By E.E Kühn
Our Family History Copyright © 2021 by Elaine Elzette Kühn All rights reserved. It is not legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or printed format if you are not in any means mentioned or part of this family tree. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited. This book contains the Ancestors and descendants with Single Family Registers and Personal information.
This Book is dedicated to: All of my family members I have done the best I could to provide the most accurate information I could find. Please forgive me if you find any errors, wrong dates or misspellings. Genealogy can be a confusing project and overwhelming. May you and your family enjoy what I have put together.
The Family Tree Our family is like the branches On an old but sturdy tree The leaves resemble people That make up our ancestry The past has not been easy And it could have made it fall But the roots are cemented firmly For this tree to stand tall As time goes by its certain That the leaves will wither and wilt But new branches of the tree will thrive On foundations they have built Together we are stronger It isn’t hard to see That every leaf is needed To make this family tree
ontents Part 1: Hills & Smit Origins....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Chapter 1: Smit Progenitor in South Africa......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2: Niclasina Petronella Hills (Smit)..................................................................................................................................................... 42 Chapter 3: Michael John Hills ..............................................................................................................................................................................49 Part 2: Scholtz Origins.............................................................................................................................................................................................................52 Chapter 4: Scholtz Progenitor in South Africa ...............................................................................................................................................53 Chapter 5: Johannes Jacobus (II) Scholtz ...................................................................................................................................................... 77 Part 3: Jansen van Vuuren Origins.......................................................................................................................................................................................94 Chapter 6: Jansen van Vuuren Progenitor in South Africa .........................................................................................................................95 Chapter 7: Christiaan Jacobus Jansen van Vuuren..................................................................................................................................... 109 Chapter 8: Christo Jansen van Vuuren............................................................................................................................................................ 117 Chapter 9: Mariaan Jansen van Vuuren...........................................................................................................................................................118 Chapter 10: Kobus Jansen van Vuuren .............................................................................................................................................................119 Chapter 11: Sanette Jansen van Vuuren ..........................................................................................................................................................120 Part 4: Coetzee Origins............................................................................................................................................................................................................121 Chapter 12: Coetzee Progenitor in South Africa...........................................................................................................................................122 Chapter 13: Barend Hendrik Phillipus (I) Coetzee ........................................................................................................................................140 Chapter 14: Hendrik Phillipes Coetzee............................................................................................................................................................169 Chapter 15: Elaine Elzette Coetzee .................................................................................................................................................................. 177 Chapter 16: Charmaine Darlene Coetzee........................................................................................................................................................191 Part 5: Gouws Origins.............................................................................................................................................................................................................194 Chapter 17: Gouws Progenitor in South Africa ..............................................................................................................................................195 Chapter 18: Willem Gideon (II) Gouws..............................................................................................................................................................201 Chapter 19: Jan Frederick Gouws.....................................................................................................................................................................214 Acknowledgments ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................000 Sources and Citations...........................................................................................................................................................................................................000
Page |2 Part 1: Hills & Smit Origins Hills Origins The surname Hill is a local name derived from what is believed to be the Old English word ‘hyll’. The name originally meant ‘he who dwells at, by, or on the hill’. The reasons for its popularity are self-evident, in much the same way as other local names from medieval village life-such as Green, Hall and Ford. There are, however, two other rare derivations of Hill. In one case it is a pet name derived from the first names of German origin beginning with Hild- (as in Hildegard), where the prefix ‘Hild-’ means ‘battle’. In very rare cases Hill is an abbreviation of the first name Hilary, which came from the Latin and means ‘cheerful’. (We get the word ‘hilarious’ from the same root.) In former times, Hilary was more popular as a male first name. The name Hill is mentioned in records as far back as the 1191 Pipe Rolls for Norfolk, where one Gilbert del Hill is mentioned. ‘Del’ here is not Spanish or Italian, but a corruption of the Norman French ‘de la’, meaning ‘of the’, as in Walter de la Hille whose name occurs in the 1273 Hundred Rolls. As usual, there are a number of variations on this simple local name. Hillhouse (which corrupts to Hillis and Hillers and Hillas) means ‘dweller at the house on the hill’. Hilling seems to represent an Old English word ‘hylling’, ‘hill- dweller’, though Hillman can derive from two sources. It can either mean the obvious ‘dweller by the slope’, or it can mean ‘servant of Hild’ (who would originally have been ‘Hild’s man’). The widespread Heilman is also a corruption of this last name. Several other names which seem to contain Hill are not derived from it. The most widespread of these are Hilliar (a form of Helliar, an occupational name, which derives from the Old English for a slater or tiler), and Hilliard (a form of Hildyard, from the Old German personal name Hildigard). With about 150,000 namesakes Hill is the 30th most popular surname in England and Wales. (The name is not common enough throughout Scotland to be counted separately.) Hill is notably popular in and around Leicester where an estimated one in about 270 families bears the name. In descending numerical order Birmingham, Nottingham and Sheffield are other Hill strongholds. Around the world Hills are most common in Canberra (one in 590 families), Sydney (one in 618) and Melbourne (one in 663). The United States has more Hills than the entire population of Coventry-an estimated total of just under 435,000 makes this their 32nd most popular surname. No known Settler / PROG could be found or identified that arrived in South Africa with this surname. -·=»‡«=·- ∽ -·=»‡«=·-
Page |3 Smit Origins The surname Smit was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in Utrecht, a city and capital of the province of Utrecht. The ramparts of this ancient city were destroyed in 1830. The Domkerk (1254) is on the site of the original church of St. Willibrord in 720. In the crypt are the hearts of Conrad II (1039) and Henry V (1125) two German Emperors. The Museum is notable for its relics and artifacts. Its tumultuous history was strongly influenced by religious conflict. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family. Spelling variations of this family name include: Smit, Smitt, Smitte, Smites, Smitts, Smiit, Smiites, Smittes, van Smit, Smut, Smutts, van Smutts, Schmit, Schmidt, van Schmidt and many more. Smit Progenitor in South Africa Jan Smit also known as Johannes (Jan) Smit or Jan Smuts -·=»‡«=·- ∽ -·=»‡«=·-
Page |4 Chapter 1: Smit Progenitor in South Africa Jan Smit also known as Johannes (Jan) Smit or Jan Smuts The earliest certain mention of Jan Smit at the Cape that I have so far found is in the Cape Town church registers when his son Christoffel was baptised on 9 May 1688, and for Adriana Tol the earliest date is 16 October 1689 when their son Jacobus was baptised at Stellenbosch. Jan became a Burgher apparently circa 1687, in Dutch Vryburgher or Vrijburgher, a status in which a soldier or other employee of the VOC was released from their contractual obligations to the VOC and permitted to farm, become a tradesman, or work for others. This would fit in with the 1705 declaration which indicated that between 1687 and his demise, he had owned property in the fertile valley near Stellenbosch now known as Jonkershoek. At his marriage he was described as a soldier in the company of Captain Moor, at present garrisoned in the town (of Delft). In a declarion signed before the Secretary of Stellenbosch on the 11th October 1705 and witnessed by Augustus Meijhuijsen and Jacobus Smit, Johannes Mulder and Dirk Coetsee, Dirk Coetsee the PROG for the Coetzee family, both Old Heemraden, stated that it was known to them that a certain farm in Jan de Jonkers Hoek, to the east above the farm of the late Jan de Jonker, had been in the possesion of Jan Smit from 1687 until his death and was still in the possesion of Andries Cuijper as the husband of Jan Smit's widow. A Jan Smit is listed in the Cape muster rolls from 1690 on, (there are no muster rolls between 1686 and 1690) but Jan Smit and Adriana Tol as a couple are first mentioned in the1692 rolls, resident at Stellenbosch with four children. In the 1692 Opgaafrol (tax return) they are listed as having three sons and one daughter, one pistol, one rifle (?- seijd geweer), one flintlock, two horses and six oxen. In 1693 and 1695 they are listed again, on both occasions with five children, Johannes Smit being described as 'from Maastricht' in the 1693 roll. In 1696 we have just 'the widow of Jan Smith' (this muster roll made no note of children) and in 1698 'the widow of Jan Smith with 6 children'. On the 1st of October 1696 Jan Smit was insulted by Jacob Cloete. Enraged, Smit drew his rapier, but Cloete evaded the blows and clouted Smit with a piece of wood, beat him with his fists and kicked his chest, shouting: 'Lie there, you dog!'. Within a very few days, during which he suffered continual pain in his chest, Jan Smit died. (source: Cape Archives, 1/STB 18/153, Notarial Declarations)
Page |5 From what have been found so far, they would seem to have had the following children: 1. Joannis Smit, baptised 10 January 1683, Nieuwe Kerk, Delft. He is probably the Jan Smit who married Eva Zaaijman in 1711 and who died circa July 1714, without leaving any children. 2. Christoffel Smit, baptised 9 May 1688, Cape Town farmer of Sútrij or Lútrij, Stellenbosch married Catrijn la Fêbre 9 February 1721, Stellenbosch 3. Jacobus Smit, baptised 16 October 1689, Stellenbosch (baptism recorded in the Cape Town registers) farmer of Uylekraal, Swartland, he died circa 1752. married Elisabeth Slabbert, 3 March 1709, Cape Town 4. Hulsie Smit, baptised 1 April 1691, Cape Town (this name is probably a phonetic rendering by the minister of the name 'Hilletje' under which name she appears in all later records). She died circa January 1761. married Matthias de Beer and later Jan Georg Zorn 5. Francois Smit, born Cape of Good Hope farmer in the Vierentwintigrivieren area, he died circa 1758. married Maria van Staden, 19 November 1719, Drakenstein 6. Alewijn Smit, baptised 28 September 1695, Cape Town farmer of Zo Voorbij, Vierentwintigrivieren. He died circa 1774. married Hester Bekker, 25th December 1718, Drakenstein. She died the 11th January 1778. On the map below the “Vierentwintigrivieren” that is mentioned above is known as the Vier-en-twintig-riviere located in the Province of the Western Cape.
Page |6 Their last child Alewjin (I) Smit known as Alewyn or Alwyn In 1713 he was working as a hired hand for Jacobus van Eden according to the estate accounts of the latter (Aan Alewijn Smit over verdiende knegts loon ... f.21 - MOOC 13/1/1, 62). He was described as 'Alewijn Smit de oude' in his and his wife's joint Will of 1774. This Will makes mention only of two of their children, Jacobus and Johannes Petrus. Although De Villiers/Pama, in the Geslagsregister van Ou Kaapse Families, 1961, gives him a second wife in 1756, he was, in fact, survived by his wife Hester Bekker who died in 1777 according to the death rolls of the Master of the Orphan Chamber in Cape Town. Married 25 December 1718 at Drakenstein Hester Bekker (1700-1777) Church Registers - Drakenstein Congregation, Cape Archives, VC 644, VC 654 p.2...Anno 1718 den 25ste December. Alewijn Smit van Cabo, jonkman met Hetster Bekker, jongedogter
Page |7
Page |8 Alewjin (I) Smit’s first born was Helena 26th March 1722 she married on the 10th of September 1741 Barend Johannes BURGER. Hester was born in Drakenstein 31st of October 1723 she married Schalk Willem Burger on the 16th of September 1742, he was born on the 20th October 1720. The third daughter was born Johanna Adriana 19th August 1725 in Drakenstein she married first Adriaan Lubbe and second Willem van der Merwe. Petronella was the fourth daughter also born in Drakenstein on the 23rd of November 1727, she married Johannes Kruger on the 9th of November 1746, he was born the 13th of December 1722 and passed before 1779, she married second Johan Hendrik Backemeyer (Bakemeijer) His fifth daughter Dorothea Maria born the 8th of April 1730 in Drakenstein, married Barend Johannes Vorster he was born the 1st of December 1726 and passed between 1793 and 1794. His sixth child was born a son, Johan Pieter, he was born on the 5th of July 1733 in Drakenstein The second son and seventh child were born Alewijn (II) the 4th of February 1736 in Drakenstein, he married Maria Jacoba du Preez the 28th of July 1760, Maria was born circa 1743 to Hercules du Preez and Johanna de Maker. Johannes Petrus born 2nd February 1738 in Stellenbosch the eighth child and 3rd son married Magdalena Bothma on the 7th of August 1760. On the 25th November/ December 1740 the nineth child was born Jacobus. The tenth child Andries Adriaan born the 23rd of December 1742 and the eleventh child Johanna was born on the 3rd of January 1745. His twelfth and last son was born Stephanus Christiaan the 5th of October 1749 in Tulbagh, he married Elsie Sophia Burger. The following page consist of a Marriage record and the record was found on the First Fifty Years - a project collating Cape of Good Hope records This record is for Alewyn (I) Smit and Hester Bekker
Page |9
P a g e | 10 Alewyn (II) Smit child number 7 to Alewyn (I) Smit and Hester Bekker Below his Baptism record found on Parish registers for the Dutch Reformed Church at Paarl, Cape Province
P a g e | 11 Alewyn (II) Smit was a burger of Stellenbosch and married Maria Jacoba DU PREEZ Below the record found for marriage on Parish registers for the Dutch Reformed Church at Tulbagh, Cape Province
P a g e | 12 Alewyn (II) Smit and Maria Jacoba DU PREEZ had 10 children First was a daughter, born Hester Helena on the 18th of April 1761 she married Johannes Marx and second, she married Jacobus Meyer. Hercules Philippus (I) their second child was born on the 28th of September 1763, he married Geertruyda (Gertruida) Klopper(s) on the 2nd of December 1787, she was born to Johannes Klopper en Gertruida Roelofs. Johanna Maria was born on the 14th of September 1765 she was the third child. Their fourth child Alwyn Jacobus was born on the 12th of October 1766 he died when he was still young (Alwyn Jacobus » jonk †) Alewijn Johannes (I) their fifth child was born on the 4th of January 1769 he married Susanna Geertuij (Gertuida) Gildenhuizen on the 25th of September 1803. The sixth child born a daughter, Johanna Hendrina on the 18th of April 1772 married Roelof Hendrik Klopper(s) he was a farmer. Jacoba Dorothea the seventh child born on the 27th of May 1774 married Nicolaas Meyer. Their eighth, nineth and tenth child were born and passed away when still young. Bartholomina Pieternella (Petronella) was born on the 2nd of June 1776 and passed away the 19th of February 1776 † Cicilia Elizabeth born on the 6th of September 1778 and passed 19th of February 1779 † Schalk Stevanus (Stephanus) was born the 1st of September 1780 and passed away on the 14th of September 1780 † -·=»‡«=·- ∽ -·=»‡«=·- The fifth child Alewijn Johannes (I) and his wife Susanna Geertuij (Gertuida) Gildenhuizen had 9 children. Alewijn Johannes (I) Smit passed the August 06, 1841 (72) in Verlatenfontein, Agter-Sneeuberg, South Africa Their fisrt born received his father’s names Alewijn Johannes (II) he was born 7th October 1804 in Swellendam he married first Susanna Louisa and second Cornelia Susanna SMAL. The second child a daughter; Maria Elizabeth Jacoba born on the 20th of October 1805 and passed on the 25th of February 1806 in Tulbagh. On the 31st of January 1808 Susanna Geertruij was born. Barend Smit their fourth child was born on the 1st of October 1809 in Swellendam he married Maria Susanna Beukman. His brother Hercules Philippus (II) Smit the fifth child was born on the 2nd of February 1812 also in Swellendam District, he married Anna Dorothea Fouchè on the 4th of December 1831. Jacob Johannes born on the 30th of May 1814 married Cornelia Maria Marais. On the 7th of December 1817 their seventh child was born Maria Jacoba, her younger sister was born Hendrika Catharina on unknown date. The last child Hendrik Petrus was born the 2nd of September 1821, he passed on the 4th of May 1907 † in Baardscheerderbosch, he married Johanna Elizabeth Groenewald, she passed circa 1863 † and his second marriage was to Anna Elizabeth Catharina Fourie she passed the 10th November 1897 † The following page consist of Appraisement of the estate of the late Susanna Geertuij (Gertuida) Gildenhuizen.
P a g e | 13
P a g e | 14
P a g e | 15 The 5th child Hercules Philippus (II) Smit and Anna Dorothea (I) Fouchè had 5 children before she passed away on the 10th of July 1843 in the Roodewal, District of Colesberg she was only 29 years old. Her children were all minors at the time, starting at the oldest of 11 years old; Hester Johanna (Smit) Tessner born in 1832, she married Hendrik Jacobus Tessner. 10-year-old Alewyn Johannes (III) Smit born on the 1st of August 1833 he married Salomina Herculina Johanna Smit. Their 3rd child Susanna Gertruida Theron (Smit) were 8 years old, born 30th June 1835 in Mosselbay, Garden Route District, she married Isaac Petrus Theron. 4-year-old Hercules Philippus (III) Smit was born in circa 1839, he married Isabella Helena Loubscher. The last child to be born before the passing was 2-year-old Anna Dorothea (II) Stear, she was born circa 1841 in Riversdale, she married Frederik Wilhelm Stear Sadly, no other info found thus far. The following pages consist of a Marriage record for Hester Johanna (Smit) Tessner and Baptism record for Alewyn Johannes (III) Smit. These documents were found in the Parish registers (baptisms, memberships, marriages), Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk, Mosselbaai (Cape Province), 1845-1972 The Death notice for Anna Dorothea (I) Smit (Fouchè) to follow, was found on the South Africa, Cape Province, Probate Records of the Master of the High Court, 1834-1989 > Pietermaritzburg Archives (Formerly Natal State Archives), South Africa.
P a g e | 16
P a g e | 17
P a g e | 18
P a g e | 19 Alewyn Johannes (III) Smit the second child married Salomina Herculina Johanna Smit on the 30th of April 1855 in Riversdale, District Swellendam. Civil registration (marriages), Cape Province, 1696-1899
P a g e | 20 Alewyn’s name changed from Alewyn on his church membership to Alwyn on his Marriage register. Alwyn Johannes (III) Smit and Salomina Herculina Johanna Smit had 8 children. Salomina Herculina Johanna was born on the July1839 in Riversdale. She is the daughter of Jacob Johannes Bouwer and Clasina Petronella Bouwer. Their first child was born Herklaas Philippus Smit on the 20th October 1856, he married Magdalena Susanna Smit on the 28st of January 1878, Magdalena was 19 years old at the time. The second son born Alwyn Johannes (IV) Smit was born on the 4th of October 1863 in Aliwal, Mosselbay, he married Margaretha Cornelia van Wyk. Nicolasina Petronella (I) van Wyk (Smit) born July 4th 1865, she married Daniel Jacobus van Wyk. Their fourth child Jacob Johannes Smit was born the 28th of March 1868 in Calitzdorp, he married Johanna Helena Susanna Smit. Anna Dorothea (II) Olivier (Smit) the fifth child born on the 21st of January 1871 in Outdshoorn, she married Jeremias Cornelius Olivier and passed when she was 27 years old † – no children. The sixth child Jeremias Cornelius Smit was born on the 11th of September 1874. Hester Johanna Smit the seventh child was born on the 3rd of April 1879, Hester passed away on the 13th of March 1905†, she was 25 years old. – no marriage and no children. The last child Philippus Jacobus Smit was born on the 12 of April 1883. Their mother Salomina Herculina Johanna Smit passed away in December on the 26th of 1902† at Huis River, Ladismith, Western Cape, she was 63 years old and suffered of Inflammation of the lungs that lasted 7 days. (Pneumonitis – Longontsteking). Pneumonitis that goes unnoticed or untreated can cause irreversible lung damage. Common causes of pneumonitis include airborne irritants at your job or from your hobbies. In addition, some types of cancer treatments and dozens of drugs can cause pneumonitis. Some occupations and hobbies carry higher risks of pneumonitis, including: Farming - Many types of farming operations expose workers to aerosolized mists and pesticides. Her husband Alwyn Johannes (III) Smit passed away on the 1st of March 1909† also in Huis River, Ladismith, Western Cape of Old Age, he was a 75-year-old, Tobacco Farmer. The following pages consist of Baptism, Marriage and Death records found for this family. The last record is the death record found on the Civil registration (deaths), Cape Province, 1895-1972 for Alwyn Johannes (III) Smit the father of the family.
P a g e | 21
P a g e | 22
P a g e | 23
P a g e | 24
P a g e | 25
P a g e | 26
P a g e | 27
P a g e | 28
P a g e | 29
P a g e | 30
P a g e | 31
P a g e | 32
P a g e | 33
P a g e | 34 Alwyn Johannes (IV) Smit born to Alwyn Johannes (III) Smit and Salomina Herculina. He married Margaretha Cornelia (I) Smit (van Wyk) daughter of Andries Daniel van Wyk and Gerbrech Elizabeth van Wyk. She was born 1864 in Calitzdorp, Garden Route District Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa. She passed away on the 30th of April 1930 in Calitzdorp. According to her Estate record they had the following 9 children and assuming it was written down in order of birth. First born Gerbrechta Elizabeth Lourens (Smit) formally widow of the late Stephanus Louis Pretorius. The second child Salomina Herculia Johanna Smit she was born circa 4th of May 1889, she married Frederik Jacob Rheeder and passed away in circa April the 26th 1964. The third daughter to be born was Margaretha Cornelia (II) Nelson (Smit) she married Cornelis Nelson. Niclasina Petronella (II) Hills (Smit) the fourth daughter born on the 9th of April 1892 in Calitzdorp, Cape Province married Michael John Hills. Johanna Helena Susara Kleingeldt (Smit) the fifth daughter was born and married Johannes Rudolf Kleingeldt. The sixth daughter born was Anna Dorothea (III) Nortje (Smit) she married Jan Johannes Petrus Nortje. Their first son and seventh child were born Alwyn Johannes (V) Smit he was a minor at the time with his two younger brothers born after him, Andries Daniel Petrus and Herklaas Philippus. The following few page consist of the Death notice and was found on the South Africa, Cape Province, Probate Records of the Master of the High Court, 1834-1989 > Pietermaritzburg Archives (Formerly Natal State Archives), South Africa. These records are for Alwyn Johannes (IV) Smit and Margaretha Cornelia (I) Smit (van Wyk)
P a g e | 35
P a g e | 36
P a g e | 37
P a g e | 38
P a g e | 39
P a g e | 40
P a g e | 41
P a g e | 42 Chapter 2: Niclasina Petronella (II) Hills Born Smit, Married: Hills, Smit and van Wyk Niclasina Petronella (II) Smit born on the 9th of April 1892 in Calitsdorp to Alwyn Johannes (IV) Smit and Margaretha Cornelia (I) Smit (van Wyk), married Michael John Hills. Michael John Hills was born about 1888 in the Cape Province as stated on his death record, he was a General Worker in Oudtshoorn before he passed on the 28th of September 1939, he was 51 years old. He suffered from Acute Lobar pneumonia and is a form of pneumonia characterized by inflammatory exudate within the intra-alveolar space resulting in consolidation that affects a large and continuous area of the lobe of a lung. The death notice is the only document that could be found for a Michael John Hills. The following page consist of a Death Notice and the record was found on the South Africa, Cape Province, Civil Deaths, 1895-1972 > Oudtshoorn, National Archives, Pretoria. This record found is for Michael John Hills
P a g e | 43
P a g e | 44 On the 8th of May 1948 Niclasina Petronella (I) Hills (Smit) got married for the second time to a Daniel Stephanus Smit in Wolwekraal, Brits. Daniel was born in 1886 Calitsdorp and no other information could be found for Daniel. Daniel Stephanus Smit
Search