Stephanus Vollenbroek (1785-1860), pastor in Rijssen

Stephanus Vollenbroek was baptised on 26 October 1785 in Deurningen: “26 Octobris babtizatus Stephanus filius Gerardi et Mariae Vollenbroek, susc. Wilhelmus Vollenbroek et Susanna Volmerinck”. Like his elder siblings, Stephanus was likely born in nearby Dulder, Overijssel, The Netherlands. Stephanus had elder sisters named Euphemia, Agatha and Johanna, and an elder brother named Bernardus. They are children of Gerardus Vollenbroek, and his wife Maria. Gerardus Vollenbroek and Maria Wansing, both originating in Dulder, were married on 26 February 1770 in Deurningen: “26 Feb. conjuncti sunt in facie Ecclesiae Gerardus Vollenbroek et Maria Wansing, Dulderen”. Their marriage was also registered in Oldenzaal.

Stephanus Vollenbroek became a priest on 17 August 1809. He is described as an excellent singer and musician. In 1823 he became pastor in Rijssen in Overijssel.

On 1 January 1853, due to advanced age, Stephanus Vollenbroek was granted a pension “to the sum of 600 guilders, due to 42 years, 11 months and 17 days of service”.

Provinciale Drentsche en Asser Courant, 27-11-1860

Stephanus Vollenbroek died on the 16 November 1860 in Rijssen at the age of 75. He was described as an example of “not only humility, goodness and mildness, but especially tolerance”. On the 20th, around 14:00, his solemn burial took place at the cemetery in nearby Enter.

Sources: Delpher.nl, WieWasWie.nl, VollenbroekVoorouders.nl, Steggink.org.

In 1870 Jan Kits Nieuwenkamp drowned off the Irish coast

On her twelfth Atlantic crossing, the British cargo-passenger steamship “Cambria” departed New York on October 8, 1870, under the command of Captain John Carnighan, carrying a general cargo, a crew of 74, and 105 passengers. Two of those passengers were 59-year-old widower Jan Kits Nieuwenkamp, and his 23-year-old daughter Lobetta Johanna.

Algemeen Handelsblad, 13-11-1870

On October 19, around 11:00 pm, the steamship “Cambria” was sailing in heavy seas when it struck Tor Beg Rock, half a mile north-west of Inishtrahull Island. The vessel immediately commenced to fill with water, thus it became at once evident that a large hole bad been made in the ship. Lifeboats were launched, but the only survivor was a passenger named John M'Gartland. Four lifeboats were found empty at the Giant's Causeway, while the stern of the ship drifted ashore at Islay, Scotland.

Opregte Haarlemsche Courant, 26-10-1870

The drowning of Jan Kits Nieuwenkamp and his daughter wasn't the only disaster that struck his family in the year 1870. On January 21, 1870, in Zutphen, his youngest son Jan junior had died “after a short but intense suffering” at the age of 16. By the end of 1870, only 6 of Jan's 14 children were still alive.

Algemeen Dagblad van Nederland, 31-1-1870

The marriages of Rebecca Heijndrix de Swart in Rotterdam

Rebecca Heijndrix first married Bartholomeus Willems Kerver - also Kurver or Korver - on 10 October 1700 in Rotterdam. Both originated from Rotterdam, and they hadn’t been married before. Bartholomeus is a son of Marijtje Bartelemees Hardewil and her husband Willem Gijsbertse.
Bartholomeus died in 1701; his widow Rebecca had a posthumous daughter named Barta baptised on 16 October 1701 in Rotterdam with witnesses Willem Kerver and Marijtje Hardewil.

Just 1 month after the baptism of her child, Rebecca de Swart had her intention to remarry registered on 20 November in Rotterdam. The groom was François Picaart, a young man born in Leyden, and living in The Hague. The couple were married on 4 December 1701 in Rotterdam.

Rebecca de Swart, widow of François Picaart, had her intention to marry widower Jan Stolk registered on 4 November 1708 in Rotterdam. Jan was living there in the Goudse Wagestraat.
“Rebekka Stolk” - likely Rebecca de Swart, wife of Jan Stolk - was a witness at the baptism of Marijtje, daughter of Jan Jansz. Stolk and his wife Lena on 7 March 1717 in Overschie. At their marriage - and with some of the baptisms - that Jan's wife is named Lena Ariens van Schie.
Rebecca was likely married to Jan Cornelisz "The Younger" Stolk, widower of Maertje Pleunen. That Jan was a son of Cornelis Jansz. Stolckman - also Stollick - who originated in Zevenhuizen, Holland.

On 31 August 1719 in Rotterdam, Rebecka de Swart, Jan Stolck and Seselia Engelen were witnesses at the baptism of Anna, daughter of Hester de Swart and Johannes van Engelen, who were living in the Leeuwestraat.

Jan Stolk, husband of Rebekka de Swart, was buried on 27 January 1752 in Rotterdam. Rebekka de Swart, widow of Jan Stolk, was buried in Rotterdam on 26 May 1758.

Source: StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl. WieWasWie.nl,

Longevity ~ Cornelis Jacobus Mouthaan (91)

Cornelis Jacobus Mouthaan was born on 16 January 1829 in 's-Gravenmoer, Brabant, The Netherlands. His parents are Nicolaas Mouthaan (1799-1877) and his wife Alberdina Prins (1804-1889). The couple had 18 children, but several of them died young.
Nicolaas is a son of Hendrik Mouthaan (1774-1808) and Willemijna Mouthaan (1777-1821) who is a daughter of Nicolaas Mouthaan (1727-1814) and Maria Mouthaan (1737-1807). I don't know how they are all related, but given their common surname and common place of origin, it's likely they are related.

Cornelis Jacobus had jobs both as farmer and shoemaker. At the age of 29, he was married on 14 October 1858 in 's-Gravenmoer. His bride was 65-year-old “cougar” Adriana Oosterhout. She was born on 1 December 1792 and baptised on the 2th as daughter of Cornelis van Oosterhout (1750-1824) and Antonia Boeser (1760-1827). Adriana's grandfather is my ancestor Jacobus Cornelisz. Boeser (1718-1780). Another ancestor of both Adriana and me the 17th-century Adriaan Cornelisz. van Oosterhout.
Adriana van Oosterhout had earlier been married on in 6 July 1817 in 's-Gravenmoer to Hendrik Konings (1776-1857). Adriana died in 's-Gravenmoer on 16 March 1875, aged 82. Cornelis Jacobus Mouthaan was a widower after 16 years of marriage.

Signatures of Adriana van Oosterhout and Cornelis Jacobus Mouthaan in the marriage register.

At the age of 49, Cornelis Jacobus Mouthaan was married secondly on 8 March 1878 in 's-Gravenmoer. His bride, Grieta van Eersel, was 44 years old. She was born on 23 October 1833 in Gravenmoer as daughter of Jochem van Eersel and Adriana van Dongen.
Grieta had been married for just 3 years to Gijsbert Blom (1824-1868). She had a posthumous son Gijsbert Blom (1868-1949), so Cornelis Jacobus acquired a stepson. Gijsbert Blom was married on 8 February 1899 in Waspik to Maria van Pas (1876-1947). They had several children, but the marriage was to end in divorce in 1934.
Grieta van Eersel died on 13 December 1902 in 's-Gravenmoer, aged 69. Cornelis Jacobus Mouthaan was a widower after 24 years of marriage.

The family of Jacobus Mouthaan, his second wife Grieta van Eersel and stepson Gijsbert Blom.

Cornelis Jacobus Mouthaan survived his 2nd wife for 17 years. His brother Sijmen Mouthaan (1826-1911) died at the age of 84. His sister Hendrika Mouthaan (1830-1917) died at the age of 86. Their brother Albert Mouthaan (1836-1919) died at the age of 83. Cornelis Jacobus Mouthaan survived them all, dying at the age of 91, on 7 March 1920 in 's-Gravenmoer.

Sources: RegionaalArchiefTilburg.nl, WieWasWie.nl, BHiC.nl.