There appeared before the undersigned aldermen of the city of Leiden, Dirck Jansz, rope-maker, aged about sixty-two years, and Jan Cornelisz Beckhey, aged about fifty-three years, both residing within this city; and they, having been duly sworn by solemn oath and examined, at the request of Jan Kebel, say-worker, testified and declared to be true that they have had good acquaintance with the aforesaid requester for about sixteen years, during which time they found nothing in him but all honour and virtue, he having conducted himself in his dealings, behaviour and company in no other manner than as befits a man of honour and standing.
Nor have the deponents ever heard or understood that the same man was reputed or defamed for any evil deeds, offences or misconduct, still less that he should have been caught out in any such thing; so that they hold him to be a man of honour, standing in good name and reputation. The deponents give as the reason for this knowledge that they have for many years lived within this city in the same neighbourhood as the requester, and that therefore what is deposed above is well known to them. So truly may God Almighty help them. Done on the 30th of June, sixteen hundred and twenty-seven.
Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden.
