Document: Power of attorney from Cornelis Teunissen to Cornelis Wils to collect a legacy in Holland

In the year after the birth of our Lord and Savior, one thousand six hundred and fifty-five, the 8th day of March, before me, Cornelis van Ruyven, appointed secretary in New Netherland in the service of the General Chartered West India Company, and before the undersigned witnesses, appeared the worthy Cornelis Tuenissen, farmer, residing in the village of Amesfoort on Long Island, and in the best form and manner possible has appointed and empowered, as he does appoint and empower hereby, the worthy Cornelis Wils, merchant at Amsterdam in Holland, in his, the principal's, name and behalf to demand, recover, collect and receive all such moneys, actions and rights, etc., as are anywise coming to him by the death of Lysbeth Tuenissen, his sister, deceased, provided that (there shall first be paid therefrom a certain bill of exchange, dated the 9th of March 1655, of fl. 300 Holland currency, drawn by the principal on Eastlaentjen Claes, wife of Elyas Aertsen of Merkerck, or on those who had charge of the estate of Lysbeth Tuenissen, deceased, and payable to Mr. Abraham Wilmerdonx, or his order, 14 days after sight, according to the documents thereof, with all costs, loss and interest up to the actual payment; to give acquittance on receipt; if necessary to institute legal proceedings; to appear before all courts and judges; to sue, make answer, reply and rejoin; to observe all fixed days and terms of procedure; to attach, to protest and to demand judgment or judgments and to hear them pronounced; to have them executed, or to appeal therefrom or demand a reformation and to prosecute the case in appeal or reformation, with power also to waive the same and also to substitute one or more persons ad lites; and furthermore in everything that is hereinbefore written and the consequences and incidents thereof to do what the principal could do were he personally present. Promising to hold and to cause to be held valid whatever shall be done and performed in consequence hereof by the above named attorney or his substitute; binding himself thereto in every way according to law. Thus done without fraud or deceit in Amsterdam in New Netherland, in the presence of Jan Lubbertsen and Balthasar Beyart, witnesses hereto invited, the day and year above written.

Coernelis Tonisen
Johannis Lubbersz
Balthazar Beyaerdt
Cornelis van Ruyven