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NIEU BETHESDA - EASTERN CAPE - SOUTH AFRICA
Nieu Bethesda Guest Farm Accommodation
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HISTORY
An original collection of family history
This is an impressive collection of
artefacts of the past. Marguerite, the
fifth generation living on the farm has collected a large
variety of
collectables of the past, from wagons, implements, tools, to
kitchen
utensils, furniture - right down to newspaper editions as
much as 60
years old and even needlework used by Marguerites’
grandmother.
Then there are the fossils - all
collected on the farm and the district,
known for its fossil findings. Even old medicines and
livestock medicines.
Walking through the original homestead,
you get the feeling of how the
first settlers lived. How they worked, the hardships they
endured, wars
they lived through. One can only admire those hard people of
the past.
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DAMESFONTEIN - HISTORY SINCE 1838
Five generations
The history of the Retief family is
displayed in this old school building,
built in 1838.
1. Petrus Jacobus Retief 1779 -
1852
He purchased the first section of Damesfontein in 1838. He
was a cousin
of the well-known Voortrekker leader Piet Retief. Even
though there is
no available photograph of him, we know that he was buried
in Graaff-
Reinet in 1852.
He was married to Francina Jacoba Minnaar.
Their ninth child was:
2. Phillipus Johannes Retief 1821
- 1886
His wife was Sophia Maria Groenewald (1834 - 1907). They had
11
children. Three of their sons, Johannes, Francois and Danie
were Cape
Rebels on the Boers’ side during the Second Freedom War 1899
- 1902.
During their 18 months with the Commando, they covered
virtually the
whole of South Africa on horseback, doing many brave deeds.
Their youngest son was:
3. Francois Jacobus Retief 1875 -
1965
He farmed at Damesfontein and married Maria Magdalena Theron
(1894
- 1955). They had 5 children; Phillipie, Barlo, Fie, Kootie,
and Marie.
Their eldest son was:
4. Phillipus Johannes Retief 1919
- 1976
He farmed at Damesfontein and married Joan Martens. They had
three
daughters; Elmarie, Jeanne and Marguerite.
5. Marguerite 1957 -
Marguerite married Retief Wolfaardt. They have four
children; Jeanita,
Estalet, Marguerite and Phillipie.
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YOUR COMMENTS AND ENQUIRIES:
We would love to hear your comments about the museum.
If you have any queries concerning
the museum, we will gladly
supply as much information as possible.
e-mail us with your comments at
:
info@kadash.co.za
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