HISTORICAL PERSONS WITH THE NAME OF "POOT"

Transcription

1 HISTORICAL PERSONS WITH THE NAME OF "POOT" The following Poots were initially selected as examples of interesting or historically significant persons who may or may not be relatives of J.W. Poot. Later, it was nice to discover that some were direct ancestors. There have been many Poots who were ministers, and even more who held important church offices. Some of the ministers were left out of the following historical and contemporary lists to offer a greater variety of persons. If I have located the person in the family tree at their ancestry reference number is shown in brackets. Lack of a number does not rule out a family relationship because I have not yet thoroughly checked all of these persons. Gerrit Hase-Poot 1550's Inquisition in the Netherlands (Martyrology p93) This is one of the earliest references that I have found to the name of Poot. Gerrit Hase-Poot was of the Baptist faith and lived in Nymegen. I do not know if he is related, but I have heard that some Poot relatives may have lived in Nymegen (Nijmegen). During the Reformation, one of the Protestant faiths to develop in the Netherlands was Baptist. The King of Spain and the Pope revived the Inquisition in the Netherlands to suppress the spread of non-catholic beliefs. Gerrit fled the Inquisition, but returned to retrieve his wife and children. He was seen, captured, and sentenced to burn at the stake. When offered a customary glass of wine before his execution, Gerrit refused it and said, "I desire not this wine, but hope to drink new wine, and to receive it above in my Father's house." When taken from the wagon to the scaffold, he raised his voice to sing a hymn. He then fell to his feet and made a prayer, then removed the slippers from his feet, saying, "It were a pity to burn these, for they may be of service to some poor person!" Upon the scaffold, the strangulation strap had come loose and he was able to complete singing the hymn he started earlier. The executioner then tightened the cord so Gerrit became unconscious as the flames consumed him. Pieter Pietersz Poot [136] Dec 1640 He was the son of Pieter Pietersz Poot ( ) and a direct ancestor of J.W and W.F. Poot. He was born in 1577 in the Vlaardinger-ambacht district around Kethel. His mother Lijsbeth Huybrechtdr was born in Kethel in 1555 and died there in May He was a "bouwman" (which can mean a builder, architect, or farmer) in Spaland (now part of Kethel) in (revised ) - Historical Poots - - page 1 -

2 Zuid-Holland. He apparently owned a good amount of land and he continued to add to his holdings over the years. The old records in the Schiedam municipality show that he purchased 1/9 of a man's land in Spaland in 1633, and then purchased from a widow in 1636 her lands from North Kethel to Groeneweg. He served as an alderman or magistrate in Spaland from about 1613 until he died in He lived his entire life during the lengthy war with Spain and the Catholic Church. Spaland is near Delft, which was the fortified capital of the war effort. His father died at the young age of thirty, and one can speculate that he might have been a casualty of the war for independence. Pieter then had three stepfathers between 1580 and 1590, and some of them may have also been felled in the very fierce fighting during that period. His last stepfather was Dirk Peurman. Generations of Poot "bouwman" preceded him, and five more generations of Poot bouwmen and aldermen followed. Around 1602 he married Martijntgen Cornelisdr Verhouck. She was born in nearby Vlaardinger Woud about 1580 and she died in Spaland on May 7, Pieter was the father of Huibrecht Pietersz Poot. Huibrecht Pietersz Poot [119] Oct 1690 He was a "bouwman" and landowner in Groeneweg and Kethel, Zuid Holland. In Schiedam he left many legal records that show him managing the inheritance estates of his brother Cornelis and other relatives. He held the important office of Church Master in Kethel He was an alderman He was a prominent "welgeboren" or well-born man. He was first married in Kethel Dec. 29, 1635 to Neeltje Pietersdr. After his first wife's death, he remarried to Neeltje Harmensdr Koeckoeck in nearby Overschie on Oct 14, His son Pieter held two church positions. As Deacon of the Poor, Peter was responsible for disbursing funds to the needy. Another son, Harmen, was a wealthy "bouwman" owning land and many animals. Harmen leased some of his land to tenant farmers. (The children of Huibrecht s second marriage are direct ancestors to J.W. and W.F. Poot. He was grandfather to the famous poet H.K. Poot.) Abraham van Poot, M.D. Born 1617? in Amsterdam. Death date uncertain, but after Abraham belonged to one of the first families of Amsterdam (North Holland), but his family is sometimes confused with the Poots from Abstwoude (South Holland). His father, Harmen Huybert van Poot, was a painter of subjects on wood in Zwanenburgwal (North Holland). Abraham's oldest brother, Petrus van Poot, was a preacher in Pijnacker (South Holland). His next younger brother was named Herman. His youngest brother was Huybert van Poot, after whom the famous poet (H.K. Poot) was (revised ) - Historical Poots - - page 2 -

3 named. The two younger brothers worked with goods of painted silk which was a popular and expensive import into Europe. Abraham began his career as an apothecary, living in the artist's quarter of Utrecht. He was enrolled in the medical school in Utrecht and was graduated on May 11 of He was given the turbulent assignment of Secretary (of Food Production Planning?) in 1672, which propelled him to public fame. After this, his political interests inspired him to write several significant works about political events and about his theories of political and religious issues. His many works brought him celebrity and a place in Dutch political history. He wrote about the Tribunal's persecution of religious evangelism in Hungary; about the old and new pressures bearing upon Christians; and about the facts and theories of theology. He wrote about the battles of the Prince of Orange to restore English religious freedom. He wrote of the Reformation in Hungary and Sweden. He also edited and added his observations to a book about Bor's Netherland War. In an entirely different subject, he was a contributor to a book about the botany of Malabar India, which was published in several parts during the 1680's. Petrus van Poot 1600's (estimated circa ) This brother of Abraham van Poot was an important Christian minister and writer, and is recorded in the histories of the Netherlands. His books were published in Leiden. The titles of his works are in Latin and I am not confident in my translations. The works are dated from 1655 to 1688 and are about theological disputes. A. van der Poot An early Dutch painter. Albert Poot died 1676 An important minister and religious author. (revised ) - Historical Poots - - page 3 -

4 Hubert Korneliszoon Poot [311] born: January 23, 1689 in Abtswoude/Schipluiden, South Holland died: December 31, 1733 in Delft, South Holland He makes a good example for demonstrating some aspects of Dutch names. His middle name, means "Kornelis' son", and follows the patronymic naming style used until the early 1800's. His middle name, like other patronyms, is sometimes abbreviated to Kornelisz, the "z" implying the "zoon". However, since a family name is present, and many people lacked a family name at this early date, the middle name is often shortened to simply Kornelis. He is most often referred to as H.K. Poot. Since the letters "K" and "C" are sometimes interchanged in Dutch writing, he is also known as Cornelis(z) or H.C. Poot. Spelling was not standardized and his first name is also spelled as Huibrecht. As you can see, a single Dutch person may have several variations in their name. He is often described as an uneducated commoner of humble origins. However, the family history shows that his humble origins were overdramatized. H.K. Poot considered his parents' business expectations a burden and deprecated his background. He did not attend a university, but he did have a normal childhood education. The Poot family was not royalty by any measure, yet it had been well-to-do and prominent for several generations, holding positions like alderman and church master. They were listed among the "welgeboren" or well-born. H.K. Poot was also listed in the directory of "welgeboren", although his fame from writing would have earned him that title. The province of Zuid Holland was well developed and most land was owned by wealthy landholders. Few farmers in that area owned their own land, yet his parents owned their farm and expected him to carry on the family business. The Dutch traditionally considered any farmer a peasant by definition, regardless of their wealth or prominence. His father Kornelis was musically talented, and was inspired by his son to make use of his literary skills late in life. H.K. Poot is the most famous writer of classic Dutch poetry. His poetic skill was self-taught, and he enjoyed the company of other authors, poets, and artists. He grew up in the Ab(t)swoude - Schipluiden area, but traveled to Delft frequently. He abandoned the family business and attempted to live as a writer in Delft. After a year of liberated living, he unhappily returned home due to a lack of money. In 1732 he married Neeltje 't Hart. He then moved back into Delft to open a Tobacco shop. He became sick and died from kidney disease in 1733 at the age of 44. His first book, Gedichten (Poetry), underwent several editions and revisions from 1716 through His most famous book, Mengeldichten (Mixed Poetry) was first published in Additional poems were published posthumously in the "Life of the Poets" in Another work titled, "Het groot natuur- en zedekundigh werelttonel", was (revised ) - Historical Poots - - page 4 -

5 Poet H.K. Poot in 1729, age 30. Note the family resemblance. Belgian composer, conductor, educator - Marcel Poot. Ray Poat baseball card for the 1948 NY Giants.

6 also published posthumously circa , but its authorship has been disputed. He is known as "the Dutch Hesiod". Hesiod was one of the earliest of the great Greek poets circa 800 B.C.. Hesiod's "Works and Days" told about the proper behavior of men in a peasant setting. Poot is also compared to the poet Robert Burns. H.K. Poot's works are said to demonstrate a historic peak of clever stylized poetry in Dutch literature that has never again been equaled. His poems have various lengths ranging from short to long. Many poems are tributes to people - biblical figures, family, and friends. Three of his more famous tributes are to his deceased daughter, to his father, and to his famous friend the scientist Antony van Leeuwenhoek. Some poems appear to contain humorous twists or moral lessons that would appeal to middle class and working class Dutch. Some of his most popular poems describe idyllic country settings and others extoll passionate love. His poetry tended to be rhythmic and used a variety of rhyming schemes. His heart was with the city of Delft. It was not a large city, yet it was very important. It was the home of the royal House of Orange and the Orange family was buried in the Old Church. Delft was a center for the arts, where skilled craftsmen and famous artists like Vermeer lived. It was also a popular tourist destination for British writers and artists. H.K. Poot was acquainted with many of the writers, artists, and educated people of Delft. He was a friend of the father of microscopy, Antony van Leeuwenhoek. Poot wrote the epitaph on Leeuwenhoek's grave inside the Oude Kerk (Old Church) in Delft. H.K. Poot is also buried inside the Old Church among the historically important and famous people. He was the son of the brother of a direct Poot ancestor, which makes him a cousin. Drawings of him show a family likeness. I have prepared a rough English translation of his tribute to his deceased daughter Jacoba. Although the meter and the rhyming couplets are lost, the deep feeling survives the translation. On the Death of My Daughter (1733) Jacoba entered reluctantly into this base world; And to the end she wrote to us with her innocence. Hers was a narrow window that went slowly inert. The mother kissed the sweetheart, Empty weight from life's vision, And called the little soul to return: (revised ) - Historical Poots - - page 5 -

7 Impede that swift flight Now already gone above Beside God's joyful host. Now Holy pure, laugh and play Around the highest throne; And spread out your slender wings - Sustain us through grief and pain. O flower of thirteen days, Your sanctity forbids our complaint. Marcel Poot The Belgian composer Marcel Poot was born in Vilvoorde, Brussels on May 7, His father, Jan Poot, was head of the Flemish Theater in Brussels. Starting in 1939, Marcel held various positions at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels, and headed it from 1949 until He was chairman of the music copyright organization SABAM, and is one of the few Belgian composers to achieve fame outside of his country. He promoted music periodicals, founded various music organizations, and was State-Inspector of Music-Education. He left behind an extensive selection of compositions for symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, piano, horn, opera, ballet, and radio plays. He died in Marcel Poot s lively and spirited style of composition expresses a youthful mischievousness and lust for life, expressed in lively rhythms and often short melodic themes. He achieved instant fame in 1934 with a gay overture dedicated to his famed instructor, Paul Dukas. Poot is considered a neo-classicist, for his style uses classical structures but with modern rhythms and contrasting thematic elements. Poot s symphonic music is mostly abstract, without extra-musical content or meaning, as it expresses his personal musical imagination. Marcel Poot wrote seven symphonies at different periods of his career. Currently available recordings include: Flemish Romantic Music POOT: Symphonic No. 6 / Pygmalion ( Suite ) POOT: Symphonies Nos. 3, 5 and 7 (revised ) - Historical Poots - - page 6 -

8 Raymond Willis ("Ray") Poat [7430] December 19, April 29, 1990 Ray was a professional baseball player He was born in 1917 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Joseph Poat, a bookkeeper for the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank. Joseph Poat was the brother of W.F. Poat. At 6'2" and 200 pounds, Ray was tall and sturdy like most of the Poats. He was a star baseball player at Lindblom High School in Chicago. He played college baseball while attending the University of Illinois at Champaign In 1937 he was honored as the Big Ten - Most Valuable Player for his 9-0 record. Ray was then signed to play professionally in the minor leagues for the Cedar Rapids Raiders, in the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. The Raiders captured the 1939 pennant, and finished first in the league in 1940 and Ray advanced to the major leagues with the American League Cleveland Indians in Starting in 1947 he played in the National League for the New York Giants. In 1948 he suffered an elbow injury that shortened his career. After only two games in 1949, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for the remainder of the season. Ray was a pitcher, although his batting was sometimes good. His play was of professional quality and his statistics were above average. Ray's best seasons were in 1947 and He achieved distinction by pitching three shutouts in Sportswriters teased the team that traded him by quipping "they missed the Poat!" Except when a starter pitcher in 1948 for the New York Giants, he was usually a relief pitcher. He retired from baseball in In 1950 he joined Corn Products Corporation (now CPC International) to work as a quality control chemist. He was promoted to the important position of Quality Control Manager of the Starch Division before he retired in Ray died in 1990 in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn, Illinois. Dr. L. D. (Lourens Dirk) Terlaak Poot He was a highly visible and influential theologian in the Netherlands. He graduated from university in Dr. Poot was a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church (Hervormde Kerk) at the important church in Amsterdam. He wrote extensively and published many books from 1920 until the 1950s. His famous 1947 book, "The Tyranny Expelled" (De Tyrannie Verdrijven) was critical of passive accommodation toward the Nazis and was controversial. From he was leader of the Christian School in The Hague ('s- Gravenhaagsch Christelijk Gymnasium). He worked on revising the (revised ) - Historical Poots - - page 7 -

9 Liturgical Handbook (1934-6, 1952), was president of the Dutch Christian Press Bureau, and national president of the Dutch Reformed Church. His hyphenated name apparently came from the Terlaak family of The Hague who married into the Poot family in Poot Gebroeders Publishing of Rotterdam circa Solser and Hesse Poot published and co-authored comedy music and lyrics, and also some plays. They published a popular collection of Dutch folksongs. The geographic location suggests a possible connection to the Poot family, although their given names sound German. (revised ) - Historical Poots - - page 8 -