 Christening Notes:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.2.1/972M-KRZ
And
http://ancestry24.com/wp-content/uploads/pages/Genealogies%20of%20old%20South%20African%20Families/page_02856.pdf
And
Daniel van Ryeneveld of Amsterdam who in 1759 came to South Africa as Asst. in the Service of the East India Company and in May 1777 was appointed as Landrost of Swellendam.
He was a Barrister by profession - He was transferred to Stellenbosch as Landrost in 1782 where he died in 1785 - He married Anna Grove 23 August 1761.
His son Willem Stephanus christened 24 March 1765 was Chief Justice of the Cape Colony and was married to Martha Cornelia van der Riet - Their son Willem Cornelius van Ryneveld is my grandfather. He was Captain in the 93rd Highlanders and took part in the battle of Waterloo. His brother was in the Navy and was on board the Belerephon when Napoleon was taken to St. Helena. This naval man is Pierre's branch of the family.
From handwritten notes in RAB's possesion.
Death Notes:
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=linsul&id=I1253
He committed suicide
And
http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/chronology/thisday/extra-dates.php?nd=08-14
And
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.2.1/972M-KRZ
And
http://ancestry24.com/wp-content/uploads/pages/Genealogies%20of%20old%20South%20African%20Families/page_02856.pdf
Sources of information or noted events in his life were:
• Honours. General Baird continued his triumphant march, required possession within six hours of the Cape-town military lines and Fort Knokke, and when application was made for a suspension of arms. The application was for an armistice of forty-eight hours, but the stern reply was that he would only grant it for thirty -six hours.
1806 ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION
On the l0th of January 1806 articles of capitulation were signed, and on the 11th proclamations were issued by the conqueror ordering the inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance to His Britannic Majesty, and appointing Willem Stephanus Van Ryneveld chief civil magistrate and councillor. The terms of
agreement could not be considered either arbitrary or harsh. Private property was to be respected, the burghers to retain all their privileges, no soldiers
to be quartered upon the inhabitants of Capetown, and the prisoners of war to be allowed to proceed to Europe.
http://www.archive.org/stream/historysouthafr00wilmgoog/historysouthafr00wilmgoog_djvu.txt
• Occupation. Chief-Judge of the Cape-colony and President of the Council of Judicature, member of the Political Council.
And Van Ryneveld Family Records
1811 - President (Chief Justice) of the High Court.
• Web Based Info. http://familytrees.genopro.com/gjmurrell/Murrell/family-WillemStephanusVanRyneveldAndMarthaCorneliusVanDerRiet-F325.html
And
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/igi/individual_record.asp?recid=500364255740&lds=1®ion=0&frompage=1
And
http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Van_Rijneveld-2
And
http://ancestry24.com/wp-content/uploads/pages/The%20Family%20Register%20of%20the%20South%20African%20Nation/page_01093.pdf
And
http://ancestry24.com/wp-content/uploads/pages/The%20Family%20Register%20of%20the%20South%20African%20Nation/page_01124.pdf
And
https://www.genealogieonline.nl/family-tree-b-mcqueen/I528150.php
• Will. See http://databases.tanap.net/mooc/main_article.cfm?id=MOOC8%2F63.1&freesearchkey=Riet
And
aan mevrouw Martha Cornelia van der Riet weduwe van wylen den
weled: achtb: heere Willem Stephanus van Ryneveld
a) uit hoofde der gemeenschap van goederen met den heeren
overleedenen voor haar ed:s gerechte helfte
79063:21
b) uit de werderhelfte voor erffenisse ofte een kinds gedeelte 8784:39
87848:12
mitsg:s aan de ondertenoemene gesamentlyke kinderen van den heer
overleedene en desselfs overgebleevene echtgenoote en weduwe voor
vaderlyke erffenisse ieder een negende gedeelte in de wederhelfte en
dus
a) Daniel Joh:s van Ryneveld 8784:39
b) Maria van Ryneveld geh:d met den capitain Charles George Napier 8784:40
c) Willem Corn:s van Ryneveld 8784:40
d) Anna Maria van Ryneveld 8784:40
e) Helperus Ritsema van Ryneveld 8784:40
f) Johanna Magd:a van Ryneveld geh:d met Robert Crozier 8784:40
g) Martha Cornelia van Ryneveld 8784:40
h) Johannes Fredrik Hendrik van Ryneveld 8784:40
Teld te zamen als boven Rd:s158126:43
Aldus gedaan, geinventariseerd, getauxeerd mitsgaders verdeeld aan de Kaap de Goede Hoop op den 24
January 1817 ende zulks op het op en aangeven van de mevrouw de weduwe, dewelke verklaarde zig hierinne
ter goeder trouwe gedragen en met haar ed:s weetens niets verzweegen of terug gehouden te hebben van al het
geen tot den boedel en nalatenschap behoord, invoegen haar ed: ook betuygde de deugdelyk den opgaave ten
allen tyde des vereischt werdende met solemneele eede nader te bevestigen en verdere belofte zo hierna nog
iets tot gezegde nalatenschap behoorende mogte worden ontdekt, daarvan nader en getrouwelyk deezen
inventaris daarmede te amplieeren.
In teeken der waarheid is deezen ter presentie van ons gecomm: Weesmeesteren ende my Eerste Commis der
Weeskamer door mevrouw de inventariente eigenhandig ondertekend.
Als gecomm: Weesmeesteren: Daniël de Waal, A:V: Bergh
Voor den opgaaff: M:C: v: Ryneveld
Als tauxateurs: H: Ekermans, J:N: Rörich
In t byweesen van ons als mondige erfgenamen: W:C: van Ryneveld, J:R: Ryneveld
My present: G:A: Watermeijer, E: C:
Publication is only permitted if the name of the repository and the reference number are mentioned.
11
http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/tree/12374421/person/633091976/story/bdeb412d-df45-4ad5-a94a-b9f09e5dd6db?src=search
• General Comment. 4 Willem Stephanus van Ryneveld (1765 - 1812)
An excellent story of his life has been written by Prof. Thom as an introduction to the van Riebeeck Society publication of Willem Stephanus' "Aanmerkigen de Verbetering van het vee aan de Kaap de Goede Hoop - 1804"
At the age of 17, he joined the service of the Dutch East India Company, on the legal side. By 1795, at the age of 30, he was holding some of the highest posts available, such as President of the Orphan Chamber (which controlled large funds), member of the Court of Justice, member of the Policy Board, and in addition, he was the Fiscal.
He was concerned with the negotiations when the English took over the Cape from the Batavian Government in 1806, and was present at the signing of the Treaty by Lt. Col. Baron von Prophalow, (Commander of the local fortifications) and Major Gen. Sir David Baird (one of the commanders of the British Forces) in Woodstock (then known as Papendorp). The "Treaty tree" still (2002) stands there in a small park, on the corner of Treaty and Spring roads, with a commemorative plaque. He was one of the many officials who decided to work with the British regime.
He was obviously a most capable person, and was called upon to serve on many committees. He wrote a number of valuable reports including "Plan ter vebetering van het inwendig bestier van de Colonie van de Kaap de Goede Hoop", which inter alia recommended the introduction of circuit courts, and the "Aanmerkingen" referred to above.
Maj. General Craig said of him : "This gentleman is one of the ablest and I really believe one of the best men in the Colony, perfectly acquainted with the law and usages of it, much respected by the inhabitants, and filling his office, the duties of which are of a most extensive nature and requiring his constant and unremitting attention, in a manner highly to his honour."
Willem Stephanus was relieved of many of his posts during the short-lived Batavian rule (1802 to 1806), but regained them when the British took over the Cape again in 1806. In 1809 he was appointed President of the Court of Justice, and in 1811 he set out on the first circuit court tour, with two other judges and his son Daniel Johannes as Secretary. According to Theal, in his "History of South Africa", they proceeded to various drostdies and tried in all 21 criminal cases …..No distinction was made between persons of different races or colour either as accusers, accused or witnesses…..Throughout South Africa there was nothing but satisfaction with the establishment of a circuit court after this manner, and everywhere the judges were received with the utmost respect .
He received much praise for his handling of this circuit court, and in a dispatch from Downing Street from Earl Bathurst (His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for War and the Colonial Department), to the Governor of the Cape, it is implied that, but for his sudden death soon afterwards, he might have received some special reward for his "meritorious services". This may be the origin of the story (for which I have not yet found any reliable confirmation) told to me by Florence Hardy. According to her, Willem Stephanus had been told that he was to receive a knighthood, but when the mailship arrived, there was no such news for him. Thinking that the Colonial Department in England had changed their minds because of the misdeeds of his son Helperus Ritzima, his shame got the better of him, and he committed suicide. (I asked someone in England to try to check this with Debrett's Peerage, and I also tried recently, but no mention of a knighthood could be found. - AJvR 2002)
Willem Stephanus, in 1802, purchased De Groote Schuur - later the residences for our Prime Ministers - at Rondebosch for 50000 guldens (4000 pounds) and was responsible for the planting of many magnificent oaks, firs, and poplars. De Ouder Schuur (later Westbrooke) was part of the De Groote Schuur estaste. He also acquired further adjacent land including De Kleine Schuur, and I think went as far as Rustenberg. He lived at Groote Schuur until his death in 1812, when the properties were sold.
He also owned a farm, Jantjeskraal, near the Berg River on the northern boundary of the Cape district, and there presumably conducted his experiments with sheep and cattle farming.
Extract from "An Autobiographical Memoir" by P.B.Borcherds. Cape Town. A.S.Robertson 1861.
Section XI page 282 et seq.
And to establish authority, the General (Baird) appointed His Majesty's Fiscal (Attorney General) Willem Stephanus van Ryneveld Esq. To be His Majesty's Chief Civil Magistrate and counselor in this settlement and to execute all the immediate duties of the civil administration under his superintendence and direction; and all persons were directed to attend to his orders and directions in the same manner as if directed by himself. This gentleman was a South African who had never been out of the Colony, but he raised himself by talent and application so that he was entrusted with the highest offices and employed in matters of great importance: he has been secretary to the court of justice, fiscal, president of the Orphan Chamber, and of the court of justice.
His position as Fiscal and Public Prosecutor was most trying under the disturbances of the country, but to the interests of the Government he firmly adhered.
He was a great promoter of agriculture by countenance and example, and advocated the introduction of Spanish and Merino sheep into the Colony and the conversion of the Cape sheep into the wool growing, and wrote an interesting pamphlet printed in 1805 on that and other subjects connected with agriculture, trade and finance.
When, in 1811, the Governor Lord Caledon, created the establishment of circuits in the country, His Excellency directed that a commission of the Court of Justice (to which two members for the purpose were added) should once within the year, or oftener, make a circuit to the most distant district, Mr. van Ryneveld joined the first circuit as President.
His sudden death in 1812 was much regretted, and the Government Gazette expressed it in the following terms :-
"The public will learn with the deepest sorrow the decease on Friday 14th instant (August) of W.S van Ryneveld Esq., President of the Court of Justice, orphan chamber, etc. The unrivalled qualities of this respected magistrate and virtuous man were so well known that it does not require more than to state his death, to draw from every voice the acknowledgement of his irreparable loss to this Colony"
His life was spent in the direct pursuit to exalt the state of his native place, and his excellent understanding, urged on by enlightened and enlarged views upon all subjects so peculiar to himself, eminently fitted him to extend the real interest of this rising settlement. In the dispensation of justice from his superior seat, it was his unceasing wish and the last great employment of his mind that right should be done to every man, careless of distinction or consequence, not within the ordinary spheres of action and observation alone, but that this great principle, equally of nature and policy, should be general and know no bounds but the wide limits of our dominions.
The judge, the statesman, the confidential adviser, and the disinterested supporter of Government, were all acknowledged in him; but these high qualifications were even inferior to the man of amiable and social life. His friends, his family, his wife, children and dependents will never forget the cheerful companion, the kind and benevolent master: his public and private virtues ran so near a course, the public eye of humanity cannot say where was the leading passion which was foremost of his earthly race.
Merit so various and alike conspicuous will ever remain the boast of the Cape of Good Hope. Here he was born, educated and solely passed his life. But such were his gifts from nature, the greatness of his mind, and the goodness of his heart, he wanted not the aid of travel; and instead of receiving example from the range of different climes, he will give it to other countries, and when his character reaches, honour and distinction will be the claim of this settlement.
He was buried on the Sunday following. His Excellency the Governor, the Major General Commanding and staff, the great body of the Clergy and all the civil officers, led the solemn procession, minute guns firing at stated intervals. The whole of the inhabitants of all grades in this city (Cape Town) united in the performance of the last melancholy duties to that great and good man
He had a commanding figure, pleasing countenance and lively eye, was cheerfully and socially disposed and attached to his public duties ; he enjoyed the implicit confidence of his superiors and was much respected by his inferiors.
The correspondence between him and my father proved to me since their demise, that they were on intimate terms and entertained a mutual regard. I hope that this digression will be indulged as I still feel for the friend of my parent and the highly meritorious and distinguished countryman
• General Comment. Copy of his son - Daniel Johannes Van Ryneveld's Death Notice #5222 filed 10 May 1869 in RAB's possession.
• General Comment. Daniel van Ryeneveld of Amsterdam who in 1759 came to South Africa as Asst. in the Service of the East India Company and in May 1777 was appointed as Landrost of Swellendam.
He was a Barrister by profession - He was transferred to Stellenbosch as Landrost in 1782 where he died in 1785 - He married Anna Grove 23 August 1761.
His son Willem Stephanus christened 24 March 1768 was Chief Justice of the Cape Colony and was married to Martha Cornelia van der Riet - Their son Willem Cornelius van Ryneveld is my grandfather. He was Captain in the 93rd Highlanders and took part in the battle of Waterloo. His brother was in the Navy and was on board the Belerephon when Napoleon was taken to St. Helena. This naval man is Pierre's branch of the family.
From handwritten notes in RAB's possesion.
Willem married Martha Cornelia Van Der Riet, daughter of Dr. Johannes Van Der Riet and Maria Berthault de St Jean, on 12 Aug 1782 in Stellenbosch, Cape Province, South Africa.1 (Martha Cornelia Van Der Riet was born on 26 Jul 1761 in Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa and died on 25 Aug 1826 in Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa.)
Sources of information or n events in their marriage were:
• Web Based Info. http://www.genealogieonline.nl/genealogie-van-rijneveld/I104.php
And
http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Van_der_Riet-1
And
http://ancestry24.com/wp-content/uploads/pages/The%20Family%20Register%20of%20the%20South%20African%20Nation/page_01124.pdf
And
http://ancestry24.com/wp-content/uploads/pages/Genealogies%20of%20old%20South%20African%20Families/page_02856.pdf
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