We, Andries Jaspersz van Vesanevelt and Master Clemens van Baersdorp, aldermen of Leiden, certify that William Bradford, Englishman, appeared before us and declared that he had bought from Laurys van Dale, mason, a newly built house and yard in this city on the north side of the Achtergracht behind Marendorp, between the Paradijssteeg and Bouwenlouwensteeg. It was bounded on the east by Frans Joostensz, tawer, on the west by the seller himself, and extended from the Achtergracht to the property of Frans Joostensz.
Besides an annual ground rent of seven stuivers, with or without holding charge, left for Bradford to pay, he acknowledged owing Laurys van Dale 2,100 guilders of forty groten each. Bradford and Roger Wilson, an English baker who appeared as surety and principal debtor after waiving the legal benefits of order and execution, promised to pay 600 guilders on 1 May 1612 and thereafter 150 guilders each year, beginning on 1 May 1613, until the remaining 1,500 guilders had been paid in full.
They promised on their honour, in place of an oath, to make every payment in full without deduction for taxes, assessments or contributions, present or future, and expressly waived any benefit of measures allowing such deductions. Bradford specially pledged the house and yard; both men generally pledged all their present and future movable and immovable goods. Bradford promised to release Roger Wilson from the suretyship and keep him free from loss.
Done in good faith and confirmed with our seals on 2 March 1612. Signed J. Swanenburch and sealed. In the margin: this deed was cancelled at the secretary's office after William Bradford showed that it had been paid; the registration was therefore struck through on 1 April 1620.
Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden.
