Related Families, Cannegieter

On the island of Sint Maarten some families owned property in Philipsburg such as the Buncamper, Wathey, de Weever, Larmonie, Conner, Houtman, Labega, Vlaun, Williams, Carty, Peterson, Hazel,Lejuez and Cannegieter. ( Source: for the love of Sint Maarten, Will Johnson). Some of these families are related or connected to the van Romondt's such as the Cannegieter, Hazel, Peterson, de Weever etc.

The Cannegieter's is one of the families in Sint Maarten N.A. who in 1946 was a merchant in Philipsburg. Those of you who visited the island of Sint Maarten N.A. may have driven through the C. A. Cannegieter street in town. Aubrey is known on the island as one of the true son of the soil of SXM and is a descendant of the VR-family. Please find below a article posted by the local newspaper The Daily Herald in 2004.

Also take a look at Barbara's live journal at http://barcann.livejournal.com.

Barbara Cannegieter is married to Diederick Cannegieter, son of Aubrey Cannegieter.

Wednesday, November 24, 2004 10:17 AM
this was in the newspaper yetserday on the 100th anniversary of Besanto's birth
REMEMBERING A SON OF THE SOIL




Mr. Clarence Aubrey Cannegieter was born one hundred years ago on November 23, 1904, on the island of St. Maarten. His family today honors his memory in many ways.

Mr. C. A. Cannegieter, better known as “B” or “Besanto” was one of four boys born to Sarah Cannegieter and Lionel Von Romondt.

The last surviving brother, Douglas, now lives in the Cannegieter family home on Back Street.



“B” was a true son of the soil, leaving St. Maarten only briefly to work in Curacao for awhile. While in Curacao, he made his living driving the Governor General.
He soon returned home however.

When “B” came back to St. Maarten, he bought a car. This car was one of the earliest cars on the island as only a few people owned cars at the time. His license plate was number M 5.
He used his car as a business. He drove the Methodist ministers and the Catholic priests to the villages where they could hold services. He drove teachers and school children to the villages for school. He also drove visiting dignitaries and government officials when they were visiting the island.

In 1938, “B” started the Oranje Café on Front Street. He leased the property from Mally Wathey and it became a popular gathering place for St. Maarteners.


Eventually “B” was able to purchase the property.

The café was not only the local watering hole and the place where dominos and bellot were played; it was also a barber shop. For years “B” had cut hair by appointment. Now one could see a barber chair on the side of the Oranje Café. It was the first barber chair on the island as formerly hair was cut under a tree. To this day there are many people on the island, young and old alike, who remember having “B” cut their hair in the Oranje Café. The café also featured a very popular billiard table, the first one on the island.

“B” was appointed by the government as an acting judge. He functioned in this capacity for many years.


He also was the agent for the Government Lottery, Landsloterij. Today, his daughter still runs it.

“B” married Euphrasia Richardson and they lived in a house on Back Street and Von Romondtsteeg ( popularly called Parrot Alley), which still stands to this day.

“B” throughout the years continued as a successful entrepreneur, one of the island’s first.
He invested his money wisely and was able to buy several valuable properties, one of which is being developed now on Front Street by his heirs.

In recognition of Clarence Aubrey Cannegieter’s accomplishments, the government designated a street to be named after him.
Cannegieter Street today is a busy commercial area in the heart of Philipsburg.

Unfortunately Clarence Aubrey Cannegieter was tragically killed in an automobile accident on the Pondfill Road in 1978.

“B” is gone but not forgotten, as they say. His children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family members still remember fondly the quiet gentle man who made his living and his home here and who was a true son of the soil.