"Engeltje appears to have been a vigorous old lady of somewhat
masculine disposition. She was frequently, as witness or litigant,
before the Court at the Stady Huys, where she was much dreaded
on account of her loquacity, the magistrates being forced to protest
against her upon their minutes, as being addicted to, 'an outpouring
of words'." Innes, J.H. pg 234
Burger found himself in trouble with the law in 1646 when he was charged with selling beer without paying excise tax:
"He denied the general charge, but admitted that three half-barrels
were drunk in his house 'with some company'! He was provoked
at the ado made about the matter and threatedd to 'cut a slice of
the fiscal.' Evjen (1916) pg. 333
The fiscal then brought suit, and Joris, appearing before the Council addressed them in an insulting manner. This offense resulted in a sentence to "remain four and twenty hours in chains."
Despite of this, and other violations
to city ordinances, Joris attained the great Burgher's right in 1658, and
continued to play a role, for better or worse, in civic affairs. He died
in 1671. Engeltje Mans was still living in 1701.
Evjen, John O. (1916) Scandinavian Immigrants in New York: 1630-1674. Minneapolis, K.C. Holter Publishing Co.
Innes, JH. New Amsterdam and its People, as quoted in Evjen.
Contact the author at saguaro@email.arizona.edu