Robert Ogilvie Scott was the grandfather of my grandfather Robert Ogilvie Gericke. I was fortunate to go to the national archives in Cape Town and found a few interesting facts about Robert Ogilvie Scott. His Death Notice states only that he was born in Scotland, and his parents were James Scott and Jane Ogilvie Scott. When he died on 4th May 1873 he was 73 years 4 months and 6 days old. He was still married and died at his house in "George Town". His occupation is stated as "farmer and wagon maker".
Eight children are mentioned on the Death Notice: James Robert, Sarah Maria Sophia, Marthinus Christoffel, Jane Margaret, Robert Ogilvie, Thomas Johannes, Maria Elizabeth and Adam Francis. He left property consisting of "household furniture, live stock, farming implements and land". His wife signed his Death Notice with a X. His estate amounted to £1045.
A book by Peter Philip "British Residents at the Cape" mentions that he was employed by George Rex in January 1819 in Knysna. On 28 May 1821 he was granted permission to stay on in the Cape Colony. He married Martha Catharina Botha (19 years old) in George on 13th May 1841.
Another interesting piece was found in the Archives, CO 3982:140 and CO 3990:85. Robert Ogilvie Scott agreed to pay the fine of a certain John Hestler. Hestler was a man older than 70 years and was fined £1 or "hard labour". However 3 days after Scott had paid this fine, Hestler died. Scott then wrote to the authorities asking for the reimbursement of the fine (Scottish?)
Other documents referring to Scott state that he was also employed as pound master and gaoler. When his widow died on 6th April 1882 her Death Notice states that she died at "her residence Mount Pleasant" and her property as "moveable and immoveable"
