Over and over members of the Kolff family were involved with
initiatives of the department of the Nut van het Algemeen.
With the courses on drawings for building engineering, which
were offered from 1853 until 1862, when the municipality of
Sommelsdijk unfortunately stopped subsidizing them.  Also
at the founding in 1902 and the board of the new technical
school at Middelharnis and in 1905 in the singing-school for
children. Of more importance for the family were the repeated
attempts to found a savings bank. Lambertus Kolff van Oosterwijk
(CCA XIIIh) (1779-1836), son of Lambertus,
became bookkeeper when in 1818 the first savings bank was
erected, and the already mentioned son of Adrianus Quirinus,
Cornelis, was appointed treasurer in 1825. |
Shortly after the latters' death in 1830, when his son succeeded
him, this enterprise of the Nut van het Algemeen went bankrupt,
caused by financial insecurities due to the Belgian Revolt.
Inserted in the Gedenkschrift (Memoir) of the Nut van het
Algemeen is: "The savings bank has been murdered by the Belgians."
The members of the department raised and funded the shortage
of 500 guilders.
When in 1849 the Nut van het Algemeen decided to raise a new
savings bank the already mentioned Gualtherus Constantinus
Marius (CBB XIVi, 1819-1890) became one of the deputy directors.
As mentioned in 1985 'Young Cor' became treasurer and accountant
of this bank and soon followed a period of great prosperity.
De facto this savings bank, at least the part of the treasury,
soon became part of the conglomerate of the Firma Wed. C.
Kolff, the old company of Adrianus Quirinus (CB
XIIf) (1745-1826). With an account on this versatile enterprise
I hope to continue in Part 2 of this article.
Dirk Kolff, archivist
(translation by Marius Kolff)
|
Image: ANWB (Neth. Cyclists [read:
Motorists] Association) sign at the house in the Voorstraat
mentioning: Great 18th century residence of the prominent Kolff
family, ship owners and wine merchants (etc.).
Literature: Han Boomsma, 'Terugblik in het grijs verleden: het
huis met de druiventros', in Eilanden-Nieuws, 15-02-1972. Nelleke
Manneke, 'Kolff in zeven eeuwen', Rotterdam 2001. K. Vos (ed.),
Gedenkschrift t.g.v. het honderd-jarig bestaan van het departement
Middelharnis-Sommelsdijk der Maatschappij tot Nut van 't Algemeen,
Middelharnis 1910. J.A. Wittekoek, 'Een terugblik op de vroegere
fa. Kolff te Middelharnis', in Eilanden-Nieuws, 08-01-1993. |
