William Burnet Manuscript Document Signed "W. Burnet" as Colonial Governor of New York and New Jersey, one page , 8 ½ x 12 1/2", Fort George, New York, 1726. Burnet commissions Hendricks  Schoonmaker "Lieutenant of a Company of militia"  
William Burnet ( 1688-1729) a British civil servant and colonial administrator, served as governor of New York and New Jersey (1720-1728) and Massachusetts (1728). A capable administrator, his most important accomplishment as governor was to strengthen the colony's position on the frontier. Burnet encouraged direct trade with Indian tribes in order to reduce the influence of French traders and helped to strengthen colonial outposts like Fort Oswego.
Jochem Hendricks Schoonmaker (Hendrick Jochemse, Jochim Schomaker or) was born about 1655 in Albany, New York.. He died about 1730 in Kingston, Ulster County, NY. Jochem was supervisor of Rochester 1709-1712 and a captain of a company of for defense against the Indians. Tradition says that, at age 9 yrs., during the Wiltwyck Massacre he was on his way to his uncle Volckert Jansen Douw's & was captured by a Wappinger Indian named Wamassum. During his captivity he suffered from their brutality and was scarred by coals thrown at his head. He became one of the first trustees of the Rochester Patent. The church records at Albany prior to 1865 were lost.
Exhibits some expected use and wear typical, tightly cut right side, clean signature, overall Vg condition.  Hp321