John Stuart Kerr Wells arrived from Eire via England.
The following brief history has been taken from the much
longer, excellent and dedicated research that has been done by my first cousin John Wells.
The research continues into both the African
and Irish history of this branch of the Wells family.
Co. Monaghan, Eire.
Born and educated in County Monaghan, Eire, John Stuart Kerr
(JSK) joined the General Post Office and worked as an engineer and surveyor in
London. It was probable that it was whilst he was working in London that he made the
contacts which resulted in the rest of his life being spent in East Africa.
To London then Africa.
In 1897 G. Rennie & Co. of Greenwich, London, were building the
gunboat 'Guendolen' for the British Central Africa Administration. The gunboat was
shipped out in 1898 to be assembled at Fort Johnston. JSK went out to install the
electrical wiring. In February 1899, three months before the Guendolen's maiden
voyage on Lake Malawi, John transferred to the Civil Service of British Central
Africa. He was Postmaster at Fort Johnston until December 1901.
He then joined the Administration of the Protectorate. He moved from district to district and by early 1905 he had been, Third Assistant Collector at Liwonde, Magistrate and Acting Collector at Liwonde, Mulanje, Chiromo and Chinteche in the very south of the country.
Married in Eire then back to Africa.
In early 1905 he went on 'Home Leave'. During his return to
Ireland he married Mary Florence Brennan the third daughter of Major Brennan of the
27th Enniskillen Fusiliers. Then returning to Africa in July 1905, John was posted
as District Magistrate and Collector at Port Herald
Sadness then Joy.
In 1905 Mary gave birth to Charles Stuart who died shortly
afterwards and was buried at Port Herald. In 1907 Mary left Africa to return to
Lifford, Co. Donegal, Eire for the birth of Isabel Margaret on 28th August
1905. JSK took leave to be with his wife then sailed back to Africa arriving on
Christmas day 1908. Mary remained in Lifford and on 16th March 1909 gave birth to John
Stuart known as 'Jan'
Further moves and postings.
JSK became Assistant Collector of the North Nyasa District,
stationed at Karonga. It was here that the traveller and author Charlotte Mansfield
met him. "During the whole nine days travel from Abercorn to Karonga I
met only one white man on the road, and he was Mr. Stuart Wells, Assistant Magistrate at
Karonga, who was on a tour of inspection". Charlotte wrote of meeting
JSK in her book 'Via Rhodesia' which contains photographs, one of which was taken by JSK.
Shortly after Charlotte's visit JSK was posted to take temporary charge of the Chikala District. On 12 Oct. 1909 he was posted back to Karonga and promoted to Resident Collector. Between 19 Mar. and 15 Sep. 1911 JSK took home leave. Mary is believed to have returned with him.
Drama as fourth child is born.
A year later on 14 Sep. 1912 Robert Stuart Brenan was
born in the Scottish Mission hospital in Blantyre. JSK was away in the bush when
Mary realised thet the baby was going to be born prematurely. She organised two
teams of four bearers and a head man to carry her overland as quickly as possible to
Blantyre.
Home leave cut short.
JSK left for home leave on 15 Mar.1914. Whilst at church
with his family in Lifford, Co. Donegal, Eire, JSK was called out of the service to be
told that war had been declared and he was to return to Nyasaland as soon as
possible. He arrived back at Chinde on 16 Oct. 1914. He was granted a
temporary magistrates warrant giving him the full criminal and civil jurisdiction of a
District Magistrate. The following year he was moved to the north of the
protectorate.
British Forces push into German East Africa.
In the first two years of war much territory was taken from the
Germans. On 12 Jul. 1916 Hector Livingston Duff, Chief Secretary of Nyasaland was
made Chief Political Officer. Under Brigader-General Northey, Duff was tasked with
administring the German territory as it was captured. JSK had already been appointed
Political Officer on 24 Jun. 1916 and was therefore to be the first of a small team of "men
of special experience and training" to assist Duff in his task. To give
JSK the necessary authority and status he was appointed temporary and Honorary Major in
the army on 1 May 1917.
Honored for his work.
In October 1918 JSK was appointed Commander of the Most
Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE). The London Gazette of 5 Jun. 1919
reported that he had been mentioned in despatches by Lieutenant-General Sir J. L. Van
Deventin, Commander-in-Chief, East Africa forces, for "valuable services
rendered during the period 1 Aug. 1918 to the conclusion of hostilities".
On 31 Dec. 1918 JSK relinquished his honorary commission of Major.
Tanganyika now becomes home.
JSK did not return to Nyasaland but in Feb. 1920 was formally
transferred as Political Officer, Mandated Territories - German East Africa with effect
from the date of his original appointment on 24 Jun. 1916. He was part of the
Provincial Administration of what became Tanganyika Territory.
Made an offer he could refuse !
JSK was offered the Governorship of the Gilbert and Ellis
Islands but declined. He retired from the Senior Commissioner's staff in 1923.
It is said that JSK turned down the governorship feeling that it might be the Colonial
Office's way of "pensioning him off". He may also have felt
that the South Pacific would not have the excitement of his life in east Africa.
JSK retires and moves to Tukuyu.
At Museka he aquires 2,000 acres of land a few miles south of
Tukuyu.
Thank you John, all the above information came from your hard work, please keep it up, we all appreciate your time and effort.
If you have any information on this
branch of the family please send an e-mail to:
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