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Depositions of Rouloff Barentsen and others respecting an altercation between Ridder Evertsen and Abel Reddenhasen

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Rouloff Barentsz ] of Tonsborch,[1] aged about [      ] and twenty years, attests at the request of the fiscal that last Saturday afternoon Ridder Eversz, being drunk, came to the house of Abel Reddenhasen, where some words passed respecting a dog belonging to Master Hans.[2] Ridder dunned Abel for tobacco, who said that he would satisfy him the next day. Ridder, however, called Abel a rogue and ran after Abel Reddenhasen into the house to beat him, but in doing so ] Ridder fell down on the floor, where Abel slapped him three or four times with the palm of his hand. In running into the house, Ridder struck his head against the post of the door, so that it bled. All of which the deponent offers to confirm on oath. Done the 3rd of August 1643.

Rouloff Barensz

Rouloff Andriesz of Masterlandt,[3] aged about 30 years, who at the request of the fiscal attests that last Saturday he saw that Abel and Ridder Eversz had words, but saw no weapons. He also says that he was intoxicated and declares that he knows nothing more. Done the 3rd of August 1643.

Rouloff Andriesz
Cornelis van Tienhoven

Tomas Bacxter, aged [      ] years, attests and declares at the request of the fiscal, instead of and with promise of an oath if need be, that last Saturday he saw a dog bite, or attempt to bite, Ridder Eversz, who threw a stone at it, which stone fell near Abel’s house, whereupon Abel came out with his sword in his hand and asked why Ridder threw a stone at the dog. After some further words, Abel Reddenhasen ran toward his house; Ridder following him into his door, he cut Ridder Eversz twice with the sword, drawing blood.[4] Ridder Eversz had no arms at all. Done the 3rd of August 1643.

Thomas Backster
Cornelis van Tienh.

Willem Harmen attests that in passing he heard some words between Abel and Ridder Eversz, which he did not understand; also, that he saw Abel strike Ridder Eversz with his fists while standing at his, Abel’s, door and declares he knows nothing further. Offers to confirm the above on oath and adds that Abel chased the said Ridder on the road with a naked sword. Done the 3rd of August 1643.

Willem Harme
Cornelis van Tienh.
Tönsberg, a seaport town of Norway, 47 miles south west of Oslo.
Surgeon Hans Kierstede
The old Dutch name of Marstrand, a seaport town of Sweden, on an island in the Cattegat, 20 miles northwest of Göteborg. Cf. Van Rensselaer Bowier MSS., p. 56, note.
At this point the words “once on the head and once in the hand,” are crossed out.

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.