Transcriptions » Recently created summaries of historical documents

• The will outlines how the parents (Testateuren) want their children to be raised and provided for after their death.
• The surviving parent will be responsible for:
  • Educating the children, including teaching them useful skills.
  • Giving each child a financial settlement when they come of age (likely 23) or get married, based on what the surviving parent thinks is fair and what the child deserves.
  • This settlement replaces any legal inheritance the children might otherwise claim.
• The surviving parent is also named as:
  • The executor of the will.
  • The guardian of the children and their property.
• The surviving parent has full authority, including:
  • The power to appoint others (friends or strangers) to act on behalf of the children if they remarry.
  • No need to provide financial security for the children’s property until they are adults or married, but must support them from the profits of that property.
• The will explicitly excludes any involvement from orphanage authorities in Amsterdam or elsewhere, politely declining their oversight.
• Special provision for if the mother (Testatrice) dies while the father (Testateur) is traveling abroad:
  • The couple Gerrit Lammerts and Gezina Meijlink are appointed to:
    • Arrange a proper burial for the mother.
    • Care for any remaining children.
    • Inventory and safeguard the estate until the father returns or gives further instructions.
  • They are given full legal power to act in this role, excluding all others.
• The will was signed in Amsterdam on 1750 (likely a transcription error for 1755 or similar) in the presence of two witnesses:
  • Jan van Veen, living near korte princegracht by the haer t: dijk.
  • Jan Van Veere, living on Vinkestraet near korte princegracht.
• The witnesses confirmed they knew the testators personally.
• The notary (likely Jan Verleij) and others signed to validate the document, including marks possibly made by the testators or others present.

The Dutch trading post in Surat reported serious challenges in the Mughal Empire around 1737, making trade difficult and risky. Key issues included:

• Corruption and misconduct by local governors and military leaders, who abused power to block rivers and trade routes, disrupting the transport of goods.
• Merchants feared investing due to instability, causing losses for the Dutch trading company (VOC).
• A shortage of silver from the Red Sea made money scarce and expensive, worsening trade conditions.
• English ships, originally bound for Mochi, Persia, and Bombay, were forced to reroute, adding to competition and difficulties.

Despite these problems, the VOC requested support from the High Government of the Dutch Indies in Batavia to improve trade. They asked for:

• ₹30,000 worth of specific goods (instead of the usual ₹150,000) to adapt to the declining market.
• Additional silver to stabilize transactions.
• Only one ship, the Bethlehem, was sent to Surat on 22 August 1736, carrying limited goods due to low demand:
• 3,379 pieces of fine cloth.
• 22,500 pounds of garlic (reduced from earlier requests).
• 1,406.5 pounds of cinnamon from Ceylon.
• 4,000 pounds of Japanese copper (less than requested due to low stock).
• Black pepper from Bantam (only 200,000 pounds instead of 400,000 due to limited supply).
• 114 pounds of cloves.

The VOC hoped these adjustments would help recover trade under the difficult conditions.

This fragment describes a list of goods and their values in Galle (a historical Dutch trading post in present-day Sri Lanka) during the Dutch colonial period. The text mentions the following items and their status:

• Malacca tin: 100,000 pounds were available, but only 80,000 pounds were taken due to limited demand.
• White sugar from Candy (Kandy): 30,161 pounds of the finest quality were available, but no more was requested because the city already had a very large stock.
• White Chinese alum: Worth 400,000 (currency not specified), but demand was low because the market price was falling.
• White benzoin from Siam (Ciabessa): 5,000 pounds were available, but only a small amount was used.
• Benzoin (bariga): Fully supplied, with no further need.
• Alum: 841 sacks remained unsold and could not be shipped.
• Sugar: 236 jars of coarse sugar and 619 jars of powdered sugar (totaling 90,037 pounds) could not be shipped.
• White powdered sugar from Cadessa: Sold for less than 200,024 (currency not specified), with remaining stock expected to be sold with God’s blessing.
• Baraja: 25 chests were available, valued at 17,645 (currency not specified), with 10,000 (currency not specified) worth remaining.

This document outlines the trading activities and profits of the Dutch trading post in Surat (India) for the fiscal year 1748–1749, signed by J.b Plefock. The records detail the purchase, sale, and profits of various spices, metals, textiles, and luxury goods traded by the Dutch East India Company (VOC).

• Goods Traded and Quantities:
  • Spices: cloves (42,904.125 lb), nutmeg (23,387 lb), mace (1154 lb), and black pepper (45,025 lb).
  • Metals: Japanese copper bars (38,563 looth—a Dutch weight unit), tin from Malacca (18 shaulten), and vermilion (15 lb).
  • Luxury goods: Chinese porcelain cups (5,775), white sugar (19,946 lb), ivory tusks (5,169 pieces), and sandalwood (67,243 pieces).
  • Textiles: Chinese damask tableware (51,748 pieces) and various Chinese porcelain items.

• Financial Summary:
  • Total sales revenue from auctions and direct sales: ƒ318,091 (Dutch guilders).
  • Total costs (purchase and sales expenses): ƒ216,107.
  • Net profit after expenses: ƒ543,924.
  • Profit percentages varied per item, e.g., cloves yielded a 17.8% profit, while Japanese copper bars had a 33.3% profit margin.
  • Some goods, like certain types of sugar and porcelain, resulted in losses (e.g., ƒ1,903 loss on white powdered sugar).

• Key Observations:
  • The trade in spices like cloves and pepper was highly profitable, with cloves alone generating ƒ17,504 in profit.
  • Metals like Japanese copper and luxury items like ivory and porcelain also contributed significantly to the profits.
  • The document highlights the VOC's extensive and diverse trade network, spanning China, Japan, Malacca, and India.
  • Final net profit for the year, after all deductions, was recorded as ƒ510,810.

This document lists trade goods, their quantities, and notes on their availability or quality from a historical Dutch trading post, likely in Asia.

• 10,000 lb of mercury ("quiet silver") was not requested due to its low profit.
• 35,000 lb of Siamese elephant tusks (heavy and intact pieces) were noted, while 28,020 lb of Cape (African) elephant tusks were considered lower quality ("only for dogs").
• 30,000 additional Cape elephant tusks were mentioned, similar to the Siamese ones, along with 532 tusks shaped like daggers ("Jambij") from Palembang received as gifts.
• 3,000 lb of tortoiseshell from the Cape (thick pieces) and 1,000 of a type called "Carabbie" (soaked in strong alcohol, not lime) were recorded.
• 28,116 lb 10 oz of powdered sugar was excused due to excess stock and no transport to other places.
• No Siamese elephant tusks were received that year, and no mercury was available, as none had arrived from China in 2–3 years.
• 60 tb (likely "tubs") of mace (a spice) and 5,000 lb of long pepper (new harvest, as the old was eaten by worms) were listed.
• 108,000 flat iron bars (thin and thick) and 400,000 lb of Ceylonese areca nuts (new, large type) were noted.
• 97,468 of cast lead in "seugen" (likely pigs/ingots) were in surplus due to English imports.
• 2,000 of an unspecified item and 5,000 of camphor from Barus were missing because no Japanese camphor was available.
• 80,000 flat iron bars were mentioned for fulfillment.
• The Colombo ministers ordered that if 400,000 lb of Malabar pepper could be spared, it should be sent via ship; otherwise, 200,000 lb should be provided by the Cochin ministers.
• 56 bales of Fatsumase camphor were noted, with a remainder of 4,476 lb 5 oz.

In January 1696, a ship from Banda at Fort Nassau set sail toward the South-East Islands (likely part of New Guinea) for permitted trade. The ship carried the following goods:

• 20 pairs of gold arm rings
• 10 pairs of gold earrings
• 5 gold "krits" (likely a type of ornament) for the head
• 20 wide Chitsen zourats (a type of cloth)
• 10 narrow Chitsen zourats
• 10 red karikams (another type of cloth)
• 260 pairs of an unspecified item (possibly textiles or ornaments)
• 300 long agate coral beads
• 7,000 small beads
• 3 glass arm rings
• 200 plates (likely ceramic or metal)
• 200 bowls and dishes
• 7 pieces of coarse porcelain
• 100 rolls of brass wire
• 12 pairs of leg rings
• 10 pairs of bells
• 100 Blijtonse (likely a type of) small axes
• 10 dozen knives
• 5 pairs of copper tallangs (likely a type of tool or weapon)
• 3 dozen elephant tusks
• 1 piece of old iron

The ship, under the command of an unnamed leader, departed for Orembaij. A note was sent to Sir Jan de Heere, the acting head at the fort.

Later that month, another record from Fort Nassau noted the arrival and departure of small vessels (chialoupen) and boats. A ship called Revenge was sent to Pulo Ay (an island) with a letter from His Excellency (likely a high-ranking official). The letter acknowledged that Sir Jan de Heere had received a large quantity of sorted nuts (likely nutmeg or other spices) and iron goods sent from Banda. Following old custom, the received nuts would be burned in the presence of committee members.

The document also listed three ships that arrived in Banda in January 1696 from Batavia (modern-day Jakarta), carrying goods for various merchants:

• A chialoup (small ship) owned by Jacob Abramsz, with a capacity of 48 last (a unit of weight), arrived on January 14.
• A ship owned by Jan Renaux, a citizen of Batavia, with a capacity of 18 last, arrived on January 29.
• A chialoup owned by Joost Boveth, another citizen of Batavia, with a capacity of 34 last, also arrived.

• The document details profits from trade goods, primarily from Ambon and Banda (Indonesian islands), in the 17th or 18th century.
• From the sale of 2760 to 2763 pounds of nutmeg:
  • Costs included expenses, interest (4.5% per 100 for 2 months), and administrative fees.
  • Total costs: ƒ26,419:17:— (guilders).
  • Revenue from sales: ƒ78,798:18:—.
  • Profit after costs: ƒ17,879:18:—.
• From 3,250 pounds of cotton yarn from Java:
  • Costs included interest (4.5% per 100 for 3 years) and administrative fees.
  • Total costs: ƒ624:14:—.
  • Revenue from sales: ƒ926:13:—.
  • Profit after costs: ƒ301:19:—.
• From 48 1/3 Thin Bancas (likely a type of coin or commodity):
  • Costs included interest (42% per 100 for 8 months) and administrative fees.
  • Total costs: ƒ93,406:5:—.
  • Revenue from sales: ƒ125,740:—.
  • Profit after costs: ƒ26,031:7:—.
• From 140 pounds of elephant tusks:
  • Costs included interest (84.5% per 100 for 5 1/3 months) and administrative fees.
  • Total costs: ƒ161:17:8.
  • Revenue from sales: ƒ206:11:—.
  • Profit after costs: ƒ44:13:8.
• From Japanese or cabinet lacquerware:
  • Costs included shipping, worker wages (5.5% per 100), risk at sea (12% per 100), interest (4.5% per 100 for 9 years and 8 months), and administrative fees.
  • Total costs: ƒ174:4:—.
  • Revenue from sales: ƒ129:17:8.
  • Loss after costs: ƒ44:6:8.
• Total summarized profits and losses:
  • Total revenue from all goods: ƒ381,250:—.
  • Total costs: ƒ20,12:8.
  • Net profit after all expenses: ƒ178,206:2:—.

In March 1695, a trade record from Banda at Castle Nassau listed various goods and their quantities:

• Textiles:
  • 56 pieces of small chits (a type of cloth) at 60 each.
  • 8 vrouwe sarrongs (women's sarongs).
  • 20 sarats (another type of cloth).
  • 4 pieces of cotton patholen (fabric).
• Other goods:
  • 600 pounds of elephant tusks.
  • 200 tamboxe swords.
  • 2 pieces of climaats (local) axes.
  • 6 pieces of copper basins.
  • 8 small copper basins.
  • 20 arm rings.
  • 20 bells.
  • 3 chains.
  • 1 piece of bajo rante (a type of fabric).
  • 100 pounds of old iron.
  • 8 tails (units) of gold, weighing 150 pounds.
  • 100 large comnen (possibly a type of container).
  • 150 pierings (possibly a type of container).
  • 5 plates.
  • 1 pound of gum.
  • 1 pound of gold chalk.
  • 1 pound of coral.
  • A batch of gilded copper rings.

Some goods were sent to different locations:

• A mixed shipment to Ternate via Amboina.
• A shipment to Pieter Lambertsz on a chialoup (small ship) from Mels in Ternate.
• A ship named helbebout with a capacity of 26 lasten (a unit of weight) and 12 crew members carried:
  • 20 pieces of Guinese gebt (a type of fabric).
  • 8 white linen.
  • 4 rolls of Chinese silk fabric.
  • 12 silk allegies (possibly shawls).
  • 8 ginghams (a type of fabric).
  • 10 Chinese silk garments.
  • 1 striped white fabric.
  • 13 ell (a unit of measurement) of chergie (a type of fabric).
  • 8 ell of flowered fabric.
  • 40 dozen knives.
  • 15 gross (15 x 144) of tobacco pipes.
  • 90 pounds of smoked sammen (possibly sapanwood).
  • 200 cans of arack (alcoholic drink).
  • 2 pieces of copper basins.
  • ½ pound of old iron, copper, and lead.
• A citizen’s chialoup to the Eijlanden (islands) carried:
  • 2 pieces of stockings.

On the evening of an unspecified date, a political meeting was held, and decisions were made, which were recorded in the resolutions.

On Thursday, March 17, 1695, a ship named chr: chin=t (likely a ship named after Jan Jacobsz) set sail from the roadstead (anchorage) of Banda. The ship had a capacity of 25 lasten and a crew of 21, heading to the Zuid-Oost Eijlanden (Southeast Islands) for trade. The ship carried:

• 10 pieces of Guinese gebt.
• 10 salempuri (a type of cloth).
• 5 blue br: bl: (possibly another type of cloth).
• 20 wide baftas (a type of fabric).
• 15 half-wide baftas.
• 20 small baftas.
• 20 nnquanias (possibly a type of cloth).
• 5 small chits souratsz.
• 5 sarassen (a type of cloth).
• 7 dongrijs (a type of fabric) with red heads.
• 2 camboijen (a type of fabric).
• 50 armosijnen (damasks).
• 50 large porcelain plates.
• 10 water bowls.
• 10 elephant tusks.
• 30 dozen black hafted knives.
• 30 local axes.
• 6 pounds of old iron.