Casper Francois le Grange

1st Marriage record (Cloete): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSX8-1SHS-V

2nd Marriage record (Strydom): Marriage record: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSX8-1SWP-H

3rd Marriage record (Bruwer): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKD-WXBM?cc=28212...

Death/Probate:https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQ6-GQM1-H?i=733&...

Matjiesvlei gaste plaas

In 1821, when farms were distributed according to the quitrent tenure system, Gert Johannes Cloete bought Matjiesvlei, a farm of 2742 morgen for 39 rix dollars. In 1830 at the age of 17, Gert's daughter Isabella married 21 year old Casper Francois le Grange. After the wedding Casper partnered his father-in-law in farming on Matjiesvlei, but his father-in-law passed away that same year.

About two years after the wedding, Casper's wife Isabella also passed away after suffering a bad miscarriage. They had no other children and the farm subsequently belonged to Casper. Casper's second son Gert Johannes le Grange born 22/01/1835 took over the reigns on Matjiesvlei after his father's death. He was married to Johanna Jonker. They also had a son named Gert Johannes, he was his fourth eldest son and was born 26 March 1863.

This father and son partnership led to great success. The farm expanded quickly and they soon came to own an extensive piece of property in Matjiesvlei

In 1899 during the Anglo-Boer War, Commandant Scheepers and his 600 troups rode into Matjiesvlei. They were hoping to find a thoroughfare so that they would be able to reach the Great Karoo on horseback.

Gert le Grange and his son provided the men with food and drink to sustain them on their journey. The enemy, however, discovered their location and the troups therefore had to move swiftly along the river's edge and flee through seweweekspoort to safety.

Gert Johannes, three of his sons and a certain Flip Nel were arrested because they assisted the troups. Gert Johannes was already an elderly man and his sons therefore decided to apply for a fine on their father's behalf. Their father was eventually released after his wife Johanna paid a large fine, but his sons were sentenced to 2years and 9 months in prison. They were released with the Treaty of Vereneging.

Today, Bennie remains the only descendent that still owns land in Matjiesvlei. He is the 5th generation farming in this area.

He was married 3 times, the last marriage to Jacoba Jacomina BRUWER in 1864 (no children). The couple were witnesses at 2 baptisms of his daughter from the 2nd Marriage, Anna Christina (x HAASBROEK xx LOTZ).

Uit SAG:
e14 Casper Francois = 19.2.1809, woon te Matjesvlei x George 21.2.1830 Isabella Maria Catharina
CLOETE xx George 7.10.1832 Catharina Margaretha STRYDOM

f1 Louis Jacobus * 3.1.1834 = George 22.5.1834

f2 Gert Johannes * 22.1.1835 = George 22.5.1835

f3 Anna Elizabeth Janetta * 7.5.1836 = George 13.6.1836 x Oudtshoorn 4.6.1855 Matthys Christiaan
PRETORIUS

f4 Jannetje Susanna * 4.4.1838 = George 27.7.1838

f5 Casper Francois * 29.7.1839 = George 3.11.1839 x Zeerust 27.9.1879 Johanna Jacomina DU
PREEZ * c. 1862

f6 Catharina Margaretha * 3.3.1841 = George 12.9.1841 x Oudtshoorn 14.11.1859 Johannes Willem
PRETORIUS xx Oudtshoorn 15.9.1863 Willem Wentzel PRETORIUS

f7 Jacobus Pieter * 19.7.1842 = George 4.9.1843 x Oudtshoorn 14.11.1859 Magdalena Johanna
Janetta PRETORIUS

f8 Janetta Susanna * 14.1.1844 = George 25.8.1844