Document: Lease of cattle from Jacob Loper, agent of Cornelis Melyn, to Jan Jansen from Langendyck

This day, date underwritten, before me, Jacob Hendricksz Kip, clerk appointed by the honorable director general and council of New Netherland, appeared the worthy Jacob Looper, agent of his father-in-law, Cornelis Melyn, of the first part, and Jan Jansz from Langendyck, of the second part, [ who agreed together ] in regard to some cattle on the conditions hereinafter written. First, Jacob Looper shall deliver and transfer four cows, one heifer, one small calf and twenty-five goats, on half the increase and twenty pounds of butter yearly for each cow. The risk of death of the animals shall be in common and after the expiration of four years all shall be divided and distributed, but no increase is to count before and until the number of cattle delivered shall be completed and again be placed in the hands of Cornelis Melyn as patroon, or his agent Further, the lessee promises and engages to take, or cause to be taken, good care of the cattle delivered to him and in case through the lessee's fault, bad fodder or neglect any damage or accident occur, which God forbid, the lessee alone shall stand the loss and not be at liberty to make it good out of the increase. Thus, without fraud or deceit, this is signed by the parties respectively in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 6th of September 1649, in New Amsterdam.

Ian Iansen Landick
Jacob Loper
Johannes Rodenborch
Adriaen van Tienhoven