Gerrit Smorenburg (1761-1832)

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  1. His childhood

Our Smorenburg family branch continues with Gerrit Smorenburg, my husband’s great-great-great-great-grandfather.  He was born at De Oude Temple at Soesterberg in the province of Utrecht in the Dutch Republic (also known as Republic of United Seven Netherlands). His parents were Cornelis Corse van Smorenburg (1718 – 1789) and Adriana van Loenen (1740 – 1808). Gerrit was christened on 16 April 1671 in the Roman Catholic Church at Bunnik. He was the second eldest and had fourteen brothers and sisters; Cornelis, Machteldis, Jacobus, Adrianus, Maria, Alida, Adriana, Willemijntje, Antonius, Henrica, Wilhelmus, Cornelis , Lambertus and Cornelia.1-3  

   2. His wife

Margarita “Marretje/Maartje” Eijbers(en) was the daughter of Andries “Drees” Eijbersen and Grietje Karssen. She was christened on 16 October 1768 in the Protestant (Nederduitsch) Reformed Church at Elspeet, Gelderland. At the age of 24 years, she married the 31 year-old, Gerrit  Smorenberg on 16 September 1792 in the Reformed Church at Ermelo, Gelderland, after they obtained permission on 31 August 1792. From their marital union fifteen children were born. Marretje died at the age of 70 years on 11 December 1838 at De Bilt, Utrecht province.1-4

    3. His career

Gerrit Smorenburg was a career hunter, as indicated on his marriage record of 1792, on the death record of his son, Willem in 1816, and on the death record of his son, Jan in 1820.3 Gerrit, however, lived during turbulent times in the history of the Netherlands. How that impacted on him and his family is not known, but surely it must have created major uncertainties. Yet, the Napoleonic Batavian government was more popular among the Dutch population than the previous Prince of Orange Administrations.5,6

Gerrit was born during the rule of Stadtholder William V, Prince of Orange, when the Dutch Republic was already in decline as a global political and economical power, and marred with internal political unrest and instability, as well as a growing impoverishment among the majority of the Dutch population. The invasion of the Northern Netherlands in 1795 by the revolutionary French army of  Napoleon Bonaparte brought an end to the weakening empire of the Republic of the United Seven Netherlands. For the next ten years the French would rule over the Dutch.5-7

By 1795, the Dutch unexpectedly found themselves living in a unitary state with a French-controlled but revolutionary Dutch ministerial government called the Batavian Republic (1795 – 1806). The Napoleonic Kingdom of Holland (1806 – 1810) under control of Louis Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, followed. And from 1810, the national Dutch identity disappeared when France annexed the Netherlands and incorporated it directly into the French Empire until 1815. The successful Napoleonic Wars (1803 – 1815), however, eventually also led to Napoleon’s defeat and abdication in 1815, and his exile to the British island of St Helena until his death in 1821.6-12

A mere 75 years later, Gerrit Smorenburg’s great-grandson, Jan Smorenburg (1881 – 1968) and great-grand-nephew, Andries Smorenburg (1872 – 1939) would spend time on St Helena as Boer (Afrikaner) prisoners-of-war captured during the South African War (Second Anglo-Boer War) of 1899 to 1902. Andries made a daring escape from the island in a wooden box, but, alas, failed. Both Jan and Andries eventually returned home after the war ended.13-15

   4. His death

Gerrit died at the age of 71 years on 5 April 1832 at De Bilt where he was also buried.1-3 The last seventeen years of his life, Gerrit lived again under Dutch rule in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands which was established in 1815. The national leader was the self-proclaimed monarch, King William I (William Frederick), son of the last stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, William V.5

   5. His children

All the children were born and christened in the Reformed Church at De Bilt. Although Gerrit and Marretje were married in the Reformed Church, and the children were raised in the same church, Gerrit continued to adhere to his Roman Catholic faith, as it is indicated so on the baptismal records of his children. Gerrit and Marretje Smorenburg had fifteen children of whom five died in infancy or early childhood.1-3 5.1 Cornelis

Cornelis was christened on 27 January 1793 at De Bilt. Grietje Kassen was a witness present at his baptism. Sadly he died six years later and was buried on 31 May 1799 at De Bilt. The cause of his death is not known.2,3 By then the Dutch Republic was no more, being replaced by the Napoleonic Batavian Republic since 19 January 1795.6,10

5.2 Duijfje

Duijfje was christened on 13 April 1794 at De Bilt with Jan Wolters van de Poll and Bregjen Agatha de Smith acting as witnesses. She married Antonie van Ettehoven (≈25 February 1787 – 3 March 1841) on 9 May 1821 in her hometown.1-3 Antonie was also born at De Bilt as the son of Jan van Ettehoven and Alleta van IJsendoorn. Duijfje and Antonie had three children who were born at De Bilt; Margaritha (15 May 1822 – 14 February 1903, Maartensdijk), Jannigje (4 September 1823 – 21 May 1857, Breukelen-Nijenrode) and Gerrit (9 December 1824 – 11 February 1871, De Bilt). Duijfje died at the age of 74 years on 24 January 1868 at De Bilt.2,3

5.3 Andries

Andries was christened on 22 November 1795 at De Bilt2,3 in the Department van de Rijn (previously Utrecht province) of the newly established Batavian Republic.6,10 He married Georgie Ida Antonia Allewaert2,3 and they became my husband’s great-great-great-grandparents. READ MORE on Andries Smorenburg.

5.4 Cors

Cors was born at De Bilt on 30 January 1797 and christened on 5 February 1797. The witness at his baptism was Maria Versteeg. Sadly, he died a few days later and was buried on 9 February 1797 at De Bilt.2,3

5.5 Cors

Cors was born at De Bilt when the Netherlands had by then become the Batavian Republic. He was born on 29 December 1797, and christened two days later, which was witnessed by Maria Lam.2,3 On 7 February 1851, Cors married Elisabeth Schouten (*ca 1813, Amerongen), the daughter of Harmanus Schouten and Elisabeth van den Berg. Cors died on 28 December 1889 at De Bilt.2,3

5.6 Cornelis

He was born on 22 September 1799 at De Bilt, De Rijn, Batavian Republic and christened on 13 October 1799. Cornelis wed Arnoldina Margaretha “Arnolda” Allers (ca 1798 – 1852) on 7 November 1821 at Amsterdam, Utrecht. Together they had the following children: Gerrit (24 November 1821, Amsterdam – 25 December 1903, Hilversum), Magdalena (15 February 1826, Langbroek – 24 Oktober 1913, Nederhorst den Berg), Matthijs (14 March 1828, Sterkenburg – 16 June 1899, De Steeg), Martha (14 November 1829, Driebergen – 11 December 1910),  Johanna (27 October 1831, Sterkenburg – ca 1918, De Steeg), Arnoldina “Diena” (3 November 1833, Sterkenburg – 7 October 1894, Loenen), Helena (7 December 1835, De Vuursche – ?), Catrina “Cato” (27 June 1838, Baarn – 30 August 1928, Den Haag) and Cornelis jr. (early 1840, Baarn – 2 Oktober 1840, Driebergen). Cornelis Smorenburg sr. died on 8 March 1869 at Driebergen, Utrecht when he was 59 years old.1-3

5.7 Willem

Willem was the third child who died in childhood. He was born on 4 March 1801 at De Bilt. Jannetje van Beek was present at his christening on 8 March 1801. Sadly he died on 28 February 1816 at the age of 14 years.1-3 The cause of his death is not known.

5.8 Gerrigje

The second daughter, Gerrigje was born at De Bilt on 3 June 1803 and christened on 19 June 1803. It seems as if she spent her whole life living in De Bilt where she also died on 12 December 1868 at the age of 65 years. She married Teunis Meijer (1796 – >1839), a carpenter, on 18 October 1822 when she was 19 years old. Teunis Meijer was the son of Harmen Meijer and Gerritjen Peters. Their children Gerrit (*1823), Hermanus (*1826), Margaretha (*1830), Teunis (*1836) and Aaltje (*1843) were born at De Bilt.1-3

5.9 Jaantje

She was born on 27 January 1805 at De Bilt, christened on 10 February 1805 and buried sixteen days later on 26 February 1805 at the age of one month.1-3

5.10 Adriana

Like her sister Gerrigje, Adriana also seems to have spent her whole live at De Bilt. She was born  on 5 February 1806, christened on 16 February 1806  and died 10 May 1880 at the age of 74 years. She married her husband Gerrit Starink (8 Decemver 1800, Steenderen – 12 February 1873, De Bilt) at De Bilt on 16 April 1828 and continued raising their family in De Bilt. They had eight children; Johannes (28 August 1828 – 28 August 1852), Magarietha (20 April 1830 –1868), Johanna (22 October 1831 – 30 January 1875, De Bilt), Gerrit (16 April 1833 – 12 January 1910, De Bilt), Duif (28 September 1834 – 17 June 1911, De Bilt), Evert (22 November 1837 – 10 July 1918, Zeist), Willem (10 October 1842 – 11 October 1913, De Bilt) and Adrianus (11 December 1845 – 26 December 1909, De Bilt).1-35.11 Hendrikje

Nicknamed Heintje, Hendrikje was born on 4 June 1807 at De Bilt, Utrecht province, Kingdom of Holland (previously Bavarian Republic). She was christened on 5 July 1807. Heintje married Hendrik Sloeserweij (8 June 1805, Maartensdijk –24 February 1869, Kockengen) on 27 January 1836 at De Bilt. Her husband was the son of Egbert Soesterweij and Dirkje van Lunteren. Hendrikje, aged 46, died on 5 October 1853 at Kockengen, Utrecht province, Kingdom of the Netherlands.1-3

There children were Margaretha (6 November 1836, De Bilt – 19 February 1905, Utrecht), Dirk (29 September 1838, De Bilt – 14 December 1919, Rijsenburg), Gerrit (21 July 1842 Kockengen – 17 February 1900, Vinkeveen), Egbertje (8 January 1845, Kockengen – 10 July 1849, Kockengen) and Willem (10 June 1847, Kockengen – 17 November 1925, Utrecht).1 The children were between 6 and 17 years old when their mother passed away.

5.12 Evert

Evert was born on 15 January 1809 and christened on 5 February 1809 in the Kingdom of Holland. He married Jannetje Langelaar at De Bilt on 20 January 1839. Jannetje (28 April 1815, Leusden – 26 February 1890, Driebergen) was the daughter of Gerrit Langelaar and Gerritje van Ginkel. Witnesses at his wedding was his brother Andries, his brother-in-law Teunis Meijer, as well as Hendrik Meijer and Herman Heinrich Kok from De Bilt. The couple moved from De Bilt to Utrecht in the early 1840s but by 1845 were back in De Bilt.1-3

Evert and Jannetje’s twelve children of whom nine were born at De Bilt, except for the third, fourth and fifth child who were born in Utrecht. Their children were Margaritha (13 June 1839 – 27 May 1911), Gerrigje (8 September 1840 – 10 August 1841), Gerrigje (10 August 1841 – 14 August 1842), Gerrigje (27 November 1843 – 14 June 1844), Gerarda (4 March 1845 – 30 August 1845), Gerrit (19 May 1846 – 6 August 1846), Maria Elizabeth (20 August 1847 – 25 June 1877), Gerrit (*24 November 1848, †11 February 1925, Ω14 February 1925, Appeldoorn), Georgie (ca 1851 – 17 July 1852), Gerritje (3 July 1851 – ca 1852), Kors (16 September 1852 – 30 September 1852) and Evert (8 July 1854 – 27 December 1939). Only four of the children reached adulthood. One cannot image the heartache that these two parents must have experienced.1,3

Evert sr. did something of everything during his lifetime. At the time of his marriage, then 30 years old, he was completing his military service as a marksman in the Mobiele Zuid-Hollansche Schutterij. Between 1840 and 1854, he worked alternatively as a hunter, shopkeeper, labourer, piece jobber and caretaker. He was forest overseer in 1877 and rijksveldwachter (policeman) in 1878. He died on 19 January 1892 at Rheden, Gelderland, aged 83.2,3

5.13 Jan

Jan was born on 17 December 1810 and christened on 13 January 1811. He died on 27 June 1820 at De Bilt at the age of nine years old.1-3

5.14 Teunis (twin)

The older twin brother of Margaretha, Teunis was born on 3 March 1813 at 4 pm and was christened on 21 March 1813 at De Bilt, now annexed by France (previously Kingdom of Holland). He married Maria Veenman (2 February 1815, Breukelen-Nijenrode – 17 February 1895, Pella, USA) on 29 June 1839 at Breukelen-Nijenrode, Utrecht.1,3

Teunis immigrated with his family to the United States of America where he died on 18 May 1901 at Pella, Marion, Iowa.1,3 They followed a group of 800 Dutch immigrants, led by Reverent Hendrik “Henry” P. Scholte, who settled in 1847 in the area known as Pella. The name “Pella” refers to Pella (now in Jordan) of the Decapolis, where the Jewish Christians of Jerusalem had found refuge during the Roman–Jewish war of 70 AD. The name was selected because the reverent and his followers sought religious freedom as well. The Smorenburgs settled in Pella between 1860 and 1875.16 Often referred to as “Little Holland”, Pella has the largest working grain windmill in the USA. It prides a replica of the Dutch square named Mollengracht, complete with a canal just right off Main Street. The town hosts an annual tulip festival.16,17Teunis and Maria Smorenburg had seven children of whom five reached adulthood. They were Alida (22 November 1839, Breukelen-Nijenrode – 4 February 1916, Pella), Gerrit (24 October 1842, Breukelen-Nijenrode – 23 November 1847, Breukelen-Nijenrode), Cornelis (4 March 1845, Breukelen-Nijenrode – 24 April 1930, Pella), Anna Clasina I (16 February 1849, Breukelen-Nijenrode – 24 April 1849, Breukelen-Nijenrode), Anna Clasina II (15 September 1850, Breukelen-Nijenrode – 10 November 1890, Pella), Magrieta (25 December 1852, Breukelen-Nijenrode – 13 December 1876, Pella) and Adriana (30 October 1859, Netherlands – 8 July 1938, Pella).1

5.15 Margaretha (twin)

Margaretha, also known as Martje, was born (at 5 pm) and christened in ‘France’ on the same day as her twin brother Teunis. Martje’s husband, Albert Pastuninck (ca 1814 – ?) was from Bentheim in the Kingdom of Hannover (now Germany), the son of Joost Pastunick and Swenne Schulte Siering. The couple married on 9 March 1844 at De Bilt. Martje died in her home town on 26 May 1862 at the age of 49 years.1,3

 

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To Marja Ruff of Haarlem in the Netherlands, a huge thank you for your interest and support of my family research work! Your endless supply of information and references to primary documents, researched in your own time, have greatly enriched the story of the Smorenburg family being told here. I am forever in your debt!

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  1. Smorenburg Web Site by Martin Smorenburg. https://www.myheritage.nl/site-family-tree-395529131/smorenburg
  2. Gezinsblad Gerrit Smorenburg. http://www.gensdvf.nl/FullRecord.csp
  3. Beindorff, W.H. Genealogie Beindorff, Been et al. https://www.genealogieonline.nl/genealogie_beindorff_been_et_al/
  4. Gelderland. https://www.welt-atlas.de/datenbank/karten/karte-1-892.gif
  5. William V, Prince of Orange. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_V,_Prince_of_Orange
  6. History of the Netherlands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Netherlands
  7. Napoleon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon
  8. Napoleon Bonaparte. http://www.history.com/topics/napoleon
  9. Napoleon Bonaparte biography. http://www.biographyonline.net/military/napoleon.html
  10. Batavian Republic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batavian_Republic
  11. Kingdom of Holland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Holland
  12. Kingdom of Holland and its departments. https://nintenpug.deviantart.com/art/Kingdom-of-Holland-503376516
  13. Jan W Smorenburg. https://angloboerwar.com/index
  14. Andries Smorenburg. https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andries_Smorenburg
  15. Boer prisoners (1900 – 1902). http://sainthelenaisland.info/boerprisoners.htm
  16. Pella, Iowa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pella,_Iowa
  17. What people are saying about Pella. https://pella.org/what-people-are-saying/

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