Hartley Road Primary School | 133 Hartley Rd, Essenwood, Durban, 4001

The History Of The Land Between Hartley and Hopelands Road Every day, hundreds of people drive up the narrow road which leads to Parklands Hospital in Overport, but few know the romantic story that lies behind the area. In Yorkshire, a hundred and fifty years ago this month, a twenty-one year old drapers assistant, William Hartley, happened to pick up a book entitled The New Colony of Port Natal written by a Mr Methley. He was so fascinated by it that he read it aloud to his fiancé, Isabella Hughes. Although she had never set foot outside her home town, Leeds, she became fired by Williams enthusiasm. The couple were married on 14 November 1849, and set sail for Port Natal a fortnight later. All the money they had was $100 in gold sovereigns, a gift from Williams parents.