Document: Council minute that all persons are bound to contribute to the support of the precentor and schoolmaster

At a Council holden in Fort Willem Hendrick, the 24th December, 1673.

Roger Tounsen complaining in writing that those of Westchester are daily doing him great damage in his lands and cattle, requesting some persons may be commissioned to inspect the premises and report &c.It is ordered, and resolved,By the Governor-General and Council after having considered the Petitioner's complaint and petition, to refer the examination of the case in question to Schout William Lawrence and Mr. Richard Cornwel, who are hereby required and authorized at the Petitioner's expense to inspect the premises, to hear the arguments of parties and if possible to reconcile parties, if not to report their decision. Dated as above.Claes Janse Backer and Andries Jurianse, heirs of the late Jan Evertse Bout, representing by petition that they had sold a house and lot to Captain Nicolls for the sum of fl. 2,000 Wampum, whereof he has paid fl.500, and declares now on his departure that he is unable to pay, wherefore he hath abandoned the purchase; request therefore to reënter into possession of said house and lot, &c.Ordered:Permission is granted the Petitioners to have the house and lot publicly sold, and to receive the money proceeding from the sale, provided it do not exceed the amount claimed by them.On the petition presented by Surgeon Cornelis van Dyck, that in settling with the Commissioners of Captain Lavall's estate, he may be allowed his claim against Mr. Lovelace,Ordered:The Petitioner will have to present any claim he may have against Mr. Lovelace's estate to that gentleman's Commissioners.The Schout and Magistrates of the town of Bergen requesting that the inhabitants of all the settlements dependent on them, of what religious persuasion soever they may be, shall be bound to pay their share towards the support of the Precentor and Schoolmaster, &c., which being taken into consideration by the Governor and Council,It is ordered:That all the said inhabitants, without any exception, shall, pursuant to the resolution of the Magistrates of the town of Bergen, dated 18th December, 1672, and subsequent confirmation, pay their share for the support of said Precentor and Schoolmaster. Dated as above.