the ap- pointment of an elder among them. All are heard singly and give their vote, by which Joost Goderis is elected.
To the Noble, Very Worshipful, the Director General and Council of New Netherland.
Respectfully show the Burgomasters of this City, that on the 15th of December 1657, you have ordered them, to collect from each chimney for the purchase
* Lodowyck Pos was the father-in-law, see Records of New Amster- dam, first series, Vol. p.
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and maintenance of fire buckets and ladders one florin and whereas there are here many poor inhabi- tants, who have only one small chimney, but pay as much for taxes as well-to-do persons, who have two to three fire places for one chimney, which we think, subject to correction, is a great disadvantage to them, therefore we request, your Honours will please to take it into consideration and put such a tax on each fire place, as in your wisdom you shall deem fit. Awaiting your decision we remain
Your Honours obedient servants
The Burgomasters of the City of Amsterdam By their order Joannes Nevius, Secry.
Marginal Order: Petitioners are authorized to col- lect for each fire place one florin annually. Done at Fort Amsterdam in N. N. July 15, 1661. Beneath stood : By order of the Director General and Council C. v. Ruyven, Secretary.
Friday, July 15, 1661, at the City Hall present (as before).
Warrant.
Officer Pieter Tonneman is herewith ordered by the Burgomasters of this City, to visit, pursuant to the order of the Director General and Council, with Secretary Nevius, Claas van Elslant and Jan Gillisen Koeck, all the houses within the jurisdiction of this City, examine the fireplaces in them, making a com- plete list of them including the leads and also make
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a note of all wooden or plastered chimneys. Done etc.
Order concerning the bakers.
Pursuant to the Ordinance of the Director General and Council, dated October 26, 1665, you, N. N., are herewith ordered by the Burgomasters of this City not to bake any longer within the jurisdiction of this City from August Ist of this year, unless you have first asked for and obtained from the Burgomasters a licence, which is to be renewed every three months, for which you are to pay each time {1. Flemish* under the penalty of being forbidden to continue for those, who carelessly or intentionally omit it.
Before the Board appeared Lodowyck Pos, who is asked, what he had to do at night at the house of the Blue Dove with quarrelling and scolding and allow- ing his sword to be taken from him; he answers, he came there by accident and is reprimanded and ex. pressly charged, to guard against the recurrence of such things, look after his belongings and remain with his wife and children. He is asked, who has been there, and says, Jeremias Jansen, Wernaar Wessels, the hatter, Jan de Ruyter, the servant of Nicolaas the carter and that the trouble and quarrel arose between Joghins the shoemaker's man, who is a soldier, and Jan de Ruyter, that a sailor of the ship the Trouwe (Faith) and others separated them and that the gunner of the Moesman and Anthony Karel-
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