The De Jonge van Zwijnsbergen family decides to sell building land on the opposite side of Mariënhof to the Van Gogh family for 350 guilders. Joan de Jonge and Theodorus realize the sale on September 28, 1874 at Zwijnsbergen Castle. Hendrik Verzijl is also present as a witness. The pastor asks the municipality for permission to drain a ditch so that a house can be built. The plot on Keiweg is meant to build a house for three sisters of the pastor. They took care of their father, grandfather Vincent van Gogh, in Breda and after his death it is agreed that the proceeds of the sale of his house in the Visserstraat will go to them. They choose to have a house built in Helvoirt.
Although the house was not yet completed, Dorothea Maria ('Doortje', 1815-1882) and Johanna Wilhelmina ('Antje', 1812-1883) came to Helvoirt on April 16, 1875. Maria Johanna ('Mietje', 1831-1911) joins them not much later. Vincent will probably have seen the construction site in the winter of 1874, when he takes an evening walk along the Rijksweg. Theodorus remained involved with the house; on April 29, 1875, he wrote: "From 5 to 12 I have been busy planting and decorating the Aunts' garden. It looks good now, but I am tired'. On July 20, 1875, the three sisters move into the house.
The aunts give religious lessons in Helvoirt to children of the Protestant congregation. In doing so, they would reward diligent children with a picture. The story goes that drawings by Vincent would have been used. However, the authenticity of the childhood drawings associated with this story is questionable.
