Research Portal for Descendants of the Slaves of the Cape Colony 1652 - 1900
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