Mustard Maker in Gouda — Jan Pauwelsz Van Aersdalen

B. about 1600 in Nukerke, East Flanders (Belgium)
M. (1) 12 Dec 1624 in Nukerke, East Flanders (Belgium)
Wife: Geertje Phillipsdr Haelters
M. (2) 20 Aug 1652 in Haastrecht, Netherlands
Wife: Margarieta Phillipsdr
D. Jan 1654 in Gouda, Netherlands

During the 17th century, a man often had to be resourceful in order to support his family. And when Jan Pauwelsz Van Aersdalen set himself up in a new home in the Netherlands, he took on the interesting profession of mustard maker.

Jan's family had lived for generations in Nukerke, East Flanders (now part of Belgium), and he was said to have been born there in about 1600 to Pauwel Pauwelsz Van Aersdaele and Fiermijne Haelters. On November 12, 1624, Jan married Geertje Phillipsdr Haelters in Nukerke. They had at least seven children born between 1625 and 1638. During the early years of his marriage, Jan made a living as a carpet weaver.

Sometime between 1638 and 1642, Jan and his family left Nukerke, settling in Gouda, Netherlands. This was an era of turmoil between Catholics and Protestants, and during times of conflict, many people sought safer places to live. We know that Jan was a Protestant because on July 20, 1642, he was confirmed as a member of the Reformed Dutch Church in Gouda. On November 24th, Jan purchased a house, and on April 8, 1650, he bought an adjacent house as well. The two houses were later consolidated, and they still stand today at No. 26 Naaierstraat. 

 

Jan's house in Gouda.

When Jan moved to Gouda, he became a “mustard grinder” or mustard maker. This was work he could do right in his home. To make mustard, seeds were crushed into powder by hand, then was mixed with vinegar to be used as a seasoning. Often mustard makers sold their product in a public market or door-to-door, but it isn't known if this was true for Jan. 

Mustard seed. (source: Dsaikia2015, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jan's wife Geertje died in October 1651, and he married Margarieta Phillipsdr on August 20, 1652 in Haastrecht, Netherlands. Their marriage was short because Jan passed away in January 1654. He was buried at Gouda Algemene Begraafplaats (cemetery). Because Jan’s son Simon migrated to New Netherland, he has many American descendants, including Georgia O’Keeffe and James Spader. 

Children (all by Geertje Phillipsdr Haelters):
1. Philippus Jansz Van Arsdalen — B. bef 24 Jun 1624, Nukerke, East Flanders; M. Trinjte Heberts, 13 May 1653, Gouda, Netherlands

2. Joannes Van Arsdalen — B. before 22 Mar 1626, (probably) Nukerke, East Flanders 

3. Simon Jansen Van Arsdalen — B. before 27 Feb 1627, Nukerke, East Flanders; D. Oct 1710, Flatlands, New York; M. (1) Marritje Baltus (1630-1655), 19 Apr 1650, Amsterdam, Netherlands; (2) Pieterje Claese Van Schouw (~1640-?), 1658, Flatlands, New Netherlands

4. Pieter Van Arsdelen — B. about 1630, (probably) Nukerke, East Flanders

5. Egida Van Arsdalen — B. before 10 Apr 1633, (probably) Nukerke, East Flanders

6. Joanna Van Arsdalen — B. before 4 Dec 1635, (probably) Nukerke, East Flanders

7. Joost Van Arsdalen — B. before 2 Oct 1638, (probably) Nukerke, East Flanders

Sources:
"Jan Pauwelsz Van Aersdalen's houses in Gouda," Charles R. Vanorsdale, The Vanguard, Vol. V, No. 1, July 2002
"Remembering Sijmon Jansz," Charles R. Vanorsdale, The Vanguard, Vol. VI, No. 1, July 2003
How Mustard is Made (website)