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HISTORY OF THE LAWRENCE FAMILY
History has a fascinating way of unfolding itself.....a wheel within a
wheel connecting and reconnecting
My Great Grandfathers
Thomas Holman Lawrence came to South Africa at the age of 19. Later he
was
appointed by Lord Milner (Sir Alfred Milner) to start and manage the
Milner estates, a settlement for discharged soldiers at the end of the
Anglo Boer War, which then became a town know as White River in the
Mpumalanga province of South Africa.
He was then appointed District Inspector of Land and stood for the
Resident Justice of the Peace in Barberton, was a committee member of
the
Game Protection Society in Barberton, the first chairman of the Lowveld
Farmer's Association, during World War 1 was the Commanding Officer of
the
Nelspruit Division of the Barberton Commando and was an auctioneer and
sworn appraiser.
He owned the first store in Nelspruit
He was great friends with Frank Rhodes, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick - the man
who wrote "Jock of the Bushveld" Hugh Lanion Hall, Col J
Stevenson-Hamilton ( wrote South African Eden), Harry Wolhuter (wrote
"Memories of a Game Ranger"), Sir George Farrow to but name a few of the
great Lowveld pioneers.
His son was named Tom and his daughter Beryl Lawrence
Harry Wolhuter
Robert Macbeth Robertson came to South Africa arriving in Cape Town an
Architect and an artist - a watercolourist
He designed many buildings in South Africa though mostly in Cape Town -
one of the most renowned - the Theology building in Stellenbosch
He had a daughter Flora Macbeth Robertson
Picture of the Lawrence family
My Grandfather
Tom Lawrence my Grandfather married Flora Macbeth Robertson and they
lived
on their Citrus Estate outside of White River
He owned the first store in White River and together with Grandfather
Macbeth Robertson owned the farm Casterbridge on the outskirts of White
River.
They had 2 children Robert (Bobby) and Shirley Lawrence
Harry Wolhuter was my fathers Godfather
My father
Bobby Lawrence as my father was called was born in White River
He farmed with his father on their estate till he met my mother
Millicent
Wilby, then bought his own farm in the Peebles valley on the Legogotu
farm, 78 Ha of bush and hill side over looking the Southern Section of
the
Kruger Park and pursued his love for art.
His personality and life style drew many people from all over the world,
never mind his art, taking him to many places in the world
He loved the bush and wild life and the history of our country as is
seen
in his many beautiful pieces of bronze sculpture.
Through out his life he raised funds for wild life and conservation and
its cause, becoming dear friends with many of its key people in this
country and internationally:
Joy Adamson Mom Dad and I as a little girl
Harry Wolhunter and his family
Hilda and Jamie Stevenson-Hamilton
Joy Adamson became dear friends of my parents and their correspondence
continued until Joy died
Dave and John Varty
Enos Mabuza Chief Minister of Kangwane, who he took to Londolozi and
passed
his love for the bush to Enos, who in turn brought President Nelson
Mandela to Londolozi.
Cecily Niven (Cecily FitzPatrick) daughter of Sir Percy FitzPatrick
Desmond Niven Grandson of Sir Percy FitzPatrick
Ian Player, and George Hughes became great friends and my Father raised
funds through his art work for Natal Parks.....but to name a few
My great grandfather on the right
Now on my Mothers side......
In 1902 the Sabi Game reserve was established with Col. James
Stevenson-Hamilton as its first Warden
in 1903 the Shingwedzi Game Reserve was also proclaimed and placed under
the jurisdiction of Stevenson-Hamilton
In 1926 the Kruger Park was proclaimed
In 1931 My Grandfather Arthur Wilby and my Grandmother Barbra moved to
the
Kruger Park, my Grandfather becoming the maintenance man who fixed the
park vehicles, he built and graded new roads, installed the windmills,
built dams and after living in Skukuza until 1936 he asked to be
transfered to Shingwedzi as for him Skukuza was becoming too crowded
and
so my Grandparents spent 14 years of their life in the Kruger National
Park.
My Grandmother was the first white woman to live in Shingwedzi first in
a
tent, and later a house was built for them.
My Grandmother was an incredible horse rider, diver and marksman with a
rifle and an incredible woman to bring up two daughters in the wilds of
the Kruger Park.
As for the wheels within wheels reconnecting
I grew up with the privilege of knowing Hilda Stevenson-Hamilton and the
great grand children of Harry Wolhunter - Kim Wolhunter a wildlife film
producer - Clyde Niven Sir Percy FitzPatrick's great grandson - Clair
Crookenden great granddaughter of Sir George Farrow
I lived in the Kruger National Park, Skukuza for over a year involved in
game capture, I too being very involved in wild life and conservation
I AM PROUD OF MY HERITAGE AND LOOK FORWARD TO TRAVELING WITH YOU -
SHARING
BOTH MY KNOWLEDGE AND THIS COUNTRY THAT I LOVE SO MUCH
Vivienne Lawrence
Cell: +27 82 878 3341
E-Mail:
info@everythingafrica.co.za
Web: www.everythingafrica.co.za
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