Five Brothers and a War

The van Pelts—Bartholomeus and Maria

In 1840, Bartholomeus van Pelt married Maria van Pelt, raising questions about possible incest. In looking at the family relationships, the common thread goes back to Huybert van Pelt, who was born in 1711 and married Maria Schouten in 1738. The ancestors of Leendert van Pelt (1887-1947), and therefore the five boys, are shown in bold. Each tab stop represents a generational step.

Huybert van Pelt (1711-????) [1738] Maria Schouten (????-????) Leendert Huibert van Pelt (1739-1807) [1767] Jenneke Boer (~1737-1807) Sebastien van Pelt (1771-????) [1813] Adriana Verhoeven (1780-????) Bartholomeus van Pelt (1816-1896) [1840] Maria van Pelt (1806-1878)

Huybert van Pelt (1711-????) [1738] Maria Schouten (????-????) Dirk Huibertzoon van Pelt (1760-????) [ ] Antonia “Tona” de Rooij

Maria van Pelt (1806-1878) [1840] Bartholomeus van Pelt (1816-1896)

Maria was 10 years older than Bartholomeus. This relationship was first cousin, once removed—Maria’s grandfather was Bartholomeus’ great-grandfather. The common blood was 1/32 or 3.125%. The relationship was entirely legal, even by today’s laws and standards.

van Pelt

Five Brothers and a War

Page 116