Shelagh will no longer be working on her research. We will no longer provide look ups and chronologies.

The entire collection of her research has been donated to the Pietermaritzburg Archives.

Anyone whose family was not covered in the published volumes may be able to find material in the archives collection, or on this site, if a chronology was produced.

Beautiful outfits and singing.

Pietermaritzburg’s Royal Show has been going for nearly two centuries – 169 years to be exact! The Royal Show is Africa’s largest mixed agricultural show that encompasses animal showing, auctioneering, exhibits, a variety of stalls and many, many events and activities for all ages.

As the farming heartland of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg was founded in 1851 to bring farmers and industry experts together to educate the public as well as entertain them. The Showgrounds have grown over the years from a humble setup in the market square to a whopping eighteen hectares.

The Show was granted its ‘Royal’ status in 1905 by King Edward VII, who recognised it as KZN’s leading agricultural and commercial exposition.

Today, the Royal Show and all its glory attract an average of 220 000 individuals from far and wide, all gathering to wonder at the agricultural prowess of South Africa.

Taken from
https://www.ecr.co.za/royal-show-2019/history-of-the-royal-show-/

We are auctioning old volumes of the register. The auction is on BidorBuy and closes on Friday the 3rd of May.

You can see the listings at
https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/1691551/ScreenImports

Items will be sent via Postnet2Postnet within South Africa

We are about to auction old copies of the books. I found these articles inside them:

MCARTHUR Alexander – 1822-1884 . Mayor of Durban, businessman, shipping agent, farmer.

Photo in Ingram SAS Henderson: Durban, p50

For an alphabetical list of sources, click here.

From Dunbarton (BSN p190).

Member of the first Durban Club (SDC p17).

Living in Durban in 1852. In partnership with .. Hunter (RoD 153).

Pioneered the small ships plying between Durban and the South Coast (OSBORN, R.F. Valiant harvest: OVH 90).

Sons Kenneth Stuart died of blackwater fever at Waterval Boven and Douglas Gordon was killed in a mining accident on the Reef – the dates of death of these 2 never established as in 1954 the trustees of Jane’s estate could find no death notices in Natal or Transvaal and applied to MSC for their deaths to be presumed from information available. Charles James emigrated to Australia some time before 1896 (WA Speirs p15-16 – Speirs, Walter A. Ox-wagon to Space Travel; the Speirs family of Natal, 1850-1985. Pte publication, 1985.).  

Started business with G. Macleroy and “Moses” Hunter, became proprietor of a

coffee estate at Wentworth. In 1860 became manager of Point Railway and mayor of Durban. After being railway manager commenced as (NM 9.9.58).a landing agent.

1846 – 6 Jan – Alice Mabel born (Tomb PSAC).

1850 June – Came at age of 28 (Cape A Cape Archives, Cape Town GH 9/3,

4.12.51). A merchant, short-shipped (Macleroy’s List).  

12 July – McArthur and Hunter – Commission Agents (NW Vol 13 p17).

1851 – 2 April – a letter written by George Macleroy for McArthur and Hunter of Durban

who were writing on behalf of friends in GB being connected with the General Screw Steam Ship Co. Letter to Natal Government (J. Dickson: Seaborne Rails of Natal, part 2 in NZ Post, vol 2 no 3 1998, p53-74).

Sep – G.C.Cato auctioning on behalf of Messrs MCA, and Hunter various items of

general trade, e.g. iron, tin and earthenware tobacco pipes, [illegible] peas, herrings, table salt, felt hats, rope, starch, dresses, etc. (NT 29.8.51).

21 Sept – McArthur and Hunter paid for the burial of John Collins [a seaman – (R St P, Dbn) who was buried from the Durban Gaol (hospital) (RSO 30 (1) p158 *unfortunately I have not been able to track down the origin of this source – A. Spencer.).

1852 – Living in Durban. In partnership with … Hunter.

Together with Hunter had a commission and shipping agent’s business “near the Trafalgar Hotel” (PNA 1852, p22).

Apr 2 – ANC between Alexander McArthur of  Durban, bachelor, co-partner in firm Mcarthur and Hunter and Jane Tweed Speirs, spinster daughter of Robt, Speirs of Bank Foot, near Pietermaritzburg, farmer, dated 2 April. Witnessed by Robt. Speirs and Geo. Macleroy (SCIV/3/67 HC Us 4).

Aged 30 he married Jane Tweed Speirs, 19, who had been born in Belfast and lived in Pietermaritzburg District. He was born in Dunbartonshire and lived in Durban (CSO 2282). She was the daughter of Robert Speirs q.v. (Tomb DC).

2 April – He was a landing and shipping agent at Port Natal and married Jane Tweed Speirs in Pietermaritzburg 2 April 1852. At one stage he owned 10 boats and 2 dinghys. He also dabbled unsuccessfully with sailing and steamships plying between Durban and the small ports to the South, and also planted coffee (WA Speirs p15-16).

May – The flagstaffs of Messrs. MCA and H. profusely decorated for the Queen’s

Birthday  (NT 28.8.52).

1853 Apr – daughter born at Albion Cottage (NM 21.4.53).

Daughter Eva born Durban, died at Avenal, Dargle in 1911. She married

Alexander Spiers (born Scotland 1847 and died Howick April 24 1931 (Tomb

DC), nephew of Robert Speirs  (q.v. – SPMO’BS).

19 April – Daughter Evaline born in Durban and she married her first cousin once removed, Alexander James Speirs (b Dec 1847, Scotland), son of John Speirs. Alex and Evaline lived on farm Avenal in the Dargle (sub division of Inhlosane). Evaline died 12 Jan 1911 and Alexander on 24 April 1931 (WA Speirs p43).

By this time he already had a wife (RoD 168) – she took her 3-month old baby to

the balls at this time (RoD 169).

McArthur and Hunter, shipping agents and commission merchants, Pine Terrace

(DDP 1853).

1854 Aug – Merchant,  Durban, owner (NGG 15.8.54) – also owned land in

Pietermaritzburg (NGG 8.8.54).

Had been in firm Anderson, Dixon and Co. – partnership dissolved in August

1854 and he carried on on his own. Partnership with Hunter dissolved at the

same time. (NI 31.8.54)

31 Oct – Gave PA to Adam McKenzie of Fort Beaufort. Witnessed by Wm.

Anderson and Chas Speirs (SC NP IV/12/13 GL 81).

1855 – April – Son born at Albion Cottage,  Durban (NCA 6.4.1855).

8 April – Alexander Douglas (WA Speirs p43).

1856 – August – On Board of Directors of the Natal Chamber of Commerce on its

foundation in Aug (NM Supp 22.5.1934, p9).

Oct – Selling off his boats as he’s leaving the Colony for a short period (NM

10.10.56)

Oct Disposed of the landing and shipping business known as Port Natal Boating

Co. to Messrs. Samuel Crowder & Co (NP 31.10.56).

Son Kenneth Stuart born 1 October (R Cong. Durban).

1 Oct – Son born at Albion Cottage (NSEAT 15.10.56).

McArthur, Alexander, Merchant, 10 Longmarket Street, Pmb, Landowner (NGG

29.7.1856)

Alexander McArthur owned 464 acres in Wentworth (NM 4.1.1856).

1857 Chosen as a Town Councillor (RoD 322). Kept a store (Russell, George: History

of old Durban 412).

Entered Town Council 1857 – continued until 1863, [illegible] from 1860-1863 (M.

Parker’s Scrapbook).

28 Oct October –  Made agreement with C. Macdonald. MCD had lease of an

acre at Congella for 50 years from 19 Sep 1857 at £1 p.a. and intends to

commence and continue manufacture of salt from seawater. MCA agrees to

supply him with money for this manufacture on the following terms:

1. McD to pay 6% on all moneys advanced,
2. All salt produced to be assigned to McA, he getting 15% del credere commission on the gross amount of such sales, whoever makes the sales (MCD or McA) plus moderate charge for storing, receiving and delivering said salt.
3. the lease of the land plus all machinery, utensils etc. to be assigned.
4. McD to have management of the contemplated salt works and manufacture, subject at all times to MCAs superintendence – who may at any time enter into and assume sole possession of the works if he thinks it, to retain possession until repaid all his advances  (SC IV/12/13 [illegible] 128).

Became a Durban town councillor in 1857 and 1859-63 and was Mayor for 1860-1863 (WA Speirs p15-16).

12 Dec – He, a merchant and storekeeper of  Durban, being about to leave the

Colony for a while, gave P/A to John Gray – a warehouseman [paper

disintegrated] (SC-NP IV/7/17 no 449).

.

1858  – 19 Jan McD executed a deed of assignment, giving McA the buildings, fixtures,

machinery, utensils, tools and apparatus used by him for manufacture of

salt  (SC IV/12/13 no 128).

Feb – A Mr McArthur, wife and child arrived on the Madagascar from all

Ports (E173).

March – When Mr Alex McArthur was away for a few months Mr John Gay held his General Power of Attorney (NM 20.3.1858 p 6)

April – He left on Madagascar for CT (NM 15.4.58).

April – Advertising salt for sale in his stores at Pine Terrace and West St. which

was made at the Congella Salt Works (NM 15.4.58).

3 April – Made his will. Has 164 acres at Wentworth viz. lots 25,27,29,31,32 & 36

(maybe more but paper disintegrated). Has cultivated coffee here at

considerable outlay to extent of about £790 – the lots bought and cultivated by

him from his own money.

Executors, wife and John Gray his clerk and storekeeper.

Witnesses George Andrews, his storekeeper and Wm. Arbuckle his clerk

(SC-NP IV/7/17/JRG 462).

September – In connection with the auction of the Salt Works, at Congella, apply

Mr A. McArthur, West St. or G. Laurie, attorney  (NM 9.9.58).

Oct – daughter Katherine Agnes born 9 October, died 14 Mar. 1939 (Tomb DC). Katherine Agnes born 9 Oct, married Duncan McKenzie. They farmed at Lion’s Bush and later at Cotswold. Katherine died 14 March 1939 (Speirs, p44-45).

10 Oct – A daughter born (NM 14.10.58) (NW 22.10.58).

1859 – Jan – He returned on the Imperatrice Eugenie from a London (E174)?

Apr – centered partnership with HD Muirhead (21,22)

April – J.T. Rennie appointed Alex McArthur to replace John Brown as his agent in Durban. No reason given. Brown was already in communication with the Union Co. (Rennies Steamers Service by John Dickson in N. Z. Post v4 no 1, March 2000, p18).

Aug – Made a director of the  Durban Branch of the Natal Bank (NM 18.8.59).

Chosen a director of  Durban branch of Natal Bank in room of W.Brown Esq.,

[illegible] (NS 20.8.59).

McArthur, Alexander, Merchant, Durban, Possessor (NM 11.8.1859)

1860 – Apr – The business hitherto carried out by him was henceforth to be conducted

under the firm McArthur, Muirhead & Co. – agents in Glasgow, Muirhead,

McArthur and Co. (NS 7.4.60).

3 June – Son Charles James born (R Cong Durban).

3 June – son born (NM 7.6.60).

13 June – Erskine informed Rennies agent in Durban, McArthur, Muirhead and Co.  that they would not enforce a penalty for non-performance – post late – they must provide another boat. The barque ‘Witch’ was settled on but post was still late and now a steamer is expected in four months (Rennies Steam Service by John Dickson from NZ Post v4 no 2, June 2000, p46).

July – MCA and Muirhead wrote from  Durban saying they were getting out a small screw steamer for purpose of entering mouth of Umkomaas and bringing up sugar from the estates there and the Umzinto – expense to be about £2500 – £3000 – ask for land on N and S sides of Umkomaas so they can cut fuel for the steamer. Ask also for a lease of land to erect a coal shed somewhere between Capt. Bell’s residence and the Point and permission to cut wood on the Bluff if required at any time for the working of the vessel. Think the vessel will arrive not

later than 5 months. Answer: LG has no power to grant land and the wood will probably be needed for harbour purposes (CSO 2251 no E621).

August – Elected Durban’s 7th Mayor (RoD 458). Re-elected Aug ‘61 (HD p48) and Aug 62 (Ibid, p53).

Mayor of Durban 1860, 1861, 1862 and 1863 (Durban Corporation Mayors

Minutes)

18 Oct – Reference to new screw steam lighter – 90 tons, can be carried on

draught of 5 foot (The ‘Natalie’), built by J. Henderson and Son, Renfrew. They turn out the fastest Clyde steamers. Owners Messrs McArthur, Muirhead and Co (NM 1860)

17 Dec – A disagreement between Alexander McArthur of the firm McArthur and Muirhead and Richard King of Isipingo, sugar planter, was sent for arbitration to John Sanderson, merchant of Dbn and Wm. Smerdon, merchant of  Durban, with, if necessary, umpirage by James Blackwood. The disagreement centres around the correctness of accounts rendered by McArthur & Muirhead for money advanced to King and goods sold to and for him with commission and interest claimed. Witnessed by George Lambert and A.A. Robertson (SC – NP IV/7/18 VRG 634).

December – A boat belonging to McArthur used to smuggle gunpowder off ‘Henrietta’ (A40 Dep 1/4/p 708).

The chief mate of the Henrietta, who has now deserted his ship, said that the captain of the vessel shipped a case of about 20 guns at Glasgow, saying what a good price he could get for them in Natal.  While in harbour in Durban, the captain ordered him to pass a case of gunpowder into a boat belonging to McArthur in which were Bob Speirs and about 5 or 6 men from Durban. Speirs had asked for the gunpowder belonging to W. Speirs and the mate understood it was for Wm. Speirs and addressed to him on the paper card. The captain swore him to secrecy and the mate says he has left his ship because of these events and because the captain threatened his life.

Also said he had seen Mr A. Ferguson on board in close conversation with the captain.

Said he heard the men in the boat say that they would run up to the

head of the Bay and land the gunpowder at the foot of a garden and

then ‘get it to town’.

There is nothing else about the case apart from the evidence of

Zackariah Starkie of the Umgeni who has given refuge to the mate and

heard his story. The mate’s name was John Bruce (p 48 – no source given)

(AGO 1/4/5 p707-709?).

18 Dec – Alex McArthur owned and occupied part of LA6 in Block M, Ward 1,

Durban County. Annual value £40 (N.M. 18.12.1860).

Alex McArthur owned and occupied part of LA19 in Block E, Ward 4,

Durban County. Annual value £48 (No source).

Alex McArthur owned and occupied part of LA20 in Block E, Ward 4,

Durban County. Annual value £93 (No source).

Alex McArthur owned LA9 in Block A, Ward 2, Durban County. Freehold value £700 (No source).

1861 Feb – “Natalie” arrived from Glasgow with W. Graham Capt. and a Mr

Anderson as passenger. She arrived from Algoa 26 April 61 with W.

Anderson as Capt., arrived from Umkomaas 11 May 61 with W.

Anderson as Capt., arrived from Mauritius 15 July 1861 with W.

Graham as Capt (E174).

28 Feb –  ‘The ‘Natalie’’, small screw steamer, hold for 80 tons of cargo,

figurehead symbolising the genius of our land – 90 ton vessel (NM 1861).

25 March – First ship steamed into the Umkomaas river, the ‘Natalie’ – Port Scott

near river mouth. Arrived at about noon only to find the tide was not full enough

to attempt difficult passage into river mouth. After waiting, it entered. The historic entry was a breakthrough for transportation.

The journey could take 5 days.

At high tide it steamed 400m up the Umkomaas. ‘Natalie’ loaded 40 tons of sugar from Umzinto estates, which is the equivalent of 12 wagon loads.

When conditions were too risky barges were used to ferry goods while she anchored offshore.

The ship’s first voyage was the only incident free one. In May 1861 she struck a sandbank.

Then on 11 August 1861, when departing with 800 bags of sugar she struck rocks and keeled over.

Part of her cargo was salvaged but not until January 1862.

‘Natalie’ was refloated and returned to Durban for repairs. She was renamed the ‘Congune’ by her new owners but her services to Umkomaas were? lost (NM 22.3.2001).

28 March – description of how the ‘Natalie’ opened up Umkomaas river. Distance from Bluff to Umkomaas is 22 miles (NM 1861).

12 Apr – Left with wife on “Natalie” for Algoa (E174).

19 May – Left on “Natalie” for Mauritius and returned on same 16 July 1861

(E174).

May – Beningfield chosen Mayor in place of Alex McArthur (NS 25.5.61).

16 May – The ‘Natalie’ went up Umkomaas River, stuck on sandbank till next tide,

then got further up river than before – took 40 tons of sugar from Umzinto estate and sailed out safely – draws 5 and a half feet (NM 1861)

Aug – re-elected.

15 Aug – ‘Natalie’ wrecked in Umkomaas river with 800 bags of sugar. Stuck on sand spit, then got off and ran on rocks. Beat? Heavily. Keeled over, now on beam ends. Most of cargo lost. She may be scored (NM 1861).

Aug – ‘Natalie’ – small iron screw steamer – got on shore coming out of the Umkomaas in 1861. Condemned, sold, got off and brought to Durban for repairs. Machinery taken out and made into a sailing vessel and now sails under the name ‘Congune’ (NS 20.11.63).

Aug – Brunton bought the “Natalie” as she lay, including the engines,

for £300 and also bought most of the gear and fittings the whole of this

realised £230 (NM 29.8.61 in OSBORN, R.F. Valiant harvest, p154).

12 Sept – ‘Natalie’ floated off and to be repaired (NM 1861)

7 Nov – ‘Natalie’ – Report of Commission (NM 1861)

        24 Nov. Daughter Jeanie born. Died 6 Sept 1957, married Peter John

Mitchell (4 May 1854 – 28 Sept 1926) (Tomb DC) of Barberton.

24 Nov – Daughter Jane born (R Cong Durban)

25 Nov – Daughter born  in Durban (NCPA 27.11.61).

5 Dec – ‘Natalie’ getting in her engine at the Umkomaas, having being sufficiently

repaired to steam up to Durban on next opening tide (NM 1861)

1862 Jan – McArthur and Muirhead are agents for ‘Waldensian’ (NCPA 15.1.62).

24 Jan – Reference to little coaster ‘Natalie’ stranded but re-floated – important for

Umzinto planter for benefits of water carriage (NW 1855-1864)

Received a medal at 1862 International Exhibition for Coffee of excellent quality

as a new production (NCPA 29.5.63).

1 April – John Gavin is repairing ‘Natalie’ (NM 1862).

Jul – Alex McArthur the trustee of Arbuthnots insolvent estate deposed on 30 July

that the property Arbuthnot owned be obtained in the following way:

the land on which he erected a sugar mill was a government grant for

which no money was paid. That the 100 acres adjoining was paid for

by McA and together the two properties form “Umzinto Lodge”.

McArthur planted 30 acres of cane and induced Arbuthnot to order

sugar machinery from Scotland at a cost of £2000, for which MCÀ is

still responsible. In addition, MCA paid all transportation costs of the

machinery and other instalment costs (RSCI/8/6 no 469).

Oct – In the first annual report of the Female Middle Class Emigration

Society, dated 28 Oct 1862,  gave as the Natal representatives Mesdames

McArthur, R. Acutt, Brickhill Churchill and Lamport (Clarke: The Governesses, p

11, 13).

Nov – Wife a communicant of St A’s Durban – certified by Reverend George Philip of the Durban Congregational Church (St A’s Durban Communion Rolls 16.11.62). On 1863 roll (Ibid).

30 Dec – The firm McArthur Muirhead as agents of Messrs. James Abernethy and Co. of Aberdeen were sued by John Miller of Durban for not delivering in time certain sugar machinery. The matter is to be arbitrated by Robert Acutt and John Philip Hoffman with umpirage by James Renault Saunders (SC – NP IV/7/18 VRG 484).

1863 26 Apr – Daughter, Mary born  (R St A, Durban), died Feb. 18 1928 (Tomb

DC).

     Daughter born at Albion Cottage (NM April 1863).  

Daughter born at Albion Cottage, Durban (NCPA 3.3.63).

Mary Lindsay was born 2 April 1863. From about 1916/17 she took on the job of

caring for her uncle Bob Speirs and lived with him until his death in 1924 (Speirs,

p57).

31 August – He and H.D. Muirhead dissolved partnership on 31 Aug.1863

had been McArthur, Muirhead & Co. (SC IV/19/3 6JDS 70).

October – his property sold at Acutt’s auction for gross amount of

£1060 (NS 8.10.63).

27 Oct – Gentleman of Durban, formerly in business in partnership with Henry

Donaldson Muirhead in firm McArthur Muirhead & Co., assigned to

Muirhead his rights in a mortgage bond for £6083.4 passed by Robt.

Gazley Mack of Isipingo in his favour dated 3 July 1862. Witnessed by Thos.

Wm. Findlay and Wm. Arbuckle Snr  (SC IV/19/34 JDS 130).

1864 Jan – Petition of Alex. McA. of Durban, coffee planter, at Pietermaritzburg.

Says that at the end of 1854 or beginning of 1855 the farm Wentworth was sold in lots and he bought 7 totalling 484 acres 2r, 23p. on behalf of his daughter Evaline. She was born in April 1853 and will be 21 in April 1874.

In about 1857 he put the land under coffee and has built houses on it, thinking he could at any time put the land back in his own name. Has several other children. At the time of it’s purchase he was a merchant in Durban.

In April 1859 entered into a partnership with H.D. Muirhead as

Merchants in Glasgow and Durban and of which until recently he was managing

partner in Durban.

He had spent a lot of money on the Wentworth estate and, thinking in belonged

to him, put it among the assets of the partnership. The partnership has been recently dissolved

and he has to pay out the balance of advances made from partnership

funds into the plantation. Wishes to have the land transferred to

himself and land of equal value substituted in his daughter’s name.

Also put forward a proposal for the lease to himself of the lands until

his daughter reaches 21. Sent for a Masters report  (RSC 1/8/11 Us 879).

1864 Oct – Manager of the Natal Railway Co. (NCPA 19.10.64).

1865 7 Mar – Coffee planter of Durban. Applied for leave to transfer

a mortgage bond of £1000 on Lots 26,28,30 and 32 of farm Wentworth from Hartley & Co. who want their money, to the Natal Land & Colonization Co. as a first charge on the land which also has 2 other mortgage bonds on it, one of which is granted by himself as guardian to his daughter Evaline, a minor. Granted. (RSC 1/8/15 No 1305).

1866 Feb – Coffee planter, Wentworth – he? [sic] and Thos. Wm. Findlay of Durban,

merchant, and his partner Henry Donaldson Muirhead, trading as

Muirhead, Findlay and co. McA – indebted to the firm – cedes his crop of

1866 of mealies and coffee (SC IV/19/35 JdS 839).

26 Dec – Daughter Nora born at Durban (R St A, Durban)

26 Dec – Daughter born at Durban (NM Dec 1866).

1867 – McArthur, Alexander, Planter, Wentworth, Owner (NGG 6.8.1867, Durban

County).

1868 – 26 Sept – Daughter Mabel Shooter McArthur born, died 27 August 1932

(Tomb DC).

26 Sept – Daughter Alice Mabel  born, in Durban (WA Speirs, p 62-3).

15 Sept  – Daughter born at Durban (NM Sept 1868).

27 Nov – a coffee planter of Durban he is unable to pay his creditors. An

agreement is drawn up whereby Henry Locher Payne manager of

London & S.A. Bank of Durban and Thos.Wm. Findlay, co-partner in

firm Muirhead, Findlay and Co. are appointed trustees with P/A. The

coffee estate comprises Lots No. 26,28,30,32 of the farm “Wentworth”.

The trustees are to run the farm for the benefit of the creditors until the

31 Dec 1870 with the proviso that McArthur may redeem the same

by payment of £6000. After 31 Dec 1870 all assets will be disposed of

and balance of proceeds divided amongst creditors (SC – NP IV/7/19 VRG 883a).

1869 – 6 Mar – the trustees of the estate “Wentworth” being H.L. Bayne, T.W.

Findlay and Wm. Arbuckle took out a mortgage with the London and

S.A. Bank for sum of £1500 until 31 Dec. 1870 (SC – NP IV/7/19 VRG 888).

On same day an agreement drawn up whereby all sales of crops etc from Wentworth will accrue to the London and SA bank will only be handled by Muirhead Findlay & Co. The money borrowed is towards the running costs of the estate  (SC – NP IV/7/19 VRG 889).

22 Aug – Son Alex. Douglas died aged 14 (Durban Government Register).

Alex. Douglas, their eldest son died from an accident (gun-shot

wound) at Woodville Coffee Plantation (NM Aug 1869).

Wife a communicant of Wentworth Durban – (St A’s, Durban Communion Rolls ).

McArthur, Alexander, Planter, Wentworth, Owner (NGG 10.8.1869 – Durban

County)

1870 6 June – Son Douglas born  (R St A, Durban). Born at Woodville Coffee Estate

(NM 14.6.70)

12 June – son born at Westville? Coffee estate (NM 14.6.70).

Douglas Gordon born 3 July 1870, is presumed to have died in a mining accident

in Johannesburg (Speirs, p64).

        31 Dec – Date by which McArthur has to redeem Woodville

On the Umkomanzi – the ‘Natalie’ a steamer of 40 tons, (now the ‘Congune’) was

found unfitted for the work she had to do, though on two occasions she came inside, so also the ‘Gnu’ which was much more unsuited than her predecessor for the service. No fair trial with a proper vessel has been made. There are shallow flat bottomed craft made for plying the Australian coast (Robinson N. on N. p107).

Advertisement – Alex McArthur (Late Alliance Boating Company) Landing,

Shipping, Commission and Forwarding Agent, Point (Robinson N. on N. p237).

1871 – The folk at Woodville are much the same as they always are, that is with a

washed out kind of look. Eva is much troubled with face ache, she is not very strong (Robert Speirs to Fred Bucknall 18 Mar 1871 from Woodville Bucknall’s book, p145).

1872 – 27 March – Daughter Jessie Marion born (R St A, Durban), died 6 April 1950

(Tomb DC).

Daughter born at Grey St.  Durban (NM 4.4.72).

McArthur, Alexander, Landing Agent, Durban, Renter (NGG 6.8.1872 – Durban

County)

17 Aug – Thos Findlay Muirhead of Durban, sole surviving partner of late firm

Muirhead Findlay and Co in liquidation and Wm Palmer, in their capacity of liquidators of said firm under deed of arrangement dated 7 Sept 68

on first point – TF Muirhead in his capacity as attorney and agent for Henry Donaldson Muirhead formerly a partner in late firm Muirhead, Findlay and Co, acting under P/A granted 20 May 1871,

on second point, David Landsborough Findlay of Durban as exec. [illegible]  in intestate estate of T.W. Findlay

on third point and Wm Palmer as [illegible] agent of Lewis Potter of Glasgow cessionary of a certain mortgage bond,

on 4th part and Chas Stuart Pillens? As alt and agent of Daniel de Pass and John Spence of CT, merchants (De Pass, Spence and Co) in CT and Spence and Co in Durban,

on 5th part, once partnership with McA was dissolved HD Muirhead took T.W. Findlay as partner under style Muirhead, Findlay and Co and so continued to 1866, when T.F. Muirhead joined the business, which still continued under same name.

HDM c Mar 67 retired from partnership leaving TW Findlay, TF Muirhead as sole partners.

By agreement dated 8 Aug 1867 between Lewis Potter, merchant, Glasgow and Jas. Muirhead, jeweller, Glasgow and Wm Rennie Findlay, merchant, Glasgow on 1st point Geo Dick and Thos Findlay of Muirhead Insurance Brokers in Glasgow, carrying on business under form of Dick and Muirhead,

on second part and T Findlay and TF Muirhead as partners

on 3rd part it was agreed that liquidation of Muirhead, Findlay and Co be carried on by the third party and that their property be sold.

TW Findlay died 6 May 1869.

On 18 July 1871 SC appointed Wm Palmer as trustee of deed of 7 Sept 68 [which had superseded that of 8 Aug 67].

On 25 June 69, RP King, formerly of Durban, Trader, then of the Isipingo, sugar planter and CJ Noon his wife and James Fayers of Isipingo, farmer. Fayers leased 2 lots of land at Isipingo, one of 60 acres and another, also 60 acres, for 50 years from 1 Jan 1859.

James Fayers was indebted to McArthur, Muirhead and Co to the amount of £2157 odd and on 26 Sept 62 passed a mortgage bond and this ceded to Lewis Potter on 5 Jan 1864.

Fayers unable to pay and has ceded to Muirhead, Findlay and Co. his interest in the lease and De Pass Spence and Co are to buy this interest for £4000, this on 17 August 1872 (SCIV/19/36 JDS 70).

27 March –  a daughter born to Mrs A McArthur at Grey Street, Durban (NW 9.4.72).

4 March – Lot 4, Block A transferred to P. G. Mitchell. (Extract from ‘The History of Fort Nottingham’).

Described as Landing and Shipping Agent, Point, (DNA 1872).

1872,73 & 75 – Wife a communicant of Grey St. Durban – (St A’s, Durban Communion

Rolls).

1873 – end – Advertised as Landing and shipping agent, Point – landing agent for Union

Co’s Steamers (DNA 1873).

Alexander McArthur occupied part of Erf 1 in Block A, Durban county, owned by

W. Brunton (NM 11.2.1873).

Muirhead, Helen C. owned Erf no 9 in Block A, Durban county, occupied by

Thos. F. Muirhead (NM 11.2.1873).

Muirhead, TF, occupied land owned by the Board of Admiralty, Govt. Ext. Durban

(NM 11.2.1873).

McArthur, Alex, occupied land owned by the Board of Admiralty, Govt. Ext.

Durban (NM 11.2.1873).

McArthur, Alex, occupied land owned by the Board of Ordnance, Durban County

(NM 11.2.1873).

13 Jan – Med?, Jessie, Florence Farrin, Miss and Master McArthur, Miss

Robinson and Mrs Beachcroft called – at Newstead (JE Methley’s Diary 1873 – Natal Settlers mentioned).

20 Oct – Mr and Mrs McArthur and Graham Hutchinson came to dinner (JE Methley’s Diary 1873 – Natal Settlers mentioned).

I saw Mrs McArthur when I was in Durban (Frank Bucknall to Fred Bucknall 28 Dec 1873 in Bucknall’s book, p145).

1874 – 27 Jan – daughter Annie Hilda Lee born. Died 2 August 1936  (Tomb St T).

27 Jan – daughter Annie Hilda born and married Hilton Lee – no issue (WA

Speirs, p64)

26 Jan  daughter Annie Hilda born (R St A, Durban)

17 Nov – Landing agent – wrote from Durban – says in 1860 he brought to Natal a

small steamer called the ‘Natalie’, for purpose of trading between the mouth of

the Umkomanzi and the Port of Natal – this called for because of the bad state of

the roads. Shortly after opening up this line of communication the steamer was

wrecked at the mouth of the river and his losses were upward of £2000.

At the beginning of 1874 the road being little improved, he brought out from

England another small steamer “Anthony Musgrave” – he was induced to do so

under the impression that due and sufficient measures had been taken to

improve the entrance of the river to enable small craft to enter without risk.

Nevertheless it was wrecked there without any fault of the captain and crew.

Believes the wreck was caused by the imperfect state of the works. Owing to

some misunderstanding in England the ‘Anthony Musgrave’ was not

insured and his losses amount to nearly £3000. Asks for compensation in the

form of land in the neighbourhood of the Lower Umkomanzi. Answer: No. (CSO

2267 no H665).

Landing and shipping agent – Point – Landing agent for Union Company

Steamers (DNA 1874 ads).

4 March – J.R. Goodricke, acting for the defendant Jas. Farquar Morice? In the

case Aden Escombe and Co and JFM in a declaration dated 4 March, 1874,

stated that it is his purpose to prove that the ‘Congune’ was unseaworthy at the

time of her loss for the following reasons:

she had been built from the materials arising from the wreck of the ‘Natalie’ and was ‘too thickly plated’ [sic].

Had operated for a long time, without being classed in the African coasting trade without sufficient repairs.

She was damaged in March 1872 getting on the bar at St Johns river and remaining there for some time with cargo in her and then washed off and stranded on the beach.

Since then she had not been surveyed or repaired up to the time of the loss.

At the time of her loss she was not properly moored and sank at anchor in smooth water in harbour.

‘Congune’ had sailed from Durban to St Johns on 6 March 1872 with cargo. She was stuck on the bar at St Johns, washed over it and out to sea again on 12 March. Recrossed on 14, sticking again and was driven ashore on a bank inside the bay, there bumping for several days.

On 21 March Edmund Escombe wrote to London to effect an open policy on cargo which could be shipped by his firm to ports between Natal and CT.

Many shipments had been made by them between then and the sinking of the ‘Congune’, which had not been declared.

The ‘Congune’ had been carrying a full load of sugar for East London loaded in Natal on 16 Oct 1872. This was her first full cargo since her beaching at St Johns. She sank in the Bay of Natal on 17 Oct 1872 in calm weather at 3am.

JRG had written to Escombe’s attorneys on 27 Dec asking them to share the expense of putting the ‘Congune’, which had been raised, into its place, where a full survey could be made. They objected.

On 12 Jan they were told that the ‘Congune’ would be moved with government permission. £120 had been spent on this by Morice, nothing by Escombe who had sold the vessel for something like £3.10 when she sank.

Survey was done on 23 Feb by G.C. Cato and Capt Brown who recommended certain plates be cut out and sent home [sic] as evidence of the vessel’s condition.

Because Escombe threatened to remove certain plates from the vessel JGR obtained an interdict against him on 16 Feb. Next day Escombe obtained a counter interdict. Believes it is necessary that these plates be removed and sent home as evidence before the Commission for examination. Application for dissolution of the interdict on 10 March 1874 was successful (RSC 1/8/55 Us 5116).

McArthur, Alexander, Landing Agent, Durban, Owner (NGG 8.9.1874 – Durban

County, Durban II)

McArthur, Alexander, Landing Agent, Grey Street, Durban, Owner (NGG 6.10.1874 – Durban Town)

1875 Sep 23 – McArthur surrendered his estate – liabilities amounted to £6198.2.5d and

assets to £3651.11.4d – assets included 10 boats and 2 dinghys, a coffee farm at

Wentworth and his property in Grey Street with dwelling house (McArthur Street

in Durban is named after him). William Palmer appointed sole trustee of insolvent

Estate (WA Speirs p15-16).

1876 – 1 Jan – Mr and Miss McArthur, Hutchinson, B. Speirs and other came to dinner

(JE Methley’s Diary 1876 – Natal Settlers mentioned).

8 Sept – Mr McArthur called (JE Methley’s Diary 1876 – Natal Settlers mentioned).

27 Sep – G.D. Goodricke as partner in Goodricke & Sons appeared and declared

that Miss Jane McArthur formerly residing in Natal owed the firm £35 odd for legal costs and he wanted payment from her or from C. Schweizer now or lately of Burghersdorp in the Cape. Gives P/A to Henry M.Smith of East London, attorney to recover the money from one or both of them wherever they may be in the Cape Colony (SC IV/19/44 WJS no 20).

McArthur, Alexander, Gentleman, Caversham, Owner (NGG 3.10.1876 – Durban Town VR)

McArthur, Alexander, Gentleman, Karkloof, Owner (NGG 3.10.1876 – Durban County VR)

3 Nov – Mr Speirs and 2 Miss McArthurs dined (JE Methley’s Diary 1876 – Natal Settlers mentioned).

1876/77-9 – Wife was ‘late of Grey Street’ on Communion rolls (St A’s, Durban

Communion Rolls)

1877 – Frank Bucknall to Fred Bucknall c. 1877 from the Dargle, Caversham: ‘I have the

McArthur’s as neighbours. Miss McArthur will never do anything again, I am afraid (Bucknall p147). Eva and Kate were up at the wedding (Charles Speirs – King). E

15 Feb – Mrs Jane McArthur provisionally appointed postmistress of the Dargle

when Mrs Beechcroft resigned from 5th approximately (GN 60/1877 of 15 Feb).

24 Feb – JEM (Methley?) to meet Mr Mason at Caversham and returned with Bob Speirs and Eva McArthur (JE Methley’s Diary 1877 – Natal Settlers mentioned).

26 Feb – Mr Speirs and Miss McArthur left before breakfast (JE Methley’s Diary 1877 – Natal Settlers mentioned).

HD Muirhead owned Block H in dia 1 to 10 B3, Richmond land £50-0-d  HD Muirhead owned Block I in dia 1 to 10 B3, Richmond land £50-0-dH

D Muirhead owned Block C in dia 6, Richmond land £50-0-d (NGG

8.3.1881, p41)

In 1877 HD Muirhead owned in Block H, LAs 2 and 3 Illovo, land £5.0.0d (NGG

8.3.1881,  p35)

1879 – Alexander McA, farmer, ‘The Chestnuts’, Dargle (DNA 1879, p359)

25 July – Daisy McArthur dined at Methleys (James Methley’s Diary 1879).

1879 – 1882 – Wife J was postmistress of the Dargle (NBBs).

1880 – Roll says “Mrs Alex McArthur late of Grey St. (Colenso)” (St A’s Communion

Rolls, Durban) .  

Nora married (Miss Robinson’s scrapbook).

Norah’s husband Col. Geo. Robt Richards, born 27 Dec 1865 in Pietermaritzburg

(NWW 1933, p206)

Norah’s husband Col. Geo. Robt Richards, died May 1851, aged 85 (Tomb

WAC).

1881 – 1882 – Postmistress at the Dargle was Mrs J McArthur (DNA 1881 and 1882).

1881 – 30 Sept – Mr W. Speirs and Miss J.E. McArthur called (JE Methley’s Diary 1881 –

Natal Settlers mentioned).

5 Nov – ‘The dance came off last night. Mrs Napier and Mrs Slatler were the

chaperones. Charlie McArthur dances very nicely, he makes you dance, he is an awfully nice boy. I like him, he admires Jane, I am sure. ‘Glenaggie’ was there – he thinks himself a splendid dancer. Charlie McArthur is so different, he really is very very nice. He is tall and very nice looking, and so pleasant and gentlemanly and polite to ladies, not a forced politeness, but as if he honoured the gentler sex’.

(Journal of Margaret Macleroy, p105)

McArthur, Alexander married Jane Tweed Speirs in 1852 purchased 1.n of A McArthur in trust:

Wentworth Sub C of 25 area 64a Or 16p land £80-2-4d No UDG Total  £80-2-4d

Wentworth Sub C of 27 area 60a Or 7p land £75-1-1d No UDG Total  £75-1-1d

Wentworth Sub C of 29 area 59a 2r 3p land £74-8-0d No UDG Total  £74-8-0d

Wentworth Sub C of 31 area 53a Or 20p land £60-8-1d No UDG Total  £60-8-1d

Wentworth Sub C of 33 area 52a Or 22p land £65-3-5d No UDG Total  £65-3-5d

Wentworth Sub C of 35 area 71a 1r 37p land £89-7-0d No UDG Total  £89-7-0d

(NGG 8.3.1881, p128-9)

1882 – McArthur, Alexander, farmer, ‘The Chestnuts’, The Dargle (DNA 1882)

McArthur, Kenneth, S. farmer, ‘The Chestnuts’, The Dargle (DNA 1882)

On first roll after 1881, the communion roll says ‘Colenso Cong. Church, Durban.

Admitted from Congregational Church, Durban’ 16 Nov 1882 (St A’s Durban

Communion Rolls).

1883 – Some time before 1883 they bought ‘The Chestnuts’ (722 acres) which was Sub B of A of “The Dargle”  no 913, possibly in 1882 – transfer date 10 Oct.1884 and

the farm remained in family until 1963 when transferred to Clive Neville Griffin

from estate of Walter Mitchell and Effie Nest Mitchell (WA Speirs p15-16).

12 June – Evaline, of Dargle, at Howick, married Alexander Speirs, farmer of the

Dargle (NM 20.6.83).

Aug – daughter Katherine Agnes, 24. born  Durban, married Duncan McKenzie,

24, born in Nottingham. At same time daughter Jeanie, 21, married Peter John

Mitchell, 29, born Loch Carron (CSO 2287).

15 Aug, Jeannie [sic], of ‘The Chestnuts’ married Peter John Mitchell, at ‘The

Chestnuts’, farmer of Nottingham  (NM 22.8.83).

Daughter Katherine Agnes married Duncan McKenzie (1859-1932), son of

Duncan McKenzie of Lion’s Bush, Nottingham [sic] (NWW 1906, p127).

Daughter Katherine Agnes (Kate) of ‘The Chestnuts’, Dargle, on 15 Aug married

Duncan McKenzie of Fort Nottingham at ‘The Chestnuts’ (NM 22.8.83) and he

was buried 23 Sept 1926 aged 72 (R Ang H).

4 June – C.J.McArthur witnessed protocol drawn up by H.J.Shuter in Newcastle

(SVC IV/19/31 no 11/1883).

Jeanne [sic] born in Durban 24 Nov 1861 and married 15 August 1883 Peter Mitchell (double wedding with Katherine). Peter Mitchell owned Cotswold at some time and sold it to Duncan McKenzie and went transport riding to Barberton, but later returned to Natal farming (just before the Boer War). He bought the farm ‘Glenfern’ in the Nottingham Road district and did stock farming. Mitchell died at Glenfern on 26 Sept 1926. Jeanne died 6 Sept 1957 – one son was Bernard Charles Mitchell who was born 25 June 1895 at Barberton – all the children born at Barberton (from 1888-1897) (Speirs, p50).

1884 Mar 10 – Died at Howick aged 62 (Tomb H.A.C).

Buried at St Luke’s

10 March – McArthur was buried, aged 63, was of ‘The Chestnuts’ (R Ang H)

10 March – Died at Howick, late of Durban. Was member of one of the oldest

Durban firms, McArthur and Hunter, subsequently Messrs McArthur and

Muirhead. These firms were identified with the earliest days of steam traffic in

Natal, having been agents for the line of coastal steamers established 30 years

ago by the late Mr J.T. Rennie and represented by the vessels Madagascar and

Waldensian.

He was mayor of Durban 4 times, in which capacity he received Prince Alfred in

1860. He left his business and became Manager of the Old Natal Railway

Company. When his health failed he lived in the Transvaal and then in the Dargle

district. He was about 60 years old (NM 14.3.84) (NW 15.3.84).

At one stage was Manager of the Point Railway – he died at Howick on 10 Mar

1884 and is buried in St Luke’s Churchyard (WA Speirs p15-16).

Jane lived at ‘The Chestnuts’ for many years after Alexander’s death (WA Speirs

p15-16).

October 10 – Henry Bucknall sold 722 acres of “The Chestnuts” to Jane

McArthur (Dargle 913 in Deeds Office).

McArthur, Alexander, farmer, ‘The Chestnuts’, The Dargle (DNA 1884)

McArthur, Kenneth, S. farmer, ‘The Chestnuts’, The Dargle (DNA 1884)

1888 – McArthur, Kenneth, S. farmer, ‘The Chestnuts’, The Dargle (DNA 1888)

1889 – daughter Norah married George R. Richards of Summerhill, Mooi River. The

youngest daughter was Daisy (Margaret?), Mrs Warren. daughter Margt (Mrs Amy Young).

Nora’s husband was son of Robert Richards and grandson of G.C. Cato (NWW

1933).

Nora married (Miss Robinson’s scrapbook).

16 Feb – M. McArthur and Hutchinson dined (JE Methley’s Diary 1889 –

Natal Settlers mentioned).

20 April – B. Warren of Dargle signed the Imperial Hotel Visitors Book p160

27 April – B. Warren of Dargle signed the Imperial Hotel Visitors Book p162

9 May – B. Warren of Dargle signed the Imperial Hotel Visitors Book p162

24 May – JM and JEM called at Mrs McArthurs (JE Methley’s Diary 1889 –

Natal Settlers mentioned).

10 Oct – Mary Hutchinson, Nora McArthur and Lizzy Way called (JE Methley’s Diary 1889 – Natal Settlers mentioned).

5 Nov – B. Warren of Dargle signed the Imperial Hotel Visitors Book p182

1890 – 9 Apr – Nora [sic] of ‘The Chestnuts’, at Dargle Church,  married George Robt

Richards, farmer, of Blesbay?, Dargle (NW 12.4.90).

Nora [sic] was born 26 Dec 1866 and married Geo. Robert Richards and they lived at Summerhill, Mooi River. GR Richards joined the Natal Carbineers in 1900 and served in Bambatha Rebellion and in SWA.

In World War I went to Royal Staff College, Camberly and held PSC (passed Staff College). He went on to work in War Office London with rank of major.

In 1942 he became Honorary Colonel in Natal Carbineers. Was elected MCA? For Weenen County and acted as Secretary to the Natal Prime Minister at the 1907 Conference of ministers in London.

He represented Greyville as MP in the Union Parliament and was elected a Natal Senator in 1939.

In the 1930s and 1940s he played an active role in Natal splinter parties such as the Devolution League and the Dominion Party.

Before Union he was an Anti Union campaigner and pro federation. He was also a JP.

While he was at the War Office Nora died at Sunninghill (9 Dec 1918) – maybe

from the flu epidemic. Richards married Mary Elizabeth Duggan, widow, in June

1920 (Speirs, p62-3).

16 Oct – B. Warren of New Hanover signed the Imperial Hotel Visitors Book p226

1891 – Was Margaret Amy married in 1891? (Isabella Mackenzie’s diary, 1891).

25 May – B. Warren of New Hanover signed the Imperial Hotel Visitors Book

P257

18 Aug – Mrs A. Speirs and Miss D. McArthur called (JE Methley’s Diary 1891 –

Natal Settlers mentioned).

4 Dec – Mr B. Speirs and Miss McArthur came (JE Methley’s Diary 1891 –

Natal Settlers mentioned).

1892 – 7 July – Mrs Jane McArthur living at “Chestnuts”in the Dargle when her house

was completely burnt down. Three daughters Daisy, Jessie and Hilda in house with her at the time. House consisted of 3 buildings built of slabs – one thatched, one with wooden tiles and one with corrugated iron.

Sketch maps of position of house and plan of house included. Jane McArthur

was Sister of Robt. Speirs of farm Moyeni, the Dargle.

Another daughter Mary Lindsay McArthur lives with Robt. Speirs at Moyeni and

her cousin Alex Speirs is of Avenal. Alec is also a cousin of Robt. Spiers. A

daughter Margaret also living at Chestnuts on night of fire (AGO 1/4/74 Us 378).

24 Aug – Margaret Amy of Ferndene, nr. Lidgetton, married, at Dargle Church,

Bernard Wm. Warren, farmer Of Ashenden. New Hanover (NW 19.9.92).

One daughter married Bernard Warren of new Hanover (Speir in KBP).  

Margaret Amy’s husband came from a seafaring family and had been a sailor. He

was in the Carbineers and was killed in Dec 1899 (Miss Moore’s letters 10.12.1899)

29 Sept – Mrs Rowe, Miss Agnes Rowe came – Mrs Speirs and Mabel McArthur called (JE Methley’s Diary 1892 – Natal Settlers mentioned).

Margaret Amy (Daisy) was born in Durban on 11 Feb 1865 and married Bernard Wm. Warren at St Andrews, Dargle in August 1892. Warren came from Preston Place, East Preston, Sussex. They settled at Ashenden, New Hanover where they grew wattle. Bernard was killed in action in Colenso while serving as a Lieutenant in Natal Carbineers, aged 33. Margaret Amy died 31 Jan 1908 and was buried at Weston (Speirs, p57-8).

Nov – Miss Mary McArthur residing at “Moyeni Dargle was left all the estate of

Alex. Pollock Watson whose will was dated 23 July 1892 and who died 20 Nov

1892 at Moyeni aged 54, a gentleman  (MSC 94/1894).

1895 – 14 – 15 March – Mrs Churchill and Miss J. McArthur called (JE Methley’s Diary

1895 – Natal Settlers mentioned).

1897 July – Annie Hilda, 23, of ‘The Chestnuts’, Dargle, at Dargle Church married

Archibald Hylton Lee, farmer Of Impendhle, Boston parish (NW 5.7.97) (R Ang

H).

Hilda married A. Hylton Lee, of Kimberley, Impendhle, (Miss Robinson’s

scrapbook)

6 Dec – Jane made her will at “The Chestnuts” (WA Speirs p15-16).

1899 – 15 Dec – Margaret Amy’s husband Bernard Wm Warren of Ashenden, New

Hanover, farmer, made will May 1893 and was killed in action 15 Dec 1899 (MSC 19/1900).

1901 – Charlie Shooter was port operator at Port Shepstone in 1901. Shooter’s Hill was

named after him (Neethling, Port Shepstone, p13).

1907 – 8 May – Daughter Alice Mabel married Wm. Edwd. Hopwood Shooter, 61,

widower, ferryman, PWD, Port Shepstone and she was a school-mistress of

Durban (R St C Durban).

Daughter Alice Mabel married Shooter, 61, born Liverpool, died Port Shepstone

aged 79, cartage controller, on 10 Feb 1925 (Port Shepstone Government

Register.

Alice Mabel married Wm Edward Hopwood Shooter in May 1907 in Durban. He died 10 Feb 1925 at Port Shepstone aged 79 and a half. He was born at Seaforth, Liverpool, son of Chas Thos Shooter of Pontefract and Hannah Shooter of Knaresborough, Yorks. When he died he was a retired farmer of South Shepstone – she signed the notice on 20 April 925 at Port Shepstone (MSC 10013).

Alice Mabel’s parents in law buried at Umkomaas – CT Shooter 10 April 1811 – 4 Oct 1879 and Hannah Shooter 1 Aug 1816-1895 (Tomb St Bude’s Umkomaas) and presumably a relation was the May Shooter (18 June 1870 – 10 Jan 1910) who married William James Ulyate (born 1840) (Tomb St Bude’s Umkomaas) .

1908 May – Wife Jane died aged 75 (M.Parker’s Scrapbook and Tomb St T).

May 16 – Widow Jane died aged 75 (Durban Government Register).

16 May – Jane Tweed died at 427 Essenwood Road – her daughter Margaret

Warren at the same address signed the death notice.

She left her estate in trust for the 2 unmarried daughters Mary Lindsay and Jessie Marion in equal shares until the death of the last daughter when it was to be divided among all her children and their heirs or executors. Her brother Robert was the executor until his death in 1924 – the estate lasted until Jessie died on 6 April 1850 [sic]. The main asset was ‘The Chestnuts’, the rest of which was divided between the two sisters. In the 1930s it was difficult to find a renter? And the executor applied to MSC for the farm to be sold.

This agreed to and was sold to Jane’s grandson Walter Mitchell – he took over circa 1935. Transfer date was 12 July 1939.

Walter and wife lived there until his death in 1962. Daughters Mabel Shooter and Annie Lee had no children (WA Speirs p17-18).

Of ‘The Chestnuts’ house, only the very center is original (Dorning, p56).

1911 – 12 Jan – Eva died, aged 57 (Howick Government Register)

12 Jan, Eva, born Durban, died aged 58 and 9 twelfths at Avenal, Dargle. She

Had married Alex. Speirs in Howick (MSC 40/227).

1913 Sep – Eldest surviving son Kenneth Stuart died at Lourenco Marques.

Kenneth Stuart presumed to have died of Blackwater Fever while transport

riding, at Waterval Boven in Mozambique (WA Speirs p43).

1914 – 27 April – Douglas Gordon died, in Langlaagte, Transvaal, unmarried. He was a

mine worker (Don McArthur, 7.10.2000).

1928 – 18 Feb. Daughter Mary Lindsay died in Pinetown, aged 64 and was buried at the

Dargle (Pinetown Government Register).

20 Feb – Mary Lindsay buried, aged 64 (R Ang H).

Jessie Marion moved to ‘The Chestnuts’ after her sister Mary’s death in 1928 and

lived in a small flat built on the homestead (Speirs, p64).

1931 – 24 April – Eva’s husband, Alexander Speirs, of Dargle, died (Howick Government

Register)

1932 – 24 August – Shooter, Alice Mabel, buried on this day, aged 83 (Karkloof Anglican

Parish Burials 1873-1950).

1937 – CT Tyzack (born 1847) wrote to Cyril Eyre in 1937 (letter undated) giving him the

Position [sic] of the property known as ‘The Pavilion’ – it was in Smith Street, on the South side – on the east was Griffin’s Wagonmaker’s business and on the west a narrow passage leading to the property behind it (a subdivision of the erf). The lower half – where Messrs McArthur, later mayor of Durban when Prince Alfred came. The western boundary was the Milner bros property (Eyre papers in Don Library).

1939 – 16 Mar – Katherine Agnes of Cotswold, buried, aged 80 (R Ang H)

1942 – Charles James died post 1942 in Australia (Don McArthur, 7.10.2000).

1947 – Jan – Margaret Amy died aged 87 (Tomb WAC).

1950 – 6 April – Jessie Marion died, buried at the Dargle (Howick Government Register)

10 May – Jessie buried, aged 70 (R Ang H).

No Date – permission given to change name on mortgage bond in favour of Alex McA and Henry Donaldson Muirhead trading as McArthur and Co which is incorrect and should be as the firm McArthur, Muirhead and Co. in Natal and in Glasgow as Muirhead, McArthur and Co. (RSC1/8/3 no 159).

No Date – Samuel Crauder, Junior, writes:

The Zambezi having been so recently discovered naturally caused some excitement, and a year before, a friend and I decided to send to England and get a small steamer to trade up the river. The ‘Congune’ duly arrived. She was very strongly built as we expected that she would often ground on the bars of the harbours. Unfortunately we were disappointed that she did not have the steam power and we never entered on our trading speculation up the coast.

When I gave up business in 1864 I sold out my interest to my friend and he started trading down the coast and to the Umkomaas river 30 miles south of Durban. Here the vessel was wrecked and thrown up on the rocks at the mouth of the river. He took out the engine and boiler and repaired her temporarily and got her back to harbour. When Ben and I went into business we bought her and put her into the [illegible] carrying [illegible] to Delagoa Bay. (Reminiscences by Samuel Crowder, junior, p32).

No date:

Mr A. McArthur

A steep and winding bush ride from Wentworth brings us to Woodville, the coffee plantation established by Mr McArthur. The mill-house is passed on the flat below. This is one of the largest and oldest estates on the coast, 116 acres under crop (coffee). Last year a crop of 20 tons was gathered.

(Robinson N. on N p90).

No Date: Was the Mayor when Prince Alfred visited Durban (RoD 485-7).

Born c.1816, Scotland. Died 12 April 1893, Richmond, Natal.

Schoolmaster, agriculturist.

1816.00.00c.   Born. Date calculated from age at death. (RGR)

1841.00.00      Family of a William McKenzie and his wife Elizabeth Stevens listed. Included is their daughter Jane (Jean)**.   With them is William McKenzie, Schoolmaster. (1841 census return for Instack, Dunnet, Caithness, via S.J.)

1843.01.14      William McKenzie, teacher in Staxigoe was matrimonially contracted to marry Jean McKenzie in Wick.  Alexander Davidson, of Wick, was the witness for the man and Donald McKenzie, Killiminster, was witness for the woman. (Marriage Register, Wick Parish, Caithness via S.J.)

1845c.             Daughter Elizabeth born at Lieurary, Caithness, Scotland. (Year of birth calculated from age on marriage licence CSO 2284, 25.05.1863. Place of birth taken from newspaper obituary 07.03.1930 in Flett scrapbook.)

1849c.             Robert Alexander McKenzie, lawful son, born to William McKenzie and Jane McKenzie in Lieurary, Halkirk. (Year of birth calculated from age on marriage licence CSO 2284 04.02.1873. Place of birth via S.J.)

1850.03.14      Presentation. On the evening of the 14^th the young men connected with the Educational Association at Lieurary presented their late teacher Mr McKenzie with an address and a handsome dressing case previous to his leaving for Port Natal, South Africa, where he and Mrs McKenzie are going as male and female teachers in connection with the Free Church emigrants going from Glasgow. They carry with them the best wishes for their future happiness and prosperity from all their friends at Lieurary and the neighbourhood. (John O’Groats Journal 22.03.1850 via S.J.)

1850.03.29      The Conquering Hero, a 320 ton brig sailed from Glasgow, calling at Greenock, with 127 emigrants on board. Among these were William McKenzie, 32, teacher, his wife Jane, 31, and their children Elizabeth and Robert. (J.C.)

Acted as teacher aboard the Conquering Hero.  (NW 12.06.1857)

1850.06.28      The Conquering Hero arrived at Port Natal. McKenzie was allocated 50 acres of land. (J.C.)

On arrival here he established a private school in Pietermaritzburg and got 35 pupils.  (NW 12.06.1857)

1850.08.07      By this date McKenzie, an agriculturist and teacher, his wife Jean and their two boys (sic) were at Illovo. (G.M.)

According to what Elizabeth [Marwick born McKenzie] wrote later, after a short time in Durban, the family was taken to Richmond by Dirk Uys, a Dutch farmer.  McKenzie had expected things to be organised as in Scotland and thought a house would be ready when they arrived – he was after all the new schoolmaster, a respected member of society.  However, there was nothing.  Uys suggested they build a shelter by covering their four-poster with a tarpaulin he had lent them.  He also lent them a cow so the children could have milk.  Their next dwelling was a hartebeest house …  Later McKenzie himself built a stone house … here they lived until they moved to Pietermaritzburg. (E.B. pp. 24-26)

1850.08.30      Mackenzie (sic), William – trained in Edinburgh Normal School, opening an academy. (NW 30.08.1850)

1850.09.02      Letter written by McKenzie in Durban and addressed to John Moreland* [Moreland, John Swales, Byrne & Co’s agent in Natal] stating that Messrs Byrne & Co. had failed to provide buildings etc. on Illovo for purposes of a school … A grant of 50 acres was to be given towards a school on the settlement founded by immigrants on the same vessel as Mr McKenzie and he knows no demur by me to carry out promise, if he were to keep his part of the contract.  (NI 06.09.1850)

1850.09.03      Trained in the Edinburgh Normal School. Came to take charge of the school at the Illovo. Disappointed by the failure of J.C. Byrne & Co. in carrying out their arrangements for providing a building etc., intends opening an academy for children of both sexes under his and Mrs McKenzie’s care. (NGG 03.09.1850)

1850.09.05      Moreland wrote a letter to the paper denying McKenzie’s claim that Byrne & Co. had arranged to provide buildings etc. on the Illovo for the purpose of a school.  (Supplement on Minerva inquiry in NI 05.09.1850)

1850.09.13      McKenzie in reply to Moreland writes – Byrne promised to send a minister along with me, and that they were to give £50 towards erection of a church and school, in locality where the Conquering Hero emigrants were located. Byrne could not get a minister and so the church was not required for some months, so the agent could be more liberal with money for schools.  I need not detail Mr Moreland’s unreasonable requests from me, regarding a school or my miseries since arrival, especially during the months that I and my family lay exposed in the open air on the Illovo.  (NI 13.09.1850)

1850.09.20      McKenzie, who came by the Conquering Hero, has thought proper, after the utmost kindness that had been shown him, to make a statement in the Natal Witness to the effect that Messrs Byrne & Co. had failed to carry out their arrangements with him … (Moreland to Byrne in Moreland Papers).

1850.10.07      George Challinor* [Challinor, George] wrote to McKenzie from Durban on behalf of Moreland asking what had become of the school library put on board the Conquering Hero and entrusted to his care for the use of the emigrants on that ship. Letter addressed to Mr Wm. McKenzie, Schoolmaster, Pietermaritzburg.  (Challinor to McKenzie in Moreland’s Correspondence Book 4 p.141)

1851.04.09      Letter by Moreland to D.D. Buchanan* [Buchanan, David Dale], editor of the Natal Witness.  In September last a letter appeared in the Natal Witness signed by Mr Wm. McKenzie, passenger Conquering Hero, complaining in severe terms of cruel treatment received at my hands, of Mr Buchanan’s misrepresentation and my want of integrity in failing to carry out engagements of Mr Byrne in England or statements to that effect.  Said Mr McKenzie now affirms that you D.D. Buchanan, editor of the Natal Witness, were not only the instigator but the concoctor of that malicious document.  (NI 10.04.1851)

1851.04c.        Memorial of heads of families in and around Richmond – an efficient schoolmaster and schoolmistress are very desirable, but can’t at the moment be arranged without public aid.  Asking for a sum from public funds.  Mr and Mrs McKenzie who came to Natal with the intention of settling in the locality were unable to do so six months ago and are now conducting a respectable seminary in Pietermaritzburg, but are holding themselves ready to return here as soon as provision is made to warrant their permanent settlement. Their testimonials are enclosed.  Answer by Moodie* [Moodie, Donald], they are requested to state the number of children and amount they are able to contribute so that a decision can be made.  (CSO 2241 no. 48)

1851.06.00      On invitation of fellow passengers McKenzie repaired to Richmond and established a school there. Local government responded to an application of inhabitants by an annual grant of £50 for supporting him as a public teacher. (NW 00.06.1851)

1851.06.28      Son John William born.  Parents William and Jane McKenzie. (R. St J. Pmb.)

1852.03.13      Writing from Richmond School, is entitled to 60 acres under Byrne scheme. Land was only surveyed and allotted to him last January – now finds he has to pay £1.11s. for deed, stamp etc. which was not exacted from other Byrne emigrants. Asks for same treatment as others.  Agreed to.  (CSO 16(2) no. 133)

1852.04.23      Writing to Government from Richmond School, offering to act as postmaster – can get the mails conveyed with greater facility to the rural districts, by means of his pupils, than anyone else in the area, and can do it for less than anyone else as it won’t interfere with his other avocations.  Answer: filed. (CSO 16(2) no. 133)

1852.10.21      Appointed to be Government teacher, Richmond.  (NI 21.10.1852)Appointed by a committee of three – Nicholson, Shaw and Aitken. (Moreland’s field diary)

1852.00.00      Postmaster, Richmond.  (NBB)

1854.00.00      Government teacher and Postmaster, Richmond.  (Ibid)

1854.04.21      Son Alfred Charles born. Parents William and Jane McKenzie.  (R. St J. Pmb.)

1854.07.25      Postmaster, Richmond, owner (NGG 25.07.1854)

1854.08.08      Farmer, Richmond, owner.  (Ibid 08.08.1854)

1855.00.00      Public teacher, Richmond.  (NBB)

1857.03.02      The village school was undertaken as a Government work by a Scotchman, who so entirely neglected his task, that the children were growing up in utter ignorance – very few even pretending to attend school.  Good Mrs Fearne [Wife of Fearne, Revd Thomas Gleadow*] took pity on them, and opened a school in her own house for such as chose to come (Letter written in Richmond by Mrs Eliza Feilden.  (MAH p.329)

1857.04.17      Son James Trail born and baptised, Richmond. Parents William and Jean McKenzie.  (R. Indaleni)

1857.05.14      Letter from A.C. Hawkins* [Hawkins, Arthur Caesar], Resident Magistrate, Richmond to Colonial Secretary in response to his letter dated 16 January 1857 requesting an inspection of schools receiving government aid in that Division.  Hawkins says he visited the school in the village on 7^th April and found there were only three children present over and above the four children and nephew of Mr McKenzie the schoolmaster and that the children’s learning was not up to standard.  That upwards of twenty children who previously attended the school had been withdrawn because their parents were dissatisfied with their progress.  That Mr McKenzie had held the position of schoolmaster for over five years during which time the people of Richmond had laid no complaint against him, but as the purpose of the school does not appear to be adequately fulfilled by him recommends that he be replaced by someone more competent. Suggests the appointment of a commission to investigate since Mr McKenzie has held the post for so long.

(RMLB 1 p.131)

1857.05.21      A letter of this date addressed to Mr McKenzie, Schoolmaster, Richmond, enclosed a copy of a letter from the Colonial Secretary saying a commission will meet tomorrow. (Ibid p.134)

1857.06.00      He had been a teacher for the last twenty two years.  A commission consisting of the Revds Campbell* [Campbell, Revd William], Green* [Green, Revd James] and Pearse* [Pearse, Revd Horatio] was appointed to examine his school and on their report he was summarily dismissed at three weeks’ notice from a situation he had held for six years.  A rival school has been established.  (NW 00.06.1857)

1857.06.08      William McKenzie, government teacher of Richmond, made a petition to the Legislative Council which was presented on 9 June.  In it he protests against his dismissal as schoolmaster.  States that he trained as a teacher in Edinburgh Normal School and has taught for twenty two years.  Came out on the Conquering Hero in 1850 and taught on board.  On arrival he established a private school in Pietermaritzburg with thirty five pupils. Then, on the invitation of his fellow passengers, he moved to Richmond and established a school there in June 1851 receiving a grant of £50 from the government.  In 1857 a commission consisting of the Revds Campbell, Green and Pearse was appointed to examine his school and, so far as he knows, found no fault apart from a small number of pupils and the books and apparatus not as good as might be desired which, he points out, is hardly surprising considering the limited means at his disposal.  He protests against the establishment of a rival school under the aegis of the Church and points out that the members of the commission belonged to this Church.  He considers it most unfair to be deprived of his situation held for six years at three weeks’ notice and without the opportunity of answering complaints – if any – against him.  He built a schoolroom and his wife helped with the female pupils.  (NPP 243 no.15)

1857.07.16      Richmond Schoolmaster William McKenzie dropped his petition as the inhabitants prefer the new school to the old.  (NM 16.07.1857)

1858.05.31      Purchased 50 acres in Richmond vicinity in trust for his son.  Purchase made from fellow Passenger Neil Milloy* [Milloy, Neil].  Had not been able to pay survey fees and now finds he requires special authority from the governor to take possession.  Requests same.  Reply – had he also bought the village allotment?  If so, forward to office the declaration of sale by Milloy and proof of payment of purchase price.  (CSO 2248 no. E48)

1858.08.09      Did purchase the country allotment and village plot.  Has land certificates for both (Ibid no. E38).

1858.08.25      Lt Governor waives the right of forfeiture over Milloy’s land (Ibid no. E91)

1859.02.06      Daughter Isabella Christina born and baptised by Revd Jackson* [Jackson, Revd Joseph]. (R. Indaleni)

1859.03.29      William McKenzie, farmer, and John McKenzie, blacksmith, of Richmond, applied for emigration of McKenzie, Alex, 50; Carslan Stroning [unverified], Scotland, mason and farmer; Elizabeth, 36; Christina, 21; David, 11; Margaret, 10;  Marcus, 9;  Isabella, 7;  Ebenezer,5;  Noll——?,3; Mary, infant. (EI Vol.1 p.257)

1862.11.05      Writing from Richmond he describes himself as formerly Postmaster and public teacher at Richmond.  The letter is about a land grant he had applied for in 1857 and had not received.  For this he blames the office of the Surveyor General because they had not advised him when a certain piece of land was available.  He had been deprived of the emoluments derived from the public school and post office at Richmond and has been obliged to subsist by cultivating his emigrant allotment and three such small lots seven miles apart, the whole of his landed property, which is quite inadequate for his wants with a large family.  Asks for a land grant.   Answer: Had he followed up his claim immediately the Lt Governor would have been able to test its validity but, after a lapse of five years, is unable to recognise his claim.  (CSO 2252 no. F126)

1863.05.25      Elizabeth McKenzie, 18, born in Caithness, now of Richmond and Thomas Marwick, 28, born in Orkney, Scotland, now of Indaleni, Richmond, took out a licence to marry.  Licence taken out in Richmond.  (CSO 2284)

1863.05.00      Daughter Elizabeth, 18, married Thomas Marwick.  Marriage solemnised in house of her father.  (R. Indaleni)

1867.10.08      McKenzie, Wm, Richmond, staying at Macdonald’s.  Daily visits by Dr Aldridge 8 – 31 October 1867.  (Dr Aldridge’s ledger p.492)

1871.07.02      Is he the McKenzie whose house near Richmond burnt down? (J. H. Diary 08.07.1871)

1873.02.04      Son Robert Alexander McKenzie, 24, born in Caithness and Margaret Elizabeth Davidson, 20, born in Pine Town, took out a licence to marry.  Licence taken out in Durban. Father gave consent.  (CSO 2286)

1873.02.25      Married at Underwood, the residence of the bride’s father, by the Revd T.E. Robinson, Robert Alexander, eldest son of William McKenzie of Richmond, to Margaret Elizabeth, second daughter of Mr P.T. Davidson* [Davidson, Peter Patrick Johnston] of Pine Town. (N.M. 27.02.1873)

1873.03.15      Transfer of farm Process Kraal to Robert Alexander McKenzie, John William McKenzie and Thomas Marwick authorised.  (RSC 1/8/51 no.4784)

1873.04.08      Writing to Lt Governor Erskine from Lilydell enclosing a renewal of his application for a land grant of 1857.  Asks the Lt Governor to attend to same before he leaves – he lost £600 by fire in 1871 and in December of same year £50 worth of cattle by lightning and now has already lost £100 worth of stock by Red Water and does not know when it will end.  (CSO 2261 no.H94)

1873.06.11      Writing from Lilydell again – very aggrieved   that he has not been given a grant; feels the officials are discriminating against him.  Erskine’s instruction was to reply saying he had nothing to add to his previous letter.  (CSO 2262 no.H163)

1873.10.00      Son James Trail died aged 16.  (Tomb RWC)

McKenzie, James Trail died aged 17.  Father informed.  (RGR)

1874.03.03      Writing from Lily Dell, says he has been unjustly deprived of his grant of town land since 1857 and during the last sixteen years has exhausted all means at his command and now there seems no resource left but a suit at law – says he will demand £1500 damages – does not want to go to law if it can be avoided.  Surveyor General’s report says he was basing his claim for 3 000 acres under Proclamation 29 April 1857 on the assertion that he had made an application for land.  Surveyor General denies any such application, there is nothing in his records, therefore he opines the claim cannot be entertained. (CSO 2266 no. H518)

1874.11.21      John William McKenzie, 23, born in Richmond, and Elizabeth Frances Blake, 26, born in Kilkenny, took out a licence to marry.  Licence taken out in Pietermaritzburg.  (CSO 2286)

                        Married at Maritzburg, John William, second son of William McKenzie, Richmond, to Elizabeth Frances, third daughter of Peter Blake, J.J.R.  J.C., Kilkenny, Ireland. (NM 26.11.1874)

John William McKenzie married Elizabeth Frances Blake.  (R. St J., Pmb.)

1878..08.00     Son Alfred Charles MacKenzie (sic), 25, farmer, married Jane Margaret, both of Richmond.  (R. Indaleni)

1878.08.20      Married at Oak Cottage, Richmond, Alfred Charles, third son of W. McKenzie to Jane Margaret, youngest daughter of the late Peter Blake C.J., County Tipperary, Ireland.  (NW 24.08.1878)

Married at Oak Cottage, Richmond, Alfred Charles McKenzie, third son of W. McKenzie, to Jane Margaret, youngest daughter of the late Peter Blake, County Inspector R.I.C., Tipperary, Ireland.  (NM 28.08.1878)

1881.10.01      Isabella Christina McKenzie, 22, born in Richmond, and Henry Nicholson, 27, born in Richmond, took out a licence to marry.  Licence taken out in Pietermaritzburg.  (CSO 2287)

1881.11.17      Married at the Wesleyan Chapel, Durban, Henry, third son of the late J.D. Nicholson* [Nicholson, John Duggleby] to Isabel (Teenie), youngest daughter of W. McKenzie of Richmond.  (NW 18.11.1881)

1886.07.00      Wife Jane died aged 70. (RGR)

1886.07.30      Jane McKenzie, wife of William, of Lily Dell, Richmond died aged 70 years. (NW 02.08.1886)

1893.04.00      William McKenzie, farmer, died aged 76.  (RGR)

1893.04.12      Mackenzie (sic), William, of Lily Dell, Richmond, died at Richmond aged 76.  Will dated 31 January 1893. (MSCE 43/1893)

McKenzie, William died at Lily Dell aged 76 years, the head of the McKenzie clan in the Richmond neighbourhood.  He was one of the earliest settlers of this district and one of Natal’s pioneers, coming out in the Conquering Hero in 1850.  For a time he was engaged in teaching but afterwards acquired large tracts of land in the neighbourhood of Richmond, planting them with trees which became the ornament of the district.  On a portion of this land he carried on brick making on an extensive scale, most of the buildings in Richmond being erected with his bricks.  He was a staunch abstainer and a shrewd man of business.  He leaves a large family – J.W. McKenzie of Deepdene, Robert McKenzie, Alfred McKenzie, Mrs Marwick and Mrs Henry Nicholson and a large number of grandchildren.  (NW 15.04.1893)

CHILDREN

Elizabeth (1845c., Lieurary, Caithness, Scotland – 1930.03.00, Pietermaritzburg)

1845 c.            Born at Lieurary. (Year of b. calculated from age given on marriage licence CSO 2284, 25.05.1863. Place of b. taken from newspaper obit. 07.03.1930 in Flett scrapbook no. 2, p.18)

1850.06.28      Arrived at Port Natal on board the Conquering Hero with parents and brother. (J.C.)

1863.05.25      Elizabeth McKenzie, 18, born Caithness, now of Richmond and Thomas Marwick, 28, born Orkney, Scotland, now of Indaleni, Richmond, took out licence to marry. Licence taken out in Richmond. (CSO 2284) 

1863.05.28      Married by the Revd James Langley, Indaleni, by special licence Mr Thomas Marwick to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of W. McKenzie, Lilydell, near Richmond. (NM 00.06.63)

1873.03.15      Transfer of farm Process Kraal to Robert Alexander McKenzie, John William McKenzie and Thomas Marwick authorised. (RSC 1/8/51 no. 4784)

1913.05.28      Mr and Mrs Thomas Marwick celebrated their Golden Wedding. Married at Lily Dell, the home of the bride’s parents, they had spent almost the whole of those fifty years within a few miles of that spot. At the time of the celebration seven of their ten children were still alive. (NW 16.06.1913)

1921.07.08      Marwick, Thomas (retired wagon builder) died at 396 Musgrave Road, Durban, aged 87. Buried Wesleyan Cemetery (DGRD).

Thomas Marwick died aged 87. (R. Wes., Dbn)

1930.03.00      Elizabeth Marwick born Scotland, widow, died aged 85 (RGR).

She died in Pietermaritzburg. (Fuller Scrapbook no. 2, p.18)

Robert Alexander (1849 c., Lieurary, Halkirk, Scotland – 04.07.1922, Durban)

1849 c.            Robert Alexander lawful son born to William McKenzie and Jane McKenzie in Lieurary, Halkirk, Scotland. (Year of birth calculated from age on marriage licence CSO 2286, 04.02.1873. Place of birth via S.J.)

1850.06.28      Arrived at Port Natal on board the Conquering Hero with parents and sister. (J.C.)

1873.02.04      Robert Alexander, 24, born Caithness and Margaret Elizabeth Davidson, 20, born Pine Town took out licence to marry. Father consents. Licence taken out in Durban. (CSO 2286)

1873.02.25      Married at Underwood, the residence of the bride’s father, by the Revd T.E. Robinson, Robert Alexander, eldest son of William McKenzie of Richmond, to Margaret Elizabeth, second daughter of Mr P.T. Davidson* [Davidson, Peter Patrick Johnston] of Pinetown. (NM 27.02.73)

1873.02.00      McKenzie and Davidson married. He was a wagon maker of Richmond aged 24 and she was 19. (R. St J., PT)

1873.03.15      Transfer of farm Process Kraal to Robert Alexander McKenzie, John William McKenzie and Thomas Marwick authorised. (RSC 1/8/51 no. 4784)

1915.09.00      Wife Margaret Elizabeth died aged 62. (RGR)(Tomb RGC)

1915.09.13      Wife died. (MSC 7464/1922)

1922.07.00      Robert Alexander died aged 74. (Tomb RGC)

1922.07.04      Mackenzie (sic) Robert Alexander, 74, died at 17 Linden Road, Durban, buried in Richmond. (DDD).

Died at 171 Louden Road, Durban, aged 74. Was a widower of Orange Grove, Richmond and was born in Scotland. He owned farms in the Ixopo Division and Orange grove at Richmond. (MSC 7464/1922)

John William (28.06.1851, Richmond – 00.10.1922, Deepdene, Richmond)

1851.06.28      Born. Parents William and Jane McKenzie. (R. St J., Pmb.)

1852.03.07      Bapt. (Ibid)

1873.03.15      Transfer of farm Process Kraal to Robert Alexander McKenzie, John William McKenzie and Thomas Marwick authorised. (RSC 1/8/51 No 4784)

1874.11.21      John William McKenzie, 23, born Richmond and Elizabeth Frances Blake, 26, born Kilkenny took out licence to marry. Licence taken out in Richmond. (CS0 2286).

John William, second son of William McKenzie, Richmond, married to Elizabeth Frances, third daughter of the late Peter Blake, J.J.R., J.G., Kilkenny, Ireland. (NM 26/11/74)

1894.12.10      In a letter written to the Colonial Secretary, J.W Mckenzie states that he sent at least 600 Africans annually to the goldfields. (CSO 1416 no. 6507)

1922.10.00      McKenzie, John William of Deepdene died aged 71. (R. St M., R.)

McKenzie, John William, 71, born Richmond, farmer, died at Deepdene. (RGR)

John William McKenzie of Deepdene died aged 71. (Tomb RGC)

J.W McKenzie was a labour contractor. (Dhupelia)

His Zulu name was Mcondo. (B.D.)

1929.07.00      McKenzie, Elizabeth Frances of Deepdene died aged 81. (R. St M., R.)

McKenzie, Elizabeth Frances (born Blake) died aged 81yrs 7mths, born Galway, Ireland, widow, of Deepdene, Richmond. (RGR).

Elizabeth Frances McKenzie died aged 81. (Tomb RGC)

Alfred Charles (21.04.1854, Richmond – 00.12.1914, Umkomaas)

1854.04.21      Born. Parents William and Jane McKenzie. (R. St J., Pmb.)

1854.07.02      Baptised. (Ibid)

1878.08.00      Alfred Charles Mackenzie (sic), 25, farmer, married Jane Margaret Blake, both of Richmond. (R. Indaleni)

1878.08.20      Married at Oak Cottage, Richmond, Alfred Charles, third son of W. Mackenzie (sic) to Margaret, youngest daughter of the late Peter Blake C.I., County Tipperary, Ireland. (NW 24.08.78).

Married at Oak Cottage, Richmond, Alfred Charles Mackenzie (sic), third son of W. Mackenzie (sic), to Jane Margaret, youngest daughter of the late Peter Blake, County Inspector, R.I.G., Tipperary, Ireland. (NM 28.08.78)

1913.06.00      Jane Margaret McKenzie died aged 63. (R. St M., R.).

 McKenzie, Jane Margaret (born Blake) died aged 63 at Lily Dale. (RGR)

1914.12.00      Alfred Charles McKenzie of Doornkloof, Umkomaas, died aged 60. (R. St M., R.)

James Trail (17.04.1857, Richmond – 00.10.1873, Richmond)

1857.04 17      Born and baptised, Richmond. Parents William and Jean McKenzie. (R. Indaleni)

1873.10.00      Died aged 17. Father informed. (RGR)

Died aged 16. (Tomb RWC)

Isabella Christina (06.02.1859, Richmond – 19.08.1929, Durban)

1859.02.06      Born and baptised, Richmond. Parents William and Jean McKenzie. Baptised by Revd Jackson. (R. Indaleni)

1881.10.01      Isabella Christina McKenzie,22, born Richmond and Henry Nicholson, 27, born Richmond took out licence to marry. Licence taken out in Pietermaritzburg. (CSO 2287)

1881.11.17      Married at Wesleyan Chapel, Durban, Henry third son of the late J.D. Nicholson to Isabel (Teenie) youngest daughter of W. McKenzie of Richmond. (NW 18.11.81)

1921.00.00      Isabella Christina died 1921. (Tomb RGC)

1921.08.19      Nicholson, Isabel Christina, 62, died at 25 Wellington Road, Durban. Buried in Richmond. (DDD)

1934.00.00      Henry Nicholson died 1934. (Tomb RGC)

NOTES

*After a name indicates that person as the head of a family and therefore qualified for an

entry in Shelagh Spencer’s biographical register.

**The names Jane and Jean are often interchangeable in Scotland

SOURCES

Books & Directories

E.B. – Brink, Elsabé. 1899: the long march home: a little-known incident in the Anglo-Boer

War.

Cape Town: Kwela Books, 1999.

J.C. – Clark, Dr John. Natal Settler-Agent. The career of John Moreland agent for the Byrne

Emigration-scheme of 1849–51. Cape Town: Balkema, 1972.

MAH – Feilden, Eliza Whigham. My African home. Durban: Griggs, 1973. New edition.

Cemeteries

Tomb RGC – Gravestone Richmond general cemetery

Tomb RWC – Gravestone Wesleyan cemetery, Richmond

Church Registers

Marriage register, Wick Parish, Caithness

Register Indaleni. (Wesleyan)

Register St John’s, Pietermaritzburg. (Presbyterian)

Register St John’s, Pinetown. (Anglican)

Register St Mary’s, Richmond. (Anglican)

Register Wesleyans, Durban

Manuscripts

DDD – Dove’s (undertakers) register of Durban deaths

Dr Aldridge’s ledger – Medical doctor, Pietermaritzburg

Flett scrapbook no. 2

Fuller scrapbook no. 2

J.H. Diary – Jane Hartley’s diary

Moreland’s correspondence book 4

Moreland’s field diary

Moreland papers

Newspapers and Periodicals

John O’Groats Journal

NI – Natal Independent

NM – Natal Mercury

NM – Natal Witness

Personal Communication

B.D. – Dempster, Blake

S.J. – Sheryl Johnson

Shipping Lists

G. M. – George Macleroy* [Macleroy, George]

Unpublished Thesis

Dhupelia, Uma Shaskikrant. Frederick Robert Moor and native affairs in the colony of Natal 1893 to 1903. Thesis, MA (UDW), 1980.

UnpublishedOfficial Papers

1841 census return for Instak, Dunnet.

CSO – Colonial Secretary’s Office

DGRD – Durban Government Register Deaths

E.I. – European Immigration

MSC – Master of the Supreme Court

MSCE – Master of the Supreme Court Estates

NBB – Natal Blue Book

NGG – Natal Government Gazette

NPP – Natal Parliamentary Papers

RMLB – Richmond Magistrate’s Letter Book

RSC – Registrar of the Supreme Court

Compiled from Shelagh O’Byrne Spencer’s records of the British Settlers of Natal, 1824 –

1857

https://northernnatalcourier.co.za/93721/remembering-fallen-restoring-grave-legacy/

At one time they were three brave men who fought for queen and country, but now their remains lay forgotten, among litter and leaves.

Three graves, belonging to British soldiers once based in and around the area, have long lay forgotten in the town of Dannhauser.

Many pass by their final resting place without sparing a thought for the men who are buried there and others have used the area as a dumping spot.
The fence which once encircled the graves has been destroyed and one of the crosses has been knocked over.

Only a little is known about the soldiers who are buried there. One is of Pvt J Wooder, Army Number 3295 of the 13th Hussars who died of enteric fever on June 2, 1900. The second grave belongs to Pvt D Underwood, Army Number 3112 of the 1st Royal Dragoon Guards, who died of a self-inflicted wound on May 29, 1900.

The second grave belongs to Pvt D Underwood, Army Number 3112 of the 1st Royal Dragoon Guards, who died of a self-inflicted wound on May 29, 1900.

The third grave has no centre plaque, so identifying the soldier buried there, is difficult. The British and Boer forces did battle in the northern KZN area during that period. Local historians and British history buffs have been contacted to assist telling the tale of these three men.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has also been contacted to help restore some dignity to the graves.

Despite the numerous attempts made to get more information, little is known as yet. Do you know the tale of the three British graves?

If you do, email byronp@dbn.caxton.co.za and you could help a piece of history live on.

DAILY NEWS / 19 DECEMBER 2018, 11:45AM / SNE MASUKU

https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/afrocentric-history-curriculum-gets-the-nod-18557113

BASIC Education Minister Angie Motshekga has approved the reappointment of the history ministerial task team to overhaul the curriculum to make it more Afrocentric and relevant to South African pupils.

Durban – BASIC Education Minister Angie Motshekga has approved the reappointment of the history ministerial task team to overhaul the curriculum to make it more Afrocentric and relevant to South African pupils.
The announcement was welcomed by teachers’ unions and teachers in KwaZulu-Natal.

The reappointment follows the key recommendations of the ministerial task team report released last December that found there was a need for a complete overhaul of the history curriculum from grades 4 to 12 to ensure multiple perspectives were covered.

The reappointment, according to the department, was the next step towards the decolonisation of the education system.

Bheki Shandu, of the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union, said KwaZulu-Natal had the richest history of leaders who fought colonialism and activists who stood up against apartheid.

“In one way or another, pupils would now be reading about the history of their great grandfathers who were involved in the history of the country, the formation of political parties, what they went through and what led to the freedom they are enjoying today,” he said.

The team comprises the same people who had conducted the feasibility study of making history a compulsory school subject.

It is set to develop a new history curriculum, conduct provincial consultations in the education sector and obtain input and comment for consideration on the new curriculum.

The task team has also been tasked with the screening of textbooks to ensure they are aligned with the new curriculum, and propose development programmes for history teachers.

Shandu called on teachers to contribute by making submissions on how history could be rewritten to tell the country’s history accurately.

“Teachers had difficulty teaching the old history. We are also calling for the task team to consider teaching history in the vernacular,” he said.

The department said the team had conducted research before making its recommendations.

It extended the study to countries such as China, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zimbabwe, and identified areas of weakness and ways to strengthen the curriculum content.

Motshekga said she had faith in the team of experts that would forge the way forward.

Task team leader Professor Sifiso Ndlovu said he believed a comprehensive, well-rounded and accurate teaching of history would help pupils understand themselves better and assist the country in moving forward together.

Vee Gani, chairperson of the South Durban Parents’ Association, said in the past pupils were taught the history of the world. He said as much as it was also important to educate pupils about global history, young people needed to know where they came from to know where they were going.

“A lot of the young people do not know about the history of people like Ahmed Kathrada and Nelson Mandela, and as a result they take their own country for granted,” said Gani.

Daily News

https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/watch-having-a-blast-with-capitals-past-19212642

Durban – Death Row, the gallows and the hangman are perhaps more associated with Pretoria central prison, but the noose was also no stranger to the provincial capital.

At the Old Prison, now a museum in Pietermaritzburg bearing the same name, this happened first in the old Voortrekker-built section and out of a second-floor window when there were public hangings. Hangings later moved to a building built in 1934.

Exhibits representing the colonial era, Mahatma Gandhi-led struggle against Indian discrimination, and the Struggle era occupy rooms that were once dark cells. In a passage, there’s a replica of the gallows.

Nelson Mandela was in that jail, for a couple of nights after his arrest up the hill at Tweedie, near Howick.

He features in the exhibits but the focus is more on local people, such as Harry Gwala, Peter Brown and King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, who were also incarcerated at the complex a stone’s throw from the historic Pietermaritzburg Station and Fort Napier.

A highlight of the Old Prison Museum is the history of kaCetshwayo.

A video shows an actor playing the role of him protesting his innocence when he was tried by the British for treason after the Bambatha Rebellion, and imprisoned for four years.

“I am deeply concerned with the state of the Zulu people. We, as amaZulu, are not being treated correctly. The natives of India are governed and treated according to the law. Even the boer, who have recently been at war with the British government, have been settled down. But the amaZulu have been subdued and not treated in the same manner,” the recording goes.

Key in the era of fighting for the rights of Indians is the story of Gandhi’s wife, Kasturba. She was imprisoned several times in South Africa and India while standing by her husband.

Across town, at the Msunduzi Museum, an exhibit shows a shack typical of rural areas around the city both now and during the UDF-IFP war that flared in KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of the country from the 1980s to the early 1990s.

A paraffin lamp illustrates the lack of electricity.

However, a video display goes against this grain, showing footage of what was known as the Seven Day War.

“This is the condition people were living in,” said a guide.

And still do in areas whose names he rattled off: “Vulindlela, Sobantu, Pumula, Ashdown, Edendale and Sobantu.”

Upstairs, in the cultural section, a near life-size model of a cow greets visitors along with displays of how cows are important to the various players in KZN’s history.

To the Indians they’re sacred animals and ornaments to this effect are on show.

To the Voortrekkers, a milk can and a pair of velskoene (shoes) illustrate the bovine’s worth and to the Zulu it’s a meat tray and cow-hide shields.

Display areas are devoted to each of apartheid’s race categories: whites, coloured, Indians and Africans.

Displays include sports trophies and banners and cups relating to sport achievements among Pietermaritzburg’s coloured community, a replica of a grave erected by Queen Victoria in memory of the Prince Imperial during the Anglo-Zulu War and an isigingci guitar made from an oil drum.

The Msundusi Museum has embraced the old Voortrekker Museum where a statue of Piet Retief – who gave the “Pieter” to Pietermaritzburg – stands tall, rising up from a base covered with garden flowers.

The Museum Passport Competition is offering prizes of up to R20 000.

“The competition is open to all schools from Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas, from Grade R to 12. When you visit each establishment, the offering will vary,” said Zama Nxasana, events co-ordinator for the Msunduzi Pietermaritzburg Tourism Association.

“Museums provide a unique interactive experience of getting up close to things we usually only see in books, newspapers or on television,” she said.

“Going to a museum can bring what is taught in schools to life by seeing real artefacts or objects.

“Research shows that those who have had first-hand experience of information are more likely to retain it in later life.”

The Museum Passport Competition, as it is called, lasts from Monday until July. To enter, schools must collect their documents from the Msunduzi Pietermaritzburg Tourism Association before 2pm on Monday.The Independent on Saturday

George Pay 1824-1906

Labourer, hotelkeeper, freemason.

Photo in NMP 02/05/1906. Also one of George and his two brothers Edward and William.

Was born at Bognor Regis. Landed at Port Natal on 02/05/1850. Planted sugar  

(Hatt). Came out with Eliza Anne (25) and Chas. G 1 (Coll. of C’s lists).

Born at Felpham, 6 June 1824 and died 24 April, 1906, in Durban. Married 1) 16 May 1847, St Georges, Hanover Sq, London, Eliza Ann Phillips (1824, Felpham – 1 Mar 1866, Durban), daughter of George and Jane Phillips, 2) 19 May 1869, Natal, Elizabeth Drew (17 July 1831, Cricklade, Wilts – 8 Aug 1911, Durban), daughter of John Drew and Catherine Johnson. She was the widow of William Spencer Ghee who owned the Phoenix Hotel in Durban. (Patricia Pay Keefe: The Pay Family, via Rosemary Atkinson 30.8.1995).

George went to London soon after the death of his mother and lived there 8 years before emigrating on the ‘Edward’ with wife and son. A second son was born during the voyage (Patricia Pay Keefe: The Pay Family, via Rosemary Atkinson 30.8.1995).

George visited his brothers in Canada in 1881 and 1897 (Patricia Pay Keefe: The Pay Family, via Rosemary Atkinson 30.8.1995).

With the invention of farm machinery labourers in Sussex (and elsewhere) found difficulty in getting jobs. In the 18th century [sic], a scheme was developed to allow, under the poor rates, the jobless to emigrate to Canada. The plan was known as the Petworth Scheme. The Petworth Emigration Committee, under the sponsorship of the Earl of Egremont, chartered ships from 1832-1837, to carry emigrants from Sussex to Upper Canada.

William Pay, the eldest son of William Pay senior’s children, was accepted at the age of 16, in 1835, with a number of others from Felpham, he left Portsmouth for America.

From the census records in Felpham, it appears that Edward, Caroline and William senior had not emigrated until 1853.

Edward’s first child was born in England in 1852, and his second child, Henry Albert, was born in Canada in 1854 (Patricia Pay Keefe: The Pay Family, via Rosemary Atkinson 30.8.1995).

The earliest known Pay of this family was John Pay, whose son Thomas was born in Chichester, Sussex in 1677 and who married Mary Davis (born in Chichester) on 2 May 1702 in Racton – they had a son John (born 27 Dec 1704, in Chichester) who married Mary Hobbs (born in Chichester) on 12 Oct 1737 in St Peters, Chichester, and they had a son Thomas (29 Mar 1744, Chichester – July 1792, Felpham, Sussex), who married Jane Meering (born 1755, Felpham).

Thomas and Jane had the following children:

William (10 Sept 1775, Felpham – 14 Sept 1775, Felpham). Died in infancy;

George (1778 Felpham – 10 Sept 1802, Felpham);

Sarah (born Apr 1780, Felpham);

Ann (Felpham, June 1782 – 1841, Felpham);

Thomas (Jan 1785 – 11 July 1852), married 20 April 1806, Felpham, Massey Kewell (1788, Felpham – 19 May 1863, Felpham);

Harriett (born June 1788, Felpham);

William (1789, Barnham, Sussex – 11 Nov 1870, St Catherine’s Ontario), married 29 Oct 1812, Sidlesham, Sussex, Mary Woolven (Aug 1792, Sidlesham – 4 Sept 1842, Felpham), daughter of William Woolven (born 1736, Sidlesham) and Mary Earwicker (born in Sidlesham). Mary Woolven’s grandparents were William Woolvin [sic] and Sarah Beard, both born in Sidlesham, and her uncle was Edward Woolven (born 1738, Sidlesham), while her siblings were:

Sarah (1778),

Ruth (1779),

William (1781-1825),

Fanny (1783),

Alice (1707) (Patricia Pay Keefe: The Pay Family, via Rosemary Atkinson 30.8.1995).

The Felpham registers have been searched for the period 1700-1775, but no Pays are recorded there. However, a John Pay was listed in the Protestation Oath Returns for 1641, so the family must have been listed in the area for about 100 years beforehand.

The name was spelt ‘Pea’ or ‘Peay’ at different times (Ibid).

1850 May – Came out on the ‘Edward’. Given land at Beaulieu on the Illovo. (H of Rich.

p.64)

Was allotted 120 of 2 and 3 Beaulieu, Illovo – 45 acres and 1 Block U Richmond. (JHB Moreland’s list).

Feb – Son Edward R.E. was born on the ‘Edward” and named after the ship, the

captain and the surgeon. McCrystal p3.

Son Edward Robertson Emmett born (R. Wes Durban)

Wife’s name was Eliza Ann (R. Cong. Durban)

Possibly managed a Hide store in Durban owned by John Daniel Koch in 1850 (R

o D

p118).

Died at the age of 82 – lived in Berea Road – next month he would have been able to record a residence of 56 years in Durban. He left London Docks on 9 Jan 1850 and arrived at anchorage at Port Natal on 4 May on the Edward.

Among fellow passengers were C.J. Povall (so long prominently connected

with Harvey Greenacre and Co.). Had lived in London for 7 or 8 years before leaving the U.K. He said the old Colonization Office which still stands near the Mutual Buildings was the only house in Durban. When landing they left the ship at outer anchorage at 9am and reached land at 5pm in the afternoon. On arrival he found that there was no regular occupation to follow and no one to employ labour. His first job was with Moreland, the emigration agent.

At that time Pay lived on the Bluff and near the Umhlatuzana and for the next 56 years practically spent all his life in Durban.

For the first 20 years he was employed by Mr Glendinning who was the owner of several ships, trading in hides, etc, with Mauritius.

For his first two years he never earned more than a guinea a week (men were willing to work for 2/6 a day then), with which he had to support a wife and 2 children. He continued with the hide business, which had been taken over by a Mr Cox, and subsequently carried it on himself until he disposed of it to Messrs Flack and Co.

His great ambition when he arrived was to have a place of his own and after a few years he succeeded. He always found plenty of employment. He was one of a family of 8, of which 2 brothers still survive. His brothers live in America, where he visited them in 1881 and 1897.

His oldest brother, who for many years was manager of one of the railways between Lakes Erie and Ontario, died a few years ago and his youngest brother is an octogenarian. This brother lives at St Catherine’s in the Lake District close to Niagara.

George Pay has lived for 33 years in his house beside the Toll Gate. It was the first house on the Berea and is situated near the ridge, over which the travellers to Pietermaritzburg had to pass.

In 1858 Masonry was started in Durban and Pay was the first person to be initiated there. The Ancient Order of Foresters was started in 1861, but failed and on being started again, gained a footing and is now one of the most flourishing institutions in Natal.

Mr Pay was the last of the [illegible] who met in conclave to inaugurate Forestry in Durban and all his life took a keen interest in it. He was known as the Grand Old Man of the Order at the annual festivals in the Park.

In 1880, after having been for 17 years the Honorary Secretary of ‘Court Harburger [sic]’ Lodge of the A.o.F., he was presented with a gold watch and illuminated address. Altogether he was Secretary of the Court for 27 and a half years and only relinquished office on account of failing eyesight.

He has been twice married, the first time about 36 years ago, second wife survives him.

Including 2 deceased, he had 8 children. Those living are: Edward, Frank, William, Mrs B. Ireland of Pietermaritzburg, Mrs A.E. Thistleton and Mrs S. Witherspoon (Newspaper obituary via Mr GPO Donovan).

The cortage will leave the residence, Berea Road at 3.30 and proceed to the Church of the New Jerusalem and thence to the General Cemetery. The Masons will meet in the Lodge Room and afterwards attend the funeral, as also will members of the AOF (Ibid).

1852 – Sep 5. daughter Sarah Matilda born. Died (R. Cong. Durban)

1853 – Labourer, Pine Terrace (DDP 1853)

1854 June – a daughter born. (NCA 24/6/54) Elizabeth Amy (R. Cong. Durban)

Labourer Durban, occupier  (NGG 15/08/1854)

Oct – daughter Sara Matilda died in Durban aged 2 years and 5 months. (NCA 21/10/54).

A Paye [sic] child died October 1854 (R. Wes. Durban)

17 June – Eliz. Amy born (R. Cong. Durban)

1855 – Was he the Pay who tendered as marker at £2 per month to the Durban Club?  

(SDC p 20.)

1856 – Initiated into Port Natal Lodge (Russell F25Y).

March 27, Son Frank born. (R. Cong. Durban)

1858 Feb 23 –  A son, Harry, born in Durban (R. Cong. Durban).

A son, born in Durban (NM 11.3.58).

Apr – Of Durban. Applied for passages for George Phillips, 29, gentleman servant of 5 Kilmeston Place, Kilmeston St., Knightsbridge and wife Mary, 26, and child 10 months old (CSO 104 ms R401 Kinnerston Street? dated 22.4.58).

Jan-July – Charles 10, Edward 8, at Durban Government School (CSO 105 no

531)

12 Aug – admitted to Durban’s first Freemasons’ Lodge – was the first person enrolled in the new Lodge. At once he was made Tiler?? (Mrs Atkinson, Jhb, April 1990, telephone call – Mrs Atkinson descends from Frank)

Initiated into Port Natal Lodge (Russell F25Y)

Was a mason (ROD 378)

1859 Mar – Stood surety for the passage money of Geo, Phillips, 29, servant, from

Knightsbridge, London, and family who came on the ‘Priscilla.’ in March 1859 (EI 65 and Akitt lists, Dec. 1859)

Dec Son William Philip born  (NWW 1906, p154). William’s wife was Clara

Wayne from Devonshire (Pay papers in KCL), married 19 Sept

1888, Wayne, 1 child (SA Genealogies V7 p351).

Dec Son William Philip born, married Wayne 19 Sept 1888, 1 child (SA Genealogies V7 p351).

1 Dec Son William Philip born. (R Cong Durban)

1 Dec – son born – (NW 16.12.59 and NM 8.12.59)

Pay, George – Dry Salter, Durban, Possessor (NM 11.8.1859)

1860 – George Pay owned and occupied part of Lot 4 in Block E, Ward 4, Durban County.

Annual value £8 (NM 18.12.1860)

1861 Oct – A daughter born at Durban (R St A, Durban).

1 Oct – A daughter born at Durban  (NM Oct 1861)

Was she the Mary Jane Pay who married Geo. Newton Keal (MSC 24/222)? R Cong Durban Marriage register says her name was Mary Ann Fry [sic].

1862 Sep – Was suggested as Janitor or Beadle for the newly-founded Presbyterian

Church at a salary of £7 p.a, – evidently took it on because at Board meeting of 6 Oct 1863 it was recorded that he was doing the job. (St A’s Durban, Board minutes)

28 Sept – Daughter Minnie Eliza born (R St A, Durban)

1864 7 Apr – A son born at Durban (R. St A, Dbn). Infant son John Alexander died 24 Apr

aged 17 days (NM 3.5.64)

(R. St A, Dbn)

Son born 7 Apr (NM 3.5.64)

Pay, George, a son born 7th at Durban (Natal Witness April 13, 1864).

1866 Mar – Wife Eliza Ann died aged 40 (Tomb WSC)

Mar 1 – Wife died aged 41 – he was of Durban (NM Mar 66)

1867 – Pay, George, Warehouseman – Durban, Owner (NGG 6.8.1867)

1869 May – A widower, born Felpham (an area of Bognor Regis), Sussex, he married

Elizabeth Drew, widow Ghee (Born Cricklade, Wiltshire, 17 July 1831 – 8 Aug 1911, Durban).  He had 7 children by previous marriage with Eliza Ann Phillips. Married in Durban. (CSO 2285)

She was the widow of William Spencer Ghee who owned the Phoenix Hotel in Durban (Mrs Atkinson, Jhb, April 1990, telephone call).

10 May – Married at Phoenix Hotel, Durban, Mrs Elizabeth Ghee, 3rd daughter of the late John Large Drew of Cricklade, Wiltshire (NM May 69)

Pay, George, Storekeeper – Durban, Owner (NGG 10.8.1869)

1870-71 – Proprietor of Phoenix Hotel, West St, Durban (DNA 1870)

1871 22 Feb 21 –  A hotel keeper. Daughter Alice born. (DRGB)

22 Feb 21 – A daughter born. He was of the Phoenix Hotel (NM 25.2.71)

1871 – A stillborn child born at the Phoenix Hotel in 1872 (NM 28.11.72)

A hotelkeeper. Daughter Alice born 21 Feb 1871 (Durban Govt Register).

10 Nov 1871 – Eldest sister Mrs Porter died at Coventry aged 58 (NM 16.1.72).

1872 – Was he the G. Pay whose address is given as Phoenix Hotel, Durban in DNA

1872, p239

Pay, George, Commission Agent – Durban, Owner (NGG 6.8.1872)

Pay, George, Phoenix Hotel, West Street (DNA 1872)

Pay, George, Deed 687? Unopposed Farm Allot. Lot No. 120 of Lot 283 Beaulieu Estate near Illovo – £45 and Vill. Allot. LA1, Block U, within circle Vil of Richmond. Issued 24.11.72 (CSO 2263 No H257)

1873 – Aug – 4th son Harry was thrown off a horse and killed aged 15 (Tomb WSC)

Aug 6 – Son Harry died from a fractured skull as the result of a fall from a horse

(DGRD)

Aug 6 – Son Harry died from injuries received from a fall from a horse NM 9.8.73

Pay, Mrs, owned Part of Erf 1 – in Block Z, Durban County (NM 11.2.1873)

Pay, George, owned Erf 14 – Umgeni Village (NM 11.2.1873)

Pay, Mrs, owned Part of Erf 9 – in Block D, Durban County, occupied by George Pay (NM 11.2.1873)

1874 May – Charles George, m. Sarah Scott Bell (NM 30.5.74)

Charles George, builder at the Harbour Works m. Sarah Scott Bell of Conch Villa, Bluff. Married at Addington (R. St P, Durban). Daughter of Captain Bell, q.r.

Pay, George, Hotel Keeper – West Street, Durban, Owner (NGG 6.10.1874)

1875 Feb – Alice Pay turned 4 (AGO1/4/16 pg 465)

Sept – Son Edward Robertson Emmett, clerk (an accountant by 1878) [Durban Government Birth Register], of Durban, married Charlotte Isabella

Mason 21, daughter of Joseph Mason, q.r. (RW, PMB)

9 Sept – Son Edward Robertson Emmett, of Durban, married Charlotte Isabella

Mason 21, daughter of Jos. Mason of Bellevue Cottage, Berea (NM 11.9.75, NW 14.9.75)

By this date son Charles George was a carpenter (DGRB)

Dec – daughter Elizabeth Amy m. Shepherd Ray Barton, 29, clerk, (R St P,

Durban).

Dec – Of Bel Vue Cottage, Berea. Eldest surviving daughter Elizabeth Amy at her

father’s residence married Shepherd Ray Burton

ANC between Elizabeth Amy Pay, spinster of Durban, and Shepherd Ray Burton,

clerk of Durban, dated 6 Dec 1875 (SC IV/3/76 WHC)

Edward R.E. Pay, clerk of Durban, made trustee of estate of J.T. Sturrock, late of

Lydenburg and Kimberley, merchant, by his will dated 27 July 1875 (SC IV/2/71,

no 19)

1876 – By this date son Joseph Mason was a clerk  (DGRB).

By this date Edward Robertson Emmett was a clerk (DGRB)

Pay, Edward, R.E., Clerk, Berea, Renter (NGG 3.10.1876)

Pay, Charles George, Wheelwright, Renter (NGG 3.10.1876)

Pay, George, Clerk, Berea, Owner (NGG 3.10.1876)

Proprietor of Phoenix Hotel, West Street, Durban (DNA 1876 p71)

1877 Son Charles George was a wheelwright by this date (DGRB)

Elizabeth Pay owned land in 2 or R in Blk Z – Rm of Sub B, Durban Co., together

with C. Dacomb. Land £100-0-0d (NGG 8.3.1881, p178)

Pay, F, owned land in 13 Blk C sub A of D, Durban County, together with J.

Flowers and J.H. Mayo – Land £12, Building £80 – Total £92-0-d (NGG 8.3.1881, p 180)

1879 – Clerk, Berea, Durban (DNA 1879 p366)

Pay, E.R.E., clerk, Aliwal Street, Durban (DNA 1879)

Pay, George, clerk, Berea, Durban (DNA 1879)

Pay, C.G., carpenter, Smith Street, Durban (DNA 1879)

By this date Elizabeth Amy’s husband S.R. Burton was a journalist (DGRB)

1880 Feb 26 – Frank, carpenter and joiner, married Georgina Manderson (23). (R St P,

Durban), a daughter of Robert Manderson of Durban (NM 27/02/1850)

Feb 26 – At the house of the bride’s father, Durban, Frank, third son of George Pay, to Georgina, eldest daughter of Robert Manderson born of this town (NM

27/02/1850) Copied directly from Mercury file to show the differences that occur.

1881 Elizabeth Amy’s husband S.R. Burton was of Berea (DNA 1881, p478)

1882 – Pay, E.R.E, (Jameson and Co), Aliwal Street, Durban (DNA 1882)

1883 – Re – estate of George Drew, executor Richard Irvine applied 13 Mar 1883, to be

relieved of his office. MSC suggested George Pay to replace him and describes Pay as ‘a person of standing in Durban’ and said he was willing to act and is acceptable to executrix, the widow. George Pay replaced Irvine on 13 Mar 1883 and on 24 Sept 1883 this was confirmed after the Master had been asked to report whether replacing Irvine with Pay would be to the benefit of the minors and he had reported in favour 20 Sept 1853 (RSC I/8/102 no 147/83).

1884 – Pay, E.R.E, (Jameson and Co), Aliwal Street, Durban (DNA 1884)

1888 – Youngest son William Philip, born in Durban, married in Durban, Miss

Wayne, daughter of William Wayne of Manchester in 1888. (NWW, 1906, p54).

Daughter of William and Hannah Wayne and her brother Hedley had been born in Levenshulme near Manchester (MSC 14/420)

Pay, W.P., clerk, Berea, Durban (DNA 1888)

Pay, C., carpenter, Victoria Street (DNA 1888)

Pay, E.R.E., Accountant, Cato Square (DNA 1888)

Pay, George, Berea (DNA 1888)

1889 – 20 June – Albert Edward Thiselton [sic], born London, England 22 April 1864

(Thomas Henry sn), arrived 1882, married Minnie E. Pay. 3 Children (SA

Genealogies, vol 13, p165)

Another daughter became Mrs A.E. Thistleton of Johannesburg (Pay papers in KCL).

20 June – Albert Edward Thiselton, born London, England 22 April 1864, educated

at Dover, Kent  (Thomas Henry sn), arrived 1882, married Minnie E. Pay. 3

Children (

Albert Edward Thiselton, commercial representative of colonial overseas farms, b 22 April  1864 at London, son of late Thomas Henry Thiselton, educated at Dover, Kend and married 20 June 1889. Edward came to SA on 19 Feb 1882. He was founder and past President of Durban Amateur Athletic Association. Address: Jhb (SAWW 1915, p371)

1892 – 30 May – Elizabeth Amy Burton, assisted by Geo. Pay, sued for divorce from

Shepherd Ray Burton on grounds of desertion. They were married in Durban on 15 Dec 1875 and lived there for some years while he was clerk in the office of W. Shepstone. They had 4 children, 3 living, aged 15, 10 and 9. In June 1883 he left her. The order was served on Burton at Piggs Peak, Swaziland on 13 June 1892. George Pay is her father and is of Berea, Durban. Burton was a constable in the Swaziland Government Committee Police from 1 April 1891 to 10 July 1891 when he was discharged for drunkenness and disobedience. Elizabeth Amy seems to have become Mrs Benjamin Ireland of 92 PM [sic] (Pietermaritz? – A. Spencer) Street by 28 June 1903 (SC 1/5/139 No 21). Divorce made absolute on 2 Mar 1893 (Ibid).

December – Son William P. a pupil at Glenwood School (RP Hickman 8.12.1892). He was born 1824 and probably came from Felpham, Sussex. Brother of Mrs Susanne Grundvig’s great great grandfather who emigrated to Canada with his parents and siblings (Mrs Susanne Grundvig, 9 June 1993). His father William Pay (1789-11 Nov 1870, St c, Ontario), farm labourer. He married Mary Woolven (born August 1792, Sidlesham, Sussex) on 29 October 1812 at Sidlesham, and she died 4 Sept 1842 in Felpham, Sussex. Their children were:

Amy (Jan 1813, Sidlesham 10 Nov 1871, Coventry),

Mary Hellier (Jan 1813, Sidlesham – 15 April 1888, St Catherine’s, Ontario), Frances, (Jan 1817, Sidlesham – 26 June 1837 at Felpham, Sussex),

William (8 Jan 1819, Felpham – 19 July 1094, St Catherine’s, Ontario), railway superintendent who married Susan Magdalene Pawline (1822, Grantham, Ontario – 22 Oct 1912, St Catherine’s) on 26 May 1842 at Port Dalhousie, Ontario,

Ann (24 June 1821, Felpham – 9 Feb 1841 Felpham),

George (6 June 1824, Felpham – 24 April, 1906, Durban), married in 1853 1) Eliza Ann (died 1866 Durban), 2) married  10 May 1869, Elizabeth Drew, Cricklade, Wilts, who died 8 Aug 1911, in Durban.

Edward (30 July 1826, Felpham – 10 June 1821, St Catherine’s Ontario) farmer, Anglican/Methodist [sic] married 1) Caroline Hills (2 April 1826, Felpham – 7 Sept 1855, Grantham Township Ontario on 30 Sept 51 at Felpham, 2) Jemima Ann Fuller (1838 New Brunswick, Canada – 5 Mar 1923, St Catherine’s, Ontario) on 22 July 1856, Grantham Township. She was an English Methodist,

Susan Pay (b Sept 1829, Felpham) (Patricia Pay Keefe, granddaughter of Edward Pay, 14.2.1993).

Franci[sic]s Pay was not a brother (ibid). Presumably as Amy was the eldest sister she was the Mrs Porter who died at Coventry on 10 November 1871, aged 58 (Mrs Keefe).

He was the son of William Pay and Mary Woolven. His siblings were:

Amy (born 4 Jan 1813;

Mary Helyer (b 27 Dec 1814, Sidlesham, Sussex – 15 April 1888, St Catherine’s Ontario). Mary also went to Canada and is buried next to her father and brother in Victoria Lawn Cemetery;

Frances (17 June 1817, Sidlesham – 26 June 1837, Felpham, Sussex);

William (8 Jan 1819, Felpham, Sussex – 19 July 1904, St Catherine’s Ontario), who married Susan Magdalene Pawling (b. 1822, Grantham, Ontario) on 26 May 1842 at Port Dalhousie, Ontario. Susan died 22 Oct 1912 at St Catherine’s, Ontario. She was the daughter of Henry Frederick and Hannah May Pauling;

William Pay emigrated to Canada at the age of 17 from Felpham.

This information comes from the Appendix to the 12th Report from the Select Committee on the Poor Law, 1837;

Ann (24 June, 1821, Felpham – 9 Feb 1841, Felpham) was referred to as William Pay’s ‘idiot daughter’.

One source dated 2 May 1836 states william pay was allowed 21- per week in consequence of the idiocy and bodily illness of one of his children.

On 10 April 1837 it was stated that William Pay of Felpham, 48, wife and four children, ‘one child an idiot and ill, allowed medical aid’.

On 15 May 1837, Ann Pay of Felpham, 16, an idiot, to be allowed 2/6 per week for 14 days.

Thus from May 1837 Ann had to apply for relief in her own right, because she was now 16;

Edward (1 Aug, 1826, Felpham – 10 June 1821, St Catherine’s, Ontario), married 1) 30 Sept 1851, Felpham, Caroline Hills (2 April 1826, Felpham – 7 Sept, 1855, Grantham Township, Ontario), daughter of William Hills and Caroline Sewell, 2) 22 July 1856, Grantham Township, Jemima Ann Fuller (1838, Grantham Township – 5 Mar 1923, St Catherine’s Ontario), daughter of Isaac Fuller and Mercy Anderson. Jemima was very proud of her Loyalist heritage and it’s said she never left home without wearing her Loyalist pin.

Edward was a farmer, an Anglican Methodist and an Orangeman and a Conservative of that order. He would carry a 100lb bag of wheat from the farm to the mill at St Catherine’s, rather than take a horse which was needed on the farm.

Edward and Jemima caught typhoid during an epidemic and their children decided that if they recovered they would never be strong enough to work their farm on Lundy’s Lane, so the farmhouse, land and equipment was sold during their illness. Their last 12 and 15 years were spent dividing their time among their children.

Edward was only happy when helping his sons who had farms.

Ath the time of his death he was working at Victoria Park which was being created at Niagara Falls, Ontario;

Susan (Sept 1829, Felpham) – nothing has been found out about her after the 1841 census, when she was 10 and was living at home (Patricia Pay Keefe: The Pay Family, via Rosemary Atkinson 30.8.1995)

May 1st – Edward Pay of Durban signed the Imperial Hotel Visitors book p 301 (Imperial Hotel Register 1885, p93)

1893 – 11 Mar, Daughter Elizabeth, who divorced Burton, married, on this date, Benjamin

Ireland, wheelwright (R. St T, Durban)

1895 – Pay, F and Co., carpenter, 585 Smith Street (DNA 1895)

Pay, George, Gentleman, Berea Road (DNA 1895)

Pay, W.P. – clerk, Chelmsford Road (DNA 1895)

Pay, Edward W.,  Clerk, Berea (DNA 1895)

Pay, W.P., Accountant, Berea  (DNA 1895)

Pay, C. carpenter, Wills Lane (DNA 1895)

Pay, E.R.E., Accountant, Manning Road (DNA 1895)

1897 – 3 Dec – Son Charles George died at Spring Grange, Sydenham, aged 49 (DGRD).

1906 Apr – Died at his residence Bellevue House, Berea aged 82. (Tomb WSC). A

son was Edward Robertson. Emmet Pay. (NWW 1906 p154).

April 24 – died in Durban,  A gentleman (DGRD).

Died aged 82, gentleman, married. (1) Eliza Ann (2) Elizabeth in 1871 (sic) in Durban Children: Frank, Edward R.E, Mrs Eliz. Amy Ireland, Mrs Minnie Eliza Thiselton, Mrs Alice Witherspoon. Son Frank signed (MSC 26/84)

1910 Son Edward R.E. an accountant (SANW 1910 p363)

1911 Aug – Wife Elizabeth died aged 80. (Tomb WSC)  (SANW 1910 p363)

8 Aug – widow Elizabeth died, aged 80 (DGRD)

Son Edward R.E. an accountant (retired) when Elizabeth died (MSC 42/41).

Elizabeth born Wiltshire, daughter of John Drew and Cath Olwer [sic] (both

deceased). She had married WS Ghee (who died about 40 years ago) and then

George Pay, in Durban, about 38 years ago.

Only child was Alice, wife of S.J. Witherspoon of Durban, outfitter. According to will dated Mar 1903, stepdaughter Minnie Eliza was married to Edward Thiselton, merchant, Durban.Son William Philip was a clerk of Durban, Frank Pay was a carpenter of Durban (MSC 43/4).

Could Edward Robertson be the child that was born on the Edward on 26 February (Dacomb Diary 26 Feb 1850).

1912 – Did he have a son Frederick Rictor [sic] who was buried 23 April 1912, aged 33 (R

Ang H.)

1917 13 Oct – Son Edward Robertson Emmett died aged 67. His wife Charlotte Isabella

died 24 May 1911, aged 56  (Doves Durban List). (Tomb St T. Durban)

1923 – 26 July – Frank dies, presumably in Durban, wife Georgina died ‘just before’ – 3

Aug 1926 in Durban (Mrs Atkinson).

1936, August – Daughter? Elizabeth Amy (Mrs Ireland) b. N.H., married, died August

1936 aged 82 (PGRD)

1936 Aug Daughter Eliza Amy Ireland nee Pay died Aged 82. (Tomb WSC)

Eliz. Amy (Mrs Ireland) nee Pay, born in Natal, died Aged 82 (Pmb Government

Register).

1938 Feb – Daughter Alice was presumably the wife of Samuel John Witherspoon who

died in this year, aged 72, and she died Feb 1950 aged 79. (Tomb WSC and Pay papers in KCL)

Ruth Pay and Jack Pay (playmates of cousin Vera Wise Barnes (Vera Barnes reminiscences)

[cws_gpp_images_in_album_gphotos id=AOiuZxlUfDNHKW7uFZUxVcv3YeFjSztwZRoN7227CQ2kZPhOpuRaby1otSf6ZF7Iv6MDBxtwfMXk5g-YJ8tZ3N6-B1dQ1VtwIQ theme=’projig’ show_title=’0′ show_details=’0′ num_results=’100′ thumbsize=’150′ row_height=150 crop=0]

The eGGSA (I don’t know what that stands for and their website doesn’t explain it – they are a branch of the SA Genealogical Society) has transcribed the records of many passenger lists.

The lists are:

Natal Immigration Board 1850 to May 1911;

Cape Archives IBC 6 series, passenger lists of emigrant ships 1858 to 1861,

PWD 2-401 to 420 from 1873 to 1884,

PWD 2-753 from 1872-1876 and

PWD 2-756 from 1884-1885;

British Mail (a monthly newspaper) January 1879 to September 1881;

The Colonies & India (a weekly newspaper) April 1883 to December 1888;

The Cape of Good Hope Exchange Gazette 1850 to 1851.

If you wish to search them, go to http://www.eggsa.org/cgi-bin/dosearchArrivals.pl

• 

• 

• 

The story of a local family (taken from ‘The Witness’.

2009-06-04 00:00

Stephen Coan

PIETERMARITZBURG resident Leonard Grantham and his cousin Audrey Klaas, who lives in Britain, have together unearthed their family history and its a heady tale of pioneering, romance and scandal. Their great-grandfather was James Grantham, who surveyed Durban harbour in 1858, created one of the first maps of Natal, named Champagne Castle in the Drakensberg and also found the time to be a central figure in a celebrated Pietermaritzburg scandal.

Leonard began his research in 1993. “I just wanted to know who my great-grandfather was,” he says. “So I went to the Pietermaritzburg archives and there it all was.”

Leonard later met Shelagh Spencer, historian of the Natal British settlers, who was able to confirm much of what he had found and provide further information.

The 29-year-old Royal Engineer Lieutenant James Grantham arrived in Natal in October 1856. Prior to this posting he had been responsible for laying out Aldershot military camp in Britain and seen service in the East Indies where he had married his wife, Ellen. When he disembarked at Durban it was with her and their three children, Frances, Elizabeth and Henry, all aged under four.

One of Grantham’s first jobs in Natal was to survey Durban harbour with a view to improvements. This occupied most of 1857 and 1858 found the now Captain Grantham based at Pietermaritzburg’s Fort Napier. On April 14 of that year, Grantham sent his wife and three children back to Britain aboard the steamer Madagascar. “Thirteen days later a major scandal erupted in Pietermaritzburg,” writes Shelagh Spencer in British Settlers in Natal (Volume 7). On April 27, Emma Parish, a married woman and sister-in-law to Peter Davis, co-owner of The Natal Witness, took up residence in Grantham’s quarters at Fort Napier.

When her husband, Samuel, a plasterer, with some of his brothers-in-law went to fetch her, Grantham refused them entry and ordered his men “to turn them off the Camp hill”. Appeals to the resident magistrate and Colonel Henry Cooper of the 45th Regiment, the officer commanding, proved equally fruitless.

The next morning Emma’s sisters besieged Fort Napier in a bid to persuade their sibling to sever “the disreputable connection”, but Grantham refused them access.

On May 9, Samuel Parish sold up and left Natal. The following day Emma’s brothers and brothers-in-law wrote to the Lieutenant-Governor John Scott detailing the incident, noting that the camp, “designed for the protection of the inhabitants of Natal, had, in this case, been converted into a stronghold to favour the vile conduct of one of Her Majesty’s Officers sent to Natal for the preservation of the peace and happiness of her people”.

They had heard that Captain Grantham and Emma were in the habit of riding about the city at night, and they feared that this was the prelude to their doing so in the daytime, so that they and their families would have their relation’s dishonour upon them wherever they went.

The letter also made reference to “the known character of Captain Grantham” and feared the “dreaded consummation of what had occurred, shuddering at the thought of the consequences”. In reply, the Lieutenant-Governor said he deeply regretted the occurrence “calculated to lower public morality”, but unfortunately did not have the power to interfere.

The extra-marital relationship, which would produce four children, does not appear to have affected Grantham’s professional status. The same year, Grantham was employed by the British War Office to do a survey of Natal’s borders and the Drakensberg passes. He also remained a popular officer — on leaving Natal for a brief posting to Grahamstown his corps held a ball in his honour and the Natal Courier referred to him as “favourably known in the colony”.

It was during the course of Grantham’s survey of the Berg passes in 1861 that he named Champagne Castle. There are two versions of how this came about, both detailed by R. O. Pearse in Barrier of Spears. During the survey, Grantham made David Gray’s farm, Cathkin, his base, and they set off together to climb the un-named peak taking a bottle of champagne in a haversack to celebrate the climb. “The day was hot, they took turns to carry the sack,” writes Pearse. “But when they got to the top they found the bottle half empty. Neither would admit to having taking a quick pull from the bottle on the way up, so, to settle the argument, they decided to blame it on the mountain and call it Champagne Castle.

However, Charles Gray, David’s grandson, was told by his father that this version is untrue. “Grantham did not climb the peak with David Gray, Grantham climbed it with his batman. During the climb, the young man slipped and fell, and in doing so broke the bottle of champagne which he was carrying in the haversack.

Grantham told Gray of the incident and that he intended naming the peak Champagne Castle as his servant had already christened the peak by breaking the bottle over it. A disappointed Gray said: “I hoped you were going to call it after my farm.” Grantham decided on a compromise: “Its name shall be Cathkin Peak or Champagne Castle.” Pearse thought this story the accurate one.

Grantham’s obituary in the Times of Natal said he loved working in the Berg and described him as a very active man, 1,8metres tall with a “magnificent physique”. He was also referred to as “a remarkable pedestrian, preferring to walk rather than ride”.

Grantham’s later career saw him design Fort Buckingham in Natal, as well as working in Canada, Mauritius and Australia. He retired from the army in 1873 with the rank of major and decided to settle in Natal, buying a farm in the Rietvlei area. In 1874, shortly after he and his family returned to Natal, Emma died.

Grantham continued to work in Natal where he appears to have had a rather stormy relationship with the authorities. He went to Australia again and while working on a harbour survey heard the news of the battle of Majuba fought on February 27, 1881. He immediately left for Natal to volunteer only to find on arrival that the first Anglo-Boer War was over. Grantham continued doing surveying work until his death in Pietermaritzburg in July 1896.

Grantham had three sons and a daughter with Emma: James, Walter, Edward and Alice. The third son, Edward, Leonard Grantham’s grandfather, was born in Pietermaritzburg in 1861 and later became a lieutenant in the First Battalion of the Natal Native Corps during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Thereafter, he farmed at the family farm. Although he never married, by the time of his death in 1912, Edward had fathered 18 children. According to Spencer, “the names of four of the mothers are known: Nosponso kaN’Dowando (two daughters), Nozando kaN’Dowando (otherwise known as Vinah; six sons, three daughters), Notsholo kaLambete (one son, four daughters) and Albertina Zuma (one son, one daughter).

“Vinah was my grandmother,” says Leonard. “Her son, Robert Owen, who was born in 1909, was my father.”

Leonard has since sourced portraits and photographs of his ancestors, while his cousin Audrey Klaas is busy tracing the English Granthams. Together they are hoping to petition authorities for a posthumous knighthood for James Grantham in recognition of his pioneering work that literally helped put KwaZulu-Natal on the map.

The story of the Granthams, their lives and loves, is one that runs its course through a time and place fractured by concerns of colour and race. Was it a family secret, something never to be mentioned? “It was no secret,” says Leonard matter-of-factly, “my father told us.”

Do you have any stories of unusual family history? We’d like to hear them. Please send them to features@witness.co.za or phone 033 355 1125.

This story was taken from: https://www.news24.com/Archives/Witness/The-story-of-a-local-family-20150430

Interesting article around the new decision to make history teaching compulsory in the South African syllabus:

https://mg.co.za/article/2018-06-10-the-way-history-is-taught-in-south-africa-is-ahistorical-and-thats-a-problem

WOODHEAD, Henry
Born c. 1820, Salford, Manchester. Died 26.03.1857, Pietermaritzburg, Natal.
Farmer, trader, carrier/waggoner.
1820.00.00c. Born. (Date calculated from age at death. [MSC 3/21 No. W4]). Parents were Alfred and Ann Woodhead of Salford, Manchester. (Ibid)

1851.05.09 Came on the John Line which was lying outside the bar on this date. MasterCapt. Palmer, 598 tons, 144 passengers. (NW 09.05.51)

1853.04.01 Henry Woodhead, 30, of Pietermaritzburg and Regina, 18, of Germany, dau. of Hermann Heinrich Lange, took out licence to marry. Licence taken out in Durban. (CSO 2282)

1853.04.02 Henry Woodhead, 30, farmer of German House and Regina Lange, 18, of German House, married at German House, Durban. (R. St P. Dbn). Woodhead – Lange married. He a farmer, both of the German House.** (R. St J., PT)

1854.04.00 Dau. Ann Wilhelmina bapt. Father a trader. (R. St P. Pmb.)
1854.04.03 Engaged as a carrier. Bought Sub C of Lot 29 Burger St, Pmb., from James Taylor [Taylor, James Alfred*] (CSO 2243 No. 870 dated 02.11.1854)

1854.05.30 Henry Woodhead, 29 Burger St, carrier, proprietor. (NGG 30.05.54)

1854.08.08 Henry Woodhead,, carrier, 29 Burger St, owner.(NGG 08.08.54)

1855.04.05 Brother [Joseph] Robert died aged 28 at the residence of his brother in Henrietta St***. He was late of Woodlands, Upper Umgeni. NW 06.04.55)

1855.09.00 Dau. Eliza Jane bapt. Father a waggoner. (R. St P., Pmb.)
1856.07.25 Of Henrietta St, Pmb., – selling his, ‘snug little cottage’, being about to leave the city. (NW 25.07.56)

1857.03.00 Woodhead, Henry – a carrier, died after a few minutes illness at or near the German House. (NS 28.03.57). Woodhead, Henry – carrier, died at or near the German House early on Friday morning after a few minutes illness. (NSEAT 08.04.57)

1857.03.26 Woodhead, Henry – died on 26 March at his own residence (Sic) after a few minutes illness aged 37. Late of Manchester. (NM Supp. 04.04.57). Died at age of 37 in c. Jan. 1857 (Sic) at the German House, was a waggoner. Was of Wandsbeck, son of Alfred and Ann Woodhead of Salford, Manchester. He left
property in England. Children – Annie 6, Eliza 4 and Wilhelmina 2. Widow m. Charles H. Schwegmann. Regina Eliza in Oct. 1872 aged 17 m. a Schmidt.
By 1877 the [Schmidt] family had moved to Harrismith. Eldest dau. came of age c. May1875 and by July 1878 Wilhelmina was of age. (MSC 3/21 No. W4)

1857.08.00 Wilhelmina Margarethe Dorothea born. Dau. of William (Sic) and Regina Woodhead. (RNG)

1857.12.00 Widow Regina Woodhead m. Karl Heinrich Schwegmann b. 1836. He was a Beta colonist. (Ibid)

1879.04.00 Regina Schwegmann, formerly Woodhead. b. Lange m. Johan Neesman (Sic) b. 1843, labourer. Regina was b. in 1834. (RNG)

1899.00.00 Regina still alive. (MSC 9/297)

1909.02.18 Regina Näsemann d. at Westville, Natal, aged 74 yrs 6 mths. Born in Germany she was the dau. of Mr & Mrs Lange and widow of Woodhead and H.W. (Sic) Schwegmann (who d. about 30 yrs ago). Children of first m. Annie and Eliza Woodhead (Sic) and of second m. Wilhelmina (Sic), Louisa, Mary, Jane, Agnes, Charles Henry and Hermann William Schwegmann. No children of third marriage. Son C.H. Schwegmann, a farmer of Westville, filled in the Death Notice. (MSCE 35/11)

CHILDREN
Ann (Annie) Wilhelmina (c.00.05.1854, ? Pietermaritzburg – ————)
1854.05.00c. Born ? Pietermaritzburg. (Date taken from when she came of age as noted on father’s Death Notice. (MSC 3/21 No. W4)

1855.09.00 Ann Wilhelmina bapt. Father a trader. (R. St P., Pmb.)
1875.05.00 Came of age. (MSC 3/21 No. W4)
1909.02.18 Still alive when mother d. (MSCE 35/11)
Eliza Jane (00.00.1855, Pietermaritzburg – 11.07.1899, Swiss Valley, Dundee)
1855.00.00. Born Pietermaritzburg. (Date calculated from age as given on m. certificate. (RNG)

1855.09.00 Eliza Jane bapt. Father a waggoner. (R. St P., Pmb.)
1872.10.00 Regina (Sic) Eliza aged 17 m. Carl Ernst Bernhard Schmidt aged 23, and settled at the Illovo. (MSC 3/21 No. W4). Regina (Sic) Elise (Sic) Woodhead who was b. 1855 m. Karl Ernst Bernhard Schmidt b. July 1849. (RNG)
1880.01.16c. A man named Ernest Schmidt who lived in the Richmond District came to the Umlaas Hotel and stayed there. (AGO 1/4/23 Pp 971-990)

1880.01.19 The proprietor found him dying of poisoning, and within a few hours he died on his way to Greys Hospital. His brother claimed his body. Was a man of about 40 years of age, an empty bottle of laudanum was found in his room. (Ibid)

1881.12.00 Eliza Jane, widow Schmidt, m. Nicolas Glutz, clerk, Telegraph Dept. Both of Pinetown. ( R. St J., PT)

1895c. Elise (Sic) Regina’s (Sic) d. at Kempshoek near Dundee. Her second husband was Nicholas Glitz (Sic). (J.V.)

1899.07.11 Glutz, Eliza (b. Woodhead) of Swiss Valley, Dundee, b. in Pmb., dau of Henry (deceased) and Regina (still living), d. at Swiss Valley, aged 42yrs 10mths and 26 days, m. at Westville near Durban.
Children by first m. were – Heinrich John Schmidt (27.04.74), Wilhelmina Regina Schmidt (26.04.76, now Mrs J[ulius] Verbeek) and Rosi A.M. Schmidt (09.03.78, now Mrs J.L. Taylor).
Children by second m. were – Oswald Johan (20.06.82), Harold William (07.06.86), Albert Nicholas (20.08.88), Johan William (30.10.90), Anna Maria (09.05.94), Nicolas Julius (31.03.1896) and Winifred (09.11.98). Husband Nicholas filled in the Death Notice. (MSCE 9/297).

1903.09.00 Nicholas Glutz, widower, m. Matilda Green, spinster, dau. of James Green, both of Dundee.. (DGR)

1939.11.00 Nicholas Glutz d. aged 86. (Tomb PAC)
Wilhelmina Margarethe Dorothea (00.08.1857, ?New Germany – 25.08.1921 Stanger)
1857.08.00 Born. ?New Germany (RNG)
1878.08.00 Margarethe Dorothea Woodnead, b. Aug. 1857, dau. of William (Sic) and Regina Woodhead m. Frederic August Brooks, farmer, b. 1855. Married at New Germany. (RNG)

1921.08.25 Wilhelmina Margaret (Sic) Dorothea Brooks d. aged 64. (STGR)

NOTES
*After a name indicates that person as the head of a family and therefore qualified for an entry in Shelagh O’Byrne Spencer’s British Settlers in Natal 1824–1857, a biographical register.
**The German House was in the area north of Durban known as New Germany, an area settled by German immigrants. New Germany adjoins Pinetown and in the early days the records of St John’s, Pinetown, were copied into the registers of the larger St Paul’s. Durban.
***The Erfs in Maritzburg, which is laid out on a grid system, run from South to North. In this case from Burger St in the South to Loop St in the North. Early on an access street was opened from Burger St to Loop St and named Henrietta St. Hence the reference to
Woodhead’s residence being in Henrietta St.
.
SOURCES
Cemeteries
Tomb PAC – Gravestone Pinetown Anglican cemetery.
Church Registers
RNG – Register New Germany. Lutheran.
R. St J., PT – Register St John’s, Pinetown. Anglican.
R. St P., Dbn – Register St Paul’s, Dbn. Anglican.
R. St P., Pmb. – Register St Peter’s, Pietermaritzburg. Anglican.
Newspapers
NM Supp. – Natal Mercury Supplement.
NS – Natal Star.
NSEAT – Natal and South East African Times.
NW – Natal Witness.
Personal Communication
J.V. – Verbeek, Mrs Jennifer (deceased)
Unpublished Official Papers
AGO – Attorney General’s Office.
CSO – Colonial Secretary’s Office.
DGR – Dundee Government Register.
MSC – Master of the Supreme Court. Wills.
MSCE – Master of the Supreme Court. Estates.

NGG – Natal Government Gazette.
STGR – Stanger Government Register
Compiled from the research of Shelagh O’Byrne Spencer into the British Settlers in Natal
1824–1857.

KwaZulu-Natal is not only home to the settlers, but is also the site of many famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu war. To find out more about visiting the battlefields, go to http://www.battlefieldsroute.co.za/

Walk around Dundee and learn about our interesting history

Read more at https://northernnatalcourier.co.za/82624/walk-around-dundee-learn-interesting-history/

The Cato Manor Museum, which includes the grave of King Goodwill Zwelithini’s mother, Queen Thomozile, is the first phase of a park that will ultimately include a hotel and restaurants.

The opening was attended by King Zwelithini, who together with his queens and other members of the royal family laid wreaths at the grave of his mother.

Follow http://www.iol.co.za/mercury/news/king-zwelithini-unveils-special-grave-9410416

for more information

It may be easy to dismiss the area of Nquthu as just another pastoral hinterland in KwaZulu-Natal.

Nestled in the foothills of the lush rolling mountains of Isandlwana‚ Nquthu is a force to be reckoned with.

With a total land area of 1‚962 km2 and a population of 165‚306‚ Nquthu is roughly the same size as the Ekurhuleni Metro in Gauteng.

And as this rural town gears up for another chapter‚ almost everything is at stake‚ from a new political pecking order to the control of the rich heritage and resources of the region.

Read more at http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2017/05/24/heritage-rich-nquthu-in-northern-kzn-has-produced-politicians-music-and-celebrities

The IFP has called on KwaZulu-Natal Speaker Lydia Johnson to “Africanize the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.”

Speaking during yesterday’s debate on the Legislature Budget Speech, IFP Member of the Provincial Legislature Joshua Mazibuko said it is time the Legislature must begin to decolonize this institution.

Read the rest of the story at http://allafrica.com/stories/201705100804.html

Isandlwana Lodge overlooks the historic battlefield of the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War when a British force was massacred by 20 000 Zulu warriors.

Read more at http://www.iol.co.za/travel/south-africa/tour-the-battlefield-of-natal-881820

It has been 21 years since the La Route du Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon (Route of the Prince Impérial, Louis Napoleon)  was created, but the beautiful site remains one of KwaZulu-Natal’s biggest hidden gems.

The route is starts from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, Greytown, Keats Drift, Tugela Ferry, Pomeroy, Dundee, Nquthu and to the Prince Imperial Monument.

Read more at http://www.iol.co.za/travel/kzns-hidden-gem-celebrates-21-years-9040977

Former features writer for the Witness, writer-director in film and theatre, and freelance journalist, Stephen Coan, recently wrote an article on Tribing and Untribing the Archive, edited by Carolyn Hamilton and Nessa Leibhammer, discussing the significance of past events which has shaped the current political order. Read Coan’s insightful piece here:

http://ukznpress.bookslive.co.za/blog/2017/04/06/handle-history-with-care-it-might-come-back-to-bite-you-stephen-coan-on-tribing-and-untribing-the-archive/