William Jelliman

Notes:

Grahamstown Journal – 1850 – October – December
https://www.eggsa.org/newspapers/index.php/grahamstown-journal/98-gj-1850-oct-dec
Written by Sue Mackay
Saturday 9 November 1850
HIGHWAY ROBBERY AND MURDER
On Thursday last information reached Graham's Town of a desperate case of highway robbery, and also of the frightful murder by the same parties of a respectable Inn-keeper, named JELLIMAN, residing at Leo Fontein, not far from the Kaga on the main road to Cradock. It seems that on the day previous, Messrs. J. FRANCIS and F. KIDSON were on their way from Cradock to town, and that on reaching De Bruin's Poort, a narrow bushy defile near the Fish River, they were stopped by two Hottentots, deserters from the Cape Corps, each armed with a double barrelled Regimental rifle. These ruffians presented their pieces and ordered the parties to dismount and deliver their money – threatening in the event of their moving a step, or showing the slightest indication of resistance to shoot them dead. Mr FRANCIS had in his pocket book, notes to the amount of about £200, which he was obliged to surrender, being peremptorily commanded to place the same on the ground, the rifle of the robber being steadily presented at him the whole time and another by the other robber at Mr. KIDSON, from whom they only obtained a single sovereign. At length, having secured their booty, they rode off, leaving the despoiled parties to make their way to town as they best could. It would appear that after the transaction, the two desperadoes crossed the country towards Cradock, arriving at Mr. JELLIMAN's Inn about midnight. Here they aroused the inmates by loud knocking, demanding brandy. Mr. JELLIMAN, a man reputed for his intelligence, activity and determination, immediately went to the door, telling the disturbers that he could not, at that untimely hour, supply them with liquor. On this some altercation ensued, the ruffians forced open the door, and instantly shot their unfortunate victim through the heart.
FRANCIS and KIDSON walked forward to HYDE's Accommodation House, where the latter obtained a horse and rode into town to inform the authorities. Col. SOMERSET immediately despatched a patrol of Cape Corps, who put themselves under charge of Mr. FRANCIS, who had remained at HYDE's, and set off in pursuit of the atrocious ruffians about midnight. On their way it is said that they heard the shot which terminated the life of the ill-fated JELLIMAN.


see http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/1820-settlers-saga.html

William married Eliza Rayner, 1820 Settler on 18 Sep 1837 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Eliza (daughter of William Rayner, 1820 Settler and Martha Padgett, 1820 Settler) was born on 25 Jul 1819 in Southwark, London, England; was christened on 7 Nov 1819 in St Saviour's parish, Southwark, London, England; died on 11 Jun 1872 in Kleinhassfontein, Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. William Kibble Jelliman was born on 8 May 1838; died on 21 Jan 1921.
2. Sarah Jelliman was born est 1841; died on 10 Mar 1925 in Post Retief, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
3. Charles Jelliman
4. Martha Jelliman was born about 1846; died on 18 Jun 1874.
5. Thomas Jelliman
6. James Jelliman was born about 1850.