Document: Contract of sale from Claes van Elslant, senior, to Pierre Tarragon of 25 acres of land at Mespath kill, L. I.

Before me, Cornelis van Ruyven, appointed secretary in New Netherland in the service of the General Chartered West India Company, and before the undersigned witnesses appeared the worthy Claes van Elslant, the elder, court messenger, of the first part, and Pieter Taaregon, of the second part. The above named Elslant acknowledges that he has sold and Pieter Terragon that he has bought a certain portion of the vendor's land situated in Mespachtes on Long Island, containing in all 25 morgens, lying between Mr. Francoys Douthey's land and that of Ensign Dirck Smith from Lochum, in width in front and in the rear 250 rods, in length on both sides 300 rods, stretching along the valley east and west and into the woods south by west; all as seen by the purchaser, without posts or rails, the mere woodland only, and that free and unincumbered, saving the lord's right. For the purchase of said parcel of land the purchaser promises to pay one hundred Carolus guilders, one half down and the other half as soon as the vendor shall execute a proper deed and conveyance of the aforesaid land to the purchaser; all without fraud or deceit. Thus done and signed in the presence of Marck du Chocoy and Jan Lubbertssz, as witnesses, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 17th of June 1655.

Piere Tarragons
Claes van Elslant
Marc du Sausoy
Jan Lubbers
Cornelis van Ruyven