Having read quite a bit about the life of Bishop Colenso, I have every respect for the man. He was put into an impossible position given the timing of his appointment. At first he doubted his own ability, but armed with the belief that it was God's will, he not only befriended the Zulu people by learning their language and embracing their different outlook, but also left them in no doubt at all that he had no part to play in the ensuing bloodbath, other than do his best to persuade the British army to look at other options than war.   As regards his writings on the pentateuch - the ideas and thoughts that presented themselves within his work gave him great cause for concern. He spent many, many months questionning himself, before concluding that maybe this was God at work again and that this was his true task. Many more months still were spent dwelling on the possible outcomes - whether to publish his writings or not. He wrote letters to eminent friends for advice, clearly outlining his thought processes on the Bible text, as well as his concerns over the potential furore of the Church. He never actually sent these letters because he realised that this action alone may incriminate his friends and make their situation as difficult as his own, whether they were able to understand and support his difficulties in reaching his point of view or not.   1814 Jan 24 1827 Jul 10 Born St Austell, Cornwall, England Baptised into the Church of England St Austell, Cornwall, England 1832 - 1844 John Colenso attended St John's College, Cambridge 1832 -1836 and shortly after graduating was elected into a Fellowship and taught at Harrow. He attended a sermon by Samuel Wilberforce and was influenced by the idea of missionary work He took up a College in Norfolk in preference to a better paid position in Putney and served as vicar at Forncett St Mary from 1844 1846 - 1852 John Colenso married Sarah Frances Bunyan in London. Frances Emily Colenso was born in 1847 (later called Harriet) followed by Frances Ellen Colenso born in 1849. Their eldest son Robert John Colenso was born in 1850 followed by Francis Ernest Colenso who was born in 1852 (In the photograph the boy at the back - the baby is John Eric son of Robert) 1852 - 1858 John Colenso was offered the position of Bishop of Natal. He arrived in Natal as Bishop in the January of 1854 and was horrified at the way the Zulu people were being treated. He returned to England 1855 for some months unsure if he was able to deal with the situation. Believing in the end that it was God's will, he returned to Natal and in time became fluent in Zulu and developed a profound sympathy for the people he served. The youngest child Agnes Mary Colenso was born in 1855 at Pietermaritzburg 1859 - 1862 Controversy arose by his stand on polygamy and other issues He published a grammar book of the Zulu language as well as a Zulu - English dictionary. He also published manuals of instruction for the Zulus on history, astronomy, geography and other subjects. A commentary on St Paul's Epistle to the Romans published by Colenso was declared full of heresies by Bishop Gray of Capetown Colenso published a critical examination of the Pentateuch which is when his radical theology caused a controversy that shook the Anglican Church in Natal, raising constitutional as well as doctrinal issues. Bishop Gray claimed the right to exercise coercive jurisdiction over Bishop Colenso by both trying and condemning him 1863 - 1875 Bishop Gray pronounced a sentence of deposition followed by Colenso's excommunication Colenso returned to England and appealed to the crown with the result that the judicial committee of privy council declared the whole of Bishop Gray's proceedings null and void Colenso returned to Natal as the legal Bishop although some leading Societies chose to regard him as deposed In general, friendly feelings toward Colenso increased among the colonists that is until he took an unpopular stand on an issue of native trouble. 1883 Jun 20 John William Colenso died. His tomb is in front of the altar at St Peter's Church. which was the Bishop's Cathedral from 1857.     Elizabeth Colenso 1776 - ******** John Williams Colenso 1779 - 1860 Mary Ann Blackmore 1784 - 1829 ******** William Colenso 1782 _ 1865 Frances Flamark 1788 - 1843 ******** Samuel May Colenso 1786 - 1866 Mary Veale Thomas 1786 - 1856 ******** Robert Colenso 1772 - 1806 Elizabeth Painter 1769 - 1828 ******** *** ***   John William Colenso 24 Jan 1814 - 20 Jun1883 Emily Frances Colenso 1815 - 1879 Elizabeth Ann Colenso 1817 - Sophia Ann Colenso 1821 - 1854 Thomas Blackmore Colenso 1823 - 1849 *** ***   William Colenso 1809 - 1809/11 William Colenso 1811 - 1899 (NZ) Samuel Colenso 1813 (Canada) Richard Veale Thomas Colenso 1815 - 1892 John Williams Colenso 1818 - 1853 Jane Emily Colenso 1820 - 1896 Elizabeth Frances Colenso 1820 - 1883 Ellen Colenso 1824 - 1907 Edwin Colenso 1827 - 1897 (Australia) Mary Ann Colenso 1830 - Mary Paynter Colenso 1797 - Johanna Hodge Colenso 1798 Robert Colenso 1801   Key *** Uncles Aunts & First Cousins The Bishop Parents, Brother, sisters *** Died before 1853 Alive to know of the achievement Information not found to date

Click any image to view the whole speech or essay in its own context           JW Colenso Bishop of Natal   Memorial Window.   Holy Trinity Parish Church St Austell Cornwall England   I truly cannot believe that with all the knowledge we have today about history, events, and the consequences or aftermath, that so many leaders of nations are still obsessed with power, with tyrany, and with showing an extreme inhumanity to their fellow man - their own people as well as an enemy. Life is short enough, and ordinary folk get on with one another by and large, until leaders declare that one group should hate another. It would be refreshing if modern leaders were to be honest, join forces, with the common aim of deposing tyrannical leaders, especially where there is no oil, be it in North, Central or South America, Africa, Middle or Far East, Asia, Australasia or Europe and begin to show some 'humanity' for the majority of peace loving people. Only then, should there be room for us all. AJD 8 Jun 2003     Name Town/City Country Named after Date ***Colenso Drive *** **Barnet** ** England ** Battle of Colenso Aug/1998 *** Colenso Road *** Birmingham ** England ** Battle of Colenso 7 /Feb/1901 Colenso Street Blackburn England Battle of Colenso 1900 - 1930's *** Colenso Road *** ** Fareham ** ** England ** *** ************ ************ *** *** *** ****** ****** ****** ****** *** Colenso Street*** ** Hartlepool ** ** England ** Battle of Colenso Before 1904 *** *** *** *** *** ****** *** *** *** *** Whole estate of Colenso 'Streets' ** Leeds ** ** England ** Battle of Colenso Before 1904 Colenso Way Newcastle-under-Lyme England *** ******** *** ******** Colenso Street Oldham England *** ******** After 1930 Colenso Street Preston England *** ******** *** ******** Colenso Road Redbridge England Battle of Colenso 1901 - 1904 Colenso Terrace Rhymney Wales ***** ***** Colenso Place St Austell England Bishop Colenso *** *** Colenso Terrace Tredegar Wales *** ******** *** *** Colenso Street York England Bishop Colenso *** ********     The University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg and Durban). The annual 'Colenso Lecture' series on the 'symbolic meaning of the life and work of John Colenso in Natal' was established in 1995, although it was agreed that broader non-theological issues could be discussed. Robert A Hinde (St John's College, Cambridge University) was invited to deliver the very first series in August 1995. The titles were `The bases of violence and war', (main lecture at Pietermaritzburg), and `The study of interpersonal relationships', `Towards integrating the behavioural sciences', and `Where do we get our values?' were given at other universities in South Africa over two weeks. Read a more detailed account of the background and the experience of Robert A Hinde     Wills 1861 John Williams Colenso. 31st January 1861 Effects under £2,000 Resworn at the stamp office December 1861 under £200 The will of John Williams Colenso late of 15, Lower Durnford St East Stonehouse in the County of Devon Gentleman deceased who died on or about 23 December 1860 at Lower Durnford St aforesaid was proved at Exeter by the oath of Emily Frances Colenso of 15 Lower Durnford Street aforesaid Spinster the Daughter and the executrix according to the Tenor of the said will Wills 1879 Emily Frances Colenso 17 November 1879 Personal Estate under £300 The will of Emily Frances Colenso late of Julian Hill Harrow in the County of Middlesex Spinster who died 15 October 1879 at Julian Hill was proved at the Principal Registry by Mary Butler (Wife of Spencer Perceval Butler) of Julian Hill the Niece the sole Executrix Wills 1883 The Right Reverend John William Colenso DD 23 October 1883 Personal Estate £5,454, 1s 7d Administration (with the will) of the Personal Estate of the Right Reverend John William Colenso late of Bishopstowe in the Colony of Natal Bishop of Natal D.D. who died 20 June 1883 at Bishopstowe was granted at the Principal Registry under the usual limitations to Francis Ernest Colenso of Lower Close, Norwich in the County of Norfolk Barrister-at-law the lawful Attorney of Sarah Frances Colenso Widow the relict and Sole Executrix now residing at Natal Wills 1910 Francis Ernest Colenso of 21 Cavendish-Road-West St John's Wood Middlesex and of Elangeni Amersham Buckinghamshire died 30 June 1910 at Elangeni Amersham Buckinghamshire Probate London 17 August to Sophie Jeannette Colenso Widow Effects £5,253 14s 3d Wills 1937 Sophie Jeannette Colenso of Elangeni Chestnut Lane Amersham Common Buckinghamshire widow died 22 April 1937 Probate London 6 July to Irma Margaret Crovo (wife of Angelo Antonio Crovo) Effects £7,231 13s 6d Wills 1947 John Eric Colenso of Rock Cottage Uredale-road Limpsfield Surrey died 23 September 1946 Probate London 13 January to Mary Gertrude Colenso widow Effects £10,207 10s 10d Wills 1954 Mary Gertrude Colenso of Chantry Ridge 11 Chantry view-road Guildford widow died 11 September 1954 at Mount Alvernia Harvey-road Guildford Probate London 6 November to Midland Bank executor and Trustee Company Limited Effects £8,246 8s 7d