A Pattern of Boer settlement at the Cape Eastern Frontier, 1769-1779

Abstract

The study investigates the pattern of settlement of the Boers at the Eastern Frontier between 1769 and 1779. The settlement pattern is studied through the journals of Hendrik Swellengrebel, Robert Jacob Gordon and Joachim van Plettenberg and the drawings of Johannes Schumacher, employed by Swellengrebel. The origins and culture of the frontier settlers are investigated as elements of the settlement pattern of the cultural environment. The highway and homestead are investigated as elements of the settlement pattern of the physical environment. Eastern Frontier refers to the area comprised of the Camdebo, Sneeuberg and Agter-Bruintjieshoogte; the first fertile region that the Boers encountered after crossing the Karoo. The dispersed pattern of settlement was governed by the availability of water and arable soil. The built form was reflective of principles imported from the established areas adapted to the technology and building materials available.

Afrikaans: Die studie ondersoek die patroon van nedersetting van die Boere by die Oos-grens tussen 1769 en 1779. Die nedersettings patroon is bestudeer deur die journale van Hendrik Swellengrebel, Robert Jacob Gordon and Joachim van Plettenberg, en die tekeninge van Johannes Schumacher, in <liens van Swellengrebel. Die oorsprong en kultuur van die grens nedersetters is ondersoek as elemente van die nedersettings patroon van die kulturele omgewing. Die hoofweg en opstal is ondersoek as elemente van die nedersettings patroon van die fisiese omgewing. Oos-grens verwys na die area wat bestaan uit die Kamdebo, Sneeuberg en Agter-Bruintjieshoogte; die eerste vrugbare streek wat die Boere sou teekom na die Karoo. Die verspreide patroon van nedersetting is bepaal deur die beskikbaarheid van water en landbougrond. Die argitektuur reflekteer beginsels wat ingevoer is van die gevestigde areas, aangepas by die beskikbare tegnologie en boumateriale.