Sedgefield History Tree
I have put together a Sedgefield history tree using information from several available books, local information and a very useful little volume I found in the Sedgefield library that contained fairly comprehensive records of property (farms) owned in different districts that fell under George from the late 1700's. I would say it was compiled from archived documents.
As you will see, it doesn't seem to cover when property exchanged hands but only who owned it originally. Many of the records are incomplete but where the information was available it records the name of the owner, his date of birth and death, his spouse and her date of birth and death. I have only entered here the area pertaining to what is now called Sedgefield and its immediate environs. The book contained a far more extensive area than this. However I hope you find what I've put here relating to Sedgefield as interesting as I did.
The First Owners of property in the George District
NB. The above tree should be looked at in conjunction with information on the Sedgefield History Page.
I hope to gather some of Sedgefield's history from a more personal angle so if anyone wants to contribute to that I'd be grateful.
Sedgefield is a young town in terms of age not even a century old so its birth and youthful growth is still traceable. Before the details and the human aspects of its development are lost to us forever, I hope to get some of it captured for posterity on this website. The Sedgefield History Tree is just a small beginning.
The beautiful Cork Oak Tree Quercus suber pictured below was planted in Claude Hart's Aunt's garden in Flamingo Street on an occasion when his son, Adrian (7-8yrs old) came to visit her. He recalls that the young sapling traveled from Rondebosch in the boot of the car with some ducks. On arrival Adrian was horrified to discover that they had eaten all the leaves off it. Nonetheless the tree survived its ordeal and is about 40 plus years old (2013). Two younger trees were planted later in the garden next door. They are only about 15 years old. The one in Rondebosch is 100 years old.
Cork Oaks originate from the Mediterranean region and are found in the countries of Spain and Portugal. Corks for wine bottling are made from this bark. The bark can be first harvested when the tree reaches 25 years old. The cork gradually grows back and is only harvested again after 9 years. The bark can be removed in this way between 13-18 times and this unique tree can survive such treatment living for up to 200 years or more.
It epitomises for me the diverse people who have been transplanted from other countries, cities and towns into this little village and together have formed this close-knit community that is Sedgefield.
I salute them and those who have carved a living in this molerat infested ground, endured floods and droughts, persevered through adversity and thrived in good times, continuing to find ways to build something beautiful here. They have succeeded. Many have found it to be an ideal holiday spot and others have contributed to the mix by retiring here.
This foreign unusual tree has flourished in its African environment and is a worthy symbol for this Sedgefield History Tree page!
Acknowledgements and my grateful thanks to the following:
Stuart Lidstone for a wealth of information
Bewaardes van ons erfenis Distrik George Deel 8 (In Sedgefield Library)by JG le Roux, J.J. Niemandt, Mariana Olivier - 2003
http://www.vanonselen.net/1225.htm (Use Yahoo search engine)
The Sedgefield Saga - Louis Bischoff
The Late Wynne Humphries
Keith Meintjies
Knysna Tourism I Course
