Document: Lease from Cornelis van Tienhoven to Crigier Pisker and Gerrit Serdts of a parcel of land at Breuckelen, Long Island

This day, date underwritten, Crigier Pisker and Gerrit Seers have in the presence of the undersigned witnesses leased from Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, a parcel of land, as large or small as it may be, situated at Breuckelen on Long Island, for the term of four consecutive years, which shall begin on the first of August anno 1647 and end on the first of August anno 1651, during which said time the lessees shall not have to pay any rent, but be free; only, if in the meantime any acknowledgment must be made to the overlord, the lessees shall be bound to pay it. In compensation for being allowed to cultivate the land rent-free, the lessees promise thoroughly to clear the maize land in the aforesaid allotment within the period of the aforesaid four years, so that the plow may run over it everywhere and it can be plowed. Should there be any large stones that two men can not move, the lessees may let them lie, but the smaller stones they must remove from the land. The lessees shall be bound to cut from the stumps, to burn and to remove from the land within the aforesaid time all the trees which are standing in Tienhoven’s allotment, in consideration also for not having to pay any rent, but they shall be at liberty to leave the stumps; for all of which they shall at the end of the four years be entitled to receive from Tienhoven or whoever may obtain his interest one hundred Carolus guilders, over and above the exemption from rent and free dwelling. The lessees shall at their own expense maintain and put up the post and rail fence that is now set up or shall be erected by order of the schepens, whether in front, in the rear, or at the sides, and at the termination of the lease they shall deliver the same back in good condition as a protection against cattle, which fence shall be the property of the lessor, without his having to pay anything for it. They shall properly occupy the house according to their circumstances, keep it weather-tight during the lease and at the expiration thereof deliver it back in tight condition. And in case the house, through the neglect or inattention of the lessees, should be destroyed by fire, the lessees shall be bound to repair the damage, but they shall not have to bear the damage caused by enemies or other mischance, after having first with others, their neighbors, defended the house to the best of their ability. The lessees shall during the aforesaid term of the lease not be at liberty to sublet the place to any one without the consent of the lessor, much less be allowed to move away from it, and in case it be found that the lessees have in any manner failed to observe this their aforesaid contract, the lessor shall have the right to bring an action therefor against the lessees. Thus done in good faith, two copies of the same tenor being made hereof.

Crigier Pisker
Gerryt Serdts
Gysbert ope Dyck
Jacob Hendricksz Kip
Cornelis van Tienhoven