Please could someone help with information about my great grandfather, Martinus Eyssell/Eijssell, who emigrated to South Africa in about 1860. Here is what I (think) I know:
Father Martinus Eyssell Mz/M. M. Eyssell (1781-1852), auditeur militair en notaris.
Mother Maria Martina Meijer (1795-1886).
They married on 28 November 1816, Hoogeloon, Hapert en Casteren, Noord-Brabant. They had 16 children. I can trace the birth notices of all of them in 's Gravenhage except my great grandfather Martinus. He could fit in in 1817 or 1820-1821. Or he could have been illegitimate...
However, I have letters written by M M Eyssell to the Departement van Oorlog, on behalf of his son Martinus, asking that:
1841 - his son be transferred from the 8th Infantry Regiment to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment
November 1842 - his son, a titular Sergeant in the 6th Infantry Regiment, be given an extension of leave
January 1843 - his son may be transferred to the Indisch Leger.
I also have letters, 1873-1874, signed with love from his mother, M M E/M M Meijer.
According to the 1850 census and the Bevolkingsregister Bladel 1850-1859, Martinus was born in Den Haag and was living in Bladel, but left for Hoogeloon on 14 May 1850.
He also had an illegitimate daughter Antoinette Martina Wilhelmina Gijsberta (mother Wilhelmina Antonetta Gijsbert Mijnard, d. 6 April 1850, Hoogeloon) , b. 22 February 1850, Hoogeloon, Nordbrabant, Netherlands. Martinus acknowledged paternity on 23 February 1850. Antoinette lived with him in South Africa.
Martinus married Charlotte Augusta Russell, from Bath in England, either before he came to South Africa or by proxy and she came later.
The question is, why would someone from an upper middle class family of lawyers and military in The Hague, take off for a hell hole in the then northern most part of South Africa?
Martinus died in 1877 in Middelburg, Transvaal, South Africa.
I would be very grateful for any information. Many thanks. Eldene Eyssell