Document: Power of attorney from Gillis Pietersen to his father-in-law Hendrick Jansen to collect certain debts in Holland

Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, appeared Gillis Pitersen vander Gouw,[1] who appointed and empowered, as he does hereby, his father-in-law, Hendrick Jansen, residing at ter Gouw, to ask, demand and collect in the principal’s name and on his behslf all such effects and credits as the aforesaid Gillis Pitersz has outstanding in the fatherland, consisting of interest bearing bonds and whatever else they may be called, and in whoever’s custody the said effects and moneys may be, without exception. In all of which said matters in which the principal is concerned, wherever in the fatherland it may be, his father-in-law above mentioned is authorized to demand the principal sum and interest and, if necessary, to institute and carry on legal proceedings for the recovery before all lords, courts, tribunals and judges, wherever the above named attorney shall deem it necessary and expedient; also to substitute one or more persons as the case may require, who shall also have power to prosecute the case at law if necessary and either as plaintiff or defendant to carry on the case or cases to a termination, to hear judgment pronounced and to appeal therefrom, doing in all things as the principal, were he present, might or could do, with power also to execute a receipt in due form for moneys received, he, the principal, promising to hold and to cause to be held valid whatever shall done and performed in the premises by his above named father-in-law. Thus done and signed in the record by Gillis Pietersen vander Gouw, in the presence of Jacob Kip and Sergeant Daniel Litscho, as witnesses hereto invited, the 14th of August anno 1647, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

Jelis Pieters
Daniel Litscho
Jacob H. Kip
Cornelis van Tienhoven