Richard Peacock, 1820 Settler

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 3474
• Name: Richard Peacock 1820
• Occupation: a Farmer
• Settler: 12 Feb 1820, The Downs, Deal, Kent, England
• MOVE: Moved: Dec 1825, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Notes:

Richard PEACOCK b. 1783, was 66 years when he died in 1849. A farmer, he was 36 when he came out with his wife, Maria 29 and children Eliza, Selina 5, Emily 4, Walter 2. Part of Willson's Party from London, they embarked on the "La Belle Alliance" and eventually were located on the Bush River, tributary to the Torrens River.

He was a shareholder in the Eastern Province Joint-Stock Sheep Farm Association in 1833 and in 1834 a committee member of the Eastern Province Agricultural Society and owned large flocks of sheep. He served as a Lieutenant in the Somerset Corps in the Frontier War of 1834-1835 and was a Municipal Commissioner in 1845.

Richard was a wealthy man. He bought erven numbers 22, 44, 45, 47 and 90 in 1825 (between Charles and Francis Streets) today No 160 Charles Street.

Buried next to Richard PEACOCK lies Charles PEACOCK, died 1853 aged 25.

Annexure events in the affairs of Richard PEACOCK and Maria JOHNSON -
SOURCE:
Descendants of Richard PEACOCK and Maria JOHNSON, 1820 Settlers
by Vyvian William Hiller - 1974

1782: December Richard Peacock born county Kent, England.
1790: Maria Johnson born county Kent, England.
1812: August 3 Richard Peacock marries Maria Johnson, St George's Church, Hanover Square, London.
1813: Daughter Eliza born.
1816: September 27 Daughter Selina born.
1817: Daughter Emily born.
1818: Son Walter born.
1819: December 9, Richard Peacock and family sail from London with Thomas WILLSON's party in ss La Belle Alliance for the Cape of Good Hope.
1820: March-April Outbreak of smallpox, resulting in four deaths on board ss La Belle Alliance.
1820: March-May Trouble arises in ss La Belle Alliance between Thomas Willson and members of his party.
1820: May 3, La Belle Alliance arrives in Table Bay.
1820: May 5, La Belle Alliance arrives in Simon's Bay.
1820: May 26, La Belle Alliance arrives in Algoa Bay. Willson's party debark and encamp on foreshore of Algoa Bay.
1820: July 4, Leave Camp No. 10 in convoy of 60 ox-wagons for the party's location near Bathurst.
1820: July 11, Arrive at location, called Beaufort Vale, near Bathurst.
1820: July 16, Attend divine (Anglican) service at Beaufort Vale conducted by the Reverend William BOARDMAN.
1820: July 25, Thomas Willson abandons his party and is succeeded as leader by the Reverend William Boardman.
1820: August 1, Settlers learning to plough; wheat, barley and potatoes being sown.
1820: September 28, The Reverend William Boardman secures marquee on loan for divine service and use as a school at Beaufort Vale; his daughter Margaret to teach girls and younger boys.
1820: October 1, The Reverend William Boardman holds service in the marquee.
1820: October 7, Sickness and distress in the Settlement owing partly to the Government's failure to issue a flour ration for nearly two months.
1820: November 30, Wheat crop completely destroyed by rust.
1820: December 25, The circumstances of many settlers desperate.
1821: September 21, Rust again appearing on the wheat.
1821: October 1, Only half rations issued to those in need .
1821: November 20, Wheat crop totally destroyed by rust. Rations to those in need, 1½lb rice per adult and ¼lb per child.
1821: November 30, All vegetation suffering from drought.
1821: December 25, Dismal Christmas.
1822: June 30, Failure of potato crop. Wheat £1 10s 0d a bushel. Fund opened for relief of distressed settlers.
1822: October 4, Formation of the Albany Levy to enable settlers to provide defence against increasing depredations by the Xhosa.
1822: December 25, Many settlers in great want.
1822: Second son, Alfred Richard, born to Richard and Maria Peacock.
1823: January 31, Margaret, wife of the Reverend William Boardman, dies and is buried at Beaufort Vale.
1823: October 5, Two-year drought breaks.
1823: October 23, The 'Great Flood' greatly increases already acute distress of many Settlers.
1823: October 31, Most settlers' clothes worn out, and many now wearing garments made from sheepskins .
1823: November 30, 431 head of cattle stolen from the Bathurst district since January last.
1823: December 31, Very little wheat survives the 'Great Flood' and then only to be destroyed by rust, locusts and springbuck. Many settlers living on pumpkin and maize. 489 cattle taken by Xhosas in the Bathurst district.
1823: Richard Peacock has stock stolen
1824: February 23, The population of Lower Albany (Beaufort Vale included) comprises 311 men, 235 women and 559 children.
1824: September 10, Lieut. John HOPE surveys settlers' allotments at Beaufort Vale.
1824: September 24, Sub-committee reports to Society for Relief of Distressed Settlers.
1824: December 31, More cattle thefts.
1825: January 31, Son Walter Peacock attends James HANCOCK's school at Grahamstown.
1825: March 18, Albany Levy mustered to hand in arms and be disbanded. Those wishing to retain their arms can do so by paying £1 17s 6d a weapon.
1825: August 12, The Reverend William Boardman is buried beside his wife on his allotment in Beaufort Vale, near the site of the marquee in which he held his first service in 1820. A very great number of settlers attend.
1825: September 13, Richard Peacock applies for land in the Somerset district.
1825: September 24, Richard Peacock undertakes to employ 12 British immigrants through a settler scheme. [This was apparently never implemented.
1825: September 25, There are now 2 459 troops on the Frontier.
1825: December Richard Peacock renders return to Government for loss of cattle taken by stock raiders in 1823.
1825: December 31, Richard Peacock has left Beaufort Vale and now lives in the Somerset district.
1826: August 30, Richard Peacock, with other Protestants, signs petition to Government for Roman Catholic priest for Albany.
1827: December Third son, Charles, born to Richard and Maria Peacock at Somerset.
1830: December 8, Eldest daughter Eliza marries George Edward JOSEPH at Somerset.
1831: Birth of first grandchild, Selina Joseph.
1832: May 18, Richard Peacock has two sheep stolen by John JACOB, who is sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.
1832: May 29/31, Richard Peacock attends Albany and Somerset races at Grahamstown to see his horses 'Diadem' and 'Pyeball' run.
1832: June 2, Richard Peacock takes two £5 shares for himself, and persuades his son-in-law G.E. Joseph to take one share in the Bathurst (Settler) Church building. [The shareholders were to receive interest from pew rents and offertories. They were given the privilege of the first choice of pews and the right of one vote in the proceedings of the vestry].
1832: June 25, Birth of second grandchild, Harriott Eloise Joseph, at 'Pavo Park', Somerset.
1833: May 9, Richard Peacock holds two shares (£10) in Eastern Province Joint-Stock Sheep Farm Association, which has scheme to avail shareholders of cheap conveyance for friends and servants from England in a vessel to be chartered by the Association.
1833: July 22, Richard Peacock has nine cattle stolen.
1833: October 22/24, Richard Peacock's horse 'Bembo' wins one-mile heat, and 'Diadem' takes second and third places at Albany and Somerset races, Grahamstown.
1834: May 29, Richard has 56 cattle stolen in the Koonap district.
1834: September 12, Richard Peacock sells his stock at "Prinsloo", near the village of Somerset. Stock comprises 2 000 superior bred Merino sheep (wool from these during previous season was sold in Grahamstown for 16 pence a lb), about 2 000 Merino and Colonial sheep, 70 mares and young horses, 100 superior bred cows and a number of slaughter and draught oxen. Some very superior rams of the Saxon and Merino breed. [The farm Prinsloo has been in the possession of the VAN NIEKERK family for more than a century (1964). The original homestead (now uninhabited), built by Richard Peacock on the bank of a stream when he first settled in the district in 1825, still stands. On the opposite bank is a homestead now called "The Gem", once known as "Pavo Park", the residence of George Edward Joseph].
1834: November 11/13, Richard Peacock races his horses with success at the Albany and Somerset Turf Club Meeting, Grahamstown.
1834: December 15/16, Richard Peacock shows prospective buyers his farm, "Spring Grove". [In the Bedford district and now belonging to the AINSLIE family].
1834: December 17, Richard Peacock offers for sale his cattle and sheep farm Spring Grove, in extent upwards of 3 800 morgen, situated in the Field-Cornetcy of Glen Lynden, adjoining the Government Forest, Kowie. Also offers 500 head of cattle, 100 mares and young horses and a well-known stallion Diamond, plus a quantity of merchandise, planks, beams and wagon wood.
1834: December 21, Outbreak of Sixth Frontier War. Some 20,000 natives swarm across the frontier and lay waste the districts of Albany and Somerset. In ten days the marauders burn 456 farmhouses, pillage 300 others, destroy 60 laden wagons and drive off 5,700 horses, 12,800 cattle, 162,000 sheep and goats.
1835: February 3, Richard Peacock appointed lieutenant for cavalry, Somerset Municipal Force. Son Walter Peacock appointed ensign for sharp-shooters Somerset Municipal Force.
1835: March 6, Son-in-law George Edward Joseph appointed captain for infantry.Somerset Municipal Force.
1835: June 12, Mr. and Mrs. James STEWART open school in village of Somerset for young ladies and young gentlemen to be educated with their own family. Terms for pupils under ten years of age £18 p.a.; above that age £20 p.a. French, music and drawing extra. [Mr. Stewart was a line engraver who had worked for the painter Sir David WILKIE, R.A. He was also a member of the Royal Academy of Scotland. The Peacock children attended this school].
1835: Daughter Emily marries William Hancorn SMITH at Somerset.
1836: March 7, Richard and Maria Peacock attend wedding at Somerset of Elira Joseph (sister of G.E. Joseph) to William OGILVIE of Grahamstown.
1836: April 12/13, Richard Peacock runs horses Rodney (2nd), Diadem (1st) and Collingwood (3rd) at Albany and Somerset races, Grahamstown.
1836: May 3, Richard Peacock chairs public meeting at Somerset.
1836: October 7/8, Richard Peacock sells a quantity of liquor and general merchandise. Re-offers the well-known farm Spring Grove, situated on the Kowie (or Kromme) River and adjoining Kowie Bush, containing 3,719 morgen ground with advantage of a great quantity of government ground on every side but the lower one; well adapted for cultivation, also has a store. Offers in addition a good sheep farm called "Weltevreden" situated on the Milk River, between Mr. HART's farm and that of the widow, Anna FOUCHE; also meal, wheat, barley and about 2,000 lbs wool, 300 head of cattle, between 3,000 to 4,000 sheep and goats.
1836: October 29, Harriet Caroline Joseph, widow of Frances Joseph of St. James Street, St. James, London, and mother of George Edward Joseph, dies at Somerset and is buried there in De Oude Pastorie cemetery. [Her tombstone still (1964) stands.
1837: April 4, Richard Peacock sells at Prinsloo (3 miles from Somerset) 300 head breeding cattle, 200 oxen, about 2,000 Cape sheep and goats, also 80 - 100 mares, foals and young horses.
1837: November 2, Richard Peacock attends Somerset Turf Club meeting at Somerset.
1838: June 29, Daughter Selina Peacock marries James PERKINS of the farm "Wentworth", Somerset.
1839: May 26, Birth of grand-daughter Jane Anne Perkins at Wentworth.
1839: June 15, Richard Peacock sells at Grahamstown. Pound "the whole of his well-known stock of oxen, cows and breeding cattle consisting of: 100 fat slaughter cattle, 50 slaughter cows, 200 superior Fatherland bred cows, bred on the farm adjoining that of R. Hart, Esq. The attention of farmers and others is particularly drawn to the above cattle as all of them are Zuurveld bred and as Mr. Peacock's breed of cattle are so well known to farmers of Albany and Somerset that they need no further comment."
1840: October 2, Birth of grandson James Burnett Perkins at Wentworth.
1842: March 3 Birth of grandson George Edward Joseph (junior) at Pavo Park.
1842: March 29 Son Walter Peacock marries Elizabeth CLAMPETT at Somerset.
1945: Richard Peacock becomes a municipal commissioner for Somerset.
1847: August 5 At Somerset James Perkins, J.P., chairs public meeting in respect of petition sent to Home Government for separate and distinct government for the Eastern Province.
1847: November 26/27, Grand-daughters Caroline and Maria Joseph die at Somerset of epidemic fever.
1848: November 13, Richard and Maria Peacock make joint will.
1849: January 21, Richard Peacock dies at Somerset and is buried there in the cemetery behind the dude Pastorie. [Tombstone still (1964) stands].
1850: February 13, Walter Peacock, son of Richard and Maria Peacock, living in the Graaff-Reinet district .
1851: September 3, Grand-daughter Selina Joseph marries Henry MARRIOTT at Somerset.
1852: February 13, Walter Peacock wounded while defending his cattle kraal at Graaff-Reinet.
1853: July 18, Youngest son Charles Peacock dies at Somerset. Maria Peacock thereafter makes her home with the Joseph family.
1866: July 25, Son-in-law George Edward Joseph dies at his residence, Castle Hill, Port Elizabeth.
1867: July 3, Son Alfred Richard Peacock dies at Somerset.
1867: November 13, Maria Peacock dies at the residence of the Joseph family, Prospect House, Prospect Hill, Port Elizabeth. She is buried in the Joseph family plot at St Mary's Cemetery, Port Elizabeth.

Settler:
Willson's party on the La Belle Alliance

Richard married Maria Johnson, 1820 Settler on 3 Aug 1812 in London Church (St George's - Hanover Square), London, England. Maria was born in 1792 in Kent, England; died on 13 Nov 1867 in Prospect House, Prospect Hill, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Port Elizabeth Cemetery (St Mary's), Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Eliza Peacock, 1820 Settler was born in 1813 in England; was christened on 15 Aug 1813 in Charing, Kent, England, United Kingdom; died in 1878 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
2. Selina Peacock, 1820 Settler was born in 1814 in London, England; died on 31 Jan 1899 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
3. Emily Peacock, 1820 Settler was born in Dec 1815 in England; died on 18 Sep 1861 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried on 19 Sep 1861 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
4. Walter Peacock, 1820 Settler was born in 1817 in England; died on 17 Jan 1868 in Prinsloo; was buried on 18 Jan 1868 in Somerset East, Cape Colony, South Africa.
5. Alfred Richard Peacock was born in 1822 in Beaufort Vale, Clumber, Bathurst (nr), Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 1 Jul 1867 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried on 3 Jul 1867 in Somerset East, Cape Colony, South Africa.
6. Charles Peacock was born in 1828; died on 18 Jul 1853 in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in De Oude Pastorie cemetery, Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa.