Holland Evening Sentinel

Potter’s Field, which has long been an eyesore at this cemetery, will become a thing of beauty under the direction of the Park and Cemetery Board which met last night at the city hall. The old section will be leveled and grass, flowers and shrubbery will be planted.

The board further authorized the policing of the city parks to keep the children from molesting the flower beds and from tearing up the lawn. Centennial and Kollen Parks have been receiving the worst treatment it was pointed out.

The Commissioners raised the rates for removal of bodies from the cemetery from $6.00, which is the cost of burial, to $10.00. This change was made as extra work is necessary to fill the empty grave. The balance of the meeting was taken up with discussion of plans for the new comfort station to be erected this summer at Kollen Park.

Transcribed by Joan Van Spronsen

Potter’s Field is located in Block LL of Pilgrim Home Cemetery in Holland, Michigan. Original handwritten records of Potter’s Field burials are located in the Holland Museum Archives. There are about 234 people listed as being buried in Potter’s Field. This number includes the three names that were inserted into the list without being numbered and the two children of M. De Fouw who are buried in the same grave.

Burials in Potter’s Field began on May 21, 1891 with the burial of a child of John Wolters. The last burial was on March 25, 1912 with the burial of a child of Cornelis Kolkman.

There are about 30 adults buried in Potter’s Field. Dates of burial can be obtained from the Holland Museum Archives.

1. Wife of D. Van der Schuur

2. Wife of A. Van der Gehachts

3. John Lubberoo

4. F. Bakker

5. Albert Reinink

6. Mrs. F. Bakker

7. Mrs. Van Lieren

8. H. Fransenberg

9. Mrs. Evenhuis

10. H. Allofs

11. Wife of C. Smeenza?

12. Wife of C. Verliere

13. Wife of Jochem Dykstra

14. Mrs. Vale

15. Wife of J. Schakelaar

16. Mrs. T. Bontekoe

17. Wife of Wm. De Int

18. Mr. VanWieren or child of

19. Wife of B. Vanden Heuvel

20. Jan Schakelaar

21. Wife of R. Meyers

22. Geo. Baird

23. Mrs. Fred? Leyke

24. Mrs. J.Vergouwe

25. John Andree

26. Wife of Geo. Riemersma

27. Ida Schysel

28. Henry Wheaton

29. S. Wiersum?

30. H. Zwiers