Isabella Latham (1642-1718)

Isabella Latham (dutch link) was baptized in the English Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam. Only her father Persevere is listed in the baptismal record, no mother, no witnesses. I have written about Isabella before, but I want to revisit her again.

According to her father Persevere’s marriage registration, her parents were also born in Amsterdam: Persauer Latham, from A(msterdam) [occupation not decipherable by me], 24 yr old, with his mother Isabill Latam as witness, they are living at the corner of the St. Jacobsstraat; and Marritje Bloemen, van A(msterdam), 18 yrs old, with her mother Catalijn Jacobsz als witness, they are living in the ??burghwal. He signs Persever Latham, she Maritgen Bloome.In addition to Isabel, Persevere has 10 more children baptized in the English Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam, the mother is never mentioned, and there are no witnesses listed. Persevere must have been born in 1605, if his listed age is correct. But so far I have found no baptisms for either Persevere or Maritje, because the English Church records do not start until 1607, which is just after Persevere is born; and Maritje may or may not have been EngIish. I have not found any records for other siblings either, so Persevere must have been the last or only child.

A frustrating, but tantalizing puzzle in view of the possible link with Robert Latham, who immigrated to the new world, married Susanna Winslow, and is the ancestor of my son-in-law. While I don’t expect a relation, I can’t help wondering.