Changemakers

Andrew Murray Snr was one of the first Scottish ministers to have governor Lord Charles Somerset come to South Africa, on the one hand, to help relieve the shortage of ministers but on the other hand especially members of help the Dutch Reformed Church angels. He was also the father of five sons, all of whom became ministers, among whom dr. Andrew Murray and Prof. John Murray , and the ancestor of the Murray family, including countless ministers and missionaries.

Maria Stegman was born in the Cape into a family of business people. Her father, a trader and producer of furniture, was well known and respected Capetonian. When Maria, at the age of sixteen, said “yes” to the young Rev Andrew Murray.

John, the firstborn, seemed to have been quiet, serious and studious even as a little boy – characteristics which were to be his ‘trademark’ until his death. Prof Marais, his one-time student and then colleague at the Theological Seminary, said this of John at his funeral: “Seemingly cold, often almost unreachable, turned into himself, he had a warm heart. There were moments when one was given a glimpse of what was going on in his warm heart.

Andrew Murray, a well-respected minister of the Dutch reformed church, was born in Graaf-Reinet on the 9th May 1828. At the age of nine Andrew and his brother John were sent to Aberdeen for their education where they both graduated at Marischal College. Following this, the two brothers traveled on to Utrecht where they furthered their theological studies as well as received qualifications in Dutch.

William, the third child, is described as “essentially the mother’s boy” being the eldest at home after his two brothers left for Scotland and Maria was sent to boarding school, it fell on him to help Mama Maria in the house. William received his basic education in Graaff Reinet and then went on to Cape Town to find employment in a merchant’s warehouse so as to fit him for business.

Charles was born on 26 February 1838 in the old parsonage, where, as a little boy at the age of four, his life was nearly ended prematurely. Unseen, he fell in a dam in the back of the parsonage. Fortunately, the nurse saw his petticoats afloat on the water, ran to pull him out, and the family doctor was able to restore him.

1834 - 1840. Died at the age of 6

Jemima (Mima) was the 7th child and second daughter of Andrew and Maria. As the second daughter, it was expected of her to be her mother’s assistant and helper, something she was exquisitely equipped for given her amiable nature, loving heart and skilful hands. She seemed to love to bake, whether biscuits, a tart for Sunday or cake for a picnic.

Isabella, the seventh child of Andrew and Maria Murray of Graaff Reinet, was “a beautiful girl, tall and slim, with blue eyes, dark wavy hair and a particularly good skin”. She was an exquisite needlewoman, a voracious reader with an exceptionally good memory, and had an intense love of fun. Fortunately for the man who married her, she was also trained in all the arts of home-making.

Catherine (Kitty) lived for only nineteen years, yet her death had a profound impact on many of the family members, such as her sister Isabella and even on her new sister in law, Andrew’s wife Emma Murray (Rutherfoord), with whom she had spend some time shortly before her death. She is described as “the really musical one of the family”. Unfortunately, she died unexpectedly a few days before her nineteenth birthday in Graaff Reinet.

Born in 1843, James was named after a dear family friend, Barend Jacobus Burger, who was to be his godfather. At the age of seven, he had an attack of rheumatic fever, leaving his heart affected. Thus, he remained under his mother’s watchful care when the other children were send to school. James developed a strong love for farming and spend some years on the farm Rooi Poort with Willem Burger (son of BJ Burger).

Helen, less robust than her other brothers and sisters and of a timid disposition, preferred reading to tree climbing. Therefore, at the age of fourteen, she was sent to Cape Town where she lived with her brother Andrew and his wife Emma. There Helen attended the South African College classes for ladies, a course in astronomy and English literature, and the lectures of Professors Cameron and Noble.