Document: Lease of cattle from Jacob Loper, agent of Cornelis Melyn, to Hendrick Jansen from Utrecht

This day, date underwritten, before me, Jacob Kip, clerk appointed by the honorable director general and council of New Netherland, in the absence of Secretary van Tienhoven, appeared the worthy Jacob Looper, as agent of his father-in-law, Cornelis Melyn, of the first part, and Hendrick Jansz from Utrecht, of the second part, [ who have agreed ] respecting some cattle on the conditions hereinafter written: First, Jacob Looper shall deliver and transfer four cows and twenty-five goats on half the increase and twenty pounds of butter yearly for each cow. The risk of death of the animals shall be in common and all shall be divided and distributed after the four years, but no increase is to be counted before and until the number of cattle delivered be completed and again placed in the hands of Cornelis Melyn as patroon, or his agent Further, I, Hendrick Jansz from Utrecht, promise and engage to take or to have taken good care of the cattle now delivered to me, and in case through neglect, bad fodder, or carelessness any damage or accident occur, which God forbid, he, the lessee, alone shall stand the loss and not be allowed to make it good from the increase. Thus done without fraud or deceit and this signed by the parties respectively in the presence of the underwritten witnesses, this 6th of September 1649, in New Amsterdam.

Jacob Loper
Johannes Rodenborch
Adriaen van Tienhoven
Hendrick Jansz