Jacobus was born about 1787 and his baptism took place on October 7th, 1787. Jacobus' father was David Malan and his mother was Elizabeth Malan. His paternal grandparents were David Malan and Elionora Melius. He had a brother named Hercules. He was the older of the two children. He died on April 11th, 1838 in Battle of Italeni.