Ghiliam Provoost & Maeijken Stevens

Ghiliam Provoost was a merchant residing in the business quarter of Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium. He married first Maria Karreman in June 1536 in the Sint Walburgis Kerk (St. Walburgis' Church), Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium and second Maeijken Stevens. In her husband's will, she is named as Marie Stevens Pietersdr., implying that her father was probably Steven Pieters. 17 October 1564 in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk (Church of Our Lady), Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium. The Provoosts were members of the underground Protestant movement but had their children baptized in a Catholic Church for safety reasons. Ghiliam, Maeijken, and their family fled Antwerp because of war, religious persecution, or both and eventually settled in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. Ghiliam's will was dated 28 Aug 1606 and is in the Notarial Archives in Amsterdam. Maeijken, in this document, was noted as having died.

1. Maijcken Provoost, children mentioned in father's will, married Hans Mertens, died 5 Sep 1584 in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands.

2. Elijsabeth Provoost, child mentioned in father's will, married Andries Jansz van der Muellen.

1. Anna Provoost, baptized 1 Jun 1566 in St. Walburgis' Church, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium.

2. Margareta Provoost, baptized 18 Dec 1567 in St. Walburgis' Church, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, probably died before 10 Mar 1569.

3. Margareta Provoost, baptized 10 Mar 1569 in St. Walburgis' Church, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium.

4. Katherina Provoost, baptized 7 Jul 1570 in St. Walburgis' Church, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, resided in the Nieuwezijds Afterburgwal in Amsterdam for four years before her marriage, married Engbert Jobsz 17 Apr 1607 in Amsterdam, North Holand, Netherlands.

5. Wilhelmus Provoost, baptized 12 Jan 1572 in St. Walburgis' Church, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, married Jenne Eerdewijns 2 Mar 1603 in the Waals Hervormde Kerk (Walloon Reformed Church), Dordrecht, South Holland, Netherlands.

6. Sara Provoost, baptized 7 Aug 1573 in St. Walburgis' Church, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium.

7. Esther Provoost, baptized 13 Sep 1574 in St. Walburgis' Church, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, married David Damman (marriage intention filed 14 April 1602) in Middleburg, Zeeland, Netherlands.

8. Adam Provoost, baptized 14 Aug 1575 in St. Walburgis' Church, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium.

Source:
1. Slok, Hendrik O., "The Provoost Family in the Netherlands", New York Genealogical & Biographical Record, Vol. 113, No. 1, Jan 1982, pgs. 1-9.

In the name of the Lord Amen. With this public instrument of a will, be it known, that when one writes xxviij th day of the month of Agust in the year One Thousand Six Hundred and Six Appeared before me Lieven Heijlinc Public Notary at Amsterdam, the Honorable Guilliam Provoost the Olde, to have his last will and testament recorded.

So desires the Testator that the children of the late Maria Provoost, in her life housewife of Hans Mertens, the Testator’s foredaughter whose mother was Maria Kerremans, three even amounts of 350 pounds great flemish.[1]

The child of Elijsabeth Provoost also the Testator’s foredaughter who was the housewife of Andries Jansz van der Muellen 300 pounds great flemish plus two bonds issued by the Town of Middelburg, one of 1 pound 7 schelling great flemish the other of 13 pounds 4 schelling great flemish in a sealed letter. All from the estate of their deceased mother.

In case the beforementioned children are deceased at the time of the Testator’s death the estate to remain with the Testator for his disposal.

Guillieam Provoost and Catharina Provoost of which the mother was the late Marie Stevens Pietersdaughter: Catharina Provoost shall enjoy 1200 guilders and also bedding, linens, wool, and iron, copper, wooden utensils further all timbered items found in the Testator’s house.

Guillieam Provoost shall enjoy the Testator’s linen and woolen clothes and further all goods and timbered items in the Testator’s store.

The poor members of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church at Middelburg in Zeeland 25 guilders once, the poor members of the same church at Amsterdam 200 guilders once.

Nominates Hans Mertens and Andries Jansz van der Muellen guardians over the Testator’s grandchildren.

[1] 1 pound flemish contains 240 grooten or greates. 1 pound flemish equals 6 guilders. 1 guilder equals 40 greats or 20 stivers. Note that the children of his first marriage inherit their mother’s estate in flemish currency or value.