George Alexander Reagan Cotton was born on 7 April, 1870, on the island of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean, more than 2700 km from Cape Town. The active volcanic island is a British territory, known as the world’s remotest inhabited island.

George’s grandfather was Alexander Cotton – “The Man from Hull” – One of the first permanent settlers on the island. He arrived after retiring in 1816 from the British Garrison, where he had served under Nelson in the Victory of Trafalgar. He married Mariah Williams (c.1805-1892) and they had 13 children.

George was the son of Cornelius Hagan Cotton (1839-1885) and Francis June Reagan (1840-1930). As a young boy on the island, George learnt how to tend the island’s potato fields and to fish in the freezing waters of the South Atlantic. Cornelius and George’s brother went out fishing one day and never returned; their fate is unknown although they were presumed drowned. George was just 21 when he decided to make his journey to Simon’s Town. He arrived in Simon’s Town with little but a longboat (there is one on display within the museum) and lived on Paradise Road for 70 years. He married Maria Esther Williams (1877 – 1938) and they had 12 children.

Apart from fishing and whaling, the majority of his fortune came when he won the Rhodesian Sweep (Southern Rhodesia Lottery programme). He then started a syndicate, where he bought land and buildings. George was a well-known fisher and harpooner and many stories are told about the magnificent eye he had for spotting fish. He would likely be found on Long Beach, along with his dog, Kitchener.

When he spotted a whale in the bay, he would get on his longboat and stand at the helm and trek. Catching a whale could take hours; sometimes it meant he fell into the water. The whale oil was sold to the marine oil company. During his years of fishing, he turned to net fishing and built up a small fleet because he had a trek fishing license for Long Beach – one that stayed within the Cotton family for about 100 years until it was taken away.  

A volcanic eruption in 1961 forced the islanders from Tristan da Cunha to evacuate. They arrived in Simon’s Town but the apartheid government had problems with accepting the estimated 250 refugees, who had British citizenship, and gave them a week to vacate the country.

George stepped in, helping organise a welcoming reception in Alfred Hall along with the Simon’s Town municipality. This was just one example of his philanthropy, which included paying for a restroom in in Alfred Hall for non-white soldiers and building a children’s ward in the local hospital.

George was known for standing up for what is right. He contested the racist laws implemented during apartheid. Early on, he was a political member of the African People’s Organisation and campaigned against the South Africa Act of 1909.

He died on 5 June, 1962, at age 90 and is buried in Dido Valley Cemetery.

Parents: Cornelius Hagan Cotton 1838 – 1885 Francis June Reagan 1836 - 1930

Spouse Maria Esther Williams 1877 - 1938

Children:

George Cornelius William Cotton 1895 - 1918

Edwin Charles Victor Cotton 1897 - 1955

Frances Esther Cotton 1911 - Unknown

Adelaide Lenora Cotton 1904 - 1992

Cornelius Edwin Cotton 1909 - 1979

Mary Alexander Cotton Gursett 1913 - 2003

Bernard Benjamin Cotton 1906 - 1963

Gladys Frances Cotton 1899 - 1992

John Parker Cotton 1921 - 2005

Doreen Cotton 1918 - Unknown

Ralph John Humbler Cotton 1902 - 1963

Francis Cotton 1911 – Unknown

 

Compiled by Fawziyah Khan

Edited by Benita Dodd

References

Oral history from Lorraine Whittle (Nee Felix), granddaughter of George Cotton, found in the Museum archive

Simon’s Town Museum Archive

Russell Michaels, The old man and the sea, Cape Herald, 12 May 1984

H.C Willis, There was a feud in False Bay with The Steamer

George Cotton, whalerman, Cape Argus, Letters to the Editor, 9 June 1962

Cape Old Man of Sea Honoured, Cape Times 6/7/1961
Ancestry.com