I
would like to add more material about Milo’s children. If you can add any more
information, a photo, or a short description, I’ll gladly add and credit it.
Milo Marwood Notley
Milo
Marwood Notley went to South Africa at the end of 1900. He and Jane Ellen had
25 grandchildren there, so the Notley name flourishes in Southern Africa.
A
photo of Milo, Jane, and their first three children must date from the end of
1905:
[Thanks to Dennis
Notley for this excellent photo.]
One
of Milo’s sons was named Marwood Milo Notley, and he called his son Milo
Marwood Notley, so the name lives on in South Africa.
Back
to the first Milo: He was the 4th son of six born to Marwood Notley and Matilda
Venn Poole. He was born on 20th October 1875, and baptised at Monksilver on
28th December 1875.
At
the time the family was living at a farm in Monksilver called Burfords. When
Milo's grandmother died in 1891, the family moved to Combe Sydenham, which the
family had acquired around 1796. This estate was supplemented with adjoining
land in Monksilver a few years later. Marwood seems to have been determined to
do things on his own terms. He never married Matilda, but the simple grave at
All Saints Church in Monksilver refers to her as 'his wife'.
Combe Sydenham in
the book The Manor Houses of England
by Peter H.
Ditchfield, and illustrated by Sydney R Jones.
Published 1910 by
Batsford, London.
Notley Arms,
Monksilver, Somerset [Google Street View]
Pub sign – the
Notley Arms
The
main pub in the village of Monksilver had been called the Notley Arms since
around 1865 - and it retains this name. The three goat heads represent the
Marwood family.
Milo
went to Wellington School. The census of 1891 shows him as Milo Notley, a
‘scholar’, at the school.
Here
Milo is, aged around 25, not long before he left Somerset:
On
22nd Dec 1900 the local newspaper reported that Mr. Milo Notley had been out
hunting.
West Somerset Free Press, 22nd December 1900
SIR WALTER TREVELYAN'S HARRIERS.
These hounds have had some very good runs lately. The meet on Saturday was at Jacob's Pond, and there was a fair field out, including … Mr Milo Notley, &. Jack Pearce was master of the ceremonies, and hounds soon started a hare from its form in a turnip field ...
Shortly
after that he set off for Africa, apparently to join Baden Powell's Mounted
Police. He was described as ‘a keen athlete, a good rider and shot’.
The Free Press,
December 22nd, 1900.
Mr Milo Notley, son of Mr Marwood Notley of Combe Sydenham, sailed for South Africa to join Baden Powell's Mounted Police there.
Monksilver.
Departure for South Africa. – Mr Milo Notley, son of Marwood Notley, Esq., sails for South Africa this week. A keen athlete, a general rider and shot, he is just the type of man General Baden-Powell is seeking for his mounted police. Mr Notley has received many handsome and useful presents from his friends, who wish him all the luck he can wish for himself.
Why
South Africa? My guess is that Milo was following the lead of his cousin,
William Elton.
The
links between the Notleys and Eltons [or Marwood Notleys and Marwood Eltons]
were close.
One
of Milo’s aunts was Mary Elton [née Notley], who died in 1904. The Notleys,
Marwoods and Eltons were related. The Notley family had gained a considerable
part of the Marwood family's wealth via Mary Notley [née Marwood], when James
Thomas Benedictus Marwood died insane in 1811. And Milo's uncle had had a very
close relationship with Charles Elton, who ended up committing suicide at Combe
Sydenham.
Mary
Elton [née Notley] was the daughter of James Thomas Benedictus Notley; and on
7th April 1859 she married William Warry Elton, who was born on 27th November
1813. The couple lived at Avishays, Somerset. [She died on 27th April 1904. He
died on 4th January 1906 at age 92.]
Children
of William Warry Elton and Mary Notley:
1. Mary Elton d. 23 Jul
1924. She married, firstly, George Notley Murray Harding in 1900. She married,
secondly, Whyting Roach on 12th August 1908. She died on 23rd July 1924.
2. Lt.-Col. William
Marwood-Elton b. 31st Mar 1865, d. 14 Oct 1931. Lt.-Col. William Marwood-Elton
was born on 31st March 1865. He married Juliet Marriott, daughter of Robert
Spelman Marriott, in August 1909. He died on 14th October 1931 aged 66.
He
was given the name of William Elton at birth. He fought in the Boer War between
1899 and 1902. On 11th June 1910 his name was legally changed to William
Marwood-Elton by Royal Licence. He fought in the First World War, where he was
mentioned in despatches. He was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 3rd Battalion, Welsh
Regiment. He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Somerset. He
held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.) of Somerset. He lived at Widworthy
Court, Honiton, Devon, England.
Widworthy
Court [Honiton, Devon, EX14 9JN] has now been sub-divided into flats/apartments
and mews style cottages set in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
in East Devon. The Grade II listed Georgian Mansion was built in 1830 as the
home of local landowner Sir Edward Marwood Elton. It was designed by George S
Repton Esq. son of renowned architect, Humphrey Repton following Palladian
design principles.
It
has 10 acres of private grounds, views, an indoor leisure centre and a tennis
court. The family crest of the
Marwood-Eltons can still be seen on the building. Notice the three goat heads for the Marwoods.
http://www.widworthycourt.co.uk/History.html
[no longer functioning]
Milo's aunt Mary was
buried at the church in Widworthy.
Inside
the church are some interesting monuments and memorials to the Marwood [and
later Marwood-Elton] family. The grandest of these is to James Thomas
Benedictus Marwood, who died in 1811.
James Thomas
Benedictus Marwood - portrait and Widworthy memorial
In Memory of
James Thomas Benedictus Marwood esquire
of Avishayes House in the county of Somerset,
and of Sutton, in the county of Devon
who departed this life the 20th of February 1811
in the 65th year of his age.
James Thomas Benedictus Marwood esquire
of Avishayes House in the county of Somerset,
and of Sutton, in the county of Devon
who departed this life the 20th of February 1811
in the 65th year of his age.
The
Marwood family had moved from north Devon, and amassed considerable property –
some from Queen Elizabeth I. Marwood House at the end of Honiton High Street
was built by the son of Dr Thomas Marwood, Queen Elizabeth I's physician who
survived to the age of 105 His black marble tomb is in St Michael's church. He
became famous through curing the Earl of Essex, a favourite of the queen.
In the topographical description of
Honiton in Devonshire ...mention is made of the tomb of “Thomas Marwood, gent.
Physician to Queen Elizabeth, who died ... 18th September, 1617, aged above
105.” The following authentic anecdote satisfies us that we must admit this
gentleman’s claims to eminence. “During that part of the reign of Queen
Elizabeth, when the Earl of Essex was most in favour, his lordship had a
disease in his foot, which baffled the skill of the first medical men in the
metropolis, and his existence was despaired of, Dr. Marwood of Honiton, a
physician of the first eminence in the West of England, whose fame had reached
the Queen’s ear, was sent for, and was fortunate enough to perform the cure;
when her Majesty desired the Doctor might be introduced; which being done
accordingly, she asked him what favour she should grant him, to satisfy him for
the great cure he had accomplished. And the Doctor being already possessed of
an ample independence, which he had inherited from his ancestors and acquired
by his profession, said, 'If her Majesty would grant him a favour, (mentioning
one of a very trivial nature,) he should consider himself amply rewarded.' But
the Queen, struck with his choice, declared he should accept of an estate near
Honiton as a reward; which property forms at present: part of the immense
landed property of James Thomas Benedictus Marwood**, esquire, of Avishays in
the county of Somerset, and' Sutton in the county of Devon, his lineal
descendant.”
Gentleman’s
Magazine, January 1809
After
the death, without issue, of James Thomas Benedictus Marwood in 1811, his
estates were, in 1813, divided amongst his four sisters, Sarah Bridge Stevens
(later Fortescue), Mary Notley, Bridget Wolcot and Frances Elton. Frances was
dead by the time of partition and her share devolved upon her eldest son James
Marwood Elton. One branch of the family became known as the Marwood-Eltons and
another, the Marwood-Notleys.
Much
of the Marwood wealth was thus combined with the land of the Notley
family. Milo’s father, Marwood Notley,
owned considerable land and appeared in Burke’s Landed Gentry.
My
feeling is that Milo's decision to go to South Africa was linked to his cousin's
position in the army, and led to his departure for Southern Africa during the
Anglo-Boer War.
------------------------------------------------
We
know that there was a great dispute between father and son, but the reasons are
not known. Milo was the only child not to be mentioned in the will when the old
squire, Marwood Notley, died in 1903.
Marwood Notley 1833
– 1903
West Somerset Free
Press, March 1903.
Death of Squire
Notley
By the death of Mr. Marwood Notley of
Combe Sydenham Monksilver, there passes away one of the few remaining types of
the old English Squire, made familiar to us by Fielding. He came of an old
Somerset Family. In Chillington Church not far from Crewkerne is a tablet on a
vault which sets forth that there are deposited the following ancestors of the
Notley family Lords of the Manor. It begins with George Notley Esq. who died
20th. February 1718 aged 68 years and ends with Anna daughter of Rev. George
Notley who died 1821 aged 71. Marwood Notley succeeded to the property through
the death of an older brother. As a landlord he gained a reputation for
eccentric management which was more or less due to his eccentric training. He
was intensely conservative and had been brought up to believe that in property
the Landlord's will is supreme law. While he held that no landlord is under an
obligation to repair or build cottages for non-existent labourers he always
recognised and discharged to the full his legal and moral liability towards his
tenants. ‘No man will invest money unless he is sure of some return for it, and
why should I build cottages when there are no tenants to occupy them?’ he was
wont to say. But his conservatism did not cramp his sympathies. No landlord
ever had a kinder heart. Apart from estate management he was an exceedingly
shrewd man. The man who deceived Squire Notley would have to get up early in
the morning. In his conservatism his individuality was marked and he had a much
deeper sense of humour than most men. On one occasion a gentleman called on him
to solicit a sub for a charity. The squire had only just got over a nasty
attack of flu. The visitor began by complimenting him on his healthy
appearance: ‘You look as fit as possible.’ When he asked for a subscription he
did not get one. After he had gone the Squire said ‘l wonder whether he is a
fool or whether he thought I was one. I know I ain‘t looking well and when a
man comes in buttering me over like that I guess what he is after and button my
pocket up. If he asked me straight out I might have given him something.’ A
friend approached him on the subject of making his Will. Have you made your
will?’ the Squire asked. ‘Yes’. 'Then what right do you have to suppose that
I’m a bigger fool than you?’ The riposte got home. As a sportsman he had no
superior when he was in his prime. He knew as much of the habits of bird and
beast as any naturalist and as a shot he was an easy first in any company. Some
years ago his eyesight became affected. In fact there was some danger of him
becoming blind. A medical man advised him to go to Bristol to a specialist for
an operation. The Squire having expressed himself freely on the subject of
doctors and operations generally decided to stay at home and take his chance.
After that he was wont to say in his quaintly humorous way ‘My eyesight began
to improve and got all right again. If I'd gone to Bristol I might have been
totally blind by now.’ He was always a friend to the West Somerset Foxhunt and
was ever as good as his promise to the Master – ‘I will always find you a fox
to hunt’, and the Monksilver foxes are rare goers. As a friend he has been
described by one who knew him intimately as ‘a diamond in the rough’. His
speech was often vigorous and unconventional but his heart was sensitive to the
touch of sympathy as the strings of a violin to the sighing of an evening
zephyr.
‘Who made the heart.
‘tis He alone
Decidedly can try
us.
He knows each chord
– its various tone,
Each string its
various bias.
Then at the balance
let’s be mute,
We can never adjust
it.
What’s done we
partly may compute,
But know not what’s
resisted.’
The funeral takes
place today, (Friday).
The Funeral of Mr.
Marwood Notley
The
late Squire Notley was buried in a little nook close to the east end of the
church, a corner in which his wife was buried. Several of the villagers carried
simple little bouquets of primroses and gillyflowers to cast in the grave.
Others would have gladly sent flowers but for a mistaken impression that the
Squire had expressed a wish against it. The grave was brick, lined with moss
and studded with primrose.
He
never knew the pressure of privitation but with all his riches he could not
ward off those physical ailments which in later years robbed him of that robust
health and vigour with which he was endowed as a young man. But he bore his
illness with a brave and enduring heart. He knew what suffering was, but he
bore it with a firm and dauntless spirit. He probably suffered a great deal
more than they knew but he preferred to suffer in silence rather than distress
those around him. The coffin was made by Mr. Fred Hole and was of polished oak
with brass inscription ‘Marwood Notley died 9th March 1903 aged 69 years'.
Marmion
Notley and Mr. E.W. Scutt were prevented from attending because of illness.
---
Somerset County
Gazette, 21st March 1903
The Funeral of Mr.
Marwood Notley
The
funeral of the late Mr. Marwood Notley of Combe Sydenham, took place at
Monksilver on Friday amidst tokens of deep sympathy, and regret. The Coffin was
of oak, with brass mountings and inscription plate, on which was engraved,
Marwood Notley, died March 9th, 1903, aged 69 years. This was covered with
wreaths and conveyed to the Church in an open funeral car drawn by a pair of
horses, followed by the mourners and friends in the first carriage were four
sons. Mr. Harry Notley, Mr. Mejiah Notley, Mr. Montague Notley, and Mr. Marwood
Notley; second carriage Mrs. Elton, Mrs. Sweet, and Mrs. Walton, sisters; third
carriage Mr. E. Vaughan, son-in-law, The Rev. T. Notley, nephew, Mr. W. Sweet,
Major Elton, nephew, and Mr. Brandon; fifth carriage Mr. E. Hellard and Dr.
Ardagh.
Amongst
those who were at the Church were Sir Walter Trevelyan, Mr. P.F. Hancock, Mr.
F.E. Hancock, Mr. T.V. Pearse, Mr. Lemar, Mr. Gliddon. Mr. J. Sellick, Mr.
Sweet, Mr. Norman, Mr. F. Davis, Mr. J. Hole, Mr. Cox, and many others.
The
Services were conducted by the Rev. H. Robinson, assisted by the Rev. J.
Notley.
Amongst
those who sent wreaths were:
With
Children's Love [4]
Kind
sympathy from all at Criddles
Kind
sympathy Sir Walter and Lady Trevelyan
Deep
sympathy from Daisy
Kind
remembrances, Mr. Ernest Fuller, and Mr. Leonard Brandon
Affectionate
remembrances and regret Arthur and Clara [Geo. Gambler's daughter and son-in
law]
Kindest
sympathy Mrs. W.T. Meade-King [Rector's wife]
With
deepest and loving sympathy Dr. & Mrs. Ardagh
With
deepest and loving sympathy Miss. Ethel Walker [Nigel Sweet’s mother]
Affectionate
remembrances Rev. J.T.B. & Mrs. Notley [George the gambler's son]
Loving
memory from his affectionate sister Mary [Elton]
Kind
remembrances W. & A. Luckfield.
The
whole arrangements were carried out by Messrs W. & A. Chapman Ltd. Taunton.
----
This
is a summary of the main points of Marwood Notley's Will - which disinherited
Milo. The actual will was much longer. [Bear in mind that these amounts must be
multiplied many times for inflation, etc.]
Clara
Vaughan £5,000
Maida
Scutt £5,000
Minnie
Marwood Notley £5,000
Arthur
Harry Notley to receive an annuity of £78 for life or until he becomes bankrupt
or if he uses it to gain a loan, to be paid weekly instalments of 30/-.
Montague
and Marwood Notley to receive furniture, linen, china, etc. the house and
office at Combe Sydenham, carriages and horses - to share equally.
The
cottage and premises in Monksilver lately occupied by Mary Anne Yeandle to the
use of my servant Sarah Ann Watts for her lifetime and then to revert to Montague
and Marwood Notley. It is to be kept in repair by them.
Sarah
Ann watts to receive £10-8-0d. per annum by weekly instalments of 4/-.
The
cottage and land known as 'Brownseys' situated in Ilminster at present occupied
by Alfred Welch to my sister Ellen Catherine Walton for her life and then to
her elder son Charles Hurst Gardner, a son by her first marriage.
Marmion
Notley to receive the houses and furniture, farms and cottages in Chillington
and also the piece of land in the Parish of Broadway rented by William Hill.
Mejiah
Notley to receive the lands, farms etc. in Awliscombe, Combe Raleigh,
Buckerwell, and Gittisham in Devon.
Clara
Vaughan to receive lands and farms known as Blamphayne situated in Colyton in
Devon and now occupied by William Trott.
Maida
Scutt to receive farms and lands known as Wyatts Farm situated in Broadway,
North Curry, and Beer Crocombe now occupied by Mr. Haycroft.
Minnie
Marwood Notley Hornshay Farm in Farway, Southleigh and Colyton Devon, now
occupied by R. Summers.
Montague
and Marwood Notley all lands in Monksilver, St. Decumans, Sampford Brett and
Stogumber.
‘I
earnestly request them not to sell my house and lands known as Combe Sydenham.’
Executors
Brother-in-law Wm. Sweet and Edwin Helland.
Dated
21st October 1902.
Probate
19th June 1903.
-----
1903
must have been a difficult year for Milo. First he learned that he would not
receive anything from his father’s estate; and he became a father of two
children!
Milo's
two youngest brothers, Marwood and Montague, were the principal beneficiaries
of the estate. The will left them Combe Sydenham jointly - a recipe for
disagreement. Eventually Marwood gravitated towards Combe Sydenham, while
Montague dealt with the other property in and around Monksilver. Each of the
daughters was also left several farms and cash. The value of the estate would
amount to several million Pounds today.
Apparently
Milo wanted to return to Somerset, but his brothers were not keen. And I guess
he was not keen to live in penury somewhere else in England. Apparently one of
his sisters, Clara, took pity on him, and helped him. And somehow he got by in
South Africa.
Various
documents relating to the Notleys have survived in The National Archives of
South Africa. A basic search on the word ‘Notley’ produced a list of 27
documents. A list of the documents I'm fairly sure these are the only relevant
ones:
AG 1614
5441 Rex v. Notley: Contravening
Section 34, Act 28 of 1888 / 1905
CSC 2/2/1/314
57 Record Of Proceedings of
Provisional Case. Milo Marwood Notley / 1910
CSC 2/1/1/2534
2451 Illiquid Case. Judicial
Separation. Matilda Venn Smeda (Born Notley)/ 1964
AGR 761
F3709 Complaints Against Forester Notley, Witte Els Bosch / 1903
AGR 762
F3939 Complaints Against Forester Notley / 1905
DOC 4/1/1469
3639 Mortgage Bond. Gilbert Brent
Steytler & Milo Marwood Notley /1910
CSC 2/1/1/1969
1255 Illiquid Cases. Restitution
of Conjugal Rights Mildred Madelene / 1957
CSC 2/1/1/1993 626 Illiquid Cases. Payment of Money Out Of
Trust Fund. Jan Ellen Notley / 1958
MOOC
6/9/13567 316/47 Notley, Milo Marwood. Estate Papers / 1947
FOR
10 A17 Resignation: Forester Notley / 1907
We have some idea of Milo's forestry career thanks to the
Reports of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Cape of Good Hope Forestry
Department, 1901 - 1905.
The most important point to note is that by 1901 'Mr. M. Notley, was appointed temporary Forester, Wit Els Bosch'. As Milo arrived at the Cape in 1901 and joined the forestry service that year, we know he did not become involved in the terrible events going on in South Africa at that time. It was trees rather than the Anglo-Boer, I was relieved to realise.
AGR 761 F3709: This is a complaint by a Mr. Meyer that Notley used wood, confiscated from him by the State owing to a breach of the forest regulations, for his own (Notley's) personal use in having furniture made for himself (he was not allowed to do this and furthermore he had not paid for the wood). The second page is a detailed affidavit by a Mr. Barnard, a fellow forester confirming that this was what did happen.
AGR
762, F3939: A further complaint against Notley stating that he brandished a gun
at a fellow forester in a personal dispute. Two further complaints are listed:
He failed to issue a licence in a legitimate application, and it was claimed
that he ordered a fellow forester to leave the state forest when he was not authorised
to take decisions like this.
The most important point to note is that by 1901 'Mr. M. Notley, was appointed temporary Forester, Wit Els Bosch'. As Milo arrived at the Cape in 1901 and joined the forestry service that year, we know he did not become involved in the terrible events going on in South Africa at that time. It was trees rather than the Anglo-Boer, I was relieved to realise.
AGR 761 F3709: This is a complaint by a Mr. Meyer that Notley used wood, confiscated from him by the State owing to a breach of the forest regulations, for his own (Notley's) personal use in having furniture made for himself (he was not allowed to do this and furthermore he had not paid for the wood). The second page is a detailed affidavit by a Mr. Barnard, a fellow forester confirming that this was what did happen.
Image
No 26 indicates an official - very dismissive - response to these
complaints.
Complaint against Forester Notley, Witte Els Bosch.
Sir,
With reference to your letter, dated 2nd May last, I am directed by the Secretary for Agriculture to inform you that your complaint against Forester Notley, Witte Els Bosch, has been enquired into, but to say that the circumstances of the case do not appear to bear out the statements made in your communication under reply.
I am to add that the Conservator of Forests, Mr McNaughton, will probably be in your neighbourhood in a few days time when you will have an opportunity of personally stating your grievances if you desire it.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant.
Actg. Under Secretary for Agriculture.
But on 29th August 1905 at
Humansdrop he was found Guilty of contravening Section 34 of the Forest Act
(Act 28 of 1888) of the Cape Colony:
Any forest or police officer
who vexatiously and unnecessarily seizes property on pretence of its being
liable to seizure under this Act; or who vexatiously or unnecessarily arrests any
person; shall, upon conviction, be liable to imprisonment, with or without hard
labour, for a term not exceeding three months, or to a fine not exceeding
twenty-five pounds, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
The sentence: a fine of £2 or
7 days' imprisonment.
[It is reassuring to see that all the places all tie in with the information on the baptismal records.]
Harkerville,
3rd August, 1907.
To D.F.C., Knysna.
Sir,
Please find enclosed my Pocket Book for this year, and finding this man P. Ehlers is getting the best of me, and he is a Woodcutter, and I am the Forester, so see no way of doing my duty in the future under such circumstances, and as I think we are supposed to give three months notice, so please accept of my resignation so that I might leave the Forest Station on the 31st of October, 1907.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) M. NOTLEY.
Forest Department.
Office of the Conservator of forests,
Midland Conservancy,
Knysna, 31st August, 1907.
Resignation: Forester Notley.
The Chief Conservator of Forests,
Cape Town.
With reference to your Minute, No F. 4714/A.17, dated the 16th instant, on above subject, I am to forward herewith, as requested, copies of the correspondence, which terminated in Forester Notley‘s resignation.
I may add that this officer has long been discontented with his position, saying that he is unable to exist on his pay, and being a man with some capital recently leased a farm in the neighbourhood and purchased a number of sheep. As long as there was no question as to the proper performance of his duty, and as his sheep are in no way likely to trespass on Crown Reserves, the fact is unimportant but I fully concur with the District Forester Officer that there is every evidence that the complaints of bushcutters are in some way justified, and that in the interests of the Department Forester Notley‘s resignation should be accepted.
McNaughton,
Conservator of Forests,
Notice
the comment that he had some capital, had recently leased a farm, and purchased
a number of sheep.
C.S.C.
2/2/1/314, 57: This is the record of a case in the Cape Supreme Court set down
for trial on 8th March 1910. The Plaintiff was Milo Marwood Notley and the
Defendant was Mary Jane Nixon, a Spinster of Welcome Hotel, Plettenberg Bay,
Cape Province.
Milo
Notley was suing the Defendant for the Mortgage Bond amount owing, plus
arrears, in respect of the property Welcome Hotel and the land on which it was
situated, which was transferred to her on 4th May1903. She was living in
Johannesburg at this stage. A writ for the attaching of the property was
granted to the Plaintiff on 11th February 1910.
The
verdict in the case was as follows: “Provisional judgment for the Plaintiff,
with costs” and it was ordered that the property be “specially mortgaged by a
bond in suit executable”. I presume that this means that all amounts owing were
to be paid by the Defendant.
My
grandmother Dorothy often mentioned the Welcome Hotel and living there. The hotel seemed to have had major extensions
in the 20th century, and was later known as the Formosa Inn. It appears the
hotel has now closed.
in the book Portrait
of Plettenberg Bay
by Patricia Storrar,
1978.
The
Welcome Hotel, later enlarged, became the Formosa Inn.
The story about Milo and the Welcome Hotel is still clouded in some mystery. I've not been able to find all the details. The original part of this comfortable family hotel, built in 1870, was first run as a hotel by Jack Rex, a son of the famous George Rex of Knysna. Several advertisements appeared in the Cape Times 28th December 1929, etc), and Milo sold part of the land early in 1930:
SALE OF
CHOICE SEASIDE AND OTHER PROPERTY
BY PUBLIC AUCTION
"THE WELCOME," etc.,
AT PLETTENBERG BAY,
ON THE 6th JANUARY, 1930, at 11 a.m.
"The Welcome"
Large Double-storeyed Building, suitable Hotel or Boarding House, containing 11 Rooms, Two Outside Rooms, Stables and Tennis Court. Area of Property Four Morgen.
Valuable Small Holding, portion of Farm "Krantzhoek," Lot E, measuring 16 Morgen 137 Square Roods.
Erf No. 18-150 Square Roods, and Erf No. 20, 150 Square Roods, with Double-storeyed Stone Building, measuring 28 ft. × 35 ft., very suitable business stand, next door to Post Office.
Also Lot 59, measuring 41 Square Roods 96 Square Yards, beautiful residential site.
INSPECTION INVITED.
Apply M. M. NOTLEY, Plettenberg Bay or Auctioneer
J. R. BECK, Box 32, Knysna.
Milo continued to farm. At the time of Cora’s baptism in 1931 his occupation is “farmer”. His health started to fail, and he moved to Cape Town.
Here
he is with 2 of his sons, Marwood [Boet] and Geoffrey [Boy]:
Milo
died in Cape Town on 29th April 1939 - at the relatively young age of 63.
Note:
Milo is described as a General Farmer. The cause of death: pneumococcal
meningitis - fatal after just 3 days. The address should read as 4 Naples
Street, Observatory. That whole street of houses has since been demolished.
Death Notice of Milo Notley
The
legal wrangles involving his estate were not resolved until 1957. It is
surprising to see at this late stage uncertainty about the name of the farm and
even the size. [16 morgen = approx 32
acres]. On one document the Afrikaans name
is used: ‘Kranshoek’ and on another, the older Dutch name, ‘Krantzhoek’.
Authorisation for
the farm Krantzhoek/Kranshoek to be sold
I, the undersigned, being the Executrix Testamentary of the
estate of the late Milo Marwood Notley, in his lifetime of Plettenberg Bay, Cape Province, do hereby agree to sell the farm, known as portion of Die Oue Lande Kranshoek, Plettenberg Bay, approximately 18 1/2 16 morgen in extent, which constitutes an asset in the said estate, to Wilhelm Hermann Smeda, for the sum of £525, subject to the consent of the Heirs and of the Master of the Supreme Court, Cape of Good
Hope Provincial Division.
Dated at Observatory, Cape, on this day of 14 Sept. 1956.
J.E.Notley
Executrix Testamentary.
Authorisation from
the heirs of Milo Notley's Estate
Dated at Observatory
Cape,
Jan 10th, 1957.
We, the undersigned, being Heirs in the estate of the late Milo Marwood Notley, hereby consent to the sale of the farm, known as portion of Die Oue Lande Kranshoek, Plettenburg Bay, approximately 16 morgen in extent, which constitutes an asset in the said estate, to Wilhelm Hermann Smeda, for the sum of £525, it being our desire that the said farm should be sold to one of the Heirs and thereby remain in the family of the testator.
Signed .... by all the children
The
last three images are from File MOOC 6/9/13567, 316/47.
Also
in the file was a will signed at Knysna on 7th December 1905 and filed on 22nd
January 1947. Milo’s wife was nominated as the sole heiress and Executrix of
the Estate.
-----
C.S.C.
2/1/11993, 626
This
is the record of a case in the Cape Supreme Court set down for trial on 12th
June 1958. The Plaintiff was a widow, Jane Ellen Notley, born Williams and the
case was a demand for the payment of £436 11s 6d [Pounds Sterling] by one
Ephraim Dichter.
This
amount was owing to the Plaintiff who accused the Defendant of failing to pay
this amount to her, which he was holding in trust as an Attorney on the
Plaintiff’s behalf, pending the registration of transfer of a certain property
in the name of a third party, a certain Mr. Smeda.
Jane
Ellen was acting as Executrix in the Estate of her late husband, Milo Marwood
Notley.
Judgment
was given in favour of the Plaintiff, and the Defendant was ordered to transfer
the amount in question to the Estate mentioned above and transfer of the
property was duly made to Smeda.
MILO
MARWOOD & JANE NOTLEY’S CHILDREN
There
is evidence to suggest that there was a baby born before the first one we have
hitherto known of. We have already seen the newspaper report at the end of
December 1900, saying that Milo was about to leave for South Africa. It is not
unlikely that Jane accompanied him. Just three months later a premature baby
girl was born in Cape Town. She died on 13th March 1901, after only 10 hours,
and the father - Milo Notley - signed the death certificate as the informant.
The cause of death was given simply as 'premature birth'. It seems very
unlikely that there were others with the name Milo Notley in Cape Town in 1901!
The rather boyish signature might be the only known example of 'our' Milo’s
signature that we have.
Milo
and Jane had 10 children:
Francis
Vivian (1903-1965),
Matilda
Venn (1903-1977),
Dorothy
(1905-1995),
Maida
(1906-1964),
Mildred
Madeline (1907-1995),
Marwood
Milo (1909-1985),
Hector
Alexander (1911- ?),
Cora
(1913 - ?),
Stella
Marwood (1917-2005) and
Geoffrey
Milo (1919-1980).
The
children were baptised at St Peter's Church, Plettenberg Bay. Here is Dorothy
Notley’s baptism certificate:
Below
are details of all baptisms I could locate. Notice that Milo’s occupation is
later given as ‘farmer’, whereas at the time of the first baptisms it is given
as ‘forester’.
FRANCIS VIVIAN
NOTLEY
Francis was born on 2nd January 1903. The stories I have heard suggest that he was somewhat spoilt … within the family jokingly called ‘Little Lord Fauntleroy’. His more usual nickname was Franky. He seems to have relied on the rest of the family for most of his life. At times he drank heavily. In later years he found a job. His death certificate gives his occupation as “ship’s guard”, but probably as a result of his illness, he was in receipt of a disability pension. Cancer of the tongue was diagnosed, and this spread. He died in 1965, having never married. His grave number: 30598B.
MATILDA VENN NOTLEY
Matilda
was born on 6th December 1903.
She
was a nurse. My mother used to tell
tales of her being very upright when she set off for work, but within half an
hour of returning home, drinking would have taken its toll. Alcohol seems to have been a problem for many
of the family. My grandmother had a great aversion for alcohol, perhaps because
of this.
My
mother also mentioned her meanness - insisting on eating bread even if it was
moldy, using newspaper on the table rather than a cloth, etc.
Tilly
married a man named Wilhelm Herman Smeda on 20th June 1942 in Paarl, but the
marriage was not happy. He was by some accounts pro-German, perhaps even a Nazi
sympathizer, so their marriage - during the war - seems a bit strange.
C.S.C.
2/1/1/2534, 2451: This is the record of a judicial separation [divorce] in the
Cape Supreme Court, set down for trial on 29th May 1962, involving the
settlement by means of a judicial separation and the awarding of maintenance,
between the Plaintiff, Matilda Venn Smeda, born Notley, of 4 Naples Road,
Observatory, Cape, and the Defendant, Wilhelm Herman Smeda, a Harbour Master of
Hout Bay, Cape.
Tilly’s marriage
certificate
Detailed
claims of violent assaults by the Defendant on the person of the Plaintiff were
brought forward, plus evidence of evictions from the family home, denials that
he was even married to the Plaintiff, and accusations of the excessive use of
alcohol and drugs, etc.
Counter
claims were then made by the Defendant, who also denied all the charges, and
then he asked for a divorce from her, and he added a claim of adultery with a
certain Mr. Abrahams to his claims, which she denied.
Judgment
was for the Plaintiff, and Smeda was ordered to return to her by 5th December
1964. He failed to do so, and she was granted a final divorce on 4th November
1964.
For
many years there was a total rift between my grandmother and Tilly. We bumped into Tilly very occasionally at
Milly and Cora’s house.
At
this stage she had married the said Mr. Abrahams. I met Charles/Charlie once – he seemed
elderly and frail.
Tilly
died after a nasty accident – when her clothes caught fire while she was
cooking. She was taken to a hospital in Wynberg, where she lingered for a few
more days. My grandmother visited her during this time.
When
Tilly died, her house passed to Milly and Cora.
I
certainly remember Bill Smeda, while he was still working as harbour master at
Hout Bay and also after he retired. We
visited him occasionally, years after his divorce from Tilly/Matilda.
He
lived down a very sandy lane in a house I think he built himself. It was a two-storey house, with an elaborate
balustrade. There was a large open
aquarium on the ground floor and a real menagerie outside, with birds of all
kinds, including peacocks. I can recall
how on one occasion he took a duck, put in an ornamental pot at the entrance of
the property and rung the poor bird’s neck …. for us to take home.
DOROTHY NOTLEY
My
grandmother was Milo's daughter, Dorothy Oosthuizen [née Notley]:
The last minute confusion about the little boy’s names is strange and intriguing.
Dorothy with her daughter, Dorothy; and on her knee, her son
The last minute confusion about the little boy’s names is strange and intriguing.
Dorothy and her daughter Heather
Dorothy Oosthuizen
[née Notley]
Dorothy and John,
around 1970
Dorothy
Notley was born on 17th April 1905 near Humansdorp. She told the story of how,
without any warning, she was put on a train (at the age of 17) and told she was
going to Cape Town to be nurse. She
worked as such until she married in 1929. She married Alwyn Petrus Oosthuizen
on 15th September 1929 in Cape Town.
Alwyn
was born on 21st January 1904, the son of Nicolaas Johannes Salomon Oosthuizen
and Johanna Petronella Botha. He was baptised on 17th July 1904 at Rustenberg,
Northern Transvaal. He served in the army for all of his working life, and
Dorothy had a general shop for some years, both in Green Point and later Parow.
Her husband [‘Koos’] died on 12th June 1960, only a few weeks after his
retirement – while Dorothy was on an overseas trip, the only trip she made to
England in her lifetime. She immediately made plans to return to Cape Town, and
arrived back on 30th June 1960. Their marriage was by all accounts a very happy
one.
There
were three children:
Dorothy
Ellen - born 26th October 1930,
Nicholas
Johannes Soloman - born 1st November 1937; died 1st July 1938 of
broncho-pneumonia, having been unwell for 3 weeks, and
Heather
Venn - born 7th December 1939.
Dorothy
had two children [Annemarie and Daniel]; and Heather three [John, Marian and
Peter].
Dorothy’s
nickname was Dolly or Dot. She was kind to everyone, and exceptionally
generous. For many years she devoted days to collecting for the Anglican Church
in Goodwood - just before the annual fete/bazaar. She loved listening to the
radio - and often lay down while listening to a favourite programme. If she
happened to hear of a book or new song she thought interesting, she would jot
down the details, and ask one of us to look out for it. Baking was another
thing she enjoyed – cake and bread, and she regularly made fritters, and jam
and marmalade. A walk of several miles was no deterrent until she was into her
late 70s, whether to visit us, or to go to the shops or church. Trips to
central Cape Town were something she enjoyed for many years; and Stuttafords
was always her favourite department store. She spent many hours there - looking
around, having tea and a snack in the Birdcage, buying groceries, sitting and
watching the world go by. She lived alone for decades - until she was well into
her 80s. Her final years were spent at the Chris Heunis Home for the elderly in
Somerset West.
She
died on 1st July 1995 – on the anniversary of her son’s early death. Even in
her eighties she would become upset thinking back to the loss of her only son.
She and her husband were buried in Maitland Cemetery – Gate 4, Row 32741.
Cora
Sisters, Milly and
Cora
Milly, ------ and Cora [Thanks to Dennis Notley for this photo]
Cora
MILDRED AND CORA
NOTLEY
Mildred
Madeline Notley was born on Christmas Day 1907 – 25th December 1907.
Cora was several years younger – born on 7th October 1913. She was baptised 18 years later - on 25th March 1931.
I’ve
put the sisters together, as to me they were always together – inseparable. They lived
together for all the years I saw them, and I doubt whether I ever saw one
without the other.
Milly
apparently worked for the South African Railways for some years. She married a considerably younger man called
Johannes Marthinus Rossouw – nickname Mana, but unfortunately it was not a
happy marriage.
C.S.C.
2/1/1/1969, 1255
This
is the record of a divorce case in the Cape Supreme Court, set down for trial
on 15th January 1957.
The
Plaintiff was Mildred Madeline Rossouw (born Notley) of 4 Naples Street,
Observatory, Cape and the Defendant was Johannes Marthinus Rossouw, address c/o
Messrs Glucose and Starch Products, Bellville, Cape.
The
charge was that the Defendant had deserted the Plaintiff and had refused to
return to the marriage by the date set by the Court, and thereafter he failed
to turn up to the court hearing on 15th January 1957.
The
Plaintiff was accordingly granted a final Divorce on 15th November 1957.
Her
last job was for a dry cleaning company.
I don’t recall Cora ever working.
For as long as I knew Milly and Cora, they lived together.
Milly
was very lively, and Cora quiet, meek and docile. As sharp as Milly was, so
Cora was slow. She spoke very, very slowly – with a slight nasal twang. My mother says that Cora drank in her younger
days, but there was no hint of this as she grew older.
Milly
and Cora lived together for many years, very close to Dorothy. When Tilly died,
they moved to Claremont, and later with their nephew Graham, further
afield. The sisters then wrote to each
other regularly. Then Milly died; and Graham and Cora lived in Port
Elizabeth. Graham then moved to Cape
Town, and later Johannesburg.
Milly
died only eight days after Dorothy – on 9th July 1995, of cancer. She did not
linger long after her diagnosis, and apparently barely spoke after that.
Cora
died unexpectedly in hospital - after surgery.
MAIDA NOTLEY
Maida was born on 27th September 1906. She married Percival [Percy] George Cross, born on 14th September 1904. Graham was the first son to be born. [[https://www.facebook.com/graham.cross.3154 and several other profiles!].
Their second child Athur Malcolm was born on 27th July 1942, baptised on 16th August, and he died 3 days later.
Their other 2 children: David Richard and Anthea Ellen [Visser].
Maida
Maida with her children Anthea, David and Graham
Percy worked as an operator for the South African Railways. He died on 9th November 1951 as a result of ‘multiple injuries sustained in accidental running over by a railway train’ at/near Goodwood railway station. Their address at the time was given as 18 King George Street, Epping.
Maida was left penniless. There were no savings. There was no cash. Their furniture was valued at £35; and she was awaiting an amount of just over £27 from the Railways.
She appealed to the Governor-General’s Fund for assistance.
My mother always spoke of
her aunt as a hard-working woman.
Maida
was the first of Milo and Jane’s children to die. She died on 14th April 1964 -
of cancer of the colon.
The
couple lie buried together at Maitland Cemetery. Maida's inscription is now almost illegible:
Her
mother was severely shaken by her daughter’s death, of course; and died two
months later.
JANE ELLEN NOTLEY –
MORE INFORMATION, and DEATH
Milo's
wife, Jane Ellen, née Williams [Routley?] 1960 – at Dorothy’s wedding, with her
sister Heather as bridesmaid
The
year of her birth was uncertain at the time..
Milo's
wife, Jane, died in Cape Town on 26th June 1964. The death certificate gives
her maiden name as Williams, but I believe it was really Routley. The two are
buried together in Maitland Cemetery [row 21910 - close to Gate 3 - near Mutual
Station].
I
searched the 1881 census results for a Jane, or Jane Ellen. I found an Ellen
Williams aged 3 - and could see no other possibilities. This child had been
born in London, and was living with her grandparents, Charles and Janes
Routley, in Backway, Monksilver.
I believe she was Jane Ellen, daughter of Jane Routley (servant), living at 5 Wyndham Place, Marylebone - born 17th June 1877. Three weeks after the birth of baby Jane her parents married. Her father was William Henry Williams, a tailor.
One of of Jane's school certificates - Monksilver School - 1885. The name she used - clearly Jane Ellen Williams.
The
1891 census results show Ellen Williams, aged 14, step-daughter of William and
Jane Calloway, both born in Monksilver, as were their children Edgar W and
Alfred. William Calloway was aged 42, and Jane, 37. They were living at Mill
Cottage, Monksilver, and he was an agricultural labourer.
[Siblings:
Edgar Willie was born in 1888 and died on 28th June 1974. Alfred was born in
the last quarter of 1889. William’s dates - unknown. Frank was born in the last
quarter of 1893. Bessie Webber of Challick Farm, Somerset, died on 24th October
1976. Mabel Elizabeth Hall was born around 1892, and died on 1st March 1972.
Bessie and Mabel wrote to my grandmother regularly.]
The
stories I have heard about Jane: that she always liked having at least one cat
around, that she liked her gin, and that she never drank fresh milk. She loved
the song ‘There’ll always be an England’, and always kept a tiny Union Flag in
her living room.
For
years she declined to drink fresh milk. One day, as she lay in bed, she asked
for a glass of milk. There was some surprise, and the milk was duly offered.
She took a sip, put her head on her pillow, and passed away. That was 26th June
1964.
MARWOOD MILO NOTLEY
Marwood
was born in 1909. His nickname was Boet. He married Elizabeth Dorothea Loots,
and they had three children. She died in 1980, and he died in 1985. Thanks to
them the name Milo Marwood Notley lives on.
ALEXANDER HECTOR NOTLEY
He
was born on 7th October 1911. His nickname was Barn.
He married Hester Johanna Katarina Bothma, and they had a very large family. This gives an accurate idea of their descendants:
It is best to look at https://www.myheritage.com/site-family-tree-27529751/notley-sa
for more detailed information.
Alexander/Barn
He married Hester Johanna Katarina Bothma, and they had a very large family. This gives an accurate idea of their descendants:
It is best to look at https://www.myheritage.com/site-family-tree-27529751/notley-sa
for more detailed information.
These
edited notes from Hester Nel [www.facebook.com/hester.nel.359] in 2012 give us
a description of this branch of the family:
My name is Hester. This was my
granny’s name. My dad is one of eleven children, of whom one died at the age of
11 months - his name was Oliver. My granny also died at a very young age; she
had cancer, I think she was about 42 years of age. Our granddad never remarried
after her death. He died at the age of 92 years if I am correct; he also died
of cancer.
My dad’s oldest brother, Milo Hector
Notley died two years ago, at the age of 70 - also cancer.
My dad is one of the middle sons,
they were 7 brothers and four sisters. Of these all of the sisters are still
alive, and only five sons are still alive.
My dad had only two daughters. My
name is Hester Wilhelmina Notley (Nel) and I’m 44. I have a younger sister,
Lizette Notley (Venter), aged 39.
His oldest brother Hector - they
called him Heccie - had two children, Alexander and Liezl.
Then Cora, two sons, one of them died
in a car crash, almost 20 years ago, she lives in Cape Town.
Then Frazer Young (they called him
Tappie) had 4 children, one of them died at the age of three - also cancer. The
other 3 children: Nerine lives in New Zealand, and Kenneth and then the
youngest daughter Leticia live in England.
Oliver is the brother that died at
the age of 11 months.
Then it is my dad, Arthur Alfred, and
we are only the two daughters.
The next child is Guy Roy, we called
him Roy. He is a teacher and lives in Tulbagh, Cape. My granddad was in an Old
Age home in Tulbagh. Uncle Roy had three sons: Francois, Tertius and Ettienne.
Then Alice, she had two children,
Esther and Phillip.
Then it is Aunt Jean, with two
children, Karen and Schalk.
Then it is Perry. He lives in Port
Elizabeth. He also has three children: Conroy, Inge and Stephen. Inge lives in
Austria.
Then is Lionell. He had four
children, Lizl, Nick - the other two names I can’t remember. The first two were
from his previous marriage.
The youngest is Lynette, with two
daughters. Her husband died suddenly last year, of a heart attack.
My dad remembers your granny, he is
always talking about Cora and Mildred as well.
I am married and have two children,
Ruan and Yolande.
My sister had three children,
Monnique, Arthur and Britney-Bianca. Arthur is also Arthur Alfred the same
names as my dad.
Our mother’s names: Salomina
Herculina Johanna, and maiden name is McAlpine.
And
from Alex Notley in South Africa:
I got some information from my aunt
Cora. She, my uncle Tappie (Fraser Young) and my dad (Hector Milo) have all
retired in George (South Cape). The next best family I know is my uncle Roy in
Tulbagh and the rest I have seen once or twice.
I came across Milo and Peter Notley
(both living in Bloemfontein), sons of Geoffrey Notley?, quite by accident.
Peter's son, whose name I forgot, was an attorney in the city when I walked
past the window on which Notley was printed.
I've heard about Notley's in KZN, but
never found the connection. My dad's youngest brother lives in Polokwane
(Pietersburg) and recently Liezel, his daughter, and I have been in contact.
She found my alexnotley@yahoo.com address on the web and thought we might be
long lost family. That is almost true anyway! She was or is still in Pretoria
STELLA MARWOOD
NOTLEY
Stella was born on 9th July 1917, and married Cecil James Turner on 21st July 1945. Some information about the latter:
Two daughters were born: Jennifer Marion on 17th May 1946 and Margaret Dianna on 17th April 1950.
As Stella lived in Natal, we rarely saw her and the rest of her family.
Jennifer married Peter Robertson and had 2 sons: Paul Roger and Brandon Wayne.
Margaret married John Albert Chislett and had 2 sons: Shaun James and Craig Dean. Margaret passed away on 13th November 2018.
Many of the descendants can be found on Facebook.
Granny kept this photo with a few personal papers for decades:
Stella
She died on 1st March 2005.
Stella’s daughters, Margaret and Jennifer - from Facebook
GEOFFREY MILO NOTLEY
Geoffrey
Milo Notley [nicknamed Boy] was born in 1919.
He married Esme Mathilda Erena Schwegman on 1st October 1949 in Verulam, Natal.
Geoffrey/Boy
He married Esme Mathilda Erena Schwegman on 1st October 1949 in Verulam, Natal.
They
had two sons.
Geoffrey
died of cancer in 1980, and I remember my grandmother was very upset.
1996 SUMMARY OF MILO
AND JANE’S CHILDREN
MILO’S BROTHERS AND
SISTERS
With
Montague’s death in 1966, the last of Milo’s siblings went to the grave.
I
am grateful to Tina Notley for her notes on most of Milo’s siblings [except
Montague and Marwood].
For
more on the Marwoods, see the book ‘Marvodia’ by William Munk. Various free
versions exist online.
For
more on the Marwood-Notleys, see ‘Do Not Lie!: The Notleys of Somerset and
Dorset’ by Eustace H. Pearson (Author), Paperback: 127 pages, Publisher:
[Eustace H. Pearson]; 1st/only edition (1991), ISBN-10: 0951853600 / ISBN-13:
9780951853603.
If
you would like any other information – or spot any errors or queries, please
feel free to contact me.
John Marwood
Bangkok 2016 & revised Aldershot,
January 2023
