• DEATH:https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-CSMV-T?cc=251...

Details of birth and parentage:

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/IGI/individual_record.asp?re...

Born in Bengal, India 14 Feb 1767

Details of his voyagers from the VOC archive:

[http://www.inghist.nl/Onderzoek/rubrieken/economie_en_financien]

Gerard was originally a captain on 2 VOC ships - The Castor and The Meermin:

The Castor left Texel 24.06.1794 arrived at the Cape 28.11.1794

The Meermin left Batavia 1795 arrived at the Cape 21.05.1795

The Capture of the Meermin

Boatname: MEERMIN (Mermaid) Master: Gerard Ewoud Overbeek Tonnage: 500 Type of boat: fregat built:1782 yard:A chamber:A departure:+-1795 harbour:Batavia call at cape arrival: 1795-05-21 onboard tota:40

In 1794/5 the MEERMIN had left Batavia & arrived in the Cape. On 18-05-1795 the MEERMIN originally departed from the Cape for the Netherlands in a 16 ship VOC convoy, escorted by two war ships; a day later 8 ships had to return because of adverse wind. When they sailed out again they were intercepted by English ships who had heard the news that France had overrun the Netherlands. The MEERMIN and 6 other VOC ships (including Alblasserdam; Mentor; Dordwijk ) were captured with no loss of life by the English off St. Helena and taken to Shannon in Ireland. Full story of the Meermin’s capture at: [http://www.shipstamps.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6953.][http://monetdb.cwi.nl/testing/projects/monetdb/Stable/pathfinder/te...]

After this, Capt Gerard Overbeek appears to have decided to settle in the Cape for good, marrying Alida Cornelia Brink These were the last days of the VOC, which collapsed into bankruptcy.

Events, Living in the Cape

In September 1799 – Gerard was a Director of a Widows & Orphans fund at the time of Lord Charles Somerset From:History of South Africa, 1795-1834 (1891) Author: George McCall Theal Publisher: S. Sonnenschein & Co [http://www.archive.org/stream/historysouthafr07theagoog/historysout....]

He was also a secretary for Fire Materials Committee in CT: Establishment of Fire Wardens, Cape Town. Committee from the Burgher Senate, and Superintendents over'Jhe Fire Materials. Johannes Jurgens, Esqr. (President and Fire Warden Q-eneral). Mr. Abraham Faurej senior (Vice-President). Members. Messrs. Gerrard Ewoud Overbeek (Secretary). Johan Gregorius Ludolph. Hermanns Barend Keytel. Christiaan van den Burgh. Johan Samuel Frederik Botha. Carel Christiaan Smith. Carel Christiaan Koch. Source: Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). Archives. The rebellion of 1815, generally known as Slachters Nek. A complete collection of all the papers connected with the trial of the accused; with many important annexures http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/cape-of-good-hope-south-afric...

Slaves

• Rachel
• Louis

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C913-6QP?i=207&cc=...

Obituary:

Thursday 14 December 1854 Gerrit Ewoud OVERBEEK Esq, one of the oldest inhabitants of Cape Town, died on Tuesday last at the residence of his son-in-law, J.H. REDELINGHUYS Esq, at Green Point. The venerable gentleman had attained his 88th year. Mr. OVERBEEK was born in Ceylon, and during the early part of his life was at sea. He afterwards became a resident of the Cape, where he filled several public capacities, enjoying the universal esteem of the community. His last office on the civil service was that of a member of the late Orphan Chamber, for which he received a pension of £75 per annum. Almost to the latest period of his life he remained in the enjoyment of good health.

DEATH Dec 12: Gerrard Ewout OVERBEEK Esq, aged 88 years.

Thursday 21 December 1854 Notice is hereby given to Relatives and Friends that our beloved Father and Father-in-law Gerrard Ewolt OVERBEEK Esq, born at Cassimbasaar, in Bengal, departed this life on Tuesday the 12th instant, at the age of 88 years. J.D. OVERBEEK J.C. OVERBEEK J.H. REDELINGHUYS Cape Town, 14th December 1854.

Source: Extracts from South African Commercial Advertiser and Cape Town Mail transcribed from CO53/11 at the National Archives, Kew, London http://www.genealogyworld.net/settlers/correspondence/CO53-11%20Sou...

Other Sources

Oude Kaapsche Familien Part 1 Part 1 of 3 of the Genealogy of early settlers in South Africa. http://www.archive.org/details/OudeKaapscheFamilienPart1

Oude Kaapsche Familien Part 2 Part 2 of 3 of the Genealogy of early settlers in South Africa. http://www.archive.org/details/OudeKaapscheFamilienPart2

Oude Kaapsche Familien Part 3 Part 3 of 3 of the Genealogy of early settlers in South Africa. http://www.archive.org/details/OudeKaapscheFamilienPart3