Vlermuis (Vledermuis, Vleermuis), Paul * † Gobabis, 03.02.1864 "Vleermuis, Paul, evangelist, teacher, interpreter at Gobabis and a highly-educated, renowened diplomat. The Vleermuis' came to Namaland from the Cape with Chief Amraal Lambert and his following in 1814, together with missionary Schmelen; they remained at Bethany for many years and were close associates of Amraal. P.V. died in the smallpox epidemic of 1864; BRMG 1861, 65; 1864, 326-30; CA LMS Letters, Schmelen 1812-28; Hahn Tagebücher, Index"1 Stals (Stals 2001:80+155) mentions Saul and Paul as translators in Naosanabis and refers to B. Lau Charles John Andersson. Trade and politics ... p. 317; Quellen Vedder (Bericht F. 'W. Weber, Gobabis, April-June 1864; Bericht F. S. Eggert, Wesley Vale, 22.05.1855; Bericht F. W. Weber, Gobabis, end 1860. Contradicting Lau2 - who claims that there were two brothers Vlermuis (Piet and Paul) - Dedering suggests that it must have been the same person.3 Paul Vledermuis is mentioned by Eggert in 1858 as one of the family-leaders in Gobabis. He had three daughters who were married and whose families also lived in Gobabis. He mentions three families with the name Vledermuis [sic] who lived in Gobabis in 1858: Paul, David and Piet. 4 Weber writes on the 09.09.1863 that "[...] my old-aged elder and translator Paul Vledermuis" is suffering considerably "recht leidend" sice some time already, so much so that it seems that he won't live much longer "[...] so daß es scheint, daß seine Tage gemessen seien."5 Missionary Weber wrote on 16.03.1864 about the devastating smallpox epidemic in Gobabis in which Paul Vledermuis [sic] "[...] der vielbewährte, treue Dollmetscher und Mitarbeiter im Weinberge des Herrn, mein treuer Begleiter bei Tage und Nacht zu den Kranken." died.6 Weber also mentions a Frederik Vledermuis, without giving details.7 Judt writes in July 1879 about a series conflict with Fr. [sic] Vleermuis. The reason being that Judt refused to marry a son of Vleermuis, no name given - but the remark by Judt, that this son was a "heathen"- with a "heathen" girl, without that the permission of the parents of the girl was proven. Because of the importance of Fr. Vleermuis in the congregation of Gobabis, the conflict turned into an inner struggle within the congregation.8 Weber also mentions Mina Vledermuis, who lived as an old women in Gobabis, seperated from her husband (Abraham). Mina Vledermuis was a daughter of [Willem] Waterboer [only referred to by Weber as "the old Waterboer"] who divorced the marriage of the couple because of the violent character of her husband. Their son (no name mentioned by Weber, but it must have been a Waterboer most probably, as the father was a Waterboer) was one of three promising boys ["Jünglinge"] at the age between 16 and 18 years in 1863 in his school. He used them as "monitors" and originally planned to send them to Gnadenthal when Krönlein asked him to choose students who could accompany boys which he [Krönlein] was about to send to the Cape. Weber, however postponed the decision, as it seemed him to early to send some of his students.9 A Willem Waterboer is mentioned in Palgrave's diary in 1880, and Stals writes in the footnote about him: "Willem Waterboer from Gobabis was a nephew of Abraham Swartbooi."10 Children: * one of his sons, Adam Vledermuis, lived in Witvley and came to visit the church service in Gobabis. His son was named after the grandfather, Paul. 11 Judt writes in 1886 about the death of Adam Vleermuis, that, on his deathbed, he requested forgiveness for all his trespassing against Judt and as a sign of reconsiliation Adam Vleermuis gave him a young cow although he could not see Judt.12 * one of his daughters [no name mentioned in the story by Weber] is falsely accused by Tryn Lambert [female] of prostitution ["Hurerei"], only because Tryn wanted to take revenge against the other woman.13 [Stals referes to "Bericht Weber, Gobabis 04-06 1864", "Bericht Eggert, Wesley Vale, 22.05.1855", Bericht Weber, Gobabis, Ende 1860".] Married: Children: Education: Other family members connected to RMG: Jeremias Vlermuis (Nama) attended the "fifth course" of the Augustineum in Okahandja. He was from Gibeon and born 1915. He attended 6 years school in Maltahöhe and worked on Kranzplatz before coming to the Augustineum. He was not married during the course. He spoke Nama. He completed the course with the examination on the 02.12.1938 and was send to the RMS mission school at Wortel/Warmbad.14 Mission Stations: History with the RMG: 1 Andersson 1997:317. 2 Lau 1985:1297. 3 Dedering 1997:61. 4 BRGM No. 23. 1858:354. 5 BRGM 1863:269. 6 BRMG 1864:326. 7 BRMG 1863:273 + 281. 8 BRMG 1880:111. 9 BRGM 1863:276. 10 Stals (ACHTUNG: noch nicht durchgearbeitet) 1991:338. 11Weber in BRMG 1863:271. 12 BRMG 1887:86. 13 BRMG 1863:284. 14 AELCRN V 6.1:38-39. --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------