Your guide to Heidelberg Gauteng
#81 Merz Street
Heritage Blue Plaque #Nr 49
81 Merz Street
What is the story here?
According to the book “Die geskiedenis van Heidelberg 1836-1877” by Johannes Jacobus Smit, on a map drawn up by C. Ueckermann the first owners of Stand 171 was a Mr van Staden and then a Mr. van Driel. On a deed of Transfer the first owner is stated as Mr. H. van Stede (Possibly a mistake with Mr. van Staden)
It seems that Mr. James Gibson Pagan became the owner and in 1920 he subdivided the stand into Stand 171/1 and remaining portion of Stand 171, when it is assumed that the 2 houses on No 81 and No 83 where built.
On the 28/4/1943 the remaining portion of Stand 171, was sold and registered to a Bessie Johanna Schaffner nee Badenhorst (08.09.1903-14.08.1991) who was married out of community of property to John Herman Schaffner (03.09.1892-25.05.1965) for the amount of £1050. (They are both buried in the Heidelberg Kloof Cemetery)
The property was then registered to a Mr W.H. Hattingh on the 24.06.1974.
There could have been a previous building on Stand 171 which was demolished to make way for the two houses. What still remains is parts of the original stables at the back of both properties. It is also assumed that there was a sanitary lane between the houses for the night buckets to be removed and access to the stables.
Mr. James Gibson Pagan was the son of John (30.04.1844-08.03.1917) and Margret Wilson nee McArthur Pagan (22.02.1847-25.01.1922). John Pagan was born in Penfort, Dumfriesshires, Scotland. When McLaren started to work in Heidelberg he initially worked for Ueckermann until he decided to open up his own shop with John Pagan.
John Pagan was in partnership with Mr McLaren and they were the wealthiest people in Heidelberg. They were also founding members of the Presbyterian Church in Heidelberg. John and Margret are buried in the Heidelberg Kloof Cemetery amd James is buried in the Heidelberg Kamp Cemetery. James Pagan is buried in the Heidelberg Kamp Cemetery.
