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Grahamstown Journal

Grahamstown Journal 1835 - 1 - January to June

Friday 23 January 1835

Headquarters, Graham’s Town, 20th January 1835
A Corps will be formed from the Mounted Burghers of Albany, consisting of three Troops of 50 Rank and File, and will be entitled the “Albany Mounted Sharpshooters”, under the Command of:-
George TOMLINSON Esq to be Major
1st Troop
Edward DRIVER Esq to be Captain
William KIDSON, Gent, Lieutenant
Edward NELSON, Gent, Cornet
2nd Troop
Richard SOUTHEY Esq, Captain
George SOUTHEY, Gent, Lieutenant
William HOLDER, Gent, Cornet
3rd Troop
J.D. NORDEN Esq, Captain
William AYTON, Gent, Lieutenant
William GILBERT, gent, Cornet
William BOWES, gent, Adjutant
William COCK Jun, Gent, Quarter Master
H.G. SMITH, Lieut-Col Commanding the Forces.

NOTICE
This is to give notice to all whom it may concern that I will not be answerable for any Debts contracted by my Wife, Mary Matilda WILKINSON (late GOWAR) from the date hereof.
Robert WILKINSON
Graham’s Town, 21st January 1835

Friday 30 January 1835

The Burgher Force of Bathurst will be forthwith organized, and will form a Corps, consisting of one Company, to be styled “The Bathurst Volunteers”
Officers are appointed as follows:-
To be Captain Commanding, W. GILFILLAN Esq
To be 2nd Captain, W. BOWKER Esq
To be 1st Lieutenant, Edward PHILLIPPS, Gent
To be 2nd Lieutenant, Frederic PHILLIPPS, Gent
H.G. SMITH, Colonel, Chief of Staff
Headquarters, Graham’s Town, Jan 27 1835

Friday 6 March 1835

Extract of a letter dated Beaufort, Feb 27 1835
“The tidings of poor GOODWIN’s death created a great sensation here; his parents, who are far advanced in years, are overwhelmed with distress at the unhappy event; he was exceedingly beloved by them, and in great measure, through his exertions and arrangements, they lived in a very happy though retired manner. He was a young man of considerable ability, gentlemanly in manners and honourable in conduct; he for several years held an appointment in the Civil Service.
We had a deal of sickness here; I am sorry to say it continues much the same. A few days ago we had a delightful rain, and the country is now looking beautiful.”

Friday 3 April 1835

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth on the 27th March, the Lady of M.A. ARMSTRONG Esq, Resident Justice of the Peace, of a son.

Friday 24 April 1835

We learn that very great and general distress prevails amongst the people of the Kat River Settlement. Want of clothing is most severely felt at this moment, as the mountains which encircle them are covered with snow from the summits almost to the base. Fortunately the supply of fuel in that neighbourhood is abundant, and may be had in any quantity for the trouble of collecting. Still as a great number of the people are necessarily compelled to mount guard during the night, however inclement, this does not mitigate their case or make up for a deficiency of clothing. We are glad to hear that the subject has been under consideration of the Board of Relief and that five hundred pounds sterling have been voted for the purpose of procuring warm clothing and blankets for the more destitute amongst them. It has been estimated that it would require three times that amount to supply all their wants, even though it were done on the most moderate and economical scale.

BIRTH on the 27th March, at Oatlands, Mrs. SOMERSET of a daughter.
Graham’s Town, 24th April 1835.

Friday 8 May 1835

DIED at Graham’s Town on Wednesday the 6th inst, Mr. James WEEKS, Pastry Cook and Confectioner of that place. It is only just to say that by the decease of this individual the public of Albany has sustained a loss that will not easily be repaired. He was a native of Truro in Cornwall, and came hither as one of the original settlers in 1820. Soon after his arrival in the colony he engaged in itinerate trading among the farmers of the frontier districts, by whom he will be long remembered for his upright dealings and his cheerful activity in the conduct of all his transactions. After a few years spent in this pursuit he sat down on his farm near Bathurst, where he applied himself with his wonted energy and cheerfulness to the pursuits of agriculture. Whilst here his dwelling was not more remarkable for the exact arrangement of every part than for the unbounded hospitality of its inmates. Mr. WEEKS possessed, however, a mind too active and a disposition too social to be content to reside in the seclusion of a farm, and he shortly removed to Graham’s Town, where he continued to follow, up to his death, his proper calling of a pastry cook – and if solid worth as a tradesman, - if benevolence to the poor, - if incessant activity in promoting to the utmost of his ability every useful institution, - if warmth of feeling towards his friends, and if charity towards his enemies (if such a man could have such) is entitled to the eulogium of the public, he then may justly claim this tribute to his memory.
The deceased was in the 46th year of his age and fell a victim, while in the prime of life and full of health and vigour, to the prevailing fever, accompanied by erysipelas. He was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Society before quitting the shores of his native country, and he continued a steady member of that body till his death. It will be consolatory to his friends to learn that the religion which he had so long professed was his stay whilst passing through the “dark valley”, that to use his own words he had “a humble reliance on Divine mercy” and that his end was peace.

Friday 22 May 1835

We have now to record the event of the most painful character, and which will not be read by anyone acquainted with the individual to whom it relates, without exciting the most painful and distressing emotions; we allude to the death of Mr. T.C. WHITE, Major in the Graham’s Town Volunteers and Assistant Quarter Master General to the Burgher Forces.
The particulars of this melancholy event is detailed in a communication now before us:- “On the evening of the 13th Col. SMITH encamped on the Bashee, 75 miles from the Kei. On the 14th a party was left under under Capt. ROSS on the east bank of the Bashee, the Col. going on 20 miles to the Kocka to take cattle. Major WHITE was left at the camp with a party under the command of Capt. ROSS. After breakfast he proposed to Mr. ANDREWS (Col. SMITH’s secretary) to proceed to the top of a hill, about two miles from the camp, observing “we may have an adventure as well as Col. SMITH, and I wish to get an important addition to my manuscripts.” Mr. A pointed out to him that there were many Kafirs on the heights all around them – still the major persisted in going, taking a corporal and three men with him. The men were posted at different points of observation, and had not been long there when they heard a noise, ran up, and saw the Major – who had been looking down a precipice – fall, pierced with an assegai through the back; and a dozen Kafirs rushing on the corporal from the bushes and long grass. The three men fired and ran down the hill. Shortly after ten of the Cape Corps went to remove the bodies, and saw the horses carried off by the Kafirs; they took also Major WHITE’s hat, coat, instruments, map &c. His body, pierced with many wounds on the head, loins and back, was brought down and buried under a retired bush, out of sight of the Kafirs on the heights on the west of the Bashee. The loss of Major WHITE, one of the most active and intelligent men of the colony, cannot be sufficiently deplored.”
Such are the circumstances which led to the untimely fate of an individual whose premature death must be considered as a [rest of line obscured] To talents of a high class, he possessed the nicest sense of honour, a perfect independency of mind, and the most inflexible integrity. He had an intellect of no common grasp; hence he was never at a loss for resources under the most disheartening circumstances, and it was impossible to know him without discovering that he possessed an indomitable spirit which no opposition could subdue – no difficulties discourage. But however much the public who knew him may deplore his fate, it is in the interchange of private friendship that his loss will be most acutely felt. With the most open candid disposition he possessed the warmest attachment to his friends. He had a heart ever ready to sympathise with them, and a hand ever ready to support and assist them; whilst he was ever on the alert to cheer them to useful and commendable exertions. As a practical farmer, and as the grand promoter of every undertaking which could add to the comfort of the inhabitants, and promote their general prosperity - this part of the colony has lost in him one of its most valuable members. Viewed either as a private member of the community, or as a public character, it may be truly said that in his death the district of Albany has sustained an irreparable loss.
Major WHITE came to the colony among the early Settlers of 1820, but shortly afterwards returned to England, where he afforded the Government much useful information on the state of colonial affairs on the frontier, and on the subject of emigration in general. He was examined at considerable length by the Parliamentary Committee, the information afforded by him being recorded among the public documents of that day. Previous to his return to this colony he visited the continent of Europe, and once there was indefatigable in his enquiries on subjects of importance to his future pursuits as an emigrant to a new country. At this time he collected those various species of wheat which have been so successfully cultivated on this frontier, and is now distinguished by the appellation of “White’s wheat”. On his return he became the purchaser of an extensive farm, a few miles NW of Graham’s Town, and which, from a barren arid desert, he has brought to the condition of one of the most fertile and valuable spots in this part of the colony. His garden and vineyard, his extensive dams and lakes of water, where nothing but sterility formerly reigned; his flocks of fine woolled sheep, and his agricultural labours in general have long been the admiration of the surrounding country, and have attracted much attention from visitors and strangers. He was an officer of distinguished merit in the army, having received his education at the military college at Marlo; and at a very early period highly distinguished himself as a mathematician, an acute reasoner, and an able draftsman. In 1816 he was employed by the Home Government in a military survey of the island of Guadeloupe, which he completed in the first style of excellence; but he had quitted the army for more peaceful occupations until called again into the field by the present daring invasion of the colony. Major WHITE was a masterly surveyor, and it is expected that he must have left amongst his papers sketches of the Kafir country of great interest and value.

Friday 29 May 1835

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth on the 22nd ultimo, the Lady of James CHALMERS Esq, Surgeon, of a daughter.

DIED at Graham’s Town on the evening of Wednesday the 20th inst, my beloved wife Dorothea Charlotte WIENAND, aged 20 years 11 months and 24 days.
J.H.B. WIENAND
27th May 1835

Friday 12 June 1835

BIRTH at Graham’s Town, June 10th, the wife of the Rev W.B. BOYCE, Wesleyan Missionary, of a daughter.

Friday 19 June 1835

Now unpacking at the store of A.T.CALDECOTT; Teas, Sonchi, Ironskin, Gunpowder, Coffee, Chocolate, Loaf and Moist Sugar, Rice, Dates, Sago, Arrowroot, Pearl Barley, Starch, Blue, Basket Salt, Cayenne and Black Pepper, Mustard, Curry Powder, English Vinegar, Capers, Stomachie Bitters, Barley Sugar, Treacle, Liquorice, Peppermint Lozenges, Eau de Cologne, Vermacelli, Currants, Stalk Raisins, Yellow and Windsor Soap, Pickles all sorts and sizes, Pickled Mushrooms, Anchovies, Quins and other sauces, Bottled Gooseberries, Shaving Soap, Violins, Magic Lanterns, Slates, Japan Ink, Quills, Foolscap Paper, Wafers, bottle and paste Blacking, Marbles, Sandpaper, Doormats,
Allspice, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Ginger, Carraway Seed, Bengal and Silk Hats, Lucifers and Prometheans.
Cigars, far superior to any ever imported, of various sorts, Maccaboy Snuff, Brazil and Negrohead Tobacco, a large assortment of very handsome German and China Pipes, Clay Pipes, a large assortment of wood, paper and metal Snuff Boxes and a great variety of other articles too numerous to mention.

DIED at Graham’s Town June 13 1835, Hillaria, wife of the Rev. W.J. SHREWSBURY, Wesleyan Minister, aged 33 years, leaving with her bereaved Husband seven Children to lament her loss.

Friday 27 June [sic] 1835

DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP
The Partnership which has hitherto existed between the undersigned in the Kafir Trade and Farming Affairs has ceased, in consequence of their property having been plundered and destroyed by the Kafirs.
W. SOUTHEY
R. SOUTHEY
G. SOUTHEY

MEETING OF CREDITORS
In consequence of the property of the undersigned Kafir Trader having been swept away by the Kafirs in the present war, a Meeting of his Creditors will be holden at the Stores of Messrs. C & H MAYNARD on Monday next, the 29th inst, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Absent Creditors will be considered as voting with the majority.
W. HOLDER

For Sale at Grape Vale, the nursery of Mr. Charles HILL, a choice selection of Worked Fruit Trees, consisting of Devonshire Golden Rennet, Holland Pippin, and Norfolk Biffin Apple Trees, do. red Mogul, French Pruant and New Years’ Plumbs, do. do. black and white German and Saffron Pear, do. Roman Nectarine, Moorpark Apricot, red Magnum Peach, Mulberries, Almonds, Cherries, Medlars and English Gooseberry Trees. The above Trees may be supplied to any quantity at the above place. Orders will be received at the house of Mr. A. MORGAN, carpenter, New-street, Graham’s Town.
Grape Vale, 22nd June 1835

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