Letters from Benjamin Stephen Hobson

Letters from Benjamin Stephen Hobson to his father Benjamin Hobson MD, and mother. Mainly written whilst living in Maritzburg (Pietermaritzburg), Natal, and on his journey north to the gold fields of South Africa.

The letters from 5836/14 onwards describe Benjamin Stephen Hobson's passage from Maritzburg, near Durban, over 1000 miles north to the Tati (Tate) River in what is now modern day Botswana in search for gold, following apparent discoveries made by German explorer Karl Mauch (1837-1875) in that area in 1867. Hobson, an evangelical Christian, states in his letters that his principle aim is to spread the word of God at the diggings and to use any profits he and his party may eventually make from mining for the benefit of God. Hobson sets off in October 1868 with four companions. There are descriptions of the changing terrain and scenery, wildlife, the party's trekking routine (including through the 'Lion veldt'), attempts at hunting wildebeasts, spring boks, blesboks and quaggas (zebras), and campfire camaraderie. The party's route takes them past the Mooi River, Drakensberg mountains, Harrismith in the Orange Free State, the Vaal River in the Transvaal, the town of Potchefstroom, Machen's Town in Bamanguato. They reach the 'diggings' at the Tati River in January 1869, however, after making their initial inspections of the mines they realise that although quartz abounds, gold is scarce. Hobson encounters Mauch in this area and is persuaded to continue his journey north into Matabele land, an area in what is now modern day Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, Hobson appears to succumb to fever and dies in March 1869. His account is of a spiritual as well as a physical journey.

This group of letters also provides an insight into the missionary community and its activities in Maritzburg; farming successes and failures (mainly coffee and sugar); relations between the native population and European settlers; tensions between the English and the Dutch (Boers). Hobson relates how life at the mission station can sometimes seem solitary, dull and claustrophobic, although this is counter-balanced by the pleasing number of conversions to Christianity they achieve. He also expresses some paternalistic views on the young Africans that he teaches Bible studies, notably behaviours which are at odds with his familiar white European ones.

1 B. S. Hobson to his parents. On board the 'City of Carlisle', 12 Oct 1856. Endorsed 'Feb 26, 1857'

2 B. S. Hobson to his father. 11 St John's Terrace, London, 18 Oct 1861

3 B. S. Hobson to his father. On board the 'Cambrian', Portland Lights, 5-6 May 1862

4 B. S. Hobson to his sister. Clarendon Saw Mill, Woodside Post, W. Maritzburg, Natal, 20-27 Oct 1862. No. 4

5 B. S. Hobson to his mother, Maritzburg, Natal, 11-27 Oct 1862. Endorsed 'Dec 28, 1862'. No. 5

6 B. S. Hobson to his sister. Maritzburg, Natal, 15 Nov - 1 Dec 1862. No. 6

7 B. S. Hobson to his sister. Maritzburg, Natal, 25-29 Dec 1862. No. 7

8 B. S. Hobson to his grandmother. Maritzburg, Natal, 6-29 Dec 1862. Endorsed 'March 1, 1863'

9 B. S. Hobson to his father. Maritzburg, Natal, 2-5 Jan [1863]. Endorsed 'March 27, 1863'. No. 10

10 B. S. Hobson to his mother. Kar Kloof, Natal, 3-28 March 1863. Endorsed 'May 30, 1863'. No. 13

11 B. S. Hobson to his father. Kar Kloof, Natal, 11-27 April 1863. Endorsed 'June 23, 1863'. No. 16

12/1-2 B. S. Hobson to his father. Durban, Natal, 22 Oct 1866. Endorsed 'June 24 [1867].' No. 56.

13 B. S. Hobson to his father. Kar Kloof, Natal, 6 May 1867. Endorsed 'June 24 [1867].' No. 61

14/1-2 B. S. Hobson to his mother, Maritzburg, Natal, 8 July 1868. Endorsed 'Aug 22, [1868]. No. 80.

15/1-5 B. S. Hobson to his sister Jane and brother Robert. 14 and 23 July 1868. Endorsed 'Sept 7, [1868]'

16/1-2 B. S. Hobson to his mother and father. Maritzburg, Natal, 8 Aug 1868. Endorsed 'Sept 21, [1868].' Nos. 81 and 82

17 B. S. Hobson to his mother. Maritzburg, Natal. 21 Aug 1868. Endorsed 'Oct 10, [1868]'. No. 83

18/1-3 B. S. Hobson to his mother. Maritzburg, Natal, 7 Sept 1868. Endorsed 'Oct 24, [1868]'. No. 84

19/1-4 B. S. Hobson to his father. Maritzburg, Natal, 12 Sept 1868. Endorsed 'Jan 15, 1869.' No. 85. Includes three letters received by B. S. Hobson from:

G. Spearman. Sydenham, [Natal], 21 Aug [1868]

G. Spearman. Sydenham, [Natal], 25 Aug [1868]

Tanner. Durban, [Natal], 27 Aug 1868

20/1-2 B. S. Hobson to his father. Maritzburg and Sydenham, Natal. 15-24 Sept 1868. Endorsed 'Nov 7, 1888]. No. 86

21/1-2 B. S. Hobson to his father. Nr Durban, Natal, 10 Oct 1868. Endorsed 'Dec 7, [1868]'. Includes a list of items carried in the wagon for trading.

22/1-3 B. S. Hobson to his mother. Harrismith, Orange Free State, 31 Oct - 18 Nov 1868. Endorsed 'Feb 8, 1869'. No. 88.

23 B. S. Hobson to his father. Potchefstroom, South African Republic, 26 Nov - 2 Dec 1868. Endorsed 'Feb 8, 1869'. No. 89.

24/1-3 B. S. Hobson to his mother. Machen's Town, Banamguato, 14-22 Dec 1868. Endorsed 'April 8, [1869]. No. 90.

25/1-2 B. S. Hobson to his father. River Tate, [Bechuanaland, South Africa]. 1 Jan - 1 Feb, 1869. Endorsed 'May 8, [1869]. No. 91.

26 B. S. Hobson to his father. W. Thomas Mission Station, Inyati. 4 March 1869. Endorsed 'Aug 7, [1869]. No. 92.

27/1-2 B. S. Hobson to his father. W. Thomas Mission Station, Inyati. 7-8 March 1869. Endorsed 'Aug 7, [1869]. No. 92.

28 Pencil drawing of "Inyati, Matabele Country", [drawn by B. S. Hobson].

1856-1869

28 items

Database description taken from that in: Richard Palmer, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts in the Wellcome Library for the History & Understanding of Medicine: Western Manuscripts 5120-6244 (London: The Wellcome Library for the History & Understanding of Medicine, 1999).

MS.5836/25/1 Wellcome Images refs L0049838-L0049841