NZSG Franklin: Suffrage 125 Vol1 2018 original

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3321 Surname: BENT
Given names: Henrietta
Occupation: household duties Address: Waiuku

Qualification: residential

Henrietta BENT was born in Auckland in 1874. Her family
moved to Waiuku when she was four. She grew up on the
family farm in the Waipipi district and attended the Waipipi
School, which was a half time school in the 1870s, when the
teacher was there three days in the week and at another
school three other days in the week. As a result she was not
as well educated as her older siblings who went to school in
Auckland. She never married and lived at home. After her
mother died in 1897 she helped her older sister care for their
aged father, first at their farm homestead until they moved
to Auckland in 1899, and until his death in 1912. The two
spinsters lived together, Henrietta surviving until 1952.

Her life mainly revolved helping around the family and farm in a time when there weren’t the
domestic labour saving devices of today. The weekly wash day was a big undertaking, and
there was the cooking on the coal range, with no fridge, freezer or nearby supermarket. The
farm was an hour by horse and buggy from the nearest shops in Waiuku. A freestanding safe
in the south side of the house was the only means of keeping perishable food. Meat was
always from animals or poultry from the farm.

Life was easier in Auckland with better access to shops. She did needlework and enjoyed
playing croquet. She also played the organ at times in the St Aidan’s Anglican Church.
Henrietta died at the age of 80.

Source:
“Neither Rash Nor Timid”, a history of the Bent family. A copy is in the Waiuku Museum.

Researcher: Rod Bent, great nephew of Henrietta.

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3322 Surname: BENT
Given names: Rebecca
Occupation: household duties Address: Waiuku

Qualification: residential

Rebekah SELBY was born on 9 June 1831 to Samuel and
Rebekah Selby of Slawston, a village in Leicestershire in
England. In 1853, when aged 22 she married Robert
BENT, a hosier from Leicester city. The wedding took
place in the Stoughton Church of England. They made
the decision to immigrate to New Zealand in 1855 on
the ship Carnatic arriving in Auckland on 27 December
1855. Their first of nine children was born four weeks
after their arrival, though two daughters died in infancy
in the 1860s and are buried at St Mark’s Church,
Remuera. It must have been a great loss for Rebekah.

Her surviving daughters were Sarah, Rebekah and
Henrietta, the latter two known by their nieces as Aunt Becky and Etta. Tragedy struck the family
when her daughter Sarah died in 1882 when giving birth to her first child, Willson. Rebekah and Robert
brought up the child at their Waiuku farmhouse with much help from Rebekah and Henrietta.

The Bent family settled for some years in Auckland, living in Epsom for a while and then moved in 1969
in Papatoetoe. They did well enough in business to buy or lease three farms along the Awhitu
Peninsula coast, moving to the large 485 ha St Michael’s farm in 1876. Rebekah managed her large
family with a housekeeper for 21 years. She was strict yet fair in her dealings with people. Along with
her husband she was a regular churchgoer to the Waiuku Anglican Church. This involved an hour’s

journey in two horse drawn buggies to Waiuku, and for special
occasions they would go twice on Sunday. She was a very
capable woman. Rebekah was most fortunate to return to visit
her hometown and people with her husband in 1892. Five years
later she died. Her grave is in the Waiuku Cemetery.

Researcher: Rod Bent (Great Grandson), editor of the Bent history
book, 1975. A copy is in the Waiuku Museum.

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3323 Surname: BENT
Given names: Rebecca Selby
Occupation: household duties Address: Waiuku

Qualification: residential

Rebekah was the third child of Rebekah and Robert BENT, born on
26 August 1860 and lived near Waiuku from 1876 to 1899. She
was named after her mother. Born in Auckland, her family moved
to farm on the West coast when she was sixteen years old. By
then she had finished her schooling in Auckland.

She, like many young women in the so-called colonial days, helped
her mother at home to manage the household chores with a large
family. A nephew, Eric Bent (b. Waiuku 1908), wrote the following
about her:

“Aunt Rebekah never married. She was engaged but her fiancé
died some time before the date set for the wedding. As children we stood somewhat in awe of her on
account of her (Victorian) strictness and yet she was never unjust or unkind. She attached great
importance to good manners and etiquette. As we advanced into our mid – teens Aunt Rebekah
relaxed her strict ideas and she became quite entertaining and a good companion. I grew very fond of
her.”

While living in Waiuku she was actively involved with the Anglican Church. Her other interests are
unknown. Her mother died in 1897 and two years later she and her widower father sold the farm and
bought a house in Remuera Rd where she lived until she died on 13 October 1938.

Researcher:

Rod Bent, (Great nephew), editor of the Bent history book,1975. A copy is in the Waiuku museum.

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3325 Surname: BEST
Given names: Margaret
Occupation: farmer Address: Punui (should be Puni)

Qualification: residential

Margaret Ann BULLA (BULLEN) was born on 5 November 1842 in Armagh, Northen Ireland and
married David BEST on 4 September 1863 in Seagoe, Armagh. They immigrated to New Zealand
before c1865 and had Allotment 9 in Pukekohe in 1870 – 1871.

They had at least 13 children, one born in Ireland and probably the rest in New Zealand. Their
daughter Ellen was definitely born in Pukekohe.

Margaret would have had a challenging life. In 1888 David filed for bankruptcy claiming he was
unable to pay the mortgages from farming on the two properties he owned and he was unable to
find work off the farm. He said he had seven small children too young to work and a very delicate
wife to support. He somehow seemed to retain the land as at his death in 1905 it was willed to
three sons, leaving nothing to Margaret. The will was contested and the land, livestock and
household goods were auctioned in 1906 (NZ Herald 17 Nov 1906).

In 1893 Margaret who would have been 51, appeared on the Electoral Roll at Puni giving her
occupation as farmer. Two of her daughters would have been old enough to vote. Mary Jane Best
was living at Kirikiroa working as a domestic servant and the other, Margaret REGAN, was married to
a miner and living at Thames.

In 1911 Margaret was living with her son Thomas in central Auckland and in 1914 at 36 Haydn St.

Margaret Ann Best died in Auckland on 21 September 1918 and is buried with two of her daughters.

Sources:

BDM – Ancestry.co.uk
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
NZ electoral rolls –
Ancestry.co.uk
Old newspapers:
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Probate records:
www.familysearch.org
Headstone photo –
www.findagrave.com

Researcher: Judith Batt
Compiler: Heather Maloney

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0239 Surname: BILKEY
Given names: Emily Sarah
Occupation: household duties Address: Buckland

Qualification: residential

Emily Sarah WALKER was born in 1866 in New Zealand, the second daughter of Thomas WALKER
(1840-1906) and Emily Caroline WIDGERY (1841-1901). They had married in Invercargill in 1864.

Emily had seven sisters and one brother and no doubt had to help with household chores and
looking after the younger children before her marriage.

In 1888 she married Edwin BILKEY, a farmer of Buckland, near Pukekohe. Edward was one of the
sons of Robert Bilkey (1821-1910) and Jenefer (Jane) EDWARDS (1817-1911) and had come to New
Zealand with his family on the eventful voyage of the Bombay, at the age of 11. He farmed in
Buckland and remained living on that farm until his death in 1931.

Emily and Edwin had four sons:

• 1889 Edwin Leonard
• 1891 Alfred Thomas
• 1892 Ernest Walker
• 1901 Ivan Walter John.

The Bilkeys were ardent supporters of the Anglican Church and were
active in fundraising and building St Paul’s Church at Buckland.

Emily’s mother Emily Walker, her sisters Alice (by then Mrs
OLDHAM) and Bertha Walker were also on the 1893 electoral roll.

Emily died 25 years after her husband on 24 June 1956 aged 89 and
they are buried together in Pukekohe cemetery

St Paul’s Anglican Church, Buckland

Sources:
James Family Tree – ancestry.co.uk
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Obit for Edwin –
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZSG
Church photo - google

Researcher: Heather Maloney

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0237 Surname: BILKEY
Given names: Helen Warn
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Pukekohe

Qualification: residential

Helen was born Helen Warn MEATYARD and baptised on
21 July 1861 at Chard in Somerset. Her parents were
William Meatyard (1831-1908) who was born in
Blandford, Dorset and Sarah HARDING (1838-1868), born
Brimpton, Somerset.

At the time of Helen’s birth her father was a gardener
and they were living in Tatworth village, which is close to
Chard.

According to Helen’s obituary, the Meatyard family came
to New Zealand in 1862 and a daughter, Charlotte was
born in 1867. The family were living in the Franklin
district when Helen’s mother died shortly after
Charlotte’s birth in 1868. She was buried in Pukekohe.

Helen married John BILKEY (1852-1928) in 1883 and they
had seven children – four daughters and three sons but sadly two of them died very young.

John Bilkey had come to NZ with his parents on the ship Bombay and became a successful potato
grower in Pukekohe. The Bilkeys were involved in a variety of community organisations. Her
granddaughter Helen spoke of her in very affectionate terms.

John died on 29 January 1928 and Helen on 13 September 1943 and they are buried in the Pukekohe
cemetery.

The inscription on her headstone

Sources:

Photo & information – Bilkey/Arvidson family Tree,
ancestry.co.uk; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; Old newspapers
– paperspast.natlib.govt.nz

Researcher: Anne Megget Compiler: Heather Maloney

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3328 Surname: BILKEY
Given names: Jane
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Buckland

Qualification: residential

Jane (aka Jenefer) EDWARDS was born in Cornwall, England c1819 and
married Robert BILKEY at Ludguan, Cornwall on 31 October 1839.
They came to NZ with their five youngest children on the Bombay in 1865:
Harry 16, John 14, Edwin 11, Robert 8 and Mary 2.
An older daughter Jane who had married Jacob WRIGHT also came on the
Bombay with their two young children.

Initially, Robert and Jane settled in Onehunga and were market gardening.
Then in the late 1870's they purchased land in Tuakau Road, Buckland where
their daughter and son-in-law Jane and Jacob Wright also had settled. Jane
and Robert lived in Buckland for the rest of their lives.

In 1909 they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary,
by then both in their 90's. A large gathering was held in
Pukekohe to celebrate this momentous occasion, 600
people having been invited with acceptances from all
over the country. The New Zealand Railway Department
agreed to stop the Rotorua Express at Buckland on the
day so that guests travelling from Kaipara and Auckland
could alight. At that time, they had six children, 33
grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

Jane died on 18 October 1911 and is buried with her
husband in Pukekohe Cemetery.

Sources:
Paperspast.
NZSG Franklin Branch cemetery records
Researcher: Shirley Tatler.

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0238 Surname: BILKEY
Given names: Rose Annie
Occupation: household duties Address: Pukekohe

Qualification: residential

Rose was Welsh. She was born in Newport,
Monmouthshire in South East Wales in 1855, her
birth registered as Rose Anna GILBERT. Her
parents were Philip Gilbert and Eliza ELM. On the
1851 UK census, Philip was an engine driver.

Rose emigrated on the ship Alumbagh which
arrived in Auckland in August 1875. The
passenger list has Rose, a dressmaker, aged 20.
She appears to be travelling alone and her sister
Lucy arrived in Auckland on theEarl Granville in
March 1880, aged 20 and listed as a general
servant.

Rose married Harry BILKEY in Auckland in 1878.

Harry had arrived in NZ with his parents and siblings on the Bombay in 1865 and had settled in
Pukekohe. Harry leased land at Onehunga and although listed as a gardener on the electoral roll, he
was probably more of a market gardener . In 1893 he and Rose were living in Pukekohe where he is
now described as a farmer. They lived here for the rest of their lives.

Rose and Harry had a family of ten
children – six daughters and four
sons born between 1878 and 1894.

Rose died in 1917 and Harry died in
1933. They are buried in the
Pukekohe cemetery.

Sources:
Photo – Family Tree, My Heritage, Rodney
Henden; BDM –www.dia.govt.nz; Old
newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;
UK census – ancestry.co.uk;

Researcher: Anne Megget
Compiler: Heather Maloney

Electoral Roll: Waipa 0167 Surname: BINNING
Given names: Joanna Mary
Occupation: household duties Address: Razorback

Qualification: residential

According to the 1871 England Wales and Scotland Census Joanna Mary BINNING was born in
England in 1864. However, she is found in Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland in 1871 aged 7
years. She is living with her mother Isabella Binning a widow, her grandmother Margaret WILSON
also a widow and her older sister Maggie Binning.

Isabella Binning using her maiden name WILSON remarried, 12 November 1874 to James McCAW.

Joanna sailed for New Zealand aboard the ‘Alumbugh’ with her mother,
sister and stepfather in August 1875 arriving at Auckland in the same
year.
The McCaw’s farmed in Pokeno.

Joanna can be found on the 1896 Electoral Roll, but no further trace can
be found of her in either marriage or death records.

Sources:

1871 Census: www.findmypast.com.au
Scotland Marriages 1561-1910 www.familysearch.org
Passenger list. www.familysearch.org
Researcher: Mary Mercer

Electoral Roll: Waipa 0168 Surname: BINNING
Given names: Maggie Marshall
Occupation: household duties Address: Razorback

Qualification: residential

According to the 1871 England Wales and Scotland Census Maggie Marshall BINNING was born in
Scotland in 1861. In the 1871 Census for Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland Maggie is 10 years
old and living with her mother Isabella Binning a widow, her grandmother Margaret WILSON also a
widow and her younger sister Joanna Mary Binning.

Isabella Binning using her maiden name WILSON remarried, 12 November 1874 to James McCAW.

Maggie sailed for New Zealand aboard the ‘Alumbugh’ with her mother,
sister and stepfather in August 1875 arriving at Auckland in the same
year.

Maggie never married and when she died aged 64 on 22 August 1925
her church community and friends provided a headstone.
Her headstone reads.

Maggie M Binning
Died 22 Aug 1925
A faithful worker, Onehunga Presbyterian Church.
Erected by friends.
Maggie is buried in the Hillsborough Cemetery, Area 1, Block E, Plot 53.

Sources:

1871 Census: www.findmypast.com.au
Scotland Marriages 1561-1910 www.familysearch.org
Passenger list. www.familysearch.org
Cemetery Records: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Researcher: Mary Mercer

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3329 Surname: BIRD
Given names: Kate
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Waiuku

Qualification: residential

Kate BIRD was born Kate LAMBERT in 1851 Wigton, Suffolk, England to Alfred William Lambert and
Margaret Catherine LEVERETT who was also known as Catherine or Kate. She was one of 10 children
– six boys and four girls – and was christened at St Matthew, Ipswich, Suffolk on 6 June 1851.

She married Thomas William (Tom) Bird in 1873 in Ipswich, Suffolk, England and they had three
children all born in Suffolk, England: William Thomas 1875, Mabel 1878 and Gorham 1884.

Kate, Thomas and family immigrated to New Zealand and farmed in the Maioro area near Waiuku.
Bird Road, Maioro is named after this family.

Their children all married:
William Thomas (carpenter then farmer Otaua area), married Louisa NEWMAN, 17 December 1914
and records show they had a daughter, Muriel Kate, who lived with her parents until their deaths;

Mabel married Edmund Andrew O’REILLY (farmer Otaua area), June 1902 and they had two boys –
1903 William Edmund and 1906 John Gorham; and

Gorham (farmer WhiriWhiri area), married Annie Theresa Bridget McNAMARA, 11 February 1913
and they had two girls and a boy – 1914 Mary Cecilia, 1915 Eileen Theresa and 1919 Allan Leslie.

Kate died on 19 March 1916 at her residence at Maioro, in her 66th year.

Thomas William passed away on 27 December 1925 at Franklin Memorial Hospital and is buried at
Waiuku Cemetery. It is assumed Kate was buried there also.

Sources:
Ancestry
Historical BMD,
Papers Past

Researcher: Carole Prescott

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3330 Surname: BISCHOFF
Given names: Eleanor
Occupation: household c duties Address: Waiuku

Qualification: residential

Eleanor CANN was born on 22 November 1826 at Battersea, South West
London, the seventh of ten children born to Thomas Cann of Somerset
and Margaret BURTON of Middlesex. The family appear to have moved
house several times and her father is listed as being a gentleman, a
boarding-house keeper, Curator of the Insane and licenced victualler. To
the family, she was Nelly.

In December 1854 she married Charles Ferdinand BISCHOFF at Ipswich in
Suffolk. They came out to Auckland in 1855 on the Merchantman. Their
eldest child, Adelaide, was born in Auckland on 13 September 1855 – the
ship is recorded as arriving on 8 September. Charles continued his profession as a portrait painter,
based in Wakefield Street until 1857 when he took up land and became a farmer in Waiuku. They
lived and farmed in the area currently (2018) occupied by Knight and Dickey and Hyland Place and
bounded by Glenbrook Rd, Cameron Road and the Manukau Harbour.

In 1858 Eleanor’s younger sisters, Catherine Sarah and Isabella Adelaide, travelled out to New
Zealand to join her. Isabella married John HULL, who was also farming in Waiuku. Catherine
married Thomas CHADWICK, a storekeeper in Waiuku and they moved to British Columbia in 1862.

Eleanor and Charles had five children: Adelaide b. 1855, Thomas b. 1857, Ferdinand b. 1859, Charles
b. 1861 and Eleanor b. 1863. Adelaide became a teacher. She died in 1891 aged 36. The youngest
son, Charles, continued living and farming Waiuku. The other children all married and left the
district although visits and holidays are recorded.

Eleanor died in March 1910 aged 83. She is buried in Waiuku Cemetery beside her husband who
died in 1898.

Sources:
Family Records
John Hull Pioneer of Waiuku His Life and his Legacy

Researcher: Judith Bischoff

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3331 Surname: BISCHOFF
Given names: Lavinia
Occupation: household duties Address: Waiuku

Qualification: residential

Lavinia was born in Waiuku in 1864. Her father was John BARRIBALL
from North Tamerton in Cornwall. He left England at the age of six with
his parents, Charles and Ann Barriball nee MARTYN, and younger
brother and sister, Samuel and Sophia. They came out on the
Westminster, landing in Auckland on 1 April 1843 after 128 days at sea.
Charles got work as a labourer and the family first lived in a raupo
whare near the corner of present day Karangahape Road and Symonds
Street.

The family had become Methodists back in England and by 1845 another son was born and they
were leasing land in Mt Eden from Rev. Walter LAWRY, Superintendent of the Wesleyan Missions.
Although Charles was illiterate, Ann could read and write and the children’s education was
important to them.

The family began moving out to Waiuku in 1856. The same year John aged 19, met and married
Lavinia’s mother, Delia Bridgit FEWRY who, with her brother, came to New Zealand from Ireland via
Australia, arriving in Auckland in 1856. Delia was 21 and their first child was born in Mt Eden in
1858. They settled in Waiuku in 1859, eventually having two boys and five daughters, Lavinia being
the sixth of their children.

In 1891 Lavinia married Charles BISCHOFF, who was born in Waiuku in 1861. They lived on land in
Otaua, with the Awaroa Stream separating their farm from that of her sister Sophie and brother-in-
law, John HARRIS. Lavinia was an excellent rider and buggy driver. Their farm raised steers for the
beef market and had large gardens and orchards, a house cow and poultry. Later Charles and Lavinia
built on land on Glenbrook Rd just past the junction with Cornwall Rd. This was land that had
belonged to Charles’ father who died in 1898. The move allowed them to be closer to Charles’
mother, Eleanor, who died in 1910. Charles and Lavinia had no children and Lavinia died
unexpectedly in hospital in Auckland in 1911 at the age of 46. She was buried in Waiuku Cemetery.

Sources:
Werrington to Waiuku A History of the Barriballs of Waiuku by Joanne Robinson
Family Records

Researcher: Judith Bischoff

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0259 Surname: BLEWETT
Given names: Catherine
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Tuakau

Qualification: residential

Catherine CLEMOW was born in Cornwall c 1856. Her arrival in New Zealand is unknown, but several
Misses Clemow are mentioned in the newspapers in the Richmond area, indicating that her family
settled in this area. On 30 April 1878 she married John BLEWETT, the marriage was reported in the
Auckland Star 1878.

Catherine and John farmed at Harrisville. The land is recorded on the Electoral Roll as Part Lot 33
Pukekohe.

Catherine and John had seven children:
• 1880 Florence Elizabeth Lydia Jane -never married and died in 1940
• 1881 Mildred Clementina married 1919, Ernest Walter Douglas FOOTE
• 1882 Ellen Catherine married 1910, James WILSON
• 1883 William John Thomas married 1920, Annie POWELL
• 1884 Harold Claude died 1887
• 1887 Egmont married 1908 Robert Edward Percy MILLAN
• 1892 Annie Glynn Clemow -never married died 1984.

John died in 1905, and Catherine died on 22 September 1933 at 44 Walters Rd, Mt Albert, Auckland
and is buried with John at Howick.

Sources:

MyHeritage Family tree of June Frazer
BDM . www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
PaperPast https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/
Researcher. Mary Mercer

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0261 Surname: BLOMFIELD
Given names: Phebe Jane
Occupation: household duties Address: Paerata

Qualification: residential

Phebe Jane BLOMFIELD was born on Tongatahu, the main Island of Tonga, in 1835 the fourth
daughter of Reverend Jack HOBBS and Jane BROGGREF. She was 1 of 9 children.

In February 1838 Phebe's mother, Jane, became ill and so the family left Tonga and came to New
Zealand. Phebe was just 2 years old.

From 1840 to 1855 the family lived in the Mission House at Mangungu on the shores of the Hokianga
Harbour before moving to Auckland.

On September 15 1864 Phebe married Richard BEAMISH of Epsom. They had 3 children - Richard
Evanson in 1865, an un-named child in 1867 and George in 1869.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2245, 30 September 1864

They lived in Paerata where her husband Richard died in 1871, aged 48 years.
When Phebe married James Blomfield in 1877 she became stepmother to 7 children.
She then went on to have 2 children to James Blomfield. These were Harry Robert born in 1878 and
Frederick Wilcox born in 1880. James Blomfield died at Te Aroha in November 1902.
For the next few years she lived with her son Harry Blomfield at Te Kuiti.
Phebe Jane Blomfield died on 9 November 1914. She is buried in Pukekohe Cemetery, Wellington
Street, Pukekohe. Plot number PKPRS-H-047.

Sources:
Births , marriages and deaths data from https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Marriage notice - Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2245, 30 September 1864
Phebe's father’s photo from Papers Past
Researcher: Bea McGill

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0264 Surname: BLUCK
Given names: Matilda
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Buckland

Qualification: residential

Mathilda (Matilda) Ann CARSON was born in 1849 at Ballylummin, County Antrim, Ireland and
arrived in New Zealand on the ship Chile on 24 November 1872.

Mathilda married Alfred BLUCK on 2 February 1886 at the home of the Rev McDONALD in Vincent
Street, Auckland.

Alfred was the eldest son of Timothy and Elizabeth Bluck and they as a family arrived in New Zealand
on 22 October 1866 aboard the Ida Zeigler. Alfred arrived in New Zealand ahead of his family on the
Zealandia on 8 December 1863 at Lyttelton.

Mathilda and Alfred lived on and farmed the 97 acre ‘Laughton Farm’ at Blacks Bridge, Tuakau.

Alfred and Mathilda had five children.

Alfred Charles Bluck married Ethel Mary HARPER on
23 January 1901 and was killed at Gallipoli 18 May
1915.

Frederick Carson Bluck married Mary KING of
Razorback Road on 16 September 1903.

Maude Elizabeth a teacher at Buckland Primary
School, married Norman JAMIESON on 26 December
1901 at St Pauls, Buckland and lived on the farm at
Jamieson Road, Buckland.

Walter Bradford Bluck married Eileen Maude
ATCHISON on 5 April 1911 at Clevedon.

Winnifred Annie Bluck married Daniel JAMIESON on
17 February 1904 and lived on the family farm at
Paerata.

Matilda died in 1914 and Alfred in 1919. They are
buried at Pukekohe cemetery.

My source of information is from our Family Tree and articles attached to our Family History.
Contributor: Neville Jamieson, 101 Jamieson Road Buckland, grandson of Maude and Norman Jamieson.

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0268 Surname: BOASE
Given names: Selina
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Pukekohe West

Qualification: residential

On 14 December 1904 Evelyn (listed under the
name Herlyn) married Frank GECK and they had
eight children.

On 5 June 1912 Grace married Donald Keith
CLARK in Pukekohe, Auckland. They had three
children.

Up until 1919 Selina is shown on electoral rolls
as Selina Boase only, but from 1928 she
appears with her full name Ann Selina Boase.

Anne Selina WYATT, known as Selina, was born On 27 July 1920 son William married Ivy Eliza
on 31 May 1865 in Creswick, Victoria, Australia NEALE and they were on the farm with Selina
to William Wyatt and Jane DUNSTONE. On the and William for the 1928 Electoral Roll. They
birth index Ann has an ‘e’ but most records had five children.
have Ann without.
However William and Ivy headed north to
Also Selina’s mother’s death record has her Ruawai and were farming there for many years.
name as Janefere and several family trees have
her as Jennifer Jane. On the death of father William, on 24 August
1940 aged 78 years, Ivy and William returned
William BOASE, who had been born in Zennor, to the Beatty’s Road farm.
Cornwall, England in c1861 to William Boase
and Mary Jane EDDY, came to New Zealand in Unfortunately Selina died suddenly from a
1879 but later went to Australia. heart attack on 28 July 1941, aged 76.

On 1 December 1883, in Victoria, Australia, Both William and Selina died at their home in
Selina married William. Pukekohe.
They are buried together at the Pukekohe
On 29 May 1884 Selina gave birth to a girl Cemetery, Presbyterian Section – Row G – 2 (16
Eveline (Evelyn) known as Eva, in Newcastle, and 18).
New South Wales, Australia.
The villa at 28 Beatty Road still stands today
By 1886 they had returned to New Zealand and and is in good condition (2018).
a son, William, was born 18 May 1886.

They settled in Auckland but after three years Sources:
they took up land at Pukekohe West – Beatty’s Paperspast
Road – which required Selina and William to NZ Electoral Rolls
break the land in and they continued to farm it NZ Cemetery Records
right up until William retired in 1920. Ancestry Family Tree – Geck Family and Roach
Family
A second daughter, Grace, was born on 1 NZ BDM Register
August 1890 in Pukekohe.
Researcher: Lois Hopping

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0270 Surname: BODEN
Given names: Mary Ann
Occupation: household duties Address: Patumahoe

Qualification: residential

Mary Ann was born in 1837 in Armagh, Eire to William and Mary MELLSOP (nee GARDNER). She
married James BODEN, a shoemaker, on 7 February 1861 at Tartaragham, Armagh, Eire.

Margaret Ann, their first daughter, was born in 1862. When Margaret was 2 ¾ the family left Ireland
on the Dauntless for an arduous journey to New Zealand, arriving in Auckland on 15 May 1865, under
Captain MOORE.

The ship’s log recorded a succession of gales and rough weather. There was an attempted mutiny, 18
people were picked up from a burning ship (the Fiery Star), 17 babies were born, there were two
marriages and some baby deaths - very eventful 135 day voyage.

Mary Ann and James Boden acquired land in Patumahoe where they made a living from the land.
They were to have four more daughters and two sons over the next 16 years.
The children attended Patumahoe School, William going on to Grammar School and Martha to
Pukekohe as pupil teacher.

• Elizabeth (Eliza) 1866-1938, spent her adult life in Auckland
• Sarah 1867- ? married James BROWN on 12 September 1910 in Pukekohe
• Mary 1870-1947 married Ernest William MEYER and moved to Christchurch to live
• John 1872-1946 a farmer lived in Patumahoe and married school teacher Maxwell McGEE
• Martha 1875-1982 married John McLEOD Master Mariner. School teacher Martha lived to

the great age of 106, and
• William 1882-1939 school teacher, married Florence Evelyn BARKER (1876-1956) in 1907.

Mary Ann and James were very involved with St Brides Church, Mauku. James died on 11 June 1908
in Patumahoe and is buried in St Brides Churchyard, Mauku.

Mary lived another nine years dying on 16 December 1919 and is buried with James.

Source:
www.dia.govt.nz
Electoral roll 1893
NZ Womans Weekly 1979
The Church of St Brides Mauku 1861-2001
Southern Cross Newspaper

Researcher: Rosalie-Ann Nicholson

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0269 Surname: BODEN
Given names: Sarah
Occupation: household duties Address: Patumahoe

Qualification: residential

Sarah BODEN was born on 17 October 1867 at Patumahoe to James and Mary Ann Boden (nee
MELLSOP). She was the third daughter and second to be born in NZ.

In January 1874 Sarah joined her two sisters, Margaret and Elizabeth, at Patumahoe School. Sarah
completed her schooling on 16 October 1882, leaving to take up a trade. However, by the 1893
elections she listed her occupation as household duties, keeping house for her brother John who
was a farmer in Patumahoe. This arrangement continued until early 1905 when John married school
teacher Maxwell McGEE, who was born in Scotland, the daughter of Richard and Mary McGee (nee
McGINNES).

We next find Sarah as a cook for a family in St Stephens Avenue, Auckland. However, she must have
met her future husband while living with her brother at Patumahoe as she married James (Cupar)
(Couper) BROWN a farmer, at his residence in Puni on 12 September 1910. Witnesses were William
DOUGLAS, farmer and Sarah’s cousin Pearl Mary Winifred MURRAY whose occupation was
dressmaker.

Sarah and James had one daughter, Muriel Mary Brown born on 4 July 1912 in Auckland. Muriel’s
occupation was clerk. She died on the 10 September 1997 Glendowie, Auckland.

James Cupar Brown died on 13 January 1918 aged 48 years and Sarah on 28 September 1954, aged
87 years. They are both buried in Pukekohe Cemetery, next to John and Christiana Brown (nee
DISHART), James’ parents.

Sources:
www.dia.govt.nz
Electoral Rolls
Pukekohe Cemetery Records

Researcher: Rosalie-Ann Nicholson

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0280 Surname: BOOKER
Given names: Annie E. W.
Occupation: household duties Address: Tuakau

Qualification: residential

Annie Edie Wilson MURRAY was born on 19 May 1850 in Fife,
Scotland to William Russell Murray, a farm labourer, and his
wife Annie Eddie [nee WILSON]. The family are believed to
have come to New Zealand on the Red Jacket which arrived in
Auckland on 18 May 1860 just two days before Annie’s tenth
birthday. After living for a short time in Mangere and
Pukekohe, Annie’s father took up some land at Tuakau and in
January 1870 he was appointed as the first Postmaster at
Tuakau at an annual salary of £5. It should be noted that
Annie’s middle name of Edie is spelt in various ways in different
records including as Eddia, Eadie, Edy, Eddy. It is believed to be
derived from the surname of Annie’s grandmother Ann ADIE
[sic].

On 13 January 1870 at St. Paul's Church in Auckland Annie
married William BOOKER, a labourer, who had been born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia in 1846.
William had arrived in Auckland in 1863, and after a short stay at Drury had moved to Tuakau. Annie’s
marriage would have meant an exciting start to 1870 for her, but this would surely have changed to
sadness later that same year when her father died at his residence in Tuakau on 15 September 1870
aged just 45. He had made his last Will and Testament only a week beforehand and signed it with a
very shaky hand. Annie’s mother remarried in the middle of 1871 to widower John Henry CHESHIRE.

Annie and William settled into married life at Tuakau. William worked as a farmer and fruit grower
and purchased land which he increased to around 26 hectares including two hectares of orchard. The
family home was called Alma Cottage. Over a period of about 15 years Annie and William had eight
children – five girls and three boys. All but one of the children survived to adulthood – their third
daughter tragically lived for only five weeks in late 1876.

Less than half a dozen years after the birth of her last child Annie would have been busy planning the
marriage of her eldest child, her daughter Annie, to Thomas COLLINS in mid-1891. This was the first
of many weddings that were to follow for Annie and William’s descendants within Annie’s lifetime.
An early Easter gift in 1892 was the birth of her first grandchild – Jack Latham Collins – the start of the
next generation. Annie and William’s Golden Wedding Anniversary should have been a cause for
family celebrations in mid-January 1920 and William and Annie both reached the significant milestone
of their 80th birthdays.

William died in Tuakau on 5 November 1928. Annie died at her residence in Tuakau on 26 July 1933.
At her death Annie is believed to have had 31 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren. Annie and
William are buried together in the Tuakau Public Cemetery at Tuakau.

Sources:
Papers Past website: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Scotland Births and Baptisms 1564-1950: https://www.findmypast.co.uk
Cyclopedia of New Zealand – Volume 2: Auckland Province, 1902
Obituary for Mrs. A. E. W. BOOKER – “The New Zealand Herald,” 28 July 1933, p. 12
Researcher: Christine Headford

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3335 Surname: BOOTH
Given names: Alice Ann
Occupation: household duties Address: Kohekohe

Qualification: residential

ALICE ANN BOOTH was born at Kohekohe, Waiuku on the 20th of
May 1872. She was the only daughter of Richard James Booth and
Sarah Booth who were married in 1870. Sarah was widowed and
previously married to Joseph GILLOTT of Te Toro.

Alice attended the Kohekohe primary school from 1877 to1887
and attained her standard 6 level. Very little is known of her early
life living on the Manukau Peninsula, or association with her peers
in Franklin, but times must have been very interesting and
provocative. Alice met and married George CUNNOLD on 20th
June 1901 at Kohekohe.

The Cunnold family had emigrated from Suffolk, England on the ship “Oxford” in 1874 when George
was only 2 years old. They eventually moved to Onewhero over the Waikato River on to an
undeveloped 100-acre farm. The farming venture milking only 30 Jersey cows was able to support
their young family of four: William, Alice, Mary, and Eva. They all attended Onewhero Primary
School that was some 2 miles away cross country or by horseback. Farming was hard work and
access to the outside world was via a river barge to Tuakau and Pukekohe.

The family matured and left home and went their own way and after 24 years of farming George and
Alice sold the farm and moved to Auckland city. Their final address was 25 Volcanic St, Balmoral.
They purchased a small 3 Brm bungalow and spent the rest of their days in peace and quiet in this
small no exit street.

George Cunnold died in1950 and Alice Ann Cunnold [nee Booth] died 3rd August 1955 and they are
both buried in Waikumete cemetery. It would be easy to imagine granny advocating her rights and
principles. She was certainly very positive and upright; most things were black and white!

“ALICE ANN BOOTH R.I.P”.

Researcher: Tony Reynolds (Grandson)

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3336 Surname: BOOTH
Given names: Sarah
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Kohekohe

Qualification: residential

Sarah Cooper was born 1 May 1830 in Manchester, Lancashire,
England. She married Joseph Gillott 9 February 1851 in St Michael,
Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire, England. They had 6 children, 2 of
those died as infants.

Joseph, Sarah and their 4 children, Jonas, Astley, Henry and Emily,
immigrated to New Zealand in 1865 on board the ship Matoaka,
landing in Auckland 3 January 1865. As their land was not ready, they
were housed for a while in the Onehunga Barracks, then shipped
across the Manukau Harbour, to the Te Toro point, where they were
housed in tents and from there to their allocated 10 acres in
Kohekohe.

Joseph committed suicide in 1869, a year after his oldest son was drowned while bathing the year
before, leaving Sarah, with 3 children and not very well off.
In 1870 she married Richard (Dickie) Booth, they had one daughter, Alice Ann.
Sarah died 31 August 1913, aged 83, at Kohekohe, and is buried in the Kohekohe Cemetery.

Sources:
Ancestry
Family memories
Historical BMD

Researcher:
Carole Prescott (Great, Great Granddaughter)

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3995 Surname: BOYLE
Given names: Eliza
Occupation: household duties Address: Tuakau

Qualification: residential

Eliza POLAND was born in c1835 in Ireland, the daughter of John Poland. On 9 January 1864 she
married Edward BOYLE in the Lisburn Registration District. Their first child, Annie, was born on 27
May 1864 in Glasdrumman, Down. Her birth was registered just over 3 weeks later by Annie’s sister
Marianne Poland. Edward is noted as being a Sergeant in the Royal South Down Militia.

It was less than six months after Annie’s birth that Eliza, Edward and Annie (and a large number of
their fellow Irish) boarded the clipper ship “Ganges” in Queenstown [now Cobh] in the southern
Ireland county of Cork and set sail on 4 November 1864 for a new life in New Zealand as part of the
Waikato Immigration Scheme. The voyage was particularly troubled owing to a number of factors
including being excessively crowded (especially at night) and having insufficient facilities for the
number of children on board. As a consequence, 54 children lost
their lives during the voyage. It must have been an incredibly
stressful time for Eliza wondering if little Annie would be counted
amongst the unlucky. And a huge sense of relief must have been felt
when the “Ganges” and the family finally arrived in Auckland’s
Waitemata Harbour on 14 February 1865.

Eliza and Edward started their new life in Tuakau where Edward was
granted land which he farmed. Their family grew with the births of
possibly four more children. Eliza must have been especially proud
of her son John who did well in his studies at the old Tuakau School
from a young age. His performance in the scholarship examinations
in 1885 gained him free tuition at Auckland Grammar School. From
there he attended the University of New Zealand - Auckland College
where he gained a B.A. in 1893 and an M.A. (Hons) the following year
– a great achievement from modest pioneer beginnings.

Edward died in Tuakau on 14 August 1896. He had made his Last Will
and Testament just four days before. He bequeathed all his real and personal estate whatsoever
and wheresoever to Eliza his beloved wife. His estate was valued by the executors as being under
£200.

In a world first, on 1 November 1898 the Old-Age Pensions Act became law in New Zealand. It gave
a small means-tested pension to elderly people aged at least 65 with few assets who were of proven
good moral character. Funded from general taxation, the amount on offer was a maximum of £18
per year. At this time Eliza must have felt that her age and financial circumstances qualified her for
the pension and when she appeared for the examination of her application before the Stipendiary
Magistrate at the Courthouse in Pukekohe on 17 February 1899, along with several other Tuakau
residents, she was successful in being awarded the full pension.

Eliza died at her residence in Tuakau on 5 August 1902. Eliza and Edward are buried together in the
Alexandra Redoubt Cemetery at Tuakau.

Sources:
Papers Past website: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Civil Records for Ireland: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie
Researcher: Christine Headford

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0305 Surname: BRADY
Given names: Alice
Occupation: domestic Address: Patumahoe

Qualification: residential

THE FORGOTTEN ANCESTOR

Alice BRADY, the third child of Irish Catholic settler parents, began life in Patumahoe in 1872, on a ten
acre allotment (Lots 37 & 38, Sect 1) at the end of a paper road, known today as Clive Howe Rd.

Conditions would have been primitive in those early days but probably a step up from those which
she might have experienced if her parents, Patrick and Ann Jane (nee REYBURN), had not emigrated
from Cootehill. Both had lived through the 1845 Potato Famine as children. Thus, another period of
poor harvests in the early 1860s may have influenced their decision to take advantage of the Waikato
Immigration Scheme.

Alice’s parents ‘made good’ in the new land and by 1887 had purchased a further 86 acres, giving them
a very respectable sized plot on which to farm. Alice had the company of four sisters and two brothers.
Tragedy struck when her younger sister, Kate, died at the age of fifteen.

Blacksmith, Thomas James ARMSTRONG, whisked Alice away from Patumahoe after marrying her in
1899. Alice gave birth to four daughters, Gladys, Mary, Ivy and Hilda. Mary died at 5 weeks. The others
became Mrs ANDERSON, BARTON and POLLOCK respectively. Alice and her husband moved from
Onewhero to Kawa Kawa to Grey Lynn where Thomas died in 1919 at the age of forty five. Nineteen
years later Alice was buried beside him in the Catholic section of the Waikumete Cemetery in
Auckland.

The Brady family have no memories of Alice. As her great niece, Wilma Brady, explained, ‘We were
only children at the end of our grandfather and his siblings’ lives. If they didn’t live in Patumahoe or
visit on a regular basis, they were forgotten by the next generations.’

Sources:
St Patricks, Pukekohe,
Catholic Church register
Brady Family History
Patumahoe: History &
Memories

Informants: Wilma & Kurk
Brady, Val Gillanders

Researcher: Wendy Clark

The derelict flax mill next door to
the Brady farm.

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0303 Surname: BRADY
Given names: Ann Jane
Occupation: domestic Address: Patumahoe

Qualification: residential

Ann Jane BRADY, daughter of Henry and Mary No doubt like everyone else, they initially built
REYBURN1, married a handsome young man, a dirt floor nikau whare, purchased a cow,
Patrick Brady, and together they made the gradually cleared the land, harvested
voyage on the Dauntless from their home in cocksfoot and maybe flax, and possibly made
Cootehill, Co. Cavan, Ireland to New Zealand. extra income working for one of the bigger
The year was 1864. landowners in Mauku.

On arrival in Auckland Patrick got a job lighting Over a period of 13 years, Ann gave birth to
the gas street lights until they received their 10 seven children.2 Their eldest, Mary Jane,
acre grant in Patumahoe (Lots 37 & 38, Sect 1). married Christopher DROMGOOL of
Glenbrook. Alice married a blacksmith, Thomas
ARMSTRONG, and moved to Auckland. Jane
married Frank HENRY, the local storekeeper’s
son. Kate died at the age of 15. Ellen kept
house and never married. James and John took
up farming. James married Annie McMAHON
whose parents also farmed nearby. John went
to war just as the Armistice was signed and
took a holiday in Ireland instead.

Over the years, Ann and Patrick saved enough
to buy 86 acres from the SPEEDY estate in
1887. The new farm was well situated, tucked
as it was into the area between today’s
Kingseat and Pearson Roads, and bordering
both the main overland route between Waiuku
and Drury, and the busy Taihiki Inlet.

Ann died in 1921, preceding her husband by a
few months. Their daughter, Ellen, nursed
them both. They left behind a legacy of close
knit family and devout Catholicism which is as
strong today as it was in Ann Brady’s lifetime.

Sources:
1Certified Copy of Entry of Death, Ann Brady, 1921
2BDM NZ
Pukekohe Catholic Cemetery
Brady Family History
Patumahoe: History & Memories

Photo – Courtesy of the Brady Family
Informants: Wilma & Dennis Brady, & Lorayn King
Researcher: Kurk Brady

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0304 Surname: BRADY
Given names: Ellen
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Patumahoe

Qualification: residential

A PENNY FOR AN ICE-CREAM

One of seven children born to Irish Catholic settler parents, Ellen BRADY (1870 – 1955) lived her entire
life in the farming settlement of Patumahoe. She moved house only once, from the original 10 acre
grant of freehold land on which she was born, to a larger farm down Pearson Rd. There she undertook
domestic duties, at first for the whole family and later for her bachelor brother, John, and for her
parents, Patrick and Ann (nee REYBURN) whom she nursed before their deaths in 1921.

Lorayne KING used to fill their grocery orders from the Beehive Store. ‘In later years Ellen didn’t get
out much,’ she said. ‘She grew blind. Nellie (Jack’s wife) used to go down to the house and do for
them.’

Dennis Brady recalls, as a child, going to the property with his father to help (great) Uncle John with
stock work when he became elderly. Afterwards they would go into the farmhouse for a cup of tea
(brewed by John) and a visit with (great) Aunty Ellen.

He remembers her as a kind, gentle woman, quite a beautiful old lady he thought, who always kept
pennies stashed in a thin necked jar. On each visit she would give him a penny and tell him to buy an
ice cream. ‘Over the years the price of ice creams increased,’ Dennis grinned. ‘But the pennies never
got any bigger.’

‘The bathroom had no shower and the bath was always occupied, ripening onions and tomatoes.’ His
eyes grew wide. ‘And I never saw Aunty Ellen in any place, other than her bed.’

Sources: BDM NZ, Brady Oral History
Informants: Wilma, Dennis, Kurk Brady & Lorayne King
Researcher: Wendy Clark

Patumahoe in
1920 as Ellen’s
world
transitioned from
horse to car.

Photo from
Patumahoe:
History &
Memories book.

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0312 Surname: BRAITHWAITE
Given names: Martha Louise
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Tuakau

Qualification: residential

Martha Louisa OLDHAM was born in 1862 in New Zealand to Alfred OLDHAM and Elizabeth Rebecca
DABBLE, one of six children born between 1860 and 1871.

In 1884 Martha married George Storrs BRAITHWAITE. George was born in Rotherham, Yorkshire
(West Riding) England in 1846. In the 1861 England census he can be found in the house of Thomas
ASKEW, a joiner builder and cabinet maker. George is listed as apprentice joiner builder and cabinet
maker aged 14, a trade he brought to New Zealand and carried on in Tuakau where he is listed on
the 1893 roll as a carpenter.

Martha and George raised a family of five children:

• 1886 May Evaline married John McNAIR in 1928
• 1887 Herbert Arnold married Agnes May DIMMOCK in 1911
• 1896 Ida Lilian married John KANE in 1925
• 1900 Everard Storrs married Alice MARSDEN in 1921 and Ida PHILLIPS in 1933
• 1905 Avis Edna (Avis Violet) married Frank SOUSTER 1936.

Little else is known about Martha’s day to day life in Tuakau. She was left a widow in 1929 and her
signature can be found on the affidavit in George’s Probate papers. George left everything to
Martha, his property being under £20.

Martha died on 3 May 1952 aged 90 years and is buried in the Waikaraka Cemetery, Area 2, Block R,
Plot 033A.

Source:
Probate, www.familysearch.org/
Findmypast. www.findmypast.com.au/
MyHeritage. www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz
NZBDM. www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Cemetery information. www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/cemeteries/

Researcher: Mary Mercer

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3340 Surname: BRAUN
Given names: Esther Sarah
Occupation: dressmaker Address: Waiuku

Qualification: residential

Esther Sarah was born on 14 April 1863 to Edward King TROTT and Elizabeth HOTHAM who had been
married in Waiuku in 1861. She was the eldest of the family.

Esther Sarah Trott met George William BRAUN in New Zealand and they were married on 26 October
1887. George William was of German heritage. He came to New Zealand with his parents and sister
Anna (3 years) on board the Steinwarder on 18 August 1864 arriving 14 October at the age of three
months and listed as Louis. Although the family name was Braun it was sometimes anglicised, and
the New Zealand Marriage Register has him recorded as BROWN.

Settling in Waiuku, Sarah and George started their family of six, four girls and two boys:

• Sarah Amy Emmeline (Amy) 1890-1976 – married Douglas William Edward TAYLOR (Bill)
1912 and they had two children – buried at Purewa Cemetery with Bill (Ashes)

• Marcella Annie Louisa 1892-1965 – married Percy Dawson DENIZE 1912 and they had three
children – buried in Howick Public Cemetery with Percy

• Maud Elsie 1895- married Henry BARNES 1916 and they had one known child
• George Leslie Lewis 1898-1983 – unmarried – buried at Waiuku Cemetery with or beside

parents
• Kate Gertrude Violet 1900-1963 – married Hector John BRADLEY 1928 – unknown if any

children – buried at Pokeno Cemetery with Hector
• William John 1909-1992 – married Ethel Doris Frances LEWIS 1931 – unknown if any children

To support their family George worked as a baker and Sarah as a dressmaker and they continued in
these occupations most of their working lives. However, in 1928 they are recorded as living in
France Street, Waiuku and George is a farmer.

Wilhelm Braun, George’s father, went to live with George and Sarah for what was the last six months
of his life. Unfortunately, during that time his physical and
mental health deteriorated until the doctor was unable to
do anything for him and he passed away in their home on 4
October 1914.

George passed away 12 February 1938 at the Knox Home
and was buried in Waiuku Cemetery. The funeral service
was held at the Anglican Church.

Sarah passed away 29 August 1943 in a private hospital and
was buried with her husband in Waiuku Cemetery.

Sources:

NZ Electoral Rolls
NZ BDM Historical Records
FindAGrave
PapersPast – Funeral Notices and Passenger List for Steinwarder

Researcher: Penny Prescott, Lois Hopping

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3985 Surname: BRAUN
Given names: Henrietta Address: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Maria Henrietta Frederica MEESHERN was born in C1835 in Germany. She met and married Heinrich
Wilhelm BRAUN, also from Germany.

Finding life difficult in Germany they sailed for South Africa where they settled for a period at the
Cape of Good Hope, during which time they had two children – 1861 Anna and 1864 George William
(Louis). They then reconsidered their circumstances and set sail for New Zealand on board the
Steinwarder on 18 August 1864 arriving 14 October. There were 212 passengers on the ship,
including three stowaways. Henrietta and her family were listed as Wilhelm Braur, 28 years,
labourer, German; Henrietta Braur, 29 years, German; Anna Braur, 3years, Cape; Louis Braur, 3 mths

Many of the Steinwarder passengers were settled south of Waiuku, but many later became fully
involved in the wider Waiuku area. While in New Zealand Henrietta and her family often used the
Anglicised version of their names e.g. Braun/Brown, Heinrich/Henry.

Henrietta and Wilhelm had six more children while living in Waiuku:
Mary Henrietta 1865 – details uncertain
Wilhelmina Elizabeth 1868-1954 – Married Charles Lewsey LEWIS 1880 (Braun) – Buried in
Waikumete Cemetery with Charles
Charles Louis 1870-1913 – Married Bridget SKELTON 1900 (Braun) and had four children – Buried in
Kimihia Cemetery, Huntly with Bridget
Henry 1873-1885 – Died aged 15 and was buried with his mother in Waiuku Cemetery (Braun)
Benjamin 1875-1943 – Married Rachel Sarah Te Kaaho EDMONDS 1898 (Braun) and had four
children – Buried at Purewa Cemetery with Rachel
Margaret 1877-1907 – Married Robert Arthur SMITH 1898 (Braun) and had one child – Buried in
Waiuku Cemetery with Robert
The older children: Anna 1861-1948 – Married Anthony MAY 1884 (Braun) and had nine children –
Buried Waiuku Cemetery with Anthony.
And George William 1864-1938 – Married Esther Sarah TROTT 1887 (Brown) and had six children
(Braun) and buried Waiuku Cemetery (Braun)

Henrietta passed away 28 October 1895 and did not see all the advances the Suffrage Petition
enabled. She is buried in Waiuku Cemetery.

Wilhelm, who had been a cab-driver by occupation,
spent the last six months of his life living with his son
George, but unfortunately his health and mental well-
being deteriorated. He passed away on 4 October 1914
aged 78, and was buried in Waiuku Cemetery.

Sources:
FamilySearch.org - Probate records 1898 P3001/98-3030/98
Civil Index Records 1800-1966
PapersPast – NZ Herald, Vol I, Issue 289, 15 Oct 1864
NZ BDM Historical Records
FindAGrave
Researcher: Penny Prescott, Lois Hopping

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3986 Surname: BREGMEN
Given names: Emily Address: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Emily was born to James HILL and Emily Augusta STOCKWELL on 21 June 1861 in England. She was
the eldest of ten children.

On 17 September 1864 the family came to New Zealand on the ‘Matoaka’, arriving at Auckland on 3
January 1865. After living in Onehunga for a short time they began farming at Waiuku.

Also farming at Waiuku was Arthur BREGMEN. Arthur was born to George Bregmen and Catherine
SHEPHERD on 19 August 1856 in Waiuku, being one of 13 children.

On 14 February 1893 – the year Emily’s name was on the Franklin Electoral roll – she and Arthur
married in the Holy Trinity Church, Waiuku. It seems they had no children.

They continued on their farm at Aka Aka
until about 1919 when they retired and
moved into town (King Street), and where
Emily played an important part in the
Anglican church life.

Emily died 22 November 1933 at Franklin
Memorial Hospital aged 72.

Arthur married Clarice May McCONNELL
on 17 January 1935.

He died 26 August 1945 aged 89 and is
buried with Emily at Waiuku Cemetery.

Sources: Family Knowledge: Bruce Parry

DEATHS – Auckland Star, Vol LXIV, Issue 278, 24 November 1933
OBITUARY – New Zealand Herald, Vol LXX, Issue 21658, 25 November 1933

Researcher: Penny Prescott

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3988 Surname: BREGMEN
Given names: Sarah Catherine Address: Waiuku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Sarah Catherine was the eldest daughter of George BREGMEN 1843-1925 and Sarah
Elizabeth COX (d. 1874) and was born on 2 July 1869 at Karioitahi, near Waiuku.

Her parents shifted to Aka Aka and Sarah and her brothers Frederick John (b. 1872) and
Edward George Cox (b. 1874) grew up on the farm on Bregman Road and went to Waiuku
School.

Sarah never married.

She was very involved in the Anglican Church from a young age. She became a Sunday
School and Bible Class teacher and that continued over the years so that when she retired
she had taught generations of children some of the same family. Her kindness and
involvement in the well-being of the children was well known.

“Miss Bregmen had a remarkable memory and was able to supply Mr Ben WESTHEAD with
quite a lot of interesting information of the early days when he wrote his book ‘West of the
Manukau’”.

“Her niece always referred to Aunty Sarah as a lovely person and always enjoyed her coming
to stay”.

Sarah enjoyed good health until mid- 1949. She died on 27 September 1949 aged 80 years
and she was buried at Waiuku Cemetery.

Sources:
Family Knowledge – Bruce Parry
Obituary: Franklin Times 19 December
1949
www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz

Researcher: Penny Prescott

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3342 Surname: BREWSTER
Given names: Susan
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Whangarata

Qualification: residential

Susanna Elizabeth FREEBOROUGH was born on 30 July 1859 and baptised on 5 August 1859 in Great
Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England. Her parents were William FREEBOROUGH and his wife Elizabeth
SANDERSON.

In 1876 Susan Freeborough married Charles BREWSTER in Lincolnshire, England. Susan gave birth to
nine children. Sadly, two daughters died as infants.

In November 1879 Susan and Charles were among the 350 passengers who boarded the ‘British
Empire’ and sailed for New Zealand. When the ship arrived on 4 February 1880 it was ordered into
quarantine at Motuihe Island in the Hauraki Gulf as there was disease aboard. Motuihe Island was a
quarantine station from 1870 – 1930. There were 36 cases of measles and 18 cases of scarlet fever
on board the ‘British Empire’ during the voyage from England. The ship was quarantined for three
weeks at Motuihe.
Charles Brewster initially worked at flax milling in Pokeno before heading to Whangarata where the
family remained until Charles died in 1925. At Whangarata, they lived on what is now known as Ridge
Road. For many years Ridge Road was known as Brewster’s Road.
After Charles died, Susan moved to Buckland and lived there until she died on 18 January 1930. She
is buried at the Pokeno Cemetery, alongside her husband Charles and infant daughter Elizabeth.

Sources:
Birth/baptism for Susanna Elizabeth FREEBOROUGH: https://search.findmypast.com.au /Lincolnshire Parish Registers
1538-1911 – Grimsby St James Parish Baptisms p16 of 161pp
Brewster/Jacobs Family Tree (lynley35): https://www.ancestry.com.au
‘British Empire’ information Auckland Evening Star 4 February 1880: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Obituary – Auckland Star 22 January 1930: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Heastone at Pokeno Cemetery: https://www.findagrave.com
Researcher: Sandra Brasell

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0330 Surname: BRIGHT
Given names: Elizabeth Martha
Occupation: household duties Address: Pukekohe East

Qualification: residential

Elizabeth BRIGHT was born Elizabeth Martha sixth baby on 25 March 1865. The family was
Hague SMITH in Little Gonerby in the parish of living at Parnell, Auckland at that time, having
Grantham, Lincolnshire, England and was left their home in Birmingham, England.
baptised on 18 June 1828. Her parents were Along with Samuel’s four surviving children,
Samuel and Elizabeth Smith, nee HAGUE. They Elizabeth Martha and Samuel had two
had married in Grantham on 11 September daughters of their own: Selina Elizabeth born
1827. Samuel was a plasterer. 1868 and Edith Jane born 1869. Selina married
Parish records show the baptisms of eight George Izod Ellis in 1904.
children to Samuel and Elizabeth Smith: An obituary for Samuel in the NZ Herald on 31
August 1906 stated:
• Elizabeth Martha Smith born 1828
• Samuel Hague Smith born 1830 The obituary was wrong on that last point as
• Mary Ann Smith born 1832 Martha Elizabeth Bright died two years later at
• Sarah Jane Smith born 1834 the home of her step daughter, Hannah
• Emma Smith born 1836 (Annie) EVANS in Cambridge as reported in the
• Harriett Lucy Smith born 1839 Waikato Independent on 29 August 1908.
• Charles Hague Smith born 1841
• John Hague Smith born 1846. Samuel’s obituary was also wrong with the
Elizabeth Martha’s mother died on 13 year the Bright family came to New Zealand
December 1847 when her youngest son John which had to be after 1861 when his youngest
was about a year old. Just over two years later daughter Amy Dora Bright from his first
Elizabeth’s father Samuel died on 6 February marriage was born in Solihull, England. Amy
1850. By this time the family was living in Dora was head teacher at Pukekohe East
Castlegate, Grantham, in the county of Lincoln. School from 1891 to 1893. This may be why
As the oldest girl, Sarah would have been much Elizabeth and Samuel were living at Pukekohe
involved in raising her younger siblings. East in 1893, although Amy Dora is not on the
In September 1859, perhaps attracted by the Electoral Roll in Franklin that year. Elizabeth
prospect of a better life and more obviously enjoyed good relationships with her
opportunities in New Zealand, or perhaps they stepdaughters: Hannah (Annie), Mrs A J Evans,
were coming to join relatives already in the cared for her in her last years at ‘The Nook,’
new country, seven Hague Smith siblings came Cambridge.
to Auckland. Their ages would have ranged
from about 13 to 31. Sources include Papers Past, Historical NZ bdm, Ancestry

The New Zealand Herald of 8 March 1867 Researched and compiled by Val Gillanders, Christine
announced the marriage of Elizabeth Martha Madsen and Lynda Muir.
Smith to Samuel Bright:

Samuel Bright was a widower with four
children so Elizabeth would have started
married life with the extra responsibilities of
helping raise these children.
Samuel’s first wife whom he had married in
June 1849 was Mary Shoveller ELLIS. Tragically,
Mary had died in childbirth along with their

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3344 Surname: BRIGHT
Given names: Jane
Occupation: household duties Address: Waiuku

Qualification: residential

Jane BRIGHT, known as Jinny, was born in 1869 and on 27 September 1895 she married John [Jack]
RIDGLEY who was born in 1867, the son of Waipipi settlers.

Her sister Elizabeth had married Jack’s brother Spencer.

Jane and Jack settled on the farm on Butcher’s Road on the Butcher’s Road and Coast Road corner,
Waiuku.

As the property was far from prime farmland Jack took up work with the Roads Board, developing
roads in the district.

They had six children, James who sadly lived only twelve days, Gladys, Alfred, Edward, Ethel and Ivy.

Jane was known for leaving “home cooking” on the doorstep of district new arrivals or people in
need.

Jane died on 14 June 1932 aged 63. Jack remained on the farm
with Alfred, Ethel and Ivy and kept working on the property until
he passed away on 29 December 1938 aged 71.

They are both buried at Waiuku cemetery.

Sources:
The Bright Book 1865-1984
Find A Grave

Researcher: Nyra Newdick (Granddaughter)

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0331 Surname: BRINE
Given names: Mary Isabella
Occupation: farmer Address: Awitu

Mary Isabella ROBSON was a born traveller Qualification: residential
even before she arrived in New Zealand with
her family. Mary was born on 12 January Mary had many struggles during these
1857 in New York, New York, USA to Charles difficult years as may be witnessed by
Hepburn and Jeanette Maria Lucy ROBSON comments from a Court case brought by
(nee NORRIS). Auckland Hospital Board in March 1894
against her mother for the costs incurred for
In the 1861 English Census Mary appears with hospital care of her father. A claim for £7 2s
her parents, and brothers Charles Hepburn was sought for 38 days’ care at 4 shillings per
Orlando and Edmund Henry in Regents Park, day. The case was eventually not proceeded
St Pancras, Middlesex. Orlando born in with, however the defence lawyer stated that
Brooklyn, USA and Edmund in Cork, Ireland. Mr Robson had died in hospital but prior to
admittance had been supported by charitable
On 17 August 1861 the family set sail from aid. An insurance policy of £100 was used to
Plymouth on board Black Eagle and arrived in get a roof over the head of Mrs Robson.
New Zealand on 19 November. Although they
landed in Auckland the family increased by Mary remained farming at Awhitu with the
four, three in Napier and one in Wellington. help of her daughters and community support
but she moved to Waiuku about 1912/1913 as
On 30 April 1879, while the family were living did her daughter Charlotte. In early 1930’s
in Moeraki, Waitaki, Otago where Mr Robson she moved from Waiuku. She died 16 May
was employed as a lighthouse keeper, Mary 1939 and is buried at Waikumete Cemetery –
married Frederick Bentley BRINE, a widower, Wesley Division C Row 31, Plot 74.
born in Danapur, India. His wife died in 1869
and they had one son. But it was not simple as Mary (buried Isabel
Mary) was an American citizen so some
Mr Brine, assumed with Mary, appears on the official documents were required to complete
1885 Electoral Roll as a Station Manager at formalities. These were dealt with by her
Waitaki North, and in 1890 as a Dairyman in daughter, Mrs Isabel GARLAND.
Netherby, Canterbury. During this time Mary
had given birth to four daughters but OBITUARY
unfortunately on 29 July 1886 Florence died,
aged four months, and is buried in Ashburton. Sources:
Papers Past
Mary, Frederick and family, along with Mary’s NZ Electoral Rolls
parents were all settled in Awhitu by 1890. Ancestry – Bailey Family Tree
On 24 February 1893 her father died after a Google – Passenger Lists
long and painful illness. Researcher: Lois Hopping

Mary and Frederick continued to farm the
property and participate in the Awhitu
community with Frederick being Chairman
Treasurer of the Awhitu Central School
Committee in 1894.

Frederick died on 3 June 1899. Mrs Robson
remained in Awhitu until she died 19 October
1900. Mary’s parents and Frederick are
buried at Awhitu Cemetery. A beautiful
headstone in the form of a cross on a plinth
marks “Frederic Brine”.

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3345 Surname: BRITTAIN
Given names: Annie
Occupation: household duties Address: Waipipi

Qualification: residential

Michael and Kathleen HAYES, with their daughters Mary Julia, Katherine and Annie, were passengers
on the migrant ship “Matoaka” which arrived from England on 3 January 1865. They became part of
the Kohekohe Settlement group, with land on the northern side of Gleeson Road taken from the
Allotment 212. Because work was unavailable around Waipipi Michael went to Thames for work in
the goldfields where he worked for at least five years while wages were to be had.

Annie and her sisters will have learned very early to work hard and help their mother at every turn.
Many things a father/husband would have done still have to be done when they are not around.
This was to stand her in good stead for her later life.

Annie married Michael BRITTON on 22 June 1877. They had two children, Ellen in 1878 and
Catherine in 1880.

However, Annie’s life must have fallen apart, especially making formal charges against her husband.
The NZ Police Gazette of 1880 had an article about Michael Britton being charged with deserting his
wife and giving a very detailed description of his appearance: Irish, a farmer, about forty years of
age, about 5 feet 6 inches high, very slight build, fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, long
reddish beard, whiskers, and moustache tinged with grey, nearly bald on top of head; wore dark-
blue sac-coat, light-coloured tweed trousers, and soft black hat.

A description of Annie in 1926 is of Annie as married so although some things are unknown it is
known that Annie remained in the Franklin area for many years farming on Dickey’s Straight,
Kohekohe.

Her elder daughter Ellen married Michael HARTNEADY on 23 July 1901. They had three children.

Her daughter Catherine married Michael, son of Mary and John KEOGH of Waipipi on 2 February
1910. They had two children and farmed on the Keogh land on Creamery and Keogh roads.

There is no knowledge of Annie’s last days, but family of Annie’s daughter Catherine reside in the
district today (2018).

Sources:

NZ Police Gazette - 1880
Waipipi 150 years Booklet – Waipipi Cemetery – Burials and Obituaries
NZ BDM Historical Register
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME II, ISSUE 361, 7 JANUARY 1865

Researcher: Lois Hopping

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3348 Surname: BROWN
Given names: Asenath Ann
Occupation: household duties Address: Waiuku

Qualification: residential

Asenath Ann was born in the parish of Seavington St Mary, Somerset,
England and baptised on 20 August 1837. Her parents were Joseph and
Asenath, who was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (née JAMES)
NAPPER. The marriage of Asenath NAPPER to Joseph ENGLAND (by Banns
with consent of friends) is recorded in the parish register on 28 September
1833.

Joseph was a cordwainer (shoemaker) and the couple would have been busy
as they welcomed their growing family of John (1834), Charles (1835) and
Asenath Ann (1837) into their lives.

Tradesmen were sought for the new colony in New Zealand and Asenath Ann was just a babe in arms
when the decision was made to set out for a new life in New Zealand. The family arrived in the Bay of
Islands in 1838 and settled there until the Northern wars of 1845 when they removed to Auckland,
settling in Shortland Street. Joseph carried on his trade there and in Wakefield Street until the family
moved to Waiuku about 1860. At least four more children were born during these years.

Asenath Ann married Samuel Absolum OLDFIELD on 9 March 1854 at Old St Paul’s, Auckland and is
reported as moving to Waiuku on 1 March 1857. Samuel was a storekeeper in Waiuku and also farmed
land near the Waikato River. Samuel and the Englands all made substantial claims to the
Compensation Courts in 1866 for losses sustained during the Land Wars.

Samuel died on 17 January 1885. Before his death Asenath and Samuel had adopted a daughter whose
mother, Johanna LEANING née COX, had died in very tragic circumstances in Auckland. Her three tiny
children were in care. Asenath adopted nine-year-old Emily Jane (connected through family) who
attended Karioitahi and Waiuku schools before commencing work for the local vicar.

On 5 June 1886 Asenath remarried. Her second husband Thomas BROWN was an old acquaintance
having been storekeeper for Samuel Oldfield. When Asenath was again widowed, on 7 February 1901,
she lived with Emily Jane, now married with children to Thomas BRIGHT, in Otaua. She had two rooms
for her own use, a bedroom with open fire and a kitchen with wood stove where she could cook for
herself, but also enjoyed helping Emily in the family kitchen. The family remembered evenings
gathered around Granny’s fire listening to tales of her interesting life. She always found interest in
the people and happenings around her. During World War One she gave parcels of goods towards
the war effort, just one example of her efforts to help others throughout her life.

On 2 March 1927, 70 years and a day after moving to the Waiuku district, Asenath moved with Thomas
and Emily to Oak Street, St Helier’s Bay and it was here that she passed away on 7 May 1927 aged 90
years. She rests alongside Samuel and Thomas in the Waiuku cemetery.

Sources: Papers Past/Ancestry.com/.dia.govt.nz/Findmypast.com/NZbdms/NZSG/’Bright Family’
Compiled by Val Gillanders

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0348 Surname: BROWN
Given names: Christina
Occupation: domestic servant Address: Puni

Qualification: residential

Christina BROWN was the youngest child of John
Brown and Christina DISHART and was born in New
Zealand on 14 May 1872.

Her parents had married in Scotland and taken
their two children to the Cape Colony, South Africa
where two more were born. After five years in the
Cape, they boarded the Eveline and arrived in
Auckland on 22 January 1865.

They settled on land at Mauku, then joined the gold
rush to Thames but returned and settled down to
farm on Lot 11, South Mauku where more children
were born and raised their large family.

Christina gave her occupation as domestic servant
but there is no evidence to say she was working
anywhere else but at home. Four of her siblings
married four children of John and Ellen KEIGHTLEY
of Taranaki and this is no doubt how she met her
husband-to-be Thomas VICKERS, a farmer from Midhurst, Taranaki.

Christina and Thomas had a family of seven children born in eight years from 1897 to 1905 – three
sons and four daughters.

They remained farming in this district where Christina died
at only 33 years of age on 19 August 1906 and Thomas died
17 September 1921, age 58. Even though Thomas married
again, they are buried together at Midhurst cemetery.

Sources:

Cameron Scott Family Tree, ancestry.co.uk – photo and
information
Old newspapers: paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Headstone photo: Findagrave.com

Researcher: Judith Batt

Compiler: Heather Maloney

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0349 Surname: BROWN
Given names: Christina
Occupation: household duties Address: Puni

Qualification: residential

Christina was born on 16 October 1831, in Fife, Scotland. She
was the daughter of Robert DISHART and Annabella FERGUS
and was one of at least eight children in the family.

She married John BROWN (1834-1911) on 10 April 1855 at St
Andrews, Fifeshire, Scotland and with their first two children,
Alexander and Janet (Jessie), they were among a band of
pioneers who left Scotland in the 1850s and settled at the Cape
Colony, South Africa.

After five years in the Cape, and two more children – Elizabeth
and William, they arrived in Auckland on the Eveline on 22
January 1865 and settled down on the land at Mauku. When
the Thames gold rush broke, John decided to try his luck and
moved his family there. However, after a few years they
decided to return to the land and came back to the Pukekohe
district, settling at Puni – Lot 11 South Mauku.

Another six or seven children were born in New Zealand, with four of their children marrying the
children of John and Ellen KEIGHTLEY of Taranaki.

John Brown died at Puni on 25 May 1911 and Christina on 24 June 1917. They are buried together at
Pukekohe cemetery – a small stone surrounded by an elaborate iron railing.

Sources:

Webb Family Tree – photo and information; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; Obit
for John in paperspast.natlib.govt.nz

Researcher: Judith Batt - Compiler: Heather Maloney

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0347 Surname: BROWN
Given names: Emily
Occupation: domestic Address: Whangarata

Qualification: residential

Emily BEETHAM was the daughter of Albert Beetham and his wife, Cicely née MAYO. She was born
in 1868 on the North Shore, Auckland.

In 1892 Emily married Francis (Frank) Hamilton BROWN, the 5th son of Arthur and Margaret Brown of
Tuakau. Their marriage took place in the 'dwelling house of Mrs Cicely Beetham, Devonport'. Frank
was the first teacher at the new Whangarata School where Emily and Frank occupied a newly-built
school house in which to begin their married life.

Prior to her marriage, Emily was awarded a prize from Bishop COWIE in 1885, for gaining the highest
marks in an examination conducted annually by the Anglican Sunday School Board and which attracted
numerous entrants from 12 Sunday Schools in the Auckland Diocese.

From Whangarata in 1898, Emily accompanied Frank to his teaching positions which took her to
Auckland (Ellerslie), Takapuna, Hamilton and a return to Auckland where Frank was headmaster of Mt
Eden School.

After retirement in 1926 Emily and Frank lived on Waiheke Island. In later years they resided in Violet
Street, Mt Albert. Frank was a member of the Auckland Horticultural Council and a keen exhibitor and
judge. Frank was made an Associate of Honour of the Royal Institute of Horticulture in 1949.

Emily was the mother of four sons and two daughters. Sadly two of her sons, Arthur and Geoffrey,
were killed in WW1. They are commemorated on a plaque erected in Brown Street, Takapuna.
Another son, Kenneth, died in an accident in 1924.

Emily and Frank celebrated 60 years of marriage in 1952. She died in 1953.

Sources:

Copies of BMD certificates
Brown family papers: Auckland Anglican Diocesan Archives
Family biographies
Church Gazettes

Researched by Shirley Finnel
NZSG no. 13444

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0359 Surname: BROWN
Given names: Katie Jane
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Whangarata

Qualification: residential

Katie RUST was born in Essex, England in 1856 and baptised the same year in Great Waltham, Essex.

In 1859 when Katie was 3 years of age, she arrived in New Zealand with her parents, Pamela (née
BROWN) and George Rust, together with an older and a younger sister, on the Caduceus.

At first they rented 'Cotele', a house near the intersection of Khyber Pass/Symonds Street. Then
George Rust signed an agreement with Bishop SELWYN to lease the farmland surrounding the
Melanesian Mission at Kohimarama (today's Mission Bay). With two further sisters born in NZ a
governess, Harriet WARD, was employed.

From Kohimarama, Katie and her family moved to Devonport in 1868 where her mother conducted a
small private school. When the latter’s health failed, Katie took responsibility for the school.

In 1881 Katie married her cousin, James Brown (the second son of Margaret and Arthur Brown of
Tuakau). Bishop COWIE officiated at the ceremony held in the Bishop's Chapel, Parnell. Katie and
James settled at the 'Pines', Tuakau, where James farmed on a block of the original 'Woodlands'
property. In 1898 Katie and her family moved to Onewhero where they remained until 1908 when
James built a home in Pukekohe.

Katie and James had a family of 7 children. They both dedicated much of their time to church affairs;
Katie played the organ in the various areas in which they lived, while James was a lay reader in the
Anglican Church and like his wife, a keen choir member.

In 1931 Katie and James celebrated 50 years of marriage. Katie died the following year and is interred
in the Pukekohe Cemetery.

Sources:
Copies of BMD certificates
Brown family papers: Auckland Anglican Diocesan Archives
St John's College Archives
Family biographies

Researcher: Shirley Finnel
NZSG no. 13444

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0356 Surname: BROWN
Given names: Louisa Catherine
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Tuakau

Qualification: residential

Louisa Catherine Brown seated on the right.

Louisa Catherine BROWN née POTTER:
Born: 1845 New South Wales, Australia
Baptised: 1845 at 'Lockyersleigh' the
estate of Louisa's grandfather, Major
Lockyer, Parish of Marulan, NSW

Louisa was the 3rd daughter and 6th child
of eight born to Emily Catherine Jersey
née LOCKYER and Captain George
Thomas Potter, 28th regiment. She spent
her early years on the vast 'Cavan' station
on the Murrumbidgee River, near Yass,
NSW.

Soon after the death of her father (1849)
in a riding accident, and the re-marriage
of her mother, Louisa lived with her Aunt
Louisa McWILLIAM, née Lockyer, in
Dungog where she married George, the
eldest son of Arthur and Margaret
Brown, in 1871. Louisa and her infant
son, Walter, journeyed to New Zealand
with George Brown's parents and siblings
in 1873 and settled with them in Tuakau

Louisa and George were the parents of 10 children, with four dying at a young age. In the 1880s George
was the licensee of the Tuakau Hotel. He was also a lay reader and provided hospitality for visiting
clergy including Bishop COWIE. In 1888, reportedly, the biggest funeral crowd seen in Tuakau
attended the burial of the 8 year old Ben Brown, who died at the hotel after tripping in some long
grass and falling on his opened pocket knife.

Following George's death in 1910, Louisa lived in Pukekohe
where she remained a supportive and active parishioner of the
Church of England. She died in 1926 and is buried in the Tuakau
Redoubt Cemetery.

Sources:
Copies of BMD certificates
Brown family papers: Auckland Anglican Diocesan Archives
Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW
Family biographies

Researcher: Shirley Finnel

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0350 Surname: BROWN
Given names: Margaret McPherson
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Tuakau

Qualification: residential

Margaret McPherson COOKE was born in 1821 in Northern
Ireland and baptised the same year in Newry Church, Newry,
Northern Ireland. Margaret was the eldest of 4 daughters
born to Richard Cooke and Ann née McPHERSON.

The Cooke family arrived in Sydney, New South Wales, in
December 1838 on Fairlie. The shipping records described
Margaret as a dressmaker while her father was listed as an
agriculturalist. Margaret met Arthur BROWN, a post office
clerk, in Sydney; in 1841 they were married in St James's
Church, Sydney. They soon moved to Singleton, NSW where
Arthur was the Postmaster of a small office.

In 1845 Margaret travelled to England with her husband and
young son, George. They lived mainly in Colne Engaine, Essex,
where Arthur's family had been long settled. A decade later they returned to Australia and joined
Margaret's parents, now storekeepers in the Dungog district where Arthur farmed. It was here that
their family grew to 6 sons and 1 daughter.

In 1873 Margaret, her husband, their 7 offspring, a daughter-in-law (George had married Louisa
POTTER in Dungog) and a grandson, moved to New Zealand, arriving in Auckland on a collier Derwent.
They settled in Tuakau on a property they called 'Woodlands', bordered by what is now Brown Road.
Margaret is remembered as a practical, caring, hard-working member of a pioneer community. During
her residence in Tuakau she laboured constantly to establish and support the Church of England and
through the years provided hospitality for the Bishop (COWIE) and clergy visiting the district.

Margaret McPherson Brown died in 1902 and is buried in the Tuakau Redoubt Cemetery.

Sources:
Copies of BMD certificates
Brown papers - Auckland Anglican Diocesan Archives
Family biographies
Tuakau Museum – Photograph.

Researcher: Shirley Finnel
NZSG no. 13444

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0346 Surname: BROWN
Given names: Tottie
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Puni

Qualification: residential

Who was Tottie BROWN of Puni

?

Despite a collective best effort, no trace was found for any woman fitting this description.

We do know that there were two Christina Browns on the 1893 Electoral Roll living at Puni. They
were mother and daughter. Christina senior (1831-1917) was the wife of John Brown and had at
least nine children, and Christina (1872-1906), the daughter, who married Thomas VICKERS in 1896.

There were two other daughters who would have been old enough to have enrolled in 1893.

• Elizabeth, born in South Africa in 1861
• Margaret, born in New Zealand 1866 – she married Charles KEIGHTLEY in 1903.

Where were these two ladies in 1893 and is it possible that one did enrol as Tottie?

Was Tottie Brown – a daughter’s pet name, a relative or not connected to the John Brown family of
Puni and why did she only appear on the 1893 Electoral Roll?

Only a member of the Brown family will be able to solve this mystery.

Sources:
Every possible source was looked at.
Compiler: Heather Maloney

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3354 Surname: BROWNLEE
Given names: Agnes
Occupation: household duties Address: Pollok

Qualification: residential

Agnes BROWNLEE (nee DICK) daughter of James Dick and Marion COCHRANE, was born on 10th of
March 1824 in Pollokshaws, Eastwood, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Working as a nurse and midwife she
married Thomas Brownlee at Pollokshaws on 20th April 1845 and had three sons (William, James and
Thomas) and two daughters (Marion and Agnes) before immigrating to New Zealand aboard the ship
“Ganges”.

Arriving in Auckland to take up the government offer of land for settlers who paid their own way,
Agnes and the children stayed in Edendale, now Auckland’s Sandringham, while Thomas prepared
the property they called, “Springvale” on the corner of Awhitu and Given Roads at Pollok.

When she passed away on 24th June 1910, Agnes left behind two sons, two daughters, 32
grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren as well as a host of friends to mourn her loss.

She is buried along with her husband, Thomas, at Awhitu Central Church graveyard.

Sources:
www.Brownlee.com.au

Researcher: Lynley Aitchinson

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3355 Surname: BROWNLEE
Given names: Jane
Occupation: household duties Address: Pollok

Qualification: residential

Jane, the daughter of Robert GARTON and Barbara DICK was born in Auckland on 18 October 1867.
Barbara sadly died in 1868 leaving Robert with his infant daughter, and only child, to raise alone. No
doubt the extended Dick family would have helped with her care, thus bringing her into contact with
the Brownlee family on the Awhitu peninsula.

In 1886 she married Thomas BROWNLEE who had arrived in NZ aged three, with his parents Thomas
and Agnes (nee Dick) by the “Ganges” on 13 October 1862. The young couple worked hard towards
a good future on the land; but on 3rd October 1899, aged just 39 years, Thomas succumbed to cancer
of the liver and Jane was widowed with six children, the youngest just eighteen months old, the oldest
not yet twelve. Life was an even greater challenge.

Family support was important as the children grew to adulthood and the children would visit Brownlee
families in Auckland and Te Aroha; attending school in those districts during their stay.

Jane’s father Robert Garton died in 1909 and by 1911 Jane was living with his widow, her stepmother
Janet, in Mount Roskill. During the war years both women relocated to Onehunga where Jane’s sons,
engineers and seamen, had established the business of Brownlee Bros. They offered maritime and
shipping services out of Onehunga, down the Manukau Harbour to Waiuku.

Daughter Elsie May and son Arthur Roy lived with their mother in Trafalgar Street. Jane was supported
by her children, but family illnesses caused much hardship and daughter Jessie applied to the
Charitable Aid Board for financial relief when her illness prevented her working in 1918. Son Ivan
Birtwell was also living nearby with his wife and two children.

Jane was to endure further tragedy. Her two daughters both became ill. Jessie, a dressmaker, died
on 23 November 1919 and Elsie May on 8 September 1921; both aged only 26. Youngest son Nicolai
Dannefaerd succumbed on 11 November 1934 aged 36. All had suffered from phthisis, now better
known as pulmonary tuberculosis. Nicolai’s name suggests that Thomas and Jane were supporters
of the Rev Nicolai DANNEFAERD, a missionary who established homes for soldiers in India and visited
NZ regularly for speaking tours.

Jane was clearly a very capable woman. When Thomas made his will nine months before his death he
appointed Jane as his sole executrix with absolute control over his estate, both real and personal. In
1909, she was appointed joint executrix, with her stepmother Janet, of her father Robert Garton’s will.
Jane’s address is given as Arrow Mount, Awhitu. Her son Nicolai also appointed her to administer his
estate after his death.

Following the deaths of her daughters and stepmother Janet, who died Jane's signature in 1899
in 1922, Jane relocated back to the peninsula where she lived at Orua
Bay with son Robert Ernest until her death, aged 73, on 27 July 1940.
She is interred with Thomas and his parents Thomas and Agnes at
Awhitu Cemetery.

Sources:
Papers Past /Ancestry/Findmypast/NZSG Archives/bdmhistoricalrecords
Compiled by Val Gillanders

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3357 Surname: BRUCE
Given names: Annie
Occupation: household duties Address: Tuakau

Qualification: residential

Annie was born in Tuakau,

New Zealand in 1868 the second daughter and third of four
children to Hugh and Catherine BRUCE. Hugh and Catherine
had made the journey to New Zealand aboard the ‘Ganges’
arriving in Auckland in 1865.

Settling in Tuakau they raised John, Mary, Annie and Sarah.
In 1875 Annie can be found on the Tuakau School Roll but
very little else is known about her.

The New Zealand Herald report 28 December 1891 of the
Tuakau Bachelors’ Ball records Annie as having attended in a
black and pink dress.

Annie died 8 November 1918 at the home of her sister Mary
at Birkenhead. She died after a brief illness and nine days
after her brother John. Perhaps both were a casualty of the
1918 flu epidemic.

Annie had been the executor of Johns will which he had
made the day before he died, when she died nine days later
their sisters Mary and Sarah and John’s son Kenneth were
the last surviving members of Hugh and Catherine’s family.

Annie is buried in the Birkenhead/Glenfield old cemetery.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sources:

Paperspast - New Zealand Herald
Family Search - Probate Anne Bruce
NZBDM

Researcher: Mary Mercer

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3358 Surname: BRUCE
Given names: Mary
Occupation: household duties Address: Tuakau

Qualification: residential

Mary was born in Tuakau, New Zealand in 1868 the first daughter and second of four children to Hugh
and Catherine BRUCE. Hugh and Catherine had made the journey to New Zealand aboard the ‘Ganges’
arriving in Auckland in 1865.

Settling in Tuakau they raised John, Mary, Annie and Sarah. In 1875 Mary can be found on the Tuakau
School Roll, enrolment number 121. Mary attended school until 1884 when she left to be at home.

Like her sister Annie, Mary also attended the Tuakau Bachelors’ Ball on 28 December 1891. Mary is
reported to be wearing a fashionable dress of grey tweed with pink trimmings.

In 1905 Mary married John BREGMAN a
farmer from Birkenhead.

Sadly in 1918 Mary lost both her brother
and sister within nine days of each other.
Her brother left a son, Kenneth age 14 years
and it is likely that Mary and John cared for
him until he reached adulthood.

A wedding report in the Auckland Star 9
March 1929 confirms that Kenneth was Best
Man for his cousin Mervyn only son of Mr
and Mrs Bregman of Birkenhead. Mary as
mother of the groom wore navy georgette,
finished with beige tonings and hat to
correspond.

Mary died in 1942 aged 74 and is buried in
the Birkenhead/Glenfield old cemetery.
Block 3, Plot 074.

Sources:

Paperspast
Family Search
NZBDM

Researcher: Mary Mercer

Electoral Roll: Franklin 0404 Surname: BUDGE
Given names: Sarah Ann
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Pukekohe

Qualification: residential

Sarah Ann CORNER was born about 1837 at Derryinver,
Armagh, Northern Ireland. Although a cousin found the
births of the rest of her family in the local Armagh Church
registers Sarah’s was not found. Her parents were
Christopher Corner and Catherine HUMPHRIES.

Sarah married John McKINNEY at Derryinver on 29 June
1860 in the Parish of Montaghs, County Armagh. She was
aged 23. They had two children, Robert born 4 April 1859
and Margaret born 27 March 1863.

The family left from Queenstown (now Cove), Ireland on the
Ganges on 2 November 1864. Margaret died on 6
December and was buried at sea two hours later. Robert
died on 7 February 1865 on the Ganges in the port of
Auckland and was buried under police orders in the
Symonds Street Cemetery.

Sarah and John spent time in Onehunga before gaining land in Pukekohe. Elizabeth was born on 8
April 1865 so Sarah was pregnant for the whole voyage. They built a raupo hut but this burnt down
and they lost all their possessions. John built a new house and Sarah lived in this all her life. Robert
was born on 26 June 1867, he was handicapped but able to work on the farm. John Joseph (Joe) was
born on 1 October 1869.

John developed pneumonia and was told to go to Auckland Hospital for treatment. He rode his horse
with cold potatoes in his pocket for food on the journey. Two weeks later a traveller on his way to
Hamilton dropped off John’s saddle to Sarah and said the horse had been sold to pay for his burial in
the Symonds Street Cemetery on 1 July 1871. Sarah’s father, Christopher Corner, offered to send
money to enable the family to return to Northern Ireland but Sarah said she could not face the journey
by ship again. She milked cows, grew herbs and sold eggs etc to feed her family. Elizabeth died on 5
October 1876 of consumption.

After managing on her own for 8 years Sarah remarried on 21 October 1978 to James BUDGE.
(Although it was 17 years since her first wedding Sarah gave her age as 34 and not 41!) She gave birth
to a daughter Sarah on 24 August 1880. When Joe was old enough to take over the farm James moved
out.

Sarah died on 14 February 1917 of senile enteritis. Her death certificate said she was 83 and her
second marriage took place when she was 45. She is buried in the Pukekohe Cemetery.

Sources:

Marriage Certificate no 15, 29 June 1860 Parish of Montaghs County Armagh;
Marriage Certificate 29 78/2589 21 October 1878 Parish of Drury; Death certificate 14 February 1917 registration
no 1917010280

Researcher: Lynnette McDonald

Electoral Roll: Waipa 0307 Surname: BUTLER
Given names: Flora
Occupation: domestic duties Address: Rama Rama

Qualification: residential

Flora was born in Rothesay, Co Bute, Scotland, the daughter of Archibald MURDOCH and Margaret
BELL in c 1838.

In April 1859, age 21, she married John Lachlan McLEAN and their first two children died as infants.
In 1865, together with their I year old son, Lachlan, they made the voyage to New Zealand on the
‘Resolute’ – one of the 13 ships that were part of the Waikato Immigration Scheme. This ship left
from Glasgow and John gave his occupation as a miner. The family took up land at Ramarama and
another five children were born. In 1874, John was killed while felling some trees on his property
and Flora was left with five (according to the obituary) young children under 11.

Records show Flora taking over the mortgage on the property and then marrying Michael BUTLER on
11 Dec 1877. Flora’s life was to receive yet another shock when Michael was found guilty of killing
John Callaghan, a friend, in a brawl at the Farmer’s Hotel in Drury, and jailed for manslaughter.

Flora and Michael had two children – Michael Jnr
and Margaret.

Margaret married John MARWICK in 1910 and it
was at her residence in Queen St, Northcote that
Flora died.

Although this death notice says interred at
Birkenhead, there is no record of this and no
headstone.

Sources:
Oliver Family Tree – Ancestry; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk
Researcher: Heather Maloney