Christopher Jans Ellis

On this day, the 19th of March in the year 1623, there appeared before me, Pieter Claesz van Rijn, notary public, and the witnesses named below, Niclaes Claveren, about 33 years old, Jan Sammers, about 26 years old, and Jan Immen, about 30 years old, all Englishmen living within this city of Leiden, who testified and declared, upon their respective consciences, the salvation of their souls, and in men's truth, in place of an oath, at the instance and request of Thomas Immen, likewise an Englishman, tobacco merchant within the aforesaid city, to be true: that they, the deponents, on Thursday last, eight days ago, heard from the mouth of a certain Christoffel, glove maker, formerly living in the house of the requesting party, say to the requesting party's wife that he, Christoffel, knew much evil and ugly deeds of the requesting party, and that it was not good that it should come out, for if it came out it might cost him four or five hundred guilders, indeed possibly even his neck.

They further declare that they, the deponents, on Monday last, in a certain inn here, namely at the house of Abraham Pietersz de Vos, innkeeper on the Langebrug, where the sign of the Church of Our Lady of Antwerp hangs out, asked the same Christoffel, in the presence of the requesting party, whether he would stand by the aforesaid spoken words, whereupon he boldly said that they were lying about it and that he had never said any such thing nor intended to say it, but that he would gladly drink a full can of beer on it, as indeed he did, wishing that he might choke on it if he had said such a thing, adding further that he knew nothing of the requesting party other than all honor and virtue, whereas he had on the contrary spoken all the aforesaid injurious words.

Testifying nothing further, they offered to confirm all the foregoing more fully at any time, in case of recolement, before lords and courts. The requesting party requested an instrument hereof. Thus done within Leiden, at the inn of Abraham Pietersz de Vos, in the presence of the said de Vos and Master Jan Leverssen, surgeon, as witnesses requested hereto.

[Signed:] X Niclaes Claveren, his mark. John Sammes. John Ymman. Abraham Pietersen de Vos. John Leversedge. In my presence, P.C. van Rhijn, notary public, 1623.

Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden.

We, Master Geraerdt van Hogeveen and Jacob Janszoon van de Berch, aldermen of Leiden, make known that before us came and appeared Pieter Gerritszoon van de Speck, declaring that he had sold, and accordingly by these presents conveyed, to and for the benefit of Stoffel Janszoon Ellis, a vacant plot marked with the letter H, situated within this city on a certain open ground commonly called the Groene Poort, coming out by a common gateway on the south side of the Pieterskerkhof, the sold property being bounded on the east and south by the Common Alley, on the north by the buyer himself, and on the west by the Falied Begijnhof, exactly as it lies marked off between its aforesaid neighbours; charged with an eleventh part of eleven stuivers and twelve pennies yearly rent, with or without [right of] wood, payable to the lord of Poelgeest or his successor in right, of which the remaining ten eleventh parts must be borne and paid by the buyer himself, as owner of the whole Groene Poort, otherwise free.

Further with such conditions and warranties as are contained in the old deed of warranty dated the 26th of June of the year sixteen hundred and thirty-seven, to which the present deed is transfixed and threaded through.

The appearing party further promised to free and warrant the sold property from any further encumbrance or charge that might have been brought upon it since the time of his ownership, under the general obligation of all his goods, present and future, none excepted.

Finally, the appearing party acknowledged that, by reason of this sale and conveyance, he had been fully and entirely satisfied, paid, and content, down to the very last penny, and that with the sum of one hundred and fifty guilders of 40 groten each, paid immediately, together with the delivery of the sold property, in ready money.

In witness whereof this deed has been confirmed with our seals, on the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and forty. Below was signed: P.D. van Hoogheveen. Sealed, etcetera.

Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden.

Zevenhuizen. Thomas Brewer, Englishman. Pieterskerkhof.

15 July 1630: Sold, by Jan van Kuyck, being authorised thereto, to Pieter Gerritszoon van der Spek, charged with [a rent of] duiten of merchant's groot per year, owed to the lord Van Poelgeest, etcetera. And delivered by voluntary decree of this court.

10 May 1640: Pieter Gerritszoon van der Speck has purchased here from Stoffel Janszoon Ellis a small parcel of land lying behind here, and has joined it to this property, for fifty guilders in ready money; and for the charges, see the following entry, the second.

Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden.

We, Mr. Geraerdt van Hoogeveen and Jacob Janszoon van de Berch, aldermen of Leiden, attest that before us appeared Stoffel Janszoon Ellis, declaring that he had sold, and accordingly hereby transferred, to and for the benefit of Pieter Gerritszoon van der Speck, a portion of the vacant lot marked with the letter K, situated within this city on a certain open square anciently called the Groene Poort, coming out on the south side of the common churchyard — through which gate this sold property shall now and forever have no outlet.

The sold property is bounded, on the east and west, by the appearer himself with party walls; on the south, likewise by the appearer, with his own gable standing on common ground; and on the north, by the buyer himself — the sold property lying between the aforesaid boundaries as described.

The appearer further promised to free and warrant the aforesaid sold property from all encumbrances and charges that might at any time have been placed upon it, under general obligation of all his goods, present and future, none excepted.

Finally, the appearer acknowledged himself, on account of this sale and transfer, to be fully and entirely satisfied, paid, and content, the last penny with the first, namely with the sum of fifty guilders at 40 groot the piece, paid at once alongside the delivery of the sold property, in ready money.

In witness whereof this is confirmed with our seals, on the tenth of May of the year sixteen hundred and forty. Undersigned: P.D. van Hoogheveen, sealed.

Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden.