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Vera Ferris Bowker

Vera Ferris Bowker

Female 1890 - 1965  (74 years)

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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Vera Ferris BowkerVera Ferris Bowker was born on 12 Jun 1890 in Glen Craig farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 13 Jul 1890 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa (daughter of Oliver Osbaldiston Bowker and Susan Margaret Serrurier Smuts); died in 1965 in Margate, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • 1820 Lineage: Yes
    • Residence: Between 12 Jun 1890 and 27 Jun 1911, Glen Craig farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    • Residence: 27 Jun 1911, Fonteins Hoek farm, Somerset East ward 6, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    • Residence: Between 1918 and 1920, Lehau, Northern Transvaal, South Africa
    • Residence: Between 1920 and 1950, Egerton, Settlers, Springbok Flats, Northern Transvaal, South Africa
    • Residence: Between 1950 and 1965, Mooi River, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

    Notes:

    Died:
    DEPOT NAB
    SOURCE MSCE
    TYPE LEER
    VOLUME_NO 0
    SYSTEM 01
    REFERENCE 3759/1965
    PART 1
    DESCRIPTION AYLWARD, VERA FERRIS. BORN BOWKER. BORN IN SOMERSET EAST, CAPE. SSP AYLWARD, STUART. DECEASED ESTATE.
    STARTING 19650000
    ENDING 19660000

    Vera married Stuart Aylward on 27 Jun 1911 in Glen Craig farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Stuart (son of Louis John Aylward and Ellen Shearer) was born on 16 Jun 1885 in Edmonton, Hornsey, London, England; died on 24 Apr 1976 in Welkom, Free State, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. John Oliver Roland Aylward was born on 29 Jun 1912 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 30 Jun 1998 in Grey's Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
    2. Susie-Bell Aylward was born on 6 Feb 1915 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 23 Nov 2008 in Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, Hampshire, England.
    3. Florence Ella Adele Aylward was born on 5 Oct 1920 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 3 Apr 1922 in The Manse, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 24 Jun 2011 in Florida, Gauteng, South Africa.

Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Oliver Osbaldiston BowkerOliver Osbaldiston Bowker was born on 29 Sep 1857 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa (son of Robert Mitford Bowker, 1820 Settler and Sarah Elizabeth Hart); died on 2 Aug 1951 in Glen Craig farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Somerset East , Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • 1820 Lineage: Yes
    • Residence: Between 1857 and 1890, Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    • Residence: Between 1890 and 1951, Glen Craig farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    Notes:

    Oliver lived most of his life on his farm, Glen Craig, a sub division of the Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East. He used to farm cattle and sheep. When we, Janet and Paul TT, went to the farm in May 2014, we were rather disappointed in its' condition. Most of the original house had been demolished and only the 'south end' was still original. All the north end had gone, except for the toilet at the end of the rear verandah. We could see where the original building was from a view from the west up behind the house. The croquet lawn area was also still there, and a nice little tree was growing where I think one of the bedrooms must have been. A 'new' room ahd been added, as can be seen on one of the photos. The original dry-stone wall cattle barn was still there, but one section of the wall has been knocked inwards. The original tree branches were still holding up the roof. None of the flower and vegetable garden in front of the house exist any more. A lot of wattle trees have grown up in the kloof, and are spreading. A couple of new buildings had been built, and it looked like the farmhouse was being used as a base for game watching/hunting/trails - sad.

    He was twice mentioned in despatches during the Anglo-Boer War - first for clearing the Somerset East district of horses so that the Boers could not get fresh re-mounts, and secondly for putting the names of all the farmers and their families on their doors to enable the troops to see if they were harbouring Boers, etc. This was not a popular task!

    His grand-daughter Susie-Bell Aylward related the following anecdote. "When the family used to travel to Nylstroom, with her father Stuart driving the 'old Ford' Model T car, Oliver used to carry a whistle, and if he thought that the road was not safe, or he could not see around the corners, he would tell Stuart to stop the car, and blow his whistle to warn any oncoming people or traffic!"



    Died:
    DEATH NOTICE: MOOC 6/9/18651 R5072
    Name of Deceased: Oliver Osbaldiston BOWKER
    Birthplace of Deceased: Somerset East
    Age of Deceased: 93 years 10 months (b October 1857)
    Condition in Life: Farmer
    Ordinary Place of Residence: 'Glen Craig', Somerset East
    Widower
    Name of pre-deceased wife and approximate date of death: Susan Margaret Surruriar SMUTS died 3 February 1949
    Place of last marriage: Somerset East
    Date of Death: 2 August 1951
    Place of Death: 'Glen Craig', Somerset East
    Names of Children and whether Major or Minor:
    Oliver George Duncan BOWKER
    Cyril Rowland BOWKER
    Ella BOWKER married CRUTCHLEY
    Vera Ferris BOWKER married AYLWARD
    Whether deceased has left any property, and of what kind: Movable
    Signed O.G.D. BOWKER, Son

    Oliver married Susan Margaret Serrurier Smuts on 26 Sep 1889 in Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Susan (daughter of Johannes Joachim Lodewyk Smuts and Esther Leonora Wilhelmina Morkel) was born on 9 Nov 1870 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa; died on 3 Feb 1949 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Somerset East , Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 3.  Susan Margaret Serrurier SmutsSusan Margaret Serrurier Smuts was born on 9 Nov 1870 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa (daughter of Johannes Joachim Lodewyk Smuts and Esther Leonora Wilhelmina Morkel); died on 3 Feb 1949 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Somerset East , Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    Children:
    1. 1. Vera Ferris Bowker was born on 12 Jun 1890 in Glen Craig farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 13 Jul 1890 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died in 1965 in Margate, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
    2. Cyril Roland Bowker was born on 23 Nov 1891 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 21 Apr 1892 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died about 1956.
    3. Ella Josephine Bowker was born on 21 Oct 1893 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 23 Dec 1893 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died in Oct 1981; was buried on 13 Oct 1981 in Clumber, Bathurst (nr), Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    4. Oliver George Duncan Bowker was born on 22 Oct 1898 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 1 Jun 1974 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Robert Mitford Bowker, 1820 SettlerRobert Mitford Bowker, 1820 Settler was born on 30 Aug 1810 in Deckham Hall, Gateshead, Durham, England; was christened on 4 Oct 1813 in Parish Church of Saint Mary, Almer, Dorset, England (son of Miles Bowker, 1820 Settler and Anna Maria Mitford, 1820 Settler); died on 24 Aug 1892 in Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • 1820 Lineage: Yes
    • Settler ID: 108
    • Residence: 1816, Manor Farm, South Newton, Wiltshire, England
    • Settler: 7 Jan 1820, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
    • Residence: 25 Jun 1820, Olive Burn farm, Kleinemonde, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    • Residence: Abt 1847, Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    Notes:

    Initially thought that Robert was born at Morpeth in Northumberland, but then discovered that Miles and Anna and their sons must have moved to Charborough Park in Devon sometime in 1810, as I discovered that Miles was paying 'Land Tax' for rented lands at Lythchett Matravers from a William Trenchard, Esq. from 1811 through to at least 1816. Miles also paid £32 tax for the tithing of Charborough on 3rd May 1811, owned by the Earl Drax Grosvenor, Esq. When we found a transcription Robert's Death Notice, it stated that he was born in Newcastle, ie Deckhams Hall, which means that Miles and family would have only 'gone south' in the latter part of 1810.

    Robert married Sarah Elizabeth Hart of the farm Glen Avon, Somerset East. He farmed at Craigie Burn, Somerset East, which was formerly a part of Glen Avon. Craigie Burn was up in the Bosberg mountains above Glen Avon, and as it was isolated it remained unmolested throughout the many Kaffir Wars. It was used as a place of refuge for the rest of the family, and Robert's brothers often brought their stock, wives, families and left them there while they went to the wars.

    On our (Janet & Paul TT) trip to South Africa in May 2014, we stayed at Glen Avon, and managed to get up the pass to Craigie Burn. The original house was in the process of being renovated by the current owners, Petri and Suzanne Snyman. We had parked our hire car, a VW Polo, at the entrance gate to the farm, and walked down to the house, as the humps and gulleys on the drive would have left our car high and dry. We met Suzanne briefly, and she advised that any non-4wd vehicle would not get further up the road towards Glen Craig!

    Robert took part in the campaign against the M'fecani in 1828, and served in the war of 1850-1853. . Member of the House of Assembly from 1854 - 1873 and Member of the Legislative Council from 1879 to 1883.

    from:British South Africa
    A History of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope from its Conquest 1795 to the Settlement of Albany by the British Emigration of 1819 [A.D. 1795 - 1825] WITH NOTICES OF SOME OF THE BRITISH SETTLERS OF 1820
    BY
    COLIN TURING CAMPBELL [Residient at Graham's Town, 1845-1871]:-
    Robert Mitford Bowker, J.P., M.L.A. and M.L.C., served with the Corps of Guides during the war of 1835-36 ; was at the taking of Murray's Kranz and other engagements until close of the war. Served in the Zuurberg and other points during the war of 1846-47. Volunteered for the rescue of Winterberg families in 1851, was at Balfour and taking of Fort Armstrong, carried out a wounded comrade under close fire. Elected member of the House of Assembly for division of Somerset East in 1854, and served in Parliament for over thirty-six years.

    Parish of Almer
    BAPTISMS 1731 - 1879
    These records have been transcribed from the Bishop's Transcripts.


    Settler:
    Bowker's Party on the Weymouth

    Died:
    DEATH NOTICE: MOOC 6/9/308 R2995

    Robert married Sarah Elizabeth Hart on 19 Dec 1838 in Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Sarah (daughter of Robert Hart and Hannah May Tamplin) was born on 16 Jun 1820 in Somerset Farm, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 25 Aug 1875 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 5.  Sarah Elizabeth HartSarah Elizabeth Hart was born on 16 Jun 1820 in Somerset Farm, Eastern Cape, South Africa (daughter of Robert Hart and Hannah May Tamplin); died on 25 Aug 1875 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    Notes:

    Died:
    DEATH NOTICE:
    MOOC 6/9/190 F 4878
    Name of the Deceased: Sarah Elizabeth HART
    Birthplace of Deceased: Somerset East
    Names of Parents of the Deceased: Robert Hart
    Hannah Hart
    Age of the Deceased: 55 years
    Condition in Life
    Ordinary Place of Residence
    Married
    Name of Surviving Spouse: Robert Mitford BOWKER
    Place of Last Marriage:
    Date of Death: 25 August 1875
    Place of Death: Craigie Burn, Somerset East
    Names of Children of the Deceased and whether Major or Minor:
    Ellen BOWKER married Robert HART (son of James HART)
    Ann BOWKER married James Scott PRINGLE
    James Frederick Fleischer BOWKER
    Robert Mitford BOWKER
    Effie Mitford BOWKER married John Ward STEVENS
    Septimus Boucher BOWKER
    William Henry BOWKER
    Sarah Elizabeth BOWKER married John Mitford BOWKER
    Robert Hart BOWKER
    Oliver Osbaldiston BOWKER
    Miles Egleton BOWKER
    Whether the deceased left any property and of what kind: Movable & Immovable
    Has the Deceased left a will?
    Signed R.M. Bowker Surviving Spouse

    Children:
    1. Anna Maria Bowker was born on 18 Jan 1840 in Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 9 Feb 1840 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died in 1875.
    2. Ellen Tamplin Bowker was born on 19 Mar 1841 in 'Thornkloof', Fish River Randt, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 18 Apr 1841 in NGK Church, Someset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 14 Nov 1920 in Thomas River, Cathcart district, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Thomas River Historical village cemetey, Cathcart District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    3. Anne Stretch Bowker was born on 7 Feb 1843 in Bedford, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 26 Feb 1843 in NGK Church, Someset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 14 Mar 1928 in Ettrick, Kokstad, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa; was buried in Ettrick, Kokstad, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
    4. James Frederick Fleischer Bowker was born on 21 Feb 1845 in Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 9 Mar 1845 in NGK Church, Someset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 15 May 1909 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Somerser East English Church, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    5. Effie Mitford Bowker was born on 7 Jun 1846 in Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 6 Jul 1846 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 14 Jul 1884 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    6. John Mitford Bowker was born in 1847; was christened on 9 Aug 1848.
    7. Robert Mitford Bowker was born on 16 May 1848 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 17 Feb 1934 in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Free Protestant cemetery, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    8. Septimus Bourchier Bowker was born on 27 Mar 1850 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 12 Apr 1850 in NGK Church, Someset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 8 Dec 1938 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Main Cemetery, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    9. William Henry Bowker was born on 25 Nov 1851 in Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 2 Aug 1927 in Berlin, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Main cemetery, Berlin, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    10. Robert Hart Bowker was born on 7 Mar 1853 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 7 Mar 1936 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    11. Charles Lennox Bowker was born on 19 Aug 1854 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 12 May 1934.
    12. Sarah Elizabeth Bowker was born on 24 Jan 1856 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 24 Feb 1856 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 14 Mar 1937 in Middelburg, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    13. 2. Oliver Osbaldiston Bowker was born on 29 Sep 1857 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 2 Aug 1951 in Glen Craig farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Somerset East , Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    14. Miles Egerton Bowker was born on 14 Jun 1860 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 5 Apr 1933 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

  3. 6.  Johannes Joachim Lodewyk Smuts was born on 27 Jul 1838 (son of Dr. Johannes Joachim Lodewijk Smuts and Susan Margaret Ferris); died on 11 Jul 1912 in Plumstead, Western Cape, South Africa.

    Johannes married Esther Leonora Wilhelmina Morkel on 27 Jan 1870 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Esther (daughter of Pieter Loret Morkel and Susanna Petronella Wessels) was born on 11 Jan 1849; died on 17 Nov 1883 in Woodstock, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 7.  Esther Leonora Wilhelmina Morkel was born on 11 Jan 1849 (daughter of Pieter Loret Morkel and Susanna Petronella Wessels); died on 17 Nov 1883 in Woodstock, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.

    Notes:

    DEPOT KAB
    SOURCE MOOC
    TYPE LEER
    VOLUME_NO 6/9/525
    SYSTEM 01
    REFERENCE 1871
    PART 1
    DESCRIPTION SMUTS, ESTHER ELEANORA WILHELMINA. NEE MORKEL. DEATH NOTICE.
    STARTING 19050000
    ENDING 19050000

    Children:
    1. 3. Susan Margaret Serrurier Smuts was born on 9 Nov 1870 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa; died on 3 Feb 1949 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Somerset East , Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    2. Charles Duncan Coxwell Smuts
    3. Peter Linck Morkel Smuts
    4. Claude John Smuts
    5. Sidney Smuts
    6. Esther Blanche Smuts


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  Miles Bowker, 1820 SettlerMiles Bowker, 1820 Settler was born in 1758 in Deckham Hall, Gateshead, Durham, England; was christened on 19 Sep 1758 in All Saint's, Newcastle on Tyne, Northumberland, England (son of Thomas Bowker and Dorothy Falconer Monkhouse); died on 25 Mar 1839 in Tharfield, Kleinemonde, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried on 27 Mar 1839 in Tharfield, Kleinemonde, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • 1820 Lineage: Yes
    • Settler ID: 105
    • Occupation: a Gentleman Farmer
    • Residence: 1800, Deckham Hall, Gateshead, Durham, England
    • Residence: 1801, Mitford Manor, Mitford, Northumberland, England
    • Residence: 1809, Deckham Hall, Gateshead, Durham, England
    • Residence: 3 May 1811, Charborough Park, West Almer, Dorsetshire, England
    • Residence: 1817, Manor Farm, South Newton, Wiltshire, England
    • Settler: 7 Jan 1820, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England; : 61y
    • Residence: 25 Jun 1820, Olive Burn farm, Kleinemonde, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    • Residence: 1833, Tharfield, Kleinemonde, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    Notes:

    Miles Bowker was born at Deckham Hall in Gateshead.
    Extracted from 'The Bowkers of Tharfield' Pages 4 & 5.
    'Deckham Hall was demolished in 1934 to make room for modern residences. In the July of that year Raymond Mitford-Barberton. and his family were motoring through Gateshead on the way to Scotland. Half-way through the town he asked a policeman whether he had ever heard of Deckham Hall. 'Oh yes,' he replied, 'Turn back and take the first street to your left. It is on the bare top of the hill beyond the last houses. The property now belongs to Lord X and the Hall is being demolished". {see the picture of the map}

    Finding Deckhams was as easy as that. The hall had been built on the summit of the hill with an all round view; Gateshead to the South, smoky Newcastle beyond the Tyne to the north and eastward the great river with its hundreds of ships - colliers carry coal to all the world. Little remained of this once fair mansion of the BOWKERS. All the walls had been taken down a few days before we got there but we got a fair idea of the extent and shape of the building from its massive stone foundations. Like many houses of that period it was not very large on the ground floor, but it probably stood several stories high. The main reception hall was distinguishable by its large fireplace."

    8.3.1800 Married in Morpeth, Northumberland. He farmed sheep in the Cheviot hills
    Moved to Dorset in 1810-1811.
    3rd May 1811 he paid £32-0-0 in land tax for property owned by Richard Earl Drax Grosvenor, the owner of Charborough Park, Dorset where he farmed Merino sheep for 6 years. Children baptised in Almer Church. He was paying a land tax in 1811 of £9-9s for a freehold owned by William Trenchard in Lytchett Matravers, the village bordering on to Charborough Park.
    By 1816 this tax had gone up to £11-9s-8d. In 1816 he was also paying 19 shillings for land occupied on Charbourough Park owned by Richard Drax Grosvenor. He also rented land in the Morden parish - see Morden Parish website
    1817 Moved to Manor Farm, South Newton, Wiltshire, which was owned by the Earl of Pembroke of Wilton House.
    Dec 1819 Portsmouth to sail on Weymouth.

    Miles Bowker was head of the Bowker party that left Portsmouth, England, aboard the Weymouth sailing on the 7th January 1820. The Weymouth arrived in Cape Town on 26th April 1820, and then sailed to Port Elizabeth, arriving there after 15th May 1820. Sometime during May or June, the Bowker party left Algoa Bay. Their route crossed over the Koega and Zwartkops rivers near the coast, and then inland over Grass Ridge to the Addo Drift, across the Sundays River about 20 miles from it's mouth, and then over the Addo Heights. From this point the route took a south-easterly direction, more or less parallel to the coast, passing Congo's Kraal and Graafwater, to Jager's Drift on the Bushmans River. After passing the mission station at Theopolis, they forded the Kowie river at it's mouth at low tide, by utilising two exposed sandbanks. This trip took about 8 days to complete, and was led by Petrus Oosthuizen, who became a great friend of Miles Bowker. Two of Miles's sons married Petrus' daughters. . The Bowker party of 23 consisted of: Miles, wife Ann Maria, sons William Monkhouse B., Miles Brabbin, Thomas Holden, Robert Mitford, Septimus, Octavius, and daughters Mary Elizabeth and Anna Maria; Henry Adams, G Austen, Charles Besant, G.Flooks, John Hayter, William Ingram, Richard Limes, John Stanford and his wife Maria, son John and daughters Letitia, Jane and Sophia. The eldest Bowker son, John Mitford, joined the family in 1922 after tying up the family affairs in South Newton, Wiltshire, and the last son, James Henry, was born at Tharfield. . The Bowker family were allocated the land known as Tharfield, on the KleinMonden River, north of Port Kowie (Port Alfred). . Miles, together with Major Pigot and J. Dyason tried to develop Port Kowie as a harbour in 1821. He was appointed as a Heemraad (judicial assessor) to assist the deputy magistrate, Major Jones, at Grahamstown in 1821, but Lord Somerset dismissed Major Jones and the heemraad in 1822. . Interested in botany, he was sending indigenous bulbs from the Lower Albany area to the Government Secretary as early as 1826. He was also a pioneer in establishing the wool industry in the Eastern Cape Province, in 1826, with merino sheep.

    Miles Bowker, a Wiltshire farmer, led a party on the Weymouth. They settled on the right bank of the George River and called it Olive Burn. He came out with his wife and 8 children and one was born while lying at anchor in Table Bay.

    Lower Albany Chronicle:
    15 April 1822: Cape seed-wheat had been issued to party and division leaders as follows: to Edward FORD for 8 men, to Miles BOWKER for 6, James RICHARDSON 8, George SMITH 20, COCK's party 30, Christopher THORNHHILL 8, Thomas WAKEFORD 5, Timothy FLANEGAN 8, Thomas ADAMS 6, George ANDERSON 3, Lieut. John BAILIE 8, Thomas PHILIPPS 9, Benjamin OSLER 6, William GRIFFITHS 5, George WATSON 6.

    23 May 1835: Miles BOWKER junior helped to repel another raid from across the Lynedoch River on the cattle at Tharfield. One of the enemy was killed. Miles BOWKER gave warning to George SMITH and to Thomas WILLIAMS. The latter left to report to Bathurst Post and George SMITH with his family took refuge at Tharfield, which was in more open country than Smith's Bush.

    29 May 1835: Miles BOWKER and George SMITH were compelled to retire on Bathurst Post with their families.

    ~~~~~~~~~~
    British South Africa
    A History of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope from its Conquest 1795 to the Settlement of Albany by the British Emigration of 1819 [A.D. 1795 - 1825]
    WITH NOTICES OF SOME OF THE BRITISH SETTLERS OF 1820
    BY
    COLIN TURING CAMPBELL
    [Residient at Graham's Town, 1845-1871]

    Bowker, Miles, head of a party from Wiltshire, who came in the Weymouth. He was of gentle birth, a scholar, and a good botanist. His first residence was at Oliveburn, near the coast, and subsequently at Tharfield, on the Lynedoch or Kleinemond River. He was appointed, with Captain Duncan Campbell, Heemeraad of Albany for many years, but resigned office, preferring the cultivation of his farms to politics. He died early in the year 1839, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and was buried at Tharfield. He brought with him from England eight sons and two daughters. His youngest son was born at Oliveburn, making nine sons in all. Their names are well known in the Frontier districts and Colony. They all followed in their father's footsteps as farmers and agriculturists, and all took an active share in the numerous Kafir engagements, giving their services for the benefit of their country.

    ~~~~~~~~~~

    The Early Bowker Settlers - from the East Cape Branch of GSSA Chronicles, issue 94, November 2010
    Miles Bowker, who came out on the “Weymouth”, was not a typical Settler. He was not a young man (52) and not poor, or as so many immigrants were, lacking in farming experience. His family numbered eleven at the time of sailing: himself his young wife Anna (38), eight sons and one daughter. His eldest son, John Mitford, remained in England to wind up the family affairs, the second daughter, Anna Maria, was born onboard the Weymouth on the day that the ship arrived in Cape Town, 26th April, and the youngest son was born two years after their arrival.

    Miles Bowker had been a gentleman farmer and breeder of Merino sheep on Manor Farm, South Newton (near Wilton) Wiltshire and it was his intention to do this in South Africa but on a larger scale. His application was recommended by his landlord, Lord Pembroke who made a personal visit to the Colonial department and also by William Boscawen, a cousin of Lord Falmouth. The Journey from South Newton to Portsmouth where the party was to embark was made with a borrowed travelling carriage and several farm wagons loaded with household furniture and agricultural implements. The Settlers were not able to board HM store Ship Weymouth immediately as her fitting was not yet completed so as a temporary measure they were accommodated on a hulk in Portsmouth harbour that was used as a ship’s tender.

    The route to their location was over the Zwartkops and Coega Rivers, and then over the Addo Heights. From there in a South-easterley direction, more or less parallel to the coast, passing Congo’s Kraal and Graafwater, to Jager’s Drift on to the Bushmans River. After passing the mission station at Theopolis, the forded the Kowie River at its mouth at low tide, by utilising two exposed sandbanks. The trip took about 8 days to complete and was led by Petrus Oosthuisen, who became a great friend of Miles Bowker. Two of Miles’ sons married Petrus’ daughters.

    He had been given a tract of land on the right bank of the George River and its location was named Oliveburn. However, it became known as Tharfield, on the Kleinemond River, north of Port Alfred. It was larger than he had requested. However, it was not long before he realised that this was inadequate as it soon became apparent that the Suurveld and Merino did not go together. Over the years wheat was tried but it was a dismal failure owing to rust. Cotton farming came to nothing.

    The original “Deed of Grant” still exists, dated 15th February, 1822, and bearing the signature of the Governor, Lord Charles Somerset and that of the Government Surveyor Johan Knobel. The land is described as “a piece of One Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy morgen of land situated in the Albany District.” There follows a description of the boundaries. Conditions are set out : ”That land shall be cultivated by free labourers only, and that any employment of slaves upon it shall render the same to forfeiture. Likewise of his punctually paying, or causing to be paid, at the expiration of every twelfth month, from the date of these present, unto the Receiver General of the land Revenue, the sum of Ten Rixdollars.” A further 844 morgen was granted on the 8th September, 1843.

    The story of the Bowker Settlers is typical of the story of the 1820 British settlers as a whole, and all present descendants of Settlers could, with accuracy, apply the same or similar happenings to their own ancestors. The only difference was that few other families had so many sons – there were nine of them in the original Bowker family - and each one of them made a name for himself in South Africa. No wonder Sir George Cory in his “Rise of South Africa” said; “Of all the valuable acquisitions which accrued to the Colony from the Settler’s movement, the Bowker family stands out pre-eminently…
    “It is not possible in this place to give even a list of the acts of bravery, political distinctions and losses and sufferings – the usual reward of self-sacrificing devotion to the welfare of the Eastern Colony – which are associated with the names of the sons of Miles Bowker. Suffice it to say that they fought for their country in all the Frontier wars, not merely as the rank and file but as leaders and commandants of the burgers. We find Bowkers as diplomatic agents with the Frontier tribes, in the house of Assembly, in the Legislative Council, as Resident Magistrates, in short in all situations of delicacy and responsibility. Their sterling worth and the value of their services were, for the most part, appreciated and recognised by a grateful country – after they were dead”

    John Mitford took part in the campaign against the M’fecane in 1828 and served as a lieutenant, 1st battalion Provisional Colonial Infantry in the war of 1834-1835, being appointed Resident Agent with the Fingo Settlement near Fort Peddie. In the war of 1846-1847 he was Commandant Lower Koonap River Burghers and Field- Cornet Fish River in 1847. He died during this war.

    Thomas Holden was also a member of the 1828 campaign against the M’fecane and served as Lieutenant, Provisional Colonial Infantry in the 1834-1835 war and Captain, Grahamstown Native Levy in the 1846-1847 war and as Commandant of Burghers in that of 1850-1853. He was Resident Magistrate Kat River Settlement in 1848 and a Member of the House of Assembly from 1854 to 1863. He founded the town of Queenstown where there is a Bowker Park and Bowker’s Kop.

    Bertram Egerton also took part in the campaign against the M’fecane in 1828 and served as the Corps of Guides in the war of 1834-1835. In the war of 1846-1847 he was commandant, Mill River Station and was in charge of the laager at Oakwell in the war of 1850-1853. He was commandant of the Rovers in the war of 1877 at the age of 69. In 1879 he was a Member of the legislative council for the Eastern Province.

    Mary Elizabeth married Frederick William Barber and gave rise to the Mitford-Barberton name. Mary merits more than passing notice. She was remarkable for her vast and accurate knowledge of the plant and insect life of South Africa. Charles Darwin owed much to her for the information she gave him in these matters in connection with the famous “Origin of Species”. Her numerous, beautiful and accurate watercolour paintings of insects and flowers now adorn the walls of one of the rooms of the Albany Museum in Grahamstown. Only 14 of the 71 paintings survived the fire in 1941.

    James Henry never married. He was Commandant of the Frontier Armed and Mounted Police and later became the High Commissioner of Basutoland. He reached the rank of Colonel, during the Seventh and Eighth Frontier Wars. For a period he was Chief Commissioner on the diamond fields of Griqualand West. Co-authored, with Roland Trimen, of “South African Butterflies”, which is still one of the standard works on the subject.

    Of Miles Bowker’s home at Tharfield, John Bond in his book “They were South Africans” quotes John Mitford Bowker saying “It is now eleven years by since my father and mother and their nine sons lived under one roof in this neighbourhood. Our hearts were as one, our exertions united, and our home so happy that, though it was high time, yet none of us had married and branched off”.
    It must have been very soon after this that the tragic Frontier War of 1834 – 1835 struck this prosperous home and every other home in the Eastern Province. Without warning the tribesmen in their thousands invaded these districts from the Winterberg to the sea.
    When the Bowkers received their first intimation of the coming of the onslaught the tribesmen had already crossed the Fish River, nine miles away. The brothers were already shearing their sheep when an official order summoned everyone to Grahamstown. The Bowkers proceeded to collect their livestock and hunt for their oxen in the bush. That same night young Fletcher from a neighbouring farm galloped to the door of Tharfield house saying: “I have it first hand from an old fellow whose life I saved that the tribesmen intend to murder us all tonight” (Some white farmers were murdered that night, and at least twenty more within a week).
    The Bowkers hastily inspanned their wagon and piled onto it essential foodstuffs, cooking utensils and lead & moulds for making bullets.
    The women made a pile of the valuable family silver and crockery on the dining-room table, with some money and heirlooms.{the women were all at Oliveburn at this timeand not at Tharfield} Four of the brothers staggered down the road with this heavy load tied up in a table-cloth and buried it in an ant-bear hole about twenty metres off the road and about four hundred metres away, their tracks were obliterated by a storm which broke at that moment. The treasure was never recovered.
    On Christmas night of 1834 the assembled farmers and others successfully defended the Church at Bathurst (with the women and children inside) whilst thousands of yelling tribesmen launched one attack after another. Later they accomplished a successful evacuation to Grahamstown through the unsuspecting tribesmen’s lines. All of the Settlers’ livestock and possessions were stolen by the enemy: 456 farmhouses were burnt or pillaged; 5600 horses and 150,000 cattle were driven away. The Burgers were called out, and with them the Bowker Brothers fought until the end, under the command of Colonel Sir Harry Smith. Besides the agricultural difficulties, the Settlers also had to contend with the continual Frontier unrest. In the 1846 War of the Axe their home did not suffer much damage. W Currie writing to John Mitford Barber on 13th July, 1846 said, ”The Bathurst Burgers are trying to make the most of the times. Tharfield was all-right, not a single tribesman had been into the house”.

    From: The Settler Handbook by MD Nash; Lower Albany Historical Society’s “Long Ago” 1967; “Looking Back” September, 1980; and other sources.
    ~~~~~~~~~~

    National Archives, Kew CO48/67 transcribed by Sue Mackay.

    June 9th 1824

    My Lord,

    I do myself the honor of enclosing a copy of a letter I a few days ago received from Mr. Mile BOWKER from the new settlement to the eastward of the Cape of Good Hope.

    Amidst the afflicting intelligence communicated to the public through the medium of the public papers of the distress experienced by the settlers in that part of the world, the account from Mr. BOWKER may in my poor opinion be interesting even to your Lordship as coming from a practical, well informed, respectable & industrious individual: at all events it cannot be wrong to communicate its contents to your Lordship, who will pardon the liberty and appreciate the intention.

    I have the honor to be with the highest respect & consideration

    Your Lordship's most humble serv't

    R. STANDISH HALEY

    [enclosed letter, addressed to Lieut. Richard STANDISH HALEY RN, Poole, Dorsetshire]

    Olive Town

    near the mouth of the Cowie

    Albany

    Feb'y 24th 1824

    My Dear Sir,

    You will long ago have heard of the difficulties the settlers have undergone since their arrival here by losing three, and nearly a fourth harvest, but Government having kindly helped them with [ugly rice?] during a good part of that time and rations for the two first years keeping great part of the deposit to pay for them has greatly mitigated these evils and things are now [wearing?] a better aspect, as we have found a species of wheat, coarse indeed and rush straw, that in a great measure withstands the rust, our great enemy in agriculture, & being convinced that growing corn is not to be our staple pursuit, we attend now to Horticulture & planting rather than agriculture, still depending upon herds & flocks as our best pursuits; this last has been much checked by our treacherous and near neighbors the Caffres who are only a few miles from us and have been constantly stealing for these last few years both from the Dutch and English to a very great extent, but Major SOMERSET having lately taken the worst of them by surprise and ?? them severely we hope they will be quiet in future or more severe measures must be resorted to and they must be driven to a distance as it is only to order it and it may be instantly accomplished, as tho' [a stout case?] of people, yet having nothing to cope with fire arms, they are soon discomfitted or destroyed. For my own part tho' [many?] of the men that I took out with me as servants did me no good in fulfilling my agreement with Lord BATHURST in securing me one thousand acres of location, yet thro' the help of my sons & their most excellent mother we have been able to get forward [obscured] better than any other settlers, tho' several of them came out without means which was far from our case& we have now only to regret the distance we are at from our dear friends & relatives as in all other respects our prospects far exceed any thing we could hope for in England. Upon finding our location unequal to means Government have kindly given us another place, making it near 5,000 acres with one and a half miles of sea coast. One of the finest spots in this country, lying four miles from the mouth of the Great Fish River and five from the mouth of the Cowie, now become our sea port, whilst many or nearly all are complaining tho' not for want of land for Government has in that respect been sufficiently liberal to such as could do it justice, we are getting on almost as well as we could wish. Our fruit trees, though only three years from the stone or cutting, are many of them bearing fruit – we have planted above 15,000 vines, many of which are now bearing, and we have twenty different sorts of fruit trees & most of them will be fruitful to all appearance in another year, and we are preparing again for a similar plantation; our prospects of improvement will be also much in feeding as in cattle, sheep & pork we can have an excellent market for it [salted?] at the Cowie, where our cheese, which we make very good, as well as fat & hides, have a good market. Cloathing is still very dear tho' that is not likely long to be the case as the exchange has greatly fallen and our goods will be in future without land carriage. Land is now very much occupied in Albany tho' larger than Yorkshire yet good places may be bought for from £150 to £200 for 1,000 acres but it is increasing in value as many people are now satisfied with the means of living here, the climate being for health and comfort almost without its parallel & its production of the most valuable sorts may be made profitable such as tobacco, coffee, cotton and drugs of very many sorts, oils &c &c. It is a family's own fault rich or poor if they do not thrive, the Dutch here are all rich and they have not the industry of the English tho' they are careful and provident; many of them have here from 1,000 to 10,000 sheep and five or six hundred head of cattle. More – our population of all colours and many nations, Heathens, Mohamatons and every sort and denomination of Christians – this multitude is ill amalgamated and we have many tricks & thievings amongst them. We had no less than 64 cases or trials come before the Court of Session which is held monthly, of which I am now the Senior Heemraad Magistrate, tho' Landdrost Mr. RIVERS being our Chairman & proper the Court consists of six other Heemraad of a which my friends Major PIGOT & Capt. CAMPBELL were some time ago Members but are now out there being party's here as well as in England, but we [steer?] in the mean. We have many half pay officers both of the army and of the navy and they do well as they endeavour. I have written you much of this long detail for your own information & of Mr. PITT your neighboring Magistrate of Organ House and any other you may please to communicate it to.

    I am to have a school on my place to which Government give to a master 200 dollars pr annum & chapels and schools are now everywhere erecting [obscured] by the Frome, Warminster and Somerset parties who have given me great trouble to keep in peace but they are mostly thriving on about 230 acres for each family and they will get more land as they deserve it or can do it justice. We have plenty of fish and game & almost every description of wild beast from the elephant & hippopotamus to the mouse on my premises. My boys have become very dextrous in killing all sorts of monsters who neglected to keep their distance & tho' often heard thro' the night are seldom seen. Our worst enemy is the large wolf dog which hunts in packs and will fell down an ox before our eyes in the day time. In other respects we are in a land of myrtle and evergreens – a land of milk & honey which is found wild in the trees and taken without killing the bees with little trouble. We have in very little been disappointed in this country as excepting the antiseptic disposition of every new soil to foreign vegetation & the rust before our arrival little known, we found it equal to the general description given, and if the rust had not been so destructive I believe in point of [obscured] this would have been for its time the first settlement put in action & I still think it will soon [answer?] all its misfortunes and satisfy all my Lord BATHURST's very best hopes.

    We expect to see the Arethusa at our port soon – she is trading on this coast. We expect most of the coasters will soon be here for goods for the merchants or stores for the frontier army.

    Most faithfully & affectionately yours

    Miles BOWKER

    [signed]
    ~~~~~~~~~


    Settler:
    Bowker's Party on the Weymouth

    Died:
    Grahamstown Journal: Thursday 28 March 1839

    DIED at 3 o'clock am on Monday the 25th inst after one hours illness, Miles BOWKER Esq of Tharfield, Albany in his Eighty-first year.
    ~~~~~~

    Miles married Anna Maria Mitford, 1820 Settler on 8 Mar 1800 in Morpeth, Northumberland, England. Anna (daughter of Capt. John Mitford and Dorothy Young) was born in 1782 in Mitford Manor, Mitford, Northumberland, England; died on 8 Jul 1868 in 'Kruisfontein', Alexandria, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in 1868 in Tharfield, Kleinemonde, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 9.  Anna Maria Mitford, 1820 SettlerAnna Maria Mitford, 1820 Settler was born in 1782 in Mitford Manor, Mitford, Northumberland, England (daughter of Capt. John Mitford and Dorothy Young); died on 8 Jul 1868 in 'Kruisfontein', Alexandria, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in 1868 in Tharfield, Kleinemonde, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • 1820 Lineage: Yes
    • Settler ID: 570
    • Residence: 1816, Manor Farm, South Newton, Wiltshire, England
    • Settler: 7 Jan 1820, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England; : 37y
    • Residence: 25 Jun 1820, Olive Burn farm, Kleinemonde, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    Notes:

    Anna Maria was born at Mitford Manor in the village of Mitford, Northumberland in 1782.

    The Manor House previously stood, adjacent to the old church of St Mary Magdalene, on the eastern side of the River Wansbeck. The substantial ruins now standing on the site represent the remains of a 16th-century house and of a porch tower built in about 1637.

    The original house was substantially demolished and rebuilt in about 1810, then abandoned by the Mitfords when they built a new mansion house, Mitford Hall, and park on the opposite bank of the river in 1828. In the 20th century, a modern house was created out of the kitchen wing. The current Mitford Hall, owned and occupied by Shepherd Offshore.

    Anna would not have known the 'new' Mitford Hall, as she was already in Olive Burn in South Africa.

    from www.shepherdoffshore.com:
    "The land around Mitford was originally owned prior to the Norman Conquest by Sir John of Mitford whose name was derived from the site’s location between two fords over the rivers Font and Wansbeck.
    After 1066 Sir John’s daughter, Sybilla, was married to Richard Bertram, son of the Seigneur of Dignain in Normandy. King William endowed Bertram with considerable land holdings and as a result a number of churches, including Brinkburn Priory and Newminster Abbey, were built by the family together with Mitford Church, which dates from 1135.
    Mitford Castle itself was known to have existed by 1138 and this was constructed on the site of an Anglo Saxon fort. The Castle has the only 5 sided keep in England but was subsequently laid waste by King John’s Flemish troops in 1215 and by 1327 was in ruins.
    The Bertram and Mitford families merged together but lived in times of continuing troubles pray not only to the marauding Scots but also the whims of the Kings of England the family’s landed estates were subject to attack and confiscation.
    It was not until after the restoration of Charles II that the majority of the lands, which previously had belonged to the family, were returned to Robert Mitford, an enthusiastic royalist. This completed the task of his ancestors over the preceding three centuries in consolidating the family’s properties.
    A more settled period in the family history ensued and Bertram Mitford succeeded to the Hunmanby and Osbaldeston estates in Yorkshire in 1835. Subsequently taking the name of Osbaldeston in addition to and before the Mitford name, Bertram was responsible for pulling down the Manor House, leaving the Pele Tower intact and constructing the present Hall in 1828.
    The family line at Mitford continued up until 1990’s although other members of the family established themselves elsewhere and these include the Exbury branch, headed by Lord Redesdale, from where the famous Mitford sisters hailed.
    The Shepherd family purchased the Estate from the Mitford family in 1993 and a large scale programme of restoration and modernisation has been in progress throughout the Estate ever since."

    see : http://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/south-african-inherits-an-english-village.htm

    Grahamstown Journal 8 July 1868:
    DIED at Kruis Vontein, on the 8th July 1868, Anna Maria BOWKER Sen, relict of the late Miles BOWKER, of Tharfield, aged 87. Friends at a distance will please accept this notice.

    Settler:
    Bowker's Party on the Weymouth

    Children:
    1. John Mitford Bowker was born on 13 Apr 1801 in Mitford Hall, Mitford, Northumberland, England; was christened on 6 May 1801 in Mitford Church, Mitford, Northumberland, England; died on 11 Apr 1847 in 'Oakwell', Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    2. William Monkhouse Bowker, 1820 Settler was born on 10 Mar 1803 in Mitford Hall, Mitford, Northumberland, England; was christened on 18 Apr 1807 in Mitford Church, Mitford, Northumberland, England; died on 3 Feb 1876 in Thorn Kloof, Albany, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Thorn Kloof, Albany, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    3. Miles Brabbin Bowker, 1820 Settler was born on 27 Jan 1805 in Mitford, Northumberland, England; was christened on 15 Jan 1807 in Mitford Church, Mitford, Northumberland, England; died on 28 Jul 1864 in Thorn Kloof farm, Fish River, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    4. Thomas Holden Bowker, 1820 Settler was born on 24 Feb 1807 in Mitford Hall, Mitford, Northumberland, England; was christened on 10 Mar 1807 in Mitford Church, Mitford, Northumberland, England; died on 26 Oct 1885 in Tharfield, Kleinemonde, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Tharfield, Kleinemonde, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    5. Bertram Egerton Bowker, 1820 Settler was born on 24 Nov 1808 in Morpeth, Northumberland, England; was christened on 7 Jan 1809 in Mitford, Northumberland, England; died on 28 Dec 1904 in Santa Clara, Parktown, Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa; was buried in Rand Pioneer Memorial, Wemmer Pan, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
    6. 4. Robert Mitford Bowker, 1820 Settler was born on 30 Aug 1810 in Deckham Hall, Gateshead, Durham, England; was christened on 4 Oct 1813 in Parish Church of Saint Mary, Almer, Dorset, England; died on 24 Aug 1892 in Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    7. Septimus Bourchier Bowker, 1820 Settler was born on 10 Aug 1812 in Almer, Dorset, England; was christened on 4 Oct 1813 in Parish Church of Saint Mary, Almer, Dorset, England; died on 2 Aug 1895 in Alstonfields farm, Bedford district, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Alstonfields farm, Bedford district, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    8. Octavius Bourchier Bowker, 1820 Settler was born on 27 May 1815 in Almer, Dorset, England; was christened on 27 May 1815 in Parish Church of Saint Mary, Almer, Dorset, England; died on 21 Jul 1899 in Champagne farm, Zastron district, Free State, South Africa.
    9. Mary Elizabeth Bowker, 1820 Settler was born on 5 Jan 1818 in Manor Farm, South Newton, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 22 Feb 1818 in St Andrew's Parish Church, South Newton, Wiltshire, England; died on 4 Sep 1899 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa; was buried in Commercial Road Cemetery, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
    10. Anna Maria Bowker, 1820 Settler was born on 26 Apr 1820 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa; was christened on 20 Apr 1823 in Albany District, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 24 Apr 1895 in Albany Road, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Grahamstown Cemetery (Old), Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    11. Colonel James Henry Bowker was born on 23 Aug 1825 in Olive Burn farm, Kleinemonde, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 17 Dec 1825 in Albany District, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 29 Oct 1900 in Escombe, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa; was buried in Escombe, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

  3. 10.  Robert HartRobert Hart was born on 5 Jan 1777 in Avondale, Strathavon, Lanarkshire, Scotland (son of James Hart and Isabel Broom); died on 14 Sep 1867; was buried in Glen Avon Family Vault, Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Residence: Between 1811 and 1817, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    • Residence: Between 1817 and 1825, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    • Residence: 1825, Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    Notes:

    Robert Hart (1776-1867) came from Strathavon in Lanarkshire, and as a young man joined the 78th Highland Regiment. The newly formed National Convention of the French Republic had just declared war on Great Britain and Holland, and was preparing to take possession of the Cape. So the British decided to take it first and immediately despatched Admiral Elphinstone with a fleet, which anchored in Simon's Bay in 1795. Robert Hart's regiment under General Craig was sent out with the troops that were to occupy the Cape. At this time the Cape was torn asunder by political intrigues and revolt against the bankrupt and despotic Dutch East India Company, and Graaff-Reinet and Swellendam had declared themselves Republics, but agreed to come under British rule.

    In 1799 the Third Frontier War broke out and Chief Ndhlambi invaded the Zuurveld and Lieut Hart served with his regiment in the fighting on the frontier, which ended up in a patched peace leaving the Xhosa in possession of the ground that they had occupied.
    In 1802, by the Treaty of Amiens peace was ratified between great Britain and the French Republic, and the Cape of Good Hope was given back to the Batavian Republic. British troops were withdrawn, and Robert Hart left with his Regiment for India. From here he returned to Scotland and married Hannah Tamplin. When the English retook the Cape in 1806, Robert Hart was again in the army of occupation under General Baird. In the following year Hart's regiment retook the Zuurveld, and pushed the Xhosa back over the Great Fish River, thus reclaiming the Albany and Bathurst areas where the bulk of the Settlers were located in 1820.
    Grahamstown was founded in 1811, and Lt. Hart with his wife and family were stationed there until 1817, when he was put in charge of Somerset Farm which supplied wheat and fodder to the Military in the Eastern Province. When Somerset farm in 1825 became the town of Somerset East, Robert Hart, for his long and faithfull service to the Government, was given the farm Glen Avon, which he extended by purchasing additional land. Robert was Heemraad for the area, and he was responsible for the building of the Dutch Reformed Church in Somerset East. Some years later he contributed £1300 to the building of the Presbyterian Church.

    Death date of 14 September 1867 is listed in "British Families in South Africa" by C Pama pub by Human & Rosseau 1992 on Page 87. Also on that page are: Robert Hart I born Scotland married to Mary Fleming parents of Robert Hart II born 1777 in Stathavon, Lanark, Scotland.

    More about Glen Avon from Country life, March 2000;
    When Robert Hart stepped off a boat at the Cape of Good Hope in 1795, he did not look like an important future figure. At the time he was 18 years old, a private in the Argyllshire Highlanders and penniless. Yet this young Scottish lad was destined to play a major role in taming the old Cape colony's wild eastern flank. After surviving the dangers of being a soldier on the turbulent eastern frontier, he took a short break in England before returning in 1807 to SA as a commissioned officer in Colonel Graham's newly formed Cape Regiment. By now he was also married to Hannah Tamplin, and the couple settled at the military base that later became Grahamstown. After a while, Robert took over Somerset farm, established in the Zuurveld by the government to supply the army. While there the Harts welcomed the Scottish party of 1820 settlers who ventured inland to the Baviaans River valley. Those were tough times for the Scots, but luckily they had a helpful friend in Robert. In 1825 Somerset Farm was shut down and the land set aside for the new town of Somerset East. Left with a small state pension, Robert Hart moved with his family to land he'd acquired a short distance away in a fertile valley below the Bosberg, a beautiful place he named Glen Avon.
    Through hard work and great insight he soon made his farm a landmark in the region. He bred top merino sheep, a breed introduced to SA by Colonel Graham, and so contributed greatly to what became an important industry. His orchards produced a fantastic bounty of fruits, especially citrus, and his flood-irrigated fields delivered huge harvests of grain that soon justified a private mill.
    The machinery for this was shipped out from Scotland and then transported by ox wagon from Algoa Bay over the Zuurberg Pass. The mill could produce two tons of meal a day and soon Robert was grinding all the wheat grown between Pearston, Ann's Villa and Zwagershoek.
    ....the amazing legacy of Robert Hart, who died in 1867 at the ripe old age of 90, is remarkable because everything has been so well looked after by his direct descendants. Their dedication preserved the old mill and the two homesteads...Although idle since 1991, Glen Avon's historic mill could be made to run again if it rained enough...and the rusted holes in the water feed troughs were patched up.

    Newspaper cuttings from the Eastern Cape.
    EP Herald, Oct 1967

    The charming homestead on Glen Avon which was built by Robert HART round about 1825 and which is now occupied by his direct descendant, Mr. R.C. BROWN, his wife and family. The house was built of stone and roofed with imported Welsh slate. It has been restored under the supervision of a well-known Port Elizabeth architect and furnished with antiques appropriate to the period. A wing has been added to the house but is perfectly in keeping with the original structure. The veranda railings are those put up by Robert HART. They are of iron and are set in lead.

    The old mill at Glen Avon, Somerset East, must be one of the very few mills of its type left in South Africa. It is still in working order and is used for grinding wheat and stock food. The wheat incidentally, which is grown on Glen Avon is used for baking the family bread. The mill machinery, which was made in Leeds, England in 1861 and the grinding stone, which came from Scotland and is of Aberdeen granite, were transported to Glen Avon from Algoa Bay and over the Zuurberg Mountains by ox wagon some time in the 1800's. The wheel is 20 feet in diameter.

    The grave of Robert HART is on the estate and a Presbyterian church, erected in 1850, which is now used as a coloured school. The estate is about three miles out of Somerset East.

    see also https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVZ-5SMP-4?i=1164&cat=305287 and https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVZ-5SMG-L?i=1165&cat=305287

    Robert married Hannah May Tamplin on 10 Apr 1804 in Saint Peters Port, Guernsey. Hannah (daughter of Richard Tamplin and Susannah Randle) was born on 30 Jul 1777 in Chorlwood, Sussex, England; died on 3 Sep 1852 in Glen Avon, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 11.  Hannah May TamplinHannah May Tamplin was born on 30 Jul 1777 in Chorlwood, Sussex, England (daughter of Richard Tamplin and Susannah Randle); died on 3 Sep 1852 in Glen Avon, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    Notes:

    I (Tombi Peck) received an email from Ruth LEVINE (we share their son JAMES HART as a common ancestor) on the 30th May 2007
    "I have found a record in the Poor Law Records (Surrey) of a Hannah Tamplin aged 1 year 3 months in 1779. I think her age is wrong because it cites her brother Richard as 2 years old. It appears her family were subject to a removal order from Worth, Surrey (her mother's birth village) to Chorlwood, Surrey where they came from. Father: Richard TAMPLIN, Mother: Susannah TAMPLIN". We later found from the TAMPLIN ONE NAME SOCIETY that her mother was Susannah RANDLE from Worth, Surrey.
    The Grahamstown Journal of the 11th September 1852 had the following
    Obituary for her: (Photographed as usual by Sue Mackay)
    "Departed this life on the 3rd September 1852, Mrs. Robert HART, Senior, aged 75 years, after a severe affliction, borne with christian resignation about 29 years - the last few years helpless as an infant - and a firm faith in her Redeemer, with whom I trust her soul is now enjoying all the blessings of redeeming love.

    She has left a disconsolate husband, after a happy union of 48 years 5
    months and a numerous family and circle of friends to lament a loss, which, notwithstanding her bodily helplessness, they acutely feel.
    ~
    South African Commercial Advertiser, 11th September 1852:
    "DIED at Glen Avon, District of Somerset, September 3rd 1852, aged 75 years, Hannah TAMPLIN, the beloved wife of Robert HART Esq. She bore a long affliction of 29 years with Christian patience and resignation to the Divine Will. Her last illness was marked by a firm reliance upon her Saviour, and a joyful anticipation of the rest and reward that awaited her; this to her bereaved and mourning Partner and Family is the best consolation."


    Ruth LEVINE has found the birth Record for a Robert HART

    5 January 1777 HART, Robert (O.P.R. Births 621/0010 0159
    Page 156 1776/1777
    Robert son of James HART, Weaver, Strathaven born 5 January 1777.

    Further records uncovered by Ruth LEVINE shows:

    To go with this information Ruth has found that his father James HART who died in Edinburgh and his mother was Isabel BROOM who was born and died in Scotland about 1791. Mary FLEMING married his father in 1807 so she was his stepmother, not his mother. He had two siblings, Andrew HART who married Isobele STEELE. Their daughter was Marion HART. His sister was Grizel HART who married David Campbell. Isabel BROOM'S (DIED 1791) parents were John BROOM and Bessie BINNIE. John BROOM'S father was William BROOM who was married to one Isobel BINNIE.
    James HART'S FATHER was another James HART (mother unknown). His father appears to have been another James HART (mother unknown) The Stamvader being Robert HART and the Stammoeder Elizabeth DONALD.

    Notes:

    Description: Re marriage of Robert Hart to Hanna Templin
    9 April 1804 St Peter Port Town Guernsey
    Record states:
    Robert Hart Sgt 91st Reg of Foot and Hannah Templin daughter of Richard of Worth Surrey and Susannah Randle

    Children:
    1. Anna Hart was born on 7 Aug 1805; died on 9 Mar 1889 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    2. Harriet Hart was born on 19 Jul 1807; was christened on 16 Aug 1807 in St George's Cathedral, Cape Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 30 Nov 1807.
    3. Susannah Hart was born in 1809; was christened on 5 Jul 1809; died on 5 Nov 1809.
    4. Robert Hart was born on 11 Jul 1810 in Wynberg, Western Cape, South Africa; died on 2 Jul 1867 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    5. Lieutenant James Hart was born on 21 Nov 1811; was christened on 27 Dec 1811; died on 29 May 1876 in Umtata, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    6. Margaretha Hart was born on 30 Nov 1815 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 9 Nov 1817 in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 17 May 1904 in Mission House, Brownlee Station, King William's Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Peelton Church, Peelton, Ngingiqini, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    7. Ellen Evelyn Hart was born on 24 Dec 1818; was christened on 18 May 1819 in Cradock, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 29 Jun 1840 in Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Glen Avon farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    8. 5. Sarah Elizabeth Hart was born on 16 Jun 1820 in Somerset Farm, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 25 Aug 1875 in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Craigie Burn farm, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    9. Richard Hart was born on 21 Dec 1821; died on 5 Jun 1822.

  5. 12.  Dr. Johannes Joachim Lodewijk Smuts was born on 8 Aug 1808 (son of Johannes Joachim Lodewyk Smuts and Cornelia Gerhardina Fleck); died before 1869.

    Johannes married Susan Margaret Ferris on 20 Mar 1833 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Susan (daughter of Lieutenant Joseph Ferris and Charlotte Wilhelmina Buissinne) was born on 11 May 1811 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa; died about 1894. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  6. 13.  Susan Margaret Ferris was born on 11 May 1811 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa (daughter of Lieutenant Joseph Ferris and Charlotte Wilhelmina Buissinne); died about 1894.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Death: 23 Sep 1894, 57 Roeland St, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

    Notes:

    DEPOT KAB SOURCE MOOC TYPE LEER VOLUME_NO 6/9/332 SYSTEM 01 REFERENCE 2101 PART 1 DESCRIPTION SMUTS, SUSAN MARGARET. NEE FERRIS. DEATH NOTICE. STARTING 18940000 ENDING 18940000

    Children:
    1. Charlotta Smuts was born on 12 Jan 1834; died on 23 Jun 1834.
    2. Cornelia Gerhardina Smuts was born on 18 Feb 1835; died on 28 Jul 1895.
    3. Susanna Margaretha Smuts was born on 11 Mar 1836; died on 9 Oct 1880 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa; was buried in Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery, Main Rd, Wynberg, Cape Town, Western Cape,South Africa.
    4. 6. Johannes Joachim Lodewyk Smuts was born on 27 Jul 1838; died on 11 Jul 1912 in Plumstead, Western Cape, South Africa.
    5. Charlotta Wilhelmina Smuts was born on 10 Oct 1839.
    6. Joseph Ferris Smuts was born on 29 Jul 1841; died on 30 Sep 1869; was buried in Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery, Main Rd, Wynberg, Cape Town, Western Cape,South Africa.
    7. Johan James Grindley Smuts was born on 20 Jan 1844.
    8. Christiaan Fleck Smuts was born on 26 Sep 1845; died on 13 Oct 1858.
    9. Wilhelmus Buissinne Smuts was born on 26 Aug 1847; died on 12 Dec 1848.
    10. Cornelius Gerhardus Smuts was born on 29 Jun 1849.
    11. Michiel Adriaan Wilhelm Smuts was born on 13 Aug 1851.
    12. Josephine Mary Smuts was born on 23 May 1853 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa; died on 4 Feb 1928 in Prince Alfred Infirmary, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in New Cemetery, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

  7. 14.  Pieter Loret Morkel was born on 10 Jul 1818 in Voorburg, Hottentots Holland, Western cape, South Africa (son of Willem Morkel and Esther Leonora Louw); died on 17 May 1878 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.

    Pieter married Susanna Petronella Wessels on Yes, date unknown. Susanna (daughter of Petrus Johannes Wessels and Maria Elizabeth Groenewald) was born on 15 Apr 1821 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa; died on 14 Jul 1905 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  8. 15.  Susanna Petronella Wessels was born on 15 Apr 1821 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa (daughter of Petrus Johannes Wessels and Maria Elizabeth Groenewald); died on 14 Jul 1905 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.

    Notes:

    b2c2d6e2f12

    Children:
    1. Willem Morkel was born on 27 Nov 1839 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa; died on 28 Aug 1899 in Riversdale, Western Cape, South Africa.
    2. Jacoba Alida Morkel was born on 28 Sep 1841; died on 22 Mar 1871 in Ratelrivier, Bredasdorp. Western Cape, South Africa.
    3. Petrus Johannes Morkel was born on 5 Jan 1844; died in 1905 in Barberton, Eastern Transvaal, South Africa.
    4. Maria Elizabeth Anna Morkel was born on 27 Aug 1846; died in 1931 in Broadstairs, Kent, England.
    5. 7. Esther Leonora Wilhelmina Morkel was born on 11 Jan 1849; died on 17 Nov 1883 in Woodstock, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
    6. Pieter Loreth Morkel was born on 16 Feb 1851; died on 19 Nov 1851.
    7. Susanna Petronella Morkel was born on 2 Mar 1853; died on 16 Jun 1933 in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
    8. Peter Loreth Morkel was born on 7 Nov 1857; died on 3 Jan 1952 in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
    9. Daniel Hendrik Willem Wessels Morkel was born on 4 Jan 1861; died on 4 Apr 1914 in Woodstock, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
    10. Helena Wessels Morkel was born on 1 Feb 1862; died in 1923 in Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa.
    11. Johannes Wilhelmus Wessels Morkel was born on 6 Jan 1863; died in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.



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