Dated 3 August Anno 1640
by Nora J. Probasco
The following is a copy of the original Notarial Record of George Probatski enlisting with the Dutch West India Company (WIC) in 1640 in Amsterdam. To date this is the earliest document found for him, and I believe this was his first enlistment with the WIC. Note that he stated he was from Breslau (Silesia) and signed his name as George Probatski again in this earlier document. I think it is safe to say that before 1640 George Probatski's residence was in Breslau. I believe that shortly after signing this he left for Brazil.
See translation below.
The following is the translation of the document kindly provided by Deborah Hamer of the New Netherland Institute:
pp. 64
On this day, the 3rd of August 1640, the clock being around 9 hours before noon, there appeared before me, Hendrick Schaef, notary, and the undersigned witnesses, Jurgen Probatski of Breslau, setting sail as a soldier on the ship………… in the service of the West India Company here and he acknowledges himself to be rightfully in debt to Hans Horst, innkeeper, or the bearer of this [document], the sum of 48 carolus guilders for the cost of maintenance and money lent to him and enjoyed by him for equipping himself, desiring that he [Horst] should be paid out of the first and readiest payment, salary, and booty which he [Probatski] earns in the service of the Company, for which he assigns and renders, ceding and transporting with this [document] the aforementioned sum, completely relinquishing it, binding himself and his goods, none excepted . All validly done in Amsterdam in the presence of Michiel Beck van Elsing and Hans Cluis van Welershousen, soldiers, as above, brought by the comparant [probatski] as witnesses, and declaring that they know the comparant well. [signed] George Probatski Michiel Beck The mark of Hans HC Cluis [signed] H Schaef
1 The name of the ship is left blank in the document.
2 i.e., for food, drink, board consumed while he was at the inn.
3 I find this place name difficult to read; it is [xxxxhousen].
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