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Extract from the Register of Resolutions of the Honourable Director General and Council of New Netherland, made at their meeting Friday, February 25, 1656.
The Burgomasters of this City have remonstrated to this Board, that the labours and cares, daily occur- ring in their offices, are increasing so much, that it is inconvenient, to attend as well to the duties of Orphanmasters as they would like to : they therefore request, that two worthy and respectable men be authorized and appointed, whose duty it shall be, to look after the orphans and infant children, living in the jurisdiction of this City, to administer upon their property in and without the City and oversee such administration by others. For this purpose they have named four persons, requesting the Director General and Council to elect two of them as Orphan-
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of New Amsterdam.
masters. After due consideration the Director General and Council have chosen and confirmed from the nomination, as they hereby do, Poulus van die Grift and Pieter Wolfertsen van Couwenhoven. Done at Fort Amsterdam in N. N. on the day, as above.
Below stood : Agrees with said Register.
C. v. RUYVEN, Secry.
Agrees with the original.
JACOB KIP, Secretary.
Whereas Cornelis Groesen and his wife Lysbet N. have come to their death during the last disaster with the Indians and it is reported, that they have left some goods at the house of Jan Schryver, the tailor, therefore the Orphanmasters P. Leendertsen van die Grift and Pieter Wolf. van Couwenhoven, having deemed it advisable to take an inventory of these goods, so that the children, now captives of the Indians, when they return, may have the benefit of them and debtors as well as creditors may come to their rights, this inventory was taken by the Orphanmasters in the presence of the Deacons of this City on the 20th of April 1656, as more fully appears by the record of inventories and as some goods were found, which would be of no use to the children and as money is required, to ransom them and to pay outstanding debts, the Orphanmasters have decided to sell to the highest bidder at auction
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Minutes of the Orphan Masters
the movable goods, which was done on May 4th, 1656 and recorded May 5th. Agreeably to the notice affixed, everybody is notified, that if he has anything to claim from the estate, left by Cornelis Groesen dec'd he must report it between to-day and next Monday, May 8th, to the Secretary of this City, Jacob Kip, with specifications and proofs under the penalty of being debarred with his claim in the future. Done this 5th of May 1656.
By order of the Orphanmasters,
JACOB KIP, Secretary.
May 16, 1656. At the City Hall present the Orphanmasters Paulus Leendertsen van die Grift and Pieter van Couenhoven.
Read and examined the account of the estate of Cornelis Grocsen dec'd, covering as well what said Groesen owes according to claims handed in, as what is due for goods bought etc. to the estate. The following statement was drawn up :
The Estate of Cornelis Groesen dec'd
Dr. 1656 1656
Cr
May 16, To the following creditors May 9, By goods left and sold at public auction .
f.468.7
" Dirck van Schelluyne, on behalf of Corn. Jansen of Emden, . f. 366. as per note,
" balance of pur- chase-money of house & lot as
" Augustyn Hermans 10.
" Judick Verleth, 41.9
per contract, . 500.
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of New Amsterdam.
Dr. 1656
1656
May 16 David Provoost dec'd, 28.7
" Hendr. Jansen van Naerden, carpen- ter as per con- tract & account, 16.10
May 9 interest on said f.500 according to bill of sale, to the last payment in 1660 at 9. p. c.
p. a., 135.
" Aert Willemsen per a/c, . .
24.8
The land lies waste and
" Andries Jochemsen
7.3 unsold.
" la Montagne & Mr. Hans, 30.
Hendr. the baker, 12.17
" Claes Pietersen Kos, 8.
Willem Beeckman, 25.
" Abram Clock, .
17.14
" Walbrugh de Silla, 10.15
" Jan Peeck, . 41.
" Jacob Strycker, 4.
" Jan Schryver for victuals for the children and making clothes, . 48.
" Jacob Kip, advanced for necessary clothing, . 142.
" Expenses in ran- soming the chil- dren, for the boy, .
fl.60 154.
for the girl, " 94
" Hendr. Hendr., the
tailor, 27.
" Isaac de Foreest, 8. fl. 1022.3
fl. 1 103.7
Cr.
After examining the account of the estate of Cor- nelis Groesen dec'd the Orphanmasters find, that for
(
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Minutes of the Orphan Masters
the present only 80 per cent of the money in hand can be distributed. Therefore the following list was made and Secretary Kip is hereby ordered to pay the amounts :
Augustyn Heermans, . fl. 8
Judick Verleth, 32
David Provoost dec'd,
12
Hendrick Jansen, the carpenter, .
I2
Aert Willemsen,
19
Andries Jochemsen,
6
Montagne & Mr. Hans,
24
Hendrick the baker,
IO
Claes Pietersen Kos,
6
Willem Beeckman,
20
Abram Clock,
12
d'Silla, 8
Jan Peeck 5 fl. in cash and the
balance next year, when the
money for the house is rec'd, ·
66
5
Jacob Strycker,
3
Hend. Hendd., the tailor,
20
Isack Foreest,
6
Jacob Kip, .
" 108
The Orphanchamber for the ran- som, " 100
Jan Schryver for board & ·
wages, . ·
48
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of New Amsterdam.
Dirck van Schelluyne is assigned upon the pay- ment for the house according to the following bond. Done etc May 16, 1656.
P. L. VAN DIE GRIFT PIETER VAN COUENHOVEN
Before the Orphanmasters of the City of Amster- dam in N. N. appeared Joseph Geresolveert Waldron and promised to pay as his own debt to the attorney of Cornelis Jansen from Emden from the yearly instalments, which he owes for a house and lot, pur- suant to bill of sale of April 3, 1655, bought from Cornelis Groesen, to-wit now in cash fl. 145, in April 1657 fl. 100 in April 1658 fll. 121, each punctually, under bond of his person and property, real and personal, nothing excepted, subject to all laws and courts and specially binding said house and lot, so that by default of payment the money may be recov- ered and collected without loss and expense.
In witness whereof this has been signed by said Joseph Waldron in the presence of the Orphanmas- ters at Amsterdam in N. N. May 16, 1656.
P. L. VAN DIE GRIFT
PIETER VAN COUWENHOVEN
Signed : JOSEPH WALDRON In my presence JACOB KIP, Secretary.
May 18, 1656. At the City Hall present the Orphanmasters.3
3 Names as before.
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Minutes of the Orphan Masters
Having seen and considered the testament, made by van Couwenhoven and his deceased wife Hester Jans, also the statement made by Jacob van Couwen- hoven to his children with the inventory of clothing and jewelry, the Orphanmasters resolve, that said Couwenhoven shall be summoned as soon as possi- ble, to give a mortgage on his real estate as security to his children for the property, inherited from their mother.
Wednesday, June 7, 1656. At the City Hall present the Orphanmasters.
Govert Loockermans, one of the guardians of the infant children of Jacob van Couwenhoven and his late wife Hester Jans, appearing reports, that the clothing and jewelry, proved by inventory to belong to the children of Couwenhoven and Hester Jans are being used, given away and alienated; he therefore requests, that to prevent further alienation they may be given to the grandmother of Hester Jans. Jacob van Couwenhoven then appeared upon summons and denied, that a single piece of the children's property had ever been used or given away, and that every- thing is still at his house according to inventory and he is ready to deliver it, if he is given a document, that the clothing and other perishable things shall be secured against spoiling. The request of Govert Loockermans having been deemed reasonable, the Orphanmasters order, that the clothing and jewelry, proved to belong to the children, shall be delivered
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to the grandmother, to be kept by her safely and carefully for the best of the children.
Jacob van Couwenhoven has further, in the pres- ence of two Schepens of this City, executed a bond and mortgage on his large stone dwelling and brew- house to secure the money belonging to his children on their mother's side, as more fully appears by the Secretary's records.
By the ship d' Wagh.
Whereas it has pleased our Lord God, to take Cornelis Groesen and wife out of this world in the last encounter with the Indians and to let their two children remain the prisoners of the Indians for some time, from which captivity they were ransomed in the spring, we have thought it advisable, having learned that you are the next blood relation of good estate and means, to send these children herewith over to you and to inform you of the condition of their inheritance, namely that we have inventoried the property and sold it to the highest bidder at public auction ; we have made the creditors prove their claims and have paid them out of the proceeds of the sale and the outstanding credits provisionally So p. cent, as you may see by the enclosed inven- tory, bill of sale and balance sheet.
The lands, on which the deceased lived, lie waste and if you should deem it advisable to sell them for the benefit of the orphans, you may inform us and we will make use of the best opportunity.
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Minutes of the Orphan Masters
We have fitted out here the children as well as possible and as the situation allowed for the voyage on the ship de Wagh, their passage and board have been paid here by somebody else and you may repay the money to the bearer of the document. Commending you to the merciful protection of the Lord we remain
Your affectionate friends
The Orphanmasters of the City of Amsterdam in N. N.
Done June 9, 1656.
P. S. If the friends wish a fuller specification of the debts and will let us know it, they shall receive it.
Addressed : Worthy, Very Discreet, the Grand- father or in his absence the nearest friends of the minor children of Cornelis Groesen dec'd.
Tuesday, October 31, 1656, at the City Hall pres- ent the Orphanmasters.
The Burgomasters and Schepens having ordered us, the Orphanmasters P. L. van die Grift and P. van Couwenhoven, by marginal note (apostil) on the petition of Rynier Rycken to adjust the differences between sayd Rycken and Elizabeth Greveraer, widow of Elbert Elbertsen, over the administration of the estate by Rycken,
Therefore, pursuant to the order of said Court we have read the answer and claim of said widow and having heard both sides, we find that Rynier Rycken
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of New Amsterdam.
has sold by order of the Orphanmasters 4 the goods of said Elbertsen dec'd, of which he produced an ac- count with acquaintances and whereas the other side raises no other question, than over the commission, charged by said Rynier Rycken, the widow having had to take wampum on her first arrival and now claiming interest, therefore we decide that first an absolute judgment must be given and we consider it necessary to report our opinion to the Court, who will dispose of the case.
Concerning the commission, the Orphanmasters decide, that 5 p. c. are due to Rynier Rycken, as he has sold the goods by order.
Concerning the elk hides, bought for wampum, it appears by the confession of Lysbet Greveraer, that Rynier has offered them to her, but that she refused to take them saying, he had taken the heaviest from them and shipped them for his own account, which he offers to deny under oath, affirming, that they were the same hides, which were bought for wampum and which he therefore holds for his own account. All this the Orphanmasters consider reasonable.
Concerning the claim of wampum, we find by affida- vit, that Rynier Rycken has offered it to her and she refused it : therefore we decide, that Rynier Rycken may pay in wampum, which he still offers, on condi- tion of giving a proper acquittance without owing any interest.
Concerning the five beavers, which Rynier proves
4 Supra, Minutes of Novbr. 16.
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Minutes of the Orphan Masters
by a receipt for half an aem 5 of wine, paid to Jacob Backer at the funeral, the Orphanmasters refer to the Court, whether they ought to be repaid or brought into the account of wampum. Done etc October 31, 1656.
At this meeting the letter and books, sent to the Orphanmasters by the Director General and Council at the request of Secretary van Ruyven were opened and looked into, but as the time is past, the matter is deferred and nothing done.
Tuesday, November 28, 1656, at the City Hall.
Whereas Aryaentie Cornelis, widow of Cornelis Claesen Swits, intending to marry again with Albert Leendersen, bachellor, has now six living chil- dren, procreated by said Swits, to whom before the solemnization of the marriage a sworn statement of the property, inherited from their father must be given, so that when they come of age and marry, they may have what is their own, Therefore the Orphanmasters of this City of Amsterdam in N. N. herewith commission as guardians, with the consent of said Aryaentie Cornelis, Egbert Woutersen and Harmen Smeman, who are hereby authorized to make on behalf of said children with the widow such an estimate of the paternal inheritance, real and per- sonal estate, debts and credits, as they think equity requires, to report it to the Orphanmasters before the
5 Am, aum, awm = 41 gallons English.
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of New Amsterdam.
marriage and have it approved. Done etc. Novem- ber 28, 1656.
By order etc JACOB KIP, Secretary.
The guardians commissioned as above were called in and accepted the charge.
On the 2ª of December 1656 appeared before the Orphanmasters of the City of Amsterdam in N. N. Aryaentie Cornelis, widow of Cornelis Claesen Swits, dec'd., assisted by her present fiancé Albert Leender- sen on one side, and Egbert Woutersen with Harmen Smeeman, guardians, appointed by the Orphanmas- ters, on the other side, who declared that in con- formity with the order of the Orphanmasters they had agreed with each other for the six infant chil- dren, born by the said Aryaentie Cornelis as wife of Cornelis Claesen, namely Claes, 16 years old, Isack 13 yrs, Jacob 11 yrs. Apolonia 8 yrs., Cornelis 4 yrs, and Cornelia about 1 year, concerning their pater- nal estate as follows : Whereas Aryaentie Cornelis and Albert Leendersen have made an estimate of the property, means, debts and credits, left behind, they herewith promise honestly to bring up the six chil- dren aforesaid, to feed them, to take care of them, to have them taught to read and write, to have them learn an honest trade, as their state and condition may allow, and when they come of age or marry to fit them out decently ; also besides the foregoing to give to each child upon coming of age the sum of 25 Carolusguilders in cash, that is to all children 150 fl.
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Minutes of the Orphan Masters
and as security Aryaentie Cornelis and Albert Leen- dersen bind their persons and property, real and per- sonal, nothing excepted, especially the land and dependencies, hitherto occupied by them, situate on the Island of Manhatans near the farm of Jochem Pr Kuyter dec'd., mortgaging the same herewith, that said sum of money may thereby be recovered. Having thus agreed they further promise on both sides, to fulfill this agreement, submitting to all courts and laws. In witness whereof they have all signed this. Done etc
This is
the mark
This is
the mark
of EGBERT WOUTERSEN, made by himself.
of ARYAENTIE CORNELIS, made by herself
This is
the mark of
ALBERT LEENDERSEN, made by himself HARMAN SCHMEM P. L. VAN DIE GRIFT
The guardians of the infant children of Jacob van Couwenhoven appearing before the Orphanmasters of this City complain, that said Couwenhoven had again mortgaged his property, which might cause his children to lose their maternal inheritance. They therefore request, that Couwenhoven may be ordered to give to them, as guardians, without delay a cor- rect account and statement of his property, including debts and credits. Considering this request rea-
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of New Amsterdam.
sonable the Orphanmasters cause Jacob van Cou- wenhoven to be summoned, who on appearing asks for delay, until January next, which is granted and said Couwenhoven promises to give to the guardians on the first of January next a correct statement of his estate with debts and credits. In default thereof he promises to deliver to the guardians all his books and accounts or else they may take the same out of his house without opposition, to draw up themselves or through others the desired statement and balance sheet. For the carrying out whereof he binds his person and property, nothing excepted, subject to all laws. In witness etc. December 19, 1656.
JACOB VAN COUWENHOVEN
January 23d, 1657, at the City Hall present the Orphanmasters.
Whereas Claes Pietersen Kos, widower of Neel Engels dec'd., is engaged to marry Grietie Maes, widow of Claes Teunissen dec'd., and whereas said Claes Pietersen Kos has had by said Neel Engels a child, named Marretie, now nearly 2 years old, Therefore the Orphanmasters of this City, desiring to do their official duty to secure to said child the maternal estate due her, have with the consent of said Kos elected as guardians for said child Michiel Jansen and Egbert Woutersen, who called to the City Hall accept the charge and are herewith com- missioned and authorized as such guardians con- scientiously to settle with Clacs Pietersen either by
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Minutes of the Orphan Masters
inventory and appraisement of the estate left behind or by agreement, as they shall think fit, what is due to the child, which they are to report to the Orphan- masters and secure by mortgage upon lands or other real property. Done etc.
We, the underwritten Michiel Jansen and Egbert Woutersen, appointed by the Orphanmasters on the 23ª of this month of January and authorized as guardians of the infant child of Claes Pietersen Cos by his deceased wife Neel Engels, about 2 years old, to settle with said Cos either by inventory and appraisement of the whole estate left or by agree- ment, what is the property of said child,-have con- sidered it best for the child, as Claes Pietersen Cos is engaged to marry Grietie Maes, the widow of Claes Teunissen, to appraise the whole estate, debts and credits : which having been done we have agreed with said Cos, as he by his signature here acknowl- edges, that he shall take care of said child with food and clothing, until she comes of age or marries and meanwhile he is to make her learn, as opportunity offers, to read, write, sew and some other useful knowledge; that he shall settle upon the child and when she is of age or marries pay to her 200 fl. by which she shall consider herself satisfied for her maternal estate. Said Claes Pietersen Cos binds as security for the 200 fl. his person and property, especially his farm at Gemoenepae, for which he promises to execute a mortgage in proper form.
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of New Amsterdam.
Thus done and signed by us at Amsterdam in N. N. January 23, 1657. Signed : Michiel Jansen, the mark of Egbert Woutersen, the mark of Claes Pietersen Cos ; on the side : W. Bogardus as witness, Balthasar Beyardt as witness ; beneath:
In my presence, C. van Ruyven, Secretary in the service of the Priv. W. I. Co. etc.
Agrees with the original in date and signatures.
C. v. RUYVEN, Secry.
Whereas according to extract from the Resolutions of the Director General and Council of N. N., dated February 13 a. c., Olof Stevensen van Cortlant, has been elected as Orphanmaster from the nomination of Burgomasters and Schepens, vice Paulus Leen- dertsen van die Grift, Therefore said Cortland is hereby requested and authorized, to serve in and carry out the duties of said office as well as possible according to the laudable customs of our Fatherland, with Pieter van Couwenhoven, for the next year. Done etc this 19th of February, 1657.
By order of Burgomasters & Schepens.
JACOB KIP, Secry.
March 22, 1657, at the City Hall present the Orphanmasters Pieter van Couwenhoven and Oloff Stevensen van Cortlant.
Read and considered cases, lately before the Or- phans Court.
It is learned, that Madaleen Derkx, widow of
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Minutes of the Orphan Masters
Cornelis of Dort, whose bans for a new marriage have been published, has not yet made a settlement of the paternal estate upon her infant child : there- fore the guardians appointed were called to report, how far they have progressed in the matter, but as neither the guardians nor said Madaleen were at hand or came, nothing has been done; it was only decided, that she should not be allowed to marry, before she had made a settlement on her child.
It is also decided to order, that an answer should be written to the letter from the friends of the children of Jan of Rotterdam dec'd and for that pur- pose a draught was made.
March 28, 1657, at the City Hall present the Or- phanmasters Pieter van Couwenhoven and Olof Stevensen van Cortlant.
Whereas Madaleen Dircks, widow of Cornelis Hendricksen from Dort deceased, is now about to marry Harmen Hendricksen from Bergen in Norway, and whereas the Orphanmasters have decided, that first a settlement of the paternal estate on the child must be made, Therefore the guardians, appointed by the Orphanmasters, to-wit Abraham Verplanck and Andries de Haes, were called with said Madaleen and appearing they delivered a statement of the whole estate, debts and credits, means and effects, and declared to have settled with the widow, that she shall assume half of all the present or still to be dis- covered debts and that she is to give to the child
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of New Amsterdam.
besides an honest bringing up the sum of 500 fl cash for the inheritance from the father, to be paid at the time of coming of age or of marriage, for which she is to mortgage the house, in which she now lives; provided however, that if anything is paid in from un- settled accounts, as of Pieter Jacobsen Luytenant and - Adamsen, then the child is to have a just half.
Having examined the accounts and the foregoing agreement the Orphanmasters approve the same, thanking the guardians for having so far done their duty and requesting them faithfully to continue in their guardianship and take good care of the inter- ests of said child, as to good guardians behooves. Done etc.
Meeting of the Orphanmasters May 11, 1657.
Whereas Tryntie Clasen, widow of Stoffel Har- mensen, cloth worker, perished in the attack of the Indians in 1655, now intends to marry Rut Joosten van Brunt, bachellor, whereas said Stoffel Harmensen has left with Tryntie Clasen a minor son, by his first wife about 12 years old, and whereas the testament of said Stoffel, made before Notary Judicg van der Vin and witnesses at Amsterdam July 10, 1649, and shown to the Orphanmasters of this City, shows that said boy should have one half of his deceased father's estate, Therefore it is deemed necessary, that impartial parties should either by inventory or appraisement of the estate, left by said Stoffel Har-
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Minutes of the Orphan Masters
mensen, look into and settle the child's share. For this purpose the Orphanmasters have requested and commissioned, as they hereby do, Sieur Johannes Nevius and Jacques Corteljou, conscientiously to settle as guardians with said Tryntie Clasen what is coming to said child from the estate of his father, etc etc etc. Done etc.
At the request of the Honble Olof Stevensen van Cortlant, of the guardians, appointed by the Director General and Council in 1643, for the minor children of Jan Cornelissen from Rotterdam, alone now here at this place, there appeared before the Orphan- masters of this City Claes Carstensen from Sant in Norway, 50 years old, Evert Duyckingh from Borcken, 36 years old, and Isack Kip from Amster- dam, 30 years old, Burghers and inhabitants of this City, who testified and declared on their word and offering to confirm it under oath, if required, that there are still living here in the City, three infant children of said Jan Cornelissen, killed in the Indian war of 1643, and his wife Aeltie Jans from Bremen, who died here in 1645, named Jan, now about 17, Marretie, now about 18 and Cornelis, now about 15 years old, all bound out here and living Jan with Cornelis Jansen Clopper, mastersmith, Marretie with affiant Isack Kip, Cornelis with affiant Evert Duyck- ingh, having lived at these places for a longer or shorter period. Affiants give as reasons for know- ing the foregoing, that they were very familiar with
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of New Amsterdam.
and well knew said Jan Cornelissen, his wife and the said children, as long as they have been in the country, and that the children are therefore the heirs of Jan Cornelissen and wife. Herewith closing their testi- mony they offer, as before, to confirm it under oath, if required and in witness they have signed it in presence of the Orphanmasters May 11, 1657.
Signed : The mark of CLAES CARSTENSEN
EVERT DUYCKINGH ISACK KIP
As confirmation of the foregoing affidavit the seal of the City has been affixed to it by the Presiding Burgomaster June 4, 1657. Seal.
Honourable, Wise, Prudent Gentlemen
Whereas we, Orphanmasters of this City, have received a letter from a certain Annetie Claes, by which we are informed, that the minor children of one Jan Cornelissen of Rotterdam, who was killed here in 1643, have some inherited property coming to them, therefore we have deemed it necessary, to have it proved by credible citizens here, that they are the children and consequently the heirs of said Jan Cornelissen, who are still living here. As we are in duty bound to look after the rights of such minor orphans and to help them as well as we can, we have decided to send you the original letter and the original affidavit with the request, that you, being
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