We, Willem Corneliszoon Tijbault and Jacob Paets Corneliszoon, aldermen of Leiden, make known that before us came and appeared Ridtsardt Meertersson, Englishman, declaring that he had bought from Rogier Wiltzon, likewise an Englishman, a house and ground standing and situated within this city on the west side of the Uiterstegracht, bounded on the one side, to the north, by Marytge Pietersdochter, widow of Michiel Pieterszoon, and on the other side, to the south, by Pieter Henricxszoon, skipper, extending in front from the street of the aforesaid Uiterstegracht to the rear onto the property of the children and heirs of Lambrecht Jacobszoon, greengrocer.
And the appearer acknowledged that he had taken upon himself, charged upon the aforesaid house and ground, and hereby takes upon himself, a redeemable ground-rent of six guilders at forty groats each and five stuivers, in free money, per year, owed to the aforesaid children and heirs of Lambrecht Jacobszoon, which rent has begun to run to the charge of the appearer since May-day of the year sixteen hundred fourteen last past; of which rent and its principal sum the appearer accordingly promised, as is fitting, to indemnify the aforesaid Rogier Wiltson and to hold him free of cost and harm.
Moreover, the appearer acknowledged that, by reason of the same purchase, he owed the aforesaid Rogier Wiltson a sum of eight hundred guilders of the aforesaid currency, which he promised to pay in this manner: one hundred of the aforesaid guilders in cash, already due and settled at May-day sixteen hundred fourteen last past, together with the taking possession of the aforesaid house and ground; likewise at May-day sixteen hundred fifteen, another hundred guilders; and thereafter yearly, at each following May-day, likewise a hundred guilders, continuing thus from year to year until full payment of the aforesaid eight hundred guilders.
The appearer further promised, upon his honour and integrity in place of an oath, to pay all the aforesaid monies in free money, without any deduction or reduction, whether for aids, subventions, land-tax assessments, or other contributions of the hundredth, fiftieth, twentieth, or tenth penny, more or less, however these might be named, and by whomever they have already been imposed and levied or shall be imposed and levied; and even should it be declared by placard or otherwise that a reduction or discount must be allowed on these and similar purchase monies, the appearer expressly renounced and waived all benefit and advantage thereof by these presents.
There further came before us, the aforesaid aldermen, Jan Meesterson, wool comber, and set himself hereby as surety and also as principal for the aforesaid Ridtsardt Meeterson, his brother, both concerning the indemnification of the aforesaid rent and its principal sum, and concerning the free payment of the aforesaid eight hundred guilders; binding hereunder, first, the aforesaid Ridtsardt specially the aforesaid house and ground, and further both appearers generally all their respective goods, movable and immovable, present and future, none excepted. The aforesaid Ridtsardt promised to relieve his aforesaid brother, in this matter, of the aforesaid suretyship, and to hold him free of cost and harm, under the same obligation as above.
In witness whereof this is confirmed with our seals, on the second of January of the year sixteen hundred fifteen. Underneath: J. Swanenburch, sealed, etc.
Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden.
