John James Centlivres Chase, SV/PROG

John Centlivres Chase

• Born London, England 28.7.1795
• Arrived Algoa Bay on 10.4.1820 on board the Chapman

He settled eventually in the district of Cuylerville, where he started farming. He became an accountant at Cape Civil Service during 1825 and auctioneer of dist Albany.

In Aug 1830 he transferred to Cape Town. Appointed senior official at Dept of Customs, Secretary of the Savings bank of the Cape of Good Hope, as well as Honorary Secretary of the Literary and Scientific Institution. Due to his appointments he became involved in journalistic activities in Cape newspapers in writing of literary, scientific as well as geographic articles during 1830-35. Qualified as notary and became well known on the stock-market.

Returned to Eastern Cape during 1837 and became partner in a business in Port Elizabeth, playing an active and leading role in all civil as well as business affairs of Port Elizabeth. Resident-magistrate of dist Albert, Burgersdorp in 1848 and in 1849 founder of Aliwal North. Became Civil commissioner and Commandant of Uitenhage Volunteer Cavalry until 1863.

After retirement he lived at Cradock Place and also became member for Port Elizabeth of the Cape Legislative Coucil. Author of various political as well as travel articles. Active interest in the geographical exploration of the interior of Southern Africa and by 1830 he had already composed a detailed map of Southern Arica

He died in Cradock 15.12.1876

He was the son of George Chase and Elizabeth Mathilda Centlivres (daughter of John Christian Centlivres and Ann Horton

Married firstly at St Margaret, Lothbury, England 18.6.1818 Arabella Brome ELLIOT who died c. 1830

Married secondly at Port Elizabeth 17.6.1831 Maria Johanna KORSTEN (widow of John Sancroft Damant)

He died c. 1874.

Acknowledgement: SA Biographic Dictionary,Vol I ( PDF pp 254/255 “Genealogical Institute of SA, Stellenbosch, 2011 SAF CD v 6”)