The Byerley Family
Alice (Byerley) Osborn
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Alice Byerley
photograph courtesy of Riana le Roux
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12 September 1887, in Barberton,
South African Republic
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Mrs Bayly's Sewing Class
(Alice Byerley back row, left)
photograph courtesy of Riana le Roux
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This photograph of Barberton in 1902 was
sent by Alice to relatives. The marked crosses were described
"Barberton photo. Cross on left our picnic place behind hill.
Middle Cross, sometimes picnics here. Right cross is home"
The photograph was likely taken by Alice's brother, Edward Worsely
Byersley as it is in a similar style to others known to be taken
by Edward.
photograph courtesy of Robert King
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Photo sent by Alice Byerley of Barberton
showing the burgher camp and barracks. This was also likely taken
by Edward Worsely Byersley.
photograph courtesy of Robert King
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George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
Alexander Algernon Osborn on 26
April 1941
St
Michael's Chronicle December 1941 p94
All good fortune to A. A. Osborn, of Gwanda,
Southern Rhodesia, and Alice Byerley, of Barberton, who were married on
April 26th.
Alexander was born in 1886/7, the son of Alexander Algernon Osborne and
Jessie McFarlane. He was educated at Michaelhouse, Natal until 1904. He
played for the 1st XV rugby team (then called the football team) in 1903
where his play is critiqued:
St
Michael's Chronicle February 1904 p21
Osborn, A. A.-Defends well at
centre-threequarter, but is uncertain in giving and taking passes. Apt to
lie too long on the ball, when stopping a rush. A poor kick.
St
Michael's Chronicle October 1904 p21
VALETE.
A. A. Osborn, Prefect V. Modern, 1st. XV., Gone to Royal Agricultural
College, Cirencester, (Glo.).
Osborn then attended the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester in 1905 (St
Michael's Chronicle May 1905 p15).
Alexander married, firstly, Mabel Elizabeth Gage on 20 August 1917, in
Newcastle, Natal, South Africa. Mabel died on 25 October 1918, of
complications of influenza. Alexander was a farmer.
Addresses:
1907: Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Gloucestershire (St Michael's Chronicle June 1907 p23)
1907: The Mount, Newcastle, Natal (St Michael's Chronicle December 1907 p17)
1917: Balmoral, Bethlehem, Orange Free State (Natal
Civil Records 1917 Marriages Newcastle DGS 004236646 image 1961)
1941: Gwanda, Southern Rhodesia (St Michael's Chronicle December 1941 p94)
1982, in Margate, Natal, South Africa
Ann Elizabeth Byerley
1876
George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
1878
Christian Byerley
1 August 1869, in Pietermaritzburg,
Natal
Natal Witness 3 August 1869
Births:
Byerley 1 August 1869 at Pietermaritzburg, Mrs. G. Byerley, of a son
George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
Mabel (Mills) Brydges on 27 October
1908 in Barberton, South African Republic
Christian Byerley is recorded as a bachelor, aged 39, born in
Pietermaritzburg, Natal. He is resident at Bushbuck Ridge District Lydenburg
Transvaal. Mabel Brydges (born Mills) is recorded as a divorceé, aged 32,
born in Stowmarket, Suffolk, England. She is resident in Barberton,
Transvaal. The marriage was witnessed by R. L. Caughey and E. W. Byerley.
Mabel was born in 1874, in Stowmarket, Suffolk, the daughter of John Coe
Mills and Amelia Alderton. She was married firstly to Harry Brydges in Stow
district, Suffolk, in 1901, and had a daughter, Gladys Muriel. Harry and
Muriel were divorced in 1908.
London Standard 5 March 1908 p10
DIVORCE DIVISION.
£1500 DAMAGES TO HOTEL-KEEPER.
Alleging the misconduct of his wife, Mr. Harry Brydges,
proprietor of the Clarendon Hotel, Watford, petitioned for the
dissolution of his marriage.
William Cecil Wood, a man of independent means, who was cited as
the co-respondent, and against whom damages were claimed, denied the
charge against him. He had been a paying guest at the Clarendon Hotel.
Mr. Brydges, an elderly gentleman, said he was a widower when he
married the respondent. After Wood came to the hotel he had to complain
of his wife being too much in the society of that person. Her
explanation was that "it was purely business," and that there was
nothing in their conversations but "what the whole world might know."
After hearing other evidence, the jury awarded £1500 damages.
His lordship granted the petitioner a decree nisi,
with costs, and the custody of the child of the marriage.
Poverty Bay Herald 28 April 1908 p3
£1500 DIVORCE DAMAGES.
Mr Harry Brydges, proprietor of the Clarendon hotel, Watford was
granted a divorce and awarded £1500 damages against the co-respondent,
William Cecil Wood, a man of independent means. Mr Brydges is an
ex-captain of Volunteers, a member of the local council, and president
of the Licensed Victuallers' Association. Counsel said Mr Wood stayed at
the hotel as a paying guest. When Mr Brydges was away his wife
discharged some of the hotel servants, who had become suspicious. Mrs
Brydges afterwards went to South Africa.
Mabel was married secondly to Christian Byerley and thirdly to George
Whittingham.
Census:
1881: Bury
St, Stowmarket, Suffolk
1901: Station
Road, Watford Urban, Hertfordshire
Storekeeper and farmer
In 1917, Christian gave evidence to a committee studying the question of
native lands in the area.
Minutes of evidence of the Eastern Transvaal Natives
land committee p43 (1918)
Farm Maviljan, Bushbuck Ridge,
District Lydenburg, 24th October, 1917
PRESENT:
CHAIRMAN and Commandant OPPERMAN.
CHRISTIAN BYERLEY: Examined by Chairman.
I am a
farmer and trader, and live on the farm Maviljan, I have two trading
stations, one here and one on the farm Champagne. I have been in this
part of the country for 15 years, but have only farmed for the last few
years. I have been trading principally—all native trade. I have a fairly
wide experience of this part of the country. My farm was a Government
farm. I took it up from the Government, and it was valued at 7s. 6d. per
morgen. The majority of Government farms about here are valued at 5s.
per morgen, and sold at that price. My ground is not better than the
others. A man was sent down to value it, and I heard afterwards that he
valued it at 4s. They were not satisfied with that valuation, and sent
another man down. He never came here, but fixed the value at 7s. 6d.,
which I am paying.
The farms on Bushbuck Ridge lying to the west are fairly well
watered in the sense of having several rivers, but the rivers are low
lying, and cannot be used to any great extent for irrigation. The river
here only goes through a small portion of the farm. I can only irrigate
10 morgen. The other farms through which the river runs don't, I think,
get any more than that. They seem to be lower lying there than here. The
character of the country is such that the streams are not capable of
being applied to any expensive use for irrigation purposes. In the area
immediately below the Berg the following farms are occupied, viz.,
Maviljan, Waterfall, Injaka, Marits, Diepdrift, Beestekraalspruit, and
Versailles. These farms are being seriously worked as farming
propositions. Diepdrift, however, has only just started. Occupation is
comparatively recent, and averages about eight years. I could not give
the rainfall in the area referred to. The farms are occupied to a large
extent by natives. They are labour tenants on the farms occupied by
Europeans, rent-payers on the others. These farms belong chiefly to
companies. The companies let the farms to the natives.
I have never been beyond the Sand River, and do not know the area
beyond. I could not say what the value is of the farms Champagne,
Rooiboklaagte, Kasteel and Arthur's Seat. I do not know the rainfall on
Bushbuck Ridge, or i the neighbourhood of Champagne.
The country between the railway line and the Beaumont line is
largely occupied by natives—that is between the yellow lines marked on
the map. The natives were here before I came here. I came here first in
1897, and the natives had been here then for some considerable time. A
lot were brought out of the game reserve.
"Kit" Byerley was remembered by
Kathleen Florence Allen in
Klaserie Chronicle December 2016 p32
Tales from a Forgotten Era Part 1
The recollections of Kathleen Florence Allen (1895 – 1978)
Our first stop
was at the home of Mr and Mrs MacIndoe on Beestekraalspruit. They were
extremely kind to us. On our way again, we were overtaken by a Cape-cart
and four mules, owned by Mr and Mrs Kit Byerley of Maviljan, who had
come to meet us at the home we had just left and had missed us. I was
handed a very beautiful bouquet of gorgeous carnations from their
garden. My heart just glowed with pleasure at their gracious and
friendly gesture.
Klaserie Chronicle June 2017 p33
Tales from a Forgotten Era Part 3
The prospect of
the one and only show in Graskop lit up a feverish and intense eagerness
to enter into competition with neighbouring farmers. ... The prize for
the best oranges was won by Mr Byerley. Years back he had blasted holes
in the rock under the soil to start his orchard – the holes had to be
big enough to accommodate the size of the roots when fully grown. A
proper mixing and handling of manures and earth was the foundation of
his prize-winning orchard.
13 July 1922 at his residence on the
farm Maviljan, Bushbuckridge,
Transvaal, South Africa
dated 2 February 1914, filed 31 July
1922
Transvaal
Probate Records 1922 #49362 DGS 007818079 images 1460-1461
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
KNOWN ALL MEN WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on this the 2nd day of February
1914 before the undersigned two witnesses, personally came and appeared
CHRISTIAN BYERLEY of Pilgrims Rest and his wife MABEL BYERLEY, to whom he
is married out of community of property.
And the Appearers declared their wish to make and execute their last will
and testament; wherefore hereby revoking all previous wills and testaments
made by them or either of them, the testators declared their will to be as
follows:-
(1) In the event of the testators dying within a short period of each
other, in such manner that the dispositions mentioned in the next
succeeding paragraphs cannot be carried out, then they nominate constitute
and appoint their minor daughter GLADYS MURIEL to be the heiress of one
half of all their estate and effects which may be left at such their
deaths, movable and immovable, of what nature and kind soever, and
wheresoever situate, nothing excepted, and the other half of such their
estate and effects shall devolve upon the brother of the testator namely,
EDWARD WORSLEY BYERLEY of Barberton, whom the testators wish to be the
guardian of the said minor child GLADYS MURIEL abovementioned.
(2) The testator declared to nominate constitute and appoint his wife the
said MABEL BYERLEY to be the sole heiress of all his estate and effects
which may be left at his death, movable and immovable, wheresoever
situate, nothing excepted, the testatrix similarly nominates constitutes
and appoints her husband the said CHRISTIAN BYERLEY to be the sole heir of
all her estate and effects, movable and immovable, wheresover situate,
nothing excepted.
(3) With regard to paragraph (1) hereof the Testators wish it to be
understood that it has only to take effect should they both die from the
result of some accident, the intention being that if one dies from natural
causes, the survivor shall be heir or heiress as the case may be, but
should they both die practically together, then the terms of paragraph (1)
shall apply, that is, that their estates shall be equally divided between
the minor child GLADYS MURIEL, and the testators brother EDWARD WORSLEY
BYERLEY, who shall become the guardian of the said minor child.
(4) The first dying declared to nominate and appoint the survivor as
executor or executrix of this their will with all such powers as are
allowed in Law.
The testators reserved to themselves the right to make all such
alterations in or additions to this their will as they may think fit,
either by separate act or at the foot hereof, desiring that all such
alterations or additions made in their own handwriting shall be considered
as valid as if inserted herein.
The foregoing the testators declared to contain their last will and
testament, desiring that it may have effect as such or as a codicil, or
otherwise as may be consistent with law.
Thus done and signed at Pilgrims Rest the day month and year
aforewritten in the presence of the undersigned witnesses.
C. BYERLEY
M. BYERLEY
AS WITNESSES%-
P.J.M. Munro
H.E. Cormack
1917: Farm "Maviljan", Bushbuck Ridge, Lydenburg district,
Transvaal (Minutes of evidence of the Eastern Transvaal Natives
land committee p43)
1922: Bushbuckridge, Pilgrim's Rest district, Transvaal (Transvaal
Probate Records 1922 #49362 DGS 007818079 image 1458)
Edward Worsley Byerley
3 February 1880
20 January 1883, in St Albans,
Pretoria, Transvaal
The baptism was sponsored by F. A. Worsley, S. Byerley and Christiana
Byerley
George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
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Scene of the railway accident in Barberton
(1902)
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Edward was involved in a railway
accident in Barberton. He was accompanying his sister-in-law Charlotte and
her two daughters on a return trip from Lourenço Marques. One of his nieces
was thrown from the train and Charlotte and the other were pinned underneath
an overturned carriage, but all survived. Presumably this accident was the
one that occurred on 30 March 1902 in which 49 people died. Most of
the dead were British soldiers.
Poverty Bay Herald 15 May 1902 p4
THE BARBERTON
RAILWAY FATALITY.
BARBERTON, April 3 (Reuter).—In connection with the railway
accident, the detachment of the Hants Regiment in the train comprised 36
men of the Volunteer Company, under Captain Grant and Lieutenant
Holbrooke. Of these, ten men were killed and 25 wounded; 30 men of E
Company, under Lieutenant Parker, of whom 24 were killed and four wounded;
31 of G Company, of whom six were killed and nine wounded. One man each
was killed from B and D Companies, making a total of 80 killed and wounded
out of 102 starting.
No officers were injured.
Corporals Childs and Henty were the only non-commissioned officers
killed; all the others were privates.
The engine-driver, named Rankin, was killed on the spot, while the
stoker, a Mauritian, died unconscious on the way to the hospital.
A civilian named White jumped from the carriage, and was killed
against the bridge. One Dutch child has since died. The accident occurred
four miles from Barberton, at the sharp curve leading on to the bridge,
over a donga forty feet deep.
At the end of the three miles down incline the train had attained a
speed of over eighty miles per hour. The engine first left the rails,
turning completely over, and then the boiler burst. Six trucks, containing
soldiers, were hurled with terrific force 20 to 30 yards from the line and
smashed to matchwood, three lying all in a heap. One caught the corner of
the bridge and fell into the donga. Twenty-two dead bodies were taken from
here. The passenger coach, with several women, children, and men, had a
most miraculous escape. The wheels left the rails, and the coach ran
across the bridge on the girders, within three inches of the edge. All
must have been killed had it followed the soldiers' trucks into the donga.
This would have happened had not the guard (Ross) kept the brake down,
after the engine and front trucks left the rails. With the exception of
the Dutch child and a passenger badly cut about the head, all the
passengers escaped with a severe shaking, although the carriage was
completely smashed.
There are now in hospital two dangerous and six serious cases. Thirty
others are doing well. The regiment was very popular during its year's
stay here, and deep sympathy is felt by the whole community over the
terrible calamity. The cause of the engine getting out of control is still
unknown.
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Barberton, Transvaal c. 1900
Photograph taken by Edward Worsely Byerley
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18th Brigade Field Hospital near Barberton
c. 1900
Photograph taken by Edward Worsely Byerley
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Edward was a photographer. In addition the
portrait of his mother, two photographs of his taken at Barberton
during the Anglo-Boer War are held at the Australian War Memorial Research
Centre. Further biographical information about Edward can be found in an
article "Where
there was gold there were photographers - Barberton Goldrush" by Carol
Hardijzer.
Edward William Byerley
28 February 1903, in Barberton,
Transvaal
28 March 1903 in the
Wesleyan-Methodist Chapel, Barberton, Transvaal
Edward William was baptised by M. J. Goodwin. He is recorded as born on 28
February 1903, the son of George F. Byerley and Charlotte D. Byerley. The
parents's abode is recorded as Barberton.
George Ford
Byerley
Charlotte Dingwall (Harper) Byerley
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Isabella Annie Leggett
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Isabella Annie Leggett
Isabella was born on 21 April 1906, the daughter of John James Leggett and Isabella Smith. She died on 26
November 1978 and is buried in Stellawood cemetery, Durban.
Edward was known as "Ted"
3 July 1970
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Gravestone of Edward William Byerley in
Stellawood cemetery, Durban, Natal
photograph by Colin Garvie at eGGSA
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Stellawood cemetery, Durban, Natal,
South Africa, with his wife
Their headstone reads:
In Loving Memory of
Edward William Byerley
28 · 2 · 1903 - 3 · 7 · 1970
Isabella Annie Byerley
21 · 4 · 1906 - 26 · 11 · 1978
Emily Byerley
8 February 1872, in Pietermaritzburg,
Natal
George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
23 March 1872 at Church Street,
Pietermaritzburg, Natal, aged 7 weeks
The cause of death is listed as enlargement of the liver.
Ernest Byerley
24 January 1873, in Pietermaritzburg,
Natal
George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
1878, in Pilgrim's Rest, South
African Republic
Ernest is presumed to have died during the whooping cough epidemic.
Florence Amy Byerley
28 January 1878, at Pilgrim's Rest, South African
Republic
Natal Witness 21 February 1878
Births:
Byerley 28 January 1878 at Pilgrims Rest; Mrs Geo. Byerley of daughter
George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
1878
Francis Alexander Byerley
George Ford
Byerley
Charlotte Dingwall (Harper) Byerley
Francis is names as "Francis
Alexander Byerley" in his mother's death notice, and as "Frank Alexander
Byerley" in that of his father. I think it more likely that he was actually
Francis and called Frank than the other way around.
George Alexander Byerley
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George Alexander Byerley
photograph scan courtesy of Alan
Fitz-Patrick
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George Alexander Byerley
and Selina Ford
taken in Verulam, Natal, 1867 - thought to be taken on their
wedding day
photograph scan courtesy of Alan
Fitz-Patrick
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20 November 1843, in Aldersgate,
London, England
5 February 1854 in Old Church,
Saint Pancras, London, England
William Byerley
Christiana (Barclay) Byerley
Selina
Ford on 18 February 1867, in Mission House, Verulam, Natal
George Byerley is recorded as a bachelor, aged 23. He is a clerk, resident
in Pietermaritzburg. Selina Ford is recorded as a spinster, aged 21,
resident in Riverton. The wedding was performed by Thomas Kirkby and
witnessed by G. Andrews and M. A. Andrews.
Clerk (1867); Hotelier (1877);
Law Agent
George Byerley emigrated to the Cape
Colony, arriving in Algoa Bay with his mother and 5 siblings on the Schah
Jehan on 8 July 1859 to join his father, a pastry chef, who had set up
a bakery there. George is recorded as aged 14.
In 1877 George and Selina were operating a canteen at Sptitzkop in the
eastern Transvaal where one of the early gold rushes was taking place. They
were encountered there by Rowland Atcherley, an Englishman on a year-long
adventure in Natal and the Transvaal.
A
Trip to Böerland p110 (Rowland J. Atcherley, 1879)
We had a
farewell evening at a canvas canteen, dignified by the name of Byerley's
Hotel. There was a goodly troop in attendance, a fairish supper on the
board, and Byerley's Kafir cook had triumphed in his art. The “feast of
reason” being over, the table was cleared for the “flow of soul;” a
banjo, tambourine, and bones were dug out of some obscure old chest, and
a case of French brandy having been opened, songs were sung, healths
were drunk, and speeches made. I had been elected to the chair, and as I
had to fairly bellow every time I wanted to be heard, the scene may be
better imagined than described. Midnight came on, but no cessation—more
speeches, now a little disjointed, more songs, and more hygienic
wishes.
pp127-8
On the occasion
of one of these storms, I happened to be at Byerley's “Spitzkop hotel,”
gradually eating out, in the shape of an occasional meal, a small debt
he owed me for money lent. There were present but myself, Mrs. Byerley
(a delicate young Englishwoman, little fitted for the rough life of the
gold-diggings), and her three little children, Byerley himself being
away at another creek, endeavouring to get in some outstanding accounts.
We had just finished dinner when the storm came. A new fly had been
stretched over the roof, and the wind, catching this, ripped it off with
a report like that of a cannon, and left it to leeward, flapping and
cracking like a gigantic whip-thong. The rain descended with terrible
force, beating through the thin canvas, and wetting everything within. A
large stock of mealie flour, which when once wetted becomes useless, was
utterly ruined and the poor woman began to grow very much alarmed at the
course the unruly elements were taking. Her screaming children clinging
to her added to her distraction; and what with the thunder, the
children, and the destruction, I think she came very nigh being
frightened out of her wits. But the culminating point had yet to come.
The door opened, and Byerley himself was seen standing like a
water-sprite dripping in the opening. The next moment and the “Spitzkop
hotel” was in the air, and crockery, pots, pans, men, woman, and
children were floundering about in the mud together, entangled in the
folds of the flapping and torn canvas. With some difficulty we got out,
Mrs. Byerley and the children taking refuge in a neighbouring iron
store; while Byerley, with the assistance of myself and a few others,
collected his scattered household gods and put them in a place of
safety. But the “Spitzkop hotel” never rose again: poor Byerley was
played out; he could neither get debts nor customers, and a few days
afterwards departed, with his wife and children, on the weary journey in
search of better luck, but with the bitter sickness in their hearts of
“hope deferred.”
George seems to have moved a few miles north to Pilgrim's Rest, site of
another gold rush, where his eldest daughter, Selina, died in 1878.
6 March 1893, at Te
Kaapsche Hoop, South
African Republic, aged 51
1851: West
Street, Saint Pancras, Middlesex
George Ford Byerley
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George Ford Byerley at his rondawel in
Sheba, northeast of Barberton, South African Republic
photograph courtesy of Riana le Roux
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4 November 1874 in Lydenburg, South
African Republic
George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
Charlotte Dingwall Harper on 14 May
1898 at Mrs. Harper's house, Barberton, South African Republic
George Ford Byerley is recorded as a bachelor, aged 23, the son of George
Alexander Byerley, a law agent. George is a compositor, resident in
Barberton. Charlotte Dingwall Harper is recorded as a spinster, aged 20, the
daughter of Robert Harper, a contractor. Charlotte is resident in Barberton.
The marriage was performed by L. H. Hardy and witnessed by William Harper
and J. C. Dallov.
Charlotte was born in 1877/8 in Natal, the daughter of Robert Harper. She
died on 9 April 1949 at Grey's Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, aged 71. The
cause of death is listed as gangrene of both feet of duration one month, a
result of arteriosclerosis. Charlotte is buried in Mountain Rise cemetery,
Pietermaritzburg.
Addresses:
1898: Barberton, South African Republic (South
African Methodist Marriage Registers Barberton 1898 #64)
1939: 20 Slatter Street, Pietermaritzburg, Natal (Pietermaritzburg
Estate Files 1939 #28395 GS film 007867891 image 1055)
1949: 475 Prince Alfred Street, Pietermaritzburg, Natal (Natal
Civil Records Deaths Pietermaritzburg 1949 DGS 007751212 image 2054)
Compositor in a printing works
A compositor is a person that sets written material into type.
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Scene of the railway accident in Barberton
(1902)
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Charlotte and her daughters were
involved in a railway accident in Barberton. She was returning from Lourenço
Marques with her two daughters and her brother-in-law, Edward Byerley. One
of daughters was thrown from the train and Charlotte and the other daughter
were pinned underneath an overturned carriage, but all survived. Presumably
this accident was the
one that occurred on 30 March 1902 in which 49 people died. Most of
the dead were British soldiers.
Poverty Bay Herald 15 May 1902 p4
THE BARBERTON
RAILWAY FATALITY.
BARBERTON, April 3 (Reuter).—In connection with the railway
accident, the detachment of the Hants Regiment in the train comprised 36
men of the Volunteer Company, under Captain Grant and Lieutenant
Holbrooke. Of these, ten men were killed and 25 wounded; 30 men of E
Company, under Lieutenant Parker, of whom 24 were killed and four wounded;
31 of G Company, of whom six were killed and nine wounded. One man each
was killed from B and D Companies, making a total of 80 killed and wounded
out of 102 starting.
No officers were injured.
Corporals Childs and Henty were the only non-commissioned officers
killed; all the others were privates.
The engine-driver, named Rankin, was killed on the spot, while the
stoker, a Mauritian, died unconscious on the way to the hospital.
A civilian named White jumped from the carriage, and was killed
against the bridge. One Dutch child has since died. The accident occurred
four miles from Barberton, at the sharp curve leading on to the bridge,
over a donga forty feet deep.
At the end of the three miles down incline the train had attained a
speed of over eighty miles per hour. The engine first left the rails,
turning completely over, and then the boiler burst. Six trucks, containing
soldiers, were hurled with terrific force 20 to 30 yards from the line and
smashed to matchwood, three lying all in a heap. One caught the corner of
the bridge and fell into the donga. Twenty-two dead bodies were taken from
here. The passenger coach, with several women, children, and men, had a
most miraculous escape. The wheels left the rails, and the coach ran
across the bridge on the girders, within three inches of the edge. All
must have been killed had it followed the soldiers' trucks into the donga.
This would have happened had not the guard (Ross) kept the brake down,
after the engine and front trucks left the rails. With the exception of
the Dutch child and a passenger badly cut about the head, all the
passengers escaped with a severe shaking, although the carriage was
completely smashed.
There are now in hospital two dangerous and six serious cases. Thirty
others are doing well. The regiment was very popular during its year's
stay here, and deep sympathy is felt by the whole community over the
terrible calamity. The cause of the engine getting out of control is still
unknown.
26 January 1939, at Grey's Hospital,
Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa, aged 64
The cause of death is listed as general peritonitis from perforated
appendicitis, of duration 5 days.
Mountain Rise cemetery,
Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa
dated 11 August 1937, filed 30 January
1939
Pietermaritzburg
Estate Files 1939 #28395 GS film 007867891 image 1056
THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me GEORGE
FORD BYERLEY of 20, Slatter Street in the County of Pietermaritzburg,
Natal.
I hereby revoke all wills and testamentary instruments heretofore by me
made. I appoint C.D. BYERLEY of Pietermaritzburg, and ... of ... to be the
exectutrix of this my Will. I direct my Executors to pay my just debts and
Funeral and Testamentary Expenses.
I give and bequeath All I possess to my wife Charlotte, Dingwall
Byerley, born Harper, absolutely.
Witness my hand this Eleventh day of August 1937.
(Testator to sign here) .. G. F. Byerley ...
Signed by the above-named Testator as his last Will in the presence
of us both, being present at the same time, who in his presence and in the
presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.
Witnesses to sign here, with their address and occupation.
R.J.King, 104 Chapel Street, Maritzburg; linotype operator.
E.E.Beckett..244 Berg Street Maritzburg Lithographic Printer
1898: Barberton, South African Republic (South
African Methodist Marriage Registers Barberton 1898 #64)
1939: 20 Slatter Street, Pietermaritzburg, Natal (Natal
Civil Records Deaths Pietermaritzburg 1939 DGS 007751160 image 2477)
Harold James Byerley
George Ford
Byerley
Charlotte Dingwall (Harper) Byerley
1950: 5 Hagan Court, Umbilo Road, Durban, Natal (Braby's Natal Directory 1950 p382)
Hilda (Byerley) Fitz-Patrick
16 November 1883, in Barberton, South
African Republic
George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
Bernard
John Gowran Fitz-Patrick in 1908, in Durban, Natal
30 August 1963 in Lourenço Marques,
Mozambique
1938: Lourenço Marques, Mozambique (Cape
Province Probate Records 1938 #59099 DGS 007735715 image 144)
Lorna Selina (Byerley) Leggott
17 May 1901
6 July 1901 in the
Wesleyan-Methodist Circuit, Durban, Natal
Lorna Selina was baptised by Frederick Mason. She is recorded as the
daughter of George Ford Byerley and Charlotte Dingwall Byerley. The
parents's abode is recorded as "Barberton, presently in Durban".
George Ford
Byerley
Charlotte Dingwall (Harper) Byerley
Albert Henry Leggott on 8 July 1920
in the Irish Presbyterian Church, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa
Albert Henry Leggott is recorded as a bachelor, aged 29. He is a carpenter
and joiner, resident at 4 Bateman Avenue, P. M. Burg. Lorna Selina Byerley
is recorded as a spinster, aged 19. She is a typist, resident at 4 Bateman
Avenue, P. M. Burg. The marriage was performed by Hedley Vicars Taylor,
Presbyterian minister, and witnessed by John Coulson Ashley and Mildred
Olive Byerley.
Albert was born in 1890/1, in England. He died on 10 December 1956,
aged 66, and is buried in Stellawood cemetery, Durban.
Addresses:
1921: 3 Forest Road, Bulwer Park, Durban, Natal (Parish
records of Durban St Paul 1921 p62)
Typist
|
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Scene of the railway accident in Barberton
(1902)
|
As an infant, Lorna was involved in
a railway accident in Barberton. Her mother was returning from Lourenço
Marques with her, her sister and her uncle, Edward Byerley. One of daughters
was thrown from the train and Charlotte and the other daughter were pinned
underneath an overturned carriage, but all survived. Presumably this
accident was the one
that occurred on 30 March 1902 in which 49 people died.
8 August 1981, aged 80
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|
Headstone of Albert Henry Leggott and
Lorna Selina (Byerley) Leggott in Stellawood cemetery, Durban,
Natal
photograph by Maureen Schnittker
posted at eGGSA
|
Stellawood cemetery and crematorium,
Durban, Natal, South Africa
The headstone reads:
In Treasured Memory of
Darling Husband, our dear Dad and Grandpa
Albert Henry Leggott
who passed away 10th December 1956 aged 66 years
"In God's keeping"
our dear Mom and Gran
Lorna Selina Leggott
who passed away 8th August 1981 aged 80 years
Re United
Mildred Olive (Byerley) Tavares
1906/7
George Ford
Byerley
Charlotte Dingwall (Harper) Byerley
 |
|
Memorial to Herminio Tavares in Stellawood
cemetery and crematorium, Durban, Natal
photograph by Maureen Schnittker at eGGSA
|
Herminio Tavares
Herminio was born on 22 April 1904, and died on 22 November 1978. He was
cremated at Stellawood cemetery and crematorium, Durban, Natal.
The memorial reads:
In loving memory of a devoted father and
grandfather
HERMINIO TAVARES
22. 4. 04 - 20. 7. 1978
United now in peace
20 July 1978
 |
|
Memorial to Mildred Olive (Byerley)
Tavares in Stellawood cemetery and crematorium, Durban, Natal
photograph by Maureen Schnittker at eGGSA
|
Stellawood cemetery and
crematorium, Durban, Natal, South Africa
The memorial reads:
In loving memory of my dear wife
MILDRED OLIVE TAVARES
Mother of Ted
who passed away on 20. 7. 1978
aged 71 years
Always loved and remembered
Nellie Caroline (Byerley) Caughey
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Nellie Caroline (Byerley) Caughey in
Barberton, Transvaal, Christmas 1908
photograph courtesy of Robert King
|
 |
|
Selina (Ford, Byerley) Bales and Nellie
Caroline (Byerley) Caughey in Barberton, Transvaal, Christmas
1908. The child is presumably Lloyd Errol Caughey (b. 1907).
photograph courtesy of Robert King
|
18 November 1881, in Pretoria, South
African Republic
20 January 1883, in St Albans,
Pretoria, South African Republic
The baptism was sponsored by William Bales, Sarah James and Clara Bancroft
George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
Robert Lloyd Caughey on 24 October
1906 in Barberton, Transvaal
Robert Lloyd Caughey is recorded as a bachelor, aged 33, born in Holywood,
Ireland and resident in Barberton. Nellie Caroline Byerley is recorded as a
spinster, aged 24, born in Pretoria, Transvaal and resident in Barberton.
The marriage was witnessed by W. J. McClelland and G.J.G. ???.
Robert was born on 3 July 1873 at Bath Cottage, Holywood, Belfast, Ireland,
the son of William Bowden Caughey and
Anna
McClelland. He died in March 1925.
27 December 1961 at Princess Nursing
Home, Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa
The cause of death is listed as cerebro vascular accident, contributing
cause arterio sclerosis, of duration 2-3 weeks.
 |
|
Headstone of Nellie Caroline (Byerley)
Caughey in West Park cemetery, Johannesburg, Transvaal
photograph by Riana le Roux posted
at eGGSA
|
West Park cemetery, Montgomery Park,
Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa
Selina Byerley
12 April 1868, in Pietermaritzburg,
Natal
Natal Witness 15 April 1868
Births:
Byerley 13 April 1868 at Pietermaritzburg, Mrs G. Bryerley, of a
daughter
George
Alexander Byerley
Selina
(Ford) Byerley
24 April 1878, aged 10
Natal Witness 9 May 1878
Deaths:
Byerley, Selina: 24 April 1878 at Pilgrims Rest; daughter of George and
Selina Byerley; aged 10 yrs and 12 days
 |
|
Gravestone of Selina Byerley in Main
cemetery, Pilgrim's Rest, Transvaal
photograph by Tian Schutte posted at eGGSA
|
Main cemetery, Pilgrim's Rest, South
African Republic
Winifred Annie (Byerley) Leggott
18 September 1898
30 October 1898 in the
Wesleyan-Methodist Chapel, Barberton, South
African Republic
Winifred Annie was baptised by J. H. Hardy. She is recorded as the daughter
of George Ford Byerley and Charlotte Dingwall Byerley. The parents's abode
is recorded as Barberton.
George Ford
Byerley
Charlotte Dingwall (Harper) Byerley
Frank Howard Leggott on 12 October
1918 in the Irish Presbyterian Church, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa
Frank Howard Leggott is recorded as a bachelor, aged 23. He is an engineer,
resident in Empangeni, Zululand. Winifred Annie Byerley is recorded as a
spinster, aged 20, resident in P. M. Burg. The marriage was performed by
George Grieve and witnessed by Charles Lancelot Little and Lorna Selina
Byerley.
Frank was born on 13 August 1896, in Barberton, South African Republic. He
died in 1964.
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Scene of the railway accident in Barberton
(1902)
|
As a child, Winifred was involved in
a railway accident in Barberton. Her mother was returning from Lourenço
Marques with her, her sister and her uncle, Edward Byerley. One of daughters
was thrown from the train and Charlotte and the other daughter were pinned
underneath an overturned carriage, but all survived. Presumably this
accident was the one
that occurred on 30 March 1902 in which 49 people died.
1948
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