Document: Declaration of Daem Hendricksen and Symon Woutersen as to the testamentary disposition made by Hans Meyster in favor of Hans Boer

Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, appeared Daem Hendricxsz,[1] from Os, aged twenty-five years, and Symon Woutersz, from Nus, aged about forty-three years, who jointly attest, testify and declare, in place and with promise of a solemn oath if necessary and required, that it is true and truthful that Hans Meyster, from Turingen, a soldier in Captain Jan de Vries’ company, lying sick in bed, but of sound memory and understanding as it appeared to us, desired that after his death Hans Boer, from Tegervelde,[2] his comrade, should by way of testamentary disposition receive his monthly wages which are due him by the honorable West India Company and were earned by him in Brazil, Marinjan,[3] and New Netherland; which the deponents declare to have been his last will and desire, offering to confirm the same if necessary. Done the 21st of January 1645, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

Daem Hendricxsz
Symon Wouersz
Cornelio vander Hoykens
Cornelis van Tienhoven