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Mr. Arent van Curler, secretary of Renselaerswyck, of the first part, and Tomas Spycer, of the second part, have [ in the manner ] and on the terms hereinafter written amicably agreed and contracted as follows:

Arent van Curler leases the farm called [      ] ^[1] to Mr. Spycer above mentioned, who also acknowledges that he has rented the same, for the term of five consecutive years, with which farm the aforesaid van Curler delivers as appears from the inventory a house, tobacco house, barn and hay barrack, as well as implements and cattle, according to the inventory. In regard to the cattle, the risk of their dying during the term of the lease shall be in common, it being understood that if any of the animals be wounded or killed by the Indians, the lessor alone shall incur the risk, provided the lessee proves the fact; and at the end of the first three years, half the increase above the capital stock shall be equally divided and distributed between the parties. The term of the lease shall begin on the first of July anno 1643, and end anno 1648, when the lessor shall first of all take out his number of animals in such condition as now delivered, and the remainder which by God’s blessing shall be bred shall be divided and distributed half and half by them.

The lessee shall for each of the five milch cows annually pay twenty lbs of good butter; for the three heifers he shall the first year they have calved be free from butter rent, but the second year he must likewise give twenty pounds of butter for each.

The lessee shall keep in good repair the buildings and implements according to the inventory and at the end of the lease deliver them back in the same condition as he now receives them.

For all of which the lessee shall annually pay as rent, in addition to the butter, one hundred and five schepels of barley or rye, and at the end of the lease leave the field sowed with twenty-five schepels of grain as now received, as more fully appears by the inventory. Furthermore, if at the expiration of the lease it should appear that any noticeable and suitable improvement had been made on the farm, the lessor shall pay therefore according to the decision of arbitrators conversant with such matters. For all of which the parties bind their respective persons and properties, movable and immovable, present and future, submitting the same according to law. Done the 25th of June 1643, in Fort Amsterdam, 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.