Users of Open Archives can have summaries generated from the recognized texts (transcriptions) produced through text recognition (OCR) and handwriting recognition (HTR). Neither of these artificial intelligence tasks is perfect, but they are often more than sufficient to make the historical document understandable. In the transcripts, names are underlined in green and clickable (to search the personal entries on Open Archives for the name in question), the recognized dates have a light gray background and recognized place names have a light purple background. The results of the application of (European) artificial intelligence have not been verified by a human.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3389 / 0014
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1540 / 0135 On May 30, 1736, Marcus Benjamin, a merchant in Amsterdam, appeared before Daniel van den Brink, a public notary authorized by the Court of Holland. He appointed Moses Benjamins, also living in Amsterdam, to handle all his legal affairs. This included:
The document was witnessed by Pieter Clockener and Abraham Witte in Amsterdam.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 1338035 / 556 On August 13, 1736, Judith Polak, widow of Benjamin Arons, and Moses Benjamins, son of Benjamin Arons, appeared before notary Daniel van den Brink in Amsterdam. They declared that Benjamin Arons had died in the night between August 5 and 6 and was buried on Monday August 6 according to Jewish customs. Due to the seven-day Jewish mourning period, during which Jews are not allowed to sign their names or conduct business, they could not file this document earlier. Once the mourning period ended, they wanted to declare that the burial of their husband and father was carried out only to fulfill their final duty to him, as they were unaware of his estate's condition. They intended to recover the burial costs from his estate. They emphasized that by arranging the burial, they had not involved themselves in managing the estate. They explicitly retained their right to either accept or reject the inheritance after careful consideration and gathering information about the estate. This declaration was witnessed by Abraham Witte and Abraham van der Poel.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 1338038 / 287
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 1511077 / 265 On April 13 and 14, 1698, several people appeared before notary Michiel Servaas in Amsterdam. These included:
They testified on behalf of Maria Brisco about her employment with Adriaana Hacquaert, who lived on the Heere Gracht. Pieter de Sterke, who had been Hacquaert's bookkeeper, was asked to calculate what goods Brisco had received and if it amounted to a year's wages.
Another document dated April 10, 1698 shows Judith Levij (wife of Nathan Kohen) and Gerson Nathan Kohen testifying about a marriage agreement between Moses Benjamin and Keyle Salemonis, daughter of Anna Moses (widow of Salomon Metz). Moses Benjamin promised to pay 150 guilders if Anna Moses fell into poverty.
A third document dated April 15, 1698 records Otto ten Dam, an apothecary and guardian of Anna van Swanenburgh, selling an obligation worth 3,300 guilders to Adam Tarwe. This obligation was issued by the government of Holland and West Friesland at the Leiden office on September 20, 1656.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 1511079 / 237 On December 19, 1737, Adrian Baars, a public notary in Amsterdam, was asked by treasurers Nathan Coppels, Salamon Samuel Moses, and assessors Benjamin Joseph and Sarboche Samuel Moses from the brotherhood of Shomer Mitzvot (protectors of the commandments) of the German Jewish community to deliver a notice to Samuel Meijer.
The complainants stated that Meijer was wrongfully keeping in his possession:
The brotherhood claimed this prevented them from holding their ceremonial meetings properly and carrying out their charitable work. They demanded through the notary that Meijer return all items against proper receipt. They also warned they would seek compensation for all costs and damages if he refused.
On December 9, 1727, treasurers Nathan Cappels and Talomon Samuel Mozes, along with assessors Benjamin Joseph and Hartoele Samuel Mozes, had filed a similar complaint against Daniel Meijer Levij for wrongfully holding the same types of items belonging to their brotherhood.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 1176059 / 456
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1053 / 0472
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1110 / 0402
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1094 / 0777
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1186 / 0933 On October 9, 1681, in Macassar, the first harbor master and two interpreters came to the trading post with many armed men to escort officials to the king's court. Around 10 o'clock, they rode there on horseback in a specific order:
At court, they found the king with his nobles. They were seated and made their proper greetings. They thanked the king for his friendship and requested permission to keep their trading post for another year, even though their ships were already overloaded. Prince Craijn Patingelo answered on behalf of the king, saying that as long as they continued to behave well, the friendship would remain strong. The king granted their request to stay another year, though this would not break the original agreement. The King of Ternate's letter was then read aloud publicly.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1186 / 0935
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1087 / 0245 During this historical period, there were concerns about finding good household managers in India. The Governor from Amboina faced challenges with cotton production in Batavia. The text discusses issues with slave management and the need for proper masters, as some free citizens and Mardikers needed supervision themselves.
The situation in Banda was difficult, as they refused to accept slaves without masters. In Batavia, they had trouble finding good masters for their slaves. There was a need for committed people from the Netherlands to stay in the region.
The farmers in Batavia were described as lazy people who were content with basic provisions like sago and simple clothing. They preferred living off the wild forests rather than farming. There were concerns about their weak commitment to Christianity, partly due to the lack of dedicated preachers and schoolmasters.
Willem Jansz was mentioned in connection with Banda. The text also discusses relations with Macassar, where Governor Speult visited with a fleet. He was received with great ceremony by the King of Macassar and entered peace negotiations.
The peace with Macassar was considered beneficial for:
An Italian vessel and a small junk brought 45 loads of Macassar rice to Batavia. The Danish ship under Waterhout obtained about 40 bahar of cloves in Macassar during the previous Western Monsoon. The English were unhappy that the Danes had gained an advantage in the clove trade in Macassar.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1085 / 0073
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1089 / 0428 On August 28, 1626, the yacht Arent departed for Bantam to replace the yacht Goope which needed urgent repairs. On August 31, 1626, the Italian Juan Maria Moretti arrived in Batavia from Macassar via Jappare. He had left Batavia for Macassar in February with his yacht Diana. In Macassar, English merchant Hendrick Shiort had captured Moretti and seized his yacht, claiming to act on orders from the English President in Batavia. Shiort sold the hull and sails to the Portuguese leaders for 1,600 reals but kept the guns as they belonged to the Dutch.
Shiort sent the crew back to Batavia but kept Moretti prisoner for two months. The English planned to hand him over to the Portuguese for a gold chain worth 500 reals, to be taken to Manila, but French and Dutch people prevented this. Moretti escaped but was chased by four Englishmen who were ordered to kill him. Spanish people at the market rescued him, thinking he was Spanish, and brought him to the Portuguese leader.
The King of Macassar later visited Moretti, freed him, and treated him well. The King told him about his expeditions to Bouton, Solor, Sumbaija, Inde, and Bima, and allowed him to return to Batavia to seek justice. The King was awaiting a response from the Dutch Governor-General to his letter sent with Governor Herman van Speult of Amboina.
Moretti learned that Shiort had sent 100 reals for his company and additional funds to Amboina to buy cloves at 125 reals, planning to sell them to the company for 250 reals. Shiort had also arranged with the Portuguese to send a frigate to Amboina with an ambassador to tell the local chiefs that the Dutch had no power. The ambassador died in Amboina, and the ship returned with only 5 bahar of cloves.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1089 / 0408 On February 1626, the magistrate was released from arrest, which he said was to his disadvantage. President Specx addressed this matter, stating it was formally settled by the Board of Aldermen. If anyone felt wronged by the verdict, they could appeal to a higher court, which would not be denied. When the meeting ended, his Excellency strongly urged the President to ensure none of their people would be taken aboard the ready-lying return ships to England.
On Friday, February 13, the long-awaited ship Schiedam arrived from the homeland, having departed from Zeeland on March 17. The crew consisted of:
30 people died during the journey. The ship was blown off course from Cape of Good Hope by storms and sailed to Madagascar for supplies, staying at St. Maria Island for several weeks.
The yacht Arnemuiden also arrived from the Sunda Strait on the same day, having been sent with the return ships to the homeland. These ships were reported to have reached the open sea the previous day.
On Saturday, February 14, by order of the Governor General, Jacques Specx and Anthonio van Diemen, Council members of the Indies, along with Secretary Dooreslaer, went to meet with the English commissioners. After exchanging friendly greetings, Specx addressed the President and his Council, discussing a certain extract from letters that the President had delivered to his Excellency two days earlier in the castle.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1089 / 0350 On February 17, 1626, a meeting was held to discuss shipping arrangements between the English and Dutch companies. The English president brought up an order about transporting 212 loads for the Dutch Company. After reviewing letters recently received from England on the ship London, the English were willing to transport the cargo on their ship called the Reformation, which could hold 200 loads. However, they lacked enough crew members and requested 60-70 additional men to properly staff the vessel.
The Dutch Governor-General expressed regret about not knowing this earlier before their return ships departed, as they could have kept one ship in the region to help crew the English vessel. Due to current staff shortages, they couldn't spare any men. The matter was postponed for 10-14 days for further consideration.
Finally, the English president complained about procedures by the local magistrate regarding a dispute with an Italian captain, Juan Maria Moretti, who commanded the yacht Diana. Despite being legally detained before his departure to Macassar over certain debts, the magistrate had intervened.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1089 / 0349 On Sunday March 17 1626, the ship Woerden left for Bantam with provisions for the guard ships there. The ship Wapen van Zeelt arrived from Gresik bringing cattle, buffalo and horses. The frigate Muijs remained there to watch for expected Chinese junks.
From officials who stopped at Jepara, it was learned that the English ship Reformation had arrived from Macassar. In Macassar, it had seized the yacht Diana, which had been sent out against common enemies under the Italian Juan Maria Moretti with permission from the General. The Dutch sailors who had been allowed to sail on the Diana had all taken service with the English and arrived in Jepara on the Reformation. The Company's guns that had been entrusted to Moretti were loaded to be brought back.
The yacht Woerden arrived from Bantam with news that Pangeran Gede had died on March 13. The English ship Reformation arrived from Macassar carrying about 120 cloves and sandalwood purchased there. They had stopped at Jepara to load planks and cattle.
News arrived that the King of Macassar had conquered Buton and sailed to Bima and Solor intending to incorporate them as well. Two Danish ships had been in Macassar and obtained some cloves before departing for Borneo to get pepper in Sukadana and Banjarmasin. A Chinese junk captained by Lunthien carried 1800 for the trading post.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1089 / 0382 On August 13, 1703, at the Castle in Macassar, there was a report about unauthorized sailing by subjects in the bay of Tonum. When the King of Bonij would visit the Castle, they planned to complain about this issue, though they believed it would have little effect since the problem had deep roots. The Chinese merchant 't Jatko returned to the harbor on that day. He had left on June 16, 1702, with proper permission to trade in Manado. He reported to the governor that he had left Manado on August 23 but encountered severe headwinds and strong currents near the Banka strait. After drifting for seven days, he anchored near Mindanao. At Mindanao, he met a Papangar chief and traded wax for iron. The local King Kaloo informed him about a large ship with a red flag that had anchored near Bissaija or Bantul about eight days earlier. The ship, believed to be English, fired several cannon shots but neither the crew nor the locals dared to make contact. The ship later sailed westward, presumably toward Simo. On February 18, 1703, it was reported that about 60 Bugis people had settled in Bangaij with 20-30 vessels. These Bugis traders were buying all available tortoiseshell and wax in the region, including the gulf of Tomimij and Gorontale, to transport to Macassar. They traded with various textiles, silk fabrics, and Chinese rolls. Most vessels reportedly belonged to the Chinese Captain Ongwatko in Macassar.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1676 / 0150 On February 1, 1629, Andries Coggins wrote a letter from Macassar regarding a shipment of goods on his trading vessel. He listed various items including:
He requested permission for his helmsman to sell these goods at current market prices. Any profits were to be invested in nutmeg and mace, which he planned to give as gifts upon his return to England. He also sent some items as gifts to the letter's recipient, including bread, leather goods, preserves, and English strong water (spirits), wishing the recipient good health and success in their business.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1098 / 0383 In March 1635, the garrison at the Banda Islands consisted of 351 European soldiers. The governor advised that all fortresses were well protected, though they planned to increase this number to 400. The total population in Banda, including various nationalities, was 3,842 people.
The financial records for 1635-1636 show:
On March 11, English Captain Randel Jesson from London arrived at Pulo Run in his ship "Pearl" near the former village of Lochum. Governor Acolei sent representatives to remove the Dutch garrison of 10 men from the island. Jesson declared in writing that his only orders were to inspect Pulo Run, not to take control. The Dutch garrison therefore remained to prevent hiding of fugitives. Jesson requested permission to anchor at Pulo Ai for water, which was politely refused, though the Dutch offered to send water to his ship.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1119 / 0104 Captain Randel traveled to Pulo Ay to meet the governor. After being denied permission to trade sugar in Pulo Run, he sailed from Banda to Amboina on March 20, arriving at Outtomoerin on March 27. When Governor Jochum Roeloffsz of Amboina and Director Arent Gardenijs learned of the English ship's arrival, they sent representatives to warn them to leave since English ships were not allowed to anchor there. After initial resistance, the ship departed on March 29, clearly dissatisfied, leaving two written protests dated March 19.
The ship Buijren arrived at Castle Victoria on January 27, followed by several vessels including Wassenaer, der Goes, and the fleet under Commander Pool with the yachts Zeebur, Zeeuschen Nachtegael, Cleen Amsterdam, Wesel, Waterloose Werve, and Waterlandt, arriving on March 22.
The ship Leeuwinne returned on June 22 carrying 197,402 pounds of cloves worth 54,365 guilders. The cloves came from several areas:
The yacht Zeeuschen Nachtegael returned empty with Director Arent Gardenijs on July 22. The yacht Waterlandt arrived on September 14, and the yacht Cleen Wesel arrived with the latest letters on October 6.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1119 / 0105
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1119 / 0705
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1126 / 0893 Find your ancestors and publish your family tree on Genealogy Online via https://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/