The Leiden ConnectionMayflower Family Stories

Achtergracht

The Marendorp canal that became the Van der Werffstraat

Artistic impression

Achtergracht in the records

William Bradford’s house by the canal

On 2 March 1612 William Bradford bought a newly built house on the north side of the Achtergracht along Marendorp, between the Paradijssteeg and the Bouwelouwensteeg. He transferred the house in 1619. Historical Leiden mapping places this former canal line along today’s Van der Werffstraat.

Map of Leiden drawn by Jan Pietersz. Dou in 1614
Leiden, 1614Map by Jan Pietersz. Dou. Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken; public domain. Source
Historic postcard view of the Van der Werffstraat in Leiden around 1900
Van der Werffstraat, circa 1900Postcard from the Obreen Collection, Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken; public domain. Source

The former Marendorpse Achtergracht

The canal has disappeared from the modern street plan. The Van der Werffstraat follows its former line; the Bradford deed narrows the property to the stretch between Paradijssteeg and Bouwelouwensteeg.

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