One of Jacob Gregory’s sons, James Jenkins (the First) was sent by his father to open up trade with the Voortrekkers who had settled in the Muden area. He purchased a farm near Jobe’s Kop, near Weenen, married Catherine Elizabeth Kemp, a “pleasant looking woman” and integrated totally into the local Boer community. The couple had five sons: James Jenkins (the Second – born 28 July 1845 at Bushman’s River, Weenen County); Morgan; Piet; Jacob and Gert. Catherine’s headstone is preserved at Talana Museum.

James Jenkins Gregory (the First) was a man of strong principles and way ahead of his time. He refused to swear loyalty to the Klip River Republic, and by 1860 was negotiating with the Government for a rail link to transport the bunker coal that he had found at Jobe’s Kop down to Durban for the Castle Line steamers. His efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

He and two veterans of the Blood River battle, Gert de Jager and Willem Landman, met with Lord Chelmsford and Sir Evelyn Wood on the eve of the Zulu War and warned them that their camps should be laagered at all times. They were treated with derision. The two Boers, with more street-savvy, retired to the Orange Free State for safety.

James Jenkins Gregory (the First) went on to man the Ermelo Fort just outside Dundee, recruiting Native Levies. After Isandlwana he patrolled the Biggarsberg, and built a fort on Msinga Top, manning it with 400 loyal Native Levies. He was awarded a no-bar South Africa General Service Medal 1877 – 1879 as a “Colonial Commander and Levy Leader”. At this time he was living on the farm “Waaihoek” near Washbank. He had two sons, Morgan and J.J. (The Second).

James Jenkins Gregory (the Second) married Regina Catherina Boshoff (15 August 1849 – 19 November 1909). They farmed firstly on Lennox farm and then on Cotswold Farm, just outside of Dundee. They had two children, one of whom was James Jenkins (The Third) and the other a daughter (who later became Mrs. J.W. de Jager).

James Jenkins Gregory (the Second) died 22 June 1916 at his farm Cotswald after a three-month stint of medical treatment in Johannesburg, which ultimately proved unsuccessful. According to the Courier he was “well known and respected in the district”..

James Jenkins Gregory (the Third) was born on 09 May 1870. He also farmed on Cotswold. He married his first wife, Aletha Marie nee Wessels on 23 July 1902 in Ladysmith. They had two children. His second wife was Machteld Gertruda Anna Maria nee Schutte. They had two daughters.

Present as a member of the Dundee Town Guard during the battle of Talana, according to the Bailey Diary on page 65: “Mr. Gregory, a farmer, buried the four soldiers who were shot when trying to get away with the Maxim, where they fell.” This would have been to the north east of Talana, north of the present R 68 to Nqutu, possibly on his farm, “Cotswold”.

Bailey Diary page 99: “December 24. Father Murray left today at 12 p.m. Also Rev. F.J. Greenfield, Messrs. Baker, Gregory and Ohlson. I am now alone in the vicarage”. Gregory was subsequently detained in Pretoria.

The Courier, dated 16 April 1902 – “On Friday night the farm of Mr. J. Gregory, of Gregory’s Nek, was visited by a fairly strong party of Boers, who drove off a number of cattle”.

In 1905 the Magistrate at Utrecht appointed Messrs. Gregory, Rudolph and Moolman as Field Cornets.

James Jenkins Gregory (the Third) died on 25 March 1936 aged 65.