RIGG FAMILY OF BONNIEVALE

Rigg is a surname with a history dating back to the middle ages in Europe.  First historical evidence of the surname dates to the county of Wiltshire in 1420.  In the fifteenth century a large group of settlers known as Rigg’s migrated to Australia on the board RMS Grantylly Castle.  William Rigg and Wife met at the agents office in Liverpool, Mary Tracey,RC, housemaid, 17 years, of Portumna, Calway, Ireland how emigrants to Australia and New Zeeland.
1858  William and Caroline Rigg, with Christoper Forrest Emigrants to South Africa from Australia.

CHRISTOPHER FORREST RIGG 1861-1926
The marriage certificate dated 1894 between C Forrest Rigg and Lillian Isabel Elizabeth Moon, second wife from Robertson.  First two daughters died in Johannesburg, Mabel 1895 and Gladys 1898, and after they move to Bonnie Vale, Mary Myrtle 1903-1911.  1926 on holiday C Forrest Rigg died at sea, his wife asked to bring her husband body back to South Africa, but the ship did not have cold storage facilities.  A tombstone was erected in his honour at the Mary Myrtle Rigg Memorial Church Bonnie Vale.

Booklet of 65 pages tell the story of Rigg vision for the Town of Bonnie Vale.

RECORDBOOK OF MARY’S MYRTLE RIGG MEMORIAL CHURCH
Words by Mary Myrtle Rigg:  My dear Daddy you must build a Proper church for the people of Bonnie Vale, so that they can all become Good People.

C Forrest Rigg start building the Church in 1921 in Bonnie Vale.  Then in 1924 at 10:30am by Bishop Henry of George Consecrated – according to the use of the Diocese of Salisbury Assisted by Rev. WC Sharples of Swellendam and Rev. ACP Rigg, MA of India, their nephew.
Rev. ACP Rigg, military Chaplain to the English Army in India arrived in SA in 1938.  In 1949 L Rigg died and the house was left for lifetime, provided that ACP Rigg took the services at the Church.   The house will be after his death to be an old age home for retired parsons.  When Arthur Rigg died his wife decided to hand over the house to Swellendam Parish.  With not sufficient funds the land and house are sold to the Albertyn Family.

Families visit Bonnie Vale, and 1974 in a letter Ambassador Selfe SA Embassy Athens write that his old family house disappeared, his father was a Lay Reader and took services except on 1st Sunday each month, then the Rector of Swellendam take a communion service.

Graveyard

Graveyard in lusern field

  • Mary Myrtle Rigg 1903 – 1911
  • Christopher Forrest Rigg 1861 – 1926   (at sea)
  • Lilian Isobel Elizabeth Moon / Rigg 1873 – 1949
  • John Moon   1846 -1912 & Mary Jane Moon 1845 -1915

2nd Graveyard

  • Barbara Magdalene Moon (Rainier)    2 Sep 1953 & Sidney John Moon   2 March 1959
  • Austen Elliott Anderson   5 March 1885 – 1 May 1955
  • Lilian Dorothy Isabel Spendler (Moon)   27/11/1912 – 24/6/1979
  • John L Selfe (Geordie)   2/1876 – 4/1953
  • John Wilson Hughes   22/9/1920 – 16/2/1952
  • Edith M Self   1/1885 – 7/1949
  • John Sidney Rainier (Jack) Moon   6/10/1914 – 20/12/1990 &
  • Dalene (Breytenbach)   9/2/1929 – 2/7/2007
  • Charles J Rainier   15 Nov 1932 & Barbara M Rainier  22 Jan 1934
  • Helena de Klerk   18/4/1926 – 8/1/1927
  • E E Rigg   28/3/1932

Memorials Inside Church

  • William Rigg Jr / Manager Standard Bank of SA 1878, born London 1855 – 1894 died Rio de Janeiro,  Wife :  Isabel / died Buenos Aires   1895 and Son:  Rev. A C P Rigg  M.A. oxen erected  1925
  • William Rigg / landed Port Elizabet  1858 died in England – Feb 1910 age 82
  • Caroline Rigg  / landed PE 1859 died March 1859 age 28  Parents of C Forrest Rigg
  • John Moon, Mary Jane Moon, Parents of Lilian Rigg
  • Lilian Rigg
  • Walter Arnold, Capewell Smith, trooper James Roberts  6th Armoured Regiment 1939
  • 1942 Memorial in the Myrtle Rigg Memorial Chapel grounds

Articles

  • Bonnie Vale Land of the Settler /  19 May 1906
  • The Story of Mary Myrtle /  Cape Argus 12 Aug 1933
  • The Man who made Bonnie Vale / Cape Argus 5 March 1927
  • Letter of the niece of the late Mrs Rigg,  (C Geisler nee Moon)
  • Letter dated 1991, Allen Rigg of Australia, grandson of CF Rigg.
  • Letter dated 1977, Ambassador Selfe of South African Embassy Athens.
  • IHS silver, 1923 donated by Dorothy and Arthur Rigg.
  • Ps 134 & Gesang 10 / Phillip & Leonore December 1987.
  • The Bible:   Annie Beatrice St Leyer
  • Record Book:  Mary Myrtle Rigg Memorial Church
A historical newspaper titled 'Die Burger' featuring advertisements and articles, displayed in a frame.
Black and white photograph of an architectural document featuring a portrait of architect Hugh Alexander McQueen, along with two medals for architectural achievement, detailing his contribution to the design of the Myrtle Rigg Church.
Page of handwritten notes discussing church furnishings and their origins, including details about the communion set, altar cloth, and hanging lamps.
A handwritten letter memorializing Mary Myrtle Rigg, detailing her life and the church built in her memory.
Handwritten page from a historical record detailing the intentions behind building a church in Bonnie Vale, including hopes for community blessings and future repairs.
A handwritten page detailing the construction and materials used for a building in Bonnie Vale, mentioning sources of marble and wood.
Handwritten document detailing the consecration of a church in Bonnievale on May 18, 1924, under the direction of C. Forrest Rigg and Lilian Rigg, commemorating Mary Myrtle Rigg.
Memorial plaque dedicated to Mary Myrtle Rigg, honoring her request for a church to be built, with inscriptions from C. Forrest Rigg and Lilian I. Rigg.