The issues of 7, 17 and 21 January and 11, 25 March are missing from the collection at the British Library

Friday 3 January 1873

DEATH OF PRESIDENT BRAND
We learn from Philippolis that the President of the Free State is dead. That this blow, although long expected, will fall heavily upon the people over whom he has so long and ably ruled is undoubted. There will not be a corner of the colony, also, to which the news of John BRAND’s death will not come with deep regret. The ability he has displayed in connexion with the Free State has called up the admiration of all colonists in South Africa. He has practically and successfully shown that a people in South Africa can manage their own affairs, and has demonstrated the possibility of having a pure and unsullied liberal Government in a colony when it has been opposed elsewhere, and in communities much more fitted for it. We have heard no particulars of his death, but doubtless we will, in our next issue, have an opportunity of giving full details. – Colesberg Herald.

Friday 10 January 1873

FATAL MISADVENTURE
On the 2nd inst, two brothers, named William and Matthew MURRAY, residing in Walmer Road, were playing together, when the latter threw a stone at his brother, which struck him on the left temple. Nothing particular happened until Monday evening, when the poor lad sickened, and died on the following day. The deceased is four years of age, and his brother six. The affair appears to have been purely accidental

ANOTHER, AND ANOTHER SUICIDE
We hear, on very fair authority, that two cases of suicide have recently occurred in Rouxville, a village in the Free State, distant about twenty miles from this [sic]. Both persons are said to be Europeans. The first did not succeed in his design, and was lying in a very precarious state; but the second succeeded beyond measure in taking his own life. We have no further particulars, and indeed do not desire to publish these sickening, loathsome and revolting details. – Aliwal Standard.

Tuesday 14 January 1873

BIRTH at Gamtoos River Ferry on Christmas Day 1872, the wife of Mr. Jas. C. SMITH of a son.

DEATH. Died of Croup, at Gamtoos River Ferry, on Wednesday the 8th January 1873, Frederick William, the son of James and Ellen SMITH aged years and 3 months. [sic]

DIED on the 5th January 1873, at her Residence, Caledon-street, Uitenhage, Mrs. Johan Christoffel HITZEROTH, at the age of 58 years, 8 months and 13 days. Relatives and friends will please accept this notice.
Uitenhage, 9th January 1873.

THE LATE REV. WILLIAM SHAW
Perhaps of the news received from England per S.S. Iceland, that reporting the death of the Rev. William SHAW has more than aught else come home to the hearts of the people of the Eastern Province. For many years the name of William SHAW was indeed a household word from Port Elizabeth to the Bashee, from Graham’s Town to the Orange River – aye, and in the then comparatively unknown regions beyond. When quite a youth he came out with a band of British settlers, as their pastor and friend, and his name has been inseparably associated with colonial history ever since, and more especially during the early days of the settlement. Hundreds and thousands knew him, loved him, trusted in him, and he never betrayed a trust. Though he never mixed up with politics, he took a lively interest in all that concerned the political and social progress of the colony and the native tribes beyond, and few, if any, important steps were taken by any Governor without previously consulting him. He was always attentive to duty, and worked hard in his vocation, but he always had time to advise and encourage those who came to him for counsel or assistance. He was a man of wonderful tact. Tact was his forte, and amid many conflicting interests and rival claims, he was rarely known to give offence. Everyone respected his sterling honesty and uprightness, and to many his very word was law. By the native tribes he was respected and loved, and during his career as a missionary in their midst exerted a wonderful influence over them – an influence that was not evanescent, but which remained with them long after he had departed, and will survive him many a day. To those who have recently arrived in this colony it may seem strange for us to write of Mr. SHAW in this way, but we knew him for five and twenty years, and long before we knew him he had gained a prominent position in this colony as a Christian minister and a leading man in every sense of the word. His death has taken us by surprise, as there was no intelligence of his illness when the previous mail left. We publish below the particulars of his illness and death, as given by the London-Colonial news. In many a Frontier home – in every town and hamlet of the Eastern Province – will the news of his death cast a gloom; but his memory will be cherished by hundreds and thousands in South Africa who knew him as a faithful pastor, an intelligent adviser, a kind-hearted friend, and in every sense of the term a good man. In every history of the Cape Colony the name of William SHAW will stand out boldly as that of one who took an active share in all its vicissitudes, and who bravely struggled for its advancement and prosperity.
(London-Colonial News)
A good and venerable man has just departed from our midst, whose name is a “household word” in South Africa. Few men, indeed, have been so honourably associated with Cape history, during the past fifty years, as the Rev William SHAW, whose decease we have to record. He had for some sixteen years past resided in England, and expired on Wednesday last, the 4th inst, at his house at Brixton. He was within a few days of attaining his 74th birthday, and it is a pleasure to know that up to the last he retained full possession of his faculties; and a conscious sense of having been usefully and happily employed throughout a long lifetime. Mr. SHAW had been unwell three weeks before his death.

DROWNED
On Monday week two lads named VAN AARDT and LOUW, while bathing in the Koonap River near Adelaide, were accidentally drowned. LOUW was seized with the cramp, and his companion went to his assistance, when he threw his arms around the neck of his would-be deliverer, and both sank and were drowned.

Friday 24 January 1873

DIED at the Residence of Henry WOOD Esq., Graham’s Town, on Friday 17th January 1873, Anne, the beloved wife of the Rev. William SARGEANT, of Cradock.

DIED on the 7th December 1872, at Bournemouth, Hants., Henry, son of Mr. John Harrison CLARK, aged 28 years.

BIRTH at Colesberg on Sunday the 19th instant, the wife of Mr. L. ABRAHAMSON of a son.

DIED at 4 o’clock this morning, Eveline Maud, fifth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis H. CARPENTER, aged 4 years – deeply lamented.
24th January 1873

Tuesday 28 January 1873

DROWNED while bathing near the Kowie, on the 13th January 1873, Mr. Henry J. JOHNSTON, son of the late M. JOHNSTON Esq. of London, aged 6 years and 2 months. The deceased gentleman had only been two months in the Colony.
The Aunt and Sisters of the late Mr. Henry JOHNSTON return sincere thanks for the ready help and kindly sympathy which they have received from the residents at the Kowie during their recent sad trial. This kindness has been so general that individuals cannot be named.

Friday 31 January 1873

DIED on the 9th instant, near Aliwal North, Jessie Vera, the infant daughter of Edwin JONES, aged 3 months.

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth on the 25th instant, Mrs. Robert PETTIT of a daughter.

Tuesday 4 February 1873

BIRTH on the 2nd inst, Mrs. THOM of a son.

DIED at Daggaboer’s Neck on Monday 27th January 1873, Mrs. John THOMAS, aged 49 years and 17 days.

DIED at Port Elizabeth on Saturday 1st February 1873, Mrs. Jacomina Johanna KINGWELL, aged 35 years.

Friday 7 February 1873

DISASTROUS FIRE AT SEVEN FOUNTAINS
On Sunday last a very serious fire occurred at Seven Fountains, at the thrashing floor of Mr. DICKERSON, who had just finished thrashing out his wheat, about sixty bags; but it being too damp to store away, it was left, and covered with part of the straw. On Sunday, however, the straw took fire, as far as we can learn, in the following way:- Two little boys, aged about four and seven years respectively, were playing with a match-box, which the younger of the two said had two matches in; and with one of these the straw was ignited. Mrs. DICKERSON and the elder branches of the family had gone to chapel, but fortunately Mr. DICKERSON stayed at home. When he became acquainted with the fire, however, the whole place was in flames, and there was no chance whatever of extinguishing them. He succeeded in getting about three bags out, and then had to wait until the flames somewhat abated, when he would occasionally rush in and pour water on the burning heap of wheat. About this part of the proceedings the chapel came out, and the people at once, when they saw the immense volume of smoke and flames curling up in the air, ran down as fast as possible to render assistance. The fire was at this time not so severe on the heap of wheat; but the quantity of straw that lay to windward caused such a heat, and the smoke was so dense, that it was with difficulty a man could rush in and sprinkle water on and around the wheat. The remaining portion of the grain was soon, however, put out of danger of burning. The damage is variously estimated at from £5 to £20 sterling. Had the wind been blowing strong at the time, nothing could have saved the house of Mr. DICKERSON, part of which has a thatched roof, and was connected to the straw by a bushy fence. Strange to say, very luckily a new wagon that had been standing in the straw was moved away just the day before. This fire, serious as it was, might have been a thousand times worse, if a strong south-east wind had been blowing. – Star.

Tuesday 11 February 1873

DIED at Port Elizabeth on the 8th inst, Harold Vintcent, aged 1 year and 3 months, only son of Mr. and Mrs. T.E. THEWLIS

DE BREDA
The frightful tragedy enacted at Fort Beaufort not very many months past must still be fresh in the minds of men. We are most unwilling to rake up one particle of the terrible story which sent a thrill of horror through the whole land. The unhappy man who had to stand trial for causing the death of his wife escaped the scaffold, under the plea of insanity, and was sent to Robben Island. We now hear that he is declared to be sane, and that application for his release has been, or shortly will be, made. We understand that we shall shortly have all the circumstances of the application made public, and it will then be our time for comment. All we should do now id to reflect. The case is a very painful one, and on which no journalist should enter without well weighing every circumstance. And we cannot fairly do this when Dr. BREDA’s sanity is new to us and his wife’s death unforgotten. – Standard.

Friday 14 February 1873

DIED at Uitenhage on Tuesday 4th February 1873, Winnifred, infant daughter of George and Isabella Ann ARMSTRONG, of Port Elizabeth, aged 3 months and 3 days.

Mrs. John KINGWELL, of Queen-street, died suddenly from heart disease on the evening of Saturday the 1st inst. Her remains were removed to Uitenhage, where many of her relatives reside. Mrs. KINGWELL was but thirty-five years of age when she was cut off so suddenly by the hand of Death.

Tuesday 18 February 1873

BIRTH at Prospect Hill, Port Elizabeth, on the 15th inst, the wife of D.F. STEWART of a son.

On the evening of the 21st December 1872, washed overboard and drowned from the wrecked steamer “Germany” on Point de la Coubre, Coast of France, Mary Maria Clift EARLY, and her little family of four children (wife of Mr. Edward EARLY Junr., late of Witney, Oxfordshire, England, and second daughter of the late Isaiah TITTERTON of this town). A loving wife and mother, a good daughter, and kind sister, deeply regretted by her sorrowing relatives and friends.
“So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.”
Port Elizabeth
Cape of Good Hope

FATAL GUN ACCIDENT
A few days ago a fatal accident, occasioned by the incautious use of fire-arms, took place at Graaffwater, district Alexandria. A shooting party had assembled at the house of one VOGEL, and, on dispersing, a young man named Isaac NIEKERK sprang on his horse, and thinking his gun was loaded with blank cartridge only, fired a parting shot. Unfortunately it was loaded with buck-shot, and the charge took effect in the leg of a young transport rider named VAN ROOYEN, who was standing against the verandah. Dr. DILLON was speedily in attendance on the wounded man, but mortification set in, and he died on Tuesday afternoon. The poor fellow was shortly to be married, and was on a visit to his intended when this unfortunate affair took place.

MURDER IN GREAT WINTERHOEK
The Uitenhage correspondent of the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser writes as follows:- The doctor left here yesterday morning to hold a post mortem on the body of a farmer, Mr. Piet BEZUIDENHOUT, of Groot Rivier ward, Great Winterhoek, who is supposed to have been murdered. A young Englishman, at present in gaol, is charged with the crime. From particulars gathered, I can state that the deed was committed while the deceased and the prisoner were squabbling over the hire amount of a span of oxen. The prisoner’s wife was the only one present. It is supposed that Mr. BEZUIDENHOUT must have been struck on the back of the neck with a piece of iron. A scar was visible on the forehead, while some of his ribs were also broken. However, the doctor has gone out, and I have no doubt we will soon have an authentic report of the whole case. The deceased was a man of generally sober habits, and was in the fiftieth year of his age.

Friday 21 February 1873

MARRIED at Port Elizabeth on the 18th February 1873, by the Rev. J.C. Macintosh, Mr. Lindo HODGES, of Queen’s Town, to Miss Fanny Agnes HEALEY, of Port Elizabeth. No cards.

FOUND DEAD
We regret to state that an occurrence of a melancholy nature took place here some few days ago. The facts, so far as we can learn, are as follow:- A man named BECKETT outspanned his wagon near some farm in this neighbourhood, and went away, leaving his wife and children in charge of the oxen. While the woman was acting as herd, one of the children, a boy of three, managed to wander away and was lost. After some days spent in a fruitless search, the poor little fellow was discovered behind a bush, quite dead. – Q.T. Press.

MELANCHOLY DEATH AT QUEEN’S TOWN
On Friday morning, walking along the bank of the river, the street-keeper, Mr. COOMBES, saw a man in the river. He succeeded in getting him out, when it proved to be Mr. COLLOCOTT, a carpenter recently from Graham’s Town, where his family at present reside. Mr. H. TIFFIN, who happened to be passing, got assistance, but while removing him he died. He was buried by Mr. TIFFIN, who was very kind, and took great interest in this stranger in a strange land. – Free Press.

Tuesday 4 March 1873

MARRIED at Vooruitzigt, Griqualand West, by Special Licence, by the Rev. Mr. Louw V.D.M., on the 11th February 1873, John William HUGHES Esq., of King William’s Town, youngest son of the late Francis HUGHES Esq., of Port Elizabeth, to Hester Susanna, second daughter of John Lowne FROST Esq., of Uitenhage. No cards.

MARRIED at Nanaga Farm, by the Rev. F. Merrington, Elizabeth Agnes, eldest daughter of the late Robt. NEWCOMBE Jun., to George William, third son of the late Capt. J.R. CAITHNESS. – 18th February 1873.

BIRTH on the 11th February, at Port Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. George HOLMES of a son.

DIED on the 21st February, at Port Elizabeth, aged 28 years, deeply regretted, Susannah, the wife of Mr. George HOLMES, and eldest daughter of Mr. Samuel LAINTON, of Halifax, Yorkshire, leaving a young family and large circle of friends to mourn her decease.

DIED on the 22nd February, Philip Lainton, infant son of Mr. George HOLMES, aged 11 days.
Port Elizabeth, Feb 25 1873.

BIRTH at Alexandria, on Thursday the 27th February 1873, Mrs. Frank PATTISON of a daughter

DIED on the 21st inst, at the Family Residence, North End, near the Grey Institute School, Hannah, the second daughter of Robt. and Hannah FOWLER, aged 6 years, 8 months and 25 days.
Mr. and Mrs. FOWLER tender their sincere thanks to the many friends who evinced their sympathy with their late bereavement.

DIED at the Provincial Hospital, on the 28th February 1873, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of William Sandford COX, aged 30 years. Friends will please accept this intimation.

FOUND DEAD
Mr. Field-cornet NIEKERK reports that he held an inquest on Sunday morning on the body of a Hottentot woman named Maria JACOBS, who had died during the previous night. There were no marks of violence, and the Field-cornet came to the conclusion that deceased died from natural causes. – Uitenhage Times.

DROWNED
The son of the petty Chief VYSE was drowned last week, while attempting to cross the Kei at Tylden.

Friday 7 March 1873

MARRIED on the 4th March at Trinity Church, Port Elizabeth, by the Rev. W. Greenstock, James Alfred PERRY, of Liverpool, England, to Sarah Ann, eldest daughter of William BELDON, of Port Elizabeth.

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth, 4th March 1873, the wife of Mr. E. CASTENS of a son.

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth on the 1st March 1873, Mrs. J.J. FLANAGAN, of Kragga Kamma, of a daughter.

UITENHAGE: A MAN RUN OVER AND KILLED
A sad affair occurred in Uitenhage last Tuesday morning about eight o’clock, by which an old servant of Mr. ROSELT’s, named John COCKEROON, was killed. He was talking at the top of Cuyler-street with two of his companions, when COOK’s post cart, drawn by four horses, turned out of Caledon-street in to Cuyler-street, and came on to where they were standing. This was observed by two of the men, who jumped out of the road, but COCKEROON, who apparently did not hear the cart, and who had his back to the direction from which it was coming, remained standing until the heads of the leaders came up against his shoulders. In his fright he turned round, seized the bridle and cried “stop”, but it was too late: the horses plunged, he let go his hold, and got between them, when the pole of the cart caught him on the temple, split his head open, and left him a corpse. He never moved a limb or uttered a word after being knocked down. The place where it happened is very sandy, which accounts for him not hearing the cart approach. The street is very wide; wide enough in fact to allow twelve carts to pass each other, and there was no other vehicle passing at the time. Old KAFAAR, who was the driver, reined up for a moment or two to allow one of the passengers to get out and see what had been done, and then drove on to the Bay as if nothing had happened. The Magistrate, after taking the evidence of some of the bystanders, immediately telegraphed to Port Elizabeth, and KAFAAR arrived in Uitenhage in the evening in charge of a constable. Hhe had to find bail for a large amount. The investigation will shortly take place.

MATRIMONIAL
In our last issue we (Standard) announced the marriage of Mr. A. BARKLY, the son and Private Secretary of His Excellency the Governor, and remarked that several other marriages would shortly be celebrated. On Thursday Mr. H.E. SANGER, who is so well known and so much respected in the north-eastern portion of the colony and in the Diamond-fields especially, led to the altar Miss BURTON, his betrothed, who was a passenger from Home by the Asiatic. The service was conducted by Canon LIGHTFOOT, and the bride was given away by Capt. COXWELL. At the church, and in the wedding group by the altar, were a number of the friends of the bride and bridegroom, many being passengers from Home by the Asiatic. After the wedding there was a recherché breakfast at the Masonic Hotel. Capt. COXWELL, by virtue of his long charge of the fair bride from home, in loco parentis occupied the chair. There were a number of Eastern gentlemen among the wedding party, of whom we might mention Mr. J. WOOD (of Wood Brothers), who is a relative of the bridegroom, Mr. GILBERT (of Graham’s Town), Mr. BATE (of GREATHEAD and BATE) and Mr. HOOLE (of HOOLE & WILSON). Natal had also its representatives, as had England. The breakfast was provided in Mr. ROTHKUGEL’s very best style, and the party was a very pleasant one. The health of the happy pair was proposed heartily, and genuinely responded to. Absent friends were not forgotten, and as the speakers were no novices in the art, the speeches were worth listening to. As the carriage and four greys dashed off from the hotel bearing the bride and bridegroom on their honeymoon they were visited with a shower of wedding favours, amongst which the old shoe was not forgotten. We have to congratulate society at the Diamond-fields on having gained such an addition as the prize which Mr. SANGER takes back with him from Cape Town.

Friday 14 March 1873

BIRTH at Windsor, Berkshire, on the 4th February, the wife of Robert STEWART Esq., General Manager Standard Bank, of a son.

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth on the 12th instant, Mrs. A. ALLENBERG of aa daughter.

DIED at Port Elizabeth on the 14th instant, Wallace Campbell, youngest son of John and Marizza PATERSON, aged18 months and 22 days.
Port Elizabeth, March 14 1873.

DIED at Port Elizabeth on the 12th instant, Harrold Edward, infant son of Arthur and Alice HORWOOD.

DIED on the 10th March, at the Family Residence, North End, Robert, son of Robert and Hannah FOWLER, aged 3 year, 1 month and 22 days; also Emma Harriet, daughter of Robert and Hannah FOWLER, aged 5 years – deeply regretted by their sorrowing parents.

DIED at Port Elizabeth on the 13th March 1873, Georgina Lucretia, beloved wife of the Rev. James FISH, aged 19 years and 8 months.
The Funeral will take place at 3 o’clock this (Friday) afternoon. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.
Timothy LEE, Undertaker
Port Elizabeth, March 14 1873.

DEATH OF MRS. FISH
The town was shocked to hear yesterday of the death of Mrs. FISH, wife of the Rev. J. FISH, Wesleyan Minister, after a brief illness of four days. Mrs. FISH was out walking on Friday and Saturday last, but on Sunday was taken suddenly ill. Medical advice was immediately called in, and she has had unremitting attention paid her, but despite every effort, yesterday at noon she breathed her last, under the most distressing circumstances. Mrs. FISH had been married but little more than eight months, and at the time of her death was not quite twenty years of age. The deepest sympathy is felt for Mr. FISH, who is almost crushed under this severe affliction. The mortal remains of Mrs. FISH will be interred this afternoon.

Tuesday 18 March 1873

MARRIED on the 25th February by the Rev. H.M. Foot B.A., L.L.B., Charles Edward GEARD of Port Elizabeth to Mary Ann Margaret, second daughter of Mr. William HOCKEY, of Graham’s Town. No cards.

DIED on the 12th instant, at Port Elizabeth, aged 69, Mary, widow of the late John DE VILLIERS Esq., formerly Clerk of the Peace for Uitenhage.

DIED at his late Residence, “Myrtle House”, St.George’s Park, Port Elizabeth, this (Tuesday) morning, March 18 1873, Mr. William PATTINSON, aged 63 years.
The Funeral will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon at four pm. Relatives and friends will please accept this intimation.
T. MACGREGOR, Undertaker
Port Elizabeth, March 18 1873.

DEATH has been busy with our population lately, and today we have the painful duty to record the death of one of our oldest and best known inhabitants, Mr. William PATTINSON. It seems that some time since, through exposure of himself to a draught while resting on a sofa, he caught a severe cold, which attacked the lungs, but at first was neglected by deceased as an illness which he expected every day would pass away. Last week, however, his medical attendant, Dr. THOM, saw that it was taking serious hold of him, and urged him at once to leave business for a time and attend to his health. Mr. PATTINSON yielded at once to the representations of the doctor, and went home to bed, but, melancholy to say, never again to rise from it. Acute inflammation of the lungs set in with galloping speed, jaundice from neglected state of the liver aggravated the disease, and in six days from the time when Mr. PATTINSON had taken to his bed, the strong and vigorous frame with which all in Port Elizabeth were so familiar had given way, and one of our most esteemed fellow-townsmen had breathed his last. Mr. PATTINSON came to Port Elizabeth between 30 and 40 years ago, and established himself here in business in the early beginning of our seaport. During the whole of that long period he maintained an unblemished reputation, as an upright, straightforward and successful man of business. He ever took an active part in the municipal business of the town, and, beyond the sphere of the public man, was in the private relationships of life an affectionate husband, a kind father, and a true and fast friend to all who sought and merited his friendship. He leaves a widow and large family to mourn their irreparable loss. In their deep sorrow they will have with them the sincere sympathy of the whole community of Port Elizabeth.

Friday 21 March 1873

BIRTH at Schietfontein on the 10th instant, Mrs. John THOMSON of a daughter.

Friday 28 March 1873

BIRTH on the 25th instant, Mrs. Septimus JONES of a daughter.

MARRIED by Special Licence at Uitenhage, by the Rev. A.J. Steytler, on Thursday March 20, Heinrich F.C.F. ROST Esq., of Mecklenburg, North Germany, to Margaret Aletta, eldest daughter of J.F. SCHLEMMER Esq. of Du Toit’s Span, Diamond-fields, late of Uitenhage.

FATAL ACCIDENT
On Tuesday last a child of Mr. CHANNER met with a fatal accident in Queen-street. It appears that he went outside his school, when a heavy gate accidentally fell on him, crushing him so severely that death subsequently ensued.