Maartje (Maatje, Martha) Koster

Maatje's first husband was Evert Lubbersen van Malenstein (Malestein, Malenstijn) (born 23 Oct 1805, died 9 Oct 1852); they married on 11 Apr or 28 Apr 1849 in Putten.

By 1851, they lived on the farm known as De Blauwe Schuit (The Blue Barge, now a municipal monument), which consisted of the main house (built around 1800 and still present at Gervenseweg 18), a baking house, and water pumps. Evert died in 1852 and three years she married Gerrit, originally a laborer on the farm.

After Gerrit died, Maatje remarried on 19 May 1865 to Aart (Aert) van 't Groenewoud (Groenewault, Groneveld), her brother-in-law (born 6 Jan 1823, died 1914). The family departed to the U.S. on 20 Sept 1866 (via Amsterdam) and settled near South Olive, MI. (zie notaris Colenbrander te Nijkerk, d.d. 25/5 en 1/6-1866: verkoop boerderij "de Schuit")

Aart bought from A. C. Van Raalte what was later to become the Mulder farm on RR#2, 112th St (map of farm). He built the log cabin near the pear tree, and they eventually owned about 320 acres. Later, he lived with Jakob and Mary Mulder until his death.

Maatje is buried in North Holland Cemetery (R6 B4 L8), near a Jakob Koster who may be her brother. Aart is buried next to her (R6 B4 L9).