Document: Appointment of Hellegond Joris to be city midwife, and suspension thereof

21 April

The high councilors of New Netherland having deemed it necessary [ ] province and especially of this city, to nominate and appoint a capable and [ ] in the position of the [ ] city’s midwife in order to offer appropriate service and assistance to the needy and those who might seek and require help.

Therefore, as a result of reports and information given to us about Hillegont Joris, the present midwife here, we have nominated and appointed the same, as we hereby nominate and appoint her, to midwife of this city, which position she promises to acquit diligently and faithfully pursuant to the instructions given or yet to be given her. For this service she shall receive monthly salary and board money as did the former city’s midwife. Done at Amsterdam in New Netherland. Ady ut supra.

Note, it was decided for certain reasons to delay the foregoing order for the time being.[1]

Rights: This translation is provided for education and research purposes, courtesy of the  New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections, Mutual Cultural Heritage Project. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user. For additional information see our Copyright and Use Statement Source: New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809. Volume 6.