Jan Claes Schaep, b. 12 June 1640, was the son of Griete Cornelis and Claes Jansz. He was an oil-miller at Wormerveer. Schaep was most probably a merchant and belonged to the Frisian Mennonites. As a poet with the intention to publish "to the glory of God" he published only one—rather successful—volume: Bloem-Tuyntje, Bestaende in Inderlycke Bedenckingen, Gelyckenissen, ofte Exempelen: midsgaders eenige Sang-Rymen, ofte Liedekens. Part 1 consists of rather moralistic and symbolical poems about everyday events. Part 2 contains hymns and topical songs. Style and content reflect a simple but sincere piety. The booklet was revised in 1671 (Amsterdam), with reprints in 1686, 1697, and 1724, edited by his father who added five poems of his own. All editions are illustrated. The one of 1724 has 15 extra engravings by J. Lamsveldt. One of Schaep's hymns is found in 't Groot Achter-Hofken (1664) and C. Stapel's Lusthof der Zielen (1681). His Bloem-Tuyntje has often been awarded to exceptional students in school and as a present in catechism classes in Mennonite congregations. He died ca. 1676.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 795. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

©1996-2013 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.