... As early as September, 1634, Cock was a partner of Cornelis van Vorst, of Pavonia,
in the ownership of a trading sloop {Cal. Hist. MSS., Dutch, 8), and, undoubtedly, shared
with him the very lucrative fur-trade with the Indians which Van Vorst is known to have
carried on. This close association led to Cock's betrothal to Annetje, Van Vorst's daughter.
After the death of her father, however, the young lady declined to fulfil her engagement
of marriage, whereupon her lover sued her for breach of promise. The suit dragged on
through the court for more than a year, although David Provoost, as advocate for the defend-
ant, often urged a decision. Finally, the burgomasters and schepens decided. May 18,
1654, that, "the promise of marriage having been made and given before the Eyes of God,"
it should remain in force; that all the presents should remain in the possession of the lady;
that neither party should marry any other person until the magistrates were apprised
that they had released each other formally, and, finally, that each should pay half the
expenses of the suit. — Rec. N. Am., I: 54-200.
Evidently, Anna Cornelissen van Vorst did not change her mind, for, on November 11,
1656, notice of her marriage to Claes Janszen, from Purmesendt, is given {Marriages in
Ref. Dutch Ch., 2i),[M and, on June 13, 1657, banns were published between Pieter Laurens-
zen Cock, of Denmark, and Anneken Dircks, of Amsterdam. — Idem. ...
