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Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, [ secretary ] in New Netherland, appointed by the General Chartered [ West India ] Company, [ appeared ] Bar[ ent ] Dircksen, baker, and Bout Fransen, who acknowledged in the presence of the undersigned witnesses that they had agreed and contracted in manner hereinafter written, to wit: Barendt Dircksen leases to Bout Fransen aforesaid, who also acknowledges that he has hired, the farm called Walesteyn, on the following conditions. Barent Dircksen shall deliver with the farm one gelding and one mare, four cows and four sows, whereof Barent Dircksen shall run the risk of death during the term of the lease. Bout Francen shall have the use of the farm and cattle for six years or for four years, according as it shall be convenient or seem advisable to him, but Barent Dircksen shall be firmly bound for six years. For all of which Bout Francen shall annually pay to the lessor eighty pounds of butter and sixty schepels of grain, to wit, twenty schepels of wheat and forty schepels of rye, the increase [ of animals ] to be divided every two years, half and half. It is also expressly covenanted that Barent Dircksen shall deliver with the above named farm the necessary implements that are at present on the farm, the same to be appraised by impartial men, which implements, at the end of the term, shall be paid for according to the appraisal aforesaid or be returned in as good condition as they now are, and in case they should be worth more than the said appraisal, Barent must pay to the lessee such sum as shall correspond to their increase in value. In testimony whereof this is signed by parties the 26th of August anno 1642, in New Netherland.

References

Translation: Scott, K., & Stryker-Rodda, K. (Ed.). New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vol. 2, Register of the Provincial Secretary, 1642-1647 (A. Van Laer, Trans.). Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1974.A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.