Southwell is a farming settlement in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, situated approximately 25 km north-west of Port Alfred and about 34 km south-east of Makhanda (formerly known as Grahamstown).
Southwell falls within the Ndlambe Local Municipality and the Sarah Baartman District Municipality.
History
Established in 1849 as a mission station, it was located at Lombard’s Post, a fortified farmhouse originally granted to Pieter Lombard in 1790 as a leningsplaas (loan farm). Canon Henry Waters was the first resident minister.
In the mid-19th century, it hosted a Xhosa school, which was closed down during the Eighth Xhosa War (The war became known as “Mlanjeni’s War”)
The local St James Anglican Church was built in 1870. The foundation stone was laid by Nathaniel Merriman, Archdeacon of Grahamstown (officially renamed Makhanda).
Southwell was given its name by Benjamin Keeton, who came to The Colony aboard The Aurora with the promise of a new life. He was 19 years old. Arriving in Algoa Bay as a single, good-looking chap, he set out to make his fortune. He met Mrs Hannah Ford, who was recently widowed. She came with a farm, Paardekraal, and two sons. They married and then moved to Lombards Post. It was a fortification.
Benjamin named the area Southwell after his home in Nottinghamshire, England. All the Keetons in South Africa share Benjamin as their ancestor. In fact, several Keetons are buried in the churchyard of St James Church.
Way back in 1843, Benjamin Keeton donated land for the establishment of a school, which would also serve as a chapel.
In 1847, during the 7th Frontier War, the school was also used as a signal station.
In 1920, it became a home for orphaned boys from World War 1 – the aim was to increase the numbers to 30, but by 1943, there were just 19 children. In 2004, the school was forced to close.
The quaint mission church in Southwell was built in 1868. In 2000, it was dedicated to St Thomas.
