According to a parish register of Sint-Maria-Horebeke (now part of the municipality of Horebeke), Petrus Franciscus De Ruyver was baptised in this parish on March 7, 1755, as son of Joseph and Catherina Baecke. He was the godchild of Joannes Baptista De Ruyver (his uncle or his grandfather) and Joanna Lotens (his mother's mother) (1). In civil documents his name is mentioned as (Pieter) Francies.

Though Petrus Franciscus was baptised in the church of Sint-Maria-Horebeke, at least from 1760 onwards he lived with his parents in the neighbouring village of Sint-Kornelis-Horebeke, in the hamlet Haeghouck or Den Doelen, probably in a corner-house. Joseph had seven siblings, and was the oldest child of the family (2).

On February 26, 1778, Franciscus de Ruyver married Maria Theresia de Ridder in the church of Sint-Blasius-Boekel (now part of the community of Zwalm). Best man was Joannes Bauters, and Maria Carola De Ridder was bridesmaid. The church document declares literally that Franciscus, son of Joseph, was living in Sint-Kornelis-Horebeke (3).

Maria Theresia De Ridder was the daughter of Egidius (or Gillis) and Maria Anne De Clerck, and she was baptised on October 11, 1752, in Sint-Blasius-Boekel. Egidius De Ridder himself was also born in Sint-Blasius-Boekel as son of Joannes and Joanna Badisco. He was baptised there on March 26, 1724 (4). Egidius De Ridder is also mentioned as outer citizen of the nearby City of Geraardsbergen (5).

After the wedding, Petrus Franciscus De Ruyver went living in the parish of his bride, Sint-Blasius-Boekel. Nine children were born and baptised there (6):

Joannes Baptiste was baptised on July 31, 1778. His godfather was Egidius De Ridder (father of Maria Theresia), and his godmother was Maria Catherina Baecke (mother of Petrus Franciscus De Ruyver). Joannes Baptiste married Maria Joanna Laporte on October 28, 1807 in Gent. Maria Joanna was born in Gent on September 29, 1779, and lived in this city. Once married, Joannes Baptiste moved to Gent, where civil documents mention him as distiller and liqueur distiller. His wife Maria Joanna is mentioned as innkeeper.

Christina was baptised on November 13, 1779. Godfather: Josephus De Ruyver, probably the father of Petrus Franciscus. Godmother: Maria Carola De Ridder. Christina married Benedictus Antonius Cansse on November 3, 1803, in Sint-Blasius-Boekel. Benedictus Antonius Cansse was baptised in Leupegem (now part of the City of Oudenaarde) on November 17, 1776, but moved to Sint-Blasius-Boekel once married. He is recorded as having been a day labourer.

Alexius was baptised on July 15, 1781. Godfather: Joannes Baptiste De Ridder from Sint-Blasius-Boekel. Godmother: Carolina De Ruyver, sister of Petrus Franciscus.

Constantinus was baptised on August 21, 1783. Godfather: Petrus Franciscus Ghijs. Godmother: Josephina De Ruyver (from Elst). He died as young child in Sint-Blasius-Boekel on September 4, 1784.

Joanna Catherina was baptised on December 19, 1785. Godfather: Petrus Franciscus De ? (illegible). Godmother: (illegible).

Petrus Josephus was baptised on August 8, 1787. Godfather: Livinus Gezels from Zegelsem (husband of Petrus Franciscus' sister Maria Francisca De Ruyver). Godmother: Joanna Catherina De Ruyver (sister of Petrus Franciscus).

Josephus was baptised on August 27, 1789. Godfather: Franciscus Coosens from Elst. Godmother: Maria Francisca De Ruyver (sister of Petrus Franciscus). Josephus married Rosalie Van Der Hauwaert and went living in the village of Elst (now part of the municipality of Brakel). Here Rosalie died on August 4, 1939. Josephus De Ruyver married then with Sophia Van Den Brande on September 25, 1840, in the village of Michelbeke (next to Elst). Sophia was born in Michelbeke around 1792 as daughter of Petrus Van Den Brande and Albertina Fonteyne. She was the widow of Livinus De Wolf, who died in Michelbeke on July 22, 1838. She is recorded as having been a spinner. Josephus De Ruyver was worker and illiterate.

Emerentia(na) was baptised on October 18, 1791. Godfather: Joannes Benedictus Matthijs. Godmother: Victoria Josepha Van Heddegem. Emerentiana died as a baby on October 20, 1791.

Engelbertus was baptised on August 31, 1794. Godfather: Joannes Baptista Van Heddeghem. Godmother: Bernardina De Leeuw.

After 1794, Petrus Franciscus De Ruyver and Maria Theresia De Ridder must have moved to the village of Zegelsem (now part of the municipality of Brakel). Maria Francisca De Ridder passed away on February 9, 1822, around 5 a.m. in her house in the hamlet Ledeberg in Zegelsem (7). In the same house, Francies De Ruyver died on December 30, 1829 (8).

Petrus Franciscus De Ruyver has been recorded as farmer (9) and worker (10). It is believed that during his life the social position and the lifestyle of the De Ruyver family further decreased. The structural change from agricultural to industrial society resulted in an impoverishment of the common classes in Flanders. Overpopulation accelerated this impoverishment (11). More genealogical research is needed to get a better understanding of the life of Petrus Franciscus De Ruyver and his family.

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