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

Superbiller, Jan Coenraad born Appenzell 1724 [Zuberbühler?], arrived 23.1.1751
on Slot van Kapelle for Kamer Amsterdam. 1751-1757 soldier. 2 / KAB, VC 166, MR
1756; 2 KAB, MR 1751-1757; NL, ARA, MR 1752-1756.
Simmons / Immos, Abraham born Berne [Simon of BE and VD?], arrived 29.1.1751
on Elswoud for Kamer Amsterdam. 1751-1752 soldier. / KAB, MR 1751-1752; NL,
ARA, MR 1751-1752.
Oberchans, Jan born Zurich [Oberhänsli?], arrived 29.1.1751 on Noord Nieuwland.
1751 soldier, 1752 corporal. / KAB, MR 1751-1752; NL, ARA, MR 1751-1752.
Jenny, Gabriel born Ennenda GL 5.3.1718, son of table merchant Johann Balthasar
and Barbara Becker. 1 Arrived 1751 as “Hilarius Jenny” on Middelburgh for Kamer
Zeeland. Returned to Switzerland after completion of contract but arrived back at the
Cape 2.10.1757 on Overnes for Kamer Amsterdam. Died 1788. 3
A MAJOR WORKS AS FARM LABOURER
A young Swiss from the Canton of Glarus who gave his name as Hilarius Jenny came
to the Cape in 1751, served out his contract with the Company as soldier, was with
Beutler’s expedition, then returned home. Two years later the arrival of yet another
Jenny from Glarus who gave his name as Gabriel was recorded. Research indicates with
near certainty that both were one and the same person. In that case his pseudonym
“Hilarius” was a misnomer: he had a very tragic life.
Gabriel came of good stock. His paternal grandfather was a masterbuilder, councillor
and judge. His father was a table dealer in Lugano near the Italian border. Both Gabriel
and his younger brother Hans Jakob followed their father’s trade. Hans Jakob eventually
established himself in St. Petersburg, Russia. Gabriel turned out to be a black sheep and
ended up at the other end of the world.
When only 17 years old he married a girl five years older and soon thereafter appears
to have taken service with a Swiss mercenary regiment, possibly in the Netherlands. Did
he return home on leave every second year as suggested by the birthdates of his
children? The list also highlights the high infant mortality rate of that time, due possibly
to the lack of proper hygene:
1. Barbara 18.9.1736, died in infancy.
2. Barbara 1.9.1737, died in infancy.
3. Gabriel 29.7.1739.
4. Hans Balz 2.10.1741, died young.
5. Barbara 31.7.1743, died 2.8.1746.
6. Katharina 1745? died 26.7.1747.
7. Barbara 17.6.1747.
8. twins Katharina 4.6.1751, died October 1751 and
9. Johann Balthasar died 1771 when member of the Swiss Regiment Bouquet in Dutch
service commanded by Major-General and Member of War Council, Councillor
Paravicini.
By 1748 Gabriel now 30 years old, was a major but also had serious problems,
possibly of a financial nature. Only three weeks after his mother died and he lost the
protection she and her wealth had afforded him, he was placed under guardianship. The
rhythm of his life was broken. No children were born in 1749 and when the youngest,
the twins were born, he was far away at the Cape, serving the Dutch East India
Company as a common soldier.
After his contract terminated he returned home, but his circumstances had worsened.
Not only was he still subject to guardianship, but his wife was now similarly restrained
and a divorce set in motion. Gabriel again departed for the Cape where he had found
contentment. This time he went intending to stay. He immediately sought leave from
military duties and worked first as wagon-driver and cattle-herd, 2 then as a loaned
farmhand on various farms in the Drakenstein and Tulbagh Districts, never serving
longer than two years on any one farm. 4-8
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