THE POORHOUSE OF HALLUM

 


By contrast, residents that left the poorhouse in order to start a job elsewhere often received a leg up. This was the case with Pleuntje Wiersma, who, upon taking a job as maid-servant, received an outfit existing of two undershirts (chemises), one woolen apron, a pair of slippers, and a pair of stockings.
In addition they tried to “inspire the well-to-do inhabitants of Ferwerderadeel to make the final days of the seniors more pleasant by means of donations of money, goods, or treats”. Apparently this met with some success. Constable Ruitenschild donated an amount of 27 guilders on behalf of a number of residents. In one of the villages an attempt was made to organize a “tilting at the ring” competition but that fell through. It was then decided to give the available money to the governors of the poorhouse for the benefit of the residents. The governors, “out of their own pockets,” increased this amount to fl. 33.  It was further increased to fl. 35 by the gentlemen Cannegieter and D.J. van der Mey (respectively Mayor and Alderman of Ferwerderadeel). This amount was sufficient to treat the residents to “coffee with cake and christmasbread,” on the morning of the first day of Christmas “and at noon, a warm meal existing of a large piece of meat, gravy, and potatoes followed by rice with currants. If possible, they are to be given the same on the second day of Christmas, and then on Old- or New-Year’s-Day, coffee with cake, and chocolate milk in the evening”. After paying for these treats, there appeared to be a surplus of 8 cents remaining.
The books for the year 1888 were closed with “such a surplus that the rejected loan was not needed after all”. Next they calculated that the cost per resident amounted to well over one guilder per week or a sum of fl. 62.50 per year.
In January of 1889, in order to avoid “idleness in the residents”, it was suggested to have them make “firestarters”. The poor-father was mandated to make up a budget reflecting cost and revenue for the production of these “firestarters”, which made it easier to light a stove burning coke or peat. The project “Firestarters” began and many residents filled their idle hours from March to November. “The poor-father was ordered to ensure as much as possible the gathering of chips or shavings for the production of these firestarters”.

Mr. Minnema announced that he, after he “retired from office” would no longer be available for another term as governor. Two candidates were suggested to the municipal council, namely L.S. van Dijk, Hallum, and Bauke Hoekstra, Marrum. The first was appointed and in April of 1889 he accepted his term as new governor devoting himself to attend to all kinds of problems great and small.
There was a discussion with carpenter Gelders about alterations to the vacated dwelling at the rear of the poorhouse to convert it into a “lock-up for wayward residents”.  As well, the cribs in the rear dwellings needed to be dismantled and decontaminated.  These were no longer allowed to be used for sleeping “until it was certain that they had been purified of all uncleanness” . During the meeting of June, 1889,  the conduct of the residents is once more on the agenda. Jacob Wiersma “reported less earnings than he had received,” but was given a chance to correct himself. He refused, however, after which his trunk was seized and this “forced him to comply.” As punishment, “no percentage of his earnings was restored” i.e. he did not receive any pocket money. As a result, it was decided that the poor-father would keep a list of their earnings.
The youthful 16-year-old Riemke van der Haag supplied the governors with foreseeable headaches. She was “working outside” as maid-servant but was “sent back for bad conduct” several times.  After she was confronted about this, she was informed that she could no longer remain in the institution. But until she could find a job elsewhere, she would not be allowed to “leave the institution other than for work and church”. This was not very effective in dealing with Riemke. A couple of months later she was again “sent back as useless, because she did not want to be subject to her mistress.” The governors decided “barely, to take her in once more, but under strict supervision.”

In September of 1889 the supply of “baggelaar turf” (dragpeat) was awarded to J.P. van den Berg for 47 cents per double hectoliter. The contract for “long peat” went to R. Sneijer for 23 cents per double hectoliter, whereas coke would be supplied by J.P. van der Leij of Hallum for 50 cents per hectoliter. Groats were to be ordered in turn at the various millers, and the supply of wooden shoes was once more awarded to J. Stelpstra. The boardroom was wallpapered and given some paint by Rooda. Also, a bell was installed in order to summon the poor-father or his wife during meetings. In addition, the governors decided to plant trees around the house, “not only for beautification , but also for shade for the senior residents.” After some deliberation chestnut trees were rejected “because they might be too tempting for the youth and cause inconvenience or annoyance”.
The poor-father asked, in October of 1889, on behalf of Riemke van der Haag, whether she would be allowed to emigrate to Argentina along with her sister and her husband. “Because she is rather troublesome, it is concluded that it would be best to grant her request”. But, first they had to investigate who exactly was in charge of her guardianship. A couple of months later, Riemke was back, and at that time it was decided that she must “not leave the house” and that “the legalities” would be considered to determine whether she would be allowed to leave for South-America.
The poor-father also reported “having had problems with Marijke Vlootman and that he had punished her by withholding her pocket-money”. The poor-father was instructed to forbid her to go out on Sundays.  Moreover he was told not to punish arbitrarily, and that he had to ensure that residents would not go to Marrum unnecessarily “in view of the epidemic there.”
In April of 1890, Riemke van der Haag appears to be back from her trip to Argentina “as a result of the well-known disaster with the ship.” She was living in Stiens and asked for “some clothing”.  However, this request was denied by the governors. In September of that year, it appears that Riemke was back in the institution. She was unable, or unwilling, to keep a job.  The governors decided to put an ad in the paper in order to find a job for her once more. She was not allowed to stay in the house, but they were successful in finding a place for her “with some worthy citizens of Leeuwarden who have had some success to date in bringing her back on the right track”.

There were also times that residents decided to share their future life together. For this reason Jacob Wiersma and Vrouwtje Zijlstra requested permission to leave the house. They had already rented a dwelling and Jacob asked the governors to stand surety. However, this was not granted. Also Vrouwtje was summoned by the governors and she was “presented with the discouraging prediction of a wretched future”. But both stood firm in their decision. And then there was Geertje Hoekstra, “known for her nasty temper.” She had insulted the poor-father and called him names. For punishment, she was moved to the room for youthful residents, and had her pocket money withheld for a couple of weeks.
It became more difficult, however, in the case of “gekrenkte geestes-vermogens” (mental illness).  It was decided to let a young boy of Ferwerd stay a few more days to grant Dr. Cannegieter an opportunity to give him a thorough examination. Although his situation filled the governors with compassion, they nevertheless had to write a letter to the office of the mayor and aldermen “to place him where he belongs”.  The boy’s care was paid for by the guardians in Ferwerd, and an examination in Groningen was also charged to them. After his condition seemed to improve somewhat, it was decided to let him stay and to see if he could be placed in a school. In the end this was not possible and he had to be admitted to the mental hospital in Franeker. Such problems occur more frequently. And in the case of a disabled woman of Nieuwe Bildtzijl it was decided by the governors not to admit her because “she is an imbecile or mentally ill”. For a 12-year-old girl, “who is unable to perform manual labour because of her physical weakness” admission in Neerbosch seemed to be a more suitable solution. The poor-father mentioned that he was not happy forcing senior residents to attend catechism classes; younger residents, O.K.; they have to go and should just obey. It was decided to ask the pastors and lay leaders to use their influence when visiting these older residents.  It was customary for residents to go to church regularly.

In January of 1891, Mr.Talsma was re-appointed as governor and the Messrs. Wiesenhaan and Hoogland elected as President and Secretary, respectively. A request by the poor-father and mother for a bonus for services rendered was forwarded to the municipal council.
During subsequent meetings feeding is a item regularly on the agenda. There is, for instance, a proposal to inquire into the possibility of abandoning the use of “winkelsmeer” (storespread or margarine) and to replace this with good beef fat. However, the research does not progress smoothly and Kooistra again buys margarine for 55 cents per kilogram.  But the margarine, after examination by the governors, is found to be far from satisfactory. The purchased cheese, too, is deemed to be of inferior quality and returned. The “spijsregeling” (the menu) was prepared by the poor-father according to circumstances and his own opinion. The governors were of a mind that this should be their responsibility and therefore the poor-father was instructed to arrange the next week’s menu in consultation with the governors and to post the resultant list in the boardroom.
When questioned as to what was eaten each day, the answer was as follows: rice on Monday, beans on Tuesday, peas on Wednesday, rice on Thursday, potatoes on Friday, peas on Saturday and potatoes on Sunday. After some deliberation it was decided to increase the frequency of potatoes in view of resident preference. The poor-father was directed to make well-prepared meals, to which he replied that “ it did not always turn out equally well”.  Furthermore, it was decided to give meat or bacon, not only on the first Sunday of each month, but every Sunday from then on. Someone proposed that they experiment by allowing the poorhouse to raise a couple of pigs, but this was postponed because of high feed prices.
The performance of poor-father Van der Leest was discussed. The governors were critical. Because of an addition to their family, Mrs Van der Leest needed to spend more time looking after her family, and so the poor-father was not as efficient as previously. Although the qualities of Mrs Van der Leest were held in high regard by the governors, they nevertheless wondered if the family Van der Leest was still suitable for the poorhouse. Concerning the food, there were complaints as well as expressions of satisfaction. However the poor-father did not always carry out the orders of the governors. He had neglected to place a stove in the rear room because he had not gotten around to it yet. In short, it was stated that “ the governors ought to govern and the father ought always to follow orders”. Therefore execution of the orders would be strictly monitored.
Resident Van Dijk had complaints about the food. Because he was incurably ill, the governors agreed to his request that he be allowed to return to his relatives in Ferwerd. After some time he came back to the poorhouse and it appears that there was talk about “impurity and uncleanness”. It should be acknowledged that this was the case with more than one resident. It was therefore decided “to buy a great quantity of under- and outer garments as well as a large boiling-kettle in order that they might be delivered from this Egyptian plague”.  As needed the residents were to have a bath and a change of clothing twice a week. At Christmas the residents were to be served a delicious meal once more, but because “the good name of the institution was waning by reason of some worrisome business” it was decided not to hold a public fundraising at this time, but to pay the cost from the proceeds of work provision.

On January 9th, 1892, the chairman opens the meeting with the words “we ever attempt to increase the happiness among the poor and the elderly with God’s blessing”.  Both he (Wiesenhaan) and Mr. Hoogland are re-elected and they determined that the garments had not yet been purchased. This was to be done immediately, “whatever the cost”. A bundle of patterns and samples from the firm of Plantinga of Leeuwarden was received and it was decided to buy for the institution: 216 yards of black “bevertijn” (felt) (price 46 cents per yd); 115 yards of brown corduroy (price 26 cents); 165 yards of raw linen; 68 yards of black dress material (price 46 cents); 68 yards of striped skirt material (price 68 cents); 68 yards of “bokkebaai” (baize material)l (price 61 cents); 26 yards of patterned apron material (25 cents); 50 yards of “bombazijn”(bombazine) (15 cents) and 26 yards of blue printed material (24 cents). Plantinga, as well as the merchants in Hallum, were invited to submit tenders for this contract. In spite of the purchase of these garments, the reports from the poor-father and his spouse concerning uncleanness were still “far from satisfactory”.
There was a request for admittance from Gerben de Jong and his spouse.  The ruling in the past had been not to admit married couples, but eventually it was decided to give this a try.  At the same time a number of needy widows could be admitted. However, this led to “overpopulation.” For that reason a number of cribs had to be placed in the infirmary and in this way the number of residents reached 40. The more souls the merrier? At any rate poor-father Van der Leest reported the fact that Walstra and Haukje Rijpstra were courting, or rather there was talk of an “engagement”. Walstra was summoned to the meeting and “after some conversation” it was decided to dismiss him from the institution. A month later he announced that he was going back to his relatives in Wanswerd. But since he subsequently showed himself to be “decent again” he was not sent away.

Next the governors devote their attention to tenders for renovations and the supply of “baggelaar turf” (dragpeat). The renovations are awarded to AE.L. Hiemstra and the supplying of peat to A.J. Deelstra. Although it was true that Deelstra was the most expensive, his was the best quality “which is very important for the little old ladies”.