The autograph manuscript, Geneaologie de Messire Balthazar Gerbier, held in the National Art Library, London, tells us a lot about his family. The information relating to his children forms part of an ongoing project, and more details on this will be available in the future. The following is derived partly from Gerbier’s own records, and partly from notes made by his father-in-law, William Kipp, which have been preserved with the manuscript. (I have translated Kipp’s notes from the original Dutch. My Dutch is very limited, but what he wrote was very straightforward.) Kipp must have made this list before the births of the two youngest children: Debora (born c. 1631) and Guillaume, whose dates are uncertain.
Kipp writes:
“Our daughter Debora was born in London at Gane Kaÿ by London Brugg (bridge) on 1st September 1601 on a Tuesday morning between 5 and 6 o’clock. She was married on 17th June 1617, being 15 years and 9 months old.[1]”
(He then lists the children.)
- “Balthazar. (Debora) was delivered of her first-born son on March 29, 1618, living for only three days. Lies buried in St Martin’s church by Eastcheap.[2]
- George. She was brought to bed of her second son on 25th April 1619 between 11 and 12 at night. Was baptised in St Martin’s Church and named George.
- Betty. She was brought to bed of a daughter on the 30th December 1621, in Crane Court in Fleet Street. Was baptised at home and named Elizabeth Debora[3].
- Kate. She was brought to bed of a daughter named Catarina, on the 10th October 1623 in Crane Court.[4]
- Susan. She was brought to bed of a daughter named Susanna on 26th December 1624 in Crane Court.[5]
- Mariken. She was brought to bed of a daughter named Maria on 24th February 1626 in York House.
- James. She was brought to bed of a son named Jacobus on 20th September 1628 in York House[6].
- Charles. She was brought to bed of a son named Charles on 14th March 1629 in York House[7].”
[1] Moens: The Marriage, Baptismal and burial Records…. Of the Dutch Reformed Church Austin Friars. (Lymington 1884) P 41. gives her baptism date as 15 Sept. 1601. Her brother, Immanuel was baptised May 8 1597. I know of no other mention of him. Debora and Balthazar were married on June 17, 1617.
[2] The now demolished St. Martin’s Orgar, off Cannon Street – then Candlewick Street – where the Gerbiers lived with William Kipp.
[3] Elizabeth Deborah was also baptised at the Church of St Dunstan’s in the West on January 14th, 1620/21, according to the church register. Perhaps Kipp is mistaken here, and she was born in December 1620.
[4] It is Catherine who was killed when Gerbier’s men mutinied against him in Guyana. Madden, in Collectanea Topographica Et Genealogica, (Volume 5. London 1838 P.373) gives her baptism date as Nov. 15, 1623, at St. Dunstan’s in the West.
[5] Madden (above) gives her baptism date as Jan.21 1624/5.
[6] James was baptised 4th November 1628 in the church of St. Martin’s in the Fields.
[7] Charles was baptised 30th March 1629/30 in the church of St. Martin’s in the Fields. He died at the age of 21, was buried at St. Dunstan’s church, Stepney, as was his mother, Debora, in 1662.
Gerbier inscribed a brief note under the name of each child when he drew out the family tree. Her includes the youngest two, whom Kipp omitted.
“Balthazar: Mort au berceau.
George: Bon esprit, mais hautain.
Jacques: Emmené par le Prince Philippe Palatin à la guerre contre les Turcs.
Charles: mourut a lage de 21. L’an 1651: fort bon fils.
Guillaume: Mort a Bruxelle et enterré aux Augustins dans la sepulture de Laloe.
Elizabeth: Spirituelle.
Catherine: bonne fille. Et Juditieuse.
Susanne: bonne fille. Religieuse.
Marie: bonne fille. Et spirituelle.
Debora: Juditieuse.“
Sir Balthazar Gerbier 