From: Peter Anderson
Date: 12/09/2016 7:33:51 PM
To: Scott Balson
Subject: RE: William Anderson - Griquatown
Hi Scott,
How nice to hear from you again. I did think of you back in late June when my wife and I visited Griquatown. It was indeed a little disappointing to see the Mary Moffat Museum now that Mrs Hagar is no longer there. It was great meeting others though including folks at the church opposite the Anderson School.
I must tell you I have done a thorough revision of my book and the second edition is a big improvement on the first. I have put in all the references and also an index. I had some really great editing help as well and have included several commendations. You can get a little taste by checking it out on Amazon. Go to: https://www.amazon.com/Weapons-Peace-William-Johanna-Anderson-ebook/dp/B01EJHGQSY
Should anyone in South Africa need a print copy they can contact Porcupine Press in Johannesburg. http://www.porcupinepress.co.za/filter-results/no-category/peter-anderson.html
For people in Australia, I can mail copies from New Zealand for A$15 per book. This includes postage and is basically cost price.
Now to answer your questions:
1) Balson: That the 1995 book you authored, "Weapons of Peace", was about the lives of William and Johanna Anderson and is based on information you were able to compile that was gleaned from William's original letters and journals covering his time in South Africa; documents that you have personally studied.
Anderson: Absolutely 'yes'. I spent 8 months in London going daily (Monday to Friday) to the library of London University's School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) who hold the archives of the LMS. Not only did I personally go through all the letters and journals of Anderson for the period 1799-1852 but I also went through any related letters and journals (e.g. Burchell, Campbell, Moffat, Read, Philip, etc).
2) Balson: That these journals and letters included their time as missionaries at Griquatown between 1815 and 1820.
Anderson: Again 'yes'.
3) Balson: That William Anderson never authored a book about his life or time at Griquatown, i.e. The journals and letters are the only record they kept of their time there as the resident missionaries; although selected extracts from his journals have been reproduced by others like Rev John Philip in his 1828 book "Researches in South Africa".
Anderson: Yes, unlike some of his illustrious contemporaries William Anderson never wrote a book nor did he ever return to England.
4) Balson: That there is absolutely no reference from that time in Griquatown by William Anderson in his many journals or letters to any local coinage/token. (Known as the Griquatown tokens). (If there is any mention, is it possible to scan and return a copy of the relevant journal page or letter for me?)
Anderson: I certainly do not recall in any of the letters and journals any mention of local coinage/token in Griquatown during Anderson's time there. I would not call myself an expert regarding William Anderson but it is my impression that had there been local coins produced and circulating during his time he would surely have mentioned this in his letters or journals. By the way, in the earlier period (1801 - 1808) his journals are more frequent and detailed. After this he seemed to have written fewer journals but there are still many letters in the archives. Of course Anderson left Griquatown in 1820. In Pacaltsdorp where he served from 1822-52, he wrote an annual report for the LMS and I was also able to get lots of information from his occasional letters and from what others wrote about Pacaltsdorp and/or Anderson. The second edition of my book has detailed references.
Balson: Finally, are you able to scan a page of one of his journals for inclusion in a new South African coin catalogue being published next year?
Anderson: Sadly I never took a photo of his letters or journals. I can however attach for you photos I have of a few pages at the beginning of his pocket Bible (in my possession), which clearly show his handwriting.
All the best for your writing and research.
Yours sincerely,
Peter
Peter & Elizabeth (Su Fang) Anderson
PO Box 87333, Meadowbank, Auckland 1742 New Zealand
Home: +64 (0) 9 528 9***; Mobile: 022-6806** (Peter), 021-451** (Elizabeth)
From: Scott Balson
Sent: Monday, 12 September 2016 4:56 p.m.
To: **nderson@slingshot.co.nz
Subject: William Anderson - Griquatown
Hi Peter
Long time since we last spoke.
Could you please confirm the following in relation to your direct descendant William Anderson:
1) That the 1995 book you authored, "Weapons of Peace", was about the lives of William and Johanna Anderson and is based on information you were able to compile that was gleaned from William's original letters and journals covering his time in South Africa; documents that you have personally studied.
2) That these journals and letters included their time as missionaries at Griquatown between 1815 and 1820.
3) That William Anderson never authored a book about his life or time at Griquatown, i.e. The journals and letters are the only record they kept of their time there as the resident missionaries; although selected extracts from his journals have been reproduced by others like Rev John Philip in his 1828 book "Researches in South Africa".
4) That there is absolutely no reference from that time in Griquatown by William Anderson's in his many journals or letters to any local coinage/token. Known as the Griquatown tokens. (If there is any mention, is it possible to scan and return a copy of the relevant journal page or letter for me?)
As the expert on William Anderson, in your view, do you feel that he would he have made mention of these token coins in his journals if they had indeed circulated there?
Finally, are you able to scan a page of one of his journals for inclusion in a new South African coin catalogue being published next year?
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated - feel free to be as brief as you want or to add your thoughts or comments where you feel relevant.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Kind regards
Scott Balson
Author "Children of the mist"
http://www.griquas.com