Slave Lodge 1685

Slaves of the Slave Lodge 1685 Database

! Sensitivity : It is crucial to handle this database with care and a strong sense of responsibility. Many of the terms used were originally assigned by the VOC (Dutch East India Company) and often do not reflect how individuals and groups identified themselves. The terms themselves can be misleading, as they oversimplify the complex social realities experienced by people at the time.

This database may also contains terms that are considered derogatory, offensive, or harmful. The concepts within it are deeply connected to a history of colonial violence, enslavement, and racism that persisted both during and after the VOC's existence.

Terms used in the archive and transcribed in this database:

Heelslagh - full black with no interracial admixture, i.e., negro, caffer, Indisch, Chinees

Halfslagh/halvslag/ mesties/mestiço - half caste, i.e., white father and Asian slave mother

[Source for explanation of terms : Mansell Upham's Blog : Muatze - www.mansellupham.wordpress.com]

This database was compiled by Dr Ronald  A van der Spiegel of the Indian Ocean and Maritime Asia Slave Trade databases and is used under license by Lara Seaward for this website.

The slave totals for the lodge as at 09 July 1685 is as follows:

Heelslagh:

25 pairs of married persons                                         50 persons

Unmarried males                                                          39 persons

Unmarried females without children                             27 persons

Unmarried females with children                                  22 persons

Jongens under 12                                                         24 persons

Meijsiens under 12                                                        24 persons

Halfslagh:

1 pair of married persons                                                2 persons

Unmarried males                                                             6 persons

Unmarried females without children                                3 persons

Unmarried females with children                                     3 persons

Jongens under 12                                                          25 persons

Meijsiens under 12                                                         19 persons

sub total of slaves in lodge:                                          244 persons

Condemned males                                                         17 persons

Condemned females                                                        2 persons

sub total of condemned persons in lodge                      19 persons

Sub total:                                                                      263 persons

Company slaves on loan to private persons at the Cape Colony 09 July 1685

Heelslagh

12 pairs of married persons                                          24 persons

Unmarried males                                                          31 persons

Unmarried females without children                             26 persons

Unmarried females with children                                  10 persons

Total company slaves                                                 335 persons

Condemned slaves transported                                   19 persons

Condemned slaves                                                      31 persons

Total slaves and condemned                                     385 persons