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Confession and declaration made in Council in the presence of the Honorable Councilors, in the absence of the General, of Johannes Roodenborch from Hamburg, at present arrested for manslaughter committed on Gerritt Jansen Slomp after the posting of the guard during the night between the 21st and 22d of July.

Johannes Roodenborch from Hamburg, aged 24 years, says: Having the burgher watch last night, he went the rounds between 12 and 1 o'clock at night around Jan Damen's land and so came past the house of Abraham Pietersz, tavern keeper, where he saw light and heard singing, whereupon he, Roodenborch, in company with Jan La Montagne, aged about 16 years, as roundsman, knocked at Abraham Pietersen's house three several times in order to see what people and noise were in the house so late. Thereupon Abraham's wife got up in her shift and let him, Roodenborch, in, who inquired what people she had in her house. Said woman answered there were no people in her house; whereupon he went to the back room to see who were there. The door being open, he found that the light was out. He, Roodenborch, went into the inside room, where Abraham Pietersz lay on his bed, undressed, and took the lamp in order to see who were in the back room. Abraham Pietersen's wife asked what he, Roodenborch, wanted in the room and said that there was nobody there and closed the door of the back room. He, Roodenborch, said to the woman that he had to enter the room to see who were there, whereupon Abraham got up from his bed and demanded who sent him, Roodenborch, there. He, Roodenborch, answered that he came there on his rounds to see what people and noise were there. Abraham replied, "The devil I care for you; let the fiscal come," and put out the lamp with his hand. He, Roodenborch, said, "I must see, nevertheless, who are there." Whereupon the said Roodenborch was thrown out of the house in the dark.

Johannes Roodenborch further deposes that when he was shoved out of the house, those inside tried to shut the door. He then pushed with his pike against the door so that it flew open again. Abraham Pietersz grasped the pike and wrested it from him, Roodenborch, whereupon he was obliged to take the gun of Jan La Montagne, whom he sent for the burgher guard while he himself remained before the door. While Jan La Montagne was going for the watch, one Gerritt Jansen Slomp suddenly ran from the door toward him, Roodenborch, cursing and swearing, and seized the gun Roodenborch had in his hand. He, Roodenborch, drew back and finally was obliged to give up the gun and defend his life. He could not reach the door or the gate of the clapboard fence, and in his flight he, Roodenborch, drew his sword and thrust it out behind him under his arm and touched Gerrit Slomp, who followed him, and who had taken or wrested away his gun. At that instant Gerrit Slomp threw down the gun. He, Roodenborch, took up the gun again and remained standing in front of the door. Finally he, Roodenborch, went himself to the guard house and got some burghers, to wit, Jacob Kip and others, who had left before him. Coming to the house of Abraham Pietersz, they found Jacob Leendersz and Paulus Heyman, who said the man was dead, and went into the house of Abraham Pietersz where the fiscal came, to whom he applied to be taken to the appropriate place, but the fiscal refused and remained the rest of the night drinking. There were present also in the room where the dead man lay, Jacob L[ eendersen ] and two soldiers, whom the fiscal kept with him. In the morning [ the aforesaid Roodenborch ] was put in prison in the fort. Thus done in council, in [ Fort ] Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 22d of July anno 1648, in New Amsterdam.

The original was signed by Johannes Roodenborch. Present: Mr. Dinck[ lage ], La Montagne, B. Nuton, Paulus Leendersz and A: Keyser.

Below was written: Attested by me, Cor: van Tienhoven, Secretary.

Abraham Pietersen from Haerlem, tavern keeper, aged 47 years, declares in council that Johannes Roodenborch knocked at his door last night, to the best of his knowledge about 12 or one o'clock, which said Roodenborch was let in by Abraham Pietersen's wife and entered and went into the back room to see if there were any people. Finally he, Roodenborch, returning where he, the deponent, lay on his bed, took the lamp in order to return to the back room. The deponent arose and pulled the door shut and says that the lamp was blown out with his breath. The deponent dragged him, Roodenborch, by force from the room and said that he had no business there. Abraham Pietersz says that he did not throw Roodenborch out of the door, but that they both went to the door. Abraham Pietersz closed the lower door, at which and over which door Roodenborch thrust with the pike, which pike he grasped and retained, and he, the deponent, then went in again. He declares that he does not know how Gerrit Slomp was killed; also, that he did not hear that Roodenborch and said Slomp had any words, but as far as he knew Gerrit Slomp lay and slept in the corridor. Three other persons lay and slept in his back room, namely, Baes Jeuryaen, the chief boatswain of the Pvnappel. and the steward of the Liefde. A short while after he was in his room, he, the deponent, heard Roodenborch say, "He is wounded," and coming out he found Gerrit Jansen Slomp before the door, between the fence and his house, near the gate. All of which he offers to confirm on oath. This 22d of July anno 1648, In Fort Amsterdam, In New Netherland. Was signed by Abraham Pietersz in the presence of Mr. Dincklagen, La Montagne, Briant Nuton, Paulus Leendersz and Adriaen Keyser.

Below was written: Acknowledged before me. Cor: van Tienhoven, Secretary.

References

Translation: Scott, K., & Stryker-Rodda, K. (Ed.). New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vol. 4, Council Minutes, 1638-1649 (A. Van Laer, Trans.). Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1974.A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.