4 children born before their parents' marriage

Hermanus Blekton (also Blackstone, Blikton, Blextoon, Blaxstone) is a son of Jan Blekton (†1802) and Willemijna van der Weijden (1754-1800). This family name has an English ring to it. Additionally, its many variations are an indication of a foreign origin. The family can be traced back to one Isack Blekston whose burial in Dordrecht was registered on 8-1-1704.

Hermanus was married on 18-1-1832 in Dordrecht to Neeltje Meijer. Neeltje was baptized in Dordrecht on 5-8-1796. Her parents are Abraham Meijer (†1812) and Adriana Romijn (†1808). Remarkably, upon their marriage Hermanus and Neeltje acknowledged to be the parents of 4 (!) children: Jan, registered in 1823, Abraham in 1825, Willem in 1828 and Adrianus in 1830. Willem died in December 1832. Adrianus died aged 4. Within their marriage 3 additional children were born: Jannetje, another Willem and Maria Adriana.

Dordrechtsche Courant (newspaper), 15-8-1850

Neeltje Meijer died on 21-7-1850 in Dordrecht. Hermanus Blekton died there on 18-5-1864.

Children of Hermanus Blekton and Neeltje Meijer:

1. Jan Blekton was born on 28-6-1823 around 8:30 in Dordrecht. His birth was registered by Hermanus Blekton, who acknowledged to be his father. Hermanus was accompanied by coppersmith Balthazar Meijer (21) and blacksmith Stefanis Meijer (22), brothers of Neeltje Meijer. Jan was officially legitimized in 1832 at the marriage of his parents. In 1856 Jan left the Netherlands as a soldier on a ship named "Jan Schouten". He had been promoted to corporal before he passed away on 21 March 1867 in Patjitan, Java, Indonesia, aged 43. 
2. Abraham Blekton was born on 25-10-1825 around 15:00 in Dordrecht. His birth was registered by Hermanus Blekton. Abraham was legitimized at the marriage of his parents. Abraham died on 28-1-1897 in Dordrecht, aged 71.
3. Willem Blekton was born on 2-7-1828 in Dordrecht. He was legitimized at the marriage of his parents in January 1832. Willem died on 7-12-1832 in Dordrecht, aged 4.
4. Adrianus Blekton was born on 15-10-1830 in Dordrecht. He was legitimized at the marriage of his parents. He died on 20-5-1835 in Dordrecht, aged 4.
5. Jannetje Blekton was born on 18-10-1832 in Dordrecht. There she married Arie van der Laan on 13-11-1867. Jannetje died on 30-5-1916 in Dordrecht, aged 83.
6. Willem Blekton was born on 22-2-1835 in Dordrecht. There Willem married twice. His first marriage was on 10-2-1864 to Jacoba de Boer. His second marriage was on 4-6-1884 to Arendje Daan. Willem died on 28-6-1910 in Dordrecht, aged 75. 
7. Maria Adriana Blekton was born on 2-1-1838 in Dordrecht. There she married Adrianus Beerman on 9-8-1876. Maria died on12-8-1911 in Dordrecht, aged 74.

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