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Hankey
was established in 1826 and is the Gamtoos Valley's
oldest town. It was named after the Rev. William Alers
Hankey, an ex-banker and the secretary of the London
Missionary Society (LMS). He was born in Aberdeen,
Scotland.
The
purpose of the establishment of the village was to grow
mielies and corn for the LMS main station at Bethelsdorp
and also to carry out evangelistic work. The first property
was "Wagondrift" owned by the Damant Bros.
And although the town was planned for 250 families it
started with 25 families. The first inhabitants consisted
of a large number of Khoi, a few Mfengos, a few farmers
and mixed "Gamtouer" (1700) descendants.
The
LMS founded the station in 1822, terminated it in 1875
and in 1876 it became independent from the LMS. It became
a Congregational Church as it is today. The first trustees
of the LMS were Dr John Philip and the Rev. William
Alers Hankey. The first missionaries were Messrs Miles,
Melville, Williams, later the Philips' (Will Enowy and
Thom Durant Philip)
Dr
John Philip was superintendent. Some of the residents
were Windvogel, Diederich, Abraham, Stuurman, Dragoonder,
Armoed, Scheepers, Mahtjies, Gerts, Matroos, Konstabel
and Kettledas. The first white farmers were Messrs.
Wait, Salmon Ferreira, Stefanus Ferreira and the Damant
Bros.
The
first irrigation scheme on the Klein Rivier was started
by James Wait in 1827 and completed in 1830. It extended
for 3.5 miles and he was awarded 50 cattle and the use
of 50 workers.
What
the papers said about the opening of the scheme on the
Klein Rivier:
"......the
course swung into action sending streams of water down
its winding length ....."
People
came from far and wide to view the spectacle and Dr
Philip later declared it the greatest work of its kind
ever undertaken in the Colony. Part of this irrigation
scheme can still be seen today and forms part of the
Hankey Golf Course.
The
second irrigation scheme on the Gamtoos River, a
National Monument in Hankey today, was carried out by
William Enowy Philip, the son of the Superintendent
of the LMS, Dr John Philip. His inspiration was the
window in the hill between Backhousehoek and Vensterhoek
and was dug using pick and shovel and wheelbarrows.
The length of the tunnel is 228 meters and the
speed of construction was very slow - about 1 to 2 feet
a day. It was started in April 1843 and completed in
August 1844 - 15 months later. It was in use from April
1845 to 1970 - a period of 125 years. Note:
This was the first ever tunnel scheme in South Africa.
A
tragedy: The builder of the tunnel, William Enowy Philip,
drowned on 1 June 1845 in the Gamtoos River where the
present low water bridge to Milton stands and not as
is usually believed , on the opening day of the tunnel.
He and his niece, also a Philip drowned together when
their small boat overturned at the Milton drift.
What
else is of interest in Hankey?
1.
The remains of the Milton Water Mill from 1858. Destroyed
in the 1932 floods and not rebuilt.
2.
Gunpowder Magazine Ruins. Near "Vergaderings Kop",
later 19th century. About six sq. metres in area
and very little to be seen now.
3.
The Philp Graves: Behind the old "Philip Manse"
beside the railway line and maintained by the Congregational
Church.
4.
The Philip Manse: Bottom corner of Main Street. It is
totally altered and is unrecognisable.
5.
The ruins of Dower College: Situated beside the now
abandoned station building which is in total disrepair
What
had important visitors once said about Hankey?
a.
David Livingstone in 1841. After a visit to Kuruman
(530 miles)" .... He was not disappointed
with what he saw..." My expectations have been
far exceeded, everything I witnessed surpassed my hopes."
Livingstone was truly impressed, he found the
Hankey people superior to some of the local farmers.
B.James
Backhouse (Quaker): played a large part in the development
of different trades and skills among the inhabitants
and after whom Backhousehoek (Bakkieshoek) is named.
.....nowhere in the country was there such an industry
or public spirit as at Hankey Institution....."
Spiritually?
Hankey's LMS station had its great crises after founding,
but also a few revivals of which 1931 was the most important.
A
few facts:
1.
Narrow gauge railway - 1914
2.
Hunting of game by 1780 and on
3.
Recorded floods - 1832, 1847, 1861, 1900, 1905, 1916,
1932, 1944, 1961, 1971, 1983, 1996.
4.
Gamtoos River was the border for Swellendam district
in 1770.
Hankey
today:
It
is still the administrative town of the Gamtoos Valley.
It has modern waterworks, residential areas as well
as many church denominations, primary and high schools,
modern businesses, a well-known golf course, picnic
places, hiking trails, etc.
Sundial
- The largest in South Africa. It is 34.6m in diameter.
The gnomon is 18m high and weighs one ton. Its is Hankey's
160-years Founders' monument.
Magistrate's
offices, police station: Hankey was unique in
the founding as a LMS station. The town is surrounded
by beautiful and picturesque landscape and fertile farming
land.
Prepared
by: Dirk Schellingerhout
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