Document: Declaration of Ponkes, an Indian of Marechkawick, regarding the burning of Jochem Pietersen Kuyter's house

Holding Institution

Document ID

NYSA_A0270-78_V2_142f

Description

Declaration. Ponkes, of Marechkawieck, in the presence of Jan Evertsen Bout, Frederick Lubbertsen, Cors Pietersen and Cornelis van Tienhoven, all versed in the Indian language, respecting the burning of Jochem Pietersen (Kuyter's) house. [1645]

Document Date

1645-03-09

Document Date (Date Type)

1645-03-09

Document Type

Declaration

Translation

Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, appeared Ponkes, an Indian of Marechkawieck, who has been among the Indians, our enemies during the war, and who on the 7th of March last, in the presence of Jan Eversen Bout, Fredric Lubbersz and Cors Pitersen, inhabitants here, and before the honorable fiscal, voluntarily made a statement in his own tongue, which tongue and statement of the Indian above mentioned the aforesaid persons declare fully to understand. Wherefore they, the deponents, declare that on the 7th of March last they heard the statement made by the Indian, who said that the Indians, our enemies, did not set Jochim [ Pie ]tersz’ house on fire, the more so as they inquired among themselves who might have done it and were not able to learn that those who burned the house were Indians, notwithstanding the fact that the Indians when they commit any outrage boast of it and think that they have done a good and great thing.[1] All of which the deponents declare to have heard from the Indian in the Indian language, offering to confirm the same. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 9th of March 1645.

The deponents refused to sign in the presence of the council and the undersigned witnesses, in whose presence they acknowledged that they had heard the foregoing from the Indian.

Done as above.

Philippe du Tryeux
Willem Breidenbent
Daniel Kaggen
Cornelis van Tienhoven

Translation Superscripts

[1]: Here follows: “but as far as the Indians know at present the owner himself set fire to the house and fled for fear of being killed,” which words are canceled in the original.

References

From the collections of the New York State Archives, Albany, New York. https://www.archives.nysed.gov/

Translation link see: http://iarchives.nysed.gov/xtf/view?docId=tei/A0270/NYSA_A0270-78_V2_142f.xml

Published bound volume is also available: Translation: Scott, K., & Stryker-Rodda, K. (Ed.). New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vol. 2, Register of the Provincial Secretary, 1642-1647 (A. Van Laer, Trans.). Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1974.

Copyright to the published bound volume is held by the Holland Society of New York.
A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.