Sergeant Salt met the French Elizabeth Covars at the Battle of Waterloo.  Soon after their marriage they came to Grahamstown where he was a sergeant in the 38th British foot Regiment, and was among the 400 defenders of Grahamstown  when that newly-arisen border hamlet was attacked by 10,000 Xosas under the command of Makanna the Lynx in 1819.  (During the battle 1400 of the enemy were left dead on the field and the might of Makanna was broken decisively.)

The attack was launched from the height overlooking Grahamstown now known as Makanna's Kop. 6000 natives attacked the major portion of the garrison, frontier settlers and Boers who were arrayed in the open, while another 1000 attacked the East Fort, the main defence, which was held by 60 men and sheltered many women and children.  Other women were in mud forts in the vicinity, also slenderly held by the defenders.  At the height of the battle the East Fort garrison found itself running short of gunpowder.  Their plight was made known to a nearby mud fort where Elizabeth Salt was.  For a man to attempt the passage between the forts was certain death, but Elizabeth, placing her faith in the fact that as a rule the Xosas did not attack women in warfare, wrapped a keg of gunpowder in her cloth, hugged it to her bosom and slipped out into the open.

Her path was beset by hundreds of maddened Xosas who menaced her every step, brandishing their assegais and kerries about her as she strode steadily on.  She reached East Fort, and the keg of gunpowder saved the garrison and helped it win a memorable day.

 

Graham's Monument in Grahamstown High Street commemorates the founding of the city and also the battle of Grahamstown.  On the west side a plaque depicts a scene from the battle, where Elizabeth, bearing a cask under her arm, is shown making her way through a group of hostile Xosa warriors.

A statement has been made that a farm was given to Elizabeth by Queen Victoria for her brave act, but it has not been possible to substantiate this.  In fact, according to historians there is no definite proof that Elizabeth Salt ever performed this heroic deed, but her heroism cannot be absolutely disputed, either/ (This comment from Albany Museum, Grahamstown, 1980.)

 

The Salts moved to the Winterberg, and experienced hard times until Elizabeth devoted her attention to trading with a wagon and a span of oxen.  In spite of the unsettled conditions all along the border, she bravely toured there and was reputed to have accumulated considerable wealth which she hid in some safe place.  She bought the farm on which Tarkastad stands today, and there in 1850 she died suddenly and was buried there and the secret hidingplace of her alleged fortune was buried with her.  Sergeant Salt died in 1854 and was buried in Post Retief cemetery. I have been sent a photograph of what is thought to be his grave - you can see it here

 

The Salts' daughter Elizabeth married Joseph Smith, who owned the farm Haartebeestefontein which was surveyed for him in 1851.  Their daughter Eliza inherited Haartebeestefontein (later renamed Waylands) and married James Edwards.

 

JAMES & ELIZA EDWARDS' family.

2. James Joseph married i) Annie Pearton, and their children:

    1. Elaine married Frank Butler

    2. Beryl married Lawrie Forward

    3. Donald married Edith Holmes

           married ii) Ethel Atwell, and their daughter Sheila

           inherited "Waylands" and married Keith Scott-Robinson.

3. Mil married Bert Price and they had:

    1. Olive, who married i) Jack Miles and had two children
                        married ii) Eric Quy, and had two children

    2. Hilda, married Arthur Filmer and had 3 children

    3. Royal, married Winnie Sturgess, had one child

    4. Beatrice, married Victor Miles, had 3 children

    5. Lynn married Ethel James

 

4. Evalina died young.

5.Sarah married John Ainslie

6. ADA Marie married HARRY SINCLAIR

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   Cheslyn  Toonie    Kay      Pat (m. Shirley)    Kevin
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                     Jim     Barbara     Ann       Gavin