Wednesday 5 October 1853

Birth at Colesberg on Saturday 17th September 1853, Mrs. W.P.R. DIXON of a daughter

Birth at Richmond on Thursday 22nd September 1853, Mrs. Richard RUTHERFORD of a son

Wednesday 12 October 1853

Died at his residence in Noordekant Street on the 6th instant, Wm. ATKINSON, aged 34 years, leaving a widow and two young children

Died at Graaff-Reinet on the 9th instant, Mr. J.S. MINNAAR Sen, aged 61 years and 7 months, deeply regretted by his relatives and friends

Wednesday 19 October 1853

FOR SALE
300 fine woolled hamels from 18 months to 2 years old
8 well-trained oxen in good working condition
4 wagon horses
2 untrained horses
Apply to the undersigned at Spyt Fontein, near Richmond
Geo. STUBBS
October 11th 1853

GRAAFF-REINET SOVEREIGNTY PETITION
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town and District of Graaff-Reinet in the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope
Most humbly sheweth,
That your petitioners have heard with surprise and alarm the startling intelligence of the Abandonment of the Sovereignty of Your Majesty’s Government over the Orange River Territory.
That viewing, as they do, such a measure as utterly subversive of the best interests of the Inhabitants, Aboriginal as well as European, they cannot resist the conviction that a step so unprecedented, and fraught with consequences so fatal alike to the Territory as the Colony, could only have been decided on by Your Majesty’s Government in the absence of full information in regard to the salutary and satisfactory results that have followed from the extension of British supremacy over that country, and perhaps from a mistaken view of the now general feeling within the Territory in regard to British rule.
That under this impression your petitioners most humbly beg to call the attention of Your Majesty’s Government to the following considerations. Within the short period of five years (the period during which the Territory has been under British supremacy) the blessings of Christianity have been diffused, the arts and appliances of civilized life have been introduced and a peaceful, loyal and productive community established in a region which used to be regarded as a barren wilderness, where there prevailed only scenes of anarchy, confusion and bloodshed, and to which lamentable condition your petitioners are fully convinced it would soon again revert were British sovereignty summarily withdrawn.
Your petitioners are further convinced that Your Majesty’s Government, when it decided on the withdrawal of its supremacy, were not aware that such a measure was in opposition to the almost unanimous wish of the inhabitants; that under the paternal care of the British Government the young country had progressed so rapidly, or that the interests now involved in the abandonment of the Sovereignty were of such magnitude and importance as facts will sufficiently establish.
That your petitioners would wish to impress most earnestly upon your Majesty’s Government the serious danger to the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope which would inevitably result from the Relinquishment of British Sovereignty over the Orange River Territory. Such a step would at once rouse to new vigour the now half stifled conviction among the Native Tribes, not only on our North Eastern but on our Eastern Frontier. That Your Majesty’s Government is unable to maintain the authority it has assumed and exercised in this country. They would nor themselves take any such step, save from fear or weakness, and they are not capable of understanding or appreciating any other motive under which Your Majesty’s Government can do so. These tribes are unsettled, and most discontented with their present position. They have among them a very considerable number of deserters from your Majesty’s service, and many besides who cherish the most frenzied notions of avenging imaginary injuries inflicted under Your Majesty’s Government. Your petitioners therefore view with the most serious alarm and painful apprehension any step that is calculated to embolden the worst passions and feelings of these classes; and the withdrawal of British authority from any portion of our Frontier already occupied will most undoubtedly have that effect.
Your petitioners therefore, conceiving that they have adduced sufficient reasons for Your majesty’s Government to reconsider the question of abandonment in all its bearings and consequences, humbly but earnestly pray that Your Majesty may be graciously pleased to cause to be rescinded any resolution that may have been formed for the abandonment of that Sovereignty, and that your supremacy be maintained where its influence has been so much in favour of humanity, justice and religion, and under which a spirit of loyalty to your Crown, and attachment to your person, has so greatly increased.
And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray
J.L. LEEB JP
C.J. SPILLER
John RYNEVELD JP
M.H. BENJAMIN
A. MOSENTHAL JP
Skelton E. WIMBLE
John HEUGH JP
Jessie GEARD
G.G. GOUS
H.F. HENDRICKS
D. PAPENFUS
W.J. DIXON
W.G. ZINN
C.M. COLDRIDGE
G. COLDRIDGE
E.H. COLDRIDGE
C.W.J. POWELL
A.P. RUBIDGE JP
S. PROBART
E. PROBART
R.A. BAIN
W.D. SHANDOSS
Chr. HENSLEY
M.M. TAIT
F.J. OCHSE
J.F. OLIVIER
J.N. VOS
Alfred HURTON?
F. DOUGLASS
A. MURRAY JP
G.J. MARTIN
Geo. BREMNER
F.J. SMIT
George STUBBS
Wm. SHAW
G.E. MURRAY
P.F. THORON
Thos. DIXON
Alfred ESSEX Senior
E.D. KING
Steph. MEINTJES H son
C.T. PAPENFUS
J.C. WEITZS
S.J. MEINTJES
John FROST
A. ESSEX Junior
Phoebus CARO
D.J. HARHOFF
A.E. MURRAY
C.H. OLIVIER
Otto PETERS
J. ROEHLIN
E.N. EDWARDS
W. GRAHAM
B.J.J. BURGER
Thomas Ormond COLE
Samuel BURRELL Senior
M.C. HOFFMAN
C.H.J. VAN ASWEGEN
W. LUCK
G. SCHEUERMANN
L. ROEHLIN
F. FENSHAM
Thos. BEATON
J.J. MEINTJES JP son
C.H. OCHSE
I.J. PAPENFUS
Geo. SOUTHEY JP
Henry PROBART
O.B. BOWKER
James Henry BOWKER
Henry SOUTHEY
George INNES
Henry MARRIOTT
D.E. EDWARDS
H.C. BLUNDELL
W. SOUTHEY
Matthew REED
C. VAN GROSSICKS
H.A. ENSLIN JP & FC
William LONG
Jacobus COETZEE
[the petition is still in course of signature]

Wednesday 27 October 1853

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Election of J.J. MEINTJES Esq
The following gentlemen form a committee at Richmond for forwarding the election of J.J. MEINTJES Esq as a member of the first Legislative Council, to nay of whom communications or enquiries respecting the election may be addressed.
Stephanus NAUDE Sen. Esq
J.S.O. BRINK Esq
Geo. GOWER Esq
Henry DU TOIT Esq
W.M.C. VAN DER MERWE Esq
J. SUNDILANDS Esq
Richard RUTHERFOORD Esq
By order of the committee
R. RUTHERFOORD
Honorary Secretary

Wednesday 2 November 1853

SODA WATER & LEMONADE
The undersigned having been appointed agent here for the sale of these very refreshing beverages, begs to intimate to the public that he has now received a large supply at his stores, Market Square
Fred’k HOLLAND
NB Full prices given for the empty bottles
Graaff Reinet Nov 1853

Wednesday 9 November 1853

PUBLIC SALE
Mr. George MURRAY intending to relinquish the business of Transport Riding for the present, has given instructions to the undersigned to sell by Public Auction at the Pound in this town on
Saturday 26th instant
All the Oxen, Wagons, Gear, Yokes, Reims, Strops &c belonging to a transport business consisting of
13 Spans of Well-Trained Oxen
Also 4 Ox Wagons
Complete, 2 furnished with bucks on an improved principle. This ale offers a favourable opportunity to the Farmer and Carrier for supplying their wants. Terms liberal.
LEEB Brothers
Auctioneers
Graaff-Reinet 2 Nov 1853

MARSHALL & UPPLEBY
Forwarding Commission and General Agents
Port Elizabeth, Algoa Bay
NB Wool washed and pressed and all other descriptions of produce prepared for shipment

Wednesday 16 November 1853

Waterloo House
Selling Off!
The undersigned in returning his hearty thanks to his friends and the public in general for the liberal support afforded him during the time he has been in business, begs to inform them that unavoidable circumstances render it necessary he should visit Europe, and as he will be obliged to leave shortly he offers his varied and choice assortment of goods at very low prices. Having been some years in business purchasers will find that the stock he offers is well worthy of the attention of the public.
To shopkeepers this offers a favourable opportunity as they may have 12 months credit on purchases of £100 or upwards on goods or approved bills.
P. CARO

Birth at Queen’s Arms Hotel, Queen’s Town on the 1st November 1853, Christianna, the wife of Mr. W.H. SLADE of a daughter

The undersigned gentlemen have formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of securing the election of
W. FLEMING Esq
To a seat on the Legislative Council
A.P. RUBIDGE
A. MOSENTHAL
S.E. WIMBLE
C. HENSLEY
Fred’k HOLLAND
John HEUGH
M.H. BENJAMIN
W. SOUTHEY
Geo. BREMNER, Secretary
The committee will meet every Monday evening and all communications to be addressed to the Secretary
Graaff-Reinet 1st November 1853

Wednesday 23 November 1853

Died on the 11th inst, Agnes, the youngest and beloved daughter of Mr. W. BRAMWELL of this town, aged 5 years.

REQUISITION TO W. FLEMING Esq
The following requisition received its 47 signatures in the course of two days.
Graaff-Reinet 16 Nov 1853
To William FLEMING Esq, merchant, Port Elizabeth
Sir, we the undersigned electors in the Town and District of Graaff-Reinet, having perused with entire satisfaction the lucid and comprehensive expression of your sentiments on the general politics of the Colony, elicited by previous requisitionists, have much pleasure in assuring you that while the reply in question has only tended to support our previous convictions as to your fitness for the important trust we hope to see devolve upon you, it has at the same time furnished us with ample grounds for recommending you to the confidence of our fellow electors in the Eastern Province generally. We would therefore beg to combine with previous requisitionists of Port Elizabeth and elsewhere in soliciting your services in the ensuing Legislative Council.
We have the honour to be Sir your most obedient servants,
M.H. BENJAMIN, Market Square, Graaff Reinet
Skelton E. WIMBLE, Market Square
Adolph MOSENTHAL, Caledon Street
Christopher HENSLEY, Market Square
Edward HIND, Weltevreden, Sneeuwberg
Adam JEAGINS do do
C. SCHEMPER, Market Square, Graaff Reinet
William BRAMWELL, Market Square
Fred’k HOLLAND, Market Square
Geo. BREMNER, Church Street
John FROST, Thorn Kloof, Sneeuwberg
William SHAW, Bloemhof
O.B. BOWKER, The Glen
Wm. SOUTHEY, Somerset Street, Graaff Reinet
A.P. RUBIDGE JP, Portlock
James ROBINSON, Farmer
Sam’l BURRELL Sen
Otto PETERS, Caledon Street, Graaff Reinet
John HEUGH Church Street
Robert PANNELL, Napier Street
Thos. Kalm DOREY, Church Square
D. DEWARDS, Somerset Street
Jesse GEARD, Nordekant Street
Alfred ESSEX, Parsonage Street
R.B. RUNDLE, Caledon Street
Charles MURRAY, Cradock Street
Geo. HURFORD, Parsonage Street
Thos. DIXON, Somerset Street
David SMITH, Water Street
John McNAUGHTON, Market Square
J.F. KEGHT, Caledon Street
Henry C. BLUNDELL, Library
Matthew Stuart PARKINS, River Street
Henry O’NEILL, Cradock Street
M.M. TAIT, Church Square
E.J. NIEKERK, Welgemoet, Sneeuwberg
Henry PROBART, Pretorius Kloof
Michael BYRNE, Parsonage Street, Graaff Reinet
A. MURRAY, Somerset Street
Robt. Alex. BAIN, Quaggas Vallei op Sneeuwberg
Jas. GARDNER, Church Street, Graaff Reinet
Thos. PUGH, Market Square
Henry SOUTHEY, Groot Hoek, Sneeuwberg
W.L. OCHSE, Cradock Street, Graaff Reinet
R. WILSON, Klein Cephanjes Poort, Sneeuwberg
J. OPENSHAW, Somerset Street, Graaff Reinet
S. PROBART, Pretorius Kloof

Wednesday 30 November 1853

PEREMPTORY SALE
In the joint estate of the late Mr. Jan Stephanus MINNAAR and surviving widow Mrs. Maria Martha SOMMERS.
The executrix testamentary of the above estate will cause to be sold
On Saturday 31st December next
At 10 o’clock in the forenoon, on the spot, to the highest bidder, under favourable conditions, the following Landed Property, situate in the village of Richmond.
1st certain erf and premises situate in Paul Street, at present used as a gaol, at a rental from Government of £36 per annum
2nd a plot of ground with building thereon, situate at the corner of Paul and River Streets, adjoining the Public Offices.
Further particulars may be obtained from the executrix or the auctioneers at Richmond.
M.M. SOMMERS
Executrix Testamentary
LEEB Brothers, Auctioneers
Richmond, Nov 1853

REQUISITION TO D. JOUBERT ESQ, Hebron. Colesberg
Colesberg 30 Sep 1853
Sir, We the undersigned, electors of this Division, having formerly (before being registered) presented a requisition to you, soliciting you to allow us to nominate you as one of the seven candidates to be elected as Members of the Legislative Council by the Eastern Province, in order to bring our wishes and your name forward as early as possible before the electors of this Province, though well knowing that our Address would not preclude the necessity of a new requisition from us (after registration) to you, to become a candidate; do now, in terms of that Address, renew our solicitation and requisition, and request you to renew your then written consent.
Having fully expressed in that former requisition our entire confidence in your integrity, we think it unnecessary now to say more than that our sentiments remain unabated.
We have the honor to be Sir your obedient and humble servants and friends,
F. RAWSTORNE, Civil Commissioner; C.E.H. ORPEN, Minister; C.S. ORPEN, Trader; W.P.R. DIXON, Deputy Sheriff; D. ARNOT Jr, Storekeeper; F.K. HOHNE, Clerk; James INGRAM, Clerk; J.F. WALDEK, Carpenter; A. KNOBLE, Storekeeper; T. BEDFORD, Storekeeper; E. GIBBON, Storekeeper; W. WENTWORTH, Carpenter; W. MURRAY, Clerk to Resident Magistrate; S.N. DE KOCK, Missionary; Peter THOMPSON [obscured by fold in paper]; C. MURRAY, Carpenter; C. LANGEVELD, Saddler; Luke BROWN, Clerk; H. RUDLIN, Clerk; David ARNOT Sen, Blacksmith; G. RYNEVELD, Wagoner; E. BUCKLEY, Farmer; T. COUKLEY, Gaoler; M.R. EVERY, Minister; E. WALLACE, Clerk; J.P. VAN DER WALT, Assistant Commandant; A.J. VAN DER WALT, Agriculturalist; Philip SNYNAM, Agriculturalist; S.W. RUSSOUW, Clerk; Richard PRIVETT, Tin Plate Worker; Philip KOEN, Carpenter; Petrus JOUBERT, Farmer; L. ROUVERIE, Butcher; C.F. ROOS, Storekeeper; John D. GIBBON, Clerk; J. WALKER, Clerk to Civil Commissioner; L VON MALTITZ, Auctioneer; F. NAUDE, Agriculturalist; C. ROTHMAN, Mason; W. RICHARDSON, Clerk; T. HOLMES, Carpenter; A.A. ORTEPP, Storekeeper; Josh. PHELIN, Clerk; A. BOARD, Clerk; J. McCABE, Chief Constable; H. PADDISON, Farmer; G. GREAVES, Butcher; H. SCHRAAM, Tinsmith; Edw. MARCUS, Shopkeeper; R.J. EATON, Clerk of the Peace; P. VON MALTITZ, Sheep Farmer; Edward ENSOR, Accountant; D. OLTHOFF, Clerk; G. WATSON, Mason; C.J. DU PLESSIS, Field Cornet; A.J. VAN DER WALT, Sheep Farmer; M.C. LOUW, Hatter; James HIGGS, Mason; J.P. VAN DER WALT, Sheep Farmer; J.F. STRUWIG, do; S.J. PRETORIUS, do; P.J. POTGIETER, do; O.J. VAN SCHALKWYK, do; W.S. COETSEE, do; M. BRILL, do;
H.J. VAN DER WALT, do; B.A. NAUDE, do; F.A. NAUDE, do; P.W. VAN EDEN, do; S.D. VENTER, do; D.J.J. DU PLESSIS, do; W.T.L. BAYSEN, do; W.S. PRETORIUS, do; J.J. SUTLIG, do; P.C. VORSTER, do; P.C. VAN DER WALT, do; T.J.H. VAN DER WELT, do; F. JOOSTE, do; C.F. KRUGER, do; Josh. JOOSTE, do; J. POTGIETER, do; A.J. STROUS, do; Gert D. VORSTER, do; H. VAN EITVELD, do; J. BRILL, do; V.J. SNYMAN, do; J.L. PRETORIUS, do; D.J. DU PLESSIS, do; D.S. DU TOIT, do; J. BAYSEN, do.

Wednesday 7 December 1853

Departed this life on the 19th Nov, aged 12 years, the only son of our esteemed friend William SOUTHEY Esq. This forms one of those dispensations in which there is no consolation, unless it can be drawn from an enlightened view of Christianity. The bereaved parent had not seen his child for five years, and was on his way to visit him, but the meeting was not to be in this world. The lad, we understand, had displayed evidence of a mind of no ordinary mould, and like so may others of this class he has been ‘taken away from the evil to come’.
“Another child is called away
From earth, where sins and grief abound;
It drops its fragile form of clay
To rise where brighter scenes surround.”

Wednesday 14 December 1853

Charles BLENCK
Informs the inhabitants of Graaff Reinet that he has commenced business in this town as a Painter, Glazier, Paper Hanger and Sign Writer. Jobs executed in the country. Business done on the most liberal terms.
Parsonage Street, Graaff Reiney
9 Nov 1853

Wednesday 21 December 1853

[list of candidates for Legislative Council]
For the Western Province
Joseph BARRY
D.G. VAN BREDA
James CHRISTIE
Roedolph CLOETE
John Bardwell EBDEN
Hercules C. JARVIS
J.C. MOLTENO
Francis Willem REITZ
Howson Edwards RUTHERFOORD
J.J.L. SMUTS
Oloff TRUTER
Henry VIGNE
Jan DE WET, LLD
Jan Henry WICHT
Johannes Rudolph ZEEDERBERG
For the Eastern Province
Henry BLAINE
William COCK
William FLEMING
Robert GODLONTON
Robert HART
Gideon D. JOUBERT
Jacobus Johannes MEINTJES
W.S.G. METLERKAMP
Sir Andries STOCKENSTROM, Baronet
George WOOD
The three scrutineers appointed for the Western Province are Messrs. C.J. BRAND, C.A. FAIRBRIDGE and Charles ARCKOLL.
For the Eastern Province Messsrs. Thomas ANSDELL, Benjamin NORDEN and Carl WATERMEYER are appointed.