Document: Agreement between Aeltje Brackogne and her sons-in-law regarding the settlement of the estate of the late Cornelis Lambertsen Cool

In the year after the birth [ of our ] Lord and Savior Jesus Christ l644, on the 5th of January, before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, came and appeared Aeltjen Brackongne, widow of the late Cornelis Lambersen Cool, of the first part, and Gerrit Wolphersen and Claes Jansen from Emden, each of whom married a daughter of the late Cornelis Lanbersen Cool, of the second part, who acknowledged that in love and friendship they had agreed and covenanted respecting the division of the goods and chattels which the aforesaid Cornelis Lambersen left behind, on the following conditions. First, the parties acknowledge that they have divided and apportioned the movable and immovable property, of which each has received his due share. Secondly, Aeltjen Brackongne promises to pay the aforesaid Cornelis Wolphersen and Claes Jansen, in addition to their aforesaid portion, the sum of two hundred Carolus guilders, wherewith they, Gerrit Wolphersen and Claes Jansen acknowledge that they are fully satisfied and paid for their portion of their wives’ deceased father’s estate. It is also expressly stipulated that Aeltjen Brackongne shall pay all the debts of the above mentioned Cornelis Lambertsen Cool and that she shall likewise receive all the outstanding debts due him, [ the debts ] on both sides being offset one against the other. It is furthermore stipulated that the property and lands at Gouwanes shall remain undivided until through the mercy of God the lands there may be used, when the parties shall enter upon the partition thereof. To which end and for the security of this [ agreement ] this is signed by the parties on both sides in the presence of the undersigned witnesses. Done on the date above written, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

Aeltjen Brackongne
Gerrit Wolphersen
Claes Jansen
Huych Aertsen van Rossom
Willem de Key
Cornelis van Tienhoven