Florence May Cockcroft

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes

Family/Spouse: Robert Norman Pringle. Robert (son of Robert Hart Pringle and Mary Ann Townsend) was born on 23 Oct 1876; died on 5 Sep 1955 in Lyndoch, Bedford, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Kathleen Florence Pringle was born on 20 Feb 1908; and died.
2. Phyllis Aveleen Pringle
3. Norman Hart Lyndoch Pringle

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes

Notes:

Ebenezer spent his early days farming in Albany district and later, in 1870, he trekked to the Kimberly diamond diggings.
Returning to farming in Lower Albany in 1874 when he married Kezia.
For 65 years he was a Methodist local preacher and took a keen interest in all church matters. It is noted that he was a lay preacher at Commemoration Methodist Church, Grahamstown and was also a life long teetotaller.
Ebenezer and Kezia's first home was on a farm at Manley Flats, where they resided for a number of years.
They then moved to a farm in Goodwin's Kloof about three miles from Grahamstown and continued their farming operations until finally moving to "The Croft ", 6 Charles Street, Grahamstown.

Extract from a note from "sharon marshall" to SOUTH-AFRICAIMMIGRANTS-
BRITISH-L Archives dated Mon, 7 Apr 2003 04:10:39 +0200
The Cockcrofts of Grahamstown were a remarkable family. They not only had 15 children but in the archives is a picture of mother and father and all their brood. "Astonishing," says Mrs Dawn Bisseker, of Beacon Bay, East London.
"It is difficult enough getting four children together for a photograph, let alone 15."

The tent letter is just one of many such historic items retained by Mrs Bisseker, a granddaughter of Ebenezer John and Keziah Cockcroft that chronicle the Anglo-Boer War years. Ebenezer was a lay preacher at the Wesleyan Methodist Commemoration Church in Grahamstown and he and his family felt it their Christian duty to give friendship and comfort to soldiers thousands of miles away from their own homes. From Cradock, Naauwpoort, Kimberley, Paardeberg, Bloemfontein, Belfast and "General French's column" they reciprocated with written thanks.
...........................
Many were sent by members of the Royal Berkshire Regiment who had been stationed in Grahamstown. They were addressed either to Mrs Cockcroft or "Dear Mother", not to Ebenezer and family, though the soldiers did pass on their kindest wishes to them. One is particularly poignant, from a Private CA Sercombe, of the Berkshires, obviously a sensitive man.
...........................
Something had gone wrong. In a formal letter dated September 7, 1899, and signed CA Sercombe, he thanked Mrs Cockcroft for her kindness but wondered if he was no longer welcome at their home. It was not an easy letter to write but he said he had to do so because he could not stop worrying about the matter. It had kept him awake.
Keziah must have been reassuring for on October 14 Sercombe wrote from Naauwpoort, this time addressing her as "Dear Mother" and ending with a warm "your dear friend, Charlie". Later came another message from Sercombe telling of trainloads of refugees from Johannesburg, mainly women and children, and of the hundreds of soldiers standing at the side of the rail line cheering and waving to them.
...................
Apart from writing to her son and the soldiers -- and making that tent -- Keziah, a Webb, of 1820 Settler stock (who looks in the photograph, right, like a woman who would stand no nonsense) also corresponded with parents. There came letters from Sercombe's mother, from William Bunning, (a splendidly written message) and from Mrs White, all from England, thanking the family.
There are two intriguing notes from Harry Hillier, with the Kimberley Mounted Corps in the siege. "He was crazy about one of the daughters, Florence," said Mrs Bisseker. Hillier wrote well. He opened up to Keziah frankly, referring to her as "Dear Mother" and signing off as "your loving son". But he was anxious that what he wrote was a secret in accordance with an agreed compact.
There had been disagreement between Harry and the dark-haired comely Flos, as he called her. He said he did not want her to think of him as a liar and a fraud. Harry had apparently imbibed too well, which had met with Flos' disapproval. He said it was a one-off mistake and was most anxious that Keziah should intercede for him. All was forgiven, it seemed, two months later as he wrote saying "it was all a mistake" and he had received a message from Flos.
A letter from Charles Farrell, of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) with the 19th division, said he had been working without respite after the battle of Paardeberg (February 1900). There had been hundreds of wounded and he had to attend to them by lantern light. Farrell was full of admiration for the way soldiers looked after their comrades, bringing in the wounded even at risk to their own lives. He had difficulty writing the letter -- under a wagon in pouring rain.

Ellen's Reply to Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Thank you so much for sending this to the List. Kezia Webb and Ebenezer Cockcroft were my husband's Grandmother's Aunt and Uncle. The entire family attended Commemoration Methodist, both the COCKCROFT's and the THOMAS's.
Is it possible to obtain a copy of the picture mentioned in the article? I would love to have a picture of the entire family. I could use it to identify some of the unlabeled pictures in his grandmother's photo album. Is there any way to get in touch with the person who has the letters at this time?
One inaccuracy I noticed in the article, I would like to mention. According to Esme Bull, Kezia Webb arrived on the Rajasthan in 1861 with her parents, William and Elizabeth Fincham WEBB. She was 6 years old at the time, and her sister Martha Ann (my husband's great-grandmother) was 14. So, as far as I am aware, she was NOT of 1820 Settler stock. Of course she may have been related to some of the 1820 Settler WEBB's, but I have not yet found a link.
Here is a list of Kezia and Ebenezer's 15 children, with notes, from my husband's Grandmother's notebook.
Gideon Ebenezer COCKCROFT - lived in Buluwayo, married Amy DAVIS - both died in 1956.
Dora (Eudora) Elizabeth COCKCROFT - married Will JUBY. Had 3 girls (2 teachers), died in 1947. Will married again.
Maud Kezia COCKCROFT - never married, lived Grahamstown.
Florence May COCKCROFT - married Dr. PRINGLE, had 3 children; Norman ( a doctor) has 2 boys, Kathleen has 3 boys, and Phyllis has 2 girls. Flossie died Feb. 12, 1930
Maria Ann COCKCROFT - married Walter PRENTICE, he died 1954, she died 1956; they had 2 girls
Laura Alice COCKCROFT - married John ROSS, had Jean and Kenneth.
Arthur William COCKCROFT - passed away August 21, 1907.
Charles Percy COCKCROFT - married Daisy ?, had Mavis, Victor, Arthur. He died 1957.
Amy Gertrude COCKCROFT - married Arthur MANNING, had Pamela, Cynthia, and Beresford. Cynthia married Charles CHILDS (R.A.F.).
Lydia Mabel COCKCROFT - married Edgar TWISSEL. They had Rosemary, Kathleen, and John. He died 1953.
Edna Harriet (Dovie) COCKCROFT - married Wallie MIDLANE (died 1954). They had Gay, yvonne, Dawn, Beresford, Robin, and Wesslesley.
James Nendick COCKCROFT - died of Rheumatism
Mildred Ivy COCKCROFT - married Ronald GORDON. Died and left 4 children
George Edwin COCKCROFT - Died Nov. 16, 1904.
Harry Gordon COCKCROFT - married Vera. They have Sheila, Linette, Ronald, and Graham.

Please take all of this information with a large dose of salt, as I have verified none of it. If anyone has any corrections to make, I would welcome any new information.
Regards,
Ellen Stanton


see also http://www.my360.co.za/our-peeps/dear-mrs-cockcroft-…

Ebenezer married Kezia Webb on 12 Jun 1874 in Shaw Park, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Kezia (daughter of William Webb and Elizabeth M Fincham) was born on 16 Feb 1854 in Beck Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England; died on 16 Nov 1939 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Old Cemetery

Notes:

Ebenezer and Kezia lived at "The Croft", 6 Charles Street, Grahamstown.

One of Ebenezer/Kezia's grandchildren is married to Rev. J B Webb, a notable Methodist minister in Johannesburg in the 1950's. Their daughter is married to David Jones, Bedfordview Methodist Church. David is the son of Norman Jones of Harrison Jones Office Equipment.

Married:
Their signatures were witnessed by William Webb and Susanne Webb

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 165
• Occupation: a Farmer
• Religion: the Protestant Church
• Settler: 13 Jan 1820, Liverpool, Lancashire, England

Notes:

OCCUPATION: Wagon maker

Thomas had a Wagon business and was a Farmer at Shaw Park.

Thomas Cockcroft was Commandant, Clumber Station during the 1846-7 war, being frequently in action. He became a Municipal Commissioner of Grahamstown in 1949. (Morse-Jones,102)

Settler:
Wainwright's party on the John

Thomas married Dorothy Simpson, 1820 Settler on 3 Jan 1831 in Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Dorothy (daughter of Thomas Simpson, 1820 Settler and Ann Shepherd, 1820 Settler) was born on 2 May 1810 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England; was christened on 13 Oct 1810 in St Mary, Kippax, Leeds, Yorkshire, England; died on 13 Dec 1858 in Myrtle Grove farm, Bathurst district, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Grahamstown Cemetery (Old), Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 1448
• Religion: the Protestant Church
• Settler: 7 Jan 1820, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

Notes:

Not sure if this was a Simpson or Trollip - I presume former

Settler:
Cock's party on the Weymouth

Notes:

Marriage License:
Description: Rev William Carlisle

Description: Rev William Carlisle

William + Elizabeth M Fincham. Elizabeth was born in Nov 1819; died on 7 Aug 1886; was buried on 8 Aug 1886 in Bathurst Church (St Mary's - Methodist and Wesleyan), Bathurst, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Elizabeth Fincham

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 163
• Name: Charles Cockcroft 1820
• Occupation: a Cloth Dresser
• Settler: 13 Jan 1820, Liverpool, Lancashire, England

Notes:

Charles 35 & Harriet 36 arrived 13/1/1820 aboard the John with Wainwright Party, departing Liverpool. Thomas 13, William 9 & Mark 7. Charles was a cloth dresser.

Excerpt from COCKCROFT GENEALOGY: A GENEALOGY OF 1820 SETTLERS CHARLES AND HARRIET COCKCROFT by Keith Nicol of Constantia, Cape, South Africa:
"Charles Cockcroft, a cloth dresser from Leeds, Yorkshire came to South Africa in 1820 with Wainwright's Party on the ship, "John". The "John" left Liverpool on 13th January, 1820, reached Table Bay on 19 April, Simon's Bay later in April, and Algoa Bay in May, 1820. Charles who was 39 years of age at the time, was accompanied by his wife Harriet, 36, and children Thomas, 13, William, 11, and Mark, 7. All three sons married 1820 settler girls and many of their descendants also married into other settler families. "

In the cemetary of the Methodist Church, Shaw Park, we find the grave with the following tombstones :

Grave No. 19

Sacred to the memory of THOMAS COCKCROFT Who entered into rest at Port Alfred, 30th November, 1881, in his 76th year. Peace, Perfect Peace.

also CHARLES COCKCROFT who departed this life, December, 1875, in his 96th year. A British Settler of 1820.

and THOMAS I COCKCROFT, who fell asleep February 13th 1907, in his 72nd year. His end was peace. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

Settler:
Wainwright's party on the John

Charles + Harriet Farrier Bailey, 1820 Settler. Harriet was born in 1784 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England; died on 19 Jul 1836 in Myrtle Grove farm, Clumber, Bathurst (nr), Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Clumber Methodist Cemetery, Clumber, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 23
• Name: Harriet Farrer Bailie
• Settler: 13 Jan 1820, Liverpool, Lancashire, England

Notes:

Settler:
Wainwright's party on the John

Buried:
"In May [1867] the Building Committee authorised him [Rev. Ebenezer Hepburn] to ask Thomas Cockcroft what repairs his family wished to have made to the grave of Harriet Cockcroft which had been damaged in the course of building, which was now in hand."

'In Aug 1881... It was arranged that Harriet Cockcroft's grave-stone be placed erect."

Clumber: The story of a Settler Church 1825-1967 - E Morse Jones

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 1447
• Settler: 7 Jan 1820, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

Notes:

Thomas is not mentioned in Ann's will, but he is on settler list.

Settler:
Cock's party on the Weymouth

Thomas married Ann Shepherd, 1820 Settler on 11 Jan 1797 in St Peter's, Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Ann (daughter of William Shepherd and Mary, - wife of William Shepherd) was born on 3 May 1774 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England; was christened on 2 Jun 1774 in St Peter's, Leeds, Yorkshire, England; died on 29 Oct 1838 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Grahamstown Cemetery (Old), Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1820 Lineage: Yes
• Settler ID: 1446
• Name: Ann Shepherd 1820
• Settler: 7 Jan 1820, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

Notes:

Her first married name was Simpson.

Settler:
Cock's party on the Weymouth

Notes:

Thomas was a carpenter and came out as a 1820 Settler with Cock's party on the "Weymouth".