USA > New York > New York City > The minutes of the Orphanmasters court of New Amsterdam, 1655 to 1663 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
The administrators of the estate of Tys Janzen,
I34
Executive Minutes
the carpenter, are herewith ordered by the Burgo- masters to pay to the Treasurer of this City for the account of Tytus Cyre de Vries the sum of 20 fl. for fishing up and bringing ashore the body of Tys Jan- sen, to be credited against what said Tytus owes to the City for his Burgherright. Done etc.
Honourable, Valiant Gentlemen.
Whereas you have been pleased to allow to the Burgomasters of this City the nomination of the suc- ceeding Churchwardens and as the term of Church- warden Hendrick Jansen van der Vin has expired, and it is required to put another in his place, there- fore a double number is submitted to you, namely
Govert Loockermans and
Jan Vigne, both late Schepens.
and your Honours are requested to select therefrom, whom you may deem the most fit. Done March 30, 1662.
By order etc.
Friday, April 7, 1662, present (as before).
Before the Board appears Hendrick Jansen van der Vin, Churchwarden of this City, who asks per- mission on behalf of the Church to take away the box in the City Hall, which is granted.
Joannes van der Meulen and Joannes de Witt, administrators of the estate of Sicx van der Stighelen appear, who are urged to hasten the matter in their charge.
Hendrick van Bommel asks by petition for resti-
I35
of the Burgomasters.
tution of 15 feet of land, belonging to him of the little street along his house and given by the Burgo- masters to Hendrick Eghbersen. Marginal reply : The Burgomasters will inspect the locality.
The Secretary is ordered by the Burgomasters to deliver his commission to the newly elected Church- warden Govert Loockermans.
The President reports, that the bakers intend to export their grain from here to Fort Orange, which ought to be prevented. The Burgomasters decide, to consult Jacob the baker and Reinier Wileemsen about it.
Wednesday, April 12, 1662, present (as before).
The Burgomasters decide, to send the following order to Churchwarden Hendrick Jansen van der Vin :
The late Churchwarden Hendrick Jansen van der Vin is herewith ordered to make ready his accounts of the Church revenues and expenditures as soon as possible and submit them to the Burgomasters. Done etc.
The Board adopts the following articles and in- structions for the Firewardens.
Friday, April 21, 1662, at the City Hall present (as before).
Before the Board appears Hendrick Jansen van der Vin, late Churchwarden, who delivers his accounts of the Church money, received and paid
136
Executive Minutes
out, as more fully may be seen by the bills filed in this City Hall.
Articles and Instructions, adopted by the Burgo- masters for the Firewardens.
I. The Firewardens of this City are directed to see, that no more roofs be covered with reeds nor the old ones repaired under a penalty of 6 fl.
2. That no wooden nor plastered chimneys be made in this City and to condemn those, which may have remained, and have them torn down in a pre- scribed time under a fine of 6 fl. for each time, if their order is not obeyed.
3. If in inspecting they find any chimney foul they may fine him, whose chimney is in such condi- tion, 3 fl. for the first time, 6 fl. for the second and 12 fl. for the third.
4. They shall take care, that the ladders and fire- buckets are not used by the inhabitants under a fine of ifl. each time.
5. They shall be obliged to go to a fire with a black staff with three crosses under the penalty of 3 fl. for the Officer.
6. They shall be held, to make an inspection at least every three months and see, that the fire- buckets are in their places, having those, which are damaged, brought to the City Hall, where they will then be repaired on the order of the Burgomasters.
7. They shall take care, that the porters of the Weighhouse and the beer carriers, as well as the grainmeasurer, go to the fire and remain there, until
I37
of the Burgomasters.
the fire is out or as long as the Firewardens deem it advisable under a penalty of 3 fl. for each person.
S. The Firewardens shall take care, that no little fires are made outside of the houses, to cook by in summer, which may cause a conflagration.
9. The Firewardens shall receive for their services all beforementioned fines.
Thus done and adopted at Amsterdam in New Netherland, April 21, 1662.
Before the Board appear Sieur Isaack Bedlo and Jan Gerrizen van Buytenhuyzen, administrators of the estate of Andries van Buytenhuysen, who perished here on the Ioth of February of this year: they submit the accounts and papers of said estate and having seen the bill for board of Jan Gerrizen against Andries and his book, the Burgomasters find three items on three different dates, about which they speak to him and ask, when he has entered them. He says, as soon as the man was dead, whereupon he was ordered to make a more detailed account at more reasonable prices.
The said administrators are requested to hasten the matter and Isaack Bedlo was allowed to employ Jan Jelissen Kock for collecting the moneys for said estate.
Wednesday, May 3, 1662, present (as before).
Before the Board appears Jan Gerrisen van Buy- tenhuysen, who is asked, what agreement he had made with his nephew Andries van Buytenhuysen
138
Executive Minutes
about board ; he says, none and that his nephew had told him ; 'Cousin, we shall settle that all right.' As he charges 14 fl. weekly for board, he is asked, whether while he was alive, he had given the equiv- alent to his nephew, which he affirms.
As there is an account between Jan Gerrisen and Andries van Buytenhuysen and the books and papers are in the hands of Isaack Bedlo, said Bedlo is called, who coming with the books, it is found, that Jan Gerrisen owes Andries a balance of 418 fl. 17. and has bought goods from the estate for 223 fl .; he has also received on orders 101 fl. 6. and owes to the estate of Sicx van der Stighelen 87 fl., a total of 330 fl. 3.
Having received the bill of Jan Gerrisen van Buytenhuysen against the estate of Andries van Buytenhuysen for board for seventy one weeks at 14 fl. a week, the Burgomasters consider that too much and reduce it to 12 fl. weekly, which makes it 852 fl. and Isaack Bedlo, as administrator of said estate, is ordered to enter this sum, deducting also 6 fl. for two pieces of wash leather, for which Jan Gerrisen owes the estate, further according to the books for the goods bought at public auction, money received and what he owes to the estate of Sicx van der Stighelen.
Friday, May 12, 1662, present (as before).
Metje Wessels appears and is asked, how much she owes yet to Philipp Jacobsen Schaaff ; she says
I39
of the Burgomasters.
" nothing " and that she has his receipt, also that there is due to her from Philipp Schaaff one beaver.
Joannes van der Meulen and Joannes de Witt, ad- ministrators of the estate of Sicx van der Stighelen produce a statement thereof and a list of the debtors. The Burgomasters order to select some of them and summon those, who refuse to pay.
Annetje Dircks, widow of Pieter Kock, summoned by the administrators of the estate of Sicx van der Stighelen, appears and is asked, how much she still owes to said Sticx. She answers not more than four beavers, which Mr. Cornelis van Ruyven has agreed to pay, but which are not yet paid ; further referring to Sister Jans, her maid, this one says, that she car- ried some beavers to Sicx van der Stighelen on be- half of her mistress and said to him: "Now my mistress is quits with you," whereupon he answered " Yes." Anneken Dircks offers to confirm under oath, that she owes not more to the estate of Sicx van der Stighelen, than the four beavers, which Mr. van Ruyven has agreed to pay.
Wernaar Wessels entering, the Burgomasters take and examine his accounts against Sicx van der Stighelen and find, Wernaar Wessels claims from the estate 53 fl. 1I st. 8 p. in wampum and 36 fl. in beavers. It is found, that 55 fl. are due from the same estate to Govert Loockermans.
Friday, May 26, 1662, at the City Hall present Messrs. Oloff Stevensen van Cortlant, Paulus
140
Executive Minutes
Leenderzen van der Grift, Allard Anthony and Marten Cregier.
It is resolved to lay before the Director General and Council of New Netherland the necessity of keeping up the Heere Gracht (Broad Street") and for that purpose to ask permission for compelling parties, who are not willing to pay their share of the expenses, submitting at the same time the resolu- tions of the Director General, adopted at the meet- ing of this Board in the City Hall June 23, 1660.
Friday, June 2, 1662, at the City Hall present Messrs. Olof Stevensen and Paulus Leenderzen van der Grift.
Pieterje Jans, wife of Claas Jansen Ruyter, sum- moned by the administrators of the estate of Sicx van der Stighelen, appears and the administrators demand from her payment of what she owes to the estate. She answers, she has paid it and confirms her assertion by oath at the hands of the President.
Hendrick Coutrie, summoned by the adminis- trators, appears and they demand payment, where- upon he produces a counter-account, which he has sworn to and it is found, that there are still due him by Sicx van der Stighelen 4 fl. in beavers, 3 fl. 4 st. 12 p. in wampum and 12 fl. in silver, which the administrators are ordered to pay.
Hendrick Aarzen, alias Spaanjaart, summoned as before, is asked by the administrators for payment !
*Then a waterway.
I4I
of the Burgomasters.
of 36 fl. I st., whereupon he says, he has to receive from Sicx 10 fl. in beavers for board and passage money and 3 fl. in wampum, which he agreed to pay for Jan Hendricksen Steelman. The Burgomasters order Hendrick Aarsen to pay the administrators 14 fl. I st. and to prove, that Sicx had agreed to pay 8 fl. for Jan Hendricksen Steelman.
Lysbet Greveraat, the wife of De Samuel Drisius, summoned as before, appears and the administrators produce an account, taken by Lysbet from her books, concerning the goods, bought from Sicx van der Stigelen. Upon examination of this account and the entries in the books, kept by Sicx and brought by the administrators, they are found to agree except the cloth, of which Sicx had sold her 135 ells. Said Lysbet says, it was not so much, but she had only three bales and two pieces, of which one piece was 1512 ells, the other 14 and the bales not measured ; also that they would not measure as much, but she cannot say positively, how much she has had, as she has sold an ell now and then and believes she has not entered all. The Burgomasters direct her to bring in at the next session a specifica- tion of how many ells of cloth she has had from Sicx van der Stighelen as far as she can find out from her books.
The wife of Pieter Lauwerensen, summoned by the administrators, appears and they demand from her 205 fl. in wampum and part of it in pewter. She says, she has paid it in beavers and wampum. The
142
Executive Minutes
Burgomasters order her to come again to-morrow between 8 and 9 o'clock and prove it.
Hendrick Aarsen Spaanjaart returning, he is asked, where he lives: he says, on the yacht, which belongs entirely to Freryck Gysbertsen, as long as he does not pay him. The Burgomasters decide, as the yacht is owned by Hendrick Aarsen Spaanjaart, who has only mortgaged it to Freryck Gysbertsen, Hen- drick is bound to buy and pay for his Burgherright.
The Treasurer reports, that the nephew of Jeroni- mus Ebbinck has bro't here 12 ankers of distilled waters, which he sells to pay his expenses, also that La Graigne has sold some of the goods brought here, both doing it to pay freight and expenses. He therefore asks, whether they are bound to purchase their Burgherright. The Burgomasters decide, they are not bound, as they have brought goods, not re- quired by anybody.
The Treasurer also asks, what he is to do with the Farmer, as the time for payment has passed.
Whereas the Burgomasters of this City have re- solved to have erected in the Heere Gracht* at the East River a convenient and durable lock, to keep said Gracht at all times full of water, so that in time of need because of fire, which God may prevent, and at other occasions it may be used and that especially the great and unbearable stench may be suppressed, which arises daily when the water runs out, therefore they direct all and everybody dwelling on either side
* Broad Street.
143
of the Burgomasters.
of said Gracht to pay, upon the demand of the Treasurer or on his order, the share as imposed by the tax of February 13, 1660, even though these moneys were intended to pay expenses for the Gracht and now are to be used for erecting the afore- said lock. Done etc.
Friday, June 9, 1662, present (as before).
Before the Board appears the Concierge Mattheus de Vos, who reports, that there are some differences between him and the Secretary J. Nevius concerning the fees for selling goods at auction, as he maintains, they belong to him and the Secretary is of the opinion, they are his perquisites, the more so, because the instructions of the Concierge do not mention, that he is to receive any fees, but may demand and receive for attending such a sale 6 fl. for each day of 9 to II hours and as much more or less, as circum- stances require. The said Secretary and the Con- cierge entirely refer these differences to the opinion and decision of the Burgomasters, who say, that both are to have the fees, each one half of the fees and of the per diem for attendance of the Concierge. Parties are satisfied with this decision and give thanks to the Board.
The Concierge is admonished, to collect the out- standing debts due to the estate of Nicolaas Velt- huysen and of Boudewyn van Nieuwlandt.
The wife of Nicolaas the carter asks, what she is to do to receive her pay from the estates of Sicx van
144
Executive Minutes
der Stighelen and Andries van Buytenhuysen for houserent and board. The Burgomasters promise to do the best possible for her.
Monday, June 12, 1662, present (as before).
Before the Board appear Joannes van der Meulen and Joannes de Witt bringing a list of the debtors of Sicx van der Stighelen's estate, of whom they have summoned some, as follows :
Jan Hendrickzen Steelman appears and the ad- ministrators demand 198 fl. in beavers. He answers, he has paid and is ordered to prove it. Jan Hen- dricksen admits to owe for four knives, two small cups and three ankers of brandy, at 145 lbs. of to- bacco for the anker ; the wife of Carel van Burgh was to have the fourth anker, but did not receive it. The Burgomasters order Jan Hendricksen to go and fetch an export ticket, showing that he has received only 3 ankers.
The wife of Nicolaas Backer is asked, whether she knows, that she has received from Sicx van der Stighelen more, than she has reported ; whereupon she answers No. Further asked, why in her two bills she charges for a month's rent of chamber and cellar more than in the first, she answers that the goods have been lying there after the expiration so much longer, for which the Burgomasters allow her half a month's rent.
Then the Burgomasters took up and examined her accounts with Sicx van der Stighelen and found, that
145
of the Burgomasters.
the estate owes her 90 fl. 212 st. in beavers and she to the estate 91 fl. 20 st., of which amount to her credit she can be preferred only for 3 beavers, the balance coming in concurrence.
Hans Dreper, summoned by the same administra- tors, appears and they demand payment of what he owes to Sicx van der Stighelen according to accounts. He produces a counter account, saying he had en- tered everything correctly and sworn to it. He is found to still owe the estate 220 fl. 2 st.
Hilletje Tobias, summoned as before, appearing, the administrators demand from her 200 fl., where- upon she says, she has against that a bill for 105 fl., to which she has sworn. The Burgomasters order her to pay the balance.
Hendrick Janzen Backer (baker), appearing upon their summons, the administrators demand 56 fl. 2 st., on which he says, he has paid 10 schepels of oats at 2 fl. the schepel. He is ordered to pay the rest.
Madaleen Hans, wife of Hendrick Jansen Spiers, appearing the administrators demand 100 fl., of which she says, she has paid 50 and the wife of Nicolaas Backer has counted the money; also that she had given to Sicx a deerskin, when he perished and he had drunk at her house four quarterns of brandy. The Burgomasters order her to prove in writing, that she had paid 50 fl. to Sicx van der Stighelen.
Lambert Hendricksen van Campen, summoned by said administrators, appears and they demand from him 13 fl. 4 st .; he says, he has settled with Sicx, pro-
146
Executive Minutes
ducing a counter-account for 13 fl. 18 st., which he offer to swear to.
Nicolaas Meyer, summoned as before, the admin- istrators demand 40 fl. in wampum, against which he says, he has a claim of 12 fl. Holland currency since 1660. The Burgomasters decide to offset one against the other, with which Meyer is satisfied and then he says, that he still has a claim against Sicx for freight, of which he has given the bill.
Jan Sprongh, summoned as before, is asked for 33 fl. rost. He answers, neither he nor his wife have ยท ever had any goods from Sicx nor have they been in his house, to which he swore.
Marycke La Noy appearing shows an account against Sicx van der Stighelen and asks payment thereof. She is promised payment, as soon as the estate is settled.
Metje Wessels, summoned as before, is asked, what proof she has, that Sicx van der Stighelen had agreed to pay the board of his nephew for fourteen days, which she brings in account against his estate. She says, no other proof, than that he had said: "We shall not quarrel about it," to which is retorted, that her daughter speaking about it to Sicx, he had an- swered, his nephew's affairs did not concern him. The Burgomasters decide, that the administrators need not pay Metje Wessels the fourteen days' board and of the item of 60 fl. only 40.
The said administrators demand from Lysbet Greveraat, wife of Domine Samuel Drisius, payment
147
of the Burgomasters.
of the bill, of which she says, she has not received as many ells of cloth as charged therein. As she can- not sufficiently prove, how many ells she has had, the Burgomasters decide, that she must pay for as many as charged.
June 15, 1662. Issued an order to skipper Jan Jansen Bestevaar for the payment of wharfage dues, conform to the order to Pieter Reyersen of August 1, 1661.
Friday, June 23, 1662, at the City Hall present Messrs. Olof Stevenzen van Cortlant, Paulus Leen- derzen van der Grift and Allard Anthony.
The Board orders a warrant to be issued to the Treasurer to collect the tax on chimneys August 1, agreeably to the Ordinance of July 27, 1661.
Wednesday, June 28, 1662, at the City Hall pres- ent Messrs. Olof Stevenzen van Cortlant and Paulus Leenderzen van der Grift.
The administrators of the estate of Sicx van der Stighelen appearing lay before the Board the bal- ance sheet of said estate.
Order.
The administrators of the estate of Sicx van der Stighelen are herewith authorized and directed by the Burgomasters to satisfy and pay everybody, who has any claim on said estate and has made it known. Done at Amsterdam in N. N. date as above.
148
Executive Minutes
Wessel Wesselsen appearing is informed, that he must pay his note, given to Boudewyn van Nieuw- landt. He says, he cannot do it now, but promises to do it, when he returns from the Virginias. He is ordered to give security for the payment and not to leave, before he has done it.
Arien Franzen Visser is told, that according to the account book he is indebted to Boudewyn van Nieuw- landt. He acknowledges to have been in his debt, but says, he has paid it and offers to confirm it under oath.
Tuesday, July 4, 1662, at the City Hall present Messrs. Pieter Tonneman, Olof Stevenzen van Cort- lant and Paulus Leenderzen van der Grift.
Adriaan Vincent is directed to pay for his Burgher- right. He answers, he has not been long in the country and has left his house here unsold. Taking into consideration, that he has lived here many years and has not made it a business to go and come, the Burgomasters decide, that for the time of his absence he is to pay his dues for the Rattlewatch and chimneys.
Order concerning him to the Treasurer.
The Treasurer is herewith directed, to demand and receive from Adriaan Vincent the dues for the Rattlewatch and the chimney fees, fallen due during his absence.
The administrators of the estate of Sicx van der
149
of the Burgomasters.
Stighelen, coming before the Board, ask, as Joannes de Witt intends to go to Fort Orange, that he may have a letter of recommendation, to collect there debts of the estate. Follows the letter :
Worshipful and very good friends. During the month of February last past there perished here with others one Sicx van der Stighelen ; for his estate we have thought it advisable for the best of the creditors to appoint administrators and we have qualified and authorized as such Sieurs Joannes van der Meulen and Joannes de Witt. As said de Witt intends to leave by the first opportunity for Fort Orange, where some debtors of the estate live, therefore at the re- quest of the administrators we pray you to dispatch said de Witt in his business as aforesaid, as quickly as circumstances allow and in case you have troubles by refusal to pay the debts, you will on similar oc- casions find us as willing at your request. We are and remain your good friends, the Burgomasters and Schepens of the City of Amsterdam in New Nether- land. Done etc. July 8, 1662.
Mr. Paulus van der Grift reports, that the Director General has asked him, why the Burgomasters had come to his house, to which he had answered asking, what the General thought of paying the debts of the parties, perished here last February and whether we must wait until letters from their principals had come; requesting at the same time his Honour's advice, whereupon he had said, to follow old customs and act accordingly.
150
Executive Minutes
Friday, July 7, 1662, at the City Hall present Messrs. Olof Stevenzen van Cortlant and Paulus Leenderzen van der Grift.
The Treasurer reports, that the "Osaners" * are unwilling to pay the Burgerright and the 20 fl. to go to Fort Orange, before having first kept here in the City, according to rule, an open shop. He asks for an order forbidding their leaving, also that yachts and barges must pay wharfage and port dues and that in default thereof he may make seizures.
Order.
The Treasurer of this City is herewith directed and strictly ordered by the Burgomasters, to demand and collect wharfage and port dues as well as the Burgherright fees and other City taxes without delay, to arrest the unwilling and compel them to pay.
Mettje Wessels entering says, she has given an acquittance to the administrators of Sicx van der Stighelen, who have given her an order on Gabry, but as she does not like to have anything to do with him, she wants an order on the administrators. She is ordered to call upon Gabry for payment and bring back the order, if he fails to pay.
The widow of Willem Pietersen is ordered to pay 20 fl. Rattlewatch dues and other City taxes, all in. wampum.
* Not to be found in any dictionary.
15I
of the Burgomasters.
Friday, July 21, 1662, present (as before).
Claas van Elslant senior entering produces a bill for the funeral of her husband against Leentje Dirckx Servaas, for the payment of which he had spoken to her, who instead of it gave him a foul answer, saying the house was sold and "Get your pay, where you can." As Gerrit Hendricksen, the Farmer, has bought the house and his son has attached the money, he requests he may lift it. Asked, whether he is too hard with his bill, he does not answer and is ordered to summon Leentje before the Court of Breukelen and to produce proof of ac- knowledgment.
Secretary Nevius laid before the Burgomasters the return of survey of Mettje Jurriaans' lot in order to receive a deed. The Burgomasters tell him to speak about it to the Treasurer, as he has received the money on his private account for surveying the lots and regulating the streets.
Mr. Paulus Leenderzen van der Grift reports, that Joris Wolsy has spoken to him about the lining and running up with rock the wall before his door and that he had answered, his wife's sister, the wife of Carel van Brugh, made some claim to the little street between Joris Wolsy and the City Hall. The Burgomasters decide, she must show her land patent and if according to this the land belongs to her, it shall be set off against the wall, to prevent other claims.
152
Executive Minutes
Warrant for the Churchwardens.
As according to an extract from the Register of Resolutions of the Director General and Council, dated March 30, 1662, Govert Loockermans has been by them elected and confirmed as Churchwarden, therefore said Govert Lockermans is herewith requested and authorized to enter upon the duties of this office. Done etc. August 3, 1662.
Friday, August 4, 1662, present (as before).
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.