Dale
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Category: Dale
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Nieuw Nonhof
Pasopweg, Dale (no longer extant)
This farm was built around 1910 on the instructions of its first occupants, Herman Bulsink—originally from the Nonhof farm—and his wife Everdina Hendrina Blekkink. Their foster son, Adolf Melitz, later became the primary occupant.
Melitz was German by birth, but became a naturalised Dutch citizen in 1938. Shortly after the German invasion, he joined the Dutch National Socialist Movement (NSB) and in 1941 enlisted in the Waffen SS, with the rank of Obergefreiter. In September of that year, he took part in fighting on the German–Russian front near Dnepropetrovsk and Rostov, where he sustained permanent injuries to his nose and arm.
In 1942, the farm was listed in the telephone directory as a ‘Regional Farm’ of the N.J.S. (Nationale Jeugdstorm, a youth movement). Reportedly, following the Liberation, the farm was set on fire by local people as an act of retaliation and was never rebuilt.
In 1947, Melitz was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of 2,000 guilders, and disenfranchisement.
Owners
Overview is incomplete.
Year Plot Owner Description 1915 C-4316 Herman Bulsink, farmer 9.290 m² house, barn & pasture
Residents
Population register 1900-1910
Following their marriage, the following moved into this newly built farm:
Herman Bulsink (Dale, 04-02-1867), coming from Nonhof
married on 04-05-1910 in Aalten to
Everdina Hendrina Blekkink (Woold, 01-05-1872)Population register 1910-1920
Herman Bulsink (Dale, 04-02-1867)
Everdina Hendrina Blekkink (Woold, 01-05-1872)Population register 1920-1930
Dale 36
Herman Bulsink (Dale, 04-02-1867)
Everdina Hendrina Blekkink (Woold, 01-05-1872)Adolf Melitz (Alstaden (D), 12-08-1914), foster son
Address directory 1934
Dale 36 > 28
Aaltensche Courant, 13 March 1934 
Aaltensche Courant, 6 July 1937 
Aaltensche Courant, 21 April 1939 
Directory for the local telephone service, January 1942 
De Graafschapper, 1 August 1945 
De Graafschapper, 11 July 1947 
Aaltensche Courant, 18 July 1947 Features
Cadastral no. unknown Function Farmhouse Year of construction c. 1910 Destroyed 1945 Sources
Projection from ‘Farm and Field Names in Aalten’ on Google aerial photograph, with 1967 house numbers Fragment of the cadastral map, 1950 (plot C-4316); the contours of the vanished farm are visible on the left -
Sunday school Dale West
Aladnaweg 3, Dale
Photo with the article in De Graafschapbode, 26 October 1936 Approximately at the location where the community center ‘t Romienendal is situated today, on the current Aladnaweg, the Dale West (Elshoek) Sunday school used to stand.
The Dale Sunday school association was founded on 2 March 1928. The purpose of the association was the ‘establishment and maintenance of a Christian Sunday school’. There was also a Dale Oost Sunday school, located on the Walfortlaan.
The Sunday school building was put into use on 23 October 1936, replacing an older ‘Sunday school hut’ located approximately 500 meters further south on the Slatdijk. That older building was situated on the grounds of the ‘Nooitgedacht‘ farm, owned by Derk Willem Neerhof. They had been allowed to meet there for 60 years.
New owner
In 1986, the Sunday school on the Aladnaweg became too small and no longer met the requirements of the time. Previously, the Sunday school and youth clubs used the building, and occasional birthday parties were held there. Until then, the Sunday school association had managed and maintained the building, which was becoming increasingly difficult financially. Furthermore, there was a desire for more opportunities to establish and house other associations. Therefore, in December 1986, a new association for a Building for General Christian Interests in Dale was founded.
This association took over the old Sunday school building from the Sunday school association. They investigated various possibilities, but expanding the small building proved to be impossible. They changed course and the adjacent plot was purchased.
‘t Romienendal
To finalize the financial side of the project, various fundraising activities were organized, such as a flea market, a vintage car show, and a collection among the members. The municipality of Aalten also provided a loan. With all of this and a great deal of help from member volunteers, the new building was realized. On 3 April 1991, ‘t Romienendal was officially opened.
Address history
Address directory 1934
Dale 34 > 17 (old location)
Sunday school hall
Address directory 1967
Dale 27/1 > Slatdijk 7 (new location)
Sunday school hall
Features
Cadastral no. O-1090 Function Sunday school Year of construction 1936 Demolition ca. 1990 Sources
- Aalten address directory (1967)
- Farm and Field Names in Aalten
- De Graafschapbode, 26 October 1936 (Delpher)
- De Graafschapper, 27 October 1936 (Delpher)
- Land Registry
- Cadastral map
- romienendal.nl
Locations of Dale West Sunday school, until 1936 (1) and after 1936 (2) 
Fragment of the cadastral map, 1881, plot C-3164 is the old Sunday school 
Sunday school Dale West 
De Graafschapper, 20 October 1936 -
Sunday school Dale Oost
Walfortlaan 2a, Dale
The “Walfort” Sunday school association in Dale was founded in November 1934, according to its statutes. This date marks the first board meeting; however, the earliest recorded members’ meeting dates back to 28 November 1930.
Blijkens een krantenbericht uit 1937 werd er voor de oprichting van dit gebouwtje zondagsschoolonderwijs gegeven in Havezathe ‘t Walfort.
Due to a lack of interest, Sunday school activities were ceased in 2000. The school building was sold in 2007. The association’s archive was donated to the Erfgoedcentrum Achterhoek en Liemers (Heritage Centre) in 2013.
Er was ook een zondagsschool Dale West, bij het huidige Romienendal aan de Aladnaweg.
Address directory 1967
Dale 151/1 > Walfortlaan 2
Sunday school hall
Features
Cadastral no. P-161 Function Sunday school Year of construction 1935 Listed no 
De Graafschapper, 2 April 1937 -
Neerhof
Elshoekweg 6, Dale
Photo: G. Schreurs, 2024 ‘Neerhof’ is an ancient farmstead located in the rural district of Dale in Aalten. Many people who carry the surname Neerhof today—including descendants of emigrants in the US and Canada—can trace their roots back to this place. There is even a Facebook group they can join: I’m a Neerhof.
The last Neerhofs to live there left the farm in the second half of the 19th century. Since then, the farm has been occupied (primarily) by the Houwers family. The original farmhouse is gone; the current house was built in 1893.
Tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog herbergde de familie Houwers onderduikers. Eén van deze onderduikers, een Franse onderofficier uit de Pyreneeën, stuurde hen na de oorlog nog een brief.
Fun fact: There is a street in Canada named ‘Neerhof Lane’.
Archives
Judicial Archive of Bredevoort
Tuesday, 6 February 1616: Statholder Joannes ter Woert, assessors Jan ten Berge, Henrick Menekinck, Peter Cloeck.
Margin note: Anno 1629, 19 January, Jenneken Neerhave declared this to be redeemed. Therefore, void.
Appeared Jan Filette and Enneken Huijsinck, spouses, who declared for themselves and their heirs that for a received and well-paid sum of money, they sold a yearly pension to Juerden ten Neerhave and Jenneken, spouses, and their heirs: three dalers (per daler calculated at thirty stuivers, per stuiver at fifteen placken). Payable annually on Candlemas, first due on Candlemas 1617. Pledging as security their estate Hoff ant Benninck Vehne, along with house and yard within Bredevoort, and all their movable and immovable goods, to recover the aforementioned yearly pension along with costs and damages by distraint according to land law. With the right reserved to redeem the pension annually by giving one quarter’s notice, and then on Candlemas (Purification of Mary), fourteen days before or after without delay, by paying the sum of fifty dalers of the aforementioned currency. This ceded and issued, and renounced by hand and word; guarantee, better written deed, and confirmation promised. All under penalty of distraint as prescribed, without exception or deceit.
Wednesday, 19 February 1617: Statholder Herman van Munster, assessors Johan Nachtegaell, Herman Steinrot, Peter Evertz.
Appeared Bernt Huijninck and Enneken Snijders, spouses, who declared for themselves and their heirs that for a well-paid sum of money, by right of perpetual and irrevocable inheritance, they have transferred and sold to Joerden ten Neerhave and Jenneken, spouses, and their heirs, a piece of land, of approximately three schepelsaet, on the Aelter Ess, situated with one side bordering land now belonging to the purchaser, Mechtelt Snijders, and with the other side bordering the common road, with one end bordering Peter Martens’ land, and the other end stretching to the Barlschen Heelwech, with its appurtenances and rights, free of all encumbrances. This inherited, ceded and issued, and renounced by hand, straw, and word; guarantee, better written deed, and hereditary confirmation promised according to land law, by hypothecation of their goods. Without exception or deceit.
Saturday, 10 January 1618: Drost and Judge Gosswin van Lawick, assessors Henrick Menekinck, Jan ten Berge.
Appeared Gerrit Gijsberts, gatekeeper in Bredevoort and Mechtelt Snijders, spouses, who declared for themselves and their heirs that for a well-paid sum of money, they transferred and sold by right of perpetual and irrevocable inheritance to Joerden ten Neerhave and Jenneken, spouses, and their heirs, a piece of arable land of approximately two moldersaet, called Snijders Stucke, on the Aelter Ess, bounded on one side by the Nonhaver Cruijss plot and on the other side by land belonging to the purchaser, with one end bordering Peter Marten’s land and the other end stretching to the Barlschen wech, with its appurtenances and rights, free of all encumbrances, reserving to the Hoff ten Ahave the tenth sheaf. This inherited, ceded and issued, and renounced by hand, straw, and word; guarantee, better written deed, and hereditary confirmation promised according to land law. Without exception or deceit.
Wednesday, 29 March 1620: Statholder Herman van Munster, assessors Herman Steinrotz, Lenardt van Elverfelt, Peter Evertss.
Appeared Peter Evertz and Margareta Mächtes, spouses, who declared for themselves and their heirs that for a well-paid sum of money, they transferred and sold by right of perpetual and irrevocable inheritance to
Joerden ten Neerhaveand Henricke ten Ruell Geesken, spouses, and their heirs, a piece of land previously purchased from the Marcke, with its ditches, embankments, and boundaries, situated in the parish of Aalten, district of Lintell, in the Aelter Hemell, with one end stretching to the Kortbeker Maet, with its appurtenances and rights, free of all encumbrances, reserving the lord’s taxes as may be assessed upon it. This inherited, ceded and issued, and renounced by hand, straw, and word; guarantee, better written deed, and hereditary confirmation promised according to land law, by pledging the sellers’ goods. Without exception or deceit.Appeared Willem ten Brincke and Marrie, spouses, who declared for themselves and their heirs that for a well-paid sum of money, they transferred and sold by right of perpetual and irrevocable inheritance to Joerden ten Neerhave and Jenneken, spouses, and their heirs, a piece of land of approximately one Moldergeseijs on the Aelter Esch, bounded on one side by Ebbert Wever’s land and on the other side by Geerdte Lock’s land, in its borders and boundaries, with one end stretching to the Heelwech and the other end to Hoeneper Landt, with all its old and new appurtenances and rights, free of all encumbrances. This ceded and issued, and renounced by hand, straw, and word; guarantee, better written deed, and hereditary confirmation promised according to land law, under hypothecation of the sellers’ goods. Without objection or deceit.
Verpondingskohier (Land Tax Register), 1647
Neerhof, Geestelick. Huis, hof 3 sp. voor 8 dlr. 12 – 0 -.
Boulant 10 mdr. 3de gerf 11 sch. afg. blijft 68 – 4 -.5 Mtr. gesaeis, Jorden Neerhof, hier gaet af 1½ sch. an Kerck, blijft 4 mdr. 2½ sch. 38 – 10 – 8.
An de Kerck te Aelten 2 dlr. 3 – 0 -.
Een stuck groen lants in Lintel gelegen van 3 voeder hoij gewass of 2 koeweidens 9 – 0 -.Liberal Gift 1748
Below is a fragment from this tax register mentioning Hendrik Neerhof and Janna Eppink, as well as their son Rosier Neerhof and his wife Beerndeken Beestman. They declared under oath that their assets amounted to 1800 and 700 guilders respectively and paid their taxes duly.
Immediately below it is noted that the couple Hindrik ter Beek and Lisebeth op den Heuvel lived ‘in Neerhofs Spikker’ (or ‘Spieker’). They possessed less than 500 guilders but evidently paid a voluntary contribution.
Owners
This overview is incomplete.
Year Plot Owner Description 1832 C-297 Domains 2.160 m² house, shed & yard 1876 C-297 Arent Jan Houwers, farmer 2.160 m² house, shed & yard
Residents
First known residents:
J(oe/o/ue)rden ten Neerhave (Dale – Dale < 1664)
Jenneken (Cremer?) (Dale)J(oe/o/ue)rden was a farmer at Neerhof in 1650 (Land Tax Register, original register).
Child:
- Salike Nerhofs (Dale), married Wendel Brunsinck in Dinxperlo in 1664
Next residents:
Hendrik Neerhof (? – < 04-1697)
⚭ ca. 1654
Deve (Eva) te Gantvoort (? – > 03-1697), this was her second marriageOn 29 March 1697, Deven Neerhoff, widow of Hendrick Neerhoff, appeared before the statholder in Bredevoort with all her children “born of her first and second marriage”. The children, therefore, evidently came from two of the mother’s marriages. Who the first husband was, we do not know.
Voor zover bekend was Deve het enige kind van Thoebe te Hondorp genannt Gantvoort en Lotte te Welpshof. Deve was erfgenaam van het goed Gantvoort en haar kinderen dus ook. Het document beschrijft hoe Deve en zeven kinderen hun erfdeel in het goed Gantvoort verkopen aan het achtste kind en (half-)zuster Hendersken en haar man Wander Nijhof.
(Step)children:
- Hendersken Neerhof (ca. 1655), ⚭ (1) 1679 Aalten Lubbert Luiten, (2) 1682 Warner Nijhof op Nijhof in Barlo
- Jenneken / Jannetie Neerhof (Bredevoort, bap. Jan. 1658 – < 1700), ⚭ 1693 Aalten Antonij ten Hietbrink, they left for Amsterdam
- Geertjen Neerhof (ca. 1662), ⚭ 1684 Aalten Hendrik ter Sligt op Gantvoort in Barlo
- Derck Neerhof (Bredevoort, bap. May 1665), ⚭ 1694 Aalten Wendele in ’t Heegt
- Geert Neerhof (Aalten, bap. 04-10-1668), ⚭ 1702 Aalten Geesken Hoopmans, they left for Varsseveld
- Thobe Neerhof alias Tolkamp (Dale – Barlo, 1720/1721), ⚭ 1694 Aalten Geesken Nieuwhof op Tolkamp in Barlo
- Hendrik Neerhof alias Hondorp alias Lijsen, ⚭ 1690 Aalten Grietjen Lijsen op Liezen in Dale
- Antonij / Tonis Neerhof alias Vrieseler (Aalten, bap. 02-04-1671 – < 1760), ⚭ 1705 Bocholt Schwantgen Frieselaer (Swenneken Vrieseler), they lived at the Haesencamp in Silvolde from 1707 onwards (source)
Next residents, son and daughter-in-law:
Derck Neerhof (Bredevoort, bap. mei 1665)
⚭ 18-11-1694 Aalten
Wendele aan ’t Heeght (Aalten, bap. 02-12-1666)Children:
- Hendrik Neerhof (1695 – 1763), ⚭ 1717 Janna Eppink
- Dersken Neerhof (1697 – 1719)
- Janna Neerhof (1700 – ?)
- Eva Neerhof (1697 – 1719)
- Jan Neerhof (Buunk) (1700 – 1787), ⚭ 1724 Berentje Buunk op Beunk in Lintelo
Next residents, son and daughter-in-law:
Hendrik Neerhof (Aalten, bap. 27-11-1695 – Dale, 25-02-1763)
⚭ 23-05-1717 Aalten
Janna Eppink (Aalten, bap. 21-11-1697 – Dale, 16-01-1787)Children:
- Rosier Neerhof (Dale, 15-03-1719 – Aalten, 21-09-1783), ⚭ 1745 Beerndeken Beestman
- Eva Neerhof (1721 – ?)
- Jan Hendrik Neerhof (Wiggers) (1723 – 1811), ⚭ 1743 Beerndeke Wichers op Wiechers in Dale
- Willem Neerhof (1725 – < 1738)
- Mette Neerhof (1726 – ?)
- Derk Neerhof (1731 – 1811), ⚭ 1763 Elisabeth Mekkink op Mekkink in IJzerlo
- Willemina Neerhof (1733 – 1765), ⚭ 1752 Warner Weggelaar
- Gerrit Jan Neerhof (1735 – 1804), ⚭ 1767 Anna Geertruit Aarnink
- Willem Neerhof (1738 – 1775), ⚭ 1767 Hendersken Deunk
- Geert Neerhof (1741 – ?)
Next residents, son and daughter-in-law:
Rosier Neerhof (Dale, 15-03-1719 – Aalten, 21-09-1783)
⚭ 30-09-1745 Aalten
Beerndeken Beestman (Haart, 22-11-1722 – Aalten, 21-05-1765), d.v. Jan te Beest en Willemke StortelersChildren:
- Johanna (Janna) Neerhof (Aalten, ged. 27-11-1746 – Wisch, 04-04-1828), ⚭ 1775 Wander Eppink
- Derk Neerhof (Aalten, bap. 08-06-1749 – < 1751)
- Derk Neerhof (Aalten, bap. 16-05-1751 – Aalten, 21-03-1839), ⚭ 1785 Jenneken Meijnen
- Willemina Neerhof (Dale, 03-02-1754 – Barlo, 24-06-1814), ⚭ 1785 Willem Lankhof
- Gerritje Neerhof (Aalten, bap. 28-02-1756 – < 1759)
- Gerrit Jan Neerhof (1757)
- Gerritjen Neerhof (1759 – 1828), ⚭ 1787 Garrit Jan Houwers
- Hendrik Jan Neerhof (Aalten, bap. 04-11-1764 – Aalten, 14-01-1808), ⚭ Harmina Elferink
Next residents, son and daughter-in-law:
Population register 1823-1850
“Neerhof”
Derk Neerhof (Aalten, bap. 16-05-1751 – Aalten, 21-03-1839), farmer
⚭ 05-06-1785 Aalten
Jenneken Meijnen (Lichtenvoorde, bap. 28-03-1766 – Aalten, 18-04-1839)Children:
- Berendeken Neerhof (07-11-1786)
- Reintjen Neerhof (13-12-1787)
- Barend Hendrik Neerhof (29-04-1789 – Dale, May/June 1789)
- Berendje Neerhof (05-05-1790), ⚭ 1831 Jan Hendrik Rots
- Rosier Neerhof (06-02-1792), ⚭ (1) 1821 Dela Wiggers, (2) 1825 Janna Geertruid Kleuvers
- Aleijda Neerhof (26-01-1794), ⚭ 1837 Gerrit Hendrik Ruesink > Essink
- Hendrik Jan Neerhof (08-03-1796), ⚭ 1843 Hendrika Gerritsen > De Stegge
- Berent Hendrik Neerhof (13-12-1797 – 06-04-1862), remained unmarried
- Willemina Neerhof (26-11-1799)
- Derk Willem Neerhof (19-12-1802), ⚭ 1834 Johanna ten Brinke
- Garrit Jan Neerhof (01-12-1804), ⚭ 1828 Grada te Stroete
- Willemina Neerhof (11-8-1806)
- Willem Neerhof (02-02-1810), ⚭ 1842 Engelina Heusinkveld > Krieger (Saalmans)
Population register 1850-1860
Derk Willem Neerhof (Dale, 19-12-1802 – Dale, 18-04-1856), farmer
⚭ 12-09-1834, Aalten
Johanna ten Brinke (Miste, 23-08-1811 – Dale, 23-02-1857)Children:
- NN Neerhof (Dale, 16-11-1834), stillborn
- Roelof Neerhof (Dale, 01-12-1835 – Dale, 27-04-1856), unmarried
- Dora Harmina Neerhof (Dale, 03-10-1838 – Dale, 06-03-1855), unmarried
- Gerrit Jan Neerhof (Dale, 07-12-1841 – Dale, 17-01-1864), unmarried
- Derk Jan Neerhof (Dale, 09-07-1844 – Sheboygan/USA, 20-11-1905), ⚭ 1868 Grada Jentink
- Jan Hendrik Neerhof (Dale, 04-05-1847 – Wisconsin/USA, 16-07-1927)
- NN Neerhof (Dale, 28-03-1850), stillborn
- Hendrik Jan Neerhof (Dale, 20-05-1851 – USA, 1890)
Population register 1860-1870
- Gerrit Jan Neerhof head (Dale, 07-12-1841 – Dale, 17-01-1864), farmer
- Derk Jan Neerhof brother (Dale, 09-07-1844 – Sheboygan/USA, 20-11-1905), ⚭ 1868 Grada Jentink *
- Jan Hendrik Neerhof brother (Dale, 04-05-1847 – Wisconsin/USA, 16-07-1927) *
- Hendrik Jan Neerhof brother (Dale, 20-05-1851 – USA, 1890) *
- Berend Hendrik Neerhof oom (Aalten, 13-12-1797 – Dale, 06-04-1862)
- Berentjen Heusinkveld employed (Aalten, 31-03-1828)
- Dela Johanna Neerhof in dienst (Dale, 06-02-1843), dochter van Willem Neerhof en Engelina Heusinkveld op Krieger. Zij is dus een nicht van de vier eerstgenoemde broers *
- Janna Willemina Hengeveld employed (Dale, 06-12-1836)
- Hendrika Aleida Westerveld employed (Aalten, 27-12-1840 – 03-06-1868) *
* Zij vertrekken (vermoedelijk in het voorjaar van 1868) naar Haart 19 (Lievers) en in 1869 naar Amerika. Tegelijkertijd verhuist het pasgetrouwde echtpaar Houwers van Lievers naar Neerhof.
Next residents:
Arent Jan Houwers (Dale, 28-04-1824 – Dale, 28-10-1880), farmer
⚭ 02-04-1868, Aalten
Grada Aleida Ormel (De Heurne, 13-10-1843 – Dale, 12-04-1875)Population register 1870-1880
Arent Jan Houwers (Dale, 28-04-1824 – Dale, 28-10-1880), farmer
Grada Aleida Ormel (De Heurne, 13-10-1843 – Dale, 12-04-1875)Population register 1880-1890
Arent Jan Houwers (Dale, 28-04-1824 – 28-10-1880), farmer
Children:
- Aleida Gesina Houwers (Dale, 25-09-1868) > Dale 42 (De Heurne)
- Johanna Aleida Houwers (Dale, 27-11-1869) > Dale 42 (De Heurne)
- Jan Hendrik Wessel Houwers (Dale, 30-04-1872) > Dale 23 (Vervelde)
Following their father’s death, the three orphans were taken in by relatives on other farms (as noted below). ‘Bouwplaats Het Neerhof’ was to be let out for the time being:
The following residents came from Wisch in early 1881:
Evert Scheffer (Rheden, 23-09-1839), clog maker
Hermina Hofs (Varsseveld, 12-06-1853)Children:
- Herman Johan Scheffer (Varsseveld, 08-03-1869)
- Dina Johanna Scheffer (Varsseveld, 09-02-1871)
- Mina Scheffer (Varsseveld, 06-07-1873)
- Grada Johanna Scheffer (Wisch, 02-07-1875)
- Hendrika Geertruida Scheffer (Dale, 07-10-1886)
- Johanna Louise Scheffer (Dale, 02-09-1888)
Population register 1890-1900
Evert Scheffer (Rheden, 23-09-1839), clog maker
Hermina Hofs (Varsseveld, 12-06-1853)Children:
- Herman Johan Scheffer (Varsseveld, 08-03-1869)
- Dina Johanna Scheffer (Varsseveld, 09-02-1871)
- Mina Scheffer (Varsseveld, 06-07-1873)
- Grada Johanna Scheffer (Wisch, 02-07-1875)
- Hendrika Geertruida Scheffer (Dale, 07-10-1886)
- Johanna Louise Scheffer (Dale, 02-09-1888)
Zij vertrekken in 1890 naar Dale 109 (Smees).
Next residents:
Jan Willem Westerveld hoofd (Dale, 26-11-1857), farmer
Grada Johanna te Hennepe vrouw (Heurne, 14-09-1864)Child:
- Berend Westerveld (Aalten, 04-04-1891)
After this, J.H.W. Houwers, now an adult, returned to his childhood home:
Jan Hendrik Wessel Houwers (Dale, 30-04-1872), farmer
⚭ 27-08-1897, Borculo
Geertruida Esselink (Borculo, 02-07-1871)Children:
- Grada Aleida Houwers (Dale, 01-08-1898)
- Gerrit Houwers (Dale, 17-09-1899), ⚭ 1926 Hanna Gesina Neerhof
Population register 1900-1910
Jan Hendrik Wessel Houwers (Dale, 30-04-1872), farmer
(1) Geertruida Esselink (Borculo, 02-07-1871 – 06-12-1902)Children:
- Grada Aleida Houwers (Dale, 01-08-1898)
- Gerrit Houwers (Dale, 17-09-1899), ⚭ 1926 Hanna Gesina Neerhof
- Drika Gesina Houwers (Dale, 30-04-1901 – Aalten, 01-08-1902)
- Arend Jan Houwers (Dale, 06-03-1902 – Aalten, 12-07-1902)
Following Geertruida’s death, J.H.W. remarried on 27 June 1907 in Aalten to
(2) Johanna Geertruida te Bokkel (Dale, 08-10-1875)Children:
- Geertruida Everdina Houwers (Dale, 21-06-1908)
- Grada Houwers (Dale, 06-12-1909)
Population register 1910-1920
Jan Hendrik Wessel Houwers (Dale, 30-04-1872), farmer
Johanna Geertruida te Bokkel (Dale, 08-10-1875)Population register 1920-1930
Dale 15 > 21
Jan Hendrik Wessel Houwers (Dale, 30-04-1872)
Johanna Geertruida te Bokkel (Dale, 08-10-1875)Children:
- Grada Aleida Houwers (Dale, 01-08-1898)
- Gerrit Houwers (Dale, 17-09-1899), ⚭ 1926 Hanna Gesina Neerhof
- Geertruida Everdina Houwers (Dale, 21-06-1908)
- Grada Houwers (Dale, 06-12-1909)
- Dina Houwers (Dale, 05-05-1911)
- Johanna Houwers (Dale, 04-02-1914)
- Jan Hendrik Wessel Houwers (Dale, 24-11-1915)
- Hendrika Houwers (Dale, 08-09-1917)
Population register 1930-1940
Dale 15 > 21
Jan Hendrik Wessel Houwers (Dale, 30-04-1872)
Johanna Geertruida te Bokkel (Dale, 08-10-1875)Children:
- Geertruida Everdina Houwers (Dale, 21-06-1908)
- Johanna Houwers (Dale, 04-02-1914)
- Jan Hendrik Wessel Houwers (Dale, 24-11-1915)
- Hendrika Houwers (Dale, 08-09-1917)
Phone directory 1958
Address directory 1967
“Neerhof”
Dale 21 > Elshoekweg 6
Jan Hendrik Wessel Houwers (Dale, 24-11-1915)
Features
Cadastral no. L-1028 Function Farmhouse Year of construction 1893 Listed no Sources
Fragment cadastral map, 1876 
Cadastral map, 1930 History
In the rural district of Dale, there was once the manorial estate known as Neerhof. Here is a piece of history about ‘t Neerhof that we found in a booklet:
“When the Saxons were subjugated by the Franks and Charlemagne became the landowner, he established Frankish landholdings where the ‘schout’ or ‘scholte’—the lord’s representative—would reside. They were responsible for collecting taxes, and the Saxon farmers became subservient to the lord’s ‘hof’ (court/estate).
In every district of Aalten, we find an old, distinguished estate, all of which strongly suggest that they share the aforementioned origin. In the past, all these farmsteads were surrounded by a moat. Each farmstead is situated on the edge of an ‘es’ (es-land) in such a way that the latter extends around it, virtually in the shape of a half-moon, so that the ‘Hof’ forms the centre. This indicates that the large-scale cultivation of the essen must have originated from the ‘Hof’ and was continued progressively further outwards.
De Aaltense Es is eigenlijk de es van de boerschap Dale (= laagte). Hij ligt binnen een halve cirkel met een straal van ongeveer twee kilometer om Havezathe de Pol, met deze als middelpunt.
Nu doet zich nog de merkwaardige omstandigheid voor, dat wij in Dale nog twee aan elkaar grenzende goederen vinden, ‘Nonhof’ en ‘Neerhof’ geheten. Beide hoeven liggen vrij ver van de Ahof ‘de Pol’ verwijderd, maar dit is duidelijk als we de ligging en uitgestrektheid van Dale in aanmerking nemen; deze hoeven konden rustig in het lager gelegen westen van Dale hun plaatsen innemen. Hier zouden ook ordebroeders en ordezusters hebben gewoond.
In the past, the Neerhof and Nonhof estates belonged to the St. Antonie vicarage, which was established in the Aalten Church. Later, they became domains of the sovereign.
According to some, the name is derived from ‘d’n Heerhof’, which merged into ‘de Neerhof’.
At the beginning of the 17th century, we also encounter the spelling ‘Neerhave’.
Bredevoort Judicial Archives, voluntary deeds, 29 March 1697 
In 1748, five soldiers were billeted at Neerhof. 
Excerpt from the land registry entry, 1876 
Graafschapbode, 4 December 1880 
Nieuwe Vlaardingsche Courant, 25 August 1888 
Graafschapbode, 31 August 1889 
Excerpt from the land registry entry, 1960 -
Bombardment Dale
Elshoek/Grevink area, Dale
On 8 February 1945, a mistake bombing took place in the Aalten rural district of Dale, in which eleven people were killed. In memory of these victims, a monument was unveiled in 1988 on the corner of Aladnaweg and Grevinkweg.
Less than three months before the end of the war, on February 8, 1945, American B-26 Marauder bombers took off from their base in Cambrai in northern France. Their primary target was the area around Kleve, and if that was not possible, they had an alternative target at Groenlo. At Kleve it was too cloudy and so they flew on, but also in the Achterhoek the visibility was poor. Just after 11:00 a.m., they dropped 528 fragmentation bombs.
Two hours later, the aircraft returned safely to Cambrai. Their mission report stated: “Impossible to determine further damage or to locate pattern accurately due to 80% cloud cover”.
Death and destruction
The deadly cargo ended up in the vicinity of the Elshoek and the Grevink in Dale, with terrible consequences. The hundreds of splinter bombs caused death and destruction. The shards flew horizontally across the ground and affected both people and animals. Everywhere lay dismembered horses, cows, sheep, chickens and geese. Some farms suffered direct hits.
All doctors, nurses and emergency services were sent to the crash site. In the mud and among the rubble, they provided first aid to the wounded. These were transported on stretchers and ladders to Huize Avondvrede on the Hogestraat. From there, the seriously injured were transferred to the emergency hospital in Harreveld.
The bombing eventually claimed eleven lives and left several people permanently disabled.
Thes laughter offerings
In the kitchen of the Neerhof family’s farm ‘t Olde Nooitgedacht , Joop de Roon from Rotterdam was found dead. At the Glieuwe farm, where the Hogenkamp family lived, daughter Anna and sons Herman and Jozef were killed. The Bekerhuis farm of the Te Grotenhuis family was completely destroyed. There were four victims here: the children Arie and Teun te Grotenhuis and the brothers Hendrik and Gerrit Stronks, who were in hiding there.
Mink van der Harst, from Scheveningen and in hiding with the Eppink family of farm ‘t Nooitgedacht, was fatally hit by shrapnel outside. Brus’ farm was also hit. Gerrit Brus died on the spot, and his wife Sientje Brus-Stronks died a few days later in the emergency hospital in Harreveld.
In addition, bombs also fell in the Haartsestraat. Clarel Smit, who had just left Van Lente’s house, was so injured in his feet and legs that he died four months later in the emergency hospital in Harreveld.
The monument
The monument in memory of the victims consists of four stones, from the remains of the house of the Te Grotenhuis family. Mr. Te Grotenhuis piled up these stones at the place in question after the bombing. For years, the stones functioned as an unofficial memorial. In 1988, at the insistence of the local population, they were recognized as an official monument.
The monument for the victims of the mistake bombing in Dale The names of the victims are inscribed on the memorial stone:
- G.J. BRUS 62 YEARS OLD
- G.A. BRUS-STRONKS 63 YEARS OLD
- A.J. TE GROOTENHUIS 12 YEARS OLD
- A. TE GROOTENHUIS 10 YEARS
- M. VAN DER HARST 25 YEARS OLD
- J.M. HOGENKAMP 22 YEARS OLD
- H.J. HOGENKAMP 15 YEARS OLD
- J.B.A. HOGENKAMP 6 YEARS OLD
- J. DE ROON 18 YEARS OLD
- H.W. STRONKS 33 YEARS OLD
- G.W. STRONKS 26 YEARS OLD
Sources
- Aalten in wartime, J.G. ter Horst
- If only I could see them again, the bombing of Dale 8 February 1945, H. de Beukelaer
- On or under, Aalten, the land of the people in hiding and of illegality, G.W. Vaags
- Interview with Karel Aversteeg (Louis Veldhuis and Gerrit Nijman)
- National Committee 4 and 5 May
- Nationaal Onderduikmuseum, Aalten
- Speech by Mayor Stapelkamp, 8 February 2020