BIOGRAPHY: BERNDT BURCHERT
Barend was the progenitor of the Burger family in South Africa. Berndt was born in 1668 ? in Lübeck, *an independent port city near Hamburg in West German Schleswig-Holstein
(Barent Burgert originally Berndt Burcherdt. In the Company's books the surname appears as Bürghert, Burghart, Borhert, as well as Barend Burgaart in a Political Council minutes of 18 December 1700. Later the surname changes to Burgert and finally to Burger, sometimes Burghers. According to his signature Berndt Borherdt)

During the Dutch rule at the Cape, around 4000 German speakers, mostly single young men, in the service of the Company, or as soldiers, emigrated to the Cape and Barend was one of them.

x circa 1691 at de Caep de Goede Hoop Maria van der Merwe (daughter of Willem Schalks van der Merwe and Elsje Cloete)

• *(1) daughter circa born circa 1691, (?) died 1692, (assumed)
• * (2) Barend (1692) at the Cape baptized 7 September 1692, Cape Town -< 29 May 1729, (date of inventory) x 31 July 1712 Stellenbosch Margareta Pasman born circa 1688- 5 kinders.
• * (3) Willem born Cape of Good Hope - c1731 x between April 1716 and May 1717 Elsje van der Merwe of Houd Constant, Vier en Twinting Rivieren: 3 seuns. Willem en sy familie was woonagtig op die plaas ,Louw Constant over de Vier-en-twintig Rivieren

4 ) cHendrik baptised 26 September 1694

• * 5 Andries - 16 December 1749, Waveren x14 April 1720 Stellenbosch Maria van der Merwe xx 12 January 1727 Paarl, Martha Mouton x 4.4.1720: 13 kinders.
• * (6) Helena (1701) at the Cape baptised 8 July 1701, Drakenstein - 18 July 1777, Land van Waveren will dated 4 September 1722 x 18 April 1717 Drakenstein Jan Olivier farmer (1722) of Burgers Fonteijn in the Wagenmakers Valleij (born circa 1683, at the Cape died circa 1722, (assumed from filing date of will) will dated 4 September 1722)
• * (7) Jacobus (1704), at the Cape baptised 13 April 1704, Drakenstein - circa October 1772, (assumed from date of estate accounts) burger te Drakenstein x (extramaritial) - assumed Maria de Weege xx 31 July 1729 Stellenbosch Geertruij Scheepers 22 died circa 1757

1686 VOC

• Barent Burgerstsz
• Origin of Halverstad [See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halberstadt]
• Date of entry into service 1686-05-24
• Position upon enlistment Soldier
• Explanation of the Military function - Sailed out with the ship Huis te Zilverstein [see https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?184704]
• Date out of service 1687-04-24
• Where from service Cape of Good Hope
• Reason from service Vrijburger (Explanation of reason for termination of employment This is entered if the last item states that the person on board will become a free citizen.)
• Debt Letter Yes
• Monthly letter No
• Scan http://hdl.handle.net/10648/3e48557c-eb44-d6f7-4a56-a9edd3a2a5b0
• Source Reference Access Number: 1.04.02, Inventory Number: 5342, Folio Number: 153

https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/index/nt00444/de300fcc-...

• Barent Burgerstsz (uit Halverstad) joins as soldier with chamber Amsterdam. Departure of the ship Huis te Zilverstein bound for BataviaThursday, 26 September
• 125 days after departure, Arrival of the ship Huis te Zilverstein on the CapeMonday, 7 October
• 11 days after arrival at the Cape, Departure of the ship Huis te Zilverstein of the Cape
• ? days after departure from the Netherlands, Arrival of the ship Huis te Zilverstein in Batavia 1687 Thursday, 24 April
• 335 days after employment, Resignation Barent Burgerstsz (Cape of Good Hope), reason: free citizen
• Remarks: Month certificate: No / Debenture: Yes

Nationaal Archief (Netherlands), Dutch East India Company, archive 1.04.02, inventory number 5342

Details of voyage from Texel to Batavia

• Number 1526.4
• Name of ship HUIS TE ZILVERSTEIN
• Master Gilde, Karsten de
• Tonnage 1017
• Type of ship
• Built 1674
• Yard Amsterdam
• Chamber Amsterdam
• Date of departure 24-05-1686
• Place of departure Texel
• Arrival at Cape 26-09-1686
• Departure from Cape 07-10-1686
• Date of arrival at destination 30-12-1686
• Place of arrival Batavia
• Particulars Via S. Tiago.
• Next homeward voyage 5845.4
• On Board I II III IV V VI
• Seafarers 138 17 14 0 8 116
• Soldiers 96 10 0 17 69

Gegevens over de opvarenden bij het Nationaal Archief
https://resources.huygens.knaw.nl/das/detailVoyage/92585

1688

In muster rolls and the Opgaaf (tax) rolls, living in the Cape district as a single man.
On March 31, 1688, Berndt is charged with riotous behavior.

1688 -1704

Worked as a black smith.

1690

On 26 May 1690 Kees van Madagascar was sold by Hans Niemand to Barent Burger, for Rds. 100

1690 and 1691

Living in the Cape with no wives listed
Became a vryburger and lived in Drakenstein

1691

c1691 Caep de Goede Hoop x Maria van der Merwe (daughter of Willem Schalks van der Merwe and Elsje Cloete).
On 3 March 1691 Jan Horl van Bengale was sold by Berndt Burcherdt to Jan de Souza, for Rds.

• (?) daughter circa born circa 1691 (?) died 1692, (assumed)

1692

Has a wife, named as Maria Schalk, and one child, in the Cape District

• Barend at the Cape baptized 7 September 1692, Cape Town -< 29 May 1729, (date of inventory) x 31 July 1712 Stellenbosch Margareta Pasman born circa 1688- 5 kinders.

12.4
On 30 June 1692 Mercurius van Bengale was sold by H. Capt Willem Padt to Berndt Burcherdt, for Rds.

1693

He was living in Drakenstein and later became the Captain of its "Burgher Dragonders".

1693>

in Drakenstein, still with one child

1695

two sons
The farm Dekkersvlei was granted on 6 August 1692 to Herman Barend van der Schyff. The Drake Mountains were to the south and east, with the properties of Jean Imbert to the west and the hill to the north. The original deed was issued in 1693. 'Barent Burghert' bought it in 1695, transfer registered on 30 October 1695. He sold the farm in 1699 (Transfer registration on 1 April 1699) to Philippe des Prez, who was also a brother-in-law of Schalk van der Merwe van De Hoop, as well as ' a brother-in-law of Jacques Therond van Minie.

29 Aug 1697

He bought the farm "Landskroon" (Wyk AgterPaarl District, Drakenstewin) in 1697. This farm had been owned by Gottfried Meyhuizen, but his farm was repossessed because he mistreated a slave. The farm Landskroon had been assigned in 1691 to a certain Jan Holsmit, of whom nothing further is known. It was surveyed the following year and duly registered in Holsmit's name on 1692-09-17. In 1695 it was transferred to Gottfried Meyhuizen of Magdeburg, then in Brandenburg-Saxony 1695-12-05. His property is declared forfeit due to mistreatment of a slave, and Landskroon is sold to Berndt Burcherdt, a brother-in-law of Jan Schöpping van Hoogstede (x Jacoba vd Merwe). Transfer registered on 1697-08-29. Burcherdt's widow married Lambert Smit, whom she survived and the farm was sold from her estate (MOOC 13/1/1, 26) to Jan Meendert Cruywagen.

1698

three chldren
13
On 10 January 1698 Christiaen van Trancquebar was sold by Cornelis Krijnsz Rood to Berndt Burcherdt, for Rds. 70

1699

Acquired the farm "Leeuwenjagt" (AgterPaarl).

1699-1700

At the end of 1698, he was named one of the Heemrade van Drakenstein. The Drakenstein and Stellenbosch districts each had their own Heemrade, but as a saving measure they shared the same magistrate. The magistrate was a paid official, but Heemrade were prominent citizens appointed by the Governor to represent the interests of the residents of a particular district without compensation. Among other things, they had to try to settle disputes between residents and make recommendations about it to the "College of Landdrost and Heemraden van Stellenbosch and Drakenstein". Berndt Burcherdt was the driving force behind the establishment of the Drakenstein's mill. The Company lent the "College of Landdrost and Heemraden van Stellenbosch and Drakenstein" 3000 guilders at six percent interest for the construction of a mill. In January 1699, Heemraad Burcherdt was appointed by the "College" as collector, which means that he would organize the work, authorize expenses and collect mill fees. The mill was to be built next to a permanent water stream on the undeveloped part of Jacobus van der Heiden's farm against the slope of the Paarlberg. Construction began in February 1699 and the site was soon a hive of activity. Wood was brought in from Hout Bay and Paradys, the residence of master woodcutter Jan Vosloo (cf. Vosloo & Fechter van Knysna). Carriers, stonecutters, mason, blacksmith, decker (roof), were appointed, and food and accommodation and organized. The first flour was ground in November 1700. The mill wheel was very large. The spokes were each so long that they could reach the ridge of a two-story house from the ground. The water was raised to the top of the wheel with a wooden chute on stilts. The farm on which the mill was built was bought by Burcherdt on 22 February 1702. On the transfer, it is clearly stated that the land on which the mill is located must be deducted from the farm, but this was only done in 1807

1700

The Opgaafrollen (tax returns) record 4 sons in 1700 .From the Opgaaf evidence this son would have been born after Barend but before Helena, but no closer approximation is possible as yet.
In a contract on April 16, 1700, he is looking for a servant who can serve him in Drakenstein as a miller,

23 January 1701

muster rolls, 5 children.

• Helena Burger born 1701, at the Cape baptised 8 July 1701, Drakenstein -8 July 1777, Land van Waveren will dated 4 September 1722 x 18 April 1717 Drakenstein Jan Olivier farmer (1722) of Burgers Fonteijn in the Wagenmakers Valleij born circa 1683, at the Cape died circa 1722, (assumed from filing date of will) will dated 4 September 1722

In acontract of August 29, 1701, he takes on a servant "as moolenschrijver".

1702

The farm on which the mill was built was bought by Burcherdt on 22 February 1702. On the transfer, it is clearly stated that the land on which the mill is located must be deducted from the farm, but this was only done in 1807. Governor WA van der Stel was displeased that Barend Burchard alone managed the mill's affairs, and ordered that it would change annually on a rotational basis among the heem councils. (Letter 24 May 1703). Upon his retirement as Heemrade, Burcherdt handed over his books to the Magistrate and Heemrade on 15 December 1702. His total expenditure to build and operate the mill to date was 5005 guilders and 8 stiwers, and his income over 2458 guilders. Apart from the debt of 3000 guilders to the company on which the interest was paid, there were still 452 guilders and 12 stievers left in the cupboard.

1704

• Jacobus Burger born 1704, at the Cape baptised 13 April 1704, Drakenstein - circa October 1772, (assumed from date of estate accounts) x (extramaritial) - assumed Maria de Weege xx 31 July 1729 Stellenbosch Geertruij Scheepers 22 died circa 1757

1705

Tax return records 5 sons and 1 daughter in 1705
Inventory drawn up October 1705, after the death of Barend, confirms that their were six children then living. (Notes: Both the Estate Inventory, 1705, of Barend Burger and the Estate Accounts of Marritje Willemsdr Schalk, 1710, mention that there were six children to share the estate.)
Opgaaf, usually in December, widowed Marretie with five sons and one daughter

"1705 9 Augustus door d' wed' barent burgert in cassa gebragt voor een plank tot den dood kist voor haar man saligr: gehoorende de Colonie. f 15 = [15 gulden] (KAB 1/STB 12/16)."

Burcherdt died in 1705. The inventory of his estate is dated 5 Oct 1705 (MOOC 8/2, 3). The farm on which the mill is located is called Koringmeul in Burcherdt's estate inventory. His widow Maria then married Lambert Smit in 1706. At the time, it was customary for a widow's real estate to pass into the name of her new husband upon her remarriage. Lambert Smit sold the farm in 1709 to Guillaume Loree. Loree names the farm Nantes after his place of origin. (JG le Roux, Drakenstein se Meul, 2002, Distributed by GISA, PO Box 3033, Matieland, 7602). Lambert Smit died before his wife.

Maria van der Merwe trou toe met Lambert Smit.

Sources

• https://www.ballfamilyrecords.co.uk/burger/I119.html
• http://www.e-family.co.za/ffy/g8/p8719.htm
• Dr. J. Hoge, Personalia of the Germans at the Cape, 1652-1806, Archives Year Book for South African History (Cape Town: Government Printer, Union of South Africa, 1946), p.54. BURCHERDT, BERNDT (S).-? Free smith . ~ Maria v. d. Merwe. 5 children . † 1705 . (CJ 1122 under 2.4.1694; CJ 1123: 50; Letters desp. of 12.5.1705; G.R. nr. 69 under Burger.).
• http://www.safamilytree.com/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I1643&tree=D...

________________

http://www.safamilytree.com/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I1643&tree=D...

Barend Burger (Barent Burgert oorspronklik Berndt Burcherdt. In die Kompanjie se boeke kom die van voor as Bürghert, Burghart, Borhert, asook Barend Burgaart in 'n Politieke Raad notule van 18 Desember 1700. Later wysig die van tot Burgert en finaal tot Burger, soms Burgers.) Tydens die Hollandse bewind aan die Kaap het sowat 4000 Duitssprekendes, meestal enkellopende jong mans, in diens van die Kompanie, of as soldate, na die Kaap emigreer. Hulle het hier onder die bestaande bevolking van die tyd ingetrou. Hulle het van oral uit die Duitssprekende dele van Europa gekom.

Baie Duitsers, veral dié uit die noorde van Duitsland, se huistaal, Laagduits (Plattdeutsch), was baie na aan die Nederlandse taal en kon hulle maklik inskakel by die Hollandse gemeenskap. Berndt is gebore in 1668 in Lübeck, Noordduitsland, onafhanklike hawestad naby Hamburg in Sleeswyk-Holstein. Hy word opgeteken as vrye smid in diens van die Kompanie van 1688 tot 1704. Op 31 Maart 1688 word Berndt aangekla weens oproerige gedrag! Barent Borgert word die eerste keer in 1690 in die opgaafrolle vermeld. Word 'n burger ongeveer 1690/1. Hy trou ongeveer 1690 met Maria of Marietje van der Merwe, dogter van Willem Schalkzoon van der Merwe en Elsje Cloete. In 1692 (J183 Stellenbosch) word hy vermeld as getroud met Maria Schalk en een kind (dogter) en waarskynlik woonagtig in Stellenbosch. Sy oudste bekende kind was egter 'n seun en sy vrou 'n dogter van Willem! Hy vestig hom teen 1693 in Drakenstein nog altyd met een kind, en word daar later kaptein van die burger-dragonders. In 1698 word hy vermeld met drie kinders.

Die plaas Dekkersvlei was op 6 Augustus 1692 toegestaan aan Herman Barend van der Schyff. Die Drakenberge was aan die suide en ooste, met die eiendomme van Jean Imbert ten weste en die heuwel aan die noordekant. Die oorspronklike erfbrief is in 1693 uitgereik. Berndt Burcherdt koop dit in 1695, oordrag geregistreer op 30 Oktober 1695. Hy verkoop die plaas in 1699 (Oordrag registrasie op 1 April 1699) aan Philippe des Prez, wat ook 'n swaer was van Schalk van der Merwe van De Hoop, asook 'n swaer van Jaques Therond van Minie.

Die plaas Landskroon (Wyk Agter Paarl Distrik Drakenstein) is in 1691 toegesê aan 'n sekere Jan Holsmit, van wie niks verder bekend is nie. Dit is die volgende jaar opgemeet en behoorlik op Holsmit se naam geregistreer op 1692-09-17. In 1695 word dit oorgedra aan Gottfried Meyhuizen van Magdeburg, destyds in Brandenburg-Sakse 1695-12-05. Sy eiendom word verbeurd verklaar weens mishandeling van 'n slaaf, en Landskroon word verkoop aan Berndt Burcherdt, 'n swaer van Jan Schöpping van Hoogstede (x Jacoba vd Merwe). Oordrag registreer op 1697-08-29. Burcherdt se weduwee trou met Lambert Smit, vir wie sy oorleef en die plaas word uit haar boedel (MOOC 13/1/1, 26) verkoop aan Jan Meendert Cruywagen.

Die plaas Leeuwenjagt (Wyk Agter Paarl Distrik Drakenstein) se eerste eienaar was Johann Jacob Huber, algemeen bekend as Jan Hoboer, oordrag 1693-02-28. Hy was reeds in 1684 aan die Kaap en vermoedelik 'n Switser. Na sy dood in 1699 word die plaas die eiendom van Berndt Burcherdt. Hierdie plaas word ook uit sy weduwee se boedel, na sy Lambert Smit oorleef het, verkoop aan Theunis van Schalkwyk van Paarl Diamant.

Berndt Burcherdt was die dryfkrag agter die oprigting van die Drakenstein se meul. Hy is einde 1698 aangewys as een van die Heemrade van Drakenstein en was op daardie stadium ook eienaar van Leeuwenjagt in die Agter Paarl. Die distrikte Drakenstein en Stellenbosch het elk sy eie Heemrade gehad, maar as besparingsmaatreël het hulle dieselfde landdros gedeel. Die landdros was 'n betaalde amptenaar, maar Heemrade was vooraanstaande burgers wat deur die Goewerneur aangewys is om sonder vergoeding die belange van die inwoners van 'n bepaalde distrik te behartig. Hulle moes, onder andere, geskille tussen inwoners probeer skik en aanbevelings daaroor an die “Collegie van Landdrost en Heemraden van Stellenbosch en Drakenstein” doen.

Die Kompanie het an die “Collegie” 3000 gulde teen ses persent rente geleen vir die bou van 'n meul. Heemraad Burcherdt is in Januarie 1699 deur die “Collegie” aangewys as kollektant, wat beteken dat hy die werk sou organiseer, uitgawes magtig en maalfooie invorder. Die meul sou gebou word langs 'n standhoudende waterstroom op die onbeboude deel van Jacobus van der Heiden se plaas teen die hang van die Paarlberg. Bouwerk het in Februarie 1699 begin en die terrein was gou 'n miernes van bedrywighede. Hout is aangery van Houtbaai en Paradys, die blyplek van baashoutkapper Jan Vosloo (vgl Vosloo & Fechter van Knysna). Karweiers, klipkappers, messelaar, smid, dekker (dak), is aangestel, en voedsel en verblyf en organiseer. Die eerste meel is in November 1700 gemaal. Die meulwiel was baie groot. Die speke was elk so lank dat hulle die nok van 'n dubbelverdieping huis kon bereik van die grond af. Die water is met 'n hout geut op stelte tot bo-op die wiel gelig. Die plaas waarop die meul gebou was, is op 22 Februarie 1702 deur Burcherdt gekoop. Op die oordrag word duidelik vermeld dat die grond waarop die meul geleë is van die plaas afgetrek moet word, maar dit is eers in 1807 gedoen.

Goewerneur WA van der Stel was ontevrede dat Barend Burchard alleen die meul se sake bedryf het, en gelas dat dit jaarliks op 'n rotasie basis onder die heemrade sal wissel. (Brief 24 Mei 1703). Met sy uittrede as Heemraad oorhandig Burcherdt op 15 Desember 1702 sy boeke aan die Landdros en Heemrade. Sy totale uitgawe om die meul te bou en tot op die datum te bedryf was 5005 gulde en 8 stuiwers, en sy inkomste meer as 2458 gulde. Behalwe vir die skuld van 3000 gulde aan die kompanie waarop die rente betaal is, was daar nog 452 gulde en 12 stuiwers in die kas oor. Burcherdt is in 1705 oorlede. Die inventaris van sy boedel is gedateer 5 Okt 1705 (MOOC 8/2, 3). Die plaas waarop die meul geleë is word in Burcherdt se boedelinventaris Koringmeul genoem. Sy weduwee Maria trou toe in 1706 met Lambert Smit. Indertyd was dit die gebruik dat die vaste eiendom van 'n weduwee met haar hertroue oorgaan op die naam van haar nuwe man. Lambert Smit verkoop die plaas in 1709 aan Guillaume Loree. Loree noem die plaas Nantes na sy plek van herkoms. (JG le Roux, Drakenstein se Meul, 2002, Versprei deur GISA, Posbus 3033, Matieland, 7602). Lambert Smit is oorlede voor sy vrou.

Marritje Schalks Willemsdr (van der Merwe) is oorlede c 1709, sy word vermeld as oorlede in Johannes Bocklenbergh se boedelrekening gedateer 15 Oktober 1709. Die vroegste datum in haar eie rekening is Februarie 1710 (MOOC 13/1/1, 26)

Uit die notule van die Politieke Raad: “Saturdag den 18n December ao. 1700. Present d' Ede.Hr.Gouverneur et omnibus, dempto dencassier Henricus Munkerus.....

Staande de vergaderinge, soo zijn op de ingebragte nominatie van de respective kerckelijke als andere collegien, na de jaarlijkse gewoonte, , in plaatse van de afgaande leeden weder nieuwe geëligeerd geworden, excepto van de civiele kleijne saaken dewelke voor dezen jaare werden gecontinueert, te weten:....... In 't collegie van heemraaden aan Drakensteijn is Barend Burgaart [6] als heemraad gecontinueert”

In Augustus 1705 word deur die heemraad van Stellenbosch en Drakenstein gemeld dat " ten huizen van die kassier Saliger Barent Burgert van Drakenstein die Colonies Cassa opgenomen is" 'n Mens kan dus aflei dat hy reeds op die stadium oorlede was.

[6] Sien handtekening in C.J.2872: Contractenboek, 1694-1698, no. 54 en C.J.2873: Contractenboek, 1698-1 703, nos. 154 en 204. In die Kompanjie se boeke kom die van voor as Bürghert, Burghart, Borhert. Later is dit gewysig tot Burgert en Burger. In die kontrak van 31 Maart 1695 word Barent Burghert vrysmit genoem. In die kontrak van 16 April 1700 soek hy na 'n kneg wat hom in Drakenstein kan dien as Molenaar, terwyl hy in die kontrak van 29 Augustus 1701 'n kneg “als moolenschrijver” aanneem. Volgens sy handtekening Berndt Borherdt. Verwysing: C. 24, pp. 44-49.

Cape Archives, MOOC 13/1/1,26
Boedelrekening Marritje Willems Schalck (excerpts)

11 Julij. ,den baes Smit Sigismundus zijnde 't geene
deselve uijt den gemeenen boedel van Lam
bert Smit te pretendeeren had, en aen de
minderjarige kinders van Marritje Willems
Schalk vereert heeft ... " 21.-.-

- - do. " de ses minderjarige kinders van barent bur,,
gert en Maritje Willems Schalk in voldoenin,,
ge van haer Vaderlik bewijs sijnde voor Jeder
een somme van f1000:-:- " 6000,-,-

" do. ,het Vaderlijk bewijs van de ses minderjarige
kinders van Wijlen Barent Burgert, soo als
de Generale Reeke. van haer schoonvader
Lambert Smit ten Laste gebragtis ten
bedrage van f.1000:-:- Jeder .... " 6000,-,-

- 17 Julij " Lambert Smit in voldoening van desselfs geheele
Erfportie uijt deesen boedel behalven seekere
f300:-:- die voor een jaer in sequestratie blijft
tot betalingh van de nog opdagende schulden, en
om deselve daer na of wel het Restant van dien
goetgedaente worden aen de Reeken. van Jacobus
en Helena Burgert jeder voor de helft " 1660,-[]

1711
28' Februarij ,d erfportie van Marritje Willemsz Schalk
uijt den voorsz geneemden boedel van haer ver
sondene Man Lambert Smit ... " 2193.7.10