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Extraordinary Session Held in Fort Orange

July 19, 1657

President, Johannes La Montagne
Jacob Schermerhoorn
Philip Pietersen
Jan Tomassen
Adriaen Gerritsen
magistrates

Goossen Gerritsen, plaintiff, against Jurriaen Janssen, defendant.
The plaintiff complains that the defendant has boasted and spread the rumor that he was engaged to Annetie Lievens, his own betrothed, as the defendant said in the plaintiff’s presence. He requests that the defendant prove his statement, or else for defamation of his neighbor’s honor be ordered to make honest reparation.
The defendant admits that he never pledged his troth to Annetie Lievens, nor that she pledged her troth to him, and that Cornelis Teunissen urged him to say that he was engaged to Annetie Lievens and offers to prove that the said Cornelis Teunissen said: “I am glad that Jurriaen Janssen is to keep his word.” He furthermore admits that after having confessed in truth before the consistory that he was not engaged to Annetie Lievens, he maintained in the presence of Goossen Gerritsen, the plaintiff, that he was engaged to her, at the instigation, as he said, of the said Cornelis Teunissen, which assertion he declared to be true, praying forgiveness of the plaintiff.
The court, having heard the parties, orders Jurriaen Janssen, the defendant, in view of the seriousness of the matter, to remain under arrest in the fort until he furnishes sufficient security for proof in the case. Meanwhile, he is ordered to prove that Cornelis Teunissen instigated him to the said deed.

Upon the petition presented to the court by Leendert Philipsen, praying that a committee be appointed to determine the quality of the sewant which he is to receive from Daniel Rinckhout under a judgment of the 11th of this month, the court has authorized the Honorable Sander Leendersen and Pieter Hartgers to determine, after inspection of the sewant in question, which of it is current and which not. Actum in Fort Orange, the 19th of July 1657.

References

Translation: Gehring, C., trans./ed., New Netherland Documents Series: Vol. 16, part 2, Fort Orange Court Minutes, 1652-1660 (Syracuse: Syracuse University Press: 1990).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.