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The document appears to be a ship's log or crew manifest from December 18, 1669, near Bantam. It lists various ships and crew members with their wages and positions.

Several ships are mentioned from different Dutch chambers including Amsterdam, Middelburg, Hoorn, Amersfoort, Delft, and Rotterdam. Notable vessels include the 'Hollandia Tuin', 'White Lion', 'Golden Lion', and 'Dolphin'.

The crew list includes three senior officials: Pieter Pauw, Jacob van Dam, and Francois van de Lee.

• The crew members are listed with their hometown, position, and monthly wages (in guilders)
• Positions include upper cooper, ship's corporal, quartermaster, gunners, sailors, and ship's boys
• Most gunners earned 12 guilders per month
• Regular sailors (matrozen) earned 11 guilders
• Ship's boys (hoplopers) earned the least at 5 guilders
• Specialized positions like under-steersman earned more (26 guilders)

Many crew members came from Dutch cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam, while others originated from foreign ports such as Lübeck, Hamburg, and Bergen.

The document appears to be a shipping register listing various vessels, their capacities (in 'last', an old Dutch unit of measurement), and their typical journey times. Several ships operated between different ports for periods of 2-6 years. Some notable vessels include:

• The ship at Batavia's harbor that carried 400 last
• The Bouro that sailed for 2-3 years carrying 40 last
• The Geldria with 50 last capacity for 2-3 years
• The Hilversum carrying 100 last
• Several smaller vessels like the "Flying Swan" (50 last) and "Dolphin" (60 last)
• Multiple ships named after lions ("Gold Lion", "White Lion", "Black Lion") each carrying 150 last
• Larger vessels like the Alphen and Cattenburg with 300 last each

The document also lists several smaller boats and fishing vessels at the end, including herring boats and various craft named after birds and fish, with capacities ranging from 26 to 55 last.

On April 29, 1639, Jan acted as a public notary in Amsterdam for the Court of Holland. Hendrick Jansz, a baker, had rented a house called "The White Lion" from Fredrick Fredricksz, a beer merchant, on January 5, 1635. The house was located on the corner of the Herestraet. The rental agreement included a condition that after 4 years, Hendrick Jansz could buy the house for 9,000 guilders. As the lease was expiring the next day, Hendrick Jansz wanted to become the owner.

The following items were listed in the inventory:

• A silver belt weighing 13 lots 4½ engels at 25 stuivers: 16 guilders 10 stuivers
• A gold hoop of 1 engels: 15 guilders 10 stuivers
• A hearth iron: 16 stuivers
• Three prints in black frames: 1 guilder 1 stuiver
• An oak sleeping bench

Hendrick Jansz requested through the notary that Fredrick Fredricksz transfer ownership of the property. He offered to pay in installments on regular house payment days. If Fredrick Fredricksz would refuse, Hendrick Jansz would deposit the first payment with the city authorities. The document was witnessed by Cornelis Mathijsz and Joost Jansz van der Woul, citizens of Amsterdam.

On January 29, 1642, Jan de Vos, a public notary in Amsterdam, together with Jan Carstensz Lancx, a court bailiff, and Claes van Buijl, deputy sheriff, visited the house of Pieter Marinis, a game maker living on the broad path between the Reguliers and Holy Way gates across from where the French Garden sign hangs.

They found half a barrel of white lion beer from Rotterdam there. Pieter Marinis admitted he had received it that day on a citizen's credit note. He also confessed that in previous months, he had:

• Carried another half barrel with two sticks to the tavern's landlady
• Delivered 3 or 4 more half barrels to the landlady through the cabinetmaker next door
• Received 8 stuivers payment for each half barrel transported

This was witnessed and recorded by Jan Carstensz in Amsterdam.

In a letter dated January 2, 1618, instructions were given regarding trade and shipping between Bantam, Jambi, and Jacatra. Andries Sourij received orders about a new boat being built in Jacatra. The ship called the Berger was scheduled to sail to the homeland by mid-February, carrying as much pepper as could be collected. Multiple ships were mentioned, including:

• The Berger Boot
• The Golden Lion (Gouden Leeu)
• The Weapon of Zealand (Wapen van Zeeland)
• The Half Moon (Halve Maen)
• The Jacatra
• The Ceylon (Seijlon)

The letter discusses pepper trade prices rising to 42-43 reals. The Dutch were cautioned not to sell cloves except to local consumers, and at prices high enough to prevent English traders from buying them. They had successfully loaded seven ships with pepper. The writers expected pepper prices to drop again in 2-3 months but anticipated prices would rise again when Dutch buying resumed. There were also instructions about dealing with Javanese vessels from Cambodia, Patani, Siam, and surrounding areas, which were to be allowed free passage. The Chinese traders would receive separate instructions later.

On December 9, 1639, Jan de Vos, a notary in Amsterdam, together with Abraham Jacobsz, a sworn carrier, visited a cellar on the corner of Nes and Wijde Steeg. They were accompanied by tax collectors and deputy sheriff Pieter Janssz. This was the residence of Grietge Barents. They found:

• Two men drinking Rotterdam beer
• Several tabs marked on a board with chalk
• A half-barrel of white lion brand beer

On December 7, 1638, a similar inspection took place in the Bloestraat where Geertgen Ides, a shopkeeper, was caught when a girl left her house with a can of Rotterdam beer. When questioned, Geertgen Ides admitted to selling cheap beer, but when tested it proved to be Rotterdam beer. The inspectors found:

• A half-barrel of lamb brand beer containing strong brew
• A half-barrel of three acorns brand containing Rotterdam beer
• A wooden beer measure

On January 2, 1639, Jans Vos, a public notary approved by the court of Holland and residing in Amsterdam, together with court messenger Abraham Jacobsz, investigated illegal beer selling. Accompanied by deputy sheriff Hendrik Helt, they caught a boy at Annitge Dircx's backyard with a can of Rotterdam beer, for which he had paid three blanks. Inside the house, they found another woman who was also there to buy beer, and a half-barrel of Rotterdam beer from the White Lion brewery.

Later, Claes Jansz, as husband and guardian of Aeffgr Pouwels, sold a house and property to grain carrier Jan Mentsz. The house was located on the east side of the Princegraft with rights to one-seventh of the Princenhoff passage. The property included shared walls and a rainwater tank with Gerrit Coerten's property. The sale came with the condition that the buyer could not extend or build the front of the house beyond its current state. The sale price was 562 guilders and 10 stuivers, to be paid in three installments:

• 200 guilders upon delivery of the house
• 181 guilders and 5 stuivers on All Saints' Day
• 181 guilders and 5 stuivers in May 1640

In Amsterdam, several people gave witness statements. Willem Jansz, aged 57, living on the Eglentiersgraft, and Johannes Bartheltsz, a broker aged 43, living near Nieuwe Zijds Kolk, testified about Heylte Cornelis, widow of broker Jacanet Jansz. They confirmed her as the mother of Johannes Jacobsz, a sailmaker who sailed on the ship White Lion.

The couple had three other children: Trijntgen, Geertruijt, and Cornelis Jacobsz, all still underage.

Henrick Fredericxsz, a beer carrier aged 61, and Feijcke Pietersz, a cheese merchant aged 51, testified about Tanneken Symons, widow of Cors Jacobsz from Haarlem who sailed as cook on the White Lion. They confirmed the couple was legally married and that Cors Jacobsz had no surviving children or grandchildren if he died on the ship St. Lawrence.

Carsten Jansz, a grain carrier aged 50, and Barent Willemz, aged 39, testified about Auck Garbrants, widow of Geert/Gerrit Cornelis from Workum in Friesland. They knew their son Cornelis Gerritsz, who sailed with the West India Company on the ship Soutbergh. The couple had four children in total, including one deceased daughter who left one child, and two married children still living.

Finally, Thomas Brandt, an innkeeper aged 36, and Thijs Pietersz, a laborer aged 73, testified about Hilletgen Lamberts, wife of ferry operator Thomas Joosten, whom they had known for 15-16 years.

On April 13, 1642, Jan de Vos, a public notary in the Court of Holland residing in Amsterdam, along with 2 witnesses, investigated illegal beer sales. The tax collectors for the 3-guilder tax on tap beer, accompanied by deputy sheriff Jacob Vries, went to the Brouwerstraat. They saw a woman leaving Hillegont Gysberts' cellar with a jug of Rotterdam beer. When questioned, the woman stated that Hillegont Gysberts herself had sold her the beer for three blanks.

The tax collectors, deputy sheriff, notary, and witnesses then entered Hillegont Gysberts' cellar. They found:

• A half-barrel of White Lion brand Rotterdam beer, which she claimed was stored for citizens
• A clay beer measure
• Six metal funnels that Hillegont Gysberts' son tried to hide

This was witnessed by Jan Carstensz Dancx, bailiff of the Court of Holland, and Pr. Jans, sworn staff-bearer of the city.

On January 11, 1639, several witnesses appeared before notary Henrick Schaeff in Amsterdam. The witnesses were:

• Willem Florisz van Essendelft, a 37-year-old grain carrier
• Douwe Boelissz, a 36-year-old mason living on the Old French Path
• Evert Jacobssz van Enchuijsen, a 31-year-old former gunner who returned home on the ship Golden Lion

They testified on behalf of Anna Jans, widow of Aloff Hanssz, about her son Hans Aloffssz van Bolsuart. They confirmed that Hans had sailed as a boatswain on the Golden Lion and died during the voyage. The witnesses verified that Anna Jans was indeed Hans's biological mother.

On January 13, 1639, two more witnesses appeared before the notary:

• Adriaen Cornelisz, a 48-year-old ship captain from Broeck in Waterland
• Pieter Sijmessz, a 34-year-old wood merchant

They testified about a debt owed by Melchior van Hoorn to Pieter Jaspers, a block maker, for work done on the ship Walvis. Melchior had promised to pay after checking the delivered work in Texel.

The document describes an insurance case from March 1638 involving the widow of Severijn Hack. Several shipments of sugar were insured:

• On the ship Keiserinne, captained by Claes Heertgens, carrying 4 chests of white sugar and 1 chest of muscovado sugar, worth 1,563 guilders and 5 stuivers, arranged by Jacques Hack and Matthijs Beck
• On the ships Gouden Leeuw (captain Claes Lievensz) and Spel Jacht (captain Jan Martsz), carrying 2 chests of white sugar worth 519 guilders and 17 stuivers, arranged by Abraham and David de Vries
• On the ship Werzwouderkerck (captain Jan Ryk) in September 1638, carrying white sugar worth 240 guilders, arranged by Abraham and David de Vries

The sugar shipment on the Keiserinne was lost. The cargo on the Gouden Leeuw and Spel Jacht arrived safely, though the chest on the Spel Jacht suffered damage resulting in a 39% loss.

The document also mentions Joost Jacobs, who was Secretary of Fernambuco in Brasil, and who died leaving behind a wife and a 9-year-old son. The son was being cared for by his uncle who was seeking guardianship through the city authorities of Amsterdam.

In Amsterdam on July 2nd, the skipper Albertsz was in command of the ship "The Four Heems". The vessel joined a convoy with other ships. The cargo included wine and chestnuts. Various payments were made including 100 guilders and 50 guilders. Other sailors and crew members were involved, including Hendrick who was responsible for hiring workers for the "White Lion". The total value of the reported transactions was 284 guilders, with additional payments of 220 guilders for other services.

On September 30, 1643, two witnesses appeared before notary Henrick Schaeff in Amsterdam. The first witness was Jacob Adriaens from Vlissingen, who had sailed as carpenter on the ship White Lion to Brazil. The second witness was Hidde Tjaersz from Winsum in Friesland, now a tailor in the Eglentiers street.

They testified at the request of Jacobmijntgen Joostens, wife of Joost de Roo from Hasselt living in Embden. They declared knowing her son Henrick Joosten from Embden very well in the Paraiba river in Brazil.

Henrick Joosten had sailed out with Jacob Adriaens on the White Lion. About 25-27 months ago, after the White Lion was beached in the Paraiba river, Henrick Joosten and others transferred to the ship St. Lawrence. This ship then sailed to the homeland 3-4 days after being behind the red land.

The witnesses testified that:

• Jacob Adriaens helped repair the White Lion but it was later declared unfit for sailing
• Hidde Tjaersz spent 4-5 months with Henrick Joosten in the Paraiba river while their ships were being repaired
• When the ship Middelburg was careened, supplies were transferred to the White Lion
• The ships were so close that crew could walk between them on a plank
• The witnesses often ate and drank with Henrick Joosten
• They were certain Henrick Joosten sailed away on the St. Lawrence

• Various handkerchiefs, both with and without lace
• Women's collars and undershirts
• Several black cloth coats and jackets
• Silk, satin, and wool garments
• Two velvet caps (one red, one black)

• 73¾ riksdaalders worth 50 stuivers each
• 11½ ducatons worth 63 stuivers each
• Several gold coins including French crowns and Portuguese gold
• Diamond rings, a ruby ring, and a turquoise ring
• A coral necklace with a silver pendant

• Silver bowl and cup
• Silver salt cellar
• 8 silver spoons
• Silver-handled knives
• Silver key chain

• A landscape painting in gilded frame
• A portrait of Nicolaes vander laen and his wife
• A portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam
• Maps of Holland, the 17 provinces, and Germany
• A painting of Christ on the cross
• Several prints of princes and peasants
• A map of ancient Rome

• Oak chest and cabinet
• Oak table and benches
• Two yellow turned chairs
• Copper bedpan
• Various porcelain dishes and cups
• Copper kettles and candlesticks
• A Bible in folio format

On July 14, 1642, Jan Thijssz from Amsterdam (40 years old) and Jan Jansz from Embden (46 years old) testified about Joost Thomas from Amsterdam. They stated that Joost Thomas sailed with them on the ship White Lion until it was decommissioned in Brazil. He then transferred to the ship St. Laurens, commanded by Captain Lourens Pietersz Back.

Also on July 14, 1642, Floris Jacobsz from Medemblik (28 years old) testified about Michiel Cornelisz from Edam, whose widow was Jannetgen Claes. Michiel Cornelisz had sailed on the ship Swan, which was wrecked off Recife de Pernambuco. After working on several other vessels, he drowned about 9 months ago at the mouth of the Paraibo river when he fell overboard, witnessed by Floris Jacobsz.

On July 16, 1642, Jannetgen Roelants (70 years old), widow of Geurt Jansz, testified about a housing dispute involving Annetgen Cornelis, wife of Claes Claesz. In 1638, Annetgen Cornelis couldn't pay her rent and provided a document for quarterly payments from the East India Company in Delft as compensation. She later died in the women's hospital without paying the remaining rent.

On July 17, 1642, Doore Claesz from Noortstapel, who sailed as a soldier on the ship Soutbergh in 1636 and recently returned on the ship Amsterdam, appointed Grietgen Henricxs, wife of Cornelis Jansz, to collect his wages from the West India Company.

Several officials were appointed to oversee fortifications and other duties in Vlissingen and surrounding areas. Claes Claesz supervised fortifications in Vlissingen, while Pieter Longie oversaw munitions at Geusegat and nearby forts. Pieter de Leeu served as schoolmaster and reader in Oostburg, receiving 12 pounds. Philips Rottegater worked as a craftsman for 36 pounds. Marcis Florentij was a preacher in Cadsant.

Other officials included:

• Caerle Claess who supervised the Papemutse
• Jacques Bosman who oversaw the Karnemelck pot
• Joost vander Guchte who supervised new works
• Francois Vrijsers who oversaw Mosselhouck
• Willem Geleijns who supervised repairs of forts near Tholen

In Lillo, Joris de Witte served as munitions master for 25 pounds. Other positions in Lillo included a preacher, schoolmaster, Adriaen Matheuss as blacksmith, Hendrick Pieters Turff as coal carrier and porter for 13 pounds, and Henrij Godert as surgeon for 15 pounds per month. These officials were paid from local funds.

On November 1, 1613, Marie Jans, widow of Jochum van Schenenburch, arranged to transfer several debts owed to her by sailors who had returned from East India on the ship White Lion. The debtors included Ariaen Cornelisz from Rotterdam (150 guilders), Claes Jacobsz from Zeeland (26 guilders), Herpert Claes from Rotterdam (9 guilders), Pieter Cornelisz from Soetelande (18 guilders), and Ariaen Symonssen de Veer (6 guilders). An additional 46 guilders was owed by Hans Bien for cellar beer.

The debts were transferred to Hillegout Mertens, a beer seller, as partial payment towards 1,320 guilders that Hillegout Mertens had paid as security for Marie Jans's house rent. The document was signed in Amsterdam near the Reguliers gate, witnessed by Gerrit Pietersz and Herman Janristen.

A second document dated November 5, 1613 records testimonies from Jan Maerszen (aged about 45) and Gysbert Gerritsen, a wagon maker (aged about 28). They testified about a conversation at Tryn Gerrits's house in the Ridderstraat regarding the rent of a garden plot, for which she had been paying 3 guilders annually and refused to pay more.

The final section mentions a dispute between Jan Janssen Brandaris and the children and heirs of Jan Maussen and Neeltgen Willems regarding the division of their inheritance.

On August 13, 1642, several sailors gave testimony before notary Henrick Schaeff in Amsterdam. The first group included Jan Thijsz, Willem Claesz, and Jan Jansz, who had sailed on the ship White Lion in 1639 and recently returned from Brazil. They testified about several crew members who had transferred from the White Lion to the ship St. Lawrence in Pernambuco, including:

• Henrick Bouwensz from Enkhuizen
• Johannes Jacobsz (sailmaker)
• Cors Jacobsz Cock
• Jan Jacobsz from Hoorn (who became chief mate and later captain)

In a second testimony that same day, soldiers Robbert Koeckman and Coenraet Severijns testified about Frederich Glots, who had served as a corporal in Brazil. They stated that Glots died on January 26, 1642 in Fort Wilhelm after a serious fall. Before his death, he had arranged for three months of his wages to go to the poor and the remainder to his roommate.

In a third testimony, Jan Jansz and Roeloff Roeloffsz testified about Pieter Ewoutsz from Rotterdam. They confirmed that Ewoutsz had spent about three weeks on the White Lion in Pernambuco before transferring to the St. Lawrence, which then sailed from Paraíba back to the Netherlands.

On November 11, 1630, Dirck Jansz van der Molen and Isack Jansz van der Linden, both beer inspectors of the White Lion and citizens of the city, became guarantors for Claes Jacobsz to Willem Ockersz, the tax collector for beers. They promised to fulfill any court judgment as their own debt.

On November 12, 1633, Viertien Adriaens, living in the Bagijnhoff, made her will. She was healthy in body and mind. She left all her goods, including her house on the Ronde Bagijnhoff, to Heijltgen Pieters, or if deceased, to Marritgen Roeleffs. These goods had originally come from Anna Gerrits through a testament dated March 19, 1611.

On November 13, 1633, Hendrick Jacobsz, a 42-year-old shoemaker, and Esse Jansz, a 41-year-old tailor, testified about Reijnier Jans. They declared that he was born in Zwolle, Overijssel, to legitimate parents from Münster. They confirmed he was a good Roman Catholic. Hendrick Jacobsz was his godfather.

Additionally, Father Joannes van den Branden, an Augustinian priest educated at the University of Leuven, testified that Reijnier Jans lived as a good Catholic, attending confession and communion at Easter. With his confessor's permission, Reijnier Jans had gone to Spain to practice his trade.

On December 7, 1635, a legal document was created in front of notary Jan de Vos. Garbrant Willems, a citizen of this city and widower of Hillegont Pieters, gave power of attorney to Drick Albertsz Schoneman, also a citizen. This power allowed Schoneman to:

• Divide the estate between the widower (who gets half) and the heirs of his late wife (who get the other half)
• Rent out houses, lands, and properties
• Collect rent payments, both current and future
• Sell furniture and other movable goods
• Transfer and deliver properties to other persons
• Collect outstanding debts
• Issue receipts for payments
• Represent the widower's interests in court
• Handle all legal proceedings and documentation

• Admiral General: Johan Bruijnen
• Lieutenant General: Sijmen Jansz Hoes
• Artillery General: Johan de Moelre
• Works General: Jan de Wit
• Ammunition General: Jacob de Bitter
• Quartermaster General: Hendrick van Berckel
• Boats General: Rutger

• Captain Hendrick van Cronenburch of the Provinces Company
• Lieutenant Jacob de Bout of the Rotterdam Company
• Skipper Dirck Allertsz of Mr. van Caerden's fleet
• Lieutenant Jacob Wijsants of ship Hollandia
• Skipper Willem Jacobsz of ships Zeelandia and Hoorn
• Mathijs Hendricxsz of half the ship

On March 16, 1612, Raphael dluca wrote a letter from Banda. He reported that on June 1, 1611, he transferred from the ship 'Pergoes' to 'Wapen van Amsterdam' as an assistant. By August 23, following the general's departure to Molucca, he was appointed as under-merchant on the same ship. He also became secretary of two forts, Nassau and Belgica, and two ships, the 'Wapen van Amsterdam' and 'Witten Leeuw'. On December 16, 1611, following orders from the general, he transferred to the 'Witten Leeuw' as under-merchant to sail to the Molucques.

He mentions there are wars everywhere. He requests a copy of his bond document, noting that conscience is far from India. He warns that letters are being opened, so one should be careful what they write. He sends kisses to his niece Lucietia and sister Tanneken if they are still unmarried.

On June 20, 1612, Heyndrick van Boucholt wrote about trade activities in Bantam. He mentioned discussions about ship transport and negotiations about prices. The document refers to trade relations with Japan and Patani. The account mentions conflicts and the presence of Japanese vessels. There appears to be discussion of financial transactions, with some numerical values recorded.

A second date of March 43, 1772 is mentioned, though this appears out of chronological order in the fragmented text.

In September, ships were sent from Bantam to the Moluccas due to concerns about Admiral van Caerden's second imprisonment by the people of Ternate. The ships Den Leeuw, Gonda, and Der Veer were dispatched with vital supplies.

The ship Banda and yacht Halve Maene met at Mauritius island, departing for Bantam in December. The crew was mostly healthy after refreshing supplies at Santa Lucia.

The ship Hollandia couldn't be repaired in Mauritius due to crew misconduct. They stopped at Santa Lucia for 8 days to resupply. Despite getting supplies at Santa Elena, the ships struggled with sick crew members due to eastern winds lasting over 3 weeks.

The situation was especially dire on the ship Middelborch, where 26 people had died and 30 more were seriously ill. The Hollandia had fewer sick crew members but still faced difficulties.

The ships lacked essential supplies, especially cables and ropes. They sent a yacht ahead to request assistance, as the Hollandia didn't have proper ropes to safely make landfall.

The letter was signed by Jacq Therunte de Jouve, Frederick de Schoutman, Pieter Pietersz Heijn, and Maerten Reijerssen.