Tom Andrews
Full name: Thomas William Andrews
Lifespan: 1856 - 1928
Occupation: Prospector, miner
Tom Andrews married Louisa Horton (1859-1944).
He was a notable pioneer prospector and miner active in the Barberton area during the De Kaap gold rush era (1880s onward).
He arrived in the region in 1884 from Pinetown, Natal, drawn by the emerging gold discoveries.
He founded the Pinetown Mine (later renamed the Worcester Mine) and later Albion Reefs. He also started Andrews' alluvial diggings. Andrews was involved in early claims and developments around the Barberton/De Kaap fields, pegging reefs and operating mines. He and his descendants were to play a long and important role in the history of the De Kaap Goldfields.
He stood out for his persistence: After the 1886 Witwatersrand discovery drew most attention and capital away, causing many Barberton operations to decline, Andrews never lost faith in the area's potential. He continued mining and investing there through lean years, helping sustain activity alongside figures like E.C. Dicey (who kept the Consort Mine going). His efforts contributed to the eventual revitalization of Barberton mining in later decades.
"...the late Thomas Andrews, the pioneer of Forbes Reef, Horo and later the Maid of the Mist and Maid of de Kaap, the last named being now incorporated with the Consort. He was a man of exceedingly high character, great tenacity of purpose, thoroughly honest in his dealings and withal a prospector and miner of great ability. His good fortune late in life in the discovery of the Maid of de Kaap came as a fitting reward for his life of high endeavour and grit under adversity." (Watermeyer)
- Shovel and Sieve. Rosenthal, E. c.1959. George Allen and Unwin: London.
- Mining and Surveying in Barberton. Oct 1933. Watermeyer, G.A. South African Journal of Science.
- Creation of Barberton
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