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J-Z of biographies of local Franklin women who voted in the historic 1893 General Election in New Zealand.

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Published by NZ Society of Genealogists - Franklin Branch, 2018-10-28 23:51:13

NZSG Franklin: Suffrage 125 Vol2 2018 original

J-Z of biographies of local Franklin women who voted in the historic 1893 General Election in New Zealand.

Keywords: suffrage franklin nz

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1955 Surname: MOORE
Given names: Isabella Residence: Mauku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Isabella Rose Grant ROY was born in Nairnshire,
Scotland in 1846, the youngest of ten children born
to Archibald and Margaret Roy (nee ROSS).

When Isabella was 19 her older sister Mary sailed
to New Zealand on the ship Siam arriving at the
Port of Auckland on 17 November 1865. Mary later
met and married Henry BEEDELL, a brewer, in
1869. She must have written favourable accounts
of her life in New Zealand to her family back in
Scotland as Isabella followed in her sister’s
footsteps and sailed from London to Auckland on
the ship City of Auckland arriving on 17 November
1870.

Isabella married John MOORE on 21 September
1871 at the home of her sister and brother-in-law
Mary and Henry Beedell in New North Road, Eden
Terrace, Auckland.

John owned and farmed land at Patumahoe and in
1876 built their first store on Woodhouse Road in the Searle Road area. This area became the hub of
Patumahoe village. In 1883 they built a new store on land between the Patumahoe Hotel and
Woodhouse Road. In a separate room in this store, John opened a Post & Telegraph Office in 1887.
Wanting to concentrate on their farming interests, John leased the business in 1892 to Mr FULLJAMES
for a few years before resuming operation of their store and post office. After John’s death in 1904
Isabella sold the business to the HOLLINGRAKE brothers, known as the ‘French bachelors’ and later
sold part of her land including the site of the store, now known as Hollingrake’s General Store to Joe
HENRY who had a similar store across the road and was their main competitor!

Isabella’s and John’s family of seven children, three sons and four daughters, were born and raised in
Patumahoe. With farming and commercial interests, household and family affairs, Isabella led a very
busy life, as well as playing an active part in the affairs of the Presbyterian Church.

In later life Isabella lived with her daughter Beatrice
(Mrs Charles CAMMELL) at Auckland and
Tangowahine. She died at Auckland on 9 July 1934
aged 87 and is buried with her husband John in
Symonds Street Cemetery.

Sources:

Papers Past; BMD NZ; Family Search; NZ Archives;
My Heritage Family Tree (Rayner family);
book “Patumahoe: History & Memories”

Researcher: Madeleine Judson.

195

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1952 Surname: MOORE
Given names: Margaret Jane Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Margaret Jane GEDDES was born in 1818, the daughter of
John and June (or Jane) Geddes. She married Thomas
MOORE on 6 February 1844 and they lived in the
townland of Lisbrannan, County Monaghan, Ireland.
Their family grew and in 1864 when the decision was
taken to leave the farm that Thomas had worked for the
previous twenty years to move to New Zealand, they set
sail from Ireland with 8 children ranging from 6 months to
20 years of age.

Margaret was 46 when she left Queenstown, Ireland on
board the ship the Ganges on 5 November 1864. The
12,500-mile journey was long and hard on the family, the
three youngest children, Annie (age 5), James (age 3) and
Martha (age 6 months) died during the voyage. On arrival
in Auckland the family were housed in the Onehunga
Barracks along with the other passengers of the Ganges
for longer than usual because of the number of sick
people. Next, they travelled by boat across the Manukau Harbour to disembark at Slippery Creek
and then on to stay at the former military buildings at Drury.

In May 1865 families were moving to Pukekohe and Tuakau and the couple received their 10-acre
allotment in the already cleared land of the first settlement area in Pukekohe. By November 1865
Thomas Moore had erected the first weatherboard house in Pukekohe and was operating the first
store in the Pukekohe West area, at the southern corner of Queen and Ward Streets. The
Presbyterian Church regularly held services in the Moore’s home where visiting clergy have recorded
their visits.

In 1870 Thomas was the postmaster for Pukekohe West, and in 1882 Thomas was recorded as a
farmer with a large acreage. The Moores were very much at the centre of activity in the early years
of Pukekohe, through the Presbyterian Church, local affairs and business. Thomas was a member of
the Pukekohe West Road Board, and for many years was one of the trustees of the public cemetery.

There is little known of Margaret’s life, but it can be imagined that she was a true partner to her
husband’s undertakings and she worked hard and long with very little in the way of household
conveniences. After her daughter Maria died in 1882 leaving five children, it is believed Margaret
had a great deal to do with their upbringing. It was said she was a granny to all, and was known for
her starched white collar and cuffs. Margaret lived a long life, living in the homestead on the original
site of the store until 1912 when she died aged ninety-four.

Research by Joyce Morey “The Moore / Wylie Family Story – Pukekohe Pioneers”
Compiler: Lydia Richards

196

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1967 Surname: MORGAN
Given names: Rachel Emma Residence: Pukekohe East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Rachel Emma WELLS married William for the New Zealander and wrote a monthly
MORGAN, a widower with eight children, on 6 newsletter for the Weekly Review in London.
December 1870. The death of William’s first On 25 June 1903 William died at home after a
wife, Jane Elizabeth ROBINSON, on 18 short illness at the age of 76, 51 years to the
February 1870 at the age of 36 and after 16 day after sailing for New Zealand from
years of marriage devastated the family. Liverpool. He was buried with his first wife
William wrote of his first wife Jane in his Jane at the Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church
journal: “Never was I grieved that I took Jane Cemetery. After William’s death, Rachel Emma
for a partner. My wife has proved loving, moved to Auckland where she lived with family
industrious, faithful and, in truth all I could members. A notice in the Auckland Star of 5
wish for.” He realised that he needed to marry August 1937 brought news of her passing:
again to provide a mother for the younger
children and to teach the older girls what he A brief obituary appeared in the Auckland Star
could not. the following day, 6 August 1937:

Not quite a year after Jane’s death, William Sources: Robinsons of Rotherhithe by Joanne
married Rachel Emma Wells at the Baptist Robinson. ISBN 0-908-608-55-1; PapersPast;
Church on 6 December 1870. Born about 1844, Historical NZ bdm; A History of Pukekohe East 1863-
Emma had come to New Zealand with her 1963 by Nona Morris.
parents and siblings from Suffolk, England. She Compiled by Christine Madsen and Lynda Muir
was about 26 at the time of her marriage to
William. He was 54.

Rachel Emma and William’s marriage
produced a further ten children:
• Arthur born 1871
• Walter born 1873
• Henry born 1875
• William Lewis born 1876
• Alice born 1877
• Emily born 1879
• Charles born 1881
• Frances (Fanny) born 1883
• Bertie Wilfred born 1885
• Ada May born 1886.

As one of nine children herself, Rachel Emma
was more than likely well prepared to cope
with an instant family. The couple continued
to farm at Pukekohe East on lots 22 and 27
which William had taken up with his father
about 1858 when he first came to the district.
Their children attended the local Pukekohe
East School. William was originally from Leeds
in Yorkshire and had found work initially with
the Southern Cross as a compositor which
occupation he had been involved with in Leeds.
He had also taught at Pukekohe East School in
the early years, acted as War Correspondent

197

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1986 Surname: MORONEY
Given names: Hanorah Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Hanorah, sometimes spelt Honorah or Honora, was born Hanorah Cecilia MORONEY, the daughter of
Mathew Moroney (1832-1867) and Margaret TOBIN (1843-1905), in Pukekohe in 1865.

Her mother Margaret had arrived on the Eveline on 22 January 1865 and had married Mathew
shortly after. Mathew was a storekeeper and was killed in October 1867 while felling a tree with his
brother in law Michael Tobin. Margaret married again to Thomas HOGAN (1831-1906) and he must
have been the only father Hanorah knew as she would barely be two when Mathew was killed.

Hanorah married Martin HOGAN (1864-1948) in 1909. It is not known if Martin was related to his
father in law. Martin was farming with his brother Peter in the Mamaku area of Rotorua and it was
here they first lived. By 1911 they had shifted to Pukekohe and Martin’s occupation on the electoral
roll was railway ganger. However, they also appeared to have a farm in the Dublin Street area of
Pukekohe. They had a family of six children – five daughters and one son born between 1901 and
1907 – five living and named in Hanorah’s death notice in 1943 and in Martin’s probate in 1949.

Hanorah died on 9 February 1943 and Martin on 25 December 1948. They are buried in the Catholic
Church cemetery in Pukekohe.

Sources:
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk; Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZSG
Researcher: Judith Batt
Compiler: Heather Maloney

198

Electoral Roll: Waipa 1955 Surname: MORRIS
Given names: Caroline Residence: Pokeno
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Her signature from her will dated 23 June 1892

Caroline was, according to her death notice, born in England, the daughter of John LIGHT of
Southampton.

Very little information is known about Caroline, but she wrote her will in June 1892 while living at
Carterton in the Wairarapa. Her husband William MORRIS first appeared on the New Zealand
electoral rolls in 1870 as a labourer of Greytown and was a settler at Taratahi on Section 113 by
1880. In 1890 he is listed as a carrier at Carterton.

Caroline and William had obviously not been long in Pokeno when they appeared there, farming, in
1893 and 1896. They were still living at Pokeno when Caroline died on 6 October 1897, according to
the paper, after an illness of three weeks from rheumatic fever and inflammation.

Her obituary in the NZ Herald 11 Oct 1897 reads:

The funeral of the late Mrs Morris took place on
the 6th instant, in the Anglican cemetery, Pokeno
and was numerously attended by sympathisers
from the neighbourhood, as far as Bombay and
Maungatawhiri Valley. The coffin was covered
with pretty wreaths. The service was read by the
Rev F Dobson of Bombay. Much sympathy is felt
for the bereaved husband.

Sources:

Papers Past; NZ electoral rolls; BDM; Probate;
Headstone photo: Waikato District Council.

Researchers: Lois Hopping & Heather Maloney

199

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1971 & 3719 Surname: MORRIS
Given names: Louisa Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household & domestic duties Qualification: residential

Louisa was born in 1869, the daughter of John Edmond, or Edmund
ACKROYD (1839-1921) and Maria TAYLOR (1845-1910). She was the fifth
of thirteen children – five sons and eight daughters and was raised on a
farm at Temuka, South Canterbury.

In 1888 at St Mary’s Church, Temuka, Louisa married Sydney (Sidney)
Joliffe MORRIS who was born on the Isle of Wight and had come to New
Zealand with his family, settling in the Temuka area.

After their marriage, Louisa and Sydney moved to the North Island, first to
Eltham where Sydney was the Manager of a butter factory and made a
name for himself by winning the first butter making competition. From
there they moved to Pukekohe where Sydney was the Manager of the
butter factory – a position he held until his early death.

Louisa and Sydney had eight children born between 1889 and 1904 – five daughters and three sons.

Sydney died in 1914 and Louisa lived on until 29 January 1949. They are both buried in Pukekohe
cemetery.

Left : Silver wedding report: part of a very long report in the
Pukekohe & Waiuku Times August 26 1913- the elaborate
function being held in the Dairy Factory.
Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Cyclopedia of NZ – photo & information
Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZSG

Researcher: Rosemary Lewis

NOTE: Louisa appeared on the 1893 Franklin electoral roll
twice, at numbers 1971 and 3719.

200

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3720 Surname: MORRISON
Given names: Janet Residence: Awitu
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Janet Walker McNEIL was born 12 July 1858
in Baillieston, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Her
parents were William McNeil (b. 22 May
1826) and Janet McNeil (nee WALKER b. 7
September 1825).

The McNeil’s had seven children (five
daughters and two sons). One of their
daughters, Janet Walker McNeil (b. 12 July
1858) married Alexander MORRISON on 21
February 1883 in Baillieston, Lanarkshire,
Scotland. It was while living in Scotland the
couple had two daughters: Janet Walker
Morrison (b. 26 November 1883) and Mary
Carswell Morrison (b. 31 January 1886).

In 1887 the Morrison family set sail on the
Queen Mab for New Zealand, a journey that
took three months. After arriving in the
country, it wasn’t until 1889 that they finally
settled at their home “Pleasant Valley”
situated in the Awhitu Gully, on the Manukau
Heads. For many years Janet was the only
European woman in the valley. It was Janet

who started the first Sunday School in the area.

Janet had four more children: William McNeil Morrison (b. 27 May 1891), Robenna Morrison (b. 5
May 1893), Eleanor Margaret Morrison (b. 24 September 1895) and Alexa Jane Morrison (b. 10
March 1902).

One of Janet’s tasks was making cheese to sell. The money earned was used to pay for equipment
to build a generator which was shipped out from Scotland. The generator was fed by water flowing
from a natural spring at the base of the hill. Unfortunately, a large slip occurred and covered the
whole project, it was a huge loss.

Life was very busy at Pleasant Valley where Janet and Alexander lived for the rest of their lives.
Alexander died 5 February 1937 and Janet died 1 February 1939. Both are buried in the Awhitu
Central Cemetery.

Information compiled by Pamela and Jaron Phillips, from Ancestry, Family records, and Heads Harbour & Hills.

201

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1983 Surname: MORROW
Given names: Annie Residence: Punui, Pukekohe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Some people leave very few footprints throughtout their life and Annie was one of those.

Only through her siblings was there any trace of Annie and then only a death notice, a brief mention
in her husband’s obituary and her name on a headstone, is there evidence that Annie MORROW on
the 1893 Electoral Roll did live in New Zealand.

She had a sister – Rebecca Jane (who became Mrs Thomas Hamilton WILSON- died 1930) and a
brother Josiah, known as Joe – died 1933, unmarried, who also lived in New Zealand but it is
unknown if they came to this country together or whether there were any other family members.
From records of her siblings, her parents were James Morrow and Margaret SHARP and she was
born about 1844 in County Cavan, Ireland.

Annie married Arthur Johnston GELSTON in 1894 and they lived in the Arapohue district in Northland
were Arthur farmed. His obituary said he was very involved in community affairs and said that there
were no children.

Annie died on 13 June 1906 and Arthur lived another 28 years, retiring to Dargaville. They are
buried in the Arapohue cemetery.

Their headstone lies broken on the ground but
has the above inscription.
Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk
Headstone photo – findagrave.com
Headstone transcription – NZSG cemetery collection

Researcher: Judith Batt
Compiler: Heather Maloney

202

Electoral Roll: Franklin 1982 Surname: MORROW
Given names: Margaret Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret was born in 1838 in Ballymaglave, County Down.
Her father was Samuel DAVIS and the details of her mother
are unknown.

Margaret married William MORROW on 16 November 1860
in Magheradrool, County Down. William was born in 1837
in County Donegal and was the son of Ephraim and
Elizabeth (nee HAMILTON) Morrow.

There is a family story that Margaret was told that she
“married beneath her station” and that she should move
and that is why they came to New Zealand. There is no
actual proof that this story is correct.

Margaret gave birth to their daughter Elizabeth Ann in 1863. Elizabeth was just 21 months old when
they boarded the Ganges bound for New Zealand. Tragically, like so many others, Elizabeth died on
board at 7:30pm on 25 January 1865 just as the ship had rounded the bottom of Tasmania. The cause
of death was listed as pertussis and bronchitis.

Once they arrived in New Zealand there was a short stay at Onehunga and then they made their way
to Tuakau where for a short time they occupied a tent on the banks of the Waikato River near the
Alexandra Redoubt. Towards the end of 1865 they moved on to Pukekohe and they took up their
Government grant of 10 acres on the Paddock Settlement. They lived there for the rest of their lives.
Margaret and William gradually extended their property until they had purchased 50 acres of the hill
land for which they paid at the rate of £2/10s per acre.

Margaret and William raised a family of seven children: Frederick William (1865–1923), Margaret
(1867-1924), Samuel David McMurray (1870–1944), Henry Ephraim (1872–1929), Francis James
(1874–1962), John Hamilton (1876–1969) and Mary Elizabeth Maud (1878–1948).

Misfortune struck the family when the Morrow home was burnt down in March 1899. The NZ Herald
report mentioned that the fire was attributed to a draught from an open window blowing the curtains
to a lighted candle as the family were retiring for the night.

William died on 27 May 1912 and Margaret
survived him by five years until her death on 22
November 1917.
In her obituary in the Pukekohe & Waiuku Times
dated 23 November 1917 it stated that up until
a fortnight ago she enjoyed the best of health
and despite her advanced age she was most
active and cheerful.

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

Researcher: Ross Miller

203

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3420 Surname: MOYES
Given names: Agnes Residence: Rama Rama
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Agnes was born Agnes JAFFRAY in 1827 in Scotland. She married William Alison MOYES (1822-1901)
on 7 June 1844 at Cadder, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Agnes and William had 5 children, 2 daughters and 3 sons (and probably another son who died
young), all born in Scotland. They came to New Zealand prior to the marriage in 1868 of their
daughter Mary HARKNESS, who is also on this 1893 electoral roll. Their son John married twice as
did their daughter Margaret - both had lost their first spouses early. Their son George was badly
hurt in a mining explosion and although blind, managed to run a store business and provide for his
wife and family. He also served on the Waihi Borough Council.

Agnes and William farmed at Ramarama on Woodside Farm where he died in 1901. They lost their
son William, in 1902 and Agnes appears to have moved to Onehunga where she owned several plots
of land at her death on 28 May 1905.

Agnes was only 16 when she married William but their marriage lasted 56 years. They are both
buried with son William at the Bombay Presbyterian Church cemetery.

Signature on her will

Sources:

Family Tree – My Heritage -G Rudd
Probate – www.familysearch.com
Sotland records – www.familysearch.com
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Cemetery photos - NZSG Franklin Branch

Researcher: Heather Maloney

204

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3709 Surname: MUIR
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Kohekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth Jane MUIR was born in Ilfracombe, Devon, England on 6
January 1844. Her parents were Elizabeth (nee WHITE) and Thomas
BLUNT (occupation tailor).

In the 1860s Elizabeth was living with her mother (also Elizabeth)
who ran a boarding house somewhere on the Hawkesbury River in
New South Wales. Her future husband, Alexander Muir (1834-1921)
boarded with them when he came over from New Zealand to buy
horses for the army during the Waikato war. After a year or so the
boarding house was sold, and mother and daughter moved to
Auckland.

Alexander and Elizabeth (Sandy and Lizzie) were married at St Johns
Presbyterian church in Papatoetoe in 1865. They began married life in a two-roomed cottage at
Wiri. They pasted newspapers over the cracks in the wallboards to keep out the draughts. Later
they farmed at Opuatia, over the river from Rangiriri, where they employed a tutor brought out from
England to educate the children. In 1878 they moved to a large farm at Pehiakura (Kohekohe, land is
between Ponsford and J Renall Roads) on the Awhitu Peninsula where they lived for about 30 years.

Sandy and Lizzie were the parents of 11 children – five sons and six daughters. They also gave a
home to a niece, Mary (Polly) Muir and several neighbourhood children. They retired to Mangere in
1906 where they built a new house, “Stoneleigh”, in Muir Rd.

Elizabeth died on 23 April 1925. Her obituary reads: “Many a weary traveller up and down the
Peninsula had good reason to bless the kind-hearted hospitality of Mrs Muir and many a good story
she could tell of hardships and adventures cheerfully borne and overcome long ago.”

Alexander Muir died in 1921. The graves of Sandy and Lizzie are to be found at St Johns Presbyterian
Church, Great South Rd, Papatoetoe – the church where they were married.

Sources:
Family records
Cyclopedia of New Zealand, 1902, Auckland Volume
Researcher; Julie Harper

205

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3710 Surname: MUIR
Given names: Elizabeth, jun. Residence: Kohekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth MUIR was born in 1870, either at Wiri or Opuatia, near Glen
Murray. She was the third child of Alexander and Elizabeth MUIR. She had
five brothers and five sisters. Alexander came to New Zealand as a child with
his Scottish settler family on the “Duchess of Argyle” in 1842. In 1878 the
family moved to a farm known as “Pehiakura” at Kohekohe on the Awhitu
Peninsula. She was taught by a private tutor while living at Opuatia and then
attended Kohekohe school.

Elizabeth Muir jnr Elizabeth (Lizzie) married Abraham HULL on 11 March 1896. He was a
bushman at Opuatia and in the early years of their marriage they lived there
in a little cottage.

They had two children, Aimee and Alexander (Alec). They moved to a farm in Aka Aka where they
lived for some years, then to Sandspit Rd, Waiuku.

When Abe died, Lizzie went to live with her daughter Aimee and her husband Jim NEEDHAM at
Tuhimata Rd, Paerata then moved with them to Maraetai where she died in 1958 at the age of 88.

Lizzie excelled at knitting and crochet and made her own rugs.

There’s a story which demonstrates the courage and fortitude of that generation of young women:

Lizzie, suffering from terrible toothache, needed to get to the dentist on the other side of the
Waikato River at Tuakau. She rode to the river, swam her horse across, rode to Tuakau and had the
tooth pulled out then reversed the journey to get home again. It’s not surprising that we find
Elizabeth Muir’s name on the first New Zealand electoral roll to include women’s names.

Sources:
Family Records
NZ Births & Death Records
Researcher: Julie Harper

Elizabeth with Abraham and Aimee

206

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3425 Surname: MUIR
Given names: Margaret Douglas Residence: Pokeno
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret DOUGLAS married David MUIR (1836-1913) in New Zealand in 1872 and after a few years
at Thames they settled at Pokeno on Lots 123 & 124 Section 1 to raise their large family of five
daughters and fours sons born between 1873 and 1889.

Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Headstone photo & inscriptions – Waikato District
Council
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk
Researcher: Heather Maloney
Their headstone inscriptions read:

207

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3712 Surname: MUIR
Given names: Mary Residence: Kohekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Mary MUIR was born in 1870 or 1871. Her parents were John MUIR (1839-
1937) and Mary Anne JOHNS. John Muir came to New Zealand as a small
child with his Scottish settler family on the “Duchess of Argyle” in 1842.

Mary Anne suffered from post-natal depression after Mary’s birth and John
was not sympathetic. They became estranged and Mary, known as Polly,
lived with her uncle and aunt, Alexander and Elizabeth Muir, and was
brought up with their large family. They lived at Opuatia, near Rangiriri,
then Kohekohe, Awhitu Peninsula.

She also lived with them at “Stoneleigh”, Mangere.

After her father returned to Auckland from his farm in Manaia where he had lived for many years,
Polly lived with him in his substantial villa in Coronation Rd, Mangere. The house is still there.

She never married and was left very comfortably off by her father. She lived for the rest of her life in
the big house with the company of a housekeeper and a paid companion.

Polly died in 1959 aged 88 years.

Sources:
Family records
NZ Death Register

Researcher: Julie Harper

208

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2005 Surname: MURTON
Given names: Isabella Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Isabella MURTON nee CAMPBELL had been a widow for three years in 1893. Her husband John had
died suddenly in 1890.

It is likely that Isabella was born c1850 in Mabou, Nova Scotia but it is not known when she or her
parents came to New Zealand. She married John on 21 May 1870 in St Paul’s Cathedral, Auckland,
and eight children followed quickly between 1872 and 1888. When John died he left everything to his
wife, his property included 40 acres on Great Barrier and a further 7 acres at Harrisville, Tuakau. The
property at Tuakau was the family home and farm. John died intestate with a hastily written will
unsigned.

In May 1894 a disastrous fire destroyed
Isabella’s house. Although the house and
contents were insured the cover wasn’t
sufficient to rebuild.

Isabella now almost
destitute had to
petition the court for
land to be released
and sold so that she
could support her
family.

Isabella remarried on 4 June 1897 to Daniel McPHERSON. Daniel passed away in 1922 and Isabella in
1936, both are buried at Waikaraka Cemetery.

Sources:

NZBDM - www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.
Familysearch – New Zealand Probates – John Murton
Various internet resources
MyHeritage - Web site of Bev Woolley
Paperspast - paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers

Researcher: Mary Mercer

209

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3767 Surname: NEIL
Given names: Margaret Residence: Maioro
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Margaret (nee RYAN) was born in Belfast in 1839 and grew up in County Antrim, Ireland.

On 5 December 1860 she married Michael NEIL in St. Mary’s Church, Cape Town, South Africa where
Michael was ex 1st Royal Regiment of Infantry and employed as a Constable at Cape Town Convict
Station.

Margaret and Michael left South Africa on 26 October 1864 on board the “Reihersteig” with their
two children, Thomas aged 3yrs and Mary aged 7mths.

They arrived in Auckland on 24 December 1864. Christmas 1864 was not a happy time for new
arrivals as there was no room to spare at the Onehunga barracks, so they were put into tents.

On 23 January 1865 they moved into a settlement and on 31 March 1865 took up their allotment at
Maioro Bay. There were no roads only bush tracks, the land needed to be cleared, a home built,
crops planted, children to be taught and looked after. A real pioneer woman. Margaret and
Michael’s children were among the first settlers’ children to attend Maioro School. Together they
had 6 more children, namely John, Denis, Samuel, Elizabeth, Alice and Robert.

Margaret passed away 3 November 1914 aged 75 and is buried at the Waipipi Cemetery with her
husband Michael who passed away 17 August 1883, his funeral leaving Maioro at 9am and arriving
at Waipipi Cemetery at 2pm. A long trek by horseback.

Information supplied from family trees, researched by Mary Livingstone, Leone Neil and Stephen Neil.

210

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3769 Surname: NICHOLSON
Given names: Annie Residence: Kohekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Annie was born Aimee NICHOLSON on 26 August 1863 in Auckland to Dr John Robinson Nicholson
and Elizabeth Ann WATERHOUSE. John had sailed as ship’s doctor, Elizabeth in a cabin, and the
children, Edith c1855, Alfred c1858, Maud c1860 and Florence c1861, were in steerage. They arrived
in New Zealand on the Queen of Beauty on 10 August 1863 and Aimee arrived shortly after. They
had two more children, both boys, Alan Waterhouse c1866 and Harold c1868.

John and Elizabeth purchased a farm in Ararimu North shortly after their arrival, but after some time
moved to Onehunga where he practiced his medical profession. However, with a deep interest in
politics, 1867 saw him take a seat in the Provincial Council and later he held other political posts.
John had been ill for only a few days when he passed away 8 January 1875, aged 44. Elizabeth and
the young children would have had a difficult time.

A happier time for the family came in 1882 when Aimee’s eldest sister Edith married Samuel
SEDDON on 26 September 1882.

However, tragedy was not far away when Aimee’s brother, Alan, met with a gun accident and passed
away on 25 May 1885. Her sister Florence, a teacher at Kohekohe School, passed away 1895. Aimee
had been living with Florence at the time and returned to live with her mother and several other
siblings in Symonds Street, Auckland. Aimee’s sister Maud was also a teacher and for a period lived
at Symonds Street.

Symonds Street was a family home until c1911 when they all moved to Bourne Street, Mt Eden.

Aimee’s mother, Elizabeth Anne, passed away 9 March 1914, aged 87. Elizabeth was laid to rest
with her husband John, son Alan and daughter Florence in Symonds Street/Grafton Cemetery.

Aimee and her siblings moved several times after their mother died. Aimee and Harold, and for a
period Alfred, continued to live together at Abbot’s Road and then Akiraho Street until Aimee passed
away 20 November 1951, aged 88. She was laid to rest at Purewa Cemetery (Block E Row 38 Plot
23A). Her brother Harold, aged 92, with whom she had spent virtually all her life, was laid to rest
with her. He passed away on 27 October 1958.

It is obvious from Aimee’s will that she had active participation in her Church and Charitable
Organisations, leaving small bequests to some. She was also a loving and very proud aunt. As age
gradually caught up with her it appears she had a housekeeper for whom she had great respect as
she also received a bequest.

Sources:

NZ BDM Historical Records
Cemetery Records
Electoral Rolls
Family Search – Probate/Will
Ancestry Records/Indices
Papers Past – DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, VOLUME XIX, ISSUE 1898, 11 AUGUST 1863
Papers Past – Various newspapers for Deaths, Accident, Immigration (Ship’s Doctor)

Researcher/Compiler: Val Gillanders, Lois Hopping

211

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3770 Surname: NICHOLSON
Given names: Florence Residence: Kohekohe
Occupation: school teacher Qualification: residential

Florence was born c1862 in England, the third daughter of Dr John Robinson NICHOLSON and
Elizabeth Anne WATERHOUSE.

John and Elizabeth set sail with their young family on the Queen of Beauty arriving in New Zealand
on 10 August 1863. John had sailed as the ship’s doctor, Elizabeth in a cabin, and their four children
in steerage, Edith c1855, Alfred c1858, Maud c1860 and Florence c1861. Elizabeth gave birth to
Aimee on 26 August shortly after their arrival. Two boys were added to the family, Alan Waterhouse
c1866 and Harold c1868.

John and Elizabeth purchased a farm in Ararimu North shortly after their arrival in New Zealand, but
after some time moved to Onehunga where John practiced his medical profession. However, with a
deep interest in politics, 1867 saw him take a seat in the Provincial Council and later he held other
political posts. He passed away 8 January 1875, aged 44. Elizabeth Anne passed away 9 March
1914, aged 87.

Florence studied and worked hard to become a teacher. Her sister Maud also taught. Records have
her teaching at Grafton School in Auckland from 1884-1890. In 1891 she was teaching at Marsh
Meadows in Hamilton.

In 1892 Florence was transferred to Kohekohe School, Waiuku. She was employed as a sole teacher
and at that stage appeared to earn a salary plus allowances of £100. Her sister Aimee came to live
with her.

The Kohekohe School, and a house for a teacher, was built in 1878, at a cost of about £100, to serve
the children of the “Kohekohe Settlement”. At first it had been a single room but was enlarged in
1881. Although the building was still standing in 2010 it had been heavily modified to become a
residence.

There had been the potential for a goodly number of children in the district. Its administration was
shared with that for the Waipipi School, the Committee meetings on the nights of the full moon, to
light their way, alternately, at Kohekohe or Waipipi. Over all was the Auckland Education Board.

Sadly, Florence passed away 9 July 1895, aged 33, at her mother’s residence, Crofton, Symonds
Street, Auckland. She was buried in Symonds Street/Grafton Cemetery, Auckland with her father
and a brother, Alan Waterhouse Nicholson, aged 19. Her mother was later buried with them.

The Education Board offered a brief acknowledgement regretting the death of Miss Florence
Nicholson in the Chairman’s Report, July 1895.

Sources:

Waipipi District 150years – Article “The Cooper Family of Cooper Road, Kohekohe.”

PapersPast – BOARD OF EDUCATION Auckland Star, Vol XXVI, Issue 168, 16 July 1895

Cemetery Records Website: atojs.natlib.govt.nz for Teachers Listings

Researchers: Lois Hopping and Val Gillanders

212

Electoral Roll: Waipa 2027 Surname: NICHOLSON
Given names: Marianne Residence: Maketu
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Mary Anne (Marianne) SLATTERY was born in 1854
Auckland, the daughter and the sixth of eleven
children of Captain Matthew Slattery (1824-
1904)and Mary Ann PICKFORD (1824-1904).

After a full and interesting life, having lived in at least
four different countries and many different places in
New Zealand, she was laid to rest with her second
husband William Henry NICHOLSON (1854-1904) at
Pompellier cemetery, Glenfield, Auckland.

Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;
Sydney Atkins Family Tree – ancestry.co.uk
Researcher: Heather Maloney

213

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3771 Surname: NINNIS
Given names: Priscilla Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Priscilla NINNIS was born in Cornwall, England on 3 May 1818. She was the second child of Henry
Fowell STEPHENS (1795-?) and Priscilla TREGALLAS (1794-?).

Priscilla married Captain James Ninnis on 13 September 1837 in St Agnes, Cornwall.

Captain Ninnis, a mining engineer, Priscilla and 6 children (they eventually had 17 children) left
Falmouth, Cornwall on 27 July 1845 on board the “Agostina” to arrive in Sydney, Australia on 3
December 1845. They then left Sydney on 31 December 1845 on board the “Isabella Anna” to arrive
in New Zealand on 14 January 1846.

They lived in Mansion House on Kawau Island which was built for Captain Ninnis and his family
(Mansion House was later bought by Sir George Grey). Captain Ninnis was appointed by the North
British Australian Loan and Investment Company of Aberdeen to establish and manage the copper
mining operations on the island. When his contract expired he managed the copper mine on Great
Barrier Island.

They later, in the 1850s, moved to Onehunga where they had a home and a General Store.

In the 1860s Captain Ninnis and Arthur PURCHAS established a flaxmill and waterwheel at Waitangi,
Waiuku. He and Priscilla had a residence at Waitangi and it was there that their third daughter
Malinda was married to Charles Ware FLEXMAN.

The family moved to the Coromandel area when gold was discovered and Captain Ninnis was
Superintendent of the Kuranui Mine and Battery at Thames.

He died in Coromandel aged 70 on 1 July 1879 leaving his wife Priscilla, 11 daughters and 3 sons.

Priscilla passed away 23 June 1905 at her residence Richmond Road, Onehunga, aged 87. She is
buried at St Peters Anglican Cemetery, Onehunga.

Sources:
Photograph Charles Ware Flexman Family History
Press Reader
www.familysearch.org
Paperspast
Findagrave
Australian Shipping
Researcher: Glenice Baird

214

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2240 Surname: NOONAN
Given names: Mary Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Mary NOONAN arrived in New Zealand aboard the Maori with her husband Daniel and children John
13, Mary 12, Anne 10, Margaret 5 and Daniel 2. They had left Cape Town on 4 November 1864 and
arrived in Auckland 23 December 1864. There were 378 passengers on board, most were part of the
Waikato Immigration Scheme, lured to New Zealand with the promise of land. There were 41 ships
in the Auckland Harbour when they arrived and the Immigration Barracks were overflowing.

Mary, Daniel and their family made their way to Pukekohe and the 1890 Electoral Roll shows they
occupied Lots 101 – 110 on Cape Hill, Pukekohe.

Two more children were to be born in Pukekohe – 1865 Catherine and in 1870 Ellen arrived.

It is interesting to note that although Mary was on the 1893 Electoral Roll, none of her five
daughters who were old enough to enrol, were.

Daniel died in 1896 and Mary in 1905. They are buried in the Pukekohe Catholic Cemetery together.

The inscription on their headstone reads;

Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk;
Shipping lists – Auckland Libraries
Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZSG

Researcher: Judith Batt
Compiler: Heather Maloney

215

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2241 Surname: NOTT
Given names: Amy Gertrude Westly Residence: West Mauku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Amy Gertrude Westley NOTT was born in New Zealand on 7 December 1871. She was the fourth
daughter of Mary WESTLEY and Charles Nott and one of seven children – 6 daughters and one son.

Since arriving in New Zealand on the Eveline on 22 January 1865, the Nott family had lived in the
Patumahoe area. Amy, along with her siblings, attended Patumahoe School. She met Hugh
HUDSON (1873 – 1941) and they were married on 29 June 1910 at St Alban’s Church, Mt Roskill.

Hugh was a timber worker and they lived most of their lives in Putaruru. The family was involved
with the Anglican Church.

Their only child, daughter Merla Margaret Amy Hudson, was born on 6 October 1912.

Amy died on 29 October 1934, in Putaruru, her funeral service being held in Pukekohe. She is buried
at St Bride’s Church Cemetery, Mauku.

NZ Herald 30 October 1934

Sources:
Ancestry – Walsh Family Tree; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; School records – NZ Society of Genealogists collection
Headstone photo – NZSG Franklin Branch
Researcher Joan Taylor

216

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2242 Surname: NOTT
Given names: Elizabeth Ann Residence: West Mauku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth Ann NOTT was born c1864 in Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa. She was the eldest
daughter of Edmund Charles (known as Charles) Nott (1831-1914) and Mary Ann WESTLEY (1835-
1920). Her mother had been married before and had a daughter, Cecilia Fanny ELMS.

On 22 January 1865 the ship Eveline arrived in Auckland and among the passengers were Charles,
Mary, Fanny, Elizabeth and baby Jane, just six months old. The shipping manifest recorded Elizabeth
as 6 and Fanny as 3 but this was obviously wrong when Fanny was the eldest, although Fanny was 3.

The family settled on 15 acres of land at West Mauku and four more children were born: 1871 Amy,
1873 Edith, 1875 Charles and 1878 Ida. The children attended Patumahoe School.

Elizabeth appeared on the 1893 and 1896 electoral roll living at West Mauku but no further trace
has been found of her, either in the marriage or death records or on any other electoral roll.

Her parents remained living on their 15 acres at Mauku until their deaths and all her sisters married
as did her brother, so what became of Elizabeth?

Edmund Charles Nott died 1914 and Mary Ann died 1920 and they are both buried at St Bride’s
Church where the family were active worshippers.

St Bride’s

A family tree on Ancestry suggests she died in 1951 but no source was provided, and no death or
burial has been found.
Sources:
Shipping records – Auckland Libraries; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.nz;
Eriksen Family Tree – myheritage.com

Researcher: Heather Maloney

217

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2243 Surname: NOTT
Given names: Mary Ann Residence: West Mauku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Mary Ann WESTLEY was born in Claremont, Cape Town, South Africa in 1835.

In 1864 Mary Ann NOTT aged 29, and Charles Nott aged 32, left South Africa on board the Eveline.
They brought with them three young children - Elizabeth 6, Fanny 3 years and Jane 6 months.
Subsequent documents have confirmed that the passenger list had Elizabeth and Fanny’s ages the
wrong way around.

Mary had been married previously to George ELMS and Cecilia Fanny was their daughter, born 1858.

The family arrived in Auckland on 22 January 1865. They settled on land allocated at Mauku. Mary
and Charles would have four more children, Amy Gertrude born 1871, Edith Agnes Caroline born
1873, Charles Henry born 1875 and Ida Marcella born 1878. The children attended Patumahoe
School.

Mary and Charles lived the remainder of their lives
in the Mauku district. Charles died in 1914.

Mary died, 19 November 1920, at her son Charles’
residence in Mangere in her 85th year. She is
buried with Charles at St Bride’s Church Cemetery,
Mauku.

Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Waikato Immigration Scheme Passenger List
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Researcher: Joan Taylor

218

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3777 Surname: O’CONNOR
Given names: Rose Ann Residence: Harrisville
Occupation: farmer Qualification: residential

Rose Ann O’CONNOR (nee MALONE) was born 12
December 1865 in Panmure, New Zealand the youngest
daughter of Peter Malone and Ann HERON. Her father was
a Chelsea Pensioner (widower) who arrived in New Zealand
in 1847.

Young Rose learned the piano growing up and became an
organist for the Catholic Church in Panmure.

Rose married James O’Connor on 18 February 1890. They
moved to Harrisville and while James worked on the railways she looked after the farm, later selling
and buying land in Pukekohe where they grew potatoes etc, (part of that land is now where O’Connor
Drive is today).

Rose and James had 8 children, but only 5 survived, all the children were expected to work and help
around the farm.

Rose and James would go over the household accounts each month, James never noticing how often
she bought a gross of buttons, because that was women’s work.

Rose died aged 66, on 1 May 1931 and is buried in the Pukekohe Catholic Cemetery

Source:
Kathleen Richards, Granddaughter.
Contributor: Maureen O’Connor

219

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3447 Surname: O’NEIL
Given names: Sarah Jane Residence: Bombay
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Sarah Jane ROBINSON was born on 23 August 1852 in Kendal, Westmoreland, England to parents
James Robinson and Annie WILKINSON. The house where she was born is in a street called Beast
Banks and was named ‘Serpentine Cottage’ – it remains with alterations, to this day (photo below).

Sarah (age 13), her sisters Margaret (18) and Jessie (3) and
their parents James and Ann Robinson boarded the ship
‘Bombay’ on 22 November 1864 in London bound for New
Zealand. Oldest sister, Mary Agnes, married to William BLAIR
and their son were also on board. Two brothers were to
follow later.

Serpentine Cottage Most of the immigrants on the ship were allocated land in
Williamson’s Clearing or Bombay as it became known and

James had 10 acres in 1870 and this had increased to 20

acres on the 1880/81 electoral roll. The Robinson’s were agricultural people in Oatlands, Kendal.

On 12 August 1869, Sarah Jane married Thomas O’NEIL, who had been with the 65th Regiment in the
Waikato and Auckland areas, at her parents dwelling. His occupation on his marriage certificate was
a miner. Gold was discovered in Thames in 1872 and many men from Bombay travelled there to
mine, often returning home for weekends. Thomas would travel there, along with James Robinson
and Ralph BONNER, who had married Sarah’s older sister Margaret. Thomas was granted 50 acres –
a soldiers grant in Mill Road. Thomas was unable to read or write and signed his marriage certificate
with a cross and it is thought this is probably why in some records his name is spelt Tomas O’Neil or
O’Neill. (The correct spelling according to the family is O’Neill)

Sarah and Thomas had a family of twelve – four daughters and eight sons, born from 1871 to 1897
and on the 1893 electoral roll were at Lot 28, Mangatawhiri, Bombay.

Thomas died in 1909, aged 72 and
Sarah died on 21 July 1934, aged 82.

They are buried at St Peters in the
Forest Church cemetery, Bombay.

Sources:

Photos & info – O’Neill Family History
from Ralph O’Neill and Ann Gordon, nee
O’Neill – great grandchildren
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk
Compiler: Heather Maloney

Photo: Jessie, Margaret & Sarah Jane Robinson

220

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2249 Surname: OHLSON
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Runciman
Occupation: household duties Qualification: freehold

Elizabeth was one of the very few women who had the
qualification of freehold – meaning they owned land. This may
have been her father’s land alloted as a Fencible Soldier.

Elizabeth was born one of eight children of Colour Sgt Major
William MERRILL and Charlotte BROWN in Bengal, India on 20
January 1839. Her parents had four previous children who had all
only lived a short few years. As a child she would have been well
travelled as her father was in the 16th Regiment of foot – British
Imperial Army, serving 20 years in India before returning to England
where two more children were born. The family, with 3 young children, then immigrated to New
Zealand in 1847 on board the ship Sir George Seymour where William was to serve as a fencible
soldier. He also ran a pub, one of many in Howick at that time and owned quite a bit of land.

Elizabeth’s mother died in 1867 and is buried at All Saints Church, Howick and her father, leaving his
adult children in New Zealand, returned to England c1872 where he died in Chelsea Hospital aged 97
in 1897.

Elizabeth married Captain Frederick OHLSON, a master mariner, at Auckland on 11 May 1859, her
sister Frances in attendance. The couple remained living in Hobson St for some time, then
Newmarket before settling at Ramarama. Captain Ohlson named the farm ‘Flensburg’ after the
place he was born. They had 4 children but two died young leaving two sons, William, an accountant
who lived in NSW, Australia and Frederick, a teacher in Auckland. Frederick was recorded on the
1893 Electoral Roll as an orchardist.

Elizabeth was a tough woman who often accompanied her
husband on the voyages with her two sons. At one time she
developed a poisoned toe and asked the mate to cut it off. He
refused, so she did the job herself! She was a strict
disciplinarian – like her father the soldier.

Elizabeth lived in Claremont St, Auckland for some time before
her death but is buried at St John’s Anglican Church Cemetery in
Drury with her husband who had died 26 years before her.

Sources:

Family history and photo – Del Saunders
Photo of headstone – www.findagrave.com
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz

Researcher: Heather Maloney

221

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2250 Surname: OHLSON
Given names: Janet Residence: Puni
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Janet Anne DARRACH (also known as Jenny and Jennie )was born
in Glasgow on Prince Edward Island, Canada on 20 April 1861,
the seventh child of John Darrach (1817-1897) and Elizabeth
SEMPLE (1826-1876). The eighth child, Alexander was born and
died on the voyage to New Zealand, on board the Pakeha in 1864
and the ninth child, Sarah, was born in New Zealand.

John Darrach, a shipbuilder by trade, actually built the brig
Pakeha and set sail with a crew and 32 passengers including his
wife and family. They settled at Matakana where he proceeded
to build two ships in partnership with William BAGNALL who had
also emigrated on the Pakeha. In 1866 he purchased a farm in
Mahurangi, later known as Rosebank, and built 19 vessels in the
next 14 years.

Janet married Frederick John OHLSON at Rosebank on 11
October 1888 (New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9179, 8 October 1888, Page 1). Janet’s
husband, “Curly”, was a school teacher at Little Omaha around this time. They stayed in this district
for a while before moving to Puni in 1893 where Frederick also taught. They then moved to Epsom
and Frederick was the headmaster of the Maungawhau School at Mt Eden for 15 years. He gave 46
years’ service to education and was involved in a wide range of sports. On his retirement in 1929, he
took Janet on a 12 months’ trip to England and the Continent with the plan to attend every
International sports event they could. Unfortunately, he was attacked by paralysis and spent 3
months in a German hospital and a further month convalescing in England.

Janet and Frederick had four sons – the eldest twins were solicitors, one a surveyor/engineer and
the youngest a teacher. The three eldest boys all served in WW1, one being awarded a
Distinguished Conduct Medal. Janet must have been a very proud mother. (Auckland Museum cenotaph)

Janet was involved in the community and an active member of the Oratia Branch of Women’s
Institute. She was very active within with her family and was at one time the head of four living
generations.

Frederick died in 1942 and Janet lived on in their house in Kimberley Road, Epsom with her son Eric,
until her death on 9 January 1954. They are both buried in Hillsborough Cemetery Auckland.

Sources:

Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Probate: www.familysearch.com
Prince Edward island Archives

Photo & information from Del Saunders - descendant

222

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2259 Surname: OLDHAM
Given names: Alice Caroline Martha Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Alice Caroline Martha WALKER was born on 7 December 1864. Alice was the eldest of nine children
born to Emily Caroline WIDGERY and Thomas Walker. She had seven sisters and one brother. Alice’s
parents were storekeepers in Tuakau for many years and her father was one of the early flax millers
in the district.

On 24 February 1887 Alice married Hakaru Arthur OLDHAM. Alice and Arthur had seven children
between 1889 and 1905 – four sons and three daughters.

Little is known about Alice’s day to day life.
Undoubtedly, she would have been kept very
busy raising seven children, all of whom lived
to adulthood.

Alice and Arthur eventually settled in
Remuera, Auckland and it was here that they
celebrated their golden wedding on 24
February 1937. A “golden” theme was carried
throughout the celebrations – 50 guests were
entertained, golden-shaded blooms
decorated the tables, the wedding cake was
golden, and Alice wore crushed violet and
gold lace and carried a bouquet of gold and
autumn tinted blooms.

Nine years later, on 20 July 1946, Alice died
aged 82. Her husband was 91 years old when
he died in 1951.

Sources:
Newspaper articles - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
BDM records - https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
Researcher – Sandra Brasell

223

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2261 Surname: OLDHAM
Given names: Elizabeth Ann Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth Ann was the only daughter of Elizabeth BARLOW and her husband Joseph MOFFATT. She
was christened on 27 March 1864 in Bolton, Lancashire, England. In 1878 the Moffatt family sailed
from England on the ship May Queen, arriving in Auckland in October 1878.

The family settled in Whangarata. Less than five years later, in 1882, Elizabeth Ann’s father drowned
after falling into a creek while having an epileptic seizure. Her mother remarried in 1883 and the
following year, on 6 September 1884, Elizabeth Ann married William Edward OLDHAM at Tuakau.
Two children were born to Elizabeth Ann and William Oldham. Ella Gertrude was born in 1885 and
Dora May was born in 1887.

Sadly, Elizabeth Ann was not to live a long life. On 9 October 1893 she passed away and is buried in
the Tuakau Cemetery. There are two headstones in memory of Elizabeth Ann, both shown below.

Sources:
Christening of Elizabeth Ann MOFFATT: https://www.familysearch.org – Film # 1966405
Marriage and death notices: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Headstone images: https://www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz
Researcher: Sandra Brasell

224

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2260 Surname: OLDHAM
Given names: Elizabeth Rebecca Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

When Elizabeth Rebecca DABELL was
baptised on 7 December 1828 her
father Alexander was working as a
framework knitter in Derbyshire,
England. Alexander Dabell and his
wife Ellen LEGGOTT had moved with
their family to Nottinghamshire by
1841. When the 1851 census was
held, 22-year-old Elizabeth was
working as a nursemaid for a lace merchant.

On 28 March 1853 Elizabeth Rebecca and Alfred OLDHAM were married in St Paul Anglican Church,
Nottingham, England. Their first child, Frank Edwin, was born in 1854 followed by two more sons,
William and Herbert in 1855 and 1857.

In 1859 the Oldham family immigrated to New Zealand on board the Mermaid, arriving in Auckland
on 9 October. Between 1860 and 1871 six more children were born – Hakura Arthur, Martha Louise,
Mary Ellen, Alfred, Eliza Emily and George Henry. Sadly, in 1881 Frank Edwin died aged 27.

Before the Oldham family settled in Tuakau in 1878 they had lived in Mangawai, Maungaturoto, Kaihu
and Paparo. They lived in Tuakau, where Alfred was a flaxmiller, for 20 years before retiring to
Auckland in 1899.

In 1863 Elizabeth’s mother and sister, Ellen and Sophia
Leggott, immigrated to New Zealand on board the Tybernia.
Ellen died on 22 June 1864, just nine months after her arrival
in the country. Elizabeth’s sister Sophia married William
John PATTERSON on 21 February 1865.

Elizabeth was living in Ponsonby when she died on 16
October 1901. She was aged 72 at the time of her death.
She is buried in the Alexandra Redoubt Cemetery at Tuakau,
along with her son Frank Edwin. When her husband Alfred
died in 1919 he was buried alongside Elizabeth and Frank.

Sources:
Baptism record: Ancestry.com. Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1916
1851 England Census: https://www.ancestry.com.au
Newspaper articles: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Oldham family information: Booklet written by Alfred Oldham held at Tuakau and District Museum
Headstone image www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz
Researcher: Sandra Brasell

225

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2292 Surname: PAGE
Given names: Mary Ann Residence: Puni, Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

The earliest fact that has been found about Mary Ann is the birth of these three children to Mary
Ann and Henry PAGE. They must have married before they came to New Zealand but no record has
been found, nor has any trace of their arrival been located.

They had freehold land in Patumahoe by 1870, and 40 acres, Part of Newman’s Land, South Mauku
in 1880. One of their three sons, William, died in infancy and the other two moved away from the
district. George born in 1874 died in 1909 leaving a wife and three small children. Edward also died
early, leaving a wife and 4 young children.

Mary and Henry moved to Foxton, where Edward was living, before 1911 when they were on the
electoral roll at Cook St, Foxton with Henry’s occupation being a gardener.

Mary experienced the death of two of her sons and died six months before her remaining son
Edward. She is buried at Foxton Cemetery with Henry, her son Edward and his wife.

Henry died in 1916, then living at Feilding, and left his estate to his two daughter in-laws to maintain
his grandchildren.

An obituary was placed in the Manawatu Herald 4 January 1913, along with a very long and unusual,
unsigned contribution of appreciation.

Sources: NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Headstone photo – billiongraves.com
Researcher: Judith Batt Compiler: Heather Maloney

226

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3780 Surname: PALMER
Given names: Annie Pellett Residence: Awitu
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Annie was born Ann Pellett on 2 August 1825 in Swansea, Wales to George
Francis LEAKER and Mary Ann MOWAT. They belong to a very old Welsh
family of LEEKER. Annie was baptised on 23 June 1833 in Mangotsfield,
Gloucester, England.

Annie married Alfred PALMER in Q4 of 1852 in Bristol, England.

She came to New Zealand with her husband and three children, Annanetta,
Henry and Eusebia on the ship “Mermaid” arriving on 19 October 1859. The
children were listed as Anna, Dora and Henry. Eusebia or Dora was less than
a year old when they landed in New Zealand.

Alfred and Annie had received 120 acres at Awhitu under the 40-acre scheme but also purchased an
additional acre to make up the allotment (Lot 19). The family originally settled in Parnell, while it
was Alfred’s intention to prepare the land at Awhitu for the family. However, 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
the children moved to Awhitu about 1868.

The family originally lived in a nikau whare and then a slab hut before their house was built. It was
here that Annie began a private school which she ran in her home for her three children and three
Irwin children. She originally charged one pound of butter per week per child and then it changed to
one shilling a week. She also ran a Sunday School as more children came to the area.

Little is known of Henry, but Annanetta married Maurice MILLETT and Eusebia married Edward
GARLAND.

Alfred and Annie also played an active part in the Church, including hosting visiting ministers and
other visitors to the area. This included playing host to Bishop SELWYN and it was on the Bishop’s
appointment that Alfred became a lay reader for the Anglican Church, an office he held until 1900. It
is recorded that the Bishop christened their three children.

It was in Alfred’s capacity as a lay reader that he performed services over many of the bodies of
those who perished on the H.M.S. Orpheus.

Alfred died on 25 March 1914, aged 85. Annie died on 20 October 1918, aged 93 at Morton Park,
her home in Awhitu. In Annie’s obituary it states that their only son Henry died 25 years previously
(approximately 1893). All three are buried together in Awhitu Cemetery.

Her obituary also relates that despite her advanced years Annie retained all her faculties to the last
and could read a newspaper without artificial aid. Her memory was vivid, and she could relate many
stories of the Maori war, in which her husband took part and gained a medal. At the time of her
death she had 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Sources:
Heads, Harbour & Hills – An Awhitu History - 1999
DEATHS OF OLD COLONISTS New Zealand Herald, Vol LV, Issue 16987, 22 Oct 1918
WAIUKU Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Vol 3, Issue 185, 7 Apr 1914

Researcher: Lois Hopping

227

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3781 Surname: PALTRIDGE
Given names: Miriam Residence: Manukau Heads (South)
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Miriam was born c1870 to Richard Joel PALTRIDGE and Miriama POTIKI who were living at the
Manukau Heads where Richard was the Signalman. Miriama passed away in 1888.

Miriam married Randolph William STANLEY on 9 June 1896 and did not have any children.

Miriam was a telephonist and Randolph was a draughtsman and artist and they lived at ‘South
Manukau Heads’. The Awhitu/Manukau Heads region still has a very active artistic community.

Randolph died on 11 August 1903 aged 44 and he was buried in Takapuna Cemetery.

Shortly after Randolph’s death Miriam moved to Prospect Terrace in Auckland.

Miriam married Duncan Campbell Forbes DAWSON / FORBES-DAWSON on 6 January 1906 and they
had four children – Ina Helen b. 1906, Orel Joyce b. 1908, Ronald Earle b. 1910 and Alwyn Eden b.
1911.

Having shifted from Auckland, Miriam and Duncan spent a few years in Wellington before
transferring to Whakatane around 1913-14. Duncan worked as a telegraph linesman.

In July 1921 Miriam’s father passed away. He left everything he owned to her, in appreciation of the
many years that she and Duncan cared for him while he was in Whakatane. His Electoral Roll
address from 1914 through to his death was c/o D. Duncan, Whakatane.

Miriam began to enjoy a little more time with her husband and her children.

Duncan passed away on 8 September 1930, aged 61 and is buried at Domain Road Cemetery,
Whakatane.

Miriam returned to Auckland and in her later years was near to most of her children who had also
returned to Auckland.

Miriam passed away 25 July 1959 and was buried at Mangere Cemetery, Auckland.

Sources:

NZ BDM Historical Records
Cemetery Records
Electoral Rolls

Researcher: Lois Hopping

228

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3778 Surname: PARKER
Given names: Elizabeth Anne Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth Ann PARKER was born 22 April 1871 to Henry Stackpole Parker and Lucy ENGLAND in a
family of six, four boys and two girls.

Lucy’s parents and three older siblings arrived in New Zealand from New South Wales on the
Coromandel arriving 2 October 1838 and were previously from England. Records have four more
siblings born – Lucy c1841 in Bay of Islands.

We can only imagine what New Zealand was like so early in the establishment of our country. All
family members must have struggled to provide even the basics and we must celebrate that. So, for
Lucy and her siblings to survive and begin lives of their own is a testament to our pioneers.

Elizabeth’s father Henry was born in Paris, France and arrived in New Zealand c1853, (date taken
from Obituary 1908 – 55 years prior). He made Waiuku his base c1858 and Henry served in the
Colonial Military Service from 1860-1870.

He met and married Lucy on 2 April 1864 in Papakura, Auckland. He did not leave Waiuku once they
settled and it appears he became the local policeman and also started Parker’s Transport
(forerunner to the future bus service) with a horse and coach. They had a freehold lot in the Waiuku
Village.

Then it was Elizabeth’s turn and she met and married Alfred John KIDD on 24 August 1897. Alfred
was born to Alfred Kidd and Christina WHISKER on 22 April 1875 in Ngaruawahia, Waikato.

Alfred Snr arrived c1866 on the Ballarat, but Christina’s father was an Irish military man who came
with his 58th Regiment as Prison Guards to Australia and then sent to help in the Land Wars. He
eventually immigrated with his family c1845.

Elizabeth and Alfred had five children; Alfred Henry (1898-1899 five weeks), Vera Dorothy (1900-
1968 Mrs LAURENSON), Flora Gwendoline (1901-1969 Mrs INGRAM), Alfred Wilmot (1903-1989
Miss Olwyn GRIFFITHS), Clifford Neil aka Dick (1904-1969 Miss Evelyn HOSKINS).

Elizabeth and Alfred farmed in the Waiuku area and Alfred was one of those who took a prominent
part in transforming the large swamp area at Aka Aka into the highly productive plain which it has
become. They had large farming interests in the area. Although farming was an ‘all-hands’ activity
Elizabeth enjoyed the social and community life that developed in the Aka Aka area. While the men
of the district worked to develop better farming conditions, the women folk worked to feed, clothe
and make homes for their families. Women’s Institute developed, Church and School activities
required assistance and being involved in the Franklin Show was all part of the farming family’s life.

Elizabeth and Alfred moved for a time to Auckland. Elizabeth passed away on 24 December 1934,
aged 63, at the home of her daughter Flora, and was laid to rest in Waiuku Cemetery.

Alfred remarried on 21 April 1936 to Eveline Phyllis LYSNAR and for a period lived in Waiuku before
retiring to Pukekohe. Sadly, Alfred passed away at home on 21 October 1941, aged 66. He was
cremated with his ashes scattered at Waikumete Cemetery. Eveline remarried in 1948 to Algar
MASON, known as George, and passed away in 1960, aged 52.

Sources:

NZ BDM Records Cemetery Records Electoral Rolls Ancestry Public Tree – Kidd-Hewitt Tree (Liz Hewitt)
Papers Past – OBITUARY – NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME 78, ISSUE 24103, 23 OCTOBER 1941

Researcher: Lois Hopping

229

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3779 Surname: PARKER
Given names: Lucy Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Lucy PARKER, the daughter of Joseph and Asenath ENGLAND, was baptised along with her sister Emma
on 25 December 1841 in the Parish of Kororareka (now Russell), New Zealand. Her parents were
married in England in 1833 and immigrated to New Zealand.

Joseph, a bootmaker, set up a business in Kororareka and built the original Gables.

Joseph, his wife and five children (including four-year old Lucy) were evacuated from Kororareka on
the ship “US St Louis” on 13 March 1845 when the town was set on fire after a group of men led by
Hone Heke (of flagpole fame) attacked the town. Joseph sold the land in Kororareka for £60. The
family next appear in Auckland where Joseph set up a boot-making business in Shortland St. He also
appears in jury lists from 1847 to 1854. They appear to move to Waiuku sometime between 1859 and
1862.

Joseph died in 1866 and Asenath in 1893. Both are buried in the Waiuku cemetery.

Lucy married Henry PARKER at the house of Mrs Joseph ENGLAND on 2 April 1864. Henry was
Waiuku’s first policeman and District Constable from 1868 to 1900, and also started Parker’s Transport
(forerunner to the future bus service) with a horse and coach.

Lucy and Henry had six children – Charles, Wilmot (Bill), Elizabeth Anne (Lizzie) married A. KIDD,
Asenath (Teenie) never married, Frederick and John.

Henry died on 19 August 1908 and Lucy on 25 July 1920. Both are buried in the Waiuku cemetery.

Sources:
New Zealand Electoral Roll
www.dia.govt.nz.BDM
Papers Past
The New Zealand Genealogist
History of Policing in Waiuku – Brewer
Russell Museum

Researcher: Beverly McCracken

230

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3782 Surname: PATTERSON
Given names: Catherine Residence: Mauku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Catherine PATTERSON arrived in New Zealand with her husband Thomas on the ship Viola that had
left Glasgow on 8 December 1864 and arrived at Auckland on 4 April 1865. Their name was
recorded as PATERSON on the list.

On the ship’s passenger list Thomas was aged 35, farm labourer and Catherine 32, they had no
family with them. No children have been confirmed, although this birth in 1870 is a likely one and
the only one on the records to a couple named Catherine and Thomas.

On the 1870 and 1875 electoral rolls Thomas is listed as being a settler and owning 10 acres – Lot 22
Patumahoe. From 1880 until his death he is shown as owning Lot 20, Section 1, Pukekohe. This
report of their house burning was in the Auckland Star 6 May 1897.

Thomas died 27 April 1898 and Catherine died 6 October 1899. No record of their burial has been
found.
Sources:
Newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; Shipping records – Auckland Libraries;
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk

Searcher: Judith Batt Compiler: Heather Maloney

231

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2342 Surname: PELLOW
Given names: Elizabeth Sarah Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth Sarah PELLOW was the daughter of Henry SMEED
and Elizabeth Ann MOORE born in 1839 in Monks Horton,
Kent, England. According to the ‘Find My Past’ website, Henry
Smeed’s occupation was a bailiff. Later he is recorded as a
farmer. In 1862 the family, parents and their eight children
travelled to New Zealand on the SS Chapman.

In 1863 Elizabeth Sarah married a carpenter, William Trane
Pellow in Auckland. It seems they lived for a time in Pukekohe
then in 1867, purchased a block of land at the corner of
Bollard and Whangarata Roads, Tuakau. By 1872 the Smeed
family was also settled in Tuakau.

Elizabeth and William Pellow had a family of six boys and four girls. Elizabeth and the family looked
after the farm in Tuakau whilst William Trane continued to ply his trade as a carpenter, between
times, travelling home to the farm in Tuakau where he was a keen breeder of Ayreshire cattle and
Clydesdale horses. His name appears regularly in show results of the day.

Elizabeth and her daughters were said to be excellent cooks and gardeners. The farm was liberally
planted with fruit trees producing cart loads of plums and peaches which were sold to augment the
family income.

She died in 1909 and is buried in the Tuakau cemetery.

Sources.

‘Papers Past’ website.
‘Find MyPast’ website
Tuakau Museum records.
Smeed family History
Information. Judith Pellow

Researcher:
Janet Pates.

232

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2346 Surname: PENNY
Given names: Rosetta Residence: Whangarata
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Rosetta MASSEY was born in Shropshire, England in 1859. Rosetta was the daughter of John Massey
and Eliza MORRIS. When Rosetta married Charles Edmund PENNY in Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire
in 1881 she was a single mother of a one-year old son, Thomas John Massey (who later used the
surname Penny). Rosetta, Charles and Thomas sailed from London on board the barque Antares on
29 July 1881 and arrived in Auckland 110 days later on 17 November 1881.

Rosetta was to give birth to seven more children. Herbert was born in 1882 but died in 1883 when he
was just four months old. Elspie Minnie (1885), Charles Arthur (1887), Cuthbert (1889), Rose Helen
(1891), Stanley Edward (1896) and finally Florence Hester (1899) were born during the family’s time
at Whangarata. All the Penny children attended Whangarata School, with Thomas being one of the
foundation pupils in 1887.

Rosetta was to outlive four of her children. Thomas died in November 1914
and three years later, on 22 November 1917, 20-year-old Stanley died of
wounds he had received one week earlier while on active duty in France.

Rosetta’s youngest daughter, Florence, was only 22 years old when she died
in 1922. In 1924, just two years after Florence’s death, Rosetta’s husband
Charles died and was buried in the Pukekohe Cemetery.

The following year 65-year-old Rosetta travelled to England on the SS Tainui.
She stayed in England for five months and when she returned to New Zealand
in November 1925 on board the Orama her younger sister Esther Massey
travelled with her. Esther remained in New Zealand with Rosetta until her
death in December 1931. She was buried in the Penny family plot at the
Pukekohe Cemetery.

Rosetta had reached the grand age of 90 years when she passed away in September 1949. In her will,
dated 1936, Rosetta instructed her trustees “… to cause a neat headstone to be erected over my grave
with suitable inscriptions for my late husband, my children, HERBERT PENNY, STANLEY EDWARD
PENNY, FLORENCE HESTER PENNY, and THOMAS JOHN PENNY and myself at a cost not exceeding the
sum of Twenty pounds (£20) to be paid out of my estate.”

Sources:
Passenger list: https://www.ancestry.com.au – UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890 - 1960
Marriage record: England Marriages, 1538–1973, database, FamilySearch https://familysearch.org
Whangarata School records: https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz
Burial records: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/cemeteries
Probate record: https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz
Researcher: Sandra Brasell

233

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3788 Surname: PEPLER
Given names: Sarah Jane Residence: Pukekohe West
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Sarah Jane PEPLER was born in Aston, Sarah Jane never married. She died on 15
Warwickshire about 1851. December 1921. Her land was put up for
auction after her death. She is buried at the
She was the daughter of Noah Pepler and Pukekohe Cemetery, Anglican Area, Row B,
Sarah WHITE.1 The family came to New Plot 092.6
Zealand from the Cape of Good Hope aboard
the "Eveline” and arrived in Auckland on 22 Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, 14 March 1922
January 1865.2

It appears that Sarah Jane lived with her
parents on their small farm at Pukekohe West
at least until 1883 when Noah put his house
and land up for sale.3

Sarah Jane’s mother, Sarah, died the following
year on the 22 November under somewhat
suspicious circumstances. It was alleged that
her husband Noah had caused her death after
striking her. Sarah Jane had been called as a
witness during the investigation “the
daughter of the accused and deceased, was
helped into the room, and a lady friend was
permitted to sit beside her. She was
trembling violently and was very faint, and
had to be supported by her friend.”4

Many years later, Sarah Jane finds herself at
court defending herself over an alleged
assault upon herself. The newspaper report is
somewhat derogatory and is headed “Old
Lady and Farm Manager, An Amusing Case, A
Strange Household”.

The article describes her as “whose bearing
and manner were of an eccentric manner”.
The magistrate reluctantly dismissed the case
although he felt the assault was intentionally
committed.5

1. Peplow Family Tree: https://www.ancestry.com.au
2. Shipping Intelligence., New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 373, 23 January 1865
3. 2.Page 8 Advertisements Column 1, New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6640, 28 February 1883
4. THE PUKEKOHE AFFAIR., New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9678, 26 November 1894
5. OLD LADY AND FARM MANAGER., Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 72, 20 August 1915
6. https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/cemeteries/Pages/RecordDetails.aspx?recordId=96BE6F8852F99581D8FAC41A578C9BC

Researcher: Caron Hoverd

234

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3789 Surname: PERRY
Given names: Margaret Residence: Mauku West
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret LAND was born on 10 August 1854 at St Austell, Cornwall, England. Her parents were
Robert Land and Margaret PEARCE. Margaret married William PERRY on 1 October 1870. In the
1871 census she is shown in her parents’ household under her maiden name, but married. Her
husband William, and his brother Henry, are also in the household.
In about 1880 the household moved north to Yorkshire.

1871 UK census – Lisvane, Glamorgan, Wales

In 1884 the Perry family were on the move again to New
Zealand on board the “Northumberland”. They arrived in
Auckland with their children Margaret 11, Emily 8, George
6, Rebecca 4, Ellen 2 and their infant daughter Frances.
Shortly after arriving in New Zealand three more children
were born, Robert 1885, Esmeralda 1896 and Cyril 1900.
The family lived in the Waiuku area. William died aged 60
years on 28 December 1904.
Margaret died also in Waiuku on 18 October 1909 aged 55
years.
They are buried together with their son Cyril, who died in
1909, in the Waiuku cemetery

Sources:
Ancestry - Shelly Cox Family tree
My Heritage – Martin Family tree
UK Census 1881
Free Cen BMD

Researcher Joan Taylor

235

Electoral Roll: Waipa 2177 Surname: PERRY
Given names: Mary Ann Residence: Bombay
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Mary Ann PERRY was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Jane Perry. Her mother, Eliza Jane LOGAN,
born in County Tyrone, Ireland, had arrived in New Zealand on 15 May 1865 as a single woman on the
Dauntless. Her father Thomas Perry had earlier sailed from Devonshire, England, as a single man on
the Bombay in March 1865. Mary Ann’s parents married in 1867 and settled in Bombay. Mary Ann
Perry, one of five children, was their eldest daughter, born 31 August 1871 at Williamson’s Clearing,
the early name for the district.

At the time of the 1893 General Election Mary Ann was living in Bombay with her father Thomas Perry
and was about 21 years old. Thomas was farming, owning freehold lots 132 and 133 Bombay. Her
mother Eliza Jane does not appear in the 1893 Electoral Roll for Waipa.

In 1894 Mary Ann married William FLAY. William was the 5th son of Charles and Mary Flay. The Flay
family had also come to New Zealand on the Bombay in 1865. William initially gained farming
experience working for his father on his farm at Bombay. Then from the age of 13 William was
employed by the Rutherford brothers on their property at St Stephens and Bombay (Rutherford Road).

The same year of his marriage to Mary Ann Perry, William purchased property on Flay Road, near the
present-day Martyn’s Estate. In 1895 William was appointed manager for the Rutherford Estate, a
farm of about 1,000 acres which extended from the old Great South Road at Bombay to Runciman
Road at Pukekohe East. In his spare time William worked at improving his property on Flay’s Road and
in 1904 Mary Ann and the family moved into the new home built there which they named “Totara
View.”

Mary Ann had a large family, with six sons and four daughters surviving infancy. The children all
attended Bombay School travelling by horseback, leaving the ponies in the horse paddock adjacent to
the school while they attended to their lessons. Mary and William Flay’s eldest sons, William jnr and
Charles both served in WW1.

Mary Ann Flay died on 10 July 1946 age 75 and is buried in the Bombay Presbyterian Church Cemetery
along with her husband who died 16 years later. The inscriptions read: In loving memory of Mary Ann
loved wife of William Flay, died 10th July 1946 aged 75 years, “Until the day break”. William loved
husband of Mary Ann Flay, died 10th August 1862 aged 88 years.

Sources: 1893 Electoral Roll; NZ Historical bdm; Papers Past; NZSG Burial Index; 1965-2015 Bombay, The Next 50 Years.
Compiled by Lynda Muir and Christine Madsen.

236

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3463 Surname: PICKARD
Given names: Elizabeth Mary Theresa Residence: Rama Rama
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Signature on her will dated 1936

Elizabeth Mary (Theresa) PICKARD was born in New Zealand on 21 February 1871 to William John
Pickard and Mary Anne SMITH. She had two sisters (one died very young) and a brother.
She lived with her parents and siblings at Ramarama on a farm until they they shifted to Water St,
Otahuhu, Auckland between 1911 and 1914, a property they called Lincoln Brae. Her father had
died in 1900. After the death of her mother she continued to live with her sister Sarah, who she left
her small estate to, according to her will.
Her birth, death, signature, probate and headstone do not have the third name Theresa mentioned
but on every electoral roll from 1893 until 1935 (as below) that is how she was known.

1919 Manukau electoral roll

A memorial notice in Auckland Star 11 Feb 1939

Sources: paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; NZ electoral rolls from Ancestry.co.uk; headstone photo – www.billiongraves.com
Researcher: Heather Maloney

237

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3794 Surname: PICKARD
Given names: Emily Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Emily and her twin brother Arthur were born in 1856 in Cossington, Leicestershire, England to James
Hudson and Mary Hannah COATON.

Emily’s mother passed away when she was 10.

In the 1871 census, when she was 15, she was a servant for a family with 6 children, and 10 years
later in 1881 she was 25 and a head hosiery forewoman and living in Pike Yard in Leicester.

Emily Hudson is noted in the Auckland Star of 17 October 1884 as being a passenger and emigrant
from London on the steamship ‘Doric’. This ship had called at Tenerife, Cape Town, and Hobart
before finally arriving in Wellington with the ‘Doric’s Auckland passengers then arriving on the ‘Te
Anau’ to Auckland.

Emily at 33 married George PICKARD, a widower, his wife having passed
away in 1888 leaving 6 children with the youngest only a year old. They
were married at St Barnabas’s Church in Mt Eden in February 1889. George
had also come from Leicester from a family of successful woollen yarn
spinners.

He was a storekeeper in Waiuku for a number of years before turning his
hand to dairy farming. The farm known as ‘Knighton’ was at Whiriwhiri, a
few miles out of Waiuku.

Emily and George had 3 children, George Eastwood Inglesant born in 1890,
and John Henry Tupara born in 1892, who was sent to Gallipoli in WW1 but died from his wounds on
the hospital ship ‘Derflinger’ in the Dardenelles in 1915. The youngest and only daughter Muriel
Johnson was born in 1898.

Emily died on 7 March 1910 aged 54 at her residence ‘Knighton’ and is buried in the Waiuku
cemetery.

Sources:
Paperspast
Pickard Family History
Findmypast

Researcher: Gillian Conroy

238

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3464 Surname: PICKARD
Given names: Mary Ann Residence: Rama Rama
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

One can only imagine the changes that Mary Ann(e) SMITH must have experienced in her 92 years.
She was born in 1837 and died in 1929. She married William John PICKARD (1832-1900) on 28
January 1869 and they had 3 daughters (one who died very young) and a son.

Auckland Star 24 June 1929

Sources: paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; www.billiongraves.com
Researcher: Heather Maloney

239

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3795 Surname: PIESEEY*
Given names: Jane Residence: Whangarata
Occupation: farmer Qualification: residential

When the Lebu docked at Auckland on 28 September 1878 it marked the end of a horror 120-day
voyage during which a terrific storm was experienced that resulted in the death of the captain and
serious injuries to some of the crew. Among the passengers on board the Lebu were Jane ARMITAGE
and James PIERCY*.

It is not known if Jane and James knew each other before they immigrated to New Zealand or whether
theirs was a shipboard romance, but a few days after arriving in Auckland they were married on 2
October 1878.

By 1890 Jane and James were farming at Whangarata. Little is known about their life there and no
record can be found of the birth of any children. Jane’s name appears on the 1893 and 1896 electoral
rolls as Jane PIESEEY, but it is believed that her surname was misspelt. In 1911 James is recorded as a
poultry farmer living at Wiri, Papatoetoe and it is here that he died intestate in 1912. No further
record has been found of Jane.

Sources:
“The Barque Lebu” in New Zealand Herald 30 September 1878 - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
BDM records - https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
Electoral rolls - https://www.ancestry.com.au
Researcher – Sandra Brasell

240

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3467 Surname: PIGGOTT
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Bombay
Occupation: housekeeper Qualification: residential

Her signature from her will dated 1918

Elizabeth PARSONS was born in London about 1840. In 1860, at the age of 21 Elizabeth married
William Charles PIGGOTT.

William (25), Elizabeth (24) with their son William (3) and daughter Elizabeth (5 months) travelled on
the “Bombay” to New Zealand. They settled in Bombay where William becoming a freehold farmer
– lots 127 to 129.

Elizabeth and William would have seven more children. James (b1866), Lucy (b1869), Susan (b1871),
Agnes (b1874), John (b1876), Amy (b1880), and Clara (b1883). Their sons also farmed in the Bombay
area.

Prior to 1905, Elizabeth and William moved to Kitchener Village Hamlet, Avondale. This was a
Government leasehold housing scheme, established as a workers settlement in the late 1890’s.
Many of these hamlets were established but the schemes did not catch on and the government was
forced to offer freeholds in many cases.

Electoral rolls show that after William’s death on 3 December 1911, Elizabeth lived with her
daughter in Newmarket.

In Elizabeth’s will she left money to her four
married daughters and the balance of her estate
to her three sons, but there was no mention of
her two daughters who were single.

Elizabeth passed away, aged 86 on 8 August 1926,
after being a widow for almost 15 years. She is buried with William at Avondale Cemetery.

Sources:

Newspapers - Papers past; Marriage record – ancestry; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz;
Probate records – www.familysearch.org

Researcher: Lynda Muir Compiler: Joan Taylor

241

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2364 Surname: PILGRIM
Given names: Ada Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Ada CHADWICK was born at Paparoa, North
Auckland, New Zealand, on 13 September
1867, the sixth child of John Chadwick, a
farmer, and his wife, Hannah Mary BLAKELY.
The Chadwick family had emigrated from
Lancashire, England, arriving in Auckland on the
Gala in December 1865.

John Chadwick took up bush-clad land on the
Pahi River, under the auspices of the Albertland
settlement, but about 1868 moved to the Pahi
landing where he set up a store for the benefit
of fellow settlers. Once they were of school age
Ada and her sisters walked several miles to
Paparoa's famous 'bush boarding school' each
Monday morning, then home again on
Saturday. Ada was a competent pianist. She
was also good at sports, and many years later
recounted how at the age of 16 she had won a
mixed doubles tennis championship, partnered
by lawyer Sam Hesketh.

In the mid-1880s Ada Chadwick met Richard
Edward PILGRIM, a Pukekohe flour mill owner
some 25 years her senior. They married at
Pukekohe on 2 March 1888; there were no children.

In the 1890s the Pilgrims' mill lost its water power and with it their livelihood. By 1901 the couple had
moved to Waiorongomai, near Te Aroha, where Richard managed a goldmine. About 1903 they
retired to Wanganui and there Ada discovered her gift for healing. She had begun to massage the
crippled hand of a child whom she was teaching to play the piano. The hand was cured, and people
began coming to her with physical ailments. Soon she found herself with a practice as a healer.

In 1909 or thereabouts the Pilgrims went to live in Palmerston North, where Ada was listed in
directories as a 'specialist'; then, some five years later, they moved to Auckland. She bought a
handsome villa on Khyber Pass Road to which a constant stream of people came for treatment. She
continued to work as a healer after her husband's death in 1926 and was practising well into her 80s.
She believed that she had a gift, a kind of energy, which it was her duty to use.

Ada was a commanding figure – she was not averse to being told that she looked like Queen Mary.
Formally Anglican, she had the unassailable religious faith of many of her generation, joined to a
conviction of the essential goodness of humanity. Ada’s hope that she might live to be 100 was not
realised. She died at Elmstone Nursing Home in Auckland on 7 July 1965 aged 97. At her funeral, the
officiating minister described her as one of the most remarkable women of her generation.

Source:
John Stacpoole. Related biographies for 'Pilgrim, Ada', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1996. Te Ara
- the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3p26/pilgrim-ada/related-biographies (accessed
22 August 2018)

Researcher: Rosemary Lewis

242

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2379 Surname: POLAND
Given names: Agnes Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Agnes POLAND nee CUMMINS was born in 1863 probably in Belfast, Co Down, Ireland the daughter
of John Cummins and Margaret MISKELLY.

Agnes came to New Zealand as a baby on board the Ganges as part of her parent’s immigration with
the Waikato Immigration Scheme. The family took up land at what is now Ramarama but was referred
to as Maketu earlier on.

She married Matthew Poland at the home her father, John Cummins of Maketu on 1 October 1883.
Matthew Poland’s parents had also been passengers on the Ganges.

Agnes had 5 children born in New Zealand named John, Teresa, Margaret, Thomas and Rose, keeping
the family naming patterns alive.

Agnes died on 3 August 1941 at 3 Gundry St, Newton, Auckland and is buried at the cemetery which
was part of the Catholic Church of the Maketu. This church is now shifted from the property, but the
cemetery remains. The Cummins’ plot is high up the hill from the road and Matthew and Agnes are
buried there.

Sources:
Personal Family History

Contributor: Dianne Wilson.

243

Electoral Roll: Franklin 2381 Surname: POLAND
Given names: Mary Elizabeth Frances Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Mary Elizabeth Frances POLAND was born in Tuakau on 25 August 1870, the daughter of John and
Teresa Poland who had been passengers on the Ganges.

Mary was educated at Tuakau and in 1893 was still at home assisting with the running of the family
home. She went nursing at Thames Hospital from 1898 to 1901 and then to Auckland Hospital where
she registered in May 1902. In New Zealand the Nurses' Registration Act was passed 1901, followed
by the introduction of State Examinations throughout New Zealand. To be a registered nurse at this
time required one to have completed the three-year training and then the State examination.

In 1904 she married George DEAN from Pokeno.
The Dean family had also been part of the Waikato
Immigration arriving on the Ship Helenslee. They
married at the Anglican Church in Parnell,
Auckland which would have been a big step for
Mary to make breaking from her religious
upbringing.

George and Mary had three children: Eric born
1905, Myra born June 1909 who died in
November 1909 and Inez born 1911.

Mary died aged 50 on 24 December 1920 at
Paeroa and is buried in the Pukerimu Cemetery,
Paeroa.

Source:
Personal Family History of Diane Wilson.
Paperspast – Thames Star 30 December 1920
Contributor: Diane Wilson

244


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