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THE COMMUNITY THAT DISAPPEARED

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Part 3

Millin Families

The Millin family was among the first Jewish families to settle in Montagu. From what can be ascertained thus far the siblings were Barnet, Nathan, Harry and a sister

Hannah. It is suspected that there were more brothers and or sisters which have not as yet been identified.

L front: Barnet Millin. L standing Unknown. Middle standing Harry Millin. R Standing

Nathan Millin. Front R could be Yudel Millin father of Barnet and Nathan.

Picture: Emile Badenhorst collection.

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Barnet Millin

Barnet (also known as Ber and Bernard) and Mary (born Stein D.O.B 1864, DOD 25/11/1913). Mary was the sister of Solomon Stein. Barnet was an ostrich feather dealer, farmer and merchant. From what can be pieced together Barnet Millin and his family lived at number 7 Church Street. Barnet was the first Millin to arrive in South Africa. He arrived in 1884 aged 29.

Barnet Millin founded the Hebrew Congregation in Montagu and brought the town its first shochet (person responsible for ritual preparation of kosher meat). (SA Jewish Times 15 April 1952)

Barnet’s death date is recorded as 03/11/1928 and he is buried in the Brixton cemetery Johannesburg.

Barnet and Mary

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Pictures: Emile Badenhorst collection/Judith Clare

7 Church Street left. Year unknown

Picture: Montagu Museum

7 Church Street today

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Barnet becomes a naturalized British Subject.

Document from the P. Millin Collection

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Mary Millin wife of Barnet Millin with two of her sons Emil and Bertie

Picture: W Stein

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This article has led to the assumption that 7 Church Street was the home of

Barnet Millin.

Article:Montagu Museum

Barnet and Mary had four children. A son Albert (Bertie) born on the 1st June 1893 in Montagu, Philip born in1888, David J who died on 29/04/1960 aged 69 and Emil also born in Montagu on 15/06/1894. At some stage Barnet fell on hard times as the letters below to his sons show. However it has not as yet been possible to explain how this state of affairs was reached. In his book “Stories my Father told me and other tales of Swaziland” Peter Millin, son of Albert, confirmed that his grandfather Barnet was the first Millin to settle in RSA.

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Letter to son Philip

Montagu

16.10.16

My Dear Son Phillip (spelled thus)

I am writing to you explaining the really sorry position I am in. You must remember I am all by myself and I have no one in the wide world to tell my sad story to but my children.

Business of any nature there is absolutely none for me and credit under present conditions not to be had. You can well understand that even with my small wants the allowance I get from Bertie £4 or £5 a month is totally inadequate to meet my most necessary expenses and the result is that at times I am in actual want.

What a different state of things could I have hoped for had Emil been allowed to stay at Cape Town if only could he have been qualified in his profession but could have been able to help his old fath brother Bertie & keep his old father from penury and want. For I would never have allowed him to enlist and God alone knows if we will ever see him again.

To write of the many sacrifices your angel mother and I had to make to bring up and educate our children as we did - and to compare our relative position today with absolutely no free?offer of assistance from some is bitter indeed.

As I said I would not trouble you were any other course open to me but I only desire to know that you clearly understand my terrible position and will not or cannot help me.

Your loving Father

B.Millin

Letter: P. Millin Collection

Picture from Meryl Federl Johannesburg Bar Association

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Philip married Sarah Gertrude Liebson the famous author in 1912. Other than Albert it is uncertain where the other sons were born. Philip also followed a legal career and was appointed a Judge. Philip Millin started his career as a journalist and then worked at the bar from 1913. He became a KC in 1927 and a Judge of the Supreme in 1937. As the chairman and fulltime member of the Company Law Amendment Enquiry Commission, he drafted the resultant bill almost single handedly. He died on the bench in 1952.

Picture from Meryl Federl Johannesburg Bar Association

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Letter to son Bertie (Albert)

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Letter: P. Millin Collection

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Barnet Millin

Picture: Judith Clare

Albert (Bertie) Millin married Frances Sybil Emmet-Deal (Billie) in 1924 and they had

one son Peter. Albert was an attorney by profession. He became a solicitor in Swaziland. His great contribution was getting permission to allow victims of Nazi

persecution to enter Swaziland. Albert was made CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) and CMG (Companion (of the Order Of) St Michael and St George for

his public work.

A series of letters from Albert to his lawyer follows:

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The above documents also validate where brothers Albert and Emil were born.

Documents: P. Millin Collection

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The grave of Reverend Klein at Pinelands 1 cemetery Cape Town. He officiated at the circumcision of Emil

Picture: Rabbi Serwator

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Pictures: P. Millin Collection

Albert was also awarded his OBE in the 1953 Coronation Honours by Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours on the occasion of her coronation on 2 June

1953. The honours were published in The London Gazette on 1 June 1953

Albert Millin OBE Member of the European Advisory Council of Swaziland since 1921

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He died in 1964.

CBE: This is awarded for having a prominent but lesser role at national level, or a leading role at regional level. You can also get one for a distinguished, innovative

contribution to any area.

CMG: The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later King

George IV, while he was acting as regent for his father, King George III. It is named in honour of two military saints, St Michael and St George.

Philip Sybil and Albert Millin

Picture: P Millin Collection

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Post card from Bertie (Albert to his cousin) Esther showing a connection to Jan Smuts

From: Emile Badenhorst Collection

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David Millin

Picture: Emile Badenhorst Collection

David married Mary Hoda Judes and they had two sons. He attended the South African College High School in Cape Town and passed the matriculation examination of the University of the Cape of Good Hope (in the first class) in 1906, at the age of sixteen. Continuing his studies at the South African College, he was awarded the degree Bachelor of Arts (BA) with honours in chemistry by the university in 1909. During the next two years he was at University College, London, and from about 1915 was associated with the Chamber of Mines in Johannesburg. In the 1920’s he was appointed as lecturer in the Department of Metallurgy and Assaying, University of the Witwatersrand, under Professor G.H. Stanley. He remained with the department until his retirement in 1955.

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An award made to David by the staff at the Department of Mines. Donated to Montagu Museum.

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Pictures: P. Millin Collection

In a letter from Barnet to his son Philip, Barnet indicates he was clearly not happy with the enlistment by Emil.

It appears Emil was married and divorced at least three times. His first wife was Ivy Grills Tucker who he divorced in 1941(one child).He then married Margery Hatch Stratford (b Breytenhek) who he also divorced (four children) to marry Doreen Swanepoel (no children). According to family member Judith Clare (2018) he then divorced Doreen and remarried Ivy.

According to Peter Millin’s book Emil was a journalist rising to the position of Motoring Editor of the Rand Daily Mail and the Sunday Times for many years. In later years he dedicated his life to lawn bowls and produced the official magazine. He also undertook a motor trip from Cape Town to London via Cairo in a Chrysler in 1925

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Document: Don Woodford

Picture: Judith Millin

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Nathan Millin

Nathan married Aletta Catharine (Tilley) nee De Wit. Aletta converted to the Jewish faith. Aletta attended the local High School around the year 1890 which can be validated from the school year book of 1928 via an old photo. They had a son and daughter. Arnold (born abt.1897/died 2 July 1962) and Esther (born abt.1896/died 12 July 1983).

The following extract from the autobiography of P Stein is of interest: “ Ansel, mentioned earlier, had married a Boer girl and so had Nathan Millin. After much trouble Nathan had succeeded in getting his wife converted. The Rabbinate in South Africa wanted to discourage intermarriage and made difficulties about conversions. It was a genuine conversion. His wife tried hard to marry his children off to Jews. She succeeded with her daughter, but not with her son.” Her daughter married the hotelier from Ashton Max Belonsky.

Marriage of Esther and Max

Document: Robertson Museum

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Harry as a member of the local football team

Picture: Montagu Museum

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Nathan and Aletta

Picture: Emile Badenhorst collection.

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It is assumed that the above picture is Nathan and Aletta in front of their home

Cypress Villa at 35 Joubert Street.

Picture: Emile Badenhorst collection

Aletta died on the 6th of April 1924 aged 56. Nathan died on the 22nd December 1941.

Nathan and Aletta are buried in the local Jewish cemetery. They lived in the house on the corner of Joubert & Du Toit Streets in about 1900. The street address was number 35 Joubert Street and the house was called Cypress Villa in the early days.

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Emile Badenhorst Collection

Nathan buys a Sweepstake ticket

Document: Montagu Museum

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Nathan and Aletta’s grave Montagu Jewish cemetery

Nathan Millin’s ostrich business record book.

Book: Montagu Museum

One of the original Jewish settlers in Montagu who was involved with the ostrich trade.

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According to a handwritten undated document by J.F.D. Kriel found in the Montagu Museum Ou Millin is credited as having a store in Piet Retief Street across the road from the old jail and court house which is now a car park. J.F.D Kriel also indicates

business premises of Mr. Brown and Mr. Raisie

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Martial Law

Nathan needs a permit

Document:Montagu Museum

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Messrs. Millin and Ansell are subjected to martial law during 1901

Documents:Montagu Museum

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Esther Millin

Esther Millin teaches elocution at the Montagu High School.

Extract from Montagu High School year book 1927

Esther is also found in the Minutes of the local library committee meeting dated 5th February 1924.

Esther appears in both the 1927 and 1928 Montagu High School yearbooks as working for the high school in some teaching capacity. In 1927 she was noted as being one of the people responsible for the concert. She is also credited with teaching elocution in the 1928 edition.

Esther was a member of the Women’s South African Party Montagu branch and is shown as present in the attendance register dated 4/02/1926.

Esther Millin attends a meeting

Extract taken from attendance register of the Women’s South African Party Montagu Branch 1926 register.

Part of the Emile Badenhorst collection

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Esther Millin and Max Belonsky

Picture: Ruth and Bernie Belonsky

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Nathan and Esther

Esther

Pictures: Avrell Beck

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Arnold Millin

Arnold (second row end left) at school

Picture: Emile Badenhorst Collection

Postcard: Avrell Beck

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Advert from Montagu High School Year Book 1927

Arnold Millin married Anna Elizabeth Jordaan daughter of Apie Jordaan of Baden who was born 1905. Arnold had a garage in Montagu. It has not been possible to ascertain with certainty where his business was situated as some sources say where Kosplus is today (cnr.Du Toit and Piet Retief Streets) and his advert from the 1927 Montagu High School year book shows Bath Street. They did not have any children. Arnold passed away in 1962.

Picture: Don Woodford

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Young Arnold Millin

Picture: Avrell Beck

Arnold gets a post card from his sister Esther

Post card from Emile Badenhorst collection

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Document: Don Woodford

Anna Millin, known as Annie, is fondly remembered by Dillis Knox Davies (local resident 2017) as a kind person who took care of her as a child from time to time. Annie’s sister Catharina (Rina) and her two boys Frans and Hanre lived with the Millin’s. It appears that Arnold Millin was much older than Annie.

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Back left: SC Coetzee (Dolly) Back right: K Le Roux

Front left: R Du Toit Front right: Annie Millin

Picture taken in Durban on 28/05/1972

Picture: Irma Jordaan

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Anna Buirski (b Millin)

Hannah’s grave

Picture: Emile Badenhorst collection

According to family member Judith Clare, Hannah who was also known as Anna married one Jacob Buirski a publican who ran (or owned ) a hotel in McGregor. No information has come to light as to whether Hannah was a resident in Montagu at any time. The aforementioned link between the Millin and Buirski families is further supported as the above picture was found in the collection from the Millin house at 35 Joubert Street. The collection also yielded at least one photo of Jacob Buirski.

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Jacob Buirski

Picture: Judith Clare

End Part 3