Document: Ordinance annulling banns of marriage published in places where the parties have not been residents during the previous year

The director general and council of New Netherland, to all who hear or see this read, greetings.

Let it be known that we have been reliably informed by a report from our fiscal and others, as well as by open letters dated 18 January 1654 from Graevesande that the magistrates there have undertaken and presumed to post marriage banns publicly concerning persons who both keep a residence here and have kept one a long time in and near the city of New Amsterdam, far beyond the district of the aforesaid village. Whereas such is in direct contradiction to both civil and ecclesiastical order of the United Netherlands, which not only the aforesaid magistrates of Gravesande but also all other colonies within this province are by contract and oath bound to observe. Therefore, the aforesaid director general and council order and notify the aforesaid magistrates of Graevesande and all others within this province, to annul such posting of matrimonial intentions, and on sight thereof to withdraw the same, and in all cases to proceed with and confirm no such marriages, either privately or publicly, before and until such persons, according to the style of the Netherlands, have entered and received their banns and proclamations of marriage where they are dwelling and have resided the last years.

Thus done at the session of the director general and council in New Netherland, dated this 19 January 1654, New Amsterdam.[1]