Contents
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Expanded review and additional comments to Olaf
Jæger's article in Norsk Slektshistorisk Tidskrift of 1934 regarding
Ahasverus de Créqui de la Roche and his family
Olaf Jæger's excellent article and research
back in 1934, published in Norsk Slektshistorisk Tidsskrift (NST), formed
the basis for our present day research into the de Créquy family
history and was the starting point of my update.
I have devoted a lot of time and effort, as have
most of us in SIEC, to find the connection or "missing link"
between Ahasverus and his father Jean to the rest of "La Grande
Famille" in Artois/Picardie in France. I had found a lot of pieces
here and there, but reached many dead-ends, which was very frustrating.
It is very difficult to communicate with archives half-way around the
world, especially when your question is "do you have something
on..." and not being able to be more precise. I have a lot of information
on "La Grande Famille" but not much on de Créqui in
the Netherlands in the late 1500's and in the early and midle of the
1600's.
I therefore decided to engage the services of a
genealogist in Den Haag, the Netherlands, where most of the main archives
are located, such as Gemeente Archiv Den Haag, Rijsarchiv and Centraal
Bureau voor Genealogie. I was lucky and found a very competent, hard
working young lady. I sent her most of what I had collected of information
on the Créquis in the Netherlands and asked her to fill in the
holes, where ever they were. Over a period of 6 weeks or more we worked
together and she was able to find a lot more information, however, the
end result was that we still do not have the "missing link",
at least not for sure.
We have, however, found much additional information,
such as finding Gertrude Rengers' family and correct coat of arms. Also,
that many children attributed to AHASVERUS were not his. Possibly, that
JEAN (Ahasverus father) came from NE France and then to the Netherlands.
Further, that it was Jean's son, also called Jean, who were in the services
of Portugal. Many other relatives were found and insights in their lives
so many years ago, and some good leads to pursue further.
Olaf Jæger did an excellent job in researching
and finding what he found, especially 70 years ago. He covered a large
area and made good use of what he found.
Below, I am listing my discoveries and comments
in a chronology and have listed them in a yearly order, the oldest first.
I would appreciate any questions and comments that you may have and
if any clarifications are needed.
Chronology
de Créquy de la Roche Family
1581
Jean de Créqui, quincailler, married to
Jeanne Femmelart, Sedan, France.
Daughter: Jeanne baptized 25 May 1581 Eglise
Wallone (EW)
1585
Jean de Créqui, fondeur, married to Jeanne
Fomelan, Sedan, France
Son: Bartelemy de Créqui bapt. 21 Mar
1585 EW.
Comments: A good guess here is that this
Jean may be the father of "our" Jean married to Gertrude
Rengers and grandfather of Ahasverus. This needs to be confirmed elsewhere.
This Jean was a quincailler which is an iron/hardware dealer, who
could also deal in weapons/arms and in 1585 is shown as a fondeur
which is a caster of cannons, bells, statues etc which would be a
logical progression from a quincailler. The other Créquis later
on were mostly in the Artillery and as Petardiers (explosives) which
are all closely related.
1589
Esther de Crequi, married to Gerard de Blene 19
Feb 1589 EW.
Comments: Could be a sister of Jean
1594
Daniel de Crequi is received as a member of EW in
Amsterdam 29 Nov 1594.
1612
Jonkheer, Captain Johan de Crequy gesigt Larosge
married Jouffrouwe Geertruijt Rengers 3 June 1612 in the Grote or St.
Jacobskerke in Den Haag.
Comments: Very little information is known
about Jonkheer, Captain Johan (Jean?) de Crequy and where he came
from and who his parents were. An educated guess is that he could
be a son of Jean de Créqui of Sedan, mentioned under year 1581.
The Military collection "Wakker" at the
Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie in Den Haag has fragmented bits of information,
among one is a 1632 notation that Jean de Crequy said La Roche was in
the Regiment Brederode. The names are also spelled differently as de
Créqui, de Crequy, de Creki, de Cressie, de la Roche, de la Rosche,
de la Rossie, said La Rosge, dit la Roche etc. especially in the late
1500's and early 1600's
1636
On Sunday 4 May 1636 the banns were posted, "Promesse
de Marriage", between Cyrus de Perceval, Quartermaster of the Regiment
of Monsignor Wimberge and Damoiselle Judith de Crequy, domiciled at
Crevecoeur. There were no objection to the marriage. EW.
1641
In the Gemeentearchiv den Haag, there is a document
dated 13 Aug 1641 which states that Johan Cressie de la Roche, Capt.
in the Services of the King of Portugal should pay a sum of money. The
document is issued by two of his creditors, who agrees that the first
of them who should come across him, should also prosecute on behalf
of the other.
1642
Jean de Créqui, Heer van Walles, in his
life a Captain in the Services of The Country (=The United Netherlands),
was dead by 22 April 1642. The information appears in a document where
the widow Gertrude Rengers is described in connection with her neighbours
in Monster. (SIEC's source: Gerard, Monster, autumn 2001).
1646
Jeanne de Crequi born London, England in 1646, daughter
of Capt. in the Artillery Barthelemy de Crequi, was buried in Sedan
on 28 Feb 1681.
1647
Notary Index dated 27 Mar 1647 shows Geertruijt
Rengers, as widow of Capt. de Créqui dict La Rosge, appearing
with her son, Ahasverus, who was to receive 260 Guilders from the Seigneur
of Venice for services as a petardier. Her mother guarantees for the
amount in case he should not fulfill his committment, but is not obliged
to repay in case he should die on his way to Venice. On 28 Mar 1647
they appear again in Notary Court and Ahasverus declares that he has
received all his inheritance from his late father, in his life a Captain
in the Services of the Country Netherlands.
The same day Gertrude makes a statement to the Court
that Ahasverus has given her a receipt for full payment of his inheritance
from his father, Capt. Johan de Créqui dit La Roche - but, she
continues, despite his declaration, she has not paid him anything at
all and he is still entitled to his inheritage. She promises not the
use the former document against him.
Comments: The reason for these two statements
on 28 March may be that Ahaverus wanted to hide his inheritage from
his creditors, in case his mother should die and someone should want
to take arrest in her estate. Ahasverus did not need his inheritage
in 1647, and possibly his mother did not have the means to pay him;
this was a precaution for later use.
Jean Elisabeth de Crequi married to Godefroi Dehayes
4 July 1647 EW Sedan.
1648
On 26 July 1648 the posting of the banns between
Jonkheer Assuerus de Créqui dict la Roche, young man living in
Den Haag and Judith Sweers, young daughter from Amsterdam took place
in the Wallone Church in Den Haag as well as in the church in Amsterdam.
The Church records in Amsterdam shows that the marriage took place on
1 Aug 1648.
1650
On 2 Sep 1650, Gertrude Rengers buries an unnamed
son in Monster, according to the church records (SIEC's source: Gerard,
Monster, autumn 2001).
1651
On 2 Jan 1651 a document in Notary Index shows that
Jonkheer Cyrus de Perceval and the Lady Judith de Créqui, his
wife, living in Monster, have received from his brother, Pieterde Perceval,
Capt. and Quatermaster the sum of 900 Pounds as maternal inheritance.
1654
On 19 Apr 1654 Getrude Rengers was buried in
Monster. In a document the same day, her children
- Judieth de Créqui married with
Cyrus de Parceval, and
- Ahasverus de Créqui,
agrees that their siblings
- Jean de Créqui,
- Bartholomeus de Créqui,
- Maria de Créqui and
- Gertrude de Créqui
shall share their late mother's house in Monster.
(SIEC's source: Gerard, Monster, autumn 2001).
Comments: Together with the information
about the unnamed son buried in Sep 1650, we now know that Jean and
Gertrude had at least seven children, as compared with the three children
known earlier.
1655
The following excerpt from the Notary Records dated
6 Sept 1655 shows that it was not Johan de Créqui (the father)
but the son, also named Johan de Créqui who was a captain in
the services of the King of Portugal. The document shows that Jonkheer
Johan Cricqui de la Roche, formerly Captain in the service of his Majesty
of Portugal, presently living in Monster (Zuid Holland) authorizes this
date, 6 Sept 1655, that the noble Gerard de Roodere be appointed to
defend him in his business that he has before the court.
Since his father was dead before April 1642 and
this took place in 1655, it would indicate that it was the son who had
served the King of Portugal, not the father. A later court document
also states that is was the younger Johan who served the King of Portugal.
Another interesting part is that the title of "Jonkheer"
is shown on all the official documents. The title of Jonkheer is according
to the French dictionary LaRousse: Noble Hollander whose rank is that
of a Squire. Also, can be called an "Ecuyer" which can be
translated as a title carried by a young noble nobleman not yet knighted.
The rank may be fairly low, but at least it shows noble descent , which
would indicate a connection to the great French family from Artois in
France.
1665
On 21 Mar 1665 Judith de Crequy de La Roche, late
wife of Jonkheer de Perceval makes list of all her possessions and debts,
a document 20 pages long. With her son Jan.
1628/1795
In the various archives and indexes there are many
persons with the names of Crequi and Crequi de la Roche. It is impossible
at this time to connect them all in the proper family relationships,
since parents are not indicated in most instances. I will list them
in the order of the year in which they appear, with whatever information
that is available.
- Adrien de Crequi married to Jenne Coignette.
Two children. Married again 1634 to Jenne Le Roy. Delft.
- Jacques de Crequi married to Jaqueline Chaquet
1635. Delft.
- Guillaume de Crequi married to Margerite Cardane
1637. Utrecht.
- Johannes de Crequi married to Grietje Laerq.
Son, Jacobus de Crequi bapt 5/12/1685 Den Haag
- Jonkheer Jan de Crequi de la Roche married to
Engerje Willems Tienthof at Loosduinsche Roman Catholic Church 19
Nov 1719, outside Den Haag.
- Jan de Crequi de la Roche married to Pieternella
van Es, died 30 Oct 1795 in Poeldijk.
Military Notices:
1642
Bartholemeus de Crequi de la Roche, resigns office
of Master Petardier.
1647
Bartholemeus de Crequy, Sieur de la Roche, Knight,
appointed Capt. of Petardiers.
1655
Johan de Crequi, Sieur de la Roche, Appointed Capt.
of Petardier for the Country, to succeed Bartholemeus de Crequi. 5 Feb
1655
1657
Johan de Crequy, Sieur de la Roche, appointed Colonel
16 Feb 1657.
1673
Jean de Crequi de la Roche Lt. Colonel 12 Dec 1673
Who were Ahasverus de Créqui dit la Roche
and Judith Sweers' children - and who were not? A mystery is solved!
In previous reports, mainly Olaf Jæger's,
many children has been attributed to Ahasverus and Judith.
The family records show that the first child was
named Johanna, who later on married Christian Jæger in Norway.
Oddly enough, the church records for Monster or Den Haag do not show
the baptism any place. The second child, Alida, bapt. 22/10/1651 and
the third child Catrina bapt. 1/2/1654 are both in the church records
of 's-Gravensande. Two more children, Frederik-Henrik and Salomon were
born in Norway. These were, of course, all children of Ahasverus and
his first wife Judith.
There were considerable discussions in our group
regarding four more children attributed to Ahasverus and Judith, as
follows:
- Johannes 23/5/1655,
- Aradina 21/1/1657,
- Aradine 30/6/1658 and
- Johannes 5/11/1659.
All of these children were NOT Ahasverus children,
but children of his brother Johan (Jean) de Créqui per the church
records of 's-Gravensande.
Johan's wife's name was not indicated but Gertrude
de Créqui, his sister*, was a witness. The SIEC group had always
wondered how Ahasverus could have fathered these many children since
he went to Norway in 1657, while the children were all born in the Netherlands.
Now we know...
* As the mother died in 1654, according to information
aquired after this newsletter was first published, we now know that
Gertrude de Créqui was Jean's sister.
The Rengers Coat of Arms
The wife, Gertrude Rengers was believed at first to be from the
noble Rengers family from Groningen province in the northern part of
The Netherlands, but that Rengers family carried another coat of arms.
A further investigation recently discovered by me that another Rengers
family coat of arms were listed in the Max von Spiessen's Westphalische
Wappenbook , Vol III, page 207, which is the same as our family records.
Unfortunately there was no genealogy listed with the arms, but I have
started a research in Westphalia, Germany.
Illustration to the right: Coat of Arms for the
Rengers-family listed in the Max von Spiessen's Westphalische Wappenbook
, Vol III, page 207
Ahasverus de Créqui dit la Roche defends
his honour with sword in hand
To finish these pages on Ahasverus and family let
me tell a short story, which is real and true, as it appears in the
official Notary Archives in Den Haag, dated 30 Nov 1647.
On this day Ahasverus was out walking in Den Haag
with a friend, Nicholas Ravensberg, when they came across a glassmaker
by the name of Martin Bemmewits. This man shouted at Ahasverus: "Why
don't you pay your debt?" and Ahasverus answered him "I owe
you nought, and if my
