THE SWISS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 1652-1970 - swissroots-za.ch

Commissioner De Mist and the German traveller Lichtenstein. The latter described
Jacob Loubser as one of the richest colonists of the country”. 34
Claas is the only Loubser/Laubscher to come to the Cape and all with that name or
variations of it are descended from him. He never learned to read or write. He could not
even sign his name, but when required to do so made his mark, a firm, Swiss-looking
cross. He certainly left his mark on the South African scene.
/ 1 CH, Fräschels FR, Reformed Church. The children of Benedict Loupscher and Agnes
Kägi: Maria bapt. 1641, Barbara bapt. 1643, Salome bapt. 23.6.1645, Bendicht bapt.
31.8.1647, Catharina bapt.6.5.1649, Niclaus bapt. 21.12.1651, and Maria bapt.
7.6.1657; 2 KAB, DO: T145 (now lost), see Map 4; 3 De Wet: Resolusies, 1.4.1677; 4
KAB, VC 8: Journal, 20.12.1677 referred to as Lobs; 5 De Wet: Die vry bevolking, p.
68; 6 KAB, VC 39, MR: Free Persons 1679; 7 KAB, CJ 2, p. 118, 7.10.1680; 8 KAB,
VC 39 MR: Free Persons 1680-81; 9 KAB, A2250: CR 1682; 10 KAB, CJ 2, p. 48,
22.4.1683; 11 NL, Leersum, Parish Register no. Utrecht: 29.1.1661: Jan Quynt (Majoor
tot Reenen), Horseman with the cavalry of Beert van Ginckel, born Amerongen,
Utrecht, married Wilhelmina Verwey. Children, all baptised at Leersum: Godert bapt.
6.7.1662, Teunt bapt.6.12.1663, Jan bapt. 8.4.1666, Engeltje bapt. 19.11.1668, and
Hendrick bapt. 21.3.1675; 12 De Wet: Die vry bevolking, p. 148; 13 De Villiers:
Genealogies; 14 Boëseken: Resoluties, p. 42; 15 KAB, CJ 780, p. 217, 29.2.1688; 16
KAB, J 183 Citizen Roll, Dec. 1692; 17 CJ 2870, p. 191 and CJ 2872, pp. 168, 203 and
360, CJ 2873, pp. 81, 274, 278 and 568, CJ 2874, pp. 79 and 346; 18 KAB, A2250
Citizen Roll 1695; 19 KAB, DO, T349, 31.3.1694 Erf corner of Heere and Bergdwars
Street (354 sq.m.) from Beets Andries; 20 KAB, LM 13, Journal of Cape Governor, pp.
153-155; 21 Valentine: Beschryvinge van de Kaap, p. 279; 22 A2250, Citizen Roll 1700;
23 KAB, RLR 1:29 Grazing Licence 3.10.1705; 24 KAB, DOII. VC33, 26.9.1704; 25
KAB, DOII.CV84, 30.1.1707; 26 KAB, DO, T1172, 20.6.1717; 27 KAB, DO, T1223,
9.2.1718; 28 KAB, A2250, CR 1719; 29 KAB, CJ 2878:130, 18.1.1718; 30 KAB, MOOC
8/14-35 Inventory, 3.12.1721; 31 KAB, DO, T1332 and T1333, 3.5.1720 for Welgemoed
and land at the Koeberg; 32 KAB, MOOC 8/5, Inventory no. 5, 16.3.1720; 33
Puyfontayne, HL de: Louis Michel Thibault, pp. 82 and 106; 34 Lichtenstein: Reisen, pp.
57ff.
Chibonne, Claude born Neuchatel, Switzerland, soldier, arrived 21.6.1682 on
Adrichem. Guilty of desertion, he was condemned to flagellation and five years forced
labour on Robben Island.
A WALK NO NOWHERE
Perhaps disappointed with conditions and treatment at the Cape, Chibonne and a
comrade were persuaded to desert by a third soldier, Harmen Glesser of England.
Harmen promised to lead them to St. Helena Bay (it lies on the West Coast 130 km
north of Cape Town) which he claimed was a Portuguese settlement which they could
reach within three or four days. From there they would be able to travel to Spain.
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