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Pretorius
Pretorius History
Our European origins
Mrs. M E Pretorius spent years researching the Pretorius family. This is an extract form her publication.
The first family ancestor on record is Wessel Schulte. He lived in Schuttorf in the earldom of Bentheim in the province Nedersake, Germany. His is the father of Berend Wessel(szoon) Schutte.
Surnames were derived from the profession practised. Over and above your normal profession, it was required of you to perform guard duties for the earl. Schulte (German), Schout (Dutch) and scout, have all a common derivative: guard or a person practising law.
Berend Wesselszoon Schutte was born in 1596. On May 16, 1612, he married Aaltje (Aeltgin) Jansdochter in the Pieters church, Leyden. They were both 16 years old at the time of their marriage. Aaltje came from the town Hage in the principality Lippe – Detmold (close to Bentheim). Once he had completed his trade as cobbler/shoemaker, he practised his trade while travelling, until he settled in Leyden, Holland.
In Holland he changed his surname to Schout. Both he and his second wife, Annetgen Jacobsdochter van Egmond, died during the pest-
Wessel Schout, born in October 1614, is the eldest son of Berend and Aaltje. At the age of 22 he enrolled as theological student at Album Academicum at Leyden. As was the practice with most students, he Latinised his name to: Wesselius Praetorius. (Praetorius being a judge) After completion of 3 years of study, he accepted the call to the “Hervormde” (Reformed) congregation Ouddorp on the island Goedereede (Goeree) in the province Overflakkee.
Wessel married Josyntgen (Josina) Claesdochter van Egmond on June 16, 1641 at Haarlem. They had 7 children (4 sons and 3 daughters). Jo(h)annes is the oldest.
Johannes Praetorius was baptised on October 26, 1642, by his father Wessel at Ouddorp. Wessel died while Johannes was still a theological student. Johannes discontinued his studies and joined the Dutch East India Company.
In 1666, at the age of 23, he was “Second Person of Mauritius”. It is not sure when he arrived at the Cape, but in 1669 he was already Orphan Master.
As Simon van der Stell misspelled his surname (Pretorius), it can be assumed that Johannes is the ancestor of all the Pretorius folk.
Source:Pretorius through three centuries 1600 – 1900 -