Document: Will of Jacob Jacobsen Roy, gunner

[ Ja ]cob Jacobsen Roy, gunner, lying sick in bed at the house of Hendric Westercamp, baker, declared in the presence of the undersigned witnesses that in case it should please the Almighty to take him from this his sickness and wound out of this sorrowful world into His everlasting kingdom, he appointed and empowered Jacob Reynsen and Teunes Jansen, sail maker, to sell after his death his, the principal’s, house standing and situated on the island of Manhatans, next to Jan Schoenmaker’s, at such price as they, the executors, shall judge to be for the best advantage of the principal’s wife and to turn over to her the money which shall be found to be in excess of the principal’s debts. Furthermore, they, the executors, shall have power to investigate all debts and claims and to settle accounts with everyone with whom he, Jacob Roy, has anything outstanding, he, the principal, holding as valid whatever shall be done or transacted herein by the above mentioned Jacob Reynsen and Tonis Jansen, on condition that if the principal die, the executors shall not sell the house before the arrival of the first ship or letter. Thus done by the principal who requests that after his death this may take effect before all courts, tribunals and judges. Done the 19th of May 1643, in Fort Amsterdam, New Netherland.[1]

Pierre Pia
Ulderick Klein
Cornelis van Tienh.