Memorial Relics Of Mary & David Livingstone

A very odd Victorian collection of curiosity, a section of the tree that the Scottish physician, congregationalist and pioneer Christian missionary David Livingston was buried under and a flower from the grave of his wife Mary Livingston, both items framed and glazed.

It's believed that Livingston died from Malaria on the 1st May 1873, in Chief Chitambo's village at Chipundu (today in Chitambo District), near the edge of the Bangweulu Swamps in Zambia. His body was embalmed and his heart was buried there under a mpundu tree by his followers. His body was shipped backed to England along with his diary and was later buried at Westminster Abbey.

Our section of the mpundu tree bears a paper label certified by a Harry Johnson a Christened Harold, always known as Harry. Missionary with the London Missionary Society. Stationed in British Central Africa, mainly at Kambole, Zambia, between 1895-1905. Chairman of Central African Committee responsible for day to day administration of mission stations and the Lake steamer (the Good News).

The tree had fallen to decay by 1899 and was replaced with a monument, another section of the tree is housed at The Hunterian Museum Glasgow, it was originally given to his grandson, Hubert Wilson, who donated it to Anderson College where Livingstone studied medicine. It was displayed there for many years before being transferred to the Hunterian Museum in 1992 when the Anderson College building was redeveloped.

Mary Livingston also died in Africa, she fell ill with malaria on 22 April at Shupanga. Her condition worsened despite medical attention from her husband, and she died on 27 April. Mary is buried in Chupanga, on the bank of the Zambezi River. The flower from her grave is frame and glazed certified again by Harry Johnson, Lake Tanganyika, Central Africa, 1896-1906

Both frames 17/12/1.5cm