Document: Power of attorney from Machtelt Willems to Jan Claessen of Coedyck to collect her share of her mother's estate

In the year after the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, one thousand six hundred and fifty-five, the 2[ 5 ]th day of March, before me, Cornelis van Ruyven, appointed secretary in New Netherland for the Chartered West India Company, residing in Fort Amsterdam on the island of Manhatans and before the undersigned witnesses, appeared the virtuous Machtelt Willemsen, daughter of Willem Steengen, assisted by the reverend and very learned D°. Joannis Megapolensis, minister of the Gospel in the Christian Reformed Church at Amsterdam in New Netherland, her lawful husband, and in the best form and manner has constituted and empowered, as she does constitute and empower hereby, the worthy Jan Claesen, draper, of Coedyck, in her, the principal's, name and behalf to demand and collect from the worthy Hendrick Willemsen, residing at Suyt Scherrwout at Langedyck, and the other co-heirs her portion or share of the inheritance coming to her out of the estate of Hillegont Jans, wife of the reverend and very learned D° Joannis Megapolensis, senior, minister of the Gospel in the Christian Reformed church at Coedyck, with proper account, proof and balance of the administration of the aforesaid estate, with all costs, charges and interest up to the actual payment; to give a discharge for the receipt; if necessary to institute legal proceedings; to appear before all courts and judges; to complain, answer, reply and rejoin; to observe all days and terms of courts to attach, protest, demand judgment or judgments and hear them pronounced; to cause them to be executed or to appeal therefrom or demand a reformation thereof and to prosecute the case of appeal or reformation; with power also to renounce the same and to substitute one or more persons ad lites; and furthermore in the matter aforesaid with all that appertains and relates thereto to do what she, the principal, could or might do were she personally present; promising to hold and to cause to be held valid whatever shall be done and performed by the abovenamed attorney or his substitute by virtue hereof, all under binding obligation as by law provided, on condition that the attorney under like obligation is bound to render when required due account, proof and reliqua of his transactions. Thus done in the presence of Jan Lubbertsen and Balthaesar Beyert, witnesses hereto invited, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the day and year above written.

Machtelt Steenie Willem[ s ]
Johannes Megapolensis
Jan Lubbersz