Document: Decree of divorce granted to John George Baldin

[several lines lost] everyone who [ ] whereas Joris Baldingh [ ] how it is, to his great sorrow, the immoral behavior of [ ] Abegall Balden in committing adultery [ ] person of Enim Benim, for which, upon her confession and various declarations, she has been banished from the jurisdiction of Gravesande by the magistrate of Gravesande, as appears in the sentence dated 16 of this month pronounced by the aforesaid magistrates, requesting, because of the aforesaid unbearable disgrace, to be separated legally from the aforesaid Abegall Balden, the more since he has never given her any cause for discontent. The director general and councilors of New Netherland having examined the petition and the aforesaid sentence as well as the testimony and evidence upon which the aforesaid sentence is based [ ] what further may be relevant; therefore, the director general and councilors, aforesaid, find that Joris Baldingh’s request, according to spiritual and secular justice, cannot be denied, and have hereby granted him this decree of divorce and release him from the aforesaid Abegall Balden, as we hereby declare him released. Done at Amsterdam in New Netherland. Dated as above.

P. Stuyvesant Nicasius de Sille Pieter Tonnemans