King William I (1772-1843) and Jean Gijsberto de Mey van Streefkerk (1754–1844), state secretary NL - Recognition of the Baron Title for the van Tuyll van Serooskerken Family - 1822

Historical Original Document (Official Certified Copy) – Royal Elevation of Status / Recognition of the Baron Title for the van Tuyll van Serooskerken Family (March 21, 1822)

• Official certified copy of a Royal Decree (Koninklijk Besluit, K.B.) regarding the nobility and title confirmation of the ancient noble family van Tuyll van Serooskerken.
• Date: March 21, 1822 (File reference No. 106).
• Place of Issue / Chancery: The Hague / State Secretariat.
• Condition: Historical paper with period-typical fold marks, clear handwritten ink strokes (black/brown iron gall ink), and official certification notes at the end.

Historical Context & Background

This important document records a milestone in Dutch nobility history during the post-Napoleonic era under King William I of the Netherlands. Following the liberation of the Netherlands and the establishment of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, King William I reorganized the country's system of nobility. To legally anchor the old, traditional nobility (Ridderschap) and distinguish it from newly created meritocracy, the High Council of Nobility (Hoge Raad van Adel) was involved.

The present decree (K.B. dated March 21, 1822, No. 106) is based on an official report by this High Council of Nobility and sanctions the official use of the title of Baron for the influential statesman and governor Jonkheer Jan Maximiliaan van Tuyll van Serooskerken van Vleuten (1771–1843) as well as his brothers and their legitimate descendants.

The Parties Involved in the Document:

1. The Petitioners / Noble Recipients:

- Jonkheer Jan Maximiliaan van Tuyll van Serooskerken van Vleuten (1771–1843): He originated from the highly respected Utrecht noble family Van Tuyll van Serooskerken (a branch to which the famous writer Isabelle de Charrière / Belle van Zuylen also belonged). He was Lord of Vleuten and served from 1814 to 1828 as Governor of the Province of Utrecht and from 1828 to 1839 as Governor of Noord-Holland.

- Frederik Leopold Frans and Hendrik Willem Jacob van Tuyll van Serooskerken (his brothers).

2. The Governmental Level & the King:

- The decree was issued in the name and by royal authority of King William I of the Netherlands, who personally directed the reorganization of the nobility.

- Jean Gijsberto de Mey van Streefkerk (1754–1844), a high-ranking and influential state secretary and politician of that era, was instrumental in drafting the administrative government acts.

3. The Certification:

- The document concludes with the official remark "accordeert met deszelfs origineel" (agrees with its original), signed by the clerk/registrar of the State Secretariat chancellery (Elis Schoor), giving it an official legal and evidentiary character for the family.

A Museum-Quality Collector's Item

A highly interesting and rare autograph/document for collectors of the Dutch era, European nobility history, genealogy, and connoisseurs of early 19th-century administration and politics under King William I.

Original Transcription of the Document (Dutch)

21 Maart 1822.
Nr. 106
Op het verzoek van Jhr van Tuyll van Serooskerken van Vleuten, J. L. F. van Tuyll van Serooskerken en H. M. J. van Tuyll van Serooskerken.
Gezien het rapport van de Hoge Raad van Adel van den 12 der dezer cr 114/35.
Hebben goedgevonden en verstaan te bepalen, dat, voorts in alle officiële stukken en zelfs in het vanwege Serooskerken van Vleuten, J. L. F. van Tuyll van Serooskerken, en H. M. J. van Tuyll van Serooskerken doende van derzelve wettige afstammelingen.
Zal gegeven worden de duur van ons Compositie de titel van Baron.
Afschrift etc.
Gez/ mlla.
na mege de kenny.
J. G. de Mey van Streefkerk
accordcer met het orgineel
de griffier te Hout kenny
Elis Schoor

Deutsche Übersetzung der Transkription

21. März 1822
Nr. 106
Auf die Bitte von Jhr. van Tuyll van Serooskerken van Vleuten, J. L. F. van Tuyll van Serooskerken und H. M. J. van Tuyll van Serooskerken.
Unter Berücksichtigung des Berichts des Hohen Adelsrates vom 12. dieses Monats, Nr. 114/35.
Haben wir für gut befunden und beschlossen zu bestimmen, dass fortan in allen offiziellen Dokumenten sowie bei den rechtmäßigen Nachkommen von Serooskerken van Vleuten, J. L. F. van Tuyll van Serooskerken und H. M. J. van Tuyll van Serooskerken.
Der Titel eines Barons verliehen werden soll im Wege unseres Kompositbeschlusses / unserer Zusammensetzung.
Abschrift etc.
Gez. / Mla.
(...)
J. G. de Mey van Streefkerk
Stimmt überein mit dem Original
Der Gerichtsschreiber beim Staatssekretariat
Elis Schoor

English Translation of the Transcription

March 21, 1822
No. 106
At the request of Jhr. van Tuyll van Serooskerken van Vleuten, J. L. F. van Tuyll van Serooskerken, and H. M. J. van Tuyll van Serooskerken.
Having regard to the report of the High Council of Nobility of the 12th of this current month, no. 114/35.
Have deemed it good and resolved to determine that henceforth in all official documents, and likewise for the legitimate descendants of Serooskerken van Vleuten, J. L. F. van Tuyll van Serooskerken, and H. M. J. van Tuyll van Serooskerken.
There shall be granted by our composition the title of Baron.
Copy etc.
Signed / mlla.
(...)
J. G. de Mey van Streefkerk
Agrees with its original
The clerk at the State Secretariat
Elis Schoor