Alan Grey Collett

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes

Alan married Alma Jessie St John Sherwin on 27 Jun 1931. Alma was born on 20 Jan 1909; died on 5 May 2000. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Irene Elizabeth Grey Collett
2. Patrick Alan Grey Collett
3. Ruth Lucille Grey Collett was born on 9 Dec 1941; died on 22 Feb 1975.

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes

Notes:

Dear Collett researchers
I have at last typed up the handwritten account of the Golden Wedding of Harry and Susannah Collett. This was given to me many years ago by Mac Shone in Pietermaritzburg. He said it was written by John Collett. I haven't changed his capitalization or punctuation.
Hope there's something of interest.
Kind regards
Bev Nelson


GOLDEN WEDDING AND CHRISTENING AT GREYVILLE

All roads led to Greyville on Monday 9th October 1950, when the Golden Wedding of Mr and Mrs Harry Grey COLLETT was celebrated; and the first child of Mr and Mrs John Collett was christened. The reception was held on the lawns in front of the homestead, where chairs and tables were arranged. The wedding cake on one, with a bowl of beautiful tulips. These from Mrs Penny Wright's garden at Bowden were very much admired. Mr and Mrs John Collett and his brother, Pye, received the guests, who numbered about 200. The Collett Clan were there in full force. Miss Myra Collett, sister of Mr Harry Grey Collett, was there and the only one who attended the marriage of Mr and Mrs Harry Collett 50 years ago. An Orchestra of six members from Bloemfontein rendered old time tunes, and the playing of "Here Comes The Bride" heralded the coming of Mr and Mrs Harry Collett among the guests,
who gathered around to congratulate the happy old couple. Mrs Collett looked charming in an old gold two piece, with a hat to match, and she wore a double string of pearls. Later the first baby of Mr and Mrs John Collett was christened by Rev. W.H. Shepherd of Middelburg, when the infant received the name of Colin Dale. everyone listened intently to the service, the infant calmly looking quite unconcerned with the proceedings. Mr Ted Gilfillan in a short speech proposed the health of the bride and groom, and their eldest son John responded and told the guests that they were afraid their mother would not be able to attend the ceremony as she had been ill. But they were not unduly worried as
their mother had had the same attack thirty years ago, and was still with them to celebrate the golden wedding. Mr Collett thanked the ladies who had helped with all the preparations for the celebrations, particularly Mrs Ted Gilfillan and her daughter Mary, Mrs K. McEwan, Mrs Gordon Gilfillan. Delicious refreshments were served through the afternoon. Mr Harry Collett also said a few words and said he thought John had exaggerated somewhat in his reminiscences of the past. Mr Duncan Bowker,, son of Mr and Mrs Jack Bowker, then proposed the health of Colin Dale, and said they were especially pleased because not only was he the first son and heir of Greyville, but they could look forward to twenty years hence when he would be able to take over the Secretaryship of the Farmers' Association. The Orchestra rendered beautiful music throughout the afternoon, and this was much appreciated by the guests, who all noted that it was "A very jolly party".

A short history of the Collett family:- James Lydford Collett was born in London in the year 1800. At the age of 15 years he was articled to an attorney in London. He asked his father to grant him permission to emigrate to one of the colonies, but his father refused so he stowed away on a sailing vessel bound for Australia. At CAPE TOWN he was put ashore and got quite a good clerical job there. In 1820 he was sent to PORT ELIZABETH to assist with the landing of the settlers. He joined one of the parties, and married a settler's daughter, Miss Rhoda Trollip. In course of time they settled in the Cradock district near Fish River Station. The old homestead was called Grass Ridge, and he acquired in all 60,000 morgen of ground, becoming a wealthy farmer and a member of Parliament. He was one of the first men to breed merino sheep on a large scale and used to enter as many as 500 merino rams for one sale. He had a large family of 5 sons and 5 daughters all of whom married and in turn raised large families. His five sons were John who inherited Grass Ridge and is the father of the present Fish River Colletts. The second son James settled at Rhyneheath Graaff Reinet, but his sons have all left that part now. The third son William is the father of the Middelburg Colletts, of which Harry Grey Collett was the
eldest. The family consisted of 6 sons and 5 daughters. James' two youngest sons George and Joseph went to the Transvaal. During the Anglo Boer War while Harry was on active service he met Elizabeth Susannah Shone, who was the only daughter of Mr and Mrs George Clarkson Shone of Clifton, Bedford. Elizabeth had ten brothers. Her grandparents were 1820 settlers.

On 9th October 1900 Harry and Elizabeth were married under a big apricot tree on the farm Highlands in the Steynsburg district, which belonged to two of Miss Shone's brothers. To-day 9th October 1950 Mr and Mrs Harry Grey Collett are celebrating their Golden Wedding. They have reared seven children 4 sons and 3 daughters. One daughter Alice died at the age of 21 while nursing at the Settlers Hospital, Grahamstown, and they have 16 grandchildren all of whom were present at this celebration.

Harry married Elizabeth Susannah Shone on 9 Oct 1900. Elizabeth (daughter of George Clarkson Shone and Mary Ann Susan Hairbottle) was born on 20 Nov 1869 in Stanley Farm, Bedford, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 4 May 1957 in Greyville Farm, Middelburg, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes

Notes:

Craig Hilton-Taylor says 'also known as Ian'
Farmed at Rietvlei near Middelburg.
Christening date from Steve Addison.
William was appointed the Field cornet in the Upper Sea Cow division around 1853.

William married Anna Maria Cook on 10 Sep 1862 in Cradock, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Anna (daughter of Rev. Edward Cook and Mary Frances Thornhill, 1820 Settler) was born on 29 May 1843 in Nisbett Bath, Great Namaqualand; died on 16 Oct 1903. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• _USED: Anne

Notes:

Now known as Warmbad, Namibia
Education included Miss Tooth's finishing school, London.

Now known as Warmbad, Namibia
Education included Miss Tooth's finishing school, London.

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes

George married Mary Ann Susan Hairbottle on 5 May 1867 in Bedford, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Mary (daughter of Richard Hairbottle, 1820 Settler and Susannah Margaret Marshall) was born on 12 Jun 1845 in George, Western Cape, South Africa; was christened on 13 Jul 1845 in St Mark's Cathedral, George, Western Cape, South Africa; died on 16 May 1922 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 167
• Settler: 14 Aug 1821, The Downs, Deal, Kent, England

Notes:

James arrived in Table Bay, South Africa on the 'Salisbury' on 8 December 1821, (Departure Date 14th August 1821), listed as an indentured labourer in Major General Colin Campbell's party. His name was second-last on the list of names. He was well educated in the three R's, wrote well and was filled with driving energy. He is said to have had 70 grandchildren, one of whom was Letitia Collett who married James Butler of London. The party was located on a 10 000-acre estate at Rietfonetien, on an arm of the Kasouga River. the location was named Barville Park. General Charles Collins Campbell, who was the leader of the party, died in May 1822.

In 1824 he married Rhoda in Albany, where he owned a small farm near Port Alfred. When the frontier was thrown open , he bought Olifantsfontein, and farms on the Koonap River in Fort Beaufort district. When the 1835 Frontier war broke out he stayed. He imported merino from New South Wales and Saxony and left 200 pound to his brother Joseph, who had emigrated to US with his sister Elizabeth. In 1842 he bought 3 large farms in Cradock area, based on Greonfontein in the direction of the AgterSneeuberg, he soon gained a reputation as the most progressive farmer in the district. He was chosen to represent the district in the first Cape Parliament in 1854, but attended one session only. In 1857 he sold Groenfontein, and moved to up the valley to Dassie Krantz and Salt Pan Drift. But drought and recession drove him bankruptcy in 1862. All his farms were sold and he had to accept hospitality of a cottage on Mulberry Grove, the farm of his son-in-law, Joseph Trollip. His successful son, John, redeemed him and placed him on Dassie Krantz. Relationships were strained, but he had lost his touch and after a frightening incident with a defiant servant, John removed his parents to Grassridge, where he died in 1875.

Settler:
Charles Campbell's party on the Salisbury

James married Rhoda Ann Trollip, 1820 Settler on 6 Feb 1824 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Rhoda (daughter of Joseph Trollip, 1820 Settler and Susannah Crouch, 1820 Settler) was born on 21 Dec 1805 in Horningsham, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 29 Mar 1806 in Frome, Somerset, England; died in Nov 1895 in Rietvlei, Middelburg, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Grassridge farm, Cradock (nr), Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 795
• Settler: 7 Jan 1820, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

Notes:

Rhoda Trollip came out to SA with her parents and siblings on the Weymouth arriving ?? in ?? She and James Lydford Collett were the progenitors of all Colletts in the Cape.

After all troubles and bickering of framing, Rhoda on more than one occasion collapsed into the comparative safety of tempoarry insanity. At this stage, James devoted all his atention to her. After his death she went to live with her childless daughter at Daggaboer.

Settler:
Hyman's party on the Weymouth

Notes:

Marriage Notes for RHODA TROLLIP and JAMES COLLETT:
Entry #58: Matrimonial Court Minutes/Special Marriage Licences: Film No. 1886513
Husband: James COLLET, 23, Reformed, England
Wife: Rhoda TROLLOP, 18, Protestant, England
Marriage Notes for RHODA TROLLIP and JAMES COLLETT:
Entry #58: Matrimonial Court Minutes/Special Marriage Licences: Film No. 1886513
Husband: James COLLET, 23, Reformed, England
Wife: Rhoda TROLLOP, 18, Protestant, England
Date: 2/5/1824



Marriage Notes for RHODA TROLLIP and JAMES COLLETT:
Entry #58: Matrimonial Court Minutes/Special Marriage Licences: Film No. 1886513
Husband: James COLLET, 23, Reformed, England
Wife: Rhoda TROLLOP, 18, Protestant, England
Date: 2/5/1824

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Rev. Edward Cook
• Occupation: Missionary

Edward + Mary Frances Thornhill, 1820 Settler. Mary (daughter of Christopher Thornhill Thornhill, 1820 Settler and Dorothea Mounsey, 1820 Settler) was born on 14 Jul 1809 in U.K., England; died on 7 Jun 1886 in Cradock, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 778
• Name: Mary Francis Thornhill
• Settler: 12 Feb 1820, The Downs, Deal, Kent, England

Notes:

Settler:
Thornhill's party on the Zoroaster

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 715
• Occupation: wagon maker
• Settler: 3 Dec 1819, Gravesend, Kent, England

Notes:

Settler:
Scott's party on the Nautilus

George married Elizabeth Carney, 1820 Settler on 20 Oct 1835 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Elizabeth (daughter of James Carney, 1820 Settler and Elizabeth Leacher, 1820 Settler) was born on 12 Aug 1819; was christened on 14 Nov 1819 in St.John's, Wapping, London, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 1590
• Birth: 12 Aug 1819
• Settler: 13 Dec 1819, Gravesend, Kent, England

Notes:

Settler:
Dixon's party on the Ocean

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 1786
• Settler: 13 Jan 1820, Liverpool, Lancashire, England

Notes:

Settler:
Griffith's party on the Stentor

Richard + Susannah Margaret Marshall. Susannah (daughter of Marshall and Mary Ford) was born on 17 Nov 1825 in George, Western Cape, South Africa; was christened on 11 Feb 1826; died on 23 Oct 1906 in Glengregor, Bedford district, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Glen Gregor farm, Cowie, Bedford, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Susannah Marshall