Catharina (van Palicatte) van Bengale (abt. 1631 - abt. 1683)

Born about 1631 in Palacatti, Bengal Pulicat, Coromandel Coast, India

Wife of Antonij Jansz van Bengale — married 20 Mar 1671 in Cape Colony

Descendants

Died about Mar 1683 at about age 52 in de Caep de Goede Hoop

Problems/Questions Profile manager: COGH Stamouer-Progenitor Project WikiTree [send private message]

Catharina (van Palicatte) van Bengale is a Cape of Good Hope - Kaap de Goede Hoop (1652-1806) Stamouer-Progenitor Join: Cape of Good Hope - Kaap de Goede Hoop (1652-1806) Project Discuss: DUTCH_CAPE_COLONY_PROGENITORS

Biography

Events (English)

While the story of Groote Catrijn van Paliacatta is being re-enacted in Amsterdam as I type, it's worth revisiting her defensive act of culpable homicide / manslaughter & the trial that ensued ... The events leading up to Groote Catrijn's life-long banishment to the Cape of Good Hope are preserved in 2 detailed judicial documents from Batavia. These are copied from the sentence book (Sententiebouck) of the Batavian Council of Justice that accompany Groote Catrijn on her voyage of exile to the Cape. Copies survive & are housed in the Cape Archives in Cape Town. These have proved exceedingly difficult – if not almost impossible for most - to read as the folios have handwriting on both sides with the ink showing through. Historian Anna J. Böeseken (1977), even though referring to these very sources in her seminal work "Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658-1700", pp. 20-21, almost condemns Groote Catrijn to oblivion by stating the following: "During Van Riebeeck's administration the Council of Justice did not often meet to consider cases involving slaves. In one instance, a woman called 'Catharina from Paliacatta' is mentioned. As she had been sentenced in Batavia for a misdemeanour which is not [sic] specified in the documents, we are merely informed that she was condemned to death, but that her sentence was changed to lifelong banishment to the Cape. She was in fact the first female convict at the Cape, but in the documents she is described as a female slave". Böeseken again overlooks this important case in her later work "Uit die Raad van Jutisie 1652-1672" (1986) comprising 100 transcribed cases tried at the Cape before the Council of Justice. Her book provides, however, a comprehensive list of 463 cases together with essential summaries. For case no. 44, which, unlike the rest of the cases, was never tried at the Cape, she merely states the following: "44; 16.11.1656; Catharina van Paliacatte; vonnis en begenadiging; instede van doodstraf word sy lewenslank na die Kaap verban. CJ 281, pp. 5-7." Verbatim transcriptions were finally published for the 1st time ever on FFY … Despite her unique distinction as 1st recorded female convict at the Cape of Good Hope & 1st slave to be freed there by the Company, Groote Catrijn, has yet to be fully incorporated into the mainstream of historiographical writing on slavery in South Africa. Robert Shell, for example, in his "Children of Bondage" (1994), makes no mention of this important slave figure. She is also not mentioned in the earlier works of Robert Ross, "Cape of Torments: Slavery & Resistance in South Africa" (1983), & Victor de Kock, "Those in Bondage" (1963).

Karel Schoeman, "Early slavery at the Cape of Good Hope 1652-1717" (2007) – barely mentions her despite being fully apprized about earlier substantive published research (1997) about her … From the extracts taken from the Batavian sentence book & despatched to the Cape, we know that Pulicat-born Catharina appears to have converted to Islam & to be about 25 years old at the time of her conviction. This estimation is based on her physical appearance (na aensien omtrent 25 jaeren). Appearing before the Council of Justice at the Castle at Batavia on a charge of manslaughter, Groote Catrijn, now a prisoner, relates the events leading up to her arraignment. This she does 'of her own free will', meaning that she either voluntarily confesses - with or without the aid of torture.

For a year & a half, she & the late Claes van Malabar commit carnal intercourse (vleeschelijcke conversatie) as husband & wife. Concubinage is outlawed in Batavia in terms of edicts (placaaten) dating back to 1620, 1622 & also the Statutes of India (the laws promulgated at Batavia) which hold sway (1642-1765). During his lifetime Claes is the slave of the Company's stablemaster Sieur Hendrick Christoffel Loser. His relationship with Groote Catrijn, 1st compounded (sometime in mid-1654), terminates abruptly at about 2 o' clock in the afternoon of 8 October 1656. On that eventful day Groote Catrijn arrives at the garden of Claes's master & owner. This is situated at the Rijswijck Fortress outside of Batavia - the site of the original fortress is now covered by Merdeka Square (Medan Merdeka / Lapangan Merdeka & the official residence of the President of the reconfigured Republic of Indonesia). She brings with her a pot of cooked chicken & pork. Claes had requested the food. Groote Catrijn is keen that he shares the meat with her. Her expedition is abortive. Groote Catrijn's offerings Claes politely refuses. He has already eaten his midday meal. Groote Catrijn turns on him in anger. Hurling abuse, she grabs hold of Claes and calls him a 'motherfucker' (moerkneuker) ... This timeless universal expletive is deliberately muted in the court record. The scribe notes euphemistically that during her confrontation with Claes, Groote Catrijn also adds most uncivilly: "you kiss your mother" or "you know your mother carnally" (…… vouginge op't onbeleefsche jou moeder en[de – deleted] u maaij gesoent ofte vleeschelijck bekent …) The abusive term 'moerneuker', or equivalent thereof, likely to be used, is inferred. The common use of 'moerneuker' as a term of abuse at the Cape is confirmed by an incident during the slave rebellion (October 1808). he 'Bastaard Hottentot' Arrie Abel is arrested & put on trial (6 November 1808) for inter alia calling his victim Hendrik Priem [Heinrich Prien] (from Schmalstede [Danish Holsten] – incidentally the author’s more recent ancestor & maternal great-great-great-great-grandfather) a moerneuker: "Ha jou moerneuker, ben jy hier - jy bent altyd zo een uithaalder geweest". This translates as: "Ha! You Motherfucker! It's you! You were always such a flasher." Given the historical and geographic removal and evolution of Afrikaans from Dutch, we need to consider the shifts in meanings of certain basic words currently shared by both languages. In Dutch (and Afrikaans) moer is a contraction for moeder - moe[de]r - moer ('mother'). In Afrikaans, the word is now often offensive and used as a term of abuse. Curiously, it can also mean when used as a verb 'to beat up' or 'to thrash'. The word neuker (derived from the verb neuk) in Dutch means 'fucker'. In Afrikaans, the word neuk, however, has lost this sexual, vulgar, crude & offensive connotation & now, like 'moer' [a contraction of 'moeder'], simply means 'to thrash' or 'to strike' (especially with a fist) or 'to bother' or 'to annoy'. In effect, the term moerkneuker is tautologous in Afrikaans & appears no longer to be in use in South Africa. A scuffle ensues, with an enraged Claes grabbing hold of Groote Catrijn & throwing her to the ground. Once separated, Groote Catrijn, now in a blind fury & violent rage (in hevigen woede) grabs hold of a sharp-cornered cobblestone. The writer when originally transcribing the court record misread ladder for cobblestone. This error has ramified & is repeated in all subsequent publications by numerous authors – including Schalk W, le Roux (vide his Vele wonings: die lewe en tuistes van Catharina van Paliacatte, South African Journal of Cultural History (2011), vol. 26/1, pp. 61-101) who claims to have "revisited" the archival sources previously unearthed & published in "Capensis" (1997); & except for bringing her story to an Afrikaans audience, adds nothing new whatsoever to her story. The error came to light when re-preparing a verbatim transcription for publication on FFY by the writer & is now finally corrected. Aiming for his genitals, she hits Claes with all the force she can muster. But Groote Catrijn misses her mark. Instead, she hits Claes against the droop of his belly - almost connecting his manhood. The force of the impact causes Claes's bladder to burst. Four days later, on the night of 11/12 October 1656, he dies. Read more about Groote catrijn at the following link: Remarkable Writing > Cape Mothers [Mansell Upham] ^[1][2]

Groot Catrijn, was also known as Catharina van Bengale. She was a slave woman from Paliacatte, on the Coromandel Coast, India, born about 1631 and died about 1683. She was a slave in Batavia to the free woman Maria Magdalena (we don't know whether she had a surname). ^[3]

Catrijn was sexually assaulted on 8 October 1656 by her lover, the slave Claes van Malabar, in a stable at Fort Rijswijck (Jakarta, island of Java, Indonesia). In the altercation, she hit Claes with an angular ladder across his stomach. Claes died four days later due to a burst bladder from the blow he received. Another source ^[4] cites: "On 8 October 1656 Rijswijck Fortress, Batavia, Batavia, Groote Catrijn, furious at her lover, the slave Claes van Malabar, throws a cobble stone hitting him with great force in the area just above his genitals (the presumed target of the blow). His kidney burst and he died days later." Catharine then faced charges of murder. She was found guilty of murder and received the death penalty (sentenced to be tied to a stake and strangled until she died) on 16 November 1656.^[5][6] For unknown reasons^[7], her death penalty was commuted a few days later to being exiled to the Cape Colony, although the Facebook source refers to potential reasons for her commuted sentence. ^[5] She was however pardoned, being banished as a slave to the Cape. Catrijn was the first recorded female slave convict at the Cape. ^[3]

Gebeurtenisse (Afrikaans)

'n Slavin van Paliacatta (vernaamste VOC vesting in Bengale - tans bekend as Pulicat, geleë op die walle van die meer van Pulicat op die Coromandel-kus op die Indiese subkonitent). Ook bekend as Catharina van Bengale en Catharina van Paliacatte. In 1656 is sy die slavin van Maria Magdalena (van onbekend) in Batavië (teenwoordige Jakarta in Indonesië). Op 8 Oktober 1656 was sy seksueel aangerand in 'n perdestal by die Fort Rijswijk deur haar minnaar, die slaaf Claes van Malabar. Sy verdedig haarself en slaan hom met 'n leer oor die bekken, as gevolg waarvan sy blaas bars en hy vier dae later sterf. Sy word tot die dood veroordeel om aan 'n paal vasgemaak en verwurg te word, maar Goewerneur-Generaal Joan Maetsuycker begenadig haar en verban haar lewenslank as bandiet' na die Kaap van Goeie Hoop. Sy arriveer aan die Kaap op 21 Februarie 1657 aan boord van die Prins Willem en werk as wasvrou in die Fort, die eerste slavin aan die Kaap. Sy het twee voorkinders, een by die vaandeldaer en garnisoenhoof Pieter Everaerts van Cruijsaert en een by die soldaat Hans Christoffel Snijder (of Schneider) alias Snijman, van Heidelberg in die Palatinate. Op inststruksies van die Raad van Indië was Groote Catrijn vrygestel en toegelaat om in die huwelik te tree met die vryswarte (mardijker) Antjonij (Jansz) (de Later) van Bengale op 20 Desember 1671. Groote Catrijn, haar eggenoot, haar dogter en kleindogter - met die uitsondering van Christoffel Snijman Jnr - het almal gesterf in 'n gesinstragedie tussen Desember 1682 en Februarie 1683. Anthonij Jansz van Bengale se aansienlike boedel het vir die seun se opvoeding gesorg, asmede 'n aansienlike erflating.^[8]

Na vrystelling as slaaf trou sy met Antonie van Bengale- ofskoon hy sy naam teken as Anthonij van Japan' word ook na hom verwys as Anthonij de Chinees'; eerste vryswarte aan die Kaap van Goeie Hoop wat grond gekoop en 'n boer geword het. Hy koop 100 skape, 'n stuk tuingrond' in Tafelvallei, en 'n erf in Zeestraat van die vryburger Cornelisz Roosendael van Amsterdam. Vanweë wanbetaling moet hy en sy gesin in Mei 1673 plak op 'n stuk oop grond in Bergdwarsstraat. Dié grond word op 12 Februarie 1675 aan hom toegeken. Oorlede, saam met sy vrou, in 1682; in sy boedel van 17 Des 1682 laat hy 'n boedel ter waarde van f2608 aan sy aangenome seun Christoffel Snijman na. ^[8]

Name

Catharina ^{[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]} van Palicatte ^[10][12] / van Paliacatta ^{[10][11][12][13][14]} / van Palicatta^[16] / van Bengale ^[9][10][15] Snijman ^[15]

Also known as: Catharina van Paliacatta (also known as 'the Coast of Coromandel' or 'Kust van Coromandel') ^[17]

Also known as: Groote Catrijn van Bengals ^[11] / Groot Katrijn ^[9] / "Groote Catrijn in Batavia", "van Bengale" ^[11][18]

Birth

Date: about 1631 ^{[10][11][12][14][13][17][16]} 1650. ^[14]

Place: Pulicat, Coromandel Coast, India ^[17] / Pulicat, Coromandel Coast, Tamil Nadu, India ^{[12][11][19][13]} / Coromandel Coast, India ^[9] / Palicatte ^[10] / Palacatti, Indië ^[14]

Baptism

Date: Groote Cathrijn then gets baptised as an adult with her fellow slave friend Mooij Ansela on 29 April 1668. ^[3][20]

Date: On 29th April 1668^[8][16][21] she was baptised in the Cape Church with her friend Mooi Ansela ^[8][20], also known as Maaij Ansela. She was also the witnessed the baptisms of several slaves in subsequent months. ^[5][20]

Place: [Cape Town] ^[16]

Age: 36-37^[16]

den 29 April zijn gedoopt na gedaen belydenisse twee bejaerde personen, waer van de'n genaemt wiert Angila de andere Catharien.^[21][20]

^[20]Den 3 júniús

Ed'n zoontje van Angila wurt ge'nae'mt Pieter

tot getúijge stond Catrine compan: slavinne doch christen

^[20]den 25 júni

Een dochter van Anthoni japan en Anniecke syn haysin(?)

wurt ge'nae'mt Eberintje (or Therintje?) tot getúijge stond groote Catrina

comp: slaefinne doch christs.

Emigration

Emigration: as slave on the ship "Prins Willem", 21 Feb 1657, Paliacatta, Dravida, India. This ship was part of the return fleet which left Batavia on 4 December 1656. ^[13]

Occupation

Slave, VOC company slave ^[8][16]

Washerwoman / Slave (see detailed history here: First Fifty years ^[22]

Date: ABT 1657 ^[13]

Place: Commander Jan van Riebeeck ^[22]

Marriage & Relations

She had several partners while at the Cape, possibly due to her slave status. Catharina Wagenmakers (b.c. 1658) and Marritie Pieterz (b.c. 1660) are thought to be her children by unknown fathers. ^[5]

She had 2 voorkinders, one by the ensign and chief of the garrison, Pieter Everaerts from Bruijsaert and one by the soldier Hans Christoffel Snijder (this is the Dutch version of Schneider) also known as Snijman, from Heidelberg in the Palatinate.^[23]

Groote Catrijn had a relationship with Pieter Everaerts, who was a high Company official (he served in both the Council of Policy and the Council of Justice), she had his child. Everaerts died 15 March 1664. On 6 September 1665 there are two seperate entries for Company slave Catharina baptising two children Petronella and Anthony (there is greater certainty that Petronella was Groote Catrijn's child).^[23]

VOORKIND with Pieter EVERAERTS: Petronella. This daughter, Petronella, when she grew up she gave birth to a child also named Petronella (the father was a soldier Willem Jansen), both of them must have died in some tragedy with the other members of the family, maybe some disease.^[23]

TWO MORE CHILDREN BAPTISED BY GROOTE CATRIJN (Father unknown)^[23]:

Susan = 2 Oct 1667^[20]

^[20]De'n 2 octob twe' comp slaevinne kinde're'n

he't e'e'ne' wiert ge'naemt Anthoni, de moe'der grietje', he't ander Súsan de moeder

Catharyn tot ge'tuyge stont in persoon van de'n E. raet Do victor

Anthoni = 13 Nov 1667

Note: baptism entries for 13 Nov 1667 mentions Cathrijn, but not Anthoni^[20] (it is of course almost impossible to tell whether these all refer to the same Cathrijn):

^[20]De'n 13 nov e'e'n slavinne kind van de' E. Compangie wiert

ge'nae'mt Lois (or Lúis?) de' moeder heet Cathrijn. tot getúyge' stont

in persoon van den E. raet Do victor

dito een slaevinne kint van den E.H.Comman:qûael

berge'n(?) wiest ge'nae'mt adriaentje de moeder Catharyn

tot getúyge stont in persoon van de juffr qualbergen

haer slaevinne

Hans Christoffel Snijman (also recorded as Christoffel Snijman) was a soldier in the garrison convicted and banished to Robben Island on 30th July 1667 for not standing guard - instead he had been sleeping on a regular basis with Groote Catrijn - washerwoman at the Fort to successive commanders. Thereafter, Snijders disappears from the records at the Cape. On instructions from the Council of India, Groote Catrijn was again pardoned. VOORKIND with Hans Christoffel SNIJMAN (Christoffel Snyman baptised on 9 March 1669. (He became the stamvader of the Snyman family).^[23]

Unmarried (1): Pieter EVERAERTS (Stamvader) [[Everard-168|Pieter Everard] (Everaerts from Bruijsaert b.c. 1631), the ensign and chief of the garrison^[24], left f150 in his will dated 13 March 1664 to his unborn child by Catharina from Bengal. He died on 15 March 1664. Petronella van Bengale "voorkind 1") was born before 6 September 1665, and is accepted as the child of their union. She died circa March 1683, having produced at least one child, Willem Janssen (1654 - Dec 1681). ^[5]

Unmarried (2): Unknown - two more children baptised by Groote Catrijn (Father unknown) Susan = 2 Oct 1667 Anthoni = 13 Nov 1667^[25]

Unmarried (3): Hans Christoph SNIJDER (Stamvader) Hans Christoffel Snijman (b.c. 1645), a soldier from Heidelberg, in the Palatinate (Germany), was convicted 30 July 1667 of 'regular nocturnal activity' with the Fort's washerwoman - Groot Catrijn. Christoffel Snijman, their son (voorkind 2), was baptised in the NG Kerk on 9 March 1669. He is regarded as the stamvader of the Snymans in South Africa. He died circa 21 March 1706, having fathered 9 children. Hans Christoffel Snijman ^[26] had a relationship with Groot Catrijn. From this relationship was born Christoffel Snijman. Christoffel Snyman was baptised on 9 March 1669. Groot Catrijn later got married the free black (mardijker) Anthonij (Jansz) (de Later) van Bengale on 20th December 1671. In a letter dated 6 January 1672 it is mentioned that Groot Catrijn was freely pardoned. A tragedy must have taken place since the whole family died between December 1682 and February 1683, the only one who did not die was Christoffel Snijman. Many people wrongly consider the father of Snijman to be this free black, but he was the stepfather. Christoffel is the stamvader of the Snyman family. ^[3]

Marriage (4): [[Van_Bengale-18|Anthonij Jansz from Bengals] ( Anthonij Jansz from Bengals was born circa 1650 in Bengals, India, christened on 12 Sep 1670 in Cape Town and died in Dec 1682 in Cape Town.) ^[8] on 20 Dec 1671 in Cape Town. She had married Anthonij Jansz van Bengale (b. in Bengal - the nature of the surname indicates that he was probably a slave at some stage - throughout this period (1668), records of the Cape list her as still being a slave owned by the VOC, though a letter was sent to the VOC's Heeren XVII dated 6 January 1672 mentioning that she has been fully pardoned of Claes van Malabar's death, and that permission had been granted for her to marry a free-black) on 20 December 1671. Lists at the Cape show her as Catharina Anthonij on 7 April 1680. Their marriage produced no children, although it did legitimize the position of both Catharina and her son, Christoffel Snijman, from slave to free-burgher. Anthonij van Bengale died before 17 December 1682, when his inventory was drawn up. ^[27]

Family

Catharina van Paliacatta b. c 1631, d. c Mar 1683^[13]

*Claes van Malabar

*Pieter Everard b. c 1631, def 1664, d. 15 Mar 1664

**Petronella1 van Bengale b. b 6 Sep 1665, d. c Mar 1683

***Willem Janssen b. c 1654, def c Dec 1681

****Petronella Jansen b. b 13 Sep 1682, d. b 28 Sep 1683

*Hans C. Snijman b. c 1645, def 1667

**Christoffel Snijman b. b 9 Mar 1669, d. 1705

***Marguerite-Thérèse de Savoye b. b 4 Sep 1672, m. b 10 Dec 1690, d. Mar 1742

****Marguerite-Thérèse de Savoye b. b 4 Sep 1672, m. b 10 Dec 1690, d. Mar 1742

****Jacobus C.2 Snijman b. b 10 Dec 1690

****Catrina2 Snijman b. b 27 Jan 1692

****Maria M.2 Snijman b. b 9 Aug 1693, d. 25 Nov 1723

****Cristina2 Snijman b. b 22 Jul 1695, d. c 1715

****Elsij2 Snijman b. 1 Aug 1697

****Johanna2 Snijman b. b 25 Oct 1699

****Philippe2 Snijman b. b 24 Jul 1701, d. b 1742

****Susanna2 Snijman b. b 28 Oct 1703

****Elisabeth2 Snijman b. b 21 Mar 1706, d. 18 Mar 1778

*Anthonij J. van Bengale b. c 1646, m. 20 Dec 1671, d. b 17 Dec 1682

Tragedy

Groote Catrijn, her husband, her daughter and granddaughter - with the exception of Christoffel Snijman Jnr appear to have all died, in some family tragedy sometime between December 1682 and February 1683.^[25]

Antjonij Jansz van Bengale's sizeable estate provided for the boy's education and a substantial inheritance. Christoffel Snyman was the stepson of Anthonie van Bengale. ^[25]

Events

14 September 1670: Groote Catrijn van Paliacatta & Anthonij Jansz: van Bengale witness baptism of illegitimate slave-born halfslag Maria Bartels: aka Mosterts Marij & Jan Holtsmit’s Marij, daughter of Elisabeth (Lijsbeth) van Angola - slave belonging to Wouter Cornelisz: Mostaert (from Utrecht) & Hester Weijers: Klim (from Lier). [Mansell Upham] ^[28]

Her patronymic makes the Saldanhaer vaerder Frisian Bartholomeus (Bartel) Borns / Borms (from Leeuwarden) a likely contender as biological father ... ^[28]

Death

Date: Catharina van Paliacatta ^[18] passed away in 1683 ^[9][14] / ca Feb 1683 ^[10][14] / [ca./in] March 1683 ^{[17][11][12][13][16]} / between Dec 1682 and Feb 1683. ^[13]

Place: [Cape Town], Cape, [South Africa] ^[11][13][16] / Cape of Good Hope, [South Africa] ^[9][12]

Age: 51 ^[13] / 51-52^[16]

Merge Notice

Taking profile van Palicatte-2 as the target profile for all those profiles which pertain (eventually) to "Groot Katrijn" so as to facilitate further research.^[29]

Research Notes

• A.M. van Rensburg. My Genetic Enrichment : Slaves at the Cape, South Africa. (Special thanks to C.M. van der Walt for bringing the following source under my attention). ^[30]

• The following comes from the biography of Catryn van Malabar (van Malabar-13) but is suggested to belong to "Groot Katryn" (it is a temporary measure to safeguard content, and will be either removed in time or incorporated into this profile Van der Walt-440 11:05, 25 July 2016 (EDT))

Events (heading):

Groot Catrijn, was also known as Catharina van Bengale was a slave woman from Paliacatte, on the Coromandel Coast, India^[31] She was born about 1631 and died about 1683. She was a slave in Batavia to the free woman Maria Magdalena.^[32][33]

Catrijn was sexually assaulted on 8 October 1656 by her lover, the slave Claes van Malabar, in a stable at Fort Rijswijck. In the altercation, she hit Claes with a ladder across his stomach. Claes died four days later due to a burst bladder from the blow he received. Another source ^[33] cites: "On 8 October 1656 Rijswijck Fortress, Batavia, Groote Catrijn, furious at her lover, the slave Claes van Malabar, throws a cobble stone hitting him with great force in the area just above his genitals (the presumed target of the blow). His kidney burst and he died days later." Catharine then faced charges of murder and received the death sentence. She was however pardoned, being banished as a slave to the Cape. She arrived at the Cape on 21 February 1657 on the ship Prins Willem.^[34] This ship was part of the return fleet which left Batavia on 4 December 1656. Catrijn was the first recorded female slave convict at the Cape. ^[33]

Alternative event (perhaps mistakingly attributed to the wrong Catherine): The soldier Hans Christoffel Snijman^[35] had a relationship with Groot Catrijn who was a slave woman. From this relationship was born Christoffel Snijman. Christoffel Snyman was baptised on 9 March 1669. Groot Catrijn later got married to the free black (mardijker) Anthonij (Jansz) (de Later) van BENGALE on the 20th December 1671. In a letter dated 6 January 1672 it is mentioned that Groot Catrijn was freely pardoned. A tragedy must have taken place since the whole family died between December 1682 and February 1683, the only one who did not die was Christoffel Snijman. Many people wrongly consider the father of Snijman to be this free black, but he was the stepfather. Christoffel is the stamvader of the Snyman family.^[36][37]

Sources

1. ↑ Source: First Fifty Years - Project collating Cape of Good Hope records Facebook Community Page: Oct 7 at 1:09 am Seen and added by Philip van der Walt Oct 7, 2018.
2. ↑ Also see: Jansen, Ena. 2015. Soos Familie. Stedelijke huiswerkers in Suid-Afrikaanse tekste. Pretoria: Protea Boekhuis. 36-36.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} Oct 23, 2012 by Andrew Dippenaar.
4. ↑ Robertson, Delia. The First Fifty Years Project. http://www.e-family.co.za/ffy/ Page: Catharina van Paliacatta
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4} 12 Sept 2014 Evan Snyman. Source: Facebook
6. ↑ Joan Cunaeus (1617-1673) is commissioner at the Cape (6-19 March 1658) arriving there with the Return Fleet together with the Cape indigene Doman & the banished convict Susanna 'Een Oor' van Bengale who is later sentenced to death for strangling her infant daughter & drowned (1669) in Table Bay. His inspection of affairs at the Cape is preserved in the form of his Memorie (18 March 1658). Prior to his visit he had sat in judgement on Catharina (Groote Catrijn) van Paliacatta during her trial in Batavia & before her banishment as 1st female convict to the Cape of Good Hope. Born Leiden (1617), he studies law there. His VOC career advances rapidly: advokaat-fiscaal (1644); secretary to governor-general (1645); sheriff (balju) (1647); raad-extraordinaris (1648); raad-ordinaris of India (1650); colonel of Burgher Watch & president of Council. Later ordinaris Raedt van India he serves VOC as jurist in Batavia & finally as envoy to Persia. He is also on record as being sheriff of Batavia & son-in-law to influential Italian banker & trader Philippe Calandrini & wife Margaretha van der Meulen who in their joint will (after longest living) appoint him (17 September 1648) together with S[ieu]r. Rijckloff van Goens & Pieter Kemp - Capiteyn der Burgerije of Batavia & once owner of the slaves Angela (Maaij Ansela) van Bengale & Elisabeth (Lijsbeth van Bengale) whom he had resold to Jan van Riebeeck when returning to Patria - as joint guardians and executors when bequeathing their furniture, household goods, silverware, clothing & jewelry to their 6 children (Charles, Elisabeth, Dudley, Susanna, Catharina and Maria). He dies at Leiden (1673). [Mansell Upham]. Source: First Fifity Years - collating Cape of Good Hope records Community Page: June 21, 2015 Seen and added by Philip van der Walt Jun 21, 2015.
7. ↑ On 18 Nov 1656 the Governor-General, Joan Maetsuyeker, reviewed the case and found that Groote Catrijn had been sexually abused by Claes and she was pardoned. Source: May 15, 2014 by Wendy Schoeman.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5} 23 Apr 2014 Schalk Pienaar.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5} WikiTree profiles Van Bengale-3 and Van Bengale-4 created respectively through the import of AJBOTHA.ged on Sep 1, 2011 and Feb 25, 2012 by Deon Botha.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6} WikiTree profile Van Palicatte-1 created through the import of wikitree upload.ged on Jul 19, 2012 by Arrie Klopper. {Taking VAN PALICATTE as the last name from VAN PALICATTE\BENGALE} {Van Bengale-6 through the import of wikitree upload.ged on Jul 19, 2012 by Arrie Klopper.}
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7} WikiTree profile Van Paliacatta-2 created by Schalk Pienaar Sep 14, 2014. Included the following sources:
    • M. Upham "In Hevigen Woede ... Groote Catrijn: Earliest Recorded Female Bandiet at the Cape of Good Hope - A Study in Upward Mobility" Capenis, Sept 1997.
    • Robertson, Delia. The First Fifty Years Project. http://www.e-family.co.za/ffy/ Page: First Fifty Years - a project collating Cape of Good Hope records - Catharina van Paliacatta
    • Remarkable Writing - Cape Mothers
    • Geni.com > Catharina van Paliacatta
    • South African Slaves
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6} WikiTree profile Van Paliacatta-4 created by Alta Bekker 16 September 2014.
13. ↑ ^{13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10} WikiTree profile Van Paliacatta-3 created through the import of WatkinsTrollip family tree.ged on May 15, 2014 by Wendy Schoeman.
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6} WikiTree profile Van Bengal-1 AND Van Paliacatta-1 AND Nn-1050 on May 2, 2013, 21 March 2013 by Pieter Meyer.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2} WikiTree profile Van Bengale-10 created through the import of Ancestors_DippenaarAndre_noinfo.GED on Oct 23, 2012 by Andrew Dippenaar.
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 16.8 16.9} WikiTree profile Van_Palicatta-1 created from GEDCOM upload #210815, Person I508776 by Charl van der Walt 26 Aug 2022
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3} Source:
    • Robertson, Delia. The First Fifty Years Project. http://www.e-family.co.za/ffy/ Page: Catharina van Paliacatta (date of birth estimated) Seen and entered by Philip van der Walt Apr 3, 2015.
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} Catharina van Paliacatta died as Catharina van Bengale in January-March 1683. "I think that we need to distinguish between a name that she would have used on a familiar basis, versus a name that she was entitled to 'legally' or through 'marriage'." Comment from 12 Sept 2014 Evan Snyman.
19. ↑ <ref></ref> / Pulicat, Tamil Nadu, Dravida India or Pulicat, Coromandel Coast, India (Pulicat is a town 60 km North of Chennai on the Bay of Bengal ; GPS: 13,66 N 80,17 E). 12 Sept 2014 Evan Snyman.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 20.8 20.9} South Africa, Cape Province, Cape Town, church records, Images 1 - 51, Baptisms, memberships, marriages, 1665-1695. Film # 005437032, Image 6 of 63: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9ML-49YG-M?i=5&cat=2866837. Added by Riël Smit on 2022-03-07.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} Baptism Record: South Africa, Cape Province, Cape Town, church records, Images 1 - 5, Baptisms, memberships, marriages, 1665-1695. Film # 005437032, Image 6 of 63: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9ML-49YG-M?cat=2866837. Note: NGK G1 1/1, Nederduitsch Gereformeerde Kerk, Kerken Boek (Bapt.), 1665-1695. Added by Riël Smit on 2023-05-15.
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1} May 15, 2014 by Wendy Schoeman.
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4} May 15, 2014 by Wendy Schoeman. Source: M. Upham "In Hevigen Woede ... Groote Catrijn: Earliest Recorded Female Bandiet at the Cape of Good Hope - A Study in Upward Mobility" Capenis, Sept 1997. Part of a series.
24. ↑ Groote Catrijn had a relationship with Pieter Everaerts, who was a high Company official (he served in both the Council of Policy and the Council of Justice), she had his child. Everaerts died 15 March 1664. On 6 September 1665 there are two seperate entries for Company slave Catharina baptising two children Petronella and Anthony (there is greater certainty that Petronella was Groote Catrijn's child). This daughter, Petronella, when she grew up she gave birth to a child also named Petronella (the father was a soldier Willem Jansen), both of them must have died in some tragedy with the other members of the family, maybe some disease. Source: M. Upham "In Hevigen Woede" ... Groote Catrijn: Earliest Recorded Female Bandiet at the Cape of Good Hope - A Study in Upward Mobility" Capenis, Sept 1997. Part of a series.
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1 25.2} Sources: M Upham "In Hevigen Woede" ... Groote Catrijn: Earliest Recorded Female Bandiet at the Cape of Good Hope - A Study in Upward Mobility" Capenis, Sept 1997. Part of a series.
26. ↑ About Hans Christoffel Snyman: First name variants: Christoffel / Christoph; Surname variants: Schneider / Snijder / Snijman / Snyman. "Hans Christoffel Snijder (this is the Dutch version of Schneider) also known as Snijman from Heidelberg in the Palatinate was a soldier in the VOC garrison convicted and banished to Robben Island on 30th July 1667 for not standing guard - instead he had been sleeping on a regular basis with Groote Catrijn - washerwoman at the Fort to successive commanders. Thereafter, Snijders disappears from the records at the Cape. On instructions from the Council of India, Groote Catrijn was again pardoned. [...] fel Snyman who was baptised on 9 March 1669. (Christoffel became the stamvader of the Snyman family in Southern Africa)." Entered by Philip van der Walt (29/12/2013).
27. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9ML-49YL-M?i=43&cat=2866837 Bygevoeg deur Bernard Heymann, 10 Aug 2019
28. ↑ ^{28.0 28.1} Source: First Fifty Years - Project collating Cape of Good Hope records Facebook Community Page: Sep 14 at 1:01 am Seen and added by Philip van der Walt Sep 16, 2015.
29. ↑ Philip van der Walt, February 9, 2014.
30. ↑ Catharina van Bengale (also known as Groote Catrijn) => Christoffel Snyman => b7 Philippus Snyman => b7c1 Christoffel Snyman => b7c1d1 Jacomina Snyman => b2c4d1e1f2 Daniel Petrus Marais => b2c4d1e1f2g4 Hester Dorothea Marais => b2c1d1e1f1g10 Hester Dorothea Wessels => b1c6d5e7f?g5 Maria Dorothea Catharina du Preez => b4c3d3e10f6g3h8 Adriana Josina Strydom => my mother => me[A.M. van Rensburg].
31. ↑ India became such an imported part of the VOC trade that the fleet would sail direct from south India, without travelling to Batavia as the custom first was. There were two sailing routes from the Cape to India and between August and January the ships would sail north following the coast of Africa, through the Mozambique strait and then round Madagascar to India. The other months they would sail east three hundred miles and then head north towards India. The journey to India took about 80 days. The return trip was usually done between the months of October and February.
32. ↑ "The widow Verburg (Maria de Bucquoij) was accompanied by her personal slave Catharina van Malabar." Entered by Pieter Meyer.
33. ↑ ^{33.0 33.1 33.2} Robertson, Delia. The First Fifty Years Project. http://www.e-family.co.za/ffy/ Page: Catharina van Malabar Seen and entered 18 Jan 2015 by Philip van der Walt.
34. ↑ This contradicts other sources stating that Catherine with other slaves (Louis van Bengale, Annike van Bengale and Anthonij de Later van Japan) departed Batavia on the 30th of January 1662 with the Angelier and Oijevaer enroute to de Caep de Goede Hoop where they docked on 2 April 1662. Among the pasengers on board the vessels were Zacharias Wagenaer, Maria aux Brebis and Maria de Bucquoij. Robertson, Delia. The First Fifty Years Project. http://www.e-family.co.za/ffy/, citing: Mansell Upham 'What can't be cured, must be endured … Cape of Good Hope - first marriages & baptisms (1652-1665)', January 2012.
35. ↑ "Hans Christoffel Snijder (this is the Dutch version of Schneider) also known as Snijman from Heidelberg in the Palatinate was a soldier in the VOC garrison convicted and banished to Robben Island on 30th July 1667 for not standing guard - instead he had been sleeping on a regular basis with Groote Catrijn - washerwoman at the Fort to successive commanders. Thereafter, Snijders disappears from the records at the Cape. On instructions from the Council of India, Groote Catrijn was again pardoned. Source: A.M. van Rensburg. My Genetic Enrichment : Slaves at the Cape, South Africa [1] seen 14/12/2013.
36. ↑ A.M. van Rensburg. My Genetic Enrichment : Slaves at the Cape, South Africa [2] seen 14/12/2013.
37. ↑ Still needs to be verified. Philip van der Walt (2/1/2014).

• Source: S2 WikiTree Publication: MyHeritage www.wikitree.com Media: 10109 Collection54 https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-10109-46395270/catharina-van-bengale-born-van-palicatte-in-wikitree https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-10109-46395270/catharina-van-bengale-born-van-palicatte-in-wikitree Catharina van Bengale (born van Palicatte)
  Gender: Female
  Birth: Circa 1631 - Palacatti, Bengal / Pulicat, Coromandel Coast, India
  Marriage: Mar 20 1671 - Cape Colony
  Death: Mar 1683 - Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
  Spouses: Hans Christoffel SnijmanAntonij Jansz van BengalePieter Everard
  Children: Christoffel SnijmanPetronella van Bengale
  Photos: Certainty: 4

• Source: S500064 Chantell Bird Bird/Posthumus Web Site

  MyHeritage family tree

  Family site: Bird/Posthumus Web Site

  Family tree: 164016251-1 Media: 164016251-1 Discovery38 Catharina van Palicatta Catharina van Palicatta 4 MAY 2016 Added via an Instant Discovery? Certainty: 3

• Source: S500094 Johan Janse van Rensburg Bester-Janse van Rensburg Web Site

  MyHeritage family tree

  Family site: Bester-Janse van Rensburg Web Site

  Family tree: 320790241-1 Media: 320790241-1 Discovery46 Catharina (Groote Catrijn in Batavia van Bengale) Snyman (born van Paliacatta) Catharina (Groote Catrijn in Batavia van Bengale) Snyman (born van Paliacatta) 7 JUN 2016 Added by confirming a Smart Match Certainty: 3