Constantia’s Forgotten Farms
John Cornell and Stephen D’Alton
Vine Publishers
Review: Karen Watkins
Taking a scenic drive through the Constantia valley is like going back in time as roads and suburbs echo with names of early settlers – Breda, Brink, Cloete, Duminy and Dearham, to name a few.
Picture the area where, “vineyards stretched down the valley with no houses in sight and Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak as a backdrop”.
Constantia authors Stephen D’Alton, a descendant of the Hauptville farm owners, with nuclear physicist John Cornell spent four years meticulously researching and piecing together the rich histories of four prominent farms dating back to the 1700s: Weltevreden, Schildpadvlei, Timour Hall and Hauptville. Situated between Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia Main Road and Boundary Road, many of the farms have since been subdivided with further “densification” planned for the area.
The authors delve into the architectural legacy of the area, with over two dozen homesteads featured, some of which are still intact amid modern suburbia.
The text is peppered with colourful anecdotes of characters who once inhabited the farms, including John Townsend of Oak Farm in 1800 who worked in the copper mines of Namaqualand. Fathering 24 children by two women, his chaotic life was punctuated by petty crime and hardship.
Another intriguing figure is Edward George, the owner of Halfway House, also known as Herstellar and currently named Timour Hall, whose financial downfall forced him to sell his estate. He had five wives – one of whom he neglected to marry – and 16 children. He had to sell the estate because he owed the equivalent of R104m in today’s money.
The book is not just a historical account but a rich tapestry of stories that reflect the complex social dynamics of the time. It touches on the institution of slavery, the influence of Italian prisoners of war and even a meteorite and a castle, all interwoven with the day-to-day operations of these once-thriving farms.
Visually, the book is a treasure trove. Its 180 glossy pages are filled with black-and-white and colour illustrations, maps and photographs, although some images had to be sourced creatively due to current owners’ reluctance to grant access.
This book is a valuable addition to the history of Constantia, capturing a lost era with precision and flair. It’s a must-read for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in the architectural and social history of the Cape.
The book is available at Clarke’s Bookshop in Long Street, the Book Shoppe in the 3 Arts Centre and Select Books in Harfield Village, or contact John Cornell at 072 044 6677.
