SAMHSEC explores the history of Fish River Valley

Authors

  • Sue Gordon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21504/8pw2we51

Keywords:

Fish River Valley, SA Military History Society (SAMHSEC), Bailie’s Settler party, Cuylerville

Abstract

The local branch of the SA Military History Society (SAMHSEC) chose a beautiful summer day for their outing on Sunday, 17 November 2024. The rendezvous was Cuylerville’s St Mary’s Anglican Church, a national monument, where local resident Adele Cutten shared its interesting history.  That story begins with  Bailie’s settler party, led by  Lieut John Bailie RN, the largest 1820 party (263 persons) and the first to leave the Tent Town at Algoa Bay in 1820. Bailie’s group comprised a high proportion of skilled tradesmen and professionals.

References

Robson, L. & Oranje, M., 2012. ‘Strategic Military Colonisation: The Cape Eastern Frontier 1806–1872’. Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies, 40(2), pp. 46-71.

Krsic, S., 1986. Fortress of Faith: The story of St John’s Church, Bathurst. Bathurst: The author

Williams, Ann. The Cuylerville Saga. Talk of the Town, 2006.

SAMHSEC members and guests gather outside St Mary’s Church Cuylerville. Adele Cutten (4th from left) described the settlement’s fascinating history. (Photo: Sue Gordon)

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Published

2025-10-26

Issue

Vol. 56 (2025): Toposcope

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Sue Gordon

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

In compliance with the South African Copyright Act 98 of 1978, the copyright of published articles resides with the authors. The Society retains to right to distribute articles as published within the journal.

How to Cite

SAMHSEC explores the history of Fish River Valley. (2025). Toposcope, 56. https://doi.org/10.21504/8pw2we51