KIPPEN, George Adam Crooks
Born c.1821, Stirling, Scotland. Died 31 December 1876, Richmond, Natal.
Lieut. in the 45th(First Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot, agent, farmer.
1821.00.00b. in Stirling, son of George and Julia Ann. (MSCE 4/246). His father was a Capt. in the British Royal Navy. (Tomb St M., R.) He had a brother named Horatio who in 1873 was living in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. (BGD 04.03.73)
1842.05.20Commissioned as an Ensign in the 45th Regt. (Hart p.196)
1843.02.25The 45th Regt embarked for the Cape of Good Hope. (Ib.)
1844 earlyIn a petition to the Lt Gov. Kippen stated that he arrived in Natal as a Lieut. in the 45th Regt.(CSO 2252 no.F95)
1844.10.01Commissioned as a Lieut. in the 45th Regt. (Hart p.196)
1846 endA skirmish occurred between the Bhaca and Chief Fodo. A number of Bhaca were killed and hundreds of their cattle seized. (Guy p.103)
1847.01.06Warrants were issued demanding the return of the stolen livestock and the arrest of those guilty of murder and robbery. Theophilus Shepstone, Diplomatic Agent to the Native Tribes of Natal, was to serve the warrants. (Guy p.103). Among the 121 strong force to support Shepstone were 52 rank and file from Fort Napier [situated inPietermaritzburg and the main base of the 45th Regt in Natal]and 25 men from the Port under Lieut. Kippen. (Gordon p.135).
1847.12.31140 men left Fort Napier to begin the erection of a post at Bushman’s River [near Estcourt]. (NW 31.12.47). In a petition to the Lt Gov.Kippen stated that he was employed in the formation of the post. He believed that his presence there was a great check to the depredations of the Bushmen on the surrounding Dutch farmers. On several occasions he had gone in pursuit of [cattle] thieves. (CSO 2252 no.F95)
1848.07.14Bushmen were again active at Bushman’s River, taking 100 head of cattle from Henry Ogle’s* farm Vegtlager.(Wright p.80).There was a delay in reporting the raid to the post and it was not until the evening of the 15th that 14 members of the Cape Mounted Rifles were sent out to Ogle’s farm. (Wright p.80, note 41, Kippen to Gordon [Capt. S.B.], 11.08.48.CSO 5 no. 94)
1848.12.08Extracts from letters about his retirement forwarded to the Secretary to Government at this date – had served nearly six years and wishes to remain in the colony in consequence of impaired health. (CSO 2239 no. B 467 dated 31.08.50)
1849.01.02Applied for the certificate required to retire from service by the sale of his commission for the purpose of becoming a settler. He had intended to proceed to Nova Scotia, then one of the colonies in which officers were allowed the acquisition of land. No answer received. (CSO 14 pt 1, nos. 54 & 55)
1849.07.21Renewedapplication for required certificate. This time the request was addressed to Lieut.Col. E.F. Boys, Commander of the 45th Regt in Natal. In it he says that in May last he had completed 7 years’ service with the Regt. (CSO 2239no. B 467 dated 31.08.50)
1849.00.00In a petition to the Lt Gov. Kippen stated that he had retired by the sale of his commission and settled down as a farmer. (CSO 2252 no. F 95)
1850.05.01Applied again having found that the Cape had been added to the colonies in which officers were allowed the privilege of the acquisition of land. He had served in the 45th Regt for 7yrs and 4mths, upward of 6 years of which were in the Cape.
(CSO 14 pt 1, nos 54 & 55).[Natal was a District of the Cape from Dec. 1842 until 15 July 1856 when it was promulgated a separate colony.]
1850.07.00Late an officer in the 45th Regt, he asked for privileges accorded to officers retiring from the service with the intention of becoming settlers. The Lt Gov., however, did not think his application fell within the terms of the regulations of Aug. 1848. (Ib.)
1851.02.06Living in Maritzburg, he was a signatory to a petition to the Governor.
(NI 06.02.51)
1851.12.02Gave P/A to George [Lancaster] Lawrie*, especially in business with George[Eyre] Robinson* and Herbert Sidney Sage*. Witnesses George Greenaway* and W.G.Iliffe*.(RSC IV /12/13 no.20)
1851.12.29Purchased freehold Bluff Lots nos 10 (30 acres), 13 (30 acres), 17 (31 acres) & 23 (16 acres). Signed for by D.D. Buchanan* 3 Jan. 1852.(SGO III/12/1 p.277)
1852.01.24c.Bought 1000acres on the Illovo River from Herbert Sidney Sage.(CSO2243 no. C 698 dated 11.04.54)
1852.03.16c.Sold a half share in the 1000 acres on the Illovo River to William Platts* (Ib.)
1852.04.00MrKippen, late 45th Regt, lived on land adjoining the Calverley [James Calverley*] family. Was sad to be about to sell his land and return to England.
(Garden papers p.429)
1853.00.00Of Illovo, George Aldrich* worked for him, but Spearman [George Spearman*] was answerable for his wages. After a few weeks Aldrich left him “as things were going wrong”.(AGO Deposition I/4/2 p.389)
1854 c.m. Mary, eldest dau.ofJames Calverley. (SO’BS)
1854.02.28Purchased freehold Bluff Lots (32 acres). Signed for by Collier [Edward Collier*] 9 Nov. 1854. (SGO III/12/1 p.278.)
1854. 06.23Purchased freehold Bluff Lots (20 acres). Signed for by J. Russom* 23 June 1854. (Ib.)
1854.11.13Purchased freehold Bluff Lot no. 17 (42 acres). Deeds sent by post 14 Nov. 1854.(Ib.)
1855.05 16Son George Thornton Grant b. (R.I.)
1856.12.05R. [W.] Shadwell* gave James Pabillo [Patullo, James*] of Lower Illovo P/A to recover money from Kippen of Illovo. (RSC IV/10/32 no.46)
1857.05.13Dau.Julia Ann Grace b. (R.I.)
1857.00.00At some time during 1857 he was absent from the Colony. (CSO 2252 no. F 95)
1859.06.05Kippen,sugar planter of Isipingo, and R. King* and wife agreed that Kippen lease 350 acres atIsipingo,with Izimpongondwe River as one boundary, and marked C on plan, for 29 years from 1 Jan. 59. (RSC IV/16/4 no.28)
1859.08.11OnDbn Co. Jury List 1859-60. Farmer, possessor. (NM 11.08.59)
1859.10.06Of Isipingo, sugar planter. (MSCE 3/11 no. 73)
1859.10.16Writing from Isipingo on behalf of his wife, asks for payment of her share of the farm Mount Pleasant on the Illovo River sold by her mother for £200 to James Patullo. (MSCE 3/11 no. 73)
1859.12.01Of Isipingo, sugar planter. (Ib.)
1860.06.20Son Horatio Colin Campbell b. (R.I.)
1861.04.20Asking for all outstanding claims to be submitted before 16 May 1861. (NS 20.04.61)
1861.04.27His sugar plantation to be sold in May 1861 – 275 acres on the Izimpongondwewith an unexpired lease of 27 years (leased from R. King) – his health required a change of climate. (NS 27.04.61)
1861.05.25His property to be sold on 31 May. (NS 25.05.61)
1861.08.02Writing from Dbn – Late a Lieut. in the 45th Regt, offers Lt Gov. his services in the proposed mounted police corps. Arrived in Natal with the headquarters of the 45th in 1844 as Lieut. and served with the Regt until 1850 when he retired by the sale of his commission. During this period he served with the expedition against Fodo and had been in various detachments throughout the Colony. Acted for some time as Adjutant to a detachment of 250 men stationed at the Camp, Dbn. Since selling out of the service has travelled through a great deal of the country trading. Understands sufficient of the Kafir language to make himself understood and is conversant with their habits. No answer recorded. (CSO 135 no.81)
1862.07.18Dau. Mary Jane b. (R.Cong.,Dbn)
1862.08 c.Petitioning the Lt Gov. from Dbn, arrived in Natal early in 1844 as a Lieut. in the 45th and with exception of a few months has been uninterruptedly a resident of the Colony. Retired by the sale of his commission in 1849 and settled down as a farmer. During his service he was employed in the formation of the Bushman’s River Post and believes that his presence there was a great check to the depredations of Bushmen on the surrounding Dutch farmers. On several occasionswas engaged in active pursuit of thieves. Served in expedition against Fodo and volunteered his services to proceed to the frontier of the Cape on the breaking out of the last Kafir war. Ordered by Lt Gov. Pine to proceed there with the Kafir force and went to considerable expense in outfit and horses and was thanked by Pine when the expedition was countermanded. In 1857 he was absent from the Colony and got someone to apply for a grant on his behalf, but this person did not attend to his interests and the grants were closed before he could personally attend to the matter. He has never received a land grant from the Colonial Govt. Answer:The Lt.Governor regrets that he is not able to act on the matter. (CSO 2252 no. F95)
1863.07.03Son James McPherson Reeves b. (MSCE 4/246)
1866.01.18Son John Colquhoun b. (Ib.)
1866.02.07Farmer,Ntimbankulu, Ward 6 Pmb. Co. He spent the night at Mack’s house in Stoney Hill where his mare was stolen by a bricklayer who was also staying there. (AGO Deposition I/4/8 p.191)
1867.08.06Juror, Pmb. Co., Stirling, Ward 6, farmer, proprietor. (NGG 06.08.67)
1868.04.17Son Charles Almelias Lyon b. (MSCE 4/246)
1869.04.00 ?Son Charles Cornelius [sic] b. Stirling Farm, Pmb. Co. (R. StJ.,Pmb.)
1870.06.12Dau. Alice Bertha b. (MSCE 4/246)
1870.08.16On Pmb. Div. Jury List, Stirling, Ward 6, farmer, proprietor. (NGG 16.08.70)
1872.12.28Young Calvelly [sic] here, said Kippen from Richmond was coming here in a fortnight. (BGD 28.12.72)
1873.03.04Wrote Kippen to say if he did not send something I would write to his brother Horatio in Shepton Mallet. (BGD 04.03.73)
1873.05.00Of Sterling, Mid Illovo, dau.Ellen Jane Murdoch b. (R.St M., R.)[As Kippen was b. in Stirling one would expect the naming of their properties to be in this way. However, as they are often spelt Sterling both spellings will be used.]
1873.09.03Saw in the paper that MrKippen had got his house burnt down. (BGD 03.09.73)
1874.08.25Kippen, George A.C. – farmer, Sterling, Pmb Co., proprietor. (NGG 25.08.1874)
1874.09.19Dau. Agnes Mary Margaret [Crooks] b. (MSCE 4/246)
1876.08.15Kippen, G.A.C. – Agent, Richmond, Pmb. Co., owner. (NGG 15.08.76)
1876.12.00Died aged 57, was an agent. G. Kippen reported the death. (RGRD)
1876.12.31Of Richmond, agent, b. in Stirling, son of George and Julia Ann, d. at Richmond aged 55. Children: George Thornton Grant (b.16.05.55), Julia Ann Grace (b.31.05.57), Horatio Colin Campbell (b.20.06.60), James McPherson Reeves (b.03.07.63), John Colquhoun (b.18.01.66), Charles Almelias Lyon (b.17.04.68), Alice Bertha (b.12.06.70), Ellen Jane [Murdoch] (b.24.05,73) and Agnes Mary Margaret [Crooks] (b.19.09.74). Widow Mary filled in notice. (MSCE 4/246)
1877.01.00Lieut. George Adams Crooks Kippen d. Jan. 1877 aged 55, was late of 45th Regt, and son of Capt. Kippen, R.N. (Tomb St M., R.)
1878 endHis widow was living at Sterling Castle, Mid Illovo. (DNA 1879)
1883 endHis widow still living at Sterling Castle, Mid Illovo. (DNA 1884)
1885.01.14Widow Mary, 40, m.Daniel Dyball Rapier, 25, bachelor, plumber, both of Dbn. Witnessed by Rufus Cuthbert. Note inserted to say the groom d. without signing in person. The certificate sent to the Colonial Secretary was duly signed. (R. St C., Dbn). Mary’s second husband Daniel DybaldNapier [sic], a mechanic, d. in Dbn. (DGRD)
1893.05.20Mary was living at Kippendavie, Umzimkulu, at time of dau. Alice Bertha’s marriage to Thomas Hammond. (N.W. 25.05.93)
1915.04.03Mary Kippen (née Calvlay [sic]) b. in Cape Colony, English, d. aged 76yrs 3mths, a maternity nurse of Upper Umzimkulu, widow, husband d. c. 1876. She d. at son
J.C. Kippen’s, at Umzimkulu village. Children: George Thornton Grant (b.16.05.56), Julia Ann Grace (b,1858), Horatio Colin Campbell (b.1861), John Colquhoun (b.15.01.66), Charles Amallius Lion [sic.] (b.1868), Ellen Jane Murdoch (b.1873) and Agnes Margaret Crooks (b.1874). Death notice filled in by son George T.M. [sic] at Izingolweni, 22 Jan. 1920. (MSCE 4940)#
CHILDREN
George Thornton Grant(b. 16.05.1855 – still alive 22.01.1920)
1855.05.16b. (R.I.)(MSCE 4/246)
1861.02.00Bap. at Isipingo, father a farmer of Embogntwini. (R.I.)
1877.01.00Of farm Sterling. (AGO I/4/18 p.121)
1878 endOf Sterling, Beaumont. (DNA 1879)
1882.10.18Witnessed the marriage of H.C.C. Kippen and A.M. Hulley. (R.C.)
1920.01.22Filled in his mother’s death notice at Izingolweni. (MSCE 4940)
Julia Ann Grace(b. 13.05.1857, Isipingo – d. 22.02.1923)
1857.05.13b. (R.I.)(MSCE 4/246).Isipingo. (CSO 2286)
1861.02.00Bap. at Isipingo, father a farmer of Embogntwini. (R.I.)
1862.04.26Future husband Daniel Hulley [son of R.B. Hulley*] b. at Tshungwana[Wesleyan mission station later known as Osborn]. (R.I., R.)
1879.08.05ANC signed between Julia Ann Grace Kippen of Stirling, Pmb. Co., spinster, and Daniel Hulleyof Hopewell, East Griqualand, farmer, bachelor. Witnesses: A.A. Smith & J. Player. (RSC IV/2/72 no. 80).Julia Ann Grace, 21,b. Isipingoand Daniel Hulley,21, b. Osborne [sic],Griqualand East, took out licence to marry.Licence issued in Pmb. (CSO 2286).
1879.08.12m. at St Mary’s, Richmond – Daniel, son of R.B. Hulley of Hopewell, Griqualand East, and Julia Ann Grace, eldest dau.of the late Capt. [sic] G.A.C. Kippen, 45th Regt. (NW 01.09.79)
1923.02.22Julia Ann Grace d. (Milner Snell: The Hulleys of Hopewell.)
1936.12.01Daniel Hulley d. aged 74 atDbn in the Berea Nursing Home. (NM 00.12.1936 via Brian Hulley)
1936.12.03Daniel Hulley, aged 74, bur. at Hopewell. (R. Wes., I.)
Horatio Colin Campbell(b. 20.06.1860 – still alive 03.04.1915)
1860.06.20b. (R.I.)(MSCE 4/246)
1861.02.00Bap. at Isipingo, father a farmer of Embogntwini.(R.I.)
1864.11.08Future wife Anne Maria Hulley [dau. of R.B. Hulley] b. at Hopewell.(R.I., R.)
1882.10.18Aged 21, bachelor, farmer of Umzimkulu he m. Ann Maria Hulley,18, spinsterof Umzimkulu.Witnesses: D. Hulley and G.T.G. Kippen.(R.C.)
1884.05.18Ann Maria d. (Milner Snell: The Hulleys of Hopewell.)
1895.09.02Farmer of Umzimkulu Div. m. Elizabeth Caroline Kemrelly.(R. Cong., H.)
1897.04.20Witnessed the marriage of his widowed sister Alice Bertha Hammond to Alfred Harris. (R.C.)
1915.04.03Still alive when mother d. (MSCE 4940)
Mary Jane(b. 18.07.1862 – dead before 22.01.1920)
1862.07.18b. (R. Cong., Dbn)
1876.12.31Not included in death notice of father therefore presumed dead. (MSCE 4/246)
James McPherson Reeves(b.03.07.1863 – d. 04.02.1887, Newcastle, Natal)
1863.07.03b. (MSCE 4/246)
1863.09.00Son of George Adam Crooks and MaryKippenbap. (R. St M., R.)
1877.01.00James Kippen aged about 13 or 14. (AGO I/4/18 p.108).James Reeves Kippen of farm Sterlingin Upper Umkomansi Div.(AGO I/4/18 p.108).
1887.02.04James McPherson ReevesKippen, 22, farmer, d. (N/CGRD)
John Colquhoun(b. 18.01.1866 – d. 01.01.1940, Port Shepstone)
1866.01.18b. (MSCE 4/246)
1899.08.24Merchant of Upper Umzimkulu m. Nora Anette Mills, widow of Umzimkulu.
(R. Cong., H.)
1940.01.01Aged 74, b. Natal, married, farmer, d. at Port Shepstone. (PSGRD)
1940.01.03Burried. (R. St C., PS)
Charles Almelias Lyon(b. 17.04.1868 – still alive 03.04.1915)
1868.04.17b. (MSCE 4/246)
1887 endKippen, C.A.L., labourer, Railway St, Pmb. (DNA 1888)
1915.04.03Still alive when mother d.. (MSCE 4940)
Charles Cornelius(b. 17.04.1869 – )
1869.04.17b. (R. St J., Pmb.)
1871.07.07Bap., legalson of Adam CrooksKippen and Mary Calvely [sic], Stirling Farm, Pmb. Co. (R. St J., Pmb.) [In the Presbyterian Church the father’s name and the mother’s maiden name are given. That is why the term “legal” is used. It is probable that Charles Almelias Lyon and Charles Cornelius is one and the same person. The date of birth would have been given at the baptism and this could explain the 1868/69 discrepancy. The difference in given names is inexplicable.]
Alice Bertha (b.12.06.1870 – d. 24.02.1915,Ottawa sugar estate near Verulam)
1870.06.12b. (R. St J., Pmb.)(MSC 4/246)
1871.07.07Bap., legaldau.of Adam Crooks and Mary Calvely [sic], Stirling Farm, Pmb. Co. (R. St J., Pmb.)
1893.05.20Married,Thomas Hammond, 2nd son of C.Hammond [Charles Hammond*] of Harlington, Richmond, and cousin of the Right Hon. Lord Plunkett, DD, Archbishop of Dublin to Miss Alice Bertha, 2nddau. of the late LieutKippen of H.M’s 45th Regt and granddaughter of the late Capt. Kippen, RN, at Christchurch, Clydesdale, East Griqualand. Bridesmaids were the Misses Ellen and Agnes Kippen and Miss Nancy Hulley, sisters and niece of the bride. The bride was given away by J.W. Allen of the Civil Service. An “at home” was held at Kippendavie, the residence of the bride’s mother. They were to make their home at Fairlands, Ipolela. (NW 25.05.93). Thomas Hammond, full age,bachelor, farmer, Fairlands, Ixopo, to Alice Bertha, full age, spinster, Kippendavie. Witnesses: J.W. Allen and L.G.C. Gitterton? (R. Clydesdale)
1894.08.00Thomas Hammond of Fairlands, Ixopo, d. aged 29. (R. St M., R.). Thomas Hammond d. aged 29. (Tomb St M., R.)
1897.04.20Alice Bertha Hammond, widow, of Umzimkulu to Alfred Harris, full age, school master, Umzimkulu. Witnesses: H.C.C. Kippen and F.O. Howes. (R. Clydesdale)
1915.02.24Alice Bertha Harris d. aged 45 atOttawa, buried at Stamford Hill, Dbn. (Dove’s Dbn List)
1932.07.00Alfred Harris buried aged 73. (R.Wes., V.)
Ellen Jane Murdoch (b. 24.05.1873 – still alive 1915.04.03)
1873.05.00b. ( R. St M., R.)
1873.05.24Dau. Ellen Jane [Murdoch] b. (MSCE 4/246)
1878.12.00Ellen Jane Murdoch dau.of George Adam Crooks and MaryKippen of Sterling, Mid Illovo, farmer, bap.(R. St M., R.)
1893.05.20Was a bridesmaid at her sister Alice Bertha’s marriage to Thomas Hammond. (N.W. 25.05.93)
1915.04.03Still alive when mother d. (MSCE 4940)
Agnes Mary Margaret Crooks (b. 19.09.1874 – still alive 03.04.1915)
1874.09.00b. (R. St M., R.)
1874.09.19Dau. Agnes Mary Margaret [Crooks] b. (MSCE 4/246)
1878.12.00Agnes Mary Margaret Crooks dau.of George Adam Crooks and MaryKippen of Sterling, Mid Illovo, farmer,bap. Sponsors: Mother and Julia Ann Grace Kippen.
(R. St M., R)
1893.05.20Was a bridesmaid at her sister Alice Bertha’s marriage to Thomas Hammond. (N.W. 25.05.93)
1915.04.03Still alive when mother d. (MSCE 4940)
NOTES
*After a surname indicates that person as the head of a family and therefore qualified for an
entry in Shelagh Spencer’s biographical register.
#When giving dates of birth and names of the children more reliance has been placed on those
given on the death notice of the father (and other sources) than those given on the death notice of
the mother.
SOURCES
Books and Directories
DNA – The Natal Almanac, directory and yearly register. Pietermaritzburg: P.Davis & Sons,
1863-1901.
Gordon, R.E. Shepstone: the role of the family in the history of South Africa. CapeTown:
Balkema, 1968
Guy, Jeff. Theophilus Shepstone and the forging of Natal: African autonomy and settler
colonialism in the making of traditional authority. Pietermaritzburg: University of
KwaZuluNatalPress, 2013.
Hart’s armylist, and militia list: 1848. London:John Murray, c. 1848.
Snell, Milner. The Hulleys of Hopewell.InHulley papers.
Wright, John B. Bushman raiders of the Drakensberg: 1840-1870. Pietermaritzburg:
University of Natal Press, 1971.
Cemeteries
Tomb St M., R. – St Mary’s Churchyard, Richmond. (St Mary’s phone no. 033-212 2252)
Church Registers
R.C. – Register Clydesdale. Anglican
R. Cong., Dbn – Register Congregational Church, Durban.
R. Cong., H. – Register Congregational Church, Harding
R.I. – Register Isipingo. Anglican
R.I.R – Register Indaleni, Richmond. Methodist
R. St C., PS – R. St Catherine’s, Port Shepstone. Anglican
R. St C., Dbn – R. St Cyprian’s, Durban. Anglican
R. St J., Pmb. – R. St John’s, Pietermaritzburg Presbyterian
R. St M., R – R. St Mary’s, Richmond. Anglican
R. Wes., I. – R. Wesleyan, Ixopo.
R. Wes., V. – R. Wesleyan, Verulam.
Manuscripts
BGD – Betsy Gelder’s Diary. Private ownership.
Dove’s Durban list – Undertakers, Durban.
Garden papers – Garden, Capt. Robert Jones.Papers, inPietermaritzburg ArchivesRepository.
(Phone 033-342 4712)
Newspapers
NI – Natal Independent
NM – Natal Mercury
NS – Natal Star
NW – Natal Witness
Personal Communication
Hulley, Brian via Mrs J.G. Duckworth
SO’BS – Spencer, Shelagh O’Byrne
Unpublished Official Papers
AGO – Attorney General’s Office
CSO – Colonial Secretary’s Office
MSC – Master of the Supreme Court. Wills
MSCE – Master of the Supreme Court. Deceased Estates
NGG – Natal Government Gazette
N/CGRD – Newcastle Government Register. Deaths
PSGRD – Port Shepstone Government Register. Deaths
RSC –Registrar of the Supreme Court
RGRD – Richmond Government Register. Deaths
SGO – Surveyor General’s Office
No of words 3 354
Compiled from Shelagh O’Byrne Spencer’s records on the British Settlers of Natal 1824–1857.