The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.

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

Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search
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 2971 Surname: USHER
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth PARROTT was born in 1843 in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, England and married Thomas Gray
USHER on 2 August 1862 in Glamorgan, Wales. (Note: this information has come from a family tree
on My Heritage and has not been able to be verified, although the 1862 marriage below, was found
under the name of Thomas GRAY.)

Elizabeth and Thomas left England on 12
May 1865 and arrived in Queensland,
Australia on 11 September 1865 aboard the
Melmerby. This was to be quite a voyage as
the main masthead broke and the ship was
buffeted by violent hurricane winds. The
Brisbane Courier 11 September 1865,
reported that the ship was bringing a hardy
race of emigrants, consisting mainly of navvies, to work on the railways being constructed in
Queensland.

Their first child Mary Elizabeth Usher was born in Rockhampton, Queensland in February 1866. The
next four children were born in various parts of New South Wales, Australia and there is a report of
Thomas, a miner, being badly hurt in a fall of coal at the Warataha Mine in the Newcastle Chronicle,
18 March 1873.

The youngest two children, William and Winifred were born in New Zealand in 1879 and 1881,
making seven children in total.

Thomas and Elizabeth lived in Pukekohe where
for some years he was a butcher at the Pukekohe
Temperance Dining Rooms. From 1911 to 1919
their address in the electoral rolls was given as
King St, Pukekohe.

The 1928 Electoral Roll records Elizabeth living at
7 East St, Eden, Auckland with her daughters
Mary and Agnes.

Thomas died on 19 October 1920 and Elizabeth
on 19 September 1932. They are buried at
Pukekohe Cemetery with their second son
Gibson who died in 1912 age 35.

Sources: paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; BDM
www.dia.govt.nz; Family tree – My Heritage, Brent
Usher, Family Tree – Ancestry, Mark Usher; Probate
www.familysearch.org Researcher: Heather Maloney

395

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3898 Surname: USHER
Given names: Mary Elizabeth Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Her signature from her will written in 1947

Mary Elizabeth USHER was born in Rockhampton on 25 February 1866, the eldest child of Thomas
Gray USHER and Elizabeth PARROTT. Her parents had come from Wales to Queensland on the
‘Melmerby’, arriving on 11 September 1865.

Mary would have moved around quite a lot as a child as her oldest two brothers and two sisters
were born in various parts of New South Wales and her youngest brother and sister were born in
New Zealand.

No doubt Mary was required to help around the home and with looking after her siblings. Not a lot
is known about her but from the electoral rolls we find her living in Pukekohe from 1893 to 1919 and
in 1928 at 7 East St, Eden, Auckland with her mother and sister Agnes. She is listed as living in Totara
Avenue, Pukekohe from 1938 to 1949.

Mary Elizabeth Usher died on 18 October 1950, age 84. She was cremated and has no known
memorial site. In her will she left her estate in equal shares to the two brothers and three sisters
who were still alive.
Sources: NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk; Probate – www.familysearch.org; Burial locator – NZSG records
Usher Family trees – My Heritage and Ancestry
Researcher: Heather Maloney

396

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3900 Surname: VAUGHAN
Given names: Florrie* Residence: Kariotahi
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Florrie was born Florence* Saretta to Thomas VAUGHAN and Elizabeth CHRISP on 7 April 1872. She
was the fourth child and had three older sisters and four younger brothers.

The family were living in Carleton Road, Parnell and her father was a builder in Auckland. Thomas
then purchased land to farm – lot 7 at Kariotahi – and the family moved to Waiuku West.

Sadly, in 1893 Florrie’s older sister Emily became very unwell. Her severe cold turned to
consumption and Emily passed away on 22 June.

With her brother Augustus taking on more of the farm-work, Florrie’s parents made the move back
to Auckland, settling at St Helier’s Bay.

On 20 January 1904 at Remuera, Florence married Thomas FORDYCE, a grocer, the son of Thomas
Fordyce and Isabella INGLIS.

There were two children and several moves.

Marjorie Serrita was born on 29 January 1906 and they were living at Churton Street, Parnell.

A son, George Inglis, was born 5 May 1910. They now were living in Hill Street, New Market.

When in 1929 Florence and Thomas celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary they were living at 47
Wheturangi Road, Greenlane.

In 1935 they were still in Greenlane. Thomas
was a clerk and George a carpenter.

Marjorie was married to Rev. George William
JACKSON and they lived at 8 Aratonga Ave,
Greenlane. George married Melva Joyce
THOMSON and they were living at 20 Namata
Road, Onehunga.

Florence and Thomas continued to live at Wheturangi Road but at number 37. In 1957 Thomas
stated his occupation was a warehouseman but six years later he had retired.

Florence passed away 24 May 1965, aged 94, and Thomas on 18 May 1969, aged 95.

They were both buried at Mangere Cemetery.

Sources:
www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz Papers past and Census Records

Researcher: Penny Prescott

Note: Florence’s second name was mostly recorded as Serrita as was her daughter’s second name.

397

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3901 Surname: VAUGHAN
Given names: Lizzie Residence: Kariotahi
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Lizzie was born Elizabeth CHRISP on 25 March 1845 in Blyth, Northumberland, England, to James
Chrisp and Elizabeth SHIPLEY. She was the fifth of eight children.

Elizabeth married Thomas VAUGHAN on 2 April 1866 at St Mary’s in Parnell, Auckland, by the
Venerable Archdeacon Lloyd. Thomas was born to George Vaughan and Caroline Honor SMITH on 2
September 1827 at Islington, London, England. He was the fourth child of five.

They had eight children: Emily (1867), Kate (1868 Mrs C.J. West), Mabel Caroline (1869 Mrs A.
Holmes), Florence Saretta (1872 Mrs T. Fordyce), Thornton Dudley (1873), Augustus Selwyn (1876),
Thomas Walter (1880) and Frederick Louie (1882).

Thomas had a freehold property in Carleton Road with a dwelling on it – Lot 40 – Parnell area in
1875 but by 1880 he had Lot 39 and 40, of 4, section 3. He was earning his living as a builder and
must have been able to provide well for his family, for by 1890 they were farming on freehold land –
Lot 7, Waiuku West – consisting of 142 acres.

During 1893 there was much sickness around New Zealand with the measles epidemic but for
Elizabeth the concern was her eldest daughter Emily. Emily had caught a severe cold during 1892
and unfortunately it turned to consumption and she passed away 22 June. There was a service at
the Holy Trinity Church in Waiuku with a large cortege in recognition of both Emily and her parents.

Elizabeth and Thomas continued to farm at ‘Hollybank’, Karioitahi, and their son Augustus Selwyn
joined them working the farm. When Elizabeth and Thomas eased away from the farm work
Augustus continued to farm the property. When Elizabeth and Thomas eventually retired, late
1900’s, they headed back to somewhere familiar and settled in the beautiful beach area of St
Helier’s Bay. Some of the family were living nearby in the Remuera/One Tree Hill/Newmarket
regions of Auckland.

Sadly, Thomas passed away on 9 July 1916,
aged 89, at the residence of his daughter,
Florence, who was living in Newmarket at
the time. He was buried in Waiuku
Cemetery.

Later Elizabeth moved to a smaller home in
Green Lane.

Elizabeth passed away on 23 June 1928,
aged 83, and was buried with her husband,
and eldest daughter Emily.

Sources:
NZ BDM Historical Records, Cemetery Records, Electoral Rolls
PapersPast MARRIAGES Daily Southern Cross, 28 Apr 1866 and DEATHS Auckland Star, 15 July 1916

Researcher: Penny Prescott

398

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3580 Surname: VINCE
Given names: Jane Residence: Bombay
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Among the passengers on the ship Bombay when it docked in Auckland on 18 March 1865 were
William VINCE aged 31 and Jane PRIOR aged 24. William was a widower and Jane was unmarried.
They were the only passengers of those surnames on board. They may have struck up a friendship
during the voyage for just over a year later they were married on 3 April 1866 by Rev Thomas Hamer
of the Congregational Church in Albert Street, Auckland.

Jane was born on 18 December 1841 at Rogate, Sussex, England. William was born on 15 March 1833
at Kings Somborne, Hampshire, England.

Jane and William had eight children, born over 20 years: William John, Sarah Jane, Harriet Elizabeth,
Caroline, Charles Henry, George, Ernest Edward and Lily Helena.

In the 1893 Electoral Roll, Jane and William were recorded living in Bombay, farming and owning
freehold Lots 134 and 147. Jane’s husband was at the forefront of horticulture in the district. A keen
gardener, a skill he initially learned in the home country, William was well known for his intensive
orchard, successfully growing peaches, plums, apples, grapes, gooseberries etc, most of which he
propagated himself. He also put in crops such as wheat, oats, barley, maize and pumpkins.

Jane’s eldest daughter, Sarah Jane, died in 1891 at the age of 23 leaving her husband Henry BILLING a
widower with two children, the youngest just a month old. The two boys were raised by Jane and
William. The following year, 1892, Jane’s eldest son William John died.

In 1916 Jane and William celebrated their
Golden Wedding Anniversary. A notice
appeared in the New Zealand Herald of 22
April 1916 stating they were living on
Parlmoutt Road (possibly Portsmouth Road),
Bombay.

William died in 1917 at the aged of 85. Jane
spent the last period of her life living with her
daughter Caroline and son-in-law James
Rothery in Stratford.

The Stratford Evening Post of 26 March 1925 reported
Jane’s passing and she was buried at St Peter’s in the
Forest, Bombay. No headstone exists. She had been a
widow for about eight years.

Sources: Papers Past, Franklin Pioneer Register, NZ Historical bdm. Researched by Lynda Muir.

399

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3006 Surname: WALKER
Given names: Bertha Jane Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: dressmaker Qualification: residential

Her signature from her will dated 1941

Bertha Jane WALKER was the third daughter of
Emily Caroline WIDGERY (1840-1901) and Thomas
WALKER (1840-1906). She was born on 25 April
1869 and had seven sisters and one brother born
between 1864 and 1883.

In 1897 in Victoria, Australia, Bertha married
Frederick Reginald JONES (1867-1941). Frederick
had been born in Sydney but between 1893 and
1896 he had been a farmer at Buckland, New
Zealand. He had mining interests in Australia and
had discovered the famed Mayflower gold mine.

In 1901 Bertha and Frederick returned to New Zealand and took up land at Orere Point. They also
farmed in the Waikato and North Auckland before retiring to Auckland. On the 1928 electoral roll,
they were recorded as living in Frankton where Frederick was a hotel proprietor. The family had
many moves within Auckland before Bertha settled in Sanders Ave, Takapuna after Frederick’s
death.

Bertha and Frederick had two children;

Edna Clarice Hamlin born 1904 and Frederick Reginald born 1909.

Frederick died on 14 July 1941 while living at Landscape Road, Mt Eden and was cremated, and
Bertha died while on holiday in Hamilton on 13 December 1954. She was also cremated at
Waikumete cemetery, Auckland – cemetery record below.

Sources:
bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk; cemetery records – ancestry.co.uk
Newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; Widgery/ Walker/ Oldham Family Tree – ancestry.co.uk
Google - Lady sewing clip art
Researcher: Mary Mercer

400

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3007 Surname: WALKER
Given names: Emily Caroline Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: shopkeeper Qualification: residential

Emily Caroline WALKER born in Bristol, England was the daughter of Caroline and Thomas WIDGERY.

Emily must have met Thomas Walker in Bristol as she followed him to New Zealand in 1863. Thomas
had arrived in Otago the year before and had worked as a carpenter in Queenstown and Invercargill.
They were married in St John’s Anglican Church, Invercargill on 3 January 1864.

Not long after their wedding Thomas took up 130 acres at Tuakau. He was one of the earliest to
start flax-milling in the district. Mr. Walker was also the principal storekeeper in Tuakau for about
twenty years. He disposed of his business in 1895 and returned to farming, a holding of some 510
acres.

Emily and Thomas raised a family of nine, eight girls and one son,
Alfred born in 1879.

Emily’s parents Caroline and Thomas WIDGERY joined their
daughter in Tuakau in 1878.

The New Zealand Herald reports several passings of old settlers on
25 July 1901 one of which was Emily.

Sources.
Cyclopaedia of New Zealand- Auckland Province
Findmypast
Paperpast NZ
NZBDM
Waikato Districts Cemetery Database.
Researcher: Mary Mercer

401

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3003 Surname: WALKER
Given names: Martha Jane Residence: Pukekohe East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

The 1893 Electoral Roll for Franklin lists four Martha Jane and her husband Robert are both
members of this family at Pukekohe East: buried at the Pukekohe East Presbyterian
Church Cemetery along with their two sons,
WALKER, Robert, Pukekohe, settler, James and David.
freehold, part lot 11, Pukekohe;
Sources: Papers Past, NZSG Cemetery Records,
Walker, Martha Jane, Pukekohe East, Archives NZ.
domestic duties, residential; Compiled by Christine Madsen and Lynda Muir.

Walker, James, Pukekohe East,
labourer, residential;

Walker, Robert Henry, Pukekohe East,
contractor, residential.
Martha Jane and her husband Robert had 10
children. Unfortunately Martha Jane Walker
died intestate in September of 1915. However
legal documents revealed she had been
married only once, and at the time of her death
had eight living children. The documents very
helpfully gave the name and age of each of her
children then living along with the surname of
her married daughters and the occupation of
her sons and sons-in-law. The family
confirmed “That since the death of the said
deceased we have had access to her papers and
repositories and that we have searched
diligently therein for any will or testamentary
writing made or signed by the said deceased
and that we have been unable to find any such
will or testamentary writing.” The document
was signed by each of her children. There were
two other sons: James who had died at the age
of 34 in 1901 and David William who had died
tragically two years later at the age of 26.
The children of Martha and Robert Walker
were:

• John, Whakapirau, farmer born 1866
• David William born 1867 died 1903
• James born 1868, died 1901
• Martha Jane born 1870, married

Robert David MATCHETT, settler
• Robert Henry born 1873, Kaukapapa

Railway employee
• Angelina born 1875, married William

John McGOUGH, settler

• Edward born 1878, farmer
• Adeline born 1880, married Robert

James Shepherd Walker, iron founder
• Caroline born 1884, married Allan

LOCKYER, Takapuna Gas Company
employee, and
• Christina born 1887 spinster.

402

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3009 Surname: WALKER
Given names: Mary Ann Residence: Mauku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Her signature from Joseph’s probate records 1913

Mary was born Mary Ann(e) Jane KERR, daughter of Robert and Mary Kerr who, at the ages of fifty
and forty years respectively, had made the decision to bring their family to New Zealand from
Northern Ireland. They arrived in Auckland, as part of the Waikato Immigration Scheme in 1865 on
the Dauntless with their five children – one son and four daughters.

Mary Ann, the eldest daughter, was seventeen when she arrived and after some time in Auckland
the family moved to their allotment at Patumahoe. They had not been there very long when tragedy
struck, and the family lost their house and all their possessions to a fire, while they were all out on
the farm working. The girls were washing flax in the creek and had their oldest clothes on – the only
items that they saved. Luckily the people of the district rallied around and gave them clothes and
household goods.

Mary Ann helped at home and also worked in service until her marriage to Joseph WALKER in 1870.
Joseph and Mary were fully involved in the community with Joseph serving on the School
Committee, Roads Board, Mauku Racing Club, People’s Warden at St Bride’s Church and clerk and
collector of rates for the Roads Board in 1893 as well as farming.

They had five children – two sons and three daughters. The girls all remained single.

On retiring from farming about 1900, Joseph and Mary took up a general store in Mt Albert which
they ran until Joseph’s death on 24 June 1913.

Mary Ann Jane Walker died on 2 May 1925 and despite being survived by all five of her children, she
left her estate to her three single daughters.

She is buried with Joseph at Waikaraka cemetery, Auckland.

Sources: Old newspapers - paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; Probate records – www.familysearch.org;
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk.
Researcher: Heather Maloney

403

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3908 Surname: WALKER
Given names: Mary Hannah Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: housekeeper Qualification: residential

Mary Hannah WALKER was the eldest daughter of William Walker of Tuakau. No mention is made of
her mother in any record of Mary’s marriage. In a newspaper report of Mary’s marriage to George
Samuel WHITESIDE in 1894 it says she was attended by her sisters Violet and Ruth.

Ruth and Violet’s mother was Sarah and their father William. There is no record of Mary’s birth in
New Zealand.

Mary and George lived for a time at Onewhero where George was an engineer for the Raglan County
Council. Later they can be found in Whakatane where Mary died 4 April 1931.

Mary bore nine children between 1896 and 1913 which must have kept her busy as nothing can be
found of any community or church activities.

Sources

Paper Past.
bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
Researcher. Mary Mercer

404

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3910 Surname: WALKER
Given names: Sarah Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: farmer Qualification: residential

Sarah, according to her obituary, came to New Zealand at an early age from Yorkshire but no record
of this or her marriage to William WALKER has been found.

Sarah and William had at least three daughters – Mary Hannah, Violet Sarah Nickyeson and Ruth,
and two sons James and Samuel Mitchell, born between 1870 and 1882.

Sarah called herself a ‘farmer of Tuakau’ on the 1893 electoral roll, while William gave his
occupation as ‘labourer from Harrisville’, but on later rolls Sarah’s occupation was described as
domestic duties. By 1911 they were both living at Buckland where Sarah lived until her death. After
marrying Alfred GILL in 1898, daughter Violet died in 1917, leaving three young children, thus Sarah
was survived by two daughters and two sons.

Sarah died on 7 June 1924 and William died at his daughter’s place in Palmerston North on 10 May
1931. They are both buried in Pukekohe cemetery.
Sources:
Newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk;
Probate records – familysearch.org; Headstone photo – NZ Society of Genealogists Franklin Branch

Researcher: Heather Maloney

405

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3005 Surname: WALKER
Given names: Susan Residence: Pukekohe East
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Susan was born in County Carlow, Ireland in Eight years after their arrival a paid
1833. Five years after her marriage in 1855 to advertisement endeavouring to make contact
John WALKER in Cootehill, County Cavan, with the family appeared in the Daily Southern
Ireland, Susan and her husband immigrated to Cross of 11 April 1872:
the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. They
lived there for four years before immigrating These must have been anxious years for the
once again, this time to New Zealand. family back in Ireland. They would also have
Mrs Nona MORRIS writes in “Early Days in been difficult years for the Walker family in
Franklin” of emigration from Cape Town at the New Zealand working out a living from the land
time: “While arrangements were being made at Tuhimata with their family of eight sons and
in Britain for the selection of suitable five daughters. An obituary appeared in the
immigrants, W Bert, the agent in Cape Town, New Zealand Herald of 31 May 1916:
was proceeding with his plans. The New
Zealand government had sent him instructions Both Susan and her husband are buried at the
to send 1,000 “statute” adults and passage Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church Cemetery,
money up to £10 for each adult would be but no headstone exists. An obituary in the
allowed. (In most cases the passage money Auckland Weekly News of 26 May 1916, the
from England was £16.) On 17 August 1864, he day she died, wrote of Mrs Walker’s Christian
wrote, “these instructions could not have character as a loving mother and a good
arrived at a better time, trade being very dull neighbour.
here, excepting the Breakwater no public works
going on, and in consequence a great number Sources: Electoral Rolls, Archives NZ, Papers Past, NZSG
of good skilled mechanics and labourers out of Cemetery Fiche, Early Days in Franklin by Nona Morris.
employ. On one single advertisement I had Researched by Nancy Hawks and collated by Christine
more than one thousand applicants, and so Madsen and Lynda Muir
great was the rush that the windows in my
store were broken, and I was obliged to send
for the police to disperse the crowd. Of the
applicants made, I have at present selected
about eight hundred, and I feel satisfied that
you will in every respect approve of my
selections…”
Susan and John Walker were among these
passengers seeking a better life in New
Zealand. Among the five ships that carried
these government immigrants from South
Africa was the Maori, on which the Walkers
sailed, under the command of Captain ASHBY.
She sailed from Table Bay on 8 November 1864
and arrived in Auckland Harbour on 23
December, two days before Christmas.
Initially the settlers from the Maori were
dispatched to the Onehunga Barracks. On 13
February they were sent on to Drury and for a
time the men were engaged in road building.
Eventually Susan and John were among those
who were settled at Tuhimata and it was here
they spent the rest of their days.

406

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3039 Surname: WALLER
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Puni
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth was born in Opotiki, New Zealand about 1850.
She was one of nine children, three sons and six
daughters of James Alexander McGREGOR (1819-1866)
and Hohipaia (Sophia) NGAPUHI (1830-1880). Her father
was a shipwright and then a timber merchant.

Elizabeth married Thomas WALLER in Auckland in 1870.
Thomas had come to New Zealand in 1865 on the
Dauntless, aged 20 and appeared to be travelling alone.
He was a bootmaker at Coromandel but failing eyesight
compelled him to look for a new occupation and the
Wallers moved to Puni where they farmed and Thomas
was a millhand.

NZ Herald 24 Aug 1870

Elizabeth and Thomas had eleven children – six daughters and five sons and times must have been
tough when Thomas eventually went blind. In his obituary it was said, “that he held a most
optimistic outlook on life and was well liked in the district”. A daughter in law had the intruiging
name of Ailie Victoria Diamond Jubilee IRWIN.
Following Elizabeth’s death on 7 May 1919 an auction was held to dispose of the livestock and
implements. The advertisment stated on account of the estate of Mrs Elizabeth Waller which would
have been unusual at that time especially as she died intestate. A report in the paper on her sudden
death described Elizabeth as a well known and highly esteemed resident of Puni.
Thomas died in 1923 and they are buried together at Pukekohe cemetery.

Sources:
Family Tree & photo: My Heritage – Gerald Healey
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz;
Probate record- www.familysearch.org;
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz

Researcher: Judith Batt Compiler: Heather Maloney

407

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3040 Surname: WALLIS
Given names: Sarah Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Sarah WALLIS nee COULDREY, born in 1863 in Abingdon, Berkshire and daughter of Robert and Emily
Couldrey, arrived in New Zealand with her parents aboard the Warwick in 1873.

In the 1871 census her father Robert is listed as a shoemaker, a trade he worked at all his life until a
few months before his death. It was claimed that at age of 94 he was probably the oldest
shoemaker in the world.

In 1873 when the family arrived at Auckland the province was experiencing a slight depression, the
aftermath of the Maori War. Unable to find work, her father became a letter carrier in Auckland. In
1880 the family moved to Clevedon and opened a bootmaker’s shop.

Sarah married Thomas James Wallis (newspaper records the name WALLACE) on 21 July 1886 at All
Souls’ Church, Wairoa South (Clevedon).

Sarah and Thomas farmed at Harrisville where Thomas took an active part in the community. Sarah
no doubt was busy with their six children, all girls:

• Bessie Mildred b.1887 married Andrew ALEXANDER 1909
• Gladys Vera b. 1888 married John SHAW 1912
• Ethel Ledderiud b.1890 married Edward Harold JOHNS 1911
• Ella Isabel b.1891 never married
• Freda Emily b. 1892 married Edward Morrison WILSON 1928, and
• Lillie Alma b. 1893 married Robert John ALEXANDER 1923.

Thomas suffered with an illness for several years before
he died aged 42 in 1901 and he is buried at Tuakau.
Sarah moved back to Clevedon where she lived in a small
cottage until her death in 1941 aged 78.
Sources:
NZBDM www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
Papers Past. www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers
Billion Graves
Findmypast.
Researcher: Mary Mercer

408

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3902 Surname: WALTER
Given names: Elizabeth Grace Residence: Mauku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth Grace WALTER was born at Papakura on 30 January 1857 to parents Margaret (nee MUNRO)
and George Gould WALTER who married on 31 March 1856 in New Zealand and were early settlers to
the Papakura district. At the time of her birth her father George was publican of the Papakura Hotel
(Walter’s Inn). In 1858 George bought land from Major James Speedy a military man who retired to
New Zealand and owned land at Lower Mauku. George then built a single-storey hotel, Mauku Inn,
on this land at the upper end of the Taihiki Estuary. This area was a busy port for the district and in
1860 a provisional Publican’s Bush License was granted for the Mauku Inn.

Unhappy times lay ahead for little Elizabeth Grace and her younger sister Harriett (b.1860). Their baby
brother, named for his father George Gould, died at Mauku on 21 September 1962 aged 3 months,
and the following February their mother Margaret died suddenly after a very short period (48 hours)
of illness. Margaret was only 24.

In 1868 when Elizabeth was 11, her father married a widow, Mrs Sarah Ann MIDDLEMAS of Drury
whose husband Joseph Middlemas had died tragically in a fatal road accident in 1862. Sarah’s children
and George’s daughters were soon joined by a half-sister Helen Jane Walter, born in 1869.

The 1893 electoral roll states Elizabeth Grace Walter and her stepmother Sarah Ann Walter as
residential at Mauku and occupations as household duties. For her father George that he is a farmer
at Mauku, owning freehold land (known as “The Grange”) plus commercial interest in the Globe Hotel
at Papakura. George died at his residence The Grange on 25 June 1898 aged 70 and is buried at
Papakura Cemetery with his first wife Margaret.

George’s three daughters all became romantically involved with three brothers, sons of Robert WILLIS,
storekeeper of Papakura. Harriett married Robert John Willis in 1883 and Helen, known as Nellie,
married Alfred Willis in 1899. Elizabeth was engaged to a third brother William Papakura Willis who
unfortunately died suddenly on 21 November 1894
aged 36. His obituary says he was a very kind,
hospitable man, well liked in the district. Again, a very
sad loss for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth remained a spinster, living in both Mauku and
Papakura districts for the duration of her long life of 90
years. After her step mother Sarah died in 1904, she
moved to Papakura, living at 8 Wellington Street. She
died on 6 June 1947 and is buried at Papakura Cemetery
with her sister Harriett Willis and family.

Researcher: Madeleine Judson

Sources: Family Search; Papers Past; BMD NZ; NZ Cemeteries Index; NZSG Burial Locator CD; My Heritage; Papakura
Museum; Ancestry; Auckland Libraries; bk: “Patumahoe: History & Memories”; headstone photograph by Glennise
Ferguson from Find a Grave .

409

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3903 Surname: WALTER
Given names: Sarah Ann Residence: Mauku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Sarah Ann LANGRIDGE was born 8 March 1832 to parents Edward
and Sarah at Maresfield, Sussex, England. At 18 she married a
widower Joseph MIDDLEMAS (b.1820) at the parish church
Fletching, Sussex on 14 April 1850. They lived in London where a
daughter Mary Ann was born 1850 and in 1852 a son Stephen who
only lived a few hours. At this point in their lives the big decision
must have been made to immigrate to New Zealand. A very big and
brave decision indeed!

A shipping report in The New Zealander on 23 November 1853
advises that Mr and Mrs Middlemas and child (Mary Ann 1850 –
1870) had arrived at the Port of Auckland from Melbourne on the
ship ‘Ocean’.

Joseph obtained farming land at Slippery Creek, Drury and opened a
store there fronting onto the Great South Road. In December 1857 he became the first Postmaster
for Drury operating the Post Office from his store. In a sudden tragic accident, when returning home
from Auckland on the night of 15 November 1862,
Joseph was killed when his spring cart overturned
near the Papakura bridge. His obituary describes
him as “an enterprising settler to whom the districts
of Drury and Papakura owed much. He was in the
prime of life and died in the midst of his usefulness”.
Joseph was only 42 and left a young widow, grieving
and pregnant with their seventh child. Sarah
Matilda was born on 16 January 1863. With true
pioneer spirit Sarah carried on their business
becoming the Postmistress and the storekeeper.

In 1868 Sarah remarried. Her new husband George Gould WALTER was a widower whose young wife
had died in 1863 leaving two young daughters Elizabeth Grace b.1857 and Harriett b.1860. George
had farming land at Mauku having bought half of Major James Speedy’s farm in 1856, and he also
owned the Mauku Inn and the Papakura Hotel. In 1869 they welcomed a new child into their family,
a daughter Helen Jane Walter known as Nellie. Sarah’s daughter Jane Middlemas had died in 1863
aged five, of acute tonsillitis and two baby sons had died in infancy. Then her first born, Mary Ann,
died in 1870 aged 20, leaving only three surviving of her seven children from her first marriage.

In the 1893 electoral roll, Sarah and George are living on the farm at Mauku with George’s eldest
daughter Elizabeth. George died there in 1898 and is buried in Papakura Cemetery with his first wife
Margaret. Sarah died a few years later in 1904 and is buried in St John’s Anglican Cemetery at Drury
with her first husband Joseph. In her death notice in the Auckland Star, she requested that no
mourning be worn at her funeral.

Researcher: Madeleine Judson

Sources: Papers Past; BMD NZ; Family Search; Ancestry; My Heritage: Papakura Museum; FreeBMD; NZ Cemeteries Index;
NZSG Burial Locator; Photographs: first post office Drury, courtesy Papakura Museum; Sarah Ann Middlemas, courtesy Healy
Family Tree, My Heritage.

410

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3904 Surname: WALTERS
Given names: Margaret Aitken Residence: Waiuku East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret Aitken was born on 31 January 1862 at Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland the 10th child of
James Bain PYE and his wife Elizabeth nee McLEISH. Sadly, Elizabeth died following her birth. James
and his five surviving children (five died) – Isabella (15) Mary (14) Janet (8) James (6) and baby
Margaret – travelled on the ‘Ganges’ and arrived in Auckland in October 1863 as part of the ‘special’
settlement of Pollok.

A house was built against the hillside on the rugged land below Barthow Road. Before leaving
Scotland James had arranged with a lady – Helen McKINNELL – to follow the family to New Zealand.
They married on her arrival about a year later.

On 13 May 1881 Margaret married Joseph Walters and the following children were born:

Lily Elizabeth Walters b. 6-3-1882 d. 25-3-1963
Ella Florence Walters b. 22-9-1966 d. 22-9-1966
Howard Stanley Walters b. July-Sept 1885 d. 4-7-1958
Herbert Lorraine Walters b. 10-10-1978 d. 26-11-1978
Alfred Aitken Walters b. 29-11-1891 d. 25-9-1983
Stillbirth Female b.25-2-1893
Ida Phyllis Walters b. 22-4-1895 d. 1948, and
Ivan Clifford Walters b. 13-2-1897 d. 23-7-1979.

The marriage wasn’t to last and Margaret and Joseph divorced.

Margaret married Zenas OWEN, a widower on 30 April 1918 and lived in Hamilton. This marriage
too had difficulties but Margaret and Zenas are on the election rolls as living at Beachholm Road,
Takapuna in 1925 where they stayed for ten years until Zenas died in August 1936 aged 86.

In 1937 Margaret moved to Onehunga and in 1942 was at 7 Anglesea Street in Ponsonby which she
said she much enjoyed after having been five years in Onehunga. It was there at her daughter Ella’s
home that Margaret died on 7 March 1951 and she is buried at Purewa Cemetery.

Margaret said once, “when we lived in the Pollok we could go to town in the steamer; then the
roads got better, and people went by rail so goodbye steamer”.

Sources:
“A Far Away Land” by Lloyd Walker
Jan 1862; citing GOVAN, LANARK, SCOTLAND, reference, index based upon
data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL
microfilm 6,035,516.
New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966," database, FamilySearch
AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME LII, ISSUE 86, 12 APRIL 1921
www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Photo, diaries – Family Collection (Mrs. Allonby & Elizabeth Hull)

Researcher: Penny Prescott

411

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3905 Surname: WALTERS
Given names: Mary Ann Residence: Waiuku East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Mary Ann EDDY was baptised on 3 February 1839 at Sancreed, Cornwall. She was one of 10 children
born to James (1799-1878) and Jenifer Jane (nee BOASE ,1801-1885) Eddy.

Mary Ann arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on the City of Auckland, on 11 December 1870 having
left London on 14 September 1870.

Mary Ann married William WALTERS (1836-1913) in the Waiuku Methodist Church on 24 December
1870. He had arrived in Auckland on board the Aboukir on 6 September 1870.

The couple settled on a farm on the Aka Aka swamp – owned 200 acres on the Aka Aka Stream Rd
called Lot 2 and 3 and also 68 acres on a wedge of land by the Aka Aka Dairy Factory.

In 1893 they also had 80 acres on the corner of Aka Aka Stream Rd and Hill Rd. The villa on the
corner on the rise stands there today (2018).

Mary Ann and William farmed for many years until their retirement into Waiuku to 193 Colombo Rd.

Mary Ann and William had 7 children:

Amelia Jane (1871-1970) Elizabeth Ann (1873-1942)

Richard William (1875-1950) James (1876-1951)

William John (1879-1911) Bertha Mary (1881-1953)

Leonard Jewell (1884-1951)

Mary Ann died on 17 October 1921 at Waiuku and is buried with
her husband in the Waiuku Cemetery.

Sources:
Ancestryuk
Researcher: Barbara Raven

412

Electoral Roll: Franklin 4157 Surname: WALTERS
Given names: Susan Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Susan BEAUMONT was born in England c1845 and John WALTERS in Wales, c1838. They were
married on 5 May 1865 in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.

They had one child, John Frederick a.k.a. Frederick John, who was born in London, England, January
1866. The family spent some time in the U.S.A. when Frederick was young, before returning to
England and finally heading for New Zealand.

The family, John, Susan, Frederick and Annie (a niece) came to New Zealand on the British Empire on
4 February 1880. The passenger list shows John, Mrs Walters, Frederick and Miss Walters. Although
their voyage was quick there was sickness on board, both the measles and scarlet fever, and on
arrival in Auckland they were placed in quarantine.

On the 1890 Electoral Roll, John (engineer) and John Frederick (plumber) are living in Pitt Street,
Auckland. Soon after, John and Susan go farming in Waiuku, but the country life did not appear to
suit as they returned to Auckland, settling in Panmure, by 1900. Susan has the occupation of
milliner.

Having migrated back to the U.S.A., Frederick married Margaret Greene WILLIAMS (Maggie) in 1890.
They had three children: Albert Windsor, 1891-1971, born in San Francisco, California; Oswald
Atholston, 1896-2000, born in New Zealand and Violet, 1905-1916, born in Solano, California.

Annie married James Emmanuel TRISTRAM on Wednesday, 23 April 1902, at the home of her uncle
and aunt, Mr and Mrs J Walters, at Grafton Road, Auckland. There appears to have been no children
from this marriage. From most newspaper articles relating to Annie it is obvious her uncle and aunt
treated her and listed her as their daughter. James was a chemist and was the second son of James
Quick and Margaret Catherine Tristram of Kihikihi.

John passed away after a lingering illness on 17 August 1911, aged 74, at the residence of his
daughter, Annie, in Bower Street, Napier and was laid to rest at the Old Napier Cemetery.

John and Susan may have gone to live with Annie because of John’s illness; however, Susan
remained with them after John’s death. By 1914 Annie and James had moved to Willis Street in
Wellington and by 1928 they were in Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland. With each move Susan went
with them.

Susan passed away 26 November 1929, aged 84, and was laid to rest at Hillsborough Cemetery.

James passed away 20 June 1935, aged 67, and Annie passed away 23 February 1938. They too
were buried at Hillsborough Cemetery.

Sources:
PapersPast, NZ BDM Historical Records, Cemetery Records, Electoral Rolls, 1870 US Census Records
Researcher: Lois Hopping

413

Electoral Roll: Waipa 2845 Surname: WARN
Given names: Ellen Residence: Pokeno
Occupation: labourer* Qualification: residential

Ellen WARN is believed to be the daughter of John Warn (1835-1911) and Bridget LANDRES (1835-
1911), from Bothwell, Lanark, Scotland who arrived in Auckland on 22 December 1864 on board the
‘Helenslee’ with their young son Richard. The family settled at Pokeno and another son John Martin
was born in 1868. It appears that Ellen’s birth in 1867 was not recorded.

On 30 June 1897 Ellen married Arthur Fielding YATES (1873-1955) and they lived at Hikurangi,
Northland where Arthur was a farmer. Two children were born to this marriage, in 1898 and 1902.
Sadly, they were each only to live a short time and Ellen died 1 September 1902, aged only 35.

She is buried at Kauri cemetery, north of Whangarei.

This is the inscription from her headstone, as transcribed by NZ Society of Genealogists members in
1979. The sad state of her headstone reflects her short, sad life.

* Ellen’s occupation on the roll is “labourer” while that of her brother Richard is “domestic duties”.
It is presumed they should be the other way around.

Sources:
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Cemetery records – ancestry.co.uk
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk
Family tree, ancestry.co.uk – R Kemeys

Researcher: Heather Maloney

414

Electoral Roll: Franklin 4158 Surname: WARREN
Given names: Rebecca Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

There are several possibilities for the birth of Rebecca WARREN, but the most likely is that she was
born in 1867 in Sligo (where her brother Francis was born), the daughter of Alexander Warren and
Elizabeth TAYLOR.

Her brother Francis, a school teacher, had arrived in New Zealand prior to 1881. Rebecca arrived in
1883 on the ship Doric and would have probably kept house for Francis, who was appointed head
teacher at Tuakau in August 1889, until his marriage to Ethel GILL on 19 April 1897.

Rebecca had travelled second saloon class on the Doric at a
cost of £36, a considerable amount in those days, so at the
age of 16 her family must have been wealthy, or her brother
paid for her.

From 1894 until 1906 she worked at Auckland Hospital as a
housemaid and she was given a farewell social on leaving the
Tuakau district, as reported by the Observer newspaper, on
24 April 1897 (just one week after the marriage of Francis).

In 1907 she married Albert Edward GIBAUD (1871-1944) in
Victoria, Australia. He was a member of the Gibaud brush-
making and manufacturing family and while he worked
there, Rebecca was the license holder of the Victorian Hotel
from 1908 until 1910, then the Crown Hotel.

Rebecca and Albert did not have a family and she lived at
various addresses in Central Melbourne until her death on 18
January 1939. Rebecca had obviously been very successful in
business as she left a very healthy estate.

Albert remarried
and died 11
September 1944 but
is buried with
Rebecca in the
Melbourne Central
cemetery, Carlton.

Sources:

NZ Electoral rolls;
Irish BDM;
trove.nla.govt.au;
Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;
Shipping record – NZ Society of Genealogists.

Researcher: Judith Batt Compiler: Heather Maloney

415

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3063 Surname: WATERS
Given names: Annie Eliza Residence: Patumahoe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

THE WEDDING PRESENT

William WATERS came from a Brethren
family but when his sweetheart, Annie Eliza,
nee HENRY (1864-1951), wanted to marry in
a Catholic church he built her one – on land
donated by the Henry family. They wed on 8
January 1890, the first couple to do so in St
Michael’s. It may have been her wedding day
but Annie still had to help with the milking on
her parents’ farm before the ceremony.

She and her new husband settled on a small
property on the corner of Eden and
Patumahoe Roads. William, who had
originally arrived in the district to build coops
for NATHAN’s ostrich farm, now built them a
fine home. They raised twelve children, three
of whom served in the Gallipoli campaign.

William spent much of his working life in the
building trade up in Auckland, often being
absent from home for weeks on end. Annie
hand milked several cows and fattened pigs
with the skim milk, earning the family an
extra £200 a year.

Sally ADAMS recalls her grandmother’s sister, Annie, as an imposing figure dressed from top to toe in
black who often mentioned the harrowing voyage out from Ireland on the Dauntless although records
show she was only a few months old.

She outlived William by eleven years. ‘Widowhood was my first experience of not having to live under
the authority of a man,’ she once said. ‘As a girl I had feared my father. As a married woman I feared
my husband.’

Sources:
Franklin County News, 17 July 1989, Franklin Life, 29 Oct. 2003, & Patumahoe: History & Memories book
Henry Family’s Oral History
Sally Adam’s recollections
Annie Waters oral history, 1949

Informants: Cathie Hutchinson, Lynley Stone, Sally Adams, Lorayn King
Photo courtesy of the Henry Family
Compiled by Wendy Clark

416

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3072 Surname: WATSON
Given names: Bridget Residence: Puni
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Bridget TOBIN was born in County Clare, Ireland c1845 and arrived
in New Zealand, aged 20, with her sister Margaret and brother
Michael on the Eveline on 22 January 1865.

Most of the passengers from this ship settled at Patumahoe and
Bridget was probably living with her brother on his farm at South
Mauku (near Puni) until her marriage to John WATSON on 22 June
1868.

John was born in Elgin, Scotland and had arrived as a 16 year old,
with his family in November 1861 on the Black Eagle. His father
managed BURTT Farm at Paerata and the family were involved in
the Land War skirmishes, narrowly avoiding death on one occasion.

Bridget and John had six children – four sons and two daughters.

The Tobin family are remembered with a busy street in the centre of Pukekohe named after them.

Bridget and John shifted to Avondale where they farmed and market gardened and it was here that
Bridget died on 30 December 1924. John died in 1929 and they are buried in the Pukekohe Catholic
Church Cemetery.

Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk
Street sign – google maps
Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZSG

Researcher: Judith Batt
Compiler: Heather Maloney

417

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3921 Surname: WATSON
Given names: Jane Residence: Patumahoe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

HAPPY WITH HER LOT Thomas’s fascination with machines meant
Jean was the first in the district to acquire a
In 1864, at the age of two, Jane GORDON washing machine. And by 1914 they owned a
(1862-1954) and her four older brothers car, only the third to grace Franklin’s roads,
emigrated from Kilmarnock, Ayrshire with which Thomas drove into a cow on the
their parents, Thomas Gordon and Jean Pukekohe-Bombay road. It had to be put down
HAMILTON. Their destination was Auckland. and the owner sued Thomas for its value.

Like most of the Helenslee passengers, the Velna Vendt remembers her grandmother,
family settled in Pokeno. Although her father Jean, as a devout Presbyterian; very active in
had been a calico printer in Scotland, he now the church.
took up farming. And it was a farmer that Jane
(known as Jean) married in 1884; a Thomas “She was also a gifted needlewoman who, not
WATSON, also Scottish, whose family had only managed a household of 13 children, but
come out from South Africa on the Eveline. found time to sew garments by hand as an
outworker for Smith and Caughey. Between all
After the wedding celebrations they travelled this she took her rostered turn teaching sewing
by horseback from Pokeno to Thomas’s home at Patumahoe School.”
in Patumahoe where they raised thirteen
children. Except for the youngest, Jean “I recall her as a woman who was happy with
delivered the entire brood with only the help her lot; a capable woman, resilient. She may
of neighbours – even the twins. have needed to be for my grandfather, a hard-
working man, was also tough and
In 1892 they bought the Bradys’ original uncompromising with a short fuse.”
allotment but, later on, farmed on Union Rd in
Mauku where Cam Beloe recalled the annual “He once set his twin sons to digging up a
horse race meetings being held. seven-acre block by spade. When one of the
twins fell by the wayside, my father Allen had
to take his place. How thankful and proud they
were when they accomplished the task. But
my grandfather tossed his hat in the air and
stomped on it in disgust. They had dug to only
one spade’s depth. He made them dig over the
whole paddock again, to the depth of two
spades.”

“My grandmother survived him by 10 years. As
she approached her nineties, I remember her
always dressed in the same black quilted satin
dressing gown, adorned with mauve flowers,”
said Velna. “She loved her family and was well
loved in return.”

Sources:
Kilmarnock, Ayr Parish Records
Helenslee Passenger List
Patumahoe: History & Memories, pages 20 & 176
Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, 6 March 1914
Auckland Star, 31 March 1944

Informant: Velna Vendt
Researchers: Val Gillanders / Wendy Clark

418

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3074 Surname: WATSON
Given names: Lily Jane Residence: Pukekohe East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Lilly Jane Culberton ANDERSON was born in Lilly Jane
Auckland in 1866 to John Culberton Anderson
and Mary WRIGHT who at the time were Sources:
residing in Cabbage Bush, Mt Eden. John was bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz;
a native of Northumberland and Mary from Anderson family history;
Stitchill in Scotland and they met and married Findagrave.com.
on board the ship Pegasus whilst immigrating Researcher: Doreen Balderston
to New Zealand in 1865, the year before Lilly’s (nee Anderson - Grandaughter)
birth.

Lilly’s sister Flora was also born in Mt Eden
before the family moved to Waiterimu in 1873.
There they ran a boarding house for travellers
called ‘Halfway House’ which was also the local
postal agency. Five more children followed for
the Anderson family, John, Violet, Edwin, Alan
and Rosey.

Business must have been good as Lilly and her
sister Rosey attended Miss TUTIN’s boarding
school for ladies in 1882 where they had to
travel to Auckland, steamer to Mangawhai
then arranged transport across land to Hakura.
Lilly would have returned home to help in the
business and by 1891 had met and married
Andrew WATSON also known as Henry. Their
only child Alan Murray Watson was born the
following year whilst the young family were in
Christchurch.

By 1893 the family was back and living in
Pukekohe East, with or near Andrew’s parents
John and Sarah Watson of Harrisville. Lilly and
Andrew may have only had one child, Alan, but
he would go on to provide nine grandchildren
for the couple. Lilly died in 1938 at the age of
72 and is buried at Otahuhu Public Cemetery
with members of her Anderson family. Her
husband Andrew died in 1933 and is buried
with his parents and three infant sisters in
Pukekohe East Cemetery alongside his older
sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and Lewis
Walter KING.

419

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3075 Surname: WATSON
Given names: Sarah Anne* Residence: Pukekohe East
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Sarah Ann* MANSFIELD (Sarah Anne on Three weeks later Sarah gave birth to a son,
Electoral Roll) was born in Co Tyrone on 20 Andrew, on board. Sadly her second daughter
September 1834 to Andrew Thomas Mansfield Mary succumbed to dysentery and diarrhoea
and Mary MULLEN/McMULLEN. Her parents which was prevalent amongst the children on
were farmers so Sarah’s early years were in the board and passed away whilst the Ganges lay
countryside but as a young woman she was anchored in quarantine in Auckland harbour.
living in Belfast and working as a weaver. On
22 October 1859, in St Anne’s Church, Shankill, At first, time was spent with other Ganges
Belfast, she married John WATSON, also a passengers at the Queen’s Redoubt, Pokeno
weaver and possibly of Scottish descent. before the family could take up their
allotments of 5 roods in Tuakau and 10 roods
John and Sarah are listed as living in the mill in Pukekohe.
village of Michael ANDREWS, whose Damask
Linen mill was in Ardoyne. The following year At some point a farm was purchased on the
their daughter Catherine was born followed by corner of Jericho Road, Harrisville, part lot 31
a second daughter Mary two years later. Pukekohe East, and whilst living here Sarah
had six more children, William, Mary, James,
By 1864 the young family had applied for the Robert, Alexander and Annie. Mary died of
Waikato Immigration Scheme and with Sarah influenza at three years old and Annie of
now eight months pregnant, travelled the long scarlet fever at only five.
and arduous journey from Belfast to
Queenstown where they boarded the ship John was a regular member of the Pukekohe
Ganges to New Zealand. East Road Board and served many times on the
Harrisville School Board. John and Sarah
continued to farm in Harrisville until their
retirement when they moved in with their
daughter Catherine and son-in-law Lewis KING
on their Jericho Road farm.

Sarah passed away on 10 November 1906 and
John on 14 August 1909. Both are buried in
Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church Cemetery
with their three young daughters and their son
Andrew.

Sources:

Familysearch.com
Watson family bible
EmeraldAncestors
Ancestry.com passengerlists

Researcher: Jane Jeffs (nee Watson)

420

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3916 Surname: WATTERMAN*
Given names: Mahala Augusta Maude Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Mahala was born to William Adolphus WATERMAN* and Sara/Sarah DAVENPORT/DEVENPORT on 20
January 1871 at Komokoriki, Auckland, the only girl in a family of four. She was known as May.

May married/partnered Henry GILMAN, born c1862 and they had four children:

• Harold Darwin born c1905, died 22 October 1934
Flying Officer Gilman, and his British companion, Mr J K C BAINES, were killed when the plane he
piloted crashed into a mountainous region of Southern Italy during the MacRobertson Centenary
Air Race. The plane suddenly went into a nose dive at 5000 feet. He was engaged to be married
to Miss Edith WILSON at the time. May and family learned of his death from the radio news
broadcast.

• Marjorie Josephine born 10 October 1906, died 11 May 1988

• Noel Vivian born 3 June 1909, married Marjorie Evelyn DAY in 1954, died 12 January 1994

• Frances Honor born 1 January 1913, died 19 April 1996.

They initially spent time in Australia, Wellington and c1911 were in Tauranga where Henry worked
as a sawmiller. Sadly, Henry passed away 22 March 1913 leaving May with a young family and soon
after she returned to the Auckland area.

On 8 November 1915 May married Alexander Edmund MACREDIE, a widower and Auctioneer,
making their home at 45 Abbotsford Terrace, Devonport, Auckland. Alexander had married Clara
BALL in 1891 and they had one child Muriel Alice born 1894. Clara passed away in 1913.

Alexander passed away on 2 January 1927, aged 69, and was laid to rest in Takapuna Cemetery.

A short time later the family moved to 51 Clarence Street. It was here that May passed away on 2
September 1942. She was laid to rest with Alexander.

The siblings continued to live together until Noel married Marjorie Evelyn DAY in 1954. The sisters
remained in the family home until c1960 when they moved to live with Noel and Marjorie. They saw
their lives out together. All three siblings were cremated, and ashes buried at North Shore Memorial
Park.

Sources:
Electoral Rolls
Cemetery Records
PapersPast – NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME LXXI, ISSUE 21943, 29 OCTOBER 1934
Researcher: Lois Hopping

421

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3917 Surname: WATTERMAN*
Given names: Sara Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: hotelkeeper Qualification: residential

Sara/Sarah was born c1841 (baptised 13 June 1841) to Samuel DAVENPORT/DEVENPORT and
Mahala BATE in Walsall, Staffordshire, England in a family of seven children, three of whom died in
England. Samuel and Mahala with Sara, Amelia (Mahala Amelia), Oliver and Florence, arrived in New
Zealand on 6 July 1863 aboard the Telegraph. Aboard also were Samuel’s first cousin, Samuel
FROST, and his family. Before leaving England Sara and her sister Amelia worked as hosiers and
haberdashers and Samuel as a tailor and draper. Sadly, not long after their arrival Oliver passed
away on 2 March 1864, aged 17, at the family home in Wakefield Street, Auckland.

Sara married William Adolphus WATERMAN* on 9 November 1866 in Auckland. William was a
Captain, master mariner, and arrived in New Zealand c1860. At the time of their marriage William
was trading with the islands.

Sara and William had four children:
Samuel William Adolphus b. 29 March 1868 Tahiti, d. 28 September 1910,
Mahala Augusta Maude (May) born 20 January 1871, died 2 September 1942.
Alfred Clarence Melville b. 24 December 1875, m. Eva ROGERS 18 July 1900, d. 28 March 1937
Sidney Percy b. 10 January 1878, d. 6 August 1879 (as Sidney Percy Devonport Waterman).

Gradually William gave up the sea and with Sara they entered the catering and hotel business, with
both a catering business in Auckland and a hotel in Coromandel in c1880. They were back to the
Auckland area with a hotel in Queen Street in c1890. Sara and William then had the Kentish Hotel in
Waiuku c1892 purchased from Thomas Sedgwick. In September 1893 William was struck down with
paralysis but although he improved his health was compromised. Circa 1896 building conditions at
the hotel caused a new portion to be added, a conditional licence granted, and lifted, when
plans/work began. By 1901 Sara and William had sold the Kentish Hotel and went to live in the
Auckland area.

William finally found peace from pain when he passed away on 7
December 1902, aged 74, at his home, “Davenport Villa” in Epsom,
Auckland. He was laid to rest at St Andrew’s Cemetery, Epsom.

Sara lived with Samuel at Selwyn Place, Epsom until his death in 1910.
She continued to live there for a short period until she joined Alfred
and Eva at the Papakura Hotel where Alfred was the Publican. Sara
brought all her knowledge and personality to help them make a great
success of it.

Sara died 3 February 1915, aged 73, at the Papakura Hotel. She had
been suffering with bronchitis and had retired to her bed a fortnight
earlier and sadly did not recover. She was laid to rest with her husband
William, their son Samuel and a grandson William Melville.

Her obituary acknowledged, “that her death would be received with great regret in the very many
towns in which she had been the licensee of hotels. In Waiuku particularly she was very well known
and had a large circle of friends. Sara was of a kindly and amiable disposition and was everywhere
held in the highest esteem.”

Sources:

Papers Past, Electoral Rolls, Cemetery Records, English Census Records

Researcher: Val Gillanders Compiler: Lois Hopping

422

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3919 Surname: WATTS
Given names: Essney* Residence: Waiuku West
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

The correct spelling of Essney's name is Asenath*, a biblical name,
which would have sounded quite different in a local dialect but
whoever registered her birth had to leave it to the registrar to enter
and he would have written what it may have sounded like to him.

Essney was the younger daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (née HARRIS)
PATMORE and was baptised on 18 December 1831 at Broughing,
Hertford, England. Noted in the 1841 census were an older sister
Harriet and an older brother Nicholas.

She met William WATTS in Kent and they married on 3 November 1851
in the parish church at Boughton Monchelsea, Kent, England.

At the time of the 1861 census they were living in Lambeth, London where husband William was an
omnibus coach driver. With them was a boarder, a girl of 7 years, Jane DAW.

The following year they had heard of the Waikato Immigration Scheme to New Zealand via South
Africa and decided to take that opportunity so registered their interest. They left UK along with 138
other passengers on the “Matoaka”, a 3-masted, full rigged ship. On this voyage with them was
their first adopted daughter Jane Daw Watts. The ship arrived in Auckland on 3 January 1865.

William and Essney Watts qualified for a land grant and were allocated 10 acres of land at Waipipi
and also a Town Section at Te Tora Point (Lot 227). They did not take up this land and in fact none of
those allocated land there in fact did so. They were therefore granted a refund of some £8.0.0 in
1869-70 which enabled them to apply for and develop land at Lot 5 Karioitahi. Essney would have
ably supported and assisted William in all these endeavours.

They were unable to have children of their own so over the years adopted another three children:
Francis William Billing Watts, a baby of 5 months, whose mother had just died of TB – they had been
on the “Matoaka” with Essney and William. Next was Arthur Cuthbert Watts, adopted at the age of
four, and the last to be adopted was Margaret Hicks Watts, at the age of six years. It was a happy
household, all of the children having good manners and all of them hard working.

Education was very important too and all children attended the local school at Karioitahi and also
the Holy Trinity church, both of which Essney and William had been instrumental in establishing.

Essney and William enjoyed a long-married life of some 54 years, William dying in 1905 aged 73 and
Essney living until 1920 aged 86. At that stage she was being looked after by son William (Bill) who
had inherited the farm. Both are buried at the Waiuku Cemetery with the gravestone recording her
name by then as Esney and later family have used that spelling ever since.

Sources:
-Waiuku Immigration Records, Archives NZ Auckland - Book "Old Waiuku and District" by Brian Muir
- Auckland Provincial Highways District Rolls 1863-1879 - Papers Past
- www.theshipslist.com - Westpac Archives Inspector's Six-monthly returns
- Waiuku Museum, Mrs Poppy Short
Researcher: Claire Dawe

423

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3920 Surname: WATTS
Given names: Laura Cecilia Residence: Manukau Heads
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Laura Cecilia was born c1869 to Alfred and Cecilia WATTS in England. Sadly, her father passed away
shortly after the family arrived in New Zealand in 1875, but she was brought up, along with her sister
Kathleen Edith Watts (c1871), in a loving family when Cecilia married Charles MOELLER in 1879.
Passenger list information suggested there may have been a third child.

Laura and Kathleen became big sisters to Charles Arthur, Albert Gordon and Irene Agatha.

Charles Moeller was stationed at the Manukau Heads Lighthouse in various positions during her
childhood; head boatman for the oar-operated pilot boat, assistant signalman and assistant
lighthouse keeper. All these activities carried out in a small but supportive community. Everyone
knew they relied on each other and willingly helped when the occasion arose or even without an
occasion.

Laura enjoyed music, playing the piano, along with Miss White, at her sister’s wedding to Herbert
THOMPSON (1891), which was held at Awhitu.

Laura married on 12 October 1896 to William Frederick JONES. William was born in Dublin, Ireland
to Mr and Mrs G W Jones, and had six brothers and three sisters. He came to New Zealand in
November 1863 on board the Helvellyn, landing in Auckland. In his early working years, he was
apprenticed to Owen and Graham, and then William McArthur & Co. who were wholesale drapers
and Island traders with business premises where Smith & Caughey traded in Auckland.

They made their home in Waiuku where William had been living and operating his own business as a
general storekeeper.

They had five children – Laureen Sylvia 1897, Wilfred Arthur 1898, Vivian 1900-1900, Irvin Acele
(Viveen Cecile) 1902 and Kathleen Dorothy 1903.

Laura and William continued to live in Waiuku for a short period before moving to Auckland where
they appeared to live for a short time with William’s father, and while there William Frederick
worked as a Commission Agent.

Laura passed away on 21 May 1908, aged 39, and was laid to rest in Waikaraka Cemetery, Auckland.

William continued to live in the Auckland area after Laura’s death, and on retirement mainly in
Papatoetoe, before finally settling in Northcote. Among his pleasures was sailing and he owned
boats in his own name and in conjunction with his brother, one being the Jessie Logan, a deck yacht
of eight tons.

William passed away 3 December 1931, aged 83, and was laid to rest Birkenhead/Glenfield
Cemetery.

Source:
NZ BDM Historical Records and Electoral Rolls
PapersPast: Sister’s Marriage 6 November 1891 and Obituary W.F. Jones 7 December 1931
Researcher: Lois Hopping

424

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3091 Surname: WEBSTER
Given names: Helen Watson Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Helen Watson POTTER was born in London in the June quarter
1852.

She was the eldest daughter (and maybe the eldest child) of
Emma and Joseph Potter, who had come to New Zealand on the
Egmont with two children in 1858. Joseph (1828-1912) was a
well-known merchant in Auckland and with his wife Emma
(1831-1894) had a family of at least 12 children.

Helen married Robert Fellowes WEBSTER on 23 November 1881
in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Mary Gurney.

Helen and Robert had a family of
three daughters:

• 1883 Beatrice Mary
• 1885 Violet Helen, and
• 1888 Winifred Emma.
In 1878 Robert, who had served in the Auckland Militia, opened the first saddlery business in Waiuku
but after his marriage decided to return to Pukekohe and set up business there – a business he
operated for 40 years. He was a Justice of the Peace and the District Coroner and was very involved
in a wide range of community organisations. He was chairman of the Pukekohe School where his
daughters were educated.
Robert Fellowes Webster died on 26 March 1924 and Emma died three days later at her residence in
Prospect Terrace, Pukekohe, on 29 March 1924. They are buried together in Pukekohe Cemetery.

Sources:
Photo – nzetc.victoria.ac.nz; bdm – www.dia.govt.nz
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Headstone photo: Franklin Branch NZSG

Researcher: Heather Maloney

425

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3924 Surname: WEST
Given names: Annie Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Annie WEST was born in Fairfield, Mangere, New Zealand on 14 March 1863.

She was daughter of Margaret Northey West and Joseph Lashford West, immigrants from Cornwall.
Annie was their eldest child and her birth was followed by that of seven brothers. The family shifted
in the mid-1860s from the Auckland area to Waiuku, where they farmed.

Annie did not marry. Annie would have been 30 years of age in 1893 when she enrolled on the
Electoral Roll.

She took a keen interest in all church work, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the
Women’s Institute. She was also an enthusiastic gardener and lover of flowers.

Annie and her mother, Margaret Northey West, shifted to 95 Queen St, Waiuku just before her
brother Sydney Nickell West left to fight in WW1. Annie lived with her mother until her mother died
in 1921.

Annie died on 11 November 1936 and is buried in the Waiuku Cemetery beside her parents.

Sources:
Family information, and the book “From Yeomen to Pioneers”. Four hundred years of the Nickell family in
Cornwall, Australia and New Zealand, by Max Garner.
Researchers: Carol West, Gweneth Baird, Ros West. (Great-nieces of Annie West).

426

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3927 Surname: WEST
Given names: Margaret Northey Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret Northey WEST (nee NICKELL) was born 23 February 1842 in St Mabyn, Cornwall, England.
She was the daughter of Charles Nickell and Ann Nickell (nee NORTHEY), and had one older brother
also born in Cornwall.

In 1854, Margaret’s family emigrated from Cornwall to Belfast, (also known as Port Fairy) in Victoria,
Australia on the ship ‘Oithona’. They embarked on 2 February 1855 when Margaret was 13 years of
age.

In 1862, at the age of 20, Margaret married Joseph Lashford West who had emigrated from the
same village in Cornwall to New Zealand in 1851. The families were known to each other and Joseph
travelled to Australia to marry Margaret. Margaret and Joseph immediately left for New Zealand
and lived in Auckland (Freeman’s Bay) before shifting to the Waiuku area in the mid-1860s, where
they farmed.

Margaret Northey West had 8 children, one daughter and seven sons. She would have been 51 at
the time she enrolled on the Electoral Roll.

She lived the last part of her life with her unmarried daughter Annie. They lived at 95 Queen St,
Waiuku in a house bought for them by her youngest son before he left for WW1. In this house, her
grandson many years later would have his medical surgery.

Margaret died on 23 May 1921. She is buried, along with her husband and daughter in the Waiuku
Cemetery.

Sources: Family knowledge.
The book, “From Yeomen to Pioneers”; 400 years of the Nickell
family in Cornwall, Australia and New Zealand by Max Garner.

Researchers: Carol West, Gweneth Baird, Ros West. (Great
granddaughters of Margaret Northey West)

427

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3929 Surname: WESTHEAD
Given names: Emily Residence: Kohekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Emily GILLOTT was born 1864 on board the ship ‘Matoaka’ on the way to New Zealand with her
parents Joseph and Sarah, siblings Jonas, Astley, and Henry, landing in Auckland on 3 January 1865.
They spent some time in the Onehunga barracks as their land was not ready, they then were shipped
across the Manukau harbour to the Te Toro point, and lived in tents until their land was ready, a 10-
acre block at Kohekohe.
Emily married Joseph WESTHEAD 5 July 1880, at Kohekohe and went on to have 11 children.
Having a baby!!, call the midwife, Emily Westhead was that midwife. In the late 1800s and early
1900s in the Waipipi area, when a woman was in labour, a call would go out for the midwife. Emily
would grab her bag, take her horse and cart and head out to help deliver the pending new arrival.
Emily died on 26 April 1936 and is buried in the Waipipi Cemetery.

Sources:
Ancestry
Family memories
Historical BMD
Researcher:
Carole Prescott (Great Niece)

428

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3930 Surname: WHEELER
Given names: Charlotte Maria Residence: Waiuku East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Charlotte was the second daughter born to Anna Elizabeth (nee MELLSOP) and John WHEELER on 27
August 1868 at Titi Farm, Mauku. She had four sisters and five brothers. Charlotte was fourteen years
old when her mother Anna died of cancer 6 February 1883. Anna is buried at St Brides, Mauku along
with members of the Wheeler family.

With her older sister, Catherine, Charlotte had the task of looking after the Wheeler children, including
12-month-old Cecil. There were eight children for them to care for, so it was not long before some of
the older children were sent to stay with their HENRY cousins at Aka Aka. After struggling to keep his
family together John decided it may be better if he moved to Waingaro and farm with the Henrys
where all the family could be together with support from the extended family.

In 1900 Charlotte was living at John St, Auckland her occupation given as home duties. By 1905-6 she
was at 23 Sentinel St, Auckland where she was to remain even after her marriage. Charlotte and
Sidney (Jim) Cooke MILLS, a widower, married on 17 August 1914 at the Registrar’s Office in Auckland.
Sidney’s (b.1861 London) occupation shown on the marriage certificate is Switchman (this would be
with the Tramways).

In 1919 she and Sidney, by now retired, were living in Raglan, staying there for the next ten years.
Their son Herbert (Bert) Cooke (d.1986) married Doris Minnie MILLAR. Charlotte’s adopted son
Wilfred (d. 1960 Waiheke Is) married Rita Louise SMITH and on her death, her sister Ophir Emily Smith.

Charlotte Mills died in Auckland 16 April 1940, predeceasing her husband by six years.

Charlotte Elizabeth Mills (nee Wheeler)
1868-1940

Sources:
www.dia.govt.nz
Ancestry.com
Electoral rolls
The Mellsop family book

Researcher: Rosalie-Ann Nicholson

429

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3612 Surname: WHITE
Given names: Eliza Residence: Bombay
Occupation: settler Qualification: residential

Eliza SETCHELL was born in 1814. Very little is known of her until her marriage to George WHITE and
their journey to New Zealand on the Lancashire Witch. On the passenger list is George and Eliza and
their children George, Alfred, Robert, Eliza, Mary and Florence.

Like most of the settlers who arrived on that ship on 2 June 1865, after 100 days at sea they were
looking forward to taking up their own land in New Zealand.

The Whites settled in Bombay and had Lots 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52 in Section 4. Most of the lots were
of 10 acres but not the lush grass that many of the settlers expected. Years of hard work was ahead
to make a living off the farm.

George died 14 January 1892, age 80 and on his death certificate it stated that their were six living
children – 3 males and 3 females. No details of date or place of marriage were recorded.

Eliza died on 28 January 1899 and they are both buried at St Peters of the Forest Church cemetery at
Bombay.

NZ Herald 8 Feb 1899
Sources:
Shipping lists – Auckland Libraries
Probate – www.familysearch.org
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZSG

Researcher: Heather Maloney

430

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3935 Surname: WHITE
Given names: Emily Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: Residential

Emily was born Emma WESTHEAD c1858 in Hollingworth, Cheshire, England to James Westhead and
Emma Eunice FRITTON, the youngest of five children. James made his living as a cotton spinner in a
Lancashire mill. James’s father was a weaver in a mill also.

The family were listed on the passenger list as parents James and Eunice with Joseph c1853,
Benjamin c1856 and Emma, and came to New Zealand on board the Matoaka, arriving 3 January
1865, shortly after the end of the Land Wars in the Waikato region. Emma was seven years of age.
Two brothers did not come to New Zealand, John 1839 and William 1840. James and his family
settled in Kohekohe on Lot 68.

William WHITE, her future husband, came to New Zealand with his family, also on the Matoaka.
Members of his family on board were parents William and Mary and siblings George, Mary and Eliza.

Emily, as she chose to be called from this stage, married William on 29 May 1876 at the Presbyterian
Church in Kohekohe.

They had 11 children:

William James 1879, Alfred 1881, Francis 1883, Eunice Florence 1885, Ernest 1887, Robert Allen
1890, Jane Winifred 1891, Arthur Edwin 1896, John Albert 1897, and twins Norman and Benjamin
1901.

William had been living in the Waiuku area and was earning a living as a farm servant. This
continued until Emily and William moved to Auckland and William provided by working in various
labouring jobs.

They had several homes in Auckland but finally settled at 5 St James Street and it was at this address
that William passed away on 10 February 1926. He was laid to rest at Waikumete Cemetery,
Auckland.

Emily passed away on 8 July 1928 and was laid to rest with William.

Sources:

Ancestry Private Tree Information with permission from Vicki Bailey
NZ BDM Historical Records
Cemetery Records
Papers Past – Death Notice
Electoral Rolls
Auckland Library – Auckland Area Passenger Arrivals 1838-1889

Researcher: Lois Hopping and Penny Prescott

431

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3613 Surname: WHITE
Given names: Florence Residence: Bombay
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Florence’s signature from probate records for Sampson 1927

Florence was the youngest daughter of George WHITE (1812-1892) and Eliza SETCHELL (1814-1899)
and came to New Zealand on the Lancashire Witch, arriving in Auckland on 2 June 1865.
She was born in London in 1859, so was about six when the family settled in Bombay and no doubt
had some schooling. The Bombay School that first opened in 1865 was a pay-to-attend and only
survived a short time. An Education Board School was opened in 1871.
In 1897 Florence married Sampson WHITWORTH, who was a miner at Waitekauri and then went
contracting. On the 1905 and 1911 electoral rolls he was a quarryman and then went farming at
Whitford until his death.

Sampson died in 1927 and Florence
moved to Onehunga, ending her life in
the Infirmary at Epsom (now part of
Green Lane Hospital) on 14 August 1939.
They are both buried in the Hillsborough
cemetery with this inscription on their
headstone.

Sources:
Findlay Family Tee – ancestry; Probate records – www.familysearch.org; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.nz;
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; Burial record – NZ Society of Genealogists

Researcher: Heather Maloney

432

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3615 Surname: WHITE
Given names: Mary Residence: Bombay
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Mary and Alfred WHITE only had one child.
• Caroline, born at Bombay on 24 September 1876. She married Frank Thompson in 1908 and
died at Whangarei in 1952.

Alfred had arrived with his parents and 5 siblings on the Lancashire Witch in June 1865 and settled
on land in Bombay, but nothing is known about Mary.

Sources:
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Shipping lists – Auckland Libraries
Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZ Society of Genealogists

Researcher: Heather Maloney

433

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3937 Surname: WHITE
Given names: Mary Sophia Residence: Manukau Heads
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Mary Sophia SUSTINS was born to George Sustins and Sophia DAVY, the fourth daughter in a family
of six. Mary was born at the Mission House at Mission Bay, Auckland c1858.

“Her father, George, was a Master Mariner and as Captain sailed the first ‘Southern Cross’ sailing
ship to New Zealand arriving on 19 July 1855. Sadness came to George and his young family in
April 1861 at the sudden death of Sophia, wife and mother. Mary moved to Wellington to live with
friends after her mother’s death, and it was there that she met her future husband.”

“Charles White was born in Yorkshire on 1 March 1839 and sailed to New Zealand on “Donna Nita”
in 1863, when he was 24 years old. He lived in the South Island for 11 years, working as a
telegraph linesman in Christchurch. On 28 July 1873, Charles married 15-year-old Mary Sophia, at
his home in Kaikoura.”

“A few months after their marriage, Charles White was offered the position of Telegraph Operator at
Manukau Heads. Charles and Mary travelled up from the South Island by ship with their few
possessions, arriving early in 1874. As there were no roads, their supplies were unloaded at the
Blowhole Wharf, and carried up the steep hill by hand or horseback. A small wooden house on the
south side of the steep hill leading up to the flagstaff was to be their home.”

“Much sadness was in store for Charles’ young bride. Their first child, Charles Thomas, was born
on 29 May 1874 but died at midnight on Christmas Day, six months later. Charles Robert was born
on 4 July 1875, but he lived for only 18 days. A year later, twin boys were born on 18 June 1876,
but both babies died the following day. Their fifth son, Albert Surtees, was born on 4 October
1877, lived a few months, and died on 20 January 1878. These five babies were all buried
somewhere near the site of the flagstaff.”

“The next four births were happier occasions, two daughters, Sophia Elizabeth, born on 23 March
1880 and Phoebe Alma on 13 June 1882, were healthy youngsters, as were Arthur Gilbert, born 6
May 1885 and Frances Mary, 22 January 1888. A tenth child, Myrtle, 22 January 1891 died at three
months on 5 April.”

“Charles worked as sole charge of the telegraph office and
considering the activity and dangers involved at the Manukau
Heads, a very important job. Mary was a great reader and
letter writer and spent her spare time corresponding with family
and friends. Charles and Mary lived at Manukau Heads until
1896, when they were transferred back to the South Island.”
Mary was pregnant at that stage and gave birth to a girl, May
Pearl Sustins, on 6 May in Christchurch.

They spent their retirement at Waipipi, and Charles died 29 April
1929 aged 90, at his home on Waipipi Road. Mary died 29
October 1940 aged 82. They are buried together in the Waiuku
Cemetery.

Sources:
Charles White – Manukau Heads Telegraph Pg 88-89 “Heads Harbour &
Hills – An Awhitu History
Paperspast - Obituary
Cemetery Records
Researcher: Jeff Pyle, Lois Hopping

434

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3143 Surname: WHITESIDE
Given names: Susanna Residence: Whangarata
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Susanna (sometimes spelt Susannah)
FERGUSON was born about 1830 in Ireland.
She was the daughter of James Ferguson and
his wife Mary Ann McKETTRICK. On 5
February 1863 Susanna married George
WHITESIDE in Belfast, Ireland. Their first
child, Samuel George, was born the following
year on 27 March 1864 and when he was just
a few months old the family boarded the
Ganges and sailed to New Zealand as part of
the Waikato Immigration Scheme. A second
son, William James, was born in 1866.

Samuel’s obituary, part of which is shown,
mentions the family’s first years in New
Zealand. In a 1930 article published by the
Otago Daily Times, Samuel mentions life at
Whangarata in an article he wrote about the
kokako.

In 1882 an altercation with another
Whangarata resident, Margaret CHIPLIN, saw
Susannah appear in court as a witness. The
case was dismissed.

Susannah’s husband George died in February Sources:
1899 and is buried at the Alexandra Redoubt Marriage record - Ireland Civil Registration, 1845-1913
Cemetery in Tuakau. On 8 May 1913, aged 78 database: https://www.familysearch.org
years, Susannah died and was buried beside Headstone:
her husband. https://www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/services-
facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries-database
Obituary of S G Whiteside:
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/bay-of-
plenty-beacon/1942/7/8/4
Otago Daily Times article:
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/otago-
daily-times/1930/12/2/2
Birth and death records:
https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
Researcher: Sandra Brasell

435

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3146 Surname: WHITING
Given names: Sarah Residence: Mauku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Sarah McCULLOUGH was a young bride of 20 when she married Arthur Frederick George WHITING
on 12 May 1891. Arthur was born at Russell, New Zealand on 1 February 1864 to parents Jabez and
Catherine Dorothea Whiting (nee FAWKES) from Gloustershire, England. At the time of the 1893
general election, Arthur and Sarah are living at Mauku where Arthur, a carpenter, had the freehold
of Lot 14. They were the proud parents of baby Dorothy Hazel born 13 June 1892.

As young parents living at Mauku through the 1890s they would have been involved in their
community. Arthur was a keen cricketer and for a time captained the Mauku Cricket team. The turn
of the century found them living on the Coromandel Peninsula where Arthur was working in the
Opitonui mines. Their second child, Arthur Clyde was born there in 1902.

After a short time in the mines, Arthur returned to carpentry and they lived at Papakura and later
Otahuhu. Alexander Lisle was born in 1911 during their time at Papakura but tragically died a year
later, on 10 May 1912 and is buried in Papakura Cemetery.

From details on the 1928 and subsequent electoral rolls, Sarah and Arthur are living apart; Arthur
listed as a carpenter, returned to the Coromandel area where he lived until his death in 1944 aged
80 and is buried at Buffalo Cemetery, Coromandel.

Sarah remained in the Auckland region living with her unmarried daughter Hazel. She died in 1955
and is buried at Papakura Cemetery with their infant son Lisle.

(The children were known by their underlined names.)

The headstone reads, “In loving memory of Sarah,
loved wife of Arthur Whiting and beloved mother of
Hazel and Clyde, died 4th Oct 1955 aged 84 years, and
their loved son Lisle died 10 May 1912 – aged 1 year.
At rest.”

Sources:
Papers Past; BMD NZ; Ancestry; Family Search;
FindaGrave; bk: Patumahoe History & Memories

Researcher: Madeleine Judson

436

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3152 Surname: WHITTEN
Given names: Sarah Residence: Puni
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

The earliest reference found for Sarah WHITTEN is on the 1893 Electoral Roll. She was the wife of
Robert Whitten who was on the electoral rolls from 1890 to 1896 as a millhand, living at Puni
although on his probate records he is described as a farmer. Maybe, like many farmers in those days
he had to earn income off the farm to survive.

Robert died on 28 July 1898, his death notice was in the Auckland Star, 30 July 1898, as was a small
item saying he had died suddenly after suffering influenza and bronchitis.

Sarah lived on at Puni for several years but on the 1911 and 1914 electoral rolls she was living at
Papatoetoe.

It is not known where Sarah was born , who her parents were or even if she had any children.

She died on 28 March 1919 – no death notice or probate has been found – and she is buried in
Pukekohe Cemetery with Robert.

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

437

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3153 Surname: WIDGERY
Given names: Caroline Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Caroline LOW married John WIDGERY on 20 October 1839 at St Mary’s Redcliffe Church, Bristol,
England.

They can be found in the 1841 census living at Milk Street, St Paul, Bristol with Caroline’s mother
Mary, a widow. Caroline was just 20 years old and her first child had been born that year. John’s
occupation is given as hairdresser. By 1851 they are still in Bristol, Caroline now has three children
and is listed as a haberdasher, John is still a hairdresser.

In 1861 John is listed as a linen draper with their
daughter Emily a draper’s assistant, their eldest son
aged 19 is a hairdresser. The family business of
drapery and hairdressing appears to have supported
them well. At age 55 in 1871 John had returned to
hairdressing and Caroline now 50 had no given
occupation.

In 1874 they can be found on the passenger list for
the Great Western travelling cabin class to New York
City. There is no way to determine how long they
stayed in New York or when they continued their
journey to New Zealand, but the 1878 Electoral Roll
records John at Tuakau on Freehold land, part of lot
64 Tuakau.

Caroline and John celebrated their 50th
Wedding anniversary in Tuakau in 1889.

Sadly, the following year on 4 August John died
and was buried next to his granddaughter in
the ‘new’ Tuakau Cemetery. It was to be
another 15 years before Caroline joined him on
9 December 1905.

Sources:
Findmypast – census and marriage.
Family Search – Passenger list
Papers Past – Auckland Star 4 Aug 1890, and 9 Dec 1905
Waikato Cemeteries database – photo
Researcher: Mary Mercer

438

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3158 Surname: WIGHTMAN
Given names: Fanny Residence: Puni
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Frances (Fanny) Millar WIGHTMAN was born
around 1872 and she was the daughter of Frederick
and Ellen (nee MILLAR) Wightman. Frederick and
Ellen arrived in New Zealand on board the Ganges
in 1865. Frederick was born in Bangor, County
Down around 1834 and was the son of Henry and
Isabella (nee CAMPBELL) Wightman. Henry was
employed as a coachman. On 25 December 1857
Frederick married Ellen Millar, the daughter of
John Millar, bootmaker, the May Street
Presbyterian Church in Belfast. Ellen was born
around 1834. Frederick’s occupation is listed as
gardener on their marriage certificate.

Fanny married Samuel McNALLY on 8 June 1903 in
the Pukekohe Presbyterian Church. Samuel was
born on 18 May 1870 and was the third son of
Robert and Anne Jane (nee SIMMS) McNally.
Robert and Anne Jane were also Ganges
passengers. This marriage produced three children, Madge, Edith and Frederick Sims.

The Franklin electoral rolls show that Fanny and Sam were farming in Puni from 1893 till 1896. This is
possibly the 10-acre lot that ran from McNally's Road up to the corner of Ward Street and Puni Road.
From 1896 to 1899 they are listed as farming in Pukekohe West, 1902 to 1905 in Pukekohe and from
1905 to 1911 in Pukekohe West again. From 1911 to 1919 they are back in Pukekohe and it was in 1916
that they were left the land in McNally Road. The Raglan electoral roll has them living at Puni Road
where they remained until 1938. Fanny looked after her father in his later years until his death in 1926.

Frances passed away on 9 June 1936 and was interred in the Pukekohe Cemetery. Shortly afterwards
Sam moved to Helvetia Road, being listed there, in the electoral rolls, as a farmer. He lived for another
15 years until his death on 12 November 1951.

Sources:
From County Armagh To A Land Afar – The Story of Robert & Anne Jane (nee Simms) McNally by Anne Miller

Researcher: Anne (McNally) Miller

439

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3157 Surname: WIGHTMAN
Given names: Louisa Residence: Puni
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Louisa was born on 2 February 1869 and she was the
daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (nee MILLS) ADAMS.
The Adams family arrived in New Zealand on board the
Maori on 23 December 1864.

Louisa married Thomas WIGHTMAN on 31 March 1891
at the Adam’s property on Mill Farm in Pukekohe.
Thomas was born on 4 May 1862 in County Down,
Ireland and was the eldest son and child of Frederick and
Ellen (nee MILLAR) Wightman. He came to New Zealand
on board the Ganges which arrived in Auckland on 14
February 1864.

It is believed that Thomas was schooled at home by his
mother as were the rest of the family. It is thought that
he spent his early years working on the farm at Puni and
he continued to do after his marriage. Louisa and
Thomas’ first three children were born in Puni. They
were Eleanor Millar born 19 March 1892, Leonard Walter born 4 August 1893 and George Henry born
29 January 1895.

Sometime between 1895 and 1898 the family moved to the Patumahoe area because Leonard was
enrolled in the Patumahoe School. On 19 May 1899 Mabel Francis Mary was born at Patumahoe and
on 10 May 1903 Edgar Llewellyn was born. Their next child Thomas was born on 26 January 1905 in
Patumahoe and after that the family shifted to the Whitford area. The next child, Reginald Whitford,
was born on 15 July 1907 in Whitford. In 1908 the family was on the move again and they shifted up
north to the Raupo/Matakohe area and it was here that their ninth child Kathleen Rebecca was born
on 22 December 1908. Three and a half years later the family moved again and settled to the
Waimauku farm named ‘Hanekau’ at the end of what was known as Fletcher Road. On 24 November
1915 their last child, Isabella Louisa was born in Helensville.

Throughout all the moves over the years Thomas remained working as a farmer apart from the time
they were in Whitford when it is thought that
he worked at a hotel and while there Louisa
returned to live with her parents for a period
of time. However, Thomas died in 1919 aged
57 and was interred in the Kumeu Anglican
Cemetery and Louisa died in Auckland
Hospital on 18 July 1937 aged 68.

Sources:
Wightmans of Waimauku – History, Legends & Recollections by Ian Wightman 2013
Papers Past- paperspast.natlib.govt.nz

Researcher: Ross Miller

440

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3161 Surname: WILCOX
Given names: Annie Jane Residence: Pukekohe East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Annie Jane GREER was born in Sligo, Ireland in 1860. She was one of the older members of her family
and had left Ireland to join relations in New Zealand. Sligo at that time was a rather depressed, very
Catholic part of Western Ulster. Henry WILCOX was visiting his relations in Coromandel when they
first met, and it was suggested to Henry that this girl would make a good wife for him. Her introduction
to Henry would almost certainly have been arranged by her relations.

Henry Wilcox was born at Tuberlion, Co Cavan, Ireland on 7 October 1849, the third son of Henry and
Elizabeth Wilcox. He was 19 years of age when he arrived in Auckland on 19 December 1869 aboard
the Chile. On the voyage he accompanied his brother John’s wife, Mary Anne VEITCH, and her young
son. Henry initially went to Thames to try his luck at gold mining – his younger brother John was
already established there as a mine manager. Then sometime in the 1870s he went to Canterbury in
the South Island where his work included a period at GRIGG’s Station at Long Beach and building
bridges on the then new railway line between Kaikoura and Christchurch.

Around 1881, Henry returned north and, Photo: Annie & Henry Wilcox with 12 of their 13 children, about 1904.
through a land clearance scheme, purchased
a property of 120 acres, lot 38, of rough bush-
land at Buckland, 30 miles south of Auckland.
At that time there were no formed roads.
Being of pioneer spirit, he felled most of the
bush and began the task of clearing the land,
converting it into one of the best dairy farms
in the Franklin district. The farm was given
the name ‘Willowstream’.

Annie Jane and Henry married at Christ Church, Coromandel on 20 August 1883. Their marriage
certificate shows Annie Jane was aged 23 and Henry aged 32. Henry and Annie Jane took up residence
on the farm at Buckland where, over the following 20 years, their seven sons and six daughters were
born. All were born at their home with branches of the family now spread throughout New Zealand
and Australia.

In addition to farming and raising their large family, Henry
began participating in local body politics in 1893 and Annie
Jane was his strongest supporter. Sadly, Annie Jane Wilcox
died in 1912 at the age of 51, two years after being stricken by
a severe stroke, and is buried in the Pukekohe Public
Cemetery. Her husband Henry died 24 years later at the age
of 87 and is buried beside his wife.

The Wilcox homestead at Harrisville.

Source: From “The Wilcox Story” provided by Ian Wilcox & Brian
Wilcox (grandsons) in collaboration with others of the family.
Collated by Christine Madsen & Lynda Muir

441

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3169 Surname: WILKINSON
Given names: Jane Residence: Woodlands, Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Signature from probate documents for Thomas in 1901

Jane IRVING was born in the September quarter 1839 in Wigton, Cumberland. She married Thomas
WILKINSON in 1858 in Plumbland, Cumberland and they had a family of six sons, although one died
very young.

According to the obituary for one of the sons, the family came to New Zealand about 1876 and
settled on land on the eastern slopes of Pukekohe Hill, bordered by what is now known as Anzac
Road. They called their large block of land ‘Woodlands’ and built up a herd of pedigree Jersey cows.

This advertisement had
been appearing in the
Auckland Star for weeks
before Thomas’ death
and an auction of
livestock and goods was
held on 27 August 1901.

Jane and Thomas were prominent members of the Church of England in Pukekohe.

Thomas died on 7 September 1901 and Jane died on 30 April
1913. They are buried together in the Pukekohe Cemetery.

Sources:
UK census – ancestry.co.uk
Parish records – www.cornwall-opc-database.org
Free BMD
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Cemetery photo – Franklin Branch NZSG

Researcher: Heather Maloney

442

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3168 Surname: WILKINSON
Given names: Jessica Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Jessica (also known as Jessie) Margaret Clara DAWSON was born c1862 although it appears that her
birth may not have been registered. She was the daughter of Frederick Wood Dawson (1819 – 1894)
and Maria Elizabeth WHITNEY (1919 – 1882) who had arrived in New Zealand in 1854 with five
children including Josephine, who had been born during the voyage.

Two more children were born to the couple – Jessica and a son in 1864. Jessica’s oldest sibling,
Frederick William Edmund Dawson was a doctor in Auckland.

On 9 March 1892 she married Robert Fisher
WILKINSON, who had come to New Zealand as a
child and lived on his parent’s dairy farm ‘Ensley’ on
Pukekohe Hill. Robert became a reknown breeder
of jersey cows, an official in the Jersey Breeders’
Association and a judge of the same.

A detailed account of the wedding was found in the
NZ Herald, 10 March 1892.

Jessie and Robert had a family of:

- Ella Cecilia Irwin Wilkinson (1893-1983) who
married George Richard WILLIS in 1919

- Ernest Dawson Willkinson (1895-1987)

- A stillborn son on 14 May 1897. Jessie died the
day after this birth.

Sources:
Knight Family Tree – Ancestry.co.uk
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Headstone photo: Franklin Branch NZSG

Researcher: Heather Maloney

443

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3944 Surname: WILLIAMS
Given names: Anna Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Anna WILLIAMS was born Anna Charlotte Emma, on 16 November 1872, in Patumahoe to Paulina
ADOLPH and Louis HARTMANN, one of four children, two boys and two girls.

Paulina was born in Sommerfeld, Prussia c1851 and
migrated with her parents and siblings to Cape Town,
where they lived for a period. They then sailed to New
Zealand aboard the Eveline in 1865.

Louis was born in Hanover, Germany c1841. He was a
fisherman by occupation building up to having his own
boats.

Anna married Vincent John Williams on 19 April 1892.

Vincent was born to Henry Williams and Mary Daniels
WALTERS on 20 August 1868 in Waiuku.

Henry was born in St Tudy, Cornwall, England, c1836.

Mary was born in Mulgoa, New South Wales, c1842.
Her family came to New Zealand where she met Henry
and married in 1864 in Auckland.

Anna and Vincent had four children:

Mary Paulina 1893 (Mrs J.J. Coady), Eric Lawrence 1894,
Henry Antone 1897 and Vincent John (Jnr) 1890.

The family lived in Waiuku and Vincent earned a living as a labourer. The 1919 Electoral Roll still
showed Vincent as a labourer but by 1935 Vincent and Anna were living at 11 Walmsley Road,
Otahuhu and Vincent was a farmer. Son Vincent was living at Otaua Road, Waiuku, working as an
electrician at that time.

Anna and Vincent continued to live in Walmsley Road, Otahuhu but in the late 1940’s they moved to
No. 72. It was here that Vincent passed away on 15 June 1953 aged 84. He was cremated, and his
ashes scattered at Waikumete Cemetery.

Anna passed away shortly after Vincent on 7 January 1954, aged 81. She was also cremated, and her
ashes scattered. She was at the Glen Wallace Home in Papatoetoe when she died.

Sources:

Cemetery Records
Electoral Roll
Ancestry Public Tree – Williams Family
NZ BDM Historical Records

Researcher: Lois Hopping

444


Click to View FlipBook Version