NZSG Franklin: Suffrage 125 Vol2 2018 original

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3734 Surname: McGOWAN
Given names: Alice Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Alice McGOWAN (nee BARRISKILL) was born in the Armagh area, Ireland, in 1837.

She married William McGowan on 17 May 1860, at Portadown Church, Drumcree, Lurgan, Northern
Ireland. William’s occupation was weaver at the time of the marriage and they both were from
Ballyworken, Drumcree.

In 1864, the couple arrived at Onehunga, on the ship “Dauntless”. From Onehunga, they travelled to
Waipipi, where they were given 10 acres of land, and built a small house.

William and Alice farmed in the area all their lives.

There were seven children of this marriage: three sons – Thomas, William and John; and four
daughters – Sarah, Ann, Jane and Alice.

Alice’s husband, William, a man who was highly esteemed for his kindly and hospitable nature, died
10 April 1906.

Alice died at her residence, McGowan Road, Waipipi, on 31 October 1911, aged 74.

Alice and William were both buried at the Waiuku Cemetery.

Their descendants continue to farm in the same area today [June 2018].

Sources: - family knowledge and records
Researchers: Bev and Lyndsay Shuker

145

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3735 & 3737 Surname: McGOWAN
Given names: Annie & Sarah Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: dressmaker & domestic duties Qualification: residential

Sarah and Annie were daughters both born in 1870, Sarah being the elder, to William and Alice
McGOWAN, emigrants from Ireland who had travelled on the ship “Dauntless” and settled on 10
acres on McGowan Road, Waipipi.

There were three brothers – Thomas, William and John – and two sisters – Jane and Alice.

Sarah and Annie never married.

They lived together in a cottage across the road from their parents’ house.

Annie was a dressmaker which would have helped bring in an income and no doubt there were dairy
and meat contributions from family.

Sarah died 28 January 1942 aged 72 and Annie died two years later aged 74 on 2 February 1944.

Both died at Franklin Memorial Hospital were buried in the Waiuku cemetery.

At the time their brother John was farming at Waipipi and descendants farm in the same area today
[June 2018].

Sources
DEATHSNEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME 79, ISSUE 24185, 29 JANUARY 1942
DEATHSNEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME 81, ISSUE 24808, 3 FEBRUARY 1944
Family Information – Bev & Lyndsay Shuker

Researcher: Penny Prescott

146

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2125 Surname: McGRATH
Given names: Margaret Residence: Patumahoe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret McGRATH, daughter of Francis Bernard’s boot-making business, located on
McVEIGH and Rose McKEE, was born 29 the corner of Patumahoe and Woodhouse
October 1834 in Armagh, Ireland. She married roads, was the third commercial building to
a shoemaker, Bernard, on 12 February 1858 in appear in the village.
the Parish of Armagh. Their first five children
were baptised at Loughall, Armagh: Keen musicians, the McGraths often provided
the dance music at the Patumahoe and Mauku
• 1859 – Bernard balls.
• 1862 – Susannah
• 1866 – Francis When Bernard died of pneumonia aged 53, he
• 1869 – James became the third person for whom a requiem
• 1872 – Patrick. mass was said at St Michael’s Catholic Church
in Patumahoe.
Husband Bernard emigrated ahead of the
family to establish things in Patumahoe. After his death in 1892 Margaret followed her
Margaret and the children followed in 1874, grown children up north to Mangatu.
their arrival delayed by a collision in the English
Channel between their vessel, the Lauderdale, Sources:
and the brigantine, Messenger. A further son Ireland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Transcription
was born in 1875. civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie
BDM NZ
Margaret was no stranger to the courts, as Electoral Rolls – ancestry.com
newspapers of the time can attest. She Auckland Star, 30 Jan. 1874
seemed to have a knack for getting charges NZ Herald, 29 Dec. 1875
dismissed and a talent for bringing counter- NZ Herald, 20 June 1879
charges. Auckland Star, 17 May 1894
Researcher: W. Clark

147

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2127 Surname: McGUIRE
Given names: Anne* Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

TWINS IN A TENT AND A HAMMOCK IN THE GUARD’S VAN

Annie* McGUIRE was born in the small village of Crossmaglen, County Armagh, Ireland in 1848.
Annie was the daughter of Owen and Rosetta Maguire. Owen Maguire died during the 1848 famine
and before Annie was born. Rosetta moved to a live-in job leaving Annie with her grandmother, the
local midwife. Seemingly Annie’s childhood was austere - spending long periods of time on her own.
She was taught to sew but she was never sent to school. An old priest taught her to read and she
remained an avid reader for the rest of her life although she never learned to write and couldn’t sign
her name.

Her granddaughter Rose wrote: “Grandma McGuire was a reader. She had a treasured collection of
books which she read over and over again. Most of them were paperback editions of the classics
which she had bought from hawkers who used to go round the country districts in the early days.
There was a Syrian hawker who was always sure of a good meal and a bed for the night because he
carried a stock of books at 3 pence a time. Whenever I felt a cold coming on and knew that it meant
a fortnight in bed, I would dart up to Grandma after school and she would give me a book to hide
under the mattress. I read Henry Esmond right through this way when I was seven.”

When Annie was 15, her mother Rosetta met and married widower William KEEGAN (two children).
The Keegans decided to emigrate; collected Annie, and boarded the clipper ship Ganges at Cork in
1864.

Annie met Laurence McGuire on the Ganges. Laurence had
been given the on-board job of helping the ship’s Purser
probably because he could read and write (and very few
passengers were able to read and write). Consequently,
Laurence met all the other passengers - ordinarily young
female passengers were kept in strict seclusion. After
disembarking at Auckland, the Ganges passengers were taken
to Onehunga where they were housed in the former military
barracks. Laurence then spent three years in the military. The
Keegans went onto their grant of land at Pukekohe and Annie
accompanied them.

When Laurence completed his military service he was given a
grant of land at Alexandra Redoubt Road, Tuakau. He asked
Annie to marry him and return to farm his 32 acres in Ireland.
Annie refused to return to Ireland because her memories of
Ireland were quite different to Laurence’s memories. His
father had recently died and this may have influenced his decision to stay here in the new life Annie
desperately wanted. Annie married Laurence McGuire at William Keegan’s home in Pukekohe in
1868. Their initial dwelling was a tent on a town section while their Tuakau land was being
surveyed, and their eldest children, twins Hugh and Rosetta, were born there in 1869.

Tuakau life in the 1870s was pioneering, with no formed roads, only bush tracks. The old pioneers’
goal was to gradually cultivate their grant into pasture. Hardships such as walking or riding into
Otahuhu or Auckland are unimaginable to us today. Christian values and the church were an integral
part of Annie’s life - the marble altar at St Andrews Catholic Church Tuakau was gifted by Annie and
Laurence McGuire - an enduring memorial.

(continued on next page)

148

Annie and Laurence brought up their family of ten children at Alexandra Redoubt Road Tuakau, five
sons and five daughters. Annie enrolled to vote in 1893 along with her daughters Margaret and
Mary Ann. Margaret later married Thomas DONOVAN, Paparata, and Mary Ann married Michael
MARKHAM, Ararimu. We found no record of daughter Rosetta enrolling in 1893 - she married
Laurence CARROLL in 1894. Daughters Alice, and Elizabeth who later married Jack GERAGHTY of
Harrisville were not of age in 1893.
One of Annie’s great grandsons and his family still farm this land.

Rose (granddaughter) wrote in Memoirs of Health: “It was in March of 1914 that Grandma McGuire
fell ill. She had developed a hernia from all the outside work that she had done and suffered greatly.
The doctor finally persuaded her to go into Mater Hospital and what a business that was getting her
there. Mr Finch had stables opposite the railway station, I was always puzzled why the sign said
‘Livery and Bait Stables’ and I don’t know yet! He had a horse bus known as ‘The Break’ which was
sometimes hired for picnics. This was ordered to come and collect Grandma and there was a great
fuss about getting the heavy vehicle drawn by two horses up the paddock to the house – no house
was ever built by the road then. Grandma was lifted into a cumbersome easy chair, swathed in rugs
and about six men hoisted her into The Break, chair and all, and the vehicle set off at a snail’s pace
for the station. I was watching in the background and with my usual lurid imagination thought they
were taking her off somewhere to put her on a funeral pyre. I’d recently read that widows suffered
this fate in India. The station master had ordered the guard’s van of the evening train to be prepared
for a patient. Mum said they used to have some sort of hammock strung to the ceiling for these
occasions and the ambulance met her at Auckland station. All this cost the earth and so did the
operation, which was performed by a brilliant Italian surgeon, Dr Marcazinni, who was spending a
year in New Zealand. She was months in hospital but recovered very well and her first act on
returning home was to start a new rhubarb bed. Dr M’s fee was 100 guineas and she had to sell the
property left to her by her mother in Pukekohe to pay for it.”

Source:
"McGuire A Brief Family Account of Laurence & Anne 1865 - 1990",by Elizabeth Coombes & Leonie Flower.
Compilation by Dianne Mizen and Noelene McGuire 2018.

149

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2128 Surname: McGUIRE
Given names: Maggie Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Laurence and Annie McGUIRE had ten children. Margaret (Maggie) was the second born after twins
Hugh and Rosetta. She was born on 28 November 1870.
Maggie married Tom DONOVAN at her parents’ residence on Alexandra Redoubt Rd, Tuakau on 15
April 1903.
Upon her marriage to Tom Donovan, Margaret went to live at Paparata on a dairy farm where she
resided for many years. Tom and Maggie raised four children: Annie, Frank, Jim and Margaret.
When the farm was sold they moved to Karaka for a time before finally settling in Takanini, where
Margaret died on 30 December 1946 aged 76 years.
Little is known about what Margaret did before her marriage to Tom, but it is thought she worked on
the family farm and helped raise her younger siblings.
Maggie was referred to as a quiet, reserved person and a good mother. She was a keen gardener
and was a very prominent church worker.
Tom died in July 1955 and they are both buried in the Papakura Cemetery.

Source:
McGuire. A brief family account of Laurence & Anne 1865-1990.
By Elezabeth Coombes & Leonie Flower

Compilation by Erin Cannell.

150

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2129 Surname: McGUIRE
Given names: Mary Anne Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Maryanne (Mary Anne on the Electoral Roll) McGUIRE was born in 1873, the 4th born to Laurence and
Annie McGuire of Tuakau. Maryanne married Michael MARKHAM in 1911, and they dairy farmed in
Ararimu.
She helped Michael with the farm and his contracting business for many years. They later moved to
Puni, onto a smaller farm, then retired to Pukekohe.
Maryanne was noted for her hospitality and kindness. They had two children Maurice and Mary.
Mary was unmarried, and Maurice married Sandra LESTER and they had three children.

Source:
McGuire. A brief family account of Laurence & Anne 1865-1990.
By Elizabeth Coombes & Leonie Flower.

151

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3738 Surname: McINNES
Given names: Catherine Residence: Pollok Settlement
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Catherine was born on 9 or 10 November 1861 in Glasgow to Peter McINNES and Sarah McInnes.
Sarah had been a servant in the home of Peter’s parents, Neil and Janet McInnes (nee SMITH).
Sarah’s parents were John McInnes and Margaret MUNROE.

Peter and Sarah, with their children Janet, Margaret (listed as Mary), John and Catherine arrived in
New Zealand in November 1864 on “British Trident”. Alexander, Peter’s brother, had sailed with
them.

Catherine’s parents took an allotment on arrival in Auckland and set up a home and a store on the
banks of the Matakawau Creek which serviced the expanding community of Pollok. The family all
became involved in the store as the population expanded with settlers, gum diggers, and the Maoris,
all of whom took advantage of the supplies that became available.

Catherine married Thomas WILSON on 5 May 1897 and they had one child, Sarah, born 7 September
1898. Catherine and Thomas lived in several areas of Auckland City during their short marriage and
Thomas had a profession as a tailor. Unfortunately, Thomas passed away 12 October 1906.

Catherine remarried on 9 November 1910 to David Christie KAY who had been born in Scotland
c1856. With this marriage Catherine had come full circle and returned to her roots. On the 1911
Electoral Roll Catherine and David are living in Pollok and David’s occupation is “storekeeper”.

There is no record of children from this marriage.

Catherine re-entered to the community lifestyle that she had enjoyed early in her life with families
that she knew back then still living in the area. Again, the church became a special place for her.

Catherine passed away 3 November 1919, aged 57 and was buried in Waikaraka Cemetery.
Catherine’s headstone, from Cemetery records, reads “In loving memory of my dear mother … ”

David passed away 29 June 1921, aged 65. He was also buried in Waikaraka Cemetery, but it could
not be confirmed if they rest together.

Sources:

Descendants’ Family Sources
Electoral Rolls
NZ BDM Historical Records
Cemetery Records

Researcher: Penny Prescott and Lois Hopping

152

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3739 Surname: McINNES
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Pollok Settlement
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth was born in Pollok on 2 July 1872 to Peter and Catherine McINNES and came from a family
of daughters who were accustomed to helping their father earn the family income. Peter ran a store
on the shore of the harbour on what is now known as McPike Road. He traded Kauri gum for
supplies as well as the usual cash economy. To keep his shop stocked he ran a small cutter and his
daughters were often the crew on the voyages to Onehunga and perhaps other places around the
harbour. The girls were said to be as capable as any of the boys of the district who thought that they
were sailors! After the long walk to Church each Sunday they were also renowned for providing a
virtual back-seat choir.

Other supplies such as vegetable and meat came from local sources, including the Hamilton family.
By general knowledge the store had a weekly “Meat Day”, when meat was available for those who
had not killed their own. For a period, this meat was provided by the Hamilton family and possibly
proved the most profitable way for them to sell their beef. Without refrigeration in the shop or
homes, meat had to be consumed within a few days before it began to smell and was fit only for
dogs. Through the constant contact with the McInnes Store, Chadwick Neilson HAMILTON (Chad),
had earlier met Elizabeth, and the friendship grew further when she came up to the Puketapu
homestead to help nurse Chad’s mother in her last year. Elizabeth was to spend the rest of her life
there in the old home.

Elizabeth and Chad married on 10 July 1901 –
“Our Pollok correspondent writes: — A quiet but pretty wedding took place in Pollok on July 10, at
the residence of Mr. John Maclnnes, when his sister, Miss E. Maclnnes, was joined in marriage to Mr.
C. N. Hamilton, the youngest son of the late Mr. James Hamilton, of Awitu. The-ceremony was
performed by the Rev. Robert BARR. The bride was elegantly attired in cream silk figured lustre,
trimmed with cream silk and lace, ribbon sash, with handsome veil and orange blossoms, and carried
a lovely bouquet of snowdrops and maidenhair ferns. Two of her nieces attended her as bridesmaids;
Miss HIGHAM, first maid, wore a very pretty dress of fawn lustre, with pink silk and lace, and Miss
Sarah HUDSON pale green, with pink silk and lace trimmings. The bridegroom was attended by his
nephew, Mr. Willie DICKEY, as groomsman. At the conclusion of the ceremony the company repaired
to the banquet room, in the large storeroom adjoining, which was tastefully decorated with New
Zealand ferns and palms and arum lilies. There the guests sat down to a fine breakfast. The centre
of the table was adorned with a handsome three-storeyed wedding cake. The bride was the recipient
of many very handsome and costly presents, among which were a beautiful writing desk, and ladies'
travelling case, containing a set of brushes, which was presented to her by the members of the Pollok
Church, where she officiated as organist for the last two years. Miss E. Maclnnes was very much
liked for her bright and cheery manner and has the good wishes of all who know her. Later on, in the
afternoon, the happy pair left through ‘showers of rice’ and blessings, for their new home in Awitu.”

After her first two children she followed advice and went to Onehunga and closer to proper
maternity care for each confinement, followed by a stay with her sister, Mary WATTS, until she could
make the journey to return to Puketapu. There were five children – Neil Vivian, Ian Campbell, Iris
Veronica, Elizabeth Annie, and Brian Winton – on what was run as a dairy farm to supply milk to the
cheese factory owned by the family.

Her youngest son, Winton, would have been in the Army when she
died at Awhitu on 10 July 1944. Elizabeth was buried in Awhitu
Cemetery, Block 3, Plot 16. Chadwick was buried with his beloved
wife. He passed away on 20 July 1963.

Researcher: Clyde Hamilton from family information

153

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3740 Surname: McINNES
Given names: Jane Residence: Pollok Settlement
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Jane was born Jean Roxburgh on 14 February/March 1870 in Pollok to Peter McINNES and Sarah
McInnes of Glasgow, Scotland. Sarah had been a servant in the home of Peter’s parents, Neil and
Janet McInnes (nee SMITH). Sarah’s parents were John McInnes and Margaret MUNROE.

Peter and Sarah, with their children Janet, Margaret (listed as Mary), John and a baby Catherine,
arrived in New Zealand November 1864 on “British Trident”. Alexander, Peter’s brother, had sailed
with them. On arrival in Auckland, Jean’s parents were granted an allotment at Pollok where they
built a home and store that served the community and district for many years.

Jean, or Jeannie as she was known, married William HARKNESS on 29 August 1901.

“A very quiet wedding took place at the residence of Mr John McInnes on August 29, when his sister,
Miss Jennie McInnes, was joined in the bonds of matrimony to Mr William HARKNESS, of Ramarama.
The Rev. Robert BARR performed the ceremony. … Two of her nieces attended her as bridesmaids –
Miss HIGHAM and Miss Sarah HUDSON. The bridegroom was attended by Mr George BRYANT as
best man. … After the ceremony, which took place at nine a.m. … The bride, who was born and
brought up in this district, and well liked for her kindly ways, and will be much missed … left with
her husband soon after in the S.S. Weka on their way to her new home, near Drury, taking with them
the good wishes of all.”

Jean headed for Ramarama where William had been farming for some time. They continued to farm
there until the late 1900’s when they moved to Waitoa and remained there until the mid-1920’s.
They again moved, this time to Kiwitahi, Morrinsville.

In each location they became fully involved with the farming community and business community,
and were highly respected members of them both.

Jean passed away on 31 March 1931, aged 61, at a private hospital in Auckland. A service was held
at the Morrinsville Presbyterian Church before she was laid to rest in the Morrinsville Old Cemetery.

Electoral rolls have William moving again to Kereone, which is still in the Morrinsville district, and
with him is a new wife, Robina Campbell HARKNESS, whom he married in 1939.

William passed away on 29 June 1953, aged 78. He was buried with Jean.

It appears that Jean and William spent some time in Australia, exactly how long is unknown, but
records of Deceased Estates are held for both of them.

Sources:

McInnes Family Knowledge
Electoral Rolls and Cemetery Records
Family Search
PapersPast – Local and General News – NZ Herald, Vol XXXVIII, Issue 11749, 3 Sep 1901 (Wedding)

Researchers: Penny Prescott and Lois Hopping

154

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3741 Surname: McINNES
Given names: Sarah Residence: Pollok Settlement
Occupation: storekeeper Qualification: residential

Peter McINNES, born 5 November 1825, and Sarah McINNES, born 15 March 1832, both of Scotland,
married in Glasgow on 14 December 1853. Sarah had been a servant in the home of Peter’s parents,
Neil and Janet McInnes (nee SMITH). Sarah’s parents were John McInnes and Margaret MUNROE.

Peter and Sarah, with their children, Janet b. 1854, Margaret (listed as Mary) b. 1856, Catherine b.
1861 and John b. 1863, arrived in New Zealand in November 1864 on “British Trident”. Alexander,
Peter’s brother, had sailed with them.

Peter and Sarah were granted land in Lot 1 alongside the Matakawau Creek. They had been
storekeepers in Glasgow, and intended following this occupation in the new land.

Sarah and the children waited in Auckland while Peter and Alexander travelled to Pollok to build a
house and get things settled. The site chosen for the store was sheltered and provided a safe
anchorage for vessels landing goods at the end of what is now McPike Road. The family was brought
down and house and store were settled. The store was considered more of a trading post with
settlers bringing their produce and exchanging for tea, sugar, and other needs. The family would
take the produce to Auckland to sell and bring back more stock.

When gum digging was in progress, they bought and sold gum and generally traded with the diggers.
Each week or so one of the settlers would kill a beast which would be sold in the store. On these
days there could be 200 diggers and settlers at the store. The McInnes family were noted for fair
trading and were held in high respect, especially by the Maori who called Sarah, “Mother”.

Sarah was now a mother to nine children having had Sarah b. 1865, Ann b. 1867, Jean b. 1870,
Elizabeth b. 1872 and Mary b. 1874 – eight girls and one boy. Sarah and Peter were fully involved in
all things at the Pollok Settlement and when the whole family went to church the singing was said to
be something to remember.

Sarah, Peter and family continued the hard work at the store but
gradually it got harder to make ends meet.

Peter passed away on 25 January 1892 and was buried in Pollok
Cemetery. Son John took over the business when his father died and
helped support Sarah.

Sarah passed away on 7 February 1899 and rests with Peter.

Alexander passed away on 18 August 1914, aged 74, and is buried with
Sarah and Peter.

Sources:
NZ BDM Historical Records and Cemetery Records
The Far Away Land – The Story of Pollok Settlement
Researcher: Lois Hopping

155

Electoral Roll: Waipa 1777 Surname: McINTYRE
Given names: Elizabeth Binie* Residence: Pokeno Valley
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth Binney* McINTYRE was born on 11 February 1843 in Larbert,
Stirling, Scotland. She was the daughter of James BINNIE and Jean
WRANGHAM and one of their seven children – three daughters and four
sons.

She married Peter McIntyre (born c1838) on 2 June 1864 in Scotland, before
coming to New Zealand.

From New Zealand birth records, eight children were born from 1866 until

1883.

Peter who was a ploughman in Scotland, was a storekeeper and farmer owning Lot 52 in Pokeno. In
1913 while returning from a trip to England, he died at sea aboard the ship Wilcannia on 17
December 1913 and was buried at sea, off the coast of Africa.

Elizabeth died on 9 July 1910 and is buried at Pokeno cemetery.

Sources:
Photo & info – McIntyre Family Tree – My Heritage
Headstone photo – Waikato District Council
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz

Researcher: Heather Maloney

156

Electoral Roll: Waipa 1779 Surname: McINTYRE
Given names: Margaret Residence: Pokeno Valley
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret (Nellie) McINTYRE was born on 8 February 1872 at Pokeno. She was the third child of
Peter McIntyre (1838-1913) and Elizabeth BINNIE/BINNEY (1843-1910) and had four sisters and
three brothers. Her parents had lived in Pokeno, owning Lot 52 and her father was a storekeeper
and farmer.
Margaret married Hector CAMPBELL in 1903 – he was a miner from Coromandel and had served in
the Boer War.
They had a family of four daughters and three sons born between 1904 and 1916. The family moved
around – from Whakapara in the north to Mamaku, near Rotorua in the south, where Hector plied
his trade as a bushman. They then went farming at Parua Bay before settling in Auckland, living at
several different addresses.

Margaret‘s death record and headstone
both say Margrette Buchanan CAMPBELL.
She died on 16 April 1940 and is buried at
Pokeno cemetery.
Sources:
Photo and info – McIntyre Family Tree on My
Heritage; BDM - www.dia.govt.nz;
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk

Researcher: Heather Maloney

157

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3742 Surname: McKAY
Given names: Annie Isabella Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: school teacher Qualification: residential

Miss Ann Isabella McKAY was born on 19 August 1871 to Roderick McKay and Christina McDONALD,
at Waipu, Northland, one of seven children (five girls and two boys). The McKays were a well-
established extended family in Waipu and fully involved in the community.

Ann, known as Annie, became a teacher in the Waiuku area and taught there until taking a transfer
in June 1898 to Waipu North. At that stage she had been teaching at Waiuku No.2 School (now
Waiuku Primary in George Street). The Board of Education named a Miss GILLMAN as her
replacement.

Annie took up her position at North River School, Waipu, and remained there for the next 12 years.
On 22 August 1910 she was given a special “Valedictory” function for the community to say their
goodbyes. “…Items were given by pupils, ex-pupils, and others, all keen to acknowledge the efforts
made by Miss McKay.”

Mr J. N. McGREGOR spoke on behalf of the householders of the school district and the school pupils,
and presented Annie with a silver-mounted travelling bag and lady's dressing-case as a small token
of the recognition of her faithful services as teacher for the past 12 years. He expressed the hope
that her labours would result in the same satisfactory manner as they had done at North River at her
new school, as the examinations and the inspectors' reports had continually shown her efforts
equalled by few schools in the province.

Mr John C. McKay spoke on behalf of her ex-pupils and asked her to accept a nice hand-bag in slight
recognition of the interest she had always taken in them when under her charge; not only in their
school duties, but in their general welfare before and after they had left school. He hoped that she
would make as many friends as she was leaving behind her, and that her pupils there would be as
pleased with the result of her labours as they were at North River.

“Mr J. M. McKay, in endorsing the remarks already made, said that at one time he was prejudiced
against lady teachers, thinking they were not capable of giving the same satisfactory results as a
male teacher, but the work done by Miss McKay had convinced him that he was wrong in this
supposition. …Seldom was a teacher more popular with pupils and parents than she had been, and
he hoped, in conclusion, it would be even more popular and useful in her new place. He wished her
success, prosperity, and health.”

Annie attempted to reply expressing that she was taken by surprise and overwhelmed by their
kindness and flattering remarks and that the power of speech was almost taken from her, as she
always thought she had been quite repaid for all her efforts by the appreciation of the parents and
the committee.

As a researcher it is believed that this shows the value of Miss McKay as a teacher and person.

She left North River School and went to Rahotu School in Taranaki. We have not been able to find a
record of her retirement, but she returned to Auckland and lived there until her death on 22 April
1952. She appears to be buried (No.326) in a McKay Family section in the cemetery – Large
enclosure in Iron Rail – No. 313 to 332 – all McKay family – in Waikiekie Cemetery, Waipu.

Sources:
Electoral Rolls, Paperspast, NZ BDM Register
Special – Northern Advocate – 26 Aug 1910 - Valedictory
Researcher: Lois Hopping

158

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3743 Surname: McKEAN
Given names: Jane Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

When Jane SHEA emigrated from Ireland in 1865 on the Caduceus she was one of 262 people on board.
The Caduceus arrived at Auckland on 26 March 1865. Two years later, on 20 June 1867, Jane married
Patrick McKEAN at Auckland and by 1870 they were living at Whangarata.

Seven children were born to Jane and Patrick between 1868 and 1875 – six sons and one daughter.
Sadly, in December 1874, three-year-old Patrick jnr died and was buried at the Alexandra Redoubt
Cemetery in Tuakau. Tragedy was to strike again in less than a year as Patrick snr died on 22 November
1875. Patrick was only 44 years old at the time of his death. He had been ill for three months and
died of phthisis (tuberculosis). He was buried alongside his son at the Alexandra Redoubt Cemetery.
Jane was left to raise six children by herself. She never remarried.

Perhaps the contents of Patrick’s will influenced
her decision to remain a widow. When Patrick
signed his last will and testament the day before
he died in November 1875, he left the following
instructions: “… And as to the residue and
remainder of my property such as household
effects, livestock and farm implements, I give
devise and bequeath them to my wife Jane
McKean for her sole use and benefit so long as she
remain unmarried.”

Jane was living with her daughter Mary Ann in Newton,
Auckland when she died on 9 September 1922. Cause of
death was “Senile decay and heart failure”. Almost 58 years
had passed since Jane immigrated to New Zealand. She was
laid to rest beside her husband and son in the Alexandra
Redoubt Cemetery.

Sources:
Roach Whanau tree (Kathleen Atkins) – https://www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/tree/111040465
Patrick McKean probate – R18802853/BBAE/1568/A645/32/609 https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz
Newspaper articles – https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Researcher – Sandra Brasell

159

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2152 Surname: McKELVIE
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth McKELVIE was born circa 1864. She appears on both the 1893 and 1896 Electoral Rolls and
is shown as living in Tuakau. Her future husband, Joseph Coates WILLIS, was also living in Tuakau and
appears on the 1893 and 1896 Electoral Rolls as a freehold farmer of lot 19 in Tuakau. Joseph was
born in New Zealand in 1853 and, as an 11-year-old, was ambushed and attacked with a tomahawk in
1864. He suffered life-threatening head injuries and spent many months recovering. In 1867 he was
awarded compensation for his suffering. It is possible that this compensation enabled him to freehold
lot 19.

Elizabeth and Joseph were married on 18 August 1897. The following year, on 26 July 1898, their first
child John Leddra (known as Jack) was born. Two more sons were born to Elizabeth and Joseph, James
Coates (known as Jim) in 1900 and Cecil Frederick in 1903. Daughter, Vera May, was born 18 May
1904.

The family had moved from Tuakau to Waiuku before the 1911
Electoral Roll was compiled and by 1919 they were living in
Kaipaki. It was there that Joseph died in 1933. He was buried at
the Pukerimu Cemetery, near Cambridge.

Elizabeth was provided with a home and a weekly allowance of
£3 for the remainder of her life under the terms of Joseph’s will.

A trip to Auckland in December 1938 ended with Elizabeth
spending time in hospital after she fell from a tram. She
recovered from her injuries and was to live for another five years.
At some point prior to her death on 8 October 1943 Elizabeth
had moved to Kio Kio, which is a small town near Otorohanga. It
was likely that she was living with her son Jim who also lived at
Kio Kio. She was laid to rest beside Joseph in the Pukerimu
Cemetery.

Sources:
BDM records: https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
Newspaper articles: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Joseph Coates Wallis probate records: https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz
Researcher: Sandra Brasell

160

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3746 Surname: McKERRAS
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

When Elizabeth McKERRAS died on 13 August 1925, she had reached the grand age of 91 years.
Elizabeth was born on 25 May 1834, the daughter of Joseph BARLOW and his wife Ann. On 1
January 1856, at St John’s Church in Little Bolton, Lancashire, Elizabeth Barlow married Joseph
MOFFAT (sometimes spelt MOFFATT). At the time of her marriage Elizabeth was working as a
weaver.

Three sons and one daughter were born to Elizabeth
and Joseph. In 1878 the family decided to immigrate
to New Zealand. They left their home in Lancashire,
boarded the ‘May Queen’ and arrived in Auckland in
October 1878. The Moffat family settled in
Whangarata and it was while they were living there
that tragedy struck. In 1882 Joseph Moffat drowned in
a creek. At the inquest Elizabeth stated that he had
been subject to severe epileptic fits. It appeared likely
that Joseph had fallen into the water while having a
seizure. The following year, on 30 October 1883
Elizabeth married William McKerras who had been
widowed in 1876.

In September 1884 Elizabeth’s daughter, Elizabeth Ann,
married William Edward OLDHAM but sadly she died on 9
October 1893 at the young age of 29.
William McKerras died in March 1903 and is buried in the
Tuakau Cemetery.
When Elizabeth died in 1925 she was living with her son
Joseph in Mount Roskill. She is buried in the Hillsborough
Cemetery.

Sources:
Parish registers for St John’s Church, Bolton-le-Moors - https://www.familysearch.org Film # 1966167 Pg147, #293
NZ birth, death and marriage records: https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
Newspaper articles: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Researcher: Sandra Brasell

161

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3747 Surname: McKINNEY
Given names: Christina Residence: Waiuku East
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Christina was born on 24 October 1856 to John MURRIE, a coalminer,
and Helen MUIR at Torbothie, Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, Scotland,
the youngest girl in a family of nine children, five girls and four boys.

In 1871 she was recorded as being a servant at Cathcart, Renfrewshire.

At Dykehead, Shotts, Lanarkshire on 24 November 1876 Christina, a
domestic servant, married James McKINNEY, a general labourer, born
c1850 at Boneybefore, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland,
the eldest son of William Finlay McKinney and Sarah LAIRD.

A daughter, Ellen (Nellie) 1877-1963, was born in Motherwell,
Lanarkshire. Christina and James, with Ellen, sailed on the Maraval to New Zealand arriving 17
January 1879. Sarah Maraval, 1879-1957, was born at sea.

Their first years were to be in Auckland where James worked as a bricklayer and also for Hancocks
Brewery. Five sons were born:
William (Bill) 1881-1944, John (Jack) 1883-1960, James 1884-1965, Edward (Ted) 1887-1945, and
Thomas who was born in 1889 at Arch Hill, Epsom, but sadly died a few days later.

By then James was working as a market gardener but the family was to move to Glenbrook and take
up farming on a property on the left of Glenbrook Road that went down to the inlet. Sarah, William,
John, James and Edward were to have their school days at Brookside School.

Christina enjoyed having a garden, both flower and vegetable, and having the ability to utilise
everything they possessed to feed her family. She also used those skills when she entered local
flower shows or church fundraisers, winning prizes for making jams, baking, cabbages, camellias,
crocheting, duck and hen eggs and in the correct etiquette for ironing a tablecloth.

All her children were to marry: Ellen married Cornelius HODGKINSON, Sarah married William CRAIKE,
William married Elizabeth DORRICOTT, John married Ellen Beatrice PATTERSON, James married
Margaret Josephine SMITH and Edward married Jessie HOLMES.

Edward and Jessie farmed the property from the main road to McKinney’s Road. They had a large
family and Walter, the eldest, continued farming the property and then two of his sons carried on.

Christina died on 2 February 1926 at Glenbrook, aged 69,
and was laid to rest in Waiuku Cemetery.

James died on 25 December 1938 at Auckland Hospital,
aged 88 and he was laid to rest with Christina. They were
survived by four sons, two daughters, 23 grandchildren and
13 great-grandchildren.

Sources:

Familysearch.org paperspast ‘Faith and Work’ – Glenbrook School Centennial Book
Ancestry Tree – Muir Family Tree (annmcmuir) - Photo

Researchers: Penny Prescott and Lois Hopping

162

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3748 Surname: McLAREN
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Waipipi
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth was born 21 April 1867 to Alexander and Catherine McLAREN (MacLaren).

Elizabeth married Ernest John KEREBS on 1 February 1897. Ernest was born c1865 to Matthew
Kerebs and Elizabeth ROBERTSON in San Francisco, U.S.A.

Prior to their marriage Ernest was a seaman on the S.S. Weka. Ernest first appears on the Electoral
Roll in 1896. At that stage Elizabeth was living with, and caring for, her father as her mother had
passed away on 16 March 1890, aged 54. Alexander had a farm at Waipipi – Lots 308 and 309.

They had six children: Ernest John 1898, Matthew Donald 1899, Catherine Irene Elizabeth 1904 (Mrs
Arthur Hodgkinson), Alexander McLaren 1905, Esmond 1908 and Lilian 1909 (Mrs John Balls).

Elizabeth’s father passed away 1 April 1900, aged 75, and was laid to rest with his wife, Catherine, in
Waipipi Cemetery.

Elizabeth and Ernest farmed the property on the south side of Mayhead Road off the Awhitu Road,
the land of Elizabeth’s parents. Most of their family eventually left Waipipi but the farm was
important to Elizabeth and Ernest.

Ernest passed away 16 August 1910, aged 45, and was also buried in Waipipi Cemetery.

Elizabeth continued to farm at Mayhead Road with the help of her eldest son, Ernest John Jnr. On
her death he continued farming the property at least until 1957 (Electoral Roll) before selling the
farm and moving to the Auckland area (Papakura 1960 Electoral Roll).

Elizabeth passed away 14 March 1923, aged 56, and was laid to rest with Ernest and next to her
parents.

Ernest Jnr, and his wife Mary, were also laid to rest in the Kerebs’ family plot at Waipipi.

Sources:
NZ BDM Historical Records
Electoral Rolls
Waipipi District 150 years Booklet – Cemetery Records
Researcher: Lois Hopping

163

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3750 Surname: McMAHON
Given names: Kate Residence: Patumahoe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

LEFT BEHIND Eight days later the boat turned up in Suva
Harbour after being hove to for days while
Catherine (Kate) McMAHON was born circa breaking seas surged through the galley, the
1871 at Shannon River, County Clare, in engine room and the bilges, blocking the
Ireland. She appears to have been left behind pumps with fine coal dust and forcing the crew
when her parents, Richard and Mary (nee to continuously bale until engineers cleared
O’BRIEN) McMahon emigrated. At age 14 she the blockages. Newspapers reported six
was sent out to New Zealand where she met passengers on board – three ladies and three
them, and her five-year old sister Annie Cecilia children. It’s not clear whether the children
for the first time. were Kate’s.

She features on the 1893 and 1896 electoral Kate ended her days in Auckland. She bought
rolls and then disappears from New Zealand a home at 4 Bond St. Grey Lynn where she died
records for a number of years. According to on 23 May 1937, aged 65.
family history she married an Australian,
Frederick John MARRION, in 1904 in Suva, Fiji,
where they raised three children, Kathleen,
Richard and Beatrix, until Frederick’s death in
1918 during an influenza epidemic.

Kate sold the Suva house and returned with
her children to the family farm on Kingseat Rd,
opposite what is now the Searle subdivision.
She went back to Fiji on the steam ship, Ranadi,
to settle her estate but a cyclone overtook the
vessel and authorities feared her lost at sea.

Sources: The McMahon farm where Kate lived in her teenage years.
BDM NZ
NZ Cemetery Records
NZ Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981
Brady Family notes
Papers Past NZ

Informants: Dennis & Wilma Brady
Researcher: Kurk Brady
Compiled by Wendy Clark

164

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2186 Surname: McMAHON
Given names: Mary Residence: Patumahoe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Mary Catherine McMAHON (nee O’BRIEN) Cam Beloe, who was born around 1889, gave
married Richard McMahon at O’Briens Bridge, an insight into conditions in the early
Co. Clare, Ireland. Their descendants, the cowsheds: ‘There was no such thing as
Bradys, believe this was around 1870 for Mary concrete yards, only wooden slabs to walk on.’
bore a child the following year whom they Each cow was manoeuvred beside a stone, so
named Catherine (Kate). However, when the the settler could sit on it while they hand
couple immigrated to Patumahoe in New milked, rather than squatting in the mud.2
Zealand, Kate appears to have been left
behind. She was fourteen years old before Barney Brady, as a child, remembers a large
they saw her again. 1 portrait of a stern-faced Mary McMahon
hanging in his grandmother’s home. “Who is
How daunting for a teenager, to be sent to the that old geezer?” he asked her once. Annie
other side of the world to live with parents Cecilia (nee McMahon) fixed him with a baleful
whom she did not remember. And how stare, “Indeed, that lady was my mother.”
strange it must have been to meet her five-
year old sister, Annie Cecilia, for the first time. Mary and Richard McMahon retired to 51
The family milked cows for a living and, no Dublin St., Pukekohe after selling their 45 acres
doubt, Kate was expected to help in both the to Annie and her husband, James Brady. This
home and the cowshed. was known by the family as the Top Farm (on
the Kingseat Rd. opposite today’s Christine
Pamela Drive) as distinct from the lower farm
on Pearson’s Rd which started life in the hands
of Patrick and Ann Brady.

Dennis Brady said that when his father re-
roofed the old homestead they found kauri
shingles beneath the corrugated iron of the
lean-to at the back, indicating that the
McMahons may have built and utilized that
part of the house first.

Informants: Dennis, Wilma & Kurk Brady
Photo courtesy of the Brady Family
Compiled by Wendy Clark

1 Brady Family History 2 Patumahoe: History & Memories book

165

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2191 Surname: McMEEHAN*
Given names: Phobe* Residence: Pukekohe West
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Phoebe McMECHAN, McMEECHAN, McMEHAN or McMEEHAN (*as the name was spelt in various
records), was one of only three voters enrolled with the surname in the whole of the Franklin and
Waipa Electoral Rolls of 1893.

Phoebe was born in 1872, the middle daughter of John McMechan and Phoebe nee MITCHELL,
previously HASCESS.

Phoebe’s parents had come from Ireland on the ill-fated Ganges, arriving in February 1865. Harriet
McMechan, Phoebe’s father’s first wife, died just two years after arriving in New Zealand, leaving John
a widower with at least two children.

Phoebe’s mother, Phoebe HASCESS, was also a passenger on the same sailing of the Ganges and had
come with her first husband George HASCESS, HASKIS, HASKISS, HADKISS, HADSKIES or HODSKISS (as
the name was spelt in various records). George died just three years later in 1868 leaving Phoebe snr
a widow with at least four daughters.

Phoebe Hascess and John McMechan had remarried on 13 August 1869 and by 1893 were living near
Harrisville, farming about 280 acres. Three more children had been born to the new marriage, all girls:
Jane in 1871, Phoebe in 1872 and Elizabeth in 1879. It would have been a busy household for Phoebe
jnr, growing up with at least nine children in the combined family.

The 1893 Electoral Roll records Phoebe living at Pukekohe West – she would have been about 21 and
perhaps was housekeeping for someone.

Phoebe’s older sister Jane had married William GRANT and they lived at Paeroa. It was here on 26
May 1897 that Phoebe was married to Donald BREMNER. Donald was born in 1869 in Keiss, Caithness
in Scotland. Initially Phoebe and Donald were living in the Coromandel area but by the time of the
1905/06 Electoral Roll they were farming at Drury. Four children were born to the marriage over the
space of 15 years: William George Louis Bremner, another Phoebe Bremner, Roderick Donald
Bremner and John Alexander Bremner.

Later records show Phoebe and Donald owning 22 acres in the Drury riding with a capital value of
£1810. By 1928 Phoebe and Donald had moved closer to Papakura and were living on Great South
Road. Donald’s occupation had changed to labourer.

Donald died on 18 October
1943 aged 72. Phoebe died just
two weeks later on 3
November. They are both
buried at the Papakura
Cemetery.

Sources: NZ Historical BDM, Papers
Past, Ancestry, Papakura Cemetery
Records, Collated by Christine Madsen
and Lynda Muir.

166

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3751 Surname: McMEHAN*
Given names: Phoebe* Residence: Pukekohe East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Phoebe was born Phoebe MITCHELL in 1833 in John and Harriet were also from Ireland, as
Northern Ireland. On 4 December 1854 she were virtually all the passenger on the Ganges
married George HASCESS* in Lurgan, County that trip. John’s grant under the Waikato
Armagh, Ireland. Phoebe gave her age as 21. Immigration Scheme included a 10-acre
Her husband George was 24. On 4 November section and a further 2 acres and 2 roods in
1864 Phoebe, George and their two children, Pukekohe. Harriet sadly died on 24 October
Mary and Margaret, boarded the Ganges to 1868 at the aged of 30.
start a new life in New Zealand as part of the
Waikato Immigration Scheme. The new marriage brought a blending of
families with Phoebe’s daughters Mary and
Sadly, their daughter Margaret was among the Margaret Ann and John’s daughter Eliza and
56 deaths on the voyage out. She died, aged son Samuel and other children born in New
15 months, about 7:00 pm on the evening of Zealand from their first marriages. Phoebe and
30 January 1865, just two weeks short of their John had four more daughters:
destination. In March 1865 George was called
to provide evidence at the enquiry into the • Jane McMeehan in 1871
cause of mortality on the ship. The official • Phebe McMeehan in 1872
report attributed the deaths largely to • Eleanor (Ellen) McMeehan in 1873
bronchitis and whooping cough exacerbated • Elizabeth McMechan in 1879.
by overcrowding, foul air, defective
ventilation, insufficient and unwholesome By the time of the 1893 Electoral Roll, Phoebe
food. The unhelpful actions of the purser were and John McMechan were residing in
considered by some to have played a part. Pukekohe East, and owned Lot 33 Pukekohe
George’s testimony recorded measles as a freehold. This was about 280 acres at the
possible cause. southern or Harrisville end of Pukekohe East.

As part of the Waikato Immigration Scheme, Phoebe died in 1908. By then she and her
George and Phoebe Hadskiss were granted a husband were living with or near their
town Lot in Tuakau North along with 10 acres daughter Jane and her husband William
being Lot 28, Sub Section 2 Pukekohe. George GRANT in Mill Street, Paeroa.
gave his occupation as ‘agricultural labourer’
on the ship’s manifest so he would have John died 14 years later on 14 July 1922 and
brought farming skills with him to the new both Phoebe and John are buried at Pukerimu
situation. However, Phoebe’s new life was to Lawn Cemetery, Paeroa.
be torn apart – it seems George died just three
short years later in 1868. Sources: NZ Historical bmd, Papers Past, Ancestry,
Family Search, Ganges 1863-1865 by Tony Reynolds &
The following year, on 13 August 1869, Phoebe Nicky Reynolds, The 1864-1865 Voyage of the Ganges
married again. Her new husband, John by Ross Miller, Tuakau & District Museum.
McMECHAN, had also been a passenger on the Researchers: Sandra Brasell, Christine Madsen and
same sailing of the Ganges in 1865 along with Lynda Muir *The spelling of names varied greatly:
his wife Harriet and two children, Eliza who McMehan, McMechan, McMeechan, McMeehan,
was three and Samuel, 11 months. Phoeby, Phobe, Phebe, Phoebe, Hascess, Haskis,
Haskiss, Hadkiss, Hadskies, Hodskiss were found in
various records, all pertaining to the same persons.

167

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3753 Surname: McMILLAN
Given names: Barbara Residence: Whangarata
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

When Barbara McGEACHY married Colin McMILLAN on 26
April 1859 in the Parish of Southend, County Argyll,
Scotland she was just 19 years of age and Colin was 24.
Barbara was the daughter of Duncan McGeachy and Helen
RALSTON and her occupation was noted as farmer’s
daughter. Barbara and Colin’s daughter Helen was born
one week after their marriage and one month later, on 6
June 1859, Colin boarded the Spray of the Ocean with his
friend Robert RYBURN and sailed for New Zealand. Robert
had been a witness at Colin and Barbara’s wedding.

On 14 June 1860 Barbara and her daughter Helen travelled
to Liverpool to board the Northern Bride which arrived in
Auckland on 11 October 1860. Colin worked on Robert
Ryburn’s farm in Auckland until the late 1860s. Their
eldest son, Robert Nair, was named after Robert Ryburn.
By 1869, when son Colin was born, the McMillan family
had moved to Tuakau.

Barbara had eleven children between 1859 and 1882, six
sons and five daughters. One daughter, Barbara, died when she was an infant and her youngest child,
William Andrew (Willie), died in 1895 when he was only 12 years old. Son Neil Archibald lived until he
was 100 and daughter Sarah Louisa was 98 when she died.

Colin and Barbara were founding members of the
Tuakau Presbyterian Church and Colin was one of
the men who helped build the original church.

Barbara and Colin farmed at Whangarata for many
years. They then moved to the Taranaki district to
farm for some years before moving back to Tuakau.
It was at the Tuakau residence of her daughter
Sarah Louisa that Barbara died in 1921. She is
buried at the Tuakau Cemetery. Colin died in 1928
and is buried alongside Barbara.

The inscription on the headstone reads: “In loving
memory of BARBARA Beloved wife of COLIN
McMILLAN Died 11th Feb. 1921 Aged 80 years. And
also her beloved husband COLIN McMILLAN who
died Feb 5th 1928 Aged 94 years.”

Sources:
Photo – Brewer Family Tree LorraineB35 https://www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/tree/40814581
Headstone – https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70265358/barbara-mcmillan
Newspaper articles – https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Marriage record – https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
Family information – Franklin Pioneer Register for pre-1900 Families (FPIM16 and FPIM07)
Researcher – Sandra Brasell

168

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3755 Surname: McMillan
Given names: Sarah Louisa Residence: Whangarata
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

When Sarah Louisa McMILLAN was born on 13 October 1871
she was the seventh of eleven children born to her parents
Colin McMillan and Barbara McGEACHY. Sarah was raised at
Whangarata and was educated at Tuakau School. She was
married on 18 July 1894 to Percival (Percy) Vesey LEWIS.

Sarah and Percy had four children – three daughters and one
son. Barbara Annie (1895 – 1969) was the eldest followed by
Emma Alfreda [Freda] (1899 – 1941), Percival Colin (1906 –
1975) and Edna Janet [Jean] (1910 – 1929). The family lived
for some time at Onewhero before moving to Tuakau in 1914.
On 16 July 1919, two days before her 25th wedding anniversary, Sarah was widowed when Percy died
at the age of 48. Ten years later Sarah would have been devastated yet again when her youngest
daughter Jean died at the family home in Harrisville Road, Tuakau aged 19. Sarah was to outlive three
of her four children. Freda died aged 42 in 1941 and Barbara died in 1969 when she was 74. Sarah
lived to the grand age of 98 and after her death on 30 August 1970 her obituary appeared in the local
paper with the title Mrs Lewis Was Tuakau’s “Grand Old Lady”.

A portion of her obituary is transcribed here: “With the passing of Tuakau’s nonagenarian, Mrs Sarah
Louise Lewis, one of the oldest surviving links with Franklin’s early days has been broken. She was 98.
Mrs Lewis rightly became known as the “Grand Old Lady” of Tuakau, mainly because of her cheery
disposition, broad outlook on life, and her willingness to help others. Mrs Lewis always took an
enthusiastic interest in affairs pertaining to the wellbeing of Tuakau and surrounding districts. She
was a foundation member of the Tuakau Croquet Club, of which she was patroness for a good many
years. She was also actively associated with the Tuakau branch of the Franklin Plunket Society, a
foundation member of the Tuakau Country Women’s Institute and of the Tuakau Women’s Garden
circle and held high office in all these organisations. She was also president of the Church’s Women’s
Guild and secretary of the Tuakau branch of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union. After World
War I she was engaged in Red Cross activities, and did valuable work during the 1918 influenza
epidemic which claimed the lives of many well-known and outstanding people of the Franklin County.
Mrs Lewis was a staunch member of the Tuakau Presbyterian Church and was ever ready to assist calls
made by the church for deserving cases. She was a friendly type of woman who had a good word for
everyone. In fact, her closest friends say they had never heard her pass an unkind word about anyone.
She possessed a charming disposition that won for her a wide circle of friends. Her passing, despite
her ripe age, will leave a gap in Tuakau that will be hard to fill.”

Sarah was laid to rest in the Tuakau Cemetery alongside her husband Percy and daughter Jean.

Sources:

BDM records: https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
Newspaper articles: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Obituary: Copy held at Tuakau and District Museum
Photograph: Brewer Family Tree (LorraineB35) - https://www.ancestry.com.au
Researcher: Sandra Brasell

169

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3757 Surname: McMULLEN
Given names: Margaret Jane Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret was born Margaret Jane McCRACKEN, daughter of
Robert Henry McCracken (1824-1879) and Martha CROZIER
(1833-1920). She was born on 11 June 1854 in Killyleg,
County Monaghan, Northern Ireland.

She was one of eleven children and had arrived on the Ganges
on 14 February 1865. The McCrackens took up land at
Pukekohe.

In 1869 Margaret married James McMULLEN and according to
the NZ Historical BDM, a family of eight children were born in
the next eleven years.

James died in 1895 and is buried in Pukekohe and in 1897
Margaret married John KEITH. In the Keith family book it says
that Margaret was the mother of 6 children when she married.

John had arrived on the Ulcoats with his family in 1864, initially settling in Remuera, then in 1875
they moved to Mauku, where he began farming. In 1884 John bought a property on Paerata Road,
close to what is now known as Keith Place. John’s first wife, Sarah, had died giving birth to her
youngest child and John’s sister Louisa became his housekeeper and helped raise the children until
he married Margaret in 1897.

The Keith home would have been busy with their combined family of 14 children and in 1899
Margaret and John had a son, Norman Henry, (photo of John’s eldest daughter, Rachel’s wedding, below).

In 1909 the Paerata farm was sold to his son Hodgson, and Margaret and John retired to Epsom for
12 years. When their son Norman wished to go farming they bought a farm at Tuhimata where they
lived for 3 years. Not long before John’s death they moved back to Epsom where he died in October
1923. Margaret died on 26 November 1927 and is buried in the Mangere Cemetery.

Sources:

Book – Keith Family in New Zealand
1864-1993, Pukekohe Library;
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz

Researcher: Heather Maloney

Keith Family home, Paerata Road,
Pukekohe, 1905

170

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2200 Surname: McNALLY
Given names: Ann Jane Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Anne Jane SIMMS was born around 1838 in County Armagh, Ireland and was the daughter of John
Simms. On Saturday 29 September 1857 Anne Jane married Robert McNALLY in the Tassagh Parish
Church near Keady in County Armagh. Robert was also born around 1838 in County Armagh and was
the son of John McANNALLY.

Anne and Robert decided to immigrate to New Zealand and they left Queenstown (Cobh) on board
the Ganges and arrived in Auckland on 14 February 1865. They were given a Crown Grant of 10 acres
of land in Pukekohe and a quarter acre town lot in Tuakau. The Ganges passengers were first billeted
at Onehunga and later some were sent to Drury, Anne and Robert among them and that was where
their first child, John, was born.

From Drury, it seems Anne and Robert may have been sent directly to
Pukekohe to their 10-acre block. Over the next few years they purchased
a further 20 acres. All of this land was on what is now known as McNally
Road, named in honour of the family, one of the earliest settlers in the
area. They raised a family of eight, four boys and four girls.

At 5:00am on 17 November 1901 Anne passed away at her residence and was interred in the Pukekohe
Cemetery. Her death notice is from the
Auckland Star dated 29 November 1901.

Sources:
From County Armagh To A Land Afar – The Story of Robert & Anne Jane (nee Simms) McNally by Anne Miller
Papers Past – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Researcher: Anne (McNally) Miller

171

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3758 Surname: McNAMARA
Given names: Johannah Residence: Waipipi
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

This extraordinarily resilient woman was born in County Clare, Ireland in
1818. Her parents were John and Eliza SCULLY (nee SCANLAN). It is
probable that Johanna had two brothers and a sister, Michael, Hanora and
John Jnr. Michael and Hanora immigrated to Australia, and in 1864 John
Jnr was also determined to follow. It is known that John Jnr was waiting
for his older siblings to help fund his passage, which demonstrates the
desperate economic and social circumstances existing for the Irish tenant
families in the decades after the ‘great hunger’ of 1845 – 1849. Devotion
to their Catholic heritage would have provided strength and courage to
face an uncertain future.

It was in these dire conditions that, in 1859, Johanna with her husband Martin, and their two
children Bridget aged eight and John aged two, managed to secure assisted passage to South Africa.
It is said that they had married in 1845 just as the first potato crop failure was to happen. With
Bridget, born in 1851, and John in 1858 to care for in the aftermath of that historic event, mere
survival would have been a severe test for the family. But after 4 ½ years of hard, dry conditions and
a scarcity of work in the Western Districts of the Cape Town Colony, the couple had no choice but to
seek once again, a better life elsewhere. Fortunately, in 1864 they were chosen to receive another
assisted passage, and on 27 September of that year, they set sail for the new Colonies opening up in
New Zealand.

With the addition of Michael born in 1861, and her children increased to three, Johanna would
endure the trauma of caring for her children while on their long fifty-day sea voyage as steerage
passengers. It is said that the voyage was an uneventful one and the Captain kind and helpful. The
Barque ‘Alfred’ anchored off North Head, Auckland on 16 November 1864, and it turned out to be a
further 2 ½ months before many of the settlers arrived at their final destination in the Waipipi
settlement, west of the Manukau Harbour.

In the meantime, the new immigrants were housed in crowded but acceptable conditions, in
barracks at Onehunga, while surveys and other formalities were finalised. It can be easily imagined
that, after twenty years of extreme hardship, New Zealand in springtime would have been seen as
the green and promised land. But there was still much hard work to be done. Johanna and Martin
would begin their new life on five acres (allotment 120, Keogh Rd) in the largely Catholic settlement.
Priorities would have been to provide shelter before the onset of winter, grow crops and develop
the means to practice their faith as a community.

Some government assistance was available in the form of building material and seed, and road-
making work provided employment, allowing steady progress to be made. As a testament to their
resilience, within five years of arrival, three additional five-acre allotments were owned by the
family. After fifty years of their life together, Martin died on 22 September 1895, aged 75 and
Johanna lived on for a further seven years in a new house built by her second child, John. She died
on 15 November 1902, aged 84, leaving many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, some of
whom still reside in Waipipi today.

Johanna lies at rest beside her husband at the Waipipi Cemetery, surely earning the right to be
called a true pioneer.

Sources: Compiled from family histories, family trees and stories collected over many generations. June 2018.
Researcher: John McNamara (Great Grandson)

172

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3759 Surname: McNAMARA
Given names: Mary Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Mary Isabella McNAMARA nee EGAN was born in 1862 and died in 1949.

Mary was the third child of Mary and Cornelius Egan. She was a baby when they landed in Auckland
on 16 October 1864. The family was accommodated in army huts and tents at Pura Pura just outside
of the Waiuku township, until they could be located on their holdings. Tracks had to be cut and a
considerable amount of raupo and rushes cleared, and roads made. At this time there were a large
number of Maoris constantly moving up and down the Awaroa Stream as this was the main route at
this time. A party of Maoris kidnapped little Mary. Her mother soon missed her and raised the
alarm. A large number of men were working nearby and joined the search. The Maoris had no time
to launch their canoes into the stream, so they ran into the raupo and hid Mary. Mr Tom HICKEY
had the honour of finding Mary. She was fast asleep in the raupo, none the worse for her
experience.

Mary was employed as a domestic servant at the Kentish Hotel in Waiuku. On her marriage to John
Thomas McNamara, Mary was presented with a bread board and knife which is still with the family
today.

John McNamara’s family also came out on the “Steinwarder”. Mary and John lived on a farm
opposite her parents, Mary and Cornelius Egan, on Whiriwhiri Road and raised 14 children. Mary
died at her home in Whiriwhiri on 6 December 1949 she is buried at the Waiuku cemetery.

Sources:
Family Tree
Westside of the Manukau – Ben Westhead
www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
Researchers: Lindsay and Con Egan

173

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3760 Surname: McNAUGHTEN
Given names: Ann Jane Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Ann Jane REDPATH was born c1834 or 1835 in Tandragee, County Armagh, Ireland. She was the
second of four children of John Redpath and Jane BLAKE. The Redpath family lived in the Townland
of Drumnaleg on Glebe Hill, about a mile south of Tandragee. John Redpath was a Mason.

On 22 June 1854, Ann married John McNAUGHTEN in the Parish of Ballymore. He was of the Townland
of Mullantur. Following their marriage, they lived on the estate of Springfield Farm where John may
have had a job as a farmer. Ann gave birth to four daughters while the family resided in Tandragee.
It appears the first daughter died at a few years of age.

Ann’s younger sister Elizabeth married James HARDEN in January 1863. The following month the
Hardens left for New Zealand. This undoubtedly had an influence on Ann and John as they also
departed Ireland later the same year.

They sailed from London on the maiden voyage of the “Scimitar”. On the voyage to Auckland, the
Scimitar “encountered very severe gales until crossing the Line, and was becalmed for three weeks”
(White Wings). No doubt it was a trying experience for Ann on board with her three small children.

The family lived in Newton, Auckland for about six months. During this time, their youngest daughter
Jane (18 months) died of scarlet fever. Onehunga became home for about eighteen months while
John was engaged in building. The family moved to Waiuku in 1866 and John was able to purchase
10-acre allotments at Taurangaruru. Gradually the farm was built up to total 100 acres.

Life on the farm would have been busy as Ann gave birth to seven more children - six sons and another
daughter. There are records of some of the children attending both the Karioitahi and Waiuku primary
schools. John was a member of the committee of the Church of England and the family were regular
attendees at Holy Trinity in Waiuku.

Ann was an informant for the birth of her nephew John Harden in Auckland in October 1871. Perhaps
she went and stayed with her sister Elizabeth around the time of the birth so she could give help and
support to her.

Ann’s “cheerfulness of disposition and her courage, helped him (John McNaughten) to overcome the
many difficulties and hardships of the early pioneer days” (Cyclopedia of NZ - 1902).

Around the turn of the century, the McNaughten family home on McNaughten Road burnt to the
ground. A new home was built but sadly Ann did not get to live there for long. She died 6 June 1903
and is buried in the Waiuku Cemetery. She and John had been married 49 years and a newspaper
account of her death says she was looking forward to her golden jubilee.

Sources:
Griffiths Valuation
Armagh Ancestry Online
White Wings – Sir Henry Brett
Papers Past – New Zealand Herald 12 March 1864.
Cyclopedia of N Z – Vol 2. Auckland Provincial District 1902
N Z Society of Genealogists – Five Significant Rolls v1.0

Photo: Ann and John McNaughten and family

Researcher: Colleen van der Laan (nee McNaughten)

174

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3761 Surname: McNAUGHTEN
Given names: Bessie Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Bessie (Elizabeth) was born 16 February 1858 in Tandragee, County Armagh, Ireland.

She was only six years of age when she left Ireland with her parents John and Ann McNAUGHTEN and
sisters Rachael and Jane. They sailed from London on the “Scimitar” and arrived in Auckland in March
1864. The family moved to Taurangaruru in 1866. With a growing family of siblings (six brothers and
another sister), Bessie would have been a great help to her mother.

Bessie never married but appeared to have a very matriarchal role in the family. She had limited
formal education. However, Bessie could read and over the years she kept an impressive scrapbook
of newspaper cuttings pertaining to the family, friends and happenings in Waiuku. She also collected
postcards. The scrapbook and postcard collection are still in the care of the McNaughten family.

Later, Bessie moved from the farm at Taurangaruru to Pura Pura (towards Otaua) to live with her
brothers Joseph, James (Jim) and Charles (Barney).

Bessie would have farewelled her brothers Jim and Barney when they enlisted in World War One.
They both went to Gallipoli. During the assault on Chunuk Bair on 16 August 1915, Jim was killed in
action and Barney was seriously wounded. His wounds left him with a paralysed arm and he was never
able to work again. Bessie took it upon herself to care for Barney for almost all of the remainder of
her long life.

After the death of their brother Joseph, his farm was sold and Bessie and Barney moved into Kitchener
Road, Waiuku. They lived in a small two-bedroom cottage opposite where the Franklin Memorial
Hospital (general and maternity) was built in the early 1920’s. Some women who lived on the
Manukau Peninsula would come to stay with Bessie and Barney for the end weeks/days of their
pregnancy. It must have been reassuring for these women to be living so close to where they would
go to give birth.

Franklin Memorial was where a number of Bessie’s great nieces and nephews were born. On
discharge, the parents were obliged to visit Aunt Bessie before they headed home. She had to see the
latest addition to the McNaughten extended family.

Bessie was a good cook and a great gardener. She often won prizes at flower shows held at Waiuku.
She also did a lot of handy work. Some of her crochet survives to this day.

Bessie died on 24 July 1952 at Cornwall Hospital, Auckland. She is buried in Waiuku Cemetery in the
same plot as her parents and her brother Joseph.

References:
Cyclopedia of N Z – Vol 2 Auckland Provincial District 1902
McNaughten Family Tree – 1983 family reunion
Personal Accounts – Various family members
NZ Defence Force – J McNaughten File WWI
NZ Defence Force – C McNaughten File WWI
NZ Society of Genealogists – Five Significant Rolls V 1.

Researcher – Colleen van der Laan (nee McNaughten)

Photo: Sisters Elizabeth (L) and Rachael (R)

175

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3763 Surname: McPHERSON
Given names: Alexina Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Alexina was born Alexanderina McGREGOR on 11 February 1857 to John McGregor and Marjory
FOREMAN in Dundee, Scotland. She met and married George Smith McPHERSON on 13 December
1876 at St David’s Parish. George was born on 24 April 1852 in Abernyte, Pethshire, Scotland to
Lauchlan/Lachlan McPherson and Jean SMITH.

Alexina and George had seven children – John/Jack born in Scotland 1878
Isabella born in Waiuku 1880, married John MANSON 1907 in the home of her parents, died 1960
George Lauchlan born in Waiuku 1883, married Theresa CURRAN 1914, died 1955
Alexander McGregor born in Waiuku 1884, married Margaret PRENDERGAST 1914, died 1922
William Smith born in Waiuku 1889, married Alice HUDSON 1910, died 1975
Marcus Dodd born in Waiuku 7 September 1892, married Beatrice MacGREGOR 1917, died 1973
Donald Grigor born in Waiuku 17 September 1895, married Mary BURNETT 1916, died 1963.

Father George was the blacksmith in Waiuku c1880 and records state
until his death, and sons George and Donald learned the trade and
joined him in the Smithy. After their marriage George and Theresa set
up home in Otaua but still worked with his father.

Alexander was an engine driver for the Hawkes Bay Timber Co., and
later for New Zealand Railway. He was a member of Rifle Brigade, 1st
Battalion, New Zealand Expeditionary Force and was discharged 17
June 1919 (records as MacPherson). Marcus had been discharged
from military service 13 September 1919 as unfit on account of
wounds received in action.

George passed away on 8 February 1923, aged 70, at Auckland
Hospital, and was laid to rest in Waiuku Cemetery. George and
Alexina had resided at Kitchener Road, Waiuku.

John Manson was a steward on the S.S. Weka but soon after he married Isabella they headed to
Auckland where he initially ran a restaurant, then managed one in Taumarunui before entering the
catering business in Whangarei. They later returned to Taumarunui.

Circa 1914 William was listed as a Master Mariner in Onehunga with Alice and his brother Marcus,
an Able Seaman on the Pono. Marcus and Beatrice later moved to Grey Lynn and Alexina, by then a
widow, was living with them.

By early 1920’s George and Donald had set up as blacksmiths in Taneatua. They worked together
until c1938. George continued as a blacksmith until c1949 when he retired to Surfdale, Waiheke
Island. He spent several years there then moved to the North Shore. Donald and Mary went
farming in Massey/Waimauku for a period before returning to Auckland.

Alexina passed away on 24 August 1934, aged 76, also at Auckland Hospital, and was laid to rest with
George.

By late 1930’s William was a tram conductor and then a pitman in Taumarunui before retiring as a
groundsman.

Sources:

NZ BDM Electoral Rolls Cemetery Records Ancestry Public Trees (BJ McLaughlan)

Researcher: Val Gillanders Compiler: Lois Hopping

176

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3393 Surname: McPHERSON
Given names: Helen Residence: Pokeno
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Helen McPHERSON (nee BERRY) was born 30
December 1835 in Borrowstouness, West Lothian,
Scotland to Thomas Berry and Helen HENDERSON.

She married Peter McPherson on 1 January 1858 in
Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland. They had eight
children; Isabella, Helen, Peter, Thomas, Margaret,
Peter, William and Donald.

They were part of the Waikato Immigration scheme
and sailed to New Zealand on the Helenslee, arriving in
New Zealand on 23 December 1864 with their children
Isabella and Thomas (babies Helen and Peter died in
infancy in Scotland). As part of the scheme, they were
allotted a 10-acre block in Pokeno Valley. They spent
13 years farming this block, until in 1874 they sold it to
purchase 200-acres down the road. They spent the
rest of their lives on the farm, and it was eventually
passed to their youngest son, Donald. Today the farm
is a quarry, and is owned by two of Helen and Peter’s
great-grandsons. McPherson Road off State Highway 2 is named
after the family who have been living on that road for over 150
years.

Helen was an avid reader, and ensured she kept up with current
events, never missing reading the New Zealand Herald and the
Weekly News, with a subscription to each for 60 years. Her and
Peter enjoyed a taste of their homeland each with a toddy of
whiskey each night before bed.

She died at home on the farm on 22 October 1923, aged 87 and is
buried in the Pokeno cemetery
next to the Presbyterian Church,
with Peter who died 2 August 1925.

Sources:
Mc Pherson Family History
Mc Pherson Family Tree (and others) ancestry.co.uk;
Headstone photo – Waikato District Council; Road sign – google;

Researchers:
Petra Burns – great, great granddaughter
Susan Burns – great granddaughter

177

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3394 Surname: McPHERSON
Given names: Margaret Residence: Pokeno
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret McPHERSON was born on 14 January 1865 in
New Zealand to Peter McPherson and Helen BERRY. At
the time the family was only very recently emigrated from
Scotland and were waiting for their allotment of land
whilst encamped in tents in Drury.

Margaret married Charles MALCOLM on 17 June 1903 in
Paeroa, at a private residence in Norwood Road, the
officiating minister being the Rev. John McARTHUR. They
had a son Charles William, born in 1905. After her
marriage she lived in Paeroa.

Margaret was a keen gardener and had an established flower garden with an extensive sweet pea
section. She survived her husband by 16 years managing the large section and trimming its
significant privet hedges climbing atop a 44-gallon drum to reach the tops. At the age of 90 she
finally gave up her garden (and trimming of the privet hedges) to join her son in Auckland, before
passing away peacefully after a short illness in 1957, in her ninety-third year.
Charles died 7 October 1941 and Margaret on 24 October 1957. Their headstone has the following
wording:

Sources:
Photo and information: McPherson Family Tree (and others) ancestry.co.uk;
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; Burial record – Hauraki District Council;
Wedding notice – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz – NZ Herald 22 June 1903;
Headstone inscription: NZSG cemetery collection
Researchers: Petra Burns and Susan Burns

178

Electoral Roll: Waipa 1866 Surname: McPHERSON
Given names: Margaret Jane Residence: Rama Rama
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret Jane DUFF, daughter of John Duff and Mary WILSON was born at Portland, Victoria,
Australia in 1845.

She married Daniel Jolly McPHERSON at St Paul’s
Church, Ballarat on 26 August 1860. (photo on left of the

church taken in 1861)

Margaret and Daniel had two children born in
Australia before they moved to New Zealand, where
Daniel set up business as a draper in Karangahape
Road, Auckland. Another seven children were born
in Auckland but the youngest, Christina died aged 3.

Between 1893 and 1896 the family were living at
Ramarama where Daniel’s occupation was given as
farmer. However after Margaret’s death the family
must have gone back to the city as sister Christina,
daughter Jane and Daniel (again a draper) are shown
on the 1900 roll living together in Selwyn St, Auckland.

It appears that the family used both McPherson and Macpherson spellings of the surname. Daniel’s
sister lived with them and she (and their daughter, Jane) was known as Macpherson. Daniel
however signed his will with same spelling as his wife used on this 1893 electoral roll – McPherson.

Margaret died in 1898 and her husband Daniel in 1902. They are buried with their young daughter
Christina and Daniel’s sister Christina who lived to 90, in Waikumete cemetery, Auckland.

Sources:
Daniel Macpherson of Killin family tree – Ancestry.co.uk; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
NZ electoral rolls – Ancestry; Cemetery records – NZSG Collection
Researcher: Heather Maloney

179

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2221 Surname: McSHEEN
Given names: Annie Residence: Pukekohe West
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Annie, (also known as Ann) McCORMICK was born in Belfast about 1846. She married James
McSHANE / McSHEEN, most probably in Kilmore, Co Armagh, Northen Ireland on 12 October 1864.
This was just before they set sail to New Zealand on the Ganges, (and not the Guernsey as in the
obituary), arriving in Auckland on 14 February 1865. At the time of their marriage James gave his
occupation as farmer but on the Ganges manifest he is listed as agricultural labourer.

They settled on land at Pukekohe, detailed as Lots 24, 25, 85, 86, 87 & 96 in Suburban Section 1
Pukekohe, each being 5 acre lots, so a total of 30 acres.

The names McShane and McSheen were used for births, marriages, deaths and electoral rolls and
maybe because Annie was illiterate, the birthdates and ages of the children were constantly
changing on school records and other documents.

Annie and James had eleven children born between 1865
and 1883: John, Margaret, Mary, Patrick, Francis, Annie,
Bridget, Catherine, James, Joseph and William.

Annie and James spent their lives in Pukekohe farming
and raising their children and later had a street named
after them.

Her mark on James’ probate documents 1909

Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz - Obituary
Pukekohe & Waiuku Times 25 Feb 1916;
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz;
School records: NZ Society of Genealogists;
Probate records: www.familysearch.org;
Shipping lists – Auckland libraries

Researcher: Judith Batt
Compiler: Heather Maloney

180

Electoral Roll: Franklin 4102 Surname: McSHEEN
Given names: Maggie Residence: Pukekohe West
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Margaret, known as Maggie, was born in Pukekohe on 17 December 1866. She was the eldest
daughter and second child of James McSHANE/ McSHEEN (1831-1909) and Annie McCORMICK
(1846-1916) and had five brothers and five sisters. Her parents had married in Kilmore, County
Armagh, Northern Ireland not long before they sailed to New Zealand on the Ganges, arriving in
Auckland on 14 February 1865.

Along with her siblings, Maggie attended Pukekohe School.

On 21 December 1901 she married James Frank PRESTON (1871-1942) at Pukekohe. Frank as he was
known, was a stonemason and they lived in Sussex Street in Auckland from their marriage until
around 1919 when they lived for a short time in Pukekohe. From 1928 until 1938 they are on the
electoral rolls at 14 King Edward Street, Mt Eden and this is where Frank died on 25 January 1942.

Maggie and Frank did not have a family. Maggie died 12 December 1946 and they are buried
together in Hillsborough cemetery, Auckland but only Frank’s name is on the headstone.

The house at 14 King Edward St, Mt Eden, taken in 2012 by Google maps
Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz;
School records: NZ Society of Genealogists;
Probate records: www.familysearch.org;
Shipping lists – Auckland libraries

Researcher: Judith Batt
Compiler: Heather Maloney

181

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2220 Surname: McSHEEN
Given names: Mary Residence: Pukekohe West
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Mary was born in Pukekohe, the daughter of James McSHANE or McSHEEN (1831-1909) and Annie
McCORMICK (1846-1916). Her parents had married in County Armagh, Northern Ireland not long
before they sailed to New Zealand on the Ganges, arriving in Auckland on 14 February 1865.

They settled on 30 acres at Pukekohe and Mary was the third child of eleven. She had five sisters
and five brothers. Along with her siblings, she was educated at Pukekohe School where her
birthdate was given as 27 August 1868 but on her death in 1909 she was recorded as being 39,
making it more likely she was born closer to 1870.

Mary remained single and at home, helping in the house, with the younger children and no doubt on
the farm as well.

She died on 18 November 1909 according to the death notice and probate records, but her
headstone says 14 November. Mary is buried in the Pukekohe Catholic cemetery with her parents.

Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz;
School records: NZ Society of Genealogists;
Probate records: www.familysearch.org;
Shipping lists – Auckland libraries;
Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZSG

Researcher: Judith Batt
Compiler: Heather Maloney

182

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3695 Surname: MEAD
Given names: Selina Residence: Puni
Occupation: domestic Qualification: residential

Selina was born Selina STEVENS in London in 1868, the daughter of William Thompson STEVENS
(1830-1905) and his wife Pamela (1833-1902). W. Thompson Stevens was a teacher in Auckland
who advertised from 1887 – 1897 for pupils, teaching book-keeping, shorthand and languages.

In 1893, Selina would have been a newly married women and living with Henry who appeared on the
electoral roll as a storekeeper, Puni.

NZ Herald 9 Sept 1893

Henry was a storekeeper at Puni from 1893 to 1900 and sometime before 1905 they shifted to
Taranaki where he was a member of the Manaia Town Board and took particular interest in the
Domain, planting many trees and shrubs. He appeared on electoral rolls as a storeman.

Selina and Henry had three children - Dorothy Mabel born 1894, Hubert Harry born 1896 and
Marjorie Miriam born 1897.

Their daughter Marjorie remained unmarried and lived with her parents at Karaka Street in Manaia
until their death. Henry died in 1937 and Selina six years later in 1943. They are buried in Manaia
cemetery, as is their son Hubert and his wife Margaret.

Sources: NZ electoral rolls –
ancestry.co.uk; NZSG burial locator;
Old newspapers –
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;

Researcher: Judith Batt Compiler:
Heather Maloney

183

Electoral Roll: Franklin 4085 Surname: MEIKLE
Given names: Catherine Residence: Pollock
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Catherine MEIKLE (nee BROWN) was born on 14 April 1861 in St Ann’s Lane Wandsworth, London,
England. She was only three years old when James and Agnes Brown and their four children arrived
on the ship Talbot in December 1864.

Catherine married Thomas Meikle on 23 April 1883. They had a family of 10 children:

Margaret born about 1880 married Hugh GIBSON

Thomas born 23 June 1884 died 18 June 1970

Agnes born 26 June 1886 married Jack DRUMMOND

Catherine (Kate) born 22 December 1888 died April 1962

James born 15 August 1890 died 2 December 1890

Mary born 21 October 1891 died 6 September 1981

Jessie born 13 April 1895 died 12 January 1976

Eliza born 12 November 1897 married E M BUTTER died 9 October 1947

Jane born 2 August 1898 died 12 October 1987, and

John (Jack) born 29 April 1900 married Florence SUTER 16 November 1938 died 12 June 1972.

The isolated, bush clad, hilly farm on Erskine (Meikle’s Hill) Pollock was eventually passed on from
the original settlers, Thomas and Catherine (nee BAUCHOP) to their son Thomas and Catherine (nee
Brown). The title is still being farmed today July 2018 by Ron and Brian Meikle (grandsons of
Catherine).

Catherine and Thomas jnr are buried in the Pollock Cemetery along with Thomas’ parents.

Sources: Family History from the late Peggy Meikle.
Researchers: Bev and Barry Cochrane.

184

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3696 Surname: MELLSOP
Given names: Charlotte Elizabeth Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Charlotte with her parents and siblings, Mary Jane, Emma Heaton, and Heywood, boarded the
“Victory” in London, UK for the voyage to Auckland arriving on 2 February 1850. The Captain Ian
MULLINS gave a French Sabretache badge (pouch badge worn by the cavalry on their belt) to 11-year-
old Charlotte who celebrated her birthday a few days before arriving in New Zealand. The badge from
the Napoleonic period (2ND Empire) had been picked up on the battle field at Waterloo by the Captain’s
soldier son.

Charlotte’s parents, Joseph and Jane CRISPE (nee HEYWOOD) firstly farmed at Mt Albert Auckland,
before moving to 200 acres at Mauku, calling the farm “Stanlake”.

The newly completed St Bride’s Church was to witness the first wedding as a double wedding of
Charlotte Crispe and John Thomas MELLSOP and his sister, Maria Mellsop and Francis STEVENS in
August 1862.

Charlotte and John farmed at “Knockmaroon” (Hill of love), Station Rd, Glenbrook raising a family of
four boys and four girls. Their second daughter, Leonora, was only 18 when she died of typhoid fever
and is buried in Waiuku Cemetery. Charlotte continued to live on the farm for 12 years after her
husband’s death in 1896, becoming the Postmistress. She relinquished this position on selling the
farm on 27 December 1905 to Mr POWER for £800 ($1,600) leaving £666 on mortgage and moving to
Waiuku to live for the last five years of her life. When her health deteriorated she lived with her
daughter Kathleen ROBINSON (nee Mellsop) passing away on 27 August 1925. Charlotte is buried
beside her husband John Thomas Mellsop in Waiuku Cemetery.

Sources: Charlotte Elisabeth Mellsop (nee Crispe)
www.dia.govt.nz 1840-1925
Mellsop family papers
The Mellsop Family book 185
The Church of St Bride 1861-2001
National Army Museum Waiouru.
Researcher: Rosalie-Ann Nicholson

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3697 Surname: MELLSOP
Given names: Kathleen Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Kathleen, the third daughter of John Thomas and Charlotte Elisabeth MELLSOP (nee CRISPE) was born
in 1870 at Glenbrook and was 23 years old when women won the right to vote in 1893.

Kathleen was a foundation pupil at Brookside School, going on to Waiuku School. It was at Brookside
School that Kathleen was to meet her cousin and future husband, Leonard ROBINSON. On leaving
school he became a surveyor/contractor in Gisborne and Rotorua, coming back to marry Kathleen
Mellsop on 27 December 1901. They left for Gore not long after their marriage as Leonard had a
position as dredge master at Waikaka then Mataura, Southland. They were encouraged to move south
as Leonard’s sister, Amy, had married James PATTERSON of Mataura. Kathleen and Leonard Robinson
spent the next sixteen years raising three children in Southland: Zillah, Leonard (Roto) and Lillian. It
was about this time that Leonard’s health began to deteriorate so he became a bookseller and
stationer. He died of heart failure in 1915. Kathleen with her young family (Lillian was just 3 years
old) felt family support was very important, so returned to family in Waiuku. She became very
involved with the Anglican Church.

Kathleen has no living descendants. Her only grandchild, Valerie, died in 1957 at the age of 19 yrs.
However, she has left a living memorial in the magnificent oak trees that she planted on the
“Knockmaroon” property Station Road, Glenbrook around 1890-92. These oak trees have heritage
grading within the Franklin County (1976) under the title of cultural heritage.

Kathleen’s two daughters, Zillah 1902-1959 and Lillian 1912-1941, both predeceased their mother.
Lillian had married Laurence SHEFFIELD in 1936 but died in 1941. Laurence then went on to marry her
sister Zillah in 1954. Kathleen was several months off her 80th birthday when she died in 1960. She is
buried in Waiuku Cemetery.

Kathleen Robinson (nee Mellsop)
1870-1960

Sources:
www.dia.govt.nz
The Mellsop Book
Mellsop family papers
Carte postcard – photograph

Researcher: Rosalie-Ann Nicholson

186

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3698 Surname: MICHIE
Given names: Hannah Residence: Waipipi
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

*1 My Great Great Grandmother Hannah MICHIE (nee FAHEY) was born 18 May 1842 in Glendree,
Parish Tulla, County Clare, Ireland. Hannah came out to New Zealand on the “Alfred” disguised as
the daughter of her sister (Hanora Fahey). This may be due to the social expectancy of the times or
the need to keep the family together, this is unknown.

Hannah arrived on our shores on 16 November 1864. She had met Thomas MICHIE on board and 8
months later they were married at the Saint Patricks Church in Auckland.

*2 Both Hannah and Thomas immediately found employment on Kawau Island with Sir George
GREY; Thomas as gardener and Hannah as a housemaid. On 31 May 1865 Hannah went into labour,
she was swiftly taken to the beach in the hope of boarding a boat to Auckland to have the baby.
Alas Barbara (the eldest of 7 siblings) was born on the beach. Hannah would go on to have 5 boys
and another girl.

In 1868 Hannah, Thomas and 2 children left Kawau Island at the same time as Sir George Grey
returned to England. The family set up house in Albert Street, Auckland (then a city of 30,0000).

Two years later (1870) they moved to Waipipi. This was after the land wars following the
confiscation from the Waikato tribes.

*3 The couple found it tough going with just a cave and then a sod hut to live in before building the
farm house on the land on the corner of Parakau and Awhitu Roads. At some stage Thomas incurred
a serious leg injury and Hannah had to piggy back him from somewhere in Waipipi to a boat that he
boarded to Onehunga for medical attention. Thomas ended up with a wooden leg.

*4 The time Hannah and Thomas lived in was one of great religious
bigotry, there was a Catholic and Presbyterian clash in the home.
Thomas suggested he bring the boys up as Presbyterians and she bring
the girls up as Catholic. The determined little Irish lady was quoted
saying, "Over My Dead Body". Hannah lived to the age of 80. She
passed away on 6 February 1922. She and Thomas were buried up the
road at the Waipipi cemetery.

*1 Letter from Andrea Maloney, Descendant of Hanora Maloney

*2 Gavin Michie Family Research

*3 "Patumahoe Centennial Rugby Club" book Gary Wilson

*4 Gavin Michie Family Research

The above written by Tracey Majurey (nee Michie) Hannah Michie’s Great,
Great Granddaughter.

187

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3701 & 3702 Surname: MIDDLETON
Given names: Joanna & Vere Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Joanna MAKGILL Joanna MAKGILL was born in India on 14 April 1864, the natural
daughter of Captain John Makgill and an unknown Indian woman.
Family lore has it her mother was of an upper caste and on the
death of her mother at birth or soon after Joanna was disowned
by her Indian family. Captain Makgill was resolved to keep Joanna
and within two years he had returned to Scotland and married his
cousin Margaret HALDANE. Margaret was agreeable with
adopting Joanna and returned to India with him. However, within
three years they returned to Scotland where they lived and raised
a further eight children. When they decided to immigrate to New
Zealand Joanna was seventeen years old and engaged to the farm
manager. However, her fiancé died before they were married,
and Joanna went on to marry Tom MIDDLETON. Tom was a
Scottish farm cadet from Cromarty, north of Inverness. After their
marriage they took over a part of Joanna’s father’s farm “Glen
Ella”. They lived here for twenty-three years and Joanna had five
children – George, Margaret, Mona, Katherine and Vere. They
were a great favourite with Joanna’s younger brothers and sisters
who lived just down the road.

However, after the close births of her first two children Joanna was not well, and so Tom sent for his
sister Vere to come and help the family. She was supposed to come for a year, however she ended
up staying for the rest of life and was assimilated into the family. Joanna was often away due to her
poor health staying in Auckland at her parents’ home or her brother’s lifestyle property in Lincoln,
Henderson. Aunt Vere stayed on the farm with the family looking after them. In 1909 the family
moved to Cambridge to farm and in 1916 Tom bought another farm at Gate Pa in Tauranga.
However, within two years they were back in Cambridge at their “Trelawney” farm. Within two
years Tom decided to retire and brought his family back to Auckland where he bought a large house
at 11 Windmill Road in Mt Eden. Joanna (known as Joie) lived here with Tom, Aunt Vere and the
unmarried daughters Margaret, Mona and Vere for the rest of her life. Joanna died in 1933 at the
age of 69 years and she is buried at the family Cairn in Waikaraka Cemetery.

Aunt Vere was born in Cromarty, Scotland on 4 October 1861 to George and Simona McKenzie Ross
Middleton. Vere was the elder sister to Tom, Elizabeth and Mary. When Tom made the call to Vere
to come and help she was living with her sisters known as Polly and Dot in Dieppe, France. She
apparently lived in a number of places in France before coming to New Zealand. Aunt Vere died on
4 December 1951 at the great age of ninety. As Joanna had died eighteen years previously, she was
basically looked upon as being “grandmother” to her nephew and niece’s children.

References: ‘The Pioneering Baronet’ By Heather Makgill and Val Loh
Researcher: Val Loh

188

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1924 Surname: MILLER
Given names: Dinah Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Dinah was born around 1838 in Ireland but there is no information about her life in Ireland. She
married Robert MILLER who was born around 1837. They were living in Portadown when their son
James was born and before that they had two other sons. From the age of the children on the Ganges
ship manifest, the eldest son William was born about 1859, Robert 1862 and James on 7 August 1864.
James was born in a small village near Portadown in Armagh. Hand weaving was the chief occupation
in that part of Ireland and Robert and Dinah were poor and times were hard in that period.

Sadly, on the voyage out they lost their son Robert who died on 22 January 1865 and the log entry
showed that he died at 8:30pm of gastritis, dysentery, anaemia and marasmus. He was buried at sea
off the coast of South Australia at 9:00pm. In James’ memoirs he stated that they lost two sons on
the voyage out but there is no record in the ship’s log of William dying. However, there is an entry
from the Symonds Street and St Stephen’s Cemetery from the Auckland Council cemeteries database
which reads: The Anglican St Paul's register has John Miller buried 7 February 1865, aged 6 years from
the ship Ganges - Police Order. Service by Rev Bree - reference 51/. Miller, John, d.1865; Ganges (Ship).

It could possibly be that the name given, and date was wrong. It possibly could have been the 17th
and not the 7th. The child would have died at the Onehunga Barracks and not on board.

However, the family had Crown Grants which included Lot 284, Tuakau North (¼ acre) and Lot 10
Suburban Tuakau, being 20 acres. Son James put it in his writings that the family was eventually
‘dumped down’ in Tuakau. Tents were provided for the immigrants until such time as they could erect
a rough shack on their quarter acre section. Soon these rough habitations took shape and each family
occupied their own which was the heart’s desire of each and all to be free of “land-lordism”.

James recalled that their grant was just a small burnt clearing in the bush and it was evening when
they arrived there. The sounds of the night birds and native rats were alarming to him. However, he
and his little brother William, who was born in 1867, were soon off to sleep. Over the years Robert
was showing signs of old age and he died on 14 July 1892.

After Robert’s death Dinah became somewhat
unsettled and after two years of worrying they
sold the Tuakau property and in 1894 Dinah
married Thomas James Bostern ALLEN and went
to live in Australia. Nothing is known of her life
in Australia or when she returned to New
Zealand. What became of her husband, Thomas
Allen is unknown. She died on 2 August 1914
and her death notice was in the NZ Herald on 4 August 1914.

Sources:
Papers Past- paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
James Miller’s Memories – Copy held by the Franklin Historical Society

Researcher: Ross Miller

189

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1926 Surname: MILLER
Given names: Eliza Jane Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: farmer Qualification: residential

Eliza Jane BRENNAN was born in Hillsborough, County Down,
Ireland around 1843 and she was the youngest daughter of
Edward and Mary (nee McCAULY) Brennan. Edward Brennan
was born around 1805 and lived and raised his family in
Taughblane on the Kilwarlin estate of the Marquis of Downshire.

On Friday 8 May 1863 Eliza married Samuel MILLAR at St John’s,
Kilwarlin in the Parish of Hillsborough, County Down. Samuel
was born in Soldierstown in County Antrim and he was later
baptised in the Aghalee Parish Church in Soldierstown on
Thursday 3 March 1842. He was the son of Samuel and Margaret
Millar. Eliza and Samuel’s first child, Margaret Jane, was born in
Ireland about December 1863. It was sometime after this they
decided to immigrate to New Zealand on board the Ganges. It
arrived in Auckland on 14 February 1865. Margaret died on
board the Ganges during the voyage out.

Left: Eliza Jane Miller with her great granddaughter Patsy GOONAN

Once in New Zealand Samuel and Eliza ended up in Pokeno
before going to their Crown Grants in Pukekohe. They raised a family of 12 children once they were
settled. The family lost their land through bankruptcy and eventually built a house where the Samuel
Miller Reserve is located today.

The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on 8 May 1913 with a function in the Masonic
Hall which started in the afternoon and went through to the early hours of the following morning.

The following obituary for Eliza appeared in the NZ Herald on 4 January 1923:

OBITUARY: EARLY PUKEKOHE SETTLER

An old resident of Pukekohe, Mrs Eliza Jane Miller, wife of Samuel Miller, died on December 21
at the age of 78 years. The late Mrs Miller arrived in Auckland with her husband 59 years ago
by the sailing ship Ganges from Ireland. Mrs Miller was born at Hillsboro’, Belfast. She is
survived by her husband, four sons and six daughters and there are 53 grandchildren and 20
great-grandchildren. The funeral took place at the Pukekohe Cemetery and was largely
attended.

Sources:
From County Down to Down Under – The Story of Samuel & Eliza Jane (nee Brennan) Miller by Ross Miller
Papers Past- paperspast.natlib.govt.nz

Researcher: Ross Miller

190

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3706 Surname: MILLETT
Given names: Annanetha Julia Pellet Residence: Awitu
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Annanetta (Annanetha on the Electoral Roll/Annananette on her headstone) was born on 23
November 1856, the first daughter born to Alfred PALMER and Annie LEAKER in Bristol, England.

She came to New Zealand with her parents, sister Eusebia (Mrs
Edward GARLAND) and Henry on the ship “Mermaid” arriving on 19
October 1859. The children were listed as Anna, Dora and Henry.

Her parents, having received 120 acres at Awhitu under the 40-acre
scheme, also purchased an additional acre to make up the
allotment (Lot 19). The family originally settled in Parnell. Alfred
intended to prepare the land at Awhitu for the family. A delay was
forced when he was called up to serve in the Land/Maori Wars and
did not return until a year after the War, about 1864. Annie and
children moved to Awhitu about 1868.

The family originally lived in a nikau whare and then a slab hut before their house was built. Here
Annie attended a private school run by her mother for her and her siblings and three Irwin children.

Times were hard for the family and they had little income. They grew their own maize for porridge
and Alfred was able to obtain a pack horse and goats from the Commissariat after the War. Annie
and her father collected 19 sacks of fungus in the bush, dried it and sold it for two and a half pence a
pound, spending the money on the home. The children would also have helped milk the goats.

Annie married Maurice MILLETT on 21 November 1872. Maurice had been born on 14 January 1853,
the eldest child of Captain John Millett and Cecelia PANORMO, in a family of eight. John was
invalided out of the Royal Navy in 1853 and sailed to Australia on the “Tory”. A shipboard romance
with Cecelia, a governess for an outback station meant John joined her on the station. They married
in 1852 and worked there as a couple. In 1860 the family headed to New Zealand to join the
Panormo family at Orua Bay.

Annie and Maurice had 10 children, including a set of twins: Bertrand b. 1873, Maurice Palmer b.
1877, Lucina Leaker b. 1878, Rose Marie b. 1883, Alfred Clyde b. 1884, Nina Davy b. 1885, Stella and
Mona b. 1895, Effie b. 1896 and Sybil Leanoro b. 1898.

On the 1880-81 Electoral Roll Maurice was listed as a sawyer with 80 acres, being Lot 18, Awhitu,
and by the 1900s he was farming. In the 1920s he adapted the farm and became a grazier. Annie
and Maurice worked hard together to make family
life and farm work. They remained in the area until
their deaths.

Maurice died on 20 June 1946 aged 93 and
Annanetta died 2 February 1949 aged 92. They were
buried in Awhitu Central Cemetery.

Sources:
Heads, Harbour & Hills – An Awhitu History – 1999
Papers Past – Obituary
Researcher: Lois Hopping

191

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1935 Surname: MILLETT
Given names: Elizabeth Helena Residence: Awitu
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth Helena was born at Sea View Farm, Takapuna, North Shore on 23 February 1871, at the
home of her grandparents. She was one of four daughters and seven sons of Sarah Lydia (nee
SEAMAN) and John GARLAND.

The Garland family home was at Awhitu Wharf and for a time Lizzie’s father John took a part-time
teaching post at the district’s newly-opened school at Pollok. Lizzie and older sister Lydia spent a lot
of time at their Seaman grandparents’ home in Takapuna, “With her sister Lydia, Elizabeth spent
much of her early childhood on the North Shore with her mother’s parents Lydia and Thomas
Seaman and probably attended school there”.

Construction of the new Garland homestead, Woodville, began at Awhitu Central in 1879, partly so
the children could live closer to school. The 1883 Awhitu School records show six of the Garland
children in attendance, with 12 ½ year old Elizabeth passing the examination to advance from
Standard 3 to Standard 4. (Source: National Archives Archway).

Elizabeth married Ralph MILLETT in Takapuna on 27 February 1889 and they lived at Orua Bay where
Ralph’s family were from.

Children were born: Guy (1890), Ivy (1893), Aenid Lillian (1897) and Hinda (1900).

Elizabeth’s sister Lydia had been housekeeper to the local teacher Eunice GLEDHILL around the early
1900s and later Elizabeth took over this role.

Ralph died at Awhitu on 22 December 1922.

“In her later years Elizabeth lived at Takapuna with her brother Jack and then later on with her
daughter Ivy.”

She died 19 May 1967 and is buried at O’Neill’s Point Cemetery,
Auckland.

Sources:
“The Garland Book”.
“Elizabeth Helena Garland Her Story” by Laurel Walkley
Researcher: Penny Prescott

192

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1918 Surname: MILLS
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Pukekohe West
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Her signature from probate records of her father, 1902

Elizabeth MILLS was born in New Zealand, probably Pukekohe, on 6 December 1870. She was the
youngest of four children, three daughters and one son, of Alexander Mills (1833-1902) and Jane
WILSON (1832-1913). Her parents and two older sisters had come from Ireland to New Zealand on
the Ganges, arriving on 14 February 1865 and settling on Lot 36 at Pukekohe.

Elizabeth attended Pukekohe School from 1876 until 1883.

In 1904 she married William BLAKE, a blacksmith, who was a widower with five young children, four
daughters and one son born between 1893 and 1902. William and Elizabeth had two daughters -
Hazel Margaret born 1904 and Doreen Mary born 1907.

How confusing it must have been in 1914 with four Elizabeth Blake’s in Pukekohe and on the
electoral roll. Elizabeth and William lived in Edinburgh Street, an address they had until their deaths.

Elizabeth died on 20 April 1954 and is buried in the Pukekohe cemetery. William died 11 November
1957 and is buried with his first wife Rebecca, also at Pukekohe.

Sources:
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; School records – NZ Society of Genealogists; Cemetery records & photo – Franklin
Branch NZSG; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk; Shipping records – Auckland Libraries
Researcher: Judith Batt
Compiler: Heather Maloney

193

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3715 Surname: MOELLER
Given names: Cecilia Residence: Manukau Heads
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Cecilia was born c1852 as Cecilia Susan (maiden name unknown). She married Alfred WATTS and
had two known children to this marriage, Laura Cecilia WATTS c1869 and Kathleen Edith WATTS
c1871. There may have been a third child. Sadly, it appears Alfred died shortly after arriving in New
Zealand.

Cecilia married Charles Moeller on 9 June 1879 and they had three children, Charles Arthur 1880,
Albert Gordon 1882 and Irene Agatha 1887 (Mrs Harrison).

Charles was born in Holland and arrived in New Zealand prior to the commencement of the Maori
War. He was engaged on active service right through this war, being present at the taking of Gate
Pa, and later with General Cameron in the Waikato and at Poverty Bay. He was among those chosen
for service in Taranaki and was with the troops when Von Tempski was killed. Cecilia would have
met Charles not long after the war and with young children, it was an obligation Charles was
prepared to take on.

In 1881 Charles was the head boatman, for the oar-operated Pilot boat at the Heads, and he and the
family lived in a house at the Signal Station. He was later appointed as assistant signalman with the
late Captain R. Paltridge at the Manukau Heads signal station, under Captain Wing, then
harbourmaster at Onehunga.

In February 1888 he was appointed Assistant Keeper so Charles, Cecilia and the family were able to
remain at the Heads and were there to assist the new Head Keeper, Charles Scopes, and his family
settle in, Charles with waggon to get the gear up the hill and Cecilia to welcome tired walkers. This
effort was something the Moeller family had managed many times over.

While at the Heads, Kathleen Watts was married to Herbert THOMPSON (1891). Her sister Laura
and Miss White together played the Wedding March on the piano. Cecilia was highly praised for the
way the arrangements for the wedding were carried out, especially getting supplies and the multi-
tiered wedding cake up the hill without any breakages. Laura married William JONES in 1896.

From the Manukau Heads Charles was posted to Mokohinau Islands and with him, Cecilia and the
younger children. They were there from 1897 until November 1900 when they were again posted,
this time to Tiritiri Matangi, where they were stationed until August 1902.

Cecilia and Charles moved in to Auckland itself for a few years however c1911 they are again
lighthouse keepers but this time at French Pass, at the top of the South Island. Their son Arthur was
also listed as a lighthouse keeper. In fact, he spent several years at Cape Foulwind and Cape Brett.

They remain there until c1914 when they left Arthur at French Pass and moved to Hawera where
their son Albert was living. Albert was called to war and was at the landing at Gallipoli. Sadly, he
was reported missing.

With that Cecilia and Charles returned to Auckland and settled in the Newton area, this time in full
retirement. Sadly, Cecilia passed away 4 June 1921, aged 69. In an unusual situation the “funeral
will leave for Auckland Railway Station for Helensville. Interment will be at Pouto.” Pouto is on the
edge of the Kaipara Harbour.

After the death of his wife, Charles went to live with his son, Charles Arthur Jnr, at Pouto. Charles
passed away 7 August 1923, aged 96, at Te Kopuru Hospital, North Auckland.

Sources:
NZ BDM Historical Records,
Heads, Harbour & Hills
http://www.newzealandlighthouses.com
OBITUARY New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18474, 10 August 1923
Researcher: Lois Hopping

194