Wesleyan Baralong Mission in Trans-Orangia 1821-1884

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THE ODYSSEY OF THE BA.ROLONG,
Wesleyan Missionaries travelling in 1822 eastwards from Campbell along the Vaal river in search of any Bechuana tribe to which they could attach themselves for the purpose of establishing a mission found the Seleka clan of the Barolong at Maquassi, The mission was started but after 2 years it was destroyed by the Bataung and the Seleka Barolong became wanderers. The Rev, T,L. Hodgson and the Rev, J. Archbell joined them in 1825 and travelled with them westwards for about 140 miles when they reached Platberg in 1826. Here the missionaries took the initiative in persuading the people to settle and establish a new mission station, This position away from the tribal warfare of the period enabled the Seleka Barolong to regain the prosperity they had lost during the years of wandering, In 1832 about 4,000 refugees composed chiefly of two other Barolong clans, the Ratlou clan under chief Gontse
and the Tshidi clan under chief Tawana, joined them, In addition parties of Griquas and Bastards settled next to them, By 1833 Platberg was over-populated,
The decision was then taken for a mass migration eastwards about 240 miles to the fertile area of the Caledon valley. The missionaries travelled with 12,000 to 15,000 people to new homes granted to them by African chiefs. From that time they remained unmolested by other tribes but the arrival of the Emigrant Frontiersmen from the Cape in 1836 and the years following created a new situation.
For their pleasant friendly help I give grateful thanks to the Rev. Alison Garrett, Methodist Book Steward, Cape Town: to Captain R. S. Webb, M. B. E. ; to the Staffs of the South African Library and of the Cape Archives.
W. G. A. Mears.