Document: Will of Pieter Jansen with power of attorney to Jan Jansen Schepmoes to manage his property during his absence

Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, appeared Piter Jansen from Gorcum who appoints and empowers, as he does hereby, Jan Jansen Schepmoes in his, the principal's, absence, here in New Netherland to manage and to take care of the said principal's house and lot situated on the Island of Manhatans, to occupy the same or to have it occupied, or to lease it and to receive the annual rent which it might yield, doing therewith as he, Pieter Jansz, could or might do were he present.

Furthermore, whereas the aforesaid Piter Jansz intends to go to sea with Captain Blauvelt and persons run great danger on such voyages, therefore, reflecting on the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the hour thereof and hence wishing to provide for his last will by testamentary disposition, he first commends his soul, whenever it shall depart from his body, into the hands of God Almighty and his body to a Christian burial, for which reasons he appoints Jan Jansz Schepmoes, or his successors, his heirs to all his property which he, Pieter Jansz, shall leave behind here in New Netherland, to wit, the house and lot according to the patent, situated on the island of Manhatans, as well as all that he shall earn on his present intended voyage. Concluding herewith his testamentary disposition and last will he, the testator, requests that after his death these presents may take effect before all lords, courts, [ tribunals ] and judges and [ be carried out ] in full, desiring that Jan [ Schepmoes ] shall not be troubled or sued by any one on account thereof. The aforesaid Pieter Jansz also revokes all other previous testaments, donations, or other instruments which may have been made or executed by him before the date hereof. Thus done in presence of Adriaen van Tienhoven and Willem de Key, invited as witnesses hereto. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 12th of September A°. 1644.

Piter Jansz
Adriaen van Tienhoven
Cornelis van Tienhoven