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Letter from Herman Heebink, dated 1883 |
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| An interesting artifact of the family was discovered in Aalten, Holland in July of 1998. W.F. Buesinkcame across a letter, dated 1883 from Herman Heebink to an unknown cousin and niece, while going through the belongings of their deceased neighbors, Jo and Wim Sonderlo. How the Sonderlo's came across the letter or their relationship to the Heebinks is unknown. Thanks so much to the Buesink's for taking the time to locate a "Heebink" electronic mail address on the Internet and inquire whether I was a descendent. These kind people forwarded the original letter to me and transcribed the text to English as well. The following is the transcription from W.F. Buesinkof Herman's letter. |
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| Baldwin Wis US North America |
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| 28 February 1883 |
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| Much beloved cousin and niece. Considering the recent events, we have to write to you this letter. |
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| October the 10th this year, it's 29 years ago that we arrived at the eastern part of the state of Wisconsin. Together with uncle and aunt te Grotenhuis and their family. |
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| We have lived there for eighteen years, then we left for the western part of the state. Uncle and aunt to Grotenhuis stayed in the eastern part of Wisconsin. We're doing fine in America. |
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| Niece, as you probably remember, when we left you and our home country, our family contained 6 members. Our family at that time contained father, mother and 4 children: Gerhart, Herman, Engelbart and Derk-Johan. After being in America for about two years we got another boy called Gert-Jan, after father. Another seven years later we also got a sister: Johanna-Christiena. The three eldest children got married and have 11 children today. |
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| The three youngest are not married and are still living at home with father and mother. |
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| Us boys are all farmers and have some property of our own. The three of us together have grown 2938 bussel bockweit, about half as much oats ant 1500 bussel corn (a bussel is 5 sprint in dutch measure). |
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| With this letter we send you de pictures of father and mother. March 29th, father is celebrating his 79th birthday and he is in outstanding strong condition and still working every day. Mother is 65, she's not as strong as father. |
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| Grandfather Snoeyenbos has passed away at age 88 and grandmother in April 1882 at age 92. |
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| Niece, as you probably know, my father was your guardian and took care of you at the time he was with you. At our departure father has given the 100 guilders (=dutch currency) from your mothers inheritance to Mr. Buunk so he could keep it in custody until you would become of age. |
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| By now father would like to know if actually you got these 100 guilders. Your mother also left a closet full with clothes and linen, a golden lock, rings and a book with a silver lock. Did you get any of those? |
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| Niece we send you a piece of fabric for a dress, a gift from me and my wife to you to let you know we still keep you in thought. Uncle Grotenhuis is in a bad health condition. Aunt, on the contrary, is very strong and they have 4 children; the youngest a born American. They are all married. |
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| Mother has a lot of nieces and cousins in Aalten and surroundings, as there are: Gert-Jan van Essink and the children from the Pijpert and the Mekking children; H.J. Snoeyenbos from the Legtert; de Claus; Winkelhorst who lived on the Winkelhorst before and Kappers on Brunnik in Dale (the Pijpert, de Legtert, the Claus, the Winkelhorst and Brunnik probably are the names of farms. Dale is a farming area in the outskirts of Aalten). If they still live and if you encounter any of these people, please send them our greetings. |
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| We conclude this letter hoping that you receive it in good health. We'd really love to receive a letter from you once. And please then be so kind and answer fathers questions. |
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| Our wish is that the Lord might bless you in soul and body. Yes that the Lord may guide you and us in our different roads and places. |
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| Our best greetings, yours faithfully |
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| cousin Herman Heebink |
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