NY State Archives: Dutch Records

Reading through the Dutch documents—which miraculously have survived ~400 years, fire damage, and neglect—is like time traveling. They're such a compelling insight into life in the Dutch colony. And, of course, without translation by Charles Gehring, reading through them would be impossible. They record land grants, disagreements, and sometimes raise more questions than answers. Some of these records turned into central plot points, some informed background info, others didn't make it into my novel, but it was so cool to use these as primary source research material—I had to share!

Perhaps most often recounted is Sarah's petition for additional meadowland (40 acres) added to her property in the Waalebocht, in which she is referred to as the "first born Christian daughter in New Netherland." The record states:

April 4, 1656- To the highly esteemed director general and high councilors of New Netherland. Sara Joresey, first born Christian daughter in New Netherland, widow of the deceased Hans Hansen, burdened with seven young children, humbly and reverently shows how your honors have granted her a piece of land, amounting to 20 morgens, located on Long Island in the Wale Bocht and whereas adjoining the same land there is a small marsh not included in the patent for the same land, which small marsh the petitioner’s neighbors use for making hay, although they have enough marshland adjoining their land; therefore, she humbly requests permission to have ownership and use thereof for herself only and for her heirs, and that her patent may be amended; also, in consideration for her being the first Christian daughter born here, being burdened as stated before, and out of other considerations, that your honors be so kind to bestow on her and her heirs exemption from the tenths and from other taxes already imposed or to be imposed. Awaiting your honors’ favorable recommendation, and remaining your honors’ humble servant (was signed:) with the mark of Sara Joresey. Having read the foregoing petition, after all due deliberation, the following decision was made: Regarding marshlands, the petitioner shall be accommodated together with the others. The additional request is denied for important reasons.

Who were the neighbors mowing the land adjoining hers, and why did it bother her so much? My novel attempts to answer this question. Hint: it's connected to another record in the slides.

Thank you to the New York State Archives, the New Netherland Institute, and Charles Gehring for making these records available!