Author: SLATER, J.F. (ED. ROSALIND SLATER).
Title: The Carnarvon Dale Papers. 7. Diamonds. Being Letters and Diaries Preserved By Mrs. J.F. Slater (Sarah Ann Bland) at Carnarvon Dale on the Bushman's River.
Description: Self published. Paterson nd. Yellow printed wraps. 101pp illustrated b/w photos. Owners inscription inside f.wrap. light insect attack o/w generally G-VG condition. With the discovery of the 'Eureka' diamond, the first in South Africa and identified as such by Dr W.G. Atherstone of Grahamstown, thousands of hopeful diggers headed for the diamond fields on the Vaal river. Carey & Thomas George Slater, sons of J.F. Slater were just two of these. Their letters from Pniel, Hebron (Windsorton) and Cawood's Hope on the Vaal date from 1871. Carey returned to farming but Thomas moved to Du Toitspan & Bultfontein, De Beers New Rush, & Kimberley and wrote home until his death in 1882. Their younger brother Arthur William worked on the Premier Mine near Pretoria from 1904 to 1907. This is a selection from some 80 of the letters preserved at Carnarvon Dale. AIRMAIL worldwide at reduced letter rate on request.

Keywords: mining diamonds genealogy biography autobiography 1820 settlers eastern cape africa african south southern