Robert Cushman

There appeared before the undersigned aldermen Cornelis Ghijsbertszoon van Groenendael, carpenter, as seller, and Robbert Coetsman, wool comber, as buyer. And they acknowledged, each to the other, to have sold and bought a newly built house and grounds standing and situated within this city in a certain common alley and passage issuing on the south side of the Nonnensteeg, through which aforesaid alley and passage this buyer shall likewise have free entry and exit, with the understanding that Giellis Elsevier is entitled to the ownership of the said alley itself, so as to bring through it whomsoever it shall please him.

Bounded on the one side, to the north, by Mahieu van der Mersch, baker, in the place of Claes Lybaert, with a party sidewall and a shared lead gutter situated thereon, and on the other side, to the south, by a certain common cross-passage running underneath, extending from the aforesaid alley in front to the rear, with a party gable against the house of Jan Pieterszoon, joiner — all as the aforesaid house is presently built and constructed — subject to the charge of a redeemable rent of five guilders in free money per year, which the appearer Giellis Elsevier shall begin to bear, at the buyer's expense, from All Saints' Day 1611, together with the taking possession of the aforesaid house.

Otherwise free of any further charges, except that the buyer shall have to allow that the aforesaid house shall remain specially bound for three ground-rents together with the timber, one of four guilders, 17 schellingen, 12 penningen per year, and the other two, each of fifteen stuivers per year, which must be borne by Giellis Elsevier as a charge upon his house and grounds. And further with such conditions and warranty as are contained in the old title-deed thereof, which the seller and buyer promised to transfer, with all the right and claim thereto.

The seller likewise promised, moreover, subject to and under the aforesaid charges and conditions, to free and warrant the aforesaid house and grounds against any further encumbrance or claim that might have been brought upon it by him, under the general obligation of all his goods.

For which house and grounds the buyer, over and above the ground-rent and the aforesaid rent of five guilders per year, acknowledged himself indebted in the sum of seven hundred and eighty guilders of forty groten the piece, which he promised to pay in free money in every respect, and likewise to bear the cost of the tax of the fortieth penny, together with the writing and sealing of both the title-deed and the bond of debt in this matter — namely, two hundred of the aforesaid guilders in ready money upon taking possession of the house; item, at May Day 1612, one hundred guilders; and thereafter yearly, at each following May Day, sixty guilders, continuing so until full payment, the house and grounds remaining specially bound therefor.

And Ritsaert Meesterssoon, likewise a wool comber, also appearing, put himself forward as surety and principal debtor for the buyer, renouncing the benefit of order, of which he declared himself fully informed; whereupon the buyer promised to indemnify his surety. Done the 19th of October in the year 1611. Jesper van Banchem. J. van Brouchoven.

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

South Rapenburch. Gillis Elsevier, having bought this together with the house on the Rapenburch, and divided and released it there from the charges. Nonnensteech, again in the passage, west side, going northward.

4-8-1610: Sold by Gillis Elsevier to Cornelis Ghijsbertszoon van Groenendael, carpenter, charged with four guilders seventeen stuivers twelve pennies per year in ground-rent, and twice fifteen stuivers per year for, etc., and in addition eighty guilders to be paid over six years, the first at May 1611.

4-11-1611: Sold by Cornelis Ghijsbertszoon to Robbert Coetsman, wool comber, charged with, and for, etc.

19-9-1619: Sold by Robbert Coetsman to Jan de Latere, master wool comber, charged with a rent of, and for, etc., and encumbered with three ground-rents together amounting to six guilders seven stuivers twelve pennies per year, borne by the aforesaid Elsevier. In addition for, etc.

Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden. This entry is a cadastral/property register record rather than a full notarial act; several clauses are abbreviated with 'etcetera' in the original.

We, Frans Adryaenszoon van Leeuwen and master Jacob van Brouchoven, aldermen in Leiden, declare that there appeared before us Jan Kebel, wool comber, who declared that he had bought from Henrick Coleth a house and yard standing and situated within this city on the north side of the Dwersheerenstraete, bordered on the one side, to the west, by the heirs of Julius Beyma, or whoever may hold their claim, and on the other side, to the east, by Symon Jacobszoon, beer-tapster, running in front from the aforesaid street to the rear as far as the garden of the commandery; and the appearer acknowledged that he had taken upon himself the charges on the aforesaid house and yard.

He thereby took upon himself, first, a ground rent of three guilders of 40 groats each, due to the burgomasters of this city, and further a sum of seven hundred and sixty guilders of the aforesaid currency which Thomas Ondermarck still had outstanding from the sale of the aforesaid house and yard, to be paid to him in free money together with seventy guilders per year, at May-day of the year sixteen hundred and fifteen for the first payment. Of these aforesaid charges the appearer, together with Robbert Coetsman, comber, who appeared before us aldermen as surety for the debt and likewise as principal, waiving the benefit of order and of execution (ordinis et excussionis), of which he declared himself fully informed, promised to indemnify and hold harmless the aforesaid Henrick Coleth as is fitting.

Beyond this, the appearers, in the capacity aforesaid, acknowledged owing to the aforesaid Henrick Coleth a sum of two hundred and forty guilders of the said currency, which they promised to pay in this manner: namely, at May-day of the year sixteen hundred and fourteen, at the taking of possession of the aforesaid house and yard, eighty of the said guilders in cash, and at May-day of the years sixteen hundred twenty-six and sixteen hundred twenty-seven, likewise eighty guilders each time.

The appearers further promised, on their honour and good faith, in place of an oath, to pay all the aforesaid moneys in free money without any deduction or reduction, whether for aids, subventions, assessments, land taxes (verpondingen), or other contributions of a hundredth, fiftieth, twentieth, tenth part or more or fewer pennies, however these might be named, and by whomever they have already been imposed and levied or shall be imposed — even should it be declared by placard or otherwise that on these and similar purchase moneys a reduction or discount should or must be allowed — of all advantage and benefit of which the appearers expressly renounced and waived hereby, hereby binding, first, the aforesaid Jan Kebel specifically with the aforesaid house and yard, and further both appearers generally with all their respective goods, movable and immovable, present and future, none excepted.

The aforesaid Jan Kebel further promised to release his aforesaid surety in this matter from the said suretyship, under the same binding as above. In witness whereof this is confirmed with our seals, on the twenty-eighth of March in the year sixteen hundred and fourteen. Signed below: J. Swanenburch. Sealed, etc.

In the margin: The last bond of this deed, for two hundred and forty guilders, promised by Jan Kebel to Henrick Coleth, has been redeemed by the aforesaid Jan Kebel, such that Henrick Coleth, appearing at the secretary's office, acknowledged himself fully and entirely paid thereof, and through misunderstanding had the whole deed cancelled — whereas the first bond still remains unpaid, so that the promise of indemnity remains still in full force. Done the 28th of April 1616.

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

We, Amelis van Hogeveen and Master Clemens van Baersdorp, aldermen (schepenen) of Leiden, make known that before us came and appeared Henric Rychardt, Englishman of Sandwich.

He declared that he had bought from Pineas Eduwaertszoon, hosier, a newly built house and grounds standing and situated within this city, to the rear, in a certain common gateway and alley coming out on the south side of the Nonnensteeg, the aforesaid house and grounds being bounded on the one side by Claes Lybaert, mason, and next to him by the widow and heirs of Adryaen Gerits, in his lifetime bargeman on the Amsterdam ferry, and on the other side by Niclaes du Pont, Turkish grogram worker, running through from the aforesaid common alley to the rear, with a party wall against the grounds of Gielis Elsevier.

The appearing party acknowledged that he had taken upon the aforesaid house and grounds, at his own charge, first a redeemable annuity of six guilders of 40 groten each, and five stuivers, in current money, per year, payable to the aforesaid Gielis Elsevier, of which the first year, chargeable to the appearing party, began to run on the 27th of January of this year, sixteen hundred and fourteen past; and further a sum of sixty guilders of the aforesaid currency, owed at once, which the aforesaid Gielis Elsevier likewise has outstanding from the sale of the ground of the aforesaid house, and which must be paid to him in current money at twenty guilders per year, of which the first year has already fallen due at May-day of this year sixteen hundred and fourteen past. From these charges and encumbrances the appearing party promised to keep the aforesaid Pineas Eduwaertszoon and his successors free, without cost or damage, as is proper.

Moreover, the appearing party acknowledged that, by reason of the same purchase, he owed the aforesaid Pineas Eduwaertszoon a sum of three hundred and ninety guilders of the aforesaid currency, which he promised to pay in this manner: namely eighty of the aforesaid guilders in ready money, which fell due at May-day of the year sixteen hundred and fourteen, before this deed, together with the taking possession of the aforesaid house and grounds; item, at May-day of the years sixteen hundred and fifteen and sixteen hundred and sixteen, thirty guilders each year; and thereafter yearly, at each following May-day, fifty guilders, continuing thus until full payment of the aforesaid three hundred and ninety guilders.

The appearing party further promised, on his honour and good faith in lieu of oath, to pay all the aforesaid monies in current coin, without any deduction or reduction, whether for aids, subsidies, assessments, land taxes (verpondingen), or other contributions of the hundredth, fiftieth, twentieth, or tenth penny, more or less, however these might be called, and by whomever they have already been imposed and levied, or shall be imposed and levied — even should it be declared, by placard or otherwise, that on these and similar purchase monies a reduction or discount ought to be allowed — of all benefit and advantage of which the appearing party expressly renounced and waived by these presents.

Furthermore, there also came before us, the aforesaid aldermen, Robbert Coetsman, likewise an Englishman, wool comber, who by these presents made himself surety in money (penningborge) for the aforesaid Henric Richardt, both as regards the indemnification for the aforesaid charges and encumbrances, and also the timely payment of the aforesaid remaining three hundred and ninety guilders. For this, the aforesaid Henric Richardt pledges first and specifically the aforesaid house and grounds, and further both appearing parties generally pledge all their respective goods, movable and immovable, present and future, none excepted; and thereupon the aforesaid Henric promised to relieve his aforesaid surety in this matter, under the same obligation as above.

In witness whereof this deed has been confirmed with our seals, on the ninth of June, in the year sixteen hundred and fourteen. J. Swanenburch. Sealed, etcetera.

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

A child of Robrecht Koertman, Nonnesteech.

Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden. This entry is a brief burial register line rather than a full notarial act.

Wife of Robrecht Kousman, in Boisstraat.

Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden. This entry is a brief burial register line rather than a full notarial act.

Child of Robrecht Kousman, Houtmarkt.

Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden. This entry is a brief burial register line rather than a full notarial act.

Registered the 19th of May 1617. The first [reading of the banns] the 20th of May 1617, the second the 27th of May 1617, the third the 3rd of June 1617. Married before Andries Jaspersz van Vesanevelt and Jacob Paedts, aldermen, this 4th day of June sixteen hundred and seventeen: Robbert Coetsman, wool comber from Canterbury in England, widower of Sara Coetsman, living in an alley in the Nonnensteeg, accompanied by Jan Kebel his acquaintance, with Mary Chingelton of Sandwich in England, widow of Tomas Chingelton, accompanied by Cathelyne Kerver her acquaintance.

Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden. This entry is a brief marriage-banns register line rather than a full notarial act.

On 7 December 1617 appeared before the notary public and the witnesses named below Jonathan Brewster, ribbon maker in Leiden, and Seigneur Thomas Brewer, also living in Leiden. They acknowledged that they had agreed to trade together from that time onward, faithfully and with proper diligence.

They expressly agreed that every question or dispute arising from their trade would be settled by four men chosen by both parties: William Brewster, printer; John Carver; Robert Cushman; and John Keble, all Englishmen. Neither party could bring the other before an ordinary court over such a dispute. They were to accept the decision of the four arbiters, on pain of a penalty of five thousand guilders, without prejudice to the arbiters' ruling.

Both men bound their persons and all present and future movable and immovable goods to observe the agreement. The act was passed in Thomas Brewer's house near the clock house of St Peter's Church, in the presence of John Carver and Stephen Butterfield, inhabitants of Leiden, as witnesses.

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

South Rapenburg. Gillis Elsevier — purchased by him together with the house on Rapenburg, and split off from it; see the encumbrances there.

Nonnensteeg, back in the alley, west side, going north.

4 August 1610: Sold by Gillis Elsevier to Cornelis Ghijsbertszoon van Groenendael, carpenter, charged with 4 guilders 17 stivers 12 pence yearly rent and twice 15 stivers per year, for etcetera, and in addition 80 guilders to be paid over six years from May 1611, the first instalment.

4 November 1611: Sold by Cornelis Ghijsbertszoon to Robbert Coetsman, wool comber, encumbered with, and for, etcetera.

19 September 1619: Sold by Robbert Coetsman to Jan de Latere, master wool comber, encumbered with a rent of, and for, etcetera, and further charged with three ground-rents together amounting to 6 guilders 7 stivers 12 pence per year, borne by the aforesaid Elsevier. In addition, for etcetera.

Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden. This entry is a terse property register (kaartboek) record; the repeated "etcetera" reflects abbreviated notarial shorthand in the original, not an omission in translation.

We, Jan Janszoon Orlers and Pieter Corneliszoon de Haes, aldermen of Leiden, authorised by the magistrates of this same city on the 11th of February 1621, according to a certain deed made thereof, to receive the conveyance of this present deed, declare that before us appeared Martijn Obeyn, baker, and Niclaes du Pon, who were likewise specially authorised by the aforesaid magistrates to make this conveyance in the name and on behalf of Robbert Coetsman, wool comber, presently abroad, as has further appeared to us, aldermen, by a deed of the 12th of February 1621.

And, in that capacity, in pursuance of the instrument executed by the aforesaid Robbrecht Coetsman, they acknowledged hereby to convey to and for the benefit of Jean de Latere, master wool comber, a house and grounds, standing and situated within this city in a certain common alley and gateway coming out on the south side of the Nonnensteeg, through which said alley and gateway this buyer shall likewise have free egress and access, it being understood that Gillis Elsevier holds ownership of this same alley, so as to be able to bring into and through it whomever it shall please him.

The aforesaid house and grounds being bordered on the one side, to the north, by the property of the heirs of Mathieu van der Mersch, baker, in the place of Claes Lybaert, mason, with a common side-wall and a common lead gutter situated thereon, and on the other side, to the south, by a certain common cross-alley running beneath it; extending in front from the aforesaid alley to the rear, with a common gable, to the house of Jan Pieterszoon, joiner.

All just as the aforesaid house and grounds presently stand built and made, and are used and inhabited. Subject to the encumbrance, first, of a rent of five guilders of 40 groot each per year, owed to Gillis Elsevier, which has already begun to run, chargeable to the buyer, since All Saints' Day of the year 1618. And further of a sum of three hundred guilders of the aforesaid currency, owed first to Jacob Corneliszoon de Haes, as having the right and assignment from Cornelis Ghijsbrechtszoon van Groenendael, carpenter, and to be paid to him at sixty guilders per year, of which, chargeable to the buyer, three years have already fallen due since May Day of the year 1619 last past.

Further free of any additional encumbrances, except that the buyer must nonetheless allow that the aforesaid house and grounds shall specifically remain bound for three ground-rents together with the arrears, the one of four guilders seventeen stivers and twelve pence per year and the other two each of fifteen stivers per year, which must be borne and paid by the aforesaid Gillis Elsevier as a charge on his house and grounds. And further subject to such conditions and warranties as are contained in the two old title deeds, to which this present deed is transfixed and pierced through, which the appearing parties hereby delivered to the buyer with all the right and claim pertaining thereto.

And the appearing parties furthermore promised, subject to and under the aforesaid encumbrances and conditions, to warrant and defend the aforesaid house and grounds, as is lawful, against any further claims or charges with which it might be burdened or encumbered, binding thereto generally all the goods of the aforesaid Robbrecht Coetsman, movable and immovable, present and future, none excepted.

Finally, the said Martijn and Niclaes acknowledged that, on account of the aforesaid conveyance, they had been fully paid, the last penny with the first, provided that the aforesaid Robbert remains duly indemnified by the buyer for the aforesaid encumbrances, and moreover paid a sum of two hundred and fifteen guilders of the aforesaid currency in ready cash, which had been received by the aforesaid Robbert Coetsman himself, as has appeared to us, the appearing parties, and likewise to the aforesaid aldermen, from the aforesaid Robbrecht's receipt.

In witness whereof this is confirmed with our seals, on the nineteenth of February of the year 1621. And it was signed, C. van Baersdorp, sealed, etcetera.

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