Joannes Franciscus De Ruyver was born in Wetteren ten Ede on March 27, 1761(1). His older brother had died in childhood (1759), so Jan Françies was the oldest son of Petrus Ignatius and Joanna Ramans. Joanna Ramans died in 1765. We suppose Joannes Fran�ies and his brother Ambrosius stayed in Wetteren ten Ede with the family Ramans while Petrus Ignatius left Wetteren ten Ede. We never found mention of Jan Fran�ies and Ambrosius in Kalken (which is where Petrus Ignatius moved to) (2). In 1784 we found Jan Françies listed as one of the 71 corporals in Wetteren. He had to patrol in the parish (3). In 1787 he leased some land from Jooseph Raman (his uncle), so we suspect he worked as a farmer (4).

On February 20, 1793 Joannes Franciscus married Isabella De Veirman, born in Schellebelle on July 29, 1769 as the daughter of Livinus (a bricklayer) and Joanna Verdick (5). When he married, Joannes Franciscus was already father of a daughter by Isabella. Our research has not revealed why they chose to marry after she was born? In 1794 we found him in a census (made up by the French occupier) as a workman, his wife and his only child (6). He had no horses and fireplace.

Jan Françies and Isabella got eight children and the farmer always signed the birth-certificate (7). In 1811 he must have lived in Serskamp (near Wichelen) where his son Fran#231;ois was born (8). But he went back to Wetteren ten Ede until his death. Isabella De Veirman was mentioned as a spinster and a housewife. We suppose Jan Fran&231;ies was a poor farmer who had to weave to survive in the new economic system of the 19th century. In another census (1826) he was mentioned as a workman (weaver ?) (9). Jan Fran�ies grew old. He died in Wetteren ten Ede on November 15, 1840, 79 years old. His wife died on June 13, 1850.

The eight children of Jan Fran�ies and Isabella De Veirman grew up in Wetteren ten Ede :

Josepha was the daughter who was born (December 17, 1792) before her parents were married. On her birthday she was baptized and her godfather was Ambrosius Emmanuel De Ruyver (her uncle), her godmother was Petronella Theresia De Veirman. Josepha died in Wetteren on March 18, 1795.

Francisca was baptized on August 31, 1795. She was godchild of Petrus Ignatius De Ruijver (her grandfather) and Anna Catharina De Veirman. Francisca died as an unmarried spinster on February 7, 1828 with her parents.

Josepha was born and baptized on April 24, 1798. Her godfather was Livinus De Veirman and her godmother was called Maria Theresia. She was mentioned in the registry-office of Wetteren ("Plaets") as a maid-servant. She never left Wetteren ten Ede and died unmarried on August 18, 1860.

Charles was born on March 29, 1801; a day later he was godchild of Joannes Franciscus Braeckman and Joanna Petronella Verdickt. In 1821 he was a servant when he had to give his up as a candidat-soldier. He stood 1 metre 615 mm and too slight to join the army in 1821 (10). Charles always lived in Wetteren ten Ede as a workman. In 1846 he lived on Steendam 54. When his nephew was born in 1859, he signed the birth-certificate and was mentioned as a weaver (11). He also died unmarried in Wetteren on March 25, 1868.

Sophia was Joannes Franciscus' youngest daughter. She was born on September 5, 1804. She also didn't marry and lived with her brother in Steendam 54 in Wetteren ten Ede. She was a spinster like most of the Flemish women during the 19th century. Sophia died on February 5, 1866.

Ange (also mentioned as Angelus) was born on October 28, 1807. He was also a candidat-soldier and stood 1 metre 679 mm when he went to the town-hall. He was mentioned as a workman in 1826. Two years later, he died with his parents on July 7, 1828, 21 years young!

François was the only son who was born in Serskamp, on April 3, 1811. He was baptized as Franciscus Roovers and godchild of Franciscus Rasschaert and Francisca Roovers (12). Francis must have left Serskamp as a child because his younger brother was born in Wetteren ten Ede. He was also a weaver and too small to enjoy the army (1 metre 579 mm) (13). In 1846 Françies also stayed on Steendam 46. Later, he left Wetteren and went to Laarne, another rural municipality near Wetteren. Probably he lived with his younger brother on Ascopstraat 10. On January 31, 1872 he married as a 60-years old workman Maria Catharina Buyck, a laceworkster, born in Laarne on February 9, 1834. She was the daughter of Livinus and Maria Versporten. The married couple couldn't write their names. Both moved to Wetteren and turned back to Laarne in the Achterstraat. Françies died in Laarne (Oostrem) on September 24, 1886. His wife died on June 19, 1890.

Severinus was the youngest son of Jan Fran�ies De Ruyver. He was born on January 3, 1815. Learn more about Severinus in the next chapter.

So Jan Françies must have been a poor farmer who had to weave to survive. His children were all weavers, farmers and spinsters. None of them could buy a house or land and none of them grew as old as their parents. This means that the family De Ruyver in Wetteren ten Ede lost their craftsmanship and estatements during the 19th century. The new democratic, economic, and political system was not interesting for the working people!

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Sources :

1. Historisch Archief Wetteren : Parochieregisters (Dopen, huwelijken, overlijdens) : 1593 - jaar IV. Documentatiecentrum Melle.     [return]

2. Oud Archief Kalken : Parochieregisters (Dopen, huwelijken,overlijden) : 1604 - 1802; Documentatiecentrum Melle - V.V.F. Oost-Vlaanderen     [return]

3. Historisch Archief Wetteren : (A 441) : Militaire Opeisingen 1782 - 1793, Patrouille 1784. Gemeentelijk Archief Wetteren.     [return]

4. Historisch Archief Wetteren : Quote- of landboeken met kaarten, 1725 - 1796), deel C-46, p. 162; Gemeentelijk archief Wetteren.     [return]

5. Oud Archief Schellebelle : Parochieregisters (Dopen, huwelijken, overlijdens) : 1618 - 1796, Rijksarchief Beveren Waas.     [return]

6. Historisch Archief Wetteren : Volkstelling 1794, Gemeentelijk Archief Wetteren     [return]

7. Modern Archief Wetteren : Burgerlijke Stand 1796 - 1900, Gemeentelijk Archief Wetteren     [return]

8. Modern Archief Serskamp : Burgerlijke Stand 1796 - 1900, Gemeente Wichelen.     [return]

9. Modern Archief Wetteren : bevolking 1826, 1847, 1848-1857, 1857-1866. Gemeentelijk Archief Wetteren.     [return]

10. Modern Archief Wetteren : Burgerwacht : Alfabetische lijst der geborenen van 1780 tot 1809, Gemeentelijk Archief Wetteren.     [return]

11. Modern Archief Laarne : Burgerlijke Stand 1796 - 1900 : Gemeente Laarne     [return]

12. Oud Archief Serskamp : Parochieregisters (Dopen, huwelijken, overlijdens), 1644 - 1900, Gemeente Wichelen.     [return]