In Fort Orange he has had made: In said Fort he had made by Dirck Cornelissen from Wenween a handsome, large house with a flat roof and lattice work. Also eight small houses for the soldiers. At Fort Nassau, which was in decay he had built the large house in Fort Nassau. All which the deponent declares to be true and according to his best knowledge of the buildings, constructed by order of the late Director. He cannot name any other and this is done by him without any simulation or regard of person, but only to testify to the truth. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, date as above. Gillis Pietersen, Maurits Jansen as witness, Wybrant Pietersen as witness. RETURN OF THE SHIPS BUILT AND REPAIRED IN NEW NETHERLAND DURING TWILLER'S ADMINISTRATION. WOUTER VAN Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary of New Netherland, appeared in presence of the undersigned witnesses Tymen Jansen, ship carpenter, about 36 years old, and with true Christian words in stead and under promise of a solemn oath, if necessary, at the request of his Honor, Director General Kieft, declared, testified and deposed, that it is perfectly true, that he, deponent, during the administration [of Mr. van Twiller] has worked as ship's carpenter and has been engaged on all old and new work, which Mr. Twiller ordered to be made, to wit: A 1633 the ship "Southerck" repaired and provided with new knees. Other carpenters have long worked on the ship "Hope of Groeningen and Omlanden." The yacht "Hope" captured A° 1632 by said van Twiller was entirely rebuilt and planked up higher. The yacht "Prins Willem" has been built. The yacht "Amsterdam" almost finished. A large open boat. In the yacht" Wesel" an orlop and caboose were made. In the yacht " Vreede" the same. The boat "Omwal" at Fort Orange. The yacht with a mizzen sold to Barent Dircksen. The wood cutters' boat. Divers farmboats and skiffs were sold to various parties. Also many boats and yawls made for the sloops. Moreover the carpenters constantly repaired and caulked the old craft. All of which he, deponent, declares to be true and to have testified and deposed at the aforesaid request to the best of his knowledge without regard of persons but only in the interest of truth. Done at Fort Amsterdam this 22a of March A° 1639. This is the mark TYMEN JANSEN. 本 of WYBRANT PIETERSEN as witnesses. DEPOSITION CONCERNING THE ERECTION OF FORT AMSTERDAM AND OTHER WORK DONE BY THE COMPANY'S NEGROES. Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary of New Netherland, appeared Jacob Stoffelsen from Zuricksee* and in the presence of the undersigned witnesses at the request of his Honor Willem Kieft, Director on behalf of the Privileged West India Company in New Netherland, testified, declared and deposed, that it is true and truthful, that during the administration of the Honble Wouter van Twiller, formerly Director here, he, the deponent, has been steadily employed in the Co's service as overseer over the negroes belonging to the Company with the said negroes in building Fort Amsterdam, which was completed in the year 1635, also in cutting building timber and firewood for the Large House as well as the guardhouse, splitting palisades, clearing land, burning lime and helping to bring in the Company's grain in harvest time, together with many other labors, which we have done with the negroes. All this deponent declares to be true and that he has done so in the interest of truth, to which everybody is bound to testify, especially being requested thereto. Thus done at Fort Amsterdam, this 22a of March 1639. он RETURN OF WOUTER VAN TWILLERS PROPERTY IN NEW NETHERLAND. To-day, date underwritten, personally appeared the undersigned persons (servants of the former Director Wouter van Twiller) and jointly with true Christian words, in stead and with promise of an oath, testified, declared and deposed in presence of the undersigned witnesses and at the request of his Honor, Director General Willem Kieft, that they have each of them, as hereunder set forth, in their hands or charge the following property belonging to him van Twiller. On Bowery No. 1, where Aert Tonnisen is farmer. Two islands in the Illegat on the larger one of which** Barent Jansen is farmer; the larger island contains about 100 morgens of land, the other about 60 morgens. On Nut Island, containing about 80 morgens a house of which the frame was raised and so it remains. A tobacco plantation near Sapohanikan** on the North river with palisades around it. A dwelling house in good order, where George IIoms and Thomas Hall live in. A tobaccohouse. At Fort Hope and Fort Nassau. 24 to 30 pairs of goats. 3 negroes, whom the late Director bought from Captain Ax at fl 40 the piece A° 1636 and who have always, with exception of a brief space, worked in his private service. All which we, the deponents, declare to be true and to be done by us, because everybody is bound to bear testimony to the truth, especially when called upon. Done in Fort Amsterdam, this 22d of March 1639. THOMAS HALL. This is the mark + of GEORGE HOMS. STATEMENT CONCERNING THE CATTLE ON THE COMPANY'S SIX BOWERIES. One mare of Bowery No. 4 sold to Jan Evertsen. One ditto of No. 4 to Cornelis van Vorst. Two ditto of No. 5 sold to Jacob van Corler. One ditto of No 6 Where and how the animals on the six Boweries on Manhates Island have been disposed of. One stallion of No. 6 to Anthony Jansen from Salee. One mare of No. 1, Wouter van Twiller's Bowery sold by him to Jan Evertsen. It is not known, whether said Twiller delivered the second mare, which he was bound to deliver or not. Four mares of Nos. 2 and 3 were sent to Fort Orange into the Colony of Mr. Renselaer, who is still indebted to the Company for them according to the late Director Twiller's memorandum. Two cows of No. 4 to Cornelis van Vorst. Two from No. 6 sent to Mr. Renselaer's Colony. Four ditto from Nos. 2 and 3 sent to the same Colony. Two ditto of No. 5 were killed in Minuit's time. Two cows of No. 6, van Twiller's Bowery; it is not known whether he has delivered them. to the Company. * Afterward called Bylevelt's Bowery containing about 80 acres around the junction of Houston and First streets; it was situate behind Jacob van Corler's plantation on the East River. ** The name of an Indian village near the present Gansevoort Str., N. Y. City; Van Tuciller's plantation of about 200 acres was principally in the present 9th ward.-B. F. All the other animals from Boweries Nos. 2 and 3 have been carried to Renselaerwyck Colony. As to the sheep of Bowery No. 5 the late Director Twiller has bought one half of them from Barent Dircksen and took the other half in liquidation of a debt, which said Barent owed to the Company, (so he says); they were sent to Mr. Renselaer's Colony. The foregoing is what is known about the aforesaid animals. DEED FOR A BOWERY NEAR FORT AMSTERDAM. This day, the 7th May A° 1639, before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary of New Netherland, came and appeared in their proper persons, Anthony Jansen from Vees, of the one part, and Barent Dircksen baker, of the other part, and acknowledged in the presence of the undersigned witnesses, to have agreed and contracted in amity and friendship about the purchase of the Bowery hitherto occupied by Anthony Jansen, situate near Fort Amsterdam, bounded westerly by Hendric Jansen, tailor, and castward by Philip de Truy, on the conditions and terms here underwritten. First said Anthony Jansen shall deliver, as he now is doing to Barent Dircksen aforesaid, who also acknowledges to have bought and this day received from said Anthony the land as it is sowed and fenced, the house and barn, together with all that is fastened by earth and nail, except the cherry, peach and all other trees standing on said land, which said Anthony reserves for himself and will remove at a more seasonable time, one stallion of two years, one ditto of one year, 1 wagon, plough, and one harrow with wooden teeth. For all which Barent Dircksen shall pay to said Anthony Jansen the sum of fifteen hundred and seventy guilders to be paid in two consecutive years; immediately after the receipt of what is aforesaid, he Barent Dircksen shall pay to said Anthony Jansen, or his order, one just fourth part of the above mentioned money, and 6 months after the date hereof the second fourth part, and sc on, one fourth part every half year until the last payment inclusive. For all which parties pledge their persons and properties, movable and immovable, present and future without any exception under bond as prescribed by law, without reservation or deceit. Hereof are two copies made of the same tenor and signed by parties. DEED FOR A PLANTATION NEAR GOWANUS, L. I. In the manner and under the terms set forth before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary in New Netherland, and the undersigned witnesses Thomas Bescher on the one part and Cornelis Lambersen Cool on the other part agreed and covenanted for the purchase of the plantation, formerly occupied by Jan of Rotterdam and afterward by him, Thomas Bescher, situate on the Long Island near Gowanus, stretching southward to a certain kil or little low bushes, on which side Willem Adriaensen, the cooper, lies contiguous and on the north side Claes Cornelissen Swits, stretching lengthwise into the woods, for all of which Cornelis Lambertsen Cool shall pay at once to Thomas Bescher the sum of 300 Carolus guilders, at 20 st. the guilder. From this time forth Thomas Bescher, the seller, conveys and transfers to the said Cornelis Lambertsen Cool his aforesaid plantation and renounces all claims and pretensions which he, the seller, may have upon the said plantation, delivering the same free from all demand, challenge and incumbrance, that may be set up to it by any one and the purchaser may further dispose of the said land, as he would do with his own land acquired by just and lawful titles, without the grantor reserving or retaining any claim or pretension in the least either of ownership, authority or otherwise, but renouncing everything to the beloof as aforesaid and disclaiming all exceptions. For all which parties pledge their respective persons and estate, real and personal, none excepted, under submission to all Courts, Judges and Justices, all in good faith without reservation or deceit: this has been signed by us in presence of the underwritten witnesses. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, this 17th of May 1639. MAURITS JANSEN as witness THOMAS BEECHE This is the mark of CORNELIS LAMBERTSEN COOL. LEASE OF BOWERY No. 3 ON MANHATTAN ISLAND (TENTII WARD N. Y. CITY). On this day, date underwritten, before me, Cornelis Van Tienhoven, Secretary in New Netherland, appeared the Honorable Mr. William Kieft, director general in New Netherland of the one part, and Leendert Arentsen, of the other side, both of whom acknowledge in the presence of the underwritten witnesses to have agreed and contracted about the hire of the following cattle on the condition and terms underwritten: The Honble Mr. William Kieft aforesaid delivers to the abovenamed Leendert Arentsen, who also acknowledges to have received on the 1 stallion of six years, 1 mare of 6 years and 1 mare of two years; also three cows, whereof 1 is with calf, one heifer of one year and one heifer calf. For which aforesaid cattle Leendert Arentsen shall pay annually to the IIone Director General aforesaid, or whosoever may hereafter succeed in his place, 30 lbs of good butter for each cow, and half the increase at the end of the lease. Provided always that the Hone Director or his agent shall have first drawn out the number of cattle that is now delivered to said Leendert in such condition as he now hath received them, and the balance of the animals that will be procreated shall be divided half and half. In this lease is also included the Bowery No. 3 heretofore occupied by Peter Bylevelt, and it commences the and terminates a° being six consecutive years, for which Leendert Arentsen shall pay annually to the Hone Director |