Cornelius Vanover - Johannis Holsaert Loan
The following information was received from Granvyl G. Hulse, Jr., a descendant of Johannis Holsaert.
Some Background Information:
Sluis, municipality, Zeeland prov., SW Netherlands, on the Scheldt estuary, near the Belgian border. Sluis was founded in the 13th cent. and later accorded trading privileges to the Hanseatic League. In 1340, Edward III of England defeated the fleet of Philip VI of France off nearby Terneuzen in the first important engagement of the Hundred Years War. Sluis fell to the Spanish in 1587 and was recovered by the Dutch in 1604. It subsequently lost importance as a port. It is also known by its French name, L’Écluse. The Dutch name was formerly spelled Sluys. - The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001.
From Granvyl G. Hulse: Our knowledge of Johannes comes from the fortuitous fact that when his daughter Margarita died, the deacons of the church, took all of the correspondence they found in her home, and placed them in the pages of their church records. These remained there for nearly three hundred years when they were re-discovered and photographed by Mormon researchers. Stanley Ross, a descendant of Johannes, found the film in the Mormon archives, had them copied, and we are slowly having them translated when we can find someone who can read 17th Century Dutch.
The Loan: (Click on the thumbnail for the larger picture)
Two papers dated 14 April 1685 regarding a loan of 300 Carolus guilder. The first signed by Cornelys van Hovgen, and the second signed by J. Holsaart.
"The undersigned Cornelys van Hovgenens obliges him and promises with this that he will pay to Johannis Holsaert a sum of three hundred Carolus guilders when they will have come together in England to from there (together?) to cross to New Netherland. ( ). Stat Sluys 14 April 1685. Cornelys van Hovgen."
Underneath this is the following, "I undersign ( ) the above written sum correctly required to have and for itself to pay five percent per year and the capital as soon as is possible ( ) will the interest ( ) begin First May 1685. J. Holsaert."
Commentary from Granvyl G. Hulse:: If I remember my colonial history correctly, all ships sailing to English colonies had to pass through England. Since it appears that Cornelis van Hovgen was traveling with Johannes and his family they would undoubtedly have to make England their first stop. The term Carolus Guilde relates to the former emperor Charles V, who was Lord of the Netherlands in the early 1500's. In 1521 he introduced a gold piece, gulden, to the value of 20 stuivers. It became a standard unit for tarifing most coins. The debt could then be paid back in any available currency in the New World at the above rate.
The first of three receipts regarding re-payment of the above loan was dated 14 July 1686, and signed by Cornelys van Hovgen.
"The undersigned confirms that this preceding obligation received to have from Johannes Holsaert the sum of (45?) Carolus guilder of 20 stuvors each, with the interest of the three hundred guilders. Cornelys van Hovgen."
The next re-payment was on 11 July 1687, and the final payment was made by Johannes widow 26 December 1688. Marked "paid in full"
Commentary: This would definitely place your ancestor in Sluys at that year. Best I can do as we have no record of any other exchange between the two, but they must have known each other reasonably well.
