François Retif

1663–1721 primary source · The Retief Spine — François to today · Gen 1

Born: 2 Feb 1663 · Mer, Loir-et-Cher, France
Died: 24 Sep 1721 · Paarl, Cape Colony
Spouse: Marie Mouy · m. 2 May 1700, Cape
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Huguenot stamvader. Fled the burning Reformed temple at Mer; sailed on the Borssenburg (Texel, 6 Jan 1688 → Cape, 12 May 1688). His 1663 baptism is lost (the Mer register has a gap 1634–1669). The disputed parentage placed above him in some trees confuses him with the mother of Piet Retief’s branch; treat François as the firm anchor of the line.

The Retief line descends through his son Paul (Gen 2), not through the Piet Retief branch — the two share François as common ancestor and diverge at the second generation.

Sources

Andre T. Morkel, 'Retief Pt.1' (November 2011) — family-website article on the Welvanpas (Wellington) Retief line, drawing on three chapters supplied by Helene Retief Lombard, 'The Chronicles of De Krakeelhoek'. Supplies the marriage date 2 May 1700, the Borssenburg passage, the farm La Paris, and a tentative French line above François. A secondary source at two removes from any register — corroboration, not proof.

Morkel, Andre T., 'Retief Pt.1', November 2011; after Helene Retief Lombard, 'The Chronicles of De Krakeelhoek'; proofread by Hans Retief.