Andries Hendrik Potgieter
| Andries Hendrik Potgieter | |
|---|---|
Potgieter at Delagoa Bay, ca. 1851/52
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| Born |
19 December 1792 Graaff-Reinet district |
| Died | 16 December 1852 (aged 59) Zoutpansbergdorp, Zoutpansberg |
| Resting place | Zoutpansbergdorp 23°03′10″S 29°46′14″E / 23.05278°S 29.77056°E |
| Residence | Klipkraal (1816–) Commandodrift, Tarka River (1817–) |
| Occupation | Commandant-General |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Helena Botha (c.1795–1841) |
| Children |
13, some died young |
| Parent(s) | Hermanus Philippus Potgieter (1765–1871) Petronella Margaretha Krugel (c.1773–1802) |
13, some died young
Pieter Johannes (1822–1854), Cmdt.Genl. at Makapan's Cave
Andries Hendrik Potgieter, known as Hendrik Potgieter (19 December 1792 – 16 December 1852) was a Voortrekker leader and the last known Champion of the Potgieter family. He served as the first head of state of Potchefstroom from 1840 and 1845 and also as the first head of state of Zoutpansberg from 1845 to 1852.
Potgieter and his party moved inland to the present Free State, where they signed a treaty with the leader of the Barolong, Moroka. The treaty stipulated that Potgieter would protect the Baralong against the Matabele raiders, in exchange for land. The tract of land was from the Vet River to the Vaal River.
The Matabele leader, Mzilikazi, was threatened by the white incursion into what he saw as his sphere of influence, which led to the Matabele's attack on the Potgieter laager in October 1836, at Vegkop, near the present-day town of Heilbron. The attack was beaten off, but the Matabele made off with most of the trekker oxen, crucial draught animals for the wagons. The combined trek groups of Piet Retief and Gerrit Maritz came to Potgieter's rescue. Moroka also helped with oxen. His group joined up with Retief and Maritz at Thaba Nchu, where they formed a Voortrekker government and decided to move to Natal. Potgieter was not in favour of this plan and stayed behind in the Free State.
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Wikipedia