COLL/205 Guide to the Jacoba N. Robbert Collection Robbert, Jacoba N. Collection Finding Aid Authors: Jen Vos.

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Guide to the Jacoba N. Robbert Collection 1890/1950 Heritage Hall, Hekman Library Overview of the Collection Jacoba N. Robbert Collection Undated 1890s-1950s COLL/205 Robbert, Jacoba N., 1863-1957 1.00 2 Boxes English Dutch;Flemish Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Hekman Library 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids, MI, URL: http://archives.calvin.edu Email: crcarchives@calvin.edu Phone: 616-526-6913 Fax: 616-526-7689
Jacoba N. Robbert was a founder of Pine Rest, daughter of Dr. Henricus Beuker, and wife of Rev. Jan Robber. This collection contains her notes on books of the bible, materials from Pine Rest, and correspondence with her son, George.
Biographical Information:

Jacoba N. Robbert was the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Beuker, who served the Christian Reformed Church as professor of theology in the Seminary (1894-1900). She was born in Zwolle, the Netherlands, on October 3, 1863. In 1893, she came to America with her husband, the Rev. Jan Robbert.

Jacoba's life, until her husband passed away in 1922, was one of parsonage experiences in her father's home, and later with her husband. The parsonage was the place where she came into contact with such men as the Rev. A. Brummelkamp, a leader of the Secession; Dr. Gerhardus, a cousin; Dr. Herman Bavinck; Dr. Abraham Kuyper; and others. It was also the place from which she served the church. From 1922-1957 she lived outside of the parsonage, but continued to serve the church and maintained a keen interest in the varied activities of the church. Her contact with the State Mental Hospital in Kalamazoo prompted her to call together leaders of the church and businesses to establish a Christian Mental Hospital. Mrs. Robbert became one of the "founders" of Pine Rest Christian Hospital in Cutlerville, Michigan.

Our collection includes notebooks giving her reflections on a number of books of the Bible; they are all in longhand.

Dr. Jacob Hoogstra, her pastor during the last seventeen years of her life, described her "a Mother in Israel," who knew "she was saved by grace" (The Banner, August 23, 1957, page 32). Jacoba Robbert passed away on Friday, July 12, 1957.

Administrative History:

Jacoba N. Robbert was born on October 3, 1863 to parents, Dr. Henricus and Aaltje Beuker in Zwolle, the Netherlands. Dr. Beuker served several churches in the Netherlands before accepting a call to minister in the United States and serving as a professor at Calvin Theological Seminary. Jacoba and her husband, Rev. Jan Robbert immigrated the United States in 1893.

Together, Jacoba and Jan had 9 children: Aleida “Lyda,” Hendrik “Henry,” Hendereca “Reca,” Everhardus “Edward,” Hendericus “Rich,” Gesinus “George” (or “Geo”), Bernard “Ben,” Jan “John,” and Jennechien “Janet.”

Jacoba spent much of her life around clergy and theologians. In addition to her father and husband, she was related to Geerhardus Vos, Marinus Van Vessem. She also kept contact with Rev. A. Brummelkamp, Dr. Herman Bavink, and Dr. Abraham Kyuper. Her contact with the State Mental Hospital in Kalamazoo prompted her to call together leaders of the church and businesses to establish a Christian Mental Hospital. Mrs. Robbert became one of the founders of Pine Rest Christian Hospital in Cutlerville, Michigan.

After Jan Robbert passed away in 1922, Jacoba lived with her daughter, Lyda and grandson, Robert. She was an avid letter writer and corresponded with her son, George every week while he lived in Louisville, KY.

Jacoba Robbert passed away on Friday, July 12, 1957. Dr. Jacob Hoogstra, her pastor during the last seventeen years of her life, described her “a Mother in Israel,” who knew “she was saved by grace” (The Banner, August 23, 1957, page 32).

Access Terms

This Collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Topical Term: Bible Christian life Dutch Americans -- Social life and customs Reminiscing -- Religious life and customs Theology World War, 1939-1945
Administrative Information Acquisition Information:

Donation

Conditions Governing Access:

This collection is open for research use within Heritage Hall.

Preferred Citation:

[item], folder, box, Jacoba N. Robbert Collection, Heritage Hall (Hekman Library), Calvin University

Related Materials:

Jan Robbert Collection, 1877-1921 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library (calvin.edu)

Henricus Beuker Collection, 1860-1900 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library (calvin.edu)

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Collection, 1909-2003 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library (calvin.edu)

Arrangement of Materials:

Folder level description

Scope and Contents

The Jacoba N. Robbert Collection includes books of hand-written notes on books of the Bible. It also includes materials related to Pine Rest and her family history.

The largest part of the collection is a series of letters she and others wrote to her son, George Robbert. The letters span from the mid 1930s through the early 1950s and reveal glimpses of daily thoughts and happenings in the last few decades of Jacoba’s life. Her letters also reveal her thoughts on broader events including the hardships of the Great Depression, contemporary politics, and the onset of the Second World War.

Detailed List of Contents id39858 Notebooks id39859 1 id39860 1 1 Notebook: Brief notes on the Book of Esther. id39861 1 2 Notebook: Brief notes on the Book of Ruth. Also notes of Jan Robbert on Romans 1-4 id39862 1 3 Notebooks Nos. 2, 3, 4: Reflections on Proverbs 3:12-11:11. Additional observations on the woman as "helper" id39863 1 4 Notebook: Reflections on the Book of James id39864 1 5 Notebooks Nos. 1, 2, 3: Reflections on John 7:25-15:11 id125994 Robbert Family id125979 1 id125995 1 6 Pine Rest Brochures, Letter to BK Kuiper id125980 1 7 Robbert Family Correspondence 1912-1929 id125981 1 8 Transcribed Letters: Jacoba Robbert to George Robbert 1936-1946 id125982 2 id125983 2 1 Robbert Family Correspondence 1930s id125984 2 2 Robbert Family Correspondence 1940 id125985 2 3 Robbert Family Correspondence 1941 id125986 2 4 Robbert Family Correspondence 1942 id125987 2 5 Robbert Family Correspondence 1943 id125988 2 6 Robbert Family Correspondence 1944-1946 id125989 2 7 Robbert Family Correspondence 1950 id125990 2 8 Robbert Family Correspondence 1951, 1953, 1961 id125991 2 9 Miscellaneous Notes id125992 2 10 Memorial Cards, Obituaries, Newspaper Clippings id125993 2 11 Robbert Family Historical Information id127303 2 12 Beuker/Robbert family genealogy notes