Theunis van Schalkwyk
Full name: Theunis Dirksz Van Schalkwyk / Theunis Dircksen van Schalckwijck Lifespan: c.1639 Netherlands - bef.1717 Cape Occupation: Musketeer, soldier, fish & liquor merchant, farmer, carpenter, high-ranking official. He is considered the progenitor ( stamvader ) of the Van Schalkwyks in South Africa. He was the first person to bring the surname (originally from the place name Schalkwijk in the Netherlands) to the Cape as a permanent settler. His surviving son Dirk became the direct male-line ancestor. Theunis was a prominent early Cape settler and one of the wealthiest free burghers of his time. Born in Zeeland, Netherlands (possibly Schalkwijk), he arrived at the Cape on 13 April 1664 (or circa 1665) (on the Nieupoort ) as a busschieter (musketeer/soldier) in the service of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). He was granted burgher rights shortly thereafter, marking his transition to independent status. A versatile and enterprising man, Theunis...