Legal Case: Hillebrant, New Netherland, August 26, 1658

"Sodomy" charge

The Fort Orange Records of the Dutch New Netherland Court reported the examination of Nicolas Gregory Hillebrant, from Prague, "on a charge of attempting to commit sodomy. . . . " The case was referred to the director-general and council of the colony.(1)

On October 2, 1658 the minutes of the New Netherland council noted the petition of Nicolas Gregorius Hillebrantsen of Fort Orange (apparently the same person) to be allowed "to defend himself from an accusation of sodomy...." The case was referred to the local court. No additional information is available.

 

References

  1. Jonathan Ned Katz, Gay/Lesbian Almanac (NY: Harper & Row, 1983) p.103, citing O'Callaghan, p. 201 (Fort Orange Records, vol. A, p. 91); p. 319 (Council Minutes, vol. 8, p. 992).