Tredgold: Chemist, Philanthropist, and Anti-Slavery Advocate
The life of Tredgold serves as a window into the social and professional landscape of the early 19th century, spanning the colonies of the Cape of Good Hope and the heart of London. A man of science and deep conviction, Tredgold balanced a successful career in pharmacy with a lifelong commitment to humanitarian causes and the fight for human rights.
Early Life and Professional Beginnings
Baptised in 1798 to Thomas and Elizabeth Tredgold, he carried his mother's maiden name as his middle name. His professional journey took a significant turn in 1818 when he arrived at the Cape. On July 3, 1818, he was officially licensed as a chemist and druggist—a professional responsible for preparing and dispensing medicinal drugs—within the colony. This led to his role as a partner in the pharmacy firm Thredgold and Pocock.
Civic Leadership and Philanthropy in Cape Town
Beyond his pharmaceutical practice, Tredgold was deeply embedded in the civic and spiritual life of Cape Town. He married Elizabeth Merrington, a London native born in 1806, on New Year's Day in 1825 at St Georges Cathedral, prior to the building's later reconstruction.
Tredgold's commitment to social welfare was evident through his involvement in several key organizations:
- Cape of Good Hope Philanthropic Society: Where he worked directly with those living in poverty.
- Commercial Exchange: He served as one of the founding members.
- Cape of Good Hope Savings Bank: He contributed to the management of this financial institution.
- Congregational Union Chapel: As a member of this influential church, he actively campaigned for the emancipation of slaves at the Cape.
His influence extended to those he employed, including John Pocock. Pocock's diaries provide a rare glimpse into the Tredgold family's private life, including a 1836 gathering where letters were read from Richard Miles. Miles, a "Bechuana boy" formerly employed by Tredgold, became an itinerant preacher and interpreter, eventually being appointed Kaptyn (a traditional leader or headman) of Bethanie in 1850 by Major Warden on behalf of the Governor of the Cape.
Return to England and the Anti-Slavery Movement
In February 1837, illness within the family forced Tredgold and his kin to leave the Cape. This departure may have been abrupt, as he was appointed in the same year by Lt-General Sir Benjamin d'Urban, Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, to a committee for the Children's Friend Society. This organization worked with a London-based counterpart to protect "poor and destitute" children moving to learn a trade.
Once settled in England, Tredgold's commitment to human rights culminated in his participation in the World's Anti-Slavery Convention on June 12, 1840. This international gathering brought together delegates from Haiti, France, America, Ireland, Jamaica, Barbados, and Australia.
Tredgold served as the secretary of the convention, a role that placed him at the center of the event's commemorative painting, positioned near the speaker Thomas Clarkson. His wife, Elizabeth, was also present, seated among a small group of women including Lucretia Mott, Baroness Byron, Amelia Opie, and Elizabeth Pease, following a debate regarding the seating of female delegates.
![Elizabeth Tredgold in 1840.[1]](/images/89/d9/89d94151ad6b6898a9e02ae69efeec79b2ed1a5233d78d9eb5575836c738c673.jpg)
Later Years and Legacy
The family's time in England was marked by tragedy, as two of their sons passed away at the ages of eleven and thirteen. After 1842, Elizabeth Tredgold returned to South Africa with five of her children. She lived until March 16, 1892, passing away at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth McIntyre, in Ceres, Western Cape.
Key Facts
- Profession: Licensed chemist and druggist (1818) and partner at Thredgold and Pocock.
- Civic Roles: Founder of the Commercial Exchange and manager of the Cape of Good Hope Savings Bank.
- Humanitarian Work: Member of the Cape of Good Hope Philanthropic Society and advocate for slave emancipation.
- Global Impact: Served as secretary at the 1840 World's Anti-Slavery Convention.
- Key Connection: Former employer of Richard Miles, who later became the Kaptyn of Bethanie.
| Period/Date | Event/Role | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1798 | Baptism | England |
| 1818 | Licensed as Chemist and Druggist | Cape Colony |
| 1825 | Marriage to Elizabeth Merrington | Cape Town |
| 1837 | Departure from the Cape | Cape Colony to England |
| 1840 | Secretary, World's Anti-Slavery Convention | London |
| Post-1842 | Elizabeth Tredgold's return to South Africa | South Africa |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Tredgold's professional role in the Cape Colony?
Tredgold was a licensed chemist and druggist, starting his practice in July 1818 and becoming a partner in the pharmacy Thredgold and Pocock.
How did Tredgold contribute to the abolition of slavery?
He was a member of the Congregational Union Chapel in Cape Town, where he worked toward the emancipation of slaves, and later served as the secretary for the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in 1840.
Who was Richard Miles and what was his connection to Tredgold?
Richard Miles was a "Bechuana boy" employed by Tredgold. He later became an itinerant preacher and interpreter, eventually being appointed Kaptyn of Bethanie in 1850.
What was the Children's Friend Society?
It was an organization designed to safeguard "poor and destitute" children who were relocated to learn a trade, with Tredgold serving on a committee authorized by the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope to liaise with the society's London branch.
What happened to Tredgold's family after leaving the Cape?
The family moved to England in 1837 due to illness. While there, they suffered the loss of two sons (aged 11 and 13). Elizabeth Tredgold eventually returned to South Africa after 1842 with five children.