Afternoon all This Saturday the 20th November the Cape Town Family History Society will be holding their last meeting for the year. This months topic is fun and interesting and will by hosted by Sharon Warr ex-Springbok Radio and at present a free lance Sound Engineer at SABC TV 1,2,3, + E TV. She will be giving a demonstration on "Oral History Recording" for your family posterity. One of the audience will be picked out to be interviewed - so come along and enjoy the fun. Place: Wynberg Boys High School, Lovers Walk, Wynberg Time: 2:30 sharp R8.00 entry per non member including tea + biscuits Please book now to avoid the rush kind thanks Heather Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm

Hello List, I am having some difficulty in locating where two ancestors of mine may be buried and wonder if someone can advise possible location. Both were born in England, Thomas Hudson died 6th February 1814 at 20, Burg Street, Cape Town. Samuel Eusebius Hudson died 2nd September 1828 at 43, Keerom Straat, Cape Town. Any assistance or suggestion appreciated. Ray Hudson Perth, Western Australia.

Afternoon All Please find below the final instalment of the History of Rondebosch. I hope you have all found it interesting. RONDEBOSCH SE GROOTSTE SKINDERSTORIE Seker die grootste skinderstorie wat Rondebosch in die driehonderd jaar van sy gebeurtenisvolle bestaan belewe het, het te doen gehad met Cecil John Rhodes. Die ding het later in die hof beland. Daar bet dit so 'n opspraak verwek dat die Anglo-Boereoorlog, wat destyds net in sy laaste fase was, amper vergeet geraak het. Rhodes self was dood voordat die herrie oor was. Maar vandag leef daar in Rondebosch nog iemand wat persoonlik met die saak gemoeid was, en self by daardie beroemde hofsaak getuienis moes aflê. Hy is mnr. Philip Jourdan wat destyds Rhodes se private sekretaris was. Die saak self het gegaan om die betrekkinge wat Rhodes met 'n dame sou gehad het: met Catherine Maria, Prinses Radziwell. Die kwessie op die spel was: het hy wissels ter waarde van sowat £29,000 aan haar gegee? En die skinderbekke wat dit maar alte graag wou gb, het agter hul hand gefluister: ,,En wáárvoor sou hy haar dit gegee het, waarvóór?" Teachers Pupils Mowbray Methodist Newlands Cripples' Home Newlands Primary St. Andrew's (C. of E.) Primary, Newlands St. Peter's, Mowbray Stephen Reagon Primary, Newlands C. OTHER INSTITUTIONS Cape Town Training College, Mowbray University of Cape Town (2) Frank Joubert Art Centre (3) St. George's Orphanage (4) Rosebank Cape School for Cerebral Palsied Children (5) Child Guidance Clinic, Rosebank (6) Watson Training School (at Marsh Memorial Homes) ,,Het die Prinses dikwels Groote Schuur besoek ?" is gedurende die hoofsaak-waarvan die woordelike versiag van die Cape Times later in pamfletvorm herdruk is-aan die ou Groote Schuur-koetsier John Carter gevra. ,,Ja, dikwels." ,,Het sy dikwels heelmiddag gebly ?" ,,Het sy dikwels heeldag gebly ?" ,,Nee." ,,Het sy dikwels heelaand gebly ?" ,,Nee, sy het nie . . Dat Rhodes in een stadium groot losiesrekeninge van die Prinses blykbaar uit die goedheid van sy hart by die Mount Nelson betaal het, is waar. Maar wat die kwaadstokers verder wou te kenne gee, was gans en al ongegrond. Die Prinses self het allerhande gerugte laat fluister: dat sy in die geheim aan Rhodes verloof was; dat sy die kamers wat sy eendag self sou gebruik, al uitgesoek het in Groote Schuur. Daar was niks van waar nie. Haar verhaal is ten slotte net die bietjie patetiese stone van 'n vrou wat groot dinge voor oe gehad het, ywerig gemaneuvreer het om dit te bereik, maar op die ou end nie net in haar strewe inisluk het nie, maar haar sake so rampspoedig bestuur het dat sy in 'n jammerlike finansiële toestand beland het. Eers één paar oorkrabbetjies na die pandjiesbaas. Later 'n horlosie en horlosieketting vir £4 lOs. . . . In een stadium het sy aan 'n vriendin geskryf (maar dit moet onthou word dat sy darem lustig kon lieg): ,,Die afgelope drie dae lewe Francine en ek net van koffie en rys. Selfs my rottangstoele is verkoop. . . ." Op die ou end het sy met die astrantste dog terselfdertyd naIefste set geld probeer jaag uit die koffers van of Rhodes Of diegene wat geglo het dat sy op vertroulik genoeg voet met horn verkeer het om duisende ponde van horn te ontvang. Tog, die dag voordat Rhodes in sy huisie op Muizenberg oorlede is, het sy aan horn geskryf en horn ,,vergewe vir alles wat hy aan haar gedoen het". Dit skryf sy met kennelike waardering vir haar eie grootmoedigheid in die rare boek van haar persoonlike memoirs. Die Prinses, as mens die woord van haar regsgeleerde in die hof moet gb, was 'n dame ,,edel van geboorte en deur haar huwelik; gebore en getoe in die hoogste kringe, opgevoed met die grootse sorg-'n verfynde, beskaafde, talentvolle persoon." Sy was van afkoms en deur huwelik verbonde aan die helfte van die Europese aristokrasie. Haar man, lees mens in haar herinneringe, was verbonde aan die huishouding van die Duitse Keiser. Sy het die Keiserin soms met korrespondensie geheip. ,,Ons was almal baie geInteresseerd in Turkye. . ." Daardie dae al het sy 'n intense belangstelling in die wêreldpolitiek gehad. Tussen haar en haar man, die Prins, het sake later nie te rooskleurig verloop nie. Sy het later jare graag aan mnr. Jourdan vertel hoe naar hy met haar was, ,,how perfectly beastly". Die vandag 86-jarige ou heer-ek het nou die oggend nog weer met horn oor die dinge sit en gesels-kan goed onthou hoe bewoë hy as jong man oor haar bitter lot geraak het! Die Prinses het Rhodes ontmoet aan die huis van 'n vriend van lord Salisbury met wie sy in Londen bekend was. Daar moes sy horn beslis in die oog gekry het; want terwyl hy daarna in Egipte was, het sy aan horn geskryf om dan te vra hoe sy die £150,000 kon belê wat sy pas van 'n oom geerf het. ,,Wie is die vrou ?" het Rhodes gevra. Mnr. Jourdan bet horn herinner: dit was die een wat langs horn gesit het by lord Mulberry se eetmaal. ,,O sy? Sy was nogal lewendig en interessant gewees.. ." Hy het haar die Mashonaland Railway Debentures vir die belegging van haar geld aanbeveel. Toe wou sy weet hoe sy te werk moes gaan. Toe, wat die adres van die sekretaris was. En toe Rhodes uiteindelik na Suid-Afrika terugkeer, was dit alles behalwe toeval dat Prinses Radziwell se passaat op dieselfde boot bespreek was. Mnr. Rhodes, vertel oubaas Jourdan, bet op 'n seereis altyd graag sy eie tafel eenkant gehad sodat hy van tyd tot tyd iemand kon nooi om by horn te kom aansit. Op die betrokke reis is die tafeltjie gereserveer vir Rhodes en sy privaatsekretaris en sir Charles Metcalfe. ,,By geleentheid van die eerste eetrnaal aan boord, het ek kort-kort 'n vrouefiguur buite die eetkamerdeur sien verbyflits, en die ete was al 'n endjie op dreef toe die Prinses, honderdpersent slaggereed wat haar kostuum betref, die karner met 'n geritsel van sy binnegevaar kom," vertel rnnr. Jourdan. ,,Sy bet danig rondegekyk waar daar dan 'n lee stoel vir haar sou wees, maar onderwyl reelreg op mnr. Rhodes se tafel afgestuur. Toe kom kry sy haar tot haar groot verbasing skielik voor horn, ,Oh, Mr. Rhodes?!' Mnr. Rhodes kon nie bra anders as om haar te nooi om aan te sit nie, en die res van die reis het sy saam met die drie mans geeet." Sy was toe so vier-en-vyftig, nie juis 'n mooi vrou nie, so effens aan die gesetkant, maar nogal indrukwekkend met haar swart hare en haar vinnige swart oe. ,,Sy was," beken oubaas Jourdan, en hy skryf dit ook in sy boek oor Rhodes, ,,heelternal '11 aanwins vir ons tafel. Sy kon lewendig gesels oor enige denkbare onderwerp," en blykbaar het haar kontinentale agtergrond gemaak dat sy uitgesproke was oor dinge waaroor die Victoriaanse vrou nie gedroom het om te praat nie. Mnr. Jourdan sê sy het Cecil John by geleentheid laat bloos1 Maar hy het die geseiskap klaarblyklik geniet. Hulle het dikwels saam op dek gesit en gesels-en die Prinses het elke oomblik en elke moontlike iaai benut. Eendag, terwyl sy en Rhodes sit en gesels, het sy dan ineens flou geword. Dit was 'n hele ontstigting. Rhodes moes haar vashou totdat huip en vlugsout opdaag. ,,Ek sal nooit die absoluut bedremmelde uitdrukking op sy gesig vergeet nie," skryf sy privaatsekretaris van die middag! Nietemin, in Kaapstad aangekom, het mnr. Rhodes die Prinses uitgenooi om net wanneer sy lus het ,,bietjie oor te kom Groote Schuur toe". Aangesien dit net was wat sy wou gehad het, het sy van die uitnodiging ruim gebruik gemaak en dikwels net 'n telegram gestuur dat sy vir middag- of aandete daar sou wees. Eers het Rhodes daarmee genoee geneem. Maar stadigaan het sy gesindheid teenoor haar verander. Sy was 'n vrou met bybedoelings, het hy agtergekom. Sy was die Kaapstadse korrespondent van koerante in Engeland en in Rusland. Sy wou maar alte graag he dat hy politieke uitlatinge moes maak. Hy het die vrede nie vertrou nie. ,,Die uitlandse (foreign) vroue," het hy vir Philip Jourdan gesê, ,,mens weet nooit wat hulle agteraf konkel nie. .. ." Betrekkinge tussen die twee het gaandeweg versleg. Rhodes was 'n tydlank met die Engelse magte in die veld-want dit was nou die kommervoile dae van die Anglo-Boereoorlog----en die Prinses het intussen haar politieke ambisies uitgebrei en begin met 'n tydskrif wat sy Greater Britain genoem het, omdat haar gedagte was om die ou moederland in nouer voeling met al sy kolonies te hou. (Van die tydskrif is vandag skaars 'n eksemplaar in die Kaap te kry.) Sy wou ook om haar eie redes Rhodes weer as eerste minister van Kaapland sien. Haar planne was groot, maar haar geld was duidelik in die stadium mm. Kaapstadse koerantmanne wat artikels vir haar blad gelewer het, skryf in hul herinneringe dat hulle nooit 'n pennie vergoeding uit haar kon kry nie. Die drukkers wou ook hul geld he. Dit was in alle waarskynlikheid die uitgawe van hierdie blad wat die Prinses laat beland het in die droewe geldelike penarie waaruit sy haar op so 'n onbeholpe wyse probeer help het. Onderwyl Rhodes. oorsee was, het sy finansieel erg in die knyp geraak. Daar was onder meer die kwessie van die huis wat sy in Kenilworth wou huur. Maar sy moes ses maande se huur, wat £435 bedra het, vooruit betaal. Sy had dit nie, maar op 'n dag kom sy te voorskyn met 'n wissel wat Rhodes net voor sy vertrek-is dit nie merkwaardig nie-virjuis die bedrag aan haar sou uitgemaak het. . . . En skielik was die Kaap vol wissels van Rhodes. . . . Onder meer was daar 'n wissel van £2,000 wat oubaas Jourdan, volgens haar, in Rhodes se naam vir haar uitgeskrywe het. Hierop het sy £1,000 deur die geldskieters voorgeskiet, gekry-glo teen 180 persent rente! Maar net die aand toe hierdie geld aan haar uitgekeer is, het 'n berig in die Cape Argus verskyn waarin Rhodes ten enemale ontken dat hy enige van die wissels wat aan horn toegeskryf word, uitgereik het. Nou het die poppe begin te dans. Maar as julle twyfel, kabel aan mnr. Rhodes self, het die Prinses geskerm. Niemand wis egter waar presies mnr. Rhodes in die stadium was nie. Nou maar kabel aan sy Londense prokureur. Sy sou self met horn in verbinding tree. En nie lank nie, of sy kom aan met 'n kabeigram, oenskynlik uit Londen afgestuur, waarin die wissels onderskryf word. Maar die man wat die geld voorgeskiet het, was nou op sy hoede. Hoekom, wou hy weet, is daar dan duidelik eers iets uitgegee op die telegram voordat Londen as die plek van herkonis van die mededeling neergeskryf is? Die feit is dat die Prinses die telegram self, van haarself in Kaapstad aan haarself in Kenilworth gestuur het. Toe wou sy die posmeester-vir 'n groot grap wat sy in die mou sou voer- oorreed om Kaapstad met Londen op die telegramvorm te vervang. Die man wou nie daarvan hoor nie. Maar toe hy van die kantoor weg was, het sy haar kans afgewag en 'n kantoorseun met tien sjielings orngekoop orn die veranderinkie vir haar te maak. Die hele ongeurige ou saak sou bes moontlik nooit in die hof beland het nie as die Prinses in haar wanhoop nie daartoe oorgegaan het om vir Rhodes te dagvaar om sy (vervaiste!) wissels na te korn nie! Hierop het Rhodes uit Egipte-waar hy vir sy vinnig kwynende gesondheid was- na Kaapstad teruggekeer. Voor die Prinses en haar prokureur by 'n geleentheid wat pynlik moes gewees het, is getuienis van horn afgeneem waarin hy uitdruklik ontken dat hy ooit enige wissels uitgereik het of enige van die briewe geskryf het wat sy aan horn toegeskryf het (die tikmasjien wat sy gebruik het, het later self bewys dat sy self die briewe geskrywe het. Sy is as leuenaar ten volle ontmasker. Cecil Rhodes is oorlede voordat die saak, net 'n bietjie meer as 'n maand ná sy dood op 28 April voor die Kaapstadse hof gekom het. Die verloop van die hofsaak beslaan blaaie en blaaie van die destydse koerante. Daar is stories oor die wissel, daardie wissel; sprake dat die Prinses hulle van 'n ,,ander dame"-wat sy later selfs op die naarn durf noem het !-sou gekry het; diskussies oor briewe wat Rhodes, om sy politieke toekoms te verseker, van die Prinses sou wou afgekoop het.. Vandag is dit 'n moeisame taak om die hele omstandige verloop noukeurig te volg. Maar wat mens met die lees bybly, is die gesig van die Prinses, in haar grys kostuurn en haar groot swart volstruisveerhoed, wat getuies en mense in die hof aandagtig deur haar langsteel-lorgnet beskou. - Toe sy moes antwoord op skuldig of onskuldig, het sy gesê ,,Skuldig," net om haar onmiddellik, skynbaar op 'n wenk van haar regsadviseur, te bedink en terug te krabbel, ,,Ek bedoel onskuldig. . ." Die verhoor was nie sonder vermaaklike insidente nie. Maar nadat hoofregter lord de Villiers so simpatiek vir haar as wat moontlik was, sy opsomming van die saak gegee het, was daar vir die june eintlik net een uitspraak moontlik: Skuldig. Die Prinses is tot twee jaar tronkstraf, wat eintlik met harde arbeid moes gewees het, gevonnis. Met die oog op haar ,,swak gestel" is sy, ná nege rnaande in 'n Huis van Bewaring, op vrye voet gestel en kort hierna het sy die land verlaat waar sy in elk geval daarin geslaag het om die grootste opskudding van die halfeeu te veroorsaak. kind regards Heather Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm

Evening all Please find below the next installment of the History of Rondebosch RONDEBOSCH AS AN EDUCATIONAL CENTRE In the area of Rondebosch today there is probably a greater concentration of schools and other educational institutions (such as the University, Training College and Art Centre) than in any other centre of similar size in South Africa. In fact, Rondebosch is pre-eminently an educational centre. Today there are 8,373 pupils attending government and private schools in Rondebosch, as well as 4,782 students at the University and Training College; that is, a total attendance at educational institutions in the area of approximately 13,155, and 1,935 residing in school and university hostels. A feature is the great variety of these institutions, which offer a wide diversity of educational facilities. The earliest schools at Rondebosch were private establishments or mission schools, run by the various churches. The Cape Almanac for 1840 states that "there is at present no government free school, or infant school, in this populous part of the environs of the Cape", i.e. Rondebosch. One of the earliest private schools is mentioned in "The Findlay Letters" to the effect that in 1838 "Miss Hanbury has taken Miss Smith's school at Rondebosch" and that a daughter of the Findlay family, living on Camp Ground Road, was attending it. In January 1844 the Rondebosch Infant School was established with a committee consisting of John Montagu (Colonial Secretary) as chairman, and as members the veteran J. B. Ebden, Rev. J. Fry, Lt.-Col. Alexander, A. Steedman as treasurer and 3. Duff Watt as Secretary. It was a "free school established chiefly through the benevolent exertions of Maj.-Genl. and Lady Catherine Bell, immediately prior to their departure from the Colony. A neat and appropriate school house built from funds raised principally by the voluntary contributions of the gentry and inhabitants in the neighbourhood" was erected. In 1845 there were 100 pupils. This school, it was claimed, "now furnishes the less wealthy and poorer part of the community that desideratum, so long earnestly desired, viz, a good school for the education of their children." This school was later known as St. Paul's (Church of England) Mission School. In a newspaper advertisement in April 1855, Mrs. R. P. Solomon informed the public of Rondebosch that she had just opened a preparatory school for boys "at the cottage adjoining Rev. Mr. Shaw's. Mrs. Solomon hopes, by devoting her attention to the moral and intellectual education of the children committed to her care, to give satisfaction to their parents." Diocesan College ("Bishops") founded in 1849 by Bishop Robert Gray was at first located at Bishopscourt, but, about a year later, moved to the farm at Rondebosch, "Woodlands," which had been bought to accommodate the School. The first principal was Rev. Henry Master White, a grandnephew of the famous naturalist, Gilbert White of Selborne. In 1852 the first new buildings were erected. John X. Merriman, later Prime Minister of the Cape Colony and parliamentarian of long standing, was a pupil there during the 1850's when there were about 25 pupils. In a letter which he wrote at the time, he mentions that his school challenged two neighbouring schools at sport, viz. McNorton's and Droosel's respectively. The Congregational Minister, Rev. Sam Elliott, also conducted a flourishing school in Rondebosch at the time. Diocesan College has always been a church school for boys, largely a boarding school. St. Paul's at Rondebosch and St. Peter's at Mowbray were undoubtedly the two largest schools during the 1850's. Both of them received grants not only from the Cape Government, but also from the Bible and School Commission and from the trustees of the Slave Compensation Fund. Although they were primarily church mission schools, there were in 1858 at St. Paul's school 81 European children, 149 "children of emancipated slaves and 132 of other persons of colour", while at St. Peter's the figures were 67, 75 and 59 respectively. St. Paul's ran an infant school, a juvenile school for boys and girls, as well as a girls' industrial school, with a staff of by the Ls of three teachers. English was the sole medium. It is very noticeable that though the enrolment was large, the actual position was that there were 116 children under five years of age and 19 under two years. Then, too, the attendance in all schools in those days seems to have been very irregular; the daily average attendance was usually about 40 per cent (e.g. 80 out of 180 in the juvenile school). A curious feature in many inspectors' reports is the comment "the school room was furnished with a gallery", that is, teaching was carried on largely by the monitorial method according to the Bell and Lancaster system. Comment was made when a school had a plank floor; apparently, therefore, others were without. Schools at that time ran evening classes as a matter of course. In the case of St. Peter's, 32 adults were attending evening school in 1858 "entirely for religious knowledge and training", using English and Dutch. The Newlands Mission School, "lately opened in a very destitute district" (about 1860), had an average attendance of 45, of whom 20 were Europeans. A Methodist Mission School in Rondebosch in 1861 was conducted "in one end of a chapel fitted up for this purpose", with one teacher and an average attendance of about 50. At St. Paul's the children learnt "vocal music on the tonic sol-fa method and evince considerable proficiency in it". in 1875 most of the senior boys were drafted to the Camp Ground School, where they even learnt Latin. At this time too there was a Rouwkoop Roman Catholic Mission School with 52 pupils. In inspectors' reports at that time the reasons for withdrawal were usually stated, e.g. "anxiety to put children to trades and other means of earning a livelihood", while in another instance "the prevailing examples of idleness and indolence around" were a drawback to a school's progress. In 1874 B.A. classes were introduced at Diocesan College, so that a preparatory school, a high school and a university college were carried on under one roof. The Preparatory School, however, was conducted at Claremont from 1884 to 1896. The university classes were discontinued in 1910, when they were taken over by the South African College. The Rev. George Ogilvie, who was principal from 1861 to 1885, was responsible for the introduction of rugby football in South Africa and therefore our national game was first played in Rondebosch. Before his death, Cecil Rhodes in 1901 established the first Rhodes scholarship at this school. Later by his Will one scholarship was awarded to the school. The Preparatory School since 1918 has been accommodated in property purchased in College Road. The first College Chapel was built in 1880, but a new War Memorial Chapel was erected after World War I. Rev. R. H. C. Birt, principal from 1919 to 1943, led the school through its period of greatest expansion. The College Magazine has been in existence since 1886, while the Old .Boys' Union dates from 1873. In the course of time the suburbs of Cape Town developed from small collections of farms into little villages and gradually into well-populated residential areas. The need for more schools became increasingly apparent. Rustenburg Girls' High School was opened in January 1894 in historic Rustenburg House on the Main Road, with 87 pupils. The first principal's aim was "to prove to a somewhat sceptical public that girls were the equal intellectually of their brothers.". In 1896 its pupils first sat for the matriculation examination. On 20 August 1901 the pupils were massed in front of the beautifully decorated school when King George V and Queen Mary (then Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York) passed through Rondebosch. In 1913 an Old Girls' Union was established. When Miss Kemp became principal in 1916, of the 440 pupils, most were under Std. VII. The Erinville and Charlie's Hope estates-the home of Sir Harry Smith from 1834 to 1838-of 26 acres on Camp Ground Road were acquired in 1929. The new High School building was occupied in July 1932, with 311 pupils. Rustenburg Girls' Junior School then became a separate school with 377 pupils, occupying the buildings adjacent to Rustenburg House. The grounds of the school have been beautifully laid out by the active Parent-Teachers' Association. In 1897 the Rondebosch Boys' High School was opened with 8 pupils as a result of the private enterprise of public-spirited persons. The new school in Camp Ground Road was occupied in 1898. The first principal started taking boarders in his home, but by 1900 had bought Canigou homestead for a private school hostel. There were then 15 boarders in a school of 150 pupils. In 1901, three pupils sat for matriculation, of whom one passed. Instruction in science was started at that time too. Mr. S. Mason, M.A., as principal from 1904-27, really built up this school. By 1927 when Mr. Mason retired there were 521 pupils and 112 boarders. The junior school was established as a separate school in 1929. A second hostel, Mason House, was built in 1930. When free education was introduced, the two Boys' Schools (as well as the two Rustenburg Girls' schools) elected to remain fee-paying. By a recent interchange, the High School moved to the new building at Canigou and the Preparatory school to the Camp Ground Road buildings. Today there are 510 pupils in the High School, 447 in the Preparatory School, with 108 boarders. A memorial library and a very fine Hall were erected at the High School to commemorate past pupils who had lost their lives in the two World Wars. St. Joseph's College (Marist Brothers) in Belmont Road occupies "Belmont", which during the 19th century was one of the best-known gentleman's estates in Rondebosch, having from 1835 belonged first to J. Bardwell Ebden and subsequently to his son Alfred Ebden. It was purchased by Marist Brothers in 1917. In this house the Transvaal delegates to the National Convention were housed in 1909-including Generals Botha and Smuts. St. Joseph's College was started in Cape Town in 1867 as a fee-paying private school with 9 pupils. There were 100 pupils at the time of the move in 1918. Subsequently a classroom block, a chapel and other tuitional and hostel buildings were erected, as well as new dining rooms, gymnasium and a swimming bath. The school has grown very much so that by 1955 there were about 600 pupils of whom about one fifth were boarders. The Marsh Memorial Homes were established by William Marsh, a wealthy Cape Town businessman, his son Rev. T. E. Marsh and Mrs. Marsh in 1901. The institutional character of orphanages has been overcome in this instance by a series of family flats, in a number of houses, where boys and girls grow up in small family units with a housemother in charge-in as natural an atmosphere as possible. In 1903 there were 20 children; today there are 116 (65 girls and 51 boys), mostly of primary school age, but 9 are at high school and a few under school age. A primary school exists at the Homes, which also have their own church. The Watson Training School was established a few years ago-the only one in South Africa to train child-care workers- for training staff for all the Methodist children's homes in South Africa. After a two-year course a certificate is given. Students live in a hostel. A nursery school, too, has been in existence since 1954. The Homes Farm supplies fresh produce for the institution. Sport facilities of all kinds exist. The institution is dependent on contributions by the public and by Methodist church organizations. St. George's Orphanage was founded in 1862 in Harrington Street, Cape Town, as a Church of England institution. A school was formerly attached to the Orphanage, but in 1925 the European girls were moved to Rosebank and the Non-European girls to Claremont. Today the 18 girls in the Orphanage go to Mowbray and Observatory schools. Oakhurst Girls' Primary School was founded in 1906 and became a free school in 1921. It had one of the first Parent-Teachers' Associations in the Peninsula (1936). The activity method of instruction was introduced in 1944, whereby children are encouraged, working in groups, to acquire knowledge through their own efforts, with the classroom as a laboratory. This school has always been known for its pioneering work in modern educational methods. Micklefield School in Sandown Road is a private fee-paying kindergarten and preparatory school, founded in July 1928 by Miss M. J. Wilson and Miss D. R. Beazley. It started with two pupils, but today has 165 and eight teachers. During the war years (1941-45) a senior school was run in Lochiel Road. Cape Town Training College was founded in 1894 in Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, but was transferred to Mowbray in 1931. In 1928 a College hostel was started in "Charlton", formerly the residence of the late Dr. W. H. I. Bleek, his sister-in-law Miss Lucy Lloyd and daughter, Miss Dorothea F. Bleek, eminent authorities on African Languages. Situated on the Main Road, Mowbray, the homestead was renamed "Viljoenhof", and was rebuilt in 1956. The Mowbray Public School became the practising school for the Training College, which offers a special two-year course for physical education, as well as a course for art teachers in primary schools, in addition to general courses for training women as primary and kindergarten teachers. Today there are 171 students (75 in residence), with a staff of 12 full-time and 8 part-time teachers. In January 1936 the first Afrikaans-medium school in the area was established with the opening in a church hail of the Laerskool Groote Schuur, with 19 pupils. In 1937 the school moved to a private house purchased in Camp Ground Road. In 1940 a Parent-Teachers' Association was established which has been very active in adding to the School's facilities. A nursery school was started in 1944, while in September 1948 the foundation stone was laid and the new school building inaugurated a year later. A school hall costing £11,000 was opened in 1955. Elocution, music, ballet, domestic science and art are taught, while extensive sport fields have been laid out of recent years. Today the School has 350 pupils and a staff of 12. The only Afrikaans-medium high school in the area is the Hoërskool Nassau in Main Road, Mowbray (established in 1938), which now has a staff of 15 and 308 pupils. This school is to be transferred in the near future to a large new site adjoining the Government Vaccine Institute and Rustenburg High School at Rosebank. Plans for the necessary buildings are at the moment being prepared. The site will be large enough to establish hostels in the future, if desired. Westerford High School, Main Road, Newlands, is the only co-educational English-medium school in the area and started in 1953 with 29 pupils. It is built on the site of the Klein Westerford homestead. The school has grown very rapidly and now has 406 pupils and a staff of 22 teachers. Art and domestic science rooms, as well as a library have been included in the new building. There are many schools for coloured children in the area, some of them having a long and interesting history. Several of them were established after the emancipation of slaves and have been in existence for nearly a century or longer. St. Paul's School (founded in 1842) was one of the oldest of these, but was closed a few years ago. St. Peter's (founded 1854) is still in existence. In the early 1860's there were Methodist mission schools too in Rondebosch and Newlands and a Church of England school in Newlands, as well as one on the Camp Ground Road in the 1870's. The largest school for coloured children today is the Stephen Reagon Primary School in Camp Ground Road, Newlands, established in 1943, with 550 pupils and 19 teachers and having extensive sports facilities for tennis, netball, cricket and soccer. The Newlands Primary School (off Main Street, Newlands), has 348 pupils and 11 teachers. At the Newlands Cripples Home there is a primary school with 64 pupils and four teachers. The Mowbray Methodist School, too, has just over 100 pupils, and St. Andrew's Primary (Church of England) at Newlands has over 200 pupils. There are 12 or more other coloured schools close to the Rondebosch area, but not actually in it. Many nursery schools exist in the area, but for reasons of space they cannot be individually enumerated here. St. George's Grammar School established its School House at the old homestead Bloemendal, Mowbray, about 20 years ago and there are now 64 boarders. They attend school in Cape Town, but the Preparatory School with 100 pupils is at Mowbray. The School's playing fields and swimming bath are there, too. In the Rondebosch area there are other schools not previously mentioned, such as the Golden Grove Primary School, the Rosebank Primary School, and St. Michael's (R.C.) Primary School, statistics concerning which are included in the table at the end of this section. There is also a Chinese Primary School in Mowbray. The Cape School for Cerebral Palsied Children, with three teachers and 32 children, is in Milner Road. In addition, two physiotherapists, one speech therapist and one occupational therapist are employed. The Government has bought a large site, on which it is proposed to erect a building costing about £35,000 to house 100 children. In addition, the transfer of the South African College School from the Gardens to Newlands is under way. The Junior School has partly moved already and Sir Max Michaeis' mansion has become a hostel, Michaelis House. In due course the High School too will move, thus adding nearly 1,000 more pupils to the large number already attending Rondebosch Schools and concentrating yet more of the large schools of the Cape Peninsula in Rondebosch. The Frank Joubert Art Centre has been located in Rustenburg House since 1943. It has a weekly enrolment of approximately 400 children, who come from all parts of the Peninsula. A variety of media are supplied for picture making, modelling and craftwork. This centre for advice regarding child art training is staffed by qualified art teachers, to whom teachers, parents and children can turn for help. Training College students who take a one-year course for art training in primary schools are also housed in this Centre. A special teacher attached to the Centre visits schools to lecture on the history and appreciation of art. Annual exhibitions of children's work are held. The largest educational institution in the area, is the University of Cape Town with approximately 4,200 students, the majority of whom are located at its Groote Schuur buildings, including 700 students at its Medical School, Mowbray. From the South African College founded in 1829, both the University and South African College School have sprung. They used to be located in close proximity in the Gardens and will now again be near neighbours at Rondebosch-Newlands. After obtaining its charter in 1918, together with the magnificent site on the Groote Schuur estate and the generous Wernher-Beit endowment, the University immediately tackled the problem of excavating the site on the mountainside, and planning the layout. The old Dutch Summer-house (originally part of Rustenburg estate and later of Groote Schuur estate) with the adjoining japonica gardens is now in the University grounds. 3. M. Solomon, the original architect, died and left it to others to translate his sketch-plans into bricks and mortar. In 1925 the Duke of Windsor laid the foundation stone of the first building at the new site, and the Earl of Athlone that of the Medical School. The University occupied its new buildings in 1929, when its centenary was celebrated on the Groote Schuur site. The original buildings were completed about 1935. After the war, the University purchased the Rosebank Showgrounds for additional space for expansion, nearer the Main Road. On this site at present a new women's hostel costing £225,000 called Baxter Hall, is nearing completion. On the main site, the School of Architecture's building is now in course of erection. The College of Music is accommodated in the former mansion of the Struben family on the Main Road, Rosebank, while the Administrative Offices are located immediately behind it. The Medical School buildings are situated on the De Waal Drive near Groote Schuur Hospital. The Child Guidance Clinic operated by the University has recently moved to its new building in Chapel Street, Rosebank. From the foregoing it is clear that Rondebosch, with its wealth of schools and other educational institutions, may indeed be termed an educational centre par excellence. (1) In process of moving to Newlands (2) The School is in Cape Town A. EUROPEAN SCHOOLS EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS FOR 1955 Diocesan College Diocesan College Preparatory Golden Grove Primary Groote Schuur Laerskool Marsh Memorial Home Church Primary Micklefield Primary Mowbray Public (Practising) Nassau Hoerskool Oakhurst Girls' Primary Rondebosch Boys' High Rondebosch Boys' Preparatory Rosebank Primary Rustenburg Girls' High Rustenburg Girls' Junior St. George's Grammar (2) Preparatory School House St. Joseph's College (Marist Brothers) St. Michael's (R.C.) Primary South African College Boys' High (1) South African College Boys' Junior (i) Westerford High Chinese School, Mowbray Boarders (') In addition 8 part-time lecturers (2) Majority of staff lectures at Rondebosch and students attend there (including Rosebank and Mowbray) (8) 400 Children per week attend from schools in Rondebosch and from outside the area. Very difficult to give the same kind of statistics as in other cases. (4) Children attend schools in Mowbray and Rosebank (5) In addition, there are 2 physiotherepists, I speech thereapist and 1 occupational therapist. (6) Children come from all over Boarders in schools and University hostels Teachers and University staff kind regards Heather Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm

THE CHURCHES OF RONDEBOSCH NEDERDUITSE GEREFORMEERDE KERK In 1665, agt jaar nadat die Vryburgers hul grond in Rondebosch in besit geneern het, is die eerste gerneente van die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk formeel in Kaapstad gestig. Vir meer dan anderhaif eeu sou hierdie gerneente vir die geestelike behoeftes van die gemeentelede in die verspreide Kaapse Skiereiland verantwoordelik wees. Die toename in lidmate en die vervoerprobleem vir die lidmate wat tussen Simonstad en die Soutrivier, en Kuilsrivier en Houtbaai gewoon het, bring mee dat sir J. A. Truter, die eerste hoofregter van die Kaapkolonie, horn vir die afstigting van 'n aparte gemeente beywer. Na langdurige onderhandelinge, o.a. met die Goewerneur, word die gemeente Wynberg tydens 'n diens in die huis van E. A. Buyskes, van De Onder Schuur (tans Westbrooke, woning van die Goewerneur-generaal), onder offisiële toesig van sir. J. A. Truter ,,geconstitueerd en ingezegend" deur dr. A. Faure in die jaar 1829. Drie jaar later word die eerste Kerkgebou in Wynberg ingewy. Die bearbeiding van die lidmate in die Rondebosch-Mowbray area bly egter 'n probleem, en op 16 Junie 1864 word die ,,kapel in Mowbray" deur dr. P. E. Faure, dr. A. Faure en prof. John Murray ingewy. Hierdie gebou is naby die plaas Welgelegen opgerig op grond deur die eienaar, mnr. Sybrand Jacobus Mostert geskenk, en vir baie jare word hier buitedienste op Sondagmiddae gehou. (Die kapel behoort tans aan die Provinsiale Administrasie en staan in Rhodeslaan, net onderkant die Princess Christian-tehuis.) In 1891 word besluit om die lidmate wat dit verkies, tot 'n selfstandige gemeente te Rondebosch af te stig. Op 11 Oktober vergader die eerste Kerkraad, en die name van die lede dien vermelding: J. G. L. Dreyer, C. D. G. Mostert, A. A. Philip, G. Twycross, P. G. Wege en C. H. Beck. Die gemeente bestaan uit slegs 76 lidmate, die voertaal by alle eredienste en vergaderings is Engels, en die lidmate behoort aan beide die blanke en nie-blanke groepe van die samelewing. Op 9 November 1891 lê sir Henry de Villiers, hoofregter van die Kolonie, die hoeksteen van die Kerkgebou in St. Andrew's-weg, Rondebosch, en 'n jaar later word die Kerkgebou deur die bekende dr. Andrew Murray ingewy. Op die grond waar die eerste Vryburgers geboer het, het 'n selfstandige gemeente tot stand gekom. Die gemeente Rondebosch het 'n leidende aandeel in die lewe van die gemeenskap gespeel. Deur die ywer van die eerste leraar, ds. B. P. J. Marchand, is die Rustenburg-meisieskool gestig, en later die Rondebosch-skool (1g. in die kerksaal van die jong gemeente). Baie jare later, in 1936, word 'n klein Afrikaansmedium skool in die Kerksaal gestig, wat vandag uitgegroei het tot die Laerskool Groote Schuur. In 1895 word 'n dogtergemeente, die Rondebosch-sendingkerk, in die Kerksaal gestig. In 1908 word sommige van die dienste in die Nederlandse taal gehou, maar eers in 1936 word die Engelse dienste heeltemal afgeskaf. In 1939 word 'n selfstandige gemeente in Lansdowne afgestig. Onder die leiding van die leraar, ds. Marchand, en sy opvolgers, di. L. M. Kriel, H. E. du Plessis, P. G. J. Meiring, A. M. Meiring, P. de V. Grobbelaar, W. S. Conradie, A. J. van Wijk, A. P. Treurnicht en 0. S. H. Raubenheimer, groei die gemeente tot 'n lidmaatskap van 1,600 en neem die gemeente deel aan die gemeenskaplike en opvoedkundige aktiwiteite van die kinders van die Vryburgers en diegene wat hulle in hierdie gebied gevestig het. RONDEBOSCH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The first thing one sees on entering the lobby of this church is the tombstone of the missionary, Dr. van der Kemp, placed there for safe keeping when the old Somerset Road cemetery was abandoned. When he landed on the wooden jetty at the foot of Adderley Street in 1799, Cape Town was a small town of 18,000 inhabitants, of whom 7,000 were slaves. A year later there came a new recruit for the mission field, James Read, who founded the "Calvanistic Society" before leaving for the work to which he had been sent; and in 1820 the London Missionary Society sent Dr. John Philip to take charge of its growing work in Southern Africa. His headquarters were in Cape Town, and it was not long before the "Calvanistic Society" called him to be its minister; he consented, on condition that the first claim on his time should be his missionary duties, and that the Church should be governed by the Church Meeting. Thus the first definitely Congregational Church in South Africa came into being. As the town grew and large suburbs sprang up, other churches were formed in them; and in 1900 a group of Congregationalists in Rondebosch gathered in the Town Hall, and having formed themselves into a Church, held services there for a time. They purchased a piece of land in Belmont Road and in 1903 the present building was opened for worship. The first minister was the gracious and fatherly Rev. Wm. Forbes, and the beautiful stained glass windows and the fine workmanship throughout the whole building are a reflection of the spirit that inspired both minister and people. The Thorne Hall was added in 1913, and has been in constant use for Sunday School, badminton, and many other activities; it was named in memory of Sir William Thorne, a staunch supporter of the church. In 1941 the Mary Giffen Memorial Hall was built; it is a smaller hail, more like a little chapel, of great beauty, and is used for the Primary Sunday School, and smaller meetings, especially those of a devotional character. The Giffen family presented it to the church in memory of their mother. On Christmas Day 1945 the church "bells" were heard for the first time. They are broadcast by a recording apparatus. Peals of bells, hymns, anthems etc., are played, and can be heard half a mile and more away. In 1945 a heating system was installed, which makes a great difference to the comfort of the worshippers in the damp and chilly winter months. In 1950 the Church celebrated its Golden Jubilee and is steadily growing in its service to the community, and to the Kingdom of God in South Africa. Among its officers are both the Secretary and the Treasurer of the Congregational Union of South Africa, and it contributes richly, in money and personnel, to the work of the Union. The ministries of Rev. J. H. Atkinson and Rev. G. P. Ferguson are still remembered with gratitude, and the present minister is Rev. W. N. H. Tarrant, who has served the Church since 1939. THE CHURCHES OF ST. PAUL AND ST. THOMAS, RONDEBOSCH Together with the Parish of St. Francis, Simonstown, and the Cathedral Parish of St. George, Cape Town, St. Paul's Church, Rondebosch holds the honour of being in the vanguard ofAnglican Church activities at the Cape of Good Hope. The first recorded Anglican service took place in April 1749 in Cape Town and later records mention Anglican Services which took place in the Dutch Reformed Church in Adderley Street. From the time of the First British Occupation (1795-1803) onwards there was gradual development; but there was no episcopal control and the Colony was dependent on the visits of the Bishop of Calcutta on his way to and from India. Bishop Daniel Wilson called at the Cape on his way to India on 31 August 1832 and amongst many other duties, he consecrated the gound upon which St. Paul's Church now stands, on 5 September 1832-it was formerly a location of squatters. On the Sunday following, Bishop Wilson conducted the first Anglican Ordination Service held in South Africa in the Dutch Reformed Church, Adderley Street. One of the two candidates was Mr. E. Judge, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, first rector of Rondebosch. The building of the new church at Rondebosch was first opened for Divine Service on Sunday, 16 February 1834, the Governor, Sir Benjamin D'Urban, and his wife being present at the first service. It was designed by Major Michell in the Gothic style, was roofed with thatch and could accommodate 150 people. It was much smaller than the present church and was afterwards used in the chancel of the later building. In 1843, at the ninth anniversary service in February, the collection was for the purpose of providing a gallery in the chruch owing to the growing demand for accommodation. In the same year, a Free school to accommodate about one hundred pupils was erected near the church, marking the beginning of the Church's provision for the education of the poorer people in Rondebosch. This building remained as a school beside the church until a few years ago when the children were accommodated in other schools and a Parish Hall replaced it. A further scheme to enlarge the church was completed in 1854 and it could now seat 450 persons. Further development was envisaged and when the money became available St. Paul's Church as it stands to-day was finally completed in 1884 during Archdeacon Badnall's incumbency. The erection of the Mission Chapel, now known as St. Thomas's Church, was first mentioned in March 1864. The purpose of the new building was to take the place of the Rouwkoop Road School where services were held on Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings in addition to the ordinary school work. The new building was completed and formally opened by Bishop Gray in July 1865. It was used primarily as a mission school and chapel, and a night school for adults was held there at the same time. In the same year school and church services were commenced in Black River and the Parish of Rondebosch became responsible for church development in that area. In 1894 increased accommodation was secured at the Mission Chapel as the gradual development of the residential areas on the Camp Ground had made this extension desirable, and there were still further extensions in 1903. The chapel was without chancel or transept and the alterations successfully carried out by Messrs. Baker and Macey gave the parish, St. Thomas's Church much as it stands to-day. The building was dedicated on 20 December 1903. It ceased to be used as a day school as the number of pupils had dwindled considerably. Subsequent development included a new vestry at St. Thomas's and a hall erected on parish ground near St. Thomas's Church and opened in May 1923. As time went on it is worth recording that the services at St. Thomas's unquestionably increased in the number of worshippers; so great has been the development east of the railway line that it became neccessary to divide the Parish of Rondebosch into two parishes-the new parish of St. Thomas's, Rondebosch, dating from May 1947. Under the original grant made by Sir George Cathcart to the Bishop of Cape Town in January 1854, the church held a limited title to the Rondebosch Glebe Lands. The area included the Common and certain strips and detached pieces along the Camp Ground Road. The title was limited mainly to the grazing of cattle, but the church had important rights to the title. After lengthy negotiations, the terms of a private bill were agreed upon between the church and the Rondebosch municipality. When Parliament dealt with the matter and the Rondebosch Church Lands Act was passed in December 1909, the terms agreed upon were departed from to the detriment of the Church. However, an awkward question had at last been settled and the Church did secure outright ownership of a small area near to St. Thomas's Church in front of St. Thomas's Parish Hall. ST. MICHAEL'S-ROUWKOOP ROAD-RONDEBOSCH Early in the 1850's the Catholics living in the suburban villages from Cape Town to Wynberg had to go all the way to Cape Town for their Sunday Mass. A few of them had private carriages or carts, others-less well off-took advantage of Cutting's omnibus; many walked. Bishop Patrick Raymond Griffith was anxious to make things easier for those of his flock living at a distance from town, but the building of St. Mary's Cathedral had nearly exhausted the people's means and funds were low. Money was gradually collected, however, and a piece of ground was bought at Rouwkoop, Rondebosch, for the establishment of a mission to which in 1853 the Bishop sent his own brother, Father John Joseph Griffith, as its first priest. Mass was first celebrated in a cottage which stood near the site of the present Dutch Reformed Church and was hired as a residence for the priest. The church itself was begun, but heavy rains caused the river to overflow, swamping the building-which collapsed. But the presbytery was completed and there the people heard Mass, the two front rooms forming a temporary chapel. In 1858 Father Joseph Griffith had to return to Europe owing to ill-health and was succeeded by Father Thomas Meagher, who remained as pastor for nearly thirty years. Father Griffith left before the second church was completed. It was solemnly opened by Bishop Griffith on 8 May 1858, the choir of St. Mary's Cathedral rendering the music at the ceremony. Soon after taking up residence, Father Meagher started a little school in one of the rooms of the presbytery. The number of Catholics in the suburbs began to increase steadily from the time of the arrival of the emigrant ships "Gypsy Bride" and others, and many German Catholic families settled in Wynberg, Claremont, Newlands and Rondebosch. During this period Father Meagher, who acted as pastor, schoolmaster, sacristan and sexton rolled into one, had to devise increased accommodation for the growing number of pupils. A "lean-to" structure was built between the church and presbytery and there the youngsters got their early education. This was the schoolroom until 1887 where Father Meagher taught, assisted by a Miss C. Barry. The next Bishop, Dr. Leonard, found the overcrowding so serious that he decided to build. another church and presbytery-the low-lying position had impaired Father Meagher's health- and to turn the old church into a schoolroom. The plans for the new church were drawn up by Dr. Rooney (who later became Bishop) and it was opened by Bishop Leonard in 1886. The homely stone building, which stands today-slightly enlarged-has been beautified down the years by the devotion of generous parishioners and friends of St. Michael's In 1886 the parish was taken over by Father James Kelly and he remained parish priest until 1922, his simple kindliness and faith living on in the memory of the parish to this day. Father Thomas Cullen succeeded Father Kelly for two years and then in 1925 Father (later Monsignor) John Morris became parish priest. When he died in 1954 he and Father Kelly had between them given almost 70 years' service to the parish. Both were for a time editors of the Southern Cross, the Catholic weekly newspaper. Two assistant priests at St. Michael's have also been connected with the paper. One, Father Hugh Boyle, is now Catholic Bishop of Johannesburg. Another, Father Desmond Hatton-one of Monsignor Morris's altar boys-was assistant priest from 1943 to 1956 and an associate editor of the Southern Cross. During Monsignor Morris's last years, when he was incapacitated by increasing ill-health, Father Hatton bore the brunt of the parish work. During this time he enlarged the church to accommodate new confessionals and to provide more space for the baptismal font. The late Monsignor Morris was succeeded in 1954 as parish priest by Father E. Kiernan but shortly afterwards he suffered a stroke and resigned, Father S. Peart taking over as priest-in- charge. The present parish priest, appointed last year, is Father T. Gill, assisted by Father M. Huigraine. The present Church is built in the early English style of architecture, and is divided into nave and chancel. The roof is an open one and in perfect harmony with the style of the rest of the building. A mellow light streams into the chancel through a beautiful three-light window of stained glass, the work of the celebrated firm of Mayer of Munich. The subjects are the Sacred Heart, occupying the centre light, the Blessed Virgin with her Divine Child and St. Edward, King and Confessor, on either side. Another stained glass window of St. Bridget is near the entrance and there are twelve lancet windows, all stained glass, which contribute most of the necessary light. The beauty of all these stained glass windows can best be appreciated during the early morning shortly after the sun has risen. St. Michael's parish celebrated its centenary in 1953. 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Good Evening everyone Please find below the next instalment of the History of Rondebosch THE RONDEBOSCH COMMON There is no need for the inhabitants of Rondebosch to motor to Namaqualand to see wild flowers-they have in their midst a bit of veld, a relic of the old "Kaapsche Duinen", which from June to November is a bright panoply, a tapestry broidered in buttercups and arums, in golden stars and vygies, in cerise sorrels, in yellow daisies and irises, in sky-blue flax, in white scented catstails and orange gazanias. This is the Rondebosch Common, the only level open public ground in the more populated suburbs where the elderly can stroll and the young fly kites and model aeroplanes. The number of blue flowers growing here is astonishing-drifts of small glossy blue liliaceae, patches of pale short and longer dark baviana, strips of delicate irises and other bulbous plants, and that loveliest of daisies which is dark blue in colour with a navy centre. Tortoise berries drop now unheeded on the sandy soil and the observant may even find a kukumakranka, a deliciously scented yellow juicy seed-pod, in days past much sought by buck and Hottentots, sticking out of the ground. The story of the Common is as varied as its floral wealth. There is in the Cape Archives a most interesting map of a hundred and fifty years ago: "A Military Sketch of the Ground near Rondebosch with the Situation of the Encampment under the Command of His Excellency, the Hon. Lieut.-General Grey,-November, 1807." This map extends in fact from Wynberg to the military lines ending at the Castle and shows the farms along the banks of the Liesbeeck, against the Mountain, and those few on the verge of the enormous stretch of vacant land, the Cape Flats, which provided wood and thatch for the homes of the Cape and where cattle were driven out to graze-a difficult obstacle with its deep. sand for the traveller to the east. The properties marked on the mountainside of this map are the Newlands Headquarters going right down to the Liesbeeck, with Mr. E. L. Truter's farm Zorg en Rust on the lower side of it; the Schuur (the "Fiskall's Country House") on the upper bank; the Rondebosch Farm (Rustenburg); Eksteen's farm, below that of Mr. van Reenen (Welgelegen); and the holdings of Messrs. Breda, Smuts, Maude, Blankenberg, Kelter and Robinson extending east along the upper banks of the Liesbeeck; while on the lower banks westward from Colonel Baird's Valkenberg there were those of Huyser, Groenewald, de Vos, John Munnik, Mr. Hopley's Myrtle Grove, Col. McLean's, and John Truter's. J. A. van Reenen's farm stretched into the dunes (now Pinelands) and so did Mr. Veyll's with a Mr. Barn's holding above it. On the Common several army regiments were encamped: the 87th under Lt.-Col. Sir E. Butler, the 89th under Major Hilliard, the 72nd Highlanders under Lt.-Col. Halkett, the 83rd under Major Collins, the 4th Battalion of the 60th under Lt.-CoI. Austin, and the Royal Artillery under Lt.-Col. Spicer. Before the second English capture of the Cape in 1806, the Dutch too had encamped on the Common, but a sad event had made them move their army to higher ground at the Wynberg Camp. Recruiting for the Dutch army in preparation for the expected invasion had been tardy, so to spur it on General Janssens had had his own teenage son enlist, after he had returned from an extensive tour of the country with Commissioner-General de Mist. His tutor, the botanist Dr. Lichtenstein, who also was a member of the party, has left a well-known description of this expedition. That army, too, camped on the Common. The winter of 1805 was cold and wet, with many of the familiar mists on the Common. Large numbers of the recruits contracted dysentery and many died. Among these was young Janssens, aged only 17, who died in June 1805. These military occupations gave its name to the Camp Ground Road. Even today, school cadets carry out military exercises on the Common. Slowly the land on the fringes of the Common became the homes of new English colonists, many of them belonging to the legal profession, but the Common, then 69 morgen in extent, was kept as an open space, the army under Lord Charles Somerset moving elsewhere. In 1855 Governor Cathcart, at the request of that dynamic first Anglican Bishop Gray, granted the use of the Common to Rev. J. Fry, Rector of St. Paul's Church above Rondebosch Fountain, for grazing his cows-it being stipulated, though, that the public should always have access to the Common. At the same time two adjoining squares of ground on the Common were given to the Wesleyan and Mohammedan communities for cemeteries. Pines edged each square, and these form the little wood in the middle of the Common today. There was a "Doordrift" near the present Park road for the passage of cattle to the dunes. In 1870 the Common was taken over by the Rondebosch and Mowbray municipalities, being later transferred to that of Cape Town. Parts were lopped off it-one of these is now Rondebosch Park-and its extent has dwindled to a hundred acres. A small golf course was laid out on it, on its southern edge. A bunker and the depressions which were water hazards still form winter pools. A house in Mimer Road is named "The Links", and a Links Road leads off Park Road on the southern edge. But the golf links have been moved to the northern part of what used to be commonage, while the New Children's Hospital is also on part of it over Mimer Road. The Rondebosch Cottage Hospital and several nursing homes overlook the Common. Perhaps the best-known Capetonian living close to the Common was Mr. William Anderson, founder of the shipping firm, who was the owner of Erinville, now the Rustenburg Senior School. Colonel Gorges, a picturesque character, lived at Mont Clair in Park Road, and later, near by, Sir Robert Kotzé, a famous mining engineer. The Common is a wonderful natural asset to Rondebosch. May it ever remain open and free-as free as the falcons that wheel above it. WHEN RONDEBOSCH WAS A TOWN ON ITS OWN If any proof were necessary of the individuality of the ancient and notable community of Rondebosch, it could be found in the survival, directly opposite the Railway Station, of the Rondebosch Town Hall-a double-storeyed building in the solid Victorian style constructed largely of dressed stone and still in use as a meeting-place for the local public. For many years indeed Rondebosch was an independent municipality complete with Mayor and Council, a fact only dimly remembered even by middle-aged people and almost completely forgotten by the generation of today. The birth of civic government here may be traced back well over a century, to 3 November 1837, a few weeks after Queen Victoria had ascended the throne, when the Cape of Good Hope Gazette published the following notice: "BUILDING LOTS AT RONDEBOSCH "On Monday morning, the 3rd November next, at 10 o'clock, will be sold by Public Auction, several Lots of Ground delightfully situated on that healthy and salubrious spot, the Camp Ground, about five miles from Cape Town. The Soil is excellent and worthy of attention of Persons desirous of erecting Country Residences. "The advantages they offer to the Builder are scarcely to be equalled, there being an Ironstone Quarry only 200 yards from the spot, and the ground itself well adapted for the purpose of Brich Making, etc., and the distance from the Village Church about five minutes walk. "On the Lots there is a Cottage fit for immediate occupation. "The whole may be viewed any day previous to the Sale, (Sundays excepted) on application to the Proprietor, H. Home, Myrtle Grove, Camp Ground. 27th Oct. 1839. ELLIOTT BROS. AUCTIONEERS." This marked the beginning of Rondebosch as an organised suburb, and brought with it a substantial rise in the population. Unfortunately there was no provision for amenities, and everybody made his own arrangements, with the result that the Liesbeek River-the common source of water for drinking and washing-became little better than a cesspool. Although the community was already far enough advanced to have justified the Government, as early as 1846, in setting up a Post Office, the health conditions here and even nearer Cape Town would today be described as appalling. It was not till 2 September 1850 that, as a result of a number of meetings, a petition was prepared and forwarded to the Governor from the inhabitants of Rondebosch, the "Mowbray Camp Ground" and other areas, asking for a pure water supply. Nothing effective was done for another generation, but the incident helped to stimulate civic feeling. From all parts of the Colony demand arose for the provision of some form of machinery by which communities too small for municipal honours could be effectively administered. In 1870, Act No. 10 made an attempt to provide for Village Government and Rondebosch was among the first places to take advantage of its possibilities. Hence, on 10 July 1873, there is a record of a meeting being held in the schoolroom of St. Paul's Church, to "consider Municipal Regulations", and in the following month, on 28 August, an existing "Act for Abating Nuisances in Municipalities" was formally extended to Rondebosch. Another decade began before the Colonial Parliament provided any more adequate facilities. On 25 June 1881, Governor Sir Hercules Robinson signed an Act "to provide for the Management of Villages and other Communities, not being Municipalities". Its principal feature was the creation of that now familiar institution, the Village Management Board. Before the year ended, at a meeting of Registered Voters on 22 August 1881, Rondebosch set up the first "Committee of Management". This comprised the well-known merchant prince of those days, R. M. Ross, with J. Reid, and J. Gaisford. Before the new administrative machinery could be set in motion, however, certain preliminaries had to be complied with; and though we find that Mowbray led the way in this field, by 1882 Rondebosch, Claremont, Wynberg and Maitland were similarly equipped. We still have a record of the earliest attempt at a Town Hall, located next to Mossop's Tannery, and consisting of two tiny semi-detached cottages thrown into one to form a room large enough to accommodate not only the assembled Councillors, but, we are assured, the reporters of the local newspapers as well. In May 1883 the Rondebosch Village Management Board was already hard at work, issuing regulations against the uncontrolled roaming of dogs and banning the noisy hooting of fish cart drivers. Traffic problems also demanded attention and the Community helped to lead the way in specifying that every vehicle must carry a light after dark. Despite this promising beginning, Rondebosch soon found that its independence brought attendant difficulties, largely on account of the growth in population, with the accompanying severe demands on its finance. Cape Town, Green Point and Woodstock (till then known as Papendorp) were given the status of municipalities in 1881. The new railway to Wynberg helped to bring large numbers of inhabitants further south and, as a compromise, the surrounding areas were merged together. In 1883 we are told: "The villages of Mowbray, Rondebosch, Newlands, Claremont and Wynberg, with a portion of the Field Cornetcy of Deep River, have also been constituted a municipality, under the name of Liesbeek." The first Mayor was G. Bembridge, who worked with G. V. de Kock and S. van Breda to represent Ward No. 1, Wynberg. Rondebosch was Ward No. 4, its local affairs being under the aegis of A. Bell as Chairman, John Forrest, the miller, and J. Gaisford. Claremont was Ward No. 2, with J. Bissett as Chairman, assisted by F. Bacon and B. H. Hudson; Newlands, Ward No. 3, with J. Endean (Chairman), A. Manson and H. Thompson; and No. 5, Mowbray, with J. F. J. Wrensch (Chairman), S. Tonkin and J. Thorne. The Municipal Clerk (now Town Clerk) of Liesbeek was H. Bower, and his staff comprised five inspectors: J. McGee, C. Kirkham, W. Moore, A. Batchelor and F. Bond. How modest was the scale of operation is indicated by the fact that the entire municipal revenue of Liesbeek was £3,751, with an expenditure of £5,417. An account, published in 1886 by the Cape Post Office Directory, mentions: "The Municipality of Liesbeek consists of six local Wards. The population is roughly estimated at 20,000, and the assessed value of rateable property is stated to be £2,000,000. The municipality comprises a series of suburban retreats along the line of railway, all of which have more or less independent status. The district is well planted with trees, and boasts a large number of handsome and stately houses, the country residences of the aristocracy and the leading merchants of Cape Town. These form part of the Western Suburbs, and extend as far as Wynberg, about 9 miles. The scenery is very lovely, being always in the vicinity of Table Mountain, and in ample shade and woodlands, and the lengthy avenues of oaks and firs, the numerous gums and lofty trees of every description add to the general picturesqueness, while the culture of flowers serves to heighten the charming appearance of the country houses. "The water supply is now chiefly maintained by wells, but a scheme to supply the entire Municipality from the Table Mountain spring, at a cost of £20,000, has been brought forward, and is likely to be adopted eventually. There are four breweries, each of which derives a good revenue; and each Ward has its necessary supply of schools and churches." The scattered nature of its population proved the downfall of the Liesbeek Municipality and in 1886 it brdke up again into Claremont, Rondebosch and Wynberg. Rondebosch then became. a municipality on its own. R. M. Ross was the Mayor, along with W. F. H. Pocock, the chemist; W. Balme, R. Hare, 3. R. Gaisford, M. Haybittel, I. H. de Villiers and T. Tregidga. W. A. Batchelor was the Secretary (Town Clerk). After two years of service R. M. Ross was succeeded by W. F. H. Pocock. The new municipality started in an enviable financial position-with a Municipal Valuation in 1887 standing at the then considerable sum of £475,064, on which the rates were 1d. As a matter of comparison, Cape Town that year had a municipal valuation of £2,800,000, and rates of 2d. in the £ on land and 1 d. on improvements. In Rondebosch the total amount of loans outstanding in 1887 was nil, and the arrear rates came to only £41. A year later they were £98. In 1889 we read: "The Municipality of Rondebosch embraces the distinct villages of Rondebosch, Rosebank and Mowbray. It is bordered on the East by the Black River, on the West by the slopes of the Devil's Peak, North by Maitland and Woodstock, South by the Claremont Municipality. The boundary runs East from the junction of the Kromboom and Black Rivers, to a point on the Black River cut by the Eastern boundary of the Royal Observatory; thence in a straight line to the Prince of Wales Blockhouse, which forms the Northern boundary; thence in a straight line to the North-West Beacon of the Mount Pleasant Estate, which forms the Western boundary; thence in a straight line to Newlands Avenue, along the avenue to Dean Street, and from thence to Westerford Bridge; thence along the Liesbeek River and Northern boundary of the Mariendal Estate to the railway; then to the Forrest Lodge on the Campground Road; thence to the Black River, then along the river to the point first named." By 1890 the Municipal Council consisted of W. F. H. Pocock, R. M. Ross, W. P. Balme, J. R. Reid, W. Thorn, J. Forrest, J. Tregidga, R. Hare and J. Mossop, Jnr. For several years the constitution of this body showed remarkably little change. Rondebosch's financial progress was marked by the queerest fluctuations. In 1891 the revenue came to £6,582, against an expenditure of only £2,592, but the position was reversed in 1892, when the revenue for some reason dropped to £2,497, and the expenditure rose to £6,696. The recession was also marked by the fact that Rondebosch for the first time had a bank overdraft of £209, with arrear rates of £112 and outstanding loans of £4,009. Because of bad times the valuation, incidentally, went down to £315,950 in 1892, on which a rate of 1+d. in the pound on land was levied. The Municipal Treasury was still in a bad state in 1893, when the revenue came to £4,139, against an expense of £6,752, but the following year Rondebosch made a sudden financial recovery, for its income was £7,002 and its expenditure cut to £4,487, yielding a tidy surplus. The better times were also reflected in the drop in its bank overdraft to a mere £110, while the ordinary debts totalled £6,710. Although within another 12 months, on 31 December 1895, Rondebosch was in the proud position of having no bank overdraft at all, only £24 arrears in its rates and a total indebtedness of £6,400, the revenue had dropped again to £4,196, and the expenditure came to £4,905. A new valuation, made that year, showed that the place was worth £537,000, paying 2d. in the £ on land and 8d. on improvements. Before the turn of the century, Rondebosch had acquired not only its Medical Officer of Health, Dr. M. L. Hewat, but a Surveyor in the person of 3. Stonier and a Municipal Inspector, J. Williams. The Rate Collector was W. R. Whitton. During the Boer War period, E. J. Earp was Mayor (three times in succession), and was largely responsible for a new water supply. His Council comprised S. S. Hutton, 3. Andrews, A. W. Sawkins, 3. Jenkinson and T. H. Lewis. A leading Cape Town attorney, Charles Willoughby Herholdt, was another prominent Mayor of Rondebosch at the time of Union in 1910. With him were Councillors A. W. Sawkins, J. Chalmers, C. H. Smit, F. W. Rix, C. H. Dufton, A. Shoyer, J.P., Lt.-Col. W. E. Stanford, D.S.O. and J. W. Wright. The Municipal Clerk at the time was Walter M. Martin, while the Municipal Engineer was P. Ashenden, A.M.I.C.E. Dr. M. L. Hewat remained Medical Officer for many years. Rondebosch continued to have a personality of its own, and, whereas Cape Town had its Council Meetings in the evenings, the Rondebosch Council preferred to meet on alternate Fridays at 4.30 in the afternoon. On 31 December 1909, the valuation of Rondebosch had risen to £1, 1 37,725 with a civic debt of £57,105, carrying interest at 4 and 5 per cent and a rate of 2+d. per cent on land and 6d. per cent on improvements. But the days of Rondebosch's civic independence were drawing to a close. For years the need for unification had been growing more obvious to the inhabitants of the Peninsula, and negotiations were now begun between the representatives of the various Councils to achieve a merger. This was finally carried through and took effect in 1913, when the old municipality of Rondebosch became a portion of greater Cape Town. kind regards Heather Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm

Afternoon all Please find below the next episode of Rondebosch OAK AVENUES He had cultivated as much of it as possible, and may well have been looked upon as a man after Simon van der Stel's own heart, many of the fine oaks we see on these lands to-day having been planted during his tenancy. Mention has been made of his opulence and power. But he possessed a virtue rarely found in conjunction therewith, namely, generosity. A striking instance of the latter was afforded in 1830 by his gift to the first Dutch Reformed Church in Cape Town, of a splendid organ. This instrument, restored and greatly improved in 1897, is still in use in the Groote Kerk. In 1831 Mr. Hoets, on the score of advanced age, advertised his property Rustenburg for sale. Included in the list of goods and chattels we find "a quantity of very old wines made on the estate, and about 70 or 80 capital slaves". The subdivisions containing the fine old house, its gardens, and the famous Summer House, were bought by Mr. P. L. Cloete, a former owner of the extensive place, Mount Pleasant, on the hillside to the southward, the homestead of which had been destroyed by fire. The remainder of Rustenburg passed in 1833 to Mr. A. de Smidt, senior, then proprietor of De Groote Schuur. The Summer House had also been known as the Belvedere. That name the writer's father remembered having noticed on the facade. About 1894, when Mr. Rhodes acquired the upper portion of Rustenburg lands-later merged in De Groote Schuur proper-this Summer House was in a ruinous condition, and the old masoned seat to the left, in similar plight. The house was properly restored, and the old seat rebuilt to match the one to the right. On a resurvey plan made in 1814 by Thibault, are depicted oak avenues leading up from the two seats, as well as one from the homestead to the Summer House. During the late "eighties" of last century, the upper portion of these three avenues still led from the road known as the Lover's Walk. Not far from the Summer House was a spot overgrown, and known as the Slaves' Graveyard. One or two of the graves, however, were of a type which seemed to indicate that persons of a station far less humble had also here found a last resting-place. A DJSASTER OF THE "FIFTIES" The property transferred in 1833 to Mr. Cloete had passed in 1850 to Mr. Michiel Louw, but a melancholy fate was soon to overtake the mansion thereon, once the Dutch Governor's Pleasure House. For during the early fifties a number of houses in the village, including the one referred to, were destroyed by a disastrous fire which had originated on the densely-wooded mountain slopes. The homestead of Rustenburg was shortly afterwards re-built. Two very interesting guardrooms fortunately escaped the disaster that had involved the adjoining buildings in ruin. These remain as notable links with the official period, as it may be styled. As such, they are well worthy of careful preservation. Without going into further detail regarding ownership it is of interest to note that an old resident has recorded recollections of having attended a school conducted at Rustenburg as long ago as the year 1866. During later years a boarding house, which has taken the place of the early school mentioned, was a very popular resort; but an event of far greater importance was the opening, in January 1894, of the now well-known Rustenburg School for Girls. It was a wise choice, truly, to have selected for a purpose so useful, a setting so historic. A FASHIONABLE RONDEBOSCH WEDDING 1845 In the Grahamstown Journal of October, 1845, was given the following account of the wedding of Captain Browne, R.A., with a niece of Mr. Abraham de Smidt, the first de Smidt to own Groote Schuur, and the daughter of Mr. Johannes de Smidt, Assistant Commissary General, by name Sarah. She was the grand-daughter of a British (Albany) settler. "This wedding will excite some agreeable reminiscences in the minds of many of our readers, the fair bride being a grand-daughter of an Albany British settler (Johannes de Smidt born 21.6.1794 died 18.1.1866, was the 4th son of our great-grandfather Abraham-Johannes married Jane Shallon Biggar on 10th August 1824. Her father Alexander Biggar. He and his two sons, George and Robert, fell in fighting the Zulus in Natal, in 1838. The Biggars had rushed from Port Natal to aid the Voortrekkers.) "One of the most elegant and effective entertainments was given on Thursday last 9th October, 1845, at Groot Schuur the residence of Mr. Abraham de Smidt, an uncle of the bride, after the marriage ceremony in St. George's Cathedral. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. C. D. D'Acre, Captain of the Forces. The whole line of road to Rondebosch was a scene of gaiety from the numerous equipages hastening to this fete of hospitality and splendour. The approach to the Mansion winds thro' an avenue of stately Italian pines. The house itself is spacious and handsome. The gardens and pleasure grounds which surround it are laid out with infinite taste and skill. The shady walks extend to every part of the grounds-here and there one comes to a cool arbour wherein to rest and enjoy the surroundings and the fragance of the air. Now and then one hears the sound of the mountain streams in the Glen-(It used to be called the Wolvegat-we found an old rusty trap in the glen)-fiowing down to the garden where were several fountain and jets d'eau. It is an enchanting spot rich in every charm. "The entire range of the splendidly furnished apartments forming the lower Suite, drawing rooms and ante-rooms, library, sitting room and dining room, were all thrown open for the occasion, where rich Turkey and Brussels carpets vied in magnificence with the gorgeous damask and silken curtains, lustres, girandoles and other costly articles and where a self-acting grand piano afforded infinite surprise and delight to the assembled company. There were musical clocks of the most intricate and valuable kind, Mr. de Smidt being a great connoisseur in all these elegancies of art. "The company invited were the near relatives of the family, also Lieut. General Sir Benjamin D'Urban, Lieut. Frederick Kerr, His Honour Sir John Wilde, Lieut. Col. Ortel, Mrs. Wood, Lieut. Col. Cloete, Baron and Baroness Lorenz, Captain and Mrs. McClean, Captain and Mrs. Lewis, 29th Regt., Captain and Mrs. Curruthers, Lieuts. Russell and van Sillarh R.A., Mons. Duval, vice consul for France, the Chevalier du Plax, Captain Maitland ADC., Rev. B. Maitland, Rev. D'Acre, with very many other guests. Covers were laid for over 70 guests. "The elegant plate, glass, and china upon which the déjeuner was served were the admiration of all, whilst every delicacy which the seasons could afford in game, and fruit were laid out and decorated with beautiful and variegated flowers in which this luxurious climate abounds-it presented a coup d'oeil, not unworthy of comparison with the description of similar ceremonies abroad, whilst wines of every country were enjoyed and quaffed amidst greetings and congratulations to the newly married couple. After several well-chosen toasts the party separated, all overflowing with praise of the hospitality of their kind attentive host and hostess-for an entertainment which as to the beauty of the great mansion where the fete took place, and the delicacies of every sort with which they were regaled, could not have been surpassed in any other country." GREAT WESTERFORD When the Southern Life Association of Africa found it necessary to erect new and larger premises to cope with its progress and to provide more adequate accommodation for its staff, no happier choice could have been made than to move to Rondebosch and to acquire the historic site of Great Westerford for its Head Office. The Great Westerford estate stands on the prominent site in the Main Road adjacent to Dean Street on the boundary of Rondebosch and Newlands. It was most appropriate that this South African Insurance Company should have taken occupation of its new Head Office at Rondebosch on the 303rd anniversary of the landing of Jan van Riebeeck at the Cape, the move from the former Head Office in St. George's Street, Cape Town, having been made on 6 April, 1955. The imposing new three-storey building has been designed not only to tone with the charm of its lovely surroundings in this beautiful part of the Peninsula but to accord with the earlier history of the once famous Great Westerford homestead. The architecture is based on the Cape Dutch style of dwelling house found in the towns as distinct from the gabled farmhouse found in the countryside. Features of this architecture were the spacious dignity of style, white walls, pediments, heavy cornice mouldings and vertical sliding windows. The new building is on the site of part of the old Great Westerford estate, which is thought to have formed the northern section of the Van Riebeeck farm, "De Nieuwelanden". The Great Westerford homestead, one of the oldest in Cape Town, was a beautiful eighteenth century home and the Great Westerford estate which covered a much larger area in those days extended from the Main Road to Newlands Avenue. It was one of the show places of the district-its history can be traced back to the beginning of the eighteenth century, to the days when the Dutch East India Company began to transfer land to the Free Burghers of the Cape. On 20 April 1706, the Governor of the Cape, Willem Adriaan van der Stel, transferred 10 morgen of land at "het Ronde Boschje tusschen 's Companje koornschuur en de Brouwerij van Mensink" to Johannes Phijifer. The "barn" referred to was the company's group of barns Groot Schuur, Klein Schuur and Onder Schuur; the latter is now known as Westbrooke and is, of course, the residence of the Governor-General. Phijifer named the land Westervoort after the district in Holland whence he had come. In 1743 the land was sold to Steven ten Holder who later sold it to Capt. Johan Daniel Wieser; he built the Great Westerford homestead which was not demolished until 18 November 1953. Capt. Wieser sold the estate to Rudolph Cloete in 1801. By this time more land had been acquired and the estate covered 29 morgen. On Rudolph Cloete's death the farm was left to his son, Jacob Pieter Laurens Cloete, and he, in turn, left it to his son, Peter Lawrence Graham Cloete. In 1850 part of the estate was divided into 83 stands, Cloete retaining Westervoort which, however, at some time since 1801 had been renamed Great Westerford. (This is the Great Westerford site now owned by the Southern Life Association.) The estate was then sold to a Mr Little and since then has changed hands several times. In recent years, the homestead was used as a boarding-house and when the site was taken over by the Southern Life Association, the famous 200-year-old homestead was in a tumbledown state and incapable of restoration. As a reminder of the past, some magnificent chestnut trees on the Dean Street boundary are said to be the oldest in the Union. These trees are being carefully nurtured. It is interesting to note that a descendant of Peter Lawrence Graham Cloete, owner of Great Westerford in 1850, is Mr. M. Graham Cloete, who until his retirement on pension on 1 August 1955, was District Manager of the Southern Life Association at Springs, Transvaal. Towards the end of the nineteenth century the old outspan in front of Great Westerford was known as Little's Outspan. Here under the large oaks as many as fifty farm wagons, piled high with bundled forage and pulled by upwards of 16 horses or mules, used to outspan for the night. The appetising smell of the chops or sausages being fried on the open fires used to waft across on the breeze to the houses opposite, one of which is still standing today. Little's Outspan is now a modern parking area. When the Germans fought the Hereros in South West Africa they imported hundreds of mules from the Argentine and these were stabled at Great Westerford. The mules were taken in batches down to the river for water and the half-wild animals would career down the Main Road with the stable-boys chasing them. Another interesting story is that the famous Doctor James Barry frequently used to spend her leave with the Cloete family, and it was from Great Westerford that she rode to Newlands House to fight a duel with another officer. And so Great Westerford, tranquil old homestead, has made way for the home of the Southern Life Association of Africa which was founded here towards the end of last century and since that time has provided, on the mutual principle, insurance facilities for the people of Southern Africa. kind regards Heather Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm

Hello Elva Glad you enjoyed it. My great great grandfather's brother Henry Mann sold part of his property called Zorgvliet (now called the Woolsack) to Cecil John Rhodes !!! kind regards Heather Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elva Hanly" <theaviary@bigpond.com> To: <SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2004 1:12 PM Subject: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Re: Rondebosch - a bit of History Part 5 Hello Heather, Rondebosch History part 1 - 5 is very enjoyable reading. Recognizing familiar family names and the part they played in shaping history is very interesting. The mention of Weltevreden caught my attention. Besides my two of my great-grandfathers who had their homes named Weltevrede, I have come across this name many times. This name must have been popular in the 1800's. When I did a google search I found many references to wines, real estate, guest house accommodation, restaurants, schools, street names, nurseries, estates and farms. Also found 458 refs to archive documents. Many thanks, Elva ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== Cape Town Family History Society www.genealogy.co.za/society/socweb.htm ============================== Search our Immigration Records and view names from multiple ports ranging from 1500s - 1900s. Over 23 million records to view. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13967/rd.ashx

Please find below the next instalment on the History of Rondebosch RUSTENBURG (With acknowledgements to the "Cape Times") HISTORY OF A FAMOUS SUBURBAN ESTATE AT RONDEBOSCH To speak of Rondebosch under present-day conditions as being, in the sense in which the phrase is now accepted, "in the country", would be to use a solecism for which there would be no justification. But the term would certainly not have been deemed an inappropriate one during the days when the settlement was first established. The original domain over which the Dutch Commanders held sway extended to within a few miles from van Riebeeck's fort in Table Bay, and civilized life practically centred around that primitive yet indispensable bulwark. The road leading to the district lying at the back of the "Windberg", now Devil's Peak, must, at that period, have been little more than a mere sandy and stone-littered track in summer and a veritable slough of despond in winter. It was chiefly utilized by the clumsy and heavy wagons conveying timber from the mountain forest for building and other purposes, including repairs to the fort, the walls of which frequently collapsed through the action of the heavy winter rains. A journey of five miles by a "road" of this kind may well have been an undertaking which nobody would ever, save when compelled by sheer necessity, have cared to perform. Meanwhile the settlement was growing, and the constant demands of the Company's ships and hospital for fresh vegetables and other supplies had to be met; the garden in Table Valley had its drawbacks, for it had proved inadequate to fill these demands. The fury of the southeasters was the chief cause of such inadequacy, the young plants frequently being either dried up or blown out of the ground. Relief was accordingly sought elsewhere, and happily found. RONDE DOORN BOSSIEN We gather from Theal's Chronicles of Cape Commanders that "it was noticed that even when it was blowing a perfect storm at the Fort, there was nothing but a pleasant breeze back of the Devil's Peak; an attempt to raise grain was accordingly made there. At a place where a round grove of thorn trees was standing giving rise to the name 'Ronde Doom Bossien' (subsequently contracted to 'Rondebosch') a plot of ground was cultivated and some wheat, oats and barley sown as experiment, the results of which were highly gratifying, an abundant harvest being secured." We may imagine the joy with which van Riebeeck recorded in his journal, under date 2 November 1656, the result of an inspection of the new-born lands. He found that not one ear of the ripe barley had been injured by the wind, and that all the other grain was progressing admirably. (When he left Table Valley a heavy south-east gale was raging there.) For protection of the new garden a small redoubt of sod-walls was next erected and garrisoned with a few men. The earliest reference to a substantially-built house there, is found in the Journal, under date 3 February 1657, to the effect that van Riebeeck had ordered bricks to be prepared for that purpose. During the same year the authorities had sanctioned the location of approved parties of freemen at the "Round Thorn Bushes" (also referred to as Hollantson Thuyn-Dutch Garden). The present name Rondebosch is found in a memorial of 1771, as "Het Rondeboschje" In order to show how agriculture was progressing at the Cape at this period, a despatch of 1659 may be quoted. In it the Directors of the Company report receipt of intelligence that "the Cape Residency will henceforth be able to depend upon itself for supplies", also that "some grain has already been exported to Batavia". The fact that gardening operations at the Cape were sometimes hampered by human and insect pests is well shown in a report of 1660, when it is recorded that a number of detected stowaways on the Company's ships in Table Bay had revenged themselves by wantonly destroying everything in the gardens. Stupidity, or worse, was responsible for the non-arrival of a supply of hop plants from Holland in the same year. These, we are told, were "perhaps through ignorance" used on board the vessel for salad! Three years later we read of the progress of the vine at Rondebosch. An official inspection was made by the Commander to ascertain whether the plants were being properly manured and otherwise attended to. In 1669 the vineyard was again so inspected, and found in a flourishing condition. The house previously alluded to is mentioned in despatches of 1663 and 1664, in one of the latter year it is spoken of as "the Company's house lying on the High road at Rondebosch". RUSTENBURG In the records of 1671 we find the earliest mention of the place under the name "Rustenburg". From this time also dates the inception of the use of the house as a summer resort for the Dutch Governors. The Journal informs us that Commander Pieter Hackius visited the Company's pleasure-house, "Rustenburg", to investigate affairs there and "to inhale the fresh country air, which may help in throwing off some of his humours" Three years after this a set-back is recorded, as the Company was found to be suffering a heavy loss on the place. The lands were therefore leased to two approved burghers at a fair annual rental, the pleasure-house alone being retained for the Governor's use, and when not so wanted, for the Secunde's. About 1680 some idea of selling the property seems to have been entertained. This was abandoned, however, for in the same year we are told of its lease to one Bothma for three thousand Cape gulden per annum and two leaguers of good Cape wine. The general progress of agriculture at the Cape in 1690 is well illustrated by the records, which show that the Company was at that time gradually abandoning farming operations, and could depend upon obtaining abundant food supplies from the Colonists. As to Rustenburg, it is recorded that the best vegetables were grown there, the soil being more fertile than that of Table Valley. Strangely enough, an attempt to grow hops there had proved a failure. The vines succeeded admirably; on 31 December 1687, there were 100,000 plants in full bearing in the country garden. The Governor may well have felt pardonable pride in having been able in 1700 to send to Holland a sample shipment of two leaguers of wine produced from the Rustenburg vineyards. A further important use was made of the property as a plantation for oaks. Here, indeed, had been established the very first nursery garden and plantation in South Africa. In 1698, orders had arrived at the Cape from the Home authorities that the forest plantations at Rustenburg were to be well tended in view of the valuable timber obtained thence. Stringent conditions had accordingly been inserted in the lease as to felling of trees. From the Journal of 1699 we learn that on 29 August two wagons were to be sent to Rondebosch to obtain 20,000 young trees for transmission to Stellenbosch and Drakenstein. The very wise decree was at this time enacted that "all spots where trees have been felled, must be replaced with three young trees." Would that this wise rule were in force today! PORTUGUESE OFFICERS But Rustenburg had been used by the Company for other purposes also. In the winter of 1686, certain officers of the wrecked Portuguese ship Nestra Senera de les Milagres were allowed to lodge at the house and draw monthly rations. With the party were some priests who had lost their effects in the same vessel. Others were lodged there too, but in very different circumstances. From a despatch to Batavia in 1708, we gather that the Company's officials "would take good care of the exiled King or ex-Rajah of Tambera, to have no communication with passing ships, especially foreign ships. To cut him off thus, from his countrymen, he is located permanently at the Company's garden Rustenburg, or at the stable, where other Macassarian exiles of courtly rank are located." Special vigilance was exercised to prevent him from writing home. How ardently these wretched captives must have longed to return to that land of spicy breezes and intrigue! Contemporary references to an historic place like Rustenburg are of great interest. Thus wrote Thunberg, the famous botanist and traveller, in 1775: "Besides a handsome house in the Company's garden in town, the Governor also has one at Rondebosch, . . . to which he may retire at times and unbend his mind when oppressed with the cares of State." Mentzel's impression derived in 1783 is somewhat quaint, so far as the derivation of the name Roadebosch is concerned, although his description of the garden and orchards is a very good one. He considered that the fruit trees standing on the boundary, and leaning to the north-west, from the action of the south-east wind, gave the garden a somewhat "round" appearance, hence the name! An event of historical importance occurred at this spot on 16 September 1795. Sluysken, the last Governor in the Company's service, with members of his administration, met the British delegation here, and the Deed of Capitulation of the Colony to Great Britain was duly signed. RUSTENBERG SOLD This brings us to the close of the official chronicle of the property. A few supplementary facts bearing upon its subsequent history may, however, not be considered out of place. The resources of the Company had been at a low ebb towards the close of its rule, and means had to be devised for raising funds. The adjoining "Compagnies Post de Schuur" (later De Groote Schuur) had already passed into private hands, but under the succeeding regime of the Batavian Republic, matters had apparently not improved from a financial standpoint. Hence Rustenburg had perforce to follow suit. We find that in 1803 it became the property of Mr. Jan Hoets (the ancestor of the Cape branch of the family of that name). In 1804 he received a freehold grant to the property, the purchase price being 60,000 gulden (Indian currency), and the extent over 50 morgen. Across the Main Road it was bounded by the Liesbeek River, northwards by Zergvliet and Brandeenburg, and north-westwards by lands of De Schuur. Part of the southern boundary was a strip of Government land between Rustenburg and De Schuur. Portion of a large beacon of Rustenburg was still to be seen a few years ago, near the foot of Highstead Road. The centre stone had the letter "R" deeply cut therein. Mr. Hoets soon set to work improving his property, paying special attention to its gardens, vineyards and orchards. Finding its area somewhat limited according to his ideas, he turned his eyes towards the strip of vacant ground above referred to, for which it may be stated, other parties had already applied. The Land Commission in 1814 had strongly recommended his application, "as no one else can have the smallest right of opposing it", stress being laid upon "the opulence and power of the said Mr Hoets". The Government could scarcely have ignored such very flattering testimony, so we find that in 1821 a title on quitrent tenure, under the hand of Acting-Governor Sir Rufane Donkin, was duly issued. The grant was made on condition "that no wine or liquor shall ever be retailed on the land". By purchase in 1822 from Mr. Anosi, of Lot 4 of De Groote Schuur, and adjoining his newly-made grant, Mr. Hoets' southern boundary was extended to the main avenue of De Groote Schuur, and the area of his property thus exceeded 62 morgen. kind regards Heather Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm

Hello Heather, Rondebosch History part 1 - 5 is very enjoyable reading. Recognizing familiar family names and the part they played in shaping history is very interesting. The mention of Weltevreden caught my attention. Besides my two of my great-grandfathers who had their homes named Weltevrede, I have come across this name many times. This name must have been popular in the 1800's. When I did a google search I found many references to wines, real estate, guest house accommodation, restaurants, schools, street names, nurseries, estates and farms. Also found 458 refs to archive documents. Many thanks, Elva

More History on Rondebosch THE HISTORY OF "DE GROOTE SCHUUR" In the month of September 1902 there appeared in the pages of the now defunct "Owl" a reprint of an historic instrument. It was the famous Last Will and Testament of that large- hearted statesman, the Right Hon. Cecil John Rhodes. Clause 13 and Condition III thereof, dealing with the landed property of the Testator, are of such extraordinary interest as to be worthy of reproduction:- "13. I give my property following, that is to say, my residence known as 'De Groote Schuur' situate near Mowbray in the Cape Division in the said Colony, together with all furniture, plate and other articles contained therein at the time of my death and all other land belonging to me situated under Table Mountain, including my property known as 'Mosterts' to my Trustees hereinbefore named upon and subject to the conditions following, that is to say:- "III. The said residence and its gardens and grounds shall be retained for a residence for the Prime Minister for the time being of the said Federal Government of the States of South Africa to which I have referred in Clause 6 hereof, my intention being to provide a suitable official residence for the First Minister in that Government befitting the dignity of his position, and until there shall be such a Federal Government may be used as a Park for the people." Although South Africa was not federated as contemplated by the Testator, yet his Trustees, it may be recalled, in placing "Groote Schuur" at the disposal of the Union Government as a residence for the Prime Minister, based their action on the spirit rather than on the mere letter of the condition in the Will. Many thousands of visitors, both South African and from overseas, have for years past spent hours of delight in roaming over the delightful grounds of "De Groote Schuur", so generously placed at their disposal. They have admired the unrivalled view of the mountain- or lingered with feelings of pleasure near the paddocks watching the interesting occupants of the "Zoo". Amongst this multitude of visitors there must surely be many in whom interest in the history of this beautiful estate must have been awakened-more particularly its early and, if it may so be termed, its intermediate history. The writer, in whose family the property was for some thirty-six years, spent part of his life at "De Groote Schuur". He has made a study of its history and has consented, it must be confessed, with a feeling of diffidence, to commit to paper some account, traditional and otherwise, of the estate, especially with regard to its past ownership. It is to be regretted that many misconceptions would appear to prevail as to the various proprietors-even in quarters where one would naturally expect to meet with strictly accurate details. The name "Schuur" or "de Schuur" is frequently mentioned in that deeply interesting "Journal" of Van Riebeeck. They were granaries or magazines used for the storage of produce. One of the largest of these "Schuuren" is said to have been situated on Van Riebeeck's private property. Its locality is described as being "under the Bosch Heuwel" (the present Bishops Court property at Protea). This may have been the scene of the startling occurrences which the terse and quaintly practical old journal chronicles as follows:- "October, 1661. The Company's agriculturists shot a lion near the 'Schuur'. Three others are still roaming about among the agriculturists and are daily doing damage among the latter's cattle. During the night one robbed an agriculturist of two of his sheep and another shoving open the door of the house, carried off the dog from inside." "De Groote Schuur" estate, situated at De Ronde Doom Boschje (Rondebosch of to-day) was originally the property of the Dutch East India Company. The buildings now forming the stables were then utilized as a storing house or magazine in which were deposited the tithes in kind which all owners of land were bound to deliver to the Company. It is on record that the massive walls forming the quadrangle were at one time furnished with loop holes for the purpose of defence against attacks of the Natives. On the neighbouring estate, "Mount Pleasant", are some ruins, half buried in vegetation, amongst which it is believed may still be seen walls loop- holed, said to be the remains of an old outpost. The dwelling-house of "De Groote Schuur" was at no time otherwise used than as a residence for the Superintendent-in-Chief of the Company's "Schuuren". There were three of the latter at Rondebosch, namely (I) "De Groote Schuur"; (2) "Dc Onder Schuur" (now Westbrooke) and (3) "De Kleine Schuur". They were all originally one property, and it is a curious coincidence that they should again at the present time be reamalgamated, so to speak, to form a Government estate. The last overseer of the property under the Dutch East India Company was named Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, the ancestor of the Cape branch of that family. He came from Eppenburen in Holland. His first employment was in the Company's Military Service, thereafter, as De Villiers' Geslacht Register informs us, he became "baas van's Compagnie's Post de Schuur". Hofmeyr died there and was interred in a small private cemetery of pathetic interest. The writer well recollects it, some five and thirty years back, as situate in the midst of a poplar thicket (since cleared away). The other graves on the spot were those of former residents on the estate and of slaves; on a few of the headstones traces of inscriptions could, with difficulty, be recognised. Hofmeyr's grave is referred to in the Will as follows :- "The grave of the late Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr upon the said property shall be protected and access be permitted thereto at all reasonable times by any member of the Hofmeyr family for the purpose of inspection or maintenance." The Company, being desirous of replenishing its coffers, had decided upon disposing of De Groote Schuur. It was purchased by a Burgher named Hendrik Christiaan Herhold, for 53,000 guldens (Indian Currency). The deed of grant, in freehold, is dated 21 November 1791, and is signed by the Acting Governor-Johannes Isaac Rhenius. The grant stipulates that the proprietor is not at liberty to fell the trees planted along the wagon road. The road here referred to was the Main Road to Newlands, which in those days passed over the property, between the homesteads of Groote Schuur and Onder Schuur and behind that of De Kleine Schuur, there joining what is now known as Newlands Avenue. It was during Herhold's ownership of the estate that the Kleine Schuur property was separated from it. Traces of the public road over De Groote Schuur it is said, may still be found here and there. Passing cver two intermediate transfers we find one under date 16 November 1802, in favour of Wi' em Stephanus van Ryneveld, who had purchased the estate from J. P. Baumgardt for 50,000 g dens. The new proprietor was a man of note and prominent Civil Servant, having held office L nder the Dutch Government, and also under the English, after the capitulation of the Cape in 1795. He was the Chief Fiscal and Attorney General as well as President of the Court of Justice and of the Orphan Chamber, and member of the Court of Policy under the Dutch Administration. The Deed of Capitulation of the Cape bears his signature as one of the eight Commissioners appointed for that purpose, A treatise on the subject of the improvement of cattle is attributed to Van Ryneveld; it is said to be one of the earliest books published at the Cape. During his ownership of De Groote Schuur many magnificent oaks, firs, poplars, etc., were planted. Indeed, in a memorial to the Government, it is set forth how much he had accomplished in that respect-a man after old Simon van der Stel's own heart, in point of fact! On the 14 August 1812, Van Ryneveld died; the Government Gazette of the period contains an eloquent tribute to his memory and an expression of irreparable loss to the Colony. During his proprietorship of De Groote Schuur he had succeeded in obtaining from the Government an enlargement of his property in the shape of three additional freehold grants of adjacent land. The first of these bears date 2 November 1803, and is signed by Jan Willem Janssens, the last Governor under the Dutch regime, who was destined a couple of years later to suffer disastrous defeat, after an heroic struggle on the plains of Blaauwberg. His caligraphy is a striking one, some of the letters of the signature measuring nearly two inches in height. It is curious that this title deed is not actually made out in favour of Van Ryneveld but in that of the "President of the College of Orphans and Fiscal"-offices held by him at the time. The grant required that the grantee was to plant trees on the land within five years-which obligation, as we have seen, he amply fulfilled. The two remaining grants are dated 26 June 1811, and signed by the English Governor du Pré, Earl of Caledon. It may here be stated that the grant of the adjoining land named Mount Pleasant in favour of Pieter Laurens Cloete, bears even date. Mount Pleasant is said to have been a fine homestead, at which hospitality was dispensed on a lavish scale. Tradition has it that money was buried on the property. The writer still remembers excavations having been pointed out, the work of those who expected to reap a rich harvest but were doomed to disappointment. This house was destroyed by fire and the ruins may still be seen in places; in some parts huge trees have grown up amongst the walls. Solitude reigns supreme, the only living creatures being the birds and ubiquitous squirrels. Remains of the fine orchard may here and there be found in the shape of fig or chestnut, half wild now, or a grape vine, clinging to the moss-grown stem of a poplar. Van Ryneveld had also acquired the place De Kleine Schuur. He was thus a landholder on a fairly extensive scale and had possessed influence enough to induce the Dutch Government Lo free him from the irksome servitude of a thoroughfare over De Groote Schuur. The Government Resolution approving of the cancellation of servitude is dated 4 April 1804. The proprietor relinquished ownership of a piece of ground between Kleine Schuur and Westervoort for the purpose of the alternative route. It is amusing to find, from the rough chart attached to the Resolution, with what care and precision it is pointed out how stony and unsuitable the old road was, whilst the proposed new one is represented as "very good and without a single stone". In 1813 De Groote Schuur and De Onder Schuuren were sold by Van Ryneveld's executrix and purchased by a gentleman named David George Anosi, who got transfer on 19 February that year. De Kleine Schuur was bought by Marthinus Cerf. Transfer is dated 26 February 1813. A subsequent proprietor of the latter, named Alexander Logie du Toit, in whose time the place was planted with splendid vineyards and orchards, carried on a wine-making industry with very fair success, it is said. Serious inaccuracies had been found to exist in regard to the area of De Groote Schuur assigned thereto by the original surveyor. Under a Government Proclamation of 1814 a re-survey was made by Mr. Louis M. Thibault, Inspector of Buildings and Fortifications and Surveyor, better known as the associate and intimate friend of the famous sculptor, Anton Anreith. Thibault framed an amended diagram, setting forth the true area of the property. De Onder (Lower) Schuur, situated immediately below De Groote Schuur, formed part of the latter, and was sold in 1822 to Mr. E. A. Buyskes by Anosi. Buyskes, in turn, sold it in 1831 to Judge Wm. Westbrooke Burton, of the Supreme Court at the Cape who changed the name of the property to Westbrooke. Judge (later Sir William) Burton died in London in 1888, at the ripe age of 94. Mr. Anosi disposed of De Groote Schuur to Mr. Abraham de Smidt, transfer having been effected on 20 January 1832. Mr. de Smidt served in the Government Department of Lands and Woods (altered in 1828 to that of the Surveyor-General), was Secretary to the Land Board and a Member of the Legislative Council. During 1832 he also acquired Westbrooke, purchased from Judge Burton. For many years Westbrooke was utilized by the Colonial Governors as a summer residence, amongst the number being that sturdy warrior, Sir Harry Smith, and Lieutenant-General Hay. Mr. de Smidt had remodelled the homestead of De Groote Schuur in the year 1842, after a serious bush fire which occurred in 1836. He substituted a slate roof for the original thatched one after the walls had been slightly lowered. The estate was greatly improved during Mr. de Smidt's time. The Grahamstown Journal of October 1845 and the Cape Monthly Magazine in 1870 devoted considerable space to a description of its charms. The proprietor is mentioned as taking great pride and pleasure in the upkeep of the place, especially its gardens and trees. He was a musician of some talent and had exercised great taste in the selection of musical clocks of ingenious construction, of which there were several at Groote Schuur. The finest specimen, evidently of French make, consisted of a musical box on which rested an ornate gilded clock, so arranged that as each hour was struck a musical selection was played. The top of the clock formed a platform with an oak tree and trapeze, on which a ballet girl danced on a slack-rope. Grouped on the platform were figures with various musical instruments. The mechanism actuated these puppets so as to move their hands on guitars, cymbals and the like, at the same time moving or nodding their heads in time to the music. This unique ornament is happily in Cape Town to-day, and permission was very kindly accorded the writer to photograph it. Another interesting object was an upright pianoforte of singular pattern, being furnished in its lower part with barrels actuated by clockwork, after the style of a modern musical box, the only manner in which it differed from the latter being that instead of the usual steel notes or "comb" the barrel-pins acted on the pianoforte wires exactly as the hammers from the keyboard did. Mr. de Smidt would frequently, it is said, cause astonishment to such of his audience not in the know. He could play on the keyboard the identical tunes performed by the barrels. Having started a selection he would, after a few bars, lift his hands from the keyboard and set the mechanism going, previously adjusted so as to continue the melody at the point at which it had been interrupted! A large portion of the adjoining estate, named Rustenburg (also originally the property of the East India Company) had also been purchased in 1833 by Mr. de Smidt. This estate was granted in freehold to Mr. Jan Hoets in 1804 and on one portion of it was situated the Belvedere (now known as Mr. Rhodes' summerhouse) practically in ruins at the time the place was merged in De Groote Schuur Estate; and so also was one of the old Dutch seats. The avenues of oaks and firs have gradually been sacrificed in the past for the unromantic yet necessary purpose of fuel. The traditional history of the Belvedere is rather interesting. There, on moonlit nights the folks of a bygone age were wont to meet at picnics and dance parties whilst a stringed band dispensed sweet music from the platform or gallery of the building. The estate Welgelegen, referred to in the Will as Mostert's, was granted in 1803 to Gysbert van Reenen in freehold. It had a fine old homestead, vineyards and orchards and an interesting little walled cemetery. Many of the old features, including a windmill and this cemetery, still remain; indeed a very conspicuous feature in Rhodes' character was the reverent attitude he exhibited at all times towards the resting places of the dead. This is the more striking in these somewhat utilitarian times in which the vandalistic actions of those responsible for the care of the ancient cemeteries of Cape Town have been adversely criticised, and deservedly, too. Welgelegen in time passed to the family of Mostert, from whom it was purchased by Mr. Rhodes. The magnificent memorial, it may be pointed out, is situated on the Welgelegen Estate. But to return to De Groote Schuur proper, Mr. Abraham de Smidt, Snr., died in 1868. Under his Will De Groote Schuur became the property of his nephew, Mr. Abraham de Smidt. W's son (father of the writer). The new proprietor was for some time Surveyor-General of the Cape Colony, and was an artist of great ability. Westbrooke devolved upon the testator's brother, the Hon. W. A. J. de Smidt, M.L.C., who was at one time Under-Colonial Secretary and later High Sheriff. The transfers of both places are dated 21 November 1868. De Groote Schuur was let from 1873 to 1876 as a residence during the summer months for the Governor, Sir Henry Barkly. Finding the responsibility entailed in the efficient maintenance of this large property too burdensome, Mr. de Smidt decided to dispose of it. The work of its sub-division into lots was entrusted to Mr. (later the Rt. Hon.) J. X. Merriman, Government Land Surveyor, in 1878. The sale took place on 9 December, the house lot being purchased by the late Mrs. 3. A. van der Byl, formerly of Fairfield, Caledon. Transfer was passed in the following year. The greater portion of the estate was acquired in lots by different individuals. Mr. A. de Smidt retained a portion, on which he afterwards erected the house Highstead. Mrs. van der Byl altered the name of De Groote Schuur to The Grange. It was at one time occupied by Sir Hercules Robinson, Governor (later Lord Rosmead) during the summer. Mr. Rhodes had leased it in 1891 and later purchased it, transfer being dated 8 September 1893. He gradually acquired the remainder, or at any rate, the greater portion of the lots sold in 1878. He most fittingly restored the ancient name of the property. Westbrooke was sold in 1886 in the estate of the late Mr. W. de Smidt. Both this place and the adjoining De Kleine Schuur afterwards became the property of the late Mr. G. Pigott Moodie, whose son sold them to the Union Government as a site for the Governor-General's residence. The writer now proposes to place before readers some account of De Groote Schuur during the period of his residence there. The homestead, though an imposing and massive-looking edifice, could not by any means be described as an ideal residence. The reception rooms and apartments on the ground floor were commodious and lofty, but the bedrooms on the first floor were almost uninhabitable in summer owing to the stifling heat. This defect was attributable to the injudicious lowering of the walls and substitution of a low-pitched slate roof for the old thatched one. Passing through the hail and traversing a paved courtyard we arrived at a double flight of steps, surrounding a cistern formerly supplied with water from a central jet. These steps gave access to a series of terraces with hedges of dwarf roses, syringa and old fig trees. Two of the first-mentioned trees had ancient bells (said to have been slave bells) suspended from them. The top terrace contained accommodation for poultry in the shape of two substantial buildings furnished with massive conical-topped pillars supporting picturesque green railings. On this terrace, too, were a couple of huge fig trees. Tradition had it that an unhappy slave, weary of servitude, had in bygone days terminated his wretched existence by hanging himself from one of these trees. The writer has a vivid recollection of his youthful terrors when passing this fatal spot after nightfall. This last terrace gave access to an extensive grassy courtyard with a circular fountain in its centre. On the left side of the courtyard was a building styled "the Cottage" (originally the slave quarters). This Cottage was utilized as quarters for the Governor's staff whenever he occupied De Groote Schuur as a summer residence. On the opposite side of the courtyard could be traced the remains of demolished buildings, also former slave quarters. The whole of the back quarters, terraces and courtyard were enclosed within very substantial walls. A quaint relic of former days may be briefly referred to here. This was an antique coach of huge size, formerly the property of Mr. A. de Smidt, Snr. It was provided with steps, folding up inside and at the back was a platform for the accommodation of two footmen. Needless to relate, this vehicle was never utilized during the period under review, but had been relegated to a special shed (literally built around it) and left to the tender mercies of spiders and dust. Occasionally some member of the household or a friend would pay a visit to the shed and braving the cobwebs, curiously scan the deserted relic. It could very fittingly have been compared to one of the mail coaches, so graphically described by Dickens in his chapter "The Story of the Bagman's Uncle" in the immortal Pickwick Papers. The orchards on the property were in those days very extensive. Many of the trees were of huge size, especially the saffron-pear and plum trees. Other fruits that throve well were chestnuts, medlars, guava and loquat. A circular fish pond, having a miniature island in its centre, was a conspicuous object in the old garden. Its walls may yet be traced at the foot of the main hydrangea walk. It was supplied with water from the springs situated in the Glen. Latterly it proved an impossibility to retain the water in the pond owing to the roots of the enormous poplars in the neighbourhood causing cracks in the cement with which it was paved. The main avenue leading to De Groote Schuur was originally entered through massive gatepiers having ancient cannon at their feet. The latter were removed by Mr. A. de Smidt to whom representations had been made that the space between the pillars was too narrow to meet the requirements of the increasing traffic. The two lesser pillars yet remain in situ. The cannon were removed by Mr. de Smidt to his property Highstead where, it is believed, one of them may still be seen lying prone on the roadside just below the dwelling house. The Glen on De Groote Schuur was originally called the Wolve Gat (Wolf Hollow). About the middle of the 19th century a large wolf trap might still have been seen there. This Glen is still a charming spot, but many of its chief charms have passed away. During Mr. A. de Smidt's ownership of the estate the Glen was his especial pride and he took considerable trouble to preserve its natural beauties. Indeed, as the writer recollects the spot, it was a most beautiful dingle, unexcelled for sylvan grandeur. Amongst the oak and poplars were to be found some of the largest and choicest specimens the Colony had produced. The trunks of several of these were moss- and lichen-covered for some distance from the ground, presenting a truly beautiful appearance. In those days the hydrangea plants were not found further up the Glen than the top of the main walk facing the fish pond, at which spot there was a delightful arbour surrounded by ferns growing amid rockwork. How wonderfully the ferns, especially the maiden-hair varieties, flourished in the Glen! This fern was found in rich masses of most luxuriant growth on the steep northern slope, in some spots completely covering the ground like a carpet. Here, too, the Newlands Creeper (of the Asparagus family) twined round the saplings and foliage or about the moss-covered boulders. The arum lily and autholiza also grew in profusion. Many acts of wanton spoliation were wont to be perpetrated here by ruthless trespassers, the pity of it being that the fronds of the ferns quickly withered after removal from the damp ground. This shady dingle was an ideal spot in which to while away a couple of hours on a hot summer's afternoon. The springs located in the head of the Glen constituted the sole water supply of De Groote Schuur as well as of Westbrooke. About Christmas-tide the forest would re-echo with the quaint insistent cry of the "Pietmijn-vrouw", a bird of the cuckoo tribe, whose voice consists of three clear notes in the descending chromatic scale. This bird is very rarely seen, as it has a habit of frequenting the tops of the highest trees; this may account for its ornithological name, cuculus solitarius. The back and outside of the wings are dark brown, the breast and under parts white or light grey. Mention must also be made of another plant which throve in the Glen, and that was the wild vine, also called the monkey-rope (Baviaan touw). The naturalist, Le Vaillant, tells us that the latter name was given to this creeper in consequence of its pendulous stems being utilized by the baboon in order to gain access to the tree-tops to feed on the berries of the plant. In the Glen the rope- like stems were in many specimens nearly one hundred feet in length growing from the highest branches of the enormous trees. In some places the foliage would so densely cover the tree tops as almost to exclude the daylight. One of these "ropes" which hung from a tree about midway down the sloping bank, had been severed and a cross-bar or rough cradle affixed to its end. By means of this it was possible to swing across the Glen-an exhilarating pastime, with just a spice of danger about it. The wild coffee tree, with its dark glossy foliage and crimson-coloured kernels greatly added to the beauty of the scenery. During the severe north-west gales in the winter, havoc would occasionally be wrought in the Glen. Huge trees were uprooted to crash down and spread destruction amongst the vegetation. The fallen tree stems would bridge the hollow. But a more mischievous agent than the wind was soon to appear on the scene and that was the woodman armed with his keen axe! After the sale of the property by Mr. De Smidt the purchasers of the Glen lots caused many of the trees growing on the hill and also in the hollow to be felled or lopped. The result of this vandalistic treatment was disastrous as far as the sylvan beauty of the Glen was concerned. The wild vine disappeared for ever. The only plant that profited by the change was the prolific and unlovely poplar scrub, which rapidly sprang up in those places formerly denied to it by reason of the shade. The ousting of the ferns was speedily effected. The recent extensive planting of hydrangea within the Glen area was well planned. For a certain portion of the year at least the "azure glory" of their blooms beautifies the place, compensating in great measure for the loss of its former natural charms. The homestead, as originally rebuilt by Mr. Rhodes, the design of which was adopted to match the old house of 1825, was destroyed in a disastrous and mysterious fire on 15 December 1896, but most fortunately the richest contents of the house were preserved. Though deeply grieved at his loss, the owner's characteristic stoicism did not desert him. Without delay the restoration of the ruined portion was put in hand and completed in 1899. The original scheme of design was preserved, but as a precautionary measure a tiled roof was substituted for the former thatched one. The tiles were specially selected so as, from a distance, to resemble thatch as much as possible. Thus, phoenix-like, arose from the ashes a perfected dwelling, with the appearance of which most of us are by this time familiar. In conclusion let us realise how fortunate it is that this magnificent estate did not fall into the hands of the land-jobber or jerry-builder as unhappily has been the fate of many another fine property in the Cape Peninsula. The consequences of such a fate would have been too lamentable to contemplate. kind regards Heather Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm

Sharon - Thank you for that tip - I see it's going to be a bit of a mission - but I'll keep hoping. Many thanks Angie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sharon Warr" <snw@absamail.co.za> To: <SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2004 12:04 AM Subject: Re: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Howdo I get a birth certificate? > Hi Angie > Welcome to the list - As Heather has already mentioned, Birth certificates > were not compulsory until 1895 so your best bet is going to be finding the > child's baptism. This is not going to be easy unless you know where they > lived in Cape Town and what religious denomination they were. That way you > could look at church registers nearest their place of abode as a start. > It is not a given that they would have baptised in their own church or for > that matter near to their home but it there is more chance of finding > something that way. > Good Luck > Sharon Warr > > View 1800s SOUTH AFRICAN PASSENGER LISTS at > http://www.sagenealogy.co.za/DataArchive.htm > SCRIBES PUBLISHING for Colonial Books on CD - visit > http://www.sagenealogy.co.za/Scribes.htm > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Angie Greenhalgh" <angie.greenhalgh@xtra.co.nz> > To: <SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 12:17 PM > Subject: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Howdo I get a birth certificate? > > >> good morning from New Zealand. >> I am new to the group and have spent the last hour trying to ring a >> number > which was given to me to obtain a birth certificate and the relevant costs > involved. The number was 0027 12 8108911 - (only on Friday morning!) >> >> Unfortunately having been cut off three times I have given up and now ask > if your group could help. >> >> I am looking for Ethel mary Gould DUNSTAN born about 1872 in Cape Town > South Africa. The family were all back in ENgland on the 1881 census in > Hampshire. >> >> It looks as though Ethel's father Frederick was only in South Africa for >> a > year as the 1881 census gives the ages of his 8 children a year apart. > i.e. > Fred abt 1871 born in Devonport Dev England, >> Ethel Mary Gould Dunstan born about 1872 in Cape Town and Mary about 1873 > in Portsmouth HAM. >> >> Is there an index on line to order from? >> Any help would be most welcome. >> >> Thank you so much for your time. >> Angie >> >> >> ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== >> Cape Town Family History Society >> www.genealogy.co.za/society/socweb.htm >> >> ============================== >> Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the >> last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >> >> > > > ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== > Cape Town Family History Society > www.genealogy.co.za/society/socweb.htm > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx > >

Thank you for that - What a shame! Do you know where I would find passenger lists for about 1872? Any help would be appreciated. They were protestants but I should imagine there would be hundreds of churches in cape Town. I'll look in the Latter Days Saints and see if I can find anything - I have tried over the past few days but their site appears to be down. But at least I know not to get a certificate now. Kind regards Angie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Heather MacAlister - LearningOnline" <Heather@learningonline.co.za> To: <SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 11:47 PM Subject: RE: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Howdo I get a birth certificate? > Hello Angie > > Birth Certificates only became available after 1895. > Have you searched the new website www.ancestry.mweb.co.za ? their are > births, baptisms, marriages, deaths, voters rolls and loads more records > Kind regards > Heather > > > Heather MacAlister > > Learning on Line > 46 Hof Street > Gardens > 8001 > > Tel: 021-481 8316 > -----Original Message----- > From: Angie Greenhalgh [mailto:angie.greenhalgh@xtra.co.nz] > Sent: 05 November 2004 12:17 PM > To: SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Howdo I get a birth certificate? > > good morning from New Zealand. > I am new to the group and have spent the last hour trying to ring a > number which was given to me to obtain a birth certificate and the > relevant costs involved. The number was 0027 12 8108911 - (only on > Friday morning!) > > Unfortunately having been cut off three times I have given up and now > ask if your group could help. > > I am looking for Ethel mary Gould DUNSTAN born about 1872 in Cape Town > South Africa. The family were all back in ENgland on the 1881 census in > Hampshire. > > It looks as though Ethel's father Frederick was only in South Africa for > a year as the 1881 census gives the ages of his 8 children a year apart. > i.e. Fred abt 1871 born in Devonport Dev England, > Ethel Mary Gould Dunstan born about 1872 in Cape Town and Mary about > 1873 in Portsmouth HAM. > > Is there an index on line to order from? > Any help would be most welcome. > > Thank you so much for your time. > Angie > > > ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== > Cape Town Family History Society > www.genealogy.co.za/society/socweb.htm > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > > > > ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== > Heather's South African Genealogy Help List > www.genealogy.co.za > > ============================== > Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. > New content added every business day. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx > >

good morning from New Zealand. I am new to the group and have spent the last hour trying to ring a number which was given to me to obtain a birth certificate and the relevant costs involved. The number was 0027 12 8108911 - (only on Friday morning!) Unfortunately having been cut off three times I have given up and now ask if your group could help. I am looking for Ethel mary Gould DUNSTAN born about 1872 in Cape Town South Africa. The family were all back in ENgland on the 1881 census in Hampshire. It looks as though Ethel's father Frederick was only in South Africa for a year as the 1881 census gives the ages of his 8 children a year apart. i.e. Fred abt 1871 born in Devonport Dev England, Ethel Mary Gould Dunstan born about 1872 in Cape Town and Mary about 1873 in Portsmouth HAM. Is there an index on line to order from? Any help would be most welcome. Thank you so much for your time. Angie

Hello Angie Passenger records are being added daily and we have not got to that year yet. The only alternative is to engage in a private researcher who would have to search the local newspapers of that day for passengers. Please remember that not every passenger was listed. Generally 1st and 2nd class only were mentioned and then titles, initials and surnames. If your ancestors arrived in steerage or cattle class they were then just listed as number. Also remember that some passenger took the place of another person so if Joe Bloggs was listed as a passenger that did not necessarily mean that he got on the ship but his neighbour or his cousin John Brown could have come instead of him. That is the fun of the chase .......those illusive ancestors that drive us mad..... kind regards Heather Site Coordinator for www.ancestry.mweb.co.za - there already 22, 891 family names now added !!!! www.familytree.co.za - almost their www.stamboom.co.za - coming soon Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Angie Greenhalgh" <angie.greenhalgh@xtra.co.nz> To: <SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 8:26 PM Subject: Re: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Howdo I get a birth certificate? Thank you for that - What a shame! Do you know where I would find passenger lists for about 1872? Any help would be appreciated. They were protestants but I should imagine there would be hundreds of churches in cape Town. I'll look in the Latter Days Saints and see if I can find anything - I have tried over the past few days but their site appears to be down. But at least I know not to get a certificate now. Kind regards Angie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Heather MacAlister - LearningOnline" <Heather@learningonline.co.za> To: <SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 11:47 PM Subject: RE: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Howdo I get a birth certificate? > Hello Angie > > Birth Certificates only became available after 1895. > Have you searched the new website www.ancestry.mweb.co.za ? their are > births, baptisms, marriages, deaths, voters rolls and loads more records > Kind regards > Heather > > > Heather MacAlister > > Learning on Line > 46 Hof Street > Gardens > 8001 > > Tel: 021-481 8316 > -----Original Message----- > From: Angie Greenhalgh [mailto:angie.greenhalgh@xtra.co.nz] > Sent: 05 November 2004 12:17 PM > To: SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Howdo I get a birth certificate? > > good morning from New Zealand. > I am new to the group and have spent the last hour trying to ring a > number which was given to me to obtain a birth certificate and the > relevant costs involved. The number was 0027 12 8108911 - (only on > Friday morning!) > > Unfortunately having been cut off three times I have given up and now > ask if your group could help. > > I am looking for Ethel mary Gould DUNSTAN born about 1872 in Cape Town > South Africa. The family were all back in ENgland on the 1881 census in > Hampshire. > > It looks as though Ethel's father Frederick was only in South Africa for > a year as the 1881 census gives the ages of his 8 children a year apart. > i.e. Fred abt 1871 born in Devonport Dev England, > Ethel Mary Gould Dunstan born about 1872 in Cape Town and Mary about > 1873 in Portsmouth HAM. > > Is there an index on line to order from? > Any help would be most welcome. > > Thank you so much for your time. > Angie > > > ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== > Cape Town Family History Society > www.genealogy.co.za/society/socweb.htm > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > > > > ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== > Heather's South African Genealogy Help List > www.genealogy.co.za > > ============================== > Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. > New content added every business day. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx > > ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== Cape Town Family History Society www.genealogy.co.za/society/socweb.htm ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx

Evening All Sorry about the delay on the next episode but here we go..................... EAST OF THE LIESBEEK We could go on further through Claremont but must return to take notice of the eastern, or Cape Flats side of the road and the Liesbeek as we approach from Cape Town. Passing by Koornhoop, scene of the first effort to grow corn outside the Company's Garden, we have Molenvliet between us and the river, while beyond lies Vredenburg bounded by Durban and Liesbeek Roads with the Camp Ground as its eastern limit. At the turn of the century Vredenburg was Julius Jeppe's Cape Town house. Rygersdal, believed to have been granted to F. Gerrits as early as 1660, stretched between the river and the Camp Ground from Liesbeek Road to the private road serving the Government laboratories and St. Joseph's School. In 1807 it belonged to H. de Vos and in 1817 to W. D. Jennings. In the 1830's it was split up into several well-known properties, notably Rosebank House, the home of the Hon. C. S. Pillans, Charlies Hope, owned by Mr. Joseph Sturgis, and Erinville, by Mr. W. G. Anderson of the firm of Anderson & Munson. In 1834 Charlies Hope was let to Sir Harry Smith, then Officer Commanding, and his fascinating wife Juanita; but in 1840 the Rev. John L. Fry, second Rector of Rondebosch, came to live there and was granted the whole of the Camp Ground as his glebe. In those days this extended down to Strathallan Road off Park Road and round to Sandown Park, hence the Glebe Road in this neighbourhood. From 1897 until the end of World War lit was under Imperial military ownership, whereafter it reverted to the Union Defence Department. It was finally sold along with part of the adjoining Erinville to the Cape School Board for the expanding Rustenburg Girls' High School whose new buildings there were occupied in 1932. Erinville, or Erin-go-Bragh, as Mr. Anderson originally had it, was later also military property and the residence of the Officer Commanding. The house was burnt out during the first World War and never rebuilt. The part on the Camp Ground is now Rustenburg School while that further west is occupied by government laboratories. Adjoining Rygersdal is the old estate of Ekelenburg, now spelled Ecklenberg, of which but a small surviving portion at the corner of Belmont and Erin Roads still bears the name. This grant was made to Jacob Cloete in 1658 and extended as far as College Road southwards and from the Liesbeek to the Camp Ground. Later it actually crossed the river towards the Main Road where Rosendal used to stand. In the mid- 18th century Ds. Franciscus Le Sueur held the estate, while from 1810 the Hon. Hendrik Cloete owned it for many years. The homestead, like so many others in those days, was burnt down in the 1850's. In 1835 Cloete sold a good portion of the estate to John Bardwell Ebden (d. 1875), celebrated Cape man of business, who built a new house Belmont, upon it. He was succeeded by his sons Charles H. and the Hon. Alfred Ebden. After the death of the latter in 1908 it was bought by a syndicate which in turn sold it to the Marist Brothers in 1917 for a new school, St Joseph's. Crossing now to the Camp Ground Road, we must notice Bonair which, while not ancient, did in 1845 stretch from Barkley Road to the Black River between Park and Silwood Roads. Silwood, between Riverton Road and the Black River, includes a grant made to J. C. Mokke in 1797. Across Silwood Road is the Diocesan College, occupying the site of the farm Woodlands. The original grant made to Jan F. Peens in 1791 was only two morgen but later owners added to it by obtaining further grants. By 1831 this larger farm was in the name of William Hawkins, and in 1849 Bishop Gray bought it for his newly founded school which had outgrown accommodation at Protea. East of Bishops lies Lutgensburg, bounded by the Black River, Milner and Sandown Roads. This was granted to J. W. Lutgens in 1799 but was divided in 1828. The name survives in the Lutgens Vale Township. Returning to the Liesbeek area, we come next to Roodenburg, later Myrtle Grove, lying between College and Rouwkoop Roads. On some maps the old estate is shown extending across the river to the main road where Liesbeek House used to be, though this area is more naturally a part of Groote Schuur. Already named Myrtle Grove in 1807, when it belonged to a Mr. Hopley, it passed to William Hawkins before he acquired Woodlands and then in the 1830's it came into the Home family. To-day Myrtle and Grove Roads remind us of its name. Rouwkoop, another ancient grant, was given in 1660 to none other than Harman Remajenne, the leader of Harman's Colony of Free Burghers in 1657. It is interesting to note that the name Rouwkoop means money paid to buy one's release from a contract. The old homestead, partly burnt and not likely to survive long, was till recently a private hotel. The estate lay between Rouwkoop Road on the north and Dulwich Road and Dundee Terrace (Vale Road) on the south. The Liesbeek is again the natural boundary but a small piece of land was at one time added on the west bank. Further east and on the other side of Sandown Park lies the large wedge-shaped estate of Weltevreden. Bounded on the north by Sandown Road and on the south by Avenue de Mist, it extends as far as the Mayfield Estate. The original house, residence of Sir John Truter, chief justice 1812-1827, stood a few hundred yards down the present Weltevreden Avenue for which it was demolished to make way. After the Truters, the estate belonged to the Savage family, the Duncans of Juta's and through marriage to the Homes family. Canigou, originally Welkom, takes its name from a peak in the Pyrenees. Granted to F. S. V. Le Sueur in 1818 it soon afterwards became the property of General Sir John Bell whose son Charles Davidson Bell, the surveyor and artist, lived there until about 1873. In 1900 the Rondebosch Boys' High School bought it from Mr. G. T. B. Twycross. The old house was used as a boarding house for many years, but though now rebuilt the name still survives, while another old house on the estate, Oakhurst, has given its name to a girls' school founded just fifty years ago. The original compass of Canigou was from the boundary of Weltevreden down to Keurboom Road but including a little less than half of the present Keurboom Park. Sunnybrae Estate was originally part of it, being bought by the Duncans after the sale of Weltevreden in the 1880's. Keurboom, granted to I. A. van Schoor in 1807, extended from Keurboom Road to St. Leger and St. Michaels Roads while eastwards it stopped just beyond Columbus Road. On Palmyra Road it bordered on Questenburg later called Mariendahi. That Jan Stegmann was owner in the 1840's accounts for Stegmann Road, leading to the estate from Claremont. The old house is still there shut in by newer dwellings on Keurboom and Palmyra Roads. The area between Palmyra Road and the Liesbeek is covered by two estates. The first Moeders Bewys must have originally been part of Questenburg which lies to its south. It can be defined however as bounded by the railway line, Dundee Terrace, Pinewood Road, Camp Ground and Palmyra Roads; and the fence between Kelvin Grove Club and Newlands Cricket Ground. It was originally the property of the Dreyer family, Hendrik C. Dreyer living there in 1848. About 1870 James Brodie bought the area which he nostalgicly named Kelvin Grove. Mariendahi, formerly Questenburg and Louwvliet, was the properyt of the Hon. Jacob Letterstedt for many years after 1845. He established a brewery on his estate but was one of the several who sold out to the all-powerful Anders Ohlsson who established his principal factory at Mariendthl in 1900. The Western Province Cricket Club ground was opened in 1888 and the Rugby ground in 1890. The boundaries are most complicated but may be traced by following the Liesbeek, Dulwich Road, the railway, the northern fence of the cricket ground, Palmyra Road, Stegmann Road, Vineyard Road to Corwen Street and thence a line to the top of Sans Souci Road and down that road to the river. Adjoining Mariendahl on the south-west is Sans Souci. This small estate was in the 1830's the country residence of the Hon. Hamilton Ross, though of much earlier origin. Having a common boundary with Mariendahl from Vineyard Road to the bridge over the river in Sans Souci Road, on the south-west it reaches to Kildare Road and then shares a boundary with the Vineyard Estate. The Vineyard is a narrow strip between the river and Protea and Collington Roads. The original house has been much altered for the present-day hotel but the Andrew Barnards lived there for a time in 1800. Beyond Sans Souci and the Vineyard we come to Veld Huijzen, one of the oldest estates being first granted in 1660. When Sir John Herschel, Bt., the astronomer, made his stay at the Cape from 1834 to 1838, he bought this property, renaming it Feldhausen. The name was later changed to The Grove and it is now a private hotel at the end of Grove Avenue, Claremont. The obelisk commemorating Herschel's observations stands near by at the foot of Obelisk Road. Before concluding, mention must be made of the Albion Mill Estate which lies between the Main Road and the Liesbeek from Westerford Bridge to Schweppes' factory. The Albion Mill was situated where the mineral water factory is now making valuable use of the clear waters of the famed Albion Spring which rises there. Another water mill, derelict these many years, is in Boundary Road opposite the Brewery. This was Letterstedt's or Josephine's Mill, being named after Jacob Letterstedt's daughter. This article cannot claim to be more than an introduction to a very considerable but fascinating subject and it will have achieved its aim if it has explained something of the origins and circumstances of Rondebosch topography in relation to the men who helped the natural features to form it, and has also shown where to begin further research into the estates and properties of old Rondebosch. kiind regards Heather Site Co-ordinator for: www.ancestry.mweb.co.za www.familytree.co.za coming any day now www.stamboom.co.za coming soon Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm

Hi Angie Welcome to the list - As Heather has already mentioned, Birth certificates were not compulsory until 1895 so your best bet is going to be finding the child's baptism. This is not going to be easy unless you know where they lived in Cape Town and what religious denomination they were. That way you could look at church registers nearest their place of abode as a start. It is not a given that they would have baptised in their own church or for that matter near to their home but it there is more chance of finding something that way. Good Luck Sharon Warr View 1800s SOUTH AFRICAN PASSENGER LISTS at http://www.sagenealogy.co.za/DataArchive.htm SCRIBES PUBLISHING for Colonial Books on CD - visit http://www.sagenealogy.co.za/Scribes.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Angie Greenhalgh" <angie.greenhalgh@xtra.co.nz> To: <SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 12:17 PM Subject: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Howdo I get a birth certificate? > good morning from New Zealand. > I am new to the group and have spent the last hour trying to ring a number which was given to me to obtain a birth certificate and the relevant costs involved. The number was 0027 12 8108911 - (only on Friday morning!) > > Unfortunately having been cut off three times I have given up and now ask if your group could help. > > I am looking for Ethel mary Gould DUNSTAN born about 1872 in Cape Town South Africa. The family were all back in ENgland on the 1881 census in Hampshire. > > It looks as though Ethel's father Frederick was only in South Africa for a year as the 1881 census gives the ages of his 8 children a year apart. i.e. Fred abt 1871 born in Devonport Dev England, > Ethel Mary Gould Dunstan born about 1872 in Cape Town and Mary about 1873 in Portsmouth HAM. > > Is there an index on line to order from? > Any help would be most welcome. > > Thank you so much for your time. > Angie > > > ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== > Cape Town Family History Society > www.genealogy.co.za/society/socweb.htm > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >

Hello Angie Birth Certificates only became available after 1895. Have you searched the new website www.ancestry.mweb.co.za ? their are births, baptisms, marriages, deaths, voters rolls and loads more records Kind regards Heather Heather MacAlister Learning on Line 46 Hof Street Gardens 8001 Tel: 021-481 8316 -----Original Message----- From: Angie Greenhalgh [mailto:angie.greenhalgh@xtra.co.nz] Sent: 05 November 2004 12:17 PM To: SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Howdo I get a birth certificate? good morning from New Zealand. I am new to the group and have spent the last hour trying to ring a number which was given to me to obtain a birth certificate and the relevant costs involved. The number was 0027 12 8108911 - (only on Friday morning!) Unfortunately having been cut off three times I have given up and now ask if your group could help. I am looking for Ethel mary Gould DUNSTAN born about 1872 in Cape Town South Africa. The family were all back in ENgland on the 1881 census in Hampshire. It looks as though Ethel's father Frederick was only in South Africa for a year as the 1881 census gives the ages of his 8 children a year apart. i.e. Fred abt 1871 born in Devonport Dev England, Ethel Mary Gould Dunstan born about 1872 in Cape Town and Mary about 1873 in Portsmouth HAM. Is there an index on line to order from? Any help would be most welcome. Thank you so much for your time. Angie ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== Cape Town Family History Society www.genealogy.co.za/society/socweb.htm ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx

THE OLD ESTATES OF RONDEBOSCH AND DISTRICT The story of the development of Cape Town's southern suburbs does not differ greatly from that of any other expanding metropolis-large estates and farms gradually being subdivided for smaller gentlemen's country houses and finally for suburban dwellings and housing estates as the pressure of nineteenth and twentieth century population increases the value of land. Rondebosch of course was fortunate in having a millionaire landowner in the person of Cecil Rhodes who foresaw the advent of the "octopus" in the 1890's and secured so many acres of our mountain-side as an open space for all time. Yet however much the valley of the Liesbeek has been built over and cut through by roads and the railway, the limits of the original estates or grants can still be traced with little difficulty and for purposes of identification still appear on the surveyors' official maps. In another article the granting of land to the first nine Free Burghers in 1657 has been described-Stephen Botma's party choosing the Hollandsche Thuin on the west or mountain side of the Liesbeek River and Harman Remajenne and his followers selecting the Groenevelt on the east or Cape Flats side. Much as we should like here to link the exact location of these pioneer settlements with the lasting grants, this is beyond our scope though reference may be made to Prof. Eric Walker's Historical Atlas of South Africa. From 1658 onwards the area from Mowbray to Newlands, bounded by the Zwart Rivier on the east, was gradually covered by some twenty grants, including the farms of Groote Schuur and Rustenburg, government owned from the earliest times. Van Riebeeck tells us that corn was first grown experimentally outside the Company's Garden at Koornhoop in 1657, with scant success, and that the neighbourhood of the Great Barn was then tried. Van Riebeeck's own farm was further on at Boschheuvel, now Bishops Court. By the early years of the nineteenth century most of the estates known to-day had assumed their lasting boundaries along the Simonstown road and it must have been a pleasant journey to drive through Rondebosch with its high hedges, its rich farm-lands and the occasional homesteads and villas nestling among the trees, each with its attendant white cottages for the "Volk". To-day it is the Main Road and the railway line which most effectively divide Rondebosch and district from north to south. It was the natural curling line of the Liesbeek however which formed the boundary of most of the early estates in that part, even though the road followed much the same route as it does now. Where hereafter modern street names are mentioned in tracing boundaries, it should be understood that this is no implication that they were contemporary. In many cases they are the results of estate boundaries. WEST OF THE LIESBEEK. If we imagine ourselves coming from Cape Town then, the first estate which we shall pass on our right, stretching up the slopes of the Mountain, is Welgelegen. In its 18th century heyday this must have been one of the largest farms in the district, its north-eastern corner being near the junction of Durham Avenue with the Main Road at Observatory. Its southern boundary cuts through the present University ground above Lover's Walk at the corner of Woolsack Road. Westward it ran almost up to the King's Block House. Originally Van Reenen property-it was granted to Gysbert van Reenen in 1803-it passed to the Mosterts in the 1830's. About 1895, Rhodes bought it for his friend John Blades Currey who had been so good to him in his Kimberley days, and it subsequently became part of the Groote Schuur Estate. The old homestead was replaced by a Baker house long since, but the windmill, known as Mostert's Mill, built in the late 18th century, is now a national monument. Adjoining Welgelegen on the south and south-east was Zorgvliet of which nothing remains to remind us-not even a street name. This farm belonged to the Eksteen family and starting at Rhodes Avenue covered the area occupied lately by the lower Rosebank Showground and the S.A. College of Music (formerly Strubenheim). Running down to the Liesbeek it included most of the land of the present Vaccine Station, where there used to be a small lake under the railway line, while up the mountain side and along the boundary of Rustenburg, a peculiar tongue of land, much of the way only 300 feet wide, protruded for over half-a-mile. The original Zorgvliet homestead was in the neighbourhood of the Woolsack just below Rhodes Drive. The ancient farm of Rustenburg, residence of Governors till 1791, is dealt with in detail elsewhere and we need not discuss its history here. It extended up from the Liesbeek to embrace most of the University site and the Grotto. On the Main Road its northerly and southerly boundaries can be told from the position of Nursery Road and Highstead Road. Rustenberg House, now the Frank Joubert Art Centre, is a national monument. The historic Groote Schuur comes next. This again is receiving individual attention elsewhere and we shall only note what is essential to our purpose. A government farm from Van Riebeeck's day, it was sold to H. C. Herhold in 1791 and later to the fiscal, Willem van Ryneveld. In 1828, the judge Sir William Westbrooke Burton bought the small south-east portion called Onderschuur which he renamed Westbrooke; but five years later Abraham de Smidt the elder, who had bought Groote Schuur in 1829, repurchased it and restored the estate's earlier boundaries. These are marked to-day by Highstead Road, Church Street and the Main Road as far as the stream which runs between Groote Schuur and Klein Schuur'. Up the Mountain the boundary roughly followed this stream, veering northwards above Rustenburg until reaching the limits of Zorgvliet. When the elder De Smidt died, his son Abraham inherited Groote Schuur and his son William inherited Westbrooke. In 1878 Abraham, the younger, sold the estate but kept the narrow strip of Highstead, lying between Highstead Road and Glen Walk, while in 1886 William sold Westbrooke to G. Pigott Moodie, donor of the Rondebosch Fountain. Rhodes bought the property in 1893 and began the process of buying up the neighbouring lands until the Groote Schuur Estate comprised one great park on the slopes of Table Mountain from Rondebosch to Observatory-a precious inheritance for the people of the Cape. Klein Schuur early became a separate property and is one of the few estates with limits almost unaltered in spite of its being annexed to Groote Schuur. The stream on its northern boundary has been mentioned, while Klipper Road encloses it on the south side. Its highest point is a little above Rhodes Drive. Until a few years ago one could stand at its lower gate on the main road and look up the pleasant quarter-mile of farm land to the old homestead as it was a century or more ago, but to-day a pseudo-Cape Dutch house has been ruthlessly interposed. Through most of the 19th century the Logies occupied Klein Schuur, Alexander Logie du Toit, an adopted son, being the father of the eminent geologist of the same name. Above and to the south-west of Klein Schuur lay Mount Pleasant, which name dates from the early years of the second British occupation. The battlemented Victorian mansion in New- lands Avenue stands right at the bottom of a large estate which stretched from there nearly a mile up the mountain-side, bounded by Groote Schuur to the north and Papenboom to the south along the stream which flows so turbulently under Newlands Avenue in winter, a few yards beyond the present house. This house was formerly the official residence of the Imperial German Consul-General, the small portion of the original estate which still bears the name having been sold to the German Empire. The old homestead, which fell into ruin, stood near the farm buildings at the corner of the road to Rhodes Memorial some 800 yards up. In 1807 Lourens Cloete owned the estate while in the 1830's it belonged to J. J. Cruywagen. Below Mount Pleasant and bounded by Klipper Road, the Main Road, the Liesbeek and Anneberg Road, to below Montebello was Westervoort (Westerford). In the first part of the 19th century this belonged to the Cloetes and already by the 1830's the division into Groot and Klein Westervoort had taken place down the stream which used to flow down Alfred Street before being piped recently. The unofficial anglicisation of the name seems to have taken place early and is from sound rather than sense. The old Great Westerford after lying derelict for several years was pulled down to make way for the new Southern Life Building, while Klein Westerford is now Westerford High School. To the south of both Mount Pleasant and Westervoort lies Papenboom, also known as the Brouwery, for it was here that Cape beer was first brewed in 1696, the estate of 30 morgen being officially granted to Rugert Mensink for that purpose. Mensink died in 1700 but his widow and his son, who married Adam Tas's sister, carried on until forced to sell out in 1716 to Rudolph Steenbok. The estate changed hands again in 1725 and frequently through the century until Dirk Gysbert van Reenen, a son of the Welgelegen family, inherited it from his father-in-law Johann Hurter. Beer continued to be produced there for the Company until 1795 and privately thereafter, but the proprietor was not necessarily the brewer. The earliest brewery buildings are believed to have been the old Cannon Brewery above Newlands House. Papenboom was bounded on the north by Westervoort and Mount Pleasant and on the south, below Newlands Avenue, by the stream that runs between Palmboom and Kildare Roads. Above the Avenue the boundary ran southwards as far as the top of the present Ravensberg Avenue and then up the Mountain to embrace a large part of the present forest area, including the Newlands Reservoir. Dirk Gysbert van Reenen, a man of consequence and well known for his journey with Governor Janssens to meet Chief Gaika at the Kat River in 1903, commissioned the great architect Thibault to build him a beautiful house off Newlands Avenue in the neighbourhood of the present Foresters Arms. By great misfortune this fine house was later burnt down and the present house of the name bears no relation to it. As the result of the abolition of monopolies after the second British occupation, Van Reenen suffered serious material loss and was forced to sell a portion of his estate. He died in 1825 and his son Daniel inherited. By the 1840's Papenboom had passed to Rudolph Cloete. The fine water of Newlands Spring which rises close by, encouraged the continuance of brewing and the now disused Anneberg Brewery (1883) was Anders Ohisson's headquarters before he moved to the Mariendahi site in 1900. Ohisson also lived at Montebello, later the home of Sir Max Michaelis and now the site of the new S.A. College School. Newlands-originally Nieuwland, and laid out by W. A. van der Stel in 1 700-has the most aristocratic connections of any of our estates after Groote Schuur. Governor Rijk van Tulbagh built the house in 1771 and it remained a country residence for Governors for the next twenty years, famed for the beauty of its gardens. In 1791 however it was sold to Hendrik Vos. British Governors used it after 1806 and Cradock much improved the house. In 1819 however the roof fell in during a storm and Lord Charles Somerset rebuilt it at enormous expense, only to see it sold for a mere £3,000 in an economy drive. From 1830 to 1850 it belonged to J. J. Cruywagen who also owned Mount Pleasant. Until a considerable sale of land in 1852, the limits of the estate lay between Newlands Avenue and the Liesbeek and between Papenboom and the stream that runs between Hiddingh Avenue and Paradise Road. In 1859 Dr. Jonas Hiddingh, son of Judge Willem Hiddingh, bought the estate and it remained in the family for many years though leased to the Cape Governors after Dr. Jonas's death as his nephew and heir, Michiel Hiddingh, preferred to live in the Red House. As a hospital during World War I, it fell into disrepair but thanks to the artist Gwelo Goodman who leased it in 1920, it was restored to its former glory. In 1929 Goodman left to move into the old Cannon Brewery across the road, which he had bought and converted into a magnificent artist's residence. Beyond Newlands to the south lie Boshof, Fernwood and Paradijs (Paradise) an old Company's farm, granted to W. ten Damme as early as 1706 and belonging to the Van Bredas in the 19th century. The Barnards, Andrew and Lady Anne, had a country retreat here from 1798 to 1802. Van Riebeeck's farm Boschheuvel, renamed Protea by a later owner, H. C. D. Maynier, and now Bishopscourt, lies in the valley beyond. More to follow............. kind regards Heather Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm

Hello Sharon Sorry but I have not actually read the whole book page by page. Do you know who lived in the is property and when ? and where has the house situated ? kind regards Heather MacAlister Site Coordinator www.ancestry.mweb.co.za www.familytree.co.za www.stamboom.co.za Learning on Line 46 Hof Street Gardens 8001 Tel: 021-481 8316 ----Original Message----- From: Sharon Warr [mailto:snw@absamail.co.za] Sent: 31 October 2004 08:43 PM To: SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Rondebosch - a bit of History Hi Heather Does your source on Rondebosch mention a house or property called 'Merchiston' in Rondebosch - I am interested to know a little about the owners. Thanks Sharon View 1800s SOUTH AFRICAN PASSENGER LISTS at http://www.sagenealogy.co.za/DataArchive.htm SCRIBES PUBLISHING for Colonial Books on CD - visit http://www.sagenealogy.co.za/Scribes.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Heather MacAlister" <heather@ancestors.co.za> To: <SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, October 30, 2004 9:19 AM Subject: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Rondebosch - a bit of History > Good morning Everyone > > I thought some of you with Roots from Rondebosch might be interested in this story. > > March 1, 1657 is an important date because it marks the most important event in South African history, for on this day-it was a Thursday-South Africa was permanently established at Rondebosch. On this day the European for the first time in world history took permanent title to land on the African continent, an event whose significance surpasses even the romance and adventure of the enterprise. > > > > Slowly but inevitably, like the labouring ox-wagon, we forged northwards from the Liesbeek to the Limpopo, and to-day South Africa is a bastion and a basis whence the continent of Africa to the equator and beyond can be held against barbarism, and the tropical growths of awakening millions be pollinated with Western culture. > > To-day Southern Africa would seem to be the only European offshoot in Africa with every evidence of permanence as a white man's home, and so on 1st March we celebrate the tercentenary of an event of such import as not even van Riebeeck, gifted with rare vision, could have realized. > > > > Again and again he brushed aside material restraints imposed upon him by his realistic, bargain-hunting superiors, and exclaimed with prophetic insight that he foresaw a great country emerging from the timid excursion into commercial enterprise to which the settlement was limited by their policy. To them as to Lord Salisbury more than two centuries later, the Cape Peninsula was all they needed. > > > > Van Riebeeck looked beyond Table Mountain; indeed, he does not seem to have really seen the mountain. It was a most welcome, and to him who had visited the Cape before, a characteristic sight duly celebrated on board when at the close of the tedious voyage of their little flotilla a look-out shouted from the crow's nest that they had arrived. > > > > Never once did he rise to the panegyric of a Drake over our mountains and the contours of our coast line. He was a Dutchman bred in the Lowlands and very likely did not relish mountains. But to his eternal credit he saw South Africa from the inside and standing on the slopes of Devil's Peak with his back to the mountain he broke into panegyric over the flats and exclaimed that it surpassed in beauty even Formosa (the beautiful) which he knew so well. And who, taking the same stand to-day, would be so dead of soul as to view the exciting panorama of range upon range with rolling lowlands rising to their peaks without being stirred as he was ? > > > > Looking downwards he saw at his feet a scene dotted with lakes and streams and a landmark surrounded by teeming fruitfulness, a landmark which was to give a name to the locality of his first permanent settlement; it was a curious formation of trees in a round cluster which he named "Het Ronde Doornbosjen". This clump of thorn trees had probably grown from a Hottentot stockade around one of their cattle kraals and the situation of this celebrated grove at whose shrine we may well hold a tercentenary dedication can be determined with fair correctness. It was situated some five miles from the fort on the mountain side of the Liesbeek and along the old woodcutters' route which was to become the first Cape Highway now followed by the present main road. I would place it between the University School of Music and Groote Schuur on what became known as the Rustenburg estate, with which indeed it became synonymous, and if anyone located it at about the present Rondebosch fountain I do! > ubt if he would be a hundred yards out. > > > > The size of this Rondebosjen, to this day known as Rondebossie to the older generation, may be gauged from van Riebeeck's instruction dated 7th February 1657 that the inside must be cleared to leave a hedge some ten feet wide all round on the outside to form a suitable shelter or kraal for cattle, or otherwise serve "tot meerder deffentie rontom de redout aldaer geprojecteert" (as a further line of defence about the redoubt he planned to erect there). > > > > But van Riebeeck had had his eye on Rondebosch for some years then. In first mentioning the place he remarked on the extraordinarily sheltered position of Rondebosch in the most picturesque terms. Whereas Table Mountain and its slopes were the scene of the roaring South- Easter, the bane of van Riebeeck's life, there reigned at Rondebosch and environs an elysian calm where only mild zephyrs blew, when in Table valley veritable tornadoes tore his plants out by the roots and flattened his shelters to the ground. To the end Rondebosch and thereabouts remained to him the place where "fell not hail or any snow, nor ever wind blew loudly". Rondebosch had completely won his affection and it followed almost automatically that a little further along he selected a site for his own farm, Boschheuvel, at Bishops Court. The settlement pinpointed by the Ronde Doornbosjen soon included the area now comprising the greater part of Wynberg, Kenilworth, Claremont to Rosebank and Mowbray onward! > s. > > > > But it was not only the sheltered position of this area which roused him to enthusiasm. He literally licked his lips over the fat loamy soil which he found here. "Seer fraaie gronden bequaem ter culture" (lovely soils fitted for cultivation) he exclaimed again and again, and to convince his cautious, hardheaded principals he suited the action to the word and started cultivation there early on. > > > > So on 17 May 1656 he noted in his diary: "By 't rondebosjen suydwaarts achter de Taeffelbergh ongeveer mergen lands met de ploegh claer gemaeckt ende besayt met taruw, rys ende haver tot een proefien om te sien off het daer minder schade van de harde winden sal hebben te lyden ende ingevolge te pyne waert wesen om het in 't aanstaende met meerder vigeur te vervolgen," which being translated reads: > > "At the Rondebosch southwards behind the Table Mountain prepared about a quarter of a morgen of land with the plough and sowed it with rye, rice and oats as an experiment to see whether they stood to suffer less damage there from the driving winds and if it would consequently be worth the trouble to follow up with greater vigour in the future." > > He went further; he put a small sentry box there with two men on duty day and night. > > > > Van Riebeeck did not do things by halves. The time was soon to come when he was to carry out his project "met meerdere vigeur". > > Again in October 1656 he notes: the prepared lands at the "ronde doornbosjen" sowed with broad beans, "oock eenige pattatissen aihier uyt Brasil becomen". So now we know the origin of our sweet potato. Turkish beans, tobacco and vines were also put in. Van Riebeeck had a nice sense of drama. We watch him working up to the climax in his play with the Council of Seventeen, whetting their appetites for gainful extension and whipping up their interest in profitable expansion. The curtain had gone up and the first scenes been presented. > > > > It was therefore a triumphant scene which was enacted in the fort and one which was to draw resounding plaudits from generations down the centuries when on 21 February 1657 there were seated at the council table in the commander's hall Jan van Riebeeck, Roelof de Man, bookkeeper; Casper van Weede, secretary; with sergeant Jan van Harwarden in attendance and on the other side of the table nine who had applied to become the first citizens of our land, the first Free Burghers. They were meeting to discuss the terms and conditions of settlement and to sign on the dotted line. The Council of Seventeen had at last, albeit dubiously and provisionally, approved! > > > > The men were Herman Remagen, Jan de Wacht, Jan van Passel, Werner Cornelissen, Roeloff Janssen, to whom were assigned as much land each as they could cultivate in three years, the settlement to be called the Groeneveld (Greenfields) beyond the Liesbeek to the Kromboom. They were to apply themselves more particularly to the growing of wheat besides raising cattle, pigs, etc. The remaining four, Stephen Botma, Hendrick Elbrechts, Otto Janssen and Jacob Cornelissen would settle on this side of the Liesbeek in the Hollandsche Thuyn (Dutch Garden) and apply themselves to growing tobacco, wheat, rice and other crops. It was this group who were at the Ronde Doornbosjen and their lands would stretch from the small bridge leading to the forest on the mountain slopes above Bishops Court to the furthest redoubt to be built in the Rosebank-Mowbray area. > > > > The terms and conditions were many and often varied subsequently, but they stated that Free Burghers had to be men of character and ability, and that in respect of the grants "de gemelte leyden zullen zijn ende blijven in vollen eygendom eeuwich ende erffelijck om daermede te doen na eygen welgevallen" (the persons mentioned would have and remain in full hereditary title of such land forever to do therewith according to their pleasure). The contracts would date as from 1 March 1657 and on that historic Thursday the watering station became a settlement, the halfway house a home and the trading port a country; South Africa was permanently founded. As Admiral van Goens, who later came to approve Van Riebeeck's plans, said: > > "We cannot become good citizens until we have been good farmers." > > > > In the second five years' term of Van Riebeeck's tenure much is recorded of the vicissitudes of our settlement. On Sunday, 4 March 1657, after the usual inspection on the parade followed by divine service, Van Riebeeck, as anyone could have guessed, set out for Rondebosch to see how his new settlers were doing, and thence onwards the activities of the Free Burghers and the growth of the settlement supply much enthusiastic though sometimes anxious material for the diary. The company's gardens in Table Valley were now running a bad second in Van Riebeeck's interest and attention. > > > > The building of a granary and the erection of mills were further steps and so it happened that Groote Schuur was built and Wouter Mostert was appointed the first free miller, the beginning of private enterprise. So also a wynberg or winery was indicated, a word which by a process of popular etymology was later associated with the slopes of the suburb later named Wynberg. On 20 July 1657 we read that Van Riebeeck went to Rondebosch to pick his site for the "corenschuyr" (wheat store) and decided that night to build it 108 Dutch feet long and 40 feet wide. Orders were given for trees to be felled for the necessary timber; but there were delays, and not till 25 January 1658 did Van Riebeeck go to look for thatch for the roof of his groote schuur. On 4 December of the same year he records proudly that his vineyard at the Boschheuvel was "fraey aen't wassen", or growing (waxing) beautifully. > > > > There were difficulties and dangers, however. The lions had become so bold that neither man nor beast could venture out. Wouter Mostert came face to face with a lion and only just saved himself by shinning up a tree ("op een boom gesalveert"). But a more serious threat came from the Hottentots who had noted with growing misgiving that the white man was digging himself in. There came days when the Free Burghers were called to arms and orders were issued to abandon farms. There were anxious sieges, ghastly fires and ruinous raids by brutal and crafty savages, but steadily the settlements prospered and the settlers began looking further afield. As early as June 1657, some of our Free Burghers went on an expedition southwards and returned with tales of a land of beauty and plenty which surpassed even Rondebosch. They encountered a superior tribe of Hottentots who entertained them most hospitably and who on listening to their accounts of the beauty and riches of Holland replied t! > hat this fertile country was their Holland and could be styled the Hottentots Holland. And so Somerset West was "discovered". > > > > But our settlement on the Liesbeek (lies - water reeds; beek - a beck or stream) gave us a very important development of another kind. The Free Burghers were henceforth to be represented on Van Riebeeck's Council and so began democratic local and civic government. > > > > Van Riebeeck had indeed done a fine job of foundation work. Religion and its sacred observances, education, the beginnings of democratic government, Roman-Dutch law, social order and justice were firmly established. He saw to it that this would be no land of buccaneers and pirates, but a country solidly founded in the best traditions of European civilization. There were times when it seemed that this far-seeing man with his inflexible tenacity of purpose alone stood between our infant country and relegation, exposure or abandonment. To him and those whom he inspired, his noble wife not the least, belong the chief credit; but in the whole exciting drama of our birth throes and teething pains Rondebosch and the suburbs into which it developed played a major part and have indeed a proud tradition. > > The development and growth of each of these suburbs jointly and severally would form the subject of a worthy history. Great families, historic farms, noble buildings and events which are the roots of South African history remain to be recorded in more than episodic form. May our celebration foster such historical writing. > > > Wasn't that interesting ??? > Would you like more ? > kind regards > Heather > > Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za > > Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm > > > ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== > FamilyTree.co.za.......it's the place to hang out and do your Family Tree > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx > > ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== Cape Town Family History Society www.genealogy.co.za/society/socweb.htm ============================== Search our Immigration Records and view names from multiple ports ranging from 1500s - 1900s. Over 23 million records to view. 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