HELM, Heinrich Carl Jacob, Rev. 2 3
- Born: Mar 22, 1780, New-Brandenburg, Mecklenbury-Strelitz, Germany 2 3
- Marriage (1): WHITE, Charlotte (Johanna) on Jun 5, 1811 in England 1
- Died: Mar 20, 1848, Pacaltsdorp, George District, South Africa at age 67 1 2
- Buried: Pacaltsdorp South Africa
Another name for Heinrich was HELM, Henry.
General Notes:
Heinrich had studied Theology against his parents wishes at the Rijks-Universtiteit. He was later the Chaplain of the Dutch Fleet for a short while, before going to London and joining the London Missionary Society. He left Portsmouth on the 5th June 1811 aboard the ship the "Lady BARLOW, and arrived in Simons Town on the 13th September 1811. Between 1811-1827 he was a Missionary in Pella, Steinkopf and Griqualand. In 1827 he was transferred to Zuurbraak as head of the Caledon Institute of London Missionary Society. 2 3
Events
• Historical: Descendants of Heinrich Carl Jacob Helm.
1. Rev. Heinrich Carl Jacob Helm, also known as Henry Helm, was born on 22 Mar 1780 in New-Brandenburg, Mecklenbury-Strelitz, Germany. However from an alternate source he was born in Schwerin in Mecklenburg, Germany, and one account mentions that his parents were Danish. He died on 20 Mar 1848 in Pacaltsdorp, George District, South Africa(2) aged 67, and was buried in Pacaltsdorp South Africa. The family were prosperous sugar refiners in Schleswig Holstein and could afford to send their son to the aristocratic Berlin University. Here Heinrich formed his strongest religious convictions and declared his intention to become a missionary, much to his father's displeasure. Heinrich studied theology at the Rijks-Universteit. and was ordained in the Lutheran Church, He was later the Chaplain of the Dutch Fleet for a short while, before going to London and joining the London Missionary Society. He left Portsmouth on the 5th June 1811 aboard the ship the "Lady BARLOW, and arrived in Cape Town on the 13th September 1811. In December he left for Griqualand arriving at Captain Kok's kraal, Silver Fountain on 7 Apr 1812. Silver Fountain was sacked by Jager Africana, a refugee from colonial justice, and the missionaries moved to Pella on the Orange. Heinrich was removed with Mr. Sass to Bethesda also on the Orange river, arriving there on 20 Nov 1813.On Mr. Jansz's death in 1815 at Klaarwater, he supplied the vacancy where he laboured from 1815 until August 1824. He removed to Bethelsdorp and remained there till 4 Jul 1827 He joined William ANDERSON at Klaarwater and was much encouragement to him. He came with 2 sons and later there were 4 more 2 of whom married ANDERSON's daughters. The two men toiled together for 5 years thus forming the beginning of a great missionary dynasty together in Southern Africa. Between 1811-1827 he was a Missionary in Pella, Steinkopf and Griqualand. In 1827 he was transferred to Zuurbraak as head of the Caledon Institute of the London Missionary Society. In KAB MOOC 6/9/45 Ref 9583 DN he was stated to be the Superindant of the Missionary Institution at Zuurbraak, District Swellendam In Karel Schoeman's journal (1801-1821) he notes that the Andersons finally left the Helms at Klaarwater on 22 Feb 1820. The mission at Zuurbraak suffered a severe setback as a consequence of local problems and little was done there for years until , in 1827 the Governor (at the Cape) agreed to Dr. Philip's suggestion that Heinrich Helm be appointed there. Incredibly, the parsonage there would be occupied by him and his descendants for 115 years. In Pacaltsdorp South Africa he suffered an "untimely" death from a chronic pulmonary infection, and was laid to rest in an unmarked grave near Pacaltsdorp, the first missionary of the settlement there. Charles Helm, a descendant now living in Canada recalls: "Re his unmarked grave in Pacaltsdorp: due to desecration at the Missionaries Acre cemetery a few hundred metres from the main church, the headstones of the missionaries and their families were moved to a site nearer the church in 2000-01, and were very tastefully placed there in a secure site. My father and I at this stage arranged for a memorial stone to be made for Heinrich Helm, and it now lies amongst the others there. We can take satisfaction in the fact that his memory is now celebrated in this fashion." I.F.Du Preez includes a picture of a Memorial Stone set up by the Congregation at Zuurbraak and the Inscription reads as follows:- "In memory of Henry Helm for 37 years Missionary of the London Missionary Society in South Africa and for 20 years the faithful and beloved Minister of the Congregation and Overseer of the Institution at Zuurbraak. Died on the 20 March 1848 at the age of 68 years."
Heinrich married Charlotte (Johanna) WHITE on Jun 5, 1811 in England.1 (Charlotte (Johanna) WHITE was born on Jan 30, 1788 in London, England,1 2 died on Jan 20, 1841 in Caledon Institute, Zuurbraak, Cape Southern Africa 1 2 4 and was buried in Zuurbraak, Cape Colony, Southern Africa.)
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