FAMILIA KWARTAALBLAD VAN DIE

GENEALOGIESE GENOOTSKAP VAN SUID-AFRIKA

QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA

Jaargang/Volume 53-2016

Nommer 3 / Number 3

ISSN 00147117

NUK-LEDE VAN DIE GGSA - 2016

NEC MEMBERS OF THE GSSA - 2016

Van Links na Regs: Ferdie van Wyk (Vise-President); Robyn

Templeton (Sekretaris); Simon du Plooy (President); Margaret

Gundry (Bykomende lid); Banie Engelbrecht (Tesourier); Gerrit

Muller (Bykomende lid),

From left to right: Ferdie van Wyk (Vice President), Robyn

Templeton (Secretary); Simon du Plooy (President); (Margaret

Gundry (Additional member); Banie Engelbrecht (Treasurer);

Gerrit Muller (Additional member)

FAMILIA REDAKSIONELE KOMITEE

FAMILIA EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Francesco Uys Rootenberg (redakteur/editor), Ferdie van Wyk,

Petro Coreejes-Brink, Dennis Pretorius

ii

INHOUDSOPGAWE / CONTENTS

Bismarck Dreyer 1

-Annemarie Dreyer

Was Casparus (1717) gebore Bester of Pester? 13

- Ami Maree

Die Mooie Bridget McGeer 21

- Rentia Landman

Die Familie van Wyk van Witfontein 32

- Ferdie van Wyk

Stamvader Hermanus Johannes de Melander 49

and his family: Burghers, Poets and Patricians

- Francesco Uys Rootenberg

Aanvulling tot die Massyn-familie 70

- David de Klerk

Book Review: Swanesang, Die einde van die 75

Kompanjiestyd aan die Kaap, 1771-1795

iii

REDAKSIONEEL Francesco Uys Rootenberg

In die derde uitgawe van Familia vir 2016 het ons drie artikels wat

getuig van ‘n inherente nuuskierigheid wat kenmerkend van die

familienavorser se psige is. Annemarie Dreyer se poging om

duidelikheid te skep oor die raaiselagtige inskripsie van die naam

Bismarck Dreyer op die die Retiefklip het haar gelei op 'n soektog

wat in die onafhanklike Vrystaat begin en geëindig het in Texas via

'n Boer krygsgevangenekamp op Bermuda. Ami Maree het met

Isabel Groesbeek en Ida Bester-Gräbe saamgespan om die

waarheid oor die afkoms van Casparus Pester/Bester, wat gedoop

is in die Kaap in 1717, en die onakkurate optekening daarvan in

die geskiedenis van die familie Bester, te ontrafel. Rentia Landman

het met die komplekse identiteit van Bridget O'Neal/McGeer/

Devine gewroeg in 'n suksesvolle poging om duidelikheid te skep

oor hierdie raaiselagtige figuur. Behalwe die opgeloste raaisels

hierbo, bied hierdie uitgawe ook ʼn register van die Familie Van

Wyk van Witfontein in die Bo-Karoo, deur Ferdie van Wyk en die

tot nou toe onaangetekende eerste geslagte van die familie Massyn

deur David de Klerk. Ten slotte ontrafel die redakteur die

patriargale wortels van die familie De Melander en hul

fassinerende skakels na die kulturele en Handels- elite van

Amsterdam. Dit skatkis van die bogenoemde genealogiese insigte,

is nie net met ure se navorsing saamgestel deur die ywerige lede

van die GGSA nie maar onderstreep ook die voortdurende

behoefte van die redaksionele komitee vir insette van mede-

genealoë tot voordeel van toekomstige geslagte.

iv

EDITORIAL – Francesco Uys Rootenberg

In our third edition of 2016 we have three articles that bear witness

to the inherent curiosity that is the incurable characteristic of the

genealogist’s psyche. Annemarie Dreyer’s inquisitiveness about

the exuberant inscription of Bismarck Dreyer’s name on the

Retiefklip has led her on a quest that started in the independent

Free State and ended in Texas via a Boer prisoner of war camp on

Bermuda. Ami Maree has collaborated with Isabel Groesbeek and

Ida Bester-Gräbe to uncover the truth about the descent of

Casparus Pester / Bester who was baptized at the Cape in 1717

and his inaccurate inclusion in the genealogy of the Bester family.

Rentia Landman has juggled with the complex identities of Bridget

O’Neal / McGeer/ Devine in a successful attempt to create clarity

about this enigmatic figure. Besides resolved mysteries, this issue

also offers robust genealogical catalogues of the Van Wyk family of

Witfontein by Ferdie van Wyk, member of Familia’s editorial

commitee, and the hitherto unrecorded first generations of the

Massyn family by David de Klerk. Lastly the editor uncovers the

patrician roots of the De Melander family and their fascinating links

to the cultural and mercantile elite of Amsterdam. This wealth of

genealogical insight has been painfully procured from our

industrious members and underlines the continuing need that the

editorial commitee has for input from fellow genealogists in

sharing their research for the benefit of future generations.

1

BISMARCK DREYER (1872 – 1936)

Annemarie Dreyer adreyer@sabinet.co.za

Ek is in 1966 in Potchefstroom gebore, die

dogter van Adriaan BEKKER en Susara Aletta

Susanna CALITZ. Ek het in Dundee, in die

mooie Noord-Natal, gematrikuleer waarna ek

in die groot stad Pretoria kom studeer het. Ek

gebruik tans elke vrye oomblik om hoofsaaklik

die DREYER familie(s) van Suid Afrika na te vors, wat blyk 'n

heelwat groter taak te wees as wat ek voorsien het. Die DNA toetse

is 'n gebied van genealogie waarin ek baie belangstel en wat reeds

baie interessante resultate in die DREYER familie en ook my eie

opgelewer het. Tussendeur werk ek ook aan my kwartierstaat wat

BEKKER, CALITZ, DU PLESSIS en POTGIE-TER insluit. Ek is die

tesourier van die GGSA N-Tvl tak en tussendeur knyp ek tyd af om

voltyds te werk as rekenmeester by Sabinet in Centurion

Van dat ek my navorsing op die DREYER familie begin toespits het,

het ʼn hele paar mense het my al gevra wiè was die Bismarck

DREYER wat sy naam so yslik groot op die Retiefklip by Kerkenberg

geskryf het? Hy het my ook baie geïnteresseer vanweë sy

ongewone naam en ook diè van sy broers en susters. Al inligting

2

wat ek tot onlangs oor hom

gehad het, was sy dooprekord, en ek

kon heelwat dokumente en inligting

oor die res van sy gesin vind, maar

Bismarck self was soos ʼn skim. Ek het

toe besluit om ʼn bietjie meer intensief

te soek om uit te vind wat van hom

geword het en die resultaat was vir

my nogal ʼn verrassing.

Bismarck was die seun van Petrus

Michiel DREYER, 'n boer van

Harrismith in die Vrystaat, en Willem

Adriaan Loevina VAN AARDT. Sy ouers was duidelik kreatiewe

mense wat hulle bloedmin gesteur het aan die tradisionele Afrikaner

naamgeepatroon. Bismarck was die derde kind van 10, en as die

oudste seun moes hy eintlik Johannes Augustus heet (na sy pa se

pa, en ook die DREYER stamvader), maar sy ouers het besluit

"Bismarck" klink baie meer interessant, en het so voortgedoen met

die res van hulle kroos se name. Sy familielyn is soos volg

saamgestel:

Stamvader Johannes Augustus DREYER (alias Isaac DALGUE) *

Grube, Schleswig-Holstein Januarie 1689, † Kaap 6 April 1759, hy

x Stellenbosch 31 Januarie 1716 Sara VAN WYK * 1699, † Kaap

ongeveer 1762.

b4 Thomas Frederick DREYER * Stellenbosch 1727, † 8 Mei 1783,

hy x 11 September 1763 Christina FRANCKE *1733, †1801.

3

b4c5 Thomas Frederick DREYER * Kaap 28 September 1775, †

Kaap 25 Mei 1845, hy x Kaap 19 Augustus 1798 Johanna Sibella

EKSTEEN *3 Julie 1779, † Kaap 1 Maart 1848.

b4c5d3 Johannes Augustus DREYER * Kaap 1802 x Petronella Anna

Wilhelmina VAN NIEKERK *Kaap 1801.

b4c5d3e10 Pieter Michiel DREYER * Constantia, Kaapstad 28

Februarie 1839, † Harrismith April 1920 x Harrismith, 2 Desember

1867 Willem Adriaan Loevina VAN AARDT * Pietermaritzburg 27 Mei

1849, † Dreyersgeluk, distrik Harrismith 17 Januarie 1892, dv.

Willem Adriaan VAN AARDT en Anna Trichardt. Hy xx 11 Augustus

1896 Wilhelmina Sophia Maria LE GRANGE *Augustus 1861 †1

Harrismith July 1920.

f1 Louisa *4 Junie 1868, ≈ 4 Harrismith Oktober 1868 †

Durban 22 Februarie 1849. Sy x nn ALEXANDER

f2 Charlotte *1870, ≈ Harrismith 3 Maart 1870, † Umtali,

Rhodesië 12 Junie 1962, sy x Harrismith, 1 Junie 1896,

Johan Hendrik KLEINSCHMIDT † 16 Januarie 1932

f3 Bismarck *8 Januarie 1872, ≈ Harrismith 31 Maart 1873.

† El Paso, Texas, Amerika, 5 Oktober 1936, Hy x Texas 22

Augustus 1911, Annie L BARRETT *17 Mei 1882.

f4 Lillie * Harrismith 1874, † Nqutu, Natal 12 Mei 1943. Sy x

Bernard Matthew COLENBRANDER

f5 Garnet *12 Mei 1875, ≈ Harrismith 13 Junie 1875. Hy x

Adriana Johanna VAN AARDT *30 Oktober1882, d.v. Carolus

Gustavus VAN AARDT en Susanna Sophia DE WAAL

f6 Ida * 3 Desember 1876, ≈ Harrismith 27 Maart 1877. Sy x

Harrismith, 4 Junie 1897 Willem Abraham BESTER *1868

4

f7 Violet * 22 November 1878, ≈ Harrismith 5 Januarie 1897.

Sy x Jacobus Tredoux TRUTER, sy xx 3 Jul 1934 Johannes

Hendrik CONRADIE *Augustus 1864, Ceres † Harrismith 18

September 1839.

f8 Spencer * 29 Oktober 1880, ≈ Harrismith 5 Desember 1880,

† Greytown 18 April 1952. Hy x Gertruida Susanna Maria

BRITZ *1880, † Harrismith 3 June 1918. (Hy was glo ʼn

bekende bokser)

f9 Pomeroy * 26 September 1882, ≈ Harrismith 14 Januarie

1883 † Harrismith 4 July 1920. Hy x Rose Annie GUBBINS *

Engeland April 1888 † Durban 3 July 1946. Sy xx Jacob

Petrus CILLIERS,

f10 Daisy * Harrismith Augustus 1884. Sy x Henry George

Moore AITKEN *13 Maart 1877 † Pietermaritzburg 27

September 1925.

Bismarck was net mooi 18 jaar

oud toe hy op 23 Januarie

1890 sy naam op die klip by

Kerkenberg geskryf het. Dit

was meer as 50 jaar nadat Piet

Retief en sy trek daar verby is

om Natal binne te gaan. Ek sou

graag wou weet wat deur die

jong Bismarck se gedagtes

gegaan het toe hy besluit het

om sy naam links bokant Piet Retief s'n te skryf, boonop soveel

groter. My praktiese kant wonder ook wat hy gebruik het om dit

mee te skryf dat dit vandag nog so duidelik daar staan.

1 BISMARCK SE NAAM OP DIE RETIEFKLIP

5

Tussen 1890 en 1900 kon

ek geen spoor van

Bismarck vind nie. Ek dink

ons kan aanvaar dat hy

waarskynlik saam met sy

pa op die plaas

Dreyersgeluk in die

Harrismith omgewing

(28°01'46.1"S

29°06'59.7"E) geboer het tot ongeveer Augustus 1898, toe Petrus

insolvent verklaar is. Die likwidasieproses is waarskynlik deur die

aanvang van die Anglo-Boereoorlog lamgelê, en die plaas is in

Oktober 1902, vier maande na die einde van die oorlog, aan Sir

Percy FITZPATRICK verkoop. FITZPATRICK het later die storie van

sy boek Jock of the Bushveld daar laat afspeel. Die plaas se naam

is verander na Buckland Downs. Die opstal is ʼn pragtige

sandsteenwoonhuis gebou deur Sir Herbert BAKER.

Die eerste

verwysing wat ek

daarna van

Bismarck kon vind

was in die ABO

krygsgevangene-

rekords. Hy is op

25 Mei 1901 by

Draaihoek in die

Standerton

omgewing gevang

en na Bermuda

gestuur. Oor

SANDSTEENPLAASOPSTAL OP DREYERSGELUK 2

6

Draaihoek is daar min inligting, en Bismarck was oënskynlik die

enigste persoon wat daar gevange geneem is. Bermuda is ‘n reeks

eilande naby aan die Ooskus van Noord-Amerika, met verskillende

kampe waar die gevangenes ingedeel is volgens hul oortuigings. As

hulle bittereinders was is hulle na Burts Island gestuur, en Tuckers

Island was ‘n pro-Britse kamp. Ek kon nie uitvind na watter eiland

Bismarck gestuur is nie en kan dus nie ‘n afleiding oor sy gesindheid

tydens die oorlog maak nie.

Dit was waarskynlik nà die

oorlog vir Bismarck

makliker om na Amerika

te gaan as om terug te

kom Suid-Afrika toe. Sy

pa, Petrus, was tydens die

ABO kortstondig (van 1 tot

3 Desember 1900) ‘n

joiner in die oorlog. Die

rede daarvoor is sekerlik

‘n storie op sy eie maar na die oorlog is daar in die Afrikaner-

gemeenskap neergesien op joiners en Bismarck sou die hoon moes

verduur as hy sou terugkom Suid-Afrika toe. Die die familieplaas

was verlore vir hom en die Britte aan bewind. Die Amerikaners het

boonop die Boere probeer aanmoedig om hulle in Texas te vestig

en daar te boer, wat Bismarck toe inderdaad gedoen het.

Hy het in 1902 geïmmigreer en word in die Amerikaanse sensus

van 1910 aangedui as ʼn loseerder in Pennsylvania laan, Scranton,

Lackawanna County, Pennsylvavia, ‘n staat naby aan die Ooskus.

Hy het toe nog nie Amerikaanse burgerskap gehad nie, was ʼn

reisende verkoopman van perdeskoenspykers en ongetroud.

TEXAS TREIN VIR DIE VOORMALIGE BOER

KRYGSGEVANGENES OP BERMUDA

7

Hy op die ouderdom van 39 op 22 Augustus 1911 in Texas met die

29 jarige Annie L BARRETT *17 Mei 1882 van Savanah getroud,

maar ek kon geen rekord vind dat hulle enige kinders gehad het

nie. Annie se ouers se name word nie in die huweliksrekord genoem

nie.

In 1920 het hy in Berino, Dona Ana County, New Mexico geloseer

by John McNARY, ʼn skaapboer. Bismarck was die plaasbestuurder

en nie meer getroud nie. Dit is onduidelik of hy van Annie BARRETT

geskei is, en of sy

oorlede is. Ek kon

geen rekord van haar

sterfdatum vind nie.

Ek spekuleer dat dit

moontlik is dat

Bismarck die huwelik

aangegaan het om

burgerskap te kry?

In 1930 word hy gelys as ʼn katoen-boer in Tornillo, El Paso County,

Texas. Hy is ongetroud, en dui sy huistaal voor immigrasie as

‘Dutch’ aan. Hy word as 'n "pioneer cotton farmer” beskryf. Dit

beteken kortliks dat Bismarck beslis nie ʼn sissie was nie. Tornillo

was naby aan die grens met Mexico. Die pionierboere in Texas moes

onder moeilike omstandighede die voorheen onbewoonde en

onbewerkte areas tem. Hulle moes lande ontbos en water aanlê om

die oeste mee nat te lei. Die katoen moes met die hand versamel

en in groot sakke gepak en geweeg word. Die area was afgeleë,

droog en stowwerig en immigrante van oraloor, ook van Mexico,

het daar probeer om uit katoenboerdery ʼn lewe te maak.

8

Bismarck was moontlik reeds hier in SA 'n lid van die

Vrymesselaarsbeweging en in Texas was hy een van die stigterslede

van die plaaslike tak (Fabens Lodge) van die Vrymesselaars (Free

Masons). Hulle hou baie goeie rekords van al hulle lede en dit is by

hulle wat ek toe wraggies die pragtige foto hierbo van hom gekry

het (geneem 1923/24 toe hy omtrent 50 jaar oud was), asook sy

sterfberig, en inligting oor waar hy begrawe is. Hulle is glo ook nog

in besit van sy "Masons Apron", ook genoem sy Past Masters Apron,

wat deur sy vriend John C SNYMAN aan hulle gegee is in September

1953. Bismarck was ten tyde van sy dood ʼn Worshipful Master, die

hoogste pos wat aan lede van die Vrymesselaarsbeweging toegeken

kan word.

Bismarck is op 5 Oktober 1936 in Tornillo, El Paso County, Texas as

'n relatief jong man van 64 oorlede. Die sterfberiggie noem dat hy

net dood neergeslaan het, geen verdere inligting word gegee oor

wat sy dood veroorsaak het nie. Hy is op 8 Oktober 1936 in die

Masonic Concordia begraafplaas, El Paso, Texas begrawe, hoewel

geen grafsteen vir hom opgerig is nie. Die begrafnis is volgens

Vrymesselaars

begrafnistradisie gedoen

deur Rev. AA McCLESKY.

Daar was oënskynlik geen

van sy familie teenwoordig

by sy begrafnis nie. John C

SNYMAN en G.C. SNYMAN

was van die draers. John

SNYMAN was ook van Suid

Afrika afkomstig, en is as

die informant op Bismarck 3DIE CONCORDIA BEGRAAFPLAAS, EL PASO, TEXAS

9

se doodsertifikaat aangedui. Dit sou

interessant wees om van die SNYMAN

navorsers meer inligting oor hom te

kry.

Bismarck tel beslis onder die oorlede

DREYER's met wie ek graag 'n

geselsie sou wou aanknoop as dit

moontlik was, net om te hoor wat

hom regtig laat besluit het om juis

Amerika toe te gaan, hoe hy daar

gekom het en hoekom hy besluit het

om hom in Texas te vestig. Die

Vrymesselaarsbeweging het moontlik

hulp verleen met sy reis na Amerika,

maar ek het geen antwoord gekry op my navrae aan hul Suid

Afrikaanse tak nie. Ek is dus ook nie seker of hy wel reeds hier ‘n

lid was nie.

En so is die raaisel van Bismarck tot ʼn mate opgelos. Hy het vir sy

eie redes alleen die vreemde ingereis en sekerlik nooit weer sy

familie gesien nie.

Ek wonder of sy

hulle deur middel

van briefwisseling

van hom gehoor

het. Sy jonger broer

Spencer het sy

oudste seun in 1907

na Bismarck

vernoem, maar die

4BISMARCK SE GRAF IN DIE

CONCORDIA BEGRAAFPLAAS

10

seuntjie is ongelukkig in 1915 aan breinvliesontsteking oorlede. Die

interessante naam wat my aandag getrek het, het dus na net twee

geslagte doodgeloop.

Bronne

Genealogiese Instituut van Suid-Afrika

Suid Afrikaanse Geslagsregisters, Deel 2: D- G.

NG Kerkargief, Bloemfontein

Baie dankie aan Hannes Saaiman wat dit alles geduldig transkribeer en vir

my elke DREYER aanstuur wat hy teëkom.

Huwelik: Petrus Michiel DREYER, 1867.

Huwelik: Spencer DREYER, 1906.

Huwelik: Violet CONRADIE, 1934.

Huwelik: Ida BESTER, 1897.

Vrystaatse Provinsiale Argiefbewaarplek, Bloemfontein (VAB)

MHG 1/3/1/18 BD31 1898. Insolvente boedel Pieter Michiel DREYER.

MHG A129. Sterfkennis Willem Adriaan Loevina DREYER (VAN AARDT).

MHG D1017. Sterfkennis Wilhelmina Sophia Maria DREYER (LA GRANGE).

MHG D1016. Sterfkennis Pomeroy DREYER.

MHG 39455, Bloemfontein: Sterfkennis Rose Annie CILLIERS.

Natalse Provinsiale Argiefbewaarplek, Pietermaritzburg (NAB)

MSCE 15535/1930 Sterfkennis Daisy AITKEN.

MSCE 10633/1925, Durban: Sterfkennis Henry George Moore AITKEN.

MSCE 36880/1943, Durban: Sterfkennis Lillie COLENBRANDER.

11

Nasionale Argiefbewaarplek, Pretoria (TAB)

MHG 8456/62, Sterfkennis Charlotte KLEINSCHMIDT.

Boeke

Grundlingh, A.M., Die Hendsoppers en Joiners, Pretoria: Protea Boekhuis,

1999

Benbow, Colin, Boer Prisoners of War in Bermuda (Second Edition),

Bermuda 1982, p.46.

Internet bronne

Kenya Gazettes:

https://books.google.com.na/books?id=b4qNPMURrRUC&pg=PA68&dq=d

reyer&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjNzZq-

_ODMAhVMIcAKHVXmB2k4FBDoAQgiMAA#v=onepage&q=dreyer&f=false

Kalahari Snippets, artikel deur Ronel Theart -

http://kalaharisnippets.co.za/media/com_acymailing/upload/kalahari_sni

ppets_no_7.pdf

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masonic_lodge_officers

Find-a-grave.com: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-

bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=61362209 (Richard Andis was die uiters

behulpsame vrywilliger wat baie moeite gedoen het om Bismarck se foto

aan my te stuur en ook op hulle webblad te publiseer.)

Foto’s van katoenplukkers:

https://www.google.co.za/search?q=cotton+pickers&biw=1365&bih=828

&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjw_enB0OPMAhWBKMAKH

SC6AlcQ_AUIBigB&dpr=0.75

Interessante verwysings na die katoenlande van El Paso:

• https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/44016526/

• http://fieldselpaso.com/our-legacy/

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornillo,_Texas

12

Familysearch.org

https://familysearch.org/search/record/results?count=20&query=%2Bgiv

enname%3Abismarck~%20%2Bsurname%3Adreyer~

• United States census 1910

• Texas County marriage index, 1837 – 1977

• Texas deaths, 1890 – 1976. Doodsertifikaat 49359, Texas:

Bismarck Dreyer

Sosiale media

Facebook onderhoude met die nageslag van Spencer DREYER.

Hulp uit ‘n onverwagte oord.

Baie dankie aan redakteur Francesco Uys Rootenberg, wat my in die regte

rigting gestuur het nadat ek gedink het ek het alle bronne ondersoek.

Foto bo: Die eilande op Bermuda waar Bismarck Dreyer

‘n Boer krygsgevangene was.

13

WAS CASPARUS (1717) GEBORE BESTER OF

PESTER?

Ami Maree (née Bester) – ami.maree@gmail.com

In samewerking met Isabel Groesbeek en Ida Bester-Gräbe

Ek is Susanna Maria gedoop maar almal noem

my Ami. Ek is in Kimberley in 1946 gebore, die

dogter van Daniël Johannes BESTER

(b5,c5,d3,e2,f2,g3,h1) en Hester Cecilia

KIRCHNER. Ek woon al van 6 maande

ouderdom tot vandag in en om Pretoria. Ons

het 17 jaar lank in Donkerhoek, net buite

Pretoria, gewoon. Ek was in Hendrik Verwoerd

Hoërskool en het as fisioterapeut gekwalifiseer. My man, Hermanus

Petrus MAREE (genoem Karre), is in 2001 oorlede. Drie kinders is

uit die huwelik gebore. My genealogie navorsing behels tans die

studie van my eie BESTER-stamlyn asook die van my moeder

(KIRCHNER) sin. Ek berei tans die kwartierstaat van my BESTER-

stamlyn voor. Ek is afgetree en woon tans in ‘n aftree-oord in

Pretoria.

Tydens die skrywer se soeke na en navorsing oor haar BESTER-

stamregister het die vraag ontstaan of Jacobus Bester die

stamouers se vyfde of sesde kind was.

Die kosbare bron, Cape Transcripts, se laserskyf1., bevat onder

meer die boedeldokument van die stammoeder Anna BO(C)K.1

Hierdie inventaris bevat slegs die volgende name van haar kinders:

Andries, Christiaan, Paulus, Nicolaas en Jacobus. Casparus word nie

as kind genoem nie. Die skrywer het na die doopinskrywings van

die stamouers Andreas (hierna Andries genoem) BESTER en Anna

(Johanna) BO(C)K se kinders begin soek en FamilySearch op die

14

internet geraadpleeg. ’n Kosbare vonds was ’n foto uit een van

Kaapstad se doopboeke met die bladsytitel: ”Doop-behelzende de

Naamen der Gedoopten, Ouders & Getuijgen” onder die datum 22

Augustus 1717 met die volgende inskrywings direk onder mekaar:2

Gedoopten Ouders Getuijgen

Pieternella Jacobus .....

Adriana

Pietersz

.....

Caspar Jacobus Pester

Anna Haselaar

.....

Die eerste letter van die vanne Pietersz (sic) en Pester (sic) is

identies op die dokument. Verder af verskyn die van boota (sic) met

’n duidelike b wat opsigtelik van eersgenoemde letters verskil. Uit

die volgende voorbeelde van lettervorming in lopende skrif in die

17de eeu, blyk duidelik dat die P en B maklik met mekaar verwar

kan word (derde laaste letter van elke reël).3

15

Die mikrofilmversameling by die Unisa Biblioteek is ook as

kruiskontrole geraadpleeg. Hieronder ’n uittreksel uit die NG Kerk

Kaapstad se doopregister (goedgunstig deur die Unisa bibliotekaris

verskaf).4

Lees hiermee saam die volgende transkripsie van die

boedelinventaris van Anna Has(s)elaar.5 Casparus se vrou word in

die Bester- en Swart-geslagregister6 as Maria Elisabeth SWART

aangedui. In die naslaanwerk Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagregisters word

hierdie Casper (Casparus) in die BESTER-geslagregister6 aangedui

as die oudste seun van Andries BESTER en Anna BO(C)K. Skrywer

vermeld hieronder verskeie argumente teen hierdie aanname.

1. Volgens die Kaapse doopregister aan die begin van die

artikel is Casper (Casparus) die seun van Jacobus PESTER

en Anna HASSELAAR.

2. Casper se vader, Jacobus, was ’n PESTER en geen

verwantskap met Andries BESTER of Anna BO(C)K kon

bewys word nie, aangesien geen doopinskrywing in enige

beskikbare bron van hom gevind kon word nie.

3. Die name van Casper PESTER se kinders in sy moeder, Anna

HASSELAAR se inventaris kom geensins met Andries

BESTER se nageslag ooreen nie, maar wel met die name in

die familie van Maria Elisabeth SWART se eerste man

(Hermanus PIETERSZ).7

4. Geen inskrywing vir ’n Jacobus BESTER of ’n Caspa(e)r

(Casparus) kon voor 1726 in enige betroubare bron gevind

word nie.

16

Volgens die vernoemingstradisie waarvan die meeste Suid-

Afrikaanse geslagregisters getuig, sou Andries sy eerste seun na sy

pa of na homself vernoem het. Caspar (Casparus) val dus heeltemal

uit die prentjie.

Tydens die skrywer se onlangse besoek aan die Kaapstadse Argief

is 39 dokumente met betrekking tot die naam PESTER opgespoor,

o.a. KAB: MOIC 2/41: 345 (datums 1795-1811), Carel PESTER se

insolvente likwidasie & distribusierekening; KAB: NCD 1/1: 84

(1795), testament van Carel PESTER en Maria Elizabeth KILIAN.

Hulle kinders se inskrywings (as PESTER-afstammelinge) in die

vroeë NG Kerk Kaapland se doopboeke is gefotografeer en

beskikbaar vir besigtiging op FamilySearch se webbladsy.8

Daar was dus PESTERs aan die Kaap wat tot hulle dood as PESTERs

deurgegaan het. Hulle geslagregister verskyn egter nie in die

naslaanreeks Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagregisters nie.

MOOC 8/16.12

Hasselaar, Anna

17761203

Anna Hasselaar

3 December 1776

Inventaris van alle zodanige goederen als ab intestato metter

dood zijn ontruijmd ende nagelaten door Anna Hasselaar ten

voordeele van derzelver in onëgt verwekte kinderen en hunne

descendenten, met namen

1. Casper Bester, de nageblevene ses onmondige kinderen van

wijlen haren zoon: Casper; Harmanus; Willem; Daniel;

Elizabeth en Sara Bester

2. Isabella Engels getrouwt met Cornelis Mostert en

3. Willem Engels

17

Kasp’r (Caspar) PESTER (let wel ook hier is sy van PESTER), wat in

ca. 1771 oorlede is, se boedeldokument meld dat hy “aan de

Weescamer over bewijs aan haare 2 in eerder huwelijk bij wijl

HARMANUSZ verwekte kinderen 257 rd:s skuld.”. Hieruit blyk dat

hy die Casper is wat met Maria Elizabeth SWART getroud was en

dus die seun van Jacobus PESTER en Anna HAS(S)ELAAR was. Hy

verskyn as BESTER by sy kinders se doopinskrywings en ook as

BESTER by sy huwelikinskrywing te Kaapstad op 14.03.1756,9 maar

tog weer as PESTER in sy boedeldokument.10

Gevolgtrekking

Casparus kon moontlik tydelik die van/familienaam BESTER gedra

het, maar die Casparus wat met Maria Elisabeth SWART getroud

was, en dus hulle hele nageslag soos aangeteken in die

naslaanreeks Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagregisters, stam nie van

Andries/Andreas BESTER af nie.

DNS-monsters van vrywillige manlike nasate aan die PESTER-

sowel as die BESTER-kant sal hierdie gevolgtrekking finaal kan

staaf.

Die skrywer self is ’n afstammeling van Andries/Andreas BESTER

en Anna BO(C)K se vyfde (nie sesde nie) seun, Jacobus *1737.

Stamlyn van Susanna Maria (Ami) MAREE (née BESTER)

a Andries/Andreas BESTER *ca. 1700 † Kaapstad

30.10.175211 x Kaapstad 13.02.172412 Johanna (Anna)

BOCK *21.03.170813 † Kaapstad 26.04.179414

b5 Jacobus BESTER * voor 5.05.1737 Swartland

5.06.1737 †‘Portigusfontein’, Kaapse dist 31.03.179615 x

Swartland 4.05.1767 Maria Elizabeth HEEMS, (EEMS,EYS,

HEINS, HEYNS) * voor Maart 1735 † voor 4.05.180016

b5c5 Johannes Barend (Barend) BESTER * Swartland

(Malmesbury) 28.10.1776 ≈ Swartland 19.11.17717 †

18

‘Portugusfonteyn’ 15.01.184018 x 1.10.1797 Huibrecht

(Huijbregtje) BRAND19 * ca. 1774 † Huis van Jacob

Laubscher, Patrysberg, Kaap 20.05.1851

b5c5d3 Christiaan Pieter BESTER * Kaapstad

28.08.180120 † na 1848 x Kaapstad 9.11.1823 Maria

Wilhelmina KOTZE (‘ab2c2d8e5’ in KOTZE- register)* ca

180521

b5c5d3e2 Jurgen Jacobus Gysbert BESTER; *

Zoutrivier, Swartland 19.07.1826≈Tulbagh 24.09.182622 †

ca. Okt. 1867 x Hopefield 26.02.1855 Maria Catharina

Jacoba EHLERS (EELDERS) (Daniel Johannes-dg)

b5c5d3e2f2 Daniël Johannes (Danie) BESTER *

Hopefield 3.04.1858 ≈ Tulbagh 11.07.185823 † Hopefield

5.02.1932 x Hopefield 23.02.1886 Helena Catharina

Petronella (Hilletje) VAN SCHALKWYK * Klipheuwel, dist.

Piketberg 23.09.1868 † Woodstock, Kaapstad 17.01.1948

(Dirk Daniel Hendrik-dg)

b5c5d3e2f2g3 Jurgen Jacobus Gysbertus BESTER *

Malmesbury 25.03.1891 † 19.12.192924, Huis op

Knoffelkloof, dist. Piketberg x ca. 1912 Susanna Maria

MOUTON * Porterville 4.10.1896† Porterville 25.10.196924

(Frederik Sybert-dg)

b5c5d3e2f2g3h1 Daniël Johannes (Danie) BESTER *

Porterville 2.06.1916 † Pretoria 26.09.1990 x Pretoria

26.12.1942 Hester Cecilia (Hettie) KIRCHNER * Fouriesburg

20.02.1913 † Harthospitaal Pretoria 5.10.2004 (Daniel

Andreas–dg)25

b5c5d3e2f2g3h1i1 Gertruida Elizabeth (Ida) BESTER

* Kimberley 18.09.1943 x Pretoria 29.03.1969 Petrus

Johannes GRÄBE * 18.07.1941

19

b5c5d3e2f2g3h1i2 Susanna Maria (Ami) BESTER

*Kimberley 3.06.1946 x NG Kerk Riviera, Pretoria

16.01.1970 Hermanus Petrus MAREE † Little Company of

Mary Hospitaal, Pretoria 07.10.2001 (Petrus Jacobus

Hermanus-sn)

Afkortings

ca. circa

dg. dogter

sn. seun

dist. distrik

KAB Kaapse Argiefbewaarplek

MOIC Master’s Office and Insolvency Chamber

MOOC Master’s Office & Orphan Chamber

Bronverwysings 1. Laserskyf: Cape Transcripts-TEPC two centuries transcribed 1673-

1834; KAB MOOC 8/21.4:1/2 Inventarisdokument.

2. Internetwebbladsy: https://familysearch.org/.

3. Internetwebbladsy:

https://familysearch.org/indexing/help/handwriting.

4. NG Kerk Kaapstad Doopregister 1717, p. 10.

5. KAB MOOC 8/16.12 1776 Boedelinventaris Anna Hasselaar.

6. Heese JA & RTJ Lombard, Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagregisters, Deel 1

(A-C) RGN, Pretoria, 1986, laserskyf p.212 & Deel 12 (So-Sz) GISA,

Stellenbosch, laserskyf p. 554

7. Heese J.A. (red. GISA), Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagregisters/South

African Genealogies, 8 (Pi-Q), Stellenbosch, GISA, 2002, laserskyf

p.86

8. Internetwebbladsy: https://www.familysearch.org

9. NG Kerk Kaapstad huweliksregister (Cape Town Marriages &

Memberships, 1713-1756).

10. Laserskyf: Cape Transcripts-TEPC two centuries transcribed 1673-

1834; KAB MOOC 8/21.4:1/2 Inventarisdokument p. 156 (tussen

Julie en Augustus 1771).

20

11. Internetwebbladsy: http://vocopvarenden.nationaalarchief.nl.

12. Internetwebbladsy: https://www.familysearch.org NG Kerk

Stellenbosch huwelikregister 1724.

13. GISA – Rol van NG Kerk Kaapstad, Geboortes en Huwelike 1695.

14. KAB MOOC 8/21.4 1/2.

15. Laserskyf: Cape Transcripts-TEPC two centuries transcribed 1673-

1834; KAB MOOC 8/52.4a;

16. Laserskyf: Cape Transcripts-TEPC two centuries transcribed 1673-

1834; KAB MOOC 8/22.55.

17. NG Kerk Swartland, Malmesbury doopregister 1745-1782 p. 112

18. KAB MOOC 6/9/19 : 4049. Sterftekennis.

19. KAB MOOC 7/1/156 55: Testament van Johannes Barend en

Huibrechtje BESTER.

20. NG Kerk Swartland se doopregister 1745-1782 p. 174

21. Heese JA & RTJ Lombard, Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagregisters, Deel 4

(J-K) RGN, Pretoria, 1992.

22. NG Kerk Tulbach doopregister, (GISA: Rol 4/18).

23. NG Kerk Tulbach doopregister, p. 387 GISA: Rol 4/18.

24. Gesamentlike graf: Porterville begraafplaas, foto in persoonlike

besit.

25. Dokumente van skrywer se ouers in persoonlike besit.

21

DIE MOOIE BRIDGET McGEER

Rentia Landman – rentia.landman77@gmail.com

Rentia is in 1944 op Wakkerstroom gebore as ʼn

nooi Reid en haar laerskooljare daar deurgebring.

Vir haar hoërskooljare is sy terwille van haar

klavierstudies na die Ermelose Hoërskool. Daarna

na Potchefstroom vir ʼn B.Com. en

onderwysersopleiding. Na haar huwelik en drie

kinders later het sy verder in die Opvoedkunde

studeer en klas gegee aan die Onderwyskollege van Pretoria. In

1994 moes sy haar pos as ʼn seniornavorser aan die

Onderwysdepartement ontruim en vir die volgende 15 jaar was sy

ʼn stadsraadslid. Tans is sy die voorsitter van die NTV-tak van GGSA.

ʼn Ou dowwe ou foto’tjie is die enigste weergawe van die mooie

Bridget McGEER wat ons het. Wie haar ouers was en waarvandaan

sy gekom het, weet ons nie. Ons weet wel dat sy ouma Joey se ma

was.

Waar die hede te veeleisend is as gevolg van swaarkry, dood en

armoede is daar nie tyd om aan die verlede aandag te gee nie. Dit

was die geval met ouma Joey.1 Haar ma is dood toe sy drie jaar

oud was en sy het op Graaff-Reinet by haar susters groot-geword.

Haar ouma is ook jonk dood en daarom kon die geskiedenis van die

familie nie van een generasie na die volgende oorgedra word nie.

1 Johanna Catharina Landman (née Maree) (19-12-1890 Graaff-Reinet † 22-04-1979 Reitz).

22

Die familie weet wel dat ouma Joey se

ma, Bridget McGEER ʼn Ierse

skoonheid was met swart hare en blou

oë. Op die enigste foto van haar kan

mens haar egalige gelaatstrekke,

donker hare, elegante houding en

slanke hande sien.

By gebrek aan kennis van die verlede

maak families dikwels hulle eie stories

op want mens kan tog nie sonder ʼn

verlede wees nie. Die familie het

vertel dat Bridget McGEE (sonder ‘r’)

en nie McGEER nie - so het die familie

my verseker - tydens ʼn skeepsreis na Suid-Afrika in 1848 gebore

is. Dit het my op ʼn dwaalspoor laat beland en ek het vir lank na

skeepslyste gesoek en deurgekyk sonder om ʼn enkele McGEE te

vind en nog minder die geboorte van ʼn baba aan boord.

Die enigste inligting wat ek gehad het, is haar naam Bridget

McGEE, dat sy op 3 Oktober 1848 gebore en op 20 Augustus 1866

met Philippus Petrus MAREE1 getroud is. Met ’n internetsoektog op

die destydse Ancestry24 kry ek ’n sterfkennis van ʼn Bridget

Margaret O’NEAL2 wat in 1793 in Ierland gebore en op die

ouderdom van 67 jaar aan die Oos-Kaap oorlede is. Sy was eers

met William Mcgeer en daarna op 14 November 1829 met James

DEVINE getroud. Op haar sterfkennis word vyf DEVINE-kinders

genoem naamlik Ellen, James, Henry, John en Mary Anne. Sy is nie

die Bridget wat ons soek nie want in 1848 sou sy reeds 55 jaar oud

1 Philipus Petrus Maree (03-10-1844 † 19-07-1892) 2 Bridget Margaret O’Neal (* 1793 † 21 Junie 1860 Kariega Distrik Albany)

23

gewees het maar twee van die name van haar dogters trek my

aandag naamlik Ellen en Mary Anne - dit is dieselfde name as twee

van ouma Joey se susters.

Hierdie Bridget (O’NEAL/ McGEER/DEVINE) kon nie ons Bridget se

ma wees nie, maar sy kon dalk haar ouma gewees het. Dit lyk dus

sinvol om meer van haar uit te vind. ’n Google-soektog bring my

by Paul Tanner-Tremaine se webblad British 1820 Settlers to South

Africa1 wat toon dat daar twee McGEER’s uit Ierland met kaptein

BUTLER se geselskap gekom het, naamlik die 36-jarige William

McGEER en sy seun Thomas, asook hele paar DEVINEs waaronder

ʼn James DEVINE (36 jaar) wat vergesel is van sy vrou Margaret (27

jaar), hulle seun die 12-jarige William DEVINE en die vierjarige

Ellen DEVINE. Bridget O’NEAL was met ʼn William McGEER getroud

en ná sy dood met ʼn James DEVINE. Dié is presies die name wat

op die lys van die Butlergeselskap voorkom. Nou moet ek eers

daarop wys dat name soos William McGEER/DEVINE, James

McGEER/DEVINE, Margaret, Elizabeth en Ellen algemene name en

vanne is waaruit mens nie sondermeer kan aanvaar dat hulle die

persone is waarna jy soek nie.

Die groep van Kaptein Thomas BUTLER2 het bestaan uit 12

arbeiders wat hy in die Wicklowdistrik in Ierland gewerf het. Saam

met hul gesinne was dit ʼn groep van 27 mense wat oor ʼn afstand

van ongeveer 200 km vanaf die dorpie Baltinglass in die

Wicklowdistrik al langs die voorraadwaens tot by die hawe in Cork

gestap het. Dit was in die Europese winter want hulle het op 12

Februarie 1920 met die seilskip die Fanny vertrek, vergesel van ʼn

ander skip die East Indian. Drie maande later is hulle in

1 http://www.1820settlers.com/ 2 Thomas Butler (1777 Baltinglass, Wicklow, Ierland) x Elizabeth (1785 Baltinglass)

24

Saldanhabaai afgelaai en by Taaiboskraal langs die Disselrivier in

die Clanwilliamdistrik gevestig. Later is hulle op regeringskoste na

die Assegaaibosrivier in die Albanydistrik oorgeplaas.

Ek bestel die sterftekennis van James DEVINE1 uit die Kaap. Dit

lewer meer vrae as antwoord. Eerstens word sy ouderdom met sy

afsterwe as 63 jaar aangedui wat beteken dat hy teen 1820 heelwat

ouer was as dit wat op die Setlaarslys aangedui word. Die hoër

ouderdom strook nie met Kaptein BUTLER se opmerking in een van

sy briewe nie waarin hy sê dat hy jong arbeiders saambring. Verder

word foutiewelik gesê dat hy reeds in Ierland met Bridget O’NEAL

getroud is en dat William DEVINE sy enigste kind uit sy vorige

huwelik is - wat ook nie waar is nie. Sy dogter Ellen DEVINE word

saam met die kinders uit sy tweede huwelik genoem terwyl sy reeds

in 1820 saam met haar ouers James en Margaret in die Oos-Kaap

aangekom het.

Al hierdie inligting lewer eintlik niks op nie. Miskien kan ons eerder

van ouma Joey se kant af iets opspoor. Sy was ʼn nooi MAREE wat

ʼn goeie Afrikaanse van is, maar ʼn doopinskrywing van haar vind ek

nêrens in ʼn Afrikaanse kerk nie en tog was sy ʼn toegewyde en

aktiewe lid van die NG Kerk.

Nou maar weer terug na haar ma, die mooie Bridget McGEER, wat

as Ier heel waarskynlik ʼn Katolieke was. Op ʼn reis deur Graaff-

Reinet klop ek en my man by die Sacred Heart Katolieke kerk aan.

Bridget McGEER is nie daar gedoop nie maar wat ons nie verwag

het nie, is dat ouma Joey en haar broers en susters daar gedoop is!

Die familie het iets genoem van Gramhamstad en daarom is dit ons

volgende stop. In die Katolieke kerk in Gramhamstad vind ons

1 James Devine (MOOC6/9/97 verw 9151) of 6/9/100 verw 9850

25

steeds nie onse Bridget se doop nie maar wel, haar sterfte-

inskrywing. Sy is in die Katolieke begraafplaas van Grahamstad

begrawe:

Liber Mortuorum, Refereno nomina Fidelium Qui in Parochia

Santi Poatruttii de Grahamstown. Diocesis Eastern Vicariate.

Vol II Funerals 15 Oct 1892:

Anno 1893 die 19 mensis Juli

Briget Maree

ex Grahamstown aetatais 43 in communione S Matrica

Ecclesiae animam Deo reddidit Sacramentis munit a, cujus

corpus die 21 Juli mensis Julie sepulrum est in Cemeterio

Cathalico Observations.

[Vertaal: Skielik gesterf ná 'n lang siekbed; het 'n tyd gelede

sakramente ontvang.]

Bridget het kanker gehad en laat met haar afsterwe nege kinders

agter waarvan die jongste kind, ouma Joey, wat slegs 3 jaar oud

was. Die oudste dogter Ellen Marjan Bridget het reeds drie kinders

gehad van 5 jaar, 3 jaar en ʼn baba van drie maande en dus

onwaarskynlik dat sy haar sustertjie sou inneem. Sy sterf self ’n

jaar later, ook aan kanker. Die tweede suster Francis MAREE wat

later met Hendrik NUWENHUIZEN getroud is, was 18 jaar oud

waaruit ʼn mens aflei dat sy vir klein Joey grootgemaak het. Daar is

ook ʼn foto of twee van auntie Francis in die familie se besit wat sê

dat sy ’n besonder rol in ouma Joey se lewe gespeel het.

Bridget se doopinskrywing sal vir ons kan toon wie haar ouers is

maar om ʼn doopinskrywing in die Katolieke kerk te kry is nie maklik

nie. Hulle sentraliseer nie hul kerkregisters nie en daarom moet jy

weet in watter gemeente ʼn kind gedoop is, om ʼn doopsertifikaat te

kan bekom.

26

Op Rootsweb het ʼn lys getitel Matrimonial Court Minutes and

Special Marriage Licenses: 1821 – 1884 verskyn, wat deur Ellen

Stanton getranskribeer is. Daarin lees ek volgende:

Albany/Grahamstown, Cape Province, South Africa Item 7 Entry

#246 Husband: William MCGRAW?, 22, Catholic, Ireland Wife: Ellen

DIVINE, 16, Catholic, Ireland Date: 8/25/18301.

Ellen DEVINE wat vier jaar oud was in 1820 sou in 1830 ʼn meisie

van 16 jaar oud gewees het en sy kom van Ierland af. Dit lyk dus

of dit dieselfde Ellen is. Sy trou met ʼn William McGEER

(getranskribeer as McGRAW) en kan dus die ma van onse Bridget

McGEER wees.

Ek kommunikeer

met Ellen

STANTON wat die

transkribering

gedoen het en toe

tref die geluk my!

Sy stuur ander

huweliksinligting

van 36 jaar vroeër

as dié van Ellen hierbo. Dit is ʼn ingeskandeerde huweliksertifikaat

van Bridget McGEER (17 jaar oud) wat op 20 Augustus 1866 met

Philip MAREE (24 jaar oud) getroud is en waar Ellen McGEER en

Mary Anne McGEER as getuies geteken het. Ellen McGEER is Bridget

1 Ellen Stanton in http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/SOUTH-AFRICA-IMMIGRANTS-BRITISH/2002-07/1027706101 Installment #6 Microfilm #1886513 Matrimonial Court Minutes and Special Marriage Licenses: 1821 – 1884 Albany/Grahamstown, Cape Province, South Africa Item 7 Entry #246

27

McGEER se moeder en Mary Anne McGEER haar suster. Ons het

geweet dat Bridget McGEER ouma Joey se ma is, maar nou weet

ons ook dat Ellen DEVINE, wat een van die 1820-setlaars was, haar

ouma is.

Die vreemdste is egter dat Bridget en Philip MAREE in die

Congregational Church in Port Elizabeth getrou het. Verdere

inligting bring aan die lig dat hul oudste kind toe reeds een jaar oud

was. Was daar ʼn struweling tussen die families wat nie wou besgee

vir ʼn huweliksverbintenis tussen ʼn Katoliek en ʼn Protestant nie? Dit

kon die rede wees waarom die jong egpaar eers ʼn jaar ná die

geboorte van hulle kind getroud is. Beide se woonplek word in die

huweliksregister aangedui as Oliphants Hoek wat later bekend sou

staan as Alexandria, naby Port Elizabeth.

Hoe het die Bridget-naam in die familie gekom? Alhoewel Ellen

DEVINE se naam in Bridget O’NEAL/McGEER/DEVINE se

sterftekennis1 aangedui word as haar eie kind is

dit nie korrek nie. Ellen het in 1820 as vier jarige

kind saam met haar ouers James en Margaret

DEVINE na die Oos-Kaap gekom. Ná haar ma se

dood trou haar pa met Bridget O’NEAL weduwee

McGEER. Ons lei af dat daar ʼn goeie verhouding

tussen haar en haar stiefma was - sodanig dat sy

een van haar dogters na haar stiefma vernoem het

met die naam Bridget Margaret. Sien die foto van

hierdie Bridget Margaret, ouer suster van ouma

Joey saam met haar pa.

Foto bo: Philip Peter Maree en sy dogter Bridget Margaret2

1 Bridget O’Neal MOOC 13/1/229 verw 111 2 Bridget Margaret Maree (*1877 † 03-12-1904) x Louis James du Preez

28

Daar is twee William McGEERs in die verhaal wat beide uit die

dieselfde omgewing kom, naamlik die Wicklow- en Carlodistrikte in

Ierland wat aangrensend aan mekaar is. Die ouer William McGEER

(ca 1784 Wicklow, Ierland) het as ʼn arbeider saam met die BUTLER-

geselskap gekom. Hy was klaarblyklik ʼn wewenaar want hy word

slegs vergesel van sy agtjarige seun Thomas.

Die ander een is ʼn jonger man en ook ʼn William McGEER (≈ 14-

04-1808 Rathvilly, distrik Carlow † 1847 Ω Old Albany be-

graafplaas Grahamstad) wat op 25 Augustus 1830 met Ellen

DEVINE (*ca 1815 Ierland † 12-09-1847) getroud is. [Sy pa is

William McGEER en sy ma Margaret].

Ons het die familie gevind en hulle uit die vergetelheid teruggeruk.

Daardeur huldig ons ouma Joey MAREE wat alleen haar agt kinders

moes grootmaak nadat haar man haar weens myntering ontval het;

die mooie Bridget McGEER wat so jonk gesterf en haar kinders in

die sorg van ander moes agterlaat; Ellen DEVINE wat as kind te

voet in Ierland tot by die skip moes stap en daarna al die ontberinge

van die 1820-setlaars meegemaak het.

STAMBOOM

James DEVINE (*ca 1783 Ierland † 14-11-1829 Kariega, distrik

Albany)1 x Margaret(*ca 1793 Ierland)2 xx Bridget O’NEAL (*ca

1 MOOC 6/9/97 verw 9151) of 6/9/100 verw 9850 2 Die eerste twee kinders is James Devine s’n by sy eerste vrou Margaret en

vermoedelik is die ander kinders dié van Bridget O’Neal. Haar huwelik met William

McGeer was kinderloos.

29

1793 Ierland † 21-06-1860 KariegadistrikAlbany) weduwee

McGEER [dv Arthur O’Neal en Bridget]1

b1 William DEVINE (*ca 1807 Ierland) x Elizabeth Catharine (†

1848)2 Hulle kinders is in Grahamstad gedoop:3

b1c1 Mary Ann DEVINE (*06-09-1829 ≈05-04-1835)

b1c2 William DEVINE (*05-04-1832 ≈ 05-09-1832)

b1c3 David DEVINE (*04-03-1835 ≈ 05-04-1835)

b1c4 Eliza Jane DEVINE (*01-11-1837 ≈03-12-1837

b2 Ellen DEVINE (*ca 1815 Ierland † 26-07-1864) x 25

Augustus 1830 (spesiale huwelikslisensie toegestaan)

William MCGEER4 (≈ 14-04-1808 Rathvilly, distrik Carlow †

04-07-1846 Ω Old Albany begraafplaas Grahamstad5.

b2c1 William McGEER (≈ 01-03-1835) tweeling (vernoem

na sy pa, William)

b2c2 James McGEER ((≈ 01-03-1835) tweeling (vernoem

na haar pa, James)

b2c3 George McGEER (* 19-08-1837 ≈ 25-02-1838)

b2c4 Mary Anne McGEER

b2c5 Bridget Margaret McGEER (03-10-1848 † 19-07-

1892) (vernoem na Ellen se stiefma Bridget O’NEALE) x 20

1 MOOC 13/1/229 verw 111 2 Tuesday 3 October 1848. Notice to Creditors. In the Estate of Elizabeth DEVINE,

deceased. 3 Grahamstown - St George (Anglican), Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. Baptism register, 1837-1848, page 10, entry number 73. Repository: Cory Library, MS 14 878-2; transcribed by Lynn Couperthwaite as part of the eGGSA Project, from photographs by William Jervois 4 Ellen Stanton in http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/SOUTH-AFRICA-IMMIGRANTS-BRITISH/2002-07/1027706101 5 Die inligting op die grafsteen het vergaan.

30

Augustus 1866 Philipus Petrus MAREE (03-10-1842 † 19-

07-1892)

(a) Gerald J MAREE (30-09-1865) x Meraai

(b) Ellen Marian/Marjan Bridget MAREE (19-08-1867 †

13-03-1894 Cradock)1 x Daniel Jacobus BRINK

(1) Bridget Margaret BRINK (07-07-

1888)

(2) Gertruida Berendina BRINK (07-04-

1890)

(3) Daniel James BRINK (10-04-1893)

(c) William Peter MAREE (07-02-1872 Graaff Reinet †

30-01-1944) x Maria Magdalena BOTES2

(1) Bridget Margaret MAREE x CAMBELL

(2) Ellen Frances MAREE x James GILBERT

(3) Frances Ignatius MAREE

(d) Francis A MAREE (06-04-1875) (Siena) x Hendrik

NUWENHUIZEN

(1) Hendrik Johannes NUWENHUIZEN

(2) Piet NUWENHUIZEN x Nettie DE JONG

(e) Bridget Margareth MAREE (≈ 10-11-1877 † 1905)3 x

Louis James DU PREEZ.

(1) Bridget Catherine DU PREEZ (* 01-10-

1896 ≈11-04-1897)4

1 KAB MOOC 1894 6/9/329 verw 1297 2 KAB MOOC 6/9/10825 3 KAB MOOC 6/9/528 verw 2223 4 eGGSA Grahamstown Methodist Christenings 1827-1930

31

(f) Susan Elizabeth MAREE (10-10-1880) (Sue) x Fred

OOSTHUIZEN

(g) Mary Anne MAREE (09-05-1883) x William BARNES.

Sy is vernoem na haar ouma se suster Mary Anne

(h) Philip Peter MAREÉ (*27-11-1885) ≈ 31-05-1886)1 x

Florence Margaret WILLIAMS (* 27-11-1895 ≈ 31-

05-1886)

(i) Paul George (10-05-1888) Vroeg dood.

(j) Johanna Catharina MAREE (*19-12-1890 Graaff-

Reinet ≈ 01-02-1891) x 9 Augustus 1909 in

Johannesburg met Johan(nes)2 Jacobus LANDMAN

(28-04-1880 Platrug, Alexandria Oos-Kaap † 07-06-

1930 Goedgedacht Morgenzon)3 xx Diederick

Johannes Greeff (13-03-1887 † 11-10-1976 Reitz).

Bronne

Wes-Kaap Argief

Gauteng Transvaals Argief

http://www.1820settlers.com/

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com

eGGSA Eastern Cape. Baptism register, 1837-1848

South Africa, Church of the province of South Africa, Parish Registers,

1801-2004

1 MOOC 6/9/10825 verw 91472 2 Die familienaam is Johan en dit is ook soos hy gedoop is maar gedurende sy leeftyd het dit verander na Johannes. 3 TAB MHG 72209

32

DIE FAMILIE VAN WYK VAN WITFONTEIN –

DISTRIK PRIESKA

Ferdie VAN WYK ferdievw@telkomsa.net

Gebore 3 Julie 1942 in Pretoria. Laerskool

Beaufort-Wes en daarna Hoër Seunskool

Helpmekaar in Johannesburg. Behaal BMil

graad aan Militêre Akademie, Saldanha.

Grootste gedeelte van my loopbaan ʼn soldaat.

Trou met Ina Susara du Plessis 9 Jul 1966.

Drie pragtige kinders, Miems, Dolf en Ilonka.

Sluit in 2006 aan by GGSA N-Tvl Tak en dien

drie jaar as voorsitter. Doen navorsing oor

verskeie VAN WYK families. Na die Familie

VAN WYK van Witfontein gaan ek die VAN WYK’s van Rehoboth in

Namibië takel.

1. Vooraf

Witfontein is geleë in die distrik Prieska. Gedurende die 19e Eeu is

hierdie deel van die Noord-Kaap gekenmerk deur fel stryde tussen

verskillende bevolkingsroepe. Die groepe het die Griekwas, Die

Korannas, Khoi, San en ook die Basters, ingesluit. Die stryd om

oorlewing was hewig. Dit het gegaan oor weiding, stropery van klein

en grootvee, en eenvoudig net oorlewing. Veral die San het aan die

kortste ent getrek. ʼn Nuwe faktor het nou ʼn rol begin speel.

Trekboere het in die gebied aangekom, ewe-eens op soek na

weiding en water vir hul diere. Na die Tweede Noordgrensoorlog,

1878-1879 waartydens die Kora en hul meelopers beslissend

33

verslaan is,1 het die trekboere weer begin belangstel om hul

permanent in die gebied te vestig. Die trekboere het nou in die

gebied begin aankom. Die plaas Witfontein is aan Frans Johannes

Jacobus VAN WYK * 26 September 1846, toegeken op 17 Julie

1890. Die plaas was geleë in wat destyds die Fieldcornetcy

Stuurman in die distrik van Prieska, genoem was.2

Toe die spoorlyn na die destydse

Suidwes-Afrika gebou is het die

spoorbouer ʼn stasie neffens die

plaas opgerig. Hy het dit Fransenhof

genoem na aanleiding van Frans

Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK se graf

in die plaaskerkhof. Hy het Frans en

hof saamgevoeg.

2. Geslagregister

1 Broodryk, Maritz, “Die ontwikkeling van Boesmanland gedurende die negentiende

eeu”, in Contree : Tydskrif vir Suid-Afrikaanse stedelike streekgeskiedenis 30 / 1991, Pretoria 1991, pp. 29-35.

2 Dias No 320 1869 Prieska Qts Vol 1 Folio 2 dd 16:7:1890

34

Hierdie nageslag begin by:

a2b1c2d12e5 Christoffel Hendrik VAN WYK x met Catharina Maria

DU PREEZ 2 Seuns en twee Dogters.

a2b1c2d12e5f1 Elsje Margaretha Jacomina VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12e5f2 Christoffel Hendrik VAN WYK1

a2b1c2d12e5f3 Martha Cornelia Johanna VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12e5f4 Johannes Albertus Jacobus VAN WYK

Ons volg die spoor van:

a2b1c2d12e5f2 Christoffel Hendrik VAN WYK * 12 Apr 1818 te

Clanwilliam en gedoop op 4 Des 1818. Hy was 2 keer getroud eers

met Anna Sophia CAMPHER en daarna met Wilhelmina Aletta

HOON, Sophia was waarskynlik ‘n nasaat van Lourens CAMPHER,

Vryburger, en Angela (Ansela) VAN DE KAAP gedoop as volwassene

op 19 Junie 1695. Die kinders en nasate uit die 1e Huwelik:

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1 Christoffel Hendrik VAN WYK * 18 Nov 1838

op die plaas Witputs in die Prieska distrik gedoop 13 Jan 1839 op

Clanwilliam. † 15 April 1896 op die plaas Witputs. Dit is

verstommend dat die vader en moeder kans gesien het om al die

pad van Prieska terug te gaan na Clanwilliam om te doop,

waarskynlik omdat hul ouers nog in dié distrik gebly het. Getroud

op Richmond 11 Jul 1859 met Johanna Maria Jacoba CAMPHER *

circa 1840 † Witputs, distrik Prieska, 16 Jan 1903. Die egpaar het

6 kinders gehad. Volgens sy sterfkennis wat deur sy vrou geteken

is was hy ‘n beesboer.

1 VAN WYK CD Weergawe 3

35

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h1 Christoffel Hendrik VAN WYK * 19 Feb 1866.

Gedoop in die NG Kerk Victoria-Wes, 17 Jun 18661 Getroud met

Maria Magdalena Elizabeth LA COCK. Volgens haar doopregister

was sy gedoop as die dogter van Machiel Daniel DE KOCK en Maria

Magdalena JANSSEN op 8 Jun 1856. * 8 Mei 1856 te Stellenbosch.2

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h1i1 Maria Magdalena Elizabeth VAN WYK. *

Rooidam, Kaap, 10 Des 1885, gedoop Prieska, 27 Des 1885, †

Bloemhof, 23.11.1963. getroud met Johannes Stefanus DAHMS

Upington, na 1905, † 13 Sep 1949 te Bloemhof. Hy het vir die SAS

& H gewerk. Daar was geen kinders in die huwelik nie. SK TAB

4937/1949.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h1i2 Johanna Maria Jacoba VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h1i3 Dirk Johannes VAN WYK. * ± 1897. Hy

was ongetroud en † op 17 April 19173 aan huis van sy ouers te

Upington.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h2 Jacobus Frederik VAN WYK. * 24 Jul 1867

gedoop NG Kerk Victoria-Wes, 15 Mar 1868. † 24 Jun 1892. Boer

op Wilgehoutsdrift in die Kenhardt distrik. Hy was ongetroud. SK

1660/1892 geteken deur sy swaer D. A. KARSTEN.

1 NG Kerk Victoria Wes Doopregister bls 117 2 "South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers (Cape Town Archives), 1660-1970

FamilySearch FAMSEFHL microfilm 2,214,091. 3 Sterfkennis 1137/17

36

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h3 Maria Jacoba VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h4 Elias Lourens VAN WYK * Victoria-Wes, 12

Jan 1873 † 10.09.1928 en getroud Prieska Anna Susanna Le HANIE.

Die egpaar het 9 Kinders gehad. Sy is † op 27 Sep 1937 op Keimoes

eiland. Van die kinders is bitter min bekend maar al 9 se name

verskyn op beide die ouers se sterfkennisse. In haar testament het

sy as langslewende baie streng voorwaardes neergelê. So bv. het

sy aan haar dogter Johanna Maria Jacoba al vier die watererwe op

Keimoes Eiland bemaak. Die kinders is soos volg:

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i1 Elias Louwrens VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i2 Christoffel Hendrik VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i3 Jan Pieter VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i4 Paul Lodewyk VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i5 Annas Jacob Daniel VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i6 Magdalena Anna Johanna VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i7 Johanna Maria Jacoba VAN WYK * 01 Mei

1907, ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 07 Jul 19071

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i8 Anna Susanna VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i9 Hester Helena VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i10 Wilhelm Albertus VAN WYK geen

besonderhede †.2

a2b1c2d12ef2g1h4i11 Jacobus Fredich VAN WYK geen

besonderhede †3

1 Kenhardt Doopregister – CD Noord-Kaap Doopregisters

saamgestel deur Hendrik Louw 2 Familysearch FHL Image 726 Film 1686860 KAB MOK R10/778 1928 3 Ibid

37

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h5 Ester Helena VAN WYK * voor 2 Apr 1874

1874 en gedoop Victoria-Wes, 2 Apr1874. Getroud te Marydale, 21

Des 1891 met Schalk Willem Petrus HOON. Volgens haar

sterfkennis was sy Hester Helena. Oorlede 24 Des 1948 te Victoria-

Wes1. Hulle het 6 kinders grootgemaak.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h6 Anna Sophia VAN WYK * 11 Sep 1875,

gedoop Carnarvon, 24 Nov1875 . Sy is waarskynlik vroeg oorlede

want die volgende dogter het dieselfde name.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h7 Anna Sophia VAN WYK * 20 Okt 1878

gedoop Prieska, 05 Des 1878.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g1h8 Aletta Margaretha VAN WYK * 03 Okt 1882.

Gedoop, Prieska, 21 Nov 1882.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g2 Elias Lourens VAN WYK * ca 1840. Tot dusver

geen verdere informasie nie.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g3 Johanna Maria VAN WYK. Tot dusver kon ons

net opspoor dat sy op 25 Des 1842 te Clanwilliam gebore was.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g4 Jacobus Frederik VAN WYK * dist. Calvinia,

ca ± 1844 en † op die plaas Wilgehoutdrift, dist. Kenhardt, 27 Jun

1892. Volgens sy SK 1660 KAB MOOC 1892 geteken deur sy swaer

D.A. KARSTEN was hy ongetroud. Op die SK is ʼn aantekening wat

lui “no legitimate children left.”

1 Familysearch FHL Image 355 Film 1687182 KAB MOOC 688/49

38

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5 Frans Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK. * 26 Sep 1846 te Clanwilliam, † 23 Mar 1901 op die plaas Witfontein in die Prieska hy was die eerste eie- naar van

Witfontein. Kyk die akte aan die begin van hierdie register. Frans is getroud met Johanna Christina Kotze * 24 Jul 1848 op 1 Jan 1865 te Calvinia.1 Die grafskrif is dof

maar sy voorheen onbekende geboorte datum kon wel bevestig word.

3. Die nasate van Frans Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK

Hierdie familieregister belig die nasate van

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5 Frans Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h1 Christoffel Hendrik VAN WYK * 16 Nov 1865

waarskynlik op Victoria-Wes want hy is op 24 Jan 1866 daar

gedoop. Hy is op 27 Jan 1917 op die familieplaas Witfontein in die

Prieska distrik †. Christoffel was ongetroud en het sy gedeelte van

1 VAN WYK CD Weergawe 3 en grafskrifte op grafstene in die plaaskerhof op Witfontein.

39

die plaas waarop hy geboer het, 4044 “morgen en 383 roeden” aan

sy moeder Johanna Christina VAN WYK bemaak.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2 Dirk Johannes Louis VAN WYK boer op die

plaas Blaauwboschpoort, ʼn gedeelte van die oorspronklike

Witfontein. Die oorsaak van sy dood word op die “Form of

Information of Death” aangegee as die Spaanse Griep van 1918.1

Sy ouderdom word as 45 jaar aangedui en op sy Sterfkennis as 45

jaar en 6 maande. Hy is op 9 Nov 1918 oorlede. Hy is begrawe in

ʼn eensame graf weg van die opstal en ander grafte op die plaas

omdat die wet vereis het dat die

graf nie naby ʼn bewoonde

gebied mog wees nie. Sy

geboortedatum op die grafsteen

op Blaauwboschpoort word as

aangegee as 27 Apr 1873. Dirk

was twee keer getroud, eers

met Sophia Margaretha

ZANDBERG. Sophia was 33 jaar

en 9 maande oud toe sy † is op

6 Feb 1907. Haar berekende

geboortedatum is 6 Mei 1873.

Uit hierdie huwelik is 7 kinders

gebore.2 Daarna is hy met

Christina Jacoba GREEFF

getroud.

1 Form of Information of Death no 276 dd 11 Nov 1918 Prieska 2 Familysearch FHL Beeld 546 Film 1367912

40

4. Die Eerste Huwelik VAN WYK - Zandberg

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i1 Sophia Margaretha VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i2 Francois Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i3 Nicolaas Johannes VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i4 Johanna Christina Wilhelmina VAN WYK

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5 Dirk Johannes Louis VAN WYK * 19 Nov

1903 op Witfontein, distrik Prieska † 14 Apr 1955. Getroud met

Anna Susara, Margaretha BEKKER * 16 Sep 1907, † 17 Nov

1974.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j1 Cecila Catharina Louisa VAN WYK, * 25

Feb 1933.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2 Dirk Johannes Louis VAN WYK * 6 Jul

1934, † 28 Apr 2008. Getroud met Antoinette Helena (Doll) DE

KLERK * 19 Apr 1942, † 25 Jan 2002.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k1 Dirk Johannes Louis VAN WYK * 13

Feb 1962 x 1 Des 1984 Maria Adriana

Alberts * 10 Mar 1967, Geskei 2004.

Dirk is ʼn kunstenaar in eie reg. Hy

het die stalle op Blaauwboschpoort

omskep in ʼn woonstel met pragtige

tuisgemaakte ameublement. In die

barre wêreld is dit ʼn ware oase. Op

hierdie plaas is ook die grafte van

Dirk se oupa en ouma, Dirk Johannes

Louis VAN WYK getroud met Anna

Susara Margaretha BEKKER.

41

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k1l1 Michelle VAN WYK *20 Mei 1985

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k1l2 Antoinette VAN WYK *12 Okt 1987

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k1l3 Dirk Johannes Louis VAN WYK * 18

Jun 1991.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k2 Gerhard Martin VAN WYK *25 Jul

1963 te Prieska. Getroud met Petronella NIEUWOUDT *14 Sep

1959. Hulle trou op 10 Feb 1990 op Tulbagh. Twee kinders:

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k2l1 Dirk Johannes Louis VAN WYK * 18

Okt 1991.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k2l2 Anell VAN WYK * 8 Jan 1994.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k3 Frans Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK

*22 Sep 1965.

Getroud op 30 Sep

1989 Potchef-

stroom met Helen

Catharen Louise

Koekemoer * 21

Apr 1967. Hier

beleef jy

gasvryheid wat jy

nie in woorde kan

omskryf nie. Frans

is tans die eienaar van Witfontein en sit die trotse tradisie van

hierdie geslag van boere voort. In ʼn skuur op deel van die plaas is

ʼn doodskis in die dak van die skuur, ʼn stille getuie van die

afgesonderdheid van weleer van hierdie boerderygemeenskap. ʼn

Doodskis is op strategiese punte in die Bo-Karoo op plase geplaas

om die oorskot van afgestorwenes te kon versorg. Die begrafnison-

dernemers was ver en die oorskot moes so gou moontlik gekis kon

42

word. Wanneer ʼn boorgat

in hierdie harde wêreld

opdroog maak Frans nie ʼn

groot storie daarvan nie,

hy skuif eenvoudig die

vee na ʼn ander kamp.

Foto regs: Drie Seuns

saam met Frans.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k3l1 Dirk Johannes Louis VAN WYK * 7

Sep 1991 te Klerksdorp.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k3l2 Frans Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK

* 19 Aug 1993 te Rustenburg.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k3l3 Johannes Hendrik VAN WYK * 8

Sep 1996 te Prieska

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j2k4 Wilhette VAN WYK * 3 Mar 1969 te

Prieska getroud met Benjamin Petrus FOURIE

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j3 Sophia Margaretha VAN WYK * 29 Nov

1937.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i5j4 Annita Susanna VAN WYK *27 Jan

1943.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i6 Anna Sophia VAN WYK.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i7 Maria Magdalena Elizabeth. Sy is vroeg

oorlede en word nie op die vader se SK aangedui nie maar wel op

sy eggenote Sophia Margaretha ZANDBERG se SK wat dae na

geboorte oorlede is. In ʼn hartroerende brief dd 8 Feb 1907 skryf hy

soos volg aan die ouers van Sophia. “ik moet u die treurege tyding

stuurt dat het De Heere behaagte het om my Grieta door de Dood

wegt te nemen.... en verderaan, .....maar glo vir my het is voor my

43

te zwaar om daaraan te dink vir vlees en bloed is dit te zwaar.”

Verder aan skryf hy dat die jongste enetjie (Maria) maar agt dae

oud is. Dirk Johannes Louis VAN WYK is die tweede keer getroud

met Christina Jacoba GREEFF.

5. Die Tweede Huwelik VAN WYK - Greeff

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i8 Daniel Michael VAN WYK * 1 Jul 1910 te

Prieska. Hy is † op 30 Sep 1984 te Mosselbaai en begrawe op

Prieska. Hy was getroud ca 1935 met Anna Maria VAN DER

WESTHUIZEN * 7 Feb 1910 te Prieska. Uit hierdie huwelik is 3

Kinders gebore:

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i8j1 Johannes Westhuizen VAN WYK Geb 8

Julie 1945 op Prieska en getroud op 1 April 1973 met Anelé

EKSTEEN * 7 Okt 1845. Hannes, soos hy genoem word, is ʼn

emeritus NG predikant woonagtig op Mosselbaai maar steeds as

predikant diens doen in Clanwilliam. Twee dogters is uit die huwelik

gebore.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i8j1k1 Johanna Elizabeth VAN WYK * 13

Apr 1977 getroud met Donovan YOUNG.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i8j1k2 Anna Maria VAN WYK * 17 Okt

1980.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i8j2 Anneke VAN WYK * 14 Jul 19401

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i8j3 Dirk Johannes Louis VAN WYK * 21

Sep 1942 en getroud met Susara Hetrecia DE JAGER * 19 Mar 1942

op 8 Okt 1966. Drie kinders is gebore:

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i8j3k1 Louisa VAN WYK * 12 Sep 1967 een

van ʼn tweeling.

1 Persoonlike gesprek met a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i8j1 Johannes Westhuizen VAN WYK

44

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i8j3k2 Theresa VAN WYK * 12 Sep 1967

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h2i8j3k3 Yolanda VAN WYK * 25 Sep 1971

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h3 Anna Sophia VAN WYK * 27 Jun 1870 te

Calvinia en gedoop 2 Okt 1870 te Calvinia. Getroud met Petrus

Abraham KARSTEN. Oorlede 18 April 1895 in “her tent, Rietfontein,

Prieska.” Mens kan jou net verwonder oor die opmerking op die

sterfkennis. Daar is sewe kinders uit die huwelik gebore. 1

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4 Frans Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK

*29 Mei 1871 en gedoop te Caledon 5 Okt

1871, † 20 Jan 1951. Hy was getroud met

Catharina Sophia Maria LIEBENBERG *

bereken as 23 Jul 1872 en † 23 Mar 1944.

Hulle is op Carnarvon getroud. Hy het geboer

op Latrivier, distrik Kenhardt. Ten tye van sy

afsterwe op 79 jarige leeftyd was hy ʼn

rustende boer op Kenhardt in ʼn huis op

Kenhardt komende uit die boedel van sy

oorlede eggenote waarvan hy die

vruggebruik gehad het. In sy testament

waar-van die seun Andreas, die eksekuteur was, bemaak hy sy

volledige boedel aan die vier kinders in gelyke dele. Ook volgens

die boedel van sy eggenote Catharina het hy vruggebruik van 506

Afrikaner en 178 Merino skaap gehad. As roerende goedere laat hy

ʼn yskas en ʼn harmonium na. Die harmonium (Huisorrel, serfyn)

het sy weg gevind na die seun van Andreas van Wyk en staan tans

in die plaashuis op Latrivier.2 Die egpaar 4 kinders gehad.3

1 Familysearch FHL Image 1518 film 1281566. Sterfkennis 1148/1895 2 Famsearch FHL film 578785 no 3 Boedel MOOC 591/51 in die Kaapse Argief 3 Familysearch FHL Image 853 film 1686975 D.N. 92020-92189 1944

45

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i1 Johanna Christina Wilhelmina VAN WYK

getroud met Frederik Johannes BOOYSEN ∗ 02 Mei 1893, ≈ NG

Kerk, Kenhardt 23.07.1893. Die egpaar het 4 kinders gehad: Frans

Johannes Jacobus BOOYSEN * 20 Aug 1918, ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt

08 Des 1918, Frederik Johannes BOOYSEN * 03 Nov 1923, ≈ NG

Kerk, Kenhardt 27 Jan 1924, Catharina Sophia Maria BOOYSEN *

26 Mar1929, ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 07 Jul 1929, Adriaan Jacobus

BOOYSEN * 22 Mar 1935, ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 14 Jul 1935.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i2 Catharina Sophia Maria VAN WYK getroud

met Ernestus Jacobus VISSER. 3 Kinders: Salomon Jacobus

Philippus VISSER * 01 Feb 1922, ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 12 Mar

1922; Frans Johannes Jacobus VISSER *19 Sep 1924, ≈ NG Kerk,

Kenhardt 02 Nov 1924; Ernestus Jacobus VISSER *18 Mei 1928, ≈

NG Kerk, Kenhardt 29 Jul 1928.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3 Andreas Jacobus VAN WYK. *onbekend

getroud Elizabeth Susanna KOTZE * 06.11.1896, ≈ NG Kerk,

Kenhardt 20.12.1896.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j1 Frans Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK *8

Des 1921 en gedoop NG Kerk Kenhardt 29 Jan 1922. Die doop

getuies was Frans Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK en Catharina Sophia

Maria LIEBENBERG.1

1 Kenhardt Doopregister – CD Noord-Kaap Doopregisters saamgestel deur Hendrik Louw

46

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j2 Maria Magdalena Jacoba VAN WYK

*30 April 1929, ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 23 Jun 1929 getroud met

Nicolaas Hendrik CARSTEN op Kenhardt 22 Apr 1948.1

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j3 Louis Jacobus VAN WYK *04 Jul 1933,

≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 07 Aug 1933 getroud met Elsa Elizabeth LE

ROUX * 25 Des 1940.2

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j3k1 Lizelle van WYK *30 Nov 1964.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j3k2 Sandra VAN WYK *10 Apr 1968, ≈

NG Kerk, Kenhardt 07 Jul 1968.3

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j4 Andrias Jacobus VAN WYK *14 Apr

1935, ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 10 Jun 19354 (Spelling soos in

doopregister aangedui). Getroud met Daniela Petronella VAN

NIEKERK * 25 Mei 1937 en getroud op 7 Des 1957. Drie kinders is

uit die huwelik gebore.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j4k1 Helena Gloudina Catharina VAN WYK

*21 Aug 1959, ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 25 Okt 1959.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j4k2 Andreas Jacobus VAN WYK *05 Aug

1964, ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 18 Okt 1964.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j4k3 Daniel Jacobus VAN WYK *10 Mar

1969, ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 18 Mei 1969 getroud met Louis

Francois Kotze *19 Des 1969 op 5 Okt 1991. Drie kinders:

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j4k3l1 Annemie VAN WYK *22 Feb 1995,

≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 16 Apr 1995.

1 Ibid 2 Ibid 3 Ibid 4 Ibid

47

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j4k3l2 Daniella VAN WYK *23 Mei 1998,

≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 28 Jun 1998.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i3j4k3l3 Andreas Jacobus VAN WYK

*19 Jan 2003 ≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 04.05.2003

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h4i4 Maria Gertruida VAN WYK *21 Mar 1909,

≈ NG Kerk, Kenhardt 11 Apr 1909 getroud met John VISSER. Drie

Kinders Cataharina Maria 03 Feb 1941, John Murray VISSER

*29.06.1943 en Frans Johannes Jacobus VISSER *12 Mei 1949, ≈

NG Kerk, Kenhardt 24 Jul 1949.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h5 John Michiel George VAN WYK * 18 Jul 1874

en † 17 Mar 1968. (Op sy grafskrif word sy naam geskryf as Johan

George Michiel.)1 Hy was getroud met Johanna Jacomina DE KLERK

op 1 Des 1902 te Prieska. Sy is * op 17 Nov 1883 en † 29 Sep

1963.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h5i1 Johan George Michiel VAN WYK * 13 Des

1939 † 15 Des 2009. Getroud met Faith SUTHERLAND * 12 Sep

1964. Twee kinders is gebore:

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h5i1j1 Sonja VAN WYK * 18 Feb 1967.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h5i1j2 Frans Johannes Jacobus VAN WYK * 4

Jul 1973 getroud met Bianca LOOTS. Een seun uit die huwelik

gebore.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h5i1j2k1 John George Michiel VAN WYK.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h5i1 Martha Margaretha Elizabeth VAN WYK *

9 Okt 1942, getroud met Michael LOUW. Drie kinders:

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h5i1j1 Jacobus Petrus LOUW.

1 Plaaskerkhof op Witfontein Dsitr Prieska

48

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h5i1j2 Maria Elizabeth LOUW.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h5i1j3 VAN WYK LOUW.

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h6 Martha Margaretha Elizabeth VAN WYK. Al

wat ons weet is dat sy op 26 Jul 1876 * is en op 31 Aug 1877 te

Carnavon gedoop is.1

a2b1c2d12e5f2g5h7 Elias Lourens VAN WYK * 18 Aug 1878 en

gedoop op Carnavon 20 Apr 1879.2

1 VAN WYK CD Weergawe 3

2 Ibid

Bedankings

1. Frans en Helen VAN WYK van Witfontein wat ‘n nuwe wêreld vir my oopgemaak het.

2. Emeritus Ds Hannes VAN WYK wat ontbrekende inligting verskaf het.

3. Dirk en Petro VAN WYK wat die bal aan die rol gesit het op hul gasteplaas Boesmansberg.

4. Faith VAN WYK wat die VAN WYK’s van hierdie wêreld binnekant buitekant toe ken.

5. Dirk Johannes Louis VAN WYK, broer van Ds Hannes VAN WYK vir die besonderhede van sy huwelik en kinders.

6. Danie van Wyk vir sy hulp om Latrivier Van Wyk’s se inligting te bevestig.

49

STAMVADER HERMANUS JOHANNES DE

MELANDER AND HIS FAMILY: BURGHERS, POETS

AND PATRICIANS

Francesco Uys Rootenberg – uysberg@gmail.com

Francesco Uys Rootenberg *Vereeniging

1971, studied Theology in the Netherlands,

and led transformation programmes across

Europe and sub-Saharan Africa from his base

in Paris. He currently lives in Cape Town

where he provides consultancy services and

writes on Afrikaner and Dutch history and

genealogy, as well as serving as Honorary

Consul-Designate of Mexico.

1. Introduction

Hermanus Johannes DE MELANDER first set foot at the Cape as a

jongmatroos aboard the Morgenster in September 17741, whilst en

route to Batavia in the East Indies.2 He had been born 21 years

earlier in Amsterdam, as the only child of Isaac DE MELANDER and

Maria ASSCHENBERGH3, into the bosom of an affluent and highly

cultured family, whose fortune had steadily risen over the preceding

generations. For reasons unknown to us, possibly a sense of

1 As per the data in VOC Opvarenden - http://vocopvarenden.nationaalarchief.nl/ 2 He arrived in Batavia on the 13th of December 1774, but subsequently returned to the Cape. 3 Baptised in the Noorderkerk of Amsterdam on 29 April 1753, son of Isaac de Melander & Maria Asschenberg, witnesses: Johannes de Melander & Anna van Danzik, widow of Harms de Melander; Gemeentearchief Amsterdam, DTB 82, P. 226 (fol. 112vo), nr 11.

50

adventure and the thrill of the unknown, possibly the vice of

cupidity or the virtue of intellectual curiosity1, he joined the VOC in

May 1774 and thus set foot in Africa a few months later. It appears

likely that relations on both sides of his family played a role in his

decision to undertake such an adventure in the East, which always

held the prospect of making the fortune of an entrepreneurial VOC

official from a respectable background. His paternal uncle,

Johannes DE MELANDER, was a well-connected boekhouder in the

VOC, with links to the patriciate in Vlissingen2. His maternal great-

aunt, Anna ASSCHENBERGH, had -as a widow of his great-uncle

Jan LAM3- become the wife of Pieter STELLINGWERF of Utrecht, in

1734, and they appear to have spent some time in the Indies before

they separated4. Both a son and a daughter of the couple,

Hermanus STELLINGWERFF, and Petronella Johanna

STELLINGWERFF, widow of Johan Hendrick VAN DER HULST, were

listed as living in Batavia in 1763.5 Their brother-in-law, Willem

Wouter DU PON, married to Sophia Christina STELLINGWERFF, was

also a merchant in foreign climes and passed away on the coast of

Guinea in 17686. Furthermore, when another maternal great-aunt,

1 His parents were affluent at the time of their death and Hermanus was also the co-heir of his aunt, Hermina Asschenbergh (vide Utrechts Archief, U194a015, notaris D. van Lobbrecht, akte 32, 25th April 1777) , so he does not appear to have been entirely deprived of finances. 2 Utrechts Archief, U256c014, notaris C. De Wijs, akte 65, 7 April 1777. 3 Two siblings from each of the Asschenbergh and Lam families had married each other: Hermanus’ grandparents Abraham Asschenbergh and Maeske Lam, and their siblings, Aert Lam and Anna Asschenbergh! 4 Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie, Oost-Indische bronnen, nr. VIBDNI016831, 21 October 1762 5 Utrechts Archief, U194a011, notaris D. Van Lobbrecht, akte 81, 21 December 1763 6 He is already cited in Guinea in 1764: Utrechts Archief, U225a007, notaris J. Kelffkens, akte 4, 16 Feb 1764

51

Wylburg ASSCHENBERGH, widow of Gerrit HERTGERS, passed away

in 1761, she appointed Jan Willem SWELLENGREBBEL of Utrecht, a

scion of the illustrious VOC dynasty of Cape, as the executor of her

will, suggesting that there was some kind of intimate relationship

between the two families.1 These various links all undoubtedly

motivated Hermanus’ choice to travel to the East and finally settle

in the Cape. In 1784 his cousin, Johannes Arend DE MELANDER,

also followed in his footsteps when he joined a VOC mission to China

as a boekhouder.2 Hermanus’ oriental ambitions made him the

stamvader of a modest but not insignificant Afrikaner family that

has added its own intriguing spice into the curry of the Afrikaans-

speaking Cape Creole people of South Africa.

2. Hermanus Johannes de Melander at the Cape

As a member of an eminent family in patria, Hermanus appears to

have moved up the VOC ranks with slow but relative ease once

established at the Cape. Within less than a decade he had become

a wealthy man by local standards and a decade later he held

relatively important, if not very powerful position within the VOC

hierarchy. On 15th September 1777, three years after arriving at

the Cape, Hermanus was accepted as a member of the Dutch

Reformed Church in Cape Town upon repeating his confession of

faith3, and shortly afterwards, on 12th October 1777, he took the

momentous step of uniting himself in marriage to Anna Geertruyda

1 Utrechts Archief, U184a025 Notaris H. van Dam, akte 76 & akte 77, 8 July 1761 2 VOC Opvarenden - http://vocopvarenden.nationaalarchief.nl/ . He later married a Chinese girl in Macau. 3 Belijdenisregister Kaapstad: “Hermanus Johannes De Melander: op gedane beleijdenisse aangenomen den i5 September i777”

52

ALBERTYN1, daughter of Hendrik ALBERTYN of Klapmuts and

Johanna Francina GROENEWALD.2 The couple had two sons

(Hendrik and Izaak Johannes) before Anna died in early 1783. The

inventory of their shared possessions upon her death clearly

suggests that the couple was very well off.3 Besides seven slaves

and two houses in Table Valley4, the couple owned a sedan chair to

transport Anna to her rendez-vous in town, as well as a variety of

objects emphasizing their social prestige, such as 27 paintings in

various shapes and sizes, a vast collection of expensive crockery, a

variety of cutlery and kitchen goods in silver, and a rich ensemble

of upmarket cushions, chairs and curtains.

In 1781, together with other notable burghers of Cape Town,

Hermanus signed a petition against taxes levied by Governor

Joachim VAN PLETTENBERG that were destined to help subsidise

the heavy military burden of the ongoing war with Great Britain5.

The burghers painstakingly highlighted the various sacrifices they

1 Baptised 14th November 1751; Heese, J.A., Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagsregisters, Deel 1, 1999, p. 47 2 Idem; Endemann, L.C.P. (Editor), Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagsregisters, Deel 5b, Stellenbosch 1999; p. 618. Anna Geertruy[da]’s recent ancestors clearly reflect the Creole melting pot of the Cape: Hendrik Albertyn’s maternal grandmother (via the Loos line) was Lijsbeth Jansz van de Kaap, probably a daughter of the VOC slave Koddo of Guinea, whilst Francina Groenwald’s maternal grandmother( via the Hasselaar line) was Maria Elizabeth Koningshoven van de Kaap, a daughter of the slave Jannetje Bort van de Caep; vide: Heese, H.F., Groep sonder grense, Bellville 1984, pp. 41 & 51; http://www.e-family.co.za/ffy/g6/p6281.htm, http://www.e-family.co.za/ffy/g4/p4122.htm. 3 MOOC8/18.67 (7 February 1783) 4 Iem, “Twee huisen en erven staande ende gelegen in deese Tafelvalleij, annex den anderen zijnde het eene des weduwenaars woon- en ’t andere een huur-huis” 5 Resolutions of the Council of Policy of Cape of Good Hope, C. 160, pp. 222-237 (30 October 1781)

53

had already made in order to guarantee the safety of the outpost

and bemoaned the impossibility of any further financial sacrifices in

the light of the heavy impact that the war had on business. The

governor was not impressed by their pitiful intervention and besides

deciding to ignore the petition he also gave instructions to print

posters with the names of the complainants and the amount for

which they had been taxed, in order to highlight his view that the

impositions were reasonable.1

Above: Transcript of the Cape church records recording Hermanus’

repetition of the confession of faith (Source: FamilySearch - South Africa,

Dutch Reformed Church Registers, 1660-1970," index and images)

Despite his initial support for the burgher case against war taxes,

Hermanus does not appear to have been involved in the activities

of the Patriot movement at the Cape in the mid-1780’s. His

signature is not attached to any of the Patriot burgher petitions that

were issued in the course of 1784 and 1785.2 This is surprising in

light of his brother’s prominence in the Patriot movement in the

Netherlands. Furthermore his uncle-in-law by his first marriage,

1 Idem 2 Beyers, Coenraad, Die Kaapse Patriotte gedurende die laaste kwart van die agtiende eeu en die voortlewing van hul denkbeelde, Pretoria 1967, pp. 315, 322, 329

54

Johannes Casparus GROENEWALD (born 1740), was a leading

Patriot who was elected as one of the semi-revolutionary

representatives of the “Volk” in 17841 and who intervened

repeatedly with the VOC in defence of burgher rights.2 It is likely

that whilst he may have sympathised with the Patriots, his role as

a servant of the VOC prevented him from openly expressing his

sympathies.

In 1785 the erstwhile civic activist and recent widower turned his

attention to other weighty matters, and on 2nd October he chose to

marry for a second time, uniting his destiny with that of Maria

Magdalena KOTZE, daughter of Dirk Jacobus KOTZE and Martha

VAN SCHALKWIJK. Together with her he had a further six children3.

Despite VOC records indicating that Hermanus was only discharged

from its service as a vrijburger on 28th July 17894, local records

suggest that he was considered to be a burgher from as early as

1783 or 17855. This was possibly an issue of nomenclature, since

while he continued to serve the VOC he had encrusted himself with

the local gentry through his respective marriages to ladies of

respectable Cape stock.

Hermanus initially acted as Assistant of the VOC Political Secretariat

before being appointed in 1793 as the VOC Commies responsible

for collecting the various taxes on local produce and spirits, after

his predecessor, Willem GERRITZ, was relieved of the role due to

1 Idem, p. 85 2 Idem, pp. 90-91 3 Endemann, L.C.P. (Editor), Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagsregisters, Deel 5b, Stellenbosch 1999; p. 618 4 As per the data in VOC Opvarenden - http://vocopvarenden.nationaalarchief.nl/ 5 He is included with other vrijburgers in the petition of 1783, and is listed as a “borger” (sic) in the testament of his first wife in 1785.

55

his shabby work.1 In 1794 Hermanus is variously listed in the VOC

administration as “Commies der Recherche” and as “Commies tot 't

percipieeren der Tiendens van de Granen en Peulvruchten en 't

Vatgeld der Wynen en Brandewynen”2. He seems to have been a

man with a kind heart as in December 1794 he was obliged to beg

the forgiveness of the Council of Policy for his overly friendly

treatment of the Cape burghers. By his own admission he had

allowed cash-strapped burghers to pass by the tax control patrols

on their way to market without paying the required excise duties,

but requiring that they did so on the way back to their farms, once

they had sold their produce3. It seems that his kind gesture

backfired and led to errors in his accounting records. In November

1794, after a careful review of his books, he noticed that he had

failed to recuperate the sum of 35 guilders as a result of his antics

and thereupon notified the Company of this loss, offering to pay the

full sum back and promising –amidst profuse expressions of

extreme regret- to fulfil his duty with greater accuracy and

stringency in future. Commissioner SLUIJSKEN and the other

members of the Council of Policy graciously accorded their

forgiveness, accompanied by admonitions to be less friendly to the

locals and to stick to the Company’s instructions with greater care4.

It is unclear how the British invasion of the Cape and the decision

of the Batavian Republic to liquidate the VOC in 1795 impacted

Hermanus and his career, but within two years of the occupation he

1 Resolutions of the Council of Policy of Cape of Good Hope, C. 212, pp. 327-355 en C. 213, pp. 2-186 (12 February 1793). 2 Resolutions of the Council of Policy of Cape of Good Hope, C. 221, pp. 226-354 (22 January 1794) and C. 227, pp. 293-346 (19 December 1794) 3 Resolutions of the Council of Policy of Cape of Good Hope, C. 227, pp. 293-346 (19 December 1794) 4 Idem

56

was on his deathbed. He died in Cape Town on 23 April 1797 at the

age of 44 years1. His second wife, apparently adapting herself to

the new political reality in the Cape, later re-married William

STAFFORD of Royston, South Yorkshire.

3. Hermanus’ brother: August Hendrik de Melander,

Amsterdam Patriot, politician & freemason

The death of Hermanus Johannes DE MELANDER was announced to

the Dutch public by a death notice placed by his brother in an

Amsterdam newspaper2. After more than two decades abroad there

were undoubtedly few people in Amsterdam who still knew

Hermanus personally, but his brother, August Hendrik DE

MELANDER, was becoming an increasingly prominent member of

the city’s elite and social convention of the time required that such

private losses be shared publicly. Whilst his brother worked in the

service of the VOC at the Cape, August studied law and climbed the

ladder of public office in Amsterdam. Like his brother, and to a far

greater degree, he was an engaged social activist, strongly wedded

to the political and intellectual heritage of the Enlightenment.

Above: Death notice of Hermanus Johannes de Melander, placed by his

brother, August Hendrik de Melander, in Amsterdam (Source: Centraal

Bureau voor Genealogie)

1 Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie (’s-Gravenhage), Familieadvertenties De Melander, Fiche 4627; he died at the age of 44 years, not 46 years as noted by his brother. 2 Idem

57

Most sources indicate that August was born in Curacao1 between

1758 and 1760 as son of Isaac DE MELANDER. Since Maria

ASSCHENBERGH died in May 17552, August must thus stem from

his father’s second marriage to Alida ITZEN in late 17563. It seems

that Isaac left to Curacao with his second wife on a business trip

shortly after their marriage and that his second son was born during

the course of his business on this Caribbean island. August was thus

the half-brother of Hermanus Johannes DE MELANDER of the Cape,

although he simply and affectionately identifies himself as his

brother upon Hermanus’ death4. The fact that they were half

siblings also explains why August was not listed with his brother

amongst the heirs of Hermanus’ maternal aunt Hermina

ASSCHENBERGH, the widow of Menso TEN CAATE, in 1777.5

August Hendrik DE MELANDER’s political affiliations were typical of

his class and background in the late eighteenth century. There was

an abiding sentiment amongst some in the Northern Netherlands

that the Dutch Revolt of the sixteenth and early seventeenth

centuries had not delivered on its promise of civil liberty and

political freedom6. In parallel to the post-1994 paradigm in South

Africa, Dutch intellectuals increasingly tended to see the change of

regime under the leadership of the Oranges as nothing more than

1 “Levens- en karakterschets van [...] August Hendrik de Melander”, in: Het algemeen verslag der Maatschappij tot Nut van 't Algemeen, 1825; his baptism is not registered in Amsterdam so the Curacao option seems credible. 2 See paragraph 4. 3 Gemeentearchief Amsterdam DTB, 600, p.201, Ondertrouw Isaac de Melander, weduwnaar van Maria Asschenbergh en Alida Itzen, 11 November 1756. 4 See copy of death notice above. 5 Utrechts Archief, U194a015, notaris D. van Lobbrecht, akte 32, 25th April 1777 6 Israel, Jonathan, The Dutch Republic. Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall. 1477-1806, Oxford 1998, p. 1098

58

an intra-elite deal that continued to exclude most citizens from fair

participation in government and commerce. Political life, and access

to its attendant social and economic privileges, continued to be

monopolised by a small hereditary elite, generically known as “the

regents”. Initially the professional classes, such as the DE

MELANDERS, and the common folk had tended to side with the

Stadholders of the house of Orange, since the political interests of

the Princes of Orange put them at variance with those of the

hereditary burgher patriciate. However in the aftermath of the

Second Organist Revolution of 1747-1751, it became clear that

Stadholder Willem V and his camarilla had little appetite to allow

popular participation in civic government or to curb the regents’

abuses of power.1 This led to increasing disaffection amongst the

professional classes, and the creation of a Patriot movement,

heavily influenced by the ideals of the Enlightenment, that sought

to break the existing monopoly of privilege and establish a more

representative form of government. The DE MELANDER and

ASSCHENBERGH families were cultured, well-read, entrepreneurial

and ambitious, and they inevitably came to play a leading role in

the Patriots’ struggle against the tyranny of the Orangist-regent

status quo.2

1 Israel, Jonathan, The Dutch Republic. Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall. 1477-1806, Oxford 1998, pp. 1069-1077. 2 The De Melander’s social prominence would strongly suggest that they would have adopted (if not inherited) a coat of arms. The Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie in ‘s-Gravenhage has no record of the De Melander arms in their heraldic collection but the Government Archives in Cape Town have preserved a wax impression of the seal of the stamvader, “H.J. de Melander, Groenhoff 1783”, that depicts arms showing a dromedary on a mount of which the tinctures are unknown – vide Pama, C., Heraldry of South African Families, Coats of Arms / Crests/ Ancestry, Cape Town 1972, p. 214. It is known that Hermanus’ cousin, Johannes Arend de Melander who

59

Like many patriotic citizens of good means, August took a

leadership position in the schutterij of Amsterdam – the burgher

regiments that acted as the city’s militia in times of trouble. The

numerous paintings portraying the members of these “Night

Watches” emphasize the social importance of these civic bodies and

the status they traditionally imparted, although they had gradually

become more open to socially mobile burghers after the Second

Orangist Revolution in the mid-eighteenth century. In 1784 August

is listed as Lieutenant of Wijk 59 in the Blue Regiment. His half-

brother’s maternal ASSCHENBERGH relatives are also listed

alongside him in senior roles in the same regiment; Mr Nicolaas

ASSCHENBERGH acted as Captain and H[ermanus?]

ASSCHENBERGH as Lieutenant in the civic militia in the same year.1

In December 1786, as Patriot agitation against the Orangists was

becoming ever more intense, Lieutenant DE MELANDER publicly and

passionately refuted politically-motivated allegations of financial

malversation concerning Mr J.C. VAN EWIJK, former alderman and

Captain of his Blue Regiment, which had been published in De

Nederlandsche Courant2. A few months later, in April 1787, the

Patriot party managed to temporarily purge the city government of

Orangist regents, and for a few months Amsterdam’s government

reflected the ideals of the age3, with August’s distant distaff step-

served the VOC in China, had Chine de Commande made with his monogram, and possibly also his coat of arms but I have thus far been unable to uncover any example thereof – vide Kroes, Jochem, Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the Dutch Market, Zwolle / Den Haag 2007, Cat. No. 418. 1 http://www.geneaknowhow.net/script/dewit/amsterdam-schutterij-1784.htm 2 Houttuyn, Erven van F., Nederlandsche Jaerboeken, deel 2, Amsterdam 1786, p. 1567-1568 3 Wagenaar, Jan, Amsterdam in zyne Opkomst, Aanwas, Geschiedenissen, Voorregten, Koophandel, Gebouwen, Kerkenstaat, Schoolen, Schutterye, Gilden en Regeeringe beschreeven, Vierde Stuk, Boek XXXI, Harlingen 1802, p. 426 ff.

60

cousin, Mr Nicolaas ASSCHENBERGH1, raised to the heart of

government, until he was ejected again a few months later

following the invasion of a British-backed Prussian army intent on

restoring the Orangist-regent diarchy2. It is probable that August

Hendrik DE MELANDER was amongst the Patriot members of the

city militia who were obliged to resign from the Krygsraad after the

Prussian occupation of Amsterdam.3

Above: portraits of August Hendrik de Melander (left) as a young

Lieutenant of the Blue Regiment in 1787 (source: Atlas Van Stolk) and

(right) as Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge La Bien Aimée (source

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam).

1 Idem, p.426 2 Idem, p. 432 ff 3 Idem, p. 443; this happened in November 1787.

61

Despite some well-intentioned reforms the Orangist Counter-

Revolution had principally been enforced by foreign military force

and stood little chance against the currents of the time, as

exemplified by the 1789-90 conservative burgher revolution in the

Austrian Netherlands and the 1789 outbreak of a popular revolution

in France. The Dutch Patriots, many of whom had fled to France

after the Orangist coup of 1787, allied themselves with the French

revolutionary state, with whose help they crushed the Stadholder’s

forces and –to popular acclaim- established the Batavian Republic

in 17951. In January 1795, as the Patriots stood on the brink of

taking over power in the Netherlands, Hendrik August DE

MELANDER was promoted to the rank of Captain in the burgher

forces.2 On 19th January, as the Comité Revolutionair took over the

reins of power in Amsterdam, August was appointed as a member

of the revolutionary Committee of Justice (Comité van

Rechtsoefening) that replaced the college of alderman

(schepenbank)3.

On 19th June 1795, August was amongst those chosen into the local

parliament, de Repraesentanten van het Volk van Amsterdam, in

which he was appointed to the Committee of Security (Comité van

Waakzaamheid).4 In his new role August was informed that he

would have to give up his previous role in the Committee of Justice,

which he did not want to relinquish, and he thus resigned from the

1 Vide Israel, The Dutch Republic, pp. 1113 ff. 2 Jochems, John Anthony, & de Roever, Nicolaes, Amsterdams oude burgervendels (schutterij), 1580-1795, Amsterdam 1888, p. 172 3 Breen, Joh. C., “De Regeering van Amsterdam gedurende den Franschen Tijd”, in Amstelodamum, 12e Jaarboek, Amsterdam 1914, p 10 4 Idem, p. 36

62

representative body to re-join his former committee, leading to a

series of disputes on the legality of his actions.1 August continued

to serve on the Committee of Justice until 17992, including periods

as its President (17983 and 17994) and Vice-President (17985). On

21 March 1799 the First Chamber of the Batavian Republic

appointed August to act as a judge in the Court of the Amstel

region.6 During his period as a judge and on the Committee of

Justice (1795-1807) he made detailed notes on all aspects of the

cases he encountered. This valuable legal source, known as Het

Boekje van De Melander, is still preserved in the Amsterdam

archives.7

True to his Enlightenment ideals, August Hendrik DE MELANDER

was also a member of the national executive (hoofdbestuurder) of

Het Maatschappij tot Nut van ‘t Algemeen in 1798 and 17998, an

influential society founded in 1784 that was based on

Enlightenment principles of promoting the welfare of both the

individual and the community in general. The society focused on

matters relating to the “general good”, such as education,

development and social debate, and played an important role in the

1 Idem, pp. 42-44 (August 1795) 2 Wagenaar, Amsterdam, Boek XXII-XXIII, pp. 180, 274, 276, 277, 3 Idem, p.278 4 Idem, p. 280 5 Idem, p.279 6 Besluiten der Eerste Kamer van het Vertegenwoordigend Lichaam des Bataafschen Volks, Volume 32, p. 1033 7 Het Boekje van De Melander, 1795-1807; Gemeentelijke Archiefdienst Amsterdam; Amsterdams Rechterlijk Archief van voor 1811; RA604.a 8 Gedenkschriften der maatschappij tot nut van 't algemeen voor de eerste vijfentwintig jaren van haar bestaan, Amsterdam 1809, p. 35; Handelingen der algemeene vergadering van de Maatschappij tot nut van ’t algemeen, Volume 3, (no place) 1799, p1 & p.73.

63

democratisation of Dutch society. August continued to provide

leadership to the society through the years, including a spate as

National Treasurer in 1811.1

Above: Meeting of the Maatschappij tot Nut van ‘t Algemeen in the

Lutheran Church of Amsterdam in 1791. August Hendrik de Melander was

an executive member of the society in 1798 and 1799.

(Source: Wikipedia Commons)

Like many fellow Patriots and progressive men of the Enlightenment

period, August was also a freemason. It is unknown when he

entered the brotherhood of masons, but he became Chairman and

Grand Master of the influential Amsterdam lodge “La Bien Aimée” -

“The Dearly Beloved” (founded in 17542) around 1797 and

remained in this venerable position for 25 years until 1824!3

1 Gedenkschriften der maatschappij tot nut van 't algemeen voor de tweede vijf en twintig jaren van haar bestaan, Amsterdam 1834, p. 14 2 http://www.labienaimee.nl/data/1_vroeger/1vroeger05d.html 3 http://www.labienaimee.nl/data/1_vroeger/1vroeger06a.html

64

Wolfstieg and Beyer’s bibliography of Freemasonry identify many

publications relating to August’s long tenure as Chairman and

Grand Master of the Amsterdam lodge.1

Above: Seals of the Amsterdam Masonic Lodge, La Bien Aimée, of which

August Hendrik de Melander was Grand Master for 25 years.

(Source: http://www.labienaimee.nl)

For most of his adult life August Hendrik DE MELANDER lived in a

handsome canal mansion on the Singel, near the Oude Leliestraat

“voor de Torensluis”.2 As a patron of the arts, and a worthy

1 Wolfstieg, August, & Beyer, Bernhard, Bibliographie der freimaurerischen Literatur, Erg-Band 1, Leipzig 1926; publications that relate to August Hendrik de Melander include: 5845. Melander, A. H. de: Gezangen bij het rouwfeest ter nagedachtenis van A. H. de Melander, van de Loge la Bien Aime, Amsterdam, no year, 2 BL 8°; 5846. Tafellied bij de terugkering van den a. m. A.H. de Melander, aan het hoofd van de Loge la Bien Aimee na zijn herstel van eene langdurige onpasselijkheid. Den 8 maart 1815, 2 BL 8°. - 2 Lieder ohne Noten; 5847. Bij de weder-benoerming en installatie van den meester [A. H.] de Melander, bij de Loge: la Bien Aimee, in den jare 1819. o.O. [1819]. 2B1. 8°. - „Ben kind, dat zijnen vader eert" ... 21; 5848. Aan onzen broeder A. H. de Melander, ter gelegenheid van deszelfs vijf-en-twintigjarig Grootmeesterschap, in de Loge la Bien Aimee, in het Oosten van Amsterdam. Gevierd den 14den dag, van de XII de maand des waren lichts, 5822. 8 S. 8°. 2 Breen, “De Regeering van Amsterdam”, p. 105; the mansion, known as “Het Klaverbald”, was bought on 28 June 1780 by Johannes de Melander, probably his

65

descendant of a family of publishers and poets, he subscribed to

the publication of Vondel’s collected poetry in 1820.1 August passed

away in Amsterdam on the 4th January 1825 and was buried in the

Oude Kerk on 10th January, surviving his older half-brother,

Hermanus, by almost 28 years. By his wife, Anna Meinardina

STERLING, he left one daughter behind, Anna Maria DE MELANDER,

who had married a first cousin on her mother’s side, and who in

turn left progeny.

4. The couple Isaac de Melander and Maria Asschenbergh

and their relatives

The marriage of Isaac DE MELANDER and Maria ASSCHENBERGH,

the parents of the Cape burgher, Hermanus Johannes DE

MELANDER, in Amsterdam in 1751 seems to have been a major

social event. Jacob KORTEBRANT a prolific and well-known poet and

historian composed a eulogy on the occasion of Isaac and Maria’s

nuptials and another book of poetry composed by intimates of the

bridal couple was also produced.2 It may well be that the couple

was inspired by a bundle of poems published on the occasion of the

marriage of Harmanus ASSCHENBERGH (1726-1792), Maria’s

brother, two years earlier.3 Harmanus was to become a well-known

poet, psalmist and translator in his own right as the century wore

uncle who served in the VOC - vide: Gemeeentearchief Amsterdam, Archief van de Schepenen: kwijtscheldingsregisters, Transportakten voor 1811: NL-SAA-21703154 1 Van den Vondel, Joost, Dichterlijke Werken, Amsterdam 1820. 2 Kortebrant, Jacob, De zuil der liefde, gesticht op den Bruiloftdisch van den Heere Isaac de Melander, en de Jongkvrouwe Maria Asschenbergh, [Amsterdam, 1751]. Provoost Kaats, Elizabeth & de Melander, Isaac, Ter bruilofte van den heere Isaac de Melander en de jongkvrouwe Maria Asschenbergh: echtelyk vereenigt binnen Amsteldam, den 26sten van wynmaand, MDCCLI, Amsterdam 1751 3 Meijer, Pieter, Huwlykszangen voor den heere Harmanus Asschenbergh, en de jongkvrouwe Gozewina Mulders, Amsterdam 1749.

66

on. In true Enlightenment fashion, Harmanus was the member of a

number of literary societies such as Diligentiae Omnia and Oefening

beschaaft de kunst.1 He translated plays from French to Dutch by

some of the great French playwrights of the late eighteenth century,

and even put some of them to music, as well as publishing a number

of his own theatrical works.2 Together with fellow members of the

Amsterdam literary society Oefening beschaaft de kunsten, he

participated in joint translations of other French theatre pieces3,

and translated another three French comedies in conjunction with

Henri Jean ROULLAND.4 Between 1758 and 1760 Harmanus worked

together with fellow poets, under the name of Laus Deo, Salus

populo, on a new version of the Psalms (Psalmberijming) meant to

replace the poorly translated 16th century translation of Datheen;

he also participated in the creation of collection of hymns known as

1 Aa, A.J. van der, Biographisch woordenboek der Nederlanden, Deel 1, Haarlem 1852, p. 411-412 2 Idem. Amongst his theatrical works are: Climeene, play, Amsterdam 1747; De Graaf van Essex, translation of tragedy by T. Corneille, Amsterdam 1758; De Wispelturige, translation of the comedy “L'Irresolu” by Nerieault Destouches, Amsterdam 1762; Silvaan, translation of a comedy by Marmontel, Amsterdam 1777 (also published as libretto Amsterdam 1783); Albert de eerste, of de Edelmoedige Keizer, translation of comedy by Le Blanc, Amsterdam 1778; De Uitmuntende Minnaar, operetta translated from the French of Sedaine, Amsterdam 1784; De Deugdzame Zoon en de Edelmoedige Vrinden, play, Amsterdam 1792. 3 Amongst the translations made in conjunction with fellow members of the society were: Olimpia, translation of the tragedy by Voltaire, Amsterdam 1764; Zaruchma, translation of the tragedy by Cordier, Amsterdam 1765; Zelmire, translation of the tragedy by Belloy, Amsterdam 1766; De Deugdzame Galeiroeijer of de Beloonde Vaderliefde, translation of tragedy by Fenouillot de Valbaire, Amsterdam 1769. 4 Plays translated from the French in cooperation with Henri Jean Roulland included: De Jaloersche Vrouw, comedy by Desforges, Amsterdam 1789; De Twee Jonge Savojards, comedy, Amsterdam 1790; De Optimist of alles wel, comedy by Collin d'Harleville, Amsterdam 1790.

67

the Christelijke Gezangen which was used by the Baptists in their

services.1 A year after his death in 1792 his friend, Pieter Johannes

UYLENBROEK, publish his collected poems under the title of Poezy.2

The poems were not considered to be of great artistic value by his

contemporaries, but their humorous, sarcastic and light-hearted

nature was both popular and typical of the age, and some of his

work has managed to stand the test of time.3

Above: Title page of Harmanus Asschenbergh’s posthumous

collection of poetry (1793).

1 Aa, A.J. van der, Biographisch woordenboek, p. 412 2 Asschenbergh, Harmanus, Poezy, Amsterdam 1793; re-published as: Asschenbergh, Hermanus, Vertelsels en Puntdichten, Amsterdam 1827. 3 Vide: Buch, Boudewijn, Literair Omreizen, Amsterdam 1983. His poems also continue to be included in many modern Dutch poetry anthologies.

68

Isaac DE MELANDER was born as a fourth child to Harmanus DE

MELANDER and Anna Isaacks VAN DAN(T)SICH in late 1718, and

was baptised in the Noorderkerk of Amsterdam on 1st January 1719.

Little details of his personal life are known, but he appears to have

operated as a merchant, which included trips to Dutch colonies such

as Curacao in the Caribbean, as witnessed by the birth of his second

son there around 1759. During the conflict between the Orangist

and States parties in the course of 1748, Prince Willem III of Orange

replaced various opponents in the City government of Amsterdam

with his own partisans. Amongst those who was appointed in the

Amsterdam vroedschap was Isaac DE MELANDER, who acted as a

Lieutenant of the Green Regiment for Wijk 481, suggesting that like

his son he enjoyed a reputation for standing up against the

monopoly that the Amsterdam regents had on power and

commerce in the city.

Although Isaac’s burial at the Noorderkerkhof is recorded in 1755,

this possibly refers to the death of a newborn child of his first wife,

Maria ASSCHENBERGH, who also died a few days later (due to

complications in childbirth?)2, as his wedding to Alida ITZEN is

subsequently recorded in 1756.3 There is no record of his burial in

Amsterdam, suggesting that he may have passed away in Curacao

or in another location where he was residing for business.

1 Brinkink, Willem, Het ontroerd Holland. Of kort verhaal van de voornaamste onlusten, oproeren en oneenigheden, die in de Vereenigde Nederlanden in voorige tyden en allerbyzonderst in deze laatste jaaren zyn voorgevallen, Deel 3, Harderwijk 1749, p 247. 2 Stadsarchief Amsterdam DTB 1059, pp. 9v & 10 3 See paragraph 3 above.

69

Isaac’s first wife, Maria ASSCHENBERGH, was the daughter of

Abraham ASSCHENBERGH, who was a merchant in Amsterdam1,

and of Maeske LAM, who originated from Tiel. Besides being the

sister of a well-known literary figure, Harmanus ASSCHENBERGH,

Maria was also related to many eminent merchant families in

Amsterdam and Utrecht through the marriages of her aunts and

uncles. Furthermore, based on the ASSCHENBERGH’s origins in

Westphalia and the arms that the family bore (party per fess, gules

and or, in chief two amulets -or Sonnenräder / Brakteaten- or)2, it

is clear that the family descends directly from the stem of the

ancient Westphalian ASSCHENBERGH dynasty, of which other

branches were later ennobled as counts in Sweden and as barons

in Prussia, Baltic Kurland and Bavaria.

Their lineage will be investigated further in an upcoming article,

together with a closer look at the older generations of the DE

MELANDER family.

Above: Coat of arms of the De Melander family,

as portrayed in a wax impression of the seal of “H.J. de Melander,

Groenhoff 1783” in the Cape Archives3

1 Cited as a merchant in Utrechts Archief, U184a025 Notaris H. van Dam, akte 76 & akte 77, 8 July 1761 2 As per the wax seal preserved in the manuscript Aantekeningen over de familie Stellingwerff (1850) in the Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie in ‘s-Gravenhage. 3 Pama, C., Heraldry of South African Families, Cape Town 1972, P.214.

70

AANVULLING TOT DIE MASSYN-FAMILIE

David de Klerk - mdavid@artslink.co.za

In SAG Deel 5 word skaars ‘n halwe kolom aan

die MASSYN familie afgestaan. Met die

deurwerk van die NGK Somerset-Oos

doopregisters (vanaf 1826) en na ‘n besoek in

2015 aan die Somerset-Oos Museum gesetel in

die Ou Pastorie aan die bo-einde van

Pastoriestraat moet ek die volgende byeenbring.

Die stamvader Frans MASSYN (of MASSIN) van Gent in Vlaandere

arriveer 1778 aan boord van die skip t Hoff ter Linden in diens van

die VOC. Na hy die diens van die VOC in 1789 verlaat werk hy as

skrynwerker.

Intusssen is hy op 25.2.1788 met Sara WOLFF VAN DE KAAP

(vryslavin) * ca 1765 † George 16.8.1853 getroud. Hule het elf

kinders gehad wat tussen 1788 en 1805 gedoop is (heel

waarskynlik te Kaapstad en George).

Die sesde kind Petrus Christiaan, ‘n seun, ook Petrus / Pieter

Christian Francois, en nog vele spelvariasies daarvan, is op

8.7.1798 gedoop en oorlede te Somerset-Oos op 28.12.1865 waar

hy in die Ou Pastorie Begraafplaas begrawe is. Op sy sterfkennis

gete-ken deur sy oudste seun F P word sy moeder as Sara BRAND

en sy geboorteplek as Kaapstad genoem. Volgens sy geskatte

ouderdom is hy in Mei 1797 gebore. Op sy SK word 8 meerderjarige

kinders gelys met die ses oorlewende dogters se huweliksmaats

daarby. Sy inventaris het ‘n bedrag van ₤ 21 401 getoon waarvan

die helfte aan sy tweede vrou Catharina Margaretha DE KLERK

toegeval het.

71

Petrus Christiaan het eers te George getrou op 6.4.1823 met Hester

Sophia Antoinetta Jacoba DE LA REY ≈ Swellendam 6.3.1809 †

Somerset-Oos 31.10.1843 (een week na kindergeboorte) d/v Pieter

de la Rey (1766-1842 stamvader) en Hester Nel (1782-). (H S A J

de la Rey se name en van word in verskillende volgordes en mate

van volledigheid in die Somerset-Oos Doopregisters aangedui.) Na

haar dood trou hy te Somerset-Oos op 15.6.1857 met Catharina

Margaretha DE KLERK (* Graaff-Reinet 5.11.1812 ≈ Graaff-Reinet

24.3.1813 † DeKlerksdal, dist Bedford (o.b.a. Botmansgat)) d/v

Willem Abraham de Klerk (1783-1857) en Cornelia Bouwer (1786-

1835). Sy was die weduwee van Pieter Willem Johannes Bouwer

(1807-1857), wat doodgeskiet is, by wie sy 8 kinders gehad het.

As weduwee van P C Massyn xxx sy Somerset-Oos 2.7.1866 met

Jacobus Willem Marthinus Pretorius (1812-1870) wat in die

Oranjerivier by Poortjie verdrink. Haar tweede en derde huwelike

was kinderloos.

b6 Pieter Christiaan MASSYN x Hester Sophia Antoinetta

Jacoba DE LA REY se kinders was:

b6c1 Frans Petrus Jacobus * 25.11.1823 ≈ NGK Uitenhage

30.5.1824 - die ouers woon in die distrik Albanie volgens

doopregister (as Frans Pieter op vader se SK en in die Somer-set-

Oos Doopregisters).

x Elizabeth Catharina DE WET * 22.12.1816 ≈ Graaff-Reinet

7.4.1817 d/v Jacobus Albertus de Wet & Maria Catharina Botha

(vide SAG DE WET: ab1c2d3e4f8)

b6c1d1 Pieter Christiaan * 24.8.1844 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

17.11.1844

b6c1d2 Jacobus Albertus * 28.11.1846 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

5.4.1847

72

b6c1d3 Frans Hendrik * 13.10.1848 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

22.1.1849

b6c1d4 Elizabeth jacoba Catharina * 15.5.1851 ≈ NGK Somerset-

Oos 18.8.1851

b6c1d5 Hester Sovia * 29.4.1854 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos 16.7.1854

b6c1d6 Anna Francina * 16.8.1856 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

14.9.1856

b6c1d7 Johannis Albertus Piet * 18.8.1858 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

24.10.1858

b6c2. Hester Maria * 9.8.1826 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos 3.9.1826

(vader as Petrus C Fransoa) x Joseph REID (vide SAG REID: a(?)

Joseph * 2.6.1819 x Somerset East 8.4.1843 - sy as Cornelia

Margaretha Christina MASSYN (P C-dg) daar. Doop eerste kind te

Somerset-Oos en daarna nog 10 kinders te George en Uitenhage)

[d1] Hester Sophia REID * 13.4.1844 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

19.5.1844

b6c3 Sarah Jacoba * 15.5.1828 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos 22.5.1828

(vader as P C) (jonk oorlede)

b6c4 Sara Jacoba * 6.5.1829 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos 7.6.1829

(vader as P C Fransoa) x Robert F?snell VEITCH (vide SAG VEITCH:

a(2) Robert Joswill VEITCH x Somerset-Oos 18.8.1847 Sara Jacoba

MASSYN (P C-dg).

Man as Robert Conrad en Robert J by die twee kinders se dope te

Somerset-Oos.

[d1] William James VEITCH * 2.6.1848 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

4.7.1848

73

[d2] Pieter Christiaan Massyn VEITCH * 1.2.1850 ≈ NGK

Somerset-Oos 5.6.1850

b6c5 Johanna Hendrietta * 6.8.1831≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

18.9.1831 x Irwin ? SCOTT (SAG SCOTT: geen inligting)

b6c6 Cornelia Elizabeth * 5.10.1833 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

10.11.1833 x Jacobus Albertus DE WET (vide SAG DE WET:

b1c2d3e4f1g2 Jacobus Albertus (sir) ≈ Somerset-Oos 10.5.1829 /

9.8.1829 x Somerset-Oos 22.5.1856 Cornelia Elizabeth MASSYN *

c 1834 † 1.3.1901 (haar ouers korrek daar aangedui - geen kinders

gelys nie)

[d1] Albertus Jacobus DE WET * 25.2.1857 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

2.4.1857

[d2] Hester Maria DE WET * 23.7.1858 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

12.9.1858

[d3] Elizabeth Jacoba DE WET * 19.1.1860 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

30.4.1860

b6c7 Anna Sophija *14.6.1835 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos 6.9.1835

(moeder net as Hester) (as Anna Margaritha op vader se SK) x

Joseph Boirch COOPER (SAG en SAF COOPER: geen inligting)

b6c8 Sophija Petronella * 20.12.1837 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

21.1.1838 (jonk oorlede)

b6c9 Pieter Fransoa 5.11.1839 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos 19.1.1840

(jonk oorlede?)

b6c10 Johannis Beronardus * 28.10.1841 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

27.11.1841

b6c11 Sophia Petronella * 24.10.1843 ≈ NGK Somerset-Oos

5.11.1843 (moeder as oor-lede op 31 Oktober 1843 by haar

74

doopinskrywing) x Hendrik VAN NIEKERK (vide SAG VAN NIEKERK:

ab6c4d10e2 Hendrik Adriaan * 27.7.1823 x Graaff-Reinet

31.5.1847 Magdalena Francina Wilhelmina SCHIMPER xx Somerset-

Oos 24.7.1862 Sophia Petronella MASSYN)

Verdere afstamming van die tweede oorlewende seun en ook hulle

ooms moet nog verder in o.a. die Suid-Kaap en OVS nagespoor

word en later is daar ook MASSYNs in die NoordKaap en die

Transvaal wat met o.a. DE KLERKs in die huwelik tree.

Akorting

SK: Sterfkennis

Bronne

GISA: SA Geslagsregisters: Deel 5 M-L, en ander soos na verwys in teks

KAB: MOOC 6/9/114 D/N 2351 - SK van Pieter Christian Massyn

Doopregisterafskrifte: NGK Uitenhage 1817-1829

Doopregisterafskrifte: NGK Somerset-Oos 1826-1862

H F Heese: Groep sonder grense

GGSA: Begraafplaas CD

Inligting uit DE KLERK databasis: gehou deur dr M D de Klerk

75

BOOK REVIEW: SWANESANG, DIE EINDE VAN DIE

KOMPANJIESTYD AAN DIE KAAP, 1771-1795,

BY KAREL SCHOEMAN

Karel Schoeman’s magisterial

eight volume history of the Cape

under Dutch rule, Kolonie aan

die Kaap, has come to an end

with the publication of the

concluding tome in the series,

Swanesang, Die einde van die

Kompanjiestyd aan die Kaap,

1771-1795. Between 2008 and

2013 Schoeman published the

first five volumes of the series,

which followed the European

and Asian pre-history of the

colony and then delved into the

structure and fabric of Cape life

under the VOC until the

departure of Governor Wilhem Adriaen van der Stel in 1712. In

2013 a comprehensive, contextual one volume biography of

Henricus and Aletta Beck, covering the period 1702 to 1755,

became the sixth book in the series and led to the publication of a

further two volumes that covered the last years of Dutch rule at the

Cape, from 1751 to 1779 and 1771 to 1795 respectively.

The last volume, Swanesang, describes the decline and fall of the

VOC during their last quarter century at the Cape, and explores the

implications thereof for the settlement and its people, starting with

76

the governorship of Baron Joachim van Plettenburg. As with all

previous volumes, Schoeman exhaustively integrates Cape sources

with relevant information and references from the wider context in

Europe, Asia and the Americas, that impacted life, economics and

politics at the Cape. He carefully dissects the social dynamics

between VOC functionaries, local notables, foreign mercenaries and

burghers which were often wrought with tension and animosity.

Schoeman also tracks the exploits of early travellers and explorers,

such as the botanists Anders Sparrman, C.P. Thunberg and William

Paterson, the explorers François le Vailliant, Hendrik

Swellengrebbel jr and Robert Gordon, and the chronicler O.F.

Mentzel, and their views of the colony. The coverage of the life of

settlers in the interior, whom many of these explorers would have

met, is however sadly lacking in detail and reflects an overly heavy

focus on the Cape settlement that dwindles increasingly as it moves

out to the Boland, Overberg and frontier regions. The conflicts

between the various frontier groups and the strange cross-racial

and cross–tribal alliances they formed to secure their own

advantages is a key element in the rise of the South African state

in its current form, and it is a pity that Schoeman did not shine

more of his profound talents on that fascinating subject. In light of

professor Schoeman’s rigorous approach I suspect that covering the

fascinating dynamics on the eastern and northern frontiers within

the context of this series would possible have added another

volume to the set, a prospect he may perhaps not have wished to

embrace.

The protest movement of the Cape Patriots is reviewed and its

importance critically re-assessed, with enlightening biographical

77

insights into its key protagonists. Schoeman investigates the

possible intellectual sources (inter alia via an analysis of books

listed in the inventories of Cape notables) that may have inspired

the leaders of the Patriot movement and considers the personal

interests that partly drove burgher discontent. The “Little Paris”

period of Cape history, when social and economic life was

profoundly impacted by the presence of French and German

regiments at the Cape in response to the outbreak of the Fourth

Anglo-Dutch War, is related in depth. This brief bubble of prosperity

led to a boom (and then a bust) of the local economy, and was

considered –by some puritanical contemporaries- to have led to a

decline in Cape morals. It is enlightening to note that popular and

controversial French plays such as Beaumarchais’ classic The

Barber of Seville were performed at the Cape in this period,

reflecting a level of theatrical sophistication which is certainly not

equalled in our own days! Schoeman carefully weighs the complex

web of factors involved and vehemently rejects the rose-tinted

narrative that considers this short epoch to have been one of

prosperous and glamourous content. In a short aside, he also

reveals some fascinating trading links between the Cape and the

early American republic, that have seldom received attention.

Swanesang also contrasts the lives of three families who were

prominent VOC officials, the Westpalm, Möller and Heijning

dynasties, with that of a powerful Cape burgher family, the Van

Reenens. These biographical-genealogical vignettes outline the

socio-cultural framework in which well-off Cape families operated.

The extensive chapter on the Van Reenen family, with asides

dealing with the Van Bredas and the Eksteens, is a particularly

valuable addition to the history of this socially and economically

78

dominant Cape dynasty “who in many ways erased the boundaries

between the urban bourgeoisie and the landed gentry.”

The last chapters of the book follow the inevitable implosion of the

Dutch presence at the Cape, largely driven by external military,

political and philosophical forces. The echoes of the American

Revolution and the tangible impact of the French Revolution on the

Netherlands, weakened the VOC’s monopoly over the Cape, leading

to a heady mix of reforms from above and dissident pressure from

below, in the midst of increasing tensions with the Khoikhoi, Xhosa

and creole inhabitants on the colony’s frontiers. The detailed

coverage over three lively chapters of the decisive events of 1795

are incisive and insightful, dwelling on the details of the Table Valley

and Boland settelments in their Dutch twighlight, and ending with

professor Schoeman’s wistful reflections on the end of a unique,

complex and sometimes cruel cross-cultural colonial society which

the British occupation heralded, and which –given the nature of

British administration and Weltanschauung- introduced a period of

increasing discrimination and conflict with indigenous peoples.

Schoeman, Karel, Swanesang, Die einde van die

Kompanjiestyd aan die Kaap, 1771-1795, Pretoria: Protea

Boekhuis 2016.

ISBN: 978-1-4853-0098-4

79

BYDRAERS NEEM ASB KENNIS / CONTRIBUTORS

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GENOTE VAN DIE GGSA / FELLOWS OF THE GSSA

Naam/Name Jr/Yr Gebore/Birth Oorlede/ Died

Hans-Georg Bleibaum 1978 01 Des 1917 23 Des 1998

René Immelman 1982 30 Des 1905 30 Apr 1982

Johannes Heese 1983 11 Nov 1907 6 Nov 1990

Phillip Myburgh 1983 21 Jul 1910 21 Jan 1992

Margaret Cairns 1984 26 Apr 1912 24 Nov 2009

Johan Krige 1993 09 Jan 1938

Hendrik Stutterheim 1994 26 Sep 1914 2004

Mark Tapping 1996 10 Mei 1922 28 Mat 2006

Gideon de Kock 1997 12 Mei 1939

Darrel Hall 1997 4 Mei 1928 11 Nov 1996

Roelf Lombard 2000 17 Sep 1939 05 Jul 2011

Martin Zöllner 2005 22 Jan 1942

Thys du Preez 2006 20 Aug 1936

Isabel Groesbeek 2011 7 Mrt 1959

Shelagh Spencer 2011 25 Jun 1937

André Heydenrych 2011 13 Sep 1946 02 Nov 2013

Daan Hamman 2012 08 Aug 1938

Eckhard von Fintel 2013 02 Jun 1944 24 Aug 2015

Richard Ford 2014 19 Jun 1942

82

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83

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87

Kwartaalblad van die Genealogiese Genootskap van Suid-Afrika

Quarterly Journal of the Genealogical Society of South Africa

Familia 1964-2014

CD-076 ISBN 978-0-992-1833-9-4

© GGSA/GSSA

www.genza.org.za

Artikel Indeks/Article Index (gratis / free)

Hierdie CD is nou beskikbaar en bevat al die artikels van1964 tot 2014.

Dit kos R265 en kan bestel word by orders@genza.org.za

This CD is now available and contains all articles from 1964 up to 2014.

The price is R265 and can be ordered from orders@genza.org.za

Postage / Posgeld: RSA R30; Buitelands / Overseas R70

Bestelvorm op bls 85 / Order Form on page 85

88

Notas