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Bokkenrijders

If you're looking for an alphabetical list of people we've written about, visit this page.

Peter Pauwels

Peter Pauwels, also known as Petrus Paulsen (1715, Ubach - October 15th 1771, Herzogenrath) is a weaver from Ubach and a supposed Bokkenrijder. He is one of the first convicts in the third persecution trial of Overmaas.

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Gabriël Reinarts

Gabriël Reinarts (also known as Gabriel Rei(j)nartz or 'Gabriel by the church') (1722, Ubach - October 15th 1771, Herzogenrath) was a carter from Ubach and suspected Bokkenrijder. He was one of the first to be convicted from the third persecution period of Overmaas.

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Jacob Otten

Jacob Otten (also known as Jacobus Otten) (1739, Ubach - October 15th 1771, Herzogenrath) was a shoemaker from Ubach and a supposed Bokkenrijder. He was one of the first convicts from the third persecution period.

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Ida Ponts

Ida Ponts (February 12th, 1712 - January 29th 1744, Echt) was the eldest daughter of the knacker Mathijs Ponts from Hoensbroek and an alledged Bokkenrijder. She was convicted together with her husband in 1744.

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Cornelis Dautsenberg

Cornelis Dautsenberg (also (Cor)nelis Dautzenberg or 'Butse Nellis'/'Butze(s) Nelles') (1731, Ubach - October 15th 1771, Hertzogenrath) was a cobbler and a supposed Bokkenrijder. He was one of the first convicts from the third persecution period.

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Peter Ponts

Peter Ponts (also known as Petrus Ponts) (February 7th 1716, Hoensbroek - November 12th 1743, Hoensbroek) was a knacker and an alledged member of the Bokkenrijders, the son of knacker and accused leader of the Bokkenrijders, Mathijs Ponts from Hoensbroek. He was arrested and executed during the third persecution period.

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Johannes Ponts

Johannes Ponts (also: Joannes, Jan, Hans or Joes) (March 26th 1713, Hoensbroek - August 14th 1743, Rekem) was a knacker and the oldest son of knacker and accused leader of the Bokkenrijders Mathijs Ponts.  He was prosecuted during the first trial.

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Hendrik Ponts

Hendrik Ponts (May 23rd 1718, Hoensbroek - unknown) was a skinner and suspected Bokkenrijder, son of suspected gangleader Mathijs Ponts, who was a skinner as well. Hendrik managed to escape.

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Maria Ponts

Maria Ponts (January 25th 1721, Hoensbroek - November 12th 1743, Hoensbroek) was a young lady from Hoensbroek who got executed as Bokkenrijder. She was the daughter of the skinner and the supposed gangleader Mathijs Ponts.

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Mathijs Ponts

Mathijs Ponts (English: Mathias) (c. 1690, Hoensbroek — 12 november 1743, Hoensbroek) was a knacker from Hoensbroek and alleged leader of the Bokkenrijders. He was prosecuted along with his family during the third mass trial and was imprisoned on the castle of Hoensbroek. He is one of the most well-known Bokkenrijders.

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Willem Ploum

Willem Ploum, (also known as 'Vivats Willem') (? - October 15th 1771, Herzogenrath) was the innkeeper of the inn 'Vivat' and a supposed Bokkenrijder. He was accused relatively early within the persecution period of Overmaas.

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Dirk Hersseler

An image from the trial documents of a sideways X Dirk Hersseler used as a signature, because he couldn't write his name.

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Other People

If you're looking for an alphabetical list of other people we've written about, visit this page.

Locations

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Other

If you're looking for other information about the Bokkenrijders, this is the place to look!

Theories about the Bokkenrijders

Throughout the years, much has been said and written about the Bokkenrijders. There are lots of theories about this gang; who were they? Was it really a satanic gang? Has there ever even been a Bokkenrijders gang? These theories are roughly divided in three groups: the satanists theory, the Robin Hood theory and the innocents theory.

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Arson letter

An arson letter is a letter, allegedly left by Bokkenrijders, in which a threat is issued to set fire on a building (for example a house or farm) if the owner doesn't pay ransom money. 

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