From the Natal Witness archives, 1961

The contribution of the 1820 Settlers to the development of

By

ANDREW COLMAN of Hilton College, who wrote this article as an essay which won first prize in the competition sponsored by the British Settlers’ Council.

BEFORE 1820 the Eastern Frontier of the Cape was sparsely populated with simple-living Dutch farmers. The Colonial Government had long discussed the possibility of a close European settlement to strengthen the frontier against the ever-troublesome “kaffirs” and raise the standard of living. Events in Europe favoured such an immigration in the early 1800s. The exploitation of steam and the industrial revolution, resulting in a change from a rural to an urban way of life in England, led to unemployment and misery. This was aggravated by an inevitable increase in population after the Napoleonic wars, when 300,000 soldiers and sailors were discharged from the forces, and a wave of emigration was inevitable. By 1819, 300 people per week were emigrating to America. The Xhosa invasion on the frontier in 1818 led Somerset to reiterate his demand for settlers to populate the comparatively empty but fertile Zuurveld. Though comparatively few in number, the British Settlers had an important influence on the development of South Africa. They confronted the Xhosas and shared with the colonists the dangers, hardships and misfortunes of border life. This tended to obliterate differences of race, as the British population of the colony was now more than doubled. Within a very short time the influence of the Settlers began to be felt in various different spheres. Although several attempts had already been made by the to introduce wool into the colony, it was the Settlers who, in 1826, started wool farming seriously. Today the wool industry, virtually founded by Major Pigot and Duncan Campbell more than a hundred years ago. is one of South Africa’s most important farming activities.

Sanctions At about the time of the foundation of wool farming, the Government began to realise that it could no longer prevent trade between the Settlers and the “kaffirs,” so such trade was sanctioned, with certain restrictions, around the Fish River. This “inland kaffir trade” was soon bringing £40,000 per annum into the colony, through ivory. gum and hides. Big warehouses were then set up at Grahamstown and , and the Eastern Province developed generally as a result of the commercial interests of the 1820 Settlers. By 1825 Port Elizabeth was regarded as a superior harbour to in winter, and the inhabitants petitioned for a wharf. The 1820 Settlers can be thanked for the foundation of the towns of Port Elizabeth,

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From the Natal Witness archives, 1961

Bathurst, Salem, Sidbury and Somerset East, and for developing commercially Grahamstown, Graaff Reinet, Uitenhage and Cradock. British influence radiated in politics, commerce and education, and in time the Settlers and their sons began to occupy important positions in the life of the- country. Two of these were General Sir John Bissett, who fought in three frontier wars and then became Lieutenant-Governor of Natal, and Sir Theophilus Shepstone, who became administrator of the Transvaal. Indeed, the development of Natal is very largely thanks to a small group of adventurers consisting entirely of 1820 Settlers. Many of their families were destined to play ·a very important part in developing the country. Sir R. Southey became colonial secretary and Lieutenant Governor of . Sir T. Scanlen became Prime Minister of the . Sir Walter Currie, Sir , the Hon. J. C. Chase and the Hon. Godloutson are all people to whom we are greatly indebted. Before 1820 the permanent British settlement was small and confined to Cape Town and the surrounding area. But after the arrival of the British Settlers, their influence radiated from Algoa Bay in all directions and a strong English- speaking stock was added to join with the earlier Dutch settlers in the development of South Africa.

Critics One consequence of the 1820 Settlement was to add to the number of critics of the Government. Since the days of Earl Macartuly there was “no law in the Colony but the will of Lord Charles Somerset.”* It is, however, possible to exaggerate their political influence, since most of them belonged to the working class before they came to South Africa, and did hence not possess the vote. Also, the hard task of developing a by no means easy district diverted their attention from politics to a large degree. Yet these people brought with them a new British outlook and an antipathy for autocratic government. The introduction of the council of advice in 1825, the Charter of Justice in 1857 and the Legislative Council of 1834 were, in part, the outcome of pressure from British Settlers.

Press freedom Their influence on the freedom of the Press was, however, much more direct. Partly on account of the Fiscal’s warning that Pringle and Fairbairn’s “South African Journal” did not comply with the government’s conditions for publication, and partly on account of the suppression of the “South African Commercial Advertiser,” a petition was prepared to the king in Council asking for recognition of freedom of the Press. This was finally granted in May, 1828, the “annus mirabilis” to which the British Settlers contributed so much.

Neglected In a pioneering community, devoting the greater part of their energies to the struggle for bare existence, the spiritual and mental development are often completely neglected. In the case of the 1820 Settlers, however, this was certainly not the case. When they arrived, there was no church or chaplain at Grahamstown. The Settlers immediately began complaining of this want, so in 1826 a church was completed. At first they heard “very plain sermons by very plain men” but gradually they improved as the influence of the London Missionary Society was felt. The best known of the missionaries was probably William Shaw. Others who came at the same time were Boardman, McClelland and Duxbury. These men travelled for thousands of miles on horse and on foot to render advice and encourage the people. The zeal of the Settlers themselves. is shown in the fact that enough funds were collected in the first 25 years of the settlement to build 36 churches and chapels. These were mostly Methodist or Church of England, and were built at the original settlement. They all stand today, and serve as

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From the Natal Witness archives, 1961

monuments to the religious zeal of the old pioneers, although some of them are now used for purposes other than religious worship.

Culture It is most surprising to note how indebted we are to the old settlers in various branches of culture. One would have surmised that they were so engrossed in the struggle for existence at the time that they would have been able to find little time for the arts. However, they say that true art is born from anguish, and we find in point of fact that the cultural development of the country had its roots in in the 1820 Settlers to an amazing extent. In the field of literature, for example, several of the Settlers gained eminence. Not the least of these was Thomas Pringle, whose work in connection with freedom of the Press has already been mentioned. It is interesting to note, however, that Pringle was the first poet South Africa ever produced, and poetry is surely one of the highest Arts.

Writings In the writing of South African history the Settlers also played a pioneering role. The writings of the Hon. Robert Goudlonton have thrown a great deal of light on subjects which might never have been known. He was the author of several histories, and his work has laid foundations for later historians to work upon. Another Settler whose writings throw considerable light on events over a century ago was the Hon. Hon. John Centliveres Chase who wrote voluminously on various aspects of history but whose chief contribution was in the field of history. The “Speeches, Letters and Selections” of John Mitford Bowker describe ably events on the frontier during the sixth and seventh Kaffir Wars. His writings are a basis for historians who wish to know the course and circumstances of these events.

Medicine Also in the field of medicine and the natural sciences, the Settlers left South Africa an indelible legacy. When the Settlers arrived, medical and health services were almost non- existent, particularly along the Eastern Frontier. Men like William Atherstone sought to alleviate this need and soon hospitals and medical centres began to develop, and the situation improved greatly.

Entomology Mention should now be made of Mary Barber who achieved international reputation as an entomologist. Had this woman had the added benefit of a thorough education, her contribution to science would surely have been recognised as phenomenal. When one realises that she went almost her whole life on the frontier, her contribution must surely be regarded as remarkable. When one looks back and regards the valuable contribution rendered to the development of South Africa by the 1820 Settlers in medicine, science, religion, education and general culture, the people of South Africa feel deeply indebted to those early pioneers, the more so when they realise the hardships and dangers which confronted them while they were engaged in cultural pursuits.

Memorials Perhaps the greatest proof of this true thankfulness of South Africans is to be found in the numerous memorials which exist in honour of the 1820 Settlers, and the celebrations which are held in memory of their achievements. It is difficult to imagine how South Africa would

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From the Natal Witness archives, 1961

have developed had it not been for these hardy and lively people, about whom comparatively little is written.

BY ANDREW COLMAN (HILTON COLLEGE) STANDARD X (FORM V MATRIC) 40 FIRST STREET, ABBOTSFORD, JOHANNESBURG.

BIBUOGRAPHY l. Cambridge Modern History. 2. 1820 Settlers – Hockley. 3. They were South Africans – Bond. 4. The Making of South Africa – Geen 5. The 1820 Settlers in South Africa – Edwards.

* Dr. John Philip (ms)

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