Translation
Contract of Wolphert Nys to serve Evert Pels and his wife for two years
I, Wolphert Nys, from the bishopric of Vol,[1] hereby acknowledge that I have of my own free will and deliberate choice bound and hired myself to Evert Pels and his wife, residing in Renselaerswyck, for the term of two consecutive years, commencing on the date hereof. He, Wolphert Nys, promises while in the service of the aforesaid Evert Pels to demean and conduct himself diligently, honestly and faithfully as a faithful, honest and decent servant is bound and ought to serve his master and mistress, and that in such work and employment as Evert Pels shall please to command; for which honest and upright service he shall annually have and receive as wages the sum of one hundred and fifteen guilders, whereupon I have already received from the above mentioned Evert Pels the sum of one hundred and ninety guilders, nineteen stivers, ten pennies, which he shall deduct from my first earned wages. In testimony whereof this is signed by Wolphert Nys in presence of the witness. Done the 15th of June 1643.