Johannes Steyn SV/PROG 3

STEYN JOHANNES. - Darmstadt. So. 1778-53, corp. 1754, sergt. 1755, ensign 1760, lieutenant 1777, lieutenant-captain 1786, captain since 1787. ~ 1.6.1760 Anna Elisabeth ten Diemen (born at the Cape). 8 children. (GMR 1748-89; G.R. nr. 915; Test. O.C. 34: 19.)

- 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)

van Darmstadt, Oberhessen, Duitsland 1748 of 1778 as soldaat v. HOIK, kaptein in 1787.

Source: SAG 12 p. 236

For the sake of distinguishing him from the other Steyn progenitors (stamvaders) of South Africa, he is mentioned as a3.

a1 - Douwe Gerbrandt Steyn

a2 - Johann Michael Steyn

a3 - Johannes Steyn

a4 - Johann Conrad Steyn

In 1748 Johannes Steijn arrived in the Cape of Good Hope (most likely) from Darmstadt in Germany.

On 1760.06.01 he married Anna Elizabeth Diemer. Johannes' mother probably remarried as his and Anna's will of 1761 determine that in case of their death their children should go to his mother, Anna Margarieta Meyer in Darmstadt.

It seems that only their son Gabriel Pieter (1762-1819) left descendents in South Africa.

And on his turn, only two of Gabriel Pieter's sons, Elbert Lucas (1792-1859) and Gabriel Hendrik (1800-1870) left descendents beyond generation 4.

Gabriel Pieter's 2nd oldest son, Hendrik (1790-1875) had one son Hendrik (1846-1919), but he did not marry.

The descendents of Johannes Steyn can therefore be traced back to the split in the third generation between Elbert Lucas or Gabriel Hendrik about 200 years ago.

We do not know anything about Johannes' life in Europe. On his arrival in the Cape he was a soldier. Here is a summary of his known career in the Cape of Good Hope:

•1748-1753: soldier

•1754: corporal

•1755: sergeant

•1760: ensign (vaendrigh)

•1777: lieutenant

•1786: lieutenant-captain

•1787: captain

•1791.03.26: dies

Source: http://www.steyn.pro/genealogy/steyn/johannes/index.htm