GODDEFROY, MARUIS JOSEPH

Marius Joseph (Some documents refer to Marie Joseph) was born in Brussel Belgium, on 30 October 1848. He is therefore a Belgium ancestor. Marius was Dutch speaking, but his surname had a French origin. Variants of the surname are Godefroy and Goddefroij. In Belgium three languages are spoken, namely Dutch, French and Flemish. The surname means “The Almighty’s calmness”. He was born to Louise Hortanse (Maiden name unknown) Louise was born in 1811 in Brugge, Belgium. Little is known about his father. Some literature (unverifiable) claims that his father was of nobility. Marius received education in the Netherlands (The Hage , Zalt-Bommel and Utrecht). He qualified as a Pastor and in February 1887 he came to South Africa to build up and expand the “Nederduitsche Hervormde Kerk”.
On 12 August 1876 he got married in Delfshaven, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to a Dutch lady Anna Antonia HOGERZEIL (* 30 March 1855, †7 May 1896). Anna was the daughter of Christiaan Pieter (*1827) and Elisabeth Johanna (née MANSVELD)(*1827)

Marius and Anna’s children born in the Netherlands:

b1. Anton Francois Christiaan * 30 December, Heusden, Netherlands, † 26 December 1947, Potgieterus, South Africa. He was a farmer. Anton married in Nylstroom, South Africa on 16 April 1909 Gertruida Wilhelmina Magdalena van STADEN ( 1875). Gertruida was the daughter of Christiaan Hendrik (1842-130) and Jacoba Johanna Petronella Maria (née JONKER)(1829-1910)

b2. Edmund Abraham *1884, Friesland, the Netherlands, † 12 October 1918, Paarl South Africa. He was a sheep farmer. Edmund married Helena Francina Jacoba WEBB (*1899) in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Helena was the daughter of Richard Henry Lindoe(1848-1920) and Geertruyda Catharina (née VOSLOO)

b3. Elisabeth Louisa Antonia *20 April 1886, Frentsjerteradiel, Friesland, the Netherlands, † 1965, South Africa. She was a medical doctor. She was known as Betsy and did pioneer work for women in medical training field and in the maternity area. She married fellow medical doctor Simon de MOOR ( 1888) in Zijpe, the Netherlands on 7 April 1914. Simon was Dutch and the son of Jacob and Guurtje (née
de WIT). Betsy and Simon established themselves in South Africa.

All of the above three children accompanied Marius and Anna in 1877 when he arrived in South Africa.

Marius and Anna’s children born in South Africa:

b4. Christiaan Deodatus * 29 November 1887, Waterberg, South Africa, † 11 July 1949, Warmbaths, South Africa. He was in charge of a Children’s Home. Christiaan married Dutch lady Leentje MAARSE (1885-1968) in Pretoria on 16 June 1919.

b5. Theodore * 1893, † 25 March 1963. He married Martha Maria Magdalena HAUPTFLEISCH (1894-1969) on 17 May 1916 in Pretoria, Martha was the daughter of George Stefanus and Martha Maria Magdalena (née SMIT)

After Anna died in 1896, Marius married two years later Susara Maria OTTO ( * 8 July 1880, †3 June 1915) on 7 August 1898 in Standerton, South Africa. Susara was the daughter of Hendrik Johannes and Hester Frederica Philippina (née WOLMARANS)(1858-1945)

He had one child with her:

b6. Hester Frederica Philippina * 20 March 1905. Hester married Joseph Douglas WATSON (*1897) on 19 December 1925 in Somerset East, South Africa. Joseph was a farmer.

Marius died on 9 August 1920 and was buried in the Pretoria West graveyard.

Sources:

FamilySearch
Naairs
Resources of the Nederduitsche Hervormde Kerk