I recieved this info from friend called Mr. Gordon Bold, whom has provided me with allot of information on our family history. Mr. Bold is President/Chairman of the Abbey Museum Of Art And Archeology Board, a world renowned museum, associated with institutions such as Oxford University etc, it holds the largest Medieval Festival in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest festivals of its kind in the world. He is also the chairman of the Museum Association and on the Board of the St. Michael's College Association. He has over 30 years of research on the Bold and Pitout family, and has contributed and amazing amount of information that would help me on my quest to make a proper Family Tree, and learn more about our history.
Now regarding the Pitout family, much of what I know has been passed on to me by the likes of aunts, uncles, my mother, my father, my grandfather Benjamin Henry Pitout (son of Cornelius Ignatius Pitout) specifically and other family members (e.g. Bertha Pitout, a lecturer at the Durban University of Technology, who has also done a tremendous amount of research). I have also been lucky enough to have met one of my Pitout great uncles (my grandfather's younger brother Daniel Joseph Pitout). My Bold family in fact had a very strong association with the Pitout family, as a Bold brother and sister married a Pitout sister and brother. I am probably also one of the very few family members privy to the Pitout story, regarding the little boy that smiled at his assassin and the associated adoption story. I am also privy to many other issues and facts associated with my grandfather and other family members. It is fair to say what was told was just enough information to protect those that require protecting and just enough to keep one guessing.
There is a lot of intrigue surrounding the Pitout family and there are many versions of the same story with a twist. Unfortunately, they do not always stand up to historic fact and were probably fabricated to protect the real truth. One also needs to consider the fact that Pitout as such is generally only really associated with South Africa.
I have also researched and analysed the Pitout family in quite some detail too, especially in consideration of the information I have been privy to, stopping short of going past my great-grandfather Cornelius Ignatius Pitout. I have even covered the Pitout family in some detail in one of my books stopping short at Cornelius Ignatius Pitout, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusion. One needs to understand the Pitout family were relatively new to South Africa and that there were two opposing factions, so much so that at one time one actually thought there were two completely separate families.
As for the tree it is built up with information I previously had plus some of the hand written and printed information passed on to me as a means of reconciling to ensure accuracy as far as possible, as well as a means to filling some of the gaps. I have also extensively updated the web-page, as information has been provided by researchers and family members over time. The tree is pretty comprehensive from Cornelius Ignatius Pitout down, including many living family members.
There is a lot of intrigue surrounding the Pitout family and there are many versions of the same story with a twist. Unfortunately, they do not always stand up to historic fact and were probably fabricated to protect the real truth. One also needs to consider the fact that Pitout as such is generally only really associated with South Africa.
I have also researched and analysed the Pitout family in quite some detail too, especially in consideration of the information I have been privy to, stopping short of going past my great-grandfather Cornelius Ignatius Pitout. I have even covered the Pitout family in some detail in one of my books stopping short at Cornelius Ignatius Pitout, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusion. One needs to understand the Pitout family were relatively new to South Africa and that there were two opposing factions, so much so that at one time one actually thought there were two completely separate families.
As for the tree it is built up with information I previously had plus some of the hand written and printed information passed on to me as a means of reconciling to ensure accuracy as far as possible, as well as a means to filling some of the gaps. I have also extensively updated the web-page, as information has been provided by researchers and family members over time. The tree is pretty comprehensive from Cornelius Ignatius Pitout down, including many living family members.
Now to answer your question regarding the heraldry, stuff coats of arms and crests on the Bold web-site. The coats of arms and associated crests displays are those of the Bold family and associated families of importance. too. On the Pitout page one can see the de Potion coat of arms the Compte de Poitou and the Comte de Artois coat of arms. The only coat of arms with a crest is the Bold Coat of arms (note - my Bold Crest above as the letterhead). The background on the Pitout web-page are two coats of arms displayed one being that of the Comte de Poitou and the other de Poitou. One needs to remeber, not all families have an associated coat of arms and even less have an associated crest. Generally speaking a coat of arms and/or crest is normally granted to a particular person, based on pedigree, by the likes of the Royal College of Arms, etc. I have included the Poitou and Compte de Poitou arms for a reason, there is method in my madness.
So the answer to your question is basically yes and no. All depends on which family we are talking about. You see the Pitout arms were once described to me as - blazon gules, five roses or, barbed proper seeded argent. Which basically means a red shield with five yellow roses, with white/silver centres. This is similar to the Compte de Poitou which is - blazon gules five castles or, gated and windowed argent, which basically means a red shield with five yellow castles with white/silver windows and gates). This basically supports Pitout intrigue.
Heraldry in itself is a very interesting subject and can be very complex. Very often coats of arms are generally the same within a family with slight variations between incumbents.
Now regarding what you referred to as a 'Proper Family Tree' and your wish to find as many Pitouts as possible, the web-page I have, covers those after Cornelius Ignatius Pitout comprehensively - the 'Pit-Too' family so to speak. The other Pitouts generally known as 'Pee-Toe' are not covered at all. Just to confuse the issue, over time some of the Cornelius Ignatius Pitout branch have also been known to be referred to as 'Pee-Toe'. If I am not mistaken there should be about another two branches something like the Cornelius Ignatius Pitout branch. One side was very English and the other became very Afrikaans...
A little trivia for you that will provide a liittle more perspective:-
Charles Joseph Pitout was the first Pitout in the Cape, apparently a book written by Ben Cilliers mentiones Charles Joseph Pitout. Pama (C. Pama, considred South Africa's foremost genealogical authority) records that the first Pitout arrived in 1819, married in George and had 10 children.
Up until very recently, Cornelius Ignatius Pitout was considered, by most, a totally separate Pitout entity. However, in September 2006 Bertha Pitout visited Grahamstown and went to the Albany museum where she met the museum genealogist (William Jervis). He showed her the recently updated version of 'Afrikaans familienames' by Heese. There were now 12 children and Cornelius Ignatius is the 11th child! As far as the Genealogists and all were concerned they had found the missing and that all Pitouts in South Africa can link to the same ancestor. Whilst this may all be true to a point and considering all, there is still a tremendous amount of intrigue that still surrounds the Pitout family. Prior to Charles Joseph Pitout is what is really intriguing, as the Pitout family are very much associated with the Twyford family...
One needs to remember the Twyford family were not one of the families that came out with the 1820 Settlers, but the name Twyford is often mentioned in the family with some affection and great respect. So much so there are a few Pitouts running around with the name Twyford, for example:
• Cornelius Twyford Pitout (1912)
• Jeffrey Twyford Pitout (1941)
• Daniel Twyford Pitout (1984)
Part of the Pitout story is the name change from Twyford and the adoption of a girl and boy by their uncle a count of France. The big question - is Pitout the anglicised version of Poitou? One needs to recognise the French way of pronouncing Poitou 'Pwa-Too' and the English way of pronouncing Pitout 'Pit-Too', in fact very little difference other than phonetic subtle idiosyncrasies associated with language. Whereas 'Pee-Toe' is very different and very Afrikaans.
Another big question - who was the little boy that smiled at his assassin and where was he taken (exiled) because the dreaded deed could not be carried out? England with the Twyfords? This begs the question who were his parents? What a strange name Charles Joseph Pitout.
Unfortunately, these are question that may conjure up all sorts of answers but the real truth will most likely never be known and if it is will most likely never be accepted or even proved.
I have considered writing a book regarding the Pitout family prior to Cornelius Ignatius Pitout. If I ever get down and actually put pen to paper, It will not be written as a history book, but rather a novel with names and places changed for obvious reasons. However, I am still in two minds about authoring it.
I trust this all helps, in trying to come to grips with what is what. The whole Pitout story is a very complex one, hence the reason I only went as far back as my great-grandfather Cornelius Ignatius Pitout in print. That is as far back as I was prepared to reveal and make available. That is why I asked you the following questions:
• What do you know and where do you fit into the scheme of things?
• Are you a 'Pit-Too' or a 'Pee-Toe'?
• What do you know about the Pitout story?
As mentioned above some genealogists have put a few more pieces together regarding the family in South Africa, but what they don't know and probably will never know is the associated history. To conclude, even Pitout family members know very little about their Pitout family and the associated history and stories associated with the family. This by the way is no accident, I am of the firm belief it was carefully planned as such, by those in the know.
So the answer to your question is basically yes and no. All depends on which family we are talking about. You see the Pitout arms were once described to me as - blazon gules, five roses or, barbed proper seeded argent. Which basically means a red shield with five yellow roses, with white/silver centres. This is similar to the Compte de Poitou which is - blazon gules five castles or, gated and windowed argent, which basically means a red shield with five yellow castles with white/silver windows and gates). This basically supports Pitout intrigue.
Heraldry in itself is a very interesting subject and can be very complex. Very often coats of arms are generally the same within a family with slight variations between incumbents.
Now regarding what you referred to as a 'Proper Family Tree' and your wish to find as many Pitouts as possible, the web-page I have, covers those after Cornelius Ignatius Pitout comprehensively - the 'Pit-Too' family so to speak. The other Pitouts generally known as 'Pee-Toe' are not covered at all. Just to confuse the issue, over time some of the Cornelius Ignatius Pitout branch have also been known to be referred to as 'Pee-Toe'. If I am not mistaken there should be about another two branches something like the Cornelius Ignatius Pitout branch. One side was very English and the other became very Afrikaans...
A little trivia for you that will provide a liittle more perspective:-
Charles Joseph Pitout was the first Pitout in the Cape, apparently a book written by Ben Cilliers mentiones Charles Joseph Pitout. Pama (C. Pama, considred South Africa's foremost genealogical authority) records that the first Pitout arrived in 1819, married in George and had 10 children.
Up until very recently, Cornelius Ignatius Pitout was considered, by most, a totally separate Pitout entity. However, in September 2006 Bertha Pitout visited Grahamstown and went to the Albany museum where she met the museum genealogist (William Jervis). He showed her the recently updated version of 'Afrikaans familienames' by Heese. There were now 12 children and Cornelius Ignatius is the 11th child! As far as the Genealogists and all were concerned they had found the missing and that all Pitouts in South Africa can link to the same ancestor. Whilst this may all be true to a point and considering all, there is still a tremendous amount of intrigue that still surrounds the Pitout family. Prior to Charles Joseph Pitout is what is really intriguing, as the Pitout family are very much associated with the Twyford family...
One needs to remember the Twyford family were not one of the families that came out with the 1820 Settlers, but the name Twyford is often mentioned in the family with some affection and great respect. So much so there are a few Pitouts running around with the name Twyford, for example:
• Cornelius Twyford Pitout (1912)
• Jeffrey Twyford Pitout (1941)
• Daniel Twyford Pitout (1984)
Part of the Pitout story is the name change from Twyford and the adoption of a girl and boy by their uncle a count of France. The big question - is Pitout the anglicised version of Poitou? One needs to recognise the French way of pronouncing Poitou 'Pwa-Too' and the English way of pronouncing Pitout 'Pit-Too', in fact very little difference other than phonetic subtle idiosyncrasies associated with language. Whereas 'Pee-Toe' is very different and very Afrikaans.
Another big question - who was the little boy that smiled at his assassin and where was he taken (exiled) because the dreaded deed could not be carried out? England with the Twyfords? This begs the question who were his parents? What a strange name Charles Joseph Pitout.
Unfortunately, these are question that may conjure up all sorts of answers but the real truth will most likely never be known and if it is will most likely never be accepted or even proved.
I have considered writing a book regarding the Pitout family prior to Cornelius Ignatius Pitout. If I ever get down and actually put pen to paper, It will not be written as a history book, but rather a novel with names and places changed for obvious reasons. However, I am still in two minds about authoring it.
I trust this all helps, in trying to come to grips with what is what. The whole Pitout story is a very complex one, hence the reason I only went as far back as my great-grandfather Cornelius Ignatius Pitout in print. That is as far back as I was prepared to reveal and make available. That is why I asked you the following questions:
• What do you know and where do you fit into the scheme of things?
• Are you a 'Pit-Too' or a 'Pee-Toe'?
• What do you know about the Pitout story?
As mentioned above some genealogists have put a few more pieces together regarding the family in South Africa, but what they don't know and probably will never know is the associated history. To conclude, even Pitout family members know very little about their Pitout family and the associated history and stories associated with the family. This by the way is no accident, I am of the firm belief it was carefully planned as such, by those in the know.
This letter was written by S.J.A. Pitout in 18-05-1906 the farm Vlaklaagte Lombaardsdrift. Translated 6-01-2003
Vlaklaagte 18-5-1906
Lambaardsdrift via Brandfort.
Lieve Charles!
Ik ib uwe brief eergister ontvangen, maar zy heb in een fout via Boshof
geschreven, daardoor is het zoo lang op weg geweest, hartlyk dank vaar die
nieuws, van al de kinderen, Ik kryg zelden een brief van Johanna,
Willie schryf my hy heeft C. Ooshuizen kennes gegeven dat hy den 4 Juni
weg gaat, domme Jangen, om ₤200 pound per jaar zo op te geven, Hy zeg hy
is moedeloos: omdat zyne familie niet aan hem schryven,
Charlie schryf my dat Mr T Burger die bezigheid verkocht heb, en dat hy nou een
ander verdienste moet zoek, om zyn brood te verdien,
Met Lodewyk en familie gaat het goed, zyn veld is op gevreet daarde sprinkanen
zoo dat hy zyn vee heef laten trekken, hier is nog maar water vaar 15 dagen,
Zy vraag my naar myn Vader Hy heete Charles Jozefus Twyford,
zyn Moeder van was Pitout, hy was te Brussel gebaren, maar in Parys opgevoed
by zyn tante Miss Pitout, en zy heeft hem hare erfgenaam gemaakt maar dan
moet hy haar naam aan neem, Pitout en niet Twyford zoo is het dat wy die
naam draag, Ik dink haar naam was Jeanet, en myn Vader is van haar
weggeloop toen hy omtrent 18 jaren oud was, en heeft in Engeland diernst genamen
in den 62 ste Regement, en die Regement is later Condend omdat er te veel vreemde
bloed in was, en is als Immegranten uitgezonder naar de Kaap waar myn Vader
myne Moeder Aletta Elizabeth Leroux heeft ontmoed en daar zyn zy getrouend,
Myn Vaders erfportie moet nog in Parys in die weeskamer of ergens wees, Als zy nog
iets Verder wel weet dan kunt zy my in uwe volgende brief vragen,
Ik ben daar Gods goedheid nog geheel wel, gelyk ik bly ben te hooren dat zy ook ben,
allet heil en zegen wens vaar uwe welfaart blyf ik na minzame groete
Uwe lief hebbende Vader
S J A Pitout
Typed as per original letter on 6-01-2003 by Carl Johannes Pitout (31-03-1946)
TRANSLATION
Vlaklaagte 18-5-1906
Lombaardsdrift via Brandfort.
Dear Charles,
I received your letter the day before yesterday; As you made the mistake by sending
it via Boshof instead of Brandfort, it's been on it's way a long time. Thanks for all the news
of the children. I very seldom get a letter from Johanna.
Willie wrote to tell me that he's given notice to Oosthuizen.
He's leaving the 4th June. Silly guy to give up ₤200 per year just like that. He says he's very depressed
because his family never write to him.
Charlie wrote to tell me that Mr T Burger has sold his business
and that he's looking for a job. All is well with Lodewyk and family. His veld has been stripped
by the locusts he had to relocate his cattle and here we only have water for the next 15 days.
You wanted information about my Father. His name is Charles Josefus Twyford.
His Mother's name was Pitout. He was born in Brussels but grew up in Paris where he lived
with his Aunt a Miss Pitout. She made him Heir on condition he adopted the name Pitout
instead of Twyford. That's why we are now called Pitout I think her name was Jeanet.
My Father left her when he was approximately 18 years old. He went into the army in England;
The 62nd Regiment. That Regiment was later dismantled because there was too much foreign
blood in it and they were all sent to the Cape as Immigrants. That's where my Father met
my Mother Aletta Elizabeth Le Roux and they married. My Father's inheritance must still be
in Paris somewhere. If you want to know anything else please ask away in your next letter.
I am still alive and well thanks to the Lord and I'm glad to hear that you're also well.
I wish you all the best and with greetings.
Your loving Father
S.J.A. Pitout.
Translated and typed 6-01-2003 by C.J.P
PITOUT FAMILY EMBLIM
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The de Potion coat of arms the Compte de Poitou and the Comte de Artois coat of arms.
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Honour Medal to Hendrik Louis Pitout
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Newspaper Article in 1920
