Muster Roll of the free settlers at the Cape of Good Hope

for the year 1686

General Introduction to the Muster Rolls
The muster roll for 1686
This transcription is not divided into districts

 

Introduction

The muster roll I have copied here is that of the Free Settlers dated 1665, Cape Archives VC 39, volume 1, pages 74 to 78. No date of compilation is noted, but most of those which are, have a date at the end of the year. It is not divided into districts. It contains names of wives but no indication of children.

The start of the muster roll for 1686, VC 31, volume 1, page 74.

G.C.de Wet¹ gives no figures for the muster rolls of 1686  nor are there any figures for officials int that year.

These rolls, as they appear in these transcripts, are lists of names. Where married people are concerned they are usually listed as a couple, though there are years when no wives are listed. In some years the number of children in the household is also noted, in others not. Some have a date when they were compiled, others merely a year. Not every year is represented.

Where a date of compilation is given, this is often towards the end of the year.

My knowledge of the history and purpose of these documents is sketchy and my attempts to obtain information have so far not been very productive. I have not yet been able to examine the documents from which the Cape copies were transcribed.

Richard Ball © 2005

1. Die Vryliede en Vryswartes in die Kaapse Nedersetting 1657-1707, deur G C de Wet, Historiese Publikasie-Vereniging, 1981, page 17.