Simon van der Stel is succeeded by his eldest son

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Simon van der Stel, who became commander of the Cape on 12 October 1679 and was promoted to governor in 1691, was succeeded by his eldest son, Willem Adriaan van der Stel. Upon his retirement, Simon was one of the largest landowners at the Cape. He settled on his estate Constantia and continued to develop it up to his death in 1712. Adriaan, like his father, believed in the wine industry and planted extensive vineyards on his farm "Vergelegen" near Somerset West. He was also an enthusiastic sheep-farmer. Because of Adriaan's farming activities, a group of influential Cape farmers drew up a petition against him, which they sent to the Council of XVII in the Netherlands.

How we know this

01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
02Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds)(1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town : NASOU, v. 11, pp. 139-142.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

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South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Simon van der Stel is succeeded by his eldest son. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010843

South African History Online (2011) 'Simon van der Stel is succeeded by his eldest son', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010843 (Accessed: 24 October 2026).

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"Simon van der Stel is succeeded by his eldest son." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010843. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Simon van der Stel is succeeded by his eldest son." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010843.