Melis Pietersz Laakeman (Laekeman, Lakeman) was born about 1670 and died 9 January 1699 at Zaandijk, where he was a blacksmith. He was preacher of the Mennonite congregation (Frisians) at Oosthuizen about 1691-1693 and of Wormerveer (Frisians) 1693 until his death. Laakeman, a blacksmith's servant at Purmerend, was baptized in 1691 in the Frisian congregation of Oosthuizen. Later he worked in Hoorn. He was married twice; both times his wife died only one year after marriage. Laakeman was a pious man, who had to struggle with poverty.

After his death a volume of his sermons was published: XXXVI Predicatiën (Amsterdam, 1700). These sermons were very popular; the book was used in the congregation of Balk, Friesland, until the middle of the 19th century. Other members of the Lakeman family also served as preachers at Wormerveer. Some members of this family were found at neighboring Krommenie, and later also at Amsterdam.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 265. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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