Transcriptions » Recently created summaries of historical documents

A contract was signed in Manado on July 14, 1859. The agreement stipulated that the Raja and regional leaders of Manganitu could not rent land to Europeans, people with similar status to Europeans, or foreign Asians without first consulting and agreeing with the Resident of Manado. Any rental arrangements had to comply with Dutch East Indies Government regulations.

This agreement was linked to earlier royal decrees, including one from October 10, 1857 (number 64) and another from July 3, 1856. Any changes to these regulations would be immediately communicated to the Raja and leaders of Manganitu. The document was signed by several officials, including Mogis Aly, Nederburgh, Joseph de Mapetein, Tamaringie Laoet, and the Raja of Manganitu.

On July 12, 1660, a legal document was drafted in Amsterdam concerning the transfer of a grave. In this document, Trijntje Gijsberts Kuijper received full ownership and possession rights of a grave previously belonging to Jan Lambertsz Kuijper. The church officials were authorized to change the name in the grave registry book.

The document was witnessed by Jacobus Marcus and Isaac Junius, residents of the city. It was recorded by notary Frans Wtenbogaert, who was admitted by the Court of Holland.

Later, Mardachaij Pinto, a 52-year-old resident of Amsterdam, made a sworn statement at the request of merchants Dirck Willinck and Jacob Abrahamsz Bierens regarding Daniel Abondan (also known as Mendes), a Portuguese merchant.

On August 8, 1707, in Macassar, discussion took place about succession rights. If Arung Palakka, who was seen as the presumptive heir to the Boni crown, were to request inheritance of the land, it would be difficult to refuse without causing great displeasure. Questions remained about whether the deed should be as extensive as that of the old Raja Palakka and whether the fief should be hereditary or only for the lifetime of the vassal.

After the death of Raja Soping, Raja Boni was chosen as king of that realm by the Soping electors. On July 8, the nobles of the realm informed the authorities of this. On July 16, he personally notified them of this election in the Company's small garden, accompanied by the governor and council members, stating his intention to accept the Soping crown. Despite attempts to dissuade him, he appeared determined to take full control of that kingdom.

His plans were temporarily delayed by the death of the old Queen Widow and matters relating to her inheritance. Raja Joa claimed half of the estate due to his ancestry, while several Macassar princes and royal children came forward with debt claims against the deceased. Some of these debts have already been paid. Regarding Raja Joa's claim, it was reportedly answered that his deceased mother had received nothing of her own.

• The unusual meetings between the courts of Boni and Goa
• The Boniers' secretive behavior about their activities
• Their prevention of Boni ministers from meeting Company officials
• Their hostile treatment of smaller allies

• Carain Mamanpang, King of Sandraboni
• Carain Limpangan, second son of the King of Goa
• Several Goan nobles including Carain Grassi, Crain Bandjoe, and Dain Matoelang

On October 18, 1744, a meeting took place in Macassar regarding territorial disputes. The prince of Tanette was summoned to Oedjong Pandang to account for matters concerning the crown of Boni. After a friendly departure, the commissioners brought with them the alleged thieves of Bonian goods. When questioned about the seized paddy fields and people in the district of Sageri, the prince of Tanette openly admitted he had done this in retaliation because:

• The Bonians had taken over 30,000 bundles of paddy during his departure to Java
• The land had belonged to his grandfather Matinroa Rie Sompamboba and was his by inheritance

The prince was willing to hand over the people but requested to be excused from returning the paddy fields to the Boni court. The commissioners hoped to resolve this matter completely once the prince and other accused persons returned to the castle, especially since the Bonians had already appeared shortly after the commissioners' return to inquire about the proceedings. The matter was explained to them in friendly terms, with the hope that their handling of the situation would be approved, as it was necessary to keep weapons out of the field and to buy time until Arou Tanette's arrival.

The document from Macassar dated May 30, 1727 discusses political tensions between the Dutch East India Company and Boni. The Queen of Boni claimed that the authority of the Arou Betoes (electoral lords) had no power, and that she alone had the right to decide who would receive part of the kingdom of Macassar.

There were concerns that the Queen intended to make Carain Limpangan, the second son of the King of Goa, the King of Boni through inheritance from her husband Aroe Kaijoe. This was considered problematic given Boni's laws and their historical suffering under Goa's control.

The document was signed at Castle Rotterdam in Macassar by I. Frederik Gobius, Joan Steenhoff, P. van der Snippe, I. Roman, E. Nuijts, and J. Hendrik Nipoort. They decided to delay sending any Dutch East India Company delegation.

On December 16, 1643, Codde and Dortinemt purchased water containers from Nncelai for the ship Hollandia and the garrison in Chile. Hamel and Bullestrate were present. They discussed the Company's debts at the treasury. They also recruited civilians as soldiers and sailors for the Hollandia's journey to Chile. They bought supplies from Mardocha Abandana for Johan Delfs for the Hollandia and the garrison in Chile at 24 schillings per container, to be paid with freight charges and acknowledgments. On December 17, 1643, Bullestrate dealt with Company debtors for payments. The accounts of Adriaen Michters, the artillery commissioner, were reviewed at the accounting chamber. Orders were given to buy Brazilian wood that had been lying in the forest for some time at 150 per hundred.

On August 27, 1657, Philippe Jorge (also known as Josua Abbas the elder), aged about 68 and living in Amsterdam, gave testimony about events from 1648. He stated that Abraham Abendana, who now lives in Jerusalem, had asked him to manage a sum of 5,341 guilders and 7 stuivers that was being held by Joan de Pris and Andre d'Azevedo.

Since Philippe Jorge did not have a bank account, he arranged for the money to be transferred to the account of his daughter Violante Abbas. Violante later returned this money to her father, who then paid it to Abraham Abendana partly in cash and partly through bank transfers. The final payment of 239 ducats and 4 shillings was sent by bill of exchange to Venice for Abendana or his order.

Philippe Jorge confirmed that Abraham Abendana never dealt directly with Violante Abbas regarding this money, but only corresponded and conducted business with him.

This statement was witnessed by Jacobus Sael and Elvert Lacher before notary Adriaen Lock.

On March 11, 1629, Abraham Rafael Abendano, a Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, appeared before notary Nicolaes Jacobs. Through translation from Portuguese to Dutch, he appointed Duarte Fernaudes, another Portuguese merchant, and his wife Madalena Fraandes to:

• Collect money owed by Balthasar Rersen, a wine merchant from Alckmaer, for delivered wines
• Take legal action if necessary
• Make arrests and detain persons and goods
• Receive payments and issue receipts
• Handle all related matters as if Abendano himself were present

The document was witnessed by Jors Jacobs and Gerrit Herck.

On March 11, 1630, Mattheus Ingeenraemen, a 59-year-old sworn broker, testified about insurance for the ship "Engel Gabriel" captained by Ocke Wybrantsz. On May 29, Jacques Wellens had ordered insurance for the ship and its cargo from Coperwyck in Norway to St. Malo. The ship was declared free from Dunkirk privateers, which affected the insurance premium.

On October 19, 1657, notary Adriaen Lock, at the request of Isaack Febos, met with attorney Arnout Vingbons regarding a legal dispute in Amsterdam. The case involved Isaack Febos and Rachel Cardoza, the widow of Moijles Cardose.

The dispute concerned the implementation of a previous judgment made on July 27 by arbitrators Mordochaij Abendana and David de Vercade. Febos claimed the arbitrators had overstepped their authority by ruling on matters not included in the original agreement, despite his protests.

As a result, Febos revoked the legal authority he had previously given to attorney Vingbons. He also declared he would seek compensation for damages already incurred.

The document was witnessed by Jacobus Snel and Govert Lacher, with attorney Meerhout also being notified of the declaration.

A legal document about inheritance was signed in Amsterdam and Nieuweramstel on July 16, 1843. The document concerns the estate of Lammert Damstra, who had been married twice. His first wife was Gerritje de Greef, who died without a will in January 1842. From this marriage, there were two children:

• Jan Damstra
• Maria Damstra

His second wife was Geertruy van Doorn, a butcher living near the Rustenburger path in Nieuweramstel. From this marriage there was one child:

• Lambertus Damstra (minor)

Roelof van den Laak, a milk seller from the Haarlemmerdijk in Amsterdam, was appointed as guardian for the children from the first marriage. Dirk van Doorn, a confectioner living in the Egelantierstraat in Amsterdam, was appointed as supervising guardian for the minor child from the second marriage.

Several deaths were recorded in Amsterdam in early February 1896:

• On February 4, 1896 at 6am, Elizabeth den Braven died at Dapperstraat 2. She was 57 years old, born in Schelluinen. She was the widow of Jacobus de Zeeuw and wife of Leonardus den Hollander. Her parents were Gerrit den Braven and Antje de Craaf, both deceased.
• On February 6, 1896 at 3am, 15-month-old Johannes Gerardus van der Heiden died at Anjelierstraat 203. He was the son of Bernardus Gijsbertus van der Heyden and Gezina Josephina Vos.
• On February 3, 1896 at 10am, 5-month-old Willemina van Dijk died at Sint Jacobstraat 32. She was the daughter of Johannes Coenraad van Dijk and Johanna Maria Fijmans.
• On February 5, 1896 at 8pm at Tweede Leliedwarsstraat 9, a stillborn female child was delivered to Anna Schuurboom, wife of grain weigher Hendrik Johannes Blom.
• On February 4, 1896 at 5pm, Aabje Outhuis died at Heerengracht 10. She was 71 years old, born in Leurs, and the widow of Krijn Meijer. She was the daughter of Jan Outhuis; her mother's name was unknown.
• On February 6, 1896 at 8am, Lutte Laros died at Oude Nieuwstraat 9. She was 86 years old, born in Veldhuizen in Hanover, and the widow of Jan Christoffel Bihoud. Her parents were Hermanus Laros and Geertien Scholten, both deceased.

On November 16, 1825, at 10 AM, two marriage ceremonies took place:

First marriage:
Jakobus Steelink, a boat operator born and living in Amsterdam, age 22 (baptized in Noorderkerk on July 17, 1803), son of deceased Willem Hendrik Steelink and Jantje Zeegers, married Johanna Cathrina de Maré, age 21 (baptized in Noorderkerk on October 3, 1804), daughter of Abram George de Maré (grain merchant) and Jaspergla de Vries.

Second marriage:
Joannes Fijmans, a gardener's assistant from Arnhem, age 29, son of deceased Josephus Fijmans and Katrina Glaas (living in Beverwijk), married Gerritje de Greeff, a servant from Nijkerk, age 29, daughter of Gerrit de Greeff (laborer in Nijkerk) and deceased Maria Hamere.

Witnesses for the second marriage included:

• The bride's father, age 70, from Nijkerk
• Nikolaas Dekema, bartender, age 37
• Joseph David Wyl, cobbler, age 37
• Johannes Arhoff, card maker, age 47

Both couples affirmed their marriage vows, though the second couple declared they could not write.

On January 12, 1657, Adriaen Lock, a notary, visited the house of Manuel Enarte Brandon in Amsterdam at the request of Manuel da Cunha. Since Brandon was not at home, Lock delivered his message to Brandon's wife.

The message concerned a property dispute. Da Cunha had signed an agreement to pay rent until the following May for a house where Isaack Ergas had lived. However, Brandon had forcibly entered the house the previous Friday, using a blacksmith to open it, and then locked it from the inside. This prevented Da Cunha from accessing his belongings still inside. Since Da Cunha had already found new tenants for the property (as Brandon had refused to take it), but these tenants could not move in due to the locked door, Da Cunha declared he would:

• Hold Brandon responsible for the house
• Deduct rent money from the obligation proportionally
• Seek compensation for any damage to his possessions inside the house

Brandon's wife was informed she should tell her husband when he returned home. The message was witnessed by Jan Hebdon and Arnoud Raard.

In a separate matter on January 12, 1654, Cornelis van Gelder and his wife Jacomijntge Bosch, residents of Amsterdam, appeared before notary Adriaen Lock to make their will. Both were healthy in body and mind. They named their unborn child (as Jacomijntge was pregnant) and any future children as their heirs in equal portions. If any child died before them, that child's legal descendants would inherit their share. The surviving spouse would retain full control of all property and business dealings.

On March 27, 1653, in Amsterdam, three witnesses gave testimony about domestic violence. The first witness, Anna Jans, aged 34, was a maid in the house of Sr. Manuel da Cunha. She testified about his son Sebastiaen da Cunha's treatment of his wife (Hester Ergas).

According to Anna, who had worked there for 5 years, Sebastiaen regularly:

• Beat his wife severely
• Kicked her out of the house
• Called her terrible names, treating her worse than a prostitute
• Caused her to have 5 miscarriages due to abuse

Anna also testified that about 6 months ago, when Sebastiaen was very ill, he confessed to visiting prostitutes in the city when he had claimed to be going to Haarlem.

The second witness, Bloemetge Josephs, aged 18, who had been a maid in their house for 4 months, confirmed the abuse and added that Sebastiaen had:

• Threatened his wife with a sword and knife
• Put a knife to her throat
• Also hit the witness when she tried to help

The third witness, Elsgen Jans, aged 26, who lived three or four houses away, testified that on the previous evening between 10 and 11 o'clock, she heard screaming and commotion due to Sebastiaen beating his wife.

• Lea Ergas, widow of Manuel da Cunha (also known as David David Ergas)
• Hester Ergas, their daughter
• Abraham d'Isaack Belmonte

• Dirck van Groen
• Benjamin Venkel

On January 11, 1691, Anna Elisabeth Dicx, an unmarried 26-year-old woman living in Amsterdam, gave testimony about events involving Samuel Gomes Cotincho (also known as de jonge la Cour) and Debora Henriques Cotincho. She testified that for about two months, Moses Henriques Cotincho, who lived with his sisters Rachel Henriques Cotincho (wife of Samuel) and Debora, had been causing trouble in their house.

According to her testimony:

• Moses created daily disturbances and noise in the house
• He repeatedly threatened to hit his sisters
• A few weeks earlier, he had physically attacked Debora when she asked him to leave the house as he had promised
• The witness and de la Cour had to intervene to prevent further violence
• His sisters had done nothing to provoke this behavior

On January 22, Dirck van der Groe, a notary, along with witnesses, opened the sealed will of Maria van Gistelen at her house of death. This was done at the request of Joan van Riet, who was married to Madalena van Gistelen, and Abraham Cromhuijsen, who was married to Susanna van Gistelen.

On March 1, 1743, several people appeared before Daniel van den Brink, a public notary in Amsterdam. They were David Haim Hesquia Levi Madura, Salomon Levi Madura, and Debora Levi Maduro, along with Ribca Maderi (married to Samuel Texera Sartas from Barbados) and Ester Rebena (married to Angel Vidal from Curaçao).

These people were the legal heirs of the late Abraham de Ribera. They explained that Abraham de Ribera had married Ribca Barah in late 1724 or early 1725 according to Jewish religious law, but the couple had failed to complete the civil marriage requirements.

The heirs believed this oversight should not harm the rights of the three minor children born from this marriage: Rachel, Isaac, and Salomon Ribera. They declared these children should be considered the legitimate heirs of their father Abraham de Ribera.

The appearing parties transferred all their inheritance rights to these three children, so they could be treated as the sole and complete heirs to their father's estate. They promised to uphold this decision at all times and gave up their legal rights to challenge it.

This document was witnessed by Jan Blauw, Duijsl Simons, and Jan David Haim Levi Madum van Acken.

• The troops went without food for 5 days
• Officers and commanders had as little as common soldiers
• No soldier complained about the shortages
• The commander distributed some money from his personal account to each company
• Soldiers could buy some rice and sago from the Boniers and Boutouders

• Square-shaped, without bulwarks except for one bastion
• Built of coral stones with partial lime plaster
• Located in flooded terrain, a musket shot's distance from the river
• A second triangular fort on an island with three roundels
• Armed with 40 metal cannons of various sizes

A letter from Macassar dated June 5, 1744 describes the Wadjo people. While they shared some vices with the Boniers, they were brave in warfare and kept their promises. Unlike the Boniers, they weren't cruel to the defeated or secret murderers.

The Wadjo had a unique government system. Instead of rulers who only cared about their own interests, they had 40 regents (called Arou) who worked for the common good. These regents were chosen from the best citizens.

According to their history, the Wadjo descended from 7 wealthy families who fled from Loewoe due to a harsh king who wanted to treat them like slaves. They settled in a swampy area, initially surviving through farming.

• As their population grew, they expanded into mountains and flooded lands
• They prospered through trade near Lake Tempe and the Tjinrana River
• Their honest trading practices made them successful
• The Macassar people became envious and worried about their growing power

• Keep the power to change this testament with her signature and witnesses
• Add or remove bequests as she saw fit
• Have the leaders (Parnassim) of the Portuguese Jewish community of Amsterdam act as executors and guardians
• Give these executors 3% of the net income for charity (Sedaca)
• Allow the executors to invest money in Dutch securities or England's public funds
• Specifically exclude the Orphans' Chamber of Amsterdam from any involvement

• To be buried in the Portuguese Jewish cemetery in Ouderkerk next to her husband and son's graves
• 40 florins to be distributed among poor but respectable members of her community
• 40 florins to be offered in the synagogue and distributed among the poor after 30 days and again after 11 months of her death
• 100 florins to an orphan chosen by the Parnassims (community leaders) to say Kaddish (prayer) daily for 11 months after her death
• 100 florins to be offered to the Jesiba (religious school) after 7 days
• 200 florins to the synagogue as charity, to be offered 7 days after her death
• 16 florins to those who prepare her body for burial
• A customary bequest to her sister Sara Abarbanel

On May 18, 1741, a report from Macasser discussed negotiations between several parties. The young King and Arou Tanette were informed about a ceasefire. The Soele Datou of Soping and Soelewatang of Tanette reported that their subjects did not agree to attack the Wadjorese city of Tosora with the Boniers as planned on the 7th. However, they were willing to follow the admiral's orders on their side of the river.

On Saturday the 11th, following a promise made by Daing Mangelaij to Arou Matoud and other leaders, the admiral sent first interpreter Jan Hendrik Vol to Tosora with these written instructions:

• Timoerong would remain with Bonij as agreed in the last peace treaty
• The cannon, given as debt payment, would stay as is
• Queen Todjamalil's private goods in safekeeping would be handed over in the presence of the Boniers
• Unknown goods under Wadjo control would be accepted, and anything else would be handed over in good faith
• All allies of Bonij and Wadjo would keep their traditional rights without interference

The agreement with the Company would remain as settled at Camp Victoria. After signing and swearing the treaty, a Wadjorese leader could be sent to Macassar at Castle Rotterdam to resolve minor disputes, answering only to the Company. The Wadjo leaders promised to respond to these proposals within two days but requested the Bonij army to leave Wadjorese territory to avoid bloodshed.