The Bible
In this vicinity - at that time an outspan - in April 1837, Thomas Philipps, J. P. on behalf of the British Settlers of 1820 presented a bible to a party of Voortrekkers led by Jacobus Uys encamped here on their way to the North.
The bible was taken out to the encampment by a deputation of gentlemen accompanied by about 100 of the inhabitants of Grahamstown who were received with much respect by the assembled farmers and their families in front of their wagons. William Rowland Thompson thereupon said: "My good friends, the inhabitants of Grahamstown and its vicinity, hearing of your arrival in the district with the intention of quitting for ever the land of your birth, have entered into a public subscription to purchase this bible and I am deputed with the gentlemen who accompany me now to present it to you. We offer it to you as a proof of our regard and with expressions of sorrow that you are now going so far from us. We trust that although widely separated, you will hold us in rememberance and that we will all retain for each other the warmest sentiments of friendship."
Erected 1962 by State
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1837.
Location. 33° 17.9′ S, 26° 29.883′ E. Marker is near Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. Marker can be reached from Strowan Road just east of Eastern Cape Route 350. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grahamstown EC 6139, South Africa. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Schönland Building (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); The Old Provost (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); Drostdy Gateway (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); The Yellow House (approx. 2.8 kilometers away).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2013, by Jay van Zyl of Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. This page has been viewed 602 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2013, by Jay van Zyl of Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
