P H J Morkel and M G Freislich By C. J. (Jak) van den Bergh and André T. Morkel (ATM)

My (Jak) grandmother, f3 M. J. L. (Maggie) Morkel (1872 - 1948) married C. E. (Fiets) Brink of Johannesburg in 1896. Ouma

(grandma) Maggie is fondly remembered in our family as a stately and gentle lady. She was a superb cook with deep love for family.

She was born on a portion of the Morkel farm Die Bos, the daughter of e7 Philip Morkel and Maria Goudrica Freislich, where

our story commences.

Philip Morkel and Maria Freislich

e7 Philip Hendrik Johannes Morkel (1841 - 1910) married Maria Goudrica Freislich (1846 - 1937 ) daughter of Carolus Freislich, postmaster at Franschhoek and Margaretha Jacoba Jurgens. The Morkel family lived on The Lodge, a portion of the old Morkel farm Die Bos, close to The Strand. Oumagrootjie

(great grandma) Freislich was loved for her gentle and generous nature.

A story in the family refers to her providing food for Leander Starr Jameson who were hiding in the bush at The Lodge. From base in Rhodesia, Jameson led a failed raid seeking to topple President Kruger’s government in the Transvaal in 1895. He was apprehended and delivered to the British Colonial Government for trial and sentencing. He had escaped custody and was hiding near the Strand when Oumagrootjie took pity on him and gave him food. The Transvaal family did not approve. Understandably they had a less benign view of Jameson and horrors of the war that followed bore them out.

It is unlikely that Jameson hid in the bush on The Lodge. The farm as well culitvated and the only trees were on the sides of paddocks as windbreaks. It is more likely that Jameson did not meet Maria Freislich by chance, but actively sought out the family for shelter. Their son Carolus was in the Pioneers Column led by Jameson. It was formed by Cecil John Rhodes to establish a colony in Mashonaland, which became South Rhodesia. Jameson would thus have known Carolus and where he came from.

Philip and Maria had ten children off whom six reached adulthood. They were f2 Carolus *1870, f3

Margaretha (Maggie) *1872, f4 Philip Hendrik *1874, f5 Michiel Jurgens, f6 Adriaan (Baby) *1890 and f8 Bertie *1887. Oumagrootjie Freislich lived to a ripe old age of 91. After her husband’s death she fell, broke her hip and was confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of her life. Her husband Philip had passed and she went to live with her daughter, ouma Maggie in Ermelo.

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Philip Hendrik Johannes MORKEL married to Maria Goudrica FREISLICHFamily photo

Vredehoek, old Smuts farm, now a suburb of Capetown. Home of MG Freislich’s grandmother, Maria Goudrica Smuts

a1 Philip MORKEL * 27 Feb 1677 (?) Germany † 12 Apr 1735 xx Catharina PASMAN * 1691 Stellenbosch † 1764 b3 Willem MORKEL * 1718 Overwacht † 1788 xx Helena Catharina MALAN * 1736 Morgenster, †1825 c6 Daniel Johannes MORKEL * 17 Aug 1764 † 15 Aug 1825 xx 5 Sep 1793 Maria Dorothea LOUW * 1775 † 1807 d7 Hendrik Johannes MORKEL * 1798 Onverwacht †1859 xx c5d2e9 Esther Elizabeth MORKEL * Abt.1813 † 31 Dec 1880 e7 Philip Hendrik Johannes MORKEL * 21 Sep 1841 † 18 Jun 1910 x 29 Nov 1866 Maria Goudrica

FREISLICH * 1 Mar 1846 † 15 Apr 1937

f1 Hendrik Johannes Louw MORKEL • 2 Sep 1867 † 9 May 1889 (aged 11) f2 Carolus Frederik MORKEL * 1870 †1924 x Bessie Hesketh Rhyley SOUTHALL*1882 f3 Margaretha (Maggie) Jacoba Leonora MORKEL *1872 † 30 Sep 1948 x1896 Cornelis Egbert BRINK f4 Philip Hendrik MORKEL * 4 Dec 1874 d 27 Mar 1912 (aged 37) f5 Michiel Jurgens Freislich MORKEL * 29 Aug 1877 † 6 Feb 1900 during Anglo Boer War (aged 22) f6 Adriaan (Baby) MORKEL * 15 Mar 1880, † 29 Feb 1940 x Jacoba (Polly) Elizabeth DE LA REY f7 Esther Elizabeth MORKEL * 6 May 1884 † 17 Jul 1895 (aged 11) f7 Johannes (Bertie) Gysbertus Borcherds Freislich MORKEL * 10 Sep 1887 † 13 Apr 1953 x Hepsibah Ada CLOTHER * 1901 †1970 f8 Hendrik Johannes Louw MORKEL b: 30 Oct 1890 † 12 Sep 1891 (aged 10 months)

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P H J and Maria Goudrica MORKEL. ca 1896 PHJ and MG are flanked by sons Carolus and Philip Hendrik

Maggie at the back are flanked by Adriaan and Michiel Jurgens (unsure exactly who is who). Bertie lying in front.

Family photo

Carolus and Phil Morkel

f2 Carolus Morkel went to school at Bishops in Cape Town. In December 1888, aged 18 years, went to the Transvaal Goldfields. Two years later he joined the Pioneer Column in 1890. When the first Matabele War broke out in 1892 he was appointed a sergeant, and when the rebellion followed in 1896, rose to commissioned rank. He qualified as a mining engineer and played rugby for the Kimberley Team, including against the first British touring team.

During the Anglo-Boer War he joined the Witwatersrand Rifles and became officer in charge of transport, with the rank captain. He was awarded the Queen’s war medal in addition to two Matabele war medals. Carolus thus fought on one side (British) while his younger brother, f5 Michiel Jurgens Morkel (1870 - 1900) joined the Boer forces. Sadly Michiel Jurgens was killed in action at the battle of Tugela River on 8th February 1900 . Carolus Morkel belonged to the original Diggers Football (rugby) Club in Johannesburg in the 1880’s and served on its first committee. He was married to Bessie Southall. At one stage they were neighbours to Fiets and Maggie Brink at Ermelo, on their farm

Bescarlands.

Carolus and Bessie sent their son, g3 Philip William Morkel *1907, to University to study medicine. Phil however abandoned his studies and became a salesman for Prices Candles. One evening in the pub, he expanded on his dream to start a furniture shop to the person sitting next to him. The man said he would lend him money for his venture and asked what security he could offer. Phil had only his car that he drove with to the pub, to offer. That was accepted and Phil was on his way. He expanded the business into a chain of Phil Morkel shops right around South Africa. He joined with the music retailer R. Muller and the company continued to grow. Eventually it was taken over by Federale Volksbeleggings and the IDC and later other commercial interests took over. It is still trading under the Morkel name. Phil would have been a rare early example of business success at a time when very few of Afrikaner origin were in business. Phil became interested in the family and through his connections with the Cape Archives, he commissioned research into the family history, dating back to Philip Morkel who arrived at the Cape in 1708. He published his book and genealogy of the Morkel family in 1961. The photo shows Phil presenting his book to the Cape Archives. I (ATM) met him at that time and we kept in contact over the years. He encouraged me to continue his research and many years later, in retirement, I carried on where he left off.

f2 Carolus Frederik MORKEL *1870 †1924 x 1900 Lusaka, North Rhodesia Bessie Hesketh Rhyley SOUTHALL *1882 g1 Annie Taylor Somerset MORKEL *26 Aug 1901 x 8 Aug 1922 Edward James SHORTEN m: 08 Aug 1922 in Ermelo g2 Maria Mavis MORKEL *28 Jan 1905 x 12 Jan 1946 Rene Alexandre BERTRAND g3 Philip William MORKEL *17 Jun 1907 x 11 Feb 1942 Eva LISSKE *20 Jun 1909 Germany h1 Evan Philip MORKEL *10 Feb 1944 Sea Point h2 Neil Peter MORKEL *21 Oct 1945 Sea Point g4 Carolus Frederik Raymond Hugh MORKEL *1 Oct 1913 † 22 Sep 1929 Stellenbosch g5 Bessie Florence MORKEL * 26 May 1915 Ermelo x 2 Aug 1937 Andrew Robert Douglas McINTOSH

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Maggie and Fiets Brink

f3 Margaretha (Maggie) Jacoba Leonora MORKEL married Cornelis Egbert (Fiets) BRINK in 1896. He was a champion cyclist with many trophies and medals and the family knew him as ‘Fiets’ (bicycle) Brink. Like Maggie, Fiets also grew up in Somerset West. He went to Kimberley and arrived in Johannesburg1886 where he became a dairy farmer. By 1910 they moved to the farm, Waterval near Ermelo, as a dairy and fruit producing farm. Maggie had a lovely gentle nature and was known for cooking and food preparation skills.

They had five children: • Jacob Andries (Koekie, Japie) Brink. Obtained MSc Agric at U.S. Died 1 Dec 1924 in accident at Firgrove.

• Philip Hendrik Vrede Brink (Vrede (peace). He was born the day after the ABO peace was declared) x Beatrice Rogers.

• Maria (Meraai) Goudrika Brink x CW Bezuidenhout.

• Johanna (Joey) Helena Brink x J.W. van der Merwe.

• Esther (Essie) Leonora Brink x B.J.P. van den Bergh.

My (Jak) mother, Esther (Essie) Leonora Brink *1913 married Barend (Berrie) Jacobus Petrus van den Bergh in 1937. Berrie, Voortrekker descended, came from Western Transvaal. They farmed on the farm Zandfontein near Boons. He studied law (BA LLB) at Witwatersrand University and practised as a solicitor (prokureur) in Johannesburg. I (Jak) *1942 studied medicine at Pretoria (MPrax.Med. FCGP(SA)) and was Hospital Superintendent in Rustenburg Transvaal. I am married to Gerda Nel *1948 and we have four children.

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Phil Morkel (right) presenting his book to the Cape Archives in 1961.

Source: P.W. Morkel

Rand Pioneer’s Certificate awarded to Carolus Frederick Morkel.

He arrived on the Gold Fields in December

My grandmother Maggie f3 Margaretha (Maggie) Jacoba Leonora MORKEL *30 Oct 1872 † 30 Sep 1948 x 28 Sep 1896 Cornelis Egbert (Fiets) BRINK *28 Sep 1864 Somerset West † 2 Jul 1944 Waterval Ermelo My mother Essie Esther Leonora (Essie) BRINK *12 Oct 1913 Ermelo † 29 Mar 1994 x 2 Oct 1937 Barend Jacobus Petrus (Berrie) VAN DEN BERGH. *6 Dec 1912 † 18 Jul 1971. Myself (Jak) Cornelius Jacob (Jak) VAN DEN BERGH * 10 Feb 1942 Emmarentia, Johannesburg x 3 May 1969 Andriesa Gerhardina (Gerda) NEL *20 Jun 1948 Sannieshof. Our children Barend Jacobus Petrus (Barry) VAN DEN BERGH *15 Mar 1971 Hendrik Johannes (Johan) VAN DEN BERGH *14 Apr 1972 Jacob Maria (Mari) VAN DEN BERGH * 16 Nov 1977 Esther Leonora (Estelle) VAN DEN BERGH *10 May 1979 My brother Noek Andries (Noek) VAN DEN BERGH * 4 May 1940 Emmarentia, Johannesburg † 12 Jan 2014 x 23 Jun 1973 Christa Frances Willard JANSE VAN RENSBURG * 4 Nov 1948 Dundee Their children Barend (Ben) VAN DEN BERGH * 27 Oct 1974 Frans VAN DEN BERGH * 1 Mar 1977 Marieke VAN DEN BERGH * 19 Apr 1985 Dirk VAN DEN BERGH * 14 Nov 199

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M J C Brink nee´ Morkel

An older Maggie Brink

C E (Fiets) Brink

Family photo

Cycling trophy won by Fiets Brink

Family photo

Adriaan and Polly de la Rey

f6 Adriaan carried his nickname ‘Baby’ all throughout his adult life. He also was the godfather of my mother Essie Brink. Adriaan was a good rugby player and an active rugby coach. He served with the rank of Captain in German East and West Africa and in Flanders during the Great War. He married Jacoba (Polly) de la Rey, daughter of the highly respected and revered Boer General Jacobus (Koos) de la Rey. She married Benedictus Krige and they had two sons. After his death she married Adriaan Morkel and they settled in Lichtenburg, Transvaal. Polly de La Rey Morkel was an astute business woman and took an active leadership role in the community. She was a celebrated ‘character’ and honorary Colonel of the de La Rey Regiment. The only woman in South Africa to be awarded that honour.

f6 Adriaan (Baby) MORKEL * 15 Mar 1880, † 29 Feb 1940 x Jacoba (Polly) Elizabeth DE LA REY

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C E (Fiets) and Maggie Brink and Family at their farm Waterval. 1942

Family photo

B J P (Berrie) and Essie neé Brink van den Bergh, Jakkie and Andries. 1947

Family photo

Adriaan Morkel Polly de la Rey Morkel

Bertie

f7 Johannes (Bertie) Gysbertus Borcherds Freislich Morkel was the youngest surviving son of the family and grew up and stayed his whole life in The Strand. He married Hepsibah (Heps) Ada Clother and they had three sons, John, Hubert and Philip.

Rugby featured strongly in the Somerset West/Strand community during the first quarter of the 20th century. The Somerset West Rugby team regularly won the Western Province competition and the team contained several Rugby springboks. The Morkel family formed an important part of the town’s rugby prowess. Bertie’s life revolved very much around rugby. He played for the Somerset West first team and also for Western Province. He was part of the group of top rugby players, including many Morkels that formed a cohesive social group. Bertie and Heps were good friends with rugby springbok captain Phil and Bessie Mostert and they lived in adjoining cottages at the White House hotel in The Strand. While Bertie was strong and tall, he had a pleasant and gentle nature. He was amused by an incident that happened during the early 1950s while driving back from Cape Town to the Strand in his small British car. He did something wrong which infuriated the driver behind him. Both cars stopped and a small angry man emerged from the other car. He strode forcefully towards him to give him an earful. As Bertie folded himself out of his car to apologise, he towered above the fellow, who turned around without a word, got back in his car and drove off, clearly intimidated by Bertie's size.

Bertie’s son, John served in the military in Italy during WWII, where he played rugby for the war-time unofficial Springbok team. He studied agriculture at Stellenbosch University, where he captained the University Rugby Team and also played for Western Province. After graduating, he settled as a tobacco farmer, first at Marandellas and later in Inyazura, in the Umtali district of Rhodesia (now Mutare Zimbabwe). John married Avril Turner-Dauncey, and they had four children, Rozanne, Philip, Roger and Karen.

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There are seven Morkels (including Bertie Morkel circled) in this photo of the outstanding Somerset West Rugby Football team of 1913.

Photo from Golden Jubilee album of the S.W. R.F.C.

f7 Johannes (Bertie) Gysbertus Borcherds Freislich MORKEL *10 Sep 1887 †13 Apr 1953 x 11 Apr 1922 Hepsibah Ada CLOTHER *1901 † 1970 g1 John Clother MORKEL *22 Aug 1923 † 2010 x 1952 Avril Diane Arlene TURNER-DAUNCEY *7 Apr 1931 h1 Rozanne MORKEL *16 Aug 1953 Umtali Rhodesia x Chris LUND i1 Mark Christopher LUND i2/3 Craig LUND * 18 Mar 1980 i2/3 Anthony LUND *18 Mar 1980 xx John WINTER (h1 Rozanne's 2nd husband) h2 Philip MORKEL *18 Mar 1955 Umtali, Rhodesia x Anne CREECH i1 John MORKEL *10 Oct 1983 x Dec 2009 Kristen GREEFF *4 Mar 1981 j1/2 Kate MORKEL *2014 j1/2 Jack MORKEL *2014 i2 Bryan MORKEL *28 Jun 1986 i3 David MORKEL *28 Jun 1995 h3 Roger MORKEL *18 Mar 1957 Umtali, Rhodesia x Karen ROCK i1 Christopher John MORKEL *13 Jun 1990 i2 Jason Keith MORKEL *30 Oct 1994 h4 Karen MORKEL *31 Aug 1959 x Kevin VAN LELYVELD *11 Aug 1952 i1 Lara Diane VAN LELYVELD *11 Feb 1984 i2 Grant Kevin VAN LELYVELD *30 Oct 1986 g2 Hubert Clother MORKEL *10 Mar 1925, d: 2010 x 31 May 1951 Ethelrida FRASER *11 Jun 1928 h1 Colleen Alexandra MORKEL *26 Jun 1952 x Teunis (Ton) JONKER *Jan 1945 i1 Jean Morkel JONKER *Jun 1978 i2 Charl Morkel JONKER *15 Mar 1982 h2 Bertie Allan MORKEL *09 Jan 1955 x 12 Feb 1983 Sharon KIBBLE *11 Nov 1946

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Two Generations Morkels at Strand Rugby Grounds 1950s.Albert (WP, NZ), P.K. (springbok), Nicolas (1st captain), Bertie (WP, circled), Johnnie (1st senior captain 1908),

Harry (springbok, listed in error as ‘Alby’), Henry (springbok) and Gerhard (springbok).Front: Tinie, Hannes (Gerhard’s son), Herman, Hubert (Bertie’s son, circled) and Philip (Bertie’s son, circled)

Photo from Golden Jubilee Album, Somerset West Rugby Football Club.

g3 Philip Clother MORKEL *16 Apr 1927 x 15 Dec 1959 Margot REYNOLDS *8 Jan 1937 h1Philip Barry MORKEL *13 Jan 1960, † 30 Sep 1994 x Davina Lee STONEHOUSE *9 Jul 1967 i1 Quilene MORKEL *25 Nov 1987 h2 Janine MORKEL *2 Dec 1962 x 20 Dec 1986 Ruan KITSHOFF *14 Mar 1964 i1 Ruan KITSHOFF *19 Jul 1989 i2 Matthew KITSHOFF *24 Jan 1992

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John and Avril Morkel and family. 10 August 2002, after their Golden wedding.

Back: Bryan M., Karen M., Anne M., John M., Craig Lund, Grant and Kevin v.L .Middle: Roger M., Rozanne Winter John M, Avril M, Philip M, Karen v.L.

Front row: David M., Chris M., Mark Lund, Jason M.M = Morkel. v.L. = van Lelyveld. Missing in the photo: Anthony Lund. and Lara van Lelyveld

Photo Philip Morkel