Carel Hendrik Bartels (29 September 1792 – 10 February 1850) was the wealthiest and most important Euro-African trader and businessman on the Dutch Gold Coast in the second quarter of the nineteenth century.[1] Apart from his entrepreneurial activities, Bartels was also a judge and member of the colonial government in Elmina, making him one of the most important men in town.
Carel Hendrik Bartels was born in Elmina to Cornelius Ludewich Bartels, Governor-General of the Gold Coast, and the local Euro-African Maria Clericq.[4] Little is known about his youth, but it is known that he was sent to the Netherlands for his education. In August 1814, Bartels returned to the Gold Coast with the first ship after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Leipzig, and acted as the official messenger of the Dutch authorities for this news.[4]
Between 1814 and 1820, Bartels was employed in the colonial administration of the Gold Coast. From 1839 onward, Bartels acted as judge in the Court of Justice of Elmina, and was a member of the colonial council.[4]
Gravestone of Carel Hendrik Bartels grave in the Dutch cemetery of Elmina.
Bartels is the founder of the influential Euro-AfricanBartels family on the Gold Coast. He was married to Adjua Ere-ëba, with whom he had five daughters and a son:[4]
