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Date: 1820 Type: Farmstead Status: Extant   Click to view large map Coordinates: 33°11'37.88" S 26°25'11.91" E Alt: 494m

In 1845 Niemand's Kraal, belonging to Nicolaas Niemand, became the property of William Potter, who was born in 1788 . He was a carpenter by trade and came out as a member of David Mills' Party on the Sir George Osborne in 1820. He was accompanied by his wife Hannah, then aged 27, and their two daughters, Mary aged 10 and Ann who was 6. He renamed his farm Houslow. Mary Potter married John Kapel Hyde in 1824 . Hyde is recorded as a mason, being a member of Pigot's Party from Berkshire. Their son William, was raised by his grandparents, William and Hannah Potter. The young William married Sarah King in 1845 and continued to live on Hounslow. The homestead became known as "The Belle Inn" with William Hyde as the licensee although it remained owned by William Potter. Apparently, the Inn was so named by Mr Potter because it is 10 miles (16km) from Grahamstown as is the former Inn in London. Thomas Baines, the war artist, stayed there in 1848 and on two later occasions. He painted a picture of the home in payment for his lodging. As far as is known, this painting belongs to the Currie family from Pretoria. According to a letter written to Dr Currie "the size of the actual canvas is about 23 inches by 33 inches and is enclosed by the original old yellowood frame. The painting is in excellent condition, and is signed and dated (1848) on the back of the canvas by Thomas Baines." During the war (1846 - 1847), a military post of 60 Fingo Levies was established at Hounslow commanded by William Hyde. The homestead also endured heavy attack during the 1850 - 1853 war, but survived. The homestead has been added onto – during the ostrich boom early 1900s – it was the men's billiard room-cum-drinks and smoking room entered from the outside and separate from the house as such. The L shape at the back was once stables and the last room had prison type bars on the one window. Lynn MacLeod, March 2020. Submitted by William Martinson.