Pieter-Jeltjesvolk were the adherents of Pieter Jeltjes, who, after this leader had been excommunicated in 1599, organized congregations at Kollum and a few other places in the Dutch province of Friesland. These congregations gradually died out or merged with congregations of other Mennonite branches. The Balk congregation, which belonged to this group, later usually called Old Frisians or even Old Flemish, existed until 1853-54, when most of the members immigrated to the United States.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 171. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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