Document: Petition of John Staelcop, Luyckas Pietersen and Hans Block for a grant of land adjoining the grist mill

To the Noble, highly Esteemed Lords, the Noble Lord Director-General and High Council over New Netherland:

With all due respect and humility, the underwritten petitioners, Jan Staelcop, Luyckas Pietersz and Hans Block, show that they have constructed a water-powered grist mill at the falls on the Schilpots Kil for the service of the community here and anyone who might have need of it; and because it is necessary that a person live at the aforesaid mill in order to take care of it, some land is needed nearby for cultivation and for the security of the aforesaid mill. Therefore, the aforesaid petitioners most humbly request that they be granted a patent for the aforesaid land and mill. They, the petitioners, promise that they shall convey neither the aforesaid mill nor the land to anyone, be it by sale or bond, neither the whole or part of it, without the consent of your honors or representatives here in the present or future,