A Network Analysis of Credit Transactions at the Cape Colony During the Eighteenth Century

Christie Swanepoel ()
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Christie Swanepoel: University of the Western Cape

A chapter in Beyond Banks, 2025, pp 101-132 from Palgrave Macmillan

Abstract: Abstract This chapter examines the co-existence in the Cape Colony of peer-to-peer and intermediated credit transactions. During the eighteenth century, in response to more settlers migrating to the Colony, the credit market expanded. Initial settlers often relied on each other as sources of financial support, but they also turned to three main institutions: the Dutch East India Company, the Orphan Chamber, and the church. Additionally, notaries became key intermediaries in this early credit market to connect creditors and debtors in the network of transactions; and they often became wealthy, influential individuals. This chapter will explore how notaries served as market makers or match makers between individuals and institutions. The main source for this analysis is probate inventories recording credit transactions on an individual basis for the years 1700–1795.

Keywords: Cape Colony; Credit; Debt; Network analysis; Eighteenth century (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:psitcp:978-3-031-75819-5_4

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-75819-5_4

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