Page 75 - Poat_to_Poot_Engels

Willem spent quite a bit of time with his father. Willem's interest in
mechanical things helped. He spent many hours tinkering and
experimenting with the wall clock in his father's study. Clocks would
become a lifelong hobby.

Reverend Jan Poot was apparently rather proud of his eldest son. He
took Willem along many times when traveling to preach at other
churches or attend conferences.

Apparently during one of their trips, they witnessed a spectacular meteor
shower, possibly the Andromedids of 1885. "I most vividly recall a sight
never to be forgotten. One late evening we passed through a meteoric
shower. It looked as if all the stars of heaven were falling. It can be
likened only to a full scale fireworks display."

One travel story tells about when Willem was perhaps five years old and
he and his father were guests at The Hague, the grand seat of the
national government. Little Willem was brought his breakfast tray, which
he ate, and then he sat and waited for a servant to come and dress him.
He waited and waited, but no one came. Since the main meal was
downstairs, someone finally came to see why he had not come down to
eat. Willem was in tears because no one had dressed him. After that
humiliation, he vowed to learn to dress himself.

Willem distinctly remembered a trip to Rotterdam. They stayed in a
lovely home and were waited on by servants. He remembered a
delicious vanilla pudding they ate for dessert. In the morning they were
served tea and biscuits in bed before going downstairs for breakfast.
Then they traveled a few miles to Utrecht (you'-trekt) to the prominent
and famous Dom Kerk (Cathedral Church). A conference was in session.
In his words, "At noon a luncheon was given in one of the church parlors.
I remember that Baron van Doorn was there. I sat on a mohair couch by
myself. A waiter brought me some milk and a sandwich. I don't know
what was in it, but I didn't like it. So, when no one was looking, I casually
dropped it behind the couch. Baron van Doorn and the Earl of Bentick
(Bentinck) visited our home at least once a year. The Baron (van Doorn)
was a very eloquent speaker and many of the aristocracy came to hear
him preach the gospel."

It is just a speculation, but given the presence of prominent religious
activists at this conference, this may have been one of the historic
meetings leading to the "second separation" of the national church in
1886.

- Childhood - page 7 -