Petrus Franzsen

Petrus was the first Franzsen to be born in South Africa. He was born out of wedlock and his mother, Petronella Zeelie died after childbirth. He had a very good education due to the generous provision of his father, Johannes. He was raised by his grandparents, Ernst Johannes Zeelie and Petronella Johanna van Wyngaard.

He started off as forester at Farleigh and Blaaukrantz forestry station after which he became manager in 1921 of Pieter van Reenens sawmill in Suurvlakte (Later Rheenendal). Before that he was a farmer and shopowner in Barrington.

He took part in a radio programme many years ago on Radio South Africa about his history of the diamond fields in Millwood which he knew very well as a young man. In a book written by Sue van Waart and which was read on the Afrikaans programme of Radio South Africa it was mentioned that he was well known for the fact he was excellent manager because of this skills in human relations. He was an authority on the indiginous types of wood and was a talented buyer of wood.

In 1895, because of his excellent knowledge of the area as well of the english language, he was recommended by the government as guide to Governor Hely-Hutchinson when he toured the southern and eastern Cape.

Petrus first wife Sarah gave birth to triplets. She died during the childbirth.

Marriage - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKD-8S34-D?cc=282...

Estate register - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91Q-9LHF?i=390&cc...