Document: Declaration of Michiel Jansen and Jan Pietersen that a piece of duffel purchased by Thomas Hall was short of measure

Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, appeared Michiel Jansen, aged 36 years, and Jan Pietersen van Hoesen, aged 40 years, both inhabitants here, who at the request of Tomas Hal attest, testify and declare in place and with promise of an oath, if necessary, that it is true that they, the deponents, were requested by Tomas Hal to come to his house, where the deponents saw the measuring with a good and correct ell of a piece of duffel which the aforesaid Tomas Hal had received from Hendrick Jansen and Jan Martensen and which had never been cut, as could be seen at both ends. On the lead was marked in figures, not stamped but scratched, that the aforesaid piece of duffel was thirty-nine and one-quarter ells long, but in the presence of the deponents and of, me, the secretary, it was found to be long thirty-six ells and five-eights of an ell, so that it was found to be two ells and five-eights short. This the deponents offer to confirm by oath if necessary and this is done by them in order to bear witness to the truth, which every one is bound to do when required. In token of the truth this is signed by the deponents, the 14th of December anno 1646, in New Amsterdam in New Netherland.

Machghyel Jansz
Jan Pitersen
Cornelis van Tienhoven