Johan Nicolaas Moolman, d1e3

Marriage https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKD-437T-X?cc=282... Marriage

Baptism https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSV8-7SPM-9?cc=147...

One of the leaders of the Moolman-Webster Trek to Southern Rhodesia in 1893

Johan Nicolaas Moolman was born 03 November 1836 in the district Uitenhage - in 1864 he married Catharina E F Pheiffer. They had 7 children. He farmed on Kransplaas dist. Humansdorp until 1875 when he decided to move to the Transvaal but due to circumstances he was forced to stay in Rouxville. he the move to Winburg and the to Lindley where he bought the farm Grootdam where he stayed for 10 years. He then moved to Heidelberg, Tvl and after 8 years he moved to Pietersburg. In 1892 he undertook a transport to Salisbury, Rhodesia with the intention of seeing whether he liked the place. Thereafter he decided to move to Fort Charter (Enkeldoorn)

Johan Nicolaas MOOLMAN was one of the leaders of the Moolman Webster trek, which consisted of the two families, that arrived in Rhodesia in 1893. They combined into one trek only after arriving in Rhodesia.The Moolmans moved from the Pietersburg district eally in 1893 and intended to settle somewhere between Fort Victoria and Salisbury in the region of Enkeldoorn or Fort Charter. JN had heard of a wonderful new land where land was obtainable at a reasonable price.

The two families met while they were camped out near Fort Vic and the Websters decided to join the Moolmans. While they were there JN met up with an old friend of his Koot Swanepoel who recoomended that before he moved on he should have a look at the Melsetter area. He left the rest behind and followed the Moodie route by ox wagen and sledge. He met up with Tom Moodie and was so impressed with what he saw that he immediately decided to move to Gazaland. He met with Dr Jameson who recommended that he contact Dunbar Moodie from whom he obtained 2 farms.

While they were camped near Fort Vic. the Matebele Rebellion broke out and they were told to move to the Fort. They had hardly arrived there when the Matebeles arrived. Dr Jameson, Jack Bribant, and lord Pollard met with them while every man was armed and waiting if the attacked. When they left a Commando was sent to see if they were retreating. The commandos caught up with the Matebeles and a fierce battle ensued in which Matebeles were driven back and the people at the Fort were safe. Jurie one of JN's sons was part of the commando.

The trek moved to Gazaland and arrived on Moodies' farm on 30 August 1893. JN staked his farm 6 miles east from Moodie. They had a very difficult life as their cattle died of lung problems and tsetse flies. In 1896- 97 the "runderpest' broke out and the lost just about everything. The land was however very fertile and they started planting mieles and corn. This also had problems but they planted friut which was succesful. The guavas grew wild in the veld. They planted their own coffee trees.

Only JN' 3 yougest children went with him - the others were already married and farming in the Pietersburg district.

His eldest son Petrus Johannes Albertus followed in 1903.