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Effie Hemming
Ethelwyn (‘Effie’) Brown nee Hemming was one of the daughters of Alice Hemming nee Schreiner and her husband Robert. After Alice’s early death in 1884 and like the rest of her siblings, Effie was raised chiefly by Ettie Schreiner (later Stakesby-Lewis), who she came to call ‘mother’. She married Arthur Brown in 1903.
There are 24 extant letters from Olive Schreiner to Effie Brown written in the later 1890s to 1912, then 1919 and 1920, with nearly half of these being lettercards or postcards. The letters are focused almost entirely on family news, and in particular on Schreiner asking for news regarding her sister Ettie. Schreiner’s letters to Effie express loving affection, and at one point in 1898 before Effie’s marriage she offers her advice about a career in typewriting. Arthur and Effie Brown’s young son Robert fell seriously ill and then died in 1910, and this occasioned a number of Schreiner’s letters to her niece.

University of Cape Town, Historical Manuscripts: Manuscripts & Archives at the University of Cape Town is a leading location for accessing archival papers across many per... Show/Hide Collection Letters
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/29:Darling Effie, This was a poem that someone made for Uncle Cron on his wedding day. I was so glad of your letter darling. Do ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/30:Darling Effie, Thanks do much for your letter. I should indeed love to see you all again. I saw Willie Kooper, Maggies boy, y...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/36:The Homestead, July 27 / 98, Darling Effie, I’m so glad mother is so satisfied. I knew she would be., I was talking to ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/44:Hanover, Friday, Darling Effie , I know mother is much to busy to write so drop me a line to tell me how Granny is. Did you a...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/46:Saturday, Dear Effie, I send with this the PO order I forgot to put in last time. Please write a line at once dear & tell...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/47:Sep 6 / 01, Dear Effie, I was so glad of your note., Just send me a line when able to let me know how mother goes on, & h...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/48:Hanover, Friday night, Darling Effie,, I suppose mother leaves Cape Town tomorrow for Grahamstown & that the week after n...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/60:Uitkyk, My darling Effie, I’m so sorry I didn’t see you to say good bye. You are often in my thoughts. If your li...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/80:Hanover, July 1st 1904, Darling Effie, I feel so anxious about Guy from Aunt Het’s letter got today. Do drop me a line ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/82:Bedford, Saturday, Darling Effie, We got here this morning all well. Aunt Het is at Mrs Alcott’s & I here at the ho...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/84:Hanover, CC, Sep 12 / 05, Darling Effie, Would you do me a great favour. I have written to ask Mrs Austin if she could kindly...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/86:Friday afternoon, My darling Effie, I was so surprised & glad to hear from Mrs Lodge this morning that you were coming to...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/87:Hadden Hall, Aug 6 / 06, My darling Effie, I am so glad to hear things go fairly well with you. Yes, dear, I shall love to co...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/90:Hotel Milner, Matjesfontein, Nov 28th 1906, Darling Effie, It was a surprise to get your letter. If you are going back becaus...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/96:From Schreiner , To Effie Hemming, Highlands, Gardens, Cape Town, Bravo heartily congratulate you,
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/99:My darling Effie,, I was delighted to see Arthur, I felt so sorry at the thought of your being away from him so long. I don’...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/111:Dear Effie, I do hope little Robert shows some sign of improvement. Can the doctor say definitely what he thinks is the matte...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/113:My darling Effie, How is Baby & how are you? I am going to drive up to see you & him one afternoon. Isn’t sad t...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/114:My darling Effie, Please know I am always thinking of you that sweet suffering little one. I have only not written because I’...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 /115:From Olive , To Brown , Highlands, Gardens, Cape Town, Deepest sympathy with you Arthur and Winnie,
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/115:Dear Effie, I am so grieved to hear about our sweet little Robert. I do hope he is improving I so often think of you my darli...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/116:My darling Effie, Arthur’s card has come. I have no words to tell you, my darling, how my heart aches for you & Art...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/172:Darling Effie, Thank you for your sweet letter I shall perhaps come out to Africa in September when Oliver & Edna come in...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/186:[page/s missing], 2, to my friends the Clarkes. Dr Clarke is now the Superintendent General Secretary of Education up in the ...

SCCS Edited Extracts: Four groups of edited extracts from Olive Schreiner's letters can be accessed from here, made by her estranged husband Cronwr... Show/Hide Collection Letters
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/54:…I am so glad ‘Arriet is at the office” Yesterday I went to the Highlands. There was a big gathering in my ...
National Library of South Africa, Cape Town: Special Collections at the NLSA provide one of the leading locations for archival papers across many periods, organisations a... Show/Hide Collection Letters
Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.22:Pine Grove, Hof Street, Saturday, Dear Mary,, You looked so tired some how. Darling I can't bear to think you are ever tired ...
Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.30:Friday Morning, Dear Mary,, My dear old drop of fresh dew! I think your dress will come by the Dunnottar on Monday. See about...
Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.31:Saturday night, My dear Mary,, I'm going to come & see you on Monday if I can but I'm not sure I've told Mr Sauer about t...
University of Cape Town, Historical Manuscripts: Manuscripts & Archives at the University of Cape Town is a leading location for accessing archival papers across many per... Show/Hide Collection Letters
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/19:Sunday afternoon, My old Ettie,, I enclose mother’s last telegram to me: that settles the question. Please return it. T...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/20:Grahamstown, Wednesday, My Ettie., How strangely unlike anything we had planned all is turning out. Here I am at Lillies. We ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/21:Mount Vernon, Cape Town , Dec 27th 1889., Dear Ettie,, I send you mother’s letter to me as there are messages to you. I...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/29:Darling Effie, This was a poem that someone made for Uncle Cron on his wedding day. I was so glad of your letter darling. Do ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/30:Darling Effie, Thanks do much for your letter. I should indeed love to see you all again. I saw Willie Kooper, Maggies boy, y...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/31:Amalfi, March 18 / 97, My darling old sis, I’ve had asthma ever since I got to England, & its worse since we came o...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/36:The Homestead, July 27 / 98, Darling Effie, I’m so glad mother is so satisfied. I knew she would be., I was talking to ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/44:Hanover, Friday, Darling Effie , I know mother is much to busy to write so drop me a line to tell me how Granny is. Did you a...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/45:Hanover, Sunday night, Sep 1st 1901, My darling old sister, I have had no news from Grahamstown since the note I got from you...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/46:Saturday, Dear Effie, I send with this the PO order I forgot to put in last time. Please write a line at once dear & tell...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/47:Sep 6 / 01, Dear Effie, I was so glad of your note., Just send me a line when able to let me know how mother goes on, & h...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/48:Hanover, Friday night, Darling Effie,, I suppose mother leaves Cape Town tomorrow for Grahamstown & that the week after n...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/54:Hanover, Saturday, My own darling, I wonder how your teeth are. If only you were living somewhere near me, so that I could se...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/60:Uitkyk, My darling Effie, I’m so sorry I didn’t see you to say good bye. You are often in my thoughts. If your li...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/61:P.O. Uitkyk, Aug 6 / 03, My darling old Ettie, Tomorrow will be your birthday. I shall think of you. I felt the first day I c...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/65:Thursday night, My darling Ettie,, Thank you for your letter. I haven’t written before because my heart seems to get so...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/67:Hanover, Oct 8 / 03, My old Ettie,, Yesterday some one dumped down at my door a most mysterious little Golden-syrup tin full ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/68:Hanover, Oct 18 / 03, My darling, I can’t come just now. I will try to come a few weeks later. When does Effie expect h...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/79:Hanover, June 22nd 1904, Darling Sister , Let me know exactly what your plans are. I will try & go with you any time if t...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/80:Hanover, July 1st 1904, Darling Effie, I feel so anxious about Guy from Aunt Het’s letter got today. Do drop me a line ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/82:Bedford, Saturday, Darling Effie, We got here this morning all well. Aunt Het is at Mrs Alcott’s & I here at the ho...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/84:Hanover, CC, Sep 12 / 05, Darling Effie, Would you do me a great favour. I have written to ask Mrs Austin if she could kindly...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/85:Hanover, Oct 17th 1905, My dear Arthur, Do write & let me know as soon as there is any news of Effie to give me. I am thi...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/86:Friday afternoon, My darling Effie, I was so surprised & glad to hear from Mrs Lodge this morning that you were coming to...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/87:Hadden Hall, Aug 6 / 06, My darling Effie, I am so glad to hear things go fairly well with you. Yes, dear, I shall love to co...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/90:Hotel Milner, Matjesfontein, Nov 28th 1906, Darling Effie, It was a surprise to get your letter. If you are going back becaus...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/93:Hanover, Jan 29th 1907, My own old Ettie, How my heart is with you in this awful, the most awful of all sorrows on earth whic...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/96:From Schreiner , To Effie Hemming, Highlands, Gardens, Cape Town, Bravo heartily congratulate you,
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/99:My darling Effie,, I was delighted to see Arthur, I felt so sorry at the thought of your being away from him so long. I don’...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/105:Monday, Theo is getting on splendidly next Saturday will be the 21st day. I don’t know if the doctor will let him get u...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/110:De Aar, April 16th 1910, My darling, Since last night I have been thinking so much of you. I do hope you have a little more e...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/111:Dear Effie, I do hope little Robert shows some sign of improvement. Can the doctor say definitely what he thinks is the matte...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/113:My darling Effie, How is Baby & how are you? I am going to drive up to see you & him one afternoon. Isn’t sad t...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/114:My darling Effie, Please know I am always thinking of you that sweet suffering little one. I have only not written because I’...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 /115:From Olive , To Brown , Highlands, Gardens, Cape Town, Deepest sympathy with you Arthur and Winnie,
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/115:Dear Effie, I am so grieved to hear about our sweet little Robert. I do hope he is improving I so often think of you my darli...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/116:My darling Effie, Arthur’s card has come. I have no words to tell you, my darling, how my heart aches for you & Art...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/120:My darling, Thank you so much for your letter. It would be splendid if I could go to Blamb Blauwberg for the summer, for I ha...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/137:De Aar, Sunday, My darling, Just after I wrote I got a long letter from Will telling me about you. He thinks the ?drawing roo...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/139:My dear old Wynnie, Thank you for your letter. I can’t come out on Monday. I am not finding this place suit me. I have ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/155:De Aar, Aug 24th 1912, Dear Wynnie,, I’ve just got a wire to say my dear little Dora Cawood passed away peacefully yest...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/158:My darling Wynnie, I am so glad to hear you have that post as Marshe’s Homes. It will be much better for you than an or...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/159:Dear Wynnie, Letter-writing seems impossible to me now-a-days or I should have written to you long ago., How do you like your...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/161:De Aar, May 3rd 1913, Dear Winnie, I was so glad to get your letter today. I’m glad all goes well with our little Effie...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/163:Hotel Augusta Victoria, Bad Nauheim, My dear Wynnie, I was so glad to get your letter. I think so often of you dear, but find...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/164:Kensington Palace Mansions, De Vere Gardens, W., Telephone: 3675 Kensington. Telegrams: Apartment, London. , Xmas Day, Wynne,...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/167:London, July 3rd 1917, My darling Wynnie, Your sweet letter has just reached me. You & I are the only humanbeings who alw...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/168:London, June 13th 1918, My darling Wynne, Thank you for your letter. How I wish I could see you I don’t often see Uncle...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/169:Dec 21st 1918, (I can’t be a merry Xmas to any of us), Wynnie, This is an awful blow that has fallen on you, my dear, d...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/170:Darling Wynnie, Will you please send the enclosed letters to Emma Earp. I don’t know her address It is too dreadful tha...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/172:Darling Effie, Thank you for your sweet letter I shall perhaps come out to Africa in September when Oliver & Edna come in...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/173:Dear,, I think I told you I am sailing on the 13th of August with Oliver & Edna for the Cape., It will be good to see you...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/177:Wednesday, London, Darling Wynnie, I send you a letter from May Parker - the doctors wife at Llandrindod wrote me when Uncle ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/178:Darling Wynne, I am still at Aunt Fan’s as I have not yet been able to find a room. As soon as I am settled you must co...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/180:Dear Wynnie , I hope you are keeping well I am so sorry to hear from Fan that Effies little ones have the flu. I wish I could...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/188:Dear Wynnie, I am very ill. I think I shall soon die. I am still able to walk about, I never can lie down. When I am really h...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/34:Hanover, Dec 24th 1902, My own darling, I am so glad Effie has got that house so near to you. Not only for her sweet little s...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold2/1903/19:Hanover, Sep 25 / 03, My darling Friend, I’m so glad its nice at your brothers farm. The climate here is quite perfect ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/4:Milnerton , Friday night, Dear old Man, I went twice to your chambers before I left Jessie Innes, but you were out both times...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box7/Fold4/Mar-Dec1920/47:My dear, dear, dear Mary, , I’ve not been able to write to any one lately or I would have written to you. When is the ...