Document: Confession of John Cray (Gray)

The confession of Jean Gry made on 15 August 1654 in New Netherland in the presence of Thomas Hal and Carel van Brugge.

He declares himself not guilty of the theft of Hendrick Jansz' muskets. The reason why he took the trouble to return them, was because his wife had become security for their delivery, without his knowledge, because her brother and son were the ones who had committed the theft.

He admits guilt in refusing to obey the magistrates' order and in resisting the marshal; he admits to making the threats which were to be carried out by his son Luyck in order to create an uproar in the village of Middelborgh; he admits that he uttered the threat that if anyone came to seize his property for village taxes, it would cost lives; he further admits to all his misdemeanors and requests of the director-general and council a merciful sentence; was signed: John Gray, Thomas Hal and Carel van Brugge; below was written: Thus done in my presence; and was signed: Cornelis van Ruyven, secretary.

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 5.