Henry Mercer

The Mercers - the first five generations

1. Conrod MERCER , b. 6 Aug 1956 in Springs, Tvl, RSA.

He married Hendrika Gesina DU PREEZ , married 1 Dec 1990 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA, b. 26 Jun 1961 in Kimberley, Cape, RSA, d. 26 Aug 2007 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA.

Parents

2. Roderick Ian MERCER , b. 25 Oct 1931 in Johannesburg, Tvl, RSA. He married Elaine MULLER , married 28 Jan 1956 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA.

3. Elaine MULLER , b. 16 Nov 1937 in Port Elizabeth, Cape, RSA, d. 9 Mar 2002 in Pinetown, Natal, RSA.

Grandparents

4. Douglas MERCER , b. 16 Jun 1905 in Johannesburg, Tvl, RSA, d. 22 Sep 1994 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA, buried in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA. He married (1) Jessie Swanton HOLME , married 1 Mar 1930 in Johannesburg, Tvl, RSA, b. 2 Feb 1905 in Aliwal North, Cape, RSA, d. 23 May 1980 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA. He married (2) Ruth Pawlett HOLDER , married 25 Apr 1981 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA, b. 19 Apr 1911 in Durban, Natal, RSA.

5. Jessie Swanton HOLME , b. 2 Feb 1905 in Aliwal North, Cape, RSA, d. 23 May 1980 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA.

6. Peter John Francis MULLER , b. 27 May 1907 in Sterkstroom, Cape, RSA, d. 5 Dec 1957 in Springs, Tvl, RSA. He married (1) Jessie Kathleen PRIOR , b. 6 Jun 1910 in Durban, Natal, RSA. He married (2) Mary Elizabeth TILL , married 25 Mar 1937 in Sterkstroom, Cape, RSA, b. 29 Nov 1910 in Springfontein, OFS, RSA, d. 8 Nov 1972 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA.

7. Mary Elizabeth TILL , b. 29 Nov 1910 in Springfontein, OFS, RSA, d. 8 Nov 1972 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA. She married (1) Samuel Meyer FOURIE , b. 17 Sep 1904 in Klerksdorp, Tvl, RSA, d. 11 Mar 1969 in Springs, Tvl, RSA. She married (2) Peter John Francis MULLER , married 25 Mar 1937 in Sterkstroom, Cape, RSA, b. 27 May 1907 in Sterkstroom, Cape, RSA, d. 5 Dec 1957 in Springs, Tvl, RSA. She married (3) William Hugh Cameron ROBERTSON , b. 5 Nov 1903 in Scotland, d. 15 Apr 1974 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA.

Great-Grandparents

8. Walter Louis MERCER , b. 12 Aug 1865 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England, d. 10 Dec 1941 in Johannesburg, Tvl, RSA. He was in South Africa by 1891, when he applied for an appointment of clerk and shorthand writer to the Magistracy Commission in 1891.

In 1893 he applied for the position of secretary and manager of the European land and immigration board.

He married (1) Edith Isabel LOWE , d. 6 Feb 1901 in Francistown, Matabileland. He married (2) Isabel Constance JOYNER , married 7 Oct 1901 in Piermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa, b. 15 Dec 1877 in Kokstad, East Griqualand, RSA, d. 7 Nov 1955 in Johannesburg, Tvl, RSA.

9. Isabel Constance JOYNER , b. 15 Dec 1877 in Kokstad, East Griqualand, RSA, d. 7 Nov 1955 in Johannesburg, Tvl, RSA.

10. Horace Leigh HOLME , b. 3 Aug 1863 in Walworth, Surrey, England, d. 20 Nov 1944 in East London, Cape, RSA, buried in East Cemetery, East London, Cape, RSA. Horace Leigh Holme did a lot of work in the east end of London, whilst still young, organizing youth clubs. He came out to South Africa during the Anglo/Boer War (1899 - 1902), after his doctors had advised him to leave England because of his bronchitis, which he got from the smoggy air in London.

He had a connection in South Africa through being apprenticed to a cloth manufacturer in London, who also had a factory in East London, Cape Province and he came out as the general manager of the firm. He left the firm after a short time because it was a family business and as soon as the cloth manufacturers son was old enough, he was sent out to manage the South African branch.

Horace Leigh was told that he could stay on at the firm in a lower position, which he couldn't accept, so he took up traveling, going around the country with a little cart, a few mules and a coloured driver. Initially he started selling cloth but soon branched out into different lines, including imported foods, jams and bully beef.

He met Alice Jane Harris at Jansenville, one of the places he called at. Being keen on church he sang in the choir and Alice was a good musician, which formed a bond between them, but theirs was not a well matched marriage. Horace Leigh was an English gentleman, well educated in London and Alice was not well educated, coming from an ordinary South African family.

It seems that they separated with each going their separate ways, but they never divorced.

He married Alice Jane HARRIS , married in Aliwal North, Cape, RSA.

11. Alice Jane HARRIS , b. 6 Oct 1872 in Lady Grey, Cape, RSA, d. 29 Aug 1953 in Cradock, Cape, RSA. She lived with her daughter Margaret Emma FITZHENRY born ORSMOND at "Lowlands," Post Office Mortimer, Cape Province to whom she willed all her worldly possessions, 155 Pounds, 19 shillings and 6 pence, by making her, her sole and universal heir.

She also appointed her son-in-law Percival Overton FITZHENRY of the same address, as Executor of her will.

She married (1) Arthur Charles ORSMOND , d. 1901. She married (2) Horace Leigh HOLME , married in Aliwal North, Cape, RSA, b. 3 Aug 1863 in Walworth, Surrey, England, d. 20 Nov 1944 in East London, Cape, RSA, buried in East Cemetery, East London, Cape, RSA.

12. Wilhelm Theodore MULLER , b. 21 Aug 1874 in St Marks Parish, Tembuland, Transkei, d. 14 Sep 1956 in Sterkstroom, Cape, RSA, buried in Sterkstroom, Cape, RSA. He married Helena Catharina JORDAAN , married 23 Jul 1900 in Sterkstroom, Cape, RSA.

13. Helena Catharina JORDAAN , b. 17 Mar 1882 in Cradock, Cape, RSA, d. 21 Jun 1962 in East London, Cape, RSA.

14. Henry TILL , b. 13 Sep 1879 in Southampton, Hampshire, England, d. 11 Sep 1949 in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA. His birth is registered at Chndlersford, North Stowham, Millbrook, Southampton, England.

He worked for the Railways as a plate layer and also lived on a small farm, where he retired. He married Mary Elizabeth ASTLE , married 20 Nov 1900 in Burgersdorp, Cape, RSA.

15. Mary Elizabeth ASTLE , b. 5 Jun 1884 in Yoxall, Lichfield, Staffs, England, d. 25 Mar 1972 in Johannesburg, Tvl, RSA, buried in Brakpan, Tvl, RSA. According to her birth certificate, her parents address at the time of her birth was at Woodhouses, Yoxall, R.S.P.

Great-Great-Grandparents

16. Henry MERCER, b. 11 May 1839 in Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, d. 5 Jan 1908 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

Henry was left as partner with his brother Fletcher in the family seed crushing business while the other two brothers, William and Francis Palmer, acted as brokers for them in Hull and Liverpool.

He left the business in the 1880's and retired to Sheffield where he lived until his death.

Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability

Henry MERCER Head M Male 41 Hull, York, England Seed Crusher

Louise Juliett MERCER Wife M Female 36 Havre (NBS), France Seed Crusher Wife

Walter Louis MERCER Son Male 15 Gainsbro, Lincoln, England Scholar

Caroline Amelia MERCER Dau Female 13 Gainsbro, Lincoln, England Scholar

Elenor Louize MERCER Dau Female 10 Gainsbro, Lincoln, England Scholar

Arthur Emerson MERCER Son Male 7 Gainsbro, Lincoln, England Scholar

Milicent Ethel MERCER Dau Female 6 Gainsbro, Lincoln, England Scholar

Henry Lancelot MERCER Son Male 1 Gainsbro, Lincoln, England

Marigon Elith. CLARK Servant U Female 31 Bracebridge, Lincoln, England Governess (Teacher)

Fanny CLARK Servant U Female 17 Northorpe, Lincoln, England Housemaid

Lilly WALKER Servant U Female 18 Gainsbrough, Lincoln, England Cook

Annie Sophia WALKER Servant U Female 17 Gainsbrough, Lincoln, England Nurse Maid

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Source Information:

Dwelling Lord Street

Census Place Gainsborough, Lincoln, England

Family History Library Film 1341785

Public Records Office Reference RG11

Piece / Folio 3295 / 68

Page Number 2.

He married (1) Louise Juliette EMERSON , married 5 Oct 1864 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England, b. 2 Jun 1844 in Le Havre, France, d. 6 Mar 1884 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. He married (2) Charlotte O'BRIEN , married 3 Dec 1892.

17. Louise Juliette EMERSON, b. 2 Jun 1844 in Le Havre, France, d. 6 Mar 1884 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

18. James Keith JOYNER , b. 20 Sep 1844 in Cullen, Grampian, Scotland, d. 30 Dec 1920 in East Griqualand, RSA. James arrived in Durban in June 1850 aboard the "Conquering Hero" with his parents, brothers and sisters, as part of the Byrne Settler scheme.

He spent his early life on his fathers farms, "Dingwall," near Isipingo and "Ellangowan," near the Ifafa River.

After his mothers death, James and his brother Murdo took up transport riding as a means of earning the ready cash needed to start farms of their own. On one of these trips Murdo was killed in a tragic accident when he fell and his wagon rode over his

Romance came to James when he was twenty-four years of age. He had gone to the home of Mr & Mrs Forrest at Umbilo to look for a span of oxen which had strayed from his outspan in the night. There he met Sarah, one of this worthy couples daughters and

it was a case of love at first sight. They were married as soon as James had built his house on a spur of the mountain at "Ellangowan."

James and his family moved to Dumisa and then later to East Griqualand, settling on a farm near Kokstad. James and his family moved another three times, farming "Forres,""Slangfontein" and finally "Glen Edward," where he met his death, being struck down by lightening.

His wife Sarah died on the farm "Banchory," in East Griqualand.

His obituary in the Natal Witness of January 1921 reads:

OBITUARY

LIGHTNING FATALITY

Well known Kokstad farmer killed

The closing day of 1920 was marked by a peculiarly sad fatility, near Glen Edward farm, near Kokstad, writes a Kokstad correspondent.

During the afternoon a terrific thunderstorm raged over the district and one of the vivid flashes of lightning dealt instant death to Mr James Keith JOYNER, the well known farmer. Mr Joyner was found dead in the velt only about 20 yards from his

residence. The body was badly burnt and both boots were burst open. A remarkable fact is that not the slightest trace could be found of Mr Joyners hat, spectacles or walking stick, all of which he had with him when he left the house.

The funeral took place at Vaalfontein, Zwartkop on New Years Day. The service at the graveside being conducted the Rev. John Morgan, Wesleyan Church, Kokstad. There was a representative attendance, the chief mourners being Mr W.C.G. Joyner, Banchory

The late Mr Joyner was 76 years of age and a native of Dingwall, Rosshire, Scotland. Exactly 70 years ago he landed with his father and mother at Durban and the story of the early pioneering efforts of his parents and himself would fill a fair sized

His father was the pioneer sugar planter of Natal, where he began that industry at Isipingo and Umzinto 67 years ago. It was as a young man of some 32 summers that James Keith Joyner first set foot in East Griqualand. That was 44 years ago and

He is surviced by two sons and three daughters. The eldest son is Mr William Joyner, farmer Banchory, Kokstad and the other is Mr Tom Joyner of Glen Edward, the well known cheese manufacturing expert who has done so much to make the name and fame of , married 10 Dec 1868 in Umbilo, Natal, RSA.

19. Sarah FORREST, b. C1841 in Port Elizabeth, Cape, RSA, d. 25 Jun 1908 in Mt Currie, East Griqualand, South Africa.

20. Henry HOLME , b. 10 Sep 1831 in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. Henry Holme

England Marriages, 1538–1973

parents: Henry Holme

spouse: Eliza Swanton

marriage: 13 Sep 1859 — St. Mary, Surrey, England

record title: England Marriages, 1538–1973

groom's name: Henry Holme

bride's name: Eliza Swanton

marriage date: 13 Sep 1859

marriage place: St. Mary, Surrey, England

groom's father's name: Henry Holme

bride's father's name: William Swanton

indexing project (batch) number: I03344-7

system origin: England-EASy

source film number: 1041653

Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability

Henry HOLMES Head M Male 49 Lancaster, Lancashire, England Straw Hat & Bonnet Manufacture

Kate M. HOLMES Daur U Female 20 Lambeth, Middlesex, England

Horace L. HOLMES Son U Male 17 St Pauls Walworth, Surrey, England Drapers Apprentice

Elanor Maud HOLMES Daur U Female 14 St James Croydon, Surrey, England Scholar

Henry C. HOLMES Son Male 12 St James Croydon, Surrey, England Scholar

Ralph HOLMES Son Male 11 St James Croydon, Surrey, England Scholar

Lillian HOLMES Daur Female 5 St James Croydon, Surrey, England Scholar

Harry F. PLATT Nephew Male 4 London Barnsbury, London, Middlesex, England

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Source Information:

Dwelling Straw Bonnet Manufactory

Census Place Harpenden, Hertford, England

Family History Library Film 1341347

Public Records Office Reference RG11

Piece / Folio 1429 / 99

Page Number 7

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MARRIAGE

Henry HOLME to

Eliza SWANTON

Registration was in Lambeth, Greater London, Surrey in the third quarter of 1859

Volume 1d; Page 556

____________________________________________

1901 British Census

Eliza HOLME, age 70, (born London, Chelsea) Henry HOLME, (born Lancaster), age 69, living on own means Kate, age 40, (born London, Kensington daughter, single, no occupation shown Lilian, age 25, (born Surrey, Croydon), daughter, single, occupation shown as Clock & Typewriter.

All living at 52 Beaconsfield Rd., Friern Barnet, Middlesex

1891 British Census

Henry HOLME, age 59, Wholesale Provision merchant, born Lancashire, Lancaster Eliza HOLME, wife, age 60, born Middlesex, Chelsea Kate M., daughter, single, age 30, born London, Lambeth Horace L., son, single, age 27, Draper, born London, Walworth Henry C., son single, age 22, Provision Merchant, born Surrey, Croydon Lilian, daughter, single, age 15, Scholar, born Surrey, Croydon Rose PILGRIM, servant, single, age 18, General Servant, born Tottenham

All living at 48 MountView Rd., St. Mary, Hornsey, Middlesex

1881 British Census

Eliza HOLME, sister, married, age 49, Manufacturers Wife, born Middlesex, Chelsea James GAYWOOD, head, married, age 44, Warehouseman hatters, born Surrey, Rothertithe Ann GAYWOOD, wife, married, age 42, born Surrey, Lambeth James H., son, unmarried, age 20, Commercial Clerk, born Surrey, Bermondsey Stephen, son, unmarried, age 15, Hatters Apprentice, born Surrey, Camberwell Richard, son, age 13, Scholar, born Surrey Camberwell Arthur, son, age 11, Scholar, born Surrey Bermondsey Lydia, daughter, age 10, Scholar, born Surrey, Bermondsey Francis, son, age 8, Scholar, born Surrey, Bermondsey Amelia, daughter, age 4, born Surrey, Bermondsey Edward, son, age 1, born Surrey, Bermondsey

All living at 55 Upper Grange Rd., London, Bermondsey

He married Eliza SWANTON , married 13 Sep 1859 in Lambeth, London, Surrey, England.

21. Eliza SWANTON, b. 4 Jan 1831. At the time of the 1881 Census she was visiting her sister and family:

22. John Henry HARRIS, b. 10 May 1826 in St Helena Island, d. 14 May 1914 in Lady Grey, Cape, RSA.

During his early life on the Island of St. Helena, John Henry worked as a storekeeper for the Liberated African Establishment, which had been brought into existence at the time of the abolution of the slave trade. During this time Her Majesties ships

He came out to South Africa sometime between 1854 and 1856 settling first at Aliwal North and then moving to the fledgling community of Lady Grey in 1861/2.

Lady Grey only became a town in 1861 with the formation of the D.R. Church congregation, so it can be seen that the Harris family were one of the very first families to settle in the town.

John Henry was appointed Post Master of the town by the Governor of the Cape on the 19th July 1864 at a salary of six pounds per annum, plus commission. He had donated one of the rooms of his house to be used for the Post Office, and this served its

In total, John Henry Harris served the town of Lady Grey for a period of thirty-four years, fist as Post Master, and as Justice of the Peace, a position he accepted in 1868. He also served on the commision to draw up aschool regulations and had his

He also served on a school management committee to investigate the building of a school and hostel, becoming a shareholders representative in the school, when it was decided to raise funds for the school by offering shares.

He also owned a Trading Store in the town, which sold grain, etc. During the Boer War, the boers came into the shop and took all the stock, leaving a receipt for what they had taken, which proved to be worthless because the Transvaal Republic was

It can thus be seen that he was active in the affairs of the community and that he undoubtedly made a valuable contribution to the development of Lady Grey.

A Photograph of John Henry Harris and his wife Eloise Grove hang in the Council Offices.

He married Eloise Grove O'CONNOR , married 30 Nov 1850 in Jamestown, St Helena Island.

23. Eloise Grove O'CONNOR, b. 1 Oct 1827 in St Helena Island, d. 25 Jul 1900 in Lady Grey, Cape, RSA, buried in Lady Grey, Cape, RSA.

24. Aloys MULLER, b. 8 Jan 1854 in Altheim, Baden, Germany, d. 30 Jul 1912 in Tsomo, Transkei, buried 1 Aug 1912 in St Marks Cemetery, Tembuland, Transkei.

Aloys Muller was only four years old when he came out to South Africa under the British Immigration Scheme of 1858, aboard the "La Rochelle," with his parents, brothers and sister.

According to prevailing conditions relating to the immigration scheme, the family was allotted 35 acres of virgin ground near Ohlsen in the Stutterheim district, with a view to commence farming. After five years of hardship, his mother died, followed

After his marriage to Maria Anna Cornelia LINK, the couple lived at Hohita in the St. Marks district of Tembuland, where their four oldest children were born. Following the birth of their son Julius Alios Jnr., in 1881, the family moved to Sterkstroom

Aloys operated a bakery for several years in Sterkstroom. He also started his sons William, Ernest, Julius and Theodore in a business in Sterkstrrom.

He later returned to the St. Marks district and took up a lease on certain trading stations at Southeyville.

He died at his sons residence in Tsomo and is buried at the St. Marks cemetery. The inscription on his headstone reads:

In sacred memory of our dear father Julius Alois Muller born at Aldheim, Baden, Germany January 8th 1854. Died at Tsomo, July 30th 1912, Aged 58 years 6 months and 22 days. The Lord gave The Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord.

He married Louisa Christina HALLER , married 0 Sep 1873 in St Marks Parish, Tembuland, Transkei.

25. Louisa Christina HALLER, b. 3 Jun 1856 in Kockendorf, Wurrtemburg, Germany, d. 30 Jul 1915 in Aliwal North, Cape, RSA, buried in St Marks Cemetery, Tembuland, Transkei.

26. Pieter Johannes JORDAAN, b. 28 May 1846 in Cradock, Cape, RSA. He married (1) Aletta Sophia PRETORIUS , married 6 May 1867 in Queenstown, Cape, RSA, d. 10 Mar 1876. He married (2) Cibella Wilhelmina VAN STRAATEN , married 24 Jul 1876 in Queenstown, Cape, RSA, b. 28 Aug 1852 in Hekpoort, near Queenstown, Cape, RSA.

27. Cibella Wilhelmina VAN STRAATEN, b. 28 Aug 1852 in Hekpoort, near Queenstown, Cape, RSA.

28. Henry TILL, b. c.1837 in Romsey, Hampshire, England. Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability

Henry TILL Head M Male 40 Romsey, Hampshire, England Foreman Of Brickyard

Emma TILL Wife M Female 42 Winchester, Hampshire, England

Fanny TILL Daur U Female 18 Shirley, Hampshire, England Servant (Dos)

Frederick TILL Son U Male 15 Shirley, Hampshire, England Assistant (Ag Lab)

Alice Louise TILL Daur Female 6 Shirley, Hampshire, England Scholar

Emma Elizabeth TILL Daur Female 3 Shirley, Hampshire, England Scholar

Henry TILL Son Male 1 Shirley, Hampshire, England

Lenord TILL Son Male 7 Shirley, Hampshire, England Scholar

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Source Information:

Census Place Cheriton, Hampshire, England

Family History Library Film 1341304

Public Records Office Reference RG11

Piece / Folio 1243 / 67

Page Number

He married Emma ROGERS , married 21 May 1866 in Shirley By Southampton, Hampshire, Eng.

29. Emma ROGERS , b. 15 Dec 1838 in Winchester, Hampshire, England.

30. Edwin ASTLE, b. 21 Jan 1861 in Yoxall, Lichfield, Staffs, England, d. 8 Sep 1932 in Bloemfontein, OFS, RSA, buried in Slabberts District, Bethlehem, OFS, RSA. Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability

Thomas ASTLE Head M Male 50 Barton, Stafford, England Farmer 10 Acres & Lab

Elizabeth ASTLE Wife M Female 53 Colton, Stafford, England Dom

Edwin ASTLE Son U Male 20 Yoxall, Stafford, England Farm Servant

James A. ASTLE Son U Male 14 Yoxall, Stafford, England Farm Servant Assists At Home

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Source Information:

Dwelling Woodhouses

Census Place Yoxall, Stafford, England

Family History Library Film 1341665

Public Records Office Reference RG11

Piece / Folio 2777 / 106

Page Number 17

He married (1) Mary HYDE , married 20 Dec 1881 in Ticknall, Derbyshire, England, b. 20 Dec 1859 in Ticknall, Derbyshire, England, d. 12 Jul 1916 in Slabberts District, Bethlehem, OFS, RSA. He married (2) Engela Johanna Gertruida ROSSOUW , married in Bethlehem, OFS, RSA, b. c.1863, d. 19 Aug 1923 in Bethlehem, OFS, RSA. He married (3) Fannie Louise ELLIOTT , married 24 Feb 1925 in Bethlehem, OFS, RSA, b. c.1871.

31. Mary HYDE, b. 20 Dec 1859 in Ticknall, Derbyshire, England, d. 12 Jul 1916 in Slabberts District, Bethlehem, OFS, RSA. Died of Cardiac Failure.

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