Bedford is a town in the centre of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was established in the mid-19th century when Sir Andries Stockenstroom sold portions of land from his farm Maastroom to raise funds for the restoration of his library, which had been burnt by British soldiers mistrustful of his attempts to broker peace in one of the Cape Frontier Wars. It is located on the southern edge of the Winterberg mountain range, in the smaldeel (a narrow strip of grass land running laterally from Fort Beaufort to Somerset East, renowned for its sweet grass). The town suffered a major decline in fortunes in the latter half of the 20th century before reviving itself around the turn of the millennium. It is regarded today as an artist's haven and retirement village. The lack of industry in the town, while a boon to those hoping to escape the rat race, means that the town has a large unemployment rate. The woes of the poor are exacerbated by a high HIV-AIDS infection rate. The Bedford Provincial Hospital is situated in Maitland street, only 3 blocks northwest of the small CBD. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford,_Eastern_Cape I would say predominantly farming in those days. -----Original Message----- From: south-africa-eastern-cape-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:south-africa-eastern-cape-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Pat Frykberg via Sent: 15 February 2015 08:04 PM To: south-africa-eastern-cape@rootsweb.com Subject: [ZA-EC] Fw: Walker family in New Zealand Can anyone here help David, please? the Walker family who came to NZ were part of the Ainslie family too. But Rob Walker is dead now and I think I may be able to find his wife but will need a bit of time. Pat From: David Luke Sent: Monday, February 16, 2015 5:19 AM To: Pat Frykberg Subject: Re: Walker family in New Zealand ?Thank you for your prompt reply Pat, and for the links to the NZ Society. It is of interest that a number of "my people" started off in the Eastern Cape and moved to Durban around the 1880s. It is interesting that you mention Bedford. My 2g grandfather, William McGregor, emigrated from England in 1873, apparently to Port Elizabeth. The next information I have is that he died in 1880, in Bedford. Do you have any idea what was happening in or around Bedford that would have drawn him there? David

On Feb 16, 2015, at 1:10 AM, David wrote: > My 2g grandfather, William McGregor, emigrated from England in 1873, > apparently to Port Elizabeth. > The next information I have is that he died in 1880, in Bedford. > Do you have any idea what was happening in or around Bedford that would have > drawn him there? Dear David, I can tell you quite a bit about Bedford in those days. My great grandfather's autobiography(Alexander James KIDWELL) has quite a bit about it as the family farm was within a day's ride of Bedford back then. Bedford was a bustling town in the middle of a sheep farming area. Farmers within a day or so's ride of Bedford could find all kinds of supplies there, from candles, lanterns, buckets, irons, and cloth for clothing, to ploughs and dam scrapers (both the latter invented by Thomas KIDWELL my GG grandfather) and wagons (which he also made). It is also where farmers went for medical help. For example Thomas's wife was taken in to Bedford in her final month of pregnancy to stay there to be near a doctor as she was not well at the time. Thomas would ride in on weekends to see her. (Sadly he was ambushed and murdered on his way home after one such visit, so he was not carrying money for his sheep clip as the murderers assumed). In Bedford you could find a bank, a hotel, a post office, a pub, a lawyer, a doctor, a surveyor and other skilled folks that might be needed in business or farming. Farming auctions were held there. Farmers took in their clip to be sold to the highest bidder. Your forebear could have had any of a dozen professions, useful in Bedford. Do any records state a profession? Marriage and death certificates of that time often do, under "condition in life". Also the Baptist chapel was there, as there were many Baptist settlers in the area, and the church was full of social activity. People helped each other through hardships. There was no school. Children had to "go away" to school in Grahamstown to get any formal education, and older kids often taught the younger ones what they learned. The kids had to work hard on the farm. The ability to write well, and "understand figures" was highy prized and essential to farmers who were after all in business, needing to make contracts and finance activities, as were those in town with whom they contracted. The area farmers had to have somewhere to supply all those business needs. So Bedford was one of the main E Cape town centres to support the surrounding farming activity. Transport on hoseback limited the area that could be reasonably served by one center, but Bedford was "on the main road North" and so they had more busienss than average towns of the time, from passing wagons needing repair, supplies and fresh horses/oxen and a place to overnight. The countryside was ideal for sheep farming (still is) being quite dry with sparse vegetation in low scrub bush style. But farmers generally also kept a few cows and some goats, the goats mainly to supply milk in winter as the cows dried up then. I hope that gives a bit of a picture of Bedford in about 1880. Climate is drier and cooler than Natal, which might also have been a factor. You migt also look into conditions in Natal at the time, which may have chased him away, especially political conditions. Namaste, Irene -- Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom. P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220. www.Furryboots.info (Info on Feline health, genetics, nutrition & homeopathy) "Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it."