Translation
Report of referees as to the value of improvements made on Varckens (Hogs) island by Jan Claessen Alteras
[ Before ] me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary [ in N ]ew Netherland, appointed [ by the Ge ]neral Chartered West India [ Company, appeared ] Cleas van [ E ]lsland[ t, aged ] 42 years, and Jan Damen, aged 35 years, who were chosen as impartial men on the part of the honorable Willem Kieft, director of New Netherland, and Jan Claessen Alteras, to view and appraise the house and goat pen, the garden, sowing, fences and the land which Jan Clasen at his expense has built, cleared and made on Varckens island,[1] all of which they, the appearers, declare to be worth the sum of three hundred guilders, which must be made good and paid to Jan Clasen Alteras by the honorable director aforesaid on account of the West India Company. All of which the appearers declare they have found to be the value, according to the best of their knowledge. Done the 30th of August anno 1642, in New Netherland.