Object Type: Unit of Measure - Linear

Description

Units of linear measure in New Amsterdam were sometimes based on those of Amsterdam, but could also be based on Rotterdam, or later on, England.

Duim = ‘thumb’ =  slightly more than 1 inch,   1.03 - 1.013 inches

Voet = foot = approx. 12 inches, 12.36 or 11.143 inches

Roede = rod = approx. 12 or 13 feet, 12.36 feet or 12.071 feet

Ell = arm = “cubit” = length of elbow to tip of finger = approx. 27 inches

 

Please see the New Netherland Institute's excellent explanation of measures in general:

https://www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/research/online-publications/gui…