Introduction

This book draws upon the extensive manuscript collection of Robert John Mullins, an Anglican missionary who arrived in the eastern Cape during the critical years of the Cattle-Killing crisis (1856-1857). The work presents a selection of Mullins' diaries, spanning the period 1854 to 1867, alongside letters written by his wife, Jennie Mullins, to illuminate life on the eastern Cape frontier and the early Anglican missionary efforts. The core material comprises seven manuscript volumes of Mullins' diaries (held at Cory Library, Rhodes University) covering the period from his departure from England in July 1854 up to December 1867, with a particular focus on the years 1853 to 1864. Additional valuable sources, including later diaries (1868-1913) and Jennie Mullins' letters, are held privately by the Mullins family and have been selectively incorporated. Notably, Mullins' diary, detailing his theological studies at St Augustine's College, Canterbury (MS. 7115), and entries detailing his later Grahamstown experience (post-November 1865, in MS. 7117), were omitted as they hold limited relevance to frontier history. The editorial process focused on producing an authentic yet clear text, addressing the challenges posed by Mullins' often illegible handwriting, inconsistent spelling (including both English and Xhosa names), and unconventional punctuation. Insights from Xhosa speakers aided in deciphering difficult Xhosa words. The text retains Mullins' use of contemporary, sometimes derogatory, terminology in the published diary entries, while adopting modern terminology (Xhosa, Thembu, Mfengu, Coloured) in editorial comments and annotations. The book provides historical context for Mullins' experiences, detailing the Church situation under Bishop Robert Gray and the subsequent establishment of the Diocese of Grahamstown under Bishop John Armstrong in 1853. It highlights the aggressive expansion of Anglican missionary work, which was strategically aligned with Sir George Grey's policy of pacification. The diaries vividly reflect the political and military context of the frontier, a "region of forts," revealing the complex and often contradictory role of missionaries as both agents of the state and hoped-for intermediaries for Xhosa chiefs. Site visits to Mullins' mission stations—including St Luke's, St Mark's, and St John's, Bolotwa (which he founded)—were conducted to enhance understanding of the terrain, and oral tradition from white informants was sought, although found to be limited by demographic movement.