The Baptismal Record of Petrus

After researching the local history, it became apparent that the Catholics of Best used the Sint-Odulphus Church at the time of Petrus' birth. (Before the year 1795, this church was in the hands of the Protestants.) At the time of my visit to the church, it was confirmed that Petrus was baptized there on October 20, 1808. This date is not to be confused with August 20, 1808, for 8bris does not mean the eighth month, or August, but is Latin for October. Many mistakes have been made in connection with this notation. For instance, at the marriage of Petrus with Petronella van den Brand in Sint Michielsgestel the registrar wrote his baptismal date as August 20th, 1808, which is incorrect.

The following illustration mentions two baptismal witnesses: Joannes de Weert, and Cornelia van der Vleuten. Upon further research it becomes apparent that Joannes de Weert is the owner of the farm which later shows to be the presumable location of Petrus’ first hours of life. Cornelia van der Vleuten, married to Jan Roche, was known as the innkeeper.

Pastor Joannes van Coll of Nuenen evidently baptized Petrus. The Census of 1810 shows that this pastor was a widower. Upon inquiry at the presbytery, I was told that

this notation was indeed correct. Upon the pastor’s death of April 22, 1828, the parish of Nuenen noted that he had received all seven sacraments; which includes the sacrament of marriage. His marriage was childless. Van Coll had apparently become a priest after his wife had passed away.

In 1804, he became the pastor of Best.

The baptismal record of family patriarch Petrus van der Sloot

DTB File 4.2 Folio 144 Regional Archive Eindhoven Translation above Baptismal Record

1808   20 8bris

Petrus   Baptized is on condition Petrus Van

Der Sloot, parents unknown who

was found. Baptismal witnesses Joannes De Weert and Cornelia Van Der Vleuten

 

The French Era

In 1810 our Kingdom of the Netherlands was captured and united with the French Empire. Subsequently, many a manor and village were reconfigured into municipalities. This did not occur with Oirschot and Best however, for they had been in variance with one another for centuries. One matter of dispute was the very frugal ground of the Bester-broek area, which had become property of Best by deed in 1335. In the eyes of the inhabitants of Oirschot, this property was common ground. The people of Best were registered at Oirschot. Within the Census of 1810 (written in French), I discovered, to my relief, that Petrus was registered as a Best inhabitant under number 4353 (see document). He was registered under the name of Pierre (Peter) van der Sloot; two-year- old boy; Lieu de la Naissance (French for the place of birth) Best; with the annotation of “enfant trouvé” (found child). This entry describes our family patriarch's profile exactly, thus establishing that indeed he lived in Best. The 29-year-old widow Elisabeth Verhoeven (number 4350) and her family took him in. She had two children of her own: Daniel van den Ven (number 4351), six years of age; Adrien (Adriaan) van de Ven, four years of age. The profession of Elisabeth was ouvriffre (laborer), and the religion of the family was Catholic. On October 23, 1803 Elisabeth Verhoeven had married Adriaan Daandels van de Ven, who subsequently passed away on February 8, 1805 in Best (DTB Oirschot Inv. 4.3).

Census of Best in 1810

(Regional Archive Eindhoven, Census Records Best No. 4350 - 4353)

- 10 -

 

Census 1821

At the time of the Census of 1821 (see illustration below), we notice that the document was now recorded in the Dutch language, and Petrus was no longer registered with the Elisabeth Verhoeven family. Note also that people were assigned dwelling house numbers in addition to personal numbers. Elisabeth Verhoeven lived at the beginning of the street at number 222, and her neighbor, Cornelia van der Vleuten (witness at Petrus’ baptism), now lived at number 223. Upon researching the Title Registry, it became clear to me that Elisabeth Verhoeven owned no real estate. This in contrast with her new neighbor Cornelia van der Vleuten. On October 6, 1820, shortly after the death of Cornelia’s husband, Jan Roche, she sold her house (number 932), court, and adjacent land to the oil-crusher Hendrikus van der Heijden. On one side of this house was situated the Presbytery and on the other side Peter Monen which was at the end of the Gemeente street. Thus Cornelia van der Vleuten was the neighbor of pastor van Coll before she came to live next to Elisabeth Verhoeven.

Census of Best of 1821

(Regional Archive Eindhoven, Census Records Best, Dwelling House No. 222-223)

- 11 -

 

Census 1826

On the census of 1826, printed at the bottom of this page, we find living with Jan Vogels a 17-year-old Peter Slootmans born in Best. With this data, I searched through the birth records of Best from 1808 until 1815, without finding any Slootmans at all; however, I did come across the birth record of Petrus van der Sloot again. From this, one can draw but one conclusion: the farmhand of Jan Vogels is not Peter Slootmans, but our patriarch Petrus van der Sloot.

Census of Best of 1826

(Regional Archive Eindhoven, Census Records Best (Aarle) Inventory No. 5 Dwelling House No. 277)

Translation above document

NAMES		PROFESSION	FIRST NAMES BIRTHDATE OR AGE	BIRTHPLACE	RELIGION	MARRIED UNMARRIED OR WIDOW
Vogels	Jan	Farmer	42 years	Best	R. Catholic	Married
...
...
...
Slootmans	Peter	laborer	17	idem ditto	R. Catholic	Unmarried

Judicial Archive

- 12 -

 

Once it was established that Petrus had been baptized in Best and had lived there for some time, it was time to research at the Judicial Archive of Oirschot. All legal cases of the inhabitants of Best were heard at the Schepenbank van Oirschot (City Official's Office of Oirschot), and it seemed likely to me that witnesses were questioned about the case of the newborn baby that had been placed as a foundling. My instincts were confirmed when the following statements, made by various inhabitants of the city of Best, were uncovered, putting some light to the facts of this wondrous story.

These statements will cover the following four pages.

- 13 -

 

Legal Statement

Judicial Archief Oirschot

(Miscellaneous Documents) Inventory No. 61 Folio 127

Statement

of Arnoldus Merks and

others for the Officer

Appeared before City Officials of Oirschot Catharina van den Heuvel, housewife of Johannes de Weert, resident locally, known by us, and having a good name and reputation, who as the honest truth has made known and professed which she does near and in front of such per requisition of A Lemmens Schout civil servant van ‘t Schout registrar here that on Sunday the sixteenth of the same before the afternoon at about eleven o’clock at her home arrived was Theodora van den Broek, widow ofMattijs Koppens, coresident locally and that the same remained at her house till about two o’clock in the afternoon and next from her house so she indicated went to Jenneke Rogier Vogels’ house, wife of Martinus Leppers, that the appeared [Catharina van den Heuvel], without at present having had any suspicion, had perceived certain signs on the floor on the spot where before mentioned Theodora van den Broek had been sitting of a woman that had probably given birth. And appeared also Jenneke Rogier Vogels, housewife of Martinus Leppers co-resident locally, having a good name and reputation whom in all per requisition declared that before mentioned: Theodora van den Broek on the same day in the afternoon around five o’clock appeared at her home and remained approximately a quarter of an hour, that the appeared ..

- 14 -

 

Legal Statement Continued

... at that time of the same [Jenneke Rogier Vogels] without much afterthought had noticed that the same [Theodora van den Broek] was not well, in that she changed colors frequently but having had no further suspicion at that time even after her departure at the spot where she had been sitting the

signs discovered of a woman which had given birth.

And lastly appeared also Arnoldus Merks age about twenty and eight years resident locally and having with us a good name and reputation the Same in all per requisition as before declared that he the same day in the afternoon between three and four o’clock not far from the houses of the first and second appeared in order by coincidence and upon hearing a distinct sound from a Ditch there had found a newborn child covered with dirt, sand, and foliage of which nothing was visible but a foot.

This the appeared have been read to clearly and declared that in that manner is true in reason and to their knowledge given that the same which was written still clearly lay in their memory and having paid attention carefully to the writing of the same with solemn oath confirmed voluntarily by the hand of van den Schout civil servant A: Lemmens and before A: van der ...

- 15 -

 

Legal Statement Continued

Sande and J:Teurlinxs Schepenen in Oirschot the eighteenth of October 1800 eight [18 Oct 1808] Jenneke Rogier Vogels and Arnoldus Merks

X X

declared neither of them could write

Catrine van den huvel

H van der Sande

Jan Teurlincx

J Schouw.

Statement of

Hendr: van Gestel and his housewife.

Appeared City Officials of Oirschot Hendrik van Gestel and Annemie Vogels his housewife residents locally, known by us and having a good name and reputation, whom for the honest truth made known and professed, which they do near and in front of such per requisition of A: Lemmens schout civil servant van ‘t schout registrar here, that they are very well acquainted with the person of Theodora van den Broek, widow of Mattijs

Koppens as having with the appeared from the last Pentecost on in the same home in a separate apartment lived and that they, to the best of their knowledge according to the outward signs seemed and appeared ...

- 16 -

 

Legal Statement Continued

... that the same for some time pregnant went.

And declared the second appeared in order the previously mentioned widow Mattijs Koppens now recently on the seventeenth of this month of October saw and spoke to, and that to her as if the outward signs as to the best of her knowledge appeared as if the same had given birth, which suspicion was confirmed by finding an undershirt at that time in her house, which showed the signs of a

woman which had given childbirth very visibly. This the appeared clearly have been read to declared that in that manner is true in

reason and to their knowledge given that the same which was written still clearly lay in their memory and having paid attention carefully to the writing of the same with solemn oath confirmed voluntarily by the hand of van den Schout civil servant A: Lemmens and before

H: van den Sande

J: Teurlincx

Schepenen in Oirschot the twenty and ninth of October 1800 and eight X X

declared not to be able to write

H vander Sande

J. Schouw

Jan Teurlincx

- 17 -

 

Summary of the Legal Statements

Keeping in mind the goal of finding out more about the act of placing the baby as a foundling, the statements gave me new perspectives into further research.

The first witness Catharina van den Heuvel, the spouse of Johannes de Weert (Wert, Weerdt)–a name that was written several different ways at that time –declared that Theodora van den Broek on 16 October at about 11 o’clock arrived at her home and stayed there until about two o’clock.

From this statement, it appears that she knew Theodora van den Broek well and that Theodora was the widow of Mattijs Koppens. She also declared that the floor of her house in the spot where Theodora van den Broek had been sitting showed signs of childbirth. From these lines I concluded that Petrus had been born in the immediate proximity of the home of Catharina van den Heuvel and her husband Johannes de Weert sometime between eleven in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Next Theodora van den Broek said to Catharina van den Heuvel that she was going to Jenneke Vogels’ house where she did not arrive until five o’clock, according to the latter. Between the hours of two and three o’clock this mother must have been busy with the preparations of disposing of our patriarch Petrus, because, according to the statement of Arnoldus Merks, he found him that same day between three and four o’clock. Another argument could be that Petrus from two until three or four o’clock had been lying in the ditch.

Arnoldus Merks makes his discovery after following baby sounds coming from a ditch near the homes of Johannes de Weert and Martinus Leppers. When he got closer, he first discovered a little foot then the child, which was naked and covered with dirt, sand, and foliage.

Above statements were made on October 18, 1808 under oath at the City Official's Office of Oirschot.

Thirteen days later on October 29, 1808, additional statements we're made regarding this event. This time from the persons in whose house Theodora lived during her pregnancy. Annemie Vogels and Hendrik van Gestel state that they know Theodora van den Broek, widow of Mattijs Koppens, well and that they provided a place for her to live, in a separate apartment, from Pentecost 1808 on. They had also noticed that Theodora was pregnant. When Annemie Vogels on October 17, 1808 spoke with Theodora van den Broek she noticed that she was no longer pregnant. Around that same time, she confirmed this conclusion when she discovered evidence in the form of an undershirt in her house on which signs of childbirth were present.

The discovery of these statements brought many new facets into the case, which can all be studied and elaborated upon individually. As mentioned before, I set the goal in this publication to study the identity of Petrus further, as well as the circumstances of his birth. I therefore proceeded with my search by asking the following questions:

1. Who was Theodora van den Broek, widow of Mattijs Koppens and mother of Petrus?

2. Where was the home of Johannes de Weert, birthplace of Petrus?

My hopes and expectations were that Theodora van den Broek would also have had to appear before the City Officials after these hearings on her delivery, but unfortunately, I found no statements from her.

- 18 -

 

At six months’ pregnancy, she was confronted with the drowning of her son, Antonius. Witnesses made statements about this sad occurrence, which follow.

Judicial Archive Oirschot (Miscellaneous Documents) Inventory No. 61 Folio 119

Statement
of
Den Doopt, Dr. A; de Roy

Appeared before City Officials of Oirschot the undersigned Mr. A De Roy, medical doctor locally, who has declared that he near and in front of such under oath from the commencement of his service per requisition of A: Lemmens Schout civil servant van t Schout registrar here that he yesterday the fifteenth of this in the early evening per request of the court here properly escorted visited at the home of the widow Mattijs Koppens, resident here at Spoordonk and discovered her son age by estimate twelve years lying dead after examination became clear that the same was choked and drowned in the water without any means of recovery of the same with the expectation of any success to begin with. This the appeared has been read to clearly declared that in that manner is true and truthful and has on this same as a sign of truth with his own signature confirmed in presence of and before Mr. H; van der Sande and H; van den Bosch City Officials in Oirschot the sixteenth of July 1800 and eight.

- 20 -

 

Judicial Archive Oirschot (Miscellaneous Documents) Inventory No. 61 Folio 120

Statement
of
Lourens Johannes van den Heuvel

Appeared before City Officials of Oirschot the latter mentioned Lourens Johannes van den Heuvel resident locally and having a good name and reputation whom for the honest truth made known and professed which he did near and front of such and per requisition of A; Lemmens Schout civil servant here, that he yesterday the fifteenth of this in the afternoon around two o’clock learned, that a child drowned in the stream, walked toward it and retrieved from the water a naked child by estimate twelve years, and as the appeared learned was the child of the widow Mattijs Koppens, resident here whom thereafter by the neighbors with a wagon was brought home. This the appeared clearly has been read to declared that in that manner is true in reason and to his knowledge given that the same which was written lay in his memory clearly and having paid attention carefully to the writing of the same with solemn oath confirmed voluntarily by the hand of H; van der Sande and H; van den Bosch City Officials in Oirschot the sixteenth of July 1800 and eight.

Lourens van den Heuvel H; van der Sande

H; v/d Bosch

- 21 -

 

Judicial Archive Oirschot (Miscellaneous Documents) Inventory No. 61 Folio 121

Statement
of the Court

We; A: Lemmens Schout, H; van der Sande and H van den Bosch City Officials declare herewith by oath at the commencement of our respective service done that we on this date made our way to the home of the widow Mattijs Koppens by Spoordonk at this place found her son named as she said Antonius and age around twelve years lying dead and thus as it appeared to us was suffocated or drowned in the water.

Oirschot the fifteenth of July 1800 and eight.

H; van der Sande   A; Lemmens

H; V/D Bosch

Summary Judicial Archive at Oirschot

When Lourens Johannes van den Heuvel on July 15, 1808, around two o’clock in the afternoon learned that a child had drowned in the stream, he walked over there and retrieved the naked boy of about twelve years old from the water. He also learned that the boy was the son of Theodora van den Broek. Next, the neighbors took the boy to his home by wagon. Doctor A. De Roy, by request of the City Officials, made his way to the house of Theodora van den Broek and established that the boy had drowned in the water. The City Officials A. Lemmens, H. van der Sande, and H. van den Bosch also appeared at the house of Theodora van den Broek in Spoordonk, where they also declared that the child had suffocated or drowned. Theodora further explained that the boy's name was Antonius.

- 22 -

 

Marriage Theodora van den Broek

Previous documents make mention of the fact that Theodora van den Broek was born in Oirschot and widowed of Mathijs Coppens. The following marriage certificate points out that she was born in Oirschot and had married Mathijs Coppens.

Marriage Certificate Theodora Anthony van den Broek and Mathijs Johannes Coppens (DTB Oirschot Inventory No. 33 Folio 104)

To-day the sixteenth of June 1700 ninety and two there are before the magistrate here espoused Mattijs Johannes Coppens widower of the late Cornelia Johanna van Mierlo and the Theodora Anthony van den Broek daughter of age both born and living within the free and lovely Oirschot by the gentlemen misters Bernard de Jongh and Cornelis Kemps City Officials at Oirschot.

B de Jongh   C.G. Kemps

To-day the first of July 1700 ninety and two, there are before the magistrate here the above mentioned espoused persons after three decent proclamations been shown the account of the sovereign thereof are in holy matrimonial state confirmed by the gentlemen Misters Bernard de Jongh and Cornelis Kemps City Officials at Oirschot

B de Jongh   C.G, Kemps

- 23 -

 

Summary Family Chart of Theodora van den Broek and Mathijs Coppens

Surname:	Broek van den	Surname:	Coppens
Name:	Theodora Anthony	Name:	Mathijs Johannesse
Birth Place:	Oirschot	Birth Place:	Oirschot
Birth Date:	8 May 1770	Birth Date:	20 Nov 1749
	(Census Boxtel)		(DTB Oirschot inv 32 Folio 11)
Father:	Antony van den Broek	Father:	Joannes Coppens
Mother:	Maria van den Velden	Mother:	Ursula Wilhelmus van Overbeeck
Place of Death:	Boxtel	Place of Death:	Oirschot
Date of Death:	8 July 1813	Date of Death:	23 March 1806
	(RS Boxtel)		(DTB Oirschot inv 16)
1st Place of Marriage:	Oirschot	Place of 1st Marriage:	Oirschot
1st Date of Marriage:	1 July 1792	Date of 1st Marriage:	1 March 1778
	(DTB Oirschot Inv 33 Folio 104)	Name of 1st Spouse:	Cornelia Jans van Mierlo
		Date of Death 1st Spouse:	25 February 1791
		Place of 2nd Marriage:	Oirschot
		Date of 2nd Marriage:	1 July 1792
			(DTB Oirschot Inv 33 Folio 104)

When Theodora van den Broek lived at the apartment of Hendrik van Gestel and Annemie Vogels in Best in the summer of 1808, she had three living children: Cornelius, Ursula, and Maria. Her stepchildren, the children from the first marriage of Mattijs Coppens: Joanna and Joannes, were 29 and 20 years old.

- 24 -

 

The following children are from the 2nd marriage of Mattijs Koppens to Theodora van den Broek

	CHILDREN Names	Birthplace and Date	Place of Death and Date	Comments
1	Cornelius Coppens	April 2 A ril 1 Oirschot   793	Liem de 21 May 18P   Y   75	Stated to be a Child of Mathijs
		(DTB Oirschot inv 14 folio 105)	(MvS St Oedenrode Inv103- 196)	Married Maria Catharina van der Staak
2	Antonius Coppens	Oirschot, 28 November 1795	Oirschot, 15 July 1808	Drowned
		(DTB Oirschot inv 14 folio 117	(DTB Oirschot Inv16 folio 25)
3	Ursula Coppens	Oirschot, 7 June 1798	Oirschot, 31 January 1854	Remained Unwed
		(DTB Oirschot inv 14 folio 134)	(DTB Oirschot Inv 25 folio 4)
4	Maria Coppens	Oirschot, 25 February 1801	Oirschot, 23 November 1811
		(RS Oirschot   Doc 159	(RS Oirschot Doc 159
5	(Cornelius?)		Oirschot, 17 May 1805	(Stillborn?)
			(DTB Oirschot Inv16 Folio 16)	“Died a child of Mathijs Coppens”

- 25 -

 

The following children are from the 1st marriage of Mathijs Coppens to Cornelia van Mierlo

	CHILDREN Names	Birthplace and Date	Place of Death and Date	Comments
1	Joanna Coppens	Oirschot, 15 February 1779	Oirschot, 5 June 1856
		(DTB Oirschot inv 14 folio 34)	(RS Oirschot inv 25 folio 12)
2	Joannes Coppens	Oirschot, 10 February 1781	Oirschot, 2 January 1790
		(DTB Oirschot inv 14 folio 44)	(Burial Records, Oirschot 32.65)
3	Aldegondis Coppens	Oirschot, 27 January 1784	Oirschot, 5 December 1790
	(Twin)	(DTB Oirschot Inv 14 folio 58)	(Burial Records Oirschot 32.65)
4	Wilhelmina Coppens	Oirschot, 27 January 1784	Oirschot, 9 December 1790
		(DTB Oirschot inv 14 folio 58)	(Burial RecordsOirschot 32.65)
5	Joannes Coppens pp	Oirschot 21 February 1788	Oirschot, 12 June 1847	Married Jeanne van Boxtel
		(DTB Oirschot inv 14 folio 79)	(RS Oirschot inv 24 folio 13)

- 26 -

 

Theodora van den Broek back in the Picture Again

On October 17,1808, Theodora van den Broek still had contact with Annemie Vogels, as is shown in the statements of October 29, 1808. From that moment on, not a trace of her is to be found in the records of Best. She is not listed as one of the 1,790 residents of Best in the 1810 census. I searched for her name in the censuses of towns or villages in the surrounding area. I soon found her at the Regional Archive of Boxtel

(Gemeentearhief Boxtel) in the census of 1810 under number 1899, as shown in the following document. What strikes me as interesting is that on the page before this document (folio 143), the registered people shared her same surname. Upon further research, it shows that the head of this family was her elder brother, Petrus. The most important issue at hand was to have found her again which increased the possibility of tracking her.

Census Boxtel 1810 (in French)

(Regional Archive of Boxtel, Census Boxtel, Folio 143)

NO D’ORDRE	NOMS	PRÉNOMS	Jour, mois etAnnée de la Naissance	Nombre D’ Année	Lieu de Naissance	Profession
Number	Name	First Names	Day, Month and Year of Birth	Age	Birthplace	Profession
1896	Broek v.d.	Piet	25 March 1755	55	Best	Day-Laborer
1897	Witte	Anna Maria	1 October 1759	51	Oerle	Housewife
1898	Broek v.d.	Maria	29 August 1800	10	Boxtel	Daughter

Census Boxtel 1810

(Regional Archive Boxtel, Census Boxtel, Folio 144)

- 27 -

 

Death of Theodora

Theodora’s stay in Boxtel was short lived. She passed away on July 8,1813. The death certificate is printed in French, and the English translation is also given.

Death Certificate Theodora van den Broek

(Registration Service Boxtel 1813 Document No. 52 Folio 27)

In the year eighteen hundred thirteen, July ninth, at nine o’clock in the morning appeared before the mayor, public servant of the municipality of Boxtel

Cornelus Vugts, farmhand living in Boxtel – age thirtyone-years-old, who claims to be the friend of the

deceased: -and Cornelus Korsten -living in Boxtel, farmhand age twenty and five years who claims to be the friend of the deceased; whom have declared unto us that Theodora van den Broek widow of Mattijs Koppens - daughter of Antony van den Broek and of Maria van der Velden age forty years

born at Oirschot, Department of the Mouth of the Rijn, last living in Boxtel - Department of the Mouth of the Rijn has passed away the eighth of July eighteen hundred and thirteen domicile Kalfsheuvel at six o’clock in the evening. After the death certificate was read to the appeared informants, they signed, except for the first appeared person who declared not to be able to sign or write.

 

Cornelus Korsten - the Mayor, Public Servant of the Registrar’s Office - A.F. Spielman

Search for the Birth Location of Forefather Petrus

In a previous summary, mention was made that Petrus was born at the home of Johannes de Weert. Drawing that conclusion presented a new challenge, namely pinpointing the location of the home of Johannes de Weert and his wife Catharina van den Heuvel. I realized that this information was not immediately at my disposal, for the office of land registry did not come into existence until 1832. Since the name Johannes de Weert did not appear in the land registry of 1832, this search had to be done in a round about way, the simplest version of which is rendered in this publication. The first method was to retrieve the death certificate, for often these certificates provide information that may prove to be useful. The next step was to see if a will was made. Probate records can be simple to research, however they may contain complicated language.

The second method of research was to study the census of Best of 1810 and then track the people who lived in the neighborhood of Johannes de Weert.

A third method was to check the land records for a possible land sale of Johannes de Weert’s property between the time of 1810 and 1832. The Notarial Archive Oirschot records short notations of all real estate transactions.

There were numerous potential routes, which lead to finding the exact location of Johannes de Weert’s home, but as previously mentioned I began by studying his death certificate (see below). This document is written in French since he passed away in 1811(during the French Regime).

Death Certificate Johannes de Weert (DTB File Best 1811 Inventory 4.3)

 

Translation previous Death Certificate

Death Certificate

In the year eighteen hundred and eleven the twenty and fifth day of the month of June at four o’clock in the morning appeared before me, Mayor, Public Servant of the Registration Department of the Municipality of Oirschot Martin [Martien]van Collenburg, farmer age thirty-seven years and Pierre [Peter / Piet] van Meulengraaf city counsel member age twenty and four who have declared that Jean de Wert [Johannes de Weert] their neighbor passed away the twenty and fifth of the month of June at two o’clock in the morning in his Domicile N885 in the hamlet of Verrenbest. After this certificate that I wrote up was read to the above mentioned they have signed it with me.

P.J. van de Meulegraaf X

(?)

Summary Death Certificate

This document mentioned important facts for our research. It established that Johannes de Weert passed away on June 25, 1811 and that the witnesses were his neighbors Martien van Collenburg and Peter or Piet van de Meulengraaf. It also mentioned that he passed away at his residence –885 in Verrenbest, presumably the location where Petrus was born.

- 30 -

 

Last Will and Testament of Johannes de Weert

Notaries Archive Oirschot Inventory No. 326 Document 91

Testament
Of
Johannes Jan de Weert

Appeared before City Officials of Oirschot the below mentioned Johannes Jan de Weert, farmer and resident here, known by us, his mind and judgment being clear and having its full capacity as has been shown to us, who declared, which he does at this time about his temporary possessions, which he and his housewife Catharina Leenderts van den Heuvel posses, to wish to dispose and pass on to the appeared person to his only and universal heiress, after his passing to name and appoint the above mentioned: Catharina Leenderts van den Heuvel and this with all which he shall clear and leave behind, without any exception.

Moreover declared the appeared person to want and to desire that after the passing of the longest living person of the two of them, the real estate previously acquired by his side as well as the connected and currently standing boughten new farmland will go to and be inherited by their accumulative brothers and sisters each sharing one by one and at the event of the passing of one or more of them their own child or children in the place of their parents.

- 31 -

 

Death certificate continued

Finally declared the appeared person as heirs after the passing of the longest living of the both of them, for half to name and appoint the before mentioned: His sisters and brothers and at the passing of one or more of them their

lawful descendants in their parents’ place and this concerns all the real estate standing plus that which was bought and acquired since marriage as also half of all the furniture, personal possessions and whatever else may be found.

This has been read clearly to the appeared person, he declared to be in accordance with his testament and last will, desiring that this same document in that manner after his

passing shall come in effect completely.

As we did and passed the inspection before the Misters Gerrit Essens and Jasper de Roy, City Officials, who accepted such of the appeared person and I the secretary, after finishing the reading have signed in Oirschot June twelve, eighteen hundred and eleven.

Johannes de Wert

G; Essens J.L: Rooy J.S. Schouw

 

- 32 -

 

Summary Last Will and Testament of Johannes de Weert

With this last will and testament of the longest living spouse, made up before Notary J.S. Schouw, Johannes de Weert attempted, 13 days before his passing, to appoint his wife as the only and universal heir. He also stated that after the passing of the longest living heir–in this case Catharina Leenderts van den Heuvel–his property that he brought into the marriage, plus that which was acquired during their marriage, will be inherited by his brother(s) and sister(s).

This document reveals immediately that Johannes de Weert and Catharina Leenderts van den Heuvel did not have children, and that his brother or sister, or their children will probably inherit his home of N-885.

A brief investigation that I undertook on this matter showed that the heirs of the home N-885 would be one of the following family members:

Catharina de Wert, born in Oirschot 25 August 1756

(DTB Oirschot Inventory No. 11 Folio 163)

Henricus de Wert, born in Oirschot 18 October 1759

(DTB Oirschot Inventory No. 11 Folio 185)

Helena de Wert, born in Oirschot 24 April 1762

(DTB Oirschot Inventory No. 13 Folio 13) and wedded to

Hendrick Jans van Taartwijk in Oirschot on 20 February 1791

(DTB Oirschot Inventory No. 33 Folio 94)

Anna Maria de Wert, born in Oirschot 6 January 1765

(DTB Oirschot Inventory No. 13 Folio 23) and wedded to Jan Hendricx Smits in Oirschot on 17 May 1801 (DTB Oirschot Inventory No. 33 Folio 169)

Another option for pinpointing the exact location of Johannes de Weert’s home was by way of the neighbors. Martin Collenburg was one of the known neighbors, for he was mentioned on the death certificate. I hoped to be able to retrieve the location of his home through the census.

As luck would have it, the census of Best of 1810 shows that indeed Martin van Collenburg was the neighbor of Johannes de Weert. Johannes did not have children, as this document also reveals, but did have employees, namely Dirk van den Ven, a 26- year-old worker who is from Best; Corneil Coppens a 16-year-old worker from Oirschot; and the maid, Henriette van der Meeren, 18 years old, from Son.

- 33 -

 

Census of Best of 1810 (Regional Archive Eindhoven, Census Best Nos. 4907 and 4908)

- 34 -

 

Tax Assessment List Johannes de Weert

The document on this page shows the possessions of which Johannes de Weert had to pay taxes. We learned very little from it; N-885 is listed as Home and Stead. We were unsuccessful in finding the location of his home with this document, so my focus shifted to the inheritance papers of the neighbors, the Collenburg family.

Tax Assessment List Verrenbest IV 1806 Inventory No. 348

- 35 -

 

Discovery of the Inheritance Document

While going through the index at the Notarial Archive in Oirschot, I made a very important discovery, namely the inheritance of the Collenburg family dated 8 August 1818. Of the notes taken in the document, only the relevant portion is printed on the following page–namely the portion that was allotted to the son Leonardus van Collenburg.

Notarial Archive in Oirschot 1818

(Document Notes Inventory No. 333 Document 1278)

Lot Eight

Existing home with stead No. 886 size approximately two lop [measurement of area] forty-two rods located south of Verrenbest, East and South Johannes de Weerdt, West, the city s’Bosch, North the “Gemeene” street, taxed with one lease of four barrels rye / 4 barrels / bossenmaat [measurement of volume], to be paid annually at the shelter in s’Bosch.

Unanimously, the goods with the estimated lease in the amount of one-eighth equal value being distributed, is, per request of the partitioners, with the same afore mentioned shareholder as declared by the Mister Judge of the Peace over the canton of Oirschot.

- 36 -

 

Summary Previous Document

By reading this document, I established that on 8 August 1818 Leonardus van Collenburg became the legal owner of the home N-886. Johannes de Weert bordered this property on the east and south side, on the west side by the city of Den Bosch, and on the North side by the “Gemeene” Street. The Office of Land Registry did not start registering until 1832, and I hoped to find Leonardus van Collenburg listed as a property owner at that time. As luck would have it, in 1832 Leonardus van Collenburg was indeed the registered owner of home N-886, and was mentioned in the Land Registry under article 219. In the first map, drawn out by surveyor 1st class B. Bijnen over section B of Best and the area Hooge Vleut, this home is found under section number B-626 (see map printed with photos of Johannes de Weert farmhouse). However, my search was aimed at the property of Johannes de Weert that bordered the Leonardus van Collenburg land on the east and south side, and thus I concluded it to be Section B-623, the exact site where our patriarch Petrus was born. In the year 1832, the owners of this home (marked on the Land Registry Map as Section B-623) were probably the heirs of Johannes de Weert. Further inquiry established (under the Land Registry index inventory number 981 and article number 458) that the owners were Hendrik, Cornelis, and Anne Maria van Taartwijk. These people were the children of Hendrik van Taartwijk and Helena de Wert (sister of Johannes de Weert) and thus heirs. This transferal of ownership took place after the passing of Catharina van den Heuvel (see Memorandum of Succession Inventory No. 7 Memorandum No. 420). Ten years before her death, on 16 October 1814, Catharina van den Heuvel had married blacksmith Hendrik van den Boom (RS Oirschot Inventory No. 12 Folio 16). On 24 December 1824, Catharina van den Heuvel passed away, and later a document was written regarding the disposal of property. Because this Memorandum of Succession document takes up a lot of space, I limited myself to printing only the relevant pieces concerning the recipients of Taartwijk.

- 37 -

 

Memorandum of Succession (Notarial Archive OIrschot) Inventory No. 7 Memorandum no. 420

V. 74

Entered on the Day-registered part 4 folio 21 plot 74 on the twentieth june 1800 twenty and five.

- 38 -

 

Memorandum of declaration of the Estate of Catharina van den Heuvel

We the undersigned Leendert and Jan van der Sande, builders, Hendrik van den Boom, blacksmith, Hendrik van Taartwijk, Cornelius van Taartwijk and Anna Maria Van Taartwijk assisted by my husband Jan Kemps, builders, all living in Best, and lastly Johanna Maria de Wert, herewith assisted by my husband Jan Smits, builder, living in Oirschot Province North (Noord) Braband together chosen domicile at the home of the mentioned Hendrik van der Boom in Best, above- mentioned Province declare herewith That Catharina van den Heuvel on the twenty and fourth of December 1800 twenty and four in Best, afore-mentioned Province has passed away and lastly was domiciled there....

Catharina van den Heuvel, through usufruct (the right to use) had the following goods together with the bare possessions until her death, but of the possessions now in accordance to the dun of the law of the right of Succession Dated 27 December 1817, in accordance with the Last Will and Testament passed by the Notary Schouw and witnesses in Oirschot the thirteenth of June 1811 properly registered belonging to Johanna Maria de Wert....

Memorandum of Succession Continued

- 40 -

 

...housewife of Jan Smits, and Hendrik Cornelis and Anna Maria van Tartwijk and of which are in accordance with article:1 the mentioned law no succession rights owed: 1st A Parcel of Land called “de weide” (the pasture) size 16 rods [roeden]

2nd A Parcel *** six 62 rods 4 ells [ellen]

3rd A Parcel *** the adjoining size a hectare

4th A Parcel grass named “het Zandkuilge” (the Sandpit)

5th A Parcel *** named “de Palgard” size 16 rods 8 ells

6th A Parcel Land named “de Oude kamp” (the Old Camp)size 36 rods 6 ells 7th A Parcel *** Named “de Nieuwe kamp” (the New Camp)

size 54 rods 8 ells

8th A parcel of Land “aan de Heide de Nieuwenkamp” (at the Moor the New Camp) size 37 rods 8 ells

9th A parcel grass named “de koeweide” (the cow pasture)

10th A parcel grass and “Land het Zonderen” size 37 rods 6 ells

11th A parcel grass “het Kampke” (the Camp) size 54 rods 12 ells

12th A parcel *** “De Diepsteeg” (the Deep Alley)

13th A parcel “de Bakensbeemd” (the Beacons Field) size 37 rods 6 ells

14th a parcel “Land de Nieuwe kamp” (Land the New Camp) size 37 rods 6 ells 15th A Parcel “Teulland” size 26 rods 7 ells

Written out goods are all situated south of Best

Furthermore, we declare that Usufruct has expired. Oirschot the 20th of July 1825

L V D Sanden, J V D Sanden H V Tartwijk, C V Taartwijk J A Kemps

Jan Smits

The remaining heirs declare unable to sign their names.

- 41 -

 

Topographical Configuration of the Patriarch’s Birthplace

Johannes de Weert lived near the intersection where the road from St. Oedenrode and Son on the East crossed the road from Best on the West. On the survey map of 1832 (see below) the parcel of Johannes de Weert is indicated with a circle (Section No. B-623). The Steenweg that runs from Luik to Den Bosch [also known as ‘s-Hertogenbosch] is clearly visible. This Steenweg, which was finished in 1818, was a very important trade road where toll was levied. A small tollhouse was present and marked on the map as Section No. B-631. This tollhouse was the property of the city ‘s-Hertogenbosch and was referred to as “the Barrier House.” Unfortunately, during the numerous phases of building the new road from Eindhoven to den Bosch a substantial amount of demolition was done. This demolition included the tollhouse (B-631) and the farm where Leonardus van Kollenburg lived in 1832 (B-626). Currently, these locations house a tunnel through which cars rush daily. Fortunately, the place of death of Johannes de Weert, also the place of birth of our patriarch Petrus, has been saved from demolition. The pictures of it are on the next page.

The farm is also easily recognizable in the aerial photograph (printed directly after the photographs of the Johannes de Weert farmhouse) which was taken in 1995 per request of the city of Best. Through the years, the importance of the intersection decreased. At the time of the construction of the A2 highway, the decision was made to move the intersection toward Best, at the location of restaurant “Quatre Bras.”

Driving directions to the farm: At the roundabout by the restaurant “Quatre Bras” one should take the road leading to St. Oedenrode. Take the first left where one turns into the “Steenovenseweg.” The first farmhouse on the left at number 1 was the home of Johannes the Weert and the location of the birth of Petrus.

Johannes de Weert Parcel Section B-623, Verrenbest, Barrier in 1832

 

Pictures of the Farm of Johannes de Weert at the Steenovenseweg in Best (2001) Birth place of our patriarch Petrus van der Sloot

Picture of the “Bakhuis” (outdoor kitchen) at the farm

This building has since been torn down.

- 43 -

 

The Finding Place of Petrus

Below you will find an aerial photograph dated 1995 of the Barrier area. The circled site is the birthplace of Petrus. At the bottom of the aerial photograph the Highway A2 (from ‘s Hertogenbosch to Eindhoven) is pictured. At the top, you will find a survey map of the same area in 1893.

- 44 -

 

Van den Brand Family

Petrus married Petronella van den Brand on 19 September 1834. She was born 1 June 1813 in St. Michielsgestel (RS St. Michielsgestel 1834 Document 21 Folio 22). Her father was the tailor Hendrik van den Brand and her mother was Johanna van Boxtel. When her father, Hendrik van den Brand, passed away on 14 February 1842 the listed house of mourning was Gemonde number 20 in district B (see Appendix Memorandum of Succession at the top of the following page). The Memorandum of Succession also mentioned him having no real estate or personal property to leave behind (see Memorandum of Succession 1842 at the bottom of the following page). Even though Hendrik van den Brand did not leave any possessions behind at his passing, he was mentioned as the owner of Section B-66 on the survey map of Gemonde dated 1832. My goal in research was to find out more about our patriarch Petrus, and thus I did not look into this issue any further. To get some idea as to where to find this lot (Section B-66), please view the photograph next to the certificate on the next page. It is located on the Hogert across from the cemetery and borders the city of St. Michielsgestel.

Census St. Michielsgestel 1810

In the census of 1810 of St. Michielsgestel the numbers, 780 to 788 were listed at the address of Hendrik van den Brand submitting the following names (in the French language):

No.	Name	First Name	Date of Birth	Age	Birthplace	Profession
780	Brand van den	Henry*	Oct 1, 1773	37	St. Michielsgestel	Tailor
781	Boxtel van	Jeanne*	Dec 17, 1776	34	Schijndel	Housewife
782	Brand van den	Guillaume*	Dec 1798	11	St. Michielsgestel	son of the tailor
783	Brand van den	Antoine*	June 20, 1804	6	St. Michielsgestel	son of the tailor
784	Brand van den	Francois*	Feb 1, 1809	1	St. Michielsgestel	son of the tailor
785	Brand van den	Jeanne*	Sept 1797	13	St. Michielsgestel	daughter of the tailor
786	Brand van den	Henriette*	June 28, 1801	9	St. Michielsgestel	daughter of the tailor
787	Brand van den	Marie*	Dec 25, 1806	3	St. Michielsgestel	daughter of the tailor
788	Boxtel van	Clara*	?, 1740		?	Widow and poor with one child

*Henry [Hendrik], Jeanne [Johanna], Guillaume [William], Antoine [Anton], Francois [Francis], Jeanne [Johanna], Henriette [Hendrika], Marie [Maria], Clara.

In the census of 1830, the following people were registered at the Gemonde 141 address of Hendrik van den Brand and Johanna van Boxtel:

No.	Name	First Name	Date of Birth	Age	Birthplace	Profession
1	Brand van den	Hendrik		55	St. Michielsgestel	Tailor
2	Boxtel van	Johanna		54	Schijndel
3	Brand van den	Francis		21	St. Michielsgestel
4	Brand van den	Leonardis		8	St. Michielsgestel
5	Brand van den	Peternel		17	St. Michielsgestel
6	Brand van den	Jan		26	Gemonde

Appendix Memorandum of Succession No. 222 Inventory No. 22 Folio 7

Memorandum of Succession 1842

 

De Hogert at Gemonde, August 2001

- 47 -

 

Marriage Certificate Petrus and Petronella van den Brand

Marriage Certificate Petrus van der Sloot and Petronella van den Brand

(RS St. Michielsgestel 1834 Document 21 Folio 2)

The year one thousand eight hundred thirty and four, the nineteenth of the month of September at ten o’clock in the morning have before our Mayor, Official of the Registration Service of the municipality of St. Michielsgestel, province North Braband, appeared Petrus van der Sloot, young man –profession Wooden Shoe Maker, born in Best and twenty and five years old, living in Boxtel–having fulfilled his duty with regards to the National Militia, according to a certificate issued by the Mister Governor of the Province North Braband, son of age, the parents unknown, for he was a foundling, and Petronella van den Brandt, young lady of the profession of farm girl–born in St. Michielsgestel, twenty and one years old, living in St. Michielsgestel, province North Braband, daughter of age of Hendrikus van den Brandt–of the profession tailor, living in St. Michielsgestel and of Johanna van Boxtel also living in St. Michielsgestel on the other side, who have requested of us to solemnize their intended marriage, which in compliance with the Law we have read the hereafter named documents, and having consulted together with both parties, knowing:

1st From the Birth Certificate of Petrus van der Sloot–groom, which shows that he was baptized the twentieth–of the month of August one thousand eight hundred and eight–in Best, province North Braband–

2nd from the birth certificate of Petronella van den Brand–bride, which shows that she was born the first of the month of June one thousand eight hundred and thirteen–in St. Michielsgestel province North Braband–

3rd the license of intended marriage between the future marriage partners, made on the front steps of the town hall here, the first on Sunday September seventh one thousand eight hundred thirty and four, and the second on Sunday the fourteenth of September one thousand eight hundred thirty and four also in the city of Boxtel, the first on Sunday the seventh and the second on Sunday the fourteenth of the month of September both this year–against which no hindrance has been brought about.

- 48 -

 

Continued Marriage Certificate Petrus van der Sloot and Petronella van den Brand (RS St. Michielsgestel 1834 Document 21 Folio 2)

And lastly of the sixth chapter of the title of marriage from the Civil Code of Law presenting the rights and obligations associated between the partners in Marriage here present the parents of the Bride who have declared to consent in the proposed marriage – at which point we, the Mayor, before mentioned Official of the Registration Service, asked the Groom and Bride if they would take one another to be Husband and Wife, and both replied separately in the affirmative, we declared in the name of the Law that the personages of Petrus van der Sloot–and of Petronella van den Brand–aforementioned, have been joined in Marriage. Of which we have drawn up this document in the presence:

1st Of Reinier, Pieters, profession secretary–age thirty and four years, living in St. Michielsgestel

2nd Of Antonius, Arnoutelpreis ***, profession Local Tax Collector–age twenty and two years, living in St. Michielsgestel

3rd Of Piet van Pinksteren, profession gardener–age sixty and eight years, living in St. Michielsgestel 4th Of Willem Cooijmans, profession village constable–forty and two years, living in S. t Michielsgestel declaring to be the named witnesses, no relation to the couple–

And have after given reading signed with us, having the party of the Bride’s parents declared not to be able to write–

the fourteenth of September one thousand eight hundred thirty and four as well as in the city of Boxtel the first on Sunday the seventh and the second on Sunday the fourteenth of the month of September both this year–against which no hindrance has been brought about.

- 49 -

 

Summary Marriage Certificate

With this marriage certificate, one new fact surfaced, namely that Petrus currently resided in Boxtel. That means that between 1826 and 1834 he moved from Best, presumably directly to Boxtel. At the time I began writing this genealogical history, I had not yet succeeded in locating Petrus in the census records of Boxtel in the mentioned period. Furthermore, I noted the recording of the wrong baptismal date for Petrus by the Registration Service: August 20, 1808, rather than October 20, 1808. This registrar read 20 8bris as 20 August. The date 20 8bris stands for 20 October in Latin.

Below is printed the form from the National Militia. It shows the correct baptismal date of October 20, 1808. From this certificate, we also gathered that he was exempt from service in the National Militia by drawing of lots. It also states his description: a small man with brown eyes, black hair, a small nose, regular mouth, round chin, oval face, and a flat forehead.

- 50 -

 

Census Boxtel 1840

(Hamlet Gemonde Folio 102 and 111)

PROVINCE CITY						MUNICIPALITY DISTRICT C		VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD					HAMLET:	Gemonde
LOCAL SECTION						DESCRIPTION RESIDENTS
				Name and First Names		Place of Birth							Profession
Gemonde	25	1	5	Wiel, Martinus van de	27	Boxtel	1						Farmer		1
				Heertum, Elisabeth van	31	Boxtel				1			Wife		1
				Wiel, Johannes van	2	Boxtel			1				None		1
				Wiel, Wilhelmus van	3m	Boxtel			1				None		1
				Vught, Wilhelmina van	16	Schijndel						1	Maid		1
Gemonde	26	1	5	Sloot, Peter van der	31	Best	1						Wooden Shoe Maker		1
				Brant, Petronella van	26	St. Michielsgestel				1			Wife		1
				Sloot, Antonius van der	4	Boxtel			1				None		1
				Sloot, Johanna van der	3	Boxtel						1	None		1
				Sloot, Hendrica van der	7w	Boxtel						1	None		1
Gemonde	62	1	3	Nunen, Johanna van (Widow of J. v.d. Heijden)	63	Oirschot					1		Spinner		1
				Heijden, Wilhelmina van der	22	Boxtel						1	Spinner		1
				Heijden Petronella van der	7	Boxtel						1	Spinner

The table above is, as far as the contents are concerned, an exact copy of the census of Boxtel of 1840. Combining these two pages, (folio 102 and 111) brings three families together who will become important to future generations.

Lambertus van der Sloot (20 July 1843) had not yet been born in this year of 1840, yet he was to find his future bride in the neighbor girl Maria van Wiel (19 November 1843), daughter of Martinus van Wiel and Elisabeth van Heertum. Seeing that this marriage produced but one child–a daughter–the van der Sloot name did not continue through Lambertus.

The only one who continued the name of the Petrus van der Sloot family is the eldest son Antonius who was born on 3 July 1835 and is mentioned in the census of 1840. His future bride was Petronella van der Heijden, who in 1840 resided as a spinner girl with her grandmother the widow Johanna van Nunen at dwelling house number 62, Gemonde.

The home at dwelling house number 26, Gemonde, where Petrus van der Sloot resided, was not his personal property, for he was not registered at the Office of Land Registry at that time. No document manifests property ownership until his death certificate (death date September 22, 1871). The death certificate of Petrus is shown on the next page.

Death Certificate of Petrus van der Sloot (RS Boxtel 1871 Document No. 98)

In the year one thousand eight hundred seventy and one, the twenty and third day of the month of September, appeared before us, the Registrar at the Registration Service of the municipality of Boxtel– Lambert van der Sloot, age twenty and eight years, occupation farmer, residing in Boxtel, son; and Antonius van Handel age forty and three years, occupation laborer, residing in Boxtel, no relation to the deceased, who declare notice that on the twenty and second of the month of September one thousand eight

hundred seventy and one, at three o’clock in the afternoon within this community passed away – Peter van der Sloot, widower of Petronella van den Brand, age sixty and three years, occupation farmer here locally, living in district B, born in Best, same province. The names of the parents of the deceased are unknown to the informers– And have therefore written up this document which after having been read to the informers, was signed by us as also by the first listed informant, the latter informant declared to

be unable to write for lack of education.

The Registrar at the Registration Service Signed by Lambertus van der Sloot

 

Summary

This death certificate clearly indicates that Petrus never knew his parents during his lifetime, which once again confirms he was a foundling. The certificate also mentions he was a farmer (bouwman), a change from the census of 1840 in Boxtel in which he was registered as a wooden shoe maker. Petrus’ son Lambertus appeared as an informant. He signed the certificate personally, which is striking, for it displayed the necessary education level to do such. (Frequent mention is made of a person’s ability to write during this time period.)

Because as a foundling he lacked the fundamental support system a family offers, Petrus’ opportunity to advance in society was more difficult than for any other social group at this time in history. Therefore I was surprised to discover that he left real estate behind for his children at his passing. (See Memorandum of Succession on the following page.)

- 52 -

 

Memorandum of the Right of Succession of the inheritance of Petrus van der Sloot (Office of St. Oedenrode Inventory No. 96, Memorandum 46)

 

Translation Memorandum of Succession Petrus

Memorandum to give notice of the rights of Succession of the inheritance of Peter van der Sloot, who passed away in Boxtel on 22 September 1871

The undersigned,

1st Johanna van der Sloot age 35 years, occupation maid, residing in Boxtel, dau

ghter of the deceased.

2nd Hendrika van der Sloot age thirty and four years, no occupation, residing in Boxtel, daughter of the deceased.

3rd Antoon van der Sloot age 37 years, farmer in Boxtel son of the deceased.

4th Lambertus van der Sloot age 28 years, no occupation, residing in Boxtel, son of the deceased. 5th Piet van der Sloot age 27 years, no occupation in Boxtel, son of the deceased.

6th Theodora van der Sloot age 26 years, no occupation in Boxtel, daughter of the deceased.

7th Francijna van der Sloot age 24 years, residing in Boxtel, no occupation daughter of the deceased. Declare

That on the 22 of September 1871 in his last residence of Boxtel ab intestato [without leaving behind a Last Will and Testament] has passed away Peter van der Sloot, as the only and complete heirs and inheritors are according to the law his children, informants named above. That his inheritance consists of drawing up of a small house Land Registry Section C no. 630 Municipality of Boxtel. The informants declare that the deceased owned no burdened or usufruct goods, and by his passing no periodical benefits by succession are expired or passed on, choosing the informants Domicile at the House of Mourning of the deceased.

Carried out in Boxtel the fourth of May 1872

Lambertus van der Sloot and Antoon van der Sloot (The remaining heirs signed with an X)

Summary

When Petrus passed away, he left behind a small home that was known as

Land Registry Section C-630 and which became the inheritance of all the children. To understand the history of this home, I went through the Land Registry’s ledgers. This research showed that the first owner of this house was the municipality of Boxtel; next (until 1870) the temporary pastor and special caretakers of the poor of the Roman Catholic parish of Gemonde owned it. When Petrus passed away in 1871, he had been the owner of the home for only one year. The house was located on Diepenbroek but was torn down in 1880.

The picture on the following page shows the probable location of the home. (Found on the Land Registry maps from 1832 under Section C-167 and C-168)

- 54 -

 

Map of Gemonde

Circle 1: Residence of Petronella van den Brand before marriage

Circle 2: Residence of patriarch Petrus van der Sloot at the time of his death

Diepenbroek, August 2001 - 55 -

 

Explanation of Family Member Descriptions

In the table on the next page, you find the personal data of our patriarch Petrus van der Sloot (of which the most important data has already been discussed in more detail in this chapter). His children, which make “Generation 2," are listed by birth order. It should be noted at this time, that each person on the chart has been assigned a document number and a relationship number, which allow tracking a person through the generations. An explanation of these document and relationship numbers follow:

A document number was assigned to each person individually. Petrus van der Sloot is the head-ancestor and was assigned document number 1. His firstborn child, Antonius, began “Generation 2" and was assigned the next available document number (which is no. 2). Petrus’ second child, Anna Maria, was assigned document number 3; the third child, Hendrikus, was assigned document number 4, etc. Petrus had 14 children, so his last child was assigned document number 15. The eldest child of Antonius (who is the eldest son of Petrus) was assigned the next available document number 16.

A relationship number was assigned to indicate the pedigree line back to Petrus van der Sloot. Therefore all the children of Petrus have a relationship number 1, indicating that they descend from the person who is document number 1 (Petrus). A grandchild (“Generation 3") of Petrus, through his son Antonius, would have a relationship number of 1-2. This indicates that he/she descends through Petrus (document number 1) and Antonius (document number 2).

Furthermore, family branches have been assigned a color, which functions as an aid in determining relationships more quickly.

The complete color-coded family overview is located at the beginning of this book.

- 56 -

 

Personal Document: Petrus van der Sloot and Petronella van den Brand

	Document Number	1	Relationship Number Generation	1
	Color	Purple	Spouse’s Family
	Name:	Sloot van der	Name of Spouse:	Brand van den
	First Name(s):	Petrus	First Name(s):	Petronella
	Place of Birth:	Best	Place of Birth:	St. Michielsgestel
	Date of Birth:	16 October 1808	Date of Birth:	1 June 1813
	Date of Baptism:	20 October 1808
	Father:	Unknown	Father:	Hendrikus van den Brand
	Mother:	Theodora van den Broek	Mother:	Johanna van Boxtel
	Occupation:	Wooden Shoe Maker/Farmer	Occupation:	Farmer Girl
	Place of Death:	Boxtel	Place of Death:	Boxtel
	Date of Death:	22 September 1871	Date of Death:	15 November 1858
	Place of Marriage:	St. Michielsgestel
	Date of Marriage:	19 September 1834
	CHILDREN Names	Place and Date of Birth	Place and Date of Death	Generation 2 Document and Relationship Numbers
1	Antonius	Boxtel, 3 July 1835	Boxtel, 22 January 1903	2-1
2	Anna Maria	Boxtel, 1 August 1836	Boxtel, 15 July 1921	3-1
3	Hendrikus	Boxtel, 25 November 1837	Boxtel, 30 December 1837	4-1
4	Hendrikus	Boxtel, 5 October 1838	Boxtel, 2 December 1838	5-1
5	Hendrica	Boxtel, 8 October 1839	Boxtel, 12 October 1882	6-1
6	Peter	Boxtel, 18 January 1842	Boxtel, 23 February 1880	7-1
7	Lambertus	Boxtel, 20 July 1843	Boxtel, 22 March 1912	8-1
8	Theodora	Boxtel, 6 May 1845	Boxtel, 11 July 1923	9-1
9	Francyna	Boxtel, 10 December 1847	Haaren, 21 September 1931	10-1
10	Johannes	Boxtel, 3 September 1849	Boxtel, 5 October 1849	11-1
11	Johannes	Boxtel, 30 August 1850	Boxtel, 9 October 1850	12-1
12	Maria	Boxtel, 27 January 1852	Boxtel, 17 March 1852	13-1
13	Johannes	Boxtel, 4 March 1855	Boxtel, 31 March 1855	14-1
14	Johannes	Boxtel, 6 September 1857	Boxtel, 20 August 1859	15-1