Since 1841 first navigating officer of the frigate Palembang of the Royal Dutch Navy. In 1844 this vessel transported a Dutch delegation to Japan. The delegates had to bring a letter of the Dutch King William II to the 'Shogun', a sort of dictator. The King advised him to throw his country open to trade with other countries. For two centuries Holland had been the only European country with which Japan maintained trading relations. The Shogun rejected this proposal. Several years later the opening of Japan was more or less enforced by the United States. On a Japanese drawing is depicted how four Dutch officers bring the letter (in a box) to the authorities.
While the delegates were on their way, the ship stayed in Nagasaki. Soetermeer became ill and on September, 1st he died, at the Dutch 'factorij' Deshima. He was buried at the Dutch Cemetery at Inasa, but without military honours. The Governor of Nagasaki had forbidden this. He feared that the presence of several uniformed officers could provoke unrest among the population, with unpleasant consequences for himself. Normally only Dutch merchant ships came to Nagasaki but now there was a warship. As a compromise, this part of the ceremony was held within the walls of the trading post.
On the tombstone is mentioned that he was a Companion of the Militaire Willemsorde, the highest Dutch military decoration. It had been conferred on him in 1830, for his behaviour during the Belgian revolt against the Dutch oppression, which soon led to the independance of Belgium.
While the delegates were on their way, the ship stayed in Nagasaki. Soetermeer became ill and on September, 1st he died, at the Dutch 'factorij' Deshima. He was buried at the Dutch Cemetery at Inasa, but without military honours. The Governor of Nagasaki had forbidden this. He feared that the presence of several uniformed officers could provoke unrest among the population, with unpleasant consequences for himself. Normally only Dutch merchant ships came to Nagasaki but now there was a warship. As a compromise, this part of the ceremony was held within the walls of the trading post.
On the tombstone is mentioned that he was a Companion of the Militaire Willemsorde, the highest Dutch military decoration. It had been conferred on him in 1830, for his behaviour during the Belgian revolt against the Dutch oppression, which soon led to the independance of Belgium.
Since 1841 first navigating officer of the frigate Palembang of the Royal Dutch Navy. In 1844 this vessel transported a Dutch delegation to Japan. The delegates had to bring a letter of the Dutch King William II to the 'Shogun', a sort of dictator. The King advised him to throw his country open to trade with other countries. For two centuries Holland had been the only European country with which Japan maintained trading relations. The Shogun rejected this proposal. Several years later the opening of Japan was more or less enforced by the United States. On a Japanese drawing is depicted how four Dutch officers bring the letter (in a box) to the authorities.
While the delegates were on their way, the ship stayed in Nagasaki. Soetermeer became ill and on September, 1st he died, at the Dutch 'factorij' Deshima. He was buried at the Dutch Cemetery at Inasa, but without military honours. The Governor of Nagasaki had forbidden this. He feared that the presence of several uniformed officers could provoke unrest among the population, with unpleasant consequences for himself. Normally only Dutch merchant ships came to Nagasaki but now there was a warship. As a compromise, this part of the ceremony was held within the walls of the trading post.
On the tombstone is mentioned that he was a Companion of the Militaire Willemsorde, the highest Dutch military decoration. It had been conferred on him in 1830, for his behaviour during the Belgian revolt against the Dutch oppression, which soon led to the independance of Belgium.
While the delegates were on their way, the ship stayed in Nagasaki. Soetermeer became ill and on September, 1st he died, at the Dutch 'factorij' Deshima. He was buried at the Dutch Cemetery at Inasa, but without military honours. The Governor of Nagasaki had forbidden this. He feared that the presence of several uniformed officers could provoke unrest among the population, with unpleasant consequences for himself. Normally only Dutch merchant ships came to Nagasaki but now there was a warship. As a compromise, this part of the ceremony was held within the walls of the trading post.
On the tombstone is mentioned that he was a Companion of the Militaire Willemsorde, the highest Dutch military decoration. It had been conferred on him in 1830, for his behaviour during the Belgian revolt against the Dutch oppression, which soon led to the independance of Belgium.
Inscription
Hier rust / J.M. Zoetermeer / Ridder der Militaire / Willems Orde / Opperstuurman / aan boord van Z.M. / Fregat Palembang / Overleden te Desima / den 31sten Augustus / 1844.
The inscription contains two errors: the spelling of his name ('Zoetermeer') and the day of his death.
Gravesite Details
I thank the brothers Hans and Huib Bik, who were so kind to make this photograph for me when they visited Japan in 1970.
Family Members
Half Siblings
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