Rupert Dell

"Rupert grew up at 'Pink Valley' with his younger brother Adolphus. He attended Beswick's Boarding School in Queenstown which later became known as Queen's College.

He is described as a quiet, unassuming most observant and very hard working man who looked like his mother. His father bought him the farm 'Broken Slopes' in the north western area of the Cathcart

District when he got married. He was also given 500 sheep,10 cows, wagon with 16 oxen and farm implements. According to his sister the dwelling house on 'Broken Slopes' was also renovated for Rupert and his young wife. Their eldest child, Robert Stephen Dell, was born on this farm on the 14th October 1896. Rupert sold this farm round about 1899. He joined the Cathcart Defence Force during

the Boer War. Rupert later moved northwards to the Molteno District and bought the farms 'Kennelworth' and 'Glenrock' in about 1904. This was a very unhappy time for all as they incurred a lot of bad luck and he eventually sold 'Kennelworth' to his Uncle Walter Miles.

He then sold 'Glenrock' to a Mr. Torr.

These events started them on a Great Trek to New Scotland, an area on the eastern boundary of the Transvaal and Swaziland, in January 1906. He and James Edwards were the leaders. (See note from Pretoria Archives). The route took them through the following

towns: Jamestown, Aliwal North, Rouxville, Wepener, Hobhouse, Ladybrand and then Clocolan. Travelled on to Ficksburg, Bethlehem, Reitz, Frankfort, Robert's Drift, Standerton, Ermelo, Lake Chrissie and finally New Scotland on the 7th March 1906. A journey of approximately 672miles.

They bought the farms 'Mount Denny' and 'Hereford' but lost all their animals to the disease 'Gousiekte'. He and Arthur Webb decided to cut their losses and move to the Highveld. He sold 'Mount Denny' and bought the farm 'Hamelfontein' (later renamed 'Watershed') in Davel about 25 miles from Ermelo. Arthur Webb bought a farm in Bethal. Rupert had an up hill battle with his farm so started a farm for a mill for grinding mielies. He also owned a butcher shop. Rupert then bought the ranch 'Peebles' in 1927. This beautiful land was only 12 miles from White River. It was

fertile, abounded in all types of game,was well-watered by numerous streams and was situated in a mild and pleasant climate. In view of the fact that R. Charles M. Dell was married in 1927, Rupert had a cottage built for Tiny and himself on 'Peebles'. They

planned to retire and enjoy the climate and beautiful views of the Lowveld from their cottage verandah. In 1940 Rupert's son, Robert, sold his farm 'Watershed' after a serious illness and went to the Grahamstown district to look for another farm. He bought 'St. Leonards' which proved to be too small. At this stage Rupert Dell travelled to Grahamstown and he and Robert bought the farm 'Hounslow' of 1820 Settler origin.

Rupert returned to 'Peebles' in the Lowveld, but in 1945 Tiny took ill and died. She was buried in the cemetery in White River. Rupert spent time with both his sons, but the major portion of his life was spent at 'Peebles'. Even as an old man Rupert's wander-lust urged him to travel and see friends and relations in various parts of the country. He persisted in denying himself the luxuries and comforts of a settled home, which he richly deserved and could well afford. It was whilst staying at a small hotel in Berlin, in the Eastern Cape that he had a handsome granit headstone erected on the grave of his

grandmother, Malvina Dell in the village churchyard of Maclean.

Not long after finishing his business in Maclean Rupert took ill. He died in the Frere Hospital, East London and was buried in the Cambridge Cemetery, East London. His hard, but interesting life had come to an end and the lone wolf had gone to rest.

Robert, Rupert's eldest son, inherited 'Hounslow' and Charles inherited 'Peebles'. He left handsom legacies to his grandchildren and some relatives. After his death, Robert Stephen Dell became the eldest Dell descendant of the original 1820 Settler Edward Hunt

Dell senior."

Pretoria Archives TAB TPD 5/56 Ref 96/1914.

In March 1914 it would appear that Rupert was in breach of contract and James Edwards sued him for an amount of Two thousand one hundred and forty four pounds in effect of the farm Mount Dennis. Alternatively Rupert had to pay One thousand and sixty pounds as wages for eight years and ten months and a small amount for trees planted by James Edwards on the farm. At the time Rupert was forming 'Watershed' in the Ermelo District. James Edwards took over the farm 'Mount Dennis' on the 17th May 1905 and farmed the same for a period of two years. He was not paid a salary during this time. When he threatened to leave the farm Rupert promised him a half share as soon as the Land Board transferred the farm to him. This did not happen hence the law suit. James Edwards managed the farm for a period of eight years and ten months without salary in expectation of being given half of the farm. During this time he planted 5,000 gum trees,10 Morgen of blackwattle trees erected a homestead and partially enclosed the farm. He felt that Ten pounds per monthwould be a fair wage. Rupert paid the farm rental for the last 6 years and 8 months. James paid for the first two years. Rupert denied this and eventually a

settlement was reached. Rupert had to pay James Three hundred pounds, James had to reap his present crop and then vacate the farm, hand back a waggon and forty six head of cattle and each to pay their own costs.

• Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Nov 14 2020, 8:48:37 UTC