Merlyn Madge Davis

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: South Africa, Civil Marriage Records, 1840-1973, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS27-M3CJ-7?cc=2821281 : 18 March 2021), > image 1 of 1; Pietermaritzburg Archives (Formerly Natal State Archives), South Africa.

Written by Penelope (Vincent) Maeder: Merlyn Madge Wood was born to Lex and Annie Wood on the 28th October 1907. Another blue eyed blonde bundle of joy. It seems that Merlyn was determined to be highly ‘individual’ from birth. She always maintained that this was because she was the 7th child and had a mole on her right cheek that she had the ‘second sight’ and could divine things before they happened. Merlyn was a person endowed with many gifts and certainly seemed to have wasted none of them. She really enjoyed her Bashee childhood and all the cousins who also lived there to attend school. Just like her elder sisters she also went to school in Grahamstown. Her education was completed when she attended the College of Music at the University of Cape Town where she obtained both teachers and performers Licentiates.. Merlyn then taught at Rustenburg, now I have never quite worked out whether this was at Rustenburg Girls’ School in Cape Town or in the town of Rustenberg in the Transvaal, now in North West Province. Perhaps it was the latter rather than the former even though at that time her sweetheart, Gerald Davis, was a student in the Engineering Faculty at the University of Cape Town. Merlyn was a bubbly blonde dynamo with a wicked sense of humour who loved to shock her elders with her sometimes outrageous utterances. In spite of this apparently extrovert nature she was also modest and even retiring. For some unknown reason she even seems to have had, in some respects, a poor self-image. Perhaps she was inhibited by her straight-laced and proper upbringing when her natural inclination, being a somewhat precocious child, was to speak first and then possibly only think later of the impact of her words. I remember her recalling one of her earliest outrageous comments. Her father, thoroughly exasperated with her non-conformist behaviour one day exclaimed, “I simply don’t know where you came from!” to which Merlyn promptly replied, “Mother must have had a night out.” I gather she was firmly chastised for this unseemly response but seems neither to have forgotten the occasion nor to have been apologetic for her behaviour. When Pam and I were young teenagers it was Merlyn who told us our first ‘naughty’ joke. Maybe she felt that our parental upbringing was too strict and we needed to be ‘unstarched’. My hazy recollections of this occasion indicate that she had to explain the joke to us pair of innocents and, even then, whether or not we ‘caught’ is extremely unlikely.

When still fairly young Merlyn had met Gerald Nation Davis, of Isiqumeni Trading Station in the Idutywa district and according to her, she and this debonair dark haired, brown eyed young man were instant ‘soul’mates. .They married in Idutywa in 1930/1 with her sister Anne as bridesmaid. Apparently it was upon the death of his father Gerald reluctantly gave up his studies, came home to run Isiqumeni Station for his mother, Elizabeth Nation Davis. This was a large station with a quite a few dwellings so Gerald and Merlyn were able to move into their own home and not live cheek by jowl with his mother. Whilst not as populous as Bashee had been Isiqumeni had it’s fair share of assistants and Gerald’s mother had a companion, Miss Farmer. One huge advantage at Isiqumeni was the relative abundance of water from the stream, literally, at the bottom of the garden. Merlyn & Gerald’s home faced the river and she created the most beautiful terraced garden. So abundant were the flowers that she was able to sell them The river also yielded a harvest of eels from it’s deep dark pools. These were either fried or turned into Gerald’s favourite dish, Jellied Eels. They had three children Idutywa was no great distance away and Gerald and Merlyn became quite involved in the social life of this then vibrant village. They were both excellent golfers with low handicaps and most week-ends were spent chasing a little white ball. They were often joined by other golfing family members, especially on competition days. Shortly after the outbreak of World War 2 Gerald enlisted in the Artillery. Merlyn then virtually became a ‘camp follower’ as she tried to always be near Gerald. It was while Gerald was stationed at Potchefstroom that Dick was run over by a military truck. He was very severly injured with most bones broken and also required extensive plastic surgery to his face (eyes, nose jaw and teeth). Gerald eventually sore service with the 6th Division in North Africa. During his absence Conrad Tessendorf ran Isiqumeni. Just how well this had been done is a debatable point. This break in the normal course of their lives resulted in the decline of their fortunes. Initially they led a hectic social life, with friends down from Johannesburg being given lavish hospitality at the rebuilt Xora cottage and elsewhere. Whether or not it was a consequence of his wartime experiences or a culmination of various other factors, Gerald became an alcoholic. When sober he was as charming as ever but apparently ‘in his cups’ could sometimes become quite threatening and abusive. Their financial viability slowly declined and Merlyn used her ingenuity to keep things afloat. She became a dressmaker, made, grew and produced as much as she could sell, taught and entertained with her music.

Unfortunately no matter how hard she tried she was unable to turn the tide and Gerald and his estate ended up insolvent. Gerald and Merlyn then rented a house in Umtata where Merlyn earned money with her music, playing the ‘cocktail’ hour at the Golf Club, continued with her dressmaking and so forth. Gerald managed to get a job as a Surveyor, no doubt his UCT years now bore fruit. For Dick, now matriculated, he obtained articles in the legal practice of his old friend, Colonel Nesbitt of Engcobo. As Anne and Margaret completed their matrics they were enrolled in Training College’s with bursaries from the Natal Education Department which they had to pay back by teaching in their schools for a specified period, two years I seem to recollect. All three children have prospered and are a credit to their parents ingenuity in ensuring that their education continued regardless of their dire financial situation.. I cannot recollect whether or not Merlyn joined Gerald when his work took him to Matatiele. When the job took them to Butterworth life seemed to ease somewhat. They had managed to keep their cottage at Xora and the family were able to enjoy holidays there and it was also a source of income when not personally occupied. It was whilst living at Butterworth that Gerald died in 1963. His remains were cremated and a plaque in his memory attached to the river facing verandah of their Xora cottage. Merlyn always said his ashes had been scattered nearby but in fact, according to her granddaughter, Diane, she would never sleep in her Gran’s Xora room because the urn containing Gerald’s ashes took pride of place on Merlyn’s dressing table. I never noticed them when I slept there but then maybe it was not a spider that bit me but Gerald pinching my cheek!

Merlyn continued to live there and her son-in-law, Alf Trow of nearby Gwadana, bought a house for her permanent use in Butterworth. I recall that she expanded her income by having lodgers, usually teachers from Butterworth High School where Merlyn was now firmly entrenched as a Music teacher. She also acquired an electronic organ and organised an All girls dance band called the Pink Ladies, I think, or was it the Pink Perils.. With the organ in the back of her station wagon they played at gigs all around the countryside and even in East London. Apart from her school teaching duties she also gave private lessons at home. Merlyn was an exceptional teacher of music whose pupils always acquitted themselves well in examinations and became a credit to the school. In honour of her years at this school the new music room was dedicated to her. Merlyn was always ‘hard of hearing’ but became progressively deafer with age. Eventually she had a hearing aid fitted but was wont to turn it off because she could not abide such a noisy world. Now one would have expected that this would have assisted her teaching but she found it a hindrance. I remember her telling me that she always turned it off during a lesson because then she could not hear the pupils mistakes. I gather that instead she ‘lip read’ their fingers on the keys. In about 1980, or a year or so earlier, Merlyn stayed with me when she visited Cape Town for the specific purpose of seeing a dermatologist about treatment for possible skin cancer. She came down to CT on one of the last mail boats. She had a wonderful trip and must have been very popular with her fellow travellers. Apparently she could not resist trying out the piano and really entertained everyone with her charm and expertise. No doubt she also told some of her raunchy stories, too. She told me that she had spent literally no money on board because everyone stood her cocktails in gratitude for the fun and goodwill she had engendered. This dear lady was a huge contradiction, a gay exhibitionist at the keyboard but almost timid about other things and terrified of being ill, helpless and a burden on anyone. She was always concerned with her looks and the treatment she received initially made her face red and swollen. I had to work hard at keeping her morale boosted and confirming the Dermatologist’s advice that the condition was of a temporary nature and that by the time she returned to teaching in Butterworth she would be completely well and her skin better than ever.

Merlyn was also a gifted artist and most of her work, both commissioned and otherwise, was sold and/or was given as gifts. She always promised me a painting but this somehow never materialised. Anne gave me a pair of her unfinished efforts saying that I should complete them. Her artistic talents have been inherited by both her daughters although one must not forget that her mother-in-law was also an accomplished artist. Getting back to Merlyn being the 7th child with a mole on her left cheek and therefore gifted with ‘second sight’. Now it seems that the Scots, or is it Celts in general, who swear by this phenomenon. Merlyn was often invited to read tea-cups and mostly this was pure fun. However, I shall never forget the day at Xora when we all had morning tea at the Strachan’s cottage. Merlyn obligingly read the tea-cups and I noticed that she became upset upon looking into our hostesses cup but flannelled her way through what had become an ordeal. When we left she walked with me and said, “I could see a terrible happening and one of their sons being killed but I simply could not tell Wynn that.” Just about three months later their son Ralph, was killed when the Harvard he was flying crashed at Richards Bay. My mother always recalled how Merlyn literally prayed her back from the dead. Merlyn was at home and had this very strong feeling that his sister, Rhona, was in dire straits and urgently needed her help. Merlyn got to her as soon as humanly possible and found Rhona had lost her infant in a premature birth and was almost dying with kidney failure and severe eclampsia. One of Merlyn’s nicknames was Mella. I now illustrate this weird ability in a tale written by Merlyn and presume that the little Granny she refers to is her Granny Crossley and Marella is herself: Fact or fiction, you be the judge. “The wind howled, in the distance an Owl hooted and the tiny girl, standing at the bedroom window of an old Trading Station shuddered. Turning, she flung herself on her bed and sobbed, “Dear God” she thought, “will I ever stop seeing things?” But she knew she wouldn’t because her little old Granny had said to her just before she died,”Marella, you will always have the sight as you are a seventh child, so bear with God’s will; who knows, you may one day be forewarned and avert a big tragedy.” Prephetic words, for many years later when Marella was at College in Cape Town, she did just this. It was the day of the great Salt River disaster in 1926. As Marella and her friends rushed into Cape Town Station to catch the fated train Marella turned white, shut her eyes and stood still. When her friends tried to drag her on, she shouted, “No, I’m not going on that train and if you do you’ll all be killed. We’ve got to eat and ice cream and catch the next train. Which they did, thus Marella saved her life and the lives of her six friends.” .. Another of Merlyn’s ‘gifts’ was the ability of her saliva to rid people of warts. A shop-assistant at Tubeni had both hands grossly covered in warts and no matter what he tried they remained. When Merlyn met him and commented on his hands and offered to rid him of his embarrassment he readily agreed. He must have been horrified when Merlyn proceeded to spit all over his hands and then tell him not to wash them until morning. By morning his hands were completely clear. I know that she helped me in the same way with a deep seated planters wart on the ball of my foot. I had tried every one of Dr Scholl’s remedies, cutting, soaking etc to no avail. Just a week after her spit treatment the whole growth left my foot in a long solid tube and was never to return.

After she retired Merlyn moved around quite a bit. She lived in a Granny Flat at Gwadana and various similar accommodations in and around Gonubie. One day burglar entered and she grabbed her revolver from under her pillow and with long corded phone in hand locked herself in the bathroom. This was a traumatic experience for anyone, let along someone in their 80’s. Merlyn then moved in with her sister Natalie and we all wondered whether they would bury the hatchet and stop being jealous of one anothers musical and teaching achievements. We would never know for barely a month later Natalie, then 91 years old, died. Soon after this I had a letter from her dated 29th September, 1991 which serves to illustrate some of their differences: “Well now I have to look for another home. The house (Nat’s) furniture etc. Etc. To Dawn and boys the lot - except all Val’s things, Piano, Stove, washing Machine was Val’s, also her Fridge books and bookshelves. To Barry the Bible of Grandpa Crossley (my Mom’s father) and all my Mother’s silver. I was not even mentioned in the will! Excuse mess. The bond on the house has never been paid and is over R3000, apart for some other high bills. So the house will have to be sold to settle them first. Maureen got all the sheet music etc, and tapes and records etc. Elsie’s went to my Margaret and other dolls to Anne and Rosemary. Dick and I were not mentioned in the will.” Nor for that matter were most of the family mentioned and I have gathered that much of the stuff mentioned had already been given to others during Natalie’s lifetime. : After Natalie’s death she moved to Birmingham House in Oxford Street East London. I quote from her letter to me dated 11th November 1991. “ This place was once an hotel, but has been taken over and is now a Home for old citizens - men and women. Its very well run and the food is good. The rooms very nice. I have a lovely big room with a balcony and am very comfortable. Anne and Arthur fixed everything for me. I have myu own phone in my room. The old ladies here are a charming lot - good company and looking fit. The men are not as fortunate - sporting crutches etc. Standing on the end of the diving board ready to dive off, but whether into the heavens above, or the depths below - who knows?” Merlyn was a generous hostess and excellent cook. Here are two of her most popular recipes: Asparagus and Cheese Savoury Tart: Take 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of Maizena (corn flower) and boil (best to get milk to almost boile then add maizena mixed to a paste). Beat 1 egg and add to boiled milk and Maizena slowly to see it does not curdle. Add salt & pepper then reboil. Remove from stove and add 1 cup grated cheese, 1 hard boiled egg (chopped up) and 1 tin of Asparagus tips (drained) and a tablespoon of chopped parsley. Put mixture into pie crust and bake until brown. Pastry: 1 cup grated cheese, 1 cup flour, 4 oz melted butter (marge) mix together and press into pie plate & bake. Tipsy Tart Mix together 1 cup chopped dates, 1/2 cup Boiling water and 1 tsp Bi-carb In separate bowl mix together: 1 beaten egg, 2 tablespoons of butter, salt to taste 1/2 cup Pecan nuts Add to date mixture with 1 1/4 cups flour then put mixture in pie plate and bake at 350F (180C) until cooked. Remove from oven and pierce all over with knife or fork. Syrup: Boil together until sugar is melted:1 1/2 cups sugar, 3/4 cups water and 1/4 cups brandy. Pour over pierced tart, cover and leave to sweat. Decorate with nuts, cherries & whipped cream.

After her stay at Birmingham House Merlyn moved back to Anne at Fuente da Paz. She regularly flew up to Natal to visit Margaret in Mtubatuba, Zululand and also visited Pam and I in Cape Town. What fun Pam and I had with her at Kirstenbosch where we both sat in amazement as we watched her ladle spoonsful of sugar onto her Apple Tart and accept our donations of cream from our scones. She was definitely another Wood sweet tooth. Her absolute joy at being taken to the Ballet and listening to the orchestra, something seldom experienced in East London. Whilst staying with Anne she suffered a mild stroke and then moved into Frail Care at Huis Esmeralda in East London where she died after suffering either a sudden severe stroke or heart attack in the winter of 1994. The following notice which appeared in the Daily Despatch at the time is indeed fitting tribute to a great lady: DAVIS, Merlyn. It was with sadness and a deep sense of loss that we noted the passing of Merlyn Davis - music teacher extraordinaire. Mrs Davis is remembered with affection as a charming, witty, lovable person - always willing to play along with a tease, with a naughty twinkle in her eye, and a real zest for life. She had a particularly good rappor with the music pupils whom she inspired and who loved her. Whenever they performed, be it at Prizegiving, during concerts or at home with the family around the piano, the Merlyn Davis influence shone through. She contributed much during the more than 22 years she was associated with our school. Our lives are richer because of her. May she rest in peace. Our sympathy is extended to her family. Principal, Staff, Pupils and Past Pupils, Butterworth High School.”. After her funeral at the Anglican Church in Gonubie I was invited to stay at Fuente da Paz and assist Anne and Margaret with the sorting of Merlyn’s possessions. Although saddened we had a wonderful week-end going down memory lane and we all came to the conclusion that although our surnames were Davis and Vincent we felt like Wood’s for it was the Wood associations that were strongest in us all. Thus it was that I took my final farewell of my beloved godmother and the last living member of Lex and Annie's children.