Jan du Plessis

Jan DU PLESSIS (*1732) word na verwys in die volgende verhaal The Loss of the Ship Hercules, 16th June, 1796, deur Kaptein Benjamin Stout, die bevelvoerder van ‘n Amerikaanse boot “Hercules” wat gestrand het op 16 Junie 1796 in die Oos Kaap naby die Imfanta rivier.

The American ship Hercules commanded by Captain Benjamin Stout, was wrecked along the southeast coast caffrarea of Africa a few miles from the mouth of the river Infanta, during a violent storm while on a voyage between Bengale/Indian and London with a cargo of 9000 bags of rice for the English East India Company.

Die skip-breukelinge was omtrent 60 en na ‘n tyd 24, is deur ‘n skaapwagter na die DU PLESSIS geneem, nadat hulle vir ongeveer ses ure geloop het, het Stout en 10 van hulle by die DU PLESSIS opgedaag. Die boek self sê:

"On my arrival (says the captain) at what is called the first Christian settlement, I experienced a very cordial and hospitable reception, we entered the house of Jan Du Pliesies. Fortunately, this was a settler of the best order, about sixty years old, born in Holland (verkeerd), but had resided in Africa for many years; humane, generous, and possessing a heart that appeared to be the constant mansion of a virtuous sympathy. His cottage was formed of clay, thatched with a kind of reed, and furnished with a few stools, a table, and some kitchen utensils. His family consisted of five or six sons, their wives and children, together with a daughter, making together about twenty people. His stock, however, was considerable, not less than twelve thousand sheep, and one thousand oxen."

Die naaste bure van die DU PLESSIS was 35 myl waar Cornelius Engelbrecht gewoon het.

Bron: Lourens Marthinus (Louw) Du Plessis, e12f6g10h5i1