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This day, date underwritten, before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland appointed by the General Chartered West India Company, appeared Wolphert Gerritsen, father of Gerrit Wolphertsz, deceased, Jacob Wolphersen and Piter Wolphersen, brothers of the aforesaid Gerrit Wolphersen, deceased, and jointly guardians of Gerrit Wolphersz’ children, of the first part, and Elbert Elbertsen, the present husband of the widow of the deceased aforesaid, of the second part, who in the presence of and before Everardus Bogardus, minister of this place, and Mr. Jochim Pitersen Kuyter declared that in all love and friendship they had agreed and covenanted with each other regarding the means, house, lands, cattle and all other property left by the aforesaid Gerrit Wolphersen, on behalf of the surviving children, named Willem Gerritsz, at present ten years of age; Jan Gerritsen, aged seven years; Neeltjen Gerrits, aged five years, and Marrtijen Gerrits, aged two and a half years; in the manner and on the terms hereinafter written, after an estimate had first been made of the existing property and of the debts and credits. First, parties agree that the above mentioned Elbert Elbertsen, present husband and guardian of Aeltjen Cornelis, surviving widow of the late Gerrit Wolphersen, shall remain in full possession and ownership of all means and effects, movable and immovable, which the above mentioned Gerrit Wolphersen has left behind. Also that he can demand and receive all outstanding debts and pay all debts contracted by the late Gerrit Wolphersen in his lifetime, without the above mentioned surviving children hereafter making any claim whatever to the above mentioned property, or being responsible for the debts contracted by their late father. Elbert Elbertsen remains bound and obliged, if God spares the lives of the aforesaid children, to bring them up without touching their property, to let them learn to read and write and a good trade, and that until they arrive at full age or are married, all according to his station, circumstances and means; and whenever the aforesaid children shall, each of them severally, arrive at full age, or enter into the married state, he, Elbert Elbertsen, promises to pay in cash, without any deduction or charge, to Willem Gerritsen, in lieu of his paternal property, the sum of two hundred guilders once; to Jan Gerritsen, three hundred Carolus guilders (the reason why this Jan Gerritsen draws and is allowed one hundred guilders more, is because he is not possessed of as good health as the other, and is weak in his limbs and to all appearances will not be a strong man); to Neeltjen Gerrits the sum of two hundred Carolus guilders, and to Marritjen Gerrits a like two hundred guilders; which moneys being paid at the time above mentioned without contradiction by Elbert Elbertsen to the above mentioned children, they are debarred from all further claims on account of their paternal inheritance, namely, touching the estate left behind. For all of which parties bind their persons and property, movable and immovable, present and future, without any exception, submitting themselves to that end to all courts and judges. In testimony whereof this is signed without fraud, persuasion or deception in good faith, in the presence of Everardus Bogardus, minister, and Mr. Jochim Pitersen, as witnesses and arbitrators herein, the [      ] anno 1646, in Fort Amsterdam 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.