A MONKEY'S WEDDING
A 200-year South Africa and Rhodesia Life Story.
Do you enjoy true stories of Southern African pioneer history and African frontier history?
Me too! And when I sat down to research this book, just after the passing of my mother, I had no idea of the amazing voyage of discovery I was going to end up on, from the high seas of the Atlantic to the Big Hole in the Kimberley, from the Boer War to the Bush War, from the Cape in the 1820s where the settlers first sailed into Algoa Bay, to Zimbabwe today where some family have actually returned in recent years. How come we never talked about many of these incredible adventurers over the dinner table? So, it turns out I'm not even the hero of my own life story!
But 'A Monkey's Wedding' is more than just my colonial Africa personal story ... there are probably universal similarities to other families, with the themes of adventure and adaptation, and having the balls to go and find a better life on the other side of the world. Surviving shipwrecks, land-mines, and -- perhaps worst of all -- German grandmothers. So hats off to my great-great-great grandparents Henry and Alicia Lloyd and George and Mary Ann Seymour for planting the seeds of two African family trees, two incredible rivers which flow together as one since the wedding of my parents, Jennifer and George in 1959.
“A fascinating, sweeping tale of one extended family’s roots and lives in wild places and tumultuous times.” Tony Park, best-selling author of Far Horizon.
"A rollicking adventure, written with wit and grace, about a remarkable family that spanned an empire and helped forge a continent. I loved it.” Douglas Rogers, author of The Last Resort and Two Weeks in November.
“Africa can still be mined for stories, and A Monkey’s Wedding is gold. It is the grit and serendipity, the bravery and the unexpected, that gives depth and fascination to Lloyd’s multi-generational tale. Compelling!”
Rick Antonson, author of Slumach's Gold and To Timbuktu for a Haircut.
![The 'Catherine' in an unidentified harbour [PRG 1373_28_38]c State Lib South Australia.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/efcff4_28f98e4c3af9470e864494e49ca85e6f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_600,h_361,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/The%20'Catherine'%20in%20an%20unidentified%20harbour%20%5BPRG%201373_28_38%5Dc%20State%20Lib%20South%20Australia.png)
The book contains 24 pages of historical photos (many previously unpublished that you won't even find in the best books about Rhodesia). Two maps of South Africa and Rhodesia/Zimbabwe also highlight the areas where the family was active over the years.
An 1820 British Settlers South Africa story, and an 1890 Pioneers in Rhodesia story, all in one (yes our family was involved in both).
This multi generation African family history is a pioneer family saga which offers the true story of colonial Africa and frontier life in South Africa 19th century, often straight from the horse's mouth. That bushy-bearded gent above is Ephraim Rathbone, who introduced commercial sugar farming from Mauritius to the African mainland. A few years later he sued the Zulu king for damage to his farm, claiming half of all Zululand in damages (I've even seen the original contract) during the 1879 Zulu War. Find out how that ended. Our families were into gold mining, diamond prospecting, grain milling (with the McGees having one mill blown up by the British, and one by the Boers, who both accused him of supplying the other side during the Boer War), poultry farming, car dealerships, and, er, ... accounting (but we don't like to talk about that).
What a colourful and often crazy colonial family legacy Africa created for us. And I'm so happy I uncovered those characters and nuggets to share with you and keep those inspiring stories alive.
Two four-generation photographs.
One of the McGee clan circa 1932, and the other the Lloyd-Seymour clan circa 1972.
Two people appear in both: can you guess which ones and who they are? (Answer below.)
Black and white photo above: Seated - Michael McGee who decided to elope from Ireland with Bridget Sarsfield. On Bridget's knee is David Seymour, the first son of their grand-daughter Alys Seymour, standing top right. Standing top left is Michael and Bridget's daughter Rosie (nee Tait), who is Alys' mum.
Colour photo: My Great Grandma Rosie is now seated, Grandmother Alys is standing in the pink dress, her daughter (my Mum) Jennifer Lloyd (nee Seymour) is in the white dress, with me (the author) in checked shirt, younger brother Roger in cowboy hat, and older brother Glendon standing behind him.
Please share this page with anyone who grew up -- or had family --
in this part of the world, because it's MANY people's story. Thank you!
A multi generation African family history
With action spanning from the Napoleonic War in the early 1800s to modern-day Cape Town and Harare, the Lloyd and Seymour families not only witnessed a lot of history, they created it. Obviously with marriage, a lot of other family trees (including Spanish, Germans, and Afrikaners) became interwoven into the story too. If you're doing a genealogy exercise, some of these full names -- with verified year of birth and death -- might unlock the puzzle that's in front of you.
By necessity, I have focussed mainly on those in my direct blood line, those from whom I got DNA, plus immediate family and first cousins.
The Cast:
(The main family characters featured in this seven-generation saga, listed earliest to latest, with their relationship to the author.)
Henry Llewellyn Lloyd (1784-1844) and Alicia Mary (nee Whittle) (1789-1848). My paternal great-great-great grandparents.
Michael McGee (1859-1940) and Bridget (nee Sarsfield) (1860-1958). My maternal great-great grandparents.
George Seymour (1812-1900) and Mary Ann (nee Walls)(1816-1899). Maternal great-great-great-grandparents.
Ephraim Frederick Rathbone (1812-1882) and Anne (nee Williamson) (1818-1910). My maternal great-great-great grandparents.
John Seymour (1846-1915) and Annie Alice Chieftain (nee Rathbone) (1848-1910). Maternal great-great grandparents.
Henry Llewellyn Lloyd (1856-1931) and Marie Louisa (nee Meyer) (1874-1945). My paternal great-great grandparents.
George Frederick Seymour (1872-1950) and Wilhelmina ‘Minnie’ Frederica (nee Diffenthal) (1879-1964). My maternal great-grandparents.
Henry ‘Dick’ Llewellyn Lloyd (1901-1966) and Eileen Patricia (nee Macfarlane) (1907-1989). Paternal grandparents.
George Edgar Seymour (1903-1971) and Alys Eileen (nee Tait)(1907-1981). Maternal grandparents.
George ‘Buster’ Llewellyn Lloyd (1929-1995) and Jennifer Ann (nee Seymour) (1936-2024). My parents.
Michael ‘Mick’ John Flint (1934-2024) and Kathleen ‘Kay’ Maud (nee Lloyd) (1935-). Kay is a paternal aunt.
David George Seymour (1931-2026) and Jill Mary (nee Scott)(1940-). David is an uncle on the maternal side.
Dorothy ‘Dot’ Nita Daniel (nee Lloyd) (1932-). Paternal aunt.
Henry ‘Mick’ Llewellyn Lloyd (1938-2006) and Patricia ‘Paddy’ Mabel (nee Williams)(1940-). Mick is a paternal uncle.
Roger Michael Seymour (1944-) and Renee (nee Rossler) (1945-). Roger is an uncle on maternal side.
Tim Kelley Henwood (1951-) and Wendy Patricia (nee Avery) (1953-). Wendy is a first cousin on Dad’s side.
Ian Charles Daniel (1954-). First cousin on Dad’s side.
Geoffrey Richard Flint (1959-) and Bridgette (nee Morrison) (1958-). Geoff is a first cousin on Dad’s side.
Lloyd Alan Flint (1960-) and Carol Denise (nee Little) (1959-). Lloyd is a first cousin on Dad’s side.
Glendon Llewellyn Lloyd (1961-). Brother.
Roger Llewellyn Lloyd (1966-). Brother.
Michael David Seymour (1967-). First cousin on Mum’s side.
John Roger Seymour (1974-) and Nicola ‘Nicci’ (nee Bruyns) (1976-). John is first cousin on Mum’s side.
Arthur ‘Arch’ Meader Harley (1983-) and Sandy Jane (nee Henwood) (1980-). Sandy is a second cousin on Dad’s side.
Feel free to contact me if you'd like any help in understanding your family's connection to the people and places in this story. I'm not an expert genealogist (in fact, far from it). Also I'd love to hear your adventure stories from Southern Africa and what resonates with you.
For Book Clubs
At the back of the book you'll find several pages of discussion guidelines, questions, and activitities to make this a really stimulating title for your club to engage with. I am selectively available to get involved either by email or online with your group for an even more interactive and immersive experience.
Contact me also for special bulk orders for book club groups and signed copies.
African & Pop Music Playlist (1930s–1980s) Inspired by a South Africa & Rhodesia Family Memoir
Enjoy a Curated Playlist of all the Songs Mentioned in This Book:
Spotify playlist: search ‘A Monkey’s Wedding — A Southern African Saga’
Or click HERE to go to the playlist. Enjoy!
