Henry Lovemore was the progenitor of the extensive Lovemore clan from his “kingdom” known as Bushy Park on the west coast of Port Elizabeth. Charles was the fortunate son who inherited this vast area on his father’s death. Eleanor K Lorimer recorded that “Charles was the youngest son of Henry, a much-married gentleman of means who, on his arrival in 1820, purchased a large estate a few miles from “the Bay” and built on it a rambling colonial house, which is still standing. Bushy Park as it is called, is still occupied by the Lovemore family. Charles, born about 1826, grew into a gay young man who would often ride 12 miles to Port Elizabeth to attend a dance after his day’s work on the farm. He would be back on the job by six the next morning in spite of the wolves (hyenas) which ravaged the woods along the road.”

Main picture: Charles Lovemore

While both David Hume and William Hume might have been prominent in their own right, there were stark differences between them. David, Williams’s father, could be classified as the rugged explorer type whereas William, his eldest son of David, was urbane, suave and cultured. Being a politician, these attributes are required in spades. In truth they counted for naught as he backed the wrong political horse, The Eastern Cape Separatist League. This did not stymy his career or ambitions as will be shown below.

Main picture: William Hume

Welfit Oddy represents the second wave of economic development of Port Elizabeth. Whereas the first wave was predicated upon agricultural products, the next wave broadly encompassed engineering of which the vehicle industry was a substantial component.

Main picture: Welfit Oddy’s premises from 1946 to 1944-Plants #1,2 & 3

Adversity never deters the determined individual and John Roland “Dummy” Brown had to face much adversity in his truncated life. Hence his life would be somewhat out of the ordinary.

Main picture: Painting of the Baakens River Valley by John Roland Brown

The English artist, Thomas Baines, was a prolific painter as well as a prolific explorer, travelling extensively over British colonial southern Africa as well as Australia. Born on the 27th November 1820 at King’s Lynn in the United Kingdom, he died 55 years later on the 8th May 1875 in Durban. Baines was one of the greatest African travellers, his geographical coverage, variety of subject and prolific output far exceeded any other artist based in South Africa. It was during a visit to Port Elizabeth during 1873 and 1874 that he was to paint a picture of Cradock Place amongst others.

The commentary on the painting in this blog is derived verbatim from the thesis of Marijke Cosser entitled Images of a Changing Frontier Worldview in Eastern Cape Art, From Bushman Rock Art to 1875 which was submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts of Rhodes University in December 1992

Main picture: Cradock Place in 1873

In its heyday, Fogarty’s was the pre-eminent bookshop in Port Elizabeth occupying premises in Main Street commencing in the basement of No 59 Main Street in 1946. The range of books was extensive especially in military history of which I was an ardent fan. Not having money to purchase, I would nevertheless spend hours perusing the books on display.

Main picture: Interior of Fogarty’s Bookshop