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This is the eighth of twelve articles about the early immigrants to Pella that Kor Postma contributed and Thys de Jong has now translated for us.
Gerrit Gerbens van der Weit was born on February 11, 1815 in Stiens in the municipality of Leeuwarderadeel. He was the son of Gerben Wijtzes van der Weit and Tjitske Baukes van der Woude. Gerrit married Wypkje Jacobs Kuipers on May 6, 1837 in the municipality of Westdongeradeel. Wypkje was born on December 16, 1817 in Hiaure (Westdongeradeel), daughter of Jacob Tjerks Kuipers and Renske or Rinske Wijbes Kuipers. The couple begot 4 children, all born at Bornwird: Gerben on July 3, 1840, Renske born on June 9, 1842, Jacob born on February 5, 1844 and Wijtze born January 1, 1847.
They too boarded the Pieter Floris under the leadership of Rev. H. P. Scholte in search of a better life in America. Disaster struck the family while still at sea. Thrice they stood at the rail of the ship to see one of their beloved children disappear into the water. Renske, Jacob and Wijtze all died during the ocean crossing. What a trauma this must have been for the young parents who lost 3 children in such a short time. Luckily a few months after arriving in Pella another daughter was born on February 2, 1848 and she again was given the name of Renske. Tragically their oldest son Gerben died in 1850. After that 2 more children were born at Pella: Joseph G. on July 3, 1855 and Mary C. on Jaqnuary 5, 1858. On November 16, 1869 again death struck when their 14 year old son Joseph G. died.
About the joys and sorrows of this family we have learned very little more, just that Gerrit was known to have a well run farm. As they grew older they were cared for by daughter Mary and son-in-law Frank Hugen and died in their own home. According to the Knoxville Express and the Pella Chronicle they left behind many children, and grandcildren as well as many good friends. Gerrit died on June 3, 1901 and Wypkje on August 29 (or 31), 1902, both in Pella, and are buried in Oakland Cemetery.
About daughter Renske, born February 2, 1848, we luckily know a little more. Renske married on October 27, 1871 in Pella Willem Alberts Mulder. Willem was born on December 10, 1844 at Wildervank in the province of Groningen. He was the son of Albert Egberts Mulder and Hinderkien Willems Broekman. Renske died on October 28, 1913 and Willem on January 5, 1924, both in Corsica, Douglas County, South Dakota. The Mulder family had 13 children. Because so little is known about the family's situation in Pella we record the 13 children: Henderkien or Hendrika (August 4, 1872 - September 28; 1958); Gerrit (June 18, 1874 - June 24, 1911); Albert (October 16, 1875 - January 9, 1961); Jacob (January 7,1877 - no death date known); John (March 23, 1878 - August 23, 1966; Wiepke (August 3, 1879 - April 18, 1958); Hendrik (April 10, 1881 - July 16, 1936); Marie (September 16, 1882 - July 20, 1964); Magdalena (March 7, 1884 - May 29, 1971). The first 9 children were all born in Pella. The other 4 were born in Corsica: Johanna (February 14, 1887 - April 1, 1973); William (February 13, 1889 - June 26, 1953); Geertje (November 15, 1891 - death date unknown) and Herman (February 7, 1895 - death date unknown).
About daughter Mary C. van der Weit some information has also been unearthed. She married Frank Huigens on Occtober 14, 1881 in Pella. Later the surname was changed first to Hugens and then to Hugen. Frank was born on February 14, 1857 and was a farmer, probably of Dutch descent. Frank died on May 22, 1914 at Pella where his wife Mary also died on May 27, 1936. They were buried in the Oakwood Cemetery. They left 4 children behind, all born in Pella: Harry F. (November 11, 1882 - September 1928; Frank (1884 - no death date known); Gerrit (June 2, 1887 - October 13, 1963); and Kate (1888 - June 9 1977).
Abraham Paulus Buwalda was born on March 21, 1802 at Ee, Oostdongeradeel. He was the son of Paulus Gerrits Buwalda and Gertje Johannes Douma. Abraham married Aaltje Jans Havenga (Havinga) on May 16, 1829 in Metslawier, Oostdongeradeel. Aaltje was born on March 29, 1810 in Hantumeruitburen, Westdongeradeel, the daughter of Jan Doedes Havenga and Baukje Andries. Abraham and Aaltje had 8 children, 1 son and 7 daughters, all born at Ee; 3 died young. Paulus was born March 12, 1830 and died the following day March 13, 1830; Gertje was born January 4, 1832; Baukje was born December 31, 1833; Trijntje was born on April 20, 1836; Doetje was born on July 10 1838 and died August 23, 1842; Paulina was born on July 18, 1841. A second Doetje was born on February 14, 1844 and lastly Jantje, who was born on June 27, 1846 and died a month later on July 27, 1846.
Abraham Paulus Buwalda was a store keeper, market gardener and skipper living in Ee with his wife and 5 daughters. he took the big step in April, 1847 to the land of dreams and wishes. as America was known at the time. The potato famine, poor economic conditions and religious persecution were for Abraham the most important reasons to emigrate. The last part of their journey through America was not totally trouble free. Aaltje became so ill that from Keokuk to Pella she had to be transported laying down. What a joy it must have been for the immigrants to finally reach their destination. (Counting a few days from leaving their home villages to travel to Rotterdam and the time it would have taken to stow their belongings aboard, they would have spent five months traveling.) During the sea voyage and their journey through America many children and grownups lost their lives. To this day many graves attest to that. The large, muscled, red haired Abraham was fully accepted in America and earned a lot of credit for that. He built a block hut on land that he had purchased about a mile and a half northwest of Pella along what is now Highway 163. In Pella 3 more children were born: Jan Paulus born June 19,1849 who died at the age of 1 on July 22, 1850; Gerrit A. born July 30, 1852; and Andrew A. Buwalda, born on March 5, 1855.
Aaltje Jans Havenga died on February 24, 1870 in Pella and Abraham Paulus Buwalda died there on February 15, 1881. They were buried in the Buwalda family grave located on their own farm.
How did things go with the 7 remaining children of this couple?
Gertje (Geertje) Buwalda married Geert Alberts Dijkstra on March 7, 1853 in Pella. Geert Alberts Dijkstra was born on August 16, 1817 in Westergeest, Kollumerland and was a son of Albert Geerts Dijkstra and Mettje Lieuwes de Jong. Gertje and Geert probably knew each other [before arriving in America] since Geert was also aboard the Pieter Floris in 1847. Geert corssed the ocean without his parents or other relatives.
The Gold Mines
After arriving in Pella Geert became close friends with Engel Ver Ploeg and Hendrik Slot, both passengers on the Pieter Floris. After working 2 years in Pella the three friends decided to go to California and search for gold. That had recently been a topic of discussion and the boys could not resist trying their luck. Gold fever had become their master. Because there were no laws or rules in the American west at the time and the territory was not yet settled by immigrants, the boys decided to travel by a longer but probably safer route. They went toNew Orleans, Louisiana, on the gulf of Mexico, where they boarded a ship that sailed around the southernmost point in South America, Cape Horn. From there they sailed north again to California.
For more than 2 years the three friends remained in California and were succesful. Geert was known as a man who always had a knife and rifle with him to protect himself and his friends. Once you found gold you had to keep it somewhere, and Geert kept his in a belt that he wore around his waist. The story is told that on the return trip from California he was attacked. Geert was a small person who, because of the weight of his gold, had trouble climbing onto his donkey. Suddenly a Spaniard appeared and grabbed him from behind. Geert's first thought was. "There goes my hard earned money." Luckily the Spaniard was very helpful and helped little Geert back onto his donkey so that he could continue the journey with his friends. After his marriage he settled in Otley and often sat on his porch shooting wild prairie chickens that became a hot meal for the family.
Gertje died on December 5, 1888 and Geert on March 16, 1902, both in Pella andwere buried in the Buwalda burial site. The Dijkstras had 10 children of whom 2 died died young. They were In order of birth Martha, Abraham, Albert, Gerrit, Aaltje, Levi, Paulina, Andrew, David and Aldora (Allie Dora).
Baukje Buwalda married Izaak Epkes Roorda on July 31, 1857 in Pella. Izaak was born on October 25, 1832 in Dantumawoude, Dantumadeel, the son of Epke Alberts Roorda and Froukje Wiegers van der Lune. Baukje Buwalda died on April 23, 1893 and Izaak on March 11, 1905, both in Pella. They are buried in the Porterville cemetery southeast of Pella.
The following text was printed on the "mourning card":
A precious one from us has gone,
A voice we loved is stilled;
A place is vacant in our home,
Which never can be filled.
God in His wisdom has recalled,
The boon his love had given,
And though the body slumbers here,
The soul is safe in Heaven.
The Roorda couple left 9 children, born in the following order: Epp, Allie, Flora, Tena, Abraham, Henrietta, Gerrit, Anna and Paulina.
Trijntje Buwalda married on July 31, 1857 in Pella with Wieger Epkes Roorda. Wieger was born on November 20, 1826 at Dantumawoude as a son of Epke Alberts Roorda and Froukje Wiegers van der Lune. Trijntje died on July 3, 1912 and Wieger on June 8, 1906 both at Pella, they were buried at the Graceland cemetery north of Pella, In life he was a painter. The left 11 children.
Paulina Buwalda married on March 11, 1859 in Pella with Engel Ver Ploeg. (of the above gold fever). Engel was born on April 14, 1823 at Herwijnen, Gelderland and was a son of Hendricus Ver Ploegh and Aaltje van Zee. Paulina probably met her husband on the voyage to America for he too was a passenger aboard the "Pieter Floris". He traveled alone and his reason for emigrating is not known. From this we could conclude that several marriages were the result of the voyage from the Netherlands to America. Paulina died on April 5, 1916 and Engel on April 19, 1902 both at Pella. The couple left 10 children: Henry, Aaltje (Allie), Abraham, Aartje, John, James, William, Trijntje, Catharina and Cornelia Kate.
Doetje Buwalda married Anne Epkes Roorda on April 3, 1863 in Pella. Anne was born on December 11, 1834 at Dantumawoude and was the son of Epke Alberts Roorda and Froukje Wiegers van der Lune. Doetje became the 3rd daughter to marry a son of the Roorda family from Dantumadeel. Doetje helped her father on the farm and in the coal mine found on their land. Anne was also a painter. Doetje died on December 11, 1937 and Anne on April 26, 1927, both in Pella. Doetje and Anne were buried in the Oakwood cemetery. They had 7 children named, from oldest to youngest, Froukje (Flora), Allie, Epp, Gertrude, Tena, Abraham and Wieger.
Gerrit A. Buwalda married on July 1, 1873 Elizabeth Nancy Hammel in Pella. Elizabeth Nancy was born on October 30, 1852 in Indianapolis, Marion Co, Indiana. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Ferris Hammel and Mary Jane Lawler. Gerrit died on October, 7, 1922 and Elizabeth Nancy on November 23, 1916. both in Pella. They had one son, Abraham G. Buwalda.
Last in the row of 7 comes Andrew A. Buwalda who married Hieka or Hyke Biesma on April 14, 1880 in Pella. Hieka was born on December 16, 1860 in the municiplity of Leeuwarderadeel and was a daughter of Bernardus Jans Biesma and Aaltje Jacobs Straatsma. Andrew A. Buwalda died on July 3, 1928 and Hieka on October 23, 1941, both in Pella; both died from cancer. Andrew and Hieka had 8 children: Aaltje (Allie), Geertje (Gertrude), Dora, Trijntje (Tina), Bernard, Abraham Paul, Sarah (Sara) and Elizabeth.
All the above Buwaldas were buried in the Oakwood, Porter Grove or Graceland cemeteries in Pella.
The largest family that ever emigrated to America was the farmer Jan Griffioen, who left Rotterdam with his wife and 17 children.
This article came about through the help of the following persons: Murt Kooi (USA), Karen Hanley (USA), Greta Thompson (USA), Wilma Vande Berg (USA), John Kirk (USA), Linda Ziemann (USA) and Edwin van der Weit (the Netherlands).
If you have additions or corrections I would like to hear them.
Kor Postma
van Aernsmastraat 14
9104 HG Damwoude
Tel: 0511-422640