Transcriptions » Recently created summaries of historical documents

Ribea Simon Van meerde Groll lived in Paramaribo. Her brother Joseph Simon van Groll had made her his sole heir in his testament on August 28. Leonard Jacobus van den Carteele Bellingwout served as the sworn clerk when the testament was written. Wolff Moses Wolff was appointed as the executor of the testament and was responsible for managing the estate and funeral arrangements.

Before Joseph Simon van Groll left for Philadelphia, he gave power of attorney to Wolff Moses Wolff to handle his affairs. Joseph Simon van Groll later died in Philadelphia. His sister received and reviewed the accounts and financial records from Wolff Moses Wolff, which she found to be in order and approved without any reservations.

Ribea Simon Van meerde Groll confirmed receiving from Wolff Moses Wolff everything that belonged to her brother's estate, including:

• Slaves
• Goods
• Outstanding claims

All items were according to the inventory made by her brother before his departure.

On June 7, 1733, in Paramaribo, Abraham Moses Levi and Bloemtje Moses Wolff agreed to get married according to Jewish law. Abraham was accompanied by his father Moses Abraham Levi, while Bloemtje was assisted by her guardians Isak Abraham de Vries and Salomon Meijers. These guardians were appointed in the will of Moses Wolff, dated June 7, 1781, with Jaed Henriquez de Barros as a witness. All parties were members of the German Jewish community in Paramaribo.

The marriage agreement included these conditions:

• Both parties would bring their current possessions into the marriage
• According to Jewish law, the groom would increase the bride's portion by 50%
• They would create and sign a detailed inventory of all possessions
• There would be no shared ownership of current or future property
• Neither spouse would be responsible for the other's debts, whether made before or during marriage

• A payment of 1000 guilders was authorized by the Financial Administrator
• On November 22, 1834, information was requested about a person named Moses Wolff Aaron (also known as Wolff Aaron)
• On December 3, a translated letter was received regarding Moses Wolff from his son Aaron Wolff in Saint Thomas
• On December 5, Wolff from Saint Thomas sent information to the Governor General about the late Moses Wolff Aaron
• These documents were to be copied and sent to the Ministry of Colonies

On August 1624, the president received responses to two English acts from June 4 and 14, 1624. The English commissioners were informed about disputed goods that had been in English possession for several days. The English were asked to help maintain the blockade of Bantam, as rumors suggested that the ruler of Bantam had allowed his subjects to export pepper to Malacca.

The English filed a complaint about improper procedures against them in Suratte. They requested:

• Assistance with 20 loads of rice
• Return of heavy ropes and cables they had previously provided
• A date to be set for settling ongoing accounts with the Batavia office

The English commissioners were asked for advice about handling stored pepper in ships blockading Bantam, considering whether to recall the ships as the pepper wasn't properly secured and could spoil. There were also rumors about English plans to establish themselves either on Poulo Belck in the Sunda Strait or on Cadimon in the Malacca Strait.

In Bantam, on July 28, the ship Gold Bear arrived with salt. The Company's affairs were going well, and they were at peace with the locals and allies, although there were some minor conflicts. Death had taken its toll, claiming Michiel de Geus and 30 other people. Jan van Meckelen was sent as a senior merchant with some soldiers and sailors.

On June 27, the slave trader ship Hoogergeest completed a difficult journey from Majottes via Cockin and Gale. Out of 274 slaves, only 108 survived, with 166 deaths, including the captain and bookkeeper.

On May 15, the ship Castricum departed for Japan, and on September 7, the ships Macassar and Pouleriu left with good cargo. Johannes Keijts went to replace Arnous Faa as senior merchant. The King of Tambij, Sultan Ingalaga, was suspected of secret dealings with the King of Siam.

On February 27, the Croonvogel arrived with silk and musk. On July 11, it was sent back with the Bombain carrying 2,000 picols of pepper.

On April 5, the ships Sillidan, Zeijst, and t'Wout arrived in Batavia with white silk and tea, negotiated by merchant Munnick. On July 22, ships departed under Jan Zeeuwenson and Barent Broeders with cargo including pepper, textiles, and quicksilver.

The Tartar Emperor conquered Formosa through his general Thioncon Silanja. 11 Dutch prisoners held since 1662 were freed and sent to Siam.

For trade in 1684, several ships were dispatched, including Castricum on May 15 and ships under Jan Besselman on July 11. On February 28, ships arrived in Batavia with tin and Japanese goods. On September 4, Extraordinary Councilor Nicolaes Schagen departed on the Zilversteijn to replace Cornelis van Guaelbergh.

In Manado, the fortifications and guns were handed over to the Dutch. At Sarangani Bay near Mindanao, an expedition arrived too late in the season to be successful. They planned to try again the next year, including visiting the gold mine at Amack which the Spanish had often tried to access but were stopped by hostile locals. Near Telanio, there was a mineral mountain that needed investigation to determine if it contained silver or tin.

At Gammalamma, an ambassador from the King of Macassar appeared requesting a marriage between Calematta (brother of the King of Ternate) and the daughter of the deceased King of Tidore. Nine vessels from Manila arrived with rice but little money. The war between the Spanish and Pangasinese continued, causing the Spanish to send troops from some Ternate fortresses.

The Spanish were worried about the pirate Coxinia, who sent 3 ambassadors with 20 ships to spread news about their victory in Taiwan and Formosa. Suspecting Chinese residents of secret dealings, the Spanish captured these ships and killed the Chinese. Two Moorish ships from Siam arrived with cloth goods. No help came from Acapulco in America.

In Banda, fortifications were being repaired as they expected English ships. In mid-March, two English ships came to claim Run island for the English king but were politely turned away. The English demanded 124,215 pounds sterling in damages. They tried unsuccessfully to recruit Bandanese and Amboinese people on Macassar to go to Run. At Arou, conflicts over pearl fishing made expeditions there unsuccessful. A Dutch sailor was bought from locals on Ceram.

The council of 4 ships consisted of 8 people, with 2 representatives from each ship. If the Commander wanted to call a council meeting, he would raise a white flag and fire a shot. The council meetings would rotate between ships, starting with the Elisabeth, then the Haarlem, the Bull, and the Nederlandse Hoop, before returning to the Elisabeth.

If they encountered enemy forces, they should act only after careful consideration. Ships must help each other in emergencies, under penalty of death for abandoning allies. The English Hope was ordered to sail to Patani, then to Pequenos islands and Formosa, to cruise between there and the coast of China or Japan.

If the English Hope joined the other ships and prizes were taken, the plunder would be divided among all 5 ships instead of just 4. The Dutch ships were to continue the war with Macassar and Mataram, with the English Company sharing half the profits and losses from captured junks.

When the 5 ships met in Japan, they would come under the command of Admiral Robbert Adams and Vice Admiral Willem Jansz, who led 10 ships destined for Manila.

In 1638, only 2 traders from Borneo arrived. The English received between 60 and 70 bhars of goods in return for clothes they had sent. There were reports from Taiwan about English activities. The English were actively recruiting Chinese, Malays, Javanese, and even Makassarese people with promises of good treatment and privileges to settle with their families on Pouleron island under English rule. They were waiting for their ships from Bantam to take possession of the island. This would have harmful consequences for the Company's valuable spice territories. Merchant Barra distributed gifts among the rulers according to their authority and power, following what was planned for the King and Craingh Sumanna.

A ship was supposed to bring a good quantity of Spanish realer coins, food supplies, war ammunition, and clothing for soldiers. However, there was little rice due to a revolt of the Chinese in Manila, making it scarce and difficult to obtain. Two companies of Spaniards and Pampangans were sent to relieve some old soldiers, though the exact number was unclear. The Mardijkers further declared that 9 Dutch soldiers from Formosa, who were inquired about the previous year, had been taken from Manila and left at Zamboanga to build fortifications. When Governor Caen learned of this, he sent a boat under a peace flag with a letter to Gammalamma three days later to learn the truth about these prisoners. However, this only resulted in frivolous talk and useless correspondence back and forth, as can be seen in the daily register kept there. Since Caen could not obtain anything final regarding the release of these prisoners, he authorized Chief Merchant Boomgard as president. After taking proper leave of King Hamsia, who was ill and very sad about his departure, he left for Amboina on February 11 with the ship Amboina and the yachts Grol and Waterhout (which had arrived via Macassar the day before). At departure, King Hamsia suggested, since the entire force of Macquan was present, whether it would be advisable for Kitsil Japon to follow to Amboina to bring matters there to a desired conclusion.

In 1636, negotiations for peace continued at Bantam. The English yacht Spiedwel arrived there from the Coromandel Coast after a four-month journey. Three Malay boats left to get pepper from the western coast of Sumatra, carrying salt, porcelain, and Chinese goods.

On June 13, the ship Leeuwinne was sent with 75 crew members and six months of supplies to get pepper from western Sumatra. The merchant Gerrit Corssen was instructed to trade cargo worth ƒ53,378 near Celebar and Indrapura.

On June 14, a junk arrived from Lossarij with black sugar, coconut oil, and rice. A Malay vessel came from Bantam with chickens. On June 15, the ship Wapen van Hoorn left for the islands to get coral stone for fortress fortifications.

Several vessels departed:

• A wanckan to Succadana with salt, porcelain, and cloth
• A junk to western Sumatra with salt and porcelain for pepper collection
• A balow to Inder Maijo with lead coins

Commander Jacob Coper arrived via Jambi with the yacht Diemen and a captured Portuguese junk carrying:

• 23 loads of rice
• 1,300 pounds of cotton
• Various spices and goods

Coper reported that Vice Commander Orlando Thibault had intercepted a Portuguese vessel near Tanjongburo in March. Seven people died and 4-5 were injured on the Bleijswijck when fireworks accidentally ignited. The Commander left ships to guard the Sabon strait and sailed toward Malacca, arriving at the Moraten river on May 7.

On December 14, 1627, officials in Castle Batavia wrote about sending the ship Orange to the Moluccas. The letter referenced an earlier message sent on October 27 via the yacht Texel. They discussed sending two more ships to support the Moluccas, but couldn't make a final decision due to shortage of crew and vessels. On December 12, they sent ships E. Holland and Arent to Ambon and Banda with supplies. Two officials, chief merchant Gregorius Cornelij and Captain Maerten Janssen Vogel, were sent with specific instructions to:

• Pull back scattered garrisons in Ambon
• Resolve conflicts with people of Hitu Lama and allies
• Improve clove delivery and prevent illegal transport
• Negotiate territorial divisions with Ternate

They advised handling these matters diplomatically rather than with weapons. The King of Ternate was to be asked to stop clove deliveries from Makian and the Ceram coast. Officials considered sending representatives directly to the King of Ternate but decided to wait for his envoys to arrive in Batavia. The ship Orange was sent via Ambon with trade goods and supplies, except for rice, which they kept in reserve until more supplies arrived from Siam.

• A junk from Taijouan arrived with 181 men, bringing letters from Bantam, including a cargo of 12 koyang of salt, sugar, and other small items
• A Chinese junk commanded by Sjangsou (also known as Ian Soetecaen) arrived from Taijouan with 160 men, carrying Chinese goods and letters from the president and council of Formosa island
• From Macassar, Intchee Boeroeck arrived with a vessel carrying:
  • 20 men
  • 10 bahars of pepper
  • 1 bahar of sandalwood
  • 10 Ceramese slaves (both men and women)
• The Governor General received a letter from their Bantam representative reporting that an English yacht called the Advise had arrived at Bantam from the Coromandel Coast with 50 packages of various cloths. Two more English vessels were expected within two months.

This list appears to be a colonial-era Dutch census or registry from Amboina (modern Ambon) and surrounding areas. It records various widows and free women of different ethnic backgrounds. The women listed include:

• Claesz from Oma, widow of Jacob Spelt
• Ancka Dupre from Amboina, widow of Isbrant Block
• Susanna Kelang, widow of Hans from Formosa
• Petronella Jansz, widow of Maerten Hansz
• Martir de Croes, daughter of Jan Dogel
• Maria Boegis, daughter of Arij Kindermaker
• Sante from Macassar, a free woman
• Sara from Bali, widow of Abraham Bali
• Maria Bali, daughter of Abraham Moelisa
• Christina from Macassar, a free woman
• Anneka Bontekoe, widow of Ian Bontekoe
• Sara Boegis, widow of Hendrik Lucasz
• Anika Katenburg, widow of Tielman
• Anika Peris from Bouton, daughter of Hans Bimon
• Vastina from Ambon, daughter of Laurens Paul
• Sara Blansina from Bali, daughter of Pieter Loedjia
• Dalima from Bengalen, widow of Domingos Claesz
• Anthonica Bastiaansz, daughter of Bastiaen Iansz
• Djubel Peeta from Macassar, widow of Jacob Mangepeta
• Djubel from Macassar, widow of Francisco Macasser

The document includes numerical tallies for different categories including Europeans, mixed-race persons (Castiesen), and Chinese residents.

The text discusses the Dutch colonial strategy in Batavia in the 1692. It explains the difference between conquests and colonies. According to the text, conquests can be abandoned if needed, but colonies, once established, cannot be abandoned.

The text mentions the loss of Castle Tayoan to the Chinese, noting that abandoning the colonists on Formosa was more shameful than losing the military fortress. Some conquests, like Batavia, were found suitable for Dutch colonization and therefore could not be abandoned.

The text also discusses other colonial territories:

• Macassar was not considered suitable for Dutch colonization because trade there was discouraged rather than sought after
• There were doubts about Amboina, Banda, and Malacca as potential Dutch colonies because they lacked essential requirements for colonial development

A former citizen of Batavia, Jacobus Geelhant, requested reimbursement of 1,281 guilders he had paid for transport and living costs before departing for the Netherlands. Officials claimed they had no memory of his case but noted he had already received 500 guilders as payment for his services during the journey.

Officials investigated reports of misconduct at Onrust Island but found no evidence. However, they promised to remain vigilant. They also denied rumors about excessive freedoms given to Roman Catholic clergy in Batavia, dismissing these claims as fabrications meant to create unrest and suspicion toward the current government.

• The yacht Maijboom
• The galliot Meloort
• Two sloops named Kreeft and Jacatra

Between 1600 and 1605, ship's captain Andries Lint made a declaration about his voyage home. In 1603-1604, there was a summary of cargo loaded on 14 return ships and trade settlement records for 1758. The Council of Justice kept regular papers from 1608 to 1641.

In 1642-1643, the President and Council of Justice in Batavia sent an original letter to the assembly of XVII. On May 25, 1757, a copy of a verdict was issued against Matthys Christoffel Krigge. On March 30, another verdict was made against Egbert Roeloff Nossinck, along with five related meeting notes.

On January 19, 1757, merchant and former prosecutor in Macassar, Steven Winkelman, was released from detention under guarantee, with two related meeting notes from January 19 and February 1, 1757. On March 23, a copy of the verdict suspended Winkelman from his position during the ongoing case. On March 19, 1757, Christi Reynhant Wehr's request for release from detention was denied.

In 1608, Hendrick Janssen Craen and Jan Janssen Mol arrived in Bantham on the ship Gelderlant after an eleven-month journey from their homeland. Paul van Haerden, admiral of eight ships, had arrived in Bantham just before their departure and intended to sail to the Moluccas. The ship Petanij was left in Macassar to load rice.

The current situation shows improvement in supplies:

• 237 sacks of rice
• 17 sacks of beans for the castle
• Additional supplies from the ship De Cleyne Sonne

This abundance should prevent the hunger previously experienced by the Ternatanen people. Of the 3 ships that Matelieff had left, only one survived. The ship Enchuisen was unfortunately lost at sea with:

• 80 loads of nails
• A quantity of porcelain belonging to the Company

The ship Delft was also lost due to poor management by its merchant and captain, or possibly due to sailor misconduct.

They recently learned that locals had written to the King of Macassar for help, showing they wanted to bring Ceram under Macassar's protection. The King of Macassar, influenced by the Spanish, Portuguese and King of Tidore, planned to take:

• Buton
• Buro
• Sula
• Sapelula
• Sulabessi

The Spanish tried to convert the King of Macassar to Christianity, promising to help him become king of all Moluccan lands. The King of Macassar grew wealthy from clove trade. His subjects obtained cloves from places under both their authority and the King of Tidore's control. They traded with Malacca, Macao, Mindanao, Soleri and Timor.

Governor Lodensteijn was sent with 12 ships to blockade the city by sea. The Spanish had captured Samma Lama 28 years ago, taking the old king prisoner and moving him and many important Ternaten people to Manila. Soon after, Admiral Matelieff brought the scattered Ternatens back to Maleijo.

Previous generals like Gilles Seijs, Adriaen Woutersz and Apollonius Schotte had lived in Ternate briefly to strengthen its castles. They were now at war with the Javanese Mataram and working to fortify Bata.

The text describes household items, mostly kitchenware, from what appears to be a Dutch home inventory. The items were stored in different locations:

In a fixed tin cabinet on the top shelf were tin vessels including a serving kettle, beer jug, sick-person's jug, pepper container, 6 plates, and 10 flat-rimmed plates. The second shelf contained a copper table bell, tin coffee and tea pots, a sauce bowl with wooden handle, funnels, soap dish, chamber pot, children's items, and plates.

The bottom shelf held:

• A copper serving kettle with basin
• Copper items like a skimmer, graters, pepper container
• 2 copper chafing dishes
• 2 steel snuffers
• Various tin dishes, plates and fish platters
• 3 iron choppers

Other kitchen items included:

• A coffee grinder
• Tea containers
• Candlesticks
• Iron holders
• 2 copper irons with grate
• Various copper and tin cooking pots
• Buckets with copper bands
• Storage barrels
• Red, blue and white earthenware
• Kitchen furniture including tables and chairs
• A clothes box
• A small dressing mirror

In the cellar were copper fish kettles, frying pans and specialty cooking pans. The attic above the kitchen contained two Delft earthenware flower pots, trestles, a painted ladder and a chicken coop.

The text lists household items and their locations in a Dutch home. The collection includes:

• On the bottom shelf:
  • 5 blue porcelain deep dishes
  • 7 blue Japanese bowls
  • 2 large colored pots with lids
  • 2 large sugar pots
  • 24 saucers and 22 cups with lids for coffee
  • 30 plates and 15 edged plates
  • 2 blue porcelain sugar pots with handles
  • 8 soapstone figurines called "Joostjes"
• In the first drawer:
  • Woolen items
  • 6 colored towels
  • 5 colored tea towels
  • 1 pair of black silk stockings
  • 1 pair of woolen gloves
• In the second drawer:
  • 3 silk handkerchiefs
  • 6 cotton handkerchiefs
  • 2 blue cotton men's robes
  • 11 damask napkins
  • 9 common white linen handkerchiefs marked "AH 12"
• In the kitchen:
  • 1 painted drop-leaf table with cloth
  • 6 walnut wooden chairs with floral fabric cushions
  • 1 Smyrna carpet
  • 3 large Japanese porcelain dishes
  • Various cooking implements including an iron pot, chain, copper kettle
  • 1 Frisian hanging clock with painted case
  • 14 colored enameled plates
  • Various copper and tin household items

• Several copper items including:
  • A colored kettle
  • A Chinese plate and perforated sheet
  • Spittoons
  • Candlesticks
  • Irons
  • A coffee pot with 3 taps
• Porcelain items including:
  • 32 flat blue plates
  • 10 blue soup plates
  • Fish bowls
  • Sauce bowls
  • Tea and coffee sets
• Japanese items including:
  • A 5-piece colored set
  • 8 colored plates
  • 24 cups and 45 saucers
  • Gold-decorated tea services with milk jugs, tea caddies, sugar pots
  • Chocolate cups with handles
• Decorative items including:
  • 18 soapstone figurines and bottles
  • Table mats
  • Scallop shells

In a cabinet with multiple shelves, the following items were stored:

On the top shelf were 4 napkin towels, 7 linen pillowcases, 12 pillowcases with inner linings, 3 smaller ones without inner linings, 4 cotton curtains with rings, 16 various pillowcases, and 22 napkin towels.

The second shelf contained 12 small various tablecloths, 12 pillowcases, 16 various items, 18 fine napkins marked in red with "A H", and 7 various napkins.

The third shelf held 13 fine napkins, 20 similar ones, 8 large similar ones, 13 napkins with small designs, 8 tablecloths, 17 fine napkins, 11 various large napkins, 10 coarse small napkins, 16 various pillowcases, and 22 muslin curtains.

The fourth shelf stored 5 white linen aprons with wide hems, 15 various similar ones, 2 fine cotton aprons, 12 various tablecloths, 20 large various tablecloths, 21 fine women's shirts, 21 fine men's shirts, and 24 new ones.

The bottom shelf contained 46 fine bed sheets, 6 small tablecloths, 17 various pillowcases, 6 window curtains, 9 cotton napkins, 3 cotton tablecloths, and 7 men's underpants.

In the inner drawers were various personal items including muslin cloths, cravats, women's sleeves, nightcaps, aprons, and a portrait of D. Hoog. The bottom drawers contained items such as a red silk cloth, men's caps, underpants, and cotton aprons.

The inventory ends with a painted wooden corner cabinet containing blue porcelain bowls, brown sugar pots with lids, porcelain cups and saucers, and a porcelain jug.