Document: Petition of Sara Joresey for a piece of land and exemption from the payment of tenths and taxes

To the highly esteemed director general and high councilors of New Netherland.

Sara Joresey, first bom Christian daughter in New Netherland, widow of the deceased Hans Hansen, burdened with seven young children, humbly and reverently shows how your honors have granted her a piece of land, amounting to 20 morgens, located on Long Island in the Wale Bocht [1] and whereas adjoining the same land there is a small marsh not included in the patent for the same land, which small marsh the petitioner’s neighbors use for making hay, although they have enough marshland adjoining their land; therefore, she humbly requests permission to have ownership and use thereof for herself only and for her heirs, and that her patent may be amended; also, in consideration for her being the first Christian daughter born here, being burdened as stated before, and out of other considerations, that your honors be so kind to bestow on her and her heirs exemption from the tenths and from other taxes already imposed or to be imposed. Awaiting your honors’ favorable recommendation, and remaining your honors’ humble servant (was signed:) with the mark of Sara Joresey.

Having read the foregoing petition, after all due deliberation, the following decision was made:

Regarding marshlands, the petitioner shall be accommodated together with the others. The additional request is denied for important reasons. Ady ut supra.