Contract distribution of prize money

2 August 1781 · Amsterdam, Nederland

Agreement regulating the distribution of prize money among privateering crews

On 2 August 1781, a formal contract was concluded in Amsterdam regulating the distribution of future prize money (prijzen) earned by the privateering ships De Dolphijn, De Triton, and De Spion. Acting on behalf of a fund dedicated to privateering (fonds gedestineerd ter kaaprederij), the directors Matthijs Ooster, Jan Nicolaas van Eys, and Jan Messchert van Vollenhoven reached an agreement with the officers, sailors, soldiers, and crew members serving aboard the three vessels.

The contract set out the terms under which any captured prizes would be divided between the directors and the crews. The agreement was first signed by the directors and the three captains at the directors’ office in Amsterdam, after which the remaining crew members were presented with the contract on 2 August 1781 while the ships lay at anchor on the Texel roadstead. On 29 August 1781, the contract was formally entered into the notarial protocol at the request of Dionysius Werner, clerk aboard De Dolphijn.

Contract distribution of prize money — Notarial contract regulating the distribution of prize money for the privateering ships De Dolphijn, De Triton, and De Spion, executed before notary Anthony Mijlius in Amsterdam on 2 August 1781 (Amsterdam City Archives, SAA 5075/15610).

Persons involved

Jan Messchert van Vollenhoven
Role: director (fonds ter kaaprederij)
Jan Nicolaas van Eys
Role: director (fonds ter kaaprederij)
Matthijs Ooster
Role: director (fonds ter kaaprederij)
Anthony Mijlius
Role: notary
Dionysius Werner
Role: ship's clerk (De Dolphijn)

Sources

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First published 16 December 2021; last updated 10 November 2021