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

was unable to hear his case. In the same year the Government of Batavia cleared his
name, restored him to his rank and appointed him to high positions. By 1806 he was
commander of the land forces in Java and neighbouring areas. Two years later he was
dismissed by Governor-General H.W. Daendels on charges of maladministration and
corruption and sent back to Europe. 4 Married Geertruyda Cornelia van Schoor of the
Cape, 13.6.1784. He bought a house in 1785, 5 which his wife sold on 1.1.1795. 6 They
had one son and two daughters, baptised in Cape Town. 7 / 1 Meuron, Guy de: Le
Régiment Meuron, 1781-1816, p. 327; 2 KAB, VC 35, p. 459; 3 KAB, C 1005: Bylaes
tot Inkomende Brieven, 3-21.08.1792, p. 119; 4 Dictionary of South African Biography,
vol. III, p, 209; 5 KAB, DO ZK 8/4/1 : T5977, 27.12.1785, erf in Burg Street Block GG,
from Jean Martin; 6 C.C. de Villiers and C.Pama: Genealogies of old South Africa
Families, p. 822; 7 DRC, G1/13/2.
Desbarbiers / Des Barbier, Francois / Francois-Louis born Neuchatel. Entered as
Ensign, 1.6.1871. Lieutenant, 1.5.1782. Captain-Lieutenant, date unknown. Died in
Europe, 3.5.1787. / 1 Meuron, Guy de: Le Régiment Meuron, 1781-1816, p. 305
De Sergeans, Benoît born Peseux NE. Entered as Second Colonel, 1.6.1781. Never
really commanded the regiment. Resigned at the Cape, 1.7.1783. / KAB, DO ZK 8/4/1 :
T6909, 11.1.1795.
Dietrich, Jean Jacques born Basel, soldier, arrived 1783, 14.3.1787 resigned and
entered Company service. / KAB, C 47.
Donzel, Jean born Les Breleux NE. Entered 14.9.1781. Ensign, 14.9.1782. Lieutenant,
15.8.1785. Captain-Lieutenant, 18.1.1788. Died Trincomalee, 10.4.1790. / 1 Meuron,
Guy de: Le Régiment Meuron, 1781-1816, p. 305.
Dubois, Pierre born Saint-Suplice NE. Entered as Lieutenant, 1.6.1781. Captain-
Lieutenant, 1.5.1782. Resigned at the Cape, January 1788. / 1 Meuron, Guy de: Le
Régiment Meuron, 1781-1816, p. 305.
Dubois-Dunilac, Charles born Neuchatel NE. Entered as Lieutenant, 1.6.1781.
Captain-Lieutenant, 1.6.1783. Resigned at the Cape, 20.11.1788. / 1 Meuron, Guy de: Le
Régiment Meuron, 1781-1816, p. 306.
Esch(er), Pieter born Aarburg AG, soldier. Pieter Esch(er) and Jean Dumas were
found guilty of theft and burglary, September 1786. The first named was originally
sentenced to be hanged. This was commuted to having the hangman’s noose around his
neck, then lashed, branded and sent for 15 years to Robben Island. / CH, Neuchatel,
AEN, Arch. Fam. Meuron: Dossier no. 57, Letter No. 38, 4.11.1786.
J. J. Escher (also recorded as P. Escher) born Zurich ZH 1766, was a nephew of
Colonel Escher von Schwandegg of Zurich. He served as Lieutenant in a Swiss
regiment in French service, before joining the Regiment Meuron. Arrived at the Cape
May 1793. 1 Cadet Sergeant at Regimental Depot, 13.10.1795. 2 He was repatriated on a
British cartel ship which departed on 10.11.1795. During the sea voyage he became
homesick for the Cape. On landing in England, he returned on the next ship. Not heard
of since. 3 Four months later a Peter Escher “of Dolles” married Cathatrina Petronella
Oudtshoorn at the Grootekerk. / 1 Meyer-Otth, W.: Eine zürcherische Familien-
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