Aim and Scope

This project is intended to record all the early pioneers and gold prospectors connected to Pilgrim's Rest who are on our Geni tree. Several South African families have their roots in Pilgrim's Rest, as a result of the gold rush in the late 1800's, which attracted prospectors from far and wide.

"I doubt that a more cosmopolitan assembly of people, sharing such diverse skills and talents, encompassing such a broad spectrum of human strengths and weaknesses, emotions and wills has ever been assembled in such a remote and beautiful setting as the Pilgrims Rest gold rush." Louis-John Havemann

Pilgrim's Rest, if one regards the entire area from Sabie to Bourke's Luck as a gold field, produced payable gold from 1873 to 1971, ninety-eight years in all. Mining began again in 1998 and interestingly, and a little known fact, gold mining continues today. It served as the launching pad of the South African gold mining industry. It brought to the Transvaal an army of gold-seekers, among whom were skilled prospectors from the Californian and Australian fields.

Brief History

Mining in this region of Mpumalanga dates back many centuries, when unknown miners worked quartz reefs in the area for gold. Proof of these diggings can still be found in this area.

Gold was found in the upper reaches of the Blyde River on the farm named Ponieskrantz in September 1873 by Alec “wheelbarrow” Patterson, near what was to become the centre of the Pilgrim's Rest gold mining district (Hall, 1910).
He had left the Mac-Mac area to search for a place that was less congested.

Though the discovery was kept as a secret, the inevitable happened when a second prospector William Trafford also discovered gold close by.

Alec Patterson and William Trafford registered their claims at the Mac Mac office of the gold commissioner, Major W Macdonald and on September 22, 1873 Pilgrim’s Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field.

Word spread like wildfire and within a few weeks more than 200 diggers were spread out all over the stream. What they had found in this beautiful valley drew optimistic gold panners and prospectors from all over the country and the World.

The diggers called it Pilgrim's Rest because here, at last, after so many false trails and faded dreams they had truly found their home.

By January 3, 1874, Pilgrim’s Rest was such a hub of activity that MacDonald moved his office from Mac Mac to the town.

Not even a year after being proclaimed gold field, 1500 diggers worked 4000 claims around the streams of Pilgrim's Creek.

The early discoveries were of gold nuggets in alluvium, including the 3.6 kg Nellmapius nugget, the 3.7 kg Lilley nugget and the 6.6 kg Breda nugget (Cartwright, 1961). The alluvial diggings soon gave way to the primary sources of the gold and ore bodies or “reefs” were mined from stratiform gold-quartz-carbonate sulphide veins in dolomitic rocks of an early Proterozoic succession of rocks that came to be termed the Transvaal Supergroup.

By 1875 there were 21 stores, 18 canteens and 3 bakeries.

By 1876 most of the tents were replaced by permanent structures, and many made their "gold" from the various businesses supplying the diggers with necessary provisions. The scattering of tents and rudimentary shacks had grown into a flourishing little village complete with sturdy brick houses, church, shops, canteens, a newspaper and the well-known Royal Hotel.

In due course the alluvial deposits were depleted and the locals turned to forestry.

In 1881 a London financier, David Benjamin obtained the mining rights to Pilgrim’s Rest and in 1895 his company amalgamated with other smaller companies to form the Transvaal Gold Mining Estates (TGME) and underground mining started.

Pilgrim’s Rest was the location of an emergency mint during the Anglo Boer War. This mint struck the famous and extremely rare VeldPond. One of the 'most romantic coins in the world.'

An estimated production of about 200 tons of gold are believed to have been recovered from the Pilgrim's Rest Goldfield making it the third largest gold-producing area in South Africa after the Witwatersrand and Barberton Goldfields (Ward and Wilson, 1998)

After nearly 100 years, gold mining at Pilgrim’s Rest ceased in 1972. In 1974 mining company Barlow Rand sold Pilgrim’s Rest to the Transvaal Provincial Administration to be preserved as a national historic asset. The town’s original architecture remains largely unchanged because of that.

In 1986 the village was declared a national living museum in memory of the early gold rush days of South Africa and is a major South African tourist venue. The residents still number in the hundreds.

In 1994 Pilgrim’s Rest came under the administration of the Mpumalanga department of public works. With the repeal of the National Monuments Act of 1969, by the ANC, Pilgrim’s Rest was downscaled from a national monument to a provincial heritage site. Pilgrim’s Rest had been in the process of applying for World Heritage Status, and the result of this downscaling meant that the process had to be started afresh.

Transvaal Gold Minings Estates, currently part of the listed Simmers and Jack, started gold mining again in 1998.

We invite you to participate in this project and add profiles of people connected to Pilgrims Rest.

How to Participate

• Add the profiles of the diggers and people connected to Pilgrim's Rest to the project. If the person is on Geni please add the link to their profile, and make this a bold entry. If the person is not on Geni add a link to an external source but do not make the link bold. This will help us to see who still needs to be added/found on Geni.

(Please elaborate on these characters if you can; any anecdotes, stories, incidents - all welcome)

The Diggers

• Alex or Alec Patterson "Wheelbarrow Alec" an Australian
• William "Bill" Trafford
• Nolan who discovered "Waterfall Creek Rush"
• Tom McLachlan the son in law of Maria Shires, and one of the greatest of all South African prospectors.
• Sydney or J.L Valentine
• George R Parsons
• William Charles Scully
• Dan the Reefer, a gigantic yellow-bearded Californian, the camp's most celebrated prospector.
• Mr Hoskyth, who was considered the most fortunate miner, he arrived with a small purse and was said to be realising 300l. per week.
• Fred Struben, Brother of Randlord Harry Struben
• ”Big McPherson” a herculean and splendidly handsome Highlander from Skye
• John Cameron, a Highlander also from Skye
• Collins a powerful brute.
• Macaulay was noted as the first who used dynamite in mining operations.
• Michael van Breda, partner of Macaulay. Discovered the 214 oz Breda nugget in 1876.
• Artful Joe a grown up street urchin, an ex-larrikin from Melbourne
• Levy or L the Jew
• Thomas Shires
• Meek
• Billy Davies, whose diggings were described as “Davies Jeweller's Shop” once fled from some hostile natives and hid himself in a cave
• Archie Fraser, an employee of the Lisbon-Berlyn Company, once panned out 41 ounces of nuggets from a single prospecting pan of Leader ore
• Schwiegardt
• George Gray who died of malaria on the path to Lourenco Marques, whilst his mate got drunk on a 10 day binge.
• Donald MacKinnon, one of the pioneer diggers hailing from Australia
• Charley Marshall, Australian who drowned in a "head-race"
• Cairns, Australian
• Crawford, Australian
• Tierney, Australian
• Buckley, Australian
• Joe Sykes, Australian
• Isidore Alexandre, a Frenchman.
• John Mulcahy, a big Irish American. Originally from Tipperary. Later owner of a liquor-shop in a low quarter of Cape Town.
• Friese, Mulcahy's partner
• Bill Smith, the leader of a New Zealander party who chartered a schooner from the Cape to Delgoa Bay
• Cunningham, the New Zealander
• Mr. William Bogis “Bill”, a New Zealander
• Peter, a gigantic Swede.
• McCallum
• Elizabeth Russell Cameron
• Annie Russell
• Alfred "Tucker" Russell
• Harry Russell
• W.A.B Cameron, dug out a nugget of 69 oz also a member of the Volksraad
• Alec Spiers
• Mr. Shires
• Mr. Raubenheimer
• Dr. and Mrs. Scoble of Natal, found on the terrace a nine ounce nugget and three ounces of small gold
• Matthias Mockett "The Bosun", wrote article "Reminiscences of a Pilgrim Pioneer" also aka “Old Pipes”
• John Swan, digger of "Swans race"
• James Simpson
• Bert Lilley
• Samuel Lilley, Early in July 1875 found a nugget "Perserverance Nugget" weighing 119ozs 200dwt
• George Russell, partner of Samuel Lilly
• F.W Wormald
• G.W Boycott
• August Robert "French Bob"
• Ingram James
• Magnus Jefferies
• Yankee Dan, had a reputation all over the Gold Fields for his absolute honesty.
• Roy Spencer, The mistaken robber "Robbers Grave" and fiancé of Cockney Liz
• Walter Scott, who committed suicide for shooting Roy Spencer
• Wolff the Dane, He had been a sailor
• McGrath the Australian, survived a Black Mamba snake bite on his instep.
• Alec Spiers
• German George
• George Alexander Byerley
• Tom Roberts also a missionary
• Bazett Jarvis Blenkins
• Alois Hugo Nellmapius "Count" Nelmapius A qualified civil engineer, he was drawn by the discovery of gold at Pilgrim's Rest in 1873. He soon made his fortune not only digging for gold, but in 1876 he established the first chain of rest stations on the Nellmapius Road, in order to transport goods from Pilgrim's Rest to Delagoa Bay.
• Alberta Rapoza, Nellmapius's partner who was murdered by a Sotho gang in 1876 at Compos Corvo
• May
• Hoskins
• John Osborne, Australian
• John Barrington, who unearthed a 10 lbs nugget, afterwards of Knysna.
• Parley, who with Osborne and Barrington found four large nuggets, collectively weighing 13 Ibs. 10 oz
• Dixon, found 87 oz. in one day and 90 oz. for the week
• Piper, was a member of the Volksraad
• Tremble, an American Filibuster (freebooter)
• James Armstrong, also a member of the Volksraad
• Mr. Chartrell or Chantrell, American
• Boozer
• Texas Dan
• Old Nelly
• Gardiner, the Australian "Gardiner's Point"
• Saulez "the fighter"
• Frere, a relative of Sir Bartle Frere
• Farley
• Mr. Forster
• Mr. Dickson
• Stibbs
• Ross
• Chatterton
• Hodgson
• McKennie
• Holland
• M.J Owen
• John or Charles Hoyer "Bismarck" a German
• Harry Crosser
• McLanigan
• Tucker
• Gus Steibel
• Thompson
• De Beker, a Frenchman died from fever at Waterfall Rush.
• John Purcell
• Billy Dawkins, built the long water race at Spitzkop
• Alick Demster or Dempster, of Scotland, threw his gold into the sea en route to England
• Len Baker, a London dentist "Bakers Bliss"
• St. Leger-Smith “Scotty Smith”
• Ted Sievewright, achieved immortality in "Jock of the Bushveld"
• Jimmie Bryson
• Hon. Guy Dawnay
• Ross
• Charlie Roberts
• Dick Giles
• James Armstrong
• Charlie Durnan "Reefing Charlie"
• Wally the Soldier
• Black Sam
• Bob Buck
• Yorkie from Yorkshire had been a sailor
• American Knox, a tall swarthy man of powerful physique. Originally a sailor
• Spanish Joe, who was actually Italian
• Sir Abe Bailey (1864 - 1940)
• Herbert Rhodes brother of Cecil John Rhodes also a member of the Volksraad and proprietor of the "Spotted Dog"
• Captain Moritz Dietrich father of Elsa
• Blake possibly George, an impoverished digger who used a blanket to wash gold.
• Constance "Nonnie" Somerville formerly Venter nee Vivian, subject of "Valley of the Brutes"
• Arthur "Piper" Somerville, a red headed Highlander from Tobermory
• Gerald Venter, died in Battle of Majuba (according to historical novel "Valley of the Brutes")
• Raymond Boulter, an apprentice engineer
• James Fortune "Nipper", a dental mechanic and a lay preacher
• Alberto Pisani, an Italian seaman, died of influenza
• Amos Drayer, a "Forty Niner" from San Francisco
• Hugh Evans, a seaman
• David or Ramon Allbright, from Bridlington, Yorkshire
• Colquhoun or Connie, Coholney, Cohen, a Scot
• Frenchy
• Californian Wilson
• Arthur Augustus Bryant "Harry the sailor", once captain of "Flying Cloud"
• Iron Pirate
• "Duggie" Whitcombe, chairman of the Diggers Committee
• George Brierly
• Henry Deerborn "Squinty", from Exeter, Devon
• "Gubbie" Brokenshaw
• Edmund William Wright (1824 – 1888) was a London-born Australian architect, engineer and businessman who was Mayor of Adelaide in 1859.
• Charlie Brown
• Darke, after whom "Darke's Gulley" was named
• John and Maud Hancock. John was a confectioner by trade.
• Tony the Portuguese
• Andrija Lazarevic aka Andrew Lizerovitch, from Dalmatia, Croatia, (1837-1877) - buried in Pilgrim's Rest
• Mr. Spinner from Ireland, fought for Boers during ABW
• Jack Dowden, from Sydney
• Harry Walker
• Anthony Heldwell, from Tadcaster, Yorkshire
• Haricot Wells, once an organist at York Cathedral
• Henry Lovedale Bretherton, “Henry the Eighth” became a Randlord
• Herman Marks, later a big storekeeper in Salisbury
• Buller Smid, a very large German
• Jan Engelbrecht, also a local preacher
• Jack Fletcher
• Dave McKay, who married the Schoolteacher Martha Deventer
• Amos Truder, an American who imported an organ
• Seymour, who was credited with finding a new asteroid
• ”The Doctor”
• Patterson, from Glascow
• Tom Martin
• Charles Rupert Lambourn later a well known Kaapsehoop resident
• John O’Leary, subject of a libel case which resulted in the conviction of WJ Phelan on a charge of contempt
• Steere, a young digger from Maritzburg, turned out a five pound nugget which he later denied.
• D.A Costa, in the claim of Dr. Thompson found a nugget of pure gold, weighing 20 ounces 9 pennyweights
• One-Eye Spinner
• Andrew Lizerevic
• William Hosken Was to become the most influential Cornishman in South Africa
• Mark Reed Pascoe, Together with William Hosken walked the 170 miles to Delagoa bay
• Richard Thomas Nicholas James, (1841-) (Reminiscences were published in the Pretoria Chronicle, 27 Aug. 1908, The Sunday Times, 27 Aug, 1911 and in Pretoria Suburban and Premier Mine Advertiser, 5 Nov. 1913)
• Frank L Thornton, a celebrated Rhode Island grain merchant
• Rowland J Atcherley, who wrote “A Trip to Böerland “(1879)
• Mr. Honeyman, found a nugget weighing ten ozs
• John Williams, an experienced Australian digger
• William Grosser, an experienced Australian digger
• Charles Chudleigh,(1854- )From the Isles of Scilly. Arrived in SA in 1875. Later vice president of the JHB Health Committee.
• Colonel Ignatius Philip Ferreira (1840-1921), together with Henry Nourse he established the first postal service in the Pilgrims rest/Barberton area. Later in October 1886 he struck gold on the Witwatersrand and formed the Ferreira Gold Mining Co.
• Sydney Adler, walked from Lourenco Marques to Lydenburg
• William and Henry Adler, both prospected in the area.
• Scorcher Hare
• Alfred Baker
• Rocky Mountain Wilson
• Northern Territory Jack
• Edward Chester
• Charlie Hancock
• Morris, He had a habit of eating his meat raw
• McCorkindale, In 1864 proposed to navigate the Maputa river to the Lebombo Mountains and then establish an ox wagon road
• F.P Mansfield, Australian, possibly the Mr. Mansfield who wrote the letter describing their fever ridden trip from Delgoa Bay
• Mansfield, an American appointed to represent the farm proprietors
• Sankey Kennedy, who almost died of fever on the trail from Delgoa Bay
• Garry
• Brother Bill
• Gilbert
• Tennessee's Partner
• Dungaree Jack
• Jaybird Charlie
• R.T.M James, known as "Trotting Jimmy"
• H.C Robbins
• Steeve Lowin, who found a silver Portuguese coin
• Durnin, Lowin’s partner
• Willey & Mitchell
• Lewin & Marshall
• Kneebone & Son
• Kinleyside
• Mr. Westly, discovered the Pigeon or Westly Reef
• Mr Botts, Bott's Reef.
• Frederick Joseph Leadley and family. They also owned the Leadley hotel that is now a museum, also ran a shop in the town. Many of the Leadley family are buried in the Pilgrims Rest cemetery.
• Francis Oats (b 1848 Cornwall, d 1918 Port Elizabeth). He was a mining engineer, prospector and diamond industry leader.
• Edward Button
• William Harper who assaulted a Shangaan, a Mačea Madonga in 1874; Madonga was seriously injured and Harper was banished from the goldfields.

The Preachers

• Reverend Blencowe, Wesleyan minister. Came in a travelling wagon with his wife, 1874-6
• Reverend G.B, whose Church of England church stood in the lower left-hand corner of the Market Square.
• Reverend Alec Bird, Church of England
• Reverend St. Charles Frederick Cawkhill Barker, set up a school and Anglican church in a tent, and later in a shack
• Reverend Frank Dowling a well know Pilgrim's Rest missionary/minister
• Reverend Maurice Ponsonby
• Reverend H.J Norris, whose son was born 6 Dec 1910
• Reverend Gerald Herring, wrote in 1928: The Pilgrim Diggers of the'70s a short history of Pilgrim's Rest
• Reverend J Good, Methodist appointed in 1910
• Father Andrew Walsh, O.M.L, or O.M.I, an Irish priest came from Natal around 1875 and built the former Transvaal’s earliest Catholic Church Pilgrim's Rest and later at Lydenburg
• Reverend Colin Rae, Wrote Malaboch; Or, Notes from my Diary on the Boer Campaign of 1894

The Officials

• Major J. W Angus MacDonald the Gold Commissioner, elected by the diggers. Late of the United States Army. Later held a railway cartage contract at Uitenhage.
• Dr John Scoble, Gold Commisioner around 1876
• C.F Hoolboom, Gold Commisioner around 1882
• JS Joubert Mine Commissioner The Joubert bridge was officially opened on 5 May 1897 by the mine commissioner, Mr. JS Joubert, after whom it was named.
• W.J.H Barter, born Irish, the Sheriff, Head of police before the ABW
• Joseph Rodley, from Sheffield England. A policeman after the ABW
• Constable "Ginger" de Beer
• H.P Valintine, Claims inspector who owned the first motor vehicle, a Model T Ford that managed to get to the top of Pilgrim's Hill on its own power.
• P.J.M Munro, Claims inspector
• George Alfred Robertson, Assistant Claims inspector since 1897
• James E Glinister, the Public Prosecutor
• J.J Esterhuyzen, Game Warden appointed -1898
• Fraser, the Market Master
• C Theo Rabie, A lawyer, Chairman of the Krygsraad for the Pilgrim’s Rest ward (Lydenburg commando)
• J.L Gillett, Pilgrims Rest Mines and Claimholders Association secretary
• J.E Anderson, Chairman of the Pilgrims Rest and District Mines and Claimholders Association
• E Burnham, Burnham Syndicate.
• Edoardo "Benny" Beretta In the 1950's Benny Beretta, chairman of the finance committee, and Mayor.

The Publicans

• George Roy, who built the Royal Hotel. Proprietor from 1894 - 1898
• Honest John McIntyre - Owner of the Royal Hotel
• J.L Guest, a later owner of the Royal Hotel
• Josip Stipeč from Novi Vinodolski on the the Croatian Littoral was the proprietor of the famous Pilgrims Rest Royal Hotel during the 1950's, his descendants appear to have settled in Louis Trichardt ( Limpopo province).
• Maurice Cohen, a hotel owner
• William Pomphrey Simms “Boomer”, a Publican “The Herr”
• David Austin, hotel proprietor, husband of Maria Espach
• Tom Craddock’s Bar
• Wilhelm Ferdinand Stein, (1854-1939) proprietor of The European Hotel
• Jimmy Stopforth, and his partner Bill Bowman ran an eating house.
• Yorkie, had a large tent bar in the early days called “Our House”
• Mc Cann’s “The Half Way House”
• Stent’s “Cathedral”
• Ye Digger’s Bar
• Byerley “Spitzkop Hotel” Which was only a tent
• Mary Gracie who owned a hotel in Pilgrim’s Rest between 1874 and 1877

The Shopkeepers

• Johannes Hendrik de Beer nicknamed "Maboompie" Owner of the Butchery and Bakery. He also built a number of houses. Also owned the Desire Mine.
• Mr P Hartman, Caretaker for JH de Beer during ABW
• Menzies, the Chemist
• Benci, Store owner
• C.H Chaitow, was the hairdresser, tobacconist shop and the agent for Central News Agency
• Butcher and sons, Store
• A.G Andrews and co. Store
• L van Wyk, Store owner
• J.D Glinster, Store owner
• Mr Fouche, Store owner
• Tom Simpson, the butcher
• Mr Schurink, General dealer shop and mill owner
• Ted Beelby, a Cockney from Balham, the grocer
• Kuculo, Miho and Kuculo, Julius - brothers from Žuljana, Pelješac established a store Kuzzulo's Emporium in Pilgrims Rest in 1904 , and are buried in Pilgrims Rest. When Julius died in the 1920s his death certificate described him as a "store and gold mine owner".
• Lopin, Petar from Žuljana, Pelješac was also a store owner in Pilgrims Rest (as well as being a cousin of Miho and Julius)
• Paul P Ahlers, had the Central Garage erected on the present site in 1924. It was a Chevrolet Motor agency from 1924 to 1946
• Mr. Landman, Ahlers son-in-law, bought the Central Garage in 1946.
• S.W and J.P.D Burger, In 1953 they bought the Central Garage.
• Mr. J.H Alcock, The original Alcock’s store is now restored as a Saloon Bar and Restaurant.
• Giuseppe Beretta, Store owner at Desire mine
• [Robert Charlton], General Dealer in Pilgrim's Rest just before the Boer War, before becoming a forest ranger on the Driekop plantation but still based in PR. Laid a foundation stone of the Pilgrim's Rest Methodist church on Oct 14 1911. Died in or near PR and is buried in Pilgrim's Rest cemetery

Jewish Community

• Isaac Aronowitz
• Chaim and Bertha Chaitow, News Agent and Tobacconist
• Barnet and Doba Dredzen, General Store
• Lazer and Lily Dredzen, General Store
• Leon and Tania Feldman, Watchmaker
• Lewis brothers, the
• Meyer and Ray Lewis, General Store
• Israel Meyers, Store
• Itzik and Rachel Meyers, Store
• Mersh Miller
• Jack and Lily Steckoll, Pharmacy

Other Notable Characters

• J.B Taylor, was one of the Randlords
• H.W “Harry” Struben, the Rand pioneer who once owned Ponieskrantz and Driekop, also drafted the “Transvaal Gold Law”.
• Edward Button, who formed the Transvaal Gold Mining Company, the 1st in South Africa
• David Benjamin, (Pilgrim's Rest concession) 10 November 1881, a London financier and founder of Transvaal Gold Mining Estates (TGME)
• H. Gwynne Owen (Waterfall concession) 6 January 1882 also owned Lisbon and Berlyn farms
• McHattie and King (Elandsdrift and Hendriksdal concessions) 30 March 1882
• J. Franck (Spitzkop concession) 3 July 1882
• A. Hollard (Graskop concession) 31 July 1882
• Richard Alan Barry, Manager of Transvaal Gold Mining Enterprises
• Edward Simpson, Secretary of the Pilgrims Rest Goldfields Company/ manager of The Gold Fields Exploration Company
• Tommy Dennison, "The Highwayman"
• William Napier son of William John Napier, 9th Lord Napier of Merchiston
• William Leathern, Wild Bill Leathern (the first transport service)
• Dr. Pearce, together with Bill Leathern were contracted to ran a passenger cart
• Mrs Isabella Cornelia Joubert, formerly de Beer nee Muller related to Schalk Burger (vice president)
• Mrs Maria Austin nee Espach, the ward of Tom McLachan received a Burgers Cross for nursing the wounded of the Sekukuni war and for nursing the diggers.
• Ann Maria (Emma) Shires (Mrs Tom McLachan), received a Burgers Cross for nursing the diggers at Mac Mac
• John Ashton, Surgeon, Dentist and Tentmaker.
• Elizabeth Burgess or Elizabeth Jane Webster, aka "Cockney Liz"
• MacKenzie, the Postmaster
• Mr. Mansfield, the Postmaster
• Miss Jessop, together with Elizabeth Russell founded the Hospital Tent
• J.E Anderson, published four short articles on the gold fields of Mpumalanga in the Mines and Claimholders Quarterly
• Henry Niven Scott, lived in Pilgrims Rest for over 50 years
• Maud Mary Lilley (Purcell) 1st child born at Pilgrim's Rest
• Elsa Smithers nee Dietrich author of "March Hare"
• William James “W.J” Phelan (born c.1847) Married 7 Jan. 1871, PMB, Elizabeth Goulden daughter of A.M. Goulden. A journalist and edited the Gold Fields Mercury at Pilgrim’s Rest at the time of annexation in 1877. Later was editor of Natal Advertiser (1881) and Times of Natal (1885 – 6) He died in 1887
• A.A Menkin, Editor of Pilgrim's rest goldfields. Mines and claimholders' quarterly
• Andrew Scrymgeour, Editor of Pilgrim's rest goldfields. Mines and claimholders' quarterly
• T.W.S Craig, the editor of the local newspaper, the Pilgrim's and Sabie News.
• A.W Frost, the 2nd editor of the Pilgrim's and Sabie News.
• John JJ McNally the owner of the Pilgrim's and Sabie News. He took over the newspaper in 1919
• Miss Alice? McNally (Teacher) was the daughter of the owner of the "Pilgrim's and Sabie News"
• James Rous, the first Editor and proprietor of the "Volkstem"
• Mr. Harry Coles, a teacher
• Mrs. Patterson, a teacher
• W Compton, an interpreter
• George Bates, an interpreter
• Fabayne, a university man and a scholar, who was well-connected, his father was a Church dignitary. but he lived in a cave.
• Henry Thomas Glynn (known among his friends as H.T.) author of "Game and Gold" founder of Sabie
• I.W Watts, who with H.T Glynn built a church near the present Hendriksdal
• Anna Engelbrecht, a herbalist
• Johannes Muller, the hunter
• Galetti, an Italian engineer who built the Joubert Bridge in 1896.
• Dr. W Secombe, for whom the typical house (now the Victorian House Museum) was erected in 1913
• Mr. Blaine, a lawyer by whom Secombe’s house was occupied by in the 1930s.
• Dr. Graham with D.R Wilson, (from America), measured distances from Pilgrim's Rest to Delagoa Bay
• W.P Griffiths, Wrote Pilgrims Rest goldfields and mining methods
• Gustave Edgar Busch, Mining Engineer, 1909
• William Henry Cusworth, New Lisbon Berlyn, Construction Works Foreman, 1909
• Charles, A. Hunter, New Lisbon Berlyn, Ltd. Metallurgical Chemis, 1899
• William Thomas Jones, Mine Overseer, 1909
• A.B McCormick, Cyanider, 1898
• Ewald Vos Scholtz, Mining Student,1909
• J.C Mance, wrote “on Pilgrims Rest Gold Fields...
• Werthman, the 1st consulting engineer, responsible for building the Central Reduction Works
• Dr. Atcherley
• Dr. Whitley Stokes, M.D. London, 1892
• In Search of a Better Life (A story of Croatian Settlers in Southern Africa, 1981) makes mention of Andrew Lazarevic a successful gold digger, who died in 1877 in Pilgrims Rest, as well as Antun Dabovic, Ante Dondovic, Julius Kuculo, Petar Lopin and Miho Ivan Kuculo. From his gravestone, it is evident that Miho Kuculo was survived by at least three children, a daughter Danica and two sons Zvonomir and Vladislav.
• Mr. Mulligan, In 1875 he applied for permission to open a school.
• Basket, a black labourer, who is known to have worked for Elizabeth Russell
• Schilling, a black labourer, also worked for Elizabeth Russell
• Harry Gumpold, (1852 - )Trader and Explosives Expert
• Richard Thomas Nicholas James, (1841- ) Wrote his 'Reminiscences' on the establishment of the gold fields at Lydenburg and Pilgrims Rest and the Sekukuni uprising
• John M Stuart, mining engineer
• John Webster, mining engineer
• Mr. Hamilton, mining engineer
• Mr.Penning, mining engineer
• Neil McIntyre
• Captain van Delden of ship-salvage fame
• Dr. Leopold Reinecke, and W. G. A Stein, wrote “Ore bodies of the Pilgrims Rest goldfield” 1929.
• Dennis Edward and Co., wrote “The goldfields of South Africa” 1890.
• Mr F. P Goold, spent 28 years at Lisbon-Berlyn. died in 1956, left his claim holdings to Mr. G. A Marshall

The Farmers

• Johan Coenraad Marnewick(1856-1935)
• Jacoba Barendina van Gass (1862-1940)
• Philippina Wilhelmina Marnewick(1855-1922)
• Anton Preiss
• Frederick Charles Snell

The Anglo Boer War VeldPond Team

• Andries Gustav Erlank Pienaar, VeldKornet and Mint Commission Chairman, Head of the Field Mint
• Philip Carl Minnaar, was Mint Commission Secretary. He was the acting magistrate of Pilgrims Rest.
• William (Willy) Joseph Henry Barter, (1867- ) was Mint Commission Treasurer, member of the Irish Brigade, and compatriot of Cooney
• Johannes Stephanus Joubert, Mint Commission additional member, Mine Commissioner.
• G.E Waldeck, Project leader and official in charge of the Field Hospital
• Philippus Johannes Kloppers, Designer and also the Headmaster at Kaapsehoop primary school
• Michael Joseph Cooney, Essayer
• William George Reid, Blacksmith/Mechanic
• Dick/Dirk Graham, Gold Smelter
• Alexander Marshall
• General Muller
• Fritz Rothmann, helped scrape the plates to recover the gold

The Anglo Boer War State Press in the Field Team

• Philippus Johannes Kloppers, Designer
• Phillip C Minnaar, acting Magistrate
• William Joseph Henry Barter Military Commisioner
• Mr. Gyzelman, who worked for the government printer before the war
• Mr. Jacobs
• Mr. Hendriks

The Anglo Boer War Telephone Unit

• Philip “Koot” Pienaar, In charge of office
• Izak Joubert of Sabie
• J Barter before the war had been the local policeman
• P Minnaar
• Hamman
• Willie Byrne

The Anglo Boer War hospital staff

• Mr G.E Waldeck chief of staff
• Dr. A.M Neethling who had a private practise from 1898
• Dr. Fisher in charge of ambulance corps
• G.A Robertson helped ambulance staff from March 1902
• Dr. Manning of the Russian Ambulance

The Anglo Boer War Commando members

• J.H de Beer, Field Cornet, joined Lydenburg Commando
• G.A Robertson (Lydenburg Commando)
• Petit, a Frenchman (Johannesburg Commando)
• Berg, who was Danish (Johannesburg Commando)
• Kroeger, A German (Johannesburg Commando)
• Altmaar, Dutch (Johannesburg Commando)
• Swarenstein, Dutch (Johannesburg Commando)
• Donovan brothers, English (Johannesburg Commando)
• Tommy Stringer (Johannesburg Commando)
• Lt. J Mellema (Lydenburg Commando) and later joined Genl. Viljoen

The Anglo Boer War Internees

• Ernest Hendrik Gabriel Bauling
• Jan Borghorn
• Arthur Davies
• Charles Edward Heckett Marsh
• Hendrina Wilhelmina Meyer
• Jacobus Diedlof Meyer (Dietloph Jacobus)
• Johannes Hendrik Meyer
• Jozua Meyer (Josiah)
• Kyla Magdalena Meyer
• Charles Alexander Vincent Morsh
• William Morsh
• Bessie Gladdys Morsh
• Blanche Emilie Mabel Morsh
• Emilie Maria Mary Morsh
• Florence Emilie Morsh
• Florie Morsh
• Laurince Caufiela Morsh
• Mary Martha Davis Morsh
• Herman Pieterson
• Gustav Otto Schenkel (Mrs)
• Henry William Spinner
• Brechtje Maria Stander
• Hendrik Christoffel Stander
• Wilhelm Ferdinand Philip Alexander Steyn
• Karel Gustaf Wolf
• Frederik August Wolf
• Wilhelmina Christina Wolf

The Anglo Boer War POWs

• Baghorn Jan, age 36
• Davies Arthur, age 38
• Marsh Charles Alexander Vincent, age 45
• Marsh William, age 22
• Muth Auke, age 39
• Paskin Henry William, age 40
• Richter David John de Villiers, age 45
• Stein Wilhelm Ferdinand Philip Alexander, age 46
• Woolf Karl Gustav, age 43
• Malherbe Willem Stefanus, age 39, sent to St. Helena
• Macdonald Martinus Johannes Francois, age 45, sent to India
• Winterbach Johannes Petrus, age 46, sent to Bermuda
• Schankel Gothelf Frandott, age 48
• Wagner Arnoldus Johannes, age 18

Pilgrim's Rest Mine Archive

These are the names in the file indexes. Thanks to Tessa King on RootsWeb

• Charles Arthur Lloyd m Adriana Maria Cornelius. Father: William Walter Lloyd.
• Crisp Alfred Brinton Arnold.
• Edmund Alexander Whitfield m Esther Sheanna Macdonald. Parents: Edmund Ernest & Jessie Helen Whitfield.
• Francis Cecil Wood marriage certificate to Maud Desmoulins and birth certificate of their daughter Kathleen Marjery.
• Frederick Hugh DAMANT m Louise du TOIT.
• George BANCROFT m Isolina Grocianni.
• H.N Scott (Newspaper photograph).
• Joseph Leitch Martin
• Mary Elizabeth BAILEY nee CORMACK - quite a bit on the family with names and dates.
• Thomas Stirton (family tree)
• Tommy Dennison - The Highwayman
• D.C Diespecker
• Beretta Familie
• Jacob de Clerq
• J.H de Beer Obituary
• May Diering
• Bourke of Bourke's Luck - Bernard Thomas
• Beretta Paspoort
• Hamilton Barry
• Earl of Barrymore
• Sir Jacob Dirk Barry
• The Barry Family of Grahamstown
• Barry Family - References to
• Richard Alan Barry
• Gordon Barry
• Margery Barry
• Barry Family Tree
• Blenkins Family and Reminiscences of Georgina Lister
• R.A Barry - Record of Employer
• R.A Barry Death Notice (probably newspaper article)
• Edwin Blacklow
• Bazett Blenkins
• H.R Botha
• Mrs Bancroft's 100th Birthday
• Lena Bruyns
• Visit of Earl of Athlone
• Claud Coghill
• R.V.M Barry falls to his death
• C Coghill & T Dennison
• Chapman family and house
• Tommy Dennison
• Petrus de Klerk and Maud nee Price
• Diedzar Family
• Rudolph Diespecker
• D Aulsebrook & family
• L.D Breyentenbach Baptism certificate
• D.J Muller & F Dietrick
• Charlie Brown
• Brief van Diespecker 1937-1942
• Meg Blane Obituary
• Peter de Klerk
• Henry Frank Dowling
• Robert Edgar John Dyke-Poynter
• Barghoorn broers begrawe in Pilgrim's Rest
• Barbara Hill relives the history of PR
• Henry Thomas Glyn
• Sir Percy Fitzpatrick
• Barbara Hill going to the bioscope
• Barbara Hill on medicines and remedies
• Rudford Vernon Peter Fullard
• Mrs Maude Graham (letter)
• Mrs Maya Parsons (letter)
• Mrs Vyveen Ada Russel (letter)
• Thomas Hart se graf (grave)
• Griffiths family also Fraser
• E.B Gleaser - Forestry Pioneer
• A.R.C Flowler - interview
• Hugh Exton's Life History
• Earls Family Chronicles - Thomas Earl
• Basil Guest obituary
• Eston - boy drowned
• Mrs D.J Kiezer nee Diespecker
• Jubie Kock
• Christiaan Johannes Jacobus Joubert
• Jewish Community of PR
• Italian Community of PR
• Mr. MC Kienader - death
• Alf W Johnson
• Every grave has a story
• Memoirs of Mrs Kelly, wife of Sydney Kelly (1933-1942)
• P.J Kloppers
• F.A.A Kerl
• C.W.A Jones (funeral leaflet)
• Lilley Family, also J Schultz and McFarlane
• Lilley Stamboom soos verskaf deur Mev B Spencer Feb 1997
• King's water race
• T.A Mursalo
• Lambourn
• John Khumalo
• C.J Hoolboom
• Terence John McCaw (1913-1978)
• Markus: The last of the diggers
• Eddie Maluka (1902-1989)
• McEwan
• Alice McNally
• Honest John McIntyre - Geslagsboom (family tree)
• Nellmapius
• Elsie Packman
• Richard James Pascoe
• Thomas Flemming McLachlan
• W.M Prinsloo
• M Owen
• Around the Kitchen Table
• Gouddorp or Spookdorp
• Brige ontvang Mnr. E Evans
• Adv. Oswald Pirow
• Capt. W MacDonald
• B Maller
• Death Notice William Napier x 2
• Milnerton Ford
• J.M Owens Blasting Certificate
• Sheila Margaret MacFarlane
• Jim Mashego
• Phelan Familie photo
• Traffords of Swythamley
• Danie Theron
• R.A Steenkamp
• Maria Shires
• William Charles Scully
• Goldie Stevens
• Dr. Pieter Spaarwater - doodsberig
• Elizabeth Russel
• Rabbich
• George Alfred Robertson
• Stecholl or Steckhall
• My skoolhou jare
• Strauss - last of the pilgrims
• J.H Schoeman
• G.A Robertson
• P Sim
• E Trafford
• Saga of Ikey Sonnenberg
• Jack Steckoll
• War Graves: Pascoe and Fullard
• James Stopforth
• Mr Gunnar Utterstrom
• Mr Herbert Rhodes
• W.C Scully
• William Sloan
• Theron married to A.G Griffiths
• Turner & Beatty
• Stirton Family tree
• William Russel letter
• Shipham family
• St. Leger, Denny & Ryder families
• I.C Stein interview
• B Williams letters to W G Edwards
• Dr. G Winckler
• Williamson Family
• Gen. Ben Viljoen
• N.R Winn
• E Williams
• Constance Vivian
• Vogil enquiry
• F.C Wood
• A.N.C Vogel
• Marie Venter - Granny turns 94
• T.W van Beuge
• Henry Ward grave in Cornwall

Methodist Parish Records for Pilgrim's Rest (pre 1900)

• Fanny Lucy Currie Parents: William Henry and Mary Emily Born: 3/6/1895 Baptized: 4/14/1895
• Hugh Bannink Willson Parents: Ralph Herbert and Clara Maria Born: 1/8/1892 Baptized: 5/25/1895
• Berendina Sarah Willson Parents: Ralph Herbert and Clara Maria Born: 1/28/1895 Baptized: 5/25/2895
• Ann Matilda Macnicol Parents: Angus and Harriet Hannah Elizabeth Born: 12/12/1894 Baptized: 6/9/1895
• John Wesley Frost Stevens Parents: John Wesley Frost and Magdalena Petronella Born: 9/22/1895 Baptized: 11/24/1895
• Alfred Henry Swan Parents: William and Carolina Eliza Born: 8/29/1895 Baptized: 12/21/1895
• Mary Nash Frost van Lelyveld Parents: Philip Frost and Alice Maria Born: 2/11/1896 Baptized: 4/12/1896
• Joshua Meyer Parents: Dietloph Jacobus and Hendrina Wilhelmina Born: 4/4/1895 Baptized: 4/26/1896
• Ruby Daisy Walkinshaw FROST Parents: Cornelius and Martha Katrina Born: 6/7/1896 Baptized: 7/12/1896
• Alexander David Dodds Parents: Alexander and Elizabeth Crolan Born: 8/5/1894 Baptized: 9/13/1896
• Mabel Vaughan Parents: William Rhys and Ellen Louisa Born: 11/24/1896 Baptized: 12/13/1896
• Elizabeth Agnes Dodds Parents: Alexander and Elizabeth Crolan Born: 11/16/1896 Baptized: 12/20/1896
• Annie Margaret Umpleby Parents: John William and Sarah Jane Born: 4/16/1896 Baptized: 12/21/1896
• Angus Campbell Macnicol Parents: Angus and Harriet Hannah Elizabeth Born: 4/15/1896 Baptized: 2/7/1897
• Harriet Margaret Parker, Parents: Alfred and Margaret Born: 2/16/1897 Baptized: 3/3/1897
• Valentine August James Gardner Parents: Valentine and Frederica Augusta Born: 12/10/1897 Baptized: 2/14/1898
• Lorna Evaline Smith Parents: Henry William and Catherine Born: 7/17/No Entry Baptized: 11/20/1897
• Anne Ellen Jones Parents: John and Jane Born: 10/11/1897 Baptised: 11/14/1897
• Gerhardt Peter Bouwer? Parents: Peter Erasmus and Maria Magdalena Born: 5/29/189(7?) Baptised: 2/13/1898
• Johanna Hendrina Lessing Parents: Nicolas Christavel and Carolina Elizabeth Born: 11/10/1897 Baptised: 3/13/1898

Other Births

• Louisa Davidson Cason (5 Sept 1875 – 11 Apr 1944)
• Francis Marie Walker (7 Mar 1915 - 1 Nov 1984)
• Frederick William Baker (c1875 -17 Oct 1933)
• Annie Maria Welch (16 Dec 1892 - c 1987)
• Joseph Benjamin Stevens (14 Jan 1943 - 9 Sept 2006)
• Peter Francis Geldenhuys (14 May 1946 - 27 Aug 1991)
• Maurice Gordon Marais Davey (born 26 February 1898), son of Osborne Hugh Cobdon Davey and Issabella Marguritha, née Marais and brother of (Isabel) Edith Davey

Wesleyan Church Records

• Mr. and Mrs. Parker christened their daughter Dorothy Ella Berta on 22 April 1900

Methodist Parish Records: Marriages: 1895-1923

• Walter Kidson To Florence Webb: 9/3/1895
• William Shipham To Rosa Yoxen: 11/14/1896
• John Whitten To Jane West: 1/2/1897
• Ernest Davis Cook To Elizabeth Loureth Maritz: 10/11/1905
• Christopher Mealing To Susan Maria Walker: 12/13/1905
• Dirk Ruiter To Alice Mary Hide: 6/14/1911
• Charles Allen Armstrong To Florence Mary Reston: 8/15/1906
• James Edward Mowtell To Ann Emily Brooks: 4/3/1912
• Frank Charles Boyton To Lilian Maud Billingham: 8/12/1912
• Herold Sharpley To Gladys Riggall: 5/10/1913
• James Lang Duncan To Violet Wagner: 9/2/1913
• Alfred Godfrey Williams To Alida Johanna Wilhelmina Carolina O'neill: 9/11/1913
• Edwin Bowden To Martha Louisa Maritz: 10/8/1913
• Richard William Hide To Catharine Elizabeth Schoeman: 1/4/1915
• Frederick John Spear To Georgina Stanley Miller: 4/11/1916
• Charles Thomas Watt Pittendrigh To Blanche Julia Zeederberg: 9/9/1917
• Douglas Arthur Gurr To Catherina Elizabeth Maritz: 12/3/1917
• Evan Davies To Elizabeth Maud Fosse: 9/7/1918
• James Archer Charlton To Christina Gray Marshall: 8/5/1919
• Norman Roy Mclachlan To Muriel Elizabeth Cathleen Van Wyk: 12/24/1919
• Arie Willem Van Wykto Letticia Violet Malan: 3/17/1921
• Frederick Joseph Moss To Gerbrecht Elizabeth Johanna Vermeulen: 9/5/1921
• Thomas Gordon Broome To Alice Maud Wetherill: 10/24/1921
• Johan Carel Christoffel Stapelberg To Maria Magdalena De Lange: 1/11/1922
• Alric Archibald Wiggill To Enid Florence Schweizer: 5/23/1922
• Andrew Laubser Louw To Jane Wright: 10/2/1922
• Joseph Vincent Leadley To Mabel Ellen Du Prat: 12/25/1922
• Henry Stefanis Engelbrecht To Annie Catharine Vermaak (Nee Strydom): 4/23/1923
• Ronald Thomas Wiggill To Melvina Evelyn Schweizer: 6/6/1923
• Rhys Bridgeman Evans To Johanna Elizabeth Small: 6/12/1923
• Heinrich Karl Theodore Endemann To Margaret Elizabeth Cox: 9/7/1923
• Robert Warren Fordyce To Agnes May Evans: 11/26/1923

Pilgrim's Rest, Main cemetery

Of the 320 graves in the cemetery, only 163 are marked with headstones. The oldest grave is that of Bazett Jervis Jenkins, who died on June 12, 1874 when he was crushed on his claim by a large boulder.

The different nationalities of people buried in the cemetery reflects the cosmopolitan character typical to Pilgrim’s Rest. Here lie Englishmen, Swedes, Australians, Welshmen, Afrikaners, Indians, Italians, Germans, Canadians, Tasmanians and Croatians to name but a few. Drowning, suicide, mining accidents, malaria (contracted in the lowveld), alcoholism, murder, snake bites, pneumonia and dysentery (especially among children) took its toll among the inhabitants of the Pilgrim’s Goldfields. The great flood of 1909 claimed the lives of at least 15 people and a large number of inhabitants succumbed to the influenza epidemic of 1918. The Cemetery is the last resting place of some of the remarkable pioneers of the South African gold saga. It remains a testament to those who came from many parts of the world to join the first major gold rush in South Africa.

• Robert A "Bert" Allan. Born 09-02-1890 in Pilgrim's Rest. Died 29-08-1931
• Arthur Archer
• Catherine Archer
• Doreen Archer
• Ida Archer. Died 28-04-1938. Aged 53 years
• Crisp Alfred Brinton Arnold. Died 09-10-1923. Aged 59 years
• Walter Ball. Born 1886. Died 1912 M.B.B.S. London. Husband of Laura Ball, died aged 34 or 94? years
• FJ Bancroft. Born 12-05-1874. Died 22-07-1874
• Feddo Ijeerd Barghoorn Born 03-03-1870 in Groningen, Holland. Died 09-02-1896
• Jan Barghoorn. Born 01-10-1864 in Groningen, Holland. Died 09-10-1911
• Anastatia Barter. Born 1837. Died 1880
• Dori Martha Bates. Born 01-03-1888. Died 19-07-1962
• George Sydney Bates. Born 25-03-1864. Died 27-02-1965
• Willie Bates. Died 27-11-1953. Brother of Mary Bates
• Mary Bates. Died 31-12-1917. Sister of Willie Bates
• Johannes Hendrik de Beer. Born 31-03-1869. Died 17-02-1913 "Maboompi"
• Hektoer Benton. Born 1833. Died 1893
• Beretta Rodoleo
• Blacklow Edwin -1890 Born at Launceston, Tasmania -Died 23-03-1890 This stone has been erected by his universal friends
• Bazett Jarvis Blenkins. Died 12-06-1874. He was crushed by a boulder. Son of William BG Blenkins
• George William Boycott. Died 05-05-1880. Aged 28 years
• Joseph Burrows. Born in England. Died 14-04-1880. Aged 20 or 50 years
• Selina Byerley. Born 12-04-1868. Died 24-04-1878. Daughter of George and Selina Byerley nee Ford, died aged 10 years
• Agnes Theresa Campbell. Born 19-06-1897. Died 06-08-1897 Beloved daughter of William and Hannorah Campbell
• Hanna Cambell. Wife of William Cambell
• William Cambell. Born 19 June (?). Died 08-08-1897. Husband of Hanna Cambell
• Tower Moorcroft Campbell. Born 01-07-1899. Died 05-11-1926
• Charles Chaiton. Died 05-07-1933. Aged 57 years
• Ernest Davis Cook. Born in England. (1864-1915)
• Cormack Harry Ewan (1872-1927)
• George Davies. Died 19-12-1918. Of Tredecar, Monmouthshire, died aged 38 years
• Cyril Washington Davis. Died 29-09-1935. Aged 22 years
• Kenneth Elsdon Davis. Died 12-01-1933
• Morgan Davis. Died 01-11-1918. Aged 47 years
• Glyndwr Winslade Davis. Died 08-10-1935. Aged 34 years. Son of Morgan Davis
• John Charlton Denton
• William Peter Denton Beloved sons 2 years 11 months -
• William Peter Denton. Aged 4 months 11 days
• Adeliade (sic) Dowling. Died 10-10-1884. Died aged 2 years and 11 months
• Evan Edwards. Died 30-12-1941. Aged 57 or 67 years. Husband of Mary Sarah Edwards Born in Llwyngroes, Cardiganshire South Wales.
• Mary Sarah Edwards. Born in Llangeitho, Cardiganshire, Wales. Died 29-03-1921. Aged 35 years. Wife of Evan Edwards
• Jessie Farndon. Born in Redvasgris? Bedworth, Warwickshire, England. Died 17-06-1890. Aged 21 years
• Fredrika Augusta Gardner. Died 28-07-1938. Aged 63 years
• John Faulkes Gardner
• Lidia Marion Gardner. Died 08-08-1930. Aged 26 years. Wife of Doglas (sic) Gardner
• Valentine Orien Gardner. Born 07-02-1901. Died 16-01-1923
• Charlie Gibson. Son of Frederick and Maud Gibson -1892 Son of Frederick & Maud Gibson, died aged 1 year, 11 months and 19 days
• Frances Ethel Gibson. Died 11-02-1915 or 1918. Aged 6 years. Daughter of Walter and Ethel Gibson
• Idris Giles. Born in Tonyrefail, Glanmorgan, Wales. Died 02-11-1918. Aged 38 or 39 years
• Frances Peale Glinister. Died 07-02-1878. Aged 46 years. Wife of James E Glinister
• James E Glinister. -1878 Died aged 46 years
• Adrian Greaver. Aged 71 years
• John Henry Greaver. Aged 61 years
• Winston Price Griffiths. Son of W.P. & M.M. GRIFFITHS, died aged 2 years
• John Hammerberg. Born in Sweden. Died 14-08-1892
• J Hancock. Died 20-12-1925 Born at Carmarthen, Wales
• Robina Harper. Born 1871. Died 1876
• Charles Lucas Henegan. Died 18-09-1915. Aged 48 years
• Sidney Herbert. Died 06-06-1908. Aged 39 years
• Israel Hitchens. Died 08-03-1876. Aged 35 years, Accidentally killed at Spitzkop
• Sidney Sheppard Hutton. Born in Cape Town. Died 18-04-1920
• Huzzelo Jurvis - 1915
• Edward Jones. Born in Carnarvon, North Wales. Died 11-11-1921. Aged 53 years :: Powell Arlene Cathryn 1956-1986
• Grace Roberts Jones. Died 09-11-1950. Aged 70 years
• Henry Ceredic "Boysie" Jones. Born 1915. Died 1959, Roberts -1959 & Ria Jones -1997
• Morjudd Ilir Jones. Died 24-05-1912. Aged 2 years and 6 months. Daughter of W and E or H Jones, Brown's Hill
• William Thomas Jones. Died 15-03-1951. Aged 82 years & Grace Roberts -1950 Died aged 70 years
• Johanna Magdalena Cornelia Joubert. Born 12-04-1895. Died 09-04-1896. Daughter of J.S and A.E.J.M Joubert
• John Thomas Kelly. Died 26-01-1876. Aged 28 years
• Edward John Kerr. Died 19-04-1919. Aged 38 years
• Eston James Watts Kiernander. Born 11-06-1912. Died 04-11-1922. Only son of Montagu and Lilly Kiernander
• Lilly Kiernander. Died 26-09-1972. Aged 92 years. Wife of Montagu Kiernander
• Montagu Kiernander. Died 11-04-1945. Husband of Lilly Kiernander
• Charles A.N Knox. Born 1867. Died 1913 (1896?) Husband of Bertha A. Knox, died aged 29 years
• Miho Kuculo. Born 1877. Died 18-7-1913. Originally from Zuljana, Peljesac, Croatia
• Juliette Kuzzulo. Died 31-01-1915. Aged 3 years
• Julius Kuzzulo. Born 07-06-1926. Aged 54 years
• E Lawrence. Born 13-05-1862 in Upwell, Norfolk, England. Died 26-06-1904
• W Lawrence. Born 1853 in Norfolk, England. Died 30-07-1925.
• Edward Sidney Leadley. Born 20-11-1887. Died 28-03-1888
• Philip Edward Leadley. Died 20-11-1877. aged 3 years and 11 months
• No Name Lilley. Aged 28 years. Husband of Maud Lilley
• William Herbert Lilley Died 08-04-1903. Son of SI and J Lilley
• Sydney Herbert Long. Born 1864. Died 1903
• Joseph Lord. Died 22-03-1873 (or 1878). Accidentally killed, aged 46 years
• Willie Louw. Born 15-11-1889 in Prince Albert. Died 31-07-1918
• Michael Mann. Died 20-06-1927. Son of Keith and Gladys Mann
• Minnie E Marsh. Died 04-12-1893. Aged 13 months
• Walter Marsh. Died 25-02-1901. Aged 2 years and 8 months
• Bro John McFie. Died 28-08-1878. Aged 58 years
• McLean John -1892 Born in Scotland. This stone has been erected by his personal Friends a record of their universal esteem of his kindness and self denial for others
• Elias Williams Mills. Died 08-11-1895 Died aged 31 years
• John Mills. Died 11-12-1894. Aged 28 years
• John Mitchell. Born 31-10-1838. Died 19-07-1892
• James Harris Morgan 1842-1921 Born at Ross, Herefordshire
• Jane Morgan. Born 25-06-1840. Died 14-01-1931. Wife of James Harris Morgan of London
• John David Morris. Died 18-08-1898. Aged 29 years. Born at Dithim. Duan. Llaharug. Cararroeshire, North Wales.
• William Morris (or Morse). Born 1885. Died 1914 He met his death at the Vaalhoek mine. Aged 29
• William Morse. Died 24-03-1914. Aged 29 years
• Charles Morse. Died 26-08-1904
• John McLean. Born in Scotland. Died 12-07-1892
• George Murray. Born 1854. Died 1897
• Murray Hugh John -190? aged 40 years, died 9 January 190?
• Carlo Nicra (or Nigra) Born 1866. Died 1905 or 1907
• Ann Ellen Owen. Died 01-11-1897 or 1893. Born Carharw....., Wales - aged 36 years. Beloved wife of Ellis Owen
• Owen Baby
• Ellis Owen. Husband of Ann Ellen Owen
• William Michael Owens. Born in Cum y Clo, North Wales. Died 14-02-1921. Aged 43 years
• Alice Annie Packaman. Born 1854. Died 1895
• W Kenneth Packaman. Died 26-02-1936
• Ila Packaman. Died 14-06-1939
• C Packman.
• Daniel Phillip Parker. Born 06-12-1883. Died 05-02-1884
• Florence May Parker. Born 01-05-1868 in Queenstown. Died 15-04-1889
• RJ Leslie Pascoe. Died 02-11-1918. Aged 23 years. Only son of WJ and S Pascoe of Ferreira Deep Ltd. Johannesburg, formerly of Truro, Cornwall
• Hermanus Lambertus Potgieter. Born 02-11-1865. Died 10-03-1922
• Johannes Hendriekes Potgieter. Born 08-04-1898. Died 17-11-1918
• Arlene Cathryn Powell. Born 30-12-1956. Died 08-01-1986. Granddaughter of Edward Jones
• Winston Price
• Dilwyn or Duwyn Victor Rees. Born 1906. Died 1968
• Mary Alice Rees. Died 04-11-1918. Aged 43 years. Wife of David Rees Of Tonyrefail, Glanmorgan Wales.
• Hendry or Henry Roberts. Born 11-01-1875. Died 09-03-1906 of North Wales. Met with a fatal accident at Jubilee Mine, aged 31 years
• Mary Roberts. Born in Cum y Clo. Died 15-08-1912. Aged 42 years. Beloved wife of GJ Roberts. Born Yale, North Wales.
• George Robin. Born in Glasgow, Scotland. Died 10-09-1896. Aged 24 years
• Charles James Roy. Born 02-11-1850 in Greatstanmore or Great Hanmore, England. Died 08-10-1883
• William Anderson Russel. Born 1893. Died 1894
• Fred J Sanders. Died 27-08-1878. Aged 24 years. Shot in a skirmish with Kafirs
• Saul Sampson. The unlucky digger died of starvation
• Scharper R.
• Harry Schenk. Died 07-03-1915. Aged 52 years
• Hendrick Frederick Schroder. Born 14-02-1907. Died 26-09-1907
• Thomas Pringle Scott. Born 19-07-1854 in Queenstown. Died 06-04-1939. Husband of Petronella J Scott.
• Petronella J Scott. Born 1856. Died 02-08-1952. Wife of Thomas Pringle Scott
• Andrew Shields. Born 17-02-1855 in Scotland. Died 28-03-1897
• Stein Wilhelm Ferdinand Philip Alexander 1854-1939
• Stein Jentine Fredericke Elizabeth Amalia 1863-1947
• Stein Elma 1891-1968
• Stein Bronel Raoul 1923-1999
• Arthur Percival Stock. Born 02-10-1891. Died 19-11-1925
• Tim Stock
• Donald Sutherland. Born in Scotland. Died 31-03-1880. Aged 80 years
• Edward Thomas. Born in Llansamier, South Wales. Died 03-06-1955. Aged 38 years. Son of TA Thomas
• Norman Tuffin. Died 08-01-1922. Youngest son of Charles and Annie Tuffin of London, England. Died aged 32 years
• John Bernard Valintine. Son of H.P and C.F Valintine, died aged 2 years
• Dilwyn Victor. Born 07-05-1906. Died 16-04-1968
• Pieter Ernst Viljoen. Born 21-09-1913. Died 23-03-1920
• Walter Viljoen 1971-2004
• Daisy Elizabeth Walker. Born 15-06-1892. Died 05-12-1893. Daughter of Hopson and Margaret Walker
• Theophilus Clifford Watkins. Died 21-07-1893. Aged 2 or 3 years. Son of Walter and Lilly Watkins
• Elias Williams. Died 08-11-1895. Aged 31 years
• Mabel Williams. Born in Abertillery Mon. Died 01-05-1923. Aged 29 years. Wife of Roderick Williams.
• Douglas Wilson. Died 13-05-1912. Son of Martin and Beatrice Wilson
• James Henry Wilson. Died 24-02-1912. Aged 5 months. Son of John and Anna Wilson
• Martin Jones Wilson. Died 09-06-1912. Aged 43 years
• A Wohlgemuth 1921-01-31
• Fanny Charlotte Wiggill, Born Jun 1870 Died 27 Dec 1938
• Colin Hollis Wiggill, Born 1897 Died 13 Jan 1952
• Colin John Wiggill, Born 01 Jul 1867 Died 13 Jan 1952
• Willem August Bekker, Born 26 Jan 1895 Died 19 Jun 1932
• Arthur Ernest Gass, Born 1 Oct 1893 Died 10 Sept 1951
• Mary Mitchell, Born c1872
• William James Welch, Born c 1853 Died 5 Oct 1895
• Edward Henry Walker, Born c 1870

War Memorial and Oak Tree

The monument in Uptown is a memorial for the men of the village who lost their lives in the first and second World Wars. An acorn taken from Delville Wood, was planted beside the monument in 1965.

The great war 1914-1918

• Gall F.
• Froude W.C.
• Heavingham E.
• Hopkins H.H.
• Jones W.A.
• Singer C.
• Smith H.
• Stirton P.W.
• Terry F.

1939-1945

• Ballard H.C.
• Boyes W.F.
• Fullard R.V.P.
• Knoesen J.P.
• Meredith J.F.C.
• Taylor R.
• White D.

Employees of T.G.M.E (Transvaal Gold Mining Enterprises)

• Gardner F. Williams An American mining engineer and author, and the first properly trained mining engineer to be appointed in South Africa. Also manager of the Pilgrim's Rest gold field - 1885
• Mr. Wertheman, the first consulting engineer
• Hugh Hughes, General Manager
• Arthur Leggett Neale, General Manager
• Stefano Aimetti, Manager. In September 1912 he was involved in a cart accident. After which he acquired a motor vehicle. A Hispano-Suiza
• Richard Alan Barry Manager of T.G.M.E
• A.R.C Fowler, General Manager
• W Elsdon Dew, The Engineer who crippled the power stations at start of ABW
• Alex Marshall “Sandy”, a Scotsman. Carpenter and Caretaker during ABW
• C Nigra, Caretaker during ABW
• Adams, Caretaker during ABW
• Mr. Downing, maintenance during ABW
• A Poulson, maintenance during ABW
• Ernest Marcellus Skea Chief Assayer
• Milverton Ford, manager of Vaalhoek
• R.D Spillane, Chief Surveyor
• W Patrick Resident manager of Elandsdrift mine
• W.G.A Stein, metallurgist
• C.G Brink
• J.R Normand, resident manager of the Central mine
• H.R Leadley
• J.V Leadley
• M.J Owens
• Hans de Jager
• W Maritz
• G.M Maritz
• Johan de Beer son of "Maboompie de Beer"
• J.S Fullard
• L.V Knight
• Tommy Dennison, the Highwayman
• J Ramsbottom
• H.C.S Botha
• Frank Greese, well known cricketer
• D.C Diespecker
• Michael Owen
• V.A Frankish
• Andrew Scrymgeour, also acted as editor and chief contributor to Mines and Claimholders Quarterly
• Jozua Bekker
• Jubilee Kok, also later a museum guide
• Raphael Bila, also a labour tenant
• Christian Silikane who survived the Spanish Flu of 1918
• July Sedibe
• Tiger Mashile
• Bob Gardener, estate manager
• Leslie Pascoe, died of influenza in 1918 aged 23
• E Randolf, the driving force at Theta and Brown's Hill
• G Edwards
• R Griffith
• P Sheppard
• A Glinister
• R Longstaff (Bert) from the Jubilee Mine, would ride whistling through the town.
• R.K de Boer
• J.J Meyer
• J. Jones
• J.N Southgate
• W.T Jones, mine captain at Jubilee Mine
• T Barton
• J.N Frank
• M Davies
• Idres Giles
• E Edwards
• G Tudor
• John Giles
• J Williams
• J.C Turner
• J Wagner
• N.R Cheeseman
• J Harris
• W Latimer
• P Vermeulen
• F Walker
• Dai Rees
• RW Jones
• J Craney
• H.D Dewey
• W.J Jones
• D Price
• M Thomas
• G Roberts
• E Jones
• I.M Giles
• H.W Watkins
• A.T Darke, son of Darke of "Darke's Gully"
• Claud Cogill assayer
• Benjamin Lambourn of Kaapsehoop 1910 till 1934
• Robert Sutherland Mine Surveyor/Relief Manager/Consultant - Fate unknown
• Percy Humphrey Ironside, Mechanical Engineer 1902
• Edmund Elphinstone, Assayer 1905
• William Price Griffiths, Sampler 1905
• Arthur Leggett Xeale, General Manager 1908
• David Gemmell, Cyanider 1905
• Frederick George Read, Mill Manager 1909
• Alec Norman Schnuir, born 1924
• Cyril Gordon White, born 1914
• Diderikus "Dirk" Graham Employed in April 1917 until 6 October 1917.

References

• Pilgrim's Rest Town site with a great blog
• Wikipedia Pilgrim's Rest
• Pilgrim's Rest official site
• VeldPond the true facts
• Pilgrim's Rest Main cemetery
• Pilgrim's Rest History and Characters
• The death of a mine the birth of a village
• Who’s who of Pilgrim’s Rest gold rush

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South Africans' Geni Landing Site. WELKOM CUZZINS!
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