| 2. | John Edwards was born on 17 Jun 1804 in Bridford, Devonshire, England; was christened on 11 Jul 1804 in St Thomas Becket Church, Bridford, Devonshire, England (son of Isaac Edwards and Sarah); died on 11 Nov 1887 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Other Events and Attributes:
- Reference Number: MDHR-DNZ
Notes:
He and his wife left England for South Africa on 14 January 1832 aboard the Caledonian
From "Glory which is Yours" - Alice Ralls & Fifty Years of Mission Life in SA - Rev. John Edwards
The Wesleyan minister, the Rev J Edwards, conducted the monthly services at the Nek and he wrote:
"I would leave Cradock in the morning, go on to Grootfontein, at that time the large establishment of Mr James Collett, where there was a congregation of both English and Natives; thence on to Waterkloof for their service next night; then away over the Sneeuberg thence down to Zwaager's Hoek, crossing the Little Fish River 12 times in as many hours; and thence on to the town of Somerset. After conducting the several services there, and remaining the usual time, I would return to Cradock by an opposite route. Crossing the Little Fish River I would pass on to Cookhouse, over Slagter's Nek, cross the Great Fish River at Bull Kraal and travel on to Daggaboer's Nek, where a good congregation was found. This round completed, I would start for 'Home Sweet Home' in Cradock."
Weekend Post, 25 Oct 1986
Gweneth, 91, will brighten reunion of the EDWARDS clan
Weekend Post Correspondent
Grahamstown - One might call Miss Gweneth EDWARDS of Bedford a maverick Methodist were she not a staunch Presbyterian who, in her 91st year, still plays the organ in the church.
As the oldest living descendant of Methodist missionary John EDWARDS, who arrived in South Africa in 1832, she is to unveil a plaque to his memory in a Methodist Church Hall in Graaff-Reinet and grace the first ever EDWARDS family reunion. The event takes place in Graaff-Reinet where the missionary established the Church in 1870.
The Rev. Arthur ATTWELL of Welkom, a great-great-grandson of John EDWARDS, is to preach in the morning service and an evening communion service. The morning service it to be followed by refreshments in the newly-built hall, converted from old stables and cut-buildings by the incumbent, the Rev. N. B. KOK.
It is then Miss Gweneth EDWARDS, as she is known, a great-granddaughter, will unveil the memorial plaque. There will then be a meeting if the EDWARDS' family followed by a family luncheon. Mr. KOK, who is minister of the Trinity Methodist Church in Graaff-Reinet has made most of the conversions himself.
It is not known how many descendants of John and his wife, Jean Elizabeth, will be present, but the marriage of their eldest daughter, Sarah to Samuel Bonnin HOBSON, a "farmer of Kamdeboo Ruggens", and their 11 children have swelled the ranks in the Eastern Cape. A glance at the Family Tree reveals the names, among others, of
BOWLES, BARRY, PRINGLE, ROBERTS, MACKAY,TOWNSEND,HOCKLY, HUGHES, TROLLIP,MEINTJIES
PARKES, LEPPAN, HOLMES, BIRKETT, GARDINER.
Miss EDWARDS still does needle work and knits socks for the family.
John and Jane EDWARDS are both buried at Salem, near Grahamstown.
By Rev. John Edwards
"I have never been able to ascertain the exact date of my birth - some say June 17th, 1804. I can only judge about what my age is, by the time of my entering the Christian Ministry. Registers of births and baptisms were carelessly kept 70 years ago in some country parishes. I was born in the parish of Bridford, in Devonshire, being the youngest of 8 children. My father's name was Isaac. His father, I have been told, saw all his children settled in life before he died. My father was a farmer and lived on the farm called 'Venn" where it is said he was very successful. My mother died when I was an infant. She must have been of a very delicate constituion. Three of her children born previously to myself died when very young...
REMINISCENCES OF THE EARLY LIFE AND MISSIONARY LABOURS OF THE REV. JOHN EDWARDS
Fifty years a Weslyan missionary in South Africa. Edited by the Rev. Wm. Clifford Holden 160 pages,8vo (215 x 140 mm), pebble-grained blue cloth, titled gilt on upper cover. T.H. Grocott, Steam Machine Printer, Church-Sq. Grahamstown 1883 Mendelssohn 1:513-4. 'An autobiography of a pioneer missionary in South Africa'.
Edwards left England in 1832, arriving in Cape Town and Algoa Bay after experiencing a very rough voyage. He travelled to the Buchnaap Station of the Vaal River to which he had been appointed. He describes his journey through the Eastern Cape and Griqualand West and his meetings with the Chiefs of the Baralongs, Carannas and Basuto. He finally acquired a large tract of land from Moshesh for his Mission Station which was afterwards annexed by the Free State Boers. About 12,000 people settled on the new land accompanied by the missionaries. Mr Edwards shows himself to be man of courage, energy and resource. Whilst staying at Thanbachu (sic) he met some of the emigrant Boers under their leader Louis Trichardt who were trekking to Delagoa Bay.'
JOHN EDWARDS
Christening: 11 JUL 1804 Bridford, Devon, England
Parents:
Father: ISAAC EDWARDS Family
Mother: SARAH
Source Information:
Batch No.: Dates: Source Call No.: Type: Printout Call No.: Type: C050431 1538 - 1837 0916822 Film 0933170 Film
John + Sarah Tucker. Sarah was born in 1806; died on 25 Nov 1871. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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1847 - 1848 (1 year)
