The district of Cathcart was created in January 1877, and it was raised to a fiscal divisional on 1 December 1879. Its economic base was largely agrarian, but despite the fertile nature of its soil, the primitive forms of farrow irrigation used by local farmers ensured that by the 1880s its harvests were little better than "average". During the colonial era the country was still generously covered with mimosa trees, but these were slowly being cut down for firewood with little replacement taking place. The land was endowed with good pasturage during the summer months, but livestock normally had to be moved to alternative grazing in the Transkei for the winter. For further details see also BRITISH KAFFRARIA.

The following census figures are available for the division:

1891 census: 6,881 residents, of whom 1,739 were literate

1904 census: 11,468 residents, of whom 2,699 were literate

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