Susanna van Mombasa1

F, #8920, b. circa 1660

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NGK Stellenbosch Baptisms 1688-1732NGK Stellenbosch Baptisms 1688-1732
Last Edited05/07/2017
BirthOrigin*Susanna was from Mombasa and may have been born there circa 1660. The date is estimated.2,1 
BaptismCandidateSusanna van Mombasa may be the individual who was baptized on 6 January 1697 Nederduitsch Gereformeerde Kerk, Stellenbosch, de Caep de Goede Hoop.3 
Marriage De facto* Before 22 October 1696 Susanna van Mombasa and Anthoniij van Angola were in a de facto relationship de Caep de Goede Hoop.4  
Marriage De facto Circa 1700 Susanna van Mombasa and Gerrit Gerrits were in a de facto relationship de Caep de Goede Hoop.5  

Family 1

Anthoniij van Angola b. c 1649, d. bt 12 Oct 1696 - 13 Oct 1696
Child

Family 2
Child
  • Elijsabet NN b. b 19 Jan 1698; candidate relationship, offered with a view toward further discovery in the record.22

Family 3

Gerrit Gerrits b. c 1675, d. 1730
Children
Names in the record, in publications, etc.The name of Susanna appeared as Susanna van Bambaser in the cited publication(s.)6
22 June 1696, the name of Susanna was written in the record as Susanna van Bombasa.7,6
22 October 1696, the name of Susanna was written in the record as Susanna.8,9
30 August 1705, the name of Susanna was written in the record as Susanna van Macassar.10,6
28 May 1708, the name of Susanna was written in the record as Susanna van Madagascar.11,6
26 June 1712, the name of Susanna was written in the record as Susanna van Bombasa.12
April 1719, the name of Susanna was written in the record as Sussanah van Bambassa.13
NotesThe attached article by Margaret Cairns is essential reading for anyone interested in Susanna van Mombasa.14
Monsterrollen and Opgaafrollen (Muster and tax rolls)April 1719 Susanna van Mombasa was enumerated on the opgaafrol (census/tax roll) in Cape District, with one son and three daughters, namely Hermanus Gerrits, Hilletie Gerrits, Maria Gerrits and Sophia Elizabeth Gerrits. I have assumed these to be the children enumerated with her because they all appear elsewhere in the record at later dates. As of October 2016, I have not yet identified her youngest daughter, Susanna, in the record after her baptism.15
Crime and relatedOn 16 November 1694 de Caep de Goede Hoop Anthoniij van Angola assaulted Marta van de Caep, hitting her on the head and causing a gash on her arm. She was likely his own daughter and her mother was Susanna van Bombasa, his slave and apparent concubine.16
Slave EmancipationsOn 22 October 1696 Susanna van Mombasa was emancipated by Anthoniij van Angola with the authority of Henningh Hùijsing and Willem Corsenaar de Caep de Goede Hoop. In the emancipation record, Anthonij is described as Susanna's husband. They could not have been legally married because Susanna was a slave, but the relationship clearly appears to have been a de facto marriage. Although Anthonij was already deceased at the time, he had prior to his death promised Susanna she and her children would be freed and this was carried out by the authorities because of the testimony of Hans Jürgen Grimp and Pieter van der Bijl.17,18,19,7
Slaves owned by individualsSusanna van Mombasa was a slave, owned by Elisabeth van Angola, circa 1690 de Caep de Goede Hoop.20
Before 22 October 1696 Susanna van Mombasa was owned by Anthoniij van Angola.1

Citations

  1. [S520] Mansell Upham, "Lijsbeth Vion", 2 March 2010 (Tokyo, Japan - e-mail address). "22 October 1696 Susanna van Mombasa & 2 children [Martha & Elisabeth (?)], slaves of the late Anthoniij van Angola, liberated by the Orphan-masters Willem Corssenaar & Henning Huesing, in accordance with a written statement by Hans Jurgen Grimp & Pieter van der Bijl of Stellenbosch". Hereinafter cited as "Lijsbeth Vion."
  2. [S21] Date estimated by compiler, Delia Robertson and, unless there is corroborating information, should not be considered as anything more than a guide.
  3. [S325] Lorna Newcomb and Ockert Malan, compilers, Annale van Nederduits Gereformeerde Moedergemeente Stellenbosch No 1.., CD-ROM (Stellenbosch) Die Genootskap vir die Kerkversameling, 2004 0-9584832-1-3), Baptism Register, De ander den meyt van Antony van Angola jis gedoopt den 6 Janùarij 1697 als getùijge Jan van Eden, Lysebet van de Caap. [DR: I think rather than a child, this was the adult baptism of Sussana van Bambaser (Mombasa)- the only female slave thus far identified as having been owned by Antonij van Angola.]]. Hereinafter cited as Palmkronieke I Baptisms.
  4. [S432] Robert C-H Shell compiler, Changing Hands, A calendar of bondage in southern Africa, 1550 to 1888, CD-ROM; ISBN 1-86918-063-1; (Cape Town: Ancestry24, September 2007), Manumitter relation: Husband [The relationship would have been de facto, slaves were not permitted to marry.]. Hereinafter cited as Changing Hands.
  5. [S521] Margaret Cairns, "Gerrit Gerrits of Oldenburg and Susanna of Bambaser: An early 18th century couple", Familia (Gerrits & Bambaser) 17, nr. 3/4 (1990): After the death of Anthony, Susanna, with or without the two children, (there is no further mention of them) apparently made her way to the Cape for there is no evidence that Gerrits was ever resident in the Stellenbosch district. Somehow she came under his protection, and into his home, where she remained for the rest of her life of thirty-five years as his wife in all but name, and the mother of their five children.. Hereinafter cited as "Gerrits & Bambaser."
  6. [S521] Margaret Cairns, "Gerrits & Bambaser", Attention now falls on the central figure of this study, Gerrit’s consort Susanna of Bambaser. Her place of origin has not been identified despite extensive research. The name is variously spelt as Bombaser and Bambaser in documents referring to her and in the Dutch Reformed Church baptismal registers she appears as of Macassar and of Madagascar. [dr: More likely Mombasa.]
  7. [S606] J.L. (Leon) Hattingh, "A.J. Böeseken se Addendum van Kaapse slawe-verkoopstransaksies: Foute en regstellings", Kronos (Foute en regstellings) 9 (1984): En ofskoon Böeseken geen plek van herkoms vir die slavin Susanna verstrek nie, word dit in die betrokke document van 22.10.1696 as "Bombasa" aangegee.. Hereinafter cited as "Foute en regstellings."
  8. [S418] Anna J. Böeseken, Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658-1700 (Cape Town: Tafelberg, 1977), p. 174. Hereinafter cited as Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658-1700.
  9. [S545] J.L. (Leon) Hattingh Die Eerste Vryswartes van Stellenbosch 1679 - 1720, Wes-Kaaplandse Instituut vir Historiese Navorsing, Tygerberg, Cape Town, (1981) 0-909075-65-4 "p. 21."
  10. [S734] VC 604, NGK Baptism Registers 1695-1712 (Cape Town), (1695-1712), Genealogical Society of South Africa, eGSSA Branch http://www.eggsa.org/sarecords/, http://www.eggsa.org/. Hereinafter cited as NGK Baptism Registers 1695-1712 (Cape Town).
  11. [S734] VC 604, NGK Baptism Registers 1695-1712 (Cape Town): ...Susanna van Madegascar..., 1695-1712, Genealogical Society of South Africa, eGSSA Branch http://www.eggsa.org/sarecords/
  12. [S734] VC 604, NGK Baptism Registers 1695-1712 (Cape Town): ... Susanna van Bombasa ..., 1695-1712, Genealogical Society of South Africa, eGSSA Branch http://www.eggsa.org/sarecords/
  13. [S882] Opgaafrol, K; KA 4060; Tax Rolls, 1719, Cape Archive Depot, ... Spouse Surname:      Bambassa van
    Spouse First Name:      Sussanah ...
  14. [S521] Margaret Cairns, "Gerrits & Bambaser."
  15. [S882] Opgaafrol, K; KA 4060; Tax Rolls, 1719, Cape Archive Depot, Householder Last Name:      Unknown
    Householder First Name:      Unknown
    District:      Cape District
    Comment:      Freeblack
    Spouse Surname:      Bambassa van
    Spouse First Name:      Sussanah
    Free Males:      0
    Free Females:      1
    Free Sons:      1
    Free Daughters:      3
    Knechts:      0
    Male Adult Slaves:      0
    Female Adult Slaves:      0
    Male Slave Boys:      0
    Female Slave Girls:      0
    Horses:      0
    Cattle:      0
    Sheep:      0
    Pigs:      0
    Vines:      0
    Leggers Of Wine:      0
    Barley Sown:      0
    Barley Reaped:      0
    Oats Sown Muids:      0
    Oats Reaped Muids:      0
    Rye Sown:      0
    Rye Reaped:      0
    Sabres:      0
    Carbines:      0
    Pistols:      0
    All Slaves:      0
    Sequence Number In Original IDNO:      0161
    Source:      Opgaafrolle KA 4060 (April 1720)
    Source Location:      Cape Town Archives.
  16. [S545] J.L. (Leon) Hattingh Die Eerste Vryswartes van Stellenbosch 1679 - 1720 "Sy slavin, Susanna, het op 17 November 1694 by die landdros en heemrade kom kla oor haar meester se optrede. Sy wou hom die vorige aand laat gemaklik lê op die bed - waarskynlik was hy nie heeltemal nugter nie - toe hy "met sy gram steurigh gemoet" opgestaan en haar te lyf probeer gaan het. Hy het eers die deur toegemaak sodat sy nie kon vlug nie, maar toe gevind dat die kamer so donker was dat hy nòg haar nòg die 1amp kon kry. Toe hy weer die deur oopmaak was sy reeds weg. In sy ongeduldigheid het hy vir Marta, haar kind, gegryp en "seer deerlijck" met 'n stok geslaan. Susanna kon slegs die baba bykom en het daarmee na hul buurman Isak Schrijver gevlug. Later die aand het Paij Zijlon (waarskynllk Marquart van Ceylon) vir Marta daar aangebring, "deerlijck bebloet" weens die hou teen die hoof en 'n sny aan die arm."
  17. [S418] Anna J. Böeseken, Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658-1700, p. 174. 22.10.1696, pp. 112 (verso) 113: Susanna and two children, slaves of the late Anthony of Angola, liberated by the orphan-masters WiIlem Corssenaar and Henning Hüsing in accordance with a written statement by Hans Jurgen Grimp and Pieter van der Bijl of Stellenbosch.
  18. [S432] Robert C-H Shell compiler, Changing Hands, Susanna [Testamentary manumission by Anthonij van Angola.].
  19. [S521] Margaret Cairns, "Gerrits & Bambaser", However it seems obvious that she had been at the Cape for a few years before 1696 for this document is in fact her emancipation from slavery, and it provides details of her life that would otherwise have remained hidden. It is a fascinating document and far more than the stereotyped freedom papers usually to be found, for Hugo de Goyer, the secretary of the Council of Policy which normally handles such matters, added that six weeks before his death, her late master Anthony of Angola had told him "synde geweest de lyfeigen van Anthony van Angola", that he intended to free her from slavery. This freedom was to include that of her child, fathered by another man, and her unborn child by Anthony himself. Unfortunately Anthony died before he could carry out his promise and his posthumous son was therefore born a slave. However, the matter of the proposed emancipation had apparently been common knowledge and two well-known burgers of Stellenbosch where Anthony lived, Hans Jurgen Grimpe and Pieter van der Bijl came to the aid of Susanna and the deposition that they made to this effect bore sufficient weight for the authorities to grant the requested freedom forthwith.
  20. [S325] Baptism Register, Palmkronieke I Baptisms, Lorna:
    Sy was waarskynlik Susanna die slavin van Elisabeth van Angola vrou van Manuel van Angola, wat na haar man se dood bysit van Anthonij van Angola geword het. Manuel en Anthonie was vennote.
  21. [S545] J.L. (Leon) Hattingh Die Eerste Vryswartes van Stellenbosch 1679 - 1720 "In sy ongeduldigheid het hy vir Marta, haar kind, gegryp en "seer deerlijck" met 'n stok geslaan. Susanna kon slegs die baba bykom en het daarmee na hul buurman Isak Schrijver gevlug. Later die aand het Paij Zijlon (waarskynllk Marquart van Ceylon) vir Marta daar aangebring, "deerlijck bebloet" weens die hou teen die hoof en 'n sny aan die arm."
  22. [S520] Mansell Upham, "Lijsbeth Vion", "Lijsbeth [putative daughter of Susanna van Mombasa] manumitted as infant 19 January 1698."
  23. [S734] VC 604, NGK Baptism Registers 1695-1712 (Cape Town): 1701. 20 Mart: van Gerrit Gerritze van Oldenburg, de moeder Susanna, onder getuyge van Jan Versluijs en Anslaar gent: - Hermanus, 1695-1712, Genealogical Society of South Africa, eGSSA Branch http://www.eggsa.org/sarecords/
  24. [S521] Margaret Cairns, "Gerrits & Bambaser", Maria Gerrits bap. 30.8.1705 died 30.3.1738. At the age of 17 she married Rudolph Brits from Koornhoop. Their marriage given as on 5.12.1722 in DV/P has not been found.
 

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