Welcome to my Blog!

September 8, 2008 at 1:19 pm (Uncategorized)

There are three major themes in my blog:

  1. Material about Rev. Samuel May, the second minister of May Memorial Unitarian Church.
  2. Material about May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, Syracuse, NY.
  3. Material about the Hiemstra genealogical line.

Your thoughts, additions, corrections, and any other feedback will be welcome.

Rog Hiemstra

Rev. Samuel Joseph May
Rev. May was born in Boston in 1797. He graduated from Harvard in 1817 and taught school while attending Harvard Divinity School, graduating in 1820. He was ordained in 1822 at Boston’s King’s Chapel. He became minister of the Unitarian Church, Brooklyn, Connecticut, in 1822. Next he was Minister of the Unitarian Church, South Scituate, Massachusetts, in 1836. He became Principal of the Female Normal School, Lexington, MA, in 1842. He moved to Syracuse and became minister of the Unitarian church there in 1845 (see http://www.mmuus.org/who-we-are/history/sjmay.html). He retired in 1868 and died in Syracuse in 1871. He was one of the country’s leading abolitionists, an early supporter of women’s rights, and a champion of education. Go here to read a biography. Rev. Sam MayHere is a wonderful thesis about his impact on education:Saint Before His Time: Samuel J. May and American Educational Reform
MMUUS
See our web page for considerable information. For example, here is a wonderful book authored by a former member, Dorothy Ashley, entitled Some Portrait Adventures. Not only does it describe her approach to painting her wonderful portraits, it also includes many of them.
The Hiemstra Line
Our “Hiemstra” name began on December 27, 1811, when Sjouioke Hoekes declared to Oostermeer officials in the Province of Friesland that he was officially taking the name of Heemstra when occupier Napolean required all people to take an official surname. The name was soon changed to Hiemstra as there were already several Hiemstra families (probably not related) living there. There is an important connection between the United States and this part of The Netherlands. John Adams, when he was the first official Minister to that country, worked out our first official relationship there through the Province of Friesland in 1782.Go here for more information.

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Dedicating the Sam May tablet

May 7, 2009 at 9:14 am (May Memorial Marvelous History Column)

The dedication service on October 1 was wonderful and the rains stayed away. The choir sang, we all sang, and several people spoke, including former member and Historian, Jean Hoefer. She and Bill traveled from afar to be with us for the dedication. In addition, Professor Ron DeRutte from SU described how he will repair and mount the tablet this fall.

Here is a bit about the tablet’s history. It was installed below a stained glass window in the James Street church in 1886 as a memorial to Sam May. The sermon delivered at its unveiling was by a good friend, Rev. William P. Tilden, who had been influenced by Sam during Sam’s ministry at South Scituate, Massachusetts. Rev. Tilden described Sam this way in words so consistent with what we have come to know about Sam May: “Calm as a June morning, but firm as Gibraltar, he was a Moral hero” (from this document found by Betsy Fuller – Vinal, W. G., 1954, Old Scituate churches in a changing world, Norwell, MA: Ladies Alliance of The First Parish Church, p. 34). Click here for a look at all the stained glass creations in that church and click on the name being honored shown at the bottom of each window to read a description. The tablet was broken while being removed from the church in 1963 before its razing, transported to the Onondaga Historical Society, then lost. Fortunately, it was rediscovered last summer, transported to May Memorial, and soon will adorn our outside southwest wall. Somehow it feels fitting that it will look out on the Memorial Garden and Pavilion. Go here for a color photo story of the repairing and hanging of the tablet. The inscribed words are difficult to read in the photo, so here they are as they were written one hundred and twenty years ago:

In memory of Samuel Joseph May, born in Boston September 12, 1797, died in Syracuse July 1, 1871. The beloved minister of this church during twenty-four years, his life diffused the radiance of piety and charity throughout this community. A loyal follower of Jesus, he loved God supremely and his fellow-men as himself. He helped the erring and sorrowful and uplifted the downtrodden. In the struggle against slavery he was among the earliest, most fearless and most constant. A fervent, devout preacher, an assiduous, loving pastor, an untiring apostle of education, temperance and peace, a steadfast defender of spiritual liberty. Trusting wholly in the ideal right he labored from youth to age to bring in the kingdom of God. When death was near he said: “I  may have hereafter a clearer vision, I can hardly have a surer faith.”

I close with the words read by President, Fred Fiske, as the official dedication of the tablet and pavilion: “We have gathered here today to remember Ernie Archambault as a representative of the many MMUUS parishioners over our history who have stood for selfless commitment to May Memorial and to remember Samuel J. May as a representative of the many ministers and others throughout our history who have provided leadership for May Memorial to maintain an important place in the greater Syracuse Community. May this pavilion and this marble tablet stand as symbols of such devotion for many generations to come. We so dedicate these symbols.”

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist

Written October 3, 2006

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May Slagle – One of Our Past Treasures

October 16, 2008 at 4:33 pm (May Memorial Marvelous History Column)

I just love it when an article sort of writes itself. On September 12 Janet and I were election inspectors for the primary. Where I was assigned, one of my fellow inspectors was an 81 year old man by the name of Walt Slagle. I thought nothing of the name, but during our nine hours together I mentioned my involvement with May Memorial. He then proceeded to tell me that he used to attend May Memorial at the former James Street church. He taught Sunday School as soon as he was old enough and he fondly remembers riding in 1941 with a carload of May Memorial boys driven by Reginald Manwell (Hank’s dad) to a Rowe, Vermont, Unitarian church for a youth conference. He remembers most fondly Rev. Robert Romig (our minister from 1941 to 1946) who he said was a wonderful man.

But here is where the fun began. I knew I should know that name. Then he told me that his Mom was May Slagle and it all “clicked.” I remember her name from pouring over old documents, but some who read this newsletter will remember May as a long time and indispensable office manager of May Memorial. As noted in May No One Be A Stranger (p. 45) “in the minds of many church school children who heard their parents mention May Slagle, she, not the minister from 100 years ago, was the source of the church name.”

May was one of the most active of all our volunteers in the school lunch program the church sponsored and ran during WWII. She edited the church newsletter for many years, too. She retired in 1974 and died in May (what other month could it be) of 1978 at the age of 85. Walt remembers that Nick Cardell did a beautiful memorial service for his Mom.

Incidentally, his brother Eugene went to our church and his Dad ran a woodworking center for youth in the James Street basement. His aunt, May’s sister, Helen McKnight, was an active church member and served as church historian for several years (thanks, Helen). So this article is dedicated not only to May Slagle, but to all the wonderful people who have served as office manager, treasurer, sextant, custodian, and many other important staff positions during our 168 year history down to people such as Karen and Leslie today. This church could not have happened without you. We send a big thanks and salute back through the ages.

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist (written September 17, 2006)

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Samuel Joseph May – In Memoriam

October 15, 2008 at 2:19 pm (May Memorial Marvelous History Column, Samuel Joseph May)

On September 12 we celebrate the 209th anniversary of Sam May’s birth. Not necessarily a special occasion, but nearing his birth date prompted me to read through an inspirational little book, In Memoriam. Samuel Joseph May. This book was published in 1871 a few months after Rev. May’s death, July 1, 1871. A committee consisting of Rev. Samuel Caltrop and several church members and friends (Mr. C. D. B. Mills, Mr. D. P. Phelps, Mr. H. N. White, Mrs. Mary E. Bagg, and Mrs. Rebecca J. Burt) prepared and published this testimony to the life of Sam May.

Just reading about the July 6 funeral service brings both tears to the eyes as well as renewed awe regarding the many lives that Sam touched. Several people participated in the service, some traveling long distances to do so. This from the address of Mr. William Lloyd Garrison, publisher of the very respected anti-slavery newspaper, the Liberator, sums up well the sentiment expressed in many ways that day: “I have lost a most affectionate and unswerving friend, an early and untiring co-worker in the broad field of freedom and humanity, a brother beloved incomparably beyond all blood relationship. Syracuse has lost one of its most useful and esteemed citizens; the nation one of the worthiest of its sons; the world one of the purest, most philanthropic, most divinely actuated of all its multitudinous population.”

Happy birthday, Sam, and thanks for gracing our church and our community with your devoted service.

One of Rev. May’s least touted contributions, but, perhaps, one of his most important, was his untiring championing of better education for the youth of our community and our country. Historian Catherine Covert wrote a well researched and delightful Master’s thesis on her way to a PhD in History and distinguished teaching career at SU: Saint Before His Time: Samuel J. May and American Educational Reform. Thanks to the able assistance of Irene Blakeslee in converting a photocopy of this 1964 document to a digital format and the permission of Catherine’s daughter, this wonderful document is now on the Sam May web page along with two other of Dr. Covert’s pieces related to Sam May (http://www.mmuus.org/ who-we-are/history/sjmay.html). They are highly recommended reading for anyone interested in education.

Finally, put the afternoon of October 1, 2006, on your calendar as we rededicate the Sam May Memorial Marble Tablet that hung on the wall of our former James Street church. More details will follow later.

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist (written August 29, 2006)

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An Evening with Dickens

October 13, 2008 at 1:55 pm (May Memorial Marvelous History Column)

History Committee members have been involved in various preservation activities this summer. For example, George Adams is inventorying our many files, folders, and boxes; Harsey Leonard is retrieving images from slides and other media. Mary Louise Edwards and I are removing acid from old papers and preparing material to be stored at Syracuse University. It is hard work at times, but most enjoyable, and we keep learning more about our wonderful history.

I can’t resist sharing one of the items Harsey retrieved from an old microfilm. Someone photographed old scrapbooks years ago and many delightful items have come alive. Let me take you back to yesteryear, near the birth of our beloved church. The year is 1862 and this delightful piece showed up in the local newspaper:

The Ladies of the UNITARIAN SOCIETY, will repeat their entertainment “An Evening with Dickens,” In Wieting Hall On Monday Evening, Feb. 3, 1862

PROGRAMME:

  1. Tableau – The Soldiers Dream.
  2. Pantomime Ballad – Mistletoe Bough.
  3. From Dombey & Son – [and it goes on from there for 13 acts]

Admission 25 cents – Children 15 cents

Can’t you just picture people from throughout Syracuse coming out to watch the Unitarian ladies and their entertainment activities? What a city where Unitarians could entertain people of varying faiths with material from Dickens. It must have been something!

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist (written August 9, 2006)

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Harm and Sena Hiemstra

October 13, 2008 at 1:41 pm (Hiemstra Genealogy Information)

Sena (Gezina) Oosterheert was born on November 2, 1889, in Garsthuizen. She emigrated to Grand Rapids in 1904. She married Harm Hiemstra in Grand Rapids on the 28th of July in 1910. Some remembered her as having been born in Stedum, but it was probably in Garsthuizen. Some remembered that she preferred the name Gezien, but most settle on the Gezina version, which became Sena as she grew into an adult. She is remembered as a warm, bubbly person who loved to cook, who worked very hard, and who contended with spittoons, many children, and many, many grandchildren. She baked delicious pies, had a secret desire all her adult life to drive a car, and loved to listen to music. Sena died on January 18, 1964, in Plainwell, Michigan.

Harm Hiemstra was born on January 29, 1884, in Opende. He was the son of Willem Kornelis Hiemstra and Tjitske (Jessie) deJong. He was a dairy farmer most of his adult life. He is remembered as a short, wirery man who loved to wrestle his children and grandchildren (usually winning), and who could play the accordian beautifully by ear. He was a tobacco chewer, with the proverbial spittoon always behind his favorite chair. He was also known for that short, narrow fork with which he always ate each meal, even bringing it with him when he visited family members. He loved to laugh and play with his grandchildren whenever possible, often having one or more stay for a few nights with them on the farm. Harm died on December 19, 1957, in Wayland, Michigan.

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Sam May – Anti-slavery Leader

October 12, 2008 at 8:30 pm (May Memorial Marvelous History Column, Samuel Joseph May)

As most who read this newsletter know by now, the marble tablet honoring Sam May that was in the James Street church, once thought lost, was found. It will be repaired, hung on the southwest outside wall of the church, and dedicated on October 1. An exciting and meaningful time for us, so I’m ruminating just a bit more on our beloved Rev. May.

In many ways, Sam was always ahead of his time. He helped found the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833. Hear the power, poignancy, and even irony in his words when he spoke on May 8, 1834, at the 1st anniversary meeting of that Society in NYC: “By the laws which sustain slavery, millions of human beings are held as chattels. Yes . . . they are driven along the streets of Washington, with less liberty than cattle, in the sight of that proud capital, where the national flag is flying, and where so many fine things are said in the favor of liberty.” He spoke with such fervor for years throughout the Northeast and was mobbed five times for the voice he refused to quiet. No wonder he brought that fire here and eventually was front and center in the “Jerry Rescue” saga. As our own Rev. John Fuller said in a 1966 sermon about Dr. May and the Jerry rescue, “He was a man on fire for the freedom of all men, on fire for righteousness, on fire especially for his poor brothers in slavery.”

He was ahead of his times in so many other ways, too. He took a firm and vocal stance against the death penalty, but did you know that in 1826 at age 29 he founded one of the earliest Peace Societies in the U.S., the Windham County (Connecticut) Peace Society. When he was President of the Syracuse Board of Education he abolished corporal punishment. Peace, forgiveness, and do no harm obviously were part of his lifelong motto. One can go on and on about our Sam May, so once that marble tablet is in place, walk by occasionally and thank him for being who he was.

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist (written June 26, 2006)

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Harmen Reinders Geertz (Zwolle) Swole -Into the Water We Go!

October 12, 2008 at 8:20 pm (Hiemstra Genealogy Information)

Harmen Reinders Geerts (Zwol) (Zwolle) Swolle, the great great grandfather of Willem Kornelius Hiemstra through his mother’s side, was born around 1740 in Suidveen, a small village near the town of Steenwijk in Overrijssel. He was married to Harmtje Willems. In the years between 1764 and 1769 he moved to Rotsterhaule. In 1769 he was listed as an owner of a peat bog and also as shop owner. Although Harmen had moved from Steenwijk, he remained friendly with people there, so it is known in 1769 that he borrowed 1100 carolus guilders from Harmen Deddes, who lived in Steenwijkerwold, a village near Steenwijk.

Zwolle, Swol, Swolle, and then Zwolstra, are the names used by Harmen descendants. It is likely that Harmen and his ancestors came from the town Zwolle, the capital of the province, Overijssel. He or his ancestors moved to Suidveen and Harmen moved as a peat owner from Suidveen to Rotsterhaule, because in the area of Rotsterhaule and the Tijnje there was many peat bog areas. If they dug away the peat bog, there remained no dry land, such as in the peat moor areas of Witveen, Surhuisterveen, and Zevenhuizen, because the water table was above the bottom of the peat bog. Thus, when people worked in the peat bog they were always standing in water.

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The Other Sam

September 26, 2008 at 4:45 pm (May Memorial Marvelous History Column)

Our third minister was Rev. Dr. Samuel Robert Calthrop, a minister for 43 years (1868-1911) and pastor emeritus after that. Rev. Calthrop was truly a renaissance man. Click here and here for more information. A marble bust of Sam stands in the Memorial room of our church.

Born in England, he entered Cambridge at the age of 19 where he excelled. However, he refused to sign 39 Articles of the Anglican church faith required by the university which prevented his graduation and eventually led him to the United States and Unitarianism. He was an excellent scientist having patented a streamlined train, discovered numerous sunspots, and learned to predict the weather. He lectured in our church and elsewhere on a wide variety of topics beyond religion such as astronomy, botany, financial management, flowers, geology, physical training needs, and even raising tomatoes. He was a personal friend of Sir Isaac Newton and Susan B. Anthony.

Like his predecessor, Sam May, he was very interested in education and youth. A teacher prior to becoming a pastor, he organized the Syracuse Boys’ Club, established the first playgrounds in Syracuse, and even taught at Syracuse University. Dr. Calthrop also was a very physically fit individual most of his life. Tall, with a big frame, and a great white beard, he was an expert boxer in his younger days, and skilled at billiards, crew, cricket, hockey, rowing, and tennis. His true passion was chess where he was known as one of the best in the country by winning local and state championships. He beat opponents while playing blindfolded and by playing several at the same time.

Able to quote verbatim from Greek and Latin Classics, he was widely published, a gifted poet, and a sought after orator. All of this while maintaining his pastorate here and being well loved and respected by both May Memorial church members and people throughout Syracuse. Renaissance man, indeed!

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist (written on June 6, 2006)

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Antje Jacobs deJong, A Hiemstra Ancestor – Her Sad Situation

September 26, 2008 at 4:31 pm (Hiemstra Genealogy Information)

Antje was born on November 2, 1775, in Jubbega, Netherlands. In 1807 she was employed as a maid in Tijnje. She had a love affair with Kobus Klazes and became pregnant. This was a problem as she already had two other children out of wedlock, a son of 9 and a daughter of 6, who lived with Antje’s mother, Tjitske Hendrik, in Kortezwaag. As this was a shameful thing to have a third pregnancy out of wedlock, Antje tried to hide it.

After finishing her work at Tijnje, she moved to Tietjerk and became a maid on the farm of Nutte Hedzers and Akke Romkes until May 12, 1808. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to hide her pregnancy. After then she spent some time with her sister in Wartena. She and her mother went to Tijnje again on May 26, to look for work for Antje. They went to the home of Lammert Willems and Aukje Gerrits who was a farmer and a merchant. After sitting in Aukje’s house for awhile, Antje said she had to go to the toilet (in those times the toilet was a little shed outside built over a small canal where refuse could be passed and slowly washed away). There she gave birth to her third baby. She did not know what to do and made a fateful decision that led to a spectacular court case.

She stepped outside and threw the baby in the canal. Her mother, Tjitske, then came out to the toilet and stood near her. Then Tjitske took her daughter to a small room built for a servant, Froukje Wopkes. Tjitske then hid some grass that was red from her bleeding daughter. Unknown to Antje, this was all witnessed by Lammert Willems’ son.

Aukje Gerrits soon entered this room and saw Antje lying on a chair and bleeding. She urged Tjitske to hurry to nearby Gorredijk and bring back the midwife. Tjitske did and they returned later that night. Antje first resisted being examined, but finally she could not hide the fact of a birth as the placenta was still in the womb. But where was the child? The midwife found only blood in the toilet. The next day after dawn the midwife asked Froukje to look around. She did and discovered the dead child outside the toilet in the little canal. After the body had been found, Tjitske wrapped it in a cloth and put it near the bed on which Antje was now lying.

The next day Antje was transferred to Beetsterzwaag. On June 10 she was transferred to the prison in Leeuwarden. When physicians examined the body on June 30, it appeared to have been a fully developed child, alive at birth, and that it had breathed for awhile.

The Frisian court of justice handled the matter. The trial began on September 10. Antje attempted to defend herself and said that she thought the time to deliver had not yet arrived. She said that in the toilet she only lost much blood. She said that perhaps the child had been born, she had not known it, and it had fallen into the water. However, she was not able to convince the court. The court judged that Antje was guilty of neglecting her newborn child. She had to stand, bound to a stake, with a doll in her arms on a scaffold for a quarter of an hour in Leeuwarden. Then she was whipped. She stayed and worked in prison for 10 years and then she was exiled from Friesland forever.

The court also tried Tjitske Hendriks. She was also declared guilty for aiding Antje in efforts to do what she did and she spent three years in prison. It is not known who cared for the children during the time she was in prison. However, she was not exiled and returned to Kortezwaag after then. After her 10 years in prison, Antje most likely went to Zevenhuizen to live with her children.

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Our Past Church Pillars

September 22, 2008 at 7:08 am (May Memorial Marvelous History Column, Samuel Joseph May)

May Memorial has been blessed throughout its history, and continuing right up until today, to have had many pillars that step up, often very quietly, to take on important and/or needed roles in the church. From unsigned material in the archives, someone provided testimony to two such people in our past.

The first was Dr. Marion Sylvester Dooley, an active member during the first part of the last century, who made it a life long habit to visit people when they were ill. Many people in our church were sustained by visits from Dr. Dooley and his wife. A doctor of medicine, for many years he was Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology at the Syracuse College of Medicine. He wrote some valued books related to pharmacology and drug therapy during the 30s and 40s. He was President of our Laymen’s League, a member of the Board of Trustees, and Chair of the Unitarian Service Committee. All members of his family were active church members, too.

Miss Elizabeth Ann Lewis was thought of as a saint, tireless worker, and premier thinker in our church and our denomination regarding religious education. She was director of our church school during the 1920s and introduced liberal textbooks and liberal teaching in the curriculum. She worked cooperatively with a few other advanced thinkers in the Unitarian church to influence the direction of curriculum building committee at our national headquarters. She also taught numerous adult education courses in our church. She helped provide leadership for our lending library, the social action committee, and neighborhood discussion groups active during that time. She was very active in the greater Syracuse community, too. MMUUS’ heritage is so rich because of people like Marion and Elizabeth. It makes me proud to be part of this wonderful institution.

Finally, if you have not looked at the Sam May link on our web page, there are four new pieces there about Sam. Two from historian, Dr. Catherine Covert Stepanek, and two sermons from Rev. Richard (Rick) R. Davis, First Unitarian Society of Salem (Oregon). All four are terrific and you certainly will gain new insight into Rev. May’s life.

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist (written on May 17, 2006)

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