| 8. | Ludwig Liefeldt was born on 18 Apr 1811 in Berlin, Germany; died on 8 Mar 1873 in King William's Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Notes:
This snippet is from transcriptions of "Cape and Natal News", date 01 November 1860:
"During a thunder-storm on the 30th August, the Rev. Mr. LIEFELDT, was struck down by lightning near Frankfort (near Bisho ), but fortunately not more seriously injured than being somewhat indisposed from the effects of shock."
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NOTE ~~~ The ages of the daughters reported by The Grahamstown Journal are incorrect - should be 5, 12 and 17.
Extract from: Grahamstown Journal 27. 2.1863 p3 c6
Three Sisters Drowned
[Our printer accidently omitted the following in our Tuesday’s issue.]
By the King William’s Town post, which came in unusually late last Friday evening, we have received the particulars of a most distressing and fatal accident. Three daughters of that excellent and laborious missionary, the Rev. Mr. Liefeldt, have drowned while attempting to cross the Buffalo. The following is from a correspondent:-
We have had a very distressing and fatal accident occur here, the particulars of which you will doubtless see in our local papers. It appears, on the 16th inst., the Rev. Mr. Liefeldt of the Berlin Missionary Society, purposed to visit a neighbouring station, and for which purpose, he and three daughters, of the respective ages of 18, 20 and 24 years, left home in an ox-wagon, and arrived at the drift of the Buffalo River, near Izeli. The river was found to be very full, and it is said, the driver told Mr. Liefeldt that it was too high to attempt to cross, but Mr. L. thought differently, and desired the driver to proceed. On entering the river, the wagon was soon turned over by the force of the stream, and all in it cast into the river. Mr. Liefeldt and the driver after great risk and much difficulty succeeded in reaching the shore, but unhappily the three young women were drowned, and so were five oxen, and the wagon was much injured. The bodies of the young women we believe have not yet been found. This sad occurrence has cast quite a gloom on all around, as the Rev. Mr. Liefeldt and the survivors of his family were generally much respected, and so were the three young ladies, who met with so sudden and melancholy a death.
THREE SISTERS DROWNED. – The Gazette says. – We exceedingly regret to record one of the most calamitous events it has ever been out lot to put in print, viz., the upsetting of a wagon in the Izeli drift of the Buffalo, the drowning of three sisters, and narrow escape of the father. The unfortunate family who have thus been called upon to suffer is that of the Rev. Mr. Liefeldt, and the melancholy event has cast a gloom over the whole community, by whom Mr. Liefeldt and his family are well and deservedly held in a very high esteem. It appears from what we can gather that on Monday last Mr. L. and his three daughters proceeded in a tent wagon towards the Izeli, with the intention, we believe, of going to some distant part of the country, and on reaching one of the drifts the river was found to be in a very swollen state. The wagon, however, had got into the stream and could not return, and while in the bed of the river, it is said, the leader was unable to stem the current, the hind oxen gave way, the wagon sides and tent were swept off, and the vehicle turned over with its living freight. Mr. Liefeldt, it is said, managed, with the assistance of the driver, to get to the other side at the imminent risk of his life, after being washed down a considerable distance, but could render no assistance to his unfortunate daughters, who were carried down the river and drowned. The first intimation the public had of this catastrophe, was a note addressed by Miss Liefeldt to Dr. Peters informing him that her father had been upset in the Buffalo, and three of her sisters were drowned. Dr. Peters hastened to the spot, but could discover no signs of the bodies. It is said that the Kaffir driver intimated to Mr. Liefeldt that the drift was too dangerous to cross, but that Mr. Liefeldt differed in opinion, and directed him to make the attempt, and the result has been the fearful disaster just recorded. The sympathy of the public with the bereaved family is universal, and a subscription has been set on foot to present Mr. Liefeldt with a purse, as he has no doubt suffered other loss besides that of his daughters’ lives; but it is deeply felt by all classes that nothing can compensate the unfortunate family for the loss of the three fine girls who have thus been suddenly swept into eternity. we also hear that an address of condolence will accompany the presentation of the purse to Mr. Liefeldt, expressing the sympathy of the inhabitants with him and his family under these trying and afflicting circumstances. The Rev. Mr. Kayser and others were busily engaged during all yesterday in searching for the bodies, but without success, and to day a party of the 13th Light Infantry have been despatched to the spot to renew the search.
LATEST PARTICULARS
The Late Shocking Disaster – The sad event which occurred at the Izeli drift on Monday last, when Mr. Liefeldt’s three daughters were drowned, still continues to be the subject of melancholy conversation. The poor old gentleman bears the heavy stroke as well as can be expected, but reproaches himself, it is said, with being the chief cause of the distressing calamity. Up to yesterday only two bodies of the unfortunate girls had been found – one on Thursday afternoon, and one on Friday. We believe the youngest was about 18 years of age. This event has caused a sad vacancy in the family, which was a large one. It must be, however, some source of consolation to the unfortunate Mr. Liefeldt, to find that the sympathy of the inhabitants in his case has not been manifested in words only, but also in deeds. The military took a very active part in searching for and recovering the bodies, and it is owing to their unremitting exertions that two out of the three have been found. Search is still being made for the remaining one, and it is confidently expected it will be recovered. The civilian inhabitants have already subscribed a purse of about £100 to be presented to Mr. Liefeldt, of which £80, we believe, was handed over to him on Friday last, with an address of condolence, by a deputation consisting of the Venerable the Archdeacon, Dr. Peters, and Messrs. Head, Tamm and J. Perks, who waited upon him for the purpose. Several of his brother ministers have also visited and condoled with the unfortunate gentleman and his family. A list still lies open at both the Banks for further contribution. Only a portion of the wagon has, we understand, been recovered, while five out of a span of oxen were drowned. This of itself is a sad loss for the family to sustain; but it is hoped the liberality of the inhabitants will cover the full amount. –
Gazette.
Ludwig + Henrietta Werner. Henrietta was born on 2 Jul 1821; died on 24 May 1889 in Kei Road, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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1932 - 1979 (46 years)
