Research

Series:

Scanned Document:

1663

Present:

Vice-Director Willem Beeckman,
Oloff Stille, Mats: Hansz and
Pitter Cock, magistrates.

Extract from the minutes kept at Fort Altena, the 7th of April.

Jurriaen Kyn, plaintiff

contra

Evert Hendricksz Fin, defendant

The plaintiff submits a complaint against the defendant in which he, the plaintiff complains that he, the defendant, without the least cause, while trying to smash him in the head with a stick, struck him in the elbow (with which he protected himself), and that he was unable to use it for a month, as he is still unable to use it; and that he fetched a gun from his house for the purpose of shooting him, using these words: "I'd like to shoot you down right now you scoundrel!" Also, last fall he held a knife to the plaintiff's throat and threatened to cut it. This was resolved but with the condition that if he caused trouble again then the complaint would be doubled. The plaintiff also says in conclusion that the defendant is a troublemaker who disturbs the peace in Oplant's Kil.

The defendant answers:

That he beat the defendant because his, the plaintiff's hogs were on his, the defendant's land; and that he had not pointed the gun at him, the plaintiff, but at the hogs which were on his land; and that he had no intention of shooting the plaintiff.

Andries Andriesz Fin appears and is asked what he has to say about Evert Fin. The deponent complains that Evert Hendricksz Fin daily commits acts of insolence before his, the deponent's, door by beating, shooting and other disorderly acts; and if nothing is done about it, he will have to leave the village in order to live in peace.

Dr. Tymen Stidden declares at the request of the plaintiff that he saw Evert Fin at various times commit great acts of insolence before the deponent's door with an ax; and he offers to confirm the same with an oath.

Juste Buys complains in writing that he had to leave the village of Oplant's Kil because of Evert Fin's acts of violence, so that he has not been able to live in his house in peace.

Dr. Tymen Stiddens (complains) that when Jacob Swenson asked him to let blood, he went up in his canoe and that Evert Fin greeted him with stones when he came out of Oplant's Kil so that he ran a risk in his canoe, at least of being injured; however, he was finally able to get out of the stream with great difficulty, although he was soaked up to his sword with water by the splashing of the stones, without knowing what the reason was. He Evert Fin has constantly caused him, the deponent trouble by coming to his door with a stick, then a knife, and then other things to that he could live in his house neither securely nor peacefully, but was forced to leave Oplant's Kil.

Jan Danielsz also complains that Evert Hendricksz Fin came to his door three times with an ax and invited him with insulting curses, to come outside and harasses him so before his house that he cannot occupy his house in peace.

After having considered the case of Evert Hendricksen Fin and having heard the complaints of various people, it has been resolved to place him temporarily under arrest until the matter can be examined in more detail, so that other measures can be taken according to circumstances.

16 April 1663, in Oplant's Kil.

Pouwls Peersz was asked whether the wife of Andries Andriesen did not daily meet with Evert Fin at his house, in spite of the fact that he knew it was forbidden her to associate with him. Pouwls Peersz answers that it is true that the wife of Andries Andriesz Fin came to his house.

Jan Danielsz declares that Evert Hendricksz Fin met the wife of Andries Andriesz Fin daily at Pouwl Peersz' house. He gives as proof that he has seen it with his own eyes.

Nielis Maersz declares that Evert Fin is a quarrelsome man who daily causes trouble with everyone.

The vice-director and magistrates, after considering the case of Evert Hendricksz Fin and hearing of the numerous and continued complaints against him, have decided, in order to prevent further injury and strife, to send the aforesaid Evert Hendricksz to the director-general and council with the documents in his case so that this matter can be judged there. Was signed: Willem Beeckman, Oloff Stille, Maes Hansz, Pieter Cock.

The aforesaid copy has been collated and agrees with the minutes. Altena, dated as above.

A. Hudde, secretary

References

Translation: Gehring, C. trans./ed., New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vols. 18-19, Delaware Papers: Dutch Period, 1648-1664 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1981).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.