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Studia Rosenthaliana, Volume 34, Number 1, 2000
(1 of 2) Notarial Records relating to the Portuguese Jews in Amsterdam before 1639 1
No. 3499
Anna Jans, widow of Willem Claesz, living in Amsterdam, declares that she owes Samuel de Leon the sum of 70 guilders as the remainder of a larger sum concerning the sale and delivery of tobacco. She promises to repay 6 guilders a week, starting from 8 January 1627.
1627 January 3
Not. Arch. 394A, fol. 3
Not. Jacob and Nicolaes Jacobs.2
No. 3500
At the request of Thomas Nunes Pina, merchant in Amsterdam, the notary asks Jan Gerritsz Kinckhuijsen, merchant in Amsterdam, broker Hans Verschuere and Manuel Pinto, Portuguese in Amsterdam, whether they know that Francisco Lopes Gomes, Portuguese merchant, formerly residing in Lisbon, is now trading in Amsterdam and whether they are willing to declare what they know about this. Pinto declares that for some of time he and Cornelis Jansen Melcknap, sworn broker in Amsterdam, helped to negotiate an exchange agreement between Gomes and Lenart Lenartsz, merchant in Amsterdam. The agreement concerned 13 pipes of oil at 76 pounds Flemish a barrel, that Lenart Lenartsz delivered to Gomes, in exchange for a silver jug and some pieces of processed silver with a consignment of money that Gomes delivered to Lenartsz. The exchanged goods were worth 500 pounds Flemish. Before this he helped to negotiate some other exchange agreements between Gomes and other merchants in Amsterdam concerning paper, perpetuana and other goods. Kinckhuijsen declares that about a year and a half earlier he had sold a consignment of linen worth 1,500 guilders to Gomes in Amsterdam. Hans Verschuere declares that some time ago he had negotiated an exchange of goods as sworn broker and that he had been requested to do some others transactions and that Gomes is a peculiar person and is difficult to negotiate with. At the request of Pina, the notary declares that in August 1625 Gomes sold and delivered a string of pearls at 1,180 guilders to Johan Vernadt in Amsterdam. Later, when Vernadt left, the affair was settled through the intervention of himself and of Izak Florianus between Gomes’s brother and Philibert Vernadt, brother of Johan Vernadt. Gomes received the sum of 800 guilders for this string of pearls, paid in installments.
1627 January 5
Not. Arch. 633, f. 129-129v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3501
Pieter Mefferdt, manufacturer of playing cards and Simao Vas de Fontes, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, make the following contract of sale in advance. Starting 1 January 1627 Meffert will deliver at the end of every month 32 dozen Spanish playing cards at a price of 30 stivers a dozen for a period of two years. Mefferdt has 90 or 92 dozen ready that he may deliver immediately instead of the 64 dozen that are due for the first two months at the end of March. During these two years Mefferdt is not allowed to make or to have Spanish cards made for others, to sell them or have them sold at a fine of 100 guilders to the benefit of the poor. Should either party fail to deliver or receive and pay, he will have to pay the other party a fine of 50 guilders, and he will have to comply with the contract if that is what the other party desires. Valerius van der Hoeven and Thomas Fernandes Junior stand surety for Pieter Mefferdt and Simao Vas de Fontes respectively.
1627 January 7
Not. Arch. 394A, f. 10-10v.
Not. Jacob and Nicolaes Jacobs.
No. 3502
Copy of the will of Jozef Nahemias, alias Gaspar Nunes Torres, dated 26 October 1626. He appoints his brother Jacob Nahemias Torres, alias Antonio Nunes Torres and Jacob Israel Dias, alias Gonsalo Dias Pato as the executors of his will.
He bequeaths a silver lamp that is used by the Beth Jacob congregation to the same. He leaves to his wife Reijna Nahemias 1,200 pounds Flemish and half of all gold and silver jewellery, in addition to what is due to her in the ketuba: he leaves the other half to his daughter Judica Nahemias Torres. He leaves to the congregations Beth Israel and Neve Salom 20 guilders each for escava to be divided among the poor. He leaves 1,500 guilders to his late brother Manuel Lopes’s daughter, living in Livorno, for her dowry. He leaves to her brother Daniel, his nephew, 500 guilders for the necessary medicine for his mother. He leaves to the two daughters of his late brother Matthias Lopes 1,000 guilders each for their dowries. He leaves to each of the three daughters of his brother Jacob Nahemias Torres 1,000 guilders for their dowry. He leaves to the four sons of his sister Violante Nunes and Abraham Navarro 400 guilders each and additional 10 guilders to her eldest son Izak Navarro. To the daughter of his niece Felipa Nunes in Lisbon he leaves 3,000 guilders for her dowry. To the daughter of his cousin Clara Nunes, wife of Vastanho, he leaves 300 guilders for her dowry.
To the three daughters of his cousin Maria Nunes, who are living with her mother, the daughter of Manuel Laurenço in Amsterdam, 50 pounds Flemish each. To the daughter of Ergas and his cousin Ilena Nunes he leaves 40 pounds Flemish for her dowry.
To the three daughters of his cousin Sebastiao Nunes 500 guilders each. To Izak de Jonge, who is growing up in his house, 2,000 guilders. To his nieces, daughters of Felipa Nunes 120 guilders each for their marriage. To his nieces, daughters of his cousin Beatrix Nunes, wife of Laurenço Rodrigues, 120 guilders each for their marriage. He leaves 40 pounds Flemish to the poor of Amsterdam. He leaves to his niece Francisca Nunes, who is daughter of his sister Rodriga Nunes, and married to Vasco de Mesquita, 150 guilders. To his nephew Francisco Nunes, son of his sister Rodriga Nunes, he leaves 150 guilders. To his cousin Izak Israel Nunes, alias Domingos Nunes 100 guilders that will be administered for him by Diego Fernandes Dias.
He appoints his daughter Judica Nahemias Torres as his principal heir. He wishes her to marry his cousin David Nahemias Torres, son of Jacob Nahemias Torres, alias Antonio Nunes Torres. In which case he will give David Nahemias Torres 500 pounds Flemish. Should the relatives to whom he leaves a gift for their marriage, remain single, these gifts will remain with his daughter Judica. A sum of 1,000 crusados (400 pounds Flemish) will have to be used to set up a fund, the proceeds of which should be used to support his relatives or for gifts at their marriage.
Witnesses are Rodrigo Fernandes, alias Abraham Navarro, Samuel Israel Dias, Izak Israel Dias, David (Israel) Dias, Jacob Baruch, Daniel Nunes, Jacob (Fernandes) Burgos and Izak Navarro. On 26 October 1626 Gaspar Nunes Torres ratifies his testament in the presence of Gaspar Febos, Daniel Nunes, Matias Rodrigues Cardoso and Jozua Egas as witnesses. He wants his wife Rifica Nahemias Torres to be the guardian of his daughter Judica.
1627 January 10
Not. Arch. 633, f. 134-135
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
Instrument in Portuguese.
No. 3503
Isabel Rodrigues, widow of Manuel Rodrigues de Olivença, assisted by her son Jacob Messia, conveys to Diego Nunes Belmonte an insurance of 225 pounds Flemish in a policy of 350 pounds Flemish, the rest of which concerns another person. The insurance was taken out on money and goods loaded in Salé for the journey to Amsterdam in two ships. These ships are De Bloempot with Skipper Abraham Jansen and De Blauwe Duif with Skipper Aert Ariaensen. The insurance was underwritten by the following insurers.
Willem and Henk de Vries for 100 pounds, Jean le Roux for 100 pounds, Fernando de la Faille, Michel Cornelisz Blau and David Otsenborn each for 50 pounds. She further conveys to Belmonte her share in 20 cases of muscovado sugar that are in the hands of Manuel Esteves in Hamburg and further all securities that are administered by Aron Querido in Salé.
These conveyances serve in payment and reduction of 2,666 guilders and 9 stivers that Belmonte paid for her to her son Izak Messia. Witness is Jacob Jesurun.
1627 January 15
Not. Arch. 394A, f. 29-29v.
Not. Jacob and Nicoleas Jacobs
Instrument in Portuguese.
No. 3504
Guillaume Quibors, serge worker, 67 years old, makes the following statement at the request of Felipe Dorta Henriques, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam. All serge workers who work outside the house of their employer, are given money by him to buy two warp frames and to pay for the spinning and combing. If the serge worker quits his master’s employment, he will have to pay this money back. This money is reserved for the serge worker as wages because the masters, besides bringing each piece of serge to their homes, pay their serge workers for their labour and give them money to buy a new warp frame. These conditions were also drawn up in his presence between the said Henriques and Sijdrach Danielsz, also serge worker, who was employed by Henriques. On 22 January 1627 Aron de Pas, Portuguese merchant, 28 years old, declares, also at the request of Henriques, that he was present when this contract was drawn up between Henriques and Danielsz. Henriques then provided Danielsz with two warp frames and money for the spinning and combing of two pieces. Danielsz still owes the greater part of this money.
1627 January 18
Not. Arch. 394A, f. 38-38v.
Not. Jacob and Nicolaes Jacobs.2
No. 3505
Willem Erick from Lübeck, aged 27, Claes Croon from Hamburg, aged 25 and Mattheus Vet from Hamburg, aged 25, skippers of the ships De Twaelf Apostelen, De Eenhooren and De Paerle respectively, make the following statement at the request of David Senior, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam.
On 10 August last they left from Lisbon with their ships, Willem Erick destined for Livorno, and the other two destined for Venice. After they had dropped anchor near Almeria, they were approached by captain Cornelisz Moens, who commanded a large man-of-war armed with 20 pieces and a crew of about 100 men, and by captain Anthony de Ledekerke, commander of a man-of-war with 10 pieces and a crew of about 60, who was accompanied by an English ship armed with 18 pieces and another six Dutch ships that were mostly well armed. When this fleet approached them, they neared the coast as much as they could. They were approached by a boat from this fleet twice and were ordered to come to the fleet, but they answered that they did not know if they were Moorish or what kind of ships they were. Then the whole fleet sailed up to them. When they saw this they went by boat to the man-of-war of Captain Moens who was the admiral of the fleet. When they showed him their passports he took over and occupied their ships. Their ships were looted and taken to Holland with the cargoes. The De Twaelf Apostelen arrived at Texel around 12 October last and was taken to Amsterdam. The ships were unloaded on the orders of the Admiralty and the goods were stored. Part of the goods from De Twaelf Apostelen was sold by the Admiralty.
1627 January 18
Not. Arch. 692B, p. 246-248
Not. Jan Warnaerts.
No. 3506
Wiggert Jansz, rope-maker, declares for himself and for Marry Jansz, Jan Olfert’s widow, to have sold to Jeronimo Rodrigues de Sousa, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, 200 to 220 ship’s pounds of rope-work of genuine Westkappel yarn with the Amsterdam hallmark, smooth and well structured and tarred. The sellers will have to have half or more of this consignment ready as soon as the ice has melted and the rest a fortnight or three weeks later if the waterways remain open. The rope-work is to be shipped from Amsterdam to St Malo at the expense of the sellers, to be delivered there to the buyer’s agent. When news is received from St Malo that the rope-work has been delivered, the buyer will have to pay the sellers the sum of 33 guilders and 5 stivers for each ship’s pound of rope (reckoning 300 pounds as a ship’s pound). Juan Gonçales signs as broker.
1627 January 21
Not. Arch. 846, f. 32-33
Not. Jozef Steijns
No. 3507
Bartholomeus Sijmonsz and Hendrick Aggesz, rope-makers, sold to Jeronimo Rodrigues de Sousa, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, 200 ship’s pounds of rope-work of genuine ‘Westkappel’ yarn with the Amsterdam hallmark, smooth and well structured and tarred. The sellers will have to have half or more ready as soon as the ice has melted and the remainder in a fortnight or three weeks after if the waterways remain open. The rope-work is to be shipped from Amsterdam to St Malo at the expense and risk of the sellers, to be delivered to the buyer’s agent there. When the message is received that the rope-work has been delivered, the buyer is to pay the sellers in Amsterdam the sum of 34 guilders for each ship’s pound, reckoning a ship’s pound as 300 pounds.
1627 January 21
Not. Arch. 846, f. 41-42
Not. Jozef Steijns
No. 3508
Notice served at the request of the Tobacco Impostmasters of Holland and West Friesland upon Emanuel Lopes de Lion, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam. The Impostmasters request Emanuel Lopes de Lion to have the five casks of tobacco that he received from outside the city and the cask that he is to receive at the Weigh House of Amsterdam or at his own home, to be weighed by sworn weighers in the presence of the Impostmasters or their collector in accordance with the third article of the Ordinance on the strength of which this impost was leased out. De Lion answers that he will comply with the notice.
1627 January 29
Not. Arch. 846, f. 51
Not. Jozef Steijns.
No. 3509
Notice served at the request of Rodrigo Alvares de Pas, acting for his father Francisco de Pas, upon Pieter Seullijn, Jan Bicker and Bartolomeus Bertels, merchants in Amsterdam, who insured for the said Francisco de Pas hemp and other goods loaded in the ship of Skipper Goosen Gerritsz. The journey went from Danzig to Porto and the said hemp was unloaded in Hoorn and is now in the hands of Francisco Coutinho in Amsterdam. Coutinho keeps the hemp as security for the bail that he put up for the freight price that is claimed by the skipper, with whom he is involved in a litigation. De Pas requests that the insurers collect the hemp according to the abandonment made to them and to reach an agreement with Coutinho as if it were their own case, and requests them to allow him to transfer the policy to the Insurance Chamber to be dispatched.
1627 February 3
Not. Arch. 394A, f. 64
Not. Jacob and Nicolaes Jacobs.
No. 3510
Notice served at the request of Barbara Thomasdr. upon Abraham da Costa, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam. The rolls of tobacco that she bought from Da Costa at 1,400 guilders, of which the first payment of 350 guilders was made by her, are partly rotten and dried. She does not want to keep the tobacco and wants restitution of the sum she paid, with deduction of the tobacco that she sold, possibly to be determined by arbiters. Abraham da Costa acknowledges receipt of the notice.
1627 February 4
Not. Arch. 634, f. 7v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3511
Dr Joseph Bueno, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, serves the following notice upon Jan van Nudt. Van Nudt bought from Bueno 6 bags of Segovian wool at 600 guilders. Van Nudt was to pay immediately but failed to do so. On the day of the sale, contrary to good business practice, he obtained letters of cession from the High Council of Holland, which letters are only meant for those who suffered damage and loss but not for those who transfer goods in bad faith to others or embezzle them and thus commit fraud upon the legal owner. He notifies Van Nudt to restitute the wool to him or to pay immediately. Van Nudt’s servant asks for a copy of the notice.
1627 February 5
Not. Arch. 634, f. 8v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3512
Francisco de Caceres, 54 years old, burgher and Joao Rodrigues, 42 years old, inhabitant of Amsterdam, declare at the request of André Alvares that the said Alvares has lived in Amsterdam with his wife and children for more than 10 years. Some time ago, after his wife died, he made a trip to France and returned to his house and children in Amsterdam about two months ago. They have known Alvares for more than ten years and are well acquainted with him on the whole.
1627 February 15
Not. Arch. 394 A, f. 88
Not. Jacob and Nicolaes Jacobs.
No. 3513
Pieter Jansen Flassenbaert, Walich Cornelissen and Wijer Janssen, living at Wieringen, declare, also in the name of their helpers, to have received 340 guilders from Sebastiao Mendes Pimentel, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam.
This sum was awarded to them because of a verdict of arbiters Wessel Becker and Dirck de Leeu, merchants in Amsterdam for their trouble in salvaging the ship Sta Maria with Skipper Hendrick Schult from Lübeck and its cargo. This ship, coming from the Condado had been sailed aground at the northern side of ’t Vlaeck, 4 by a pilot from Huisduinen after which they raised the ship and its cargo and sailed it around Wieringen and then to Amsterdam.
1627 February 23
Not. Arch. 634, f. 20v.-21
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3514
John Stuart from Dumbarton (Scotland) declares he has reached an agreement with Jozef Justo, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, concerning his claims on the late Francisco de Pas, Justo’s father and Michael Cardoso and Rodrigo Alvares de Pas. It concerns expenses made by them for his ship on its journey to Malaga in 1623 and during his imprisonment there. He declares that Justo paid him a sum of 100 guilders.
1627 February 26
Not. Arch. 634, f. 32v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3515
Testament of Isabel Nunes, wife of Izak Chamis, living in Amsterdam in which she appoints her sister Francisca Rodrigues as her universal heiress.5
1627 March 5
Not. Arch. 394A, f. 133-133v.
Not. Jacob and Nicolaes Jacobs
No. 3516
Statement made by Maria Nunes, Manuel Lourenço’s widow. After the death of her brother Gonçalo Lopes a sum of money was handed over to her brother-in-law Diogo Lopes Estonçes. Moreover the late Gaspar Nunes Torres gave him a little money for some raisins (?)6 on the orders of Gaspar Nunes Castello. On 26 January last the said Estonçes gave her all the money, capital as well as interest through the intermediary of Diogo Fernandes Dias. She paid this sum to Dr Diogo Lopes Telles together with the value of 500 crusados for the account of her brother Antonio Nunes de Oliveira on 25 February last, all this for the marriage of her daughter Rachel. She declares that the said Estonçes gave her a sum of 29 guilders and 5 stivers, with which all accounts between her and her brother-in-law have been settled so that she has no further claims on him. Rodrigo Fernandes signs as witness.
1627 March 5
Not. Arch. 394A, f. 134-134v.
Not. Jacob and Nicolaes Jacobs
Instrument in Portuguese.
No. 3517
Manuel d’Orta, merchant in Amsterdam, makes the following statement at the request of Duarte Fernandes. About three years ago he was in Paris where he heard that a certain Rusco, Italian merchant there, had been condemned to be hanged for having forged some notarial instruments but that through a petition for clemency to the queen he had been pardoned and released. The notary however, with whom he had committed the forgery, was hanged.
1627 March 8
Not. Arch. 394A, f. 139
Not. Jacob and Nicolaes Jacobs.
No. 3518
Jan Werbrouck, merchant in Haarlem, acting for himself and as guardian of the minor children of the late Jan Verschuyren de Oude, gives power-of-attorney to Hans Collosijs, burgher of Amsterdam, to settle a dispute with Jan Gonsalvo, Portuguese. The dispute concerns certain pieces of woven cloth that were sold for him and for the said Jan Verschuyren de Oude, his grandfather, by his brother-in-law Hans Verschuyren, sworn broker, to Jan Gonsalvo in June 1617. He is authorised to collect the money due to them.
1627 March 18
Not. Arch. 550B, f. 78
Not. Jacob Westfrisius
No. 3519
Statement made by Antonio Martins Viegas, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam and his son Manuel Viegas. Mattheus de Quester, postmaster in London, and his son have committed themselves before the Court of the Admiralty in London as surety for the sum of 12,000 guilders concerning the release of goods loaded in Faro for the account of Antonio Martins Viegas in the ship, the St Pieter of Skipper Cornelis van Berchem. The ship ran into trouble in England and was released on bail paid by the said Mattheus de Quester. Now that IJsbrant Dobbesz, merchant in Amsterdam, has committed himself as counter-surety for De Quester and his son, Antonio Martins Viegas and Manuel Viegas stand surety for 12,000 guilders for the sureties and counter-sureties. On 27 April 1627 Pedro Homem de Medeiros stands surety for Antonio Martins Viegas and Manuel Viegas, his father-in-law and brother-in-law respectively.
1627 March 18
Not. Arch.634, f. 35-35v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3520
The notary makes the following statement at the request of Jeronimo Doria d’Andrade, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam. Yesterday he went to Jan van Hoorn for Doria d’Andrade to notify him that because of his insolvency 7 he would not carry any risk for the 100 pounds Flemish that he had insured for Doria d’Andrade for a journey to the Azores and back with Skipper Claes Douwesz from Vlieland, unless Jan van Hoorn provided security for his own signature. Moreover Doria d’Andrade would remain creditor to Jan van Hoorn for half of the premium at 10 pounds Flemish that was paid to him for the insurance. Van Hoorn answered that he was satisfied that he had been released from the risk and that he had not received any premium for the insurance from the broker.
1627 March 24
Not. Arch. 634, f. 42
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3521
Skipper Hijmrijck Schutte from Lübeck declares that Sebastian Mendes Pimentel, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, paid him the freight-price for a journey with the ship Sta Maria from Hamburg to the Condado and then to Amsterdam, which ship was freighted in Hamburg by André Fernandes Cardoso.
1627 March 25
Not. Arch. 634, f. 43v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3522
Statement made by the notary at the request of Pedro Homem de Medeiros, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam. On 26 February last he went to the St Anthonisluis in this city to see a flatboat with a consignment of sugar that Simon de Goijer declared to have unloaded from the ship of Skipper Hendrick Hoijer, coming from Lisbon. He found that one case of muscovado sugar of this consignment that concerned the said Medeiros, was two-thirds empty. Apparently the sugar had been washed away by water and the remaining sugar was watery. Simon de Goijer had declared that this case had been stowed at the main mast and that other cases that had been stowed there and concerned other people, were also damaged. On 15 March the notary went to the Weigh House where De Medeiros delivered 10 cases of muscovado sugar to Hans Wijn, confectionner in Amsterdam, including the said case of muscovado sugar. This one appeared to have a gross weight of 302 pounds.
1627 April 12
Not. Arch. 634, f. 57v.-58
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3523
At the request of Jeronimo Rodrigues de Sousa, Portuguese merchant, Hans Hendricksz, aged 37 and Hendrick Claesz, aged 23, labourers at the Weigh House with the Scottish warehousing company, make the following statement. Around 24 December 1626, they were in the attic of De Sousa’s warehouse with the ‘De Morgenstont’ signboard, handling four bales of Portuguese pepper in double bags. These bags had been cut open and had been inspected by the buyer Anthony Aertsz. They sewed up the holes of these four bales of pepper that were the foremost of 36 similar bales of pepper, and had them weighed at the Weigh House in the city. The bales were dry and in good condition at the time. They had not noticed any dampness or damage. 8
1627 April 13
Not. Arch. 846, f. 109-110
Not. Jozef Steijns
No. 3524
Daniel Nunes, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, makes the following agreement with Skipper Jan Willemsz from Amsterdam and his owner Daniel de Vos in Amsterdam. With the approval of Diego Fernandes Dias who transferred the charter to Daniel Nunes, the skipper will make four journeys according to the freight contract of 16 November 1626 adhering to the conditions specified in the contract. Nunes will make an advance payment of 150 guilders to the skipper and his owner for which 600 reals in silver will be deducted from the freight price. This sum is to be paid back plus 100 guilders if the journey is not made or if the ship is wrecked or seized by privateers. The skipper and his owner have been sentenced to pay this sum by the judicial authorities of Amsterdam and Nunes may charter another ship at their expense to make this journey. If after the release of the attachment the skipper does not begin his journey immediately or if he accepts another charter, this sum of 150 guilders should also be paid back.
1627 April 16
Not. Arch. 632, f. 232
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz. 9
No. 3525
Copy of an affidavit of Pieter Janssen from Lübeck, skipper of the ship Den Jaeger, that lies ready in Viana to sail to Hamburg. He declares he has received from Gaspar Caminha Rego 14 cases of sugar for the account and risk of Diego Carlos in Hamburg, to be delivered to the said Diego Carlos at a freight price of 21 marks a case.
1627 April 18
Not. Arch. 634, f. 124
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3526
At the request of Pedro Homem Coronel, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, the notary declares that on 3 March last he went to Coronel’s house in Breestraat near St Anthonispoort where 21 cases of panelado sugar were stored in the cellar. Coronel had received the sugar from Lisbon with the ship Den Engel Gabriel of Skipper Hendrick Hoijer from Hamburg. The notary established that some of the cases were wet and damaged by seawater. Some cases had a gross weight of 542, 618 and 420 pounds according to the Weigh House in this city.
1627 April 19
Not. Arch.634, f. 59v.-60
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3527
Francisco de Caçeres from Amsterdam, about 54 years old, makes the following statement at the request of Antonio Martins Viegas. In 1622 he mediated between Viegas and Leonard de Beer so that both parties would submit their dispute concerning certain accounts to arbitration by Francisco Mendes de Medeiros and Michael Corael. De Beer effected an attachment with some grocers who owed Viegas money. De Caçeres had the attachment lifted by Willem Pietersz, sheriff’s officer, according to an instrument passed to that effect. From information supplied by De Beer, De Caçeres knows that Manuel Viegas, the son of Antonio Martins Viegas, looked after his father’s affairs in Spiritu Santo in Bahia. De Beer had asked Viegas junior in a letter to help Dirck Pietersz with a ship with Brazil wood. All expenses, including gifts, would be refunded by him. In his letter De Beer promised De Caçeres a share in the wood. When the affair was discovered Dirck Pietersz was imprisoned and the ship sailed out. Manuel Viegas was suspected and arrested in Bahia and was found to be carrying De Beer’s letter. Viegas junior was then tried and put in jail endangering his life. Through gifts he managed to get his sentence converted to 7 years forced labour in Africa. De Beer, who had told all of this to De Caçeres, said that he considered the expenses to be very high and that he would settle the matter with an verbal agreement. When Viegas senior noticed that De Beer failed to comply and was about to leave for Hamburg, he tried to have him jailed but failed. De Beer then went to Hamburg. Viegas senior then applied to the courts in Amsterdam and Hamburg to compel De Beer to settle the matter before he returned to Amsterdam and if he failed to do so, to have him tried in absence. De Caçeres refers to the applications to the courts for particulars.
1627 April 20
Not. Arch. 394B, f.278-278v.
Not. Jacob and Nicolaes Jacobs.
No. 3528
Freight contract between Francisco Vas de Leon and Ruy Gomes Fronteira, Portuguese merchants in Amsterdam, as freighters, each for one half and Lucas Jansen from Enkhuizen, skipper of the ship De Swarte Leeu, large 60 lasts, armed with 4 iron pieces and 4 stone pieces and a crew of 10. The journey will go from Enkhuizen with a cargo to Salé, unload and load within eight weeks and back to Amsterdam. The ship is to sail around the back of England and Scotland or through the Channel in case of bad tides and heavy storms. The freight price amounts to 3,300 guilders. Arbiters in Amsterdam will determine the compensation for extra lay-days. The freighters will only pay the expenses for anchorage and piloting in Salé.
1627 April 20
Not. Arch. 634, f. 61-62
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3529
Protest of non-payment. Jeronimo Rodrigues Mendes, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, requests Michael Cardoso and Rodrigo Alvares de Pas, Portuguese merchants in Amsterdam, to pay the remainder of a bill of exchange of 35 guilders and 1 stiver. The bill was drawn in Hamburg on 2 October 1626 for a sum of 1,080 thaler at 34 stivers a thaler, to be paid within 26 weeks. The drawer is Jacob Justo, the value received from Manuel Esteves. Cardoso and De Pas accepted the bill. The reason for non-payment is not given.
1627 10 April 21
Not. Arch. 634, f. 62-62v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3530
Statement made at the request of Duarte Saraiva and Michael Cardoso, Portuguese merchants in Amsterdam, by Albert Dauberck, alias Alberto Montera, sojourning in Amsterdam, also acting for Rodrigo Alvares de Pas.
He borrowed 2,400 guilders on bottomry conditions from Saraiva and De Pas on the ship St Philippo of which he was skipper. The ship later returned to this country as a result of the crew’s lawlessness and was given a new skipper, Hendrick Pietersz from Norden. The destination was changed to Viana. The bottomry remained valid for the journey to Viana, according to the two letters of bottomry for Saraiva, Cardoso and De Pas that were passed before notary Sibrant Cornelisz for that sum.
1627 April 21
Not. Arch. 634, f. 63v.-64
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3531
Statement made by Gabriel Fernandes, merchant in Amsterdam, who has a conveyance from Philips van der Steijn, merchant in Antwerp, according to a notarial instrument passed before Guilhaume Rousseau, notary in Antwerp on 28 September 1621. He owes Wilhelm van Welij, merchant in Amsterdam, the sum of 133 pounds, 6 shillings and 8 groats Flemish for money received from Van Welij. He promises to pay this sum on October 1 next. He gives the following items as securety. First of all the sum of 600 pounds Flemish that is owed by Lamoral, Baron de Tassis, postmaster-general of Brabant to Philips van der Steijn, according to a bond of 8 February 1618, to be paid in three annual terms, the last term of which fell due on 8 February 1621. Secondly the sum of 500 pounds Flemish that the said Baron de Tassis owes to Philips van der Steijn, according to a bond of 10 December 1620, to be paid within three years that became due on 8 February 1621. Thirdly a bond of 250 pounds Flemish given by Philips van der Steijn to the benefit of Fernandes, to be paid to him or on his orders to someone else. Fourthly a bill of exchange of 100 pounds Flemish drawn by Harman van der Pellens on Nicolaes van der Pellens, which bill has been accepted. Even though the bill reads: value received from Wilhelm van Welij, to be paid to Daniel Deegbroot or order, this bill concerns him only. Fifthly a bill of exchange of 150 pounds Flemish drawn by Harman van der Pellens on Nicolaes van der Pellens, which bill has been accepted, to be paid to Jehan Paulo Dorco or order. Although the value was received from Gaspar Fernandes Vega, this bill concerns him only. Then twelve large maritime paintings, each three ells long and as high as the linen and one narwhal horn weighing more than ten ounces. Finally a ‘Lucretia’ of palmwood, supposedly made by Albert Dur.
1627 April 25
Not. Arch. 394B, f. 286-287v.
Not. Jacob and Nicolaes Jacobs
No. 3532
Jacob Nehemias Torres and Jacob Israel Dias, Portuguese merchants in Amsterdam, executors of the will made on 26 October 1626 by Josef Nehemias Torres, alias Gaspar Nunes Torres, authorise Israel and David Nehemias and Pascoal and Daniel Nehemias Torres, living in Livorno and Pisa respectively, to defend the said persons against David and Abraham Navarro and to collect from them the money that they owe to the estate of the late Josef Nehemias Torres.
1627 April 26
Not. Arch. 632, f. 33
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
Instrument in Portuguese.
No. 3533
Freight contract between Jeronimo and Duarte Rodrigues Mendes as freighters, both for one half and Michael de Pas and Francisco Coutinho for the others half, with Skipper Antoni Heijnderick, burgher of Amsterdam who is assisted by his owner Francisco Coutinho. The journey will be made by the ship De Gratie Godes, large 80 lasts, armed with 8 iron pieces and 4 stone pieces and a crew of 15. The ship will sail from Amsterdam with a general cargo and wood to Salé, where the ship will be unloaded and reloaded in 8 weeks by Abraham de Leon, agent of the freighters, or in his absence by Daniel de Leon and Jozef de Pas. Back to Amsterdam and unload there. The primage is 30 guilders for a new flag. The freight price is 3,950 guilders. Arbiters in Amsterdam will determine the compensation for extra lay-days. If one freighter cannot load his half completely, the other freighter can make use of this space at payment of the freight price pro rata. This freight price may not exceed 45 guilders a last.
1627 April 26
Not. Arch. 634, f. 67v-68v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3534
Sworn statement made by Pieter Bussel, 36 years of age, tailor and Jacob Harmanssen, 24 years of age, shoemaker, living in Amsterdam, at the request of substitute sheriff Tengnagel for Stijntgen Tijsdr., widow. Bussel declares that on Saturday eight days ago he travelled to Delfzijl at the request of Tengnagel and the said widow to hear from a Jew called Samuel, brother of a certain Isack who recently received corporal punishment in Amsterdam, what had happened between this Samuel and a certain Julius Cruijsberghen who had been there earlier. Both declare that Samuel had a letter written about this by someone that he signed in Hebrew in their presence and that he handed it to Bussel to be delivered to the substitute sheriff. In this letter Samuel described what had happened; he also mentioned that he had given Cruijsberghen 80 guilders to be handed to the widow to compensate her for the goods that had been stolen from her and that had been sold by his brother Isack, this to prevent a scandal for his brother. He had also given Cruijsberghen 4 rix-dollars for his travel expenses and a diamond ring for his wife, which was confirmed by many Jews who were present. Both further declare that in Emden Cruijsberghen posed as a servant of the sheriff and that he showed a letter that, according to him, was signed by two Amsterdam burgomasters and by the said Izack, who was then in prison here, authorising Cruijsberghen to investigate certain articles of clothing and goods that were supposed to belong to Izack. The said Jews in Dam 11 had confirmed that by these means Cruijsberghen had obtained clothing from some people and money from others, so that he would not bring trouble upon them.
1627 May 3
Not. Arch. 749, f. 410-412
Not. Pieter van Perssen ( Jozef Steijns)
No. 3535
Freight contract between Francisco da Costa d’Elvas and Matias Rodrigues Cardoso, Portuguese merchants in Amsterdam, as freighters and Skipper Pieter Franssen, burgher of Amsterdam. The ship De Lieffde, large 50 lasts, will sail from Texel to Madeira with goods; unload and load within two months and back to Amsterdam and unload there. The freight price amounts to 3,000 guilders. Arbiters in Amsterdam will determine the compensation for extra lay-days.
1627 May 11
Not. Arch. 634, f. 73v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz. 12
No. 3536
Hendrick Pietersz from Hamburg, notifies Simao Pinto and Manuel Rodrigues to accept the 29 rolls of tobacco that he sold to them 10 days ago through the intervention of Manuel de Campos, sworn broker. Manuel Rodrigues answers that he will appear before the authorities and say to them what he has to say.
1627 May 12
Not. Arch. 704B, f. 124
Not. Jan Warnaertsz 13
No. 3537
Protest of non-acceptance. Marten Aernouts requests that Duarte de Palaçios, merchant in Amsterdam, pay a bill of exchange of 500 thalers at 34 stivers a thaler. The bill was drawn in Hamburg on 15 January 1627 with a term of 21 weeks by Henrique de Lima. The payee is Diderich Boshart. The bill was endorsed by Marten Aernouts in Hamburg on 28 April 1627. Duarte de Palaçios answers that he accepted the first bill of exchange and that he therefore does not accept the second one and that he will pay either one of them on the date of maturity. The notary says that he has no evidence of the acceptance of the first bill and he therefore protests against the bill.
1627 May 19
Not. Arch. 543A, f. 18 (portfolio 1627)
Not. Jacob Westfrisius
No. 3538
Hendrick Ruben, living in Altena and sojourning in Amsterdam, husband of the daughter of the late Thomas Leamer, an Englishman who died in Amsterdam, authorises Thomas Couper, burgher of Amsterdam and Francisco Coutinho, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, to start legal proceedings before the Court of Amsterdam against Fredrick Leker, merchant in Amsterdam.
1627 June 2
Not. Arch. 634, f. 87-87v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3539
Protest of non-payment. Pedro Homem de Medeiros, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, requests from Antoni and Leonardo de Schot payment of a bill of exchange of 800 thalers at 34 5/8 stivers a thaler. The bill was drawn in Hamburg on 21 April 1627 by Jean Rijcquelsmo and is due on 8 June 1627. The value was received from Louis Gomes. Antoni de Schot is rumoured to be insolvent. De Schot’s servant answers that there are no orders for payment.
1627 June 10
Not. Arch. 634, f. 93
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3540
Protest of non-payment. Thomas Fernandes and Pedro Homem de Medeiros, Portuguese merchants in Amsterdam, request Antoni and Leonart de Schot, merchants in Amsterdam, to pay a bill of exchange of 500 thalers at 33 a thaler, with a term of 8 weeks. The bill was drawn in Hamburg on 2 May 1627 by Antoni and Leonart de Schot. The value was received from Luis Gomes de Medeiros. Antoni de Schot accepted the bill. His servant declares that Antoni de Schot is not at home and that he has no orders for payment. Antoni de Schot is rumoured to be insolvent.
1627 June 10
Not. Arch. 634, f. 94-94v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3541
Protest of non-payment. Diego Fernandes Dias, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, requests Antoni de Schot to pay a bill of exchange of 303 1/3 crowns (écus) at 125 groats a crown. The bill was drawn in Rouen on 2 May 1627 by Henri van Okhuisen. The payee is Jacob Hendrix; the value received from Rene Pietersz and Nicolaes Dircksz; the endorsed party is Abraham van Cleef. Antoni and Leonart de Schot accepted the bill. Antoni de Schot’s servant says that his employer is not at home and that he has no orders to pay the bill and advises Dias to go to Paulus and Samuel Timmerman. Antoni de Schot is rumoured to be insolvent. Hendrick de Picquer, merchant in Amsterdam, declares that he will pay the bill for the account of the drawer, in the name of the refinery in Rouen.
1627 June 12
Not. Arch. 634, f. 98-98v.
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3542
Protest of non-payment. Diogo Martins, Portuguese merchant in Amsterdam, requests that Antoni de Schot pay a bill of exchange of 917 thalers at 33 5/8 a thaler; the bill is due on 15 June. The bill was drawn in Hamburg on 14 April 1627 by Antoni and Leonart de Schot; the value was received from Louis Gomes de Medeiros. Antoni de Schot’s servant answers that his employer is not at home. He is rumoured to be insolvent. The notary declares that the current rate of exchange from Amsterdam to Hamburg is 33 1/8 stivers a thaler if paid from Hamburg.
1627 June 12
Not. Arch. 634, f. 99v.-100
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz.
No. 3543
Stephanus Rodrigues da Costa, 14 Portuguese, at present in prison, 31 years old, makes the following statement at the request of Captain Benedictus de Rego, also in prison. About eight months ago he agreed with a button-maker that the latter would make 20 dozen buttons for him according to a sample, at 30 stivers a dozen. When these buttons were delivered it appeared that they did not match the sample and he refused to accept these buttons. At the insistence of the button-maker he accepted and paid 17 dozens of buttons but there was no mention of further buttons to be made. About 12 days ago the button-maker visited him in prison with a few other dozens of buttons that had been made perfectly according to the first sample. He refused to accept these since he had not given such an order, contrary to the button-maker’s claims.
1627 June 21
Not. Arch. 550B, f. 168-168v.
Not. Jacob Westfrisius
No. 3544
Pedro and Jan Pinto, Portuguese merchants who have been living in Amsterdam for a long time, give power-of-attorney to Jean Letheullier, merchant in London. Letheullier is authorised to claim in Dover and elsewhere three casks of tobacco that were loaded for their account in Bayonne in the ship De Schoenmaker of Skipper Jan IJsbrantsz from Krommeniedijk by Jacomo Luis. The ship was arrested by English ships and taken to Dover.
1627 June 28
Not. Arch. 634, f. 109-110
Not. Sibrant Cornelisz. 15
 | Notes |
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Prepared by the staff of the Amsterdam Municipal Archives. Translations by S. Hart.- The instrument was not signed.
- On f. 37 a combined copy of both instruments.
- Probably Wieringer Vlack.
- She revokes this will on 22 April 1627 (f. 133v.)
- Litterally: ‘pasas’.
- The instrument reads: ‘insolentie’.
- Annexed to this instrument the following statement: On April 14 Antonio Fernanades, 35 years old, Portugese in Amsterdam, makes the following statement at the reqeust of De Sousa with David Abiatar, Portugese, acting as interpreter. Around 23 December 1626 Artsz bought four fardels of cinnamon and four bales of Portugese pepper in double bags in the attic of De Sousa. Before the purchase Aertsz took some pepper from the bags and inspected it in a wooden bowl or dish and being satisfied, asked for the pepper to be delivered at the Weight House (Not. Arch. 846, f. 110-111, Not. Jozef Steijns. 1626 April 14).
- This instrument is written in the margin of the instrument passed on 16 November 1626, f. 231-232.
- Erroneously: 1626.
- Probably Appingendam.
- In the margin it is mentioned that this freight contract was not passed.
- Draft instrument.
- Notary: a Costra.
- In the margin the notary refers to the following power-of-attorney as having been passed in a different form: Pedro and Jan del la Faya, brothers and Portugese merchants who have lived in Amsterdam for a long time, authorise Jean Letheullier, merchant in London, to claim 3 casks of tobacco in Dover or elsewhere. Jacomo Louis had loaded these casks for their account under the name of Pedro and Jan Pinto – which is the name they use in business because of the threat from the Inquisition in Spain – in the ship De Schoenmaker of skipper Jan IJsbrantsz from Krommeniedijk. This ship was taken by the English and brought to Dover. A similar power-of-attorney was passed on the sane day by Diego Fernandes Dias, Portugese merchant in Amsterdam, for Jan Luce, merchant in London, to claim tobacco that had been loaded by Dias in the ship of Jan Ijsbrantsz from Krommeniedijk and Claes Fransz from Rotterdam (Not. Arch. 634, f. 115. Not. Sibrant Cornelisz. 1627 June 28).
Part travelogue and part memoir, Philip Graham’s The Moon, Come to Earth brings us the news of Portugal past and present, touching on food and sports, religion and language, music and literature and art. Graham’s greatest strength is his ability to observe sharply and think clearly through the varied roles of public spectacle: the many ways in which the Portuguese tell stories of and to themselves through fireworks festivals and bullfights, medieval fairs and theater, magic shows and soccer matches and transformational public art. Given structure by his repeated return to the concept of saudade—‘a complicated feeling that combines sorrow, longing and regret, laced perhaps with a little mournful pleasure’—and given buoyancy by the ebullience of his voice, The Moon, Come to Earth shows Graham at the top of his game.
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