William Cawood ³

  General Notes:

Mimi Rauch source - William was married twice. Knowledge of the 1st wife is unknown. The date of birth is different by one day and a year. 2 August 1800. Henry Francis CAWOOD is claimed to be the 16th child ?? The date of marriage is also different. 1830 to 1834 ?? Original 1820 Settler - Hayhurst s Party. Came out on the John ship.

In 1830, eight uears before the Great Trek by Piet Retief (which went into Natal) and other Dutch Voortrekkers, the Cawood brothers (it is not clear just which brothers went, but there is a note about William and Joshua, confirming they presence in the party) formed a great trading expedition, which took them through "Kaffirland" to Natal and into the kraal belonging to Dingaan, where Piet Retief and his companions were to meet their death some years later.

The four Cawoods (some accounts say five), remained for 10 days at Dingaan's Great Place, and it must not be supposed that their wagons, cattle, gear and arms failed to arouse every predatory instinct in the breast of the Zulu monster. It is said that Joshua took his wife along with him on this trip.

When the traders left on their return to Albany, Dingaan despatched an impi with orders to overtake and slaughter them and to return to him with the booty. But proidence was on their side. Heavy rains not only impded the impi but washed away the spoors left by the Cawoods. The latter, too, changed their original intention and travelled along the beach route instead of the inland route. The impi missed its prey and the four lads (they were little else) arrived back safely in Albany.

While the 4 or 5 intrepid lads were in Zululand (Natal), they found themselves short of necessitites. William undertook to return through "Kaffirland", accompanied by a native attendant, to obtain fresh supplies. They set off on horse-back and made excellent time, despite the incessant hazards of such a journey. Crossing the Umzimkulu river at its mouth, proved fatal to the native (Zulu) servant. The bar of the river took the form of a segment of a circle. When halfway across, the Zulu and his horse disappeared. The Zulu was never seen again, but, although swept by the current beyond the bar, the horse struck out fearlessly and managed to regain the shore on the other side of the river from which William Cawood had set out. Responding to Cawood's calls, the horse re-entered the river and safely swam over to him. It accompanied its master on the remainder of his journey to the settlement.

Subsequent hunting expeditions by these brothers in 1832 and 1833, extended beyond the Vaal River into the unknown regions beyond.

The brothers James, Joshua, Samuel and Joseph were returned to the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly respecitively. They ably represented Eastern Province interests. These men left a name of courage, enterprise and honestly second to none and their descendents can be found throughout the Cape Colony, Natal and neighbouring states and are possibly more numerous than those of any of the other immigrants in 1820.

The following extract comes from British S A by Campbell.

William Cawood served in Southey s Corps of Guides when they forced enter into "Kaffirland" and brought the Fingo tribe out of slavery. He was present at the death of the great paramount chief Hintza, who was pulled off of his horse by the scruff of his neck by Sir Harry Smith, who, with Southeys Guides, was in hot pursuit of the chief, who had treacherously led them into a trap.

In 1853 William Cawood took up a permanent residence in Cradock and following is a tribute paid to him his death by a Keighley paper, dated 18th August 1877.

The experience and knowledge his life and character has given to a large circle of friends in that town and district is well expressed by a private correspondent whose letter reached us by Sunday's post viz.,

"That a more upright and honourable man never lived. He was always the same and if he said a thing you could depend upon him. Naturally of a retiring disposition it is really wonderful how he exercised so much influence and there is no doubt that the influence he had gained in Cradock and surrounding districts, were as deservedly acknowledged by all, as it was wide spread and genuine. In public matters he kept aloof, except that he was a Municipal Councillor for 20 years, and only retired last year, on account of failing health, and with a well earned resolution of the Board, thanking him for long and valuable service.

Although not caring to mix much in politics, he never hesitated in giving his opinion, and was staunch and uncompromising Easter Province man. His worth as a colonist was recognized by Governor Barkly, who conferred upon his, much against his inclination, and against his express wish to be relieved of such duties, as the office would entail upon his, a commission as Justice of the Peace.

Like all the British Settlers of 1820, Mr Cawood was as loyal a subject of the British Throne as ever breathed, and like his brother in Grahamstown, never lost an occasion of showing it. Only last Queen's Birthday, Mr Cawood with his own hands, hoistered his spendid collection of flags in honour of Her Majesty and this was act of loyalty he regularly performed every 24th May.

It would have been better for the Colony if a constant stream of immigrants comprising of the same stamina had continued to pour into it from time to time to the present, or indeed, even a similar class of men were being introduced to cultivate our comparatively unutilised coast lands, and to colonise the immense tracts of fertile country that have just been added to the British possessions north of the Vaal. One has not far to go to see the great esteem in which the Late Mr Cawood was held.

During his brief illness, anxious enquiries were received by his family as to his health from all parts of the country, as well as the Free State.

His funeral was the largest ever seen in Cradock, at least 200 people followed the remains to the grave, including English, Dutch and Coloured people, whilst at the Cemetry there must have been, we are informed, at least between 300 and 400 people. He lived to a good old age, nearly 77. There are not a few young men in Cradock who have grown up from boyhood to manhood in daily contact with Mr Cawood, who are indebted to him for kindly advice, given in a quiet thoughtful and gnetlemanly way, that they felt it impossible to go away without being impressed with his worth.

He is a man who still be missed more so from a small community such as Cradock, than in a large place where friendships are never so intimate. He died in Cradock on 1st July 1877." ³

  Events

• Baptism, 31 Aug 1800, Keighley, Yorkshire. ³

William married Sarah Hulley, daughter of Richard William Hulley and Ann Brangan, on 15 Sep 1834 in Grahamstown.³ (Sarah Hulley was born on 27 Dec 1815 in Bandon Co, Cork, Ireland,³ died on 11 Dec 1888 in Cradock ³ and was buried on 12 Dec 1888 in Cradock ³.)