This timeline is a section of one that is available at Dick Whitlock's Genealogy Website, i.e. http://whitlock.castlewebs.net/whitsend/tl.htm and was a collaboration of the individuals mentioned on the webpage. I have edited some entries, and added others. Unfortunately sources were not provided by the compilers.
Jan van Riebeeck arrives at Table Bay with the first group of white settlers on board the Drommedaris and establishes a permanent Dutch East India Company (VOC) settlement which endures until 1795.
Jan van Riebeeck become the first commander of the VOC settlement at the Cape.
Jan van Riebeeck visits Robben Island for the first time.
Asian convicts brought to Cape as slaves
Catharina Anthonis, a slave born in Bengal, was the first slave to be freed because Jan Woutersz, a white, wanted to marry her.
Slaves imported from Madagascar and Java.
First Free Burghers settle on Khoekhoe land
Settlement in Liesbeeck Valley (Rondebosch) by first 9 free white burghers.
The "Amersfoort", the first slave ship servicing the Cape arrives at Table Bay with a depleted human cargo of 174 Angolan slaves on board, most still children. The human cargo, called "armazoan" had been plundered from a Portuguese slave
The "Hasselt" docks at Table Bay with 228 West African slaves - 80 are subsequently shipped to Batavia.
Armed Khoekhoe resist Dutch seizure of land (1659-1660)
Expansion of Cape settlement (period 1660-1679)
First horses arrive at the Cape from Batavia (ca 1660).
Almond hedge planted to protect the settlement from the Hottentots (Khoikhoi).
Rumours noted at Cape concerning "Briqua" - later known to be Tswana.
Zacharias Wagenaar appointed Governor.
Jan van Riebeeck leaves the Cape for Malacca.
Outposts set up at Saldanha Bay and Hottentots Holland.
The first Calvinist (Dutch Reformed Church) congregation founded at the Cape and the first minister appointed, Rev. J. van Arkel. Alt date 1666.
Settlements in Saldanha Bay and Vishoek (Fish Hoek). First Calvinist church built in Cape Town.
The Castle (or Fort) building started in Cape Town.
The foundation stones of the Castle, built to replace the existing Fort, in Cape Town were laid.
Johannes de Voocht from Amsterdam appointed as minister
Cornelis van Qualberg appointed Commander.
Zacharias Wagenaer resigns as governor and is immediately succeeded by Cornelis van Quaelberg
Johannes Petrus Wachtendorp appointed interim minister in terms of a resolution of the Council of Policy
Settlement of Hottentots-Holland
Indians arrive at the Cape.
Adrianus de Vooght is appointed minister following the death on this date of Do. Wachtendorp
Dominee Johannes Petrus Wachtendorp dies, leaving the Cape without a minister.
Cornelis van Quaelberg ends term as commander at the Cape.
Jakob Borghorst becomes commander at the Cape
Pieter Hackius appointed Commander.
Jacob Borghorst ends term as commander at the Cape.
Comander Pieter Hackius dies
The Council of Policy assumes command of the settlement under the chairmanship of Coenraad van Breitenbach
Sekunde Albert van Breugel is appointed acting commander ending the tenure of the Council of Policy.
Ijsbrand Goske appointed Commander.
Second Dutch-Khoekhoe war (1672?)
Johan Bax (van Herenthals) appointed Commander.
Settlement of Hottentots-Holland
Sekunde Hendrik Crudorp appointed acting Commander, until 12 October 1679
Stellenbosch founded.
Castle in Cape Town is completed.
First farmers settle along the Eerste River.
Simon van der Stel appointed Commander and arrives with orders to expand colony.
Commissioner Hendrik van Reede (VOC) decrees that male slaves can buy their freedom for 100 guilders on reaching the age of 25 years, provided that theyhave been confirmed in the Dutch Reformed Church and can speak Dutch. The same conditions apply to female slaves, who can buy their freedom at age 22 years.
Simon van der Stel visits Namaqualand
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in Stellenbosch (seceded from Cape Town).
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Boswijk".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Eemsland".
White settlements along the Bergrivier (Drakenstein, Paarl).
The first 22 French Huguenots arrive at the Cape.
Approximately 200 French Huguenots arrive at the Cape, settle mostly in Fransch Hoek (1688-1698).
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Voorschooten".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Oosterland".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "De Schelde".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Berg China".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Zuid-Beveland".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Borssenburg".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Wapen van Alkmaar".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Zion".
1600
1610
1620
1630
1640
1650
1660
1670
1680
1690
1700
1710
1720
1730
1740
1750
1760
1770
Trekboer class emerges (1690-1699)
Dutch Reformed Church congregations founded in Drakenstein and Paarl.
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Spierdijk"
The position of commander is replaced with governor and Simon van der Stel becomes first governor at the Cape.
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Agatha".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Vosmaer".
Settlement of Wagenmakers' Vallei (Wellington).
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Driebergen".
Willem Adriaan van der Stel appointed Governor.
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Cattendyk".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Westhoven".
Arrival of French Huguenots aboard the "Donkervliet".
VOC slave trading in Mozambique, Zanzibar and Madagascar (1700-1799).
Arrival of French Hugonots on board the Reijgersdaal
Settlement in Land van Waveren (Tulbagh).
Arrival of French Hugenots on board the Helmeet
Arrival of French Hugenots on board Sleewijk
Cattle raids by Khoekhoe commence against Dutch
Arrival of French Hugenots on board Beloijs
Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel calls burghers "boers" - using the term perjoritively.
Johan Cornelis d'Ableing appointed Governor.
Arrival of French Hugenots on board Generale Vrede
Louis van Assenburg appointed Governor.
Arrival of French Hugenots on board Verburgh
Willem Helot appointed Governor.
Smallpox epidemic introduced by visiting Indian ship(s) and decimates Khoekhoe and San at Cape and further inland. Many whites also die.
Arrival of French Hugenots on board Strijkkebolle
Maurits Pasques de Chavonnes appointed Governor.
Arrival of French hugenots on board: Skipnaam: Kokenge
System of freehold title to land ends, by which time about 400 farms granted.
Arrival of French Hugenots on board Abbekerk
Arrival of French Hugenots on board Meijnden
Western Cape Khoekhoe reduced to labouring class (1720-1740).
Jan de la Fontaine appointed Governor.
Groot Constantia is built
Arrival of French Hugenots on board Huijs te Assenburg
Jan de la Fontaine appointed (provisional) Governor.
Arrival of French Hugenots on board Berbice
Daniel van den Henghel appointed Governor.
Arrival of French hugenots on board: Skipnaam: Huijs te Assenburg
Arrival of French hugenots on board: Skipnaam: Midloo
First Boers reach George area, trek inland into Langkloof.
The VOC imports slaves from Mozambique and Zanzibar. First Boers reach George area, trek inland into Langkloof.
Quitrent system of land tenure introduced
Annual rental of a leningplaats doubled to 24 rixdollars.
Great Brak River proclaimed eastern boundary of Cape.
Adriaan van Kervel appointed Governor.
Short-lived Moravian mission to Khoekhoe (1737-1743).
Dutch Reformed Church congregations founded in Roodezand (Tulbagh).
First recorded Trekboer loan farms in Roggeveld
Dutch Reformed Church congregations founded in Swellendam.
Dutch Reformed Church congregations founded in Swartland (Malmesbury).
Swellendam is founded
Hendrik Swellengrebel appointed Governor.
First recorded !Xam San resistance to Roggeveld Trekboers
Foundation stone of Old Town House in Cape Town is laid.
Smallpox epidemic in the Cape.
Jansz, Coetse with Klaas Barends and others cross Gariep River
Ryk Tulbagh appointed Governor (a year in this decade?).
Hendrik Hop travels to Gariep River (1761-1762)
112 slaves from Madagascar arrive in Table Bay on board Meermin.
Timeline of the Early Cape Settlement
