Document: Testimony of a sergeant Jeuriaen Rodolff and other soldiers respecting the killing of Dirck Stratemaker and his wife by Indians at Pavonia

[ W ]e, the undersigned, sergeant, cadet and soldiers, attest and testify at the request of Cornelio van [ der ] Hoykens, fiscal, that on the [ 26th ] [1] of February anno 1643 (in the morning, after they, according to instructions, had beaten a party of Indians at Pavonia, in the rear of Egbert Woutersen’s), Dirck Stratemaker,[2] his wife and some Englishmen came to the place where the dead were lying, in order to plunder maize or something else. The said deponents attest, in place and with promise of a solemn oath, that they warned the above mentioned Dirck Stratemaker and his wife and said, “Go home.” Whereupon Dirck aforesaid answered: “There is no danger; even there were a hundred Indians, they would do me no harm.” Whereupon they, the deponents, left and pursuant to their instructions went towards Egbert’s house. Having come there, they heard a cry. The sergeant ordered some of the troop thither, where they found the above mentioned Dirck wounded (who eventually died of his wound) and his wife dead. They rescued the Englishmen, who had only one gun among them.

Thomas Willit declares that the above mentioned Dirck was asked: “Why did you not come with us when we warned you?” He gave for answer: “I would indeed have run away, but I did not like to leave my poor wife.” All of which the deponents declare to be true and truthful. Done the 18th of May 1643, in New Netherland.

Jeuriaen Rodolff
Pierre Pia
Tho. Willett