Rather worn original black cloth covers with the title “Photographs” in gilt on the front cover lack the spine. Some marks on the front and rear covers. This unique album was compiled between 1899 and 1902 by James Herbert Williams, (popularly known in the Victoria Province of Mashonaland as ‘Jakata'), and document his time as the first Native Commissioner (Mudzviti) at Gutu with many photographs of Salisbury ten years after its founding. The album contains forty-eight (48) original sepia (with some black and white) 16cm x 10cm photographs most likely taken by Williams himself. There is a handwritten description below most of the photographs. The photographs are in very good condition except for a few with minor creases and slight wear around the edges. The cream card surrounds to the photographs a browned/toned and a little grubby in some places. Photographs include two of J. H. Williams himself, Salisbury from the Kopje, the first railway engine in Salisbury, the new Bulawayo-Salisbury railway line under construction, a water carrier in Salisbury, labourers working on the railway line (2), a Matabele Warrior, the Veldt near Salisbury, River Makabusi, Salisbury, workers at the Judson & Wiggs store, a Christmas party, Salisbury, 1901, the Bulawayo-Salisbury Coach outside the Spruit Hotel, the Bulawayo coach crossing the Hunan River twelve miles from Salisbury, Mashona women, a Mashonaland farm house, on a cattle farm (2), Christmas dinner at Sergeant-Major Charter’s, Salisbury, 1901, the first camels to arrive in Salisbury (photo a little dressed in top right hand corner), kopjes near Salisbury (2), a Kraal four miles from Salisbury, Bushman paintings, the Post Office on Jameson Avenue, Salisbury, view of the Administrator’s Office, Native Affairs Office, the Government Office, the Legislative Assembly House and Cathedral in Salisbury, view of Salisbury with an ‘x’ showing the Judson & Wiggs store, Simpson’s Farm, in the woods near Salisbury, Mr. & Mrs. Horsfield’s ‘Kia’ (house), a zebra (slight damage along the top and right hand edge), a Kodoo (antelope), various photographs of Mashona men, women and children, a photograph of Matingomba (with note ‘wounded 7 times fighting against us in the rebellion’ (some creasing along the top edge), several photographs of kopjes, Lobengula’s seal
All photographs are in very good condition with foxing, marks or other blemishes. A few have small creases and wear around the edges.
James Herbert Williams, popularly known in the Victoria Province of Mashona-land as 'Jakata', was the first Native Commissioner (Mudzviti) at Gutu. Not much is known either about his life before he joined the service of the British South Africa Company as a trooper, nor after he left the Company's service in 1902, except that he was born at Wrexham and that when he left the Company's service he became a very successful cattle buyer and farmer. But his years in the South Africa Company's service are fairly well documented and remembered into the 1970s by many old men who knew him personally.
On appointment a Native Commissioner had to be everything in his district. In addition to performing the duties of the dual role he fulfilled as 'the eyes and ears’ of the Government in Salisbury and ‘ambassador' of the tribe(s) under him to the Government, he had to act as labour recruiting agent. He also had to be a 'do-it-yourself' architect, surveyor, builder, doctor, lawyer, veterinary surgeon, agricultural 'expert, and to perform the duties of a paramount chief.
Williams earned himself the nickname ‘Jakata' when he was Native Commissioner at Gutu from 1897 to 1902. Old men who remembered Williams suggested that he got this name either because he built his station close to a chump of huge ‘michakata’ trees (still to be seen at Gutu District Commissioner's office) and held court under these trees or under one of them.
The Following is a link to a paper titled ‘J. H. Williams, Native Commissioner to Gutu, 1897-1902’ by F. J. Mashasha written in 1979 which gives a very detailed account of Williams’ life.
- Jacket Condition: N/A
- Binding Condition: Good
- Overall Condition: Good
- Size: 23cm x 18cm
- Sold By: White Eagle Books
- Contact Person: Andrew Saidi
- Country: United Kingdom
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 020 8997 9894
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