The Adams Story- A Pioneer Narrative (Numbered and Signed 181/400 copies)

This book tells the story of the pioneer lives of my great-grandfather, Alfred Adams, and grandfather, Charlie Adams. It has been written to commemorate the centenary of our family business, A. Adams of Eshowe, Zululand, which was founded by Alfred Adams in 1881.

Both men were pioneers of their times. As a very young man, Alfred had been one of the first white men in the Zambezi region of Central Africa, when in 1860, he was a member of the first " Universities Mission to Central Africa" expedition. In 1865 he came to Zululand, where he was stationed at the first Anglican mission station at Kwamagwaza. He was both courageous and enterprising, and the first cattle deal which he made on the mission's  behalf sowed the seeds of the trading spirit which later took root in Eshowe with the establishment of his first trading post, " Camp Store".

Alfred and Charlie were both intrinsically linked with the historical and political development of Zululand. Charlie, no less a pioneer, generated expansion and progress through the times when Zululand was undergoing a traumatic evolutionary process, and as confidant of the Zulu king and Natal Government alike, he served a unique role in the Zululand community.

Unfortunately, Alfred's somewhat chequered career as a mission worker, transport rider, soldier, and trader, left us few personal records; but I found that there were numerous references to him in many fascinating old books relating to the Central African mission and to Zululand, I have combined this research material with anecdotes and documents passed on from my late mother, however in several instances I have had to surmise the missing links in order to achieve some form of continuity.

SOURCE: Author

Tipped Frontispiece, Title, Contents, Preface, Introduction. 153 pages text  with sepia illustrations.

Very Good

ISBN 0 620 05404 2