John SIKWEBU was born in the Peddie district about 70 years ago. His conversion from heathenism to Christianity was striking, unmistakable and thorough. For about 40 years afterwards he served his Master, Christ, with steadfast devotion, first as an Evangelist and teacher, then as a Minister.

In the year 1871 he was appointed to the Amatole Basin Circuit. After 3 years he was moved to Grahamstown, where he spent 5 years; for one year he was stationed at Kingwilliamstown, after which he returned for 3 years to his first Circuit, thus spending 12 years of his life in the Ministry. The remaining 20 years of his life were spent as a supernumerary, partly at Tsomo and partly in his native district at Tuku. It is a pathetic fact that after 19 years of supernumerary, he died in effect, though not technically, in the full work. At the conference of 1902 it was thought that his strength warranted the Tuku Circuit appointment being left unfilled on the understanding  that he , though a supernumerary, would be able to take charge of the Circuit under the Superintendent. But after two quarters it was evident that his strength was unequal to the task. However he held on doggedly, and died the day his accessor arrived in the district. John SIKWEBU’s character was a witness for Christ, the value of which is impossible to estimate.

Alike among Europeans and all classes of Natives he was recognised as a true man and a real christian. As the head of a large family he was strict almost to severity, but he was pre-eminently wise in his decisions, so that those on whom he enforced his will rarely regretted their obedience. His name is, both to the narrower circle of his family and the wider circle of the Church, a precious legacy of b;lessing and encouragement.

From: Minutes of Wesleyan Methodist Conference 1904 Pages 8 & 9

Robert LAMPLOUGH was born in Derby, May 1833. His parents were devout and active Methodists and he was reared in an invigorating Christian atmosphere. Several years of his early life, spent in acquiring a practical knowledge of banking business, gave him that experience in financial matters which has since proved so valuable to the Church.

Converted as a lad, he began to preach at seventeen years of age and was accepted by the Conference of 1855, being sent forthwith to this country. His early educational advantages qualified him for immediate service. He spent the first six years at Grahamstown, where his Ministry opened with special manifestations of his Divine call, and for many years, both in European and Native Circuits, he was much honoured of God with Evangelistic success. He was privileged to start the Native Institution at Heald Town in 1867, the beginning of the Training of our Native Ministry. His Kaffir name “Vuindhla”- “the way opener”- expresses in word the Native estimate of his service and of his whole Missionary career.

In 1878 he paid his first and only return visit to his native land, and in less than a year he was back again in South Africa to labour until death. Appointed Chairman and General Superintendent of the Queenstown District, he showed in his discharge of his wider pastoral duties the same fatherly interest in all the Ministers of his District which he had already taken in the Probationers and younger Ministers of his various Circuits. They were members of his larger family.

It was in Queenstown that his much cherished scheme for a South African Book-Room became an accomplished fact, and it flourished there until removed to Cape Town in 1900, where it has become an even greater success.

He fulfilled the onerous position of Secretary to the Triennial Meetings from their start in 1873, and in 1883 became the Secretary of the first South African Conference. From its formation in 1887 until his death he was the Treasurer of the Missionary Society of our Church, and also rendered exceptional service in the institution of other Funds incidental to our Connexional economy.

In all these positions his great executive ability found full scope, yet withal he ever remained the gracious, simple-hearted friend and counsellor to his brethren old and young.

In the list of Presidents of the South African Conference his name appears twice – Kimberley 1887, Kimberley 1902. Thus did his bretheren pay tribute to him whom they delighted to honour.

His business abilities and the many and varied demands upon his time and energy were not permitted to lessen his sense of the importance of things Spiritual, and it was ever with him an unfailing duty and joy to maintain the life of the soul by reading the choicest devotional literature and by communion with his God. At the Conference of 1905 he received permission to become a Supernumerary, but ere the Connexional year had closed, he passed at dawn on June 8th to the higher service, in the 73rd year of his age and the 50th of his Ministry.

From: Minutes of Wesleyan Methodist Conference 1906 pages7 & 8

Natal Mounted Rifles - Officers in Field Service Dress

One of the best-known of South African regiments, formed in 1888 by the amalgamation of four coastal units, one of which, the Royal Durban Rangers, dated back to 1854. The others were the Victoria, Alexandra and Umzimkulu Mounted Rifles.

Did your family belong to the Natal Mounted Rifles? search this collection of over 1.100 new records

Originally, the regiment was organised in two wings, but in 1894 they were separated, the left wing becoming the Border Mounted Rifles until the formation of the Active Citizen Force in 1913, when they were again combined, as 3rd Mounted Rifles (N.M.R.).

After serving throughout the siege of Ladysmith the unit was the only one from Natal to serve outside Natal after the Republican forces had been driven out of the colony. The N.M.R. fought in the Orange Free State with Gen. Sir Leslie Rundle’s 8th Division until Oct. 1900, when one squadron of the Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment was formed by members of the unit.

James Wilson THOMPSON was converted to God at the age of fifteen and soon after began to preach. His devotion and loyalty to His Master was, in early life, put to a severe test. He bore the trail, rejecting the offer of the world for the sake of the Gospel, and gladly endured the loss of all things for Christ’s sake.

After a very successful college course he came to South Africa in 1883. In a very short time he became known as a man of more than ordinary ability, and possessed of varied gifts. His preaching was powerful, practical and pointed, and being a gifted speaker, the people heard him gladly. He was also an earnest Evangelist, and in the early part of his ministry he was set apart for special Evangelistic Work. He gained a great influence over men, and many who made no religious profession delighted to hear him preach, and were greatly influenced by his words. He dealt with men faithfully and fearlessly, but gained their hearts. He was generous  and large-hearted, and did many things for the sick, the poor and the suffering. His sympathies were so wide and deep that men loved him greatly and were ready to do anything for him, and the influence he gained over men was often very wonderful.

Those who knew him best felt that his life was full of great possibilities. During the short but fatal illness which caused him intense suffering he bore frequent testimony to his faith in Jesus Christ. The unseen things of the spirit world were very real to him during these days of suffering. He passed away at Grahamstown on January 13th, 1904, in the forty six year of his age.

From: Minutes of Wesleyan Methodist Conference 1904 page 8

Joseph START, was born in Leicestershire on the 17th July 1835. The godly influence of the Methodist home in which he was brought up led him to seek the Lord at an early age. As he grew in years he took an active part in Church work.

His success as a Local Preacher caused him to realise God’s call to the work of the ministry. On his acceptance as a Candidate he entered Richmond College, where the missionary atmosphere that prevailed induced him to offer himself for the Foreign Field, and he was appointed to the Port Elizabeth Circuit in the year 1862. He was subsequently appointed to Healdtown, Cradock, Annshaw, Peddie and Seymour Circuits. When he was in the prime and full vigour of life he took up an appointment at Bensonvale, where he did much good work for the extension of God’s Kingdom amongst the Native people. He founded the Bensonvale Institution, which is now one of our most successful Normal Training Institutions. At Tsomo and Mount Arthur he  rendered effective service notwithstanding advancing years. The long and toilsome journeys in the latter Circuit brought on the trouble which resulted in his death.

He moved to Kamastone, where he enjoyed a useful but quieter life, and lastly to Mount Coke. For over forty years he laboured without a single break.

He was a good man, unbelievable in character, of a very retiring disposition, sympathetic and courteous in manner, devoted and faithful in the performance of his duty. He lived for God and His work, and found great enjoyment in preaching Christ and Him crucified. He loved the Methodist Church and laboured abundantly for its welfare and success. His sermons were evangelical, fervent and convincing and he was eminently blessed in his ministrations amongst the Native people of South Africa. He bore with much Christian fortitude the pain which often became excruciating, and passed into rest on the 21st June, 1903.

From: Minutes of Wesleyan Methodist Conference 1904 Page 7

Alfred Ernest Barnet, was born at Shawbury, Shropshire. on July 2nd 1876. He became a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church at the age of thirteen years and began to preach four years later.

He was under training as a day school teacher when the call to the Christian Ministry was heard by him. He was employed ijn connection with the Liverpool Mission and also in North Wales before he came to South Africa as a candidate. He became assistant in Queenstown where he laboured with acceptance until his removal to Indwe. The Conference of 1902 had designated him for training in one of the Colleges in England and arrangements were being made for his voyage when he was prostrated by the fever which proved fatal. He was highly esteemed as a pastor and preacher, and he gave promise of much usefulness and influence. For his brief but helpful ministry many have reason to thank God. The end came suddenly, but for him it was the beginning of a fuller life in a wider  sphere. He died at Indwe, June 26, 1902

From: Minutes of Wesleyan Methodist Conference 1902 Page 8-9

Thomas Spargo, was born at Chacewater, Cornwall, in the year 1857. He was converted to God in 1871 and after two years’ experience as a Local Preacher was accepted as a candidate for the Ministry and designated for the Institution and Foreign work. At Richmond College he greatly impressed his fellow-students by his deep spirituality and brotherly kindness. He was sent to South Africa in 1881 and in the several circuits where he travelled he was in labours most abundant.

In Molteno, Seymour, Salem, Hilton and Cathcart he will long be remembered as a man of saintly character, a devoted pastor and a faithful and useful preacher of the Gospel. At Hilton the very fine boarding schools erected mainly through his judicious and persistent efforts are his special memorial. Throughout his ministry he suffered the inconveniences of a weak physical constitution which entailed an extraordinary amount of self-denial and heroic endeavour in the prosecution of his  beloved work. When he realised that the end was near he calmly set his house in order and waited for the call of the Master.

After a week’s illness, during which he was unconscious, he fall on sleep at Cathcart, August 29th, 1902, in the 46th year of his age and the 22nd year of his Ministry.

From Minutes of Wesleyan Conference 1903 Page 8

Charles HARMON, was born at Andover, Hants, March 12th,1832. From the earliest days he was subject to religious influences and at eighteen years of age, under the ministration of an unknown local preacher, he found peace with God and joined the Methodist Church.

He at once devoted himself to Evangelistic work and in the year 1862 was accepted as a Candidate for the ministry and was sent to South Africa. For the first three years of his ministry he was the colleague of the late Rev. George BLENCOWE, and in 1874 he was appointed by the Natal Synod to share in the honour and responsibility of establishing the work of our Church in what is now the Orange River Colony. He spent almost all the remaining years of his life in that province where he was instrumental in erecting many places of worship and where his labours were owned of God in the conversion of many souls. He became a supernumerary in 1902, when he made his home in Durban, where his ministrations  were greatly appreciated and many further years of usefulness and happiness were anticipated for him. He was a good man, faithful in life and doctrine; courteous and friendly in manner; earnest and industrious throughout his whole ministry, and respected and loved by all who knew him. He was on a visit to Bloemfontein when he was seized by brief and fatal illness. He died December 24th, 1902.

From: Minutes of Wesleyan Methodist Conference 1903 Page 7-8

The next meeting of the Cape Town Family History Society will be held on:
Date: Saturday 19 November
Place: St John’s Church, Wynberg
Time: 2.00 for 2.30pm.

The guest speaker will be Margaret Reed and the topic of her talk is ” Richard Birt, LMS Missionary, and a family migration to the Eastern Cape”.

Entrance is free for members and R10 for visitors including tea and biscuits. All welcome. Enquiries to David Slingsby on 021 715 5104 or Ann Smythe on 021 794 6225 . For map and more information The Cape Town Family History Society’s web site.

Francis Felix nee Cotton

On the 14 November 1911 Frances Esther Felix (nee Cotton) was born. This week she celebrates her 100th birthday. Frances is the daughter of the late George and Maria Cotton. She is the 8th of her 12 siblings and has outlived them all.
Her father is from the well known Cotton Family on the Island of Tristan Da Cuhna and her mother was British.
Francis married George Albert Felix on the 24 October 1942 at the Simonstown Anglican Church St. Francis of Assisi. She has two children Lorraine (Whittle) and Darryl who now both live in Australia. She boasts seven grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren,.
In 1968 after the forced removal from Simonstown the family moved to Grassy Park. For the lat 6 years she has been living at Rusoord in Plumstead.
Her big birthday party will be on the 28th November when her son arrives from Australia. Ancestry24 wishes you a very Happy Birthday.
Are you related to the Cotton family from Simonstown and Tristan Da Cuhna?

Photograph Acknowledgement – Independent Newspapers