Martha Grey
Encyclopedia
Martha Grey was born Martha Solomons in Cape Town
, South Africa. She was the daughter of a freed slave named Rebecca and man from Wellington named Solomon. Her mother Rebecca was a well known character at the cape, sometimes referred to as ‘Queen Rebecca’ since she claimed to be related to the British Royal family, less is known about her father.
In 1864 Martha met Reverend Harry Grey, a clergyman from the county of Cheshire, in England and cousin of the George Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford
. Harry was sent to the Cape on a remittance as a result of habits his family thought dishonourable. In 1872 Harry and Martha were married; they lived in Wynberg, Cape Town
. Martha bore Harry three children, John, Frances and Mary Grey. The first two were born before their marriage, while Mary was born thereafter. Upon the death of George Harry Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford
, the title passed on to Harry Grey, Martha became Countess of Stamford.
Harry Grey, 8th Earl of Stamford
died in 1890, leaving Martha well off financially, though she and her children suffered many racial prejudices and snobbery from the English settlers in Cape Town. Inspired by her mother's wish for educating her local community, she funded a school in Wynberg, Battswood School, which later became the Battswood Training College for teachers.
Martha, Dowager Countess of Stamford, died in 1916, and was buried alongside her husband and her daughter Frances in Wynberg.
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa. She was the daughter of a freed slave named Rebecca and man from Wellington named Solomon. Her mother Rebecca was a well known character at the cape, sometimes referred to as ‘Queen Rebecca’ since she claimed to be related to the British Royal family, less is known about her father.
In 1864 Martha met Reverend Harry Grey, a clergyman from the county of Cheshire, in England and cousin of the George Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford
George Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford
George Harry Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford, 3rd Earl of Warrington was an English peer.George Harry Grey was born in Enville, Staffordshire, the son of George Harry Grey, Baron Grey of Groby . He succeeded his father as 9th Baron Grey of Groby in 1835...
. Harry was sent to the Cape on a remittance as a result of habits his family thought dishonourable. In 1872 Harry and Martha were married; they lived in Wynberg, Cape Town
Wynberg, Cape Town
Wynberg is a southern suburb of the City of Cape Town in Western Cape, South Africa. It is situated between Plumstead and Kenilworth, and is a main transport hub for the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.- Geography :...
. Martha bore Harry three children, John, Frances and Mary Grey. The first two were born before their marriage, while Mary was born thereafter. Upon the death of George Harry Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford
Earl of Stamford
Earl of Stamford was a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1628 for Henry Grey, 2nd Baron Grey of Groby. This Grey family descended through Lord John Grey, of Pirgo, Essex, younger son of Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, and younger brother of Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk Earl...
, the title passed on to Harry Grey, Martha became Countess of Stamford.
Harry Grey, 8th Earl of Stamford
Harry Grey, 8th Earl of Stamford
Revd Harry Grey, 8th Earl of Stamford was an English peer.Harry Grey was born in England, the son of Revd. Harry Grey and Frances Elizabeth Ellis...
died in 1890, leaving Martha well off financially, though she and her children suffered many racial prejudices and snobbery from the English settlers in Cape Town. Inspired by her mother's wish for educating her local community, she funded a school in Wynberg, Battswood School, which later became the Battswood Training College for teachers.
Martha, Dowager Countess of Stamford, died in 1916, and was buried alongside her husband and her daughter Frances in Wynberg.