Document: Trial of Marten, the mason, for wounding Peter Jacobsen Bosboom

Extraordinary Session Held in Fort OrangeJune 7, 1657

Pieter Jacobsen Bosboom complains that last Sunday evening, being the 4th of June, sitting in front of the guardhouse of the burgher guard, where he was lodging by permission of the magistrates. Marten de Metselaer came to him before the guard was set and asked him what had become of the candles? Whereupon he answered that he did not know; to which Marten replied, “You took them.” The plaintiff answered, “You lie.” Marten immediately drew his sword and cut the plaintiff’s head as he made a move to get up.Marten Metselaer, being examined and asked why he wounded Pieter Jacobsen Bosboom, answers that he told him he lied and called him a rogue.Lambert van Valckenborch, sergeant of the burgher guard, who was present, says that on coming to the guardhouse he ordered a candle to be lit. Marten de Metselaer stepping outside the guardhouse asked Pieter Jacobsen Bosboom where the candles were? To which question Pieter Jacobsen Bosboom answered, “I don’t know.” Marten replied, “You stole them.” The aforesaid Pieter Jacobsen Bosboom then said, “You lie like a rogue and a scoundrel.” The aforesaid Marten then drew his sword and cut the said Pieter Jacobsen Bosboom’s head as he rose from his seat.The court refers the matter to four magistrates, to wit, two from the court and two from the court-martial, to render a decision in the case, namely, Jacob Schermerhoom and Philip Pietersen Schuyler from the court and Captain Abraham Staets and Henderick Jochimsen, lieutenant, from the burgher guard.