Jannetje: A Love Story

By Ethel Mary Beeke Mack

The words to follow are mine. Some of the words are fiction, some are based on facts that I gleaned from my maternal aunts, my grandmother and Google. My mother was Johanna Mepjans Gruizinga Beeke. Jannetje Mepjans was my mothers grandmother, my Great-Grandmother. I will admit that most of the words are the stirrings in my active imagination. I love to write so bear with me on my new adventure of writing a story. This effort is dedicated to the love I have for my mother and grandmothers. After having done much research on my family, I will begin my story with the following descriptions.
My story is about a tiny Dutch woman named Jannetje VanDenBrink Mepjans. She was born in a small Dutch village, Echleter, Drenthe Province, in the Netherlands. Her parents were a couple named Thys and Gespke VanDenBrink. Jannetje became known as Tiny Jenny. She was a very delicate and frail child, prone to childhood diseases and suffered with the dreaded scarlet fever. In her adult years, she had thyroid problems, which she passed on to future generations and it left her bald in her later years. (She wore a wig.) Because of this, Gespke became an over protective mother hen. She was constantly shielding her beloved daughter under her mother wings, oblivious to what an effect she was having with her control issues toward others around her.
Papa Thys was a dairy farmer trying to scratch out a living for his family. Most villagers were dirt poor trying to make a profit from their land and animals. The village, Eechleter, would soon fall under German (Duislandt) rule. The Kingdom of Prussia became the new order. With this drastic take over, most civil records were lost. This made it difficult to secure records of births, deaths, marriages, etc. But, thanks to the Church Of The Latter Day Saints (Mormon) on Drake Road in Kalamazoo, Michigan, it was possible for me to get some birth certificates on microfiche files that eventually led me to my Great-Grandfather, Jan Mepjans. Jan was a tall, dark-haired, slender, blue-eyed Dutchman born in the Kingdom of Prussia. His parents owned and operated the only farm equipment store in the area. He was a self-absorbed young man and was aware of his good looks. He was also aware that the usual Dutch appearance was blond hair with blue eyes. As I stated before, they owned a very busy store and that made it, generally, easier for Jan to meet and see the attractive, available young maidens of Echleter. One of these maidens was my Great Grandmother, Jenny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499009804

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Copyright © 2014 by Ethel Mary Beeke Mack.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Rev. date: 05/08/2014

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Contents

Prologue & Preface

Chapter 1:   An Unexpected Pregnancy: Plans & Schemes

Chapter 2:   A Solution & Repercussions

Chapter 3:   Life Changes in Putten, the Netherlands

Chapter 4:   Departing the Netherland for America

Chapter 5:   Tale of a Ship’s Traverse

Chapter 6:   Arrival at Ellis Island

Chapter 7:   The comforts of home?

Chapter 8:   Friends Made, Hospitality Accepted, Painful Farewells

Chapter 9:   Wandering the Country, Michigan Bound

Chapter 10: Arrival in Grasschap, Michigan

Epilogue & Acknowledgements

Prologue & Preface

The words to follow are mine. Some of the words are fiction, some are based on facts that I gleaned from my maternal aunts, my grandmother and Google. My mother was Johanna Mepjans Gruizinga Beeke. Jannetje Mepjans was my mother’s grandmother, my Great-Grandmother. I will admit that most of the words are the stirrings in my active imagination. I love to write so bear with me on my new adventure of writing a story. This effort is dedicated to the love I have for my mother and grandmothers. After having done much research on my family, I will begin my story with the following descriptions.

My story is about a tiny Dutch woman named Jannetje VanDenBrink Mepjans. She was born in a small Dutch village, Echleter, Drenthe Province, in the Netherlands. Her parents were a couple named Thys and Gespke VanDenBrink. Jannetje became known as Tiny Jenny. She was a very delicate and frail child, prone to childhood diseases and suffered with the dreaded scarlet fever. In her adult years, she had thyroid problems, which she passed on to future generations and it left her bald in her later years. (She wore a wig.) Because of this, Gespke became an over protective mother hen. She was constantly shielding her beloved daughter under her mother wings, oblivious to what an effect she was having with her control issues toward others around her.

Papa Thys was a dairy farmer trying to scratch out a living for his family. Most villagers were dirt poor trying to make a profit from their land and animals. The village, Eechleter, would soon fall under German (Duislandt) rule. The Kingdom of Prussia became the new order. With this drastic take over, most civil records were lost. This made it difficult to secure records of births, deaths, marriages, etc. But, thanks to the Church Of The Latter Day Saints (Mormon) on Drake Road in Kalamazoo, Michigan, it was possible for me to get some birth certificates on microfiche files that eventually led me to my Great-Grandfather, Jan Mepjans. Jan was a tall, dark-haired, slender, blue-eyed Dutchman born in the Kingdom of Prussia. His parents owned and operated the only farm equipment store in the area. He was a self-absorbed young man and was aware of his good looks. He was also aware that the usual Dutch appearance was blond hair with blue eyes. As I stated before, they owned a very busy store and that made it, generally, easier for Jan to meet and see the attractive, available young maidens of Echleter. One of these maidens was my Great Grandmother, Jenny.

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Chapter 1

An Unexpected Pregnancy: Plans & Schemes

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Jenny was rather shy, blushing whenever Jan noticed her in the store. In the beginning, there were awkward moments. Jenny shyly peered from under her white Dutch bonnet, which all-respectable Dutch maidens wore, carefully daring to show her beautiful, fluid, blue eyes. Gradually, she braved enough to begin idle chats with Jan all the while guarding herself from any embarrassing slips-ups. Jan was already smitten with her shyness and beauty and continued to pursue her from a guarded distance. Each time Thys came to the store without Jenny, Jan accosted him asking, Is Jenny sick? Where has she been lately?

Thys tried swatting the pesky nuisance away but he was always there asking about Jenny. He could never bring himself to tell his beloved daughter that there was someone interested in her, especially that schelm (rascal) Jan! Better to just leave things as they were. So, their relationship was stymied.

In the mean time, as they returned home, Jenny’s mother Gepske asked Thys, Why is Jan asking after Jenny? She’s not his sort so don’t encourage him.

In response, Thys declared, What? I’ve told you several times that Jan is not who I hope for her. I’ve not told her anything that matroos ezel (jackass) has said to me. Are you forgetting that she’s miene dochter (my daughter), too?

Suddenly a small voice asked, Papa, are you talking about that ezel (donkey) that Jan Gross Vader is selling?

Both parents turned shocked faces at their daughter, who had appeared in the room without them knowing, and Gepske mumbled to Thys, How much did she hear? Admit nothing. It will only make her more determined to know him.

Both parents smiled at their crafty ways, but what did Jenny hear? Of course, as things always ramble forward, Jenny eventually inquired of her friend, Jan, why are you talking to my Papa about that stupid ezel your Grandfather has for sale?

Jan’s face told the whole story. What are you porren (jabbering about)? To himself, he muttered under his breath, What is that oud zat (old fool) rambling on about tegen (now)?

He smiled at Jenny as he busied himself taking care of the new hofijzer (horse shoes) that had come to the store by railen (rail). Some day, he would give that oud sot a piece of his mind! He again smiled at Jenny and told her, Did you know that Emilia is four months swinger (pregnant)? And guess where Jacob was? Ya, America! Jenny blushed, turned and started for the door. She waved huten tag (good day) to Jan, turned again and started on her way. Jan ran after to tell her, Kann tif (can we) meet again soon?" But, clearly she was already homeward bound. No time to linger. She hurried home.

The time passed slowly and almost three weeks passed before Jenny appeared in the store in tears. Jan! I need to talk to you! She was sobbing as she informed him, Papa has verbeiden (forbidden) me to see you anymore."

As Jan comforted her, he embraced her tenderly. Jenny, there is not enough strength in your father’s words to keep me from you. He gently pulled her chin for a better angle to kiss her. Jenny did not resist… until Jan tried to propel her towards the barn door, because she knew she couldn’t resist him.

They tumbled as he led her through the doorway. His hands were everywhere, touching her, discovering her body throbbing with desire as he led her to the hayloft. Jenny knew they had passed beyond the point of her resistance to stop his kisses, his fingers exploring. Then, she became of the unbuttoned dress and his hoarse whispers, and abruptly stopped, wanting to reach out for more, Realizing what had just happened, she