Nicolaas ROETS/Z (RUTZ) was born on 1 Mar 1724 in Höchstädten, Ebern, Bayern, Deutschland (Germany). He was christened on 5 Mar 1724 in Luthern Neunkirchen. He died on 25 Jul 1796 in Graaff-Reinet, Cape Colony, 'aan de Sneeuberg'.
Nicolaas signed a will on 3 Jul 1794.

         Will translated;
         "On this third day of the month of July in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, before me, Jacobus Vercluijt,                Secretary of the Colony Graaff-Reinet, and in the presence of the following witnesses, appeared: Nicolaas Roets, former soldier on reduced            Company pay of the Honourable East India Company, from Hochstede in Hessen-Darmstadt, and Jacoba Alida Weideman, of the Cape of                Good  Hope, last widow of the late wood-writer of the Honourable Company, Johan Godfried Mulder."

Hochstädten Local Family Book
Family Report

Nikolaus Roets was born on 1 March 1724 in the small village of Höchstädten, near Ebern in Bavaria, then within the orbit of Hessen-Darmstadt. He was the son of Johann Jürgen Rutz and Elisabeth Barbara Agendeler, ordinary rural Germans of an age shaped by both military obligation and agrarian life. His parents’ names, preserved in his will, stand as rare anchors linking later generations of Roets descendants in South Africa back to their ancestral homeland in central Europe.

The German states in the early eighteenth century produced a steady stream of young men seeking opportunity abroad. Poverty, land pressure, and shifting military demands made foreign service attractive. Many entered the ranks of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), whose vast trading empire offered wages, adventure, and—often—permanent relocation.

Journey to the Cape and Early Service

By circa 1750, Nikolaus Roets arrived at the Cape of Good Hope as a soldier in VOC service. Company muster rolls describe him as “van Hochstädten in Hessen-Darmstadt,” confirming his German origin.

Life for VOC soldiers at the Cape was demanding. The Cape garrison defended colonial outposts and maintained order, but wages were modest. Many soldiers sought extra income and freedom by transitioning into semi-independent frontier roles—particularly hunting, herding, and farm labor.

Roets soon followed this path. Sources record that:
he served as a soldier upon arrival,
worked as a game-hunter in 1750, supplying meat and skins,
and by 1751–1754 he was a farmhand, absorbed into the rural settler economy.

This practical shift marked the beginning of his life as part of the emerging frontier farming class that would later populate the Cape’s interior.

Marriage and Family Life

On 4 March 1759, in the Zwartland district north of Cape Town, Nikolaus married Jacoba Elisabeth Lübbe. She was herself of German descent, part of a notable cluster of German-Cape marriages that seeded what would become many established frontier families.

Together they had ten children, anchoring the Roets name in Cape society. As frontier farmers, the family lived in a world of mobility, livestock, and survival against harsh natural forces. Their lives unfolded during a transformative period when the colonial frontier was pushing north and east toward the Sneeuberg and Graaff-Reinet districts.

Late VOC Entanglements

Although he lived as a farmer and hunter, Roets remained entangled with VOC service regulations. Muster roll notations reveal that between 1770 and 1779 he was formally recorded as “loaned to his wife as a farmhand”—an administrative formula applied when a soldier’s official discharge lagged behind his civilian life.

This peculiar phrasing shows the bureaucratic limits of the VOC system but also how settlers navigated it to build livelihoods independent of the Company.

Widower, Second Marriage, and Frontier Life

After many years together, Jacoba Elisabeth (Lübbe) Roets died. On 19 November 1794, at Graaff-Reinet, Nikolaus remarried Jacoba Alida Weydeman, widow of Johan Godfried Müller, a Company wood-writer (houtschryver). Their joint marriage contract and will, signed 3 July 1794, demonstrated prudence and foresight in a rugged frontier world where death and inheritance were ever-present concerns.

In that document, Nikolaus reaffirmed his German roots by naming his parents—rare genealogical gold for descendants two and a half centuries later.

At this time, the Roets family lived “achter de Sneeuwberg”—behind the Snow Mountains—a remote and dramatic region forming the frontier of European settlement. It was a landscape of intense winters, drought-prone summers, and volatile relations between settlers, Khoe, San, and Xhosa communities during a time of upheaval and frontier conflict.

Death and Legacy

Nikolaus Roets died on 25 July 1796, aged seventy-two, at his home on the Sneeuberg near Graaff-Reinet. His will was lodged with the Orphan Chamber at the Cape on 27 September 1796, confirming his status as “Johannes Nicolaas Roets d’oude” (“the elder”), implying that a younger namesake—likely his son—was living at the time.

Roets belonged to the generation of European men who helped carve permanent settlement out of the Cape’s interior. Like many German immigrants to the colony, he began as a soldier, adapted as a hunter and laborer, and ultimately became a pioneer farmer, patriarch, and forebear to a wide South African lineage.

DEPOT; KAB; MOOC 7/1/68; REFERENCE 101; DESCRIPTION; ROETS, NICOLAAS JACOBUS. WILL.START; 1809; FILED 1814.

1788; 30 Apr, 2 & 3 May; Drakenstein Muster Roll _5 Sons; 2 Daughters; 1 Farmhand [possibly her husband]; 16 Cattle; 800 Sheep;

1791; 30 Apr, 2,3, & 6 May; Drakenstein Muster Roll_Elisabeth; 5 Sons; 6 Daugthers; 1 Farmhand; 16 Cattle; 100 Sheep

1792; 30 Apr, 1,2 & 3 May; Drakenstein Muster Roll_Elisabeth, 5 Sons; 2 Daugthers; 1 Farmhand,

1792; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Nicolaas, de oude; with a horse and the usual weapons.

Nicolaas married Elisabeth Jacoba LUBBE daughter of Hendrik LUBBE and Catharina VAN WYK on 4 Mar 1759 in Swartland Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. Elisabeth was born about 1744 in 't Land van Waveren [Tulbagh], Cape of Good Hope. She was christened on 24 May 1744 in 't Land van Waveren [Tulbagh] Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. She died after 1792 in Tulbagh, Cape of Good Hope.
Christening witnesses; Barend Vorster and Elisabeth Lubbe

CHILDREN:

1. Gerrit born about 1760 in 't Land van Waveren [Tulbagh], Cape of Good Hope. He was christened on 2 Nov 1760 in 't Land van Waveren [Tulbagh] Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope.
Christening witnesses; Gerrit Snijman and Magdalena Joosten

1779; Drakenstein Muster Roll; Gerrit, single; with a horse and the usual weapons.

1785; Drakenstein Muster Roll; Gerrit, single; with a horse and the usual weapons.

1787; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Gerrit, single; with a horse and the usual weapons.

Gerrit; a Dragoon
1796; Graaff-Reinet Tweede Compagnie Dragonders
Captain; Andries Petrus Burger
First Lieut; Jacobus Gustaaf Tregard
Second Lieut; Christiaan Rudolph Opperman
Veld Cornet; Cornelis Botma

1798; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Gerrit living on the property of H. Naude

2. Catharina Elizabeth born about 1762 in Land van Waveren, Cape of Good Hope. She was christened on 22 Aug 1762 in Tulbagh Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. She died about 1851.
        Christening witnesses; Willem Burger, Schalk Zoon; Elizabeth Lubbe.

Catharina married Johannes Barend CLAASEN son of Johannes CLAASEN and Johanna DE RYK on 11 Mar 1781 in Swartland Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. Johannes was born in 1753. He was christened on 1 Apr 1753.
Johannes resided in 1781 in Stellenbosch, Cape of Good Hope.

1797; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Johannes, spouse Catharina, 3 Minor Sons, 3 Daughters

1798; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; 3 sons; 4 daughters; living on the property of Jan Nel

3. Johannes Nicolaas born about 1764. He was christened on 30 Sep 1764 in Tulbagh Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope.
        Christening witnesses; Johannes Nicolaas Schot, Johanna Kling.

1788; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Johannes, single; with a horse and the usual weapons.

1790; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Johannes, single; with a horse and the usual weapons.

1792; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Johannes, single; with a horse and the usual weapons.

Johannes; a Dragoon;
1796; Graaff-Reinet Tweede Compagnie Dragonders
Captain; Andries Petrus Burger
First Lieut; Jacobus Gustaaf Tregard
Second Lieut; Christiaan Rudolph Opperman
Veld Cornet; Cornelis Botma

1797; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Johannes, spouse Anna,

1798; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Johannes; spouse Anna Cornelia; living on the property of Piet du Plessis

1804; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Johannes, Spouse Anna Cornelia; 10 Draft oxen; 44 Breeding Cattle; 536 Sheep; 86 Goats

Johannes married (1) Anna Cornelia VENTER daughter of Jacob VENTER and Anna BOOYSEN on 2 Feb 1794 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. Anna was born in 1777. She was christened on 9 Mar 1777 in Graaff-Reinet Neder Geref Church, Cape Colony.

        DEPOT; KAB MOOC 7/1/90 REFERENCE 132; VENTER, ANNA CORNELIA. WILL. START 1814 END 1814 FILED 1823.

Johannes married (2) Maria Fredrika Gloudina DE WEGE on 3 Sep 1826 in Beaufort West Neder Geref Church, Cape Colony.

4. Barbara Maria born on 25 Nov 1766. She was christened on 11 Oct 1767 in Swartland Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. She died on 19 Apr 1842 in Beaufort, Cape Colony.

DEPOT; KAB MOOC 13/1/106 REFERENCE 39; ROETS, BARBARA MARIA. WIDOW OF BRITS, GERT. LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT. START1842 END 1842

DEPOT;KAB MOOC 7/1/168 REFERENCE 41 ROETS, BARBARA MARIA. WIFE OF GERT BRITS. INVENTORY. FILED 1842.

Barbara married Gerrit BRITS son of Hans Jacob BRITS and Hester Engela VAN DER HEIDEN on 7 Mar 1784 in Tulbagh Neder Geref Church, Cape Colony. Gerrit was born about 1759 in 't Land van Waveren [Tulbagh], Cape of Good Hope. He was christened on 15 Apr 1759 in Tulbagh Neder Geref Church, Cape Colony. He died on 11 Jan 1838 in Colesberg, Cape Colony, farm 'Gemsboksfontein'.
       Christening witnesses; Roedolph Brits and Huijbregt Brand

1797; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll

1798; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Gerrit, spouse Barbara; 2 Sons; 7 Daughters; 5 Horses; 86 Cattle; 926 Sheep, living on the property of his father

5. Hendrik Adriaan born on 7 Sep 1768 in Swartland, Cape of Good Hope. He was christened on 23 Feb 1769 in Swartland Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. He died about 1803.Hendrik resided in 1790 in Graaff-Reinet, Cape Colony.

        DEPOT; KAB MOOC 13/1/56 REFERENCE 10; ROETS, HENDRIK ADRIAAN. LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT. START 1828 END 1831

1788; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Hendrik, single; with a horse and the usual weapons.

1794; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; Hendrik, spouse Aletta, 1 Minor Son, 1 Minor Daugther, 1 Horse, usual weapons.

1797; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll

1798; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; 2 sons; 2 daughters; 6 Horses; 73 Cattle; 312 Sheep; living on the property Johannes Hendrik Viljoen, Jan zoon.

Hendrik married Aletta Elisabeth VILJOEN daughter of Johannes Hendricus VILJOEN and Aletta OLIVIER on 7 Mar 1790 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. Aletta was born in 1771 in Cape of Good Hope. She was christened on 27 Oct 1771 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope.

6. Elisabeth Johanna born about 1771. She was christened on 3 Mar 1771 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. She probably died young.

Johan Jurgen born in Feb 1773 in Cape of Good Hope. He was christened on 14 Feb 1773 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope.Johan resided in 1797 in Swellendam, Cape of Good Hope.

Johan married Catharina Elizabeth MULDER daughter of Johann Andreas MULDER and Johanna ENGELBRECHT on 22 Oct 1797 in Tulbagh Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. Catharina was born in 1777 in Cape of Good Hope. She was christened on 12 Oct 1777 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. She died on 13 Jan 1853 in Beaufort, Cape Colony, Davids Nek, house of Frans Loots, her son-in-law.
        Christening witnesses; Willem Engelbreght and Catharina Coetse

Nicolaas Jacobus born on 5 Jun 1775 in Cape of Good Hope. He was christened on 24 Nov 1776 in Tulbagh Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. He died before 1812 in Graaff-Reinet, Cape Colony.
Nicolaas resided in 1796 in Graaff-Reinet, Cape Colony.

        DEPOT; KAB MOOC 7/1/68 REFERENCE 101; OPPERMAN, ANNA CATHARINA. WIFE OF NICOLAAS JACOBUS ROETS. WILL. START 1809 END 1809 FILED 1814.

1798; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; 1 Minor Son; 1 Minor Daughter; living with his father-in-law

Nicolaas married Anna Catharina OPPERMAN daughter of Christiaan Rudolph OPPERMAN and Maria Christina KOEKEMOER on 13 Mar 1796 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. Anna was born in 1780 in Stellenbosch, Cape of Good Hope. She was christened on 9 Apr 1780 in Stellenbosch Neder Geref Church, Cape Colony. She died about 1816.
Christening witnesses; Pieter Venter; Anna Barbara Opperman; Johannes Marthinus de Wet; Catharina Helena Opperman

        DEPOT; KAB MOOC 7/1/109 REFERENCE 11; OPPERMAN, ANNA CATHARINA. WIFE OF JOHANNES JACOB NORTIER. WILL; START 1816 END 1816  FILED 1829.

Elisabeth Catharina "Betta" was born before 1779 in 't Land van Waveren [Tulbagh], Cape of Good Hope. She was christened on 3 Apr 1779 in Tulbagh Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. She died on 20 Nov 1851 at Swagers Hoek in the Eastern Cape Colony, near the town of Cradock. The region around Cradock was a developing frontier area at that time, with a fort established in 1813. 
It is a mountainous area, known for the Swaershoek Pass, a significant gravel mountain pass that connects the region with areas like Pearston.

Elisabeth married Dirk COETZEE son of Dirk COETZEE and Anna Elizabeth OLIVIER on 6 Apr 1794 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. Dirk was born about 1766 in 't Land van Waveren [Tulbagh], Cape of Good Hope. He was christened on 8 Feb 1767 in Tulbagh Neder Geref Church, Cape Colony. He died on 10 Aug 1852 on the property of Johannes Cornelus Coetzee.[Age; 85 yrs 11 mnths 3 dys]
        Christening witnesses; Johannes du Plessis, Anna Hendrica Engela Olivier
        Dirk resided in 1794 in Graaff-Reinet, Cape Colony.

1797; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll

1798; Graaff-Reinet Muster Roll; living on the property of Stephanus Naude Dirk, spouse Elizabeth, 8 Horses, 205 Cattle; 835 Sheep

Cornelia Louisa born on 8 Aug 1780 in 't Land van Waveren [Tulbagh], Cape of Good Hope. She was christened on 25 Feb 1781 in Tulbagh Neder Geref Church, Cape Colony. She died on 22 Jan 1840.
         Christening witnesses; Stephanus van der Burg, Louisa Erasmus

        DEPOT; KAB NCD 2/19 REFERENCE 32; NOTARIAL PROTOCOL. NOTARY, JD KARNSPEK. DECLARATION. STEPHANUS JACOBSE ON BEHALF OF ABEL JACOBUS ERASMUS          REGARDING THE MARRIAGE BANS OF CORNELIA LOUISA ROETS. 1795

Cornelia married Abel Jacobus ERASMUS son of Lourentz Pieter ERASMUS and Martha PIENAAR on 1 Mar 1795 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. Abel was born about 1758 in 't Land van Waveren [Tulbagh], Cape of Good Hope. He was christened on 11 Feb 1759 in Tulbagh Neder Geref Church, Cape Colony.
        Christening witnesses; Rasmus Erasmus and Maria Elizabeth Erasmus
        Abel resided in 1795 in Stellenbosch, Cape of Good Hope.

Nicolaas married  (2) Jacoba Alida WYDEMAN  daughter of Pieter WYDEMAN and Johanna VAN WIJK on 12 Jan 1794 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. Jacoba was christened  on 17 Oct 1756 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope.
        Christening witnesses; Frans Hendrik Campher and Jacoba Alida Campher

[Jacoba married Nicolaus Marthinus PILJEE  on 10 May 1801 in Cape Town Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope. Martinus was born abt 1740 in Swartland, Cape of Good Hope. He was christened on 15 Jan 1741 in Swartland Neder Geref Church, Cape of Good Hope.
Martinus resided in 1801 in Graaff-Reinet, Cape Colony.]