Document: Affidavit of Joseph Safford and Thomas Read

[ 8th September 1655 ]

[ Joseph ] Safford [and Thomas Read, residing at Mespadts] Kil, declared that they were [ this day informed by ] Joseph Fouler, Goetman Beets, [ Samuel Touw and his ] son William Read that some [ inhabitants ] of [Gravesend] had been at Westchester [ and that ] the sachems of the Indians had been there at Lieutenant Wheeler’s place and that they would send [ a message ] to the English villages on Long Island that they should deliver and place in their hands Tomas Nuton and Herry Nuton, and Eduard Jesop, because they had helped the Dutch in the fort on the night when the Indians committed offenses here; also, that the Indians had forbidden the English to bring any provisions to the Manhatans or any firewood; and if the English assist the Dutch with wood or foodstuffs, then they would bum their huts and houses. They declare this to be true and are prepared to confirm by oath that they have heard the same from the aforesaid persons. Ady ut supra, was signed: Joseph Safford, X the mark of Tomas Reedt.

(Below was written:) This was written in the presence of the lord Lamontagne and the lord burgomaster Allard Antony, in whose presence the deponents have taken the oath.[1]