#49956401:
Walter's parent, Harman Fennema and Grietje Kraaij married about 6 weeks after Walter's (Wouter) birth (DOB about mid-April 1863). Shortly thereafter, Harm bought his first farm. It is believed that Harm was paid to marry Grietje by Walter's presumed biological father. This story has been passed down through various branches of Harm and Grietje's descendants. The story varies slightly but the base details remain similar. This arranged marriage would also surely be a good explanation how a poor immigrant laborer (Harm) could suddenly have enough money to buy a farm.
Before Walter was born, Walter's mother, Grietje, and her father, Wouter de Kraaij, were working on a farm in the Pella area. She as a house servant and her father as a farm hand. It was at this time that Grietje became pregnant by the "wealthy" farm owner (compiled per combined family branches oral tradition). Down one branch is was also said that the farm owner took advantage of Grietje and later arranged the marriage to cover his guilt. It is believed that the farm owner was Wiggert Rietveld.
In 1896 when Walter's step-father Harm Fennema was quite ill, Harm had his Last Will and Testament written. In the Will, he left each of his sons a working farm and each daughter a cash dowry equal to the value of a farm, EXCEPT for Walter. To his wife Grietje and her son, Walter, he left the home farm for residence only during Grietje's lifetime. At this time, Walter was already married and had 5 children. He was also working his parent's (Harm and Grietje's) home farm supporting them. The terms of the Will was a shock to all Harm's children. It is believed at that time none of them knew Walter was not Harm's biological son.
Bassil (son, child #6) had already died in 1894. So, there were nine siblings living. Each of Walter's siblings pitched in enough cash to give him an equal share. That says quite a lot for Walter, his siblings and their relationship. It wouldn't belong after Harm's death before Walter and his family moved to South Dakota and, later, on to California. Walter would then remain a resident of California throughout the remainder of his life.
Walter's parent, Harman Fennema and Grietje Kraaij married about 6 weeks after Walter's (Wouter) birth (DOB about mid-April 1863). Shortly thereafter, Harm bought his first farm. It is believed that Harm was paid to marry Grietje by Walter's presumed biological father. This story has been passed down through various branches of Harm and Grietje's descendants. The story varies slightly but the base details remain similar. This arranged marriage would also surely be a good explanation how a poor immigrant laborer (Harm) could suddenly have enough money to buy a farm.
Before Walter was born, Walter's mother, Grietje, and her father, Wouter de Kraaij, were working on a farm in the Pella area. She as a house servant and her father as a farm hand. It was at this time that Grietje became pregnant by the "wealthy" farm owner (compiled per combined family branches oral tradition). Down one branch is was also said that the farm owner took advantage of Grietje and later arranged the marriage to cover his guilt. It is believed that the farm owner was Wiggert Rietveld.
In 1896 when Walter's step-father Harm Fennema was quite ill, Harm had his Last Will and Testament written. In the Will, he left each of his sons a working farm and each daughter a cash dowry equal to the value of a farm, EXCEPT for Walter. To his wife Grietje and her son, Walter, he left the home farm for residence only during Grietje's lifetime. At this time, Walter was already married and had 5 children. He was also working his parent's (Harm and Grietje's) home farm supporting them. The terms of the Will was a shock to all Harm's children. It is believed at that time none of them knew Walter was not Harm's biological son.
Bassil (son, child #6) had already died in 1894. So, there were nine siblings living. Each of Walter's siblings pitched in enough cash to give him an equal share. That says quite a lot for Walter, his siblings and their relationship. It wouldn't belong after Harm's death before Walter and his family moved to South Dakota and, later, on to California. Walter would then remain a resident of California throughout the remainder of his life.
#49956401:
Walter's parent, Harman Fennema and Grietje Kraaij married about 6 weeks after Walter's (Wouter) birth (DOB about mid-April 1863). Shortly thereafter, Harm bought his first farm. It is believed that Harm was paid to marry Grietje by Walter's presumed biological father. This story has been passed down through various branches of Harm and Grietje's descendants. The story varies slightly but the base details remain similar. This arranged marriage would also surely be a good explanation how a poor immigrant laborer (Harm) could suddenly have enough money to buy a farm.
Before Walter was born, Walter's mother, Grietje, and her father, Wouter de Kraaij, were working on a farm in the Pella area. She as a house servant and her father as a farm hand. It was at this time that Grietje became pregnant by the "wealthy" farm owner (compiled per combined family branches oral tradition). Down one branch is was also said that the farm owner took advantage of Grietje and later arranged the marriage to cover his guilt. It is believed that the farm owner was Wiggert Rietveld.
In 1896 when Walter's step-father Harm Fennema was quite ill, Harm had his Last Will and Testament written. In the Will, he left each of his sons a working farm and each daughter a cash dowry equal to the value of a farm, EXCEPT for Walter. To his wife Grietje and her son, Walter, he left the home farm for residence only during Grietje's lifetime. At this time, Walter was already married and had 5 children. He was also working his parent's (Harm and Grietje's) home farm supporting them. The terms of the Will was a shock to all Harm's children. It is believed at that time none of them knew Walter was not Harm's biological son.
Bassil (son, child #6) had already died in 1894. So, there were nine siblings living. Each of Walter's siblings pitched in enough cash to give him an equal share. That says quite a lot for Walter, his siblings and their relationship. It wouldn't belong after Harm's death before Walter and his family moved to South Dakota and, later, on to California. Walter would then remain a resident of California throughout the remainder of his life.
Walter's parent, Harman Fennema and Grietje Kraaij married about 6 weeks after Walter's (Wouter) birth (DOB about mid-April 1863). Shortly thereafter, Harm bought his first farm. It is believed that Harm was paid to marry Grietje by Walter's presumed biological father. This story has been passed down through various branches of Harm and Grietje's descendants. The story varies slightly but the base details remain similar. This arranged marriage would also surely be a good explanation how a poor immigrant laborer (Harm) could suddenly have enough money to buy a farm.
Before Walter was born, Walter's mother, Grietje, and her father, Wouter de Kraaij, were working on a farm in the Pella area. She as a house servant and her father as a farm hand. It was at this time that Grietje became pregnant by the "wealthy" farm owner (compiled per combined family branches oral tradition). Down one branch is was also said that the farm owner took advantage of Grietje and later arranged the marriage to cover his guilt. It is believed that the farm owner was Wiggert Rietveld.
In 1896 when Walter's step-father Harm Fennema was quite ill, Harm had his Last Will and Testament written. In the Will, he left each of his sons a working farm and each daughter a cash dowry equal to the value of a farm, EXCEPT for Walter. To his wife Grietje and her son, Walter, he left the home farm for residence only during Grietje's lifetime. At this time, Walter was already married and had 5 children. He was also working his parent's (Harm and Grietje's) home farm supporting them. The terms of the Will was a shock to all Harm's children. It is believed at that time none of them knew Walter was not Harm's biological son.
Bassil (son, child #6) had already died in 1894. So, there were nine siblings living. Each of Walter's siblings pitched in enough cash to give him an equal share. That says quite a lot for Walter, his siblings and their relationship. It wouldn't belong after Harm's death before Walter and his family moved to South Dakota and, later, on to California. Walter would then remain a resident of California throughout the remainder of his life.
Gravesite Details
b. IA d. Modesto 77 y 5 m 26 d; #2810; mmn Decry
Family Members
Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
