Jacob Caste van Bengale1,2

M, #15580, b. circa 1653

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Last Edited19/03/2016
Birth*Jacob Caste van Bengale was born circa 1653.2
 
Duplicate?*It is possible that Jacob Caste van Bengale and Jacob Casta van Mallabaer are the same individual. 
Slave TransactionsOn 19 August 1678 Jacob Caste van Bengale was sold by Dirck Jansz Smient to Hendrick Evertsz Smidt, for f 285, Cape valuation. I wonder if Jacob reverted to Smient's ownership due to non-payment of the promised purchase price by Smit.3,4
On 10 January 1680 Jacob Caste van Bengale was sold by Dirck Jansz Smient to Gratias Maialas van Angola, for Rds. 90. I assume this to be the same slave sold by Smient in 1678 and that he reverted to Smient's ownership due to non-payment. This interpretation is offered with a view toward further discovery in the record.5
Slave EmancipationsOn 23 May 1680 Jacob Caste van Bengale was emancipated by Gratias Maialas van Angola, for payment of enige penning and in recognition of good and faithful service. Böeseken records that a second slave, Thomas, was emancipated at the same time, but Hattingh disputes this.6,7

Citations

  1. [S607] J.L. (Leon) Hattingh, "Kaapse notariële stukke waarin slawe van vryburgers en amptenare vermeld word (II), Die tweede Dekade 1671-1680", Kronos (Die notariële stukke II) 15 (1999): 19.8.1678               TS 3, g.p.
    … die slaaf Jacob Casta Bengale vir f 285.. Hereinafter cited as "Die notariële stukke II."
  2. [S418] Anna J. Böeseken, Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658-1700 (Cape Town: Tafelberg, 1977), p.136.. Hereinafter cited as Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658-1700.
  3. [S418] Anna J. Böeseken, Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658-1700, p.136. 19.8.1678: Jacob (no place of origin given), sold by Hendrik Evertse Smidt to Dirck Jansz Smiendt for /285, Cape valuation. [NOTE: The seller and purchaser were inverted by Böeseken.]
  4. [S607] J.L. (Leon) Hattingh, "Die notariële stukke II", 19.8.1678          TS 3, p.g.
    Hendrick Evertse Smidt, vry ingesetene alhier, erken aan die E Dircq Jansz Smient, kaptein in diens, die bedrag van f 285 te skuld spruitende uit die koop van die lyfeie Jacob vir f 285 en beloof om hom einde Februarie 1679 te betaal. [Hendrick Evert Smit.]
    19.8.1678          TS 3, g.p.
    [d’ Edele] Dircq Jansz Smient, kaptein alhier, verkoop aan Hendrick Evertse Smidt, vryburger alhier, die slaaf Jacob Casta Bengale vir f 285.
  5. [S418] Anna J. Böeseken, Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658-1700, p.138; 10.1.1680: Jacob from an unknown origin sold by Dirck Jansz Smient to Grasias from Angola, "vrijborger alhier", for Rds. 90.
  6. [S606] J.L. (Leon) Hattingh, "A.J. Böeseken se Addendum van Kaapse slawe-verkoopstransaksies: Foute en regstellings", Kronos (Foute en regstellings) 9 (1984): Op 23.5.1680 vind volgens Böeseken die volgende plaas: “Jacob and Thomas, two slaves belonging to Gracias of Angola, manumitted by him. No details given”. Inderdaad het Grasias (sic) van Angola sy slaaf Jacob, en ook net Jacob alleen, vrygestel. Jacob se naam word, soos dit gebruiklik was, in die document gevolg deur die woorde: “geboortig van” en dan is “Bengale” doodgetrek. Bokant hierdie doodgetrekte word is iets geskryf wat òf met ‘s C òf met ‘n T begin en wat lyk na Consie of Tomsie. Dit is wat Böeseken dan sommer “Thomas” maak, maar dit is dit beslis nie. Dan gaan die betrokke dokument verder en se dat die vrystelling geskied omdat “gemelte Jacob” aan sy eienaar enige penning gegee het om sy Vryheid te verkry. Hy het ook, staan in die dokument, goeie en getroue diens aan sy lyfheer gelewer, wat dus die addendum se stelling dat geen besonderhede verstrek is nie, heeltemal weerlê. Hierdie document is deur Grasias van Angola self onderteken en wel met vier hoofletters: GRVA. Hierdie handtekening bring mee dat Grasias van Angola, saam met Louis en Anthonij van Bengale, een van die weinige vryswartes uit die tyd was wat op ‘n manier kon skryf. Talle blanke vryburgers kon destyds kwalik ‘n kruisie trek.. Hereinafter cited as "Foute en regstellings."
  7. [S418] Anna J. Böeseken, Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658-1700, p.138. 23.5.1680: Jacob and Thomas, two slaves belonging to Gracias of Angola, manumitted by him. No details given.
 

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