Here are a cover letter and a copy of a synopsis by Bettie Hutter of a memoir that Hette Pieters Hettema prepared toward the end of his life.1. Cover Letter
June 4, 1986
Dear Florence,
I am finally getting around to sending you the synopsis I did of great grandfather's book. I've spent many busy months since Christmas, but will retire officially July 25. I will be 65 on Aug. 30. I didn't plan a vacation or trip this summer or fall as I wanted to take my vacation in pay, also have to work on my house closing, tenants had until now to find mortgage money. ...
From great grand father's book in it's entirety I got the impression that his 2nd batch of sons didn't come up to his expectations (including our grandfather, Anske). If you research Holland's history, you find that things were not that easy for that particular generation and like the Irish & many other northern Europeans, America held out promise. I think if our grandfather had not died young, from a disease which had no cure in those days, he might have been just as great a world-beater as all the Hettemas are or feel they are. Ha! He had to have guts to land in the New World with 8 dollars, a big knife for Indians & blacks, a few trunks of belongings, and a wife with 4 children.
Your comment about our ancestors being well to do farmers is correct except that you probably thought they owned their land. They never owned, as the titled land owners had not yet allowed the farmers to own. They leased the land but a one of the books I've read on the subject states, the Friesland & Groningen landsmen, or peasants were richer than their city counterparts. They put their excess profits into gold (such as the silver & gold headdresses worn by the women) and possessions, paintings, because they couldn't own the land. I have a Dutch lady correspondent right now, will see her in the spring when I go over there. Can't take time for more now. Hope you will enjoy.
Love, Bettie2. Synopsis
I reread great-grandfather's book over the weekend, and have again been impressed by his utter sincerity and piety. I can't help but feel pride for an ancestor whose faith was so strong, and who studied so hard to understand his .religion. Then he gave up .material things.in order to follow his convictions. I'm going to use the next few pages to write down all the names, dates, and place names mentioned.that might help me in my eventual research in Friesland and Groningen. I also have grandfather and grandmother's birth dates, and places, to copy from their entry papers when they came to the U.S.,
Grandfather and grandmother:
Children's names, birthdates and places:
Anske Hettema June 16, 1840 - Hallum Sjoukje Meyes Douma July 16, 1851 - Heeg
Tjitske Sept. 28, 1870 - Menaldum Ytje Feb. 10, 1873 - Beetgum Hette July 4, 1875 - Menaldum Feikje(?) March 17, 1878 - Menaldum (Guy Meyer and Cornelius Anske, our father, were born later in the U.S.)
Great grandfather Hette Piers Hettema May 2, 1797 Sybrandaburen
Great grandmother born 1802, don't know her nameGreat grandfather's first wife Gretje Dockes-Hellema died Dec. 4, 1935
He married his second wife in summer 1839, unfortunately he doesn't give her name, but eventually I will be able to find it in archives. She is the one who gave birth to our grandfather.
Great-great grandfather Pieter Hettes Hettema 1760-1824
Great-great grandmother Tjitske Tetmans ?-1826
Both buried at Roordahuiznun, also lived there.Great-great grandfather ran a small farm, traded horses and livestock into Holland (which they considered separate from Friesland). Bankrupt several times.
Great grandfather left home at 13, in 1810, to work as a hired hand for a step-sister (below Ondkerk, between the village and the Dokkumer-Ee (a river). Religion teacher in Ondkerk was Van Velsend. Back home for a year, then with a small farmer a short time (no names). Managed a farm for his grandmother at age 16, this farm was in Rauwerd. Lived there 1814 and 1815. Religion teacher, Rev. Liefting, Rauwerd, built new church. 1816-lived on a large farm belonging to Jan Durks Valkenburg, below Wirdum.
In November 1813, at Napoleon's defeat, the French had to leave the country. The supporters of the Prince of Orange rioted against the French patriots. People wore an orange ribbon to distinguish themselves and protect themselves from the rioters who were getting their revenge on the French patriots for their oppression.
Religion teacher at Wirdum, Rev. van de Zwaag. Great grandfather read Petrus Timmens at his grandmothers. Read a great deal, his farmer was a member of a reading club and had a great many books. Skated to church at Oostermeer, Rev. Behling. May 12, 1818, went to live with an uncle and run his large farm. Work was light and he had plenty of time to read, uncle had many good old books. He and his friend Arre Gerrits Bakker studied religion and went to hear special preachers: at Heeg, Rev. Bekking, at Ooshem, Rev. Witteveen, at Sneek, Rev, Fokkens, at Wondsend, Rev. Van de velde, at Sybrandahuren, Rev. Wassenaar.
May 12,.1822. moved to a large farm his uncle's son had been working (no place given) April 1, 1821, son born. Landowners of this farm were, cousin, S. Hartstra, and another named S. Rien. Began to breed horses, went to market weekly to Sneek, where he met a baker named Andriesen, on market days groups met to discuss the church and its liberal leanings,
Feb. 4, 1825, bad storm with floods, seadikes broke, flooded Lemsterland. They saved their animals, and wind from Northeast for 4 weeks, dried out the land. 1826- "illness of the gall." His wife had shortly before delivered twin girls- 4th pregnancy in 6 years. Both of the parents were sick with the "gall illness" and couldn't care for the children or the stock. They finally found a woman to help them, who brought 3 children with her, who also got sick, 8 sick people in the house at once, needing a doctor's care. A second cousin took one of the twins to care for 12 weeks. The other twin died at 17 weeks of age. "In the small town of Sneek, 80-90 people died each week."
Following their recovery, great grandfather, as the children grew older, refused to have them take the compulsory smallpox vaccination - also was concerned about singing evangelical songs in church instead of psalms. These two points were where he took a firm stand -- against. He had his reasons -- his belief that they were wrong was enough to make him oppose them, he didn't have to explain why. At this time his church struggles began, he and others wanted to stick to the rulings of the Synod of Dordt, while the church was leaning to newer, more liberal interpretations. He was forced to leave his cousin's farm because he was told he would have to vaccinate his children to stay. They refused to do this, but in the end they found a better farm, below Hallum at North-wieden. Many things worked out well, money from friends and relatives totalled 5500 guilders. They moved on May 12, 1829. Wansword was nearby and that's where his children went to school. Soon they were again told they must be vaccinated, and the Hettemas kept their children at home and educated them there. 1830 and 1831, natural disasters hit, disease of sheep and cattle. Falling into debt, they filed for bankruptcy. The farm was put up to auction for the rent, but there were no takers, so they stayed on there. A friend suggested he hide his furnishings and other possessions, so the process-servers couldn't take it, but he said "This was impossible for us to do because it was untruthful. No, better to be poor." They spent a winter in dire poverty, then the owners, realizing the land was being harmed by lying fallow, reached a new debt agreement with some of the debt forgiven. From then on they prospered,
In 1835, they attended separatist services, where again they were cursed and derided by rabble who were against their conservative stand. They continued- steadfast in their faith. December 4, 1835, his wife died of a "fever" a little less than a month after becoming ill. He expresses beautifully the happiness of their life together and how God had blessed them, in spite of hard times and trials. "I saw her passing from now into eternity... I saw so much glory in her death, that I desired to die with her. I told her I would follow her soon. I really thought it would be like that." Here great grandfather goes further into the separation and the persecution for the truth which they endured. 1834, Rev. Van Velsen, teacher at Drogehem, preached "the pure reformed teachings of the fathers of Dordt of 1618 and 1619, also Rev. de Vlok, teacher at Utrum, Groningen, Rev. Schotte in Gelderland-- all were persecuted when they met in barns or homes. Van Velsen preached in Birdaard, then at great grandfather's housein Hallumswierden. He says the big barn was "full from all sides, about 600 people." (That sounds like a lot to get into a barn, could be an error of the translator.) Finally they were arrested for holding unlawful services on Jan. 7, 1836. He was fined 25 guilders, and Rev. Van Velsen 50 guilders, before a judge in Leeuwarden several weeks later. Rev. Van Velsen also preached in Oenkerk, in a carpenter shop owned by Reindert Van Sieren. Van Sieren was later jailed when he refused to pay a fine.
In summer of 1836, great grandfather was thrown by a beautiful young horse, having so many bones crushed and broken he was paralyzed 3 weeks, then after 3 months able to walk with crutches, recovered after a year. Fortunately at this time he was well off enough to have servants to carry on the work of the farm.
In spring of 1839, great grand father & elder Hamming of Burum, went to Amsterdam as-representatives of Friesland, where the divisions of the church were discussed. After that, because the judges continued to fine the separatists every time more than 19 people attended a meeting, the congregation at Wanswerd elected great grandfather and Lammert Hoogendigh from Ferwerd, to go to the King with a petition against the persecution.
Dec. 14, 1839, they left Leeuwarden for ________? [blank appears in typescript] where they stayed over-night. They travelled by coach. In Amsterdam, where the Rev. Van Velsen now lived, they stayed with him over Sunday, and went to the Hague on Monday. They were to find a Sir Golverdinge, who helped them to find their way, and on Tuesday they were to go to the palace. At 11 A.M. they were to sign their names in the great hall and state their purpose.
At twelve noon they were taken in to the king, who was congenial and listened to each of them in turn as they told of their persecution. The King promised to look into the situation and they returned to Leeuwarden, travelling straight through. It took some time, but before too long, they were granted freedom of religion and their own parish.
He had remarried in summer of 1839, and his second wife bore 3 sons, one of which was our grandfather (I believe the second one) (He was very sparse with names at this point.) In 1841 he got the pox, a very severe case, and so did all six children. None of them had been vaccinated, but his second wife had been. It must have shown him how foolish he had been about the vaccination. During this time he spent much time in meditation and prayer, and also compared himself to Job. He also states that the Lord blessed them greatly from 1836 to 1843, In 1842, the congregation began to build a church. The Hettemas prospered with their farming for 14 years in Hallum. When the owner wanted to live on the place himself, great grandfather looked for another place, belonging to a Miss Buma, "in the south corner" of St. Anna Parish, at Beetgum. They moved May 12, 1843.
He-states they left a large milking farm with only 18 acres of farmland, and moved to a farm of 120 acres, half of it farmland. He mentions 7 years of struggle to keep ahead of the expenses. In Beetgum there was a small congregation founded only a short time. Great grandfather transferred his membership and his elder status, and in a short time, they began to build a building: Great grandfather, N. Ferwerda, an elder, D.W. Vellings, a deacon. The mayor, Mr. Van Swartzenberg, gave them permission to build. Carpenter, H. Hiemstra, woodbuyer, Mr. DeWint, brickman, Ozinga of Berkum, contractors, Jacob Hoogenderp of Boxum, H. Hiemstra of Beetgum. They began to build in April and on July 27, 1845 the church was dedicated. The ceremony was led by Rev. Postmus, from Wilervank. "The Lord's hand could be seen in everything. He was praised with heartfelt Thanksgivihq prayers" "The Lord has shown that His promise never fails, 'I will be with you' ... [ellipsis in typescript] At that time the congregation was more similar to the first Christians than nowadays. The bond of brotherly love was more essential, in one word, man was one in the mutual meetings to break the bread. Where love lives, the Lord sends his blessing."
"From the year 1843 to 1871 I have lived on the farm in the south corner of St. Anna Parish. Through the Lord's goodness we were blessed so that we not only could sell everything clear, but also still saved a lot, that we could live comfortably." In 1859 he lost his second wife, "to find out again how difficult it is to keep house on a large farm with strangers. After 4 years, through the Lord.'s providence, I met a widow again, without children, who was one with me in religion and denomination. I married her in 1863 and up to now I have lived with-her in love and peace, a support and comfort in my old age."
Started that farm in 1843 with 2200, florins, and they made more than fl. 6000 yearly in profit. His improvements when he left (he had paid fl.3000 a yr. rent) the rent was raised to fl. 15000 a year. His work had increased the value of the farm that much. He tells of his church callings and committees. He sat on 6 Synods: 1840 in Amsterdam, just when King William II was crowned) 1845, separatists had Synod in Groningen for Friesland and Groningen churches, apart from Holland and Gelderland. 1849 in Amsterdam, cholera was present, add many wanted to adjourn, but the majority chose to stay until their work was finished, at the urging of the Rev. Van Velsen. 1854 in Zwolle, he represented Friesland, and this Synod decided to start a theology school in Kampen. 1857 in Leiden- representative, settled doctrines and creeds; 1863 in Franeker, a second (substitute) for a few days. He says that attending such conferences adds much to one's faith and learning. His congregation, small and poor in the beginning is by 1877 almost "400 souls, of which 100 are members who have the right and calling to participate in the Lord's Supper."
Teachers they had in the congregation: Rev. Meyer 1848, Rev. Kerstins, 1873; Rev. Kempf, 1876; from Intfen, 3 others he didn't name. He lived 28 years in St. Anna Parish at the time of his writing, age 76. One of his sons, signed only T.E. added a small postscript and had the book printed, no place or date, unfortunately. The son praised his father's work and love of God and the church. He stated that his father died August 3, 1882 at 85 years and 3 months. (This was 6 years before our father was born, grandfather had come to the U.S. in 1881.) In his last reminiscences, great grandfather again names some of his children, but not our grandfather, Anske Hettema. He mentions his son Wieger, youngest from his first marriage, died when not yet 40, who lived on a large farm at Gislum, a respected & religious man. The youngest son from his second marriage had died two months before from the pox, having not been vaccinated, and still refused to have his 2 children inocculated. He was a teacher at the Christian Calvin Reformed Church at Giesendam, where he died Nov. 1, 1871, and where he is buried. This would be our grand-father's younger brother. He had studied diligently on his own, and with various teachers, and wanted to attend the theology school in Kampen. This he did with a loan until he was old enough to inherit from his mother. In August of 1877, great grandfather's eldest son, Pieter, died, here he gives the birthdate April 1, 1821. Pieter had married a second time, and left a son and daughter. (no places this time.)
At this point, great grandfather concluded with a 7-page dissertation about his early lack of faith, his continuing growth in the faith, and many profound thoughts about the love, patience and goodness of God.
His religious writings might seem boring to some, but,to me, they are as filled with meaning as writings of St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and others I have read. I only wish he had been more careful about the names and dates of all his children, but my hope is that I can spend some time in Friesland, where I can find records of all of them. I also hope to be able to trace backwards from great-great grandfather Pieter Hettes Hettema. Who knows how far back I may be able to go? It will be hard work, but interesting. Up until now I can only say I'm very proud of my heritage, both-religious and secular. I hope to eventually show the original book to a Friesian librarian or genealogist who can help. On my trip to Leeuwarden I didn't have time, but I found a lot of Hettemas in the phone book. I intend to write to all or some of them.
(Synopsis completed by Bettie Hutter, Aug. 6, 1985)