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We, Willem Kieft, director-general and council, on behalf of the high and mighty lords, States-General of the United Provinces, his highness of Orange and the honorable lords directors of the Chartered West India Company, residing in New Netherland, herewith attest and declare that today, date underwritten, we have granted to George Homs and Tomas Hal, tobacco planters in partnership, a certain piece of land located on the island of Manhattan, extending in width from Deutel Bay along the East River to the kil of Schepmoes where the beech tree lies across the water; and in length from the said river directly into the woods for the same distance as along the water, 100 rods of 13 feet each, with the express condition and stipulation that George Homs and Tomas Hall or who hereafter by virtue of this document may obtain their interest, shall acknowledge the noble lords directors as their lords and patroons under the sovereignty of the high and mighty lords, States-General and obey their director and council here in everything, as it is the duty of all good inhabitants, submitting further to all such imposts and taxes, as by the said authorities are already or may be ordered; constituting therefore the said George Homs and Tomas Hall in our stead, real and actual possession of the said piece of land, giving them full and irrevocable power to enter upon, cultivate, occupy and use the said parcel of land as they would with others, their patrimonial lands and goods, without we, the grantors, in our quality aforesaid, reserving or retaining in the least any part of or authority over the property, but for the behoof as aforesaid, desisting, renouncing and withdrawing now and irrevocably, all according to the rules of law, and to confirm this further it has been by us signed and sealed with our seal.

Done at Fort Amsterdam, 15 November 1639.

References

Translation: Gehring, C. trans./ed., New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vols. GG, HH & II, Land Papers, 1630-1664 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1980).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.