Frederick Spence Tatham

1865 - 1934  (69 years)

• Name	Frederick Spence Tatham  [1, 2, 3]
  Birth	15 Apr 1865	Pietermaritzburg, Natal   [3, 4]
  Baptism	17 May 1865	St Peter, Pietermaritzburg, Natal   [5]
  	Sponsors: Frederick J Thoume, A H Noon [uncle], Maria E Thoume. Minister: James Green [Dean of Pietermaritzburg].
  		Frederick Spence Tatham (1865-1934) Baptism register
  Education	- 1879	St Charles Grammar School, Pietermaritzburg, Natal   [4]
  	Educated at Smith's School on the Berea in Durban, then Bishop's College, Maritzburg and then at St. Charles Grammar School.[TFSA] - Smith's School not identified; possibly = later Durban High School, founded 1866 in Smith St (but not on the Berea); - Bishop's College, Maritzburg, opened abt 1871 by Bishop William Macrorie (Bishop of Maritzburg, C of E, non-Colenso) in Loop Street in a house opposite his own; closed in 1880; - St Charles Grammar School, founded Jul 1875 by Bishop Charles Jolivet (Roman Catholic) in Loop St; now St Charles College.
  Occupation	1879	Pietermaritzburg, Natal ; in office of Henwood & Roseveare, Drapers  [4]
  Occupation	May 1880	Newcastle, Natal ; Office boy with Albert Button, Solicitor  [2, 4]
  Military Service	1881	Trooper, Willoughby's Horse (Basuto War)  [4]
  Occupation	1886 -	Ladysmith, Natal ; Attorney  [2, 4]
  Marriage	20 Apr 1887	St Saviour, Pietermaritzburg, Natal   [3, 6]
  	Ada Susan Molyneux,   b. Jan 1865, Burton-on-Trent ,   d. 18 Nov 1950, Pietermaritzburg, Natal
  Occupation	abt 1889 -	7 Timber St, Pietermaritzburg, Natal ; Solicitor  [7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
  Residence	abt 1889 -	47 Loop St, Pietermaritzburg, Natal   [7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
  Post/Rank/Title	1893 - 1907	Member, Natal Legislative Assembly  [3]
  	Deputy Speaker for ten years, and Chairman of Committees, 1897-1907. [Curtis] representing Pietermaritzburg City. [Natal Almanac, Directory and Yearly Register, 1897]
  Post/Rank/Title	1899 - 1901	Pietermaritzburg, Natal ; Chairman, Board of Governors, Michaelhouse  [12]
  	before the school moved to Balgowan in 1901
  Military Service	abt 1899 - 1900	Ladysmith, Natal ; GOC Staff (mentioned in despatches)  [4]
  	Listed as Captain (seniority 23 May 1891), Natal Carbineers, as at 16 Oct 1896. [Natal Almanac, Directory and Yearly Register, 1897]
  		Frederick Spence Tatham (1865-1934) In 1900 during Anglo-Boer War
  Occupation	abt 1900 - 1918	Pietermaritzburg, Natal ; Senior Partner - Tatham, Wilkes & Co  [2, 4]
  Residence	1913	200 Pine St, Pietermaritzburg, Natal   [13]
  Military Service	abt 1914 - 1915	Natal ; Chief Intelligence Officer  [4]
  Military Service	abt 1915 - 1916	Egypt ; Staff Officer  [3, 4, 14]
  Military Service	abt 1916 - 1917	France ; Lt-Col, R of O, South African Defence Force  [3, 4, 14, 15]
  Decoration	Jun 1917	DSO  [3, 4, 15]
  Occupation	1918 -	Pietermaritzburg, Natal ; Judge of Supreme Court  [1, 3]
  		Frederick Spence Tatham (1865-1934) In 1927
  Residence	abt 1920 -	Parkside, Alexandra Rd, Pietermaritzburg, Natal   [16]
  Post/Rank/Title	Mar 1927	Honorary Colonel, 2nd Citizen Battery, Natal Field Artillery  [3]
  Death	26 Nov 1934	Pietermaritzburg, Natal   [1]
  Burial	28 Nov 1934	Pietermaritzburg, Natal   [17]
  Probate	01 Feb 1935	London ; £85 16s. 3d.  [18]
  	Tatham Frederick Spence of Pietermaritzburg South Africa died 26 November 1934 Administration (with Will) (limited) London 1 February to John Watling Balmer solicitor attorney of Ada Susan Tatham widow. Effects £85 16s. 3d. in England. [NPC 1935]
  Notes	Colonel the Hon. Frederick Spence Tatham, D.S.O., 1917; V.D.; K.C.,1902; one of His Majesty's Judges of the Supreme Court of South Africa, 1918; South African Defence Force; served on the Staff in France; b. 15 April, 1865, at Pietermaritzburg, Natal; educ. at Bishop's College, Natal; called to the Bar, Natal,1886; for nine years was President of the Natal Law Society; Member of the Natal Legislative Assembly, 1893-1907; Deputy Speaker for ten years, and Chairman of Committees, 1897-1907; moved and carried resolution in Parliament resulting in Natal being the first Colony to make a direct financial contribution to the British Navy; Member of many Royal Commissions, notably that on Shipping questions. With such brilliant legal, Parliamentary and Political records, the Hon. Mr. Justice Tatham's distinguished military career, briefly summed up on his retirement, in the Natal Witness, August, 1925, is all the more remarkable. Let the reader, recalling especially the terrific heat in South Africa during the Summer months, exercise his imagination, and try to realize merely what a vast amount of time and energy must have been expended in the case of each of these two aspects of a life so entirely, so nobly and so patriotically devoted to the service of South Africa and to the British Empire. It will be seen from the brief summary of his military career, that the Hon. Mr. Justice Tatham served not only in the Basuto and Boer Wars, but from the outset of the Great European War, in positions of the highest responsibility, first in South Africa, then, 1915-16, in Egypt, and, 1916-17, in France, and for his services there was mentioned in despatches twice, and created Companion of the D.S.O., "for distinguished service in the Field", as appears in the List of Army Honours, Decorations and Promotions; in the "Times", London, 4 June, 1917. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Battery of the Natal Field Artillery, which he had himself raised and commanded at the close of the Boer War, now designated the 2nd Citizen Battery, (N.F.A.), under the new Defence Scheme; see the Natal Mercury, 16 March, 1927. Though offered the appointment as one of H. M. Judges about a year previously, he deferred its acceptance for patriotic reasons, and, then only under great pressure, sailed from Devonport, on Saturday, 22 Decr., 1917, to assume his Judicial position in the Supreme Court, Pietermaritzburg, being in command of the Troops aboard, en route for South Africa. [Curtis] Frederick Spence Tatham was born in 1865. He was the second son of Robert Bristow Tatham. He was a very great man and has been called "The Caesar of Natal". When he was a child the family trekked to the diamond fields at Kimberley, where at the age of 7 he and his brother, Charlie were employed sorting diamonds. He was educated at Smith's School on the Berea in Durban, then Bishop's College, Maritzburg and then at St. Charles Grammar School. At the age of 14 he found employment in the office of Kenwood and Roseveare, Drapers of Maritzburg. When he was 16 years old he served as a trooper in Willoughby's Horse in the Basuto War. At this stage his father died and he and Charlie helped to support the rest of the family. He got a job as clerk to Albert Button, Solicitor, and went with him to Newcastle, but returned to Maritzburg. In 1886 a share which he had in the newly discovered goldmines brought him a profit of £1000, and this with his savings, enabled him to marry Ada Susan Molyneux, and to buy a piece of land in Ladysmith, where he started his practice. He was called to the Bar in 1886. While living in Ladysmith he raised the Ladysmith troop of the Natal Carbineers in 1887, and was Secretary of the Ladysmith Gold Mining Company. He finally settled in Maritzburg, founded the firm Tatham, Wilkes & Co., and became Judge President of Natal. During the Siege of Ladysmith he served on Sir George White's Staff and was mentioned in despatches. In World War 1 he was Chief Intelligence Officer in Natal and proceeded to England on the invitation of Gen. Sir Ian Hamilton. He served in Egypt and took part in the Battles of the Somme, Messines and Ypres. He was awarded the D.S.O. Natal owes a debt of gratitude to his wife, Ada Tatham, for the foundation of the Pietermaritzburg Art Gallery. Their family consisted of four sons and three daughters. Their eldest son died at two years old, and two sons were tragically killed, within three days of each other in the First World War. He died in 1934. [TFSA] Frederic Spence Tatham was the original 'Tatham' of Tatham Wilkes and began his career in May 1880, at the age of 15, in the illustrious position of 'office boy with Mr Albert Button a lawyer'. He was admitted as an attorney in 1886 and took charge of Baker & Laughton's Ladysmith branch ... In 1889, he took George Robinson into partnership to look after the Ladysmith office and they practised for a short while as Tatham & Robinson. ... F S Tatham was admitted as an advocate in August 1898 and in 1900, the firm changed its name to 'F S Tatham & Wilkes'. After several other name changes as partners came and went, ... the firm became known in February 1912 as Tatham Wilkes & Co. ... From 1889 until 1918, when he was appointed to the Bench, the firm was dominated by Frederic Spence Tatham. Dual practice prevailed in Natal at the time and he was first and foremost an advocate. At the same time he was a member of the Natal Legislative Assembly and a senior military officer. ... F S Tatham's two sons, Arthur Tyrone Tatham and Errol Victor Tatham both qualified as advocates and attorneys. The latter lost his life in Delville Wood in 1916, but the former survived World War 1 and steered the firm through the depression of the 1930's and through World War II when many of the younger attorneys and advocates and potential clerks were away on active service. Such a one was Frederic St George Tatham, A T Tatham's elder son, who qualified in 1939 and spent the next six years on active service in North Africa as a "Tobruk" prisoner-of-war. All three, FST, ATT and FStGT served as Presidents of the Natal Law Society. A T Tatham continued to practise until his death in 1965, as did F StG Tatham until his death in 1988. A T Tatham's younger son, Errol Inglis Tatham, was a partner in the firm from 1953 until he retired in 2006, 53 years later. [From Tatham Wilkes, Attorneys, accessed 25 Aug 2009] Encouraged Henry Curtis to prepare "Notes for a Pedigree of the Tathams of Co. Durham" 1897: President, Etcetera Football Club (PMB). [Natal Almanac] Wrote strong letter to The Times 04 Nov 1895, arguing against enfranchisement of Indians in Natal. INDIANS IN NATAL. LONDON, Dec. 13. Mr. Tatham, Labour member for Durban County, moved for leave to introduce in the Natal Legislative Assembly a bill to prevent the issue of a trader's or merchant's license to anybody not registered as a Parliamentary voter. The bill, which has the prospect of a favourable reception, it being intended to deal a death-blow to coolie and alien competition. The resolution was rejected. [Sydney Morning Herald , 15 Dec 1906] Frederick Spence Tatham, as viewed by Mahatma Ghandi: 1894: June 28, Thursday Abdoolla, Rustomji, two coolies and myself went to Maritzburg. Saw there Labistour who congratulated me on the petition but could not help in any way although the [prayer] was very just. Saw Escombe & Hitchins who also admitted the justice but could not help. Attended the 3rd reading which was postponed. There were many Indians in the gallery. A man named Neal saw me. Saw Tatham who said he could not do [anyth]ing & that he was [...] Indians come voting. July 2, Monday Bill was read a 3rd time... Drafted... and sent a letter to [Tatham that] the Indians protested against his attitude towards the Indians. July 5, Thursday Received a letter from Campbell as to how petition was ruled out of order. Also a letter from Tatham. Drafted another long petition to Council. Sent it with a letter to Campbell. Drafted a letter in reply to Tatham, and sent it. [M K Ghandi, Diaries] One of the founders in 1912, and first governors, of Cordwalles Preparatory School in Pietermaritzburg. Bequeathed his house and gardens to the City of Pietermaritzburg; in use in 2011 as an official residence of KZN Premier. [19] Tatham, Lieut.-Col. Frederic Spence, K.C., M.L.A., of Pine Street, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, was born in the capital of the Garden Colony in 1865; is son of the late R. Tatham, and was educated at Bishop's Coll. He saw his first active service in the Basuto War of 1851 (medal and clasp) and again served in the Boer War during the years 1899-1902, when he won the Queen's medal and five clasps and was mentioned in despatches. But Col. Tatham's record has not been confined to soldiering. Since 1893 he has sat in the Natal Legislative Assembly and has been Chairman of Ways and Means since 1897. He was appointed K.C. in 1902; is a member of the Port Advisory Board; member of the Board of Examiners for Bar Appointments; is President of the South African Expansion League [not identified]; and founded the S.A. League in Natal. In the crisis of 1899 he took an active part in shaping the policy of Natal, and raised and commanded the Natal Royal Regiment, consisting of Artillery, Infantry, and Mounted Infantry. He brought the great railway strike in Natal to a close in 1901 on intervening between the stikers and the Government at the latter's request. He was also largely responsible for the South African action against the objectionable shipping ring, takes great interest in educational matters, and is a member of the Board of Governors of Michaelhouse Diocesan Coll. He married, in 1887, Ada, third dau. of the late William Molyneux. [The Anglo-African Who's Who and Biographical Sketchbook, 1907; edited by Walter H Wills.]
  Person ID	I0806	Tatham | Heathcote branch | Descendant - male line
  Last Modified	01 Mar 2015

  
  

  Father	Robert Bristow Tatham,   b. 30 May 1824, Alpha Rd, Regents Park ,   d. 06 Apr 1881, 25 Berg St, Pietermaritzburg, Natal  (Age 56 years)
  Mother	Susan Noon,   b. 1840, Middlesex ,   d. 01 May 1927, Pietermaritzburg, Natal  (Age 87 years)
  Marriage	09 Feb 1861	Isipingo, Natal   [3, 4]
  	Then I fell in love with my dear wife who I met at a Ball. She was very pretty and the sister in law of a Sugar Planter here (her brothers were also planters) - The family objected for which I cared nothing. I had her consent, and as I did not want anything more, I obtained a licence, took out to their farm a led horse with a ladies saddle, put my dear girl on the horse, mounted my own, took off my hat to the brothers etc. and rode off to the nearest church (where by the bye I had taken the clergyman) and was married! - This I have found was the one bright, amongst the many foolish things I have been guilty of. [Robert Bristow Tatham, letter 20 Oct 1879] Witnesses: Adolphus Noon, C A Noon, Clara Jane King (her brothers and her sister?)
  		Robert Bristow Tatham & Susan Noon Marriage register
  Family ID	F0260	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Ada Susan Molyneux,   b. Jan 1865, Burton-on-Trent ,   d. 18 Nov 1950, Pietermaritzburg, Natal  (Age ~ 85 years)
  Marriage	20 Apr 1887	St Saviour, Pietermaritzburg, Natal   [3, 6]
  		Frederick Spence Tatham & Ada Susan Molyneux Marriage register
  Children	1. Frederick Charles Molyneux Tatham,   b. 03 Jun 1888, Ladysmith, Natal ,   d. 08 Mar 1890, Pietermaritzburg, Natal?  (Age 1 years) + 2. Arthur Tyrone Tatham,   b. 27 Aug 1889, Pietermaritzburg, Natal ,   d. 25 Jun 1965, South Africa?  (Age 75 years)   3. Errol Victor Tatham,   b. 29 Sep 1891, Loop St, Pietermaritzburg, Natal ,   d. 18 Jul 1916, Delville Wood, France  (Age 24 years) + 4. Cécile Florence Tatham,   b. 20 Sep 1894, Pietermaritzburg, Natal ,   d. 09 Jan 1980, Jersey  (Age 85 years)   5. William Inglis Tatham,   b. 21 Jun 1897, Pietermaritzburg, Natal ,   d. 15 Jul 1916, At sea, in Bay of Kotor, Montenegro  (Age 19 years) + 6. Ada Lilian Joan Tatham,   b. 10 Jan 1899, Pietermaritzburg, Natal ,   d. 07 May 1972, Pietermaritzburg, Natal?  (Age 73 years) + 7. Josephine Clara Tatham,   b. 07 Dec 1900, Pietermaritzburg, Natal ,   d. 21 Sep 1984, Cape Town, South Africa  (Age 83 years)
  Last Modified	01 May 2012
  Family ID	F0261	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  F S Tatham & Wilkes - Advocates, Solicitors & Notaries original partners, abt 1900 or earlier

  
  

  Histories » Slide Show		Lieut-Col F S Tatham leaves SA Defence Force Article in Natal Witness, Aug 1925
  		Frederick Spence Tatham Biography in Natal Who's Who, 1906
  		Indians in Africa Frederick Spence Tatham (1865-1934) Letter to The Times, 04 Nov 1895

  
  

• Sources

  [S63] Gill Tatham. [S54] Tatham Wilkes Attorneys. [S04] H Curtis: Notes for a Pedigree of the Tathams of Co. Durham. [S10] Tatham Family in South Africa. [S06] Parish Registers, baptisms, St Peter, Pietermaritzburg, 17 May 1865. b 15 Apr 1865 [S06] Parish Registers, marriages, St Saviour, Pietermaritzburg, 20 Apr 1887. index entry [S38] City & County Directories, Natal Almanac, Directory and Yearly Register, 1897. [S06] Parish Registers, baptisms, St Saviour, Pietermaritzburg, 14 Feb 1899. dau Ada [S06] Parish Registers, baptisms, St Saviour, Pietermaritzburg, 21 Oct 1894. dau Cecile [S06] Parish Registers, baptisms, St Saviour, Pietermaritzburg, 27 Nov 1891. son Errol [S06] Parish Registers, baptisms, St Saviour, Pietermaritzburg, 22 Sep 1889. son Arthur Tyrone [S07] Other Sources, Michaelhouse School. website accessed 14 Feb 2010 [S07] Other Sources, Women of South Africa, 1913. [S29] Medal Index Cards WW1. [S05] The Times, p 12, 04 Jun 1917. [S03] Family Members, DL. [S06] Parish Registers, burials, St Saviour, Pietermaritzburg, 28 Nov 1934. index entry [S14] National Probate Calendar. [S03] Family Members, JG.