Jan Woutersz:1

M, #13775, b. circa 1630

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Last Edited03/11/2017
BirthOrigin*Jan was from Middelburgh and may have been born there circa 1630. His age is estimated.1 
Marriage*He married Catharina Anthonis on 21 May 1656 de Caep de Goede Hoop. This was the first mixed marriage at the Cape. The couple together with an unnamed/unbaptized child (born 1657) leave the Cape (1658) on Schelvis for Batavia via Mauritius.2,3 
Names in the record, in publications, etc.1654/55, the name of Jan was written in the record as Jan Woutersen.4
NotesOn 29 May 1657 Jan Woutersz: having been recalled from Saldanha Bay "in consequence of many bad faults," received written instructions from Johan Anthoniszoon van Riebeeck to proceed to Robben Island to supervise the sheep farming and the work at the stone quarry. Accompanying him as the only other salaried worker was Thomas Christoffel Müller, who was to tend the sheep, including castrating the rams and cutting off their tails. Accompanying them would be Jasper Janse Duyff, Laurentsz: Albertsz, Espagniola and Cleijn Eva van Madagascar. Duyff was a banished soldier, Alberts a convict, Espagniola either a French slave or convict, and Eva, a slave.5
Monsterrollen and Opgaafrollen (Muster and tax rolls)On 20 March 1656 Jan Woutersz: was enumerated in the muster roll, as an assistant.1
On 31 May 1657 Jan Woutersz: was enumerated in the muster roll, as a soldier earning f 12 per month.6
On 31 May 1657 Catharina Anthonis was enumerated in the muster roll, as the wife of the soldier, Jan Woutersz:, she was described as a black woman.7
On 15 February 1658 Jan Woutersz: was enumerated in the muster roll, he was recorded as Jan Woutersz:, of Middelburgh, soldier.8
On 15 February 1658 Catharina Anthonis was enumerated in the muster roll, as the wife of the soldier, Jan Woutersz:, she was described as a black woman.9
Company JournalOn 17 December 1655 in the Company Journal, as translated: Sloop to take 50 sheep to Robben Island, and then to proceed to Dassen Island with Commander's (Jan van Riebeeck) letter to Woutersen. Obtained only four sheep; natives promise to bring more. Woodmen report that the Hottentoos had already crossed the mountains, and Herry likewise. One of the English merchants lands, and asks to be immediately supplied with some cattle for the crew, as in consequence of their long and painful voyage they would, unless supplied here, run short of provisions. Offered to pay what we asked. Told them civilly that we had given them from the gardens as much as they wanted every day, and also two head of cattle and four sheep, with which they were better supplied as a small crew pro rata than our ships with their large numbers of men. They replied that every day we obtained much cattle, but we answered that between now and March about 40 large ships were expected, which had to be provided for, and if each one only got six beasts, then 240 would be required, a number which we did not yet possess; that such a proportion of fresh provisions was little enough for the large number of men on board the Company's ships; and that we had given them meat in the same proportion in which our own crews received it, but to show our good feeling we would give them another animal and four sheep, with the request not to ask us for more; garden produce we would give them as much as they liked, as we were, thank God, abundantly supplied Made them understand that what we gave them we took from our own ships, &c.10

Citations

  1. [S647] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, Letters Despatched 1652-1662 to which are added land grants, attestations, Journal of voyage to Tristan da Cunha, names of freemen, &c. Vol III, H.C.V. Leibrandt; (Cape Town, South Africa: W.A. Richards & Sons, Government Printers, 1900), p.284-286. Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope.
  2. [S654] Mansell Upham 'What can't be cured, must be endured … Cape of Good Hope - first marriages & baptisms (1652-1665)', First Fifty Years, Uprooted Lives - Unfurling the Cape of Good Hope's Earliest Colonial Inhabitants (1652-1713), (http://e-family.co.za/ffy/ui66.htm), January 2012. "[1656] Den 21:en meij is Jan Woutersz van Middelburch adsistent voor den raet deser fortresse, getrout met een swarte jonge dochter genaemt Catharijna Anthonis van Celagon in Bengale, Godt gelievede zelvige te zegenen."
  3. [S787] Church matters (Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk), Incoming Letters, 9 April 1652-14 May 1663, (NL-SAA, archiefinventaris 379, inventarisnummer 206, pp. 29-35), (eGSSA - van der Stael Letters, http://www.eggsa.org/sarecords/index.php/classis-amsterdam/…), 1656: Den 21:en meij is Jan Woutersz van Middelburch adsistent voor den raet deser fortresse, getrout met een swarte jonge dochter genaemt Catharijna Anthonis van Celagon in Bengale, Godt gelievede zelvige te zegenen. as transcribed by Corney Keller.
  4. [S673] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, December 1651 - December 1653[5], Van Riebeeck's Journal, &c. Part I, H.C.V. Leibrandt; (Cape Town, South Africa: W. A. Richards & Sons, Government Printers, Castle Street, 1897). Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives, JVR Journal 1651-1653[5].
  5. [S913] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, Letters Despatched 1652-1662 Vol II, H.C.V. Leibrandt; (Cape Town, South Africa: W.A. Richards & Sons, Government Printers, 1900), pp.321-324. Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope.
  6. [S647] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, pp.287-289.
  7. [S647] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, p.290.
  8. [S647] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, p.292.
  9. [S647] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, p.293.
  10. [S673] Precis of the archives, JVR Journal 1651-1653[5], p.252.
 

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