Tag Archives: george rex

History of the Overberg and Southern Cape forests (1795-2011)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

1795-1856 Summary of this period: Apart from purely nominal protection and conservation of a desultory kind, from the 1770’s until about 1856, the forests received practically no helpful attention. The timber taken from them was extracted in an unsystematic manner by any who chose to do so. Fire also did much damage locally (Phillips, 1963). During the first British occupation (1795-1803) Plettenberg Bay was also used as a source of wood. Johan Meeding was retained in his post as Post holder of the Plettenberg Bay VOC outpost. In 1797, B. … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Colonial History of Knysna 1770-1890 (Part 1)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The History of Knysna – Melkhoutkraal Farm & the Village of Melville: Stephanus Ter Blans, the eldest son of Heemraad Ter Blans (Terblanche) of the Reeboksfontein farm near Little Brak River, was the first recorded colonist farmer to settle on the Knysna Estuary, in 1770. The loan farm was registered as de Melkhoute Craal (Melhoutkraal) and was located on the east bank of the Knysna River. The farm stretched from the Indian Ocean to today’s Long Street in town. Ter Blans died in 1794. Ter Blans’ widow, Hester Marx, remained … Read the full article…

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Before the Seven Passes Road Existed

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Murray Douglas will be presenting an illustrated talk on what he has called the Pre-Passes Road, a description for a tortuous path that connected Knysna to George, before Thomas Bain built the route known today as the Seven Passes’ Road. The talk will be held at Cearn Hall on Leisure Island in Knysna on Tuesday 20 October 2015 at 17h30. It will cover the early ox-wagon route from George to Knysna in the early 1800’s, using old maps and the records of the early travellers. Philip Caveney, of the Knysna … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Knysna’s First School

Mike Hampton Posted on by

John Sutherland, son of Col. John Sutherland who bought the Melkhoutkraal Farm from the estate of George Rex, founder of Knysna, laid out the village of Newhaven and built this school building. Bishop Robert Gray used the school decked out with flowers for the first Anglican Church service in Knysna on Sunday 17 September, 1848. The school was used as a licensed church for services including marriages, until the completion of the first St George’s church. The property was transferred to the Union Lodge of Free Masons at Knysna in … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

History: Old St. George’s Church (1849/1855)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

John Rex laid the foundation stone of this church in 1849 built on land donated by his father, George Rex, founder of Knysna. Construction commenced in 1850 based on a plan adapted by Sophy Gray, wife of the first Anglican Bishop of South Africa. The church was to be built then as the chancel of a larger church when funds permitted, when the nave etc. in the plan would be added. Scottish stonemasons Lawrence and Bern built the church. The church was consecrated in October 1855. In 1919 the decision … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

John Benn’s House (Circa 1864)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

This Victorian cottage, at 44 Rawson Street, was the home of John Benn, first of a long line of Benn family members who served as pilots, prior to his moving to the Pilot‘s house at the Knysna Heads on his appointment as coxswain and pilot in 1868. The house stands on land originally part of “The Admiralty erven” which was ceded by George Rex to the British Navy who, in turn, exchanged it with the Colonial Government for land and a jetty in Simon’s Town from whom John Benn bought the … Read the full article…

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Then & Now: Power Station -> Turbine Hotel

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Knysna has a rich history spanning sailing ships, gold discovery and timber extraction to arguably become South Africa’s favorite holiday destination. The Khoisan people originally inhabited the area until Dutch Settlers arrived in the 17th century.  Knysna’s documented history began in 1804 with the arrival of George Rex, rumored to be the illegitimate son of King George III who subsequently opened shops, established a port and a timber business that exported hardwoods around the world. The Thesen family moved from Norway to Knysna in 1870 and founded numerous business entities … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!