Transcriptions » Recently created summaries of historical documents

On 16 October 1726, a letter was sent from Macassar and received in Batavia on 25 November 1726. It confirmed permission to re-enter the land of Boni (Bone), expressing gratitude to the ruler for this favor. The agreement was signed in the palace of Bontoealak on 9 Tsafar 1139 (Islamic calendar).

The letter was addressed to Governor-General Matthijs de Haan and the Council of the Dutch Indies in Batavia. It mentioned that three earlier letters (dated 16 and 19 October 1726) had been sent via envoys from Boni and Gowa, as well as by Hendrik Sandijk and the Wajo envoys Totanga and To-Dalima. The writers trusted these letters had been delivered safely.

The situation in Boni appeared calm, but none of the rebels or murderers had been captured or handed over for punishment. The king and queen of Boni had promised to ensure their unemployed and wandering subjects—who were causing trouble on Dutch East India Company (VOC) lands—would return home. However, rumors suggested that people from Boni were instead being called to Padang, about 25 miles north of the VOC fort, though their intentions remained unclear.

The letter also noted that the chief regents of the VOC territories Bolle Comba and Bontam, along with the local VOC resident, had been summoned.

On 30 November 1726, officials in Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) received a letter from Governor Ioan Fredrik Gobius and his council in Macassar (modern-day Makassar). The letter was dated 3 September 1726 and addressed to the Governor-General and the Council of the Indies in Batavia.

• The letter included a translated Malay-language message (recorded on page 468) sent by the King and high nobles of Gowa, a powerful kingdom in southern Sulawesi.
• The original letter and its translation were filed with the colonial secretary in Batavia (noted on page 461).

In 1726, official letters and reports were exchanged between Macassar (modern-day Makassar) and Batavia (modern-day Jakarta). Here’s a breakdown of the key communications:

• Letters were received in Macassar on various dates in September 1726:
  • On September 8, documents arrived at the secretariat.
  • On September 12, a separate package arrived from Todolima via Bonijse (from Bone) envoys.
  • On September 15, a message came from the Wadjorese leader Totanga.
  • On September 17, news arrived via Samarang (modern-day Semarang) on the ship Kiefhoek.
  • On September 22, a translated Malay letter from the king and nobles of Bauton (likely Buton) was recorded.
• Another translated Malay letter, sent by Als Bonen to the leader Sabandar Lokman, was documented.
• On September 9, a letter from Governor Ioan Frederik Gobius and his council in Macassar was sent to the High Government in Batavia, dated August 19, 1726. It included a postscript from August 21.
• Separate letters from Governor Gobius and his council were sent on:
  • August 19, 1726 (one letter).
  • August 23, 1726 (another letter, signed by the governor and 3 council members).
  • August 16, 1726 (two additional letters).
• A register (list) of the papers was compiled.
• A copy of a resolution made by the council in Macassar on August 20, 1726 was included.
• A report from appointed members of the Court of Justice in Macassar detailed events recorded by the resident of Boelecamba (Buleleng, Bali), Johannes de Ree, covering incidents from June 19 to August 3, 1726.
• A translated Malay letter from the king of Bonij (Bone) to the High Government in Batavia was also documented.

In 1726, official records from Macassar (now Makassar) were documented, including daily logs and reports from ships like the Pantchiall, Oppas, and Casuarus about their voyages. These records also included an inventory of goods.

• On 5 October 1726, a legal case was recorded involving 7 Limbanese people from Amboina (now Ambon) who had arrived in Macassar.
• Confessions were taken from captured individuals, including people from Bugis (Boegineesen) and Macassar, related to the ship Kruispant Chiallangs and its crew.
• A copy of a letter from Amboina dated 8 August 1726 was included in the records.
• A letter from Governor Ioan Fredrik Gobius in Macassar, dated 11 August 1726, was sent to Governor-General Matheits de Haan and the Council of the Indies in Batavia. This letter included a separate resolution made by the Political Council in Macassar on 6 September 1726.
• A list was compiled on the same day, detailing the arrivals and departures of ships in Macassar from 1 May to 31 July 1726.
• On 5 September 1726, translations of two letters written in Malay were recorded:
  • One from the King of Bima to Governor-General Matheits de Haan.
  • Another from Panabahan Cassoema Dilaga in Banjermassing (now Banjarmasin) to the Governor-General and the Council of the Indies in Batavia.

This record contains official reports and letters about shipping and governance in the Dutch East Indies during the 1720s. Key details include:

• A list of ships arriving and departing from Macassar was received from citizen Johannes on the ship Spiering on 26 August.
• A copy of a shipping log for Macassar from 1 October 1725 to 30 April 1726 was documented.
• On 22 August, a note from resident Abraham Walburg in Bima to the government in Batavia reported on ships arriving and leaving Bima from 1 July 1725 to 30 June 1726.
• On 24 August, a registry of documents was recorded.
• A letter from Governor Joan Fredrik Gobius and his council in Macassar to the Governor-General and Council of the Indies in Batavia, dated 26 July, included copies of political decisions made on 16 and 21 August regarding Banij and Goa.
• On 27 July, Governor Gobius sent a separate letter to Batavia, expanded with three postscripts dated 29 July and 5 August.
• A translated Malay letter from the scribe Boeni Parisi in Macassar to Governor Gobius was included.
• Another registry of documents was noted on 266.
• A letter from Governor Gobius and his council in Macassar to the authorities in Batavia, dated 11 August 1726, was recorded.

The ship De Kieshoek arrived in Batavia on 4 June 1726, carrying official documents from Macassar. These included:

• A letter from Governor Ioan Fredrik Gobius and the council of Macassar, addressed to Governor-General Mattheus De Haan and the council of the Dutch East Indies in Batavia, dated 22 May 1726.
• Copies of decisions made by the council in Macassar on 3 April 1726 and 11 April 1726, along with an excerpt from their daily register from the same dates. These concerned proposals from Governor-General Mattheus De Haan.
• Copies of separate council resolutions from Macassar, dated 3 April, 12 April, 17 April, 4 May, and 18 May 1726.
• A letter from Heer Happon, sent from the Strait of Bouton to officials in Macassar on 11 March 1726, including a journal detailing events during his journey.
• An extract from a report by patrol ships from 1714, regarding three imprisoned leaders from Bouton.
• Copies of receipts from Moorish traders Jambi of the Coast and Sheikh Mohamed of Suratta, dated 9 April and 3 March 1726.
• Copies of answered questions from local sailors whose ships were lost near the island of Celebes.

The documents were registered as received in 1726.

On 11 June 1639 (old calendar), in the office of a notary in Utrecht, a widow named Wilhelmina de Renesse van Baer appeared in person. She was a noblewoman, healthy, and of sound mind. Recognizing that death is certain and life is uncertain, she decided to prepare a will to distribute her possessions.

She declared the following:

• She left her gold Spanish necklace to her eldest nephew, Hans Adriaen de Renesse van Baer, the son of her brother, Baron de Renesse, whom she had baptized.
• She left a gold rose noble (a type of coin) to each of her other brothers.
• She also left something to Anna de Wael (the text cuts off here).

The document was signed in the presence of the notary and two witnesses, Johan Bor and Cornelis van Schayck, at the notary’s office on Gansement in Utrecht.

Earlier, on 8 June 1639, the Court of Utrecht had granted Wilhelmina de Renesse van Baer permission to create this will.

In her will, a woman from Hoboken left the following items to her relatives:

• To her mother: a gold diamond ring, an embroidered headband, a daily-use skirt, and a colorful cloak.
• To Willem Willemsz van Hoboocken, her husband’s brother: a silver tongue scraper, given on 1 May.
• To Marichgen Willems, her oldest sister and the daughter of Willem van Hoboecken: a white knitted bodice and two veils (one silk and another type), plus a silk cap.
• To Sophia Willems, her husband’s sister: a Turkish velvet dress with three cords and a silver needle.
• To Meychgen, the youngest daughter of her husband’s brother: a red damask dress with two black velvet cords and two of her best fur collars.
• To Maria Alerts, her stepdaughter: 200 guilders in cash, a gold rose ring, a gold heart ring, a plain beaded necklace, a silver key chain, a double silver wedding coin, a silver thimble with letters, a silver finger ring, a velvet flyer (a type of garment), a bodice with stripes and gold buttons, a red damask dress with yellow cords, a velvet dress with three French cords, a linen dress with a velvet trim, a linen bodice with a linen front, a velvet purse with a clasp, and a pair of undersleeves.

On 9 December 1615, an official document from the meat inspection authority in Andewater (likely Andijk) was issued by Aert Claesz, a painter and citizen there, for his son Aelbert Aertsz. This document confirmed that Aelbert and his brother Dirck Aertsz were each entitled to 50 Caigelen (likely a type of coin or bond). Aelbert's share came from his mother’s inheritance.

Another document, dated 21 March 1623, was issued by Pieter Huijgensz van Woerden, also a citizen of Andewater, for Aelbert and Pieter Huijgensz. It confirmed they had received 20 bargulen (another type of coin or bond) from the children of Hollichgen Jans, with interest at 5 stuivers per gulden (guilders) per year.

Aelbert Aertsz had left these documents, along with a red coral necklace with 101 beads, in safekeeping before leaving town. The documents and necklace were held by Agnietgen Cors, a young woman living in Utrecht. Since she no longer wanted to keep these items, she formally handed them over to Jan Claesz Cremer, her uncle and legal guardian of Aelbert, on 13 January 1634 in Tvaecht (likely Vechten, near Utrecht).

Agnietgen stated that if Jan Claesz refused to accept the items, she would give them to someone else. She requested that a formal record (acte in forma) be made of this transfer. The notary and witnesses, including Leonard Valck, Gijsbet van Leeuw, and D Van Leeuwensge, confirmed that Jan Claesz accepted the documents and necklace on behalf of Aelbert, despite any prior claims Aelbert might have made.

• On 2 February 1641, Wilhelmina van Bronckhorst, Lady of Nieuwe and Eta, appeared before Schooffs, a notary in Utrecht, and witnesses. She admitted, at the request of jeweler Johan Hasebaerd, that she had bought an emerald ring from the estate of the Dom Church in Utrecht.
• She gave the ring to her niece, van Hoorn, to have it reset in a different style. However, it turned out the stone was not an emerald but a double-cut crystal. Wilhelmina confirmed this under oath.

• On the same day, 2 February 1641, Gerrit Vastel, a public notary authorized by the Court of Utrecht, recorded that Gewarnen, the wife of Baltazar van Putten Cernay, revoked a gift she had made to her daughter, Maria van Putten, in a document dated 9 February 1636.
• She declared this earlier document invalid and requested that this new act, made under authority from the court, would take effect instead.
• The act was signed in Vlient (her residence on Oude Gracht in Utrecht) with witnesses Janneken van Putten, Jan Jansen van Meijckrich, and Evert van Mijck present.

On 29 October 1641, Engeltje Goverts purchased the following items from Angnietje van Veldthuizen at her home in Utrecht:

• A fur undergarment with 2 silver chains, including the cost of making and silverwork, for 57 guilders.

On 30 October 1641, Engeltje Goverts bought more items for her niece:

• A fur sweet-bag (scent pouch) for 41 guilders, including crafting costs.
• A gold "suff" (a type of decorative pin or clasp), including crafting costs.
• A claw ring (likely a ring with a claw-like design), including crafting and assembly, for 9 guilders and 16 stuivers.

The total amount owed for these goods was 121 guilders and 6 stuivers.

Additionally, the cost of a "coker" (possibly a coif or cap) was noted as 10 guilders and 4 stuivers, with further unclear amounts of 44 guilders and 6 stuivers, summing to a final unclear total of 94 (likely guilders).

Angnietje van Veldthuizen confirmed in writing that she had received full payment from Engeltje Goverts and thanked her for the prompt settlement.

A note at the end appears to mention "19doot," which may indicate a reference to a deceased person or an unclear term.

On October 29, 1623, Marritje Hendriksdr van Couwen, a young woman living near the Swart Water just outside Utrecht, appeared before a notary. Though seriously ill, she was fully aware and capable of speaking. She confirmed her last will, originally written on September 10, 1623, and demanded that all heirs and beneficiaries accept its terms without argument. Anyone who opposed the will would lose their inheritance, which would then be redistributed to those who accepted it.

In her will, she made the following bequests:

• Her sister Jutgen Hendriks (or Gevrake) and her children would receive nothing from the estate, as they had already been provided for.
• Lijsbetgen, the daughter of the aforementioned Jutgen, would inherit:
  • A pair of silver scissors on a ribbon.
  • A velvet purse with silver buttons (both items were with silversmith Bernt at the time).
  • A copper measuring container.
• Cornelia and Cornelisdr, also daughters of Jutgen, would receive:
  • An unfinished linen chest cover.
• Sijsbert Cornelisz, their brother, would inherit:
  • A small gold ring with a crown-shaped stone.
  • The smallest copper lantern.
  • A copper candlestick with a pin (made of "true tin").
  • Three square tin plates.
• Dirckgen Cornelisdr, another daughter of Jutgen, would get:
  • The testator’s best Holland-style headdress.
• Aert Cornelisz, a son of Adriaen, would receive:
  • A gold ring with a red stone in a raised setting (originally owned by her grandfather Eerntgen Hendriks).
  • A small glass casket with a Jesus figurine in a display case.
• Lijsbetgen Adriaensdr Groen would inherit:
  • A red coral necklace with 50 beads (its gold clasp was to be made by Henrickgen Bernts).
  • A pair of copper scales.
  • A small black kettle.
  • A plain Holland-style headdress.
• Gillisgen Bernt Aelbertsz would get:
  • A patchwork quilt.

Since the small black kettle and smallest copper lantern (originally left to Henrickgen Bernts) had been reassigned to Lijsbetgen Adriaens and Sijsbert Cornelisz, Henrickgen Bernts would instead receive:

• The largest copper lantern.
• A large red copper kettle.
• A gold wire ring with 8 twists.
• A large copper pot.
• The copper candlestick with a detachable tray.
• A travel coffer made of "true tin."
• The large, silver-gilt clasp for the red coral necklace.

All bequests were to be distributed immediately after her death, except for the 100 guilders left to Utgen Hendriks. This sum would only be paid after the death of Utgen’s mother, provided Utgen outlived the testator. The will was reconfirmed on January 26, 1624.

On 21 April 1630, Cornelis De Witte and Anna van Culenborch confirmed in writing that Johan Roeloffsz van Culemb (Anna’s father and Cornelis’s father-in-law) had fully paid a dowry of 1,000 Carolus guilders to them after their wedding. This payment was in addition to the morning gift (a traditional gift from husband to wife after marriage) and other agreed-upon conditions set earlier.

In a separate agreement from 16 March 1627, witnessed by Gerduys Notary, Johan Roeloffsz van Culemb promised the following for his daughter’s marriage to Cornelis De Wilt:

• A payment of 1,100 guilders to the couple at the time of the wedding.
• Covering the full cost of the wedding feast.
• Providing his daughter with proper clothing, linens, and household goods.
• Ensuring she entered the marriage free of debt.
• Hosting a debt-free wedding, except for the wine, which would be provided by the groom’s parents.

The agreements were signed by Johan Roeloffsz van Culemb, his wife Mariavande vacht, Cornelis De Wilt, and witnesses including Volcken Boch and Jan Roolofszoon.

On 9 April 1593, a woman named Hilichgen Aertsdochter, around 35 or 36 years old, appeared before a notary in Utrecht. She had been a servant for Mr. Aelbert Boll, a canon of St. Mary’s Church in Utrecht. Under oath, at the request of Jonkheer Guert Boll, she testified the following:

• She had worked as a servant in Aelbert Boll's household for nearly 4 years.
• Before his illness, she heard Aelbert Boll say that a ring called the "dragon ring" should go to Henrickgen Boll, the eldest daughter of Jonkheer Evert Boll, after his death.
• She also heard Aelbert Boll's son, while ill, mention two rings related to the dragon ring: one for Heurich Bolle and another small ring with a stone for Grietgen Bolten, the youngest daughter of Evert Boll.

Hilichgen confirmed that her statement was true and unnecessary to repeat under further oath. Guert Boll, present at the time, requested an official record, which the notary granted. The document was prepared in the notary’s office in Utrecht in the presence of witnesses Jan Jacobsz Sylant and Oosten Laurensz van Nyendael, with notary Splinter overseeing the process.

On 9 July 1693, in the city of Amsterdam, a man named Adriaen van der Met appeared before the public notary Cornelis den Elger, who lived in the Proveniers district. Adriaen declared he wanted to create a will to distribute his possessions after his death, canceling any previous wills he had made.

In his will, Adriaen named the following as his only heirs:

• Geertruyt den Elgen
• Maria de Elger
• Gerrit den Ellegen
• Catharina den Eegel (daughter of Antonij de Eeger)
• Elijsabet de Vogel (daughter of Weijntje den Engel)

These were his children and grandchildren, who would normally inherit his possessions by law if he died without a will. If any of these heirs died before him, their share would pass to their own children.

Adriaen specified that all his belongings would be divided equally among his heirs, with a few special items set aside for certain individuals:

• Maria de Elger would receive all the woolen clothes he left behind.
• Gerrit den Ellegen would receive a gray ring with an eight-sided stone.
• Catharina den Eegel would receive a gold claw ring with a stone.
• Elijsabet de Vogel would receive a small red ruby ring with a small hoop.

Finally, Adriaen stated that the possessions of any underage heirs would be managed by appointed guardians until they reached the age of 25.

The estate of a deceased person was appraised by Pieter van den Abele, a jeweler from the city, on an unspecified date. The appraisal included:

• Jewelry and clothing from the shared estate, as well as items belonging to the daughters.
• A signed receipt confirming the appraisal.

The estate also included several financial documents and properties:

• Three life annuity bonds issued by the Admiralty of Holland and West Friesland, each worth 100 guilders annually:
  • One for Timothens le Thor and Cornelia le Thor, dated January 25, 1645.
  • One for Timothens le Thor and Margariete le Thor.
  • One for Cornelia le Thor and Margariete le Thor.
• A receipt for the cancellation of a debt and transfer of a house and land on the east side of the Heere Graft, dated October 22, 1639.
• A fully paid house and land on Lange Gras Einde, near the Appelmarkt, behind the aforementioned house. The deed of release for this property was not found but was expected to be presented later. The purchase was confirmed on April 23, 1637, with a paid duty receipt of 1100 guilders.
• A house and land in the city of Leiden on Nieuwe Vest, near the Hasewint Brewery, inherited from a deceased sister. The valuation was requested and awaited.
• A deed and release for a garden or land with a house and additional structures outside the Regulierspoort, behind the Reguliershof, on a plot called Balthasar’s Patt. Originally shared between Jan le Thor and Bonaventuur Broen, it was later divided, with half belonging to the estate, dated May 13, 1639.
• A bond issued by the Province of Holland and West Friesland, payable at the office of the Receiver Berckel, dated January 13 and September 28, 1646, for 5 guilders per 100, in the name of Adriana Cobrisen, from whom it was inherited. The capital amount was 1800 guilders.
• A bond issued by the Dutch West India Company, payable at the Amsterdam chamber, for a capital of 10,000 guilders at 5 guilders per 100 annually, dated September 17, 1646, signed by F. Schuelenborck and Jacob Tamel. Interest of 6 months was paid on March 17, 1647, but due to the company’s current situation, the capital was not withdrawn and remained invested.
• A bundle of various papers related to the estate, bound together, with a value of 222 guilders.

On 10 September 1661, a jeweler named Hans Sipels assessed the value of several items and properties in an estate inventory. The following assets were recorded:

• Jewelry and valuables:
  • 37 small, low-quality diamonds set in a piece, valued at ƒ 73.
  • A tortoiseshell box with some loose pearls, valued at ƒ 150.
  • Cash in various gold and silver coins, totaling ƒ 5,499.10.
  • 1 gold coin for minor expenses.
  • 26.25 shares of East India Company stock, valued at ƒ 36 each, totaling ƒ 945.
• Properties:
  • A house and land located on Nieuwe Leliestraat in Dokkum, valued at ƒ 7,300.
  • A house and land on the south side of Negelantiersgracht, where the inventory's subject lived, valued at ƒ 3,400.
• Debts owed to the estate:
  • A court-recognized debt of ƒ 630 owed by Claas Bronkhorst, dated 3 May 1661.
  • A bond from Abraham de Mont, a merchant in Rouen, for ƒ 2,000, dated 22 September 1659.

The estate also had the following expenses and debts:

• ƒ 40 for a year’s wages to a maidservant.
• ƒ 7.14 to a mason for building a cement cellar and other repairs.
• ƒ 90 to a stone supplier for cement and stones.
• ƒ 12 to a woman who looked after the house.
• ƒ 72 for 6 months of living expenses for the youngest child.
• ƒ 100 for 6 months of living expenses for the two oldest children.
• ƒ 10 extra to the maidservant for taking care of the children.
• ƒ 40 (1%) to the creditors for handling the estate’s movable property.
• ƒ 8.10 to the notary for creating and certifying the inventory, attending the jewelry appraisal, and other small expenses.

The person responsible for the inventory declared that it was made honestly and completely, except for their personal clothing. They noted that their late spouse’s clothes, which were left with friends in France, were worth more than their own. The total value of the estate was summarized as described.

This record from 1735 details payments and discoveries related to the estate of a deceased person in Haarlem:

• Payments were made to several individuals for services:
  • Pieter de Tonij, a surgeon, received ƒ 5 10.
  • C. Noppen and J. V. Hagerbeey, managers of the bankrupt estate of Gerrit van Heerstal, were paid ƒ 35 for delivered wood carving work on a coat of arms.
  • Jan de Wijse, a sculptor, received ƒ 8 for repairing the coat of arms of the funeral home, which was damaged in a severe storm.
  • Jan van der Was, a master carpenter, was paid ƒ 11 11 for further repairs to the coat of arms.
  • Frans Decker received ƒ 10 for regilding and repairing the coat of arms of the funeral home, which was also damaged in the storm.
  • Ds. Jacobus van Zanten, a minister, was paid ƒ 13 for 15 visits to the deceased during their illness.
• The total amount spent was ƒ 179 8 (likely a typo in the original text, intended to be ƒ 79 8).
• Hidden in small drawers within a little cushion, the following items were discovered:
  • Small gold items, including rings, buttons, chains, and similar objects, valued at ƒ 75.
  • A set of small fine pearls, also valued at ƒ 75.
• Jan Soutman, a jeweler, confirmed the authenticity and appraised the value of the gold items and pearls.
• The items were formally taken over by Pieter de Fremerij Jacobsz in the presence and with the consent of Isaak Sweers.
• The document was signed in Haarlem on April 26, 1735 by Jan Goutman.

On 29 November 1655, a detailed list and valuation of jewelry, pearls, gold rings, silver, and gilded items was created. These items belonged to the late Lijsbet Kiecken, the former wife of Claes Centen. The appraisal was conducted by Franchoijs van Heulen, a jeweler in the city, at the request of Claes Centen. The notary Adriaen Lock documented the process. The following items were appraised with their respective values in guilders (ƒ), stuivers (st), and pennies (represented by the colon-separated numbers):

• A silver belt with a pouch and knife, weighing 54 loot (a Dutch weight unit), valued at 70 guilders and 4 stuivers (1 loot = 20 stuivers).
• A silver earring weighing 2¼ loot, valued at 2 guilders, 16 stuivers, and 4 pennies (1 loot = 25 stuivers).
• A gold chain weighing 2 ounces, 12 d Engelse (English pennies), and ½, valued at 99 guilders and 15 stuivers (1 d Engelse = 38 stuivers).
• A gold earring weighing 1 ounce and 15 d Engelse, valued at 66 guilders and 10 d Engelse (1 d Engelse = 38 stuivers).
• A broken gold pin weighing 8 d Engelse and 24 asen (a smaller weight unit), valued at 16 guilders and 12 stuivers (1 d Engelse = 38 stuivers).
• A fine gold double-hoop ring weighing 12 d Engelse and 8 asen, valued at 25 guilders and 2 stuivers (1 d Engelse = 41 stuivers).
• A pair of pendant earrings, each with two diamonds and a pearl, valued at 48 guilders.
• A gold rose-cut ring with seven small diamonds, valued at 100 guilders.
• A gold "moets" (likely a type of ring) with a thick diamond, valued at 23 guilders.
• A gold ring with a thick diamond, valued at 260 guilders.

In January 1664, witnesses reported disturbing behavior by the wife of an unnamed man (referred to as Reqt. or "the requester") in Amsterdam. According to the accounts:

• The previous week, Reqt.'s wife allegedly ran around their home half-naked and screaming like a madwoman, trying to leave the house. Witnesses claimed they had to physically stop her from running into the street.
• On the evening before the report, she verbally and physically attacked her husband, hitting him in the face with a large key. She accused him of:
  • Marrying her under false pretenses.
  • Secretly making her pay for 304 pounds (3 "avier") of beef over several months.
  • Breaking two silver spoons.
• The witnesses—including Petrus Sylvius, Harmanus, Jasper van der Nas, and Catharina "Lufthof"—claimed they had personally seen and heard her violent outbursts over a long period. Some described her as having a "devilish nature."
• Despite this, the witnesses also stated that Reqt. himself was a hardworking, kind, and honorable man who avoided conflict. His wife, Mari Anne van der Uis, was described as the aggressive one, while Reqt. tried to keep peace.
• The document was officially recorded by notary WSilius Notynis on January 25, 1664, alongside an unrelated financial protest against a man named Anthonij Timmerman.

On 18 May 1684, Willem Ratolband, a servant living near the Haarlemmerbuik by the Eeke with the maid Haarlemmesluijs, appeared before the notary Wilhelmur Sylvius. He represented himself and acted on behalf of four other heirs of Gijsbert Ratelband.

The group explained that some items still remained from the estate of Jacob Aerst van de Voort, their maternal uncle. These included:

• A small amount of wine listed in the records.
• A fourth share of cash from old linen goods left by their late mother.

After dividing everything into five equal parts, the following items were assigned by lot:

Willem Ratolband received:

• A description of Josephus in Dutch.
• A maternal book called Thomatje.
• Some small blue books.
• Household linens from Jacobus, including:
• 6 shirts (various sizes).
• A bedsheet.
• 2 new handkerchiefs.
• 4 copper coins called hungens potpenn, worth 5 hellings (a small currency unit).

Jacobus Ratelband received:

• A large book about the life of Pins Hendrick.
• A book in quarto (a medium book size) and some small blue books.
• 4 shirts (various sizes).
• An apron and a piece of fine cloth for 2 new handkerchiefs.
• 3 small copper coins, worth about 3 schellings (another currency unit).

Gerrit Ratelband received:

• A wedding ring from Catt.
• A book in quarto covered in lambskin.
• 2 books in quarto and some small blue books.
• 6 shirts (various sizes).
• A bedsheet, an apron, and 3 small copper coins, worth about 3 schellings.

Abraham Ratelband received:

• A large Bible (new edition).
• 6 shirts (various sizes).
• An apron and 6 old sleeves.
• A piece of linen for 2 dirty handkerchiefs.
• 2 kellings (a currency unit) in cash.

On 10 May 1748 and again on 16 May 1748, an inventory was made in Amsterdam at the request of Salomon Azevedo and the leaders (called Parnassims) of the Portuguese Jewish Community in the city. This was done after the city’s judges officially appointed them on 10 May 1748 to represent the estate of the late Joseph de Menasse Azevedo. They acted on behalf of his heirs: Rachel de Azevedo, Moses Azevedo, Aron Azevedo, Jacob Azevedo, Ribca Azevedo, and Judica Azevedo, who lived in Bordeaux, along with Salomon Azevedo. These were the only heirs of Joseph de Menasse Azevedo, who had died without a will.

The inventory was recorded by the notary Hermanus van Heel and described the following items in the house:

• In the attic:
  • A pile of peat, around 70 to 80 tons.
• In the upper room:
  • A wooden pavilion.
  • Two sash windows (for glass panes).
  • A portrait of the deceased.
  • An iron fire tong.
  • A tin water pitcher.
  • A chamber pot.
  • A cushion with three pillows.
  • An old wall hanging.
  • Some wooden items.
• In the back room:
  • A walnut wood writing desk, containing:
    • A diamond ring with 6 stones.
    • A diamond ring with 5 stones.
    • A gold wedding ring.
    • A string of pearls and some loose pearls.
    • A gold pocket watch.
    • A small jewelry box.
    • The deceased’s main ledger book.
    • The deceased’s journal book.

The inventory was based on information provided by Johanna Amelia Staal, who managed the household.

This document from 3 October 1556 details the state of coffee cultivation in the Residentie Preanger Regentschappen (a Dutch colonial region in West Java). It lists data for eight districts: Djongsarie, Spibcureum, Syongeang, Dermaradja, Melamborg, Indihiang, Singaparna, and Dantal.

• Coffee farms and production per district:
  • Djongsarie: 600 farms, producing 26,913 pounds of coffee per household.
  • Spibcureum: 2,769 farms, producing 1,844 pounds of coffee per household.
  • Syongeang: 1,133 farms, producing 1,077 pounds of coffee per household.
  • Dermaradja: 2,590 farms, producing 1,956 pounds of coffee per household.
  • Melamborg: 579 farms, producing 836 pounds of coffee per household.
  • Indihiang: 3,777 farms, producing 6,448 pounds of coffee per household.
  • Singaparna: 755 farms, producing 519 pounds of coffee per household.
  • Dantal: 585 farms, producing 565 pounds of coffee per household.

• Number of coffee plants per household:
  • Djongsarie: 11 plants.
  • Spibcureum: 17 plants.
  • Syongeang: 18 plants.
  • Dermaradja: 12 plants.
  • Melamborg: 9 plants.
  • Indihiang: 10 plants.
  • Singaparna: 5 plants.
  • Dantal: 2 plants.

• Distance from villages to the coffee fields (in palen, an old Dutch unit of measurement):
  • Shortest distance: 2 to 6 palen.
  • Average distance: 43 palen (for Djongsarie).

• Potential for new coffee plantations:
  • Abundance of poor, dry farmland (tegal) and previously planted but long-fallow land.
  • Good, abundant dry farmland available for 10 years, with additional old, abandoned mountain gardens.
  • Good farmland available for 12 years, with an abundance of poor dry farmland.
  • Good farmland available for 10 years, with some old, neglected gardens.
  • Abundance of government-owned dry farmland and old, abandoned gardens.
  • Abundance of rich government-owned land and fertile farmland, including some old, abandoned gardens.

• Expected lifespan of coffee plants based on soil type:
  • Planted on forest land: 12 to 13 years.
  • Planted on dry farmland: 5 to 9 years.
  • Old, abandoned gardens: plants may reach up to 12 years.

The report was signed by Vin Bucaus V.P. from Duukendorg.

On 29 May 1700, the notary Jan Beuns, authorized by the Court of Holland and residing in Haarlem, assisted by witnesses, acted on behalf of Abraham van Asselt, a resident of Haarlem. He met with Johannes van der Sprang, who lived in Amsterdam but was currently in Haarlem. Jan Beuns formally demanded that Johannes van der Sprang repay a loan of 800 caroli guilders within 3 months from that date, as agreed in a handwritten contract signed on 22 May 1700 by Abraham van Asselt for Johannes van der Sprang. The repayment included both the principal amount and accrued interest. In return for the repayment, the following jewelry and items made of uncoined gold and silver would be given back to Johannes van der Sprang:

• A gold snuffbox with an engraving of Hercules between Virtue and Lust.
• An octagonal silver serving tray with decorated edges.
• A matching octagonal silver tobacco table.
• Jewelry in silver settings:
  • A solitaire earring with 11 diamonds.
  • Two heart-shaped pendants.
  • A small boat-shaped pendant with 9 diamonds.
  • A cross with 5 diamonds and 6 smaller diamonds set between them.
• A pair of earrings, each with:
  • One brilliant-cut diamond.
  • Dangling pieces, each with 3 diamonds, all set in silver with gold clasps.
• Three gold rings, each designed differently:
  • A heart-shaped diamond ring.
  • A crown-shaped ring with 3 diamonds, held by two enamel hands, each side having 3 small diamonds behind them.

These items served as collateral for the loan and its interest.

This document is a will written by a woman (referred to as testatrice) in Amsterdam on August 13, 1644. Below is a summary of its key points:

• The woman leaves her house and kitchen items to her daughter, Pietertgen, under the condition that if Pietertgen dies without leaving any children, the property will pass to the woman’s other children at the same price.
• She also leaves specific items to two other people:
  • A silver lace flyer, a red corset, and a gold mourning ring to her niece, Adriana Fransdr.
  • A gold ring with a skull (as a keepsake) to her sister-in-law, Claes Jacobsdr.
• If any of her children are still minors when she dies, their inheritance will be managed by her adult children until the minors come of age.
• She states that if anyone (called an "opponent") tries to challenge the will in any way, they will lose all rights to her estate beyond their legal minimum share. That share will instead go to her "good-willed" children who accept the will.
• She reserves the right to give away or bequeath up to 83 more items if she chooses, either directly or through another legal document.
• The will is declared to be her final and unchangeable last wish, and she wants it followed exactly as written, even if some legal formalities are missing.

The will was signed in her home on the corner of Grobeboutstraat in the presence of two witnesses: Dirck Willemsz and Gabriel Willemsz, both citizens of Amsterdam. The notary, Michiel Joisz de Woerden, officially recorded and delivered the document.