Weppelman
Veenendaal / Niederlanden
The first known “ Weppelman“ in the Netherlands was Jacob Weppelmann from Oelde, Westfalia, who arrived in Veenendaal in 1624. This is confirmed in a document by the council of Veendendaal/ Holland from 1624, which states the following:
Certificate by the council Veenendaal, 10. Oktober 1624:
Jacob Weppelmann, together with his brother Cornelius from Oelde, Westfalia came to Veenendaal in 1624. The document also mentions a legal dispute between the two brothers (Jacob, who was still living in Muenster (Oelde) and Cornelius, who already has been living in Veenendaal for some time) and another party regarding a number of cotton blankets. According to the document, Jacob Weppelmann delivered those blankets but the accused (whose name is not mentioned) didn’t pay for them. Two lawyers represent the two parties and as the accused pleeded guilty, the judge decided that the bill had to be paid within 14 days.
Should you have any questions regarding the “ Dutch Weppelman“ please contact Mr. H. Dick van Manen:
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E-Mail to : frieda99@zonnet.nl
The following dates, the origin and development of the Dutch Weppelman are incorporated in the entire Weppelmann family tree and are complemented there with further information.
Starting a new base in a new environment during the time of the 30year war (1618 – 1648) required a brave heart, lots of energy and endurance.
Two ideas regarding the “ Weppelman move“ to the Netherlands:
1. Throughout all old books in the Netherlands the name Weppelman is only ever known in the county of Veennendaal. It appears that this is the origin of the name in Holland. Everyone who wrote to me from the Netherlands had anceistors from this place. The truth is that Veenendaal belonged to the Bishop of Utrecht. In Bishop Friedrich von Blankenheim’s (1394 – 1423) “Diversorium“, a large collection of documents, you can find all property distribution and legal orders. Interstingly, in this register, Veenendaal as well as Ottmarsbochold and Oelde are mentioned. This catalogue of properties was found in the collection of Earl Heinrich von Dale. It landed there, because in 1331 Bishop Johann gained a large number of property owned by Earl Dale from Wilhelm von Boxtel, who was married to a countess Dale and hence was legal owner of Dale property. This register served as proof of ownership in those days. The area reached from the river Maas and lake Zuider in the west to Hunte dem Sintel in the east. In the north it bordered with the land of Oldenburg and reached until the left shore of the river Lippe in the south. This document is kept in Rijksachiev in Utrecht today.
The area around Veenendaal was a moorish, swamplike place. Many settlers, especially from Flandern, but also from Muenster settled and started working here. This way we can assume that also a Weppelman from Muenster decided to go and settle there at some point. The distance Oelde – Veenendaal is 195 km.
2. Moving to Holland The barren land of Northern Germany made it rather difficult for people there to feed themselves of the land. Crop failure and war times took turns in worsening their yet hard life, hunger and struggle were the result. Crop for bread needed to be bought, war damage had to be repaired, the governement requested money as well. Holland, close by and rich due to international trading, became a salvation for many people. The oldest records of the move to Holland by Northern German people date back to the 16th century. It must have been difficult times which made the so called “Holland move“ illegal in 1605. After the 30 year war though, in 1648, the move to Holland was revived. Economic problems and high taxes put a lot of pressure on people. For example, 25.000 people were counted within a year, who passed the bridge over the river Ems in Lingen and paid duty. The “ Holland movers“ found work in fishing, on ships, gathering peat or digging ditches and canals. They worked cutting grass and harvesting or as gardeners. This way many of them improved their finances, some of them though not only found work but also love and married and settled there.
Literature
*1 Geschichte der Höfe und Familien in Stadt u. Kirchspiel Oelde, Volksbank Oelde u. Stromberg 1984 Dr.Xaver Westhoff.
*2 Senden, Geschichte der Gemeinde Senden, Bösenzell, Ottmarsbocholt, Venne. Gemeinde Senden Werner Frese, Christian Wermert
*3 Westlicher Theil des Kreises Lüdinghausen, Julius Schwieters, Aschendorff / Münster Verlag
*4 Die Bauernhöfe des östlichen Theiles des Kreises Lüdinghausen, Julius Schwieters, Aschendorf Münster Verlag
*5 St.Urban 800 Jahre Kirchengemeinde Ottmarsbocholt, Rave Druck 1988.
*6 Aufzeichnung der Höfe von 1669 im Münsterland.
*7 St.Urban 800 Jahre Kirchengeschichte Ottmarsbocholt, Rave Druck 1988.
*8 Zur Geschichte der Auswanderung / Oldenburg Johannes Damme