There appeared before the undersigned aldermen of the city of Leiden Niclaes Schilten, wool comber, aged about 40 years, and Jan Egges, likewise wool comber, aged about 35 years, both residing within this city. Under solemn oath lawfully administered to them, at the request of Davidt Merrew, likewise a wool comber residing within Delft, they testified and declared to be true that they have known the aforesaid requester for a long time and have associated with him, both here and in England, during which time they have had acquaintance with him here.
They declared that they have always understood that the aforesaid requester's wife had died, without their ever having heard or understood that the said requester had remarried or had taken any other wife.
Further, the aforesaid Schilten alone declared that about seven years ago a certain person came to his house who had come here expressly to bring the news that the said requester's wife had died. Declaring nothing further, so truly may God Almighty help them. Done the 28th of November in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-five. Jan Janszoon Orlers, 28-11-1625. Schaeck.
In the margin: Done Pro Deo [free of charge] with the right of the small seal.
Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden.