Document: Contract of Hendrick Jansen Grever to serve Ensign Dirck Smith for one year

Before me, Cornelis van Ruyven, appointed secretary in New Netherland in the service of the West India Company, appeared Hendrick Jansen Grever from Huysen, who declared and acknowledged that he had hired himself to Ensign Dirck Smith from Lochum on the following conditions for one year, beginning the 8th of March anno 1655 and ending anno 1656, the 8th of March, which said ensign, being also present, likewise acknowledges that he has hired him on the following conditions, to wit: The said Grever shall during his bounden time work on the said ensign's land or elsewhere where he may need him and do everything that a good servant and faithful laborer is bound to do; for which the said ensign promises and will give him as wages the sum of one hundred and thirty guilders Furthermore, the parties have mutually agreed and stipulated that the said Grever shall during the next slaughter time have six weeks leave to go where he pleases and attend to his own affairs Done at Amsterdam, the 27th of March anno 1655, in New Netherland.

Heynderick Jansenssoon Greueer
Derrijck Smiet