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1910
February 17thShifted furniture from Mynpacht Randfontein Central to house on stand 253 Dekker St West Krugersdorp
“ 19thBirthday of sonny. Henry Bevington English, 5th year
“ 26thBought 12 h.p. Lanchester Motor Car in Krugersdorp market square
March 4th Was the amusement of Krugersdorp Town
JuneStarted sinking on the bend of No9 shaft, Randfontein Central
June 28thI signed the papers to buy this house from Mr J H Winder price £380. The house on freehold stand 253 Dekker St West Krugersdorp. ^House number 59. Mr Winder’s agent being Mr John Henry Winder’s agent being William James Murray of West Krugersdorp.
Witnesses: R Bell
J Ferrier } of West Krugersdorp
W English
July 18thMade my will on 18th July 1910
Sole executor – Mary Sarah English, my wife.
Witnesses – Thomas Hawks
                    – HM De Witt                                Krugersdorp
The will in my possession
William English
New will drawn up by Messrs Phillips and Osmond solicitors Krugersdorp 11th June 1913

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The influx of people to the newly proclaimed diggings necessitated the proclamation of a Stands Town, Krugersdorp in 1887. The first 200 stands in Krugersdorp were sold on a public auction on 31 October 1887 under a 99-year leasehold. The condition of the leasehold stated that the lessee could own the property for 99 years as long as his payment of stand fees was not in arrears. Further stands became available in later years.

It has not been possible to determine whether William was the first lessee of Stand 253.

A modern day view of 59 Dekker Street. William, Marie and Henry probably moved from mine accommodation.

This was written by Marie. It is interesting to speculate whether she thought William’s purchase of a motor car would be the source of amusement.