contents

Inventories of the Orphan Chamber
of the Cape of Good Hope


Context: History of the Orphan Chamber at the Cape of Good Hope

The Orphan Chamber as an institution had already existed in the Netherlands long before it was extended to Batavia in 1624 and the Cape of Good Hope in 1673.

A notebook used by the Orphan Chamber at the Cape refers to the Ordinance of the policies in Holland dated 1580 and the Ordinances of Succession by the states of Holland and West-Friesland dated 1594.

The Orphan Chamber functioned during the VOC period (1652-1795), the first British
occupation (1795-1803), the Batavian government (1803-1806) and into the early years of the second British occupation from 1806.

Firstly, the structure of the Orphan Chamber during the whole period of its existence is discussed. Secondly, a description is given of the functions and duties of the Orphan Chamber. Special reference is made about the enregisterment of slaves and Negro apprentices.

 

 


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