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Jane, I have conferred with my son, who is pretty knowledgable of the old religions of Europe. He has formed this theory of Epke's religious history. My information reveals that Epke and his wife, Sitske Trietske Dirchsda, were Catholics in Holland. They emigrated to New Amsterdam about 1658/59. One of their children, Hendrich Epke Banta, (my ancestor) was about four years old at the time they came over. His information is that he was Dutch Reformed.
My son advised that in Holland at about the mid to late 1600's, there was a great deal of friction between the Protestants and Catholics. The Habspergs(sp?) were Catholics and in power over over the Austrian Empire at that time (included Holland). The Protestants, from Martin Luther's teachings, believed they were justified to revolt(The Peasant Revolts) over the Catholics. In order to pacify the Catholics, Luther denounced the revolts. So the Catholics put an end to the revolts. Therefore, a number of the (Holland) Protestants moved to England and America.
It is our belief that Epke may have converted to protestantism while in Holland under John Calvin's teachings. Probably not being comfortable with this change due to the animosity between the two religions, he probably chose to move to America, where other Holland protestants were emigtrating to. In New Amsterdam, the Dutch Reformed Church was established; therefore, we believe that is why Epke's son was declared a Dutch Reformed.
This is just a theory, as I said. But it does sound plausible to me.
I have never heard any connection to the Jewish religion concerning the Bantas.
marlene
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