Biographical history
The Weeskamer (Orphan Chamber) was already a familiar feature of
municipal life in the Netherlands when the Dutch embarked on their bid for
overseas empire around 1600. As the name indicates it originally served an
educational purpose but in the course of time it acquired other equally
important functions. In Malacca as elsewhere its functions can be subsumed
under three heads: educational, fiduciary, and financial. Primarily the Orphan
Chamber was responsible for the education and maintenance of orphan children,
often the children of one - parent families. A capital sum was deposited by the
parent or guardian of each child in the Orphan Chamber treasury and half -
yearly interest was paid on these sums. The interest was often added to the
capital. When a girl pupil of the Orphan Chamber married, her husband was
entitled under Dutch law to the capital sum deposited on her behalf.
The second function of the Orphan Chamber was a fiduciary one. By
the law they were entitled to administer the property of those who died
intestate. In addition testators frequently nominated them as executors of
their wills. In certain cases, in the role of trustee, the Orphan Chamber
administered the property of a widow or children on a long - term basis.
The third function of the Orphan Chamber was a financial one. One
might say that they provided a partial substitute for banking facilities in
Malacca. Money was lent out to individuals by the Orphan Chamber on the
security of houses and lands and with an additional safeguard ot two individual
sureties. Half - yearly interest was payable on these loans. Much of the landed
property in Malacca was in fact mortgaged to the Orphan Chamber.
The members of the Orphan Chamber, also styled Orphan Masters
(Weesmeesters), were prominent citizens of the European/ Eurasian community.
Technically they were unpaid but they enjoyed certain perquisites including the
right to borrow money from the Chamber at a lower rate of interest than normal.
In 1825 on the re - imposition of British rule the Chiefs or 'Captains' of the
three Asian communities in Malacca, viz: the malays, Chinese and Chulias
(Tamils), were admitted 'ex officio' as Members of the Chamber.
Presidents of the Malacca Orphan Chamber 1758 - 1835
1758 - 1764
Francois Tholozan
1764 - 1767
David Richard
1767 - 1775
Anthonij Abraham Werndlij
1775 - 1781
Arnoldus Franciscus Lemker
1781 - 1783
Abraham Couperus
1783 - 1788
Francois Thierens
1788 - 1799
David Ruhde
1799 - 1803
Jacob Frans Overree
1803 - 1808
Jean david Rabinel
1808 - 1815
Johan Anthon Neubronner
1815 - 1821
Jan Hendrik Stecher
1821 - 1822
Johannes Gustaaf Dieterich (Acting)
1822 - 1825
Sefridus Van Der Tuuk
1825 - 1827
Thomas Williamson
1827 - 1835
William Thomas Lewis