By Jen Vos
Title: Jacoba N. Robbert Collection, Undated
Predominant Dates:1890s-1950s
ID: COLL/205
Primary Creator: Robbert, Jacoba N. (1863-1957)
Extent: 1.0 Cubic Feet. More info below.
Arrangement: Folder level description
Subjects: Bible, Christian life, Dutch Americans - Social life and customs, Reminiscing - Religious life and customs, Theology, World War, 1939-1945
Languages: English, Dutch;Flemish
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.
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).
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.
Bible
Christian life
Dutch Americans - Social life and customs
Reminiscing - Religious life and customs
Theology
World War, 1939-1945
Repository: Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
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)
Preferred Citation: [item], folder, box, Jacoba N. Robbert Collection, Heritage Hall (Hekman Library), Calvin University
