Hendrik Potgieter

Origins

Potgieter was born in the district from Graaff-Reinet, Colonie of the Cape.

Of ascent Dutch E, he is the son of Hermanus Potgieter (1765 - towards 1871) and of Petronella Margaretha born Krugel (1773 - 1802).

It grows in the farm of his parents with his brothers Hermanus Philippus, Jacobus Johannes and Willem Jacobus.

It takes part in the combat of borders against the black native tribes of South Africa.

A Voortrekker chief

Like many other Boers farmers of the colony, it decides in 1834 émanciper of the supervision Britannique and takes part in the Grand Trek. In 1835, it directs a convoy of pioneers on the traces of Louis Trichardt and Johannes Hendrik Janse van Rensburg.

It in the course of road is joined by the spiritual leader of Voortrekkers, Sarel Cilliers.

The column of Potgieter is the first to be established between the rivers Vet and Vaal, in north of what will become Orange the free State. Attacked by tribes matabeles, its courage and its talents of combatants make a true leader of the community of it. He is thus elected the December 2nd 1836 commander-in-chief of Voortrekkers.

In 1838, with another leader voortrekker, Pieter Uys, it joined to lend strong hands to Voortrekkers of the Natal after the assassination of Piet Retief and as of his by King Zoulou Dingane and the massacre of Voortrekkers with Bloukrans.

But the aptitude and the command of Potgieter are called into question after the battle of Italeni. Disgusted, he prefers to leave the Native one and to turn over in his community established to the north of the free Orange State. Thereafter, it establishes another communautée in Potchefstroom (baptized in its honor) set up in car-proclaimed republic and of which he becomes the first president.

In 1845, Potgieter is also at the origin of the foundation of the small town of Ohrigstad (baptized Andries-Ohrigstad in homage to Potgieter and George Ohrig). In full zone where the Paludisme prevails, the city is finally abandoned and its residents take refuge in the area of Soutpansberg.

In 1852, it founds the town of Vredenburg to seal its reconciliation with Andries Pretorius.

Potgieter dies in Schoemansdal the December 16th 1852.

Potgieter family

Hermanus Potgieter (1797 - 1854): brother of Hendrik Potgieter. Hermanus Potgieter is, with his/her son Willem Jacobus, one of the victims of the massacre perpetrated by the chief Makapan,
Elizabeth Helena Botha (1795 - 1841): marry Hendrik Potgieter in 1812. The couple will have 14 children of which:

Piet Potgieter : born the December 24th 1822, it married in Elsje Aletta van Heerden with Potchefstroom. The couple will have 4 girls and 3 boys, the last Pieter Johannes, having been born the January 19th 1855, a few days after the death of Piet Potgieter, killed the November 6th 1854 during the head office of Makapan. The town of Potgietersrus was baptized in its honor.

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