Where We Came From
The numbering system
The Numbering system is my own, I have started with Jane, Stuart, Hugh and Alistair as being generation zero, then Anne is 1.1 and I am 1.2. My parents are 2.4 and 2.3, Owen’s parents 3.8 and 3.7, Owen’s parents 4.16 and 4.15. Thus before the point is the generation number and afterwards, the individual person number which doubles up for the man or doubles up less one for the wife, in each generation.
(G1=2) 1.1 Anne Paton Denton (Northe) 1.2 Ross Ackworth Denton
(G2=4) 2.1 Pat Northe (Fullerton) 2.2 Frederick (Snow) Northe 2.4 Owen Ackworth Denton 2.3 Margaret Donalda Denton (Sutherland)
(G3=8) 3.1 Jessie Fullerton (Bailey) 3.2 Robt Fullerton 3.3 Constance Northe (Andersen) 3.4 Alfred Northe 3.5 Jessie Sutherland (Milne) 3.6 Kenneth Sutherland 3.7 Nellie Denton (Daniell) 3.8 Laurence Denton
(G4=16) 4.1 Mary Bailey (Kitto) 4.2 Joseph Bailey 4.3 Jean Fullerton (Paton) 4.4 Archibald Fullerton 4.5 Mina Andersen (Christopherson) 4.6 Martin Andersen 4.7 Mary Anne Northe (Summers) 4.8 Robt Northe 4.9 Elizabeth Milne (Loudon) 4.10 John Milne 4.11 Ellen Sutherland (Ross) 4.12 David Sutherland 4.13 Emily Daniell (Chilton) 4.14. Charles Daniell 4.15 Eliza Denton (Bennett) 4.16 George Denton
(G5=32) Scandinavian surnames follow the father’s Christian name 5.1 Jane Kitto (Ellery) 5.2 Richard Kitto 5.3 unknown 5.4 unknown 5.5 unknown 5.6 unknown 5.7 unknown 5.8 unknown 5.9 Mary Anne Anderson 5.10 Christoffer Halvison 5.11 Annie Andersen (Martinson 5.12 Anders Andersen 5.13 Agnes Summers (Earl) 5.14 John Summers 5.15 Nancy Northey (O’Donnell) 5.16 John Northey 5.17 Jane Loudon 5.18 William Loudon 5.19 Margaret Milne (Brew) 5.20 Alexander Milne 5.21 Mary Ross (McLeod) 5.22 Donald Ross 5.23 Elizabeth Sutherland (McKay) 5.24 Alexander Robert (son) Sutherland 5.25 Martha Chilton 5.26 Richard Bailey? 5.27 Elizabeth Sabina Purnell 5.28 Thomas Daniell 5.29 Hannah Harding 5.30 George Bennett 5.31 Elizabeth Denton (Gill) 5.32 Robert Denton
(G6=64) 6.1 unknown 6.2 unknown 6.3 unknown 6.4 unknown 6.5 unknown 6.6 unknown 6.7 unknown 6.8. unknown 6.9 unknown 6.10. unknown 6.11 unknown 6.12 unknown 6.13 unknown 6.14 unknown 6.15 unknown 6.16 unknown 6.17 unknown 6.18 unknown 6.19 Halver Hansen 6.20 Mari Hansen (Syrenson) 6.21 unknown 6.22 unknown 6.23 unknown 6.24 unknown 6.24 unknown 6.25 John Earl 6.26 Sarah Earl (-) 6.27 unknown 6.28 unknown 6.29 Mary Lakeman 6.30 Hugh O’Donnell 6.31 Maria
Northey (Lakeman) 6.32 John Northey 6.33 Rachel Port 6.34 Ambrose Port 6.35 Elizabeth Loudon 6.36 William Loudon 6.37 unknown 6.38 unknown 6.39 unknown 6.40 unknown 6.41 Christine Ross (Sutherland 6.42 John McLeod 6.43 unknown 6.44 Will Ross 6.45 Jane ‘Jean?’ McKay (McLean) 6.46 Hector McKay 6.47 also 7.81 Catherine Sutherland (Mrs Sinclair) 6.48 (Also 7.82) William Sutherland 6.49 Mary Bevan 6.50 Solomon Chilton 6.51 unknown 6.52 Joseph Bailey? 6.53 Britania [Britannia] Purnell (Jones Bethell) 6.54 Sam Purnell 6.55 Anne Daniell (Brooke) 6.56 Thom Daniell 6.57 Mary Ann Harding 6.58 Thomas Harding 6.59 Mary (k-) 6.60 James Bennett 6.61 Hannah Gill (Collett) 6.62 John Gill 6.63 Elizabeth Denton (Garlick) 6.64 George Denton
(G7=128) 7.64 John or Richard Northey 7.81 (& 6.47) Catherine Sutherland (Mrs Sinclair) 7.82 (&6.48) William Sutherland 7.93 (&81.61) Marion Sutherland (nee Sutherland) 7.94 (&8.162) John Sutherland 7.96 (&8.164) David Sutherland 7.97 Mary Partridge 7.98 Thomas Bevan 7.99 Anne ? 7.100 John Chilton 7.105 Britannia Jones 7.106 Thomas Bethell 7.107 Sarah Cooper(?) 7.108 Samuel Webb Purnell 7.109 Sarah Devereux 7.110 Richard Brooks 7.113 &7.114 Bentinick family. 7.116 Joseph Harding 7.125 Jane Garlick (Dobson) 7.126 Joshua Garlick 7.127 Mary Goodyear 7.128 Robert Denton
(G8=256) (8.161 (&7.93) Marion Sutherland 8.162 (&7.94) John Sutherland 8.164 &7.96) David Sutherland 8.186 & 9.322 James Sutherland 8.188 (& 9.324) William Sutherland 8.210 Robert Jones (Major) 8.215 Esther Purnell (Webb) 8.216 Sam Purnell 8.255 Mary Mather 8.256 Richard Denton
(G9=512) 8.186 & 9.322 James Sutherland 9.324 (8.188) William Sutherland 9.372 (&10.744) John Sutherland 9.424 Thomas Bethell 9.423 Sarah Gardner
(G10=1024) 10.744 (&9.372) John Sutherland
G Beyond Lairds of Forse & Langwell
The following notes cover the Northe and Denton strands of our grandchildren’s ancestors. The other side is of course outside my scope.
By the time I was born, the pioneering days in New Zealand were well and truly over, but there were still traces, for instance I can vaguely remember hillsides on the way to Masterton with a copious covering of rotting stumps and fallen trees, I was told the remnants of the 40 mile bush. There was the occasional derelict ‘rabbit proof’ fence still visible, and the older i.e. grandparent generation still referred to England as ‘Home’ despite never in many cases of ever being there or likely to go. I still remember old Bertha Elworthy (Vince Wilson’s aunt) utterly incensed that there was no Union Jack on the table at a 1960s National Party election meeting. The population of Havelock North when I was a baby in 1945 was about one and a half thousand. Seventy years later the population is in the order of twelve thousand or more. I grew up in Havelock North on about a third of a hectare, unexceptional, nowadays some building sections are smaller than my grandfather’s home. Life is still changing; we are no longer asked what school we went to, which was a status marker when I was young. Tradesmen, swamped by the availability of modern media, are seldom heard whistling while working. ‘Rattle your daggs’ for ‘Get a move on’ is never heard, reflecting perhaps a move from society’s old rural base. Come to think of it, I have not seen a sheep in recent years heavily enough dagged to illustrate the cause of the expression.
There is probably nothing as useless as genealogy, however my Grandmother left me a box given her by her brother returning from Egypt in WW1 containing some bits and pieces of family memorabilia. This piqued an interest in me – why did our ancestors emigrate? What did they find? What sort of people were they? My grandfather’s brother, Bert Denton, a farmer near Levin kept a farming diary from 1904 until 1942. It is prosaic – ‘11th Wed: John took horse Punch to Malcolm to be shod. I took Kate to meet 2pm train to Wellington’. But
the accumulated asides give a fascinating insight into the development of the country in those years. It was remarkable when he could include the luxury of linoleum for the floor of his new home. An acquisition of a motor car was exceptional, an excursion worth mention. For the last 50 years or so I have collected up family information in a sort of magpie fashion, this included various letters, photographs, newspaper cuttings and other memorabilia. What I have not done is sieve this scientifically, so I have not checked the Hocken Library, the Turnbull Library or the like to test facts. These libraries do contain information on at least the Sutherlands, Daniells, Dentons, Fullertons and probably more, so the information I have is only as good as my sources – Caveat emptor!
The Settlement of New Zealand had enormous effects, not least the last 200 years of European contact. Settler records refer to filling pillows with Kakariki feathers in Wellington – I have never seen one. For me the depletion of fishing stocks has been very obvious. I spent many school holidays in Paraparaumu when you could drag a net and guarantee a good feed of flat fish and kahawhai, not to mention dogfish. In recent years a fish has been exceptional, but paddle crabs have proliferated. I understand with the implementation of reserves there is some recovery. The Taupo plains are not the desert they once were. Locally, native birds seem to be resurging with tui, wood pigeons and bell birds all apparently much more common than they used to be.
The Treaty of Waitangi is not so long ago. Alex Sutherland, my Gr. Gr. Grandfather emigrated in 1840. He employed Bill Bird as a 13 year old. Bill, whom Mum referred to as only an old stockman, who worked for the family for 75 years, died aged 88 in July 1938, five years before I was born My Gr. Grandfather Sutherland was referred to on his marriage certificate as ‘settler’. He died in 1933 only ten years before my birth, so European New Zealand is young.
Bill Bird[?] – 1st shepherd on Ngaipu 1920’s
Joan Lilburn (Sutherland)
Photography was developed about the time New Zealand was settled by Europeans, and I have managed to obtain images of most settlers and of those more recent. Is there one out there of Martin Andersen?
Our lot seem to have emigrated to better themselves, which most seem to have done. Times in nineteenth century England were often hard by our standards. Life expectancy was short, after all the germ theory of disease was not proven by Pasteur till 1872 and few families brought up all the children born to them. This was little improved in the colonies till the later 19th century. The new immigrants usually did well, with the possible exception of John Summers who family tradition has it was eaten during the land wars. When asked, George Denton would never say why he emigrated – perhaps only for adventure but he had testimonials attesting his good character. There is little point in a search for the family fortune as despite prospering, our ancestors bred well, and thus the fortune, if there ever was one, was dissipated. Where did the likes of Alex Sutherland get his start?
The Harding letters span the early settlement times. Much of them are tedious, but they give a picture of the life and times of the settler. I have included only snippets. Daniell’s Mathon Lodge appears to have been a lively place; I have included extracts from larger writings of Margaret Scott. There are many other writings not included e.g. Owen Denton’s reminiscences of his time at Uncle Len Daniell’s farm Wairere, and the layout of George Denton’s House ‘Fernhill’ in Wellington, omitted for space’s sake.
The world has changed enormously during the time New Zealand has been colonised by Europeans. I have a map dated 1853 used by George Denton as he emigrated. New Zealand is misshapen. Part of America is marked ‘Indian Territory’ and Parts of Africa as ‘regions unexplored’. Alaska is marked ‘Russian Territory’ it was sold to the US in 1868 for just over $7.2 million the lot. Northern Greenland is un-mapped, no one had explored north of Spitzbergen; Antarctica identified but a mystery. Our early New Zealand ancestors did not know of news from within the country for weeks and from Europe for months. My father remembered hearing radio for the first time on a neighbour’s crystal set in the 1920s. I first saw Television in November 1962, and the internet and the World Wide Web were new 30 years later during my children’s lifetime. In the nineteenth century, higher education was the exception rather than the rule. The 1880 English Elementary Education Act in England required compulsory education for 5 to 10 year olds. In 1917, only 37% of New Zealand pupils attended secondary school. Prior to this education was widely but not universally provided and was largely the province of the churches and night schools; the trades and professions were trained by apprenticeship or candidates were articled to a mentoring employer. Many of our settler ancestors could have been illiterate or nearly so. Charles Daniell being able to read and write provided this service for his workmates in England. Bill Bird who worked very valuably for three generations of the Sutherlands in the Wairarapa was illiterate. Before the war, it was considered bad form for the women of the well-off to engage in paid employment since they might take the bread off the table of a man (and his family) who might need it. By my mother’s generation women although schooled, often did not advance since they were to become home makers and what was the point? There were traces of this attitude even when educating women of my own generation.
This project is never at an end. Today I have found a photograph I knew existed but was previously unable to find of George Bennett and I have located a photo of Laurence Denton’s office immediately after the Napier earthquake.
Ross Denton
14.02.2015
Introduction No 2
When I put together my “where we came from” family booklet some years ago, I felt I had finished, that was that and I had done what I was going to do.
However since then, I discovered some real howlers, Anne’s grandfather Alfred was really not married before he was born. And there was a mistake very early in my numbering system with all the rest of the system hanging off it. No doubt there are other errors not yet detected.
I was able to obtain and correct the dates of Ken Sutherland’s account of the American research excursion to Dusky Sound. Beth Drummond was given excellent portraits of Hannah and George Bennett. These were very large photographs of the size expected of a portrait oil painting. The faces and hands were printed on glass photographically and hand tinted, but the clothing was later painted, apparently in oils. She was able to show me photos of Eliz Denton’s wedding bonnet now held in Palmerston North. Peter Wells, a distant Northe relative’s book ‘Dear Oliver’ became available, and although containing a fairly extended navel gazing of his homosexuality, and suggestions of its possible extensive existence in the Northe family, he had researched and published considerable family background material which I have incorporated. I was never happy with the original explanation of Robert Northe’s fatal accident, (smoking over a barrel of gunpowder) and Wells’ explanation (delayed explosion of a dynamite plug) is far more probable. Claire Reid, daughter of my sister Megan, should be acknowledged for her extensive research into family matters especially via [Ancestry].com.
The world is a very small place. I have always felt that for those of us who can count 5 generations in New Zealand, and of similar socio economic and geographic provenance, we MUST be connected through our families. It goes further. In late 2018 Anne and I visited England and my cousin Kate Newman, Granddaughter of Ken Sutherland. It seems that her husband Peter’s great grandfather was governor General of New Zealand in 1868. She posseses the ugliest solid gold broach, presented to Lady Bowen at their next stationing in Queensland. The Queensland Government would love to get their hands on it. Peter has his great grandfather’s papers including despatches relating to the Maori land wars bound.
I have included a few letters, as these give a flavour of the times, for instance Ken Sutherland’s comment that ‘you need qualifications nowadays to get anywhere’, speaks volumes.
Because of the late reticulation of electricity to the Hinakura district, meat and other stores were kept in an enormous safe attached to the side of the house. On two Christmases I discovered maggots in the meat. A diesel powered generator was installed but it ran only through the day a hundred or so meters from the house. A long length of fencing wire was attached to the ignition switch. As the house settled for the night, my uncle Malcom [Malcolm], only 13 years older than me, would pull the wire and have sufficient time to sprint to his bed before the dying engine ceased to deliver power. I remember my father leaning out the kitchen window shooting the rats running along the outside wall of the safe.
In my life time the population of New Zealand has doubled. Havelock North where I have spent the greater part of my life has grown tenfold. This has meant that we get better roads, hospitals and the like. We now have a much broader range of foods and other improvements, but I also have the feeling that we are now more restricted in our lives. Subdivisions with
pathetically small sections but very large homes cover the landscape like school scores. These homes are marvels of design and construction, it is many years since I have heard wallpaper glued to underlying scrim shifting and creaking during a wind storm or heard a mason bee working in the fabric of a house wall. Everything seems very neat, orderly and dead boring. Pressure on land and water is becoming obvious along with problems of pollution. Bureaucracy reigns supreme. My colours are showing.
Just a thought or two:
The early settlers relied on time balls, if they could afford one, a pocket watch and communicated by way of written mail and the navy by flag signals. This had been true for centuries. My father used to talk about the first time he heard a radio. It seems a young neighbour had made a crystal set. That was in the 1920s. I first saw Television at the end of 1962, some 40 years later. Computers in a fairly primitive for were heard of in the late 60s, the World Wide Web and internet in the eighties and 90s, Social media, in the early 2000s and artificial intelligence is seriously considered by 2020. Things are moving at an accelerating pace. My Grandfather tracked the demise of Tomtits and Kakapo from the 1920’s till the Kakapo was all but extinct by the 1960s. It seems somebody went to a lot of trouble in establishing rabbits in the early New Zealand settlement days. By the 1870s stoats had been introduced to kill the rabbits with devastating effects on our bird life. Apparently small inconsidered actions can have overwhelming results.
1.1
Anne Paton Denton
17.12.1946 –
Anne – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Siblings:
Lynn 1945 –
Peter 1949 – 2012
Anne was born in Hastings N.Z. 17 December 1946,
Anne was educated at Raureka Primary School, Hastings Intermediate and Hastings Girls High School and was an excellent scholar, participating in various sports whilst there. When she was 13 her mother became seriously ill with emphysema, and much of the housekeeping duties fell to her sister Lynn and her. Thinking to become a nurse Anne left school at the end of the sixth form, but on deciding to become a pharmacist, she returned to the seventh form to obtain the entry requirements in Physics and Chemistry. Having missed the first term this caused something of a stir as she was stood up in assembly as the girl who changed her mind.
She attained her Pharmacy Diploma at the Central Institute of Technology, at that time in Petone, completing her training by apprenticeship with Ian Kerr in Hastings.
Anne married Ross Denton on 15th March 1969 at the St Columba Presbyterian Church in Havelock North.
Anne and Ross moved to Melbourne Australia in 1969. They lived in an apartment situated above and behind the pharmacy in Victoria Parade, which Ross managed while Anne worked in a pharmacy in Kew until Jane was born in 1971. Around this time, Anne’s mother died which was an enormous blow to her. Anne’s great sadness is that her children never met her Mother, and never knew her.
In 1971 Anne and Ross returned to Wellington and purchased a pharmacy in Wadestown then bought a home at 34 Wadestown Rd, where they lived for eleven years. Their three sons Stuart, Hugh and Alistair where born in Wellington. A little of Anne’s heart remains there, and Anne loves the apartment they maintain on the Terrace. In 1982, they moved to Havelock North to buy a larger pharmacy; this was closed in 2000 when the business was moved to a new Medical Centre.
On the family’s return to Havelock North, Anne was invited to assist in the then new Cranford Hospice by Heather Saunders a fellow pharmacist who had been on the hospice establishment committee. The offer was to sing in the Presbyterian choir which she had done as a girl or to help in the hospice. In deference to sensibilities of the congregation, she chose the hospice. The day Anne walked in the door at Cranford Hospice she knew this was where she wanted to spend her working life. The work started with the low key checking of stocks, but developed into every aspect of hospice work including management, and in so doing she became (after Heather’s leaving) a pioneer of palliative care pharmacy in New Zealand. She stood for Hospice New Zealand was elected to the executive, and chaired that organisation for two years. She was made a Life Member of Presbyterian Support for her services to Cranford and awarded a New Year’s honour for Services to the Community (palliative care). She continued at Cranford until 2008 when she resigned in the face of ill-advised structural changes by the then management. This was somewhat ironic as the pharmacy role has since expanded in other hospices within New Zealand. In 2008 she was invited by the District Health Board, through a Primary Health Organisation to establish a Pharmacist Facilitator service, advising on pharmacological matters and best practice to local GP practices. This was successful; she resigned in 2012 having completed her role and to make way for younger pharmacists. Having completed a Master’s Degree in Primary Health Care majoring in palliative care in 1999, she completed a Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2012, her topic being ‘Corticosteroid Prescribing in the New Zealand Palliative Care Setting’. Her doctoral thesis and various papers are available on line Anne still enjoys giving a yearly lecture at the University of Otago to the Pharmacy Students about Palliative Care. In 2014 she was invited by the Hawkes Bay District Health Board team to again lead the developing Clinical Pharmacist Facilitator project and expand the role through Hawke’s Bay.
Anne’s family is everything to her she loves and values the time spent with Ross the children and grandchildren they are all very precious to her. She enjoys a brandy, reading, world travel and walking. She also goes to the Gym which she hates.
ANNE PATON DENTON
M.N.Z.M. D.Pharm. M.P.H.C. F.P.S.
CURRICULUM VITAE
[Contact details withheld – HB KB]
My health is good. I am a non-smoker. I love my family and enjoy travelling, reading and walking.
I am currently a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand, an Associate Member of the New Zealand College of Pharmacists (ANZCP). I hold a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Auckland and a Master’s Degree in Primary Health Care from Flinders University of South Australia, majoring in Palliative Care. In 2004 I was awarded a Membership of the New Zealand Order of Merit and made a life member of Presbyterian Support.
Over the years I have written numerous articles on palliative care and palliative care pharmacology for the Nathaniel Report, “Pharmacy Today”, the Pharmacy Journal, the Auckland Herald and the Dominion.
Manager comment 25/Jul/2018 04:14 p.m.
Thank you Anne for your continued passion, energy and expertise leading the team of clinical pharmacy facilitators – a team well recognised for its expertise and value – Seen through the numerous awards gained both locally and nationally. Thank you for the support you have given the greater pharmacy service with your wisdom and guidance. You have skilfully taken on additional duties in the absence of the Chief Pharmacist and I am very grateful for your flexibility and professionalism to support services at this time. I am also aware of the support and mentoring you provide to others in the team, supporting a positive and collaborative pharmacy sector. I look forward to continually working with you as we support the understanding of value that your team provides to the health of our community.
Grade exceeds all expectations
2015: Palliative care lecture at Otago University to fourth year pharmacy students
2014: Commenced expanding the successful Clinical Pharmacist Facilitator Services Programme for Health Hawkes Bay and The Hawkes Bay District Health Board.
Palliative care lecture at Otago University to fourth year pharmacy students
2014: Two Journal articles co-authored with Professor John Shaw, School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland was published in Biomed Central, BMC Palliative Care.
Title ‘Corticosteroid Prescribing in Palliative care Settings: A Retrospective Analysis in New Zealand’ Denton and Shaw BMC Palliative Care 2014, 13:7 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-684X/13/7
2012: Graduated Doctor of Pharmacy, Thesis entitled: “Corticosteroid Prescribing in New Zealand Palliative Care Settings”.
2008-2012: Help establish and conduct the successful Clinical Pharmacist Facilitator Services Programme for Health Hawkes Bay and The Hawkes Bay District Health Board.
2008: Resigned from role as Clinical Pharmacist, team leader, Cranford Hospice, Hastings.
2007: Life member Presbyterian Support East coast for services to Cranford Hospice
2006: With Professor Rod MacLeod conducted a palliative care post graduate teleconference for Pharmacists at Otago University then marked their master’s level papers in this subject.
2005: Wrote a Palliative Care booklet for the College of Pharmacists, conducted a teleconference, and presented and marked a module for my peers.
2004: Awarded Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, M.N.Z.M., for Services to the Community, and Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand in September of that year.
2004: Hospice New Zealand and ANSPM Conference in Auckland organising committee member
2003: Part of the Hospice New Zealand delegation to attend the Cancer Control Workshop run by the Ministry of Health.
2003-2006: Member of the External Advisory Committee for the Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing (Palliative Care) at Victoria University; lectured Master’s Level Palliative Care Pharmacology for nurses at that university.
2002: As Chair of Hospice NZ helped convene a successful Hospice New Zealand Palliative Care Conference in Napier
2000: Played a supporting role to husband Ross in the closing of Denton’s Pharmacy Ltd. Havelock North and the opening of Denton’s Peak Pharmacy in a new local medical centre, This business, while catering for the general public, also contracts to five elder care homes.
1999-2006: Helped write and conduct the Palliative Care Module (1999) for the New Zealand College of Pharmacists, repeated in 2005.
1999-2003: Elected to the Hospice New Zealand Executive, Chair 2001 and 2002.
Elected Chair of Hospice New Zealand Education Advisory Group.
Travelled extensively throughout New Zealand promoting palliative care and palliative care education.
Promoted the value of pharmacy in the palliative care field.
1999-2000: Helped convene workshops and courses, for Flinders University, Australia in New Zealand.
1999: Attended a Hospice and Palliative Care Seminar in Britain organised by the Hospice Education Institute of USA.
1999: Completed a Master’s Degree in Primary Health Care (Palliative Care), through Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia (MPHC) at that time the only pharmacist in Australasia to hold this qualification.
1996: Graduate Certificate in Health (Palliative Care), Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
1987-2008: Pharmacist (paid) Cranford Hospice, Hastings. Job description through those years included educator, team leader, manager and fund raiser.
1984-1987: Volunteer pharmacist, job share, Cranford Hospice Hastings
1982: Moved to Havelock North where my husband and I purchased a pharmacy. Part time retail pharmacy work continued.
We still have a shareholding in Denton’s Peak Pharmacy in Havelock North.
1981: Tutor for the Technical Correspondence School, supervising the Pharmacy Technician’s Course. This was a part time position and was combined with other pharmacy relieving work.
1971-1982: I worked as a relieving and part-time pharmacist in various Wellington pharmacies.
1971: My husband Ross and I bought Wadestown Pharmacy, Wellington
1969-1971: Pharmacist, Andrew Fry’s AMCAL Pharmacy, Kew, Victoria, Australia
1969: Married, moved to and worked in Melbourne, Australia.
1966: Graduated Diploma of Pharmacy from the Central Institute of Technology in Petone, was admitted Member of the Pharmaceutical Society in 1969 (MPS)
Educated at Hastings Girls High School
Born Hastings 17th December 1946
Lynn & Anne about 1949
Gains MNZM
1.2
Ross Ackworth Denton
04.08.1943 –
Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Siblings: Ross 1943
Phillipa (Pip) Sarfati 1944
Judith (Judie) Webster 1948
Megan Kilpatrick 1952
For the Christmas of 2017 I was given as a present a DNA test for ancestry. It seems I am about 84% western and northern English, and 8% Scandinavian I suppose through my Scottish forebears. The remaining DNA of lesser confidence was of western European origin with a hint of further afield. So no surprises there.
I was born in Palmerston North where my father was stationed for a time during the war. I was the oldest of four children, with three younger sisters all born in Hastings. I always felt this was an invidious position not to be envied, but I do not think my sisters would agree. After his release from the army, Dad re-entered his father’s accountancy business in Hastings, where he remained for the remainder of his working life. We lived in a house at 12 McHardy Street, Havelock north, I believe now about 28 as the area has been infilled. At that time Havelock North was lightly populated and most people seemed to live on about half to three-quarters of an acre. I can remember cows in the paddock in front of the house, about a
quarter acre, which Dad sold to buy his first car; Mum and Dad were not particularly affluent in the early years. I remember their first washing machine which replaced the weekly copper boil up, and the refrigerator replacing the old water topped butter cooler on the back step. When one of the carpets wore out, it was reversed and a pattern painted on the now upper surface. That house was about 75 years old, provided by my grandfather. I remember Dad replacing the old Totara piles by cutting them off and packing concrete filled kerosene tins in their place. In due course the house became unsuitable for our growing family, and we moved to 38 Chambers St. in about 1955, my grandparents moving to Scannel [Scannell] Street. With the Websters, the Chambers St. home has remained in the family.
Each alternate Christmas, (I remember it as every Christmas) we drove to Hinakura, to my mother’s parents’ home about four hours away in the Waiarapa [Wairarapa]. We were usually driven as far as Woodville with my Denton grandparents on their way to Wellington, since the little box like singer car belonging to my grandmother my parents used was very small, or later in a larger but still small Austin A40. How they fitted us in with our luggage I do not know. We stopped off for lunch at Mathon Lodge in Masterton where we were greeted by the two old Daniell aunts, Win and Tom. These Hinakura holidays were idyllic, although on at least two Christmases, I was the one who found live maggots in the cold lamb. To me a Christmas tree is a Mingi-Mingi with its very tightly interwoven branches, ideal for hiding presents; there was a stand of these now threatened native shrubs not far from the gate to the homestead section. There seemed to be many guests on Christmas day but we were not allowed near our presents till we had had breakfast, a tradition I have unsuccessfully attempted to continue. The dining room was enormous and the table so huge you could hardly see the far end. A more recent sighting finds the room fairly modest and the table an ordinary large one. Things shrink as you get older. I remember getting roller skates with metal wheels for Christmas, and skating with Pip on the tongue and groove veranda surrounding the homestead. I can still hear the noise. Later there was horse riding, mustering and exploring. Early on, the house had no electricity but later there was a diesel electric generator – the area was reticulated quite late, so I just remember going to bed by kerosene lamp. Our clothes were not allowed on the floor because of fleas, although my grandfather would not allow any dog on the home section. Food was kept in an enormous pantry jutting out from the side of the house. I remember my father shooting rats from the kitchen window as they ran along the side of that pantry. It was always a pleasure to be able to return from time to time in later years until the farm was sold. My grandparents Sutherland, bought a beach house at 12 Nathan Avenue, Paraparaumu, I understand in part at least to keep us kids out of Granddad’s belongings. We spent many holidays there, usually our family and Gran with occasionally Granddad there. On thinking back it was a badly designed house, which had been even worse butchered, however it suited us. It was a short walk to the sea, and we used to swim, drag for flounder and do all the things that a beach holiday provides. Paraparam [Paraparaumu] was much smaller and less developed in those days, we were supposed to boil the drinking water and went eeling in a stream still just there, but there was a skating rink and a picture theatre so we were pretty well provided for. In those days, fishing was much more worthwhile that now. It was rare if a feed of flounder could not be obtained with a minimal effort with a drag net. I just remember as a small child, holidaying in Eastbourne, and the blue penguins which nested under the house – noisy and smelly.
I was no scholar, and regularly in my early years came very near the bottom of my class so nobody expected me later on to gain either School certificate or University entrance, both of which I accomplished quite easily. My eye sight was never good, although not as bad as my father’s. I was given spectacles about the age of 8 or 9; till then, I must have driven my teachers nuts when I sat at the back of the room and marched up the front to see what was on the board. I still remember as I got my first glasses standing on our back porch, when a
sparrow flew overhead and landed in the gum tree next door. In later secondary school years I was much to my surprise described as an above average student, I suppose kids develop at different rates. In those days the Primary school was in Te Mata Road, where the library and community centre are now, but the Campbell St. School across the paddocks was being established as I left. In desperation, my parents sent me to Hereworth School which in those days had a form 2 and form 3 to see if I could be straightened out. By means of extra English and maths at the expense of French and Latin, the two year experiment seems to have succeeded. I had a year of Latin in the third form, which I have found very useful ever since. I went to Nelson College. Because of family tradition, it was thought that a few boarding years would be good for me and Christ’s college or Wanganui Collegiate were too expensive. I had loved Hereworth, but in entering Nelson in the fourth form I was a year out of step with my contemporaries, and in some ways never caught up, but I was big enough to look after myself so as they say, ‘what doesn’t kill you, strengthens you’. During those years, I spent several holidays at Pohuenui at the outer reaches of Pelorous [Pelorus] sound with the Harris family. These were great times, and I hunted goats, fished and did all the things you can do on a very large, steep hill farm surrounded by water. Once again the depletion of the fish stocks became very apparent going from ‘Go out and get some fish for lunch’, to about ten years later, the brothers not telling each other where their fishing spots were. Life has since not been kind to my friend Edwin.
For no good reason I decided to become a pharmacist, and entered The Technical College at Petone where I remained for three years. The course was heavy going, very intense and ultimately did not teach us much about our chosen career. We learned about practical Pharmacy in our two year apprenticeship, which I took in Hastings at Richardson’s Pharmacy.
I have always been a willing participant in sports, so in my time I have participated in whatever was offering including Rugby, skiing and my great love, rowing in which I competed for only two years – life took over. A one of my pharmacy school contemporaries Ross Collinge made the Mexico Olympics, but he was way ahead of me. Nowadays I attempt golf and with the aid of a very long handicap occasionally win something.
While I was serving my pharmacy apprenticeship, I had the great fortune to meet Anne who was working at another pharmacy down the road. At that time she had a regular boy-friend, and would not come out for about 12 months, however in 1966 the Pharmacy School student’s Association had a ball and we were each short of a partner. The rest is history and we married March 15th 1969. When I asked for Anne’s hand her father, Snow, said ‘I know, would you like a glass of whisky’. My very wise mother-in-law commented that we would be good for each other as while I would possibly temper Anne’s more extreme behaviour, she would buck up my innate conservatism. And so, I think, it has turned out. I am sure I would not have gone on most of our overseas trips without her prompting, while I have enjoyed supporting/assisting her in her studies.
We lived and worked for a time in Melbourne, where Jane was born and returned to New Zealand in October 1971 mainly because we had planned to when we left, and purchased a pharmacy in Wadestown, Wellington. From a business standpoint it was too small, we were undercapitalised and it had been developed to its maximum by a very efficient previous owner. Wadestown was an amazing place to live, anybody who was anybody sooner or later turned up in the shop. We lived at 34 Wadestown Road and were very happy. It was there that the three boys, Stuart, Hugh and Alistair were born. Jane was very badly hurt when hit by a taxi, when she was six, and that is still a time I remember with difficulty. After eleven years, I felt that we had to move on since we were stagnating in the then present business. Although I had been looking for a larger unit anywhere, my father had put out local feelers and discovered a pharmacy for sale in Havelock North which we bought in December 1982.
The Wadestown Pharmacy was eventually closed by a subsequent owner after a very shaky period. By August 1983 we had bought our Durham Drive home and moved in. I had been looking for about half an acre and no swimming pool (because of Alistair then aged three), so three acres, a swimming pool and an orange orchard was a surprise. We found that the price we had got for our Wadestown house would not buy anything worthwhile in the Havelock North Borough and although we could not really afford the Durham Drive property, it was better value for money. Within a short time the valuations had reversed and for many years we could not have afforded to repurchase our old Wellington home. Not that it mattered. What we did not know was we were being robbed blind by my senior staff member. This nearly ruined us, but with the help of family money, Anne going back to work and some very white knuckles we pulled through, although it took us seven years to clear the debt although we were never able to pursue the cause. At that time computers were rare, and an office business programme unheard of. Since then I have been most particular about making sure the business percentages are holding up. In 1987 Jane was hurt again in a school outing bus accident when five were killed.
In the year 2000, the opportunity arose to enter into the then new medical centre in Havelock North in partnership. It seemed to me, that with the establishment of the medical centre, I would starve to death where I was in about five years, so the decision was easy. We closed the business in Havelock Road and moved. It turned out to be the best business decision I ever made. When I started in Wellington I had just myself and a girl. Currently the business employs about 16, although not all full time and I have found to my surprise it can be easier to run a larger business than a small one because of the possibilities of delegation. I semi-retired in about 2008, and to add to my worries I have taken up learning the piano again. I fully retired in August 2019, when I decided that I was not going to return after a trip to Italy. About 1967 I joined the JCs and since then have been a member of Lions Clubs and a Masonic Lodge. I have found all worthwhile.
So all in all it has been a happy life. Religion is important to me, I serve on the local Anglican vestry, for a time as Vicar’s warden, but it is still a mystery. As in all lives there have been ups and downs but the children are all doing well and to be proud of, and we seem to have a fine crop of the next generation coming on.
2.1
Paton Jean Northe (Fullerton)
1915 -1970
Pat – Anne – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Pat was born in Wellington 25.06.1915, one of two children; she had one younger brother Robert (Bob).
Pat was brought up in various parts of New Zealand as her father was promoted in business, but lived in (mainly) Hataitai, Wellington and in Napier. Pat was Dux of her primary school in 1924. She was a good all round sportswoman playing badminton, tennis, and was an champion swimmer at school. She trained as a shorthand typist and was highly skilled in her job.
She married Snow Northe 10.02.1940 and had three children; Pat and Snow had a wide circle of friends and a full social life. She became in charge of her husband’s business when he was sent overseas for war service. On Snow’s return, he was found to be suffering from tuberculosis, which had been missed on call-up. He spent considerable time in the
Sanatorium on Pukeora Hill, Waipukarau [Waipukurau], recovering. During this time Pat successfully managed the business while bringing up three small children.
In common with most of her generation Pat smoked cigarettes and in the 1950s she developed emphysema which progressed till she died, becoming particularly severe after 1957. Although more or less house bound in her later years, Pat never the less paced herself and lived life to the full day by day. She had a keen interest in the activities of her children, great courage and a wicked sense of humour -Anne tells the story of having a birthmark on her hand which concerned her. Pat told her if she ever got lost just to show it to a policeman and he would bring her home. Anne was greatly comforted by this for many years until she realised it just might not work! Pat through her life and illness upheld a strong religious belief. She seldom complained about her ill health. She maintained a substantial circle of friends, as she felt even the best of friends did not need to hear her grumbling. Sadly she did not live to see any of her grandchildren.
She died 08.09.1970 (55yrs 3 months) of Cor Pulmonale and Emphysema
Pat and brother Bob
Pat and Lynn
Source: Personal contact & oral tradition Photo: Snow Northe
All of Snow’s siblings had children; there was also a half sibling through his father.
Snow was born and brought up in Napier and attended Napier Technical college where he was a good scholar. The college was destroyed in the 1931 Napier earthquake, and he never returned to school, instead he went to work in the family firm of Robert Northe and sons. In 1936, aged 21 with his uncles running the business he felt there was no future. He borrowed £300 and bought Donovan & Co, Wood and Coal Merchants in Warren St in Hastings importing coal from Huntly, Westport and a small amount from Newcastle, Australia. He retained that business’s name as another brother, Ronald, was operating a similar business in Havelock North. It was a small and declining business, and Snow did not expect it to survive more than a few years, when he planned a return to the family concern. In the event, however, the family firm was eventually wound up, and over the years he slowly bought up and closed all similar businesses in town until eventually Donovan & Co was the only Hastings business of its type, serving between Wairoa and Dannevirke and latterly exported to the Chatham Islands. At one stage the business was delivering 350 bags of coal a day during winter as well as handling 1250 tonnes of coke a year for the local gas company. In later years, with the expansion of Hastings, the firm was moved to Irongate Road where it was operated successively by himself and his son Peter. In the early years he carted egg pulp and asparagus etc. for J Wattie Canneries Ltd, then in a very small way, and there was a solid friendship built up between the two men. He was a meticulous and successful businessman.
After he retired in 1973, he still spent a few hours at the yard each day, while Peter took over the running of the business. Snow enjoyed playing golf three afternoons a week and spent his early evenings at the Returned Servicemen’s Club.
He married Pat Fullerton 10.02.1940 and the couple had three children.
During World War II he was called up, (Reg. no. 566220) and served in the Pacific Islands, engaged with the Japanese in 1942 and was active in 1943 and 1944. Several of his platoon were killed in ambush. Infections from coral grazes were a challenge. On his return, he was found to be suffering from tuberculosis, which had been missed on call-up. He spent considerable time in the Sanatorium on Pukeora Hill Waipukarau, recovering. During this time Pat ran the business.
505 Charles St, Hastings
He was an excellent sportsman, excelling in cricket in which he played for his province and he displayed the broken fingers acquired during his years of service as a wicket keeper. He was for several years, President of the Hawkes Bay Cricket Association, and hosted various international players in his home. He also played in the invitation team of Tom Lowry, well known in its day.
His great sporting love and interest was horse racing. There were many pleasant days spent at the course including very sociable lunches held from his car boot. Pat’s great fear was that he would buy a horse, but this never eventuated and racing never became a threat to either business or family. He never lost his love of horse racing and to the end would have a modest flutter on the horses.
His other social activities included membership of the County and Hastings Clubs, where he attended regular card evenings, as well as a lifelong membership in the Returned Servicemen’s Association, in which he retained membership for a game of snooker and a drink with his friends long after he resigned from his other clubs.
The Royal Flush dealt to Snow, signed by his fellow players – a one in 2,598,960 for one in hearts.
He was widowed at a relatively young age in 1970 and although he had some lady friends, he never remarried. He was a man of his generation he was a firm father, mellowing in his later years. He is remembered with affection by his family and as a gentleman by those who knew him.
He died of a glioma after a short illness 18.08.1996.
In Snow’s Words (1995):
Relocating after 59 year at the corner of Avenue Road and Warren Street. The fourth generation in the firing business is shifting to the corner of Maraekakaho and Irongate Roads.
In 1936 F.S. Northe borrowed £300 and tendered for the coal and firewood business of T Donovan (estate). The tender was accepted and he became the owner of a going concern, however it was not actually going because the power board refused the use of the saw bench, the power lines had to be changed from DC to AC. The old 50 horsepower motor was dumped and a new 7 ½ horsepower motor installed, the rewiring being done free of charge by the power board. The name of the business was the next problem: FS had a brother RS who was operating a coal and carrying business in Havelock North and this father and uncle were in business as R Northe & sons Ltd at Napier. So the Name Donovan & Co was decided on and still remains today.
In the tender price was half an acre of land, one large house, the house of T Donovan and a small cottage and three baches all under one roof. These baches were moved and became the present office. Rental from the above totalled £4.0.0. per week and this was enough to pay the interest on the borrowed money. The total wages (summer months) was $18.85 less tax of 65 cents; stamps were purchased for this amount and pasted in the wages book. The plant consisted of a near new Chevrolet Truck valued at $250, a horse with cart and harness valued at $55.
Coal was needed for all the houses and at a meeting on August 10, 1936 eleven merchants attended. Firewood was also needed and only three hardwoods were handled: Matia [Matai], Rata and Maire, and a
little later Manuka. It was sold at $9.50 per cord or by the large sack at 45cents. All household coal came from Huntly by rail and a small quantity from Westport and Newcastle, Australia. Railing coal from Huntly was a slow journey as wagons often developed a ‘hot box’ and had to be put off into a siding for replacement and lubrication of the axles. The coal was bagged just south of the Clock Tower and carted down to Heretaunga Street into the Warren Street yard. In 1938 White & Co coal merchants in King Street North were taken over where there was a rail siding, coal was then bagged for ourselves and other coal merchants. This yard was next to the J Wattie Canneries and a friendship grew between the late Sir James, who was in a very small way at the time. We carted what little bit of asparagus that he canned and also his egg pulp to the Tomoana Freezing Works.
At this time the Transport act came in and we were refused a licence due to having the coal business. Sir James Wattie than went to Stewart Greer in Market Street and purchased his first truck, a second hand Morris Commercial for $100. We lent him our driver, one Peter Kerr, who we never saw again. With the advent of the war and as we still had our yard in Warren Street, Watties needed to expand and they paid us $100 for the balance of the lease (in King St North?). Watties then proceeded to buy the other properties which included two other coal merchants: R Holt & Son and Barrie Brothers. During the busy season Watties were burning over 100 tons of coal per week which we ordered for them at a commission of 5cents per ton.
During a period overseas (Snow’s war service) the business was carried on by my late wife and those were busy days. Up to 350 one hundredweight (1cwt) bags of coal were being delivered daily during the winter months.
It was about 1952 that we were approached by the manager of the Gas Company, a Mr Wright, to take over the handling of coke, about 1250 tons annually. This we did and then supplied the other merchants charging then 2 ½% on cost. A lot of coke was supplied to glass houses in those days, most of them in the small borough of Hastings. There were six hotels in the borough burning 20 large bags of coke per week for heating and for cooking in Aga stoves.
Today it is impossible to get coke supplies, marketing is entirely different and coal ranges are few. Some open fires remain but combustion heaters have taken over and the demand for firewood has increased. Quite an amount of industrial coal is still being used by schools during the winter months and this is being brought down by truck and trailer loads of about 26 tonnes. A small amount of household coal is still being used, also being shipped to the Chathams and sent to the area between Wairoa and Dannevirke. A quantity of coal is now packaged and sold to supermarkets and garages.
Snow (bottom left) in islands during war
Photo: Ross Denton
Source: Personal knowledge, and FSN
Siblings:
Spouse Children,
Margaret (Peggy) Owen Denton 4
Joan Alistair Lilburn 2 James & Catherine
Elizabeth (Betsy) Trevor Taaffe 2 David & Brian
David Josephine Wall 5 Elizabeth, Fiona, Simon, Ken, Toby
Malcolm Pamela Bamford 3 Alexander, Anna & Jacky
All her siblings predeceased her except Joan.
Peggy was born at Hinakura, Wairarapa 07.02.1916, the oldest of five children, and grew up on her father’s farm. She was a late starter at school due to the family’s isolation, but was early educated by governesses. She later attended St Matthews College and Woodford house where she was a contemporary of Margaret Scott, Owen’s sister. After matriculation, she was obliged to leave somewhat earlier than desirable as the financial depression of the time required her to make space for her younger siblings. She returned to the farm as was usual for the times, and helped out with home duties. Her father did not approve of Women in the workforce, and it was normal for the women at the time to not proceed with formal education beyond secondary school. In common with her sisters, she chafed at the isolation of the family farm, and on turning 22 trained as a Karitane nurse. She was posted to various positions around the North Island.
She married Owen Denton in October 1942 and had four children. The couple lived in Havelock North the rest of their lives, in McHardy St., Chambers St., Koponga [Kopanga] Rd. and finally briefly at the Mary Doyle Life care Centre.
The marriage was very successful but could at times be quite incendiary. Peggy had considerable determination, and on one occasion in the early years of her marriage, she buttonholed her father in law because of her husband’s low pay, although the McHardy St. house was provided by him. She was not above working at Watties Canneries factory from time to time for special funding projects. For a while she grew a small patch of Chrysanthemums commercially in her Chambers St. garden. She took a particular pleasure in her garden. Over the years she played tennis, golf and took up croquet in her 80s with great dedication and competitiveness. She had an understated religious faith and was a regular attender at St Luke’s Anglican church’s early service. She played majong and bridge (A grade), and had a broad circle of friends within the originally small environment of Havelock North which would have had a population of only 2500 (some say 1500) when they moved there in 1945.
She died of cancer aged 86.
Mustering
Peggy Denton
(nee Sutherland of Aotea Station, Hinakura)
One of the joys of my childhood was riding. This was not so much for my pony or the actual act of riding, but for the places we went and the things we did, because of riding.
Mustering was a favourite. The horses were left in the small paddock the night before. At about 4am my father would be up making the breakfast and we would crawl out of bed, dress, stumble cautiously around the paddock to find a sleepy silent pony. Breaking day we would be away, no time to lose. Hinakura is made up of flats at different levels with a river winding through. We made for the hills which run parallel with the east coast and are situated between Hinakura and the coast. Leaving the flats behind we proceeded to climb until we were out of the grey light of dawn and into sunshine, not warm as yet. We would turn and look back at Hinakura still bathed in mist, the craggy hill tops in full view. The gorgeous feeling of being
on top of the world, remote, in the stillness of very early morning is a pleasure I still remember. We would reach an enormous paddock called Riley’s – no flat here steep up and down hills and narrow tracks running around them and miles to be mustered.
The dogs eager for their task would run across gullies and be worked by men from hill tops, whistled at, shouted at. Gradually things would fall into pattern, sheep, one after the other would wind their way around the hillsides to the gate. In the midst of copious bleatings and the barking of busy dogs the mob would move towards home and the woolshed.
It was always a slow trip home straggling along behind the mob. The mist long since gone, the day grew hotter and as the heat grew the sheep became tired and slower. However they were well towards their destination by this time, perhaps to be dipped very early the next morning which would entail another early rise for us children.
This would have been written in 1964 and refers to a time between the wars
Peggy Sutherland & cousin Alan Roydhouse
Peg & friend Rud eating melons
In his own words, an oral history, 1994
I was born on the 27th January 1912 and I suppose the next most important date was when I was married on 24th October 1942, that at least is the most important date so far. We were married in Hinakura, Wairarapa.
My parent’s names were Lawrence Ackworth Denton and Nellie Maud Denton, Dad was born in Wellington and Mum was born in Masterton I’m not too sure about these facts. My (Daniell) grandparents were born in England and they lived all their lives in Masterton. My first home was in Wellington, this was when Dad was getting settled in our future home which was in Hastings. Eventually Mum and I went to meet Dad; it was a house in Henry Street, Hastings which Dad had built. We were there for probably five or six years and Mum felt the type of house was damp. In order to look around for a more suitable house they bought a house in Charles Street on an area of about a quarter of an acre. Both these houses were average bungalows, the Henry Street place on possibly half an acre. As usual Mum loved to hear carpenters on the job, she practically pulled the Charles Street place apart and remodelled it, and in fact the house is still there. Several other people have had a go since; it is no relation to what it was when we left there. We were only in Charles Street four or five years, then Dad bought another house in Nelson Street, in Hastings. This was a very pleasant home on possibly half an acre of section and as usual Mum made very substantial alterations. The house was only four or five blocks from the main street and we lived there very happily till 1932 when Dad bought the house in Chambers street on about 3/4 acre of land and named it Mathon. It was the home they had had their eye on for some time and as it became available they decided to buy. This house remained in the family; in fact it still belongs in the family because Judie now lives there. Peg and I were there till 1992. They moved on to Koponga Road for about ten years.
When Peg and I were married Dad gave us a home in McHardy Street, Havelock North and we lived there possibly for five or six years (more like 10) then Mum and Dad moved out of the Chambers Street house and we moved in.
Dad’s occupation was that of Public Accountant, he started in 1912 with no connections whatsoever and remained in that occupation virtually until he died. He was a qualified Public Accountant by examination and in the days when he got his examination it was necessary do several years swot with no examination and then to have an examination to cover the whole field in one go.
My sister, Margaret, was some six years younger than me so we were not particularly close, she went to Queenswood Private School in Hastings and then Iona and Woodford House, Havelock North, at these last two schools as a boarder. The Hawkes Bay Earthquake took place after she had been at Iona twelve months and when Iona remained closed after the earthquake Margaret went to Woodford. She was above average intelligence; she had numbers of school friends.
I had a very happy home life, we were a strong Methodist family and only once did I hear my parents strongly disagree, in other words having a row. They had relatively few personal close friends but they had very close attachments to their own relations. We had at most times live in maids who lived with us sharing meals and conversation as necessary (There was a pre-war letter to or from one of the Daniell sisters saying they were hiring another maid and she was asking 30/- ($3.00) a week and they supposed they would have to pay it). One maid had a habit which still amuses me, if she wanted to enter the conversation she started with “Talking of chiming clocks ….” Even if you hadn’t spoken about chiming clocks for ten years and away she went with whatever she wanted to say. We always had electricity and telephone in the house, I cannot remember any time it wasn’t there.
Dad had a large kitchen garden, and I can remember a magnificent asparagus bed, which was fed every year with a load of stable manure and it certainly produced results. We had a gardener for half a day I think, once a week, they became friends of the family too.
Mum made her own preserves and cakes but did not bake her own bread. About the only imported preserves would be something special from somewhere special say Libby’s from America for canned pineapple for a special occasion.
I do not recall any special learning efforts before I went to school but my parents always made books available, I can’t recall any direct teaching. Schools’ attended were Hastings West when we lived in Henry Street. From then on it was Hastings Central till secondary school when I went to Wairarapa High School as it was where I boarded for three years. The reason for attending Wairarapa High School was that my grandfather Daniell was chairman of the board and this made the difference. While I was at Wairarapa High school I passed my Matriculation Examination which was a University Entrance exam. The attitude to exams was that at least they were evidence of a stepping stone. While at Primary school I had a go at a scholarship but as it was the first time in an exam room I was completely lost and finished up with a nil result.
I was sixteen when I left school, I would have liked to have stayed longer simply because it gave me an opportunity to play Senior Rugby football but Dad had different ideas telling me very quickly that he had no intention of continuing to pay £25 a term for me to play football. If I had stayed at school I am sure it would have done little for me scholastically. Thinking to be a farmer he commenced work on his Uncle Len Daniell’s farm for about six months, but not being able to stand the sight of blood, did not continue. He said he would rather see his name on a brass plate than a wool bale; the thought that no animal left the farm unless for meat did not appeal. Many years later he was reminded of this point of view by a client but Ross has a memory of him hanging out the kitchen window at Aotea shooting rats invading the pantry, and he was a dab hand at killing chickens.
Both Mum and Dad were very interested in their children and they were easy to talk to. They expected us to be respectful toward them, but certainly not subservient.
We were part of a very large grand-family, I had 68 first cousins. That gives you an indication of how many relations we had. We were closer to mum’s family, that is Daniell family and there were numerous aunts and uncles and a very special grandfather with whom we were very close. I spent some time during holidays with some of my cousins. Uncle Len Daniell, whose farm was outside Masterton used to invite various nieces and nephews to Wairere for the Christmas. He did this for many years and I was one of the fortunate who were invited. The result of this was I saw a great deal of cousins Geoff Innes and his sisters and also Joan Daniell. Geoff Innes was a cousin with whom he bonded particularly strongly and who was later killed off Batavia during the war. Owen never learned to swim, which was alarming since he sailed all over Wellington Harbour with Geoff and no life jacket. Family festive occasions were normally marked with a suitable meal, occasionally local friends joined with us. If there were any relatives, certainly they were there, but the Daniell family mainly lived in Masterton which was a long way in those times, 130 miles so it was normally only at Christmas that those relatives were available. In any case we normally went to them in Masterton. We stayed at my grandfather’s home, Mathon Lodge, in Masterton. What a wonderful experience that was. The holidays seemed to revolve around the children and everyone had a wonderful time.
With regard to transport, we started off with a horse and buggy in Hastings the horse was hired for the purpose and was normally a fire brigade horse. From that we moved to a Ford car and others followed as the family became increasingly affluent. Music was important in the family. Dad had a very good Gramophone and he kept well up to date with records for the machine Mostly they were classics or semi classics but they were
much appreciated. Music was important in the extended family and I cannot mention this without becoming a bit sentimental about Aunt Tom. She was a magnificent pianist, up to professional stage and nothing she liked better than getting the family around the piano and everybody singing at the top of their voices. Of course there was no radio in those days. As a child and a young fellow I read everything that was available, a very keen reader as a matter of fact and particularly the children’s encyclopaedia which came out in monthly instalments. This I felt was a tremendous assistance scholastically because each month covered a whole series of interesting articles and the arrival of a new monthly publication was very important. I was fortunate as a child not being affected by any epidemics, I can recall that Infantile Paralysis was a great scourge which appeared to strike New Zealand every so often, and it was very noticeable the number of children whom had withered limbs, fortunately none of this affected me personally.
Mum and Dad kept their leisure time well occupied; they were both keen gardeners and had assistance of course with the gardener who came every week. They took frequent trips to the beach by car; they played tennis, golf and bowls in succession and were in fact office holders in the various clubs.
Religion played a large part in our family. There was regular church and Sunday school attendance and at boarding school of course all pupils attended church each Sunday. Dad held various offices in the Methodist Church; He was superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School for a number of years. Grace was always said at meals. I’m afraid as a child religion did not mean much to me. It was just something everyone did, I did not think much about why. As a younger man Owen was on the Vestry at St Luke’s Anglican Church but in later years he would attend only for the Christmas day service, weddings and funerals.
My first job in Wellington was in a firm of public accountants Watkins, Hull, Hunt and Wheeler when I first started there and I got this job through Dad’s association with accountants. Dad at the time was the Hawkes Bay’s representative on the Society’s Council. When I worked in my first job in Wellington, I boarded in quite a number of boarding houses. That seemed to be the normal procedure for people to move around and in under normal circumstances we were very well looked after by our various boarding housekeepers. I think the lowest I paid for board was 22/6 which would be about $2.25 and for that I got board, my washing done and it was all very comfortable. It was a very happy time of my life. The question of whether one liked work did not arise, it was just something everyone did and it was accepted. Qualifying in 1935, he was very successful at his profession and highly ethical, but always maintained accountancy was just the job available at the time. When he turned 65 he was glad to lay his pen down and retire. The pay was small because it was the middle of a slump but the people seemed to have plenty of fun despite that. The job at Watkins Hull Hunter and Wheeler was a means to an end because it was accepted that I would eventually go into partnership with Dad in Hastings and this eventuated in 1935 as by then I had scrambled through my examinations . There have been major changes over the years in employment. The greatest changes first of all have been the tremendous invasion of women into the workforce and secondly the remarkable amount of mechanisation that has occurred. While mechanisation has reduced the amount of donkey work required this does not appear to have affected the quantum of fees… Owen gained his Fellowship as a chartered accountant in 1946. The practice was computerised (not without stress) in 1976. It has become a large business and has since joined the Moore Stephens Markham group. Owen was very proud the name Denton Donovan remained while he was still alive.
In regards to spending spare time when I was working in Wellington, this was somewhat restricted, my wages after five years of work was £4.0.0 per week ($8.00). This meant your pursuits were restricted. Football practice took up two nights a week, Tuesday and Thursday
and a game on Saturdays. Subscriptions for membership in the Wellington Football Club were 75c a year.
Owen was a very useful rugby player, front row prop, and mention of his skill was made some 60 years later by some of those who had locked heads with him. Apart from Rugby in his early days, he played tennis, was a handy golfer, and latterly bowls. His main hobby was his garden where he grew vegetables prolifically, but saw little value in flowers which he left to Peggy.
Occasionally we could spend 9c to 18c for a visit to the pictures, this did not happen very often, perhaps once a fortnight. Of course there was always to be considered because while one did a normal day’s work, swot was done after which meant evenings. Not only was there swot, but also lectures to attend. You would probably get three or four evenings of lectures which took about an hour a lecture. There was normally Gramophone in the boarding house, this was used quite a bit and very much later there was a radio. They were happy times and despite the lack of income time did not seem too hard. I accept that there were people unemployed and they must have suffered.
World War 2 affected me relatively late. By the time war was declared I was 26 or 27 and had been working in the Hastings office. I was originally called up and was in the army three and a half years all of it in New Zealand. My poor eye sight prevented overseas service not that I was sorry. He was called up in January 1941, commissioned as a second lieutenant in April 1942 Ruahine Regiment service no 390554. He was stationed in various places in the North Island and finished in the pay corps in Buckle Street, Wellington. He mentioned the time he had three Japs under his arms at once, but they were in urns after the revolt at the Featherston POW Camp. He applied for early discharge, since hostilities were winding down and obtained this easily because as he said, many others saw the army as a sinecure for a long term career. I finished up a lieutenant and the huge increase in pay with this promotion to £2.10 a day allowed Peg and me to get married.
Peg and I met at Paraparam. It’s quite a story, Dad use to rent a house for the Christmas holidays I think the rent was £25 a week, quite a sum in those days. Mr Sutherland, Peg’s father, also use to rent a place in Paraparam which was almost opposite the house we lived in. In fact our house used to look down on the road along which three spanking young ladies used to walk regularly and I used to spend quite a bit of time watching the scenery go by. Eventually because Peg came from Wairarapa and we had a big connection with the Wairarapa we met the Sutherlands and I had a very strong minded aunt (Marjory Hodder, 11 years older) who suggested I should carry on after the holidays by writing a letter to Peg. This led one thing to another, after about twelve months we eventually married on 24th October 1942. I think we had been engaged for about ten months. I was in camp all this time we did not see too much of each other. By the time I was married I was 30 and Peg was four
Photo caption – Not all these men survived the war Owen 5th from close end
years younger. We had a garden wedding at Aotea complete with tent, flowers and the rest. The church was still standing in Hinakura, it has since burned down. I have been asked ‘what did the Bride and Groom wear?’ This stumps me a bit and all I can say is the bride wore a bridal dress and the groom was in Uniform. We went on a honeymoon to Waikanae where Peg’s aunt had a house. We went over from Hinakura to Waikanae in Mum’s car. In those days petrol was very scarce and we had to scratch around for coupons to allow one to get petrol for whatever trip you wanted to take. I was in camp at Linton and Peg was boarding with a Mrs Ciochetto in Palmerston North. Mrs Ciochetto was a home from home and Peg thoroughly enjoyed her stay with Mrs Ciochetto. Ross was born while we were in Palmerston north and Mrs Ciochetto and her husband were great supports…
What do I remember about the arrival of my children? All I can say is they were mostly unexpected. Ross was born in P.N. as I have already said and the other members of the family arrived one by one. The arrival of the family did not change our lifestyle much, by the time Pip arrived we were living in Havelock North I always lived in Hastings or Havelock North except the time at boarding school and I must say I consider myself especially favoured to live in this area. He served in the Havelock North Borough council around 1952, for one term.
Our children grew up in what we hope was a normal household and as with normal parents each was involved as required. Our social life was not extensive but we built up a circle of friends over the years. Peg was involved with the children of course and did not get the chance to join the social clubs until fairly well on, but she played golf and social tennis. I became a member of the County Club to which I was a member for some forty years and I must say I appreciate my association with that club. I was also a member of the Havelock Club for some time but did not seem to click with that club as I did with the County Club. I subsequently played golf and then bowls when golf got a bit too strenuous. The highlight of my golf was winning with John Drury the Jones Four Ball; just how this happened is a bit of a mystery.
Peg and I were fortunate with our parents; we always went away for a holiday for probably two or three weeks. At first the holidays were at Hinakura and subsequently to Paraparam where the Sutherlands purchased a house. These ‘free’ holidays were much appreciated, in retrospect at least though I’m afraid they were accepted as normal. One wonders at the end of one’s life how you managed to accumulate the various household bits and pieces over the years. Money always seems to be short but things seem to come along and be paid for, even school fees. We had our first washing machine about 1945 (later- Ross remembers it arriving and earlier boiling up the washing in the copper) and our phone about the same time. We did not get car until 1957, and this was purchased when we sold a section in McHardy St and that provided the wherewithal. I think it was £250 for the purchase of the car, an Austin. Until then he would walk to his parent’s house for the drive to work. In those days cars were expensive, and he could never get his head around a common worker being able to afford one. Overseas travel was rare.
Naturally there have been changes in the family as time goes by. We feel and hope they have had a normal life and they have all successfully married for which we are very grateful. We are also grateful that two families have finished up in Havelock north so we see quite a lot of them. The other two families, the Sarfatis and Kilpatricks while they are in Wellington and Whangarei respectively, we feel we visit them as we can and are grateful that they in turn visit us.
All the children had a period at boarding school, they have all found careers and they were all self-supporting practically from the time they left school. We are happy that all our families have chosen to remain part of the family and this is evidenced by out our approaching Christmas holiday when all of us will be at Turangi. We have been very favoured.
He was affable but of a very quick temper, which would flare easily, but die just as quickly. His marriage was successful but at times could be strident. He was a good tennis player, and a very keen golfer and when cramp became a problem after a golf, bowls. He was a good Bridge player and after the contract version palled, he was in a regular home visiting four. Latterly he suddenly became quite deaf, and a year or two later in 2000, suffered a stroke which robbed him of his speech that never returned completely. These left him cruelly isolated since he was of a sociable nature. In Early 2003, the couple moved to a purpose built Villa in the Mary Doyle Lifecare complex, but lived there together only about six weeks, when Peg’s failing health, and Owen’s increasing dependence due to ill health including advanced prostate cancer required him to enter full time care until he died.
Some family sayings: ‘Mrs Robinson called’ meaning you have some lunch on your face – probably a Daniell inheritance; ’All that for Grandad’ meaning what a miserable serving and when angry -‘God stiffen the crows!!!”. “Speaking of Chiming clocks” was a saying picked up from one of his parent’s maids meaning ‘speaking of something entirely unrelated to the present conversation’.
Source: Recollections of OAD collected by Phillipa and with italic interpolations RAD
Owen during war years
Owen Peg Win Daniell
3.1
Jessie Fullerton (Bailey)
1885 – 1945
Jessie – Paton Northe – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Jessie was born at Waipukarau, Hawkes Bay, she was one of ten full siblings, seven girls and three boys. There were also four younger half siblings, one girl and three boys.
Full siblings:
Kitty (Owen)
Annie (Steer)
Clara (Speedy)
Jessie (Fullerton)
Hettie (Chambers)
Jim
Fred
Jane (Gore)
Arthur Died young – killed by a cricket ball
Emma Died young
Half siblings:
Dot (Hammond)
Les
Harold
Dud
She Married Robert Fullerton 29.01.1913 and had two children.
Jessie was a good horsewoman in her early days and is described as a pleasant and gentle person. She was closer to her son who remembered her with considerable affection. She pre-deceased her husband in March 1945 and before her son returned from war service. It was said the worry contributed to her death. Jessie was, however a heavy smoker unusual for a woman of her time, the cause of death being emphysema.
Source: Family tradition, Kathleen Styche
Photo: Bob Fullerton (son)
3.2
Robert Fullerton
1876 – 1945
Robert – Paton Northe – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Was brought up in Port Chalmers, New Zealand the youngest of three boys, there were three sisters.
Joanna (Spence) 4 Children
Archibald 5 children
Andrew 4 Children
Margaret (Peacock) ni
Robert 2 children
Molly Longman 3 children
Married Jessie Bailey 1913 and the couple had two children
He entered the Government Life Insurance at the age of 17 (1893) and was Wellington district manager when he retired to Napier. He was also a manger in Napier, Dunedin, and in Christchurch. He was a keen member of the Public Service Association in which he was an executive member, a Life Member and Vice President. His Eulogy on retirement commented on his sound common sense,
judgement honesty and efficiency… He was a member or the Athletic Football Club and the Pirates Football Club (rugby). He was also a prominent member of the Hataitai Bowling Club, and the Chief orphan of the Napier Orphan’s Club and a vice president of the Wellington organisation. Family tradition has it he had a fiery temper, enjoyed a whisky and was much closer to his daughter than his son.
He died of a heart attack while being operated on for throat cancer about six months after his wife in 1945, and before his son returned home from overseas war service.
With Bob & Pat
Antecedents 4.2 & 4.3
Source: Obituary & oral tradition
Photo: Bob Fullerton
Anna Constance * 15.10.1875 – 1963 = Alfred Northe 1901 children
Martha Antonie >> 21.04.1877 = Henry Harcourt
Albert Tomas 07.02.1879 = Jenny Andersen
Henri Louis 12.03.1881 = Beatrice Hoare ^^
Ernest Emil 06.03.1883@ = Harriet Atkins
Charles Ormen Joseph 02.10.1884 = Grace Drewitt children
Edward Linney 06.09.1886 = Myrtle Price children
Frederic Signor 19.09.1888 Killed Gallipoli WW1 (died on hospital ship)
Sidney Norman 14.03.1890 = Emma Harding children
>> Produced Alfred’s first child
^^ Adelaide Australia had children
@ killed on Crosses Road bridge Havelock North hit by truck while on push bike
A Christopher is listed as dying in 1881 There is also a mention of a Tilley, and Samuel who can not be confirmed
Those marked with children had them the others may well have also.
She married Alfred Northe 03.02.1901 and had five children. She spent all her early life at Pukahu near Havelock North, and all her married life at Raffles St., Napier. Her family farmed near Mt Erin, working for William McKenzie and had small holdings on their own account. She appears to have been a pleasant woman but determined and who did not approve of either smoking or drink in the house. She was reputed to have hooked her husband out of the pub at tea time by means of her walking stick. Her family of children seem to have been a fairly loose knit one. In later years she suffered dreadfully from arthritis and finally was badly crippled.
A grand-daughter, Margaret Flynn, wrote: “Because I was of the colouring of the Scandinavians my Grandma took a shine to me and I was at her house a lot and went on holidays with them too. She was a Methodist church goer and was always saying ‘Praise the Lord’. She taught me ‘Jesus Loves Me’ and little Christian things. I think she was quite a tartar to Alf who loved his drinks at the Pub and smoked a pipe which he wasn’t allowed to do in the house, never the less he was a great Grandad to us girls … we could cadge pennies and threepences off him real well. As a child I love exploring the North’s yard with the sandpit and horses and climbing up the loft where they stored the grain bags … our grandparents were very proud of us”.
She died 27.2.1963 85 years 4 months
Source: Family Bible, Family tradition
Alfred Thomas ‘Darky’
Walter Ernest ‘Ernie’
Charles Douglas
Herbert Stanley
Ben Earl
Grace Emily (Stanley) ni
Robert Percy
Stewart Gordon
Sidney Alexander
Married Constance Anderson and had five children ( plus one illegitimate Minnie Neame said to have ben to his sister in law Martha to whom it was possible he was originally engaged).
With his brother Walter, he was a director of Robert Northe and Sons. Most of his remaining brothers worked for the business of Wood & coal Merchants, however the three youngest were encouraged to seek work outside the firm. While the business was earlier highly profitable both the depression and the 1931 Napier earthquake hit it hard. The firm deteriorated slowly after the war, and was eventually wound up in 1968.
Alfred lived all his life in Napier.
It is said he could be somewhat a rough diamond and (according to Snow)
was known on occasion to sleep out with the horses because Constance did not approve of strong drink
A smoker, he was obliged to smoke outside the house and he died of throat cancer 22.7.1952 (74yrs 9months)
Alfred (middle left) & family (Snow bottom left)
Jessie was born 14.05.1889 at Waverly in the Horowhenua, the youngest of five children two each of brothers and sisters. She seldom if ever spoke of them
Siblings:
Garnett 1882 – 1916 Killed on the Somme WW1 ni
Alexander ‘Lewis’ 1884 – ? Divorced ni apparently a black sheep
Margaret 1885 – 1944 ni
Annie ‘Sophie’ 1887 – 1934 Married disastrously (Grey?) ni
Jessie 1889 – 1972
Educated at Miss Barnaby’s School, later Samuel Marsden College in Karori, Wellington, and was one of the very early students at Victoria College (later university) but did not complete a degree, she apparently attended only a year or so. She lived at Island Bay, Wellington.
In 1906 she was living at 13 Portland Tce. , Wellington and by 1907 at Matarawa, Greytown, Wairarapa. She worked as a companion help at Moeraki (see 4.4) which position was obtained for her by ‘Dona’ Ken Sutherland’s sister whom she knew from School days. She married Ken 28.04.1915 and the couple had five children. Four years older than her husband, she preferred the matter remained secret. It is said when she turned 80 she did not want a party ‘because Ken did not know’!
She lived all her married life at Hinakura, some 18 miles towards the coast from Martinborough, Wairarapa, and ran the extended household required of a large farming station of those days. In later life she tended to overweight and was not overly physically active.
Known by at least one nephew as ‘Aunt Jessie with the pearls’ she was seldom seen without them and in later life, her blue hair rinse. She was dignified, sociable and enjoyed hospitality or a rare day at the horse races. On the other hand she is said to have stated privately after an invitation to a bridge club: “Only my friends call me by my Christian name and I do not make friends easily”.
She died 06.2.1972 82 years 9 months
Helen ‘Jim’ Prenderville
Alexander ‘Alex’
William Killed Passchendaele ni
Donalda ‘Dona’ Cameron
Kenneth ‘Ken’
He was educated firstly in Wellington at Wellington Grammar School owned by the Rev Walton and then at Napier Boy’s High School until at least 1909. He was sent to the latter school because (it was said) he arrived home in bad condition being not fed properly in Wellington, while the family were being billed for food and tuition he had not received. His parents were travelling in England at the time and by the time they returned, his considerably older sister, Bess, had arranged the transfer through Bethune & Hunter. Although there was much consternation, this action was supported when the parents arrived home. Perhaps it is worth noting Alex, Ken’s brother, married a Walton daughter.
He married Jessie Milne 28.04.1915 when a home was built for them on the family farm. This home was later enlarged and sported a concave bay window into the main reception room.
After leaving school, he farmed at Ngaipu Station with his brother Alex firstly for his father, then by lease in partnership. Rental concessions by his father were allowed during the great depression.
After his father’s death, the farm was partitioned in 1936, Ken calling his half, about 3,000 acres, hill & flat, Aotea, where he farmed the rest of his life. Electricity was a late comer. For many years a diesel generator was used until national reticulation reached in the late 1950s. A telephone party line switchboard for the district was manned by Fraser Mcleod a well regarded local woman with a cleft palate, the ring for Aotea was long short long. The farm was repartitioned during his lifetime between his two sons, not without difficulties and he lived in an apartment which had been partitioned off from his house by a survey line through the middle of the building. About ten years after his son Malcolm’s death the homestead and Malcolm’s half were sold, and passed from the family.
He was a great huntsman, and would with his brother Alex, spend about six weeks most years in the Dusky Sound region hunting wapiti, securing a number of notable heads which were displayed for many years at his home, the Wellesley club in Wellington and at Tisdale’s Sports Store, in Willis St. Wellington. He sighted but did not shoot the rare moose of the area and was quite scornful when a cow moose, which passed by his camp undetected except for its tracks to feed on seaweed, was later killed by an unknown hunter. He discovered the skeleton on the following trip. The brothers were well known in hunting circles and were often mentioned in hunting books of the times. In 1947/48 he was invited by the organisers of the New Zealand-American Fordland [Fiordland] Expedition to join the advance party for the 1949 study of the development of the Wapiti herd in their new environment. The Americans incorrectly
did not expect the Wapiti to interbreed with red deer. He had a keen interest in the bush and later after his hunting days were over, became very interested in bird life especially the disappearing Kakapo, coinciding with encroaching stoats. With his son, Malcolm, he discovered the remains of a cannibal feast at Dusky sound. The victims were possibly the Maori mentioned by Captain Cook in his diary of his second visit but missing on the third visit.
Ken had a well-developed sense of humour. A smoker he tended to be somewhat ‘bronchial’. He became very lame in later years, rightly or wrongly attributed to the time he took some American University researchers to Dusky Sound in 1947 and over did the packing in of equipment.
He died 25.11.1974 (81yrs10mo)
Source: Family records & oral tradition, Alan Roydhouse Kevin Whitelaw Photo: passport
Ken commenced writing a book of his south island experiences which was never completed but included this anecdote of an expedition with Bernie and Bill Chaney in Dusky Sound:
The morning following our arrival at Duck Cove was employed putting together the canoe, which turned out to be a tricky job as Bernie had only recently bought it, and he had never himself put it together. There were countless slats of different shapes and lengths each of which after disappearing into an elongated shapeless rubber bag had to be coaxed by word and muscled into slots then levered into the bow shape before engaging slots at the other end – slowly and after much manoeuvring there emerged not a canoe but something a long narrow racing skiff. After attaching as an intelligent precaution our inflated raft to the stern of our craft, each us took one of the three double ended paddles and gently loaded ourselves in line into the rubber covered shell, then paddled off towards the entrance to Duck Cove from where we intended to explore the coast of Resolution Island as far as Facile Harbour.
The day was wonderfully fine, no wind stirred up a riffle in the sea, and a warm tropical air pervaded every corner of Dusky. The sea had an oily sheen which glistened and shimmered in places where sunlight lit upon open water. It was really a wonderful day, such a day seldom comes to Dusky but it was a day which makes up for a month of storm. Tall graceful Rimu stood to attention and scarlet covered Rata.
Away to the south and two miles away, a large fishing craft passed us, she had spent most of the night coming round from Bluff and was now about to pass through the Acheron Passage
Photo captions –
The minds of grim eyed nomads turn from kakapo to Moose and Axis.
Aotea, Hinakura
Going to Wet Jacket 1955
on the way to fiords further north, from where in a few weeks the owners hoped to return with a freezer full of crayfish tails. From early that morning the boat and crew had been out in the open ocean, lifting and emptying crayfish pots, and then rebaiting them again for another harvest. When the boat passed us most of the daily work was finished and she was now wasting no time on her way to Acheron Passage where she would drop anchor in Stick Cove and her crew have a meal and a well-earned sleep.
We watched her pass from sight as she made the turn into Acheron Passage. We continued on leisurely to follow the coast, occasionally easing our exertions to watch seals, some sleeping on sun warmed rocks while others played and looked at us for applause – one fellow only a few yards away took hold of his tail and turned Katherine wheels.
We decided to do some fishing ourselves so pulled up and transferred ourselves to the raft in which we had room to stretch and move about. A launch coming out of Acheron Passage with a bone in its teeth attracted attention as it appeared to be the one that had disappeared into that steep sided sea lane an hour before and what was more the boat was bearing down on us with a good fast clip. On coming to a stop three men who we took to be the captain, Engineer and deck hand, were leaning on the craft’s rail staring at us in astonishment. The Captain broke silence first with ‘well I will be damned’ and then went on to explain that after sighting our strange looking outfit on their way to “The Passage” they had started arguing about what we were likely to be. He added that the further they went the fiercer became the arguments until when nearly through ‘the passage’ it was decided to go back and have a look at the strange objects and settle bets that had lacked individual opinions.
The Captain lost his bet anyway as he had no hesitation in telling us that he thought we were a ruddy battleship with three funnels and did not seem very pleased that we were not. This was the first time anyone of us had been taken for the funnel of a battleship, but reflected light against the right background can sometimes lead to strange illusions.
I am pretty sure the engineer also lost his money and did not like it, he was an obvious Scot. He had very little to say, he nodded his head at our outfit and said “Do you go about this place in that” He did not approve, and after looking at us for a long while he shook his head disapprovingly and spat overboard and went below without saying any more. Bernie Chaney gave it as his opinion that the engineer scrutinised so long & carefully because he wanted to have a good mental picture of us to use against the day when he would be called upon to identify us at the Invercargill morgue.
I have often wondered what the engineer took us for. It was the times when sighting flying saucers was common; – everyone was seeing them so it could be the engineer thought our circular iridescent raft to be one that had settled on the calm waters of Dusky S to oil up and looked over for loose bolts.
The one we took to be the deck hand was in a merry mood and the only one who seemed pleased at the outcome he waved us a cheery goodbye. It was plain he had taken us for neither battleship nor saucer and I fancy had won all the bets.
1 2 3
1 hanging in Aotea for many years 11 points
2 As in Aotea after many years hanging in the Wellesley Club Wellington 13 points
3 In storage after many years in Tisdale’s sports shop in Wellington 14 points ‘was scratching its bottom with its antlers when it was shot’.
27.11.69
Dear Reay
Here we have been dry, very dry – but last Tuesday it began to rain and has as yet not let up – David got his last sheep in the shed before the rain started. Already stock have been selling very well both sheep and cattle. Everyone in the Wairarapa wanted every penny they could get – a lot of farmers up here in a bad way – Any chance of Murrell and yourself pay us a visit. You would both be very welcome here.
David has done very well with his merinos sold his rams at a very good price and has a nice lot of youngsters coming on. He has sent his wool to Hawkes Bay to be scoured, then it goes to London, he has about 1800 ½ B wethers he keeps on his rough country. They have done very well although they had to work hard for a living. Elizabeth & Fiona have sat for exams Elizabeth passed whatever she sat for but Fiona was not so lucky. Megan one of Peg’s daughters was accredited – it seems these days they have to have an exam of some sort behind them or they get nowhere.
My hip is no good, although I can walk without a stick I cannot go very far. I do not remember if I told you I had a bad fall when getting out of the bath – it put me in hospital for some time – The three days heavy rain we have had has made the country look like it should, and the sheep and old cows look much happier. Both David and Malcolm have finished shearing and both have had a fair sort of a clip, I would be happier if Malcolm went into fine wool. Dave had a letter from London saying his type of wool was what they wanted and for that lot they paid 76c which is not bad these days. His ½ breeds weighed about one pound
lighter than his Romneys though. Farmers in central have had a bad time and it would appear they have not had the rain we have had here.
I am looking forward to paying you a visit some time after Xmas, I also want to look over Stewart Island. I would like a summer house there.
A nephew of mine who years ago gave a few pounds for a poor farm, clay (yellow) right up to the top where he carried four or five half-starved sheep, he spent all his spare time planting trees (pine) on it, they did very well and last week he sold it to the government for 73 thousand dollars, which is not taxable- he is a very satisfied person at the moment – he has a printing business which keeps him out of mischief – the trees are about 23 years old – I told David and Malcom to plant some of their scrub country but they say there is much hard work to be done without planting trees. I often wonder how cement post stood up to Southland frosts. Only the reinforcing is hanging on some of my fences. It is all treated wood up here now and contractors go along the line with a blade on their tractor and an arrangement for punching the posts into the ground. Malcolm has just put up about a mile which looks like a good workman like job…
Siblings:
Annie ‘Bess’ (Parton) 1878-1963 4 children
Frederick 1879-1953 8
Nellie (Denton) 1881-1971 2
Emily ‘Jane’ (Innes) 1882-1960 4
Winifred ‘Win’ 1883-1959 ni
Archibald ‘Arch’ 1885-1965 1
Ethel ‘Tom’ 1887-1966 ni
Leonard ‘Len’ 1888-1974 6
Ida (McEldowney) 1890-1930 2
Hubert ‘Jerry’ 1891-1968 1
Gladys ‘Bid’ (Smith) 1893-1978 2
Britannia Marjorie ‘Marge’ (Hodder) 1900-1993 4
Nell sometimes remarked that old people simply did not exist in the Masterton of her childhood. She was well educated for the times at least till the age of 16 when she won a mathematics prize. Her father did not approve of his girls working as they might take a job from a needy family man. After completing school, she remained at home performing home duties, helping with the younger children and a full social life until her marriage. She carved in wood, played the violin, and was a good horsewoman, riding astride rather than side saddle. This caused some remark in her family as it ‘was not done’, however she commented in later life of the effect of side saddle riding on the hip and muscle development in her mother and in other women.
Margaret Scott:
(At Mathon Lodge, Masterton where she was raised) ‘they were always expected to do a lot of household tasks every day. Every member of the family was required to take lessons in playing some sort of musical instrument- and the girls had lessons in cooking, sewing, embroidery, dancing, wood carving etc.’
She married Lawrence Denton 11.01.1911 and had two children. This was a successful marriage, although her husband was rumoured to have said he was a lamb to have married into the Daniell family. After living briefly in Brooklyn, Wellington the couple moved to Hastings in 1912 to set up an accountancy practice amid gloomy predictions from family and locals, because at that time Hastings was very small (less than 5,000 people) and parochial. However after an initial struggle, the move was eventually a success.
The family lived in various addresses in Hastings before moving to Havelock North in 1932. Being her father’s daughter each of the houses in turn was transformed according to her specifications. The early years were, however full of financial worry, she held ‘at homes’ to other women in support of her husband’s business. Unfortunately she was struck early with Rheumatoid arthritis which progressed all her life, only gaining relief in later years with the introduction of cortisone. In later years she became more or less house-bound. She played golf and bowls, being a committee member in both and becoming the patron of the Heretaunga Bowling Club.
A force to be reckoned with, she had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the wider family. She virtually never took alcohol (I saw her once only to have a small shandy on a particularly hot summer’s day) and was a non-smoker. Gambling was not on (in common with her husband). A raffle would not be subscribed to, but if one had been taken for charity’s sake and won, the prize would not have been uplifted. On the other hand, she considered the George Denton family household very starchy, although in fairness her in-laws would have been elderly when she knew them. In later life she
delighted in telling stories of her girlhood in early Masterton with anecdotes about her brother’s pig hunting exploits, and stories about travel in the early days when a wire strainer was essential equipment to help extract a stream bogged car. She was conscious of the degradation of the environment and commented on it at her brother Len’s 80th birthday.
She died 27.04.1971 aged 90 years and 3 months.
Nell & Laurence at ‘Mathon’ pre alterations with Ross & Scotts at Nelson during 50s
Siblings:
Robert 1864-1942 engineer 3 children
Annie 1865-1946 4 (Adkin)
Will 1867-1954 Family business ni
Kate 1868-1933 ni was ‘simple’
Frank 1869-1963 Photographer 5
Mowbray 1870-1958 Sheffield Cutlery in UK 5
Florence 1872-1873 ni
Edith 1874-1957 ni
Percy 1875-1950 Jeweller 4
Herbert (Bert) 1876-1955 Farmer 7 (Two marriages)
Laurence 1884-1960 Chartered Accountant 2
Laurence was educated at Wellington College. A school report of 1896 shows him to be a good scholar. The Ackworth as his middle name commemorated his father’s birthplace, and has been passed down several generations. A family tradition that it was given to him to separate him from a brother who married a Roman Catholic (against family prejudices but very happily) is not supported by birth and marriage dates. He was apprenticed to Levin & Co in 1902 in Wellington but later transferred to Masterton, as junior cashier, where he met the Daniell family, also staunch Methodists. He studied accountancy. In 1908 he quit Levin & Co ostensibly to join his father in business, his marriage certificate lists him as an ironmonger. He was very much the youngest of his family, most of his older brothers being as uncles to him. There was, after he married, a bias to the Daniell side, although he was heard to venture he was a lamb to have married into that family.
In 1905, despite never having played before, he found himself in the Wairarapa representative hockey team which beat the wellington team that year He also played rugby (Prop, Cauliflower ear) and told a story of when concussed he scored a magnificent try at the wrong end. He would travel from time to time by bicycle over the Rimutaka Hills. The practice of the time was to tie a Manuka bush to the bike as a brake when descending. This scoured out the roads and caused the roads boards of the time some grief.
He married Nellie Maude Daniell 11.01.1911 and the couple had two children, although originally the marriage was not consented to by her father till he passed his exams, which took some time. The couple lived briefly in Brooklyn, Wellington, but in 1912 he moved to Hastings to set up an accountancy practice, despite being warned by one of the locals it would take ten years to be accepted. He had previously considered both Wairoa and Hawera, but settled on Hastings because of the climate. Although an early struggle, the move was eventually successful and he worked till his health failed him in 1959. For a good part of this period he worked in an office above the Herald Tribune newspaper building in Queen St, Hastings, until it was destroyed by earthquake in 1931.
The Herald tribune building post-quake, LAD’s office second story to the right of the hole and in 2015 The family legend has it Laurence when running downstairs, threw his arms either side of the exit, blocking those behind him, thus saving their lives as the masonry collapsed.
In 1936 he was joined by his son in the practice and this was permanent except for the war years. The family lived in Charles, Nelson and Henry Streets Hastings until they moved to Selwyn Road (now 38 Chambers St.), Havelock North, and a three quarter acre section which at this writing has accommodated three generations.
The couple finally moved in about 1954 to McLean St (now Scannel street) to make way for his son and family in Chambers St. For a time he owned houses for rent. He saw no war service in WW1, although he received his call up papers in August 1918. By September that year correspondence from his father in law refers to the relief felt when he was found medically unfit, although the reality was he could not have been trained and embarked in the time remaining in the war. An unsupported family tradition has it he had contracted typhoid in Hastings and there was a danger of him carrying it into the trenches. Hastings having originally been built on a swamp this is possible. It is understood he did, however, receive white feathers for not going. He was a member of the home guard in WWII.
Laurence smoked a pipe and was of a very solid and ethical nature, but could be a little pompous at times of which his brothers in law would take good humoured advantage. He had a small moustache which disguised a scar from a horse’s kick to his top lip. He was a keen tennis and golf player, and later bowls, always maintaining the current sport was the best… He was President of the Hastings Bowls club. He was president of the Hastings Methodist Sunday school and a member of The Hastings Red Cross and Hawkes Bay Crippled Children’s society. He was for a time a Hawkes Bay Representative on the New Zealand Society of Accountants. He was also keen on his garden.
He died 07.06.1960 about 15 months after a heart attack and subsequent congestive heart failure.
Photo captions –
Early years ‘Mathon’
38 Chambers St Havelock North
call up telegram
Excerpts from a history of the Accountancy firm Denton Anderson McKay & Donovan, now Markhams written in 1985 by Owen Denton:
Mr L A Denton having qualified by examination in 1911 came to Hastings in 1912 from positions with Levin & Company General merchants both in Masterton and Wellington, to set up the practice of his profession. This step required some courage as he had no Hawkes Bay connections, had a young family and he was told by E.H. Williams , then partner in the present firm of Holderness Denney & Collins that “it will take ten years for them to accept you Denton”. Hastings was a small town and his fellow practitioners were, from memory, McCulloch Butler and Spence, R D Brown and John Fraser. He had the usual struggles to become established, particularly because of the small community to be serviced but descendants of some of his earliest clients still remain with the office…. lists a number … For some years he was the H.B. representative on the Council of the New Zealand Society of accountants. Mr Denton died in 1960. During most of this period he occupied offices on the first floor of the Herald Tribune Building, the ground floor of which is still in use. The building on the corner of Queen St & Karamu Rd was badly damaged in the H.B. Earthquake in 1931, so that his offices were removed and pending availability of other office space he continued practice from his home and for a short period, from the Public Trust Office. He then moved to Queen St opposite the present Post Office (Now medical centre) (rent £2-5-0 per week) owned by J J Faulkner dentist. Subsequently in 1960 a building was bought opposite the county Club in Queens Street and was remodelled as offices. These were occupied till 1969 when, because of need for more space a move was made to the present premises in King Street. Moved twice since.
As an aside it was during the occupancy of J.J. Faulknor’s building that senior clerk Una McKay (Now Mrs Basil Cato), greatly daring, asked if the staff of four could have morning tea as a means of keeping out the cold. This was agreed to but no afternoon tea and any food provided by its consumer. The office was heated by most inefficient heaters and on cold mornings Mr Denton often sat at his desk complete with hat on head, great coat, mittens and rug around his legs. In 1936 Mr Denton was joined in partnership by his son Mr O A Denton who had then qualified and had been employed in Wellington by the large accountancy firm of Watkins Hull Wheeler and Johnston and had obtained his qualifications though evening study with Banks Commercial College. The Name of the firm than became L A Denton & Denton.
During the war Mr O A Denton was for three and a half years from 1941, in the army, and Mr L A Denton carried on as best he could.
In 1954 Mr Brian MacKay joined the firm as a clerk …. The text continues with Mr Mackay qualifying and becoming a partner and the increasing number of partners including Olympian Paddy Donovan, The amalgamation with E D Anderson & Son, Basil Brooker, Tui Morrison and R Kale and latterly E Williams…
In 1977 Mr O A Denton retired having reached the age of 65 which was the agreed age for retirement between partners.
Further notes: Perhaps some note should be made of the firms experience with book keeping machines, and computers. A book keeping machine (Burroughs) was first installed in 1959 and that and subsequent machines were a great help in that use could be made of comparatively untrained staff. Subsequent decisions top move on to computers in the fond hope of being amongst the first in the field were not entirely realised although the eventual solving of the more pressing intricacies certainly enabled a greater volume of work to be handled. The first computer was purchased in 1975 but it was not until 1976 that a sufficiently workable programme was evolved to say that it was carrying its weight. It is also important that at least one partner knows more about the machine than any staff member.
OAD then refers affectionately to his association with the Northern Building Society, and how much it was worth to him Subsequently Northern opened its own offices in Hastings, was subsumed into the National Bank over a couple of steps and disappeared. And further to Mr Hugh Baird well known in Hastings, and Mr John Drury who he concluded would have been a great asset to the firm, but would have been impossible to live with.
Source Obituary, OAD, Oral tradition and personal knowledge
Photo: OAD
From Diary of Les Adkin, quite famous in own right, a nephew but only 3 years younger. He had just completed his second ‘first crossing’, of the Tararuas
Wed Jan 11 1911
Went for a stroll before breakfast to get a view of the Tararuas. A very clear morning and the Holdsworth Mitre range showed up well. This is a fine looking range – the highest ridge of the Tararuas. Finding myself at 7.45 near Laurie’s lodgings, I called in and found him in bed taking things very coolly. After breakfast, Uncles Bert, & Frank & Laurie and I went to choose my ‘fittings’ for the ceremony – a heliotrope tie, a doggie collar and pale mauve gloves. To fill in time, Uncle Bert & I visited the trout hatcheries, and fish ponds. Changed into best clothes for the ceremony & walked round to Laurie’s lodgings. After much telephoning etc. Laurie, George Keal, the best man and I drove round to Mr Daniel’s residence & went straight into the dinning-room where the ceremony is to take place. Len Daniell is the other groomsman. There were about 80 people present. At 1.30 the bride Miss Nellie Daniell & the five bridesmaids (Misses Winnie, Ethel, Ida, Gladys & Marjorie D.) entered & the Rev Bussle commenced the service. After hymns, responses on part of bridegroom, the knot was tied, the bride kissed & the register signed. On leaving the room, I created some consternation & excitement by attempting to kiss my particular bridesmaid – Ida Daniell. The party & the wedding group were then photographed on the lawn by Uncle Frank. The wedding breakfast was held in the large marquee on the lawn. Toasts, humorous and appreciative speeches, the consumption of trifle & other delicacies, etc. Soon after, the motorcar which is to convey the happy couple arrived and off they went mid showers of rice & confetti and trailing six old boots (four of which dragged right to Carterton).
Unknown [to] them they were quickly followed by two other cars – Mr Pragnell’s, with Ida D Miss Elliott and myself & a taxi with lots of others. Away we went like a lot of speed maniacs – startling the natives. After a grand run of five miles & getting occasional glimpse of the bridal car, one of our back tires punctured. Mr. Pragnell and I stripped & put in a new tube & patched tire.
Meanwhile the other two cars returned and took our two ladies home. We followed later. In the evening Mrs Daniell gave a party & a large number of guests arrived Dancing and games ensued. My partners were Miss Elliott, Clare, Ida, Mrs Archie Daniell & Gladys. I got on splendidly with the Daniell girls especially Gladys & Ida this highly exciting state of affairs continued till 12.30, when I said goodbye – returned to the Prince of Wales Hotel.
Photo captions –
Laurence & Leslie Adkin at Fernhill Wellington
Nellie & Laurie used a rail pass for their honeymoon,: one month Tourist excursion £6-0-0.
4.1
Mary Bailey (Kitto)
C1846 – 26.03.1897
Mary Bailey – Jessie Fullerton – Paton North – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Apparently born in Falmouth, Cornwall England, little is known of Mary Kitto except her photograph was identified by her stepdaughter, Dot Hammond. She bore ten children two of whom died young. She was not old herself when she died of a cerebral tumour aged 51.
Source: Photo: Bob Fullerton inf Graeme Steer, obit
4.2
Joseph James Bailey
C1847 – 18.08.1912
With Hettie (L) and Jessie
Joseph – Jessie – Paton Northe – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
He had ten children to his first wife, and four to the second
The Baileys were Presbyterians resident in Ireland, and considering the troubles of the times they removed to Cornwall and thence to New Zealand. Joseph was among these emigrants in 1873. After his first wife died in 1897, he revisited England and returned with a second considerably younger than himself. He predeceased her by many years. Our branch of the family is descended from the first wife, Mary. There is said to be a family link back to the Harding family of Mount Vernon, Waipukarau (also
related through the Dentons), although this connection is not clear. He opened and operated a butchery for 30 years in Waipukarau and Waipawa, supplying stock from his own farm, and sold stock to Napier, but later disposed of the business and took up dairy farming, three years prior to his death
The family farmed some 400 acres at Pa Flat, Waipukarau and were also interested in race horses. A furlong and a half was measured around the farm.
One anecdote has it that he was fined for running his horses across the Bridge over the Tuki Tuki river at Waipawa. This caused damage to the bridge for which he was fined. To avoid this he decided to ford the river instead. He was seen to enter but not leave the water, which caused a search and rescue exercise, for which he was also fined. Another was if he wanted a horse marginally close in size to a pony, rated as a pony he would put a spike in the measuring rod. This would cause the horse to flinch, and lower its shoulder which allowed the ‘pony’ to fit the specifications.
He was a Town Board member, a steward of the Waipukarau Jockey club and a keen supporter and patron of other sports. He was a member of the Loyal Tavistock Lodge of Oddfellows.
He died of cancer 18.08.1912 and the farm was sold as his widow could not manage it. Age at death was said to be 65.
Antecedents: Not Known
Source, Dot Hammond, Bob Fullerton, Graeme Steer, Obit.
Photo: Bob Fullerton Jessie is one of the girls
Jean was born in Arbroath (UK) and came to New Zealand in the early 1860s.
She had six children, the first a daughter Joanna, was born on Taieri Island south of Dunedin and was the first white child born in the district. The name Paton that has since come down through five generations is of course her maiden name. The family legend, which had it being the name of a great friend and mutual bridesmaid, is of course incorrect.
Jean & Archibald Fullerton
Sources: Obituary, Family tradition
Photo: From News clipping Bob Fullerton
Chris Fullerton
The surname Fullerton was often rendered Fullarton.
Archibald was born at Greenock Scotland (near Glasgow), he married Jean Paton and the couple had six children.
He entered the navy aged 12 in 1843, and 1848 joined the ‘Acheron’ , a survey ship in New Zealand waters until 1851. His observation of two men who were flogged for desertion after being identified by their tattoos made him resolve to never be tattooed. When the Acheron was sold in Sydney he embarked in the Havanah, a 22 gun frigate on the 14th August, 1851 till 10th December that year, when he was discharged in Plymouth. On 11th December he enlisted on the ‘Rodney’ a ship of 90 guns which took a prominent part in the bombardment at Sebastopol in the Crimean war. Here he secured his Russian flintlock gun now held by Anne Denton at the siege. He was very proud of it. He gained the Crimean Medal and Sebastopol clasp. On the resumption of peace he served in the gunboat ‘Fervent’ and transferred to the ‘Nile’ in which he went to the West Indies when trouble was expected with America over a fishing dispute. He served in the ‘Avent’ in 1856 and his final ship was the ‘Scorpion’ in 1857, in which year he finally left the Royal Navy. His discharge papers show he was of good character, it is understood he married in England.
He proceeded in the ‘Ring Dove’ to the Victoria Australia gold diggings, at Donnnolly and Mount Moliagul here he made a good living but never struck it rich. He went to New Zealand in the ‘Sevilla’ in 1862 on the outbreak of the Waitahuna rush, also a good but not rich living. After he made contact with the harbourmaster of Port Chalmers in 1862 he became coxswain of his boat. In 1863 – 1864 he transferred to Taiere Island Station where his first child was born and he spent most of the rest of his life in various capacities including pilot at port Chalmers.
His home known as HMS Rodney or Rodney Cottage was built in Wycliffe Terrace, Mussel Bay, Port Chalmers in the days when the surrounding land was almost impenetrable bush. He was well read and known for his phenomenally long memory. He was well respected in his community and in later years was the subject of a number of news-paper articles on his early life. In 1901 he received, as a veteran, in his home Lord Ranfurly the Governor General.
He died 10.03.1910 and was accorded a full military funeral.
Sources: Family Tradition, Hoken [Hocken] Library, Discharge Papers, Newspaper articles
Photo: Amy Fullerton
4.5
Mina Andersen (Christopherson)
1849 – 1919
Mina – Constance – Frederick Northe – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Mina was born in Christiana (now Oslow [Oslo]) in 1849, one of three sons and two daughters, and married Martin Andersen on 03.08.1873. The couple had twelve children, but it appears the first two died before their parents.
They emigrated nine days after marriage and arrived in Napier, New Zealand on board the ‘Hovding’ in December 1873 (second voyage). The journey was hard: The Hovdig [Hovding] ran short of supplies altogether, 11 children died and the Danes on board made a formal complaint when they reached Napier. The commissioners found no great evidence of a problem decided to have local immigration officials charge the Captain anyway – then had to drop it when they discovered that Captains could not be charged under the law’.
Life in the early days was hard, the couple being forced to move off their first farm and subsequent life was always a struggle. Never comfortable with the English language, she is described as a hard woman but a hard worker and warm hearted.
She died of ‘senility’ aged 70 years 15.06.1919.
Source: Trevor Andersen, Death certificate
Photo: Trevor Andersen, confirmed Freda Maultsaid *Matthew Wright Illustrated history of New Zealand 2004
4.6
Martin Andersen
1849 – 1918
Martin – Constance Northe – Frederick – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Was born in 1849 in Christiana, Norway. It is not known if he had siblings.
He was married in Christiana (now Oslo), Norway 3rd August 1873, aged according to his death certificate 26, to Mina Christopherson and the couple had probably twelve children.
An entry for a promisary [promissory] note in a list of immigrants on the ‘Hovding’ shows the date of 2nd August 1873
The notes were used to cover emigration costs, intra New Zealand costs and other costs. The couple embarked on 12th August 1873 and landed in Napier in December 1873, living at Petane for the first few years. Albert, at least, was born there in 1879. The journey was hard: The Hovdig ran short of supplies altogether, 11 children died and the Danes on board made a formal complaint when they reached Napier. The commissioners found no great evidence of a problem decided to have local immigration officials charge the Captain anyway – then had to drop it when they discovered that Captains could not be charged under the law’ *
Norwegian settlers were being sought by Dr Featherstone for the Vogel Government of the time to break in the 70mile bush (Southern Hawkes Bay). Life in the bush was hard going and bred hard sons with (for some) tough attitudes. He would have probably earned the early part of his living constructing roads for the government. On several certificates he is variously described as a labourer or farmer. The couple lived and farmed in the Wakarara district near Ashley Clinton but lost their holding and home in a bush fire. The following year there was a severe drought, the couple walked off their land and lived in the Pukahu district near Havelock North for the rest of their lives. For some years he worked for William McKenzie and it was said there was some double dealing over land to his disadvantage, however he did have a small holding between Te Aute and Middle Roads.
He was said to have been a lovely man and very kind. He was an adherent of the Presbyterian Church.
He died 16.01.1918 of actinomycosis of the lungs aged aprox69 at Raffles St Napier.
Sources: Trevor Andersen (Porirua), Ilma Lilioja, New Zealand Heritage p 1130, Iris Unvericht [Unverricht], Freda Maultsaid. Various certificates sighted * Matthew Wright Illustrated history of New Zealand 2004
4.7
Mary Anne Alice Earl (Polly) Northe (Summers)
1859 – 1941
Mary Anne – Alfred – Frederick – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Was born 28.11.1859 probably 25 Main St. Onepoto Gully in Napier and baptised Anglican 18.04.1860, one of two girls
She became known as Polly after the nursery rhyme from her habit of ‘putting the kettle on’.
As a child in October 1866 she was taken to the Napier Barracks by her stepfather, Thomas Campbell when smoke was seen at Petane (North of Napier) as this was taken to be the result of marauding Hauhau rebels. With her husband she experienced the disastrous Clive floods of the early 1880s where he had taken up farming.
Married 09.11.1876
In the last years of her married life she was estranged from her husband over a hurt, and did not speak to him for the final two years of his life including the period he lay dying. It seems that at her fiftieth birthday party, he publically announced he intended on leaving her a pauper. He informed her he had provided the minimum allowed in his will – £150 per year. She never forgave him. The family contested this will and she was left reasonably comfortable.
She was remembered with great affection by her grandson, Snow, who described her as a great old lady.
She died 31.12.1941 aged 82 years 1 month.
Mary Anne with sons Harry and Alfred, and Harry’s son Alfred
Photo: Snow Northe Source Val Swailes, Peter Wells’ book ‘dear Oliver
4.8
Robert Northe
1850 – 1911
Robert – Alfred – Frederick – Anne – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Was born in the Bay of Islands 10.02.1850 at the Bay of Islands New Zealand, the sixth of ten children, five each boys and girls.
Born Bathurst Australia:
Maria (Taylor) 1839 – 1876 8 children died in child birth
John James 1841 – 1904 12 children took poison fatally
William Henry 1843 – 1922 3 Children, fought Te Kooti at Mohaka & Omaranui [Omarunui] – Napier Rifle Volunteers
Eleanor Sarah (Evinson) 1845 – ? 6 children
Elizabeth Sarah (Johnson) 1847 – ? 8 Children
Born Bay of Islands
Robert 1850 – 1911 9 Children patrolled against the Hau Haus NRV
Ann (Somerville) 1851 – 1907 6 children
Hugh Frederick 1854 – 1931 2 children
Josia 1857 – 1875 died of diphtheria
Born Napier
Emily Sarah 1864 – 23/10/1875 died of diphtheria
He married Mary Anne Summers 9.11.1876 and had nine children.
He at first lived at Waihapu and Russel before moving to Napier with his parents. He saw Napier start from the sea front, and wool boats lying in front of the Ferry Hotel. Although his early vocation was as a printer, a builder, property owner, quarryman, and wood, coal timber and seed merchant, learning his trade with Robt. Holt with whom he later fell out. He took up carpentry then engaged in contracting etc., opening the firm Robert Northe and Sons Ltd. in 1894 This business was at corner of Raffles St and Marine Parade where the sea sometimes washed away the coal (Note: pre-quake) It was on the corner of Raffles St & Dalton St from 1913 and this building was eventually demolished in 1988. The business sold Grain, swedes and potatoes from the South Island, coal, firewood cement, shingle, sand, bricks, and drain pipes and as builders a large supply of timber. Every six months the store arranged a rat hunt and children (including Snow (2.2)) got a threepenny bounty for each caught. The corpses were taken across the road to the Borough Council Boiler Room. He saw good in lime and leased the top of the hill (Simla Cres. Napier). He also farmed at Whetakura [Whetukura], Ormondville and Onepoto Gulley in Napier. He bought land, built houses which he rented out and by the age of 30 had sufficient rentals to be able to retire for a year when Alfred was born. He was known to have fed beer from a baby’s bottle to the baby and most of his children were educated to primary level only. He was a noted oarsman and a prominent member of the Harbour Board League. He saw Napier start from the seafront with wool ships lying in front of the Ferry Hotel. On occasion he would remove to Australia without his family (his mother had people there.) He had some reputation for meanness, on one occasion returning a trunk to England because it would have cost a sovereign to uplift (in fairness, a guinea in those days was not a small amount – probably in excess of $100 today, and without knowledge of the contents). It appears he and his wife did not get on in later years, but he left her £150 a year in his will. The terms of his will prescribed that each of his sons working in the business were to receive the same remuneration, which ultimately caused stresses since the different brothers were trained in different trades and filled different positions.
He owned quarries at Burns road and in Faraday St where he made bricks. Whilst at the Faraday St Quarry and mining clay, a stick of gelignite misfired. Impatient by nature, he went forward to correct the situation and was caught when the charge exploded. He sustained severe burns to his chest .This was extraordinarily painful, he appeared to rally but after several days he died and smoking around an open keg of gunpowder, there was an explosion. He sustained severe burns to his chest and died 23.3.1911 (61yrs 1 month).
4.9
Elizabeth Milne (Loudon)
Sometimes written as Louden or even London
1850 – 1932
Elizabeth Milne – Jessie Sutherland – Margaret Denton – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Elizabeth was one of six children
Margaret (Lewers) 1845 – 1883 Fielding Born in Ireland Died after childbirth
Frank ? -1916 Married Annie Mehetabel Whittaker in NZ 1877 died Wellington
William c1846 – 1916 Married 1879 Bay St Glebe, Sydney 1875 died in Rotorua
Elizabeth 1850 – 1932 Married 1881 five children
Robert 1852 – 1902 Married 1876 Balmain, Sydney in NZ 1862 Aus 1884
Richard 1853/4-1924 Married in NZ 1893 in Aus 1914 Bank Manager in NZ
She was born 01.05.1850 in Londonderry Nth Ireland. She had at least four brothers and arrived in New Zealand in 1865. Her brothers were Orangemen and were said to be involved in the troubles of the time. Although one brother Frank died in Wellington, New Zealand, all her brothers settled in New South Wales.
She married John Milne 28.09.1881 at the residence of her brother in law D R Lewers at Bulls in the Rangitiei where they lived and had five children.
Unsuited to the isolation of colonial farm life, her health broke down. Her husband sold his farm and the family moved to Island Bay, Wellington. This later lead to the loss of the family finances with the ill-advised purchase of a farm on the Taihape Road (or the Napier Taupo Road)
She died 15.07.1932 82years 2months
Antecedents:
Source Family bible Family tradition
Photo: Taaffe
John was one of seven children:
John 1835 – 1919 five children
Margaret 1839 – 1841 died on voyage
Annie 1844 – 1911 (Dick Ni)
Charlotte (McBean)
Alexander 1842 -1917 ni
Jane 1847 – 1937 Macbeth three children
William 1852 – ? Twice married One known child
John was born 15.11.1835, and emigrated with his parents in 1841 on the ‘Lady Nugent’ arriving 17th March.
He married Elizabeth Louden 29.09.1881 and the couple had five children
Family tradition has it that he had a good farm on the Ragitikei [Rangitikei] plains which was sold because of his wife’s poor health. Apparently she could not stand the isolation of colonial farm life. The family moved to Island Bay, Wellington. Later with a view to settling his sons with farms, he bought a large farm on the Napier – Taupo road near Tarawera there were hot springs close by and was very hilly (or the Taihape Road according to another story).This turned into a financial disaster as the stocking capacity was grossly overestimated. Apparently it was viewed during the spring flush and no allowance was made for seasonal drought. Possibly bush sickness (cobalt deficiency) was a factor. Hard times followed
He died in 1919 aprox. 84 years
Source Family bible and tradition
Photo: Taaffe
4.11
Ellen Sutherland (Ross)
1852- 1936
Ellen (Or Helen) – Kenneth – Margaret ‘Peggy’ Denton – Ross Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
The photo above, widely held in the family, is said to have been taken the day of her father’s funeral in 1874. She was known as Ellen on her marriage certificate and early correspondence, Helen in later legal correspondence and her grave
Siblings (not in order of birth):
A daughter who did not emigrate
Ellen,
Jessie,
Elizabeth burned to death aged 16 from a spilled lamp
Esther
Alex
Donald
John
William
Ellen was born in 1852 at Cromarty, Ross Shire, Scotland, the eldest of nine children and lived in various districts in Scotland including Wick and Thurso and emigrated with her parents and most of her siblings from the Shetland Islands in 1873 in the ‘Douglas’. Whilst living in the Orkney Islands she was employed hoeing turnips at 3pence a week.
She married David Sutherland, her second cousin in 1877.
This marriage was said to have been arranged. Apparently the original arrangement was for David to marry her (possibly) older sister who died on or shortly after her arrival in New Zealand, however this is not supported by Alex Sutherland’s ‘Sutherlands of Ngaipu’. They had seven children. Ellen started her married life at ‘Backhouse’ at Newtown Park, then part of their Wellington farm with her husband and father in law, but moved to Pahaoa Station with David on the sale of the Lyall Bay property after Sandy’s death.
She was never a strong person, but vital. There were no roads linking the district so most of her early married years were spent at home. She would ride long distances on horseback, often with a child on the saddle, to visit neighbours or Martinborough some 20miles (33k) away.
She died of myocardial degeneration/arteriosclerosis after a brief illness in Kelburn, Wellington 9.12.1936. (About 84years)
Antecedents: 5.22 & 5.21
David & Ellen
4.12
David Malcolm Sutherland
1854 – 1933
David – Kenneth – Margaret Denton – Ross Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
David was one of nine children; he was the second son and youngest child of Alexander and Elizabeth Sutherland.
Siblings:
Christine (Cockburn) 1834 – 1910 12 children aged 76
Kathrean (Mcleod) 1840 – 1914 9 74
William 1842 – 1883 1 41 rheumatic fever
Jean ‘Jane’ (Brady) 1843 – 1868 1 25
Elizabeth (Ferguson) 1845 – 1924 3 79
Margaret (Small) 1847 – 1921 6 74
Anne (Galpin) 1851 – 1921 7 70
Mary 1852 – 1860 8 burned scrub fire Lyall Bay
David 1854 – 1933 7 79
David married his second cousin, Ellen Ross in 1877. The couple had seven children. A family tradition has it that he was firstly being engaged to her sister, who died before the marriage whilst emigrating from Scotland. This engagement was said to be an arranged one designed to keep the blood line. None of this is supported in Alex Sutherland’s Book ‘Sutherlands of Ngaipu’
He at first managed his father’s Lyall Bay property, but later farmed at Pahaoa Station in conjunction with his brother Will. Will organised local race horse meetings at Pahaoa and as a younger man could be a little wild. A vigorous, man he died of rheumatic fever aged 40. His share of the station, left to his widow, became Moeraki station which has never since been subdivided. David had first choice, and his share, Ngaipu, was chosen since it had more flats. There has been a suggestion that David could be somewhat a lady’s man, but the Sabbath was well respected, with drawn blinds and only approved activities conducted.
Their father having died in 1877, the Lyall Bay property(440 acres freehold plus further leasehold lands) was sold, in November 1878, except for a couple of acres at Newtown park (now the suburb of Melrose) because of the encroaching city, dog problems and the need to settle the sisters (interest was payable on their share). He moved to Pahaoa in 1879 continuing the work of breaking in the land (last Huia seen 1912) and coping with wild pigs, dog problems and worse, rabbits (poisoning, stoats and weasels) and scab in the sheep. His share, of the farm subdivided after his brother’s death about 6,000 acres was called Ngaipu after a local Maori reserve. Wool was sent by bullock cart down the Pahaoa river to a coaster, a slow and risky business, for delivery to the England.
When Mt Tarawera erupted in 1886, he was out mustering and saw reflections of the eruption in the sky, although it was about 300k away. He donated land for the church, and the local school, and by 1900 had freeholded his farm. A 1915 will leaves £4000 pounds to each of his four daughters along with the right along with his wife of residence in their 16 Central Terrace, Kelburn home till marriage. In 2015 terms this is worth between $500K each and possibly several times that depending on calculation. The boys, (three at the time – son Will was killed in the war) were left the farm as tenants in common. In later years he obtained an income from mortgages. With others in the district he guaranteed the establishment of a party line telephone system. Roading and bridging was established. Electricity reticulation did not occur in the district till the late 1950s well after his time. He became a JP in 1912. About this time the first signs of soil depletion were noted including the sudden reduction of lambing percentages over a very few years. In his later years, he took many annual trips to the UK, including Badbea, Scotland where he had a monument erected to John (Badbea), and his own father made from the stones of John Badbea’s house. He also visited the grave of his son, Will, killed at Paschendale in WW1. The monument at Badbea proved to be something of a disappointment as owing to appendicitis he was unable to supervise its construction so he delegated the project to a cousin. Many of the names on the monument were inappropriate and it was in later years scornfully referred to as the monument to the Gunns. He eventually retired to Kelburn, Wellington but would spend summers at Ngaipu.
He died 27.04.1933 of ‘heart trouble’ age 79 years
Antecedents: 5.23 & 5.24
The suburb of Melrose on the old family farm 1879 the eventual development became somewhat different. The sports grounds above Russell St became Newtown Park and the zoo. Bill Bird who worked for the family for some 80 years was reputed to have ploughed land in what is now Wellington College – he certainly cultivated Newtown Park
Photo: Malc Sutherland
Sources: Sutherlands of Ngaipu by Alex Sutherland. Alan Roydhouse.
David Sutherland
4.13
Emily Daniell (Chilton)
1853-1914
Emily – Nell Denton – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Born 11.05.1853 at Llangynog, Wales, and brought up largely by her grandparents in Nantyglo, Wales. H. H. ‘Jerry’ Daniel in his ‘Daniell of Masterton’ clouded the circumstances of her birth, when he stated that her father and an uncle were lost in Russia. It seems Emily was born out of wedlock when her mother, Martha Chilton, was only 15or 16. The Russia story seemingly was concocted to protect family feelings. Her father is not known, there were two stepfathers. The 1861 census has her born in Buckinghamshire.
She had seven half-siblings:
Jane Rees b 24.07.1856
Meredith Rees b 1861
Alfred Rees b 12.05.1863
Mary Rees b 15.08.1864
Annie Rees b 12.03.1867
Maud Roberts b 1873
Edward J Roberts b 1876
She married Charles Daniell May 1877 in Tredegar and they had 12 children.
Her grandfather (Solomon Chilton) died in 1868 leaving her £250 on attaining 21 or marriage.
She met her husband through the Wesleyan Chapel where she played the organ (he joined but could not sing a note). She has been described as the ideal helpmate, a stout hearted pioneer and in later years the gracious head of her home (Mathon Lodge) which became a rallying place for family and friends. She was a firm, particular and kindly guide to her large family (who fortunately did not all live at home at once). Family tradition has it that she was from a higher station in life than her husband and the union was much against her family’s will. Her daughter Nell was most definite on this point. It is said Emily, against her mother’s wishes, approached her natural father for backing for her husband’s business. This approach lead to banishment from her father’s family in exchange for money, and estrangement from Martha, her mother for having made the approach at all. This unpleasantness and along with hard times, ultimately lead to the couple’s emigration with her eldest two children. New Zealand was chosen because Vogel was ‘Selling New Zealand’ at the time and there was a contact through the Methodist Church. The journey was aboard the ‘Scottish Prince’ in very primitive and difficult conditions. Her daughter, Bess, was said to have forgotten how to walk by the time they had landed in New Zealand on 05.01.1880. This boat, not much bigger than a fishing boat, was later lost off Northern Australia. CED when walking along the docks in Wellington with Nell remarked on looking down at some not very big boats that the ship they came from in the UK was smaller than those and that the sea journey was the most difficult part of the whole emigration business. Nellie told of how she found her mother in tears at the kitchen table one day. The news had just come through of her mother’s (Nell’s Grandmother’s) death. Communications were so slow in those days that word had not come through for several months.
The early years were difficult in the community at large. There is still in existence a light chair, which she used to take with her when visiting, as there often was no chair available when visiting other households.
She died 11.07.1914 of breast cancer aged 61years 2months. 1000 men were reported to have followed her cortege on foot, which would have been a very large percentage of the town’s then population.
Emily & Gladys (Bid) abt 1893
Sources: “Daniell of Masterton” H H Daniell (Jerry); The Daniell Centennial book, NMD and family tradition, David Daniel’s genealogical research, Claire Reid ([ancestry].com) Photo: Margaret Scott
Charles – Nell Denton – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Charles was born at Stoktons, Parish of Mathon, Worcester, 29.02.1856.
It is surprising how little even his children seem to have known about his immediate background, although it does not appear that there was any secret about it. At least one of the brothers ‘drank’.
Siblings:
Emma Triphena 1844 – ?
Margaret Ann 1845 – ?
William Henry 1848 – ?
Tom Purnell 1852 – ?
Ann Marian 1854 – ?
Charles Edward 29.02.1856 – 12.07.1939
George Frederick 1859 – 8.05.1893 typhus fever buried in Warrnambool known as Fred
Britannia Bethel 1862 – ? Sydney Australia said to be buried at Malvern *
Henry Alfred 1864 – ?
Archibald Webb 1867 -?
*Compare entry for 4.14 with 5.27 ‘Aunt Britty’ certainly existed in Sydney and was mentioned by Nell Denton. Whether she was CED’s sister or Aunt is unclear
He married Emily Chilton on 13 June 1877
At about ten years of age he was apprenticed to a grocer as a delivery boy for about three years, and he lived with his Aunt Fanny of Nantyglo from age 12. He broke his arm due to a runaway horse, and was sent to recuperate with an uncle at Nantyglo, Wales. The uncle was a factor (estate manager) for a large firm which had cottages and leased buildings. Charles was set to work with stone masons to learn the trade and from this he learned to carry the details of a building’s construction in his head. Although this was before the time of compulsory education, he could read and write. Stimulated by his mother, his education was continued at night school. He acted for his illiterate workmates in letter reading and writing, which lead him to a permanent interest in education. As a by-product of his move to Wales, he joined the Methodist church, from the Church of England. In 1876, aged 20 years and with urging from his uncle, he tendered for and won a contract to build some cottages, employing 20 men. Although it seems he was not averse to drink in his early years, he developed an interest in
Photo captions –
Wellington Harbour Board
Birthplace of CED – Floss Daniell & Joan Robinson April 1936
the Rechabite Lodge and became a staunch prohibitionist. This appears to have cut him off from the rest of his family since his father had drunk away his inheritance. In the 1870s a severe slump in the economy in the UK along with family difficulties (he was said to have married above himself) induced he and his wife and two children to emigrate. The journey was a miserable experience and was taken in the ‘Scottish Prince’ as steerage passengers (later lost off Australia), to New Zealand also then in a slump. One fellow passenger was said to be Van Asch who emigrated to New Zealand to found a school for the deaf, and whose family has been associated with ours ever since but this is not supported by the Sottish Prince manifest. A rinderpest epidemic which wiped out nearly all the horses of an Uncle’s previously successful pantechnicon business may also have been a factor in this decision (Nell Denton), although it has also been said that this occurred many years earlier. Rinderpest is a disease of cattle rather than horses.
The family arrived in Wellington 05.01.1880 and under advice, he travelled on 7th January 1881 to Masterton to seek work. The family followed two days later. After a few jobs, paid and unpaid, he worked on the Waingawa Bridge at Masterton, but he had to walk 15K to Carterton for his pay, in his own time. At one stage his wages were docked 10% because of the hard times. He gradually established a building business, frequently taking on work others refused out of town requiring only that the work showed a profit. He bought a defunct joinery business which became the basis of his very successful timber milling, hardware and joinery enterprise. Money was short in the early years because of the need for reinvestment. In 1897 his home, by then quite substantial, was moved from its original site next to the timber yard to the corner of Albert and Trustee Streets, leaving noise and fire risks behind. Besides, he needed the space for his expanding business, and he felt the sanitary arrangements in Chapel St were unsatisfactory. The move was achieved while all contents were in place, and the family continued living in the house.
Fire struck on a number of occasions each time causing considerable damage. In 1902, on Christmas morning, the factory was totally destroyed. The staff held a meeting and agreed to forgo the seasonal break and without working on the Sunday, had the factory rebuilt by New Year’s Eve.
Daniell was known as an enlightened employer but was known to have said if he could spare a man for a holiday, he could spare him altogether. On the other hand during slump periods he built at least two buildings to keep his men in work. He did not approve of, and would not allow his daughters to take part in paid work since this could deprive a family man of a job. He was horrified with and disgusted by the wealth displayed in the Vatican when he visited on his 1907 trip to Europe. Such wealth, he felt should have been used for the needy. He was interested in trees only in so far as their use as timber. After his European trip his return was
greeted by a reception including the Masterton Brass Band. He had a horror of alcohol, and it was said he would cross to the other side of the road rather than cross in front of a bar door. At one time it seems that he owned a section in Masterton in partnership. When it came to be sold, he found the potential purchaser wanted to establish an hotel, and therefore alcoholic drink. There was much discussion, whereupon he said to the others in the syndicate, ‘well have it your own way’ and went to leave the room. One of the group called him back telling him he would have to accept something from the sale. Daniell said ‘then give me sixpence’. This he wore on his watch chain from then on. He was open to new ideas, and installed a septic tank (far superior to the old night cart solution). The district council on learning of its establishment demanded the removal of the ‘nuisance’. His reply was to challenge them to find it, when it would be removed. I never happened.
Strong minded and opinionated, he could be easily crossed and would strongly resent any suggestion of being wrong. In his final 20 years he suffered dreadfully from migraines. His business acumen and his influence on the family was outstanding and his example to and influence on the succeeding generations was profound.
He was superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school for 40 years, and 20 years a member of then Wellington Harbour Board (four years chair). The distance from Wellington, which could have been a disadvantage, was in fact found to be the reverse. The journey took some four hours and forty minutes over the Rimutaka rail incline, which enabled him to cover the material for the coming meetings while travelling. He was however a great advocate for the Rimutaka tunnel which would shorten the journey by some three hours, but it never eventuated in his life time. He was instrumental in the establishment of an adult education night school and active in helping establish a technical school and the incorporation of this with Waiarapa College. He was on the committee and board of the Masterton Central School and Waiarapa High School. He was also involved with the Masterton Fire Brigade and the Masterton Trust lands Trust Board. He supported the YMCA and was chairman of the Masterton Methodist Children’s home.
His home was open to family and friend. On a Sunday, 20 or 30 were commonly present, the family’s hospitality was legendary (no alcohol).
He died 12.7.1939 (83yrs 5mo)
To his family on the death of his wife:
Hamilton July 17 1914
Dear Sons and Daughters at home.
It is a Friday evening 6.30 this is the first time that I have attempted to write since leaving Masterton. My head has refused to think & I have taken it quietly.
Ida and I went out yesterday & today walking and I propose walking to the P.O. before 8. We have not heard from Fred but expect him on Sunday morning. We received Aimie (?) & Connie’s letters enclosing Mr Buttle’s and Miss Hamptons’ letters – we expect to go either to Rotorua or Auckland on Monday we cannot tell which until Fred comes.-
The last week seems to have had no bounds – it seems a year, & I cannot yet realise that I shall not again see Mother on earth. – It is like a nightmare – only when I get back to harness and to the empty Chair, will it be possible.
In the meantime we each know what mother would have us do – but the Counsel is in individual cases of difficulty will not be ours again and(?) how much we shall need to help each other in counsel and cheer – to give each other credit for trying to do the best as mother always did.
How grateful I am that you each have some of mother’s noble quality: that each is determined to follow her example, difficult though it be – the marvellous spiritual force that prompted mother to the last has I think been a revelation to most – but it goes to show the value of bed rock convictions that God our Father rules over all – that our lives lived as in his presence – that he sympathises with our weaknesses.
This entire mother did & then when the supreme test came what a revelation we all had.
The life and work of Christ will for me have now a deeper meaning, than ever before. God has wonderfully blessed me in the past; I will try to honour him by a life of useful service for others. That each of my loved ones will do so too I do not for a moment doubt – and in this service mother will still be with us in spirit. Our loving service for each other will be as in the past and so when the great reunion comes what rejoicing there will be.
I cannot write to others yet but will do so later.
Assure the kind friends that surround you – that I have not forgotten them or their many kindnesses part at least of which I remember.
With father’s love and affection – goodnight
CED
In his letters of 1938/9 he refers to Emily in a similar light – looking forward to meeting her again.
A Letter to Owen Denton:
“Mathon Lodge”
Masterton N.Z.
Aug 6 1929
Dear Owen,
By the same mail I received a letter from you and from your mother. Flu seems to gave a good grip of both.
I am pleased to see you have comfortable “digs” and that office work is interesting – though the pavements be hard how well I remember when I was at everyody’s call how all wanted something and all wanted it at once. – but it is one of life’s lessons which is well worth learning.
I also notice already great improvement in your letter writing the writing shows some improvement but the form and make up is decidedly better this is important to a professional man as you hope to become –
I am pleased that you are taking evening lessons at Banks – the theory of the class helps to understand the practical problems of the office – don’t be afraid to ask a practical question if you cannot see through a problem. An active and willing attitude though some jobs be irksome – is noted and appreciated by the staff as well as employers – don’t be afraid to have opinions but have a care for that of the other fellow – what you are the next two years you will be through life. You are fortunate in having Selwyn as a Chum as he is to have you – the responsibilities and pleasures of friendship are mutual and with relatives nearby you will not be dull –
Office routine and discipline will help you to value time while the recreations of off times will I hope be re- creations-
Many fellows have not had the Home influences you have enjoyed and they will look to you to decide for or against some practices – therefore keep your record clean it will be joy & give strength through Life – then I am preaching – don’t forget you and I are spiritual beings and rightly wonder to
know why – don’t let Sunday be mis-spent – there is a lot of satisfaction in restraint – but dont be goody goody – nor too superior – yet dare sometimes to say no.
Know it because of my pleasure in receiving your letter and pride I feel in you that I write as I do
With love good night
CED
Extracts from Margaret Scott (Nee Denton)’s reminiscences of Mathon Lodge – She could not have known Emily directly:
…Granpa had promised they would return to ’Home’ in a few years after they had seen New Zealand – at that time it seemed to offer better prospects than England did. … delayed until they visited their English relatives and toured Europe in 1908. ‘The tour was made fascinating’ said Granpa’ by Granma’s knowledge of the places they visited….
Granma played the organ beautifully and was the organist at the local chapel. Granpa belonged to the Church of England, but fell in love with Granma and joined the chapel choir although incapable of singing. They were young when they married Granpa being the younger. …when he shepherded his numerous grandchildren to church when they happened to be staying at Mathon Lodge, he passed a shilling (a fortune) surreptitiously to each of them – to be deposited in the plate, on his own account and himself always put in two half crowns (an enormous fortune) … on his own account…
When they arrived they had a house in Short St. but Granma, who was very particular indeed, was unhappy with the people she was amongst. So Mathon Lodge was built …
… At a later date a bathroom was added upstairs at Mathon Lodge (and a story is told of a bucket of water being tossed out of the window, over Uncles Arch and Len, who were arguing below as they counted the kindling to make sure one had not cut less than the other. ( Or were they arguing about who was to clean the right shoe and who the left of Granpa’s pair of boots?).
…One of the favourite entertainments of the evening was bridge – several tables – strictly no stakes – with various members of the family present. Over the years the billiard room developed into its own sort of library, when Aunt Win made a habit of buying numerous magazines and comics – of interest to all ages, and the grandchildren would quietly disappear into the ‘reading room’ and remain entertained there for hours. … (Also informative newspaper articles would be attached to the back of the toilet door. RAD)
There were six bedrooms upstairs – one, Granpa’s preserve one each for Aunt Win and Aunt Ethel, one for the resident maid, a large one for the guests with seniority and one next to the bathroom for other comers. The bathroom was always the scene for great battles of wit and agility when the house was full …. ..the octagonal summer house …. made an exciting bedroom for grandchildren of a suitable age. Top and tailing was a handy way of cramming more in.
(The maid) – in the afternoon she was resplendent in a black frock and white organdie apron.
… When anyone arrived at the front door — everyone in residence – forewarned by the sound of a car circling the house would surge out to the front veranda, and kiss all arrivals heartily such a warm warm welcome.
The tradition of hospitality at Mathon Lodge was legendary… Granpa’s activities brought him in contact with many sorts of people…
One of the abiding memories of Mathon Lodge must be Aunt Ethel’s genius at the piano… was the absent minded one who kept the flowers in the vases looking beautiful and exasperate her family with her talent for arriving late…
Granpa… was always strong on courtesy – insisting that the smallest little girl should proceed him through the doorway. He did not like to see people looking as if they had nothing to do, and would always expect everyone to lend a hand… He liked people to use their heads and not be defeated by their difficulties (‘Ornament your difficulties’), (‘Use your Daniell ingenuity’).
Family …if they were in ill health he would suggest an available member of the family would dash off … & remain to help … until the problem was solved , for months if need be. When the Hawkes Bay earthquake occurred, he immediately gathered up his resources – food, some of the men from his factory, boxes of utility china, tents and serviceable members of his family and made his way to the shambles that was Hastings (where Mother and Dad were coping and so were thousands of others).
Granpa was always receptive to new ideas which he sometimes adapted to his own…Mathon Lodge had one of the first Septic tanks in Masterton and a wonderful two tier rotating clothes line….
During World War One hundreds of soldiers were stationed at Featherston training … some visited ML when on leave … One soldier was heard to remark to another ‘There is a home in Masterton I have been to on leave where we have the most wonderful time – and not a drop of liquor in sight’.
Win & Ethel …. developed a system of ‘use your head and save your heels’, as Granma used to say.
Mother (Nell) spoke of Granma ‘rocking with laughter, with tears rolling down her face’ She was evidently a sweet and merry person. Uncle Arch used to tease her a great deal – sometimes picking her up and carrying her – to be especially infuriating. On one memorable occasion, Granma clung to the leg of the table to make sure she wasn’t picked up! …. Again Uncle Arch (The youngest of the boys) was about to be caned by Granma in the bedroom, and he fled up to the top of the old wardrobe and every time Granma said ‘Archie come down’ he would turn to do so and get whacked when he turned… Uncle Fred usually slept in the cloakroom. Once he arrived in from the country at 4 in the morning, and carefully opened the cloakroom window. An old scotch voice said ‘come an inch further in and I will shoot you’ in was dear old Mr Wingate staying the night. Uncle Fred couldn’t come or go, he was helpless with laughter…Uncle Dave (Parton) gazed longingly at Mathon Lodge, from his boarding house in the next street, and seeing mother (Nell) with her bolting horse tossing her as it turned in the gate, he dashed out and gathered her up and bore her into Mathon Lodge – a wonderful excuse to visit Aunt Bess … Uncle Fred out in the country, hunting rabbits with his dog – and in the excitement of digging a rabbit hole, knocking the dog on the head with his spade. He buried the dog sadly and on his return home was greeted by the dog who had raced him home – Granpa washing the drive, until it was awash to settle the dust on Mother’s wedding day – Granma saying ‘Nell you are the bride, put your head out the window and ask your father to stop’ and father’s response – ‘put your head in girl or I will hose it’
An often quoted saying: Ornament your difficulties
Antecedents 5.27 & 5.28
Source: Family publications, Oral History Photo: Wellington Harbour Board rooms, OAD
4.15
Eliza ‘Lizzie’ Anne Denton (Bennett)
1843-1920
Eliza – Laurence [Denton] – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Eliza was born 17.11.1843 at Southampton in England and emigrated with her parents in the ‘Bernicia’ in 1848. She was the second oldest of ten children several of whom died at less than 48 hours from birth.
Born in England:
Rosina ‘Rose’ (Dixon) 20.04.1842 – 31.11915 Born Southampton
Eliza ‘Lizzie’ (Denton) 17.11.1843 – 1920 Born Southampton
A son ?-01-1845 died at 11 hours Born Southampton
Amelia 24.03.1847 – 1848 died at 11 months Deptford
Born in New Zealand
James 25.12.1848 died at 8 hours Wellington
Sara 1.01.1849 died at 48 hours Wellington
Georgina (Ralph) 26.05.1850 – 1934 Wellington
Alfred (married) 1852 – 1939 Wellington
William (married) 1856 – 1936 Wellington
George (married) 1862 – 1940 Wellington
After landing in Nelson 20.11.1848 the family transferred to Wellington. In 1913 Eliza stated they felt the earthquake of the 10th October 1848 when whole the family was still at sea (She was only five), and they found Wellington in much disarray. They were met at the ship by her uncle John Harding at that time getting established in Wellington and trading in wooden articles back to England and who later farmed at Mt Vernon, Waipukarau.
Eliza grew up in early Wellington, a neighbour being Mr Masters after whom Masterton was named. He was a cooper by trade. She was brought up in the Wesleyan tradition and had an extremely strong religious conviction, which seems to have been shared by the rest of the family… Family prayers were held on a daily basis in her home, and nothing was allowed to interfere with this.
She married George Denton ‘one of the handsomest men in Wellington and I knew it’ on 08.10.1863, in a twin wedding with her sister Rosina who married Joe Dixon and eventually settled near Bulls.
Her marriage was an extremely happy one, and the couple had eleven children, one of whom was retarded. A further child died at 12 months in 1873.
Her home for the first three years was two rooms separated off by a canvas screen from the back of her husband’s shop in Willis Street. There, she was very happy and there the first two of her children were born, Later they moved to a two storied shop and residence, still in Willis Street and finally in 1873 to ‘ Fernhill’ at 324 the Terrace then known as Wolcombe Street. This was a substantial home and still in existence, although it was removed for development in 1995. The household was full of fun, but in latter years at least it was run on very formal lines, for instance it was considered bad form to converse across or down the table. One could talk therefore only with one’s immediate neighbours.
She was a prominent member of many organisations and was active in the lady’s auxiliary of the YMCA and in church affairs. Her devotion to the Wesleyan persuasion was apparently greater than her husband’s.
She died 29.03.1920 after about 12 months of declining health aged 76 years 4 months.
Sources, Diaries, letters, Oral history
Photo RAD ex Beth Drummond
In her own words:
Fern Hill
Wellington
8th October 1913
I will go back to some things I remember of our first coming to New Zealand.
We came to Nelson in the ship called ‘Bernicia’ getting there just after the earthquake in 1848 – no chimneys standing, everyone in dismay. We felt it at sea, no one knew what it was and the Captain would not tell us.
In those days people were much interested in the arrival of a vessel from Home. A Mr. & Mrs. Lightband came on board. When he found we were Wesleyans they took us to their home where we stayed till the ship left for Wellington two weeks later. I still remember their great kindness to us all.
They had a tannery, the sons Martin and another used to carry me on their shoulders down to the stream and I think I can see the white fleeces now, hanging on the fences to dry. I believe they gave one to mother as I remember one long after as a mat.
Photo caption – Family George & Eliza Denton (LAD the baby)
I remember I had my fifth birthday between Nelson and Wellington. Mother got a box of wooden cups and saucers, I believe brought from England as a present for me.
We must have got into the harbour after dark, Uncle John Harding came out in a boat and talked to us from the side I don’t think he came on board. I still remember the look of the hills as I saw them in the bright sun next morning, there was some kind of building at Kaiwarra [Kaiwharawhara] even then. I thought it all looked lovely – we had been five months at sea so the hills of our future home appealed to me though so young.
Uncle Thomas and Aunt Jane had come out with us.
I don’t remember our landing at all, we spent some few days with Uncle John then they got a small house just opposite where the wharf now is. A great misfortune happened to father when they were unloading. They let a large case slip between the slings and the ship, this contained Father’s lathe, all his tools, mother’s fire irons and all other heavy goods. Father had hoped to get his living by Turning etc. It was a very serious matter; it was never recovered. (A late 1850s letter of her mother’s refers to a lathe being lost in a storage fire).
The sea came very close, just a roadway between the house and the rocks. Mother used to pop us out of bed and into the sea before we dressed each morning. Our neighbours to the north were Mr Masters, after whom Masterton was named, I believe. He was a cooper and his wife a straw bonnet maker. I well remember the girls who were apprentices, after Mrs. Clark, Mrs Greatbatch, Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Perry their daughter. On the other side was the Commercial Hotel kept by a Mr Banister, father of quite a large family of sons all of whom I knew, Edwin best of all. He and his wife were friends of mother’s always. Houses all around the beach were scattered and very small. Some of the names on South:- Mrs. Matterson who had a little school, Ma Marriott, then on after Sants, Phillips and Mr. Lang.
Near Lindsay corner a deep stream came down from the hills, where the club now stands, just a trestle hand bridge. I am not sure if we did not climb down one side, over and up the other at the ford. I think there was an old mill (flour) over on left, when built I don’t know. The Terrace that now is was very steep in great dips down and up. The stream mentioned was called Kumototo I think (now Woodward St.)
A Rev Woodward had a small congregational Chapel built over the stream and a plank bridge for the folks to walk on. I remember it quite well and going there sometimes. There was a Primitive Methodist in Sydney St., the same site lately closed. Mr & Mrs Green were fine people, she a very small quaint old lady, he tall and fair. (Kept military??? Hospital). To that church we fled in the time of the terrible earthquake in ’55 I believe.
The barracks, some of them were then on Thorndon Flats round about the suspension bridge, which was over a steep gully.
How proudly I remember it all – Father used to take Rose and me for a walk on Sunday afternoons, also round the Kaiwarra Road and Karori. There were a few small houses scattered on the hillsides, only tracks everywhere in the early days, though as I think of it I can’t remember when the streets began to be formed.
I remember 60 or 70 years ago there was a Maori war dance on the Queen’s birthday 24th May. I don’t think we were alarmed though the faces and contortions were horrid.
From the first I remember the Government house in Molesworth St and the small English Church behind, opposite the present museum which was then all tea tree scrub. Years after a Mr Roberts, some special Government official lived in a little house where Rev Glason’s Congregational church stands, with some little girls who were great friends of mine.
Then on the South Johnston’s tin Smith shop a little Presbyterian church perched on a bank where new I.W Bank now stands. Just under the high bank where we used to play and after the ‘Athenaeum’ was built was Plimmer’s Steps. It seems to me that they were always there for us children used to slide down them.
By this time we had moved to Clay Point as it was then called (Now Stewart Dawson’s corner between Willlis St & Lambton Quay 2014). There was a very narrow beach there, and we used to play just over the road under where the Bank of New Zealand now stands, and afterwards a disabled boat was brought up there and made into a store and called ‘Noah’s Ark’ where folks used to pay to go out to the end to see the regatta on 22nd January. Swindbourne’s Wharf was built about then – what wonders all these things were to us children in those days. I can’t be quite sure when they first
began to fill in right at the south end where they afterwards built the ‘Oddfellows Hall’ nearly opposite the Kelburn Tram. It seems to me ‘Clay Point’ was a very rough corner, the sea used to come up over the rocks quite near our house. The beach turned sharply round the corner where ‘Oyster Jack’ (John Walden) had a small low shed, I don’t think they COULD have lived there, sold oysters and onions. I remember he was a very rough looking man of whom we children were afraid.
Just below this there was funny old couple called ‘Boodle’ they had steps up in front of their house. Lower down standing back from the road was the Theatre and an hotel with it… The hall must have been at the back for I remember a wide entrance at one side all decorated with fern and Nikaus etc. and walking through it with mother to see, I believe, the first flower show. A number of places stood back along here Mr Miget and an old couple named Heath. He ground scissors and his wife who was an invalid used to lie in bed and through a hole in the wall used to mind the shop, calling to him when anyone came in. We were frightened of her and I fear the children use to tease her. Then there was Mr Lyon’s Bookshop going down a step or two, and John Harding, Ironmongers. A little higher up on the same side was a steep culvert.
On the left the beach came round old Customhouse Quay. There was a spare piece of ground covered with old iron, old boats and suchlike. We used to cut across that to get to Chapel in Manners St, coming out by the New Zealand Hotel which is still in the same place. Continuing up Willis St. was Bannatynes Stores and at the corner a little furniture shop kept by a little bandy legged Frenchman named Le Compt. At the other corner were the Commissariat offices and McBeth’s, Mr Finnimore’s Boy’s School was opposite.
On the Queen’s birthday May 24th either ’51 or ’52 there was a Maori war dance at Thorndon Flat. All who could went to see them; some of the Lightbands were over from Nelson and took us. They seemed to shake the ground as they danced.
By this time we were living at Clay Point and had quite a fine shop, Drapery at North Side and Grocery at South. The town had grown a good deal by this time, the Harbour was being reclaimed, Swinbourne’s Wharf was built where the Empire now stands and on a patch of reclaimed land the Lion Foundry was built, though I think that was some years after. A small Presbyterian Church was built south of where Whitcombe and Tombes stands now. Rev Churton, Minister who lived on the Terrace and used to have a ticket put on the door on wet days ‘No Service’.
Then the ‘Athenaeum’ was built where all entertainments were held. I remember a Convasazione at which Sir George and Lady Grey were present.
Oh how many memories come rushing over me! I was about twelve and it was so new and grand – the crowded room, long tables of curios, a refreshment room, knowing nearly everyone there, the smart dresses etc. etc. and now nearly all passed away.
As far back as I remember Plimmer’s steps were there which took us up into tea tree scrub with a few houses scattered about, a sharp gully on the left with what looked like sheep tracks on the side and two or three little houses at the bottom.,
On 8th October 50 years ago in 1863 at 11.30am I was married at the Wesleyan Church, Manners St, by the Rev J. Aldred to your dear father , and Rose my eldest sister to Joe Dixon. It was a lovely morning and a double wedding being an uncommon event, the church had quite a congregation. We had been scholars in the Sabbath school for some thirteen or fourteen years, Mr Duch an old friend was chapel keeper.
I fancy I can see dear father with his two daughters, one on each side as he walked down to the church. He was a tall fine looking man. I forget who took dear mother but I expect Alfred who was about 12, Harry and Phil I don’t think were there. Georgee was my bridesmaid and Annie Dixon was Rose’s, with a Miss B—who afterwards married Sam Dixon, Joe’s Brother, between was Walter Brown, a young man who came out with Papa from Yorkshire was one best man. We drove in two ‘Albert Cars’ the only vehicles then in Wellington and they had only been there a few months. We walked down from the top of Bowen Street, through a track in the tea tree, got into the cabs at the bottom near what was after Dr. Kemp’s residence, to the church. Had of course to walk up the hill on our return, giving the folks the pleasure of seeing our dresses etc.
I was very happy and proud for Papa was one of the handsomest young men in Wellington and I knew it.
Rev Aldred went home with us, I don’t think anyone else, it was quite a small affair. I enquired about a canary Father had given me that morning as I did not hear him singing and found it had died while we were away. I felt like crying it seemed uncanny.
‘Never mind the bird’ Rev A said, ‘You must be happy today’. After lunch we wandered through what is now the Botanical gardens down to the house of Uncle Joe’s mother and father had warm congratulations, some refreshments etc., and back home – a very pleasant evening.
Rose & Joe started for their home in Cuba St and after Papa and I went off with Mr Brown who went on and got our key from Mr James who had been and put the shutters up – so we arrived at our little house, standing on the ground where Mr Grady’s now is, a small shop with two rooms behind. We had just up a canvas partition to separate the one next the shop for a bedroom. We lived there three years. Rob and Annie were born there, we were very happy.
Postscript: A recent book on the Adkin family, Annie being a daughter, refers to Fern Hill being a lively place. The tradition in our part of the family of it being somewhat stuffy could be due to Laurence being very much the youngest son of older parents.
Lizzie’s wedding hat and case held at Palmerston North Museum
Mary Hannah b 1831 – 1887
George 1833 – 1910
John Robert 1835 – 1887
He was educated at Mrs Jefferson’s Classical Commercial and Mathematical school at Horsefair, Pontefract, knew shorthand and was apprenticed to a watchmaker about 1848. He sailed in the sailing ship ‘China’ Sept 1 1855. George would never say why he emigrated but after being farewelled in good terms in London by his father and with a letter of introduction from a local land owner, the rector and a justice of the peace, he arrived in New Zealand 17.1.1856 at Wellington via Nelson. His first impression of the Maoris was favourable diarying they ‘looked better than expected’. He took a position in a general store for six years in the Hutt Valley spending his evenings mending watches and jewellery for locals. He also imported watches. He also worked in Wellington for the then leading ironmonger. In February 1862, he went to the Otago gold fields but was unimpressed, and in April 1862 sailed by steamer for England. He then returned to set up an ironmonger’s business at 33 Willis St. Wellington. He at first lived behind a canvas partition in his shop, where the first three years of his married life were spent. In 1866 he bought a section at 58 Willis St for his premises.
He married Eliza Bennett 8.10.1863 and the couple had eleven children.
His business from 1865 was in two storied building freehold in mid Willis St., on the west side. This was advertised in 1895 as being over 4,000sq feet in area, shop and warehouse. In addition to being an ironmonger, he also traded as a watchmaker, in sports equipment (fishing and tennis) and in curios. This building was eventually sold for approx. £25K in 1926. In 1873 he built a substantial house ‘Fernhill’ on the Terrace, then known as Woolcombe St. which became his home for the remainder of his life.
A successful businessman, he never had a sale in his business, the price being the price. Similarly, there was no family discount. Avoiding waste, he was an avid collector of string. He was an active although quiet disposition. He took no part in public affairs but was very involved in the Wellington Acclimatisation Society of which he was secretary and treasurer for ten years. He had his own trout hatchery behind his home and would distribute 5,000 to 6,000 fingerlings to the Hutt, Wainuiomata and other rivers, being permitted to stop the train at suitable places to do so. He superintended all bird releases for the Society. His chief hobby was his aviary containing native and introduced birds. He was interested in native lore, native plants and birds. He was on friendly terms with the Maoris numbering some of the older generation among his friends
He took a second trip to the UK with Eliza in 1895, however his brother John with whom he was quite close, had died some years before his arrival which grieved him greatly.
When he first arrived in Wellington a Methodist family was good to him, so he joined and was active in that church. He was an abstainer from alcohol although on such special occasions as Christmas dinner he would call for a nip, much to his wife’s disgust… He was evidently a charming and dignified man with a dry sense of humour.
He attended business till a fortnight before he died aged 77years on 10.08.1910 following surgery: His last words ‘keep the name bright’
George was an excellent draughtsman as some of his surviving work demonstrates.
He kept a diary of his journey to New Zealand but, typically of his contemporaries, this ceases after he landed, there being more important things in life to deal with.
The diary commences with some poetry and songs of the times, some dance steps, the book of psalms in shorthand, and then commences:
Journal Ship China
Sep 1855
Saturday 1st (Came on board the ship China (laying off Gravesend) yesterday at noon just in time for dinner (Boiled beef and bread) got my berth ready and other things ready went to bed at ten, slept very comfortably)
1st rose at 7, Breakfast and then went to look around, nothing much to do till afternoon, when Govt. Inspector came on board, something he would have done before we sail so shall have to stay until Monday, had to make up a bed for one of our mess as his is in the hold, went to bed at ten, which is the regular hour
Sunday 2nd still lying off Gravesend, all want to be off, no service on board, our mess read prayers in the Cabin, all very quiet.
Monday 3rd Rose at 7 Government Inspector on Board again still cannot get off. 6 0’clock pm off at last, all very glad to be on the way weather very fine. ……..
Jan 1856 5th Fine morning the Government Emigrants went ashore and also some of the others. We hear good news, plenty of work wages high everything very dear 2lb loaf 10d beef and mutton 10d lb eggs 2/- dozen cherries 6d lb fruit is very plentiful berries and cherries hang closer than I ever saw them before, the Captn. & doctor have been ashore and brought some fresh provisions for the caddy, he say he has nothing more to do with the Wellington passengers, Willis’s agent is to send us some fresh provisions and we are to be sent forward by steamer in about a fortnight as the ship will not go there many of the Nelson passengers have got situations, one young man has got 10/- per day & 15/-when he has extra work as a carpenter.
George spent some more days on board then walked to Richmond. This diary was sent home (England) June 1856
Wednesday Jan 25th at 9am went on board the schooner Esther 50 tons for Wellington. Beating about all day till she could clear the customs. Most of the Passengers sick. I escaped by staying on deck. The customs boat came off with the ladies
Tuesday to Friday. At 8am found that three of the sailors from the China had got stowed away in the hold of the schooner. Very glad to see them. Plenty of fun with Miss Hart. Slow traveller, the least puff of wind sends us ‘bows under’. Seventeen of the passengers and eleven berths slept on the floor. Rolled in my rug all night with my clothes on. Very jolly, wind and tide against us, then no wind, then wind with and tide against us. Thursday night off Pot Nick heads, going at the rate of six knots, but the tide being strong against us make no way. Friday morning the tide running in so we ran in too. At 9 went ashore, engaged lodgings 25/- per week. Shops all closed everyone gone to the races: So I walked over to see the maories side carpi! On Saturday got my goods ashore and in ten days went to work.
A hand-written letter of introduction brought with George to New Zealand :
Hooton Robuts,
Rotherham,
Yorkshire
11th May 1855
We, the undersigned being Justices of the Peace for the West Riding of Yorkshire, do certify to have known the bearer, Mr George Denton during his residence in Rotherham, and that we consider him a most respectable person, and therefore beg to recommend him to the favourable notice of the Justices, either in authority or otherwise, in the Island of New Zealand , whither it is his present intention to proceed forthwith, and we beg to add our best wishes for his success and well doing in all his undertakings.
Signed: H.W. Pishard Hooton Robuts
John Fullaton Thrybergh Park
Arthur Fullaton Thryberg Rectory
Drawn at Mrs Jefferson’s school about 1846 when George would have been a 13 year old
Fernhill
1895
source: Drummond, George’s diaries, advertisements obituaries & oral tradition
Photo: OAD
George Denton of Wellington draft to send to Nicola Young WC Councillor by Beth Drummond
He was born in the village of Ackworth near Pontefract, Yorkshire in 1833, the second son of Robert Denton and Elizabeth Gill. Robert’s family were tenant farmers in the area, and Elizabeth’s were butchers. Robert was a malster in 1833 and he and Elizabeth kept the School Inn at Ackworth from the mid 1830s. Later in life, Robert returned to farming.
They sent George and his younger brother to a boarding school for young gentlemen in Pontefract, where they learnt a great slew of subjects including Euclid, Drawing, French, Music and Dancing. Clearly they wanted their sons to be able to move in ‘society’ as well as have a good education. In 1848 George was apprenticed for six years to a watch and clock maker, jeweller and ironmonger in Rotherham. He sailed for New Zealand on ‘China’, arriving in Wellington at the end of January 1856, after spending two weeks in Nelson. He
Photo captions –
Robert Denton date unknown
Elizabeth Gill who died in 1853
travelled in rather more comfort than most migrants, being in a cabin with three others, rather than in steerage. His ship board diary still exists. It shows a studious young man, teaching himself Pitman’s shorthand and also learning how to cook ship food including plum duff. He and some other young chaps also spent time sitting in a lifeboat putting the world to rights until ‘lights out’.
Why come so far all alone? Perhaps there were not so many openings at home for an able young man. Perhaps he knew people here already, though the family has no record of that. First he worked for Thomas Mills who had a general store in Lower Hutt. In the evenings he mended watches and clocks for the settlers. By 1858 he was working for E. W. Mills, Lion Foundry, on the corner of Waring Taylor St and Custom-house Quay.
Early in 1862 he went back to England for a visit, but by 1863 he was back in Wellington where he started his own business as watchmaker, jeweller and ironmonger. In 1863 he married Eliza Ann Bennett who had arrived in Wellington as a little girl in 1848. Her father George was a shipwright and joiner, and her mother, Hannah Harding, kept a school for young girls as well as providing accommodation for young ladies.
Photo caption – George Denton in 1852
George and Eliza started married life behind the shop at 58 Willis St. The business did very well and by the early 1870s they had built a large house, ‘Fernhill’, where Ghuznee Street meets the Terrace.
George was a good businessman and the family prospered. They had eleven children, though one daughter died at a year old. It was a happy, bustling Victorian family with lots of big gatherings and music and laughter. Eliza was a devout Methodist with a strong connection to Taranaki Street Church, and she brought the children up in the Temperance Movement.
In 1895 the couple took a long trip back ‘Home’ to visit their families. Eliza kept a detailed diary which she sent back to her daughter Edith in instalments. This precious diary still exists. They travelled widely in Yorkshire and Southampton, staying with extended family and attending church services and plays and concerts. Eliza reported on the weather, gave her impressions of the sermons she’d heard, and told Edith charming details of all the new nieces and nephews she was meeting.
George was not involved in the political life of Wellington, but he featured in a carving in the Old Identities Bar in the Albert Hotel, alongside John Plimmer, Edward Gibbon Wakefield, et al. I believe that the carvings are now held at Te Papa.
George died in 1910, and Eliza in 1920.
Photo caption – Fernhill date unknown
The next generation
Daughter Annie married William Adkin and they farmed in Horowhenua. Edith, who remained unmarried, was much loved by her nieces and nephews. She looked after Kate and managed the house for William who was a bachelor. Her entertaining diaries from her trips overseas are still in the family.
The Denton boys followed various professions. Robert, known as Rob, won a scholarship from Wellington College to Manchester Technical College, where he qualified as an engineer. He had an engineering works in Ellers Lane off Willis St. Will worked in his father’s business, he was an early member of the Tararua Tramping Club, and he travelled widely in later life. Frank was a well known photographer in Wanganui, many of whose photos are in the Sergent Gallery at Wanganui and at Alexander Turnbull Library. Mowbray
Photo caption – This is believed to be George outside his shop at 33 Willis Street which he had built in 1866
broke in a 400 acre farm near Pohangina when he was young, but in 1904 he travelled to England where he married, and he later became the proprietor of a large cutlery business in Sheffield. Percy was a jeweller and watchmaker on Lambton Quay. He had trained in England and later worked for 11 years for a leading English jeweller in Calcutta. Bert worked on various farms in the Horowhenua before buying his own near Levin. He fought in the First World War. Laurence had an accountancy business in Napier. It is said that he saved some of his staff during the earthquake by refusing to let them outside where heavy masonry was falling in the streets.
The family at Fernhiil about 1893. Back row L to R: Bert, Frank, Rob, Annie, George, Edith, Percy
Front: Kate, Mowbray, Eliza, Will, Laurence
The Mr and Mrs George Denton Trust
At the time of Will’s death a trust was set up to be called The Mr and Mrs George Denton Trust. The income from the money invested was to be given to the Wellington City Council for the purpose of beautifying the city ‘by botanical means’.
Denton Park, 37 acres at the top of Highbury, was presented to the City by Will in 1951, in memory of George and Eliza. Many other projects have benefitted from the Trust, including:
Landscaping the Town Hall, Waterloo Quay beautification, Churchill Park rock garden and seating, and more recently the garden area at the top of Park St in Thorndon.
5.1 & 5.2
Richard Kitto (5.2) & Jane Ellery (5.1)
Richard & Kane Kitto – Mary Bailey – Jessie Fullerton – Paton Northe – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Tin miner Jane was apparently a furrier
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9 & 5.10
5.9 Mary Anne Andersen & 5.10 Christoffer Halvison
Mary Anne & Christopher – Mina Andersen – Constance Northe – Frederick – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Christoffer was listed as being a farmer, a Presbyterian and not a pensioner. He died 12.10.1901 in Havelock North of cancer of the lip aged 78 having emigrated from Norway eight years previously. There is a family tradition of his having some connection with the Norwegian royal Family.
5.11 & 12
Anders Andersen (5.12) & Annie Andersen (nee Martinson) 5.11
Anders & Annie – Martin – Constance Northe – Frederick – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
5.13
Agnes Summers (Earl)
1829? – 1915
Agnes Summers (Earl) – Mary Anne Northe – Alfred – Frederick – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Agnes was born in Devonshire England probably in 1829 and arrived in Wellington in 1856, as an assisted immigrant under the Wakefield scheme, and later in 1858, Napier. She married John Summers in Wellington 20.09.1857, aged 28, the couple had two daughters born in Napier, however her husband, a soldier, disappeared in 1862 during the Waikato wars..
She took up work as a laundress, working in ‘Soap Suds Gully’ now the Napier botanic gardens while she was ‘widowed’, probably all that was available to her at the time
She remarried within six months to Eugene Hibbins 20 years her senior on 20.12.1862 but he died 21.06 1865. She then remarried Thomas Campbell, the first cab driver in Napier, 18.12.1866. She was widowed again 10.08.1903.
and died 05.09.1915 at 20 Havelock Road Napier,
Her background and antecedents are not known.
Source: Val Swailes, Peter Wells
Photo: Laurence Northe
5.14
John Summers
? 1829 Disappeared 1862
John Summers – Mary Anne Northe – Alfred – Frederick – Anne Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
John was born at Kilmanough, Wexford, Ireland was a labourer and emigrated to Tasmania working as a labourer. He enlisted Pte 3784 in the 65th Royal Yorkshire and Lancaster Regiment (Royal Bengal Tigers) 30.06.1852. He possibly emigrated in the ‘True Britain’ from Deal. Australia arriving in New Zealand 13.12.1852.
He married Agnes Earl 20.09.1857 at Wellington and had two daughters.
On 8.06.1862 is listed as deserting from Martin’s town while working on an army road between Onehunga and Pukeno, south of Auckland. Hostilities had broken out for the second Taranaki War 04.05.1862 and this may have been the reason for his absconding but never the less the charge of desertion was odd because his term of enlistment was all but up, however his unit had been ordered forward into enemy territory when he disappeared. His wife was able to remarry within six months which would have been unlawful were he still alive. Family tradition has it that he was taken by hostile Maoris and all that was left of him was a belt/ammunition belt/buckle?
Antecedents: not known
Source: Val Swailes & other family tradition
Siblings :
John c1799
Thomas c1806 died 06.01.1851
Frederick (Hugh) c1808 1852
Mary 02.09.1810
Elizabeth Margaret 12.11.1812 12.01.1813
Hannah 11.10.1814 18.08.1886
Elizabeth 28.01.1817 23.09.1884
Ann Sophia (Nancy) 21.03.1819 10.07.1890
Ellen 1821
Ellanor 22.04.1823
She married John Northe 17.11.1838 in St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Paramatta,and the couple had ten children. Permission for marriage had to be obtained from the Governor’s wife (Gipps or Bourke) as her father was dead and she was under age.
She was illiterate to the point of being unable to sign her name. She had a malformed hand with which she is said to have kept her children in order at church. There is a story she controlled a bolting horse and carriage containing the Governor’s wife.
She left with her husband for New Zealand in 1847, and died in Napier 10.07.1890 aged 71yrs 4m.
Antecedents:
Hugh O’Donnell (6.30) & Mary Lakeman (6.29)
C1772 – 28.5.1834 c1785 – 1850
Ten children.
An illiterate Catholic labourer until he joined the army, he was born County Sligo, Ireland and emigrated to Australia in the ‘Anne’ as a private in 27.10.1810. (also given as February), acting as a guard over 197 prisoners. Also on board were Willian Marsden,Thomas King and William Hall, and the Maori Ruatara.. He served in the Royal Highland Black Watch and later farmed at Parramatta with two convict servants.
Tintype
She was born in the UK, emigrated after marriage and remarried after Hugh’s death.
Source: Family tree & Val Swailes
Photo: Laurence Northe, Peter Wells
John was born 11.01.1799 at Chacewater parish of Kenwyn near Truro, Cornwall England, baptised 10.02.1799 He was apparently originally a miner, (These were often contractors buying and selling work) but entered the army as John Northe, dropping the terminal ‘y’ from his name it is said as a ruse to elude his family. The issue of his oldest son retained the ‘y’ to remain Northey (eg Richard Northey Labour MP).
The surname Northey is supposed to derive from Northy, Northey or Northway in the county of Gloucestershire, however the difference in spelling may reflect local dialectic inflection.
3.05 1820 he was a private
7.12.1820 Corporal
Oct 1824 a corporal in the Royal Staff Corps Corfu
25.12.1826 to 13.3.1838 Sergeant
In June 1829 he was at Halifax, Nova Scotia and later in Gibraltar. He arrived in Sydney, Australia 1.09.1838 and was occupied in the Barracks ordnance department. His discharge papers of 14.03.1838 from Capt Jackson’s Co to allow him to proceed to Bathurst describe him as sober and trustworthy, diligent and in every respect a good and deserving soldier. He was 5ft 9 inches tall, black hair and grey eyes. He was admitted as an out pensioner of HM Royal Hospital Chelsea 14th March 1838 at 9d per day and this raised to 2/1 per day on 28.06.1870.
The army at that time allowed only 6% of ‘other ranks’ to marry. But he married Nancy O’Donnell only two months after arrival in Australia 17.11.1838, the couple had ten children.
They left Bathurst for New Zealand and landed in Auckland and by 1847 were in the Bay of Islands. On leaving Australia he was presented with an illuminated address by the Loyal Kincora Odd fellows Lodge, Manchester Unity No 4195 on 29.11.1847. In 1848 to at least 1852 he appears to have been a barrack Sergeant in Auckland, Waihapu, Bay of Islands, at Russell and at the Hokianga. A resident part of the British Imperial army arrived in Napier 14.02.1858. At this stage he bought a cemetary [cemetery] plot and three sections in Onepoto Gully. Later he bought 13 Main St Onepoto Gully and built a cottage where he his wife and daughters lived for the remainder of his life.
A letter to his son and daughter dated 20.04.1869 from Napier refers to the Hau Hau troubles and of his low opinion of Col. Whitmore and Col. Lambert describing them as old washerwomen, and that sons William and Robert had been engaged with the militia. Two of his grandsons were killed in the first world war, one on Chunak [Chunuk] Bair on Gallipoli. His youngest two grandchildren died in 1875 of diptheria, and one in later life poisoned himself.
He was occupied as barrack sergeant and died 7.1.1875 (76 years) after some years of ill health
Letter from John and Ann
Napier N.Z.
20th April 1869
Dear Son and Daughter
After a long silence we hope this will find you both and the dear children well as it leaves all of us at present, thank God for it.
No doubt you have heard all the goings on here with the Hou-Hous [Hau Haus] and the great slaughter they have made again, and it would appear no one can stop them. Col. Whitmoor [Whitmore] can’t do anything and now they have got another old Washwoman, Col. Lambert, and old Drom. Boy – they have the militia and Volunteers out – a part of them is home again but will have to go out on Sunday. William and Robert have been out and will have to go again on Sunday. We have sent you a newspaper so you will be able to see how things is going on.
We received a letter a short time since from a Mr Bagnall (Dolly’s admirer). He begs permission to become one of the family, that he has spoken to you on the subject and you had no objection. Now, of course, we know nothing about him but from what John Say of him it would appear he is a respectable young man, a good trade and from a respectable family. So we don’t see there can be any objections, only they must not be in a hurry.
All join in kind respects to you all, Kiss the dear children for Grandad and Mum,
Your affectionate Father and Mother
(Sgd.) John and Ann Northe
Source Val Swailes, family tree by R P Northe, Peter Well, from book ‘Dear Oliver’
Photo: Laurence Northe
Photo caption – John Northey hand coloured plate on several glass thicknesses to give 3 D effec
5.17 & 5.18
Jane Loudon (Port) William Louden
William & Jane Louden – Elizabeth Milne – Jessie Sutherland – Margaret Denton – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
William Loudon (2nd) (5.18) died 1867 married Ballinderry by Moneymore County Derry 01.03.1844
Jane Loudon (Port) (5.17) c 1816 – 1871 Both buried at Foxton Cemetery
William Loudon (6.36) m Elizabeth Loudon (6.35) two children
Ambrose Port (6.34) c1785 – 1862 m Rachel Port (Palmer) 6.33 c1789-1857 nine children
5.19
Margaret Milne (Brew)
1829 – 1876
Margaret Milne – John – Jessie Sutherland – Margaret Denton – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Was born at Kirimuir, Scotland
Married 1836 Alexander Milne
Antecedents not Known
Source: Family Bible
5.20
Alexander Milne
1813 – 1895
Alexander Milne – John – Jessie Sutherland – Margaret Denton – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Alexander was born in Aberdeenshire, Kirkness, and possibly lived at Kirriemuir.
He married Margaret Brew in 1836 and they had six children.
They arrived in New Zealand 17.03.1841 on the ‘Lady Nugent’. The family settled in the Hutt district till 1867, when they moved to the Rangitikei, taking up a property called ‘Rosebank’.
He was active in local and general politics, he was a member of the Wellington Provincial Council was chairman of the Rangitikei County Council, a leading member of the Presbyterian Church, and was responsible for the raising of the Bonny Glenn Church Hall.
He died 24.12.1895 aged 82 years
Antecedents: Not Known
Source: Family Bible.
5.21
Mary Ross (McLeod)
Dates unknown
Mary – Ellen Sutherland – Kenneth Sutherland – Margaret ‘Peggy’ Denton – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Mary was born in Caithness
She married Donald Ross 27.05.1851 when both were residing at Braemore in the parish of Lairg where she was a dairy maid. They had nine children.
After marriage she lived at Cromarty, Rumsdale, Scapa Flow and in the Shetland Islands before emigrating with most of the children on the ‘Douglas’ in 1873.
5.22
Donald Ross
1820 – 1874
Donald – Ellen – Kenneth Sutherland – Margaret Denton – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Donald was born in Auchincraig, Ross-shire Scotland in 1822. There was one known brother John who seems to have been a soldier in Canada before emigrating to Otago.
He Married Mary McLeod 27.05 1851 in the Parish of Lairg by Gustavus Aird of the Free Church. This Presbyterian Church was established as a result of the highland land clearances of the time, the established church maintaining their flock were biblically obliged to honour their superiors and therefore accept clearance. The Free Church Ministers were not seen to be in league with the gentry responsible for the clearances. The couple had eight children.
Donald was a shepherd and after marriage lived at Cromarty and Rumsdale (where his wife’s parents lived). They moved to the Isle of Hoy in the Orkneys, then to Scapa Flow for six years. The couple lived on the Shetland Isles for a year when he had a position there, but the cold and the fog disagreed with his health. Except one daughter, who remained in Scotland, they collected up their by then scattered family and emigrated in the ‘Douglas’ in 1873. The passage was assisted by Alexander Sutherland (5.24), and involved several transfers from various boats until finally leaving from London. They saw almost no land during the entire trip of four months from England, and they were quarantined at Soames Island in the middle of Wellington Harbour for a month. Finally they were met by David Sutherland who, tradition states had some bananas for them. His first New Zealand job was sheep shearing for Alex Sutherland at a pound a day but he died within a year or two of landing in New Zealand aged 54 years of Phthisis (Tuberculosis) said to have been contracted in the Shetland Islands.
Antecedents: 6.43 & 6.44
Sources: Sutherlands of Ngaipu by Alex Sutherland; John Gunn as ‘Native of Badbea’, Northern Ensign 17.11.1881. Photo: Enid (Bunty) Barton
5.23
Elizabeth ‘Eppy’ Sutherland (McKay)
1810 – 1866
Elizabeth – Ellen – Kenneth – Margaret Denton – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Eppy was a common contraction of the times for Elizabeth. She was one of seven children, five brothers and two sisters.
Siblings:
Donald (Captain)
Angus – killed in the peninsular wars (Spain 1807-14)
William – killed in the peninsular wars (Spain) (lieutenant)
Alexander – Emigrated to Otago 1839 b 8.08.1832 (Dates?)
Robert
Jean
Elizabeth
Photo caption – With David
Elizabeth married Alexander Sutherland 22.06.1838. They had nine children.
She was raised at Broro, Scotland and emigrated (from Broro to Edinburgh, then London) with her husband and one child under the auspices of the New Zealand company on the ‘Oriental’ arriving at Petone 31.01.1840 one of the first four ships. Both she and her family were at first vehemently against emigration, and when finally confronted with the fact of emigration she broke down at the last moment. Alexander took her baby daughter from her and sat in the row boat waiting to take them out to the ship. This settled the issue when she followed. She milked a cow belonging to Dudley Sinclair on the voyage out, possibly the first cow in Wellington and this was subsequently given to her, in Wellington, where she made the first butter there and sold it at a good price. A second daughter was born to her off Cape Egmont on the voyage out which deprived the couple of a bounty had she been born after landing in New Zealand.
Elizabeth and Alexander would converse in Gaelic; she was of above average stature and build becoming very stout in later years. She was well liked and said to have been of good Christian character, generous, brave hard working and cheerful in all circumstances. In contrast with her husband, she got on well with the local Maoris who called her Mata or ‘mother’ whom she had on at least one occasion had to confront. They respected her and would leave fish on her doorstep making it plain they were for her. A young Maori going north to join in the land wars against the pakehas left her with a horse to mind till he returned. He never did, but in any case she died shortly after
The Sutherlands nearly left New Zealand after the 1848 earthquake but having decided against shifting, they prospered from then on, on occasion entertaining with strawberries and cream Sir George Grey who sometimes picnicked at Lyall Bay. He would withdraw to a certain rock and there mull over the problems of state.
She suffered a stroke which paralysed her right side and she died at the Lyall Bay homestead 03.08.1866 aged 56.
Sources: Sutherland of Ngaipu, Alexander Sutherland, Taiare Allans, James Thomson, Alan
Roydhouse., Celia Manson
Photo Malc Sutherland includes her son David
5.24
Alexander Robert (son) Sutherland
1806 – 1877
Alexander – David – Kenneth – Margaret Denton – Ross Denton – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Alexander was born of poor parents 24.11.1806 probably in or about Tongue, Scotland. It was both his parents’ second marriage, and by his father there were at least four half-brothers, and there was a half-sister from his mother. He also had three full sisters, and one full brother, who drowned young as was one of his half-brothers. He was the youngest of the family, which was very poor.
Half siblings:
Parent: William = Christian Finlayson Parent: Catherine Sutherland = William Sinclair
David 1770 or 1771 Marion Sinclair (Gunn)
Kenneth 1772 or 1774
Alexander 1775
Robert 1777
Malcolm 1778 Drowned as a boy
James 1790
This list does not exclude possible girls
Full Siblings
Christian ‘Christine’ 1798 McLeod
Malcolm 1800 Drowned young
John 1802
Esther 1803 Gunn
Margaret 1804 Dunbar
Alexander 1806
Not all the family were literate, however Alexander was raised and educated after his parent’s deaths by his older cousin John (Badbea) Sutherland in Badbea. This village no longer exists; it was created as a consequence of the Highland land clearances and situated in a wild and bleak position. He farmed with some help from his half-brother David. Prospects were very poor.
Married Elizabeth McKay 22.06.1838, the couple had nine children.
Alexander and Elizabeth emigrated with the New Zealand Company’s ship Oriental, one of the first four. It is not known how he raised the necessary £30 fare or £100 for the New Zealand town acres, but there is a suggestion his oldest brother helped. Their first daughter and second child were
Photo captions –
John Badbea’s house – one of the better ones
Badbea
The barque ‘Oriental’
born while at sea off Mt Taranaki, which robbed them of a bonus for the first born in New Zealand child to a company settler. They landed at Petone 31.01.1840. They moved to a raupo hut built by the Maoris, then, later a clay one on their allocated land at Evans Bay; however this original allocation was proven to be incorrect, so they removed to Lyall Bay the proper allotment, and eventually farmed about 450 acres owned, leased and squatted. The farm took in Lyall Bay, Houghton Bay, Kilbirnie, Newtown Park and zoo, and possibly the site of Wellington College. The area of Melrose was derived from its eventual subdivision.
After about eleven years, he took up land at Akatio [Akitio] to fatten cattle for the wellington Market, but this venture was not successful because of distance, and the land was sold. Sutherland Flats at Akatio refer to this time. Another tradition has it he was persuaded by Donald McLean (land commissioner) to exchange this land for the land at Moeraki adjacent to the Pahaoa land he already owned to make a more convenient unit. His land at Pahaoa, remote, but closer to Wellington, was bought in 1856 and he eventually controlled by lease and purchase some 25 square miles. During these years, his children were known to have asked their mother who the stranger was. In the early days, the sheep were shorn at Lyall Bay some 100 miles around the coast from the farm. He continued to live at Wellington and commuted as necessary by horseback. He kept a horse at Pencarrow head in the care of the light house keeper, and was rowed across the harbour entrance by a Maori crew. If on the return it was too rough, he would walk home around the harbour.
On one occasion in about 1850 a regatta was being held to welcome a visiting British Man of War, and cattle, then scarce, were needed to feed the crew and local settlers. He drove some to Wellington and slaughtered, hung and sold them from a Ngaio tree at Clay Point where George Bennett (5.30) later settled. This was at the present corner of Willis St and Lambton Quay. The sailors in their long boats rowed came within a few feet of the tree.
Widowed in 1866, He remarried in the late 1860s but this marriage failed, his wife removing to Sydney, Australia for the remainder of her life, there was one further son from this marriage, but he did not survive.
Alexander was of a reserved perhaps stern nature, very active and of a strict Presbyterian persuasion. It is said he quitted his church owing to objections at the installation of an organ; music did not belong in church, and once refused to pocket a letter on the Sabbath because it was ‘business’:
Mr Sutherland Monday 28th May 1856
Dear Sir,
I now enclose the letter which you refused to put in your pocket yesterday. It pleased me to notice that you observe the Sabbath in the strict sense – that is right; but as I wrote it on the Saturday evening for your benefit, I did not see great cause of offence to put my note in your pocket, for I did not desire you to read it, or talk of its contents
Yours truly, J. Telford
In contrast with his wife, he did not get on well with the Maoris whom he regarded as shiftless savages. The antipathy was mutual. They referred to him as Tane ‘the man’.
It is something of a mystery how he financed his emigration and ventures but it appears his older half-brother David assisted, and there may have been help from the Sinclair family who were well off in Scotland, however finance was not always problem free right up to shortly before he died when he received, in 1871, a letter from Bethune and Hunter requesting him to settle his debts, and stating they
refused further credit to his son, William. His signet ring carried the crest of the Forse Sutherlands. One of the Sinclairs (Dudley) was on the Oriental with the Sutherlands but did not prosper and later removed to Australia. Also on board the Oriental was Richard Barton, ancestor of Tony Barton, who was in charge of the highlanders for the New Zealand Company.
Although he died apparently quite unexpectedly 21.10.1877 (71yrs 11 months), his health had been failing for some time from a cancer of the tongue. At that time he owned at Pahaoa 14,920. acres equalling 6038 hectares as shown by an undated survey map in addition to his Lyall Bay holdings.
‘Clay House’ Ngaipu, in the original house the internal rooms were not connected. Present Bessy Cameron, Esther Ross, Bill Bird seated on bank centre left and Will Sutherland to the right
The women were sisters of William and David Sutherland. Bill Bird, stockman, worked for 3 generations of the Sutherlands.
Additional Information Ex Alan Roydhouse , Cousin of Peggy (Sutherland) Denton
Re: Richard Barton, (this Barton is a forebear of Tony Barton)
Richard Barton was a quarry owner or operator who contracted for and supplied stone for various works. He was also a farmer and quite active in business. In 1837 he was considering quitting Scotland and emigrating to either England or failing that New South Wales. Emigration seems to have been generally discussed since an 1837 letter regarding emigration: “You know what strange beasts are the Highlanders, should such a matter be pressed upon them they would immediately suspect it was done from sinister motives and merely to get rid of them, but if you can convince a few leading people of its advantages the rest would follow blindly, but they are too headstrong to be forced” a further letter to the Duchess of Sutherland describes the population increase as being undesirable, and further the Duchess enquired whether emigration was preferable to finding the people work.
Although New South Wales was the original preferred destination, by early 1839 New Zealand was decided upon and Highlanders were to emigrate with him.
(£100 paid to NZ passage (?) 27 Jul 1839)
23 July 1839
Richard Barton to his Grace
Thanks for share in the New Zealand Land Co presented to him
His Grace
The Duke of Sutherland
My Lord Duke
Your distinguished gift to me of a share in the New Zealand Company will be ever remembered with the deepest gratitude and I look forward with hope of personally possessing the allotment with the Sutherland people going out with me and propose if it meets your Grace’s approbation to call it New Sutherland.
I (fear?) Mr Loch has found too good an opinion of the Sutherland Emigrants wealth some it is true have sufficient to furnish themselves with comfortable clothing but many will have only a scanty supply for so long a voyage unless assisted and I lament my means are not adequate to my desires to serve them – as Your Grace has been bountiful to me I will do all I can to assist them but all is too little and I am apprehensive of being necessitated to leave some that should go, behind.
I beg the liberty of soliciting Your Grace’s attention to the enclosed which I received this morning and I take this opportunity of mentioning the shares were all sold by Monday 3rd and are now at £20 premium.
I am,
My Lord Duke,
With sincerest respect
Your faithful servant
R Barton
Brora 23rd July 1839
Alexander Sutherland
Ngaipu
Situated in the Hinakura district southeast of Martinborough near the Pahaoa River. The story of Ngaipu (Ko nga ipu – a calabash of drink, for a passing Chief) or Pahaoa (windy pa) as it was then known is the story of Alexander Sutherland, his family line and his sisters two sons, who managed the property in the early years, William McLeod 1856-59 and James McLeod 1859-76, until the Sutherlands took over, William 1876-83, David 1883-1913, Alexander (David’s son) 1913-36. Alexander senior from Badbea Scotland was one of three families from that district (the others being Richard Barton and Dudley Sinclair) who had purchased into the New Zealand Co., offer of 100 acres of country land, and one town acre for 100 pounds, in a town yet to be formed in the new Colony of N.Z. accordingly they sailed on the “Oriental” the first immigrant ship to leave on 15/9/1839 arriving a few days after the “Aurora” at Petone 21/1/1840. There they spent a few days before crossing the harbour to Evans Bay to take up their 117 acres at Lyall Bay. There they stayed in a raupo hut built for them by the Maori’s, until a wood and clay house was built; here they established their first farm, increasing its size to 400 acres over the next few years. By 1851-2 Alexander was looking for more land and rode as far as Foxton where it was too swampy, canoed through the gorge and on to southern Hawkes Bay where he felt it was too dry, then down to Akatio where he soon bought 7-800 acres, which he held for a few years until selling to Dr. Armstrong. Alexander took possession of Pahaoa in 1856 with the stock being driven down from Akitio; the land was 4509 acres of 10 shilling land 10 miles inland, bounding the Pahaoa River. Some time later he acquired another 10,304 acres of 5 shilling land adjoining. The whole property was managed by his nephews, first William McLeod then later David and run in conjunction with the Lyall Bay farm taking surplus stock from there. Lyall Bay was being run by Alex’s sons, while he now lived in town at Newtown where he died in 1877. The Lyall bay farm was sold in 1878. William who had been managing Pahaoa died of rheumatic fever in 1883 and David took over, making plans for a sub-division in 1887 which saw David rename his block Ngaipu as there was confusion with Cameron’s lower Pahaoa and Sutherland’s upper Pahaoa.
The other half of the station (Mrs. Willie Sutherland’s) was called Big Flat until about 1898 when it was renamed Moeraki and the management taken over by Donald Cameron from lower Pahaoa who had married one of the daughters. After coming through many hard times with breaking in the land, isolation, scab, rabbits, wild dogs and pigs the farms prospered and progressed. In 1895 it was decided to build a larger sheep dip and water tank. To do this 20,000 bricks were made and fired using 150 cord of wood, with it being finished in 1896.
They were used for over 50 years. Over the years several homesteads had been built on Ngaipu with Moy Hall being one of the first, named after a Scottish castle and home of the clan Mackintosh. Alex McLeod and his wife lived there at times between 1868 and 1879; several of their children were born there. In 1879 a new homestead was built near the present Moeraki for David Sutherland, and then in 1915-6 another homestead was built for Ken Sutherland.
NOTE: The information contained here is a result of Des De Stefano’s own research and was current at the time he was working on the project. (held at Masterton Kete)
5.25
Martha Chilton
1837 -?
Martha – Emily Daniell – Nell Denton – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Siblings:
Johanna app 1820 Married William Needham b ap 1815
Harriet 10.02.1821 –
Eliza 1822 -27.08.1823
Solomon 1823 – 06.06.1824
Anne 08.10.1824 –
Isaac 1826 –
John 14.08.1828 – married Selena b 1827
William 27.07.1830 – married app 1857 Mary b 1837
James 24.01.1832 –
Mary 08.01.1834 – Married ?Bush
Martha 1837 –
(A girl Nov 1851 – 31.07.1853) but Martha was dead!!
Martha’s mother died when Martha was three.
Martha produced her first child, Emily 11.05.1853, when she would only have been 15 or 16, and she married William Rees two years later. There is an uncertain indication of Emily’s father. David Daniell has it that he was fabulously wealthy with a thing for young girls. Be that as it may, I was never able confirm this. Martha’s mother had a further child who died very shortly before Emily was born, and Emily was largely brought up in that family, by her grandparents,
She married William Rees 10.07.1855 and had five children
And later after 1867 and before 1873 William Roberts (an Alderman) and had a further two children
Antecedents: 6.49 & 6.50
Source: Daniell Centenial Book, David Daniell
gmchilton
5.26
NOT KNOWN
Possibly Richard Bailey
Died 14 April 1853
David Daniell, Grandson of Emily Daniell is sure this man was the father of Emily Daniell. He was a fabulously wealthy second son of Sir Joseph Bailey (died 20 Nov 1858), whose brother, Crawshay Bailey owned iron foundries at Nantyglo. Richard died a month before Emily was born, in France, and therefore may possibly not have known of Emily’s impending birth. The Bailey family had a loose reputation. David’s story involves Len Daniell after the First World War investigating his mother’s birth, and his Perkins son in law and his batman discovering the story of the circumstances of the conception.
David says as a boy when visiting Mathon Lodge he was in the billiard room while the story was recounted in the adjacent room by the adults present, but was too young to be directly involved. The vigorous discussion was firmly closed down by Nellie Denton (Daniell) who took offence at her mother being discussed in the manner it was.
DNA evidence at this time has not been forthcoming.
5.27
Elizabeth Sabina Purnell Daniell (Purnell)
Abt 1826 – before 1881
Elizabeth – Charles Daniell – Nell – Owen Denton – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Siblings:
Edward Bethell 1816 -30.05.1859 m 28.04.1836 Ann Davis
Sarah Ann 1820 – ?
Henry Alfred 1821 – ?
Fanny Eleanor app. 1825 -? M. James Allen ap 1829 – ?
Samuel Webb 1827 _ ? m 1849 Sarah Wright Richards 3.07.1827 – ?
Britannia Jones 1830 -1923 * m:1) Charles Goulding d 1853
“Aunt Britty” of Sydney Aus. 2) 1864 Frederick George Beard
Ann Maria 1832 – ? m 1888 Joseph Marriott
Thomas Bethell 1834 – 1915 m 29.03.1857 Elizabeth Wright Richards
Stephen Joseph 1836 – ?
Phillip James 1838 – < 1841
Elizabeth was born in Herefordshire and was living at Homend St Ledbury in 1841, and was one of 12 children, the final two died in infancy.
She Married Thomas Daniel (note one l) in 1843 and had 10 children.
She was described by CED as ‘this proud spirited woman’ Her origin was apparently of some reasonable substance, i.e. middle class. One of her father’s occupations was as a schoolmaster and she has a reasonable education for her time and she retained an interest in this all her life, ensuring this advantage for her children although it was not compulsory at the time. Her married life was very difficult due to her husband’s freeness with alcohol, and she was listed as a laundress in 1851.
* Compare entry for 4.14 with 5.27 ‘Aunt Britty’ certainly existed in Sydney and was mentioned by Nell Denton. Whether she was CED’s sister or Aunt is unclear
Antecedents : 6.53 & 6.54
Source: D Daniell; Daniell centennial book
gespurnell
5.28
Thomas Daniell
1821-1891
Thomas – Charles Daniell – Nellie Denton – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
At this level, the Daniel seems to have been spelt with one l
Born at Bromsberrow Glouc. England and Christened at St Mary’s Church 22.06.21
At least one brother, John William born in 1817
Married Elizabeth Purnell in 1843, and the couple had ten children. His father, also Thomas Daniel died not long after he was born and he had a hard upbringing after she remarried.
His son Charles, wrote: “he was a hearty industrious man who started life with good prospects but little commercial training which caused him to lose all. He had taken a small farm, but his good fellowship more than balanced his industry making a very hard struggle for mother”. Family tradition had it he brewed his own wine and became addicted to alcohol. This had a dramatic effect on his son(s) and caused an eventual isolation between he and CED.
In 1856 he was listed as an agricultural labourer, and in 1856 and 1881 as a gardener at Mathon Lodge near Great Malvern UK
He died in 1891 at Methyr-Tydfil
gtdaniel
Thomas 1813 – 1814
Joseph remained in England and who looked after the affairs of his NZ siblings
Hannah 1817 UK – 1891 nz
John 1819 UK – 1899
Ann 1821 – 1914 (Bailey)
Thomas 1824 – 1910 Napier printer wife: Jane nee Coupland emigrated to NZ 1855
William 1827 – 1899 Sydney Australia Photographer Wanganui Wife: Jane nee Baker emigrated to NZ 1855
Mary Ann 1829 – ? (m W Dingle 1849 )
Julia 2-7-1831 – 1-2-1909 nz? (m Samuel Hickley) Uk
Caroline mentioned once but not sure where she fits in.
She married George Bennett 26.05.1841 in Southampton and herself had ten children
The story goes she had previously been engaged to an Indian Army Officer, but since his family did not approve, his mail was not forwarded to her and because he had not returned after seven years (Seems she was first engaged at 17 or younger) she married George Bennett and emigrated to New Zealand in 1848. The Harding family refused to reveal her whereabouts to her previous fiancé. Apparently she was not happy in the early stages of her marriage but later wrote of the sterling qualities of her husband in New Zealand. She emigrated with her husband on the ‘Bernicia’ arriving in Nelson 20.11.1848; she was the fourth member of her family to emigrate. The couple set up house at Clay Point otherwise known as Windy Point (now Stewart Dawson’s corner) but later moved to their home called ‘Southampton House’ in Kumototo St., Now Bowen Street where she had her final four children. This was probably on the terrace
By the mid-1850s George was for a time in the Australian gold fields, at which time it appears they were estranged but later letters show George to be back in Wellington with everything normal. Money seems early to have been very difficult and it seems she did a bit of school teaching and let rooms in her home. She claimed indifferent health, confirmed by letters of her mother, and was therefore unable to work. Later, however the couple appeared to be quite comfortable. Her letters describe the terrible death rate among young children at that time in Wellington and the concern caused by the native wars. Her brother John was farming in the Waipukarau district, and he gave her 50 sheep which he grazed and dealt with on her behalf. She was heavily involved in church affairs and charity with a focus on the temperance movement and the cause of unmarried mothers .A photograph in the Dixon family Centennial booklet records the section for the Bunnythorpe Methodist church was given by ‘Grandpa Geo Bennett’.
This Branch of the family had intense Wesleyan religious beliefs. John and Joseph both became preachers. A series of letters from the New Zealand members to Joseph and their mother describe conditions as experienced by them and their slowly improving fortunes. Their grammar and spelling can be a challenge:
1843 John to his mother:
… I thank him for what he is doing for me and my prayer is that he would cleanse me from the last remains of the carnal Mind I fele happy to say that we are all well our dear little Jane is growing a fine girl O may God give us grace to trane her up for heaven. My dear Emma is well in fact we enjoy good Health thank God the cause of God is prospering amongst us we have had several convertions of late I think it is the droppings of a shour O that God would revive his work What a wicked place this is O how sin does here abound the swereing Sabbath breaking Drunkensess Whoremongering &c is most awful, but I bless God that we have the Prospect of Puting an end to some of it by our T T Cause which I am Happy to say is now beginning to Revive after a long sead time midst of opposition…
He asks Joseph to purchase another allotment in England for him in New Zealand, the one he had been allocated not being suitable. He considered going to South America, but trade (apparently wood working) picked up.
16.07.1848 John to his Brother Joseph(?)
…I think as far as produce is concerned our Place is on the rise but the Mad Polacey of the Government tendes to uning and perplex us we have not heard from the seat of war for near 2 months so I can give you no later accounts of how the Governer gets on in the Murder Department then you got by the Papers I sent to Mother some time since, this is (the war with the natives) a Terrible Drawback to the Place those who would build and spend their monies in different wais are afraid to do so till things are more settled and those who are Timid are going away. …
… Since writing the former part of this letter We have received viea Sydney English News of great impoirtance to us as a Colony and to this place in particular
1 The recall of Cap Fitzroy our late Governer
2 That a War Steamer ad arrived at Auckland with Souldiars and last the not least of importance to us that 2 ships will soon be here to load for England Direct.
The news that Cap F wer recoled was received here with great joy the Band played merry Tunes through the town and in the evening Bonfires were lighted in varies places guns fired and to Crown it we ad an Ellumination Which was the first in this Place and seemed to serprise the Natives and the Children that ad not sean aney thing of the kind in England, to all that I ad not much objection as I considere his Recoll a Publick Blessing this was on a Satterday but on the following Monday certan lude fellows of the Bacer Sort set on by men coling themselves Gentalmen went to an extreme which I fear will Pregudace the mind of the New Governer aganest us the carried Fitzroys effergy (or rather Paid some natives to do it) through the place before the band Playing the King of the Canable Islands and afterwards Maltreated it and then Burnt it in a Bonfire. …
… we understand that an army about 2000 strong including some Armed Natives would make another attack on Hecion(sic) in the 1st of this Month but we have not heard the result of the expedition yet. I hope something Deciceive will be done that this war may soon come to an end. What a pitty it is that aney thing of the kind should be to inder the Prosperity of such a beautiful country as this is. ….
21.07.1848
… pleas send no more guns and pistils as we must not import without licence from the Government. I only Rendered myself liable to a Penalty of £500 by landing them as Ironmongery without a Licence. But as there is a Deal of Trouble to get the licence and then I should hav to pay 20% duty on them I said nothing about it and Event gave the Invoice to the Landing Waiter at the Custom House to Look at and He Either Did not or Would not notice it. But the are very Particular in general ….
John eventually moved to and owned a sheep station at Mt Vernon near Waipukarau. His children seem to have been educated in Wellington where Hannah appears to have kept an eye on them.
Hannah and he corresponded:
Hannah to John – Wgtn 3rd Nov 1855: … I am sorry to tell you that I have not let my house either or my rooms, yesterday I let the parlour to a young woman just come from England only for 2 or 3 weeks but it is hard (bad?) work for me the house empty for 2 months I have paid nearly all I received from you to the building society … for sickness and death has indeed been here ever since you have been gone Colds the Enfuenza Croop inflammation etc. so that almost every house has suffered more or less Colonel Gold has lost 3 children and another whose Life is dispared of one died aged 9 years one last Saturday age 3 years and an infant just before Mrs Gold is also very ill. Doctor Ralph has lost 2 a boy and girl 9 & 7 years old and many others I do feel thankful amidst all mine are yet spared …..I cannot tell how many emetics I have taken to clean the stomach Dr Gray Says it is a disease known in England about every 5 years and is Serious and is in the air … am glad to tell you my School promises well 5 the first week 7 the next 11 the third 12 the 4 and 15 last week …..
Uncertain date Rosenia is better Eliza and Georgina as been poorly this week and I have been in a week nervios Way sometimes ardly able to keep on my feet I have sent by way of Sydney as no other mail will leave for a fortnight in all probability. James Watkin is gone to see his father for his health is in a bad state so he has taken it and will post it in Sydney I have enclosed it to Mrs Henning for I do not fancy my letters being of no use I should be thankful if he had got my last so told him he had better send again to Geelong Post Office as he would there see my mind in full …. Presumably refering to George
Hannah April 1856 Rosenia has been confined to the house and bed part of the time for more than three weeks she is gone to school today. She had a severe fall she was taken of her feet by one of those?? gusts of wind so common in Wellington her hip and spine much affected ….can not seem to rally I was thrown so much back by the house being empty and now out of 5 pounds monthly 2 pounds 2 shillings as to go to the building society …. Dear brother as you have kindly offered to spare me 50 of your flock I shall therefore take it as a favour …. I still wish it to be as you holding it in trust or as a trustee for the children as life to us all is an uncertain thing you may be taken and I may be taken ….. I may soon have either the pleasure comfort or triel of George return as I have told you he speaks of coming home in the beginning of winter which is now I suppose … Just now received a letter from Joseph who states he received the check for 50pounds and sent me a receipt and also for the October receipt for life assurance.
Hannah Wgtn June 22 1856 They (Brother William and wife) are getting quite anxious and thinking of returning to Sydney I feel sorry That for the want of a little of that assistance which they were led to expect from you on Brother Joseph’s account namely 50£ that they should be thinking of leaving … You of course remember that our things were in
the P M Hervy store and was destroyed (Fire) no one has said a word to me about it and I am advised to say nothing as all was a total loss my fear is if they should come on me for the bill but in the sale after the remains of the laithe was sold and fetched 5£ … I am much better but the fright I got from the fire was greater than anything I have experienced before ….
Hannah wgtn September 6th 1856 …… stating I had not heard from George I feel it necessary to write again expressly as I believe that letter has not yet left here on Monday last I received a letter from him and in that he desires to be kindly remember to you and his grateful thanks to you for your kindness to me and they dear children he has been given to understand that we are all living with you ….. he is led to suppose that our support is gone or nearly so as he states he has had no letter from me for 13 months that he has written five in that time I trace back and believe this letter to and I believe this letter to be one in which I entreated him if it were possible to forward anything towards money deal at Christmas …. And if it should be sold what would become of us as my health did not allow me to enter any kind of business…. He states he is near Ballarat and … has advised him to return but this he cannot do unless he can get a letter from me and if I will not write for my own sake to do so for his and his dear children he sees how much he is to blame and again acknowledges his faults wishes to return but does not think it possible I can ever forgive him his past conduct but if I will forgive he will come home but if not his mind is made up if he does not get an answer in two months he shall then have finished his job and he will leave the country all together he has but barely kept himself the last 12 months and is indeed longing to see us all now I cannot think that he is looking at our circumstances to be good and therefore an inducement to come back but the contrary … I have done which I believe to be my duty and leave the result to the Lord told him of the loss of his laithe and tools in the P.M.Hervey store being burnt (and PM stopped me that day I got my letter to know if I had anything to give him on his account)
After 1856 Ge Bennet wants you to get the bill for the wethers discounted for him as he has bought some land of Pearce and he can get the hundred from the building society and the amount of their (?) then place them with someone nearer to us Or if you are inclined keep them on your own run….. George desires to be kindly remembered to you.
Sept 11 1858 … I must tell you there is a trial coming off on the 7th of the month between Mr Baker the church minister(?) and Mr Schrouder(?) It appears that the Miss Schrouders went to Mr B on a visit and that he insulted the youngest one and when Mrs S came here and Mrs S was told all the particulars they thought what was best to be done So he went one morning by the Government Buildings and horse whipped Mr B for insulting his daughter I have hear Mr B as offered two thousand pounds (an enormous sum RAD) for the case not to go to court …. You will not be surprised to hear Mr Bennett is going to Melbourne again he is to sail in the ‘Jenny Dove’ he says he has business that calls him there I have not to say more as ??….
No year sep 23rd …from Bro Joseph he is very kind God Bless him I am grieved he got no money for our wool this year. I judge by your sending for things you cannot be much alarmed at the natives we pray the lord preserve you ….
April 8th 1860 Dear brother and sister We feel anxious about our friends who are scattered about and therefore I write hoping to get a letter soon in answer that we may have some idea of the way in which you may be placed as I believe you get the papers I need not enter into the affairs of Taranaki. Some little excitement prevails here and fears are entertained that the war will not soon come to a close …… I am thank God better for a few days George and the family much as usual George has not yet been drawn for the militia but of course we are expecting it and cannot object to his doing his part with others.
Wgtn July 1861 … I saw her at chapple a fortnight ago and the children saw her today she is well George desires me to say he has 2 good rifels if you would like one we can no doubt arrange for you to have 1 by getting an order from Mr Carkeek as we had a government order from Auckland to land them they are considered very good by everyone who has seen them do let us know how you feel as to natives etc. the appearance of things here seem much altered this day the steamer has gone out to Otago with a great number of men to the new diggings people seem now to think more of Gold than War and the result we must leave we think much about you all and pray for your protection and safety.
The rifel, belonging to it, there is the belt, and Sward Bayonet and also a Bullet Mould with gear for cleaning and two boxes of caps the price of it is eight pounds we have a few seeds from Joseph a few flowers and vegetables but I think nothing new ….Our inn has indeed been visited with some very sudden deaths. Mr Flyger is gone he attended a lecture by Mr Scott at the Mechanic Institution on Thursday evening and was spoken to by the Lecturer at half past ten and half an hour after was a Corps and several other similar very lately …there has been several more as met their deaths by Drowning I pray the Lord to give us grace to improve by the passing events I am thankful to say I am still very comfortable but George as comparatively nothing to do our town is in a dull state….
Wgtn feb 27th 1862 .. I write just a note as your daughter Julia is returning home. I am not very well have been to the Hutt for a week that to have had Julia at our house but No. and it is not our fault I am sorry to tell you the wool is still at Johnson store where Mr Seager placed it and no arrangement either to sell or send home I asked Mr Seager who said he would see to it so of course I do not like to interfere and I am afraid another mail will go out before I can get settlement the price of Wool is much lowered I hope you record the acknowledgement from Joseph for the £25 sent last year … My family are well George has not met any Success the diggings are most done……
Wgtn April 9 1862 … I have heard very often from my husband this time and tho he has been doing very little yet it has been … pleasing to hear he is now thinking of returning sent me £15 last mail for which I was thankful … I am glad to hear Julia arrived home safe give my love to all your family….Things remain very dead and dull at present here and Joseph
speaks of great excitement and depression on account of the Prince Consort death and there is no doubt but it is a great loss to the land …
Wgtn Nov 29th 1862 … Joseph told me they had some seeds for you I spoke to Mr Seager to have these sent on he said it was utterly useless as it was to late and only small parcels which would never reach you … I am sorry to see by your letter that you could not send me an exact account about the wool as I have waited from time to time to speak to George conserning that affair but it seems more difficult than ever and as to moving them …. I wish you could let me have a correct account then I should feel comfortable tell Georg I wish this part was over. …You ask me about William I suppose you will have heard from them before this if not I could only find out that they were edged in and did not know how to edge out I am indeed grieved for Joseph. I heard a week or two ago from them and Annie has again commenced dancing school and I fear for both as Annie is in the way for an increase in her family and I think William to particular that is to say sped to much time over them for it to pay. (William had settled in Wanganui as a photographer but later removed to Napier)
May 15th 1863… We have been thinking more than usal about you this week since the Melancholy News reached us from Taranaki I pray the Lord preserve us from like Sceans … We judge Mr Denton is far on his way back to us in the ‘Maria’ which has been long detained. Eliza is at home just a week … I desire to be found thankful my health is much better I am still forced to act with great caution My Dear Babe grows fast is doing well the rest much as usual. I have not heard from William yet I wrote again last week I fear things can not be very pleasant at Wanganui with regard to the natives oh that this terrible suspense were at an end it must be terrible at Taranaki for the Poor Settlers it seem strange that just as the first out break was we were about to build on the Beach and gave up in consequence … but as we have made arrangements for getting it up all being well we shall proceed with it George thinks it will be done in about three months he will do it nearly all (but the front) himself…. Let us know if you have sold or not any of the wethers if you have & could send the cash to us and let our Bill stand on interest till after our shop is up….
Wellington Mar 18 1863 …. The cause of my writing again you will see is a letter from poor brother William. It seems he thought it best to send you this way on account of rumer and one account will serve both you and me to see the fix he is in…. He has yet two months to remain in that horrid place. Oh my poor heart sickens at the thought that New Zealand is far behind in this one point as to poor debtors. It would seem madness under the present circumstances for them to possess anything … I shall try to make up a parcel of little thing which Annie may turn into money to help keep house from ???….
Wellington September 13th 1863 … considerable amount about sheep trading as above ….Rosenia and Eliza sends kind love to Jane and I suppose I need just give you a hint I expect to loose both of them I cannot tell you the day but I believe sometime next month all being well Rosenia has been engaged to Mr Dixon baker for some time past did not think it to be quite so quick but since he has taken his masters Buisiness he feel the need of a help meet and I do trust an believe they will be very happy will have an interest in your prayers … Eliza thought it would be very pleasant to have it both one day so suppose it will be so …. Our town has been much excited on account of the native rebellion but just now pretty quiet…..
Wellington Oct 20th 1863 ….Relate to you just a line to inform you of the Marriage of our two daughters Rosenia and Eliza on the 8th of this month. I trust they both have the prospect of being happy and prosperous. Rose Mrs Dixon is indeed got into a business House from six in the morning till eight at night you know what a Baker’s and Confectionery business is and Men and Boys to look after. I pray God give her strength of Body and Mind to carry it on. Eliza Mrs Denton as a more quiet home only her Husband to do for and small House and a little attention to the business during Mr Denton absence at any time. While the whole of Mr Dixon devolves on Rose, Himself being engaged with the men in the bake house. We had a most delightful day at our House on the hill Mr Aldred came to dinner and at an early hour after family prayer we sepperated and we have a good hope the blessing of God went with them we have much to be thankful for. I shall write but little as I intend to put in a small piece of cake…… We will try to attend to Buisness with you I wish you could keep the sheep for the present shall be glad to hear you have turned the wethers into money farewell
Wellington February 28th 1864 …My Dear Brother you tell me in yours that you have not yet sold any whethers Now I do assure you we shouod feel greatly obliged if you could So as to let us have a few pounds as this Building as caused us to be much pushed and the Shop is finished and lett yet we have considerable anxiety as the affair is still under the arbitrators by order of the court ….
AND SO ON
5.30
George Bennett
1821 – 1891
George – Eliza – Laurence – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
George was born 14.09.1821 in the parish of West Alphington, Devon, England it is not known how any or if any siblings he had.
He married Hannah Harding 26.05 1841 and the couple had ten children.
A shipwright by trade, he was brought up in Devonshire, England. He emigrated with his wife and two daughters on the ‘Bernicia’ arriving at Nelson 20.11.1848, and Wellington about two weeks later.
In Wellington, New Zealand he became a wood turner at what is now Stewart Dawson’s corner at Willis Street and Lambton Quay, then known as Windy or Clay Point. He made the baptismal font for the Wesleyan Church in Brooklyn.
Since they arrived in Wellington shortly after the earthquake of 10.10.1848, Wellington was badly damaged with chimneys down etc. As his cargo was being unloaded, the slings slipped and a case containing his lathe, his tools of trade and other heavy items were lost and never recovered, and this was a great set-back. He spent some time on the Australian gold fields in the mid 1850s, at which time it appears that he and Hannah were estranged. He acquired a property at Clay Point and set up business there (also known as Windy Point, now Stewart Dawson’s corner – Willis Street and Lambton Quay). Within a very few years, the family had established a store with a grocery on the north side, and a drapery on the south. The building was so close to the sea that folk had to go round the back at high tide, and the children used to be popped into the sea each morning, straight across the beach. He therefore built a wooden retaining wall in front of the shop, which he filled in behind to give a permanent way. This was said to be the first reclamation effort in Wellington.
He became noted for his Begonias, and was said to be a ‘noted colonial’.
He and his wife celebrated their Golden wedding 26.05.1891, but both died the same year.
He died 05.06.1891 (69yrs 9mo)
Antecedents: 6.60 James Bennett m 6.59 Mary (?)
Domiciled at West Alphington, Devon
Sources: Daughter’s letter, Evening Post News Paper, Bennett Centennial material, Kidd family.
Photo: Beth Drummond : Face & hands Photographic, clothes & background painted
Photo caption – Photo : Kidd
5.31
Elizabeth Denton (Gill)
1793 – 1853
Elizabeth – George – Laurence – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Baptised 17.01.1793
Married Robert Denton 26.11.1827
Listed in 1841 census as a publican and as a farmer’s wife in 1851
Died 14.09.1853 aged 60
Antecedents: John Gill (6.62) m Hannah Collet (6.61)
1756 – 1811 (55) 1786 1760 – 1815 (55)
Source: Beth Drummond
Photo: Dorette Hodge
Robert – George – Laurence – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Robert was baptised in Ackworth in Yorkshire England 15.09.1797, he had two older sisters and two younger half brothers
Siblings:
Mary 1792 – 1804
Jane 1794 – 1884
Robert 1797 – 1870
Half Siblings:
Christopher 1802 – 1857
George 1804 – 1804
He married Elizabeth Gill 26.11.1827 and they had four children and remarried after her death to Sarah Hammond 1804 – 1868
Occupations listed were as a butcher, cattle doctor, malster, inn keeper (leased School Inn and 40 acres in 1849 licence not renewed in 1842 due to temperance movement) by the 1850s he leased and farmed 299 acres and employed 5 men.
He died 10.01.1870 at Kingsley Common aged 72
Antecedents: 6.64 & 6.63
Source: Michael and Beth Drummond (Biggs)
Photo: Dick Denton, Levin
6.19 & 6.20 Northe Andersen line
Halver Hansen 6.20 and Mari Hansen (Syrensen) 6.19
He was a labourer
6.25 & 6.26 Summers/Northe Line
John Earl & Sarah
6.29
Mary Lakeman (6.29) Northe Line
c1785 – 10 or 11.06. 1850
Ten children.
He was born in the UK and emigrated to Australia in the ‘Anne’ as a private 27.10.1810. He served in the Royal Highland Black Watch and later farmed at Parramatta. He was buried as Hugh O’Donald.
She was born in the UK and emigrated after marriage and remarried after Hugh’s death.
The couple emigrated to Sydney Australia, arriving 27.2.1810. They had ten children.
After Hugh’s Death she remarried to Richard Martin.
Source:
Family tree & Val Swailes
Photo: Laurence Northe
6.30 Northe Line
Hugh O’Donnell (6.30)
C1772 -28.05.1834
Hugh O’Donnell (6.30) & Mary Lakeman (6.29)
C1768 – 28.5.1834 c1785 – 1850
Had three boys and five girls
He was born in the UK and emigrated to Australia in the ‘Anne’ as a private 27.02.1810. He served in the Royal Highland Black Watch and later farmed at Parramatta
She was born in the UK and emigrated after marriage and remarried after Hugh’s death.
6.31 & 6.32 Northe Line
6.32 John Northey & 6.31 Maria Williams
Married: 9.11.1797 five children
6.33& 6.34 Loudon Milne Sutherland line
Ambrose Port (6.34) c1785 – 1862 m Rachel Port (Palmer) 6.33 c1789-1857 nine children
6.35 &6.36 Milne /Sutherland line
William Loudon (6.36) m Elizabeth Loudon (6.35) two children
6.41 & 6.42 Ross/Sutherland line
Christina Sutherland (6.41) & John McLeod (6.42)
Christine Sutherland 1798 – 1872
Source Claire Reid/ [ancestry].com
A sister of Alex Sutherland
John McLeod 1797 -1869
Antecedents: (7.82) & 7.81
6.44 Sutherland line
William Ross
Died Approximately 1864
He originally lived in Auchincraig but was cleared in the highland clearances of the time to Berridale where he was given a small holding.
He had at least two sons, Donald and John who both emigrated to New Zealand, John to Otago. There were also daughters. William was known as a quiet industrious man, much respected by all who knew him.
Sources Sutherlands of Ngaipu; John Gunn as ‘Native of Badbea’ Northern Ensign 17.11.1881
6.45 &6.46 Sutherland Line
Jane (Jean) & Hector McKay
This family moved to East Clyne Brora following evictions from the area of Ascoille in or around the years of 1815 to 1820
6.47 & 6.48 Sutherland Line
Catherine Sutherland (Mrs Sinclair) 6.47&7.81 William Sutherland 6.48 & 7.82
6.49
Mary Chilton (Bevan)
1799 – 26.09.1840
Mary – Martha – Emily Daniell – Nell Denton – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Siblings:
Harriet 12.10.1806 – ? m 1826 Joseph Bevan
Lewis 1827 Margaret Jones
Charlotte 1828 William Partridge
Lea 21.01.1819 13.05.1837 Abel Stealey
Married Solomon Chilton 26.02.1820 eleven children
Died aged 41 when Martha was three.
Antecedants:
Source: David Daniell
6.50
Solomon Chilton
1795 – 1868
Solomon – Martha Chilton – Emily Daniell – Nell Denton – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Siblings:
Sampson 1793-
Abraham 1797 – Married Jane 2 children
Born in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, where his family had resided for generations when he moved to Nantyglo he took a half brother and a cousin with him
Married Mary Bevan 26.02.1820, and had eleven children
Second wife named Anne married in 1847 and two further children
Jerry Daniell has Solomon as an engineer and a factor in the Bailey Bros industrial empire, and lived in the Nantyglo area of Wales. David Daniell has him in 1851 a Mine Agent; by 1866 in farm lease documents is described as a contractor, and on his death left £8,000, which would have made him a very comfortably off person of his time. His estate included in excess of 30 leasehold cottages and houses, a brew house and Public House
Died 26.03.1868 at Penwyn Aberstruth Wales
6.52
See 5.26
6.53
Britannia Jones Purnell (Bethell)
30.06. 1794-1794(after)
Britannia – Elizabeth Purnell – Charles Daniell – Nellie Denton – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Siblings:
Mary 1782 –
Eleanor 1785 –
Thomas 1786 – M 21/01/1819 Beata French
Bapt: Painswick Glouc. 26.09.1795
Married Samuel Purnell 18/08/1814 10 children
6.54
Samuel Purnell
6.01.1791 – 3.09. 1848
Samuel – Elizabeth – Charles – Nell Daniell – Owen Denton – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Was born at Horsley, Glos, in England and christened 2/3/1791
Siblings: Sarah 1789 – 03.09.1848
Stephen Noah 1794- ?
Pethehiah 1796 married 28.09.1814
Hester 1801 – ?
Thomas Noke 1802 – ?
Thomas 1806 – ?
Bapt: Horsley Glos 2.03.1791
Married Britannia Jones Bethell 28 August 1814
He had various occupations:
Schoolmaster Painswick
Carrier Ledbury
Perpetual Overseer Ledbury
School master
Constable =? Town Councillor Ledbury
Coachman
Coach Proprieter [Proprietor]
Farmer
In 1841 was living in Homend, Ledbury, Herfordshire
He died 13/09/1848 at Homend, Ledbury, Herfordshire
Source: D Daniell
6.55 Daniell/Denton line
Anne Daniel (Brooks)
App 1793 – 1872.
Born Redmarley, d’Abitot, Worcestershire
Married 13 sept 1816
Died March 1872
6.56 Daniell/Denton Line
Thomas Daniel
Approx 1787-1824
Married Anne Brooks (or Brooke) 13.09.1816 and was a small farmer & carpenter
Sources: Daniell Centennial Book, Daniell of Masterton by H Daniell (Jerry) Family Tradition, David Daniell
6.57 & 6.58
Thomas Harding & Mary Ann Harding (Bennick)
Thomas & Mary Ann – Hannah – Eliza Bennett – Laurence Denton – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Thomas Harding (6.58) & Mary Ann Bennick (6.57)
1785 – 13.10.1833 (48) 1791 – 03.01.1868 ( 77)
Born Gosport and married 29 March 1807 at Kingston near Portsea, he 21, she 16
She had not wanted to marry so young, but consented when it appeared he was going to sea. He did not go. Her immediate forebears were seafaring.
Thomas’ Siblings:
Ann
Hannah
Thomas
Mary Ann Siblings:
Mary Ann
Phyllis married Laskey children
Thomas married ni
This couple had eleven children the first four of whom died before the age of two.
Thomas Harding was a cooper by trade and a drunkard. He died of cholera and because of this the family fell out with the local Church of England minister who refused to bury him. A Wesleyan minister agreed to officiate whereupon the family joined that persuasion. Mary is said to have preached a sermon on temperance at the grave side in the process extracting a pledge of abstinence from each of her children. She apparently had nursing skills for which she was well thought but refused a position in Queen Victoria’s employ when Victoria was expecting a child. The perils of childbirth are implied in an 1855 letter of Mary’s to her children‘… I hope before thi she will again be made the living mother of a living and hopeful child …’. She elsewhere refers to the dreadful death rate amongst children and generally due to cholera. After the death of her husband she took to school teaching, and may have established her own school.
Her family in the previous generation had escaped from the French revolution That family name is given as Bentinick, which was anglicised in time to Bennick. It has been suggested the name is originally possibly Dutch and Bentink. Bentinick is not a French name. The name Bentink was used as a middle name of the children of Hannah’s nephew Alpha Bennick Harding. It seems these folk were originally well off.
Source Dixon & Bennet Centennial material
Photo: Kidd
Alternative family notes extracted from Thomas Bennick Harding.
His father, also Thomas, resided early in Salisbury, but he was in Poole by the age of 20. After marriage the couple (Mary Ann & Thomas) seem to have lived for a time at Portsmouth (or Portsea) before Redbridge near Southampton to be near his sister Anna who had an estate at Eling in the New Forest. He was a man of great resource and ingenuity and prospered while he was there. His sister Hanna married and emigrated to Labrador. Although Thomas had been taught weaving by his mother, who must have died when he was quite young, he did not continue but carried on business as a cooper and turner. The couple’s first four children died in infancy, after which they reared eight. He died when the youngest was about two. About 1829, as a result of the financial losses due to a failed court case – he was assaulted over the supposed non return of a liquor jug – they moved to Southampton but did not succeed, firstly as a cooper, then, moved to Gosport where he opened an eating house, a public house ‘The Ship’, then another eating house in conjunction with the cooper’s trade, then a ginger beer factory which seems to have done quite well, but each step was lower than the previous. In 1833 he contracted cholera, common at the time, and died.’ There was a difficulty about his burial. The clergy at Gosport were an old man and a young one. An attempt was being made to bury cholera patients without the funeral service and these two thought they would begin with father, so when the funeral was approaching the young one took his horse and rode away into the country. The old man was not
inclined to come out … at last the minister came forward and did it when it was nearly dark.’ At this stage a Methodist woman befriended Mary Ann and advised her to join that church. Sons Joseph and John both became local preachers, she displayed intense religious conviction. Financially stretched, Mary Ann returned to Southampton with younger children, to be closer to friends and there opened a Ginger Beer factory. The older children remained in Gosport being apprenticed or working. In later years, her health failing, her legs and breathing especially troubling her, she seems to have depended at least to a degree on her children for support and was delighted to receive her New Zealand grandchildren if and as they arrived for schooling.
A later annotation says Thomas (the father) is seen by the family as a bad lot and a drunkard although these family notes do not directly say so. In a letter to New Zealand written by Mary Ann in 1859 refers to “ Your poor father has been dead 27 years next Thursday”.
A sample of one of Mary Ann’s shorter letters, probably to John. It seems Son Joseph funded the emigration of his brothers or at least attended to their affairs:
Southampton August 20 1855
Mr Dear Child,
I was happy to hear that you and your wife and children were well I hope before this she will again be made the living mother of a living and hopeful child please give my kind love to her and my blessing to the dear child children many kisses for them all I should be happy to see them but I suppose that will never be in this world but if not I hope it will be in the World to Come tell your dear wife I called the other day to see her mother and she told me she had her likeness done when it was convenient to send it so I shall call for it when we go up in town she looks so very old so do her sister too and her mother told me to tell her that her brother was master of that shop opposite hers in French(?) street where he was once errand boy and a nice ship it is with large open front mothers is also a nice large shop and seems to be doing a good business our Julia also has a shop at 12 B—(?)- street and I hope she will do pretty well by and by I suppose you expected to see your brother William before this but they waited so long for Joseph to pay their passage out and he could not do it so they thought they would go to Australia and then if they did not like it they could get over to New Zealand so perhaps they may come now I believe Mr Dingle has left off thinking of coming out they have had three children but lost one but expect another next month Julia has two boys and a girl and three nice children they are Caroline has none but I believe she and Mr Bayley are both useful servants in the Lord’s vineyard. They are at Cheltenham keeping the St Peters School Mary Ann keeps the church school at Botham(?) and leads the singing and chanting they all join with me and Julia and Mr H in kind love to you all I was not at home when your letter that
you sent Joseph came so did not know your dear wife was confined but Julia has just told me of it your poor old Aunt Ash is I believe near death Mr & Mrs Hickley was there to see them yesterday they left her alive this morning but do not think she can have many days I did not go as I have a bad leg and it was so swollen and inflamed that I was not able to go out so much as to church I fear it will never be quite well any more in this world but the will of the Lord be done I hope I shall feel resigned to the will of the Lord and be enabled to say the will of the Lord be done my Jesus has done all things well I am happy to know my dear you are doing so well as (the) gentleman says your sheep lambed twice the last year but my dear I should be very glad if you could remit your money to Joseph more regular as I know it puts him sadly out and makes him very nervous which I am sorry to see I hope you will not be angry with me for naming it but I thought I would just name it to you well now I believe now I have no more to say at present but my prayers to God for you and yours and remain your ever affectionate mother M A Harding
In further letters:
1855…I am sorry to tell you Cholera has again this summer made its appearance it has cut off its thousands in the great cities we have had a little in our town but nothing to what it is in some parts…
1856…Oh is it not shocking that our poor dear Hannah should be such a sufferer both in mind and body it is my dear very kind of you to say if anything happens to her you will take to the dear children but then my dear how long a time it will be before you can get to them oh my dear I do so regret your going so far (Waipukarau) from her she will now have no friend near her and in her poor weak stat too oh how I wish she could be here with us I dare say something could be done here for their maintenance here as well as there but I suppose that cannot be oh that cruel hard hearted man what will he think of it when it shall please God to call him what a death bed it will be unless the Lord pleases to let him see the feel and greatness of his sin before that time …
1857 Your kind letter with the check in it came duly to hand for which I return my most sincere thanks and feel assured that our heavenly father will reward you seven fold…. I can not help wishing they had never left their native land and as to poor Joseph it seems to have almost broke his heart and spirits both I can assure you it has made him begin to look old
1858(?) I understand since I wrote that poor Hanna was too??? but the time is now past. I hope the Lord was with her and made her the joyful mother of another hopeful and living child …
May 1861… one from Joseph in which he enclosed one he has received from Hannah and I am sorry to see that the war is still going on and do not seem likely to stop oh when will the time come when war shall hide its direful head then we shall have no need to say to one another know the Lord
June 1863…It is with sorrow I heard yesterday you have been visited with an earthquake it was in the paper that you was a sufferer …
July 1863 To Emma a grandchild …we had heard of the earthquakes but we feared it had been much worse as your father’s name was mentioned in one paper as being a sufferer (probably Waipukarau 22 Feb 1863 MW 7.5)… I heard the painful news of some sad fighting going on with the loss of the lives of some of our soldiers and officers oh it is a sad state to live in but I hope it may not be so bad as it is represented but whether it is so or not I pray and trust the Lord will preserve all my dear children …
Jan 10th 1864 … you say my dear you hope Joseph has let me have your kind allowance yes my dear that is alright he would not neglect as he knows I have no other resort than my children’s kindness indeed the Lord has blessed me with good children may the lord return it sevenfold to them in time …
22 June 1864… in good health and happy in the lord and that you are safe from the wars so that the Lord would be pleased to put a stop to it there and everywhere else for it is dreadful to hear of so much bloodshed going on… I am better than usual except my poor legs they are very weak and swell so much that at times I can scarce walk at all sometimes they are a little better sometimes I cannot get so much as to church …
Jany 7th 1867 To Grandson Robert Harding …. We now have very severe weather ….. and it is out of my power to get to see them but I am sure it is all in mercy it will put a check to the sickness that is abroad and has been brought here in the ships from the west indies we have had four ships from their with the yellow fever on board but they were all sent to the Motherbank to ride Caranteen so that no harm as come to us except to the owners of the ships to them i6t was a great expense for some of the ships were nearly spoiled with fumigating and one thing and another But the last ship that came from their had but one man die but it was sent to curreteen and they say they are all to go….
Sources: Bennett Centennial material, Kidd family.
William James 19 Sept 1826-1899
(m. Annie Knight-Baker)
Mary Ann 5 Feb 1829-1892
(m. William H Dingle)
Thomas Bennick. 19 July 1824-1910
(m. Jane Coupland)
Hannah 20 Apr 1817-1891
(m. George Bennett)
Mary Ann (nee Bentinck) 1791-1868
m. Thomas Harding 29 Mar 1807
1785-1833
Joseph 26 Feb 1815-1892
(m. Ann Ray)
John 2 Aug 1819-1899
(m. Emma Walden)
Julia Ann 2 July 1831-1909
(m. Samuel Hickley)
Ann Caroline 27 Dec 1821-1874
(m. Phillip Bailey)
HARDING FAMILY GROUP
COPY OF ORIGINAL PRINT RE-TOUCHED SEPTEMBER 2000 BY COMPUTER PRINT & DESIGN, NAPIER
6.59 & 6.60 Denton line
6.60 James Bennett m 6.59 Mary (?)
Domiciled at West Alphington, Devon
6.61 & 6.62 Denton line
John Gill (6.62) m Hannah Collet (6.61)
1756 – 1811 (55) 1786 1760 – 1815 (55)
Source: Beth Drummond
Photo: Dorette Hodge
6.63
Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Denton (Garlick)
1770 – 1799
First wife of George,
Siblings:
Elizabeth b 17.01.1770 bapt 18.02.1770 married 14.12.1791, buried Ackworth, Decline
Mary bapt 23.04.1774 Ackworth
Lionel bapt 21.04.1772 , Ackworth
Jane bapt 04.08.1776, Ackworth
Source Beth Biggs
6.64
George Denton
1770 – 1825
He was a farmer and butcher he married firstly Elizabeth Garlick 01.12.1791 and had three children including Robert.
Siblings:
George 1770 – 1825
Anne 1771
Sarah 1774 – 1775
Mary 1775 – 1779
Elizabeth 1779
Martha 1782 – 1829
Married 1802 secondly Elizabeth Hustwick 1771 – 1805
And had two further boys
Third wife Dorothy Brown married 1819 died 1835
Source: Michael and Beth Drummond (Biggs)
Photo: Dick Denton, Levin
7.64
Northey Northe Line
7.64 either Robert 13.01.1765 or Richard 26.12.1751
The name Northey is supposed to derive from Northey, Northy, or Northway from the county of Gloucestershire.
7.81 & 7.82 Sutherland Line
William Sutherland (7.82) & Catherine (Mrs Sinclair) Sutherland (7.81)
Source: ‘Sutherlands of Ngaipu’ by Alex Sutherland
7.93 & 7.94 Sutherland Line
Marion Sutherland (nee Sutherland) 7.93 & 8.61 & 7.94 8.164 John Sutherland
7.96 & 8.164 Sutherland Line
David Sutherland b 1720 7.96 & 8.164
7.97 & 7.98. Daniell/Denton line
Thomas Bevan (7.98) Mary Partridge (or Morgan) (7.97)
7.99 & 7.100 Daniell/Denton line
John Chilton (7.100) & Anne ? (7.99)
Source: Daniell Centenial book, David Daniell
7.106 Daniell Denton line 7.105
Thomas Bethell 1758 – ? Married 29.10.1779 Britannia Jones about 1759 – 1846
Family tradition has it that Britannia Jones was christened on the drumhead after the battle of Minden in 1759.
She died in 1846 in unusual circumstances aged 87 at Clerkenwell, London. At that time water born disease was rife. A grandson had borrowed some £700 from various people on the strength of a stated inheritance of £310 telling that she had suddenly died some two months previously. He had given her a ‘puff’ or tart, she was taken violently ill with vomiting and died about 16 hours later. Murder was suspected, however the doctor was unable to detect poison and diagnosed Cholera Morbus (distinct from Cholera). The grandson was severely admonished for his behaviour.
There was a Britannia in the family right up to Britannia Marjorie Hodder (Daniell) who died in 1993. Perhaps there is still one out there. Four of Britannia Jones’ nephews fought in the Battle of Waterloo
Source: David Daniell, Family Tradition, Claire Reid
7.107 & 7.108 Denton/Daniell Line
Sarah (Cooper?) Married Samuel Webb Purnell
1766 – 1829
Samuel & Sarah – Samuel Daniel – Elizabeth – Charles Denton – Nell – Owen – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Christened 10.09 1766 at Stroud
Siblings:
Esther 1762 – ?
Elizabeth 1763 – abt 1771
Mary 1765 – ?
Onesipherous
Elizabeth
Robert
Died Back Lane, Ledbury Herefordshire 18.06.1829
7.109 Denton/Daniell Line
Sarah Devereux
1767 -1848
Married 31.12.1788 to
Denton Daniell Line
7.110 Denton/Daniell Line
Richard Brooks
appr 1760 – 1824
Occupation Carpenter
Richard, and his son in law were buried just one week apart
Denton Daniell Line
7.113 & 7.114 Harding/Bennett/Denton Line
7.113 & 114 Bentinck family = Bennick
‘A romance’: It seems that there were two brothers, refugees from France, arriving in Poole Dorset in the 18th century one (our ancestor) married the other, not. Over a quarrel, they separated; the single brother travelled overseas & prospered, the Married one did moderately well in England. In due time, the single brother, seeking a reconciliation, and to leave his estate to his brother’s children returned to England. He was taken ill on arrival and lodged in an hotel by his valet, where he made his will in his brother’s favour, but died before he saw him. The valet took the will, and impersonated the surviving brother, thus appropriating the estate called ‘Bloomfield’ his crest was two doves and an olive branch. The family was unable to act on this information. …Who Knows?
Denton Harding Line
Source Dixon & Bennet Centennial material
Photo: Kidd
7.116 Bennett/Denton line
Joseph Harding
Joseph was a well-established weaver in Salisbury, Wiltshire during the latter half of the eighteenth century, who died when son Thomas was a boy. His wife continued the trade until her own death. Apparently the first names Thomas and Joseph were given to the eldest boy alternately for several generations.
He had three known children
Source Dixon & Bennet Centennial material notes Thomas Bennick harding
7.125 Denton Line
Jane Garlick (Dobson)
7.126 Denton Line
Joshua Garlick
Bapt 1728? – 1788
From the contents of his will apparently of some substance, described as yeoman i.e. freeholder
Siblings: & baptismal dates all listed in Normanton, Yorkshire
Lionel 12.04.1726
Joshua 16.04.1728
Elizabeth 02.01.1731
John 17.11.1735
Mary 04.02.1738
Source Will ex Beth Drummond
127
Mary Goodyear
1740 – 1826
Aged 86
Married 20.06.1769
To:
7.128
Robert Denton
1737 – 1812
Aged 75
Siblings:
Robert 1737 – 1812
Henry b 1738
Richard b 1740
Mary 1743 – 1799
Betty b 1746
8.161 & 8.162 Sutherland Line
John Sutherland 7.94 & 8.162 = Marion Sutherland (nee Sutherland) 7.93 & 8.161
Tenant Golsary !
8.164
David Sutherland b 1720 7.96 & 8.164
8.186
James Sutherland 8.186 & 9.322
Miller Ousdale
!
8.188 (& 9.324)
William Sutherland
8.209 & 8.210 Denton Daniell Line
Robert Jones, Major (8.210) Unknown ( 8.209)
Officer under The Duke of Cumberland.
8.212 Denton Daniell Line 8.211
James Bethell 1723 – ? Married 10 Jun 1756 Mary Webb
Or 1724
bapt 6.03.1724
James had one known sister Anne b 1725
8.215 & 8.216 Denton Daniell Line
Samuel Purnell (8.216) & Esther (Hester) Webb 8.215
About 1740 –
Samuel Purnell – Samuel – Samuel – Elizabeth Daniell – Charles – Nell – Owen Denton – Ross – Jane, Stuart, Hugh, Alistair
Married 1761 at Painswick
In 1762 was living at Stroud, Glous.
8.251 Denton Line
Possibly Mrs Mary Garlick,
Widow of Featherstone who left property to Joshua
Or Elizabeth Garlick (Tyson)
8.252 Denton Line
Joshua Garlick
Source: Will ex Beth Drummond
8.255 & 8.256
Mary Denton (Mather) & Richard Denton
8.255 8.256
Source: Michael and Beth Drummond (Biggs)
Photo: Dick Denton, Levin
9.322
James Sutherland 8.186 & 9.322
Miller Ousdale
9.372
John Sutherland 9.372 & 10.644
!
Lairds of Forse & Langwell
9.423 & 9.424 Denton Daniell Line
Thomas Bethell (9.424) Married 8.04.1723 Sarah Gardner (9.423)
1690 – ? ? – 1734
10.644
John Sutherland 9.372 & 10.644
! beyond
Lairds of Forse & Langwell
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Description
Family surnames in this book –
Adkin, Allen, Andersen, Anderson, Atkins, Badbea, Bagnall, Bailey, Baker, Bamford, Beard, Bennett, Bentinick/Bennick, Bethell, Bevan, Brady, Brew, Brooker, Brooks, Brown, Cameron, Campbell, Chambers, Chilton, Christopherson, Cockburn, Collett, Cooper, Coupland, Daniell, Davis, Denton, Devereux, Dick, Dingle, Dixon, Dobson, Drewitt, Dunbar, Earl, Ellery, Evinson, Ferguson, Flynn, Fullerton, Galpin, Garlick, Garner, Garrick, Gill, Goodyear, Gore, Goulding, Halvison, Hammond, Hansen, Harcourt, Harding, Hibbins, Hickley, Hoare, Hodder, Innes, Johnson, Jones, Kilpatrick, Kitto, Knight-Baker, Lakeman, Laskey, Lewers, Lilburn, Longman, Loudon, Marriott, Martin, Martinson, Mather, McEldowney, McKay, McLean, McLeod, Milne, Needham, Newman, Northe, Northey, O’Donnell, Owen, Palmer, Parton, Partridge, Paton, Peacock, Port, Prenderville, Price, Purnell, Ralph, Ray, Rees, Richards, Roberts, Ross, Roydhouse, Safarti, Scarfe, Scott, Sinclair, Small, Smith, Somerville, Speedy, Spence, Stanley, Stealey, Steer, Summers, Sutherland, Taaffe, Walden, Wall, Webb, Webster, Whittaker, Williams
Other surnames –
Baird, Barton, Biggs, Bird, Brittain, Brooker, Bussle, Cato, Chaney, Ciochetto, Clark, Donovan, Drury, Elworthy, Faulknor, Greatbatch, Hickey, Hodge, Kale, Keal, Kerr, Kidd, Lambert, Lilioja, Lowry, MacKay, Masters, Maultsaid, McKenzie, Morrison, Pragnell, Reid, Saunders, Seager, Shaw, Swailes, Telford, Unverricht, Wattie, Wells, Whitmore, Wilson, Wright
Format of the original
BookDate published
2015Accession number
477465Supporters and sponsors
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