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 Neither of these artificial intelligence tasks is perfect, but they are often more than sufficient to make the historical document understandable.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.
On July 15, 1687, in Macassar, efforts were made to enforce trading rules. Anyone who brought forbidden textiles into the Macassar districts without a pass signed by Company ministers would face consequences. Guards were posted on roads with orders to catch rule-breakers and hand them over to the Company.
An example occurred when guards intercepted two vessels from Passir heading to Mangelicana and Tenette. They seized various textiles including sarassa gobars, patoles, and gingang. The goods were given to the informer due to their low value and to encourage others to report violations.
The main offender was to be punished by his rightful ruler, the King of Goa. However, Radja Goa requested leniency because the offender was elderly and unaware of the prohibition. Though this person had previously harmed the Company through similar smuggling, the request was granted on the condition that this pardon would not set a precedent. The text notes that the Company's privileges could gradually be restored, though they were currently receiving little respect, as shown by Radja Tello's bold actions.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1437 / 0562 On July 15, 1687, a letter was sent from Macassar to Batavia addressed to Governor-General Joannes Camphuijs and the Council of the Dutch East Indies. The letter, written by President Willem Hartsink, was a follow-up to a previous message dated June 18, 1687.
The shipment included:
There was an accounting error where 980 bundles of Bonthein rice plants were recorded but not actually shipped. Additionally, only 134 bundles instead of 240 were credited per riksdaalder due to haste. This resulted in an overvaluation of 408.15 florins in the first invoice. The letter requested correction of these errors in the trading books to match the general accounts.
The letter also mentioned that the president had met with Radja Bone and Dain Telilles to discuss the renunciation of Article 9 of the Bonai Contract, with hopes for a successful outcome.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1437 / 0558 In Macassar during May 1687, the castle was defended by only 340 soldiers, including officers and outpost holders in Marous, Zaleijer and Bima. This was considered insufficient given the dangerous times and unreliable allies.
Arouw Tenette Matoea made claims on behalf of the rulers of Labaccan, Sjelellang, and Tomboija. On November 16, in the presence of the ruler of Bone, Arouws Tenette Matoea Laompo, Teeko, and Radja Tenette, this matter was discussed. The President stated that nobody could be exempted from the tenth tax in Marous except by the ruler's permission, which the East India Company had granted him.
After lengthy discussions, they agreed to:
The matter of Dain Toesing's misconduct regarding the people of Cobba Cobba village was then addressed. Dain Toesing claimed the people were his slaves, captured in war by his brother Dain Memang. However, others denied this, saying they were called up by Loemo Balij, a Company official in Marous, when the village was plundered. The ruler of Bone argued that when the village of Lole was overtaken, orders were given to enslave all Macassarese subjects found there. Though this didn't prove these people were such subjects, the President, noting the ruler's strong inclination to support Dain Toesing, left the decision to his excellency.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1437 / 0486 A collection of documents was sent from Banda to Batavia in 1693. These included reports from Governor Ioannes Cops and his council. Assistant Samuel Coop wrote about his activities on the Arou and Leeuwer islands. A navigator named Hans Naijman provided a ship's log about his voyage to these islands.
Records were kept about an agreement between the people of Kisser Island and some Timorese visitors. Trade and salary books from Banda for 1692 and 1693 were included. Administrator Balthazar Coije and other officials wrote about problems with nutmeg quality.
Several reports described:
The documents were sent on the ship Cronenburg to Governor General Willem van Outhoorn in Batavia.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1535 / 0156 This passage describes the contents of a wealthy household in Amsterdam during the late 17th century (around 1669). In the best room, there were:
The inventory also lists valuable items in cabinets including:
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606720 / 392
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606720 / 373 In 20 502, Mirvam del Potto (also known as Maria) wrote her will in Amsterdam. She was a Jewish woman who wanted to be buried according to Jewish customs next to her late husband Abraham Mendes Sotto in the Jewish cemetery of Amsterdam or wherever she might die.
She appointed her brother Josef Alvares as her heir and executor of the will, along with the Jewish community leaders. She left 5,000 florins in state bonds, with the yearly interest to be divided into three parts:
After her siblings' death, this responsibility would pass to the most worthy of her Alvares nephews, passing from father to son. She also left 400 florins to the synagogue.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606720 / 372 On an unspecified date in 1684, Benjamin Brandon, a resident of Amsterdam, appeared before notary Dirck van der Groe. He promised to pay 200 Carolus guilders to Sara Alvares (or legal bearer) to cover legal costs. These costs were related to a court case where Joseph Alvares (also known as Antonio Alvares) was ordered to pay by the Court of Holland according to their verdict of September 13, 1684.
Brandon agreed to make the payment as soon as the East India Company would make its first distribution of shares. He pledged his person and goods as security for this promise. The document was witnessed by Jacobus van de Groe and Jacob de Clercq in Amsterdam.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606735 / 29 On March 20, 1703, a marriage contract was made in Amsterdam between the groom Abraham Rodriques Seprado, assisted by his mother Reijna Rodrigus deprado (widow of Jacob rodriques de prado), and the bride Gratia Alvares del Sotto, assisted by her mother Rachel alvares del Sotto (widow of Antonio Alvares).
The terms of the marriage contract included:
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606751 / 89 In March 31, 1695, a financial transfer took place involving several bonds. A 3,000 guilder bond was recorded. Another bond worth 2,979 guilders and 4 stuivers was issued by the government of Holland and West Friesland, originally in the name of Catharina Brandon from George dia Brandon dated October 1, 1699.
A 2,000 guilder bond from the province of Friesland was issued in the name of guardians of the late Antonio Alvares's children on June 28, 1701, registered on June 29, 1701. An additional sum of 101 guilders and 10 stuivers was included from other bonds belonging to Gratia Alepres.
Rachel Alvares Delsotto received full ownership of these five bonds. On April 23 of that year, Abraham Rodriguez de Prado, who was married to Gratia Alvares, appeared before the notary Van der Groe to approve this transfer. He confirmed that the money had been paid to his account in the Amsterdam bank as part of a 12,000 guilder payment.
On May 23, Gratia Alvares, accompanied by her husband Abraham Rodriguez de Prado, also appeared to approve the transfer, confirming that the value had been paid to her husband's bank account and that her mother Rachel Alvares Sotto could freely dispose of these bonds.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606727 / 447 On August 2, 1658, Ruy Gomes Frontiera (alias Joseph Buen Vivar) and Fernan do Aspares Domes (alias Isaac Bueno) appeared before notary Adrian Lock in Amsterdam. Isaac Bueno was representing himself and his wife Rifka Buena, who was the only daughter and heir of Rachel Buena, Frontiera's previous wife.
The men agreed on settling accounts between the late Abraham Bulno (alias Manuel Gomes), who was Isaac Bueno's father and Frontiera's brother. Frontiera would pay Isaac Bueno 8,500 guilders in bank money, minus 2,144 guilders and 4 stuivers that Isaac Bueno owed to his father-in-law. This left a final payment of 6,355 guilders and 16 stuivers to be paid in the city bank.
Isaac Bueno had received 39,000 guilders as a marriage dowry from Frontiera. They agreed that when Frontiera dies, Rifka Buena (or her children if she dies first) would inherit an equal portion of his estate as his children from his second marriage, after deducting debts and 15,000 guilders that must go to his second wife's children according to their marriage contract.
The agreement excluded certain outstanding debts:
Both parties agreed to have this contract enforced by the High Council of Holland.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 965437 / 169 On April 7, 1718, van Bamberck received payments from a trust fund. The total amount was 6,291 guilders and 12 stuivers, which was paid in several parts:
Van Strijen, on behalf of his wife, received 7,731 guilders and 12 stuivers, paid as follows:
The four bonds were distributed between these two heirs, with each receiving two bonds. They were free to use these bonds as they wished, as their own property.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606771 / 124 On November 12, 1704, jeweler Jan Bieck appraised several valuable items in Amsterdam. The jewelry included a gold chain with a hollow pendant weighing 5 ounces and a gold enameled box with stones.
Later, on February 25, 1705, jewelers Benjamin Dias Brandon and David Belmonte appraised more jewelry, including:
The inventory also included household items:
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606756 / 498 On January 22, 1520, Dirck vander groe, a notary, recorded that Nicolaes van Bambeeck, a mayor and council member of Amsterdam, owned certain bonds. These bonds came to him through a division of property documented on June 21, 1719, and a transfer from Benjamin Dias Brandon on behalf of administrators of trust property belonging to Cornelia Gerards, widow of Nicolaes van Bambeeck, dated December 29, 1694.
The mayor transferred a bond worth 3,000 guilders to Elisabeth Margareta and Machtieda Lepeltack. This bond was issued by the common land of Holland and West Friesland on February 1, 1691 and approved by appointed councilors on June 18, 1691. It was originally registered under Simon Pietersz van Aferen's name.
The transfer was witnessed by Philippus Pot and Dirck van der groe Lonist in Amsterdam. Van Bambeeck confirmed receiving full payment for the bond's principal and interest, giving the Lepeltack ladies complete ownership and rights to collect future interest payments.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606770 / 383
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606755 / 40 On July 23, 1620, Abraham van Isaack Menes Henriques, a merchant in Amsterdam, appeared before notary Dirk van der Groe. He declared that he and Abraham van Jacob Mines Henriques (now deceased) were appointed as administrators by Antonio Dias Antunes (also known as Abraham Maraot) in his will. This will was made before notary Cornelis van Achthoven on November 23, 1708.
They were to manage 35,600 guilders in bonds from the government of Holland and West Friesland. This money was meant for the five daughters of Joseph and Lea Belmonte, to be used for their marriages as the administrators saw fit.
When Sara Belmonte, one of the five daughters, married Raphael Dias Brandon in February 1711, the administrators gave her two government bonds as part of her dowry:
These bonds were given to her as full property without any restrictions, meaning Sara Belmonte and her husband could use them as they wished.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606928 / 448 On December 10, 1678, Lady Anna da Silva y Lima, widow of Carlos Maria da Silva, appeared before notary Dirck van der Groe in Amsterdam. She declared that Isaac Mendes Henriques in Hamburg was holding various items including jewels and other goods belonging to her. Henriques refused to return these items to her, claiming that Jorge Dias Brandon or his heirs had prevented him from doing so. She maintained that it was well known that all these items belonged to her personally.
She formally notified Henriques that he was forbidden from handing over any of these jewels or goods to Brandon's heirs or anyone else in the world except herself, as she was the rightful owner. If he were to act contrary to this notice, she would protest all costs, damages, and losses already incurred and yet to come.
The document was witnessed by Simon Cool and Pieter Hooft. It was officially recorded by notary Van der Groe.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606795 / 596 On July 15, 1685, several people appeared before notary Joannes Boots in Amsterdam. The witnesses were Judick Karvalje (age 17), Rika Karvalje (age 20), Hester Kampus (a 40-year-old widow of Moses Brandon), Sara Dias (wife of Jacob Dias), and Moses Fernandes (age 26). They all lived in the Nieuwe and Amstelstraat opposite Mr. Rijgersbergh's stable.
At the request of Abraham Levi Bondia, also a resident of Nieuwe Amstelstraat, they testified about the following events:
Hester Kampus and Sara Dias confirmed hearing these cries and saw the complainant in pain from the beating. They also witnessed Manuel Namias leaving the house of Abraham Karvalje with a stick in his hand.
Finally, Moses Fernandes testified that at 8:30 that evening, he heard Namias threatening in the street to beat the complainant and four others even worse than he had done earlier.
The statement was witnessed by Moses Levi Gemens and David Dias, who translated it into Portuguese for some of the witnesses who did not understand Dutch well.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 2320291 / 83 On August 29, 1655, notary Dir van der Groe went to the house where Miriam Alvares Mendes, widow of Mendes, had died. This happened in Amsterdam. He went there at the request of the Portuguese Jewish community leaders Jacob Henriques, Isaack de Meza, and David Franco Mendes.
The following close relatives of the deceased were present:
The notary opened and read the sealed last will and testament of Miriam Alvares. He kept the original document to make official copies for interested parties. The witnesses were Evert de Marre and Gerbrand Munnick.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 606720 / 375
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 1510417 / 168
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 1510421 / 186 On 20 May 1741, Adrian Baars, a notary in Amsterdam, recorded a transaction. Several members of the Belmonte family, including Lima, Belmonte, Sara Brandon Belmonte (widow of Rapael dias Brandon), David Martens (married to Hana Belmonte), and Salomon de Sima (married to Gralia Belmonte) appeared before him. Also present were Jacob van Joseph Belmonte, Modes Belmonte Junior, and David Belmonte Junior, all children of the late Joseph and Zea Belmonte.
They sold several government bonds to Isaac van Isaac Nunes Henriques from The Hague. The bonds were issued by Holland and West Friesland and included:
The sellers acknowledged receiving full payment for both the principal amounts and interest. They guaranteed the bonds against any future claims. The document was witnessed by Maurits Kier and Jan Schouten.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 1176190 / 136 In Amsterdam, an agreement was made about marriage and inheritance between two parties on an unspecified date. The bride's dowry was set at 11,250 florins. If the bride died before the groom and there were no children from the marriage, 3,750 florins (half of the dowry) would go to her descendants. If there were no heirs, her inheritance would be distributed according to law.
The agreement also specified that the bride reserved rights over her dowry and future inheritance. The groom's property would be used as collateral according to Imperial laws and local customs of these lands that protect women's rights. If the groom died first, whether there were children or not, the bride would receive 7,500 florins from his estate plus her inheritance.
The document was witnessed by:
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 1510404 / 42 On July 3rd, siblings Jacob Franca Mendes, Sara Franca, and Debora Franca, children and heirs of Manuel Mendes Franca, appeared before notary Adriaen Lock in Amsterdam. They were dealing with their inheritance rights to a house located on the Breestraat near the St. Anthonis Sluijs. The house was sold for 8,800 guilders. They agreed to let Jacob Barseleij, Aron Dias, and Samuel Brandon receive the proceeds, while receiving 1,800 guilders for themselves and their younger sister Jael Franca.
On July 4th, 1653, merchant Joan de Swaen appeared before the same notary in Amsterdam. He gave power of attorney to manage his bank account while away, including the authority to accept or protest bills of exchange.
Also on July 4th, 1653, notary Adriaen Lock visited several houses on behalf of lawyer Dirck Vlacq, who was curator of Jacob Reael's estate. The estate was involved in a case dating from 1630 concerning Joost Willemsz's estate. The case had been settled by arbitrators who declared Reael's estate was entitled to withdraw 86,000 guilders preferentially from the effects of a former company between Reael, Niekerck, and others.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 965401 / 412 On an unspecified date, Benjamin Dias Brandon and Joseph Brandon Belmonte, brothers living in Amsterdam, appeared before notary Jan Barels. They acknowledged owing a debt of 1,000 Carolus guilders to Salomon van Jacob Belmonte, also a resident of Amsterdam. The brothers agreed to repay this debt through yearly payments of 200 guilders, taken from the income of certain government bonds they inherited from their great-grandfather, Joseph Israel Alvares (also known as Antonio Alvares).
These bonds, which generated approximately 450 guilders annually, were under the administration of the Portuguese Jewish community leaders in Amsterdam. The brothers authorized these administrators to pay 200 guilders yearly directly to Salomon van Jacob Belmonte until the full 1,000 guilders would be repaid within 5 years.
The document was witnessed by Daniel Mansfeld Junior and Thomas van Lith.
View transcript NL-AsdSAA / 1510989 / 717 Find your ancestors and publish your family tree on Genealogy Online via https://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/