Danie Krynauw’s notes
The following are extracts from notes by Danie Krynauw, Herbert Street, Bellville, dated 1 December 1986. Dates have been added for reference to the Family Register.
Chiappini
After spending the first years in Cape Town and its surroundings, some members of the Krynauw family moved to the Swartland and South Western districts, later settling in Beaufort West before spreading throughout the country.
It is noteworthy that the name Chiappini appears frequently in the register. Research has revealed that Antonio Chiappini, progenitor of the renowned Cape Chiappini family, arrived at the Cape in 1797. There are no longer any Chiappinis in Cape Town today—only a street bearing the name. It appears that a Krynauw married a descendant of the Chiappini family at some point, most likely Johannes (born 1756) or his son Johannes Hendrik (born 1814).
Anthony David (1816) children
One particularly interesting family branch centers around Anthony Dawid (born 20 September 1816) and his five children. (1) His daughter Elisabeth married Sir Richard Southey, who later became Colonial Secretary and Governor of Griqualand East. (2) Susanna married Sir Charles Bell, Surveyor-General of the Cape. (3) Antoinette married D. Walker, organist of the Grootte Kerk. (4) At the marriage of Johannes Coenraad to Elisabeth Bowman, Cecil John Rhodes was the best man. (5) Daniel succeeded Bell as Surveyor-General. Johannes Coenraad’s son, Anthony Henry, was the father of Dr Rowland Anthony Krynauw, who became a renowned brain surgeon in earlier times.
Sir Charles Davidson Bell, after whom Bellville was named, served as Surveyor-General from 1848 to 1872. He played a significant role in determining the family arms, assisted by Daniël Krynauw, who continued this work after Bell left for Scotland. Daniël was appointed Surveyor-General in 1901, while his brother, Johannes Coenraad, served as bookkeeper in his office.
The Krynauw family owned Krynauw’s Hof, the site where the apartment block Krynauwshof and Krynauw Street now stand in the Gardens, Cape Town. Additionally, Krynauw Street in Kimberley was named after Daniël, likely due to Rhodes’ influence. These Krynauw family members are buried in the old Mowbray Cemetery near Cape Town. However, contrary to some beliefs, there is no Krynauw family crypt. Krynauw Street in Boksburg was named after Anthony Henry Krynauw, who served as the mine manager of ERPM (East Rand Proprietary Mines) from 1926 to 1946. He was also involved in the governing body of Boksburg High School
Dawid Anthonie (1882)
When Dawid Antonie (born 15.6.1882) was twelve years old, his father Jacob Daniel died. That night he transported his father’s remains from the farm to Malmesbury alone in a horse-drawn cart.
Krynauwslust, Vrede
The town of Vrede in the Free State was established in 1879 on the farm ‘Krynauwslust,’ which had previously belonged to a J.H. Krynauw. He tragically died in an accident involving a cart and oxen. Following his death, his widow sold the farm to a Dreyer and subsequently relocated to the Cape Colony. It is unclear whether they had children.
Later, the farm was sold to an Orpen, from whom it was purchased by the authorities for the founding of the town. The identity of this J.H. Krynauw, including his full first names, remains amystery. He owned the farm for many years before 1879, as there were several owners after him. None of the Johannes Hendrik Hermanus entries in the family register match this individual.
So who was he? This mystery remains unsolved. If anyone has information, we urge them to share it. According to one source, he may have been Johannes Hendrik, born in 1814 and passed away in 1891.
Treasures
There is the story, true or not, of a blue Dutch porcelain dish full of old coins that should have been passed down as an heirloom from generation to generation in the Krynauws family. However, the dish suddenly disappeared without a trace at some point. One wonders if a Krynauw somewhere still owns the dish. If so, better keep quiet or we other Krynauws will all claim it.
And what about the hundred pounds that a certain Krynauw invested in Holland many years ago for one hundred years as an heirloom for his descendants. Will enough be scraped together in all of Holland to pay off the investment? And has anyone tried to claim it?
Johannes Hendrik (1890)
Johannes Hendrik (born 1890) and his brother Jacobus Cornelius (born 1888) were among the last six rebels to surrender under arms in 1914. These six were later imprisoned together in Hoopstad, following Jopie Fourie’s execution. Dissatisfied with the prison food, Johannes went on a hunger strike until Gen. Louis Botha assured him that he did not want his hands tied by further bloodshed. In response, Johannes was given double rations. After his release, he married Anne Robinson, a descendant of the 1820 settlers, whose brother had fought on the government side. They had planned to marry before Johannes rebelled, and she waited for him throughout his imprisonment.