More mature by nature

The Schermereiland with De Rijp between the Schermeer, Starnmeer, and Beemstermeer lakes in Leeghwater's birth year, 1575. Detail from the map of Hollands Noorderkwartier by J.J. Beeldsnijder. North Holland Archives, Haarlem.

Leeghwater's father, Jan Simonsz., was a carpenter. The young Jan certainly learned the trade from him. At that time, De Rijp was still a small village located on the Schermereiland, surrounded by the Schermeer, Beemstermeer, and Starnmeer. During his youth, the village grew rapidly. The Golden Age had begun! The enterprising Leeghwater seized his opportunity and, in 1604, built the first mill near De Rijp, equipped with stampers to extract oil from seeds. Later, he was involved in the construction of the lock in the village, the beautiful Rijper town hall, and an extension of the church. The scales for weighing goods still hang in the hall of that town hall. Leeghwater made them, and his initials, J.A.L.W., are engraved on the arm of the balance.