Henry Douglas Warden facts for kids

Henry Douglas Warden (born February 2, 1800, died December 2, 1856) was an important British official in a part of South Africa called the Orange River Sovereignty. He served there from 1848 to 1852. He is especially remembered for buying the farm that later became the city of Bloemfontein.

Warden traveled to the Cape in 1819. Later, in 1842, he was sent to Natal. There, he took part in a military event known as the siege of Congela. Four years later, he became a leader in the Transoranje area. He bought the farm Bloemfontein, where he and his family made their home. This small settlement eventually grew into the major city of Bloemfontein.

Early Life and Military Career

Henry Douglas Warden's family had an interesting background. It is said that his grandfather was connected to Prince Charles Edward Stuart, also known as the Young Pretender. His father, Charles Frederick Warden, changed the family name to Warden. This was likely done to avoid problems due to their family's history.

Henry's father was a Captain in the Buffs Regiment. After his father passed away in 1815, Henry, who was 19, went to the Cape. There, he joined the Cape Corps as a standard-bearer in 1820. By 1825, he became a Lieutenant. He showed great bravery in the Sixth Frontier War in 1835. Because of his courage, he was promoted to Captain of the Cape Mounted Riflemen. He even built a place called Fort Warden near the Great Kei Way.

Founding Bloemfontein

In 1826, Captain Warden was told to cross the Orange River. Twenty years later, in 1846, he was given an important job. He became the British Resident in the territory of the Griqua leader, Adam Kok. His role was to help keep law and order in the area.

It was in 1846 that Major Warden founded the town of Bloemfontein. He bought the farm Bloemfontein from Dolf Britz for £37 and 10 shillings. In 1848, a leader named Andries Pretorius forced Warden to leave Bloemfontein. However, after a battle called Boomplaats in the same year, Warden returned. He came back as the British Resident of the Orange River Sovereignty. From 1848 to 1852, he helped set up a government. This system later became a good example for the new republic.

Warden's Family and Legacy

Major Warden was married twice. His first wife was Antoinette Hugo, and they had one son, Henry Douglas Jr. After her death, he married Susanna Elizabeth Minnaar in 1834. They had ten children together.

His children grew up in an Afrikaans-speaking community. They played a very important part in helping to build the Orange Free State. For example, his son Charles later became a magistrate in a town called Harrismith. The town of Warden was named after him.

Even today, three well-known streets in Bloemfontein are named after his children. These are Charles Street, Henry Street, and Elizabeth Street. These names also honor the Royal House of Stuart, which his family was linked to.

After the Orange Free State declared its independence in 1854, Warden sold his farm called Douglas Valley. He retired and lived in George, where he passed away in 1856 from pneumonia.