The Risley Family


Alice Douthera (Risley, Barker) White

Birth: 24 October 1854, in Kingston, Surrey, England

Father: William Risley

Mother: Emily (Ward) Risley

Married (1st): R. D. Barker

Married (2nd): Harry White on 30 April 1883 at St Peter's Cathedral, in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, by the Venerable Archdeacon Colley.

Children: Sources:

Clara Risley

Birth: 4 December 1856, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England

Father: William Risley

Mother: Emily (Ward) Risley

Death: 16 September 1857, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England

Sources:

Clara Ann Risley

Birth: 27 September 1859, in Blyth, Nottinghamshire, England

Father: William Risley

Mother: Emily (Ward) Risley

Sources:

Emily (Risley) Ford

Birth: 20 November 1852, in Kingston, Surrey, England

Father: William Risley

Mother: Emily (Ward) Risley

Married: Edward Funnell Ford on 28 September 1875, at St Peters Cathedral, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, by the Lord Bishop of Natal

Children: Notes:
Immigrated to South Africa in 1866
Arrived in Durban, South Africa aboard the Natal Star in 1866

Memories: Extract from The Daily Tribune - Wednesday October 26, 1938

WAGONS BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES
TO THIS WOMAN PIONEER

As the Voortrekkerwagons creaked over the Pietermaritzburg streets this morning they reminded the respected senior generation of the days when wagons were not historic relics but were almost the sole means of transport.

It was in one of those lumbering vehicles that an excited little 14-years-old girl made her first journey to the village which was to be her "home" for the remainder of her life. In the midst of the Centenary celebrations today, Mrs. E.F. Ford, the little girl of yesterday, recalled another gala day. It was the day when the whole of Durban went on holiday to celebrate the opening of the long anticipated lighthouse. It was on that same day that Mrs. Ford, her mother and six younger brothers and sisters disembarked from the sailing vessel Natal Star, in which they had sailed from England.

"We thought Durban was a lovely place", smiled Mrs. Ford to a Daily Tribune reporter. "Everyone was on holiday, just as they are to-day. Flags were flying everywhere. Even the boats on the bay were decorated."

Their first home was a rambling thatched roofed cottage with mud floors in Pietermaritz Street, opposite Temple Street.

Mrs. Ford went to school in Miss Newcombe's "Select Establishment for Young Ladies" in Pietermaritz Street. Her brothers were foundation members of Hilton College, under Dr. Neunham. Youth was hardy in those days. "After the holidays the boys thought nothing of walking home from school", said Mrs. Ford.

Mrs. Ford's father was one of the earliest city councillors of Pietermaritzburg.

A few months later she moved with her husband to Chase Valley. There they set to work building a home for themselves out of the veld. They planned gardens and planted citrus trees, laying the foundations of what is now a thriving citrus farm, Kingston Lodge.


QUEER FARM NAMES The Fords lived there for 40 years. A well-known neighbour of theirs was Judge Phillips, owner of "The Chase". He had wonderful gardens and planted trees imported from all parts of the world. The judge had a humerous taste as far as the names of his various homes were concerned. His first farm at Karkloof was called "The Start". Then he moved to "The Chase", and he ended his journey at a farm at Cope's Folly, appropriately named "The Finish".


Mrs. Ford still remembers how wildly excited she was when her husband bought their first motor car. It was a regal affair that looked nice but had very limited capabilities. It was one of the earliest models and travelling in it was hazardous, to say the least. It took it all its time to get along itself without any passengers sitting in it, said Mrs. Ford.

Sources:


Frederick and William Risley (12kb)

Frederick William Risley

Birth: 17 April 1858, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England

Father: William Risley

Mother: Emily (Ward) Risley

Notes:
Twin brother to William Frederick Risley
Immigrated to South Africa in 1866
Arrived in Durban, South Africa aboard the Natal Star in 1866
Foundation member of Hilton College, Hilton, Natal, South Africa

Frederick performed well academically, receiving a prize at Hilton's first prize-giving, as recorded in this report from the Natal Witness on 27 December 1872.


HILTON COLLEGE
On Wednesday 18th instant the pupils of Hilton College were assembled for the purpose of distribution of prizes previous to breaking up. A few friends had been invited to be present and it had been intended that the masters and senior pupils should act the Merchant of Venice in the evening, but the sudden and dangerous illness of Mrs Newnham put a stop to those festivities.
The pupils being all assembled, the Principal addressed them in a few words. He pointed out the priciple which guided him in adjudging prizes and stated that he would never give a prize for mere cleverness; that industry and good behaviour were what he desired to encourage; that it was nothing to him if through the colony "Hiltonian" and "cleverness" became synonymous; the desire of his heart was that "Hiltonian" and "gentleman" should be convertible terms; that he had to thank the parents of many of his pupils for their liberality, whereby they had enabled him to mark the merits of many scholars whom he would have had to pass over had he only depended on his own purse; that those boys who had not obtained prizes must not be discouraged or think that they were thereby marked out as bad or idle; that his pleasant though difficult task had been, where all were good, to separate the very good.
He then called each prize-winner and with a pithy exhortation delivered him his prize or prizes. The names are as follows:
First Division, including Fifth and Sixth Forms: A. Baker, universal proficiency; J. Polkinghorne, 1st prize, distinguished advance; W. Birkett, 2nd do.; A. McKenzie, 3rd do.; W. Henderson, 4th do.; J. Polkinghorne, 1st prize, distinguished industry; W. Birkett, 2nd do,; R. Dixon, 1st prize, special advancement; J. Allison, 2nd do.; G. Robinson, 3rd do.; S. Middleton, 4th do.; G. Salmon, 1st prize, general advancement and honourable conduct; G. Law, 2nd do.; E. Acutt, 3rd do.
Second Division, including Third and Forth (sic) Forms: C. Henderson, 1st prize, super-eminent advancement; A. Butcher, 2nd do; C. Henderson, 1st prize, distinguished industry; A. Ross, 1st prize, special advancement; W. Leathern, 2nd do.; F. W. Risley, 3rd do.; J. Peniston, 4th do.; W. Bowes, 1st prize, general advancement; H. Acutt, 2nd do.
Third Division, including First and Second Forms: E. Randles, super-eminent advancement; H. Brickhill, 1st prize, distinguished advancement; -. Middleton, 2nd do.; -.Macfarlane, 1st prize, special advancement; A. Newnham, 3rd do.
 

A newspaper article about Frederick's father mentions Frederick as being "one of Natal's most energetic prospectors"

Sources:

Henry Risley

Birth: 17 August 1864, in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England

Father: William Risley

Mother: Emily (Ward) Risley

Death: 18 August 1864

Source:
FORD family tree supplied by Esme Fuller

John Edward Risley

Birth: 6 January 1863, in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England

Father: William Risley

Mother: Emily (Ward) Risley

Notes:
A newspaper article about John's father mentions John as being "a leading agent and broker in Durban"

Sources:

Joseph Risley

Father: Unknown Risley

Notes:
When Joseph's parents died while he was still young, Joseph was left in the care of his elder brother, William. Joseph, like his brother, emigrated to Natal and settled in Pietermaritzburg. He became a partner in the firm Harwin & Risley (later Harwin & Co.) was was one of the City Fathers.

Source:
Pioneers of Natal - The Natalian (Pietermaritzburg), September 11 1908

Joseph Risley

Birth: 1 April 1861, in Blyth, Nottinghamshire, England

Father: William Risley

Mother: Emily (Ward) Risley

Notes:
A newspaper article about Joseph's father mentions Joseph as being "on the Rand"

Sources:

William Risley

Birth: 1828 in Muswell Hill, London, England

Father: Unknown Risley

Married (1st): Emily Mason Ward on 21 June 1851 in St George Hanover Square district, London, Middlesex

Children: Married (2nd): to Matilda

Death: 29 November 1894

Buried: in Edmonton Church-yard, London, England

Biography: Extract from The Natalian - September 11, 1908

PIONEERS OF NATAL

THE MEN WHO MADE THE COLONIES
"There were Giants in those Days"

WILLIAM RISLEY
"An honest man's the noblest work of God"

Who of old Natal, and especially of the old days of Pietermaritzburg, does not remember the rugged, kindly face and the short, sturdy well-knit form of William Risley - once so well known in our streets, on our Market Square or throughout the colony!


In the Days of his Youth
The subject of this biograpy was no means born in the lap of luxury. He first saw the light in 1828 at Muswell Hill - then quite a country place but now a thriving suburb of the great metropolis of the Empire - and from his earliest boyhood his was a life of strenuous effort and of hard work. Losing his father and mother at an early age, he was left with the care of a younger brother on his youthful shoulders, but nobly and well he performed the self-imposed task. This brother was the late Joseph Risley (also well-known and well-remembered in Pietermaritzburg), who afterwards became a partner in the then firm of Harwin & Risley (now Harwin & Co.) and was for some time one of our most respected City Fathers.


His Education
William Risley was not only a self-made man - he was a self-educated man, and he has often told the present writer with glee, how after his day's work was done, he copied an old English dictionary, from end to end, three times, so as to perfect himself in the spelling and meaning of every word in the English language! Truly a Herculean task and one which only a youth of the dogged determination of a subject of "this autobiography would" attempt. But horticulture was his hobby, and he made himself a theoretical and practical master of the art in every branch, and in all its attendant industries. He served for many years in various large nursuries, and afterwards in sundry poitions of high truston gentlemen's estates in the old country, thus perfectu\ing his earlier technical education.


His Advent in Natal
But all this arduous toil was telling even on William Risley's splendid constitution, and it became necessary for him to seek a warmer climate than that of old England. He had married a most estimable lady, and, leaving her in charge of their family of seven young children (of whom his eldest son were twins), he came to this colony in the year 1860, and proceeding at once to Pietermaritzburg, he commenced business as a practical gardener and florist in Pietermaritz Street, in what was then known as "Winter's Field," near the foot of Raven Street, - a couple of hundred yards from where the "Natalian" office in Church Street now stands. He varied his hard work at this occupation by occasional shooting trips, for he was a splendid shot and an expert taxidermist, and he was one of the first of Natalians to send Home cases of specimens of South African birds and fauna. Many of to-day's followers of the art of taxidermy in Natal owe their knowledge to lessons from William Risley.

During this period he, with the most laudable of intentions, attempted for Natal what has proved such a curse in the eastern colonies of Australia. He indroduced some thirty pairs of rabbits, but they increased and multiplied and spread to such an extent that Mr. Risley speedily saw that what he had intended as a blessing would become a curse, so he summoned the assistance of some local sportsmen, and in a day's "battue" put an end to the existence of "bunny" in Natal.


As Farmer and Transport Rider
But as to-day, so then --- business in this city, in the sixties, was not flourishing, and in partnership with his old friend, William Pidsley, William Risley tried his hand at farming on one of the late Mr. Vanderplank's blocks of land in the neighbourhood of New Leeds. Their efforts met with some success , and with the addition of several up-country transport-riding trips the partners succeeded in making farming, on modern systems, pay. But William Risley's energetic nature required greater scope than that accorded by the tenure of a leasehold farm, and after a few years the opportunity he sought occurred.


As Diamond Digger and Gold-Seeker
His wife and family had joined him here in 1866, coming out in the ship "Natal Star" (Captain Hodge), and in 1869 the news of the first discovery of diamonds in West Griqualand reached Natal, and William Risley, accompanied by four other old Pietermaritzburgers - "Ben" Moody, McGregor (subsequently Mayor of Kimberley), James, and Burmiston, set off for the new El Dorado to try their luck.

The usual vicissitudes of the pioneer digger's life attended them, and after a year of hard work resulted in bare living expenses - and often very poor living at that. On his first arrival, in what is know Kimberley, he "pegged", five claims, but as subsequently the mining law allowed only two to one man, he gave one away, sold one for £5, and parted with one for a secondhand umbrella - and not too good an umbrella either!. And such is the irony of fate that no sooner had Risley thus disposed of some of his surplus ground than the claims he had parted with began to yield diamonds galore, while the two he had retained proved for months practically barren! For a time it looked as though there was nothing for it but a return to Natal empty-handed and with empty pockets, but at last the fickle goddess, Fortune, smiled upon Risley's efforts; and, having once turned her face in his direction, made such ample amends for previous neglect, that in 1871 the temptation to look once more upon the scenes of his boyhood proved stronger than the mere amassing of wealth, and he took a trip Home. And he made the same mistake as was made by hundreds of others ---- the continuity of the lasting powers of the greatest diamond fields the world has ever seen. His claims were in the very heart of the Kimberley Mine, and had he only "held on" until the great amalgamation came off, William Risley would have become a multi-millionaire. But, unfortunately for himself in a way, he was one of those "of little faith", so instead of placing his property in the hands of responsible friends for a time, he sold out - lock, stock and barrel, and sailed for the dear home-land.

On his return to South Africa he tried his luck for some months at alluvial gold digging at the Pilgrim's Rest Fields, but with only limited success.


As Seedsman and Florist
Returning to Natal, he successfully set to work to re-establish his old seed and nursery business, this time purchasing the block of ground in Church Street, in this city, on which now stands the millinery establishment of the Misses A. & A. Meadows. He also secured a farm in the Chase Valley, where his eldest daughter and her husband (Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Ford) now reside and this farm supplied and fed an ever-increasing business. His noble wife and his sons and daughters, all lent a helping hand, and the business prospered, and rapidly became the most flourishing seed and plant business in Natal - in fact its fame spread throughout the length and breadth of South Africa. It was at Mr. Risley's farm, in the Chase Valley, that the tuber-rose industry was initiated, and for some years there it flourished, and only a change of fickle fashion prevented it becoming a permanent local industry. William Risley, too, may be styled the "father" of Natal's wattle bark industry, for he was the first to recognise the enormous possibilities it contained for the colony.


A Great Bereavement
In 1878 William Risley suffered an irreparable loss in the death of his wife who had so bravely struggled with him in days of poverty, and who had so nobly helped him towards prosperity. His family lost a dearly-loved mother, and the whole community lost a true friend and a grand example. The death of Mrs. Risley made a breach in the charitable ranks of Pietermaritzburg which was hardi to fill. Her charity was "not as sounding brass" - it was unostentatious, unassuming, and kindly. Her left hand hardly knew what her right did, but to this day many can testify to the many solid acts iof true Christian kindness of one who had well bourne her burden and share in the hard work, and difficult struggles, in the early days when Natal was in the making. The late Mrs. Risley did the present writer many a little kindness in his early days in this colony, and he salutes her memory with deep respect. May she rest in peace!


Closing Scenes
For some eight years after his sad loss, William Risley remained in Natal, and for a brief period he was a member of the Town Council of this city, but to a man of his energy and vitality the pettiness of parish politics were repugnant. As a councillor, he believed rather in the "fortiter in re" than the "suaviter in mode", and as he abhorred narrow-mindedness, he retired from the Council Chamber, to the regret of a great majority of his fellow citizens. In conjunction with Mr. P.R. Murphy, he was for many years a churchwarden of St. Peter's Cathedral, and nothing pleased him better than to give picnics to the choir and Sunday School children of the church. One of my earliest recollections of this city is a picnic given by Mr. Risley at The Chase on New Year's Day of 1877, and a most enjoyable day it was. His experience in arboriculture and horticulture was such that even to-day his notes are Natal's highest authority, and are to-day referred to as final on abstruse points.

He married again, and decided to end his days in his native land, and he accordingly returned to England, and at Muswell Hill he successfully produced roses, carnations, grapes, tomatoes, etc., etc., for the Covent Garden market. But increasing years and the hardships, privations, and exposures of his early days made him a martyr to rheumatism, and his latter time was aggravated by its ravage. ........... Muswell Hill ....... he died on the ... November 1894, in the sixty-sixth year of his age and the mortal remains of one of the men who had helped not only to make the colony, but who been largely instrumental in making this city, were laid to rest in Edmonton Church-yard. "Peace to his ashes, rest to his ransomed soul".

William Risley was essentially one of the men who, by sheer pluck, by hard work, by an indomitable will, were the Pioneers of Natal. He was no frothy politician, no windy orator. He believed in the old Latin motto, "Res non verba", and he acted up to it. Men of William Risley's stamp are the men wanted in Natal to-day.


His Descendants
Of his family, one of his sons is in one of the largest business houses in Harrismith; another is one of Natal's most energetic prospectors; a third is on the Rand; and the youngestis a leading agent and broker in Durban. His oldest daughter is the wife of Mr. E.F. Ford, the well-known carriage-builder and wagon-maker; and the two others are well-known and highly respected residents in this city.

William Risley lived an earnest, energetic, strenous life, and his example is one which is worthy of every imitation by Natalians of the generation of to-day.

By "AJAX"

Notes:
The newspaper article quoted above indicates that William emigrated to Natal to in 1860 and was followed by his wife and children in 1866. This is inconsistent with his seventh child being born in Nottinghamshire in August of 1864. It seems more likely that William only went to Natal some time in 1864 or 1865.

At the time of his death, William was working as a florist for Floral nursery on Southbury Road, Enfield, Middlesex.

Will:

THIS IS THE LAST WILL of me WILLIAM RISLEY of Natal House Bycullah Road Enfield Middlesex Gentleman I nominate and appoint Peter Rathbone Murphy of Oldbury Villas Southbury Road Enfield Gentleman Executor of this my Will I direct the payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses so soon as convenient after my decease I give devise and bequeath unto my dear Wife Matilda Risley all my estate and effects both real and personal whether in possession reversion remainder or expectancy for her sole separate and absolute use and benefit I revoke all prior Wills IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of March One thousand eight hundered and eighty nine -- WM RISLEY -- Signed by the said William Risley the Testator in the presence of us both present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses - GEO CHAS H JENNINGS Solr 69 Leadenhall Street London - W E CHILD Clerk to Messrs Jennings & Son 69 Leadenhall Street Solrs London

ON the 31st day of December 1894 Probate of this Will was granted to Peter Rathbone Murphy the sole Executor

Probate: RISLEY William of Floral nursey Southbury-road Enfield Middlesex florist died 29 November 1894 Probate London 31 December to Peter Rathbone Murphy gentleman Effects £376 7s 11d

Sources:
Frederick and William Risley (12kb)

William Frederick Risley

Birth: 17 April 1858, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England

Father: William Risley

Mother: Emily (Ward) Risley

Death: 10 August 1935, in Harrismith, Free State, South Africa

Notes:
William was a twin brother to Frederick William Risley. he immigrated to South Africa, arriving in Durban aboard the Natal Star in February 1867. In 1872, he was a foundation member of Hilton College, Hilton, Natal, South Africa, starting there the day the school opened.

William moved to Harrismith in the Free State with the business house he worked for, and was there from at least 1908 when the fact is mentioned in an article in The Natalian until his death.

The "little Risleys" are mentioned in the Diary of Duncan McKenzie who was also a founder pupil of Hilton College. It did not take long for them to get in a scrape as recounted in this story, reprinted in Lift Up Your Hearts pg 175-6: Extracts from the Diary of Duncan McKenzie (1877)
"9th June 1877
It is about a year since I left Hilton College, but nevertheless I intend to return back to my school days and relate a few interesting happenings of that period...
... The first day we arrived at Hilton, we did not like it. We never knew a soul, and the look of Mr. Newnham's big sjambok was quite enough for me, as he came walking up to meet us; but when we came to hear that he had no less than three, it frightened the lives out of us.
The big one he called Lamb's Tail, the second Cat's Tail and the third Rat's Tail.
Mr Crowe, the senior master also had one, a two-tailed one, so there were no less than four sjamboks in the school.
The first row that we got into was on Wednesday afternoon when some of us set off to get some maas at some native's kraal.
When we got there, there was no one at the huts except children, whom we told to go and call their parents.
As it was getting late we told a little girl to get us some maas, which she did, and we paid her for it, and ate until we had had sufficient, and then set to and splashed all the youngsters with the remains, making their heads white; but when they started crying, we decided it was time to leave. We had only gone about 300 yards when we saw the kraal head, Gwen, arriving at a fast pace. He never stopped to ask his children anything, as he could see what had happened, so we started running; but we had about two miles to get back to school and were all in a big fright, especially the little Risleys. One of them was singing out not to leave him, as he was tired, so I caught his hand and helped him along. We hid in the gum trees near school, until we thought all danger was over.
As however some boys told us that Gwen had been to see Mr Newnham, we waited in suspense, and sure enough next morning after prayers, Mr Newnham said "Will all the boys that went to Gwen's for maas yesterday please stand up." Up we stood, and he carried on, "Boys, you have only been here a few days and I am sorry to say that you have misbehaved yourselves, so you must pay 6d each for the maas, and you ought not to have taken advantage of the children when their parents were away. That will do." And right glad we were to get off so lightly."

Obituary:
Dated Saturday 17 August 1935, in the Harrismith Chronicle:


OBITUARY
WILLIAM FREDERICK RISLEY
We regret to record the death of Mr. William Frederick Risley, who died at the local Hospital on Saturday after a long and painful sickbed.


Mr. Risley, who was born at Uxbridge in England, in April, 1958, was one of twins, his brother being named Frederick William.

He lived in England until he was seven years old, and then came out to South Africa with his parents in the "Natal Star", an old sailing vessel, arriving here in February, 1867, after a voyage which was notable for its many vicissitudes. Their arrival at Durban coincided with the opening of the first lighthouse at the Bluff, and the town as a result was "en Fete". After staying in Durban for a couple of years they moved to Maritzburg, and Mr. Risley's brother related how one the most interesting sights of those days was the strings of ox wagons coming down to the coast from the interior. They often attained a length of 40 miles, and were packed closely from the Maritzburg Market Square to "World's View", where the new broadcasting station is now situated.

When still a young man, Mr. Risley entered the service of Messrs. Parker, Wood and Co., and was associated with that firm for 45 years, the last few years being as manager of the local branch.

With his twin brother and Mr. George Law, Mr. Risley was a foundation pupil of Hilton College at Maritzburg, the three of them enrolling the first morning the school opened.

In Harrismith Mr. Risley was known to everyone of the older citizens, and during his long stay here, his quiet, unassuming and honest nature, endeared himto a very large circle of friends, all of whom will mourn his death. He was a Christian in the very best sense of the word, and one whose life can be taken as a model by the younger people of Harrismith.

Sources:

Unknown Risley

Children: Notes:
William and Joseph's father and mother both died when the children were "at an early age", and Joseph was left in the care of his older brother, William.

Source:
Pioneers of Natal - The Natalian (Pietermaritzburg), September 11 1908

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