

Came from Ballinasloe, Galway, Ireland in the late 1820's. At time of the baptism of his son Thomas James his occupation was sergeant major of the Mounted Rifle corps and they lived in Fort Beaufort. Was awarded compensation for the losses sustained during the war with the kaffir tribes between 1846-7. He lost wagons, oxen etc. Reported in Grahamstown journal 1848 -2 At the time of his daughter Eliza's marriage to Alfred Peacock in 1850, he was quarter master of Her Majesty's Cape Mounted Rifles.
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MICHAEL RORKE (b.9 Mar 1799 d. 2 April 1872). Michael came to South Africa with his 3 brothers as single men on board the ship “Chatham” in 1823. Quartermaster Michael Rorke was a member of the Cape Mounted Riflemen during South Africa's Frontier Wars of 1834 - 1853. He is listed as having been awarded the South Africa 1853 Medal. He married in South Africa - Sarah FORRESTER (b.05 Jan 1809) and they had 12 children. https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland/galway/ballinasloe-galway/message-board/rorke
b3. MICHAEL RORKE (b.9 Mar 1799 d. 2 April 1872) Michael came to South Africa with his brothers as single men in 1823. Quartermaster Michael Rorke was a member of the Cape Mounted Riflemen during South Africa's Frontier Wars of 1834 - 1853. He is listed as having been awarded a South African 1853 Medal. He married in South Africa - Sarah FORRESTER (b.05 Jan 1809), daughter of Richard and Mary Forrester. They had 12 children: Eliza RORKE (b.1825), Catherine RORKE (b.1 May 1833), Richard RORKE (b.3 Nov 1834), John RORKE (b.21 Dec 1836), Sarah Anne RORKE (b.11 Jul 1838), William Benjamin RORKE (b.1841), Matthew Joseph RORKE (b.11 Oct 1843), Catherine Mary RORKE (b.25 Feb 1852), Alfred Glynn RORKE (b.3 Feb 1855), Thomas James RORKE, Lydia Margaret RORKE, Michael Henry RORKE (b.1845). https://www.stamouers.com/stamouers/surnames-r-to-u/769-rorke-james
DN signed by Sarah Rorke, wife of deceased.
http://www.southafricansettlers.com/?p=11511 Last Name: Rorke First Name: Michael Date of Birth: 1800 Place of Birth: Galway, Ireland Parents – Father: Parents – Mother: Name of Spouse: Sarah Marriage Date: Marriage Place: Date of Death: 2 Apr 1872 age 72 Place of Death: Fort England.
Notes: DN 9803/1873. Captain Cape Mounted Rifles. Children:
Eliza m. 1) Peacock 2) Joseph
Thomas James
Richard Forrester
John
William Benjamin
Sarah Ann Blackmore
Lydia Margaret
Marson
William Joseph
MichaelHenry
Debora Ann
Catharine Mary
Glynne Alfred, minor
1799 |
March 9, 1799
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Ballinasloe, Galway, Ireland
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1829 |
August 30, 1829
Age 30
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Grahamstown, Western District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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1832 |
January 6, 1832
Age 32
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Fort Beaufort, Amatole, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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1833 |
May 1, 1833
Age 34
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Fort Beaufort, Amatole, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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1836 |
December 21, 1836
Age 37
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Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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1838 |
July 11, 1838
Age 39
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Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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1841 |
1841
Age 41
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Grahamstown, Western District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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1842 |
November 3, 1842
Age 43
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Fort Beaufort, Amatole, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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1843 |
October 11, 1843
Age 44
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Grahamstown, South Africa
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