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Post date: 07/08/2012
Archive Import
History: William Fleming was born in London in 1796 and arrived in Table Bay on 24 April 1818. He moved to Port Elizabeth in 1842 and joined the firm of Peter Heugh in which he became a partner, the firm being known as "Heugh and Fleming". Fleming was deeply involved in public affairs and served on numerous bodies. He sat in the Upper House at the meeting of the first Cape Parliament and represented the Eastern Divisions as a member of the Legislative Council from 1854-1858.
The land on which the house stands was registered in Fleming's name in 1852 and the house would appear to have been built in 1853. he Flemings had ten children so a large hom was a necessity.
When Prince Alfred visited Port Elizabeth in 1860 he and his party (which included Sir George Grey) spent the night in "Mr Fleming's mansion" which stands "conspicuously" on the Hill. The Fleming House had been chosed for the Prince from among all those of Port Elizabeth because its "furniture, carpets, fittings and articles or virtu" were "of the best and got up with good taste". William Fleming died at his home on 15 June 1861.
The house remained in the possession of the family until transferred to H B Christian in April 1880. Dring this period two leading citizens in the Colony, Alfred Ebden and Charles Tennant Jones, lived in the house. Christian was a merchant who, amongst other things, was the first Chairman of the Jockey club of South Africa from 1883 to 1903 and a member of the Legislative Council.
The Marist Brothers bought the house in 1911 and it became St. Patrick's School for Boys. It continued to be used as a school until the mid-1960s and became part of the University of Port Elizabeth in 1967.
Visual Description: A double storey building in a plaster finish, with a cast iron veranda and small pane sash windows. The building is finely detailed and the internal spiral staircase is of special note. It is one of the first villas to have been built in this area. The building is set back in an exceptional setting and attractively landscaped garden. Later alterations by Jones and McWilliams in 1916. The original character is detracted from by a new tiled roof and flanking windows to the front door. The building is linked to property 3917.
Colours:
Site Features:
Condition: Good
Construction Date: 1853
Materials: Loadbearing brickwork.
Catalogue: Theron 1983, No: A.7.3.02, Significance Category: