CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY ARCHIVE

Section IV: Africa Missions

Part 16: South Africa Mission, 1836-1843, Kenya Mission, 1841-1888 and Nyanza Mission, 1876-1882

Part 17: Kenya Mission, 1880-1934

Part 18: Kenya Mission, 1880-1934

Part 19: Taganyika Mission, 1900-1934, Nyanza Mission, 1880-1886 and Rwanda Mission, 1933-1934

Introduction to Part 17

This part commences the publication of the papers for Kenya for the period 1880-1934. Included in this part are Letter Books, 1883-1934 and Original Papers, 1880-1900.

The Letter Books contain copies of outgoing correspondence from Secretaries at headquarters to the missionaries. Many letters consist of instructions to new missionaries. Other letters include subjects such as: lists of books required for libraries in the mission; an extract from Bishop Royston’s report re the proposed boat for the East African mission 1883; a resolution re the enlarged powers of the bishop in mission affairs; letters from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York re the Uganda martyrs 1886; letters from Rev Douglas Hooper, 1886 and Rev R H Walker, 1887; a translation of a letter from the girls of the orphanage at Amritsar 1888; a circular re biographies of native Christians, 1889 and re the need for reinforcements, 1890; minutes of a conference held at Kisokwe, 1890; letter from Mrs Hannington re the bishop’s burial place 1892; a list of questions re the residence for lady missionaries 1894.

Included also are a circular and printed questionnaire from the Native Races and the Liquor Traffic United Committee, 1895; questions and a memo re the Taveta colony 1896; letter to Daudi Kasagama, King of Toro, 1897; regulations re the marriage of CMS missionaries 1897; memo on the bishopric of Mombasa; memo on the case of Mr Westgate, 1902; letter to missionaries engaged in educational work 1902; circulars about retrenchment; resolution re the possibility of a mission federation 1910; proposals for a federation of societies in British East Africa; a note re the rights of the European congregation in Mombasa cathedral to have their own choice of minister, service etc 1919; letter to Rev J Britton from the Medical Secretary re the possibility of re-opening the medical mission in Kenya 1927 and a letter to G F Maxwell re Jomo Kenyatta, 1930.

The Original Papers consist of incoming papers such as letters, journals, reports and minutes sent to London by the mission secretary. Letters cover interesting topics such as: Rev H K Binns' intention to form a mission station at Taita; letter from R C Ramshaw re the formation of the town of Durima by slaves which was then scattered by the natives; letters from Bishop H P Parker with news on the mission; letter from S T Pruen concerning the progress of the work in the mission; long letters from Rev W S Price, Secretary of the mission on many topics including runaway slaves; letter from Rev R H Walker giving details on the local king and his attitude to the missionaries; letters from Rev E Fitch, Rev D A Hooper, Rev R P Ashe, Rev F Burt, Rev R H Walker, Rev A M Mackay and Bishop A R Tucker; extracts of a letter from Rev R P Ashe to Mrs Blackett written at Bukomi describing an escape with his life on a visit to a neighbouring village; letters from Bishop A R Tucker re the termination of the East Africa Company’s rule and the declaration by the African chiefs of the abolition of slavery; letters from Bishop A R Tucker re the changes in Uganda since 1890; letter from Miss J E Chadwick, one of the first lady missionaries in the mission; statistics for Nassa and Usukuma stations.

Reports cover many different subjects: report on the work being done at Frere Town and Rabai; report on a station at Mamboia by Rev J T Last; an account of a journey to Nakamba and Nagiriama by Rev B K Binns; notes on a visit to Godoma in the Giriama country by Rev W S Price; report on the East Africa mission by Rev H K Binns; letters and reports from J M Handford including one on the arrival of slaves at Frere Town; report by Rev J W Handford on the murder of Bishop Hannington; report on a journey to Mpwapwa by E H Baylis; reports by Bishop H P Parker on the work of Miss M W Harvey at Frere Town and the proposed Shimba settlement; accounts of journeys to Chagga by Bishop H P Parker; letter from S T Pruen regarding the need to have a nurse in the mission; report on the schools by Rev A Downes Shaw; report of a conference held in Usambiro; letters from S T Pruen and Mrs Pruen describing the murder of men whom the Chief suspected of witchcraft; an account of an itinerary in Usagara by Rev A N Wood; report on the work of J Burness; report on a meeting of the CMS Elders; report of Frederick Charles Smith on his journey to Uganda from Busoga; Captain Lugard’s report on the troubles in Uganda; report on Industrial Work; letter to Sir Fowell Buxton from Rev R H Walker re the position of the mission at Mengo; an account by Mrs Binns of the attack on Frere Town in January 1896; a report of a Native Conference at Frere Town; report by Ernest Millar on the birth of a son to King Mwanga; a printed report by Sir A Hardings on the condition and progress of the East Africa Protectorate from its establishment to 20 July 1897.

Annual Letters and Journals of the missionaries are full of interesting detail on their work and on the life and customs of the local people. Included are: journals of Rev J W Handford, the Clerical Superintendent; extracts of the journal of Rev J C Price describing local customs; journal of Rev J C Price on his visit to Ugogo, September-October 1886; extracts from the journal of Rev A M MacKay giving a very long and detailed diary of itineration in Giriama 1888; journal of the second visit by Rev J C Price to Ugogo; report from Chagga by Rev W E Taylor; journal of Rev H K Binns; extract from the journal of Dr C J Edwards re hospital work; description of the life and work in Buganda of Rev G K Baskerville together with his very detailed journals; extracts of a journal of Rev A N Wood describing his journey through the mission area; detailed journals of Miss M Ackerman at Rabai on earthquakes, local customs and famine; journal of Rev W A Crabtree; journals of Miss E M Furley of Mengo; journal of the first lady missionaries to Uganda accompanied by Bishop A R Tucker; journals of Miss E M Furley with a description of the celebrations in Kampala to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign; notes on an itinerating tour in Ugogo with a map of the area by Rev H Cole.

Miscellaneous items include: a list of the people on the Mamboia mission station with notes on their wages; instructions on the use of the grammar of the Gogo language; a sketch map showing part of East Central Africa; a map of Frere Town; a letter re the removal of people from Frere Town; news cuttings re the slave trade off the East African coast; photos of a missionary campsite taken on an itineration; a vocabulary of the Kitatulu language; a sketch of Mtatuiru, son of the local chief; a printed memo of the Universities’ Mission to Central Africa by Sir H B E Frere; a diagram showing CMS growth at home and corresponding influence abroad.

Also included are: mission statistics for the year ending 1887; a memo to European and British subjects on the blockade against the slave trade on the East Coast of Africa; copy of a decree by the Sultan of Zanzibar prohibiting slave traffic; list of provisions needed for the station and for journeys; pamphlets of African language vocabularies; sketch map of the Shimba district; translations in Ki-Sukuma; issues of The Record; report of the death of Miss Caroline Fitch; sketch plans for the Secretary’s house; report of the death of Chief Mandara in December 1891; news cuttings re British interests around Uganda; sketch map of the Mombasa and Frere Town missions; description by Rev A N Wood of the hunting and poisoning of a man-eating lion; plans for a new church; news cuttings re the Uganda war between the Protestants and Catholics; translation of a letter written by Zakeneya, the Kanguu ruler of Bulemezi; news cutting re CMS’s objections to the withdrawal from Uganda; copy of the treaty between Mwanga, King of Uganda and the British East Africa Company, 26 December 1890; advice by Rev R H Walker on making a journey through Ugogo to Victoria Nyanza; a news cutting of Captain Williams’ report on the situation in Uganda; an account of the work done on the hospital, dispensary and house at Mzizima; list of slaves received at Frere Town from1875-1890 (total of 921); copy of the first native book printed and published in East Africa, 1893; a list of requirements for Mahoo (Happy Land), a new station near Taveta; news cutting re The Freeland Exhibition; minutes of the conference at Usagara; news cutting of letter from Rev A R Steggall of Mahoo, Taveta to his father in Consett, County Durham; copies of The Taveta Chronicle; photos of swarms of locusts; plan for a house at Taita; sketch map of Busoga; photos of the boys and staff at the Nassa mission; translation of a letter from King Daudi Kasagama, King of Toro asking for more lady missionaries; news cutting on the rebellion in Uganda (reprint of a letter from Dr A R Cook); issue of The Gazette for Zanzibar and East Africa; plans for a new mission house at Mombasa; minutes of the Women’s Conference at Frere Town; description of a plague of locusts affecting 20,000 square miles by Miss E Kathleen Wray; minutes of Frere Town Executive Committee including work done among the women in 1899.

Financial papers consist of: Finance Committee minutes; statistics of the Shimba station with the number of residents and a list of the villages roundabout; a Finance Committee report on the state of Frere Town in 1893; monthly accounts. For the Original Papers, 1886 and 1887 a typewritten précis of papers is included.

EXTRACTS

Reel 333 Letter Book L 6 Minutes of a Conference held at Kisokwe August 21 and 22 1890

“2. Relations with the Germans - Decided that all questions among the Natives requiring magisterial interference be referred to the Germans, or to the Native Chiefs acting under their authority.

That with regard to the flying of flags (national) missionaries should not use flags, unless the Germans insist on their flying the German flag; such order to be obeyed awaiting instructions from the Home Committee. Permits or passports to be always obtained by missionaries going to or from the Coast.

That Missionaries should not supply Natives with notes or letters to be used as Passports, but that such application be sent to the Germans.

That in, cases of theft, etc, on Mission Stations in ordinary cases the Native Chiefs be appealed to, and that only in very exceptional instances should the Germans be had recourse to for judgement.

The Bishop suggested that ordinary courtesy be observed, but that all undue intimacy with the Germans be avoided.

3. Runaway Slaves - Mission Stations not to be used as refugees for such. In case a person living on a Mission Station is claimed as a slave, the matter be referred to the constituted authorities.

Sick slaves left by their owners, as well as other sick people, not to be supplied with anything but medicine and shelter at the expense of the Society….”

Reel 337 Original papers 1881 R C Ramshaw to Dr R W Felkin Jomuu E Africa Nov 25th 1880

“Dear Friend

I could not let another mail pass without sending you a few lines. Since you left matters out here have assumed a brighter aspect. The slaves who were on the various mission stations, after having been driven off by Dr Kirk, formed a town or village of their own at Duruma in a large forest. As soon as the Wali got to hear of it, he told the Swahilis to go after them and take them dead or alive. They went, and after a couple of hours skirmishing, in which one Swahili was killed and several wounded, the slaves were scattered, and took refuge in the forest. The Swahilis then put fire to all the houses, and returned to Mombasa without taking a single slave. The latest news is:- they have scattered in bands some have gone to Taita, others to interior Duruma, “Kwa Ki Kongo” an outlaw, to Makonga on the borders of the Galla country etc.

The Wali of Mombasa has put all the Jomvu elders in irons (18lbs each – mani 6) in the inner gereza, because they took my part during the disturbances, and prevented me from being injured, or the property under my care, and because they accepted a present from me some considerable time since. They are old men and number 15. I sent a note to Dr Kirk asking him to do something in their case as they are certainly the injured party having a “Kisasi” unpaid. He refused and very kindly advised me “to devote myself to the ordinary occupations of a missionary”.

All the friends at Frere Town are well except Mrs Handford, who is extremely weak, and will no doubt soon have to go home….”

Reel 337 Original papers 1882 Report on the Industrial Department in the East Africa Mission

The condition of the young men, now developing into manhood at F Town is a matter for very serious concern. I have a list of 32 of them, ranging from 15 to 18 years of age, and with the exception of the half dozen or so who are under training as Teachers, & to whom I have already referred, I regret to say they are growing up without any definite object in life before them, and with no means of earning a respectable living. They are not only running to waste, but unless something is soon done for them, they probably will become ere long a troublesome element in the Mission.

I ascertained from themselves that they wished to learn trades – some as smiths, some as carpenters etc – and it is a great pity they have no present opportunity of doing so. The native mechanics we have are very poor hands – slow & unskilful – only equal to plain work – and not qualified to teach.

And yet as the mission extends, good artizans will be much in demand, and if they are steady Christian men, they will form a very valuable auxiliary arm of the service….”

Reel 339 Original papers 1886 Journal of Rev J C Price on a visit to Ugogo, September – October 1886

“Sept 26 Reached Msanga at 10.30, having passed Mahamba without stopping. The water here is very scanty. The Wagogo dig wells about 12 ft deep, & the plain is dotted all over with these wells & the heaps of earth thrown up around them, but only 2 or 3 contain water, which oozes out very slowly. The soil is a kind of white earth, now all dry and dusty & the water has a milky appearance, but is much nicer to drink & softer than the clear, hard water of Kisokwe & Mpwapwa. Wind very strong all day.

Sept 27 Sunday Sun very hot & wind very high. These high winds seem to be the regular thing day & night, throughout Ugogo. Spent a pleasant Sunday with Hooper. Kitindi & most of my men have been away nearly all day & this evening they returned with a very large antelope which K had shot. We refused to take any of the meat lest it should appear that we approved of his going off shooting on Sundays…

Oct 1st Matangazi (Kwa Mlewa), 3 hours from last place. There is a small lake or pond in the middle of swampy valley. The Tembis are built on rising ground all round this lake. Went out in the evening & made friends with the Wagogo at one tembi, where I had some Ugali and a nice sweet drink made from a wild fruit. Took the opportunity of telling them about Jesus, & God’s love to man.

Oct 6 A short march of 1½ hours only brought us to Mdagulo. The chief came into camp begged some tobacco from me, & afterwards told the headman he wanted guns, powder, caps, blankets, coats etc besides cloth! which of course he did not get. He refuses to settle the “hongo” question today, so we shall have to wait tomorrow morning. The glare of the white sand is very trying. No trees about the place except the wild palms we have found all along since leaving Ilindi, & one or two other trees under which our tents are pitched….”

Reel 342 Original papers 1888 Letter from Mrs S T Pruen

“We are having rather trying weather just now, as the rain will persist in keeping off. It is a most extraordinarily dry season, & a famine will I am afraid be the result. We are thankful to be here where it is certainly cooler, Mpwapwa would be very stuffy just now, especially as they get even less rain there than we do here. The people from there say that their crops are almost dead, a sad prospect for these poor people, here of course the crops near the stream are in a flourishing condition, as artificial irrigation can be practised, though the natives don’t understand this without being taught. S and I go in for gardening every evening we have just put in a lot of seeds & now it is very pleasant to see them coming up, as we water them regularly every night. We ought to have a nice crop of vegetables bye & bye, we are quite looking forward to this….

A terrible thing happened here the other day. We heard a lot of firing and shouting & screaming one morning, & were at a loss to understand the meaning of it the same thing happened in the evening. S asked the men if they knew what was going on as they always manage to find out. They said the Wagogo had been killing a poor man who they accused of witch-craft in the morning & another had just been killed. The reason of this was, that the Chief has been ill for some time, suffering from gout & various disorders. The poor deluded fellow imagines that some evil spell is on him, & for this reason left his own tembe, fancying that by doing so he would get rid of the effects of witch-craft. But of course no good resulted from this move, so he took the dreadful step of murdering these two men, who he fancied were exercising a spell over him. It was rather late when we found out what had been happening so S determined to go & see the Chief the first thing in the morning & try to remonstrate with him on his wickedness. You can imagine how horrified we were especially as these two murders had happened quite close to us….”

Reel 346 Original Papers 1891 Extracts from Rev G K Baskerville’s Journal Nov 1891

“Wednesday 18th …. I have had numerous weddings in the last few days, and last Sunday I had fifteen babies to baptize. Yesterday morning we went to a leopard-hunt. Leopards have been very troublesome, taking calves and goats, and on Monday a woman was killed close to our garden. The people turned out in thousands, and under the Katikiro’s direction a cordon was formed round the place, leaving one open space, where a large net was fixed; the people then advanced forward, beating down the grass, and closing on the supposed place, driving the animals towards the net, where a hundred sticks were ready to beat him down. We stayed some three hours in vain, but after we had come away two leopards and a wild cat were caught….

Friday Evening- We are living in a volcano – the whole country is in a ferment. The Roman Catholics started all the trouble by sending men to destroy the Melondo’s place in Kyagwe. He is one of our biggest and most respected chiefs. Wisely, he, before taking any hasty measures, went to consult Captain Williams, who told him to go and defend his property. Accordingly yesterday he went, and the king (ie the Roman Catholics) has sent four Roman Catholic chiefs after him to kill him! Here our friend Mwanga has put his foot into it, and deserves no mercy at the hand of the Company. Well, Williams went to the king and told him that unless he sent counter-orders to stop these men he would fight with him. Our people have acted nobly and kept from violence; we went to see one chief who was for fighting at once, but he promised to refrain out of respect to our opinion and advice….”

Reel 352 Original papers 1895 Extracts from a journal of Maria Ackerman, 1895

“June 13th Mrs Smith went with me to a little village near called Intuli, such a dear little place with about 16 huts on the side of a hill, a number of such dear little children were there & four or five women. A good sized lad had a sore upon his leg which I went to dress, he had such a nice face & used to come to Rabai to read but his Father has now refused his coming. At the entrance to Intuli there was a tiny little sort of beehive of grass & inside on the ground were laid 6 or 7 pieces of mahindi just as it commenced to form. This was a “house of sacrifice” we were told, “They worship they know not what” for they do not know God nor have they idols. The Wanzika say that if a man adds water to Tembo (intoxicant made from cocoa nut tree) & sells it, he will die that day, for a poison will be created inside his body which causes him to swell until he dies….”

Reel 355 Original Papers 1897 Miss E M Furley’s Journal 1897

“….At 11am the King arrived accompanied by the Katikiro and a great following of chiefs with Mbogo, the Mahommedan King, who is the King’s uncle. There were not so many chiefs as sometimes, as so many of the principal ones were away in Toro. They poured in behind the King, leaving a great sea of shoes in the doorway. The King was conducted to a raised seat of honour, facing the company. He made a short speech in Kiswahili, saying they were met there to congratulate the Queen etc. Then he had to enquire of the Katikoro as to what day it was that they were celebrating, and how long she had reigned. Then Mr Wilson, the Government Representative, responded to the Queen, wishing blessing to the Country, and the whole function was over. The King got up, shook hands with us, and departed with an air of relief that it was all over, the natives who had come with him all following. Afterwards we had lunch, then the usual photographing and we got back home at about 2pm.

July 6, 1897 This morning we went to Church as usual. The usual classes were held and a large number of people were reading, no one having the slightest idea that a Revolution had taken place in the Country. The King had run away! It was at 3am that he went, going down to the lake side with a small following and so quietly did he go that it was noon before his departure was discovered. We had known for some time that things were not altogether as quiet as they seemed on the surface, and that there was a strong Anti-European feeling in some quarters, fostered by the King. Things were brought to a crisis by the Mukwenda being turned out of his chieftainship. He is one of the richest and most powerful chiefs in the Kingdom and was imprisoned more than a month ago for joining with the R C Mujasi in rebellion. Now he with two other chiefs have been deposed and the King has not been able to put in the men he wished into their places. The present Kago, a thoroughly good Christian man, has become Mukwenda, while a lesser chief called the Kibare, also a true Christian, has become Kago.

Late on Monday night the King is reported to have sat weeping among his wives, saying, that the Europeans had taken away his power and he had better kill himself! By three in the morning he had run away. At first to us his conduct seemed very childish and amusing, but things are beginning to take a more serious aspect. From the lake-side he and his following crossed by canoes to Budu, the Province to the west of the lake. The chiefs wrote to him asking why he had gone away, as they did not wish to drive him away, and inviting him to return, but this he declines to do, intending to fight for his kingdom. A small force under a European was sent down to Budu at once, but they were not powerful enough to do anything…. He is said to have 2000 guns, but information is not reliable, and their supply of ammunition is probably small. Not one big chief of any importance has yet joined him, even the principal Mahomedans have declared for order and Government. War seems inevitable. It seems that we are at a great crisis of the Country's history...."

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