Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 20 June 1641

On the 20th of June 1641

This day, date underwritten, personally appeared before our governor and council of New Netherland Anna Metfoort, widow of the late wlllera Quick, making known the insolvent condition of the estate left to her by Willem Quick, deceased, and whereas she, Anna Metfoort, Is a sorrowful widow in a foreign land, without any effects or means of satisfying the creditors, yes, even does not know where she may find lodging or obtain a morsel of bread, she declares before us that she neither intends nor is willing to assume the obligations of heir of the late Willem Quick, her deceased husband, or to use any of his property for her benefit, placing everything, whether bed, furniture or other property, movable and immovable, at the disposal of the creditors. She, Anna Metfoort, further declares on her conscience that she is ready to affirm the same upon oath and that she retains nothing but the clothes which she has on now to cover her nakedness, leaving the rest for the benefit of the creditors; whereof she requests a certificate in order that hereafter she not be molested by any one on that account. Whereupon she has taken the oath in council before us, the director and councilors, that all that is hereinbefore written is true and that she possesses nothing more than is mentioned in the subjoined inventory. Thus done, the 20th of June, in Fort Amsterdam.

Inventory of the estate of the late Willem Quick

1 bed1 pillow, 3 blankets1 small mat, 5 bedsheets2 tablecloths, 2 pillow cases 8 napkins1 towel2 pewter platters1 wooden bowl, 1 pewter cup2 small pewter saucers1 salt cellar, 2 small copper kettles 1 flatiron 1 pewter chamber pot3 spoons4 skirts3 woman's shirts 6 undershirts3 aprons, 10 caps, 12 handkerchiefs1 chest, 1 small box 3 books2 pairs of stockings 1 Indian child