Burger Commandant
HENDRIK JANSE VAN RENSBURG
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Hendrik was the son of Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Alberta VAN ROOYEN. He was baptized 4 November 1759. Hendrik got married on 21 April 1782 too Susanna Josina SCHEEPERS. Later he got married again on 2 September 1804 to his first wife's cousin Martha Magdalena SCHEEPERS (the widow of Gerhardus OOSTHUYSEN). According to Paul Meyer she was the daughter of Susanna Elisabeth and Gerrit VAN LEEUWEN.

He first lived on the farms Welgevonden on the Klein Vis river and also received the farms Hoeke on Bushman river and van Stadendam.

Shifted beyond the Boundaries of Colony and then Return
With sixty other families he left this area and went and settled at the Bamboesberg. He was persuaded to return by Governor JANNSEN for a short time in 1804 and served briefly as a member of the Heemraad. He then moved to the farm Brakfontein on the Klein Vis river. Later he moved to the area of Beaufort West.

9:e Meij 1794
De onderget:kan niet voorbij nog te noteeren, dat bij het laatste Commando bij gelegendheideener attacqúe op de Caffers eenige manschappen waaronder de Veldwachtmeesters Gerrit Hendrik Raútenbag, Hendrik Janse van Rensbúrg en Joh:s Arnold:s Botmaaan de onderget: hebben gerapporteerd, dat door de Caffers waaren úitgeroepen,dat wanneer de Búrgers Coenraad de Búis, Coenraad Bezúidenhoút en Christoffel Botha die de hoofd oorzaken van den Oorlog zijn, als hebbende húnne meïden ontroofd en tot bijzit gebrúikt, úit de Colonie wierden geweerd, als dan devijandelijkheeden tússchen hen zoúde ophoúden.

Hendrik was a burgher commandant during the second border war. During 1801 on 23 October he led the protest action against Landdros HD MAYNIER and with 400 burghers they took over Graaff-Reinet (A de V Minnaar, Graaff-Reinet 1786 -1986, p 15)

Governor Janssen hears of plot to murder van Rensburg
Van Rensburg met the new Governor JANSSEN when he toured the country side. Hendrik supplied the Governor with a list of farmers whose houses were burned down and whose farms were plundered. Hendrik also gave a wild bird Loerie to the Governor as a present. (Joernaal van Paravicina di Capelli p 84,116). Mention was made to the Governor concerning the alledged attempts of murder by Landdros Maynier, during the British administration, by means of chief Gaika. They also had a meeting with Chief Gaika. The discussion commenced regarding the quarrels with the emigrant Kafirs. Gaika explained that Iambee, at the head of some of his men, had inflicted two assagai wounds on him, simply because he would not permit the murder of the Christians, with whom his father had always lived in good friendship. He also stated that a Hottentot 'van Hallen' gave him a cane (walking stick) and a number of other presents with the intent to murder Coenraad Buys and Hendrik van Rensburg. With the future promise of receiving a much more beautiful brass knob stick. Upon fulfillment of the murder, Gaika would also receive all the cattle, Maynier will take the sheep whereas the horses will be divided between Gaika and Maynier. Gaika responded that he was only willing to receive the presents, but was not prepared to cause the death of any Christian. Where upon he stretched out his arm and said, pointing to it, "I still wear the armlets given to me" (D.G. van Reenen se Journaal, p 174, 175)

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