Document: Lease of the farm of Everardus Bogardus to Richard Fowles

Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary in New Netherland appointed [ by ] the General Chartered West India Company, [ appeared ] Evera[ rdu ]s Bogardus, minister here, of the first part, and Ritchert Fouls, of the second part, who acknowledged that they had amicably agreed and contracted with each other in manner following, to wit: Everardus Bogardus leases his farm and farm house for the term of four years to Ritchert Fouls, who acknowledges that he has rented the same on the conditions hereinafter written. The lessor shall deliver with the aforesaid farm two milch cows, one heifer of two and a half years, one heifer of one and a half years, one bull calf of last May, one steer of May, two draft oxen of four and a half years and one stallion colt of last May, of which [ animals ] each party shall own a half share. The minister shall also deliver all the necessary implements for the farm as good as they are to be had at the present time, which the lessee shall keep in repair at his own expense and at the expiration of the four years, commencing the 12th of November 1642 and ending the 12th of November 1646, deliver back with the farm in as good condition as they will be furnished now and whatever improvements they will have undergone must be paid for according to valuation by arbitrators and whatever wear and tear they may have received must be paid for in like manner. For which the lessee shall anually pay to the minister one third of the crop which God shall grant to the field; also 25 lb. of butter for the cows from the commencement of the lease; for the oldest heifer he shall pay nothing next year because the lessor shall receive one half of the milk [ until? ] the cows are dry; the second year and to the end of the term he shall annually [ pay ] 25 lb. of butter for [ the same heifer? ]; for [ the youngest heifer, next year, when the heifer? ] has calved, he shall pay 12 lb. of butter [ the first year ] and the remaining years annually 25 lb. of butter. The minister also leaves on the farm a mare which shall be for his exclusive use, only that [ in the ] winter the lessee shall duly fodder and water [ the same ] and take proper care of her; of all of which cattle parties shall each have half the increase for his share, the risk of death being also in common, but the number that is now delivered must first be made good out of the increase and then the remaining cattle shall be equally apportioned and divided. The lessee shall take care of the land and maintain the fences at his own expense and at the end of the lease deliver everything in the condition in which it is now received; also, he shall use all possible diligence to clear the land. It is likewise convenanted that when the term is within six months of expiring, parties shall give each other notice in order that each may then do as he pleases. For which parties bind their persons and properties, submitting the same to the courts, according to law, the 12th of November 1642 in New Netherland.

Everhardus Boghardus
Richard Fowles
Cornelio van der Hoykens
Gysbert op Dyck
Cornelis van Tienh.