Jan Smit, in the Year 1572

About the year 1572 there was also another pious, God-fearing brother, named Jan Smit, a native of the country of Marck, but at that time living in North Holland, near Munnekendam; he was later brought as a prisoner to Munnekendam, for the testimony of Jesus. But when after a certain time Munnekendam was taken by the Protestants, he was released by one of their captains. Afterwards, while he was employed on a boat on the Zuyder Zee, he was arrested again by a Spanish captain, and brought to Amsterdam. There he remained in prison, until it was decided that these prisoners should be used as oarsmen on the Haarlem Lake, against the people of Haarlem. But when this pious Jan Smit came to the place where he was to row, he declared that his conscience did not leave him free to row in this way, since he had no enemies; they might deal with him as they pleased. He was then brought into the camp before Haarlem, where he was sharply examined concerning his faith, and found to be of the Mennonistic religion. And since examinations and severe threats could not move him to apostatize, for he was founded upon the firm Rock, and therefore overcame everything by faith, Don Frederick, son of the Duke of Alva, sentenced him to be hung there on the gallows by one leg, which was done, until death followed. And so this hero and soldier of Jesus Christ, by saving faith, overcame the world, sin, flesh and blood, and all tyrants, and, through God's grace, obtained the crown of eternal glory.

We received this account from old Simon Fijtsoon, teacher [minister?] and elder of the church of Tessel. He states that this Jan Smit was his special friend.