History of John O'Driscoll
Written by his daughter, Susie O'Driscoll Wilde
My father, John O'Driscoll, was born in the town of Humans Dork (sic) near the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, 21 Dec. 1845. He was the oldest son of James O'Driscoll and Rachel Knight O'Driscoll.
James O'Driscoll was born in Ireland and his wife, Rachel was born in England. In the family besides my father, there were three boys -- Cornelius, Jams, and Henry and two girls -- Mary and Annie.
When my father was just a young boy, his father died; and he (my father) went to live with his Uncle and Aunt Henry and Martha Smith and for many years was known as John Smith. Many of his old friends still remember him by that name.
He spent his young boyhood days as most boys in that tropical land did -- swimming in the ocean, gathering wild honey and fruits, and hunting wild birds and animals. Many are the stories he would tell to us about the different birds, plants, animals, snakes, etc. that are found in the tropical lands.
