There appeared before the undersigned aldermen Willem Gilliszoon, stone-cleaner, aged about 57 years, and Jan Cradick, Englishman, cobbler, aged about 45 years, both residing within this city. Under solemn oaths lawfully administered to them, at the request and instance of Samuel Chingeltun, likewise an Englishman residing likewise within Leiden, they testified and declared to be true that they ā namely the aforesaid Willem Gilliszoon for about a year and a half, and the aforesaid Jan Cradick for the space of about four years ā have had very good acquaintance with the requester, and that during the whole time of their respective acquaintance they have heard or understood nothing of the requester other than honour and virtue; further, that the requester has conducted and acquitted himself honestly and uprightly in his dealings and conduct, without the deponents having any knowledge that he has been reputed or reported guilty of any evil deeds, misdemeanours or offences, still less that he had ever been charged with or convicted of any such.
The deponents gave as the ground of their knowledge: the aforesaid Willem Gilliszoon, that he has lived in the requester's neighbourhood during the time of his aforesaid acquaintance; and the aforesaid Jan Cradick, that during the aforesaid time of his acquaintance he has conversed and associated with the requester, and that the same requester lodges with him, the deponent. Declaring nothing further, so truly may God Almighty help them. Done the 17th of September in the year sixteen hundred and twelve. IJsbrandt Pieterszoon de Bije, 1612. J. Goes.
In the margin: Pro Deo [i.e., granted free of charge] [remainder of note illegible or uncertain in the original].
Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden.
