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Jacoba N. Robbert Collection, Undated

By Jen Vos

Collection Overview

Title: Jacoba N. Robbert Collection, Undated

Predominant Dates:1890s-1950s

ID: COLL/205

Creator: Robbert, Jacoba N. (1863-1957)

Extent: 1.0 Cubic Feet. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Languages: English [eng], Dutch;Flemish [nld]

Abstract

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.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

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.

Biographical Note

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 Information

Alternate Extent Statement: 2 Boxes

Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research use within Heritage Hall.

Acquisition Method: Donation

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)

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


Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Notebooks
Box 1
Folder 1: Notebook: Brief notes on the Book of Esther.
Folder 2: Notebook: Brief notes on the Book of Ruth. Also notes of Jan Robbert on Romans 1-4
Folder 3: Notebooks Nos. 2, 3, 4: Reflections on Proverbs 3:12-11:11. Additional observations on the woman as "helper"
Folder 4: Notebook: Reflections on the Book of James
Folder 5: Notebooks Nos. 1, 2, 3: Reflections on John 7:25-15:11
Series 2: Robbert Family
Box 1
Folder 6: Pine Rest Brochures, Letter to BK Kuiper
Folder 7: Robbert Family Correspondence --- 1912-1929
Folder 8: Transcribed Letters: Jacoba Robbert to George Robbert --- 1936-1946
Box 2
Folder 1: Robbert Family Correspondence --- 1930s
Folder 2: Robbert Family Correspondence --- 1940
Folder 3: Robbert Family Correspondence --- 1941
Folder 4: Robbert Family Correspondence --- 1942
Folder 5: Robbert Family Correspondence --- 1943
Folder 6: Robbert Family Correspondence --- 1944-1946
Folder 7: Robbert Family Correspondence --- 1950
Folder 8: Robbert Family Correspondence --- 1951, 1953, 1961
Folder 9: Miscellaneous Notes
Folder 10: Memorial Cards, Obituaries, Newspaper Clippings
Folder 11: Robbert Family Historical Information
Folder 12: Beuker/Robbert family genealogy notes