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After
settling in Clumber in 1820, Thomas Hartley moved into Bathurst,
building a dwelling on Lot 8 next to his forge in 1825. The
Inn was built in 1825. The Inn was built next to the Forge,
in which Thomas Hartley continued to run his blacksmith business.
Bathurst was geographically situated as a stopping place for
wagon travellers. There was a smithy, a farrier, provisions
and someone to extract a troublesome tooth. This was done
by the blacksmith with his pliers!
The
Inn, which was in operation by January, still stands substantially
intact. The Proprietor had such regard for the quality of
his guests that the rooms were described as “Subscription
Rooms for Gentlemen” and guests included Lord Charles
Somerset, the Governor of the Cape, and Sir Benjamin D’Urban.
From 1832 surgeon Ambrose Campbell, riding from Grahamstown,
attended consultations on the first Saturday of the month.
After Thomas Hartley’s death in 1840 his widow, Sarah,
took over the running of the Inn and made its hospitality
famous. It was then known as Widow Hartley’s Inn and
visiting dignitaries and Government officials sought accommodation
at the Inn.
In
1847 the Governor General, Sir Henry Pottinger, stayed at
the Inn and entertained the Chaplain, the Magistrate and the
Post Commander. In 1848 the Governor General, Sir Harry Smith,
stayed at the Inn.
Thomas
Baines made an oil painting of the Inn and the Village during
his visit in 1849 and this painting is now in the Rhodesian
archives. Sarah Hartley died later in the year after making
the Inn famous in the colony during her period as proprietor.
After a brief term under Thomas Hartley junior, Jeremiah Goldswain,
another settler, bought the Inn in 1852.
The
original building remains an integral part of the Inn. Part
of the kitchen walls include a portion of Thomas Hartley’s
original dwelling. The Inn’s name was changed to the
Pig ‘ Whistle during WW ll when the Air Force was based
at 43 Air School in Port Alfred.
After
170 years it has claim to genuine age which cannot be made
by scores of so called ‘Olde Time Inns’ worldwide.
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