NZSG Franklin: Suffrage 125 Vol2 2018 original

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3946 Surname: WILLIAMS
Given names: George Ruth* Residence: Waiuku East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

*Ruth Grace was born on 5 January 1871 at
Waiuku. She was the fourth of five children of
Henry WILLIAMS, a Maori War veteran originally
from Cornwall, and his wife Mary Daniels
WALTERS. Ruth’s father, Henry was a farmer
and butcher. When Ruth was just eight years
old her mother Mary died of mortification of the
leg. As the eldest daughter, Ruth must have
taken on some of the domestic work at home.

Ruth had attended school at Waitangi,
Pukeoware and Waiuku.

She married Francis Guylott DEED on 18 April
1895 at her brother Vincent’s home at Waiuku. Ruth’s brother Charles had married Francis’ sister
Georgina DEED some five years previously.

Ruth and Francis dairy farmed at Otaua, with Ruth regularly milking cows as her family grew. They
had a family of six boys but sadly their three daughters died at birth. Their eldest son Guylott was
killed in World War 1, but her other sons were all too young to sign up. Although this loss would
have been with her every day, each Armistice and ANZAC Day Ruth would remember her eldest son
by retiring to her bedroom for most of the day.

The family shifted into Pukekohe in 1919 but just before Christmas 1924 Ruth’s husband was
knocked down by a motor car in the main street of Pukekohe and died from his injuries, aged 57.
Ruth remained a widow but had an active retirement, she played croquet at the Buckland Croquet
Club of which she was patron when she died. She also belonged to the Buckland’s Women’s
Institute and the Gardening Circle.

She died 26 August 1953 at Buckland and is buried at Pukekohe Cemetery with her husband.

Information taken from the privately published The Family of Francis & Ruth Deed, compiled by Colin Deed in
2004.

Researcher: Andrea Oosterwijk

445

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3945 Surname: WILLIAMS
Given names: Georgina Residence: Waiuku East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Georgina was the eldest daughter and fourth of six children of Frances Elizabeth DEED (nee TURNER)
and John Jackson Deed, an Essex born couple who had arrived in New Zealand in January 1865.
Georgina had been born at Waiuku on 14 April 1869. She attended Waiuku School between 1879
and 23 July 1884.

She married Charles Philip WILLIAMS on 6 August 1890 at St Andrew’s Manse, Alton Road in
Auckland. A few years later Georgina’s brother Francis married Charles’ sister Ruth.

They farmed at Otaua.

Georgina had a large family of six daughters and five sons.

She died 30 March 1918 at Auckland Hospital at age 49 years and is buried at Waiuku Cemetery. At
the time of her death her children’s ages were between 6 and 27 years, including her two eldest
daughters who were married and had young children.

Sources:
Lilias Stace (nee Deed)
The Family of John Jackson Deed and Frances Elizabeth Deed, compiled by Colin Deed
NZSG School and Cemetery records
NZ Herald
RGO indexes

Researcher: Andrea Oosterwijk

446

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3947 Surname: WILLIAMS
Given names: Hanora Residence: Waiuku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Hanora/Hanorah/Honora was born c1835, the daughter of Cornelius MULCAHY and Helen RIELY at
County Cork, Ireland. Cornelius was a labourer.

It was in Australia that she married (unknown) SHEEHAN and had a daughter. Family knowledge was
that Hanora’s husband was from a large family, was a miner and that they lived at Broken Hill.

Two years later and Hanora, now a widow, was in New Zealand. She had been there three months
when she married John WILLIAMS on 8 December 1869 at Mrs SHUHAU’S house at Grahams Town,
Thames. John was a bachelor and a miner and had lived at Waitahi Creek for the last two years. He
was from Anglesea in North Wales.

At Thames, Hanora and John had three children:

Ellen (Nellie) b 22 January 1872 m John James STANAWAY
William John b 17 December 1972 m Frances Maud SANDERS
Catherine (Kate) b c1873 m Thomas McQUILLAN.

They then moved to a farming property on Whiriwhiri Road near Waiuku. Two sons were born:

Thomas b 30 April 1876 m Daisy SMITH
Hugh b 24 December 1877 d 10 February 1878.

On the farm adjacent were the EGANS. Honora and Cornelius were from the same village in Co.
Cork. Cornelius was born c1834 and came to New Zealand on 14 October 1864 aboard the
Steinwaerder with his first wife Mary (25) and children Cornelius (7), Johanna (5) and Mary (2). They
had eight more children in New Zealand.

Sadly, John developed a paralysing condition and after several years he passed away on 17 August
1891 at a home in Hamilton.

After the breakdown of the Egans marriage, Hanora was to marry Cornelius (on 6 November 1894;
there were no children from this marriage) and they moved to Pirongia soon after and farmed there
for some time.

Unfortunately, poor health due to diabetes saw Cornelius living as an inmate at Costley Home in
Epsom, Auckland. Cornelius passed away on 7 July 1911, aged 78, and was laid to rest in Waikumete
Cemetery, Auckland.

Honora continued to live on the farm but developed congestion of the lungs and passed on 27
January 1912, aged 77, and was laid to rest in Pirongia Cemetery.

Sources:
Family Certificates and Information: Donna Croucher, Great granddaughter
NZ BDM Historical Records
Cemetery Records
Electoral Records
Papers Past
Researcher: Lois Hopping, Penny Prescott

447

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3626 Surname: WILLIS
Given names: Rachael* Residence: Bombay
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Her signature from her will dated 1905

Rachel* was born in Limerick, Ireland c1834. She was the
daughter of John SHIER and Ann SWITZER and on 12
February 1861 she married Robert GILLON in Limerick.

There were five children to this marriage, all born at Athy,
Co Kildare, Ireland.

1862 Ann Switzer
1865 Robert William
1866 John Shier
1868 Eliezer
1869 Ellen Dumbreck

After 93 days at sea the Gillon family arrived in New
Zealand on the Rooparell, 30 May 1874 and were farming
at the Razorback, Bombay until Robert died on 2 June
1880. Robert was at least 20 years older than Rachel – the passenger list giving their ages as Robert
56, Rachel 35.

Rachel then married John WILLIS (1833-1916) on 11
October 1882. He was a bachelor, farming 50 acres on
the Razorback so they would have known each other
for some time. There were no children to this
marriage.

In about 1905 they moved to Pukekohe East where
they continued farming until John’s death on 23 March
1916, aged 83. They are both buried at Pukekohe East
church cemetery.

Sources:
Gillon/Richardson Family Tree – ancestry.co.uk; Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; Probate records –
www.familysearch.org; Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZSG; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk
Researcher: Heather Maloney

448

Electoral Roll: Franklin 4165 Surname: WILLS
Given names: Drusilla Residence: Awitu
Occupation: storekeeper Qualification: freehold

Drusilla (born 4 January 1847) was the second child of nine, and eldest daughter,
of George and Harriette (née STILING) WREFORD of the parish of Witheridge in
Devon. Her father was a butcher by trade but by 1858, when her sister Harriet
died, he ran the Commercial Inn in West St.

In 1861 neither parent was at home on census night. The enumerator, clearly
puzzled that 14 year old Drusilla was the Innkeeper and head of a household of
four young children and one servant, placed a question mark alongside the entry.

George, it transpires, was in debtors’ prison. The London Gazette of 26 March
1861 reported, ‘The Court of Insolvent Debtors has made an order, vesting in the
Provisional Assignee, on his own petition ‘the Estates and Effects of George
Wreford, late of Witheridge, Devonshire, Innkeeper, Butcher, and Farmer – in the Gaol of Exeter’.

As 1864 drew to a close 400 emigrants boarded the Bombay, a Waikato Immigration scheme vessel
bound for New Zealand. Among them was the ten strong Wreford family. It was a challenging voyage
during which the youngest, Anne Howard, barely two years old, died. Then, little more than a week
out of Auckland, strong gales damaged the ship and she was taken under tow, first by the Constance,
with the final leg from Cape Brett into Auckland Harbour by the Curacao. How relieved they must
have been to set foot on dry land.

Three months later, on 18 June 1865, Drusilla married Thomas WILLS of Exeter (also a Bombay
immigrant), at St Peter’s Church in Onehunga. They lived in Church Street, Onehunga, Thomas a
bootmaker, until after 1881, but by 1890 had moved to Awhitu where they farmed Lot 36 of 80 acres,
set up a store, and Thomas began kauri gum trading.

Drusilla enrolled to vote in 1893, her occupation storekeeper in
possession of freehold Lot 99 Awitu. She ran the store and on 22
November 1897, became a businesswoman in her own right when
ownership of the Awhitu store was transferred to her. The couple
moved to Kennedy Bay after 1900 and set up a store there.

Drusilla was a long-time member of the Onehunga Congregational Church and her faith must surely
have been tested as tragedy visited again and again. Early in September 1894 Thomas sent a boatload
of gum to Onehunga, his son Henry and another in charge. Next morning, uneasy about their safety,
he chartered the SS Manukau to search for them. Their boat was found but the young men were
never located. August 1916 was a painfully sad month for Drusilla. On the 5th her daughter Drusilla
died and on the 16th her son Thomas died from injuries after a concrete wall fell on him.

This is the only record we have of Thomas. His birth and Charlotte’s have not been found. Other
babies may have been born and lost, but the only birth records located are those of Francis Edward
(1872), Richard Henry (1874), James Howard (1876) and Drusilla Howard (1868).

By 1911 the couple had retired back to Church Street, Onehunga close to extended family. Drusilla
Howard WILLS died 13 June 1934 and was privately interred at Waikaraka cemetery. She was survived
by four children, 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Compiled by Val Gillanders

Sources: paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, ancestry.com.nzbdmhistoricalrecords.govt.nz, NZSG

449

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3744 Surname: WILSON
Given names: Charlotte Residence: Pokeno
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Charlotte was baptised on 18 November 1818 in Wincanton, Somerset, England. She was the
daughter of John LAPHAM (1793-1876) and Mary LOVELOCK (1795-1882) and the second child of
seven, having five brothers and one sister.

In the 1841 and 1851 UK census, Charlotte is listed as a dressmaker and shirtmaker.

On 24 January 1842 she married William STOCKDALE, a tailor, at St Mary’s, Lambeth, Surrey,
England. They had two children – Charlotte Mary born in 1844 and died in 1845 and William John
born 1846. In the 1861 UK census, Charlotte is a widow, her occupation given as a needlewoman
and shirtmaker, living with her son William, then aged 15.

Charlotte and William were to immigrate to New Zealand, arriving on the ship Avalanche on 12
February 1862. Sadly, Charlotte was to experience the death of her son in 1863, aged 18, reported
to be the first victim of the night pickets in Auckland, as a member of No 2 Company, Auckland Rifle
Volunteers (ARV).

Charlotte’s parents, her brother John and her sister Louise all came to New Zealand, arriving at
different times and mostly after spending some time in Australia.

Her second marriage, to Thomas WILSON, took place on 11 September 1872 – and although it is
recorded as Charlotte STOCKTON, it is almost certainly her. There were no children to this marriage
and it is not known when Thomas died but Charlotte was again a widow at her death on 28 July
1898. She is buried in Pokeno cemetery.

It is interesting to note that Charlotte was on the 1896
electoral roll three times – at Pokeno, at Cook St,
Auckland (where her sister Louise AYLETT lived) and on
the supplementary roll in Nelson St, Auckland (where
her niece Florence ROBINSON lived).

Sources:
Newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; UK census – ancestry.co.nz;
Headstone photo – Waikato District Council
UK Parish births & baptisma – ancestry.co.uk

Researcher: Judith Batt

Compiler: Heather Maloney

450

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3213 Surname: WILSON
Given names: Elizabeth Annie Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth Annie (known as Annie) was born Elizabeth Annie ADAMS, on 2 April 1863 in Cape Town,
South Africa. She was the daughter of Thomas Adams (1832-1907), a shoemaker and Rebecca MILLS
(1832-1898).

Thomas and Rebecca, from Bedfordshire, England had gone to South Africa about 1860 with four
children and the family had grown to six by the time they boarded the Maori bound for New Zealand
with the promise of land under the Waikato Immigration Scheme. They arrived in Auckland on 23
December 1864 with Annie aged 1, the youngest of the six children. Six more children were born in
New Zealand. The family took up land at Pukekohe.

Annie would have helped in the house until her marriage to David WILSON in 1885.

David was a blacksmith at Tuakau in 1893 but was at Paeroa before 1898. Annie and David had eight
young children including new born twins when Annie died at just 36 on 15 June 1898. She is buried
with her parents at Pukekohe Cemetery.

Sources:
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Old newspapers –
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Headstone photo –
Franklin Branch NZSG
Shipping lists – Auckland
Libraries
Pellow Family Tree –
Ancestry

Researcher: Judith Batt
Compiler: Heather
Maloney

451

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3949 Surname: WILSON
Given names: Jane Residence: Pollok
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Jane WILSON, born Jane ROXBURGH, left Scotland and sailed for New Zealand on board “Cossipore”
but after 17 days the ship was forced to return to Plymouth leaking after meeting severe weather in
the Channel. Jane arrived in Auckland 5 March 1866 on the “Liverpool” which entered the harbour
bearing the signal showing disease was on board (a total of 144 days at sea).

Jane met John Wilson and married on 13 June
1866. From John’s will, where he left
everything to Jane, it appears that they had no
children.

It is not known exactly when they made their
way to Pollok, but they enjoyed a fulfilling
farming lifestyle. They purchased the James PYE
farm about 1867 and it was listed in the 1869
Highways Board Records as being 120 acres,
Lots 22 and 23 paying rates of 10 shillings
($1.00).

Jane was known as a very intelligent woman
who took a keen interest in all that happened in
the Pollok community.

The Wilsons donated an acre of land for a hall –
used as a church and school and then vested in
the Church – and it is believed twin Kauris
milled for the building. Later they sold land for
the Education Board School adjacent. The
Pollok Community paid 2/3rds of the costs.

At John’s death the property was sold to Tom
COCHRANE who hauled the house up the ridge
using logs pulled with bullock team and horses.
Jane lived in the house for her lifetime possibly
part of the sale agreement.

Jane had been ailing for some time when she died on 25 January 1900. She was buried the next day
– believed to be at Pollok with her husband John who died 3 July 1890.

Sources:
1896 Franklin Electoral Roll
NZ BDM Historical Records
Papers Past – Daily Southern Cross 7 Mar 1866
Papers Past – Daily Southern Cross 24 May 1866
Papers Past – NZ Herald 1 Feb 1900
“The Far Away Land” by Lloyd Walker
Bev and Barry Cochrane

Researchers: Penny Prescott
Lois Hopping

452

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3211 Surname: WILSON
Given names: Rebecca Jane Residence: Puni, Pukekohe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Very few official or verified documents have been found about Rebecca. When she applied for the
Old Age Pension, she filed a statement with an 1851 Irish census return document which stated that
she was born on 7 July 1851 in County Cavan, Northern Ireland and that her parents were James
MORROW and Margaret SHARP.

No marriage record has been found for Rebecca and Thomas Hamilton WILSON but the couple had
children born between 1878 and 1892. Only five children appear registered on the official BDM
records but from other sources they actually had seven children – four daughters and three sons.

Times were tough and Thomas was ajudged a bankrupt in 1881 (Akl Star 7 April 1881). However he
appears on the electoral rolls from 1893 – 1900 as a farmer, Pukekohe with 147 acres. The family
also lived in Taranaki for many years before Rebecca and Thomas moved to Hamilton. Rebecca died
in 1930 and Thomas on 19 September 1934 and they are buried in the Hillsborough Cemetery,
Auckland with their daughter Margaret and her husband (James WEIR).

Sources:
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk
Irish census return – ancestry.co.uk
Old newspapers –
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz

Researcher: Judith Batt Compiler: Heather Maloney

453

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3632 Surname: WILSON
Given names: Sarah Residence: Bombay
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Her signature from probate records on John’s death 1905

Sarah was born 8 October 1843 at Rathfriland, Co Down, Northern Ireland, the daughter of John
HOLLINGSWORTH.

She married John WILSON (WILLSON on some documents) on 6 July 1857 at Drumath, Co Down. It is
unclear how many children Sarah and John had but when they boarded the ship Bombay on 26
November 1864 in London, they had Margaret, aged 3 and John aged 3 months and when John died
he left his estate to children Margaret Ann, Sarah Jane, John and Mary Agnes.

John (1831-1905) had been a military man – a Sgt with the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons at the Crimean
War but was no doubt lured to New Zealand, along with hundreds of others, with the offer of free
land. After arrival in Auckland on 18 March 1865, they took up Lots 24 to 26, Parish of Opaheke,
near Bombay and had at least two more children.

After John’s death on 10 March 1905, Sarah stayed on at their property and died there on 24 April
1910. They are both buried at the Bombay Presbyterian Church cemetery.

Sources:
Karen Barber Family Tree – ancestry.co.uk
Shipping list – Auckland Libraries
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZ Society of Genealogists
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk

Researcher: Heather Maloney

454

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3633 Surname: WILSON
Given names: Sarah Jane Residence: Bombay
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Sarah Jane WILSON was born in New Zealand on 29 October 1869. She
was the daughter of John Wilson (1831-1905) and Sarah HOLLINGSWORTH
(1843-1910).

John had been a Sergeant of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, Ireland during
the Crimean War and was no doubt lured to New Zealand with the offer of
free land and bought the family a passage on the Bombay.

The Wilson family had left London on 26 November 1864 with Sarah’s two
older siblings – Margaret age 3 and John age 3 months and settled in Bombay on Lots 24–26 in the
Parish of Opaheke.

In 1897 Sarah married local farmer George Thomas Norrie ROSS and during the next few years they
were farming at Bombay, Pukekohe, Karaka and Paparata before retiring to town.

Sarah and George had three children:

• 1897 Sarah Madiera Bayswater (known as Mydie)
• 1900 George Clifford Wilson
• 1902 Agnes Ellen Norrie.

The children attended school at Bombay and Paparata.

Sarah died in 1946 and George remarried in 1953 but died in 1954 and is buried with Sarah at the
Bombay Presbyterian Church cemetery.

Sources: Karen Barber Family Tree – ancestry.co.uk: BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; NZ electoral rolls –
ancestry.co.uk; School records – NZ Society of Genealogists; Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZSG
Researcher: Heather Maloney

455

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3215 Surname: WILY
Given names: Clara Ninnis Residence: Mauku
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Clara Ninnis FLEXMAN was born at
Waiuku on 15 May 1866 to parents
Charles Ware and Malinda FLEXMAN (nee
NINNIS). One of six children, Clara was
brought up in Waiuku where her father
owned a general store on the corner of
Bowen and Queen Streets, Waiuku. The
family were Wesleyans and greatly
involved in the activities, fundraising and
establishment of the new Waiuku
Wesleyan Church which opened 9
December 1883.

Clara and Henry Evan Robert Luxmore WILY (known by his initials as HERL) were married on 19
November 1892 at the Holy Trinity Church, Devonport by the Rev J.Bates. HERL was the son of the
late Major Henry William and Emma Elizabeth Vivian WILY of The Falls Farm, Mauku. The Falls
homestead, rebuilt after a fire in 1869, was a large 7-bedroom shingle-roofed dwelling with a grand
dining room and a large library. This was the Wily family home where HERL grew up, and it was to
become the family home for the next generation as the newly married couple settled in after their
wedding, living with Clara’s mother-in-law Emma WILY. At the time HERL was managing the Falls Farm
and breaking in land that he had bought the year before at Puni known as ‘Belvedere’.

On election day in 1893 young bride Clara and her mother-in-law Emma WILY attended the polling
booth to cast their first ever vote. What a momentous occasion it must have been for the women of
New Zealand.

In 1895 Clara gave birth to their first child, Clive Henry Jenner WILY followed in 1901 by a second son
Oliver Charles Trevor WILY. Sadly, Oliver died on 25 April 1905, aged 3½ and he is buried at St Bride’s
Churchyard, Mauku.

HERL was a successful farmer, managing several farms totalling about 2000 acres. Active in the
community and on various boards and committees, he was also a successful author and historian and
served for a time as editor of the Franklin Times. Busy life, busy wife - Clara also involved in home,
community and church activities as well as supporting her husband in all his roles. HERL and Clara
continued to live at The Falls, and later their son Clive Henry Jenner and his wife made their family
home at ‘Belvedere’.

HERL died at home on 8 August 1940 aged 76 and Clara died 31 May 1951 aged 86.

Researcher: Madeleine Judson

Sources: Papers Past; BMD NZ; NZ Archives; Ancestry; Family Search; My Heritage; bks: Patumahoe History &
Memories; The Church of St Bride-Mauku 1861-2001; Connell Family Heritage (HERL Letter P216-229);

Photo of main street, Waiuku about 1890. The 2-storeyed building on LHS, corner of Bowen Street, is the
Flexman Building, belonging to C.W.Flexman (Clara’s father). Courtesy Waiuku Museum Society, Auckland
Libraries, Footprints 04679

456

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3214 Surname: WILY
Given names: Emma Elizabeth Vivian Residence: Mauku
Occupation: farmer Qualification: freehold

Emma Elizabeth Vivian JENNER was born on 14 June 1830 at the
family home Wenvoe Castle, Glamorganshire, Wales, eldest
daughter of Robert Francis and Elizabeth Lascelles Jenner. Born
into a life of privilege and wealth, Emma recounts a lively
childhood growing up at Wenvoe. From a diary of her early
years that Emma wrote for her children, comes her account of
meeting her future husband Captain Henry William WILY at a
ball that she and her father hosted at Wenvoe in 1855:
“I never spent a more pleasant evening. Among the strangers
was a Captain Wily, and it was a case of love at first sight
between us. I danced with him several times and we talked to
each other a great deal.”.

Before the end of the year they were engaged and married on 5
March 1856.

Henry William Wily, a captain in the British Army 50th Regiment, was a widow with four children so
Emma had a ready-made family awaiting her at her new home at Roath, Cardiff. They lived here for
the next twelve years during which time five children were born to Emma and Henry. In 1868 Henry,
now a Major, decided to retire and move his family to New Zealand. They sailed on the ship Ida Zeigler,
“a wretched leaky vessel” Emma writes in her diary, arriving on 9 November 1868. With them on the
voyage were their five children and two of her stepchildren Henrietta and Edward.

In February 1869 the family moved into their new home, The Falls Farm and homestead at Mauku.
On 21 June that same year the large ten-roomed house burnt to the ground and they lost all their
belongings, fleeing in only their night attire to take refuge at neighbouring property Stanlake owned
by Mr and Mrs CRISPE. From a report in the Daily Southern Cross 23 June 1869: “The whole was a
most melancholy and distressing scene, but it was delightful to see how well Mrs Wily stood up under
severe disaster, feeling most thankful that the lives of her dear family were all mercifully saved.”.

Although The Falls

house was insured it

was insufficient to cover

the cost of rebuilding

and it was five years

before the new

homestead built of

hand-sawn totara was

completed. During this

time the family lived in a

makeshift temporary

erection of five rooms

where Emma’s

youngest child Harry

Herbert Daniel was born on 30 December 1871.

(continued on next page)

457

Apart from her busy life as mother, wife, farmer, Emma was also an active and devout worker in the
affairs of St Bride’s church where she was organist and Sunday School teacher for many years. The
church lectern was given in her memory after her death.
Major Henry Wily died on 5 February 1880 aged 69 and is buried at St Bride’s Church, Mauku. After
his death Emma and her 16-year old son Henry Evan Robert Luxmore Wily took over the running of
the farm. It was hard work for a woman and a teenage lad and difficult to make ends meet. But the
lad became better and later successfully took on other farms. In the 1893 Electoral Roll Emma proudly
writes her occupation as ‘farmer’. Emma continued to live at The Falls Farm until her death on 20
September 1904 after a brief illness and is buried at St Bride’s Churchyard with her husband.

Emma as a young woman painted by her sister.
Sources:
Papers Past; BMD;
NZ Archives; Wikitree; Ancestry;
books: Patumahoe History & Memories;
The Connell Family Heritage by Tim Connell (Emma’s diary p176-215)
Images: All three are from Emma’s diary.
Researcher: Madeleine Judson

458

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3227 Surname: WOODS
Given names: Mary Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Mary and Robert had four children:

• 1901 Cyril Robert Marshall
• 1902 Harold Leslie Roy
• 1903 Cora Iris
• 1906 Sybil Muriel Gwendoline

NZ Herald 13 October 1939 Mary died 10 October 1939 and Robert on 12
February 1941 and they are buried together at
the Pukekohe Cemetery.

Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.antlib.govt.nz
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Headstone photo – Franklin Branch NZSG
Researcher: Heather Maloney

459

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3953 Surname: WOODWARD
Given names: Rachel Decima Residence: Waiuku East
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Rachel Decima WOODWARD was born on 2 September 1856, in Westfield,
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England. She was the tenth child of David
and Eleanor DULLEY, hence her middle name Decima.

Rachel married William George Woodward at Wellingborough in 1879. They left
London on 26 September 1882 with their two young daughters Eleanor and Ethel
Alice, arriving in Auckland on the ‘Famenoth’ in January 1883. Rachel was told
by one of the seamen who noticed ten-month-old Alice that she would be throwing her overboard
before they reached Auckland. Apparently young children travelling steerage class were unlikely to
survive the trip.

The family all arrived safely and moved to a 400-acre farming site in Glenbrook on land that is now
the Steel Mill. Four months after arriving in New Zealand Rachel gave birth to their first son. In 1907
the family sold the Glenbrook farm and bought a 19-acre section on Hull Road. Rachel and William
returned to England on the Ruapehu to visit family. Whilst there their son, Charles Woodward built
the family home which today is one of Waiuku’s grandest heritage homes, The Totaras.

Little is known of Rachel's life after this time although we do know she was living in Campbell Road,
Waiuku when she passed away on 7 September 1932. She was 76 years old.

The above photo is a copy from the Sunday Star from 11 May 1986 which describes the Woodward
family as “pioneers in South Auckland”. This is of the whole family taken outside “The Totaras”.
Rachel is front right with husband George front left. The five children are back from left Charles,
Alice, Walter (Wally), Geoff and front centre Elizabeth. The original picture was taken in 1919 by
Geoff who was holding a self-timer.

Credit to David Woodward who along with Rachel Gillies did most of the hard research work pre-computer
times!

Researcher: Emma Stanford (husband is Rachel’s great, great grandson)

460

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3636 Surname: WORDEN
Given names: Caroline Janet Residence: Bombay
Occupation: milliner Qualification: residential

Her signature from her will dated 24 March 1938

Caroline was born Caroline Janet MacKENZIE
(sometimes McKENZIE), on 27 January 1856 in
London. She was the daughter of Francis
MacKenzie (1819-1912)and Caroline KEMP (1820-
1885) and had four brothers and four sisters.

In 1879 she married Thomas WORDEN (1856-
1938) who had arrived in New Zealand on the
Bombay with his family at the age of eight.

Caroline and Thomas had three children – Thomas
Donald, Janet Beatrice and Adah Caroline, who all
attended the Ramarama Primary School. Thomas and Caroline owned the General Store and ran the
Post Office at Ramarama until they retired to 50 Williamson Ave, Grey Lynn, where they were to live
for the rest of their lives.

Janet gave her occupation on the 1893 electoral roll as milliner but on other rolls she gave domestic
duties or retired so it is unknown how long she carried on her trade.

Reports of the daughters
weddings appeared in the
newspapers of the day
and appeared to be fairly
elaborate affairs held at
the house in Grey Lynn.

Thomas died in 1938 and
Caroline in 1943. They are
buried in the Papakura
cemetery.

Sources:
Family History & photos –Christine Wargent
(Caroline is her great grandmother); BDM –
www.dia.govt.nz; Old newspapers –
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;
Researcher: Heather Maloney

461

Electoral Roll: Waipa 2981 Surname: WORDEN
Given names: Elizabeth Residence: Bombay
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth WORDEN, husband Richard, and 6 of their 7 children set sail on 26
November 1864 leaving from London on the Bombay (3rd voyage) and arriving
in Auckland on 18 March 1865. The boat, having lost its main mast off the
Three Kings 10 days before, was towed into port by HMS Curacao. Daughter
Elizabeth (12) was the first on board to sight New Zealand and the Captain
ordered a case of apples to be opened for everyone.

Elizabeth’s family were STOREYS and they were Catholics, but Elizabeth had
eloped with the family butler, Richard WORDEN, and turned Anglican. As a
result, she was cut off from the family and out of their wills. Richard and Elizabeth lived in Durham
where Richard worked as a waiter and Elizabeth as a seamstress before making the decision to
emigrate. We know little about their lives then until they boarded the Bombay with their children.
George, the eldest, stayed behind in England while Alice (19), Richard (17), Elizabeth (12), William
(10), Thomas (8) (my great grandfather) Julia (1), sailed with their parents, Richard (46) and Elizabeth
(44) to New Zealand.

Elizabeth was the granddaughter of Juno STOREY, a well to do ship builder in Sunderland, England.
Juno Storey built the Jane Gifford, one of the first immigrant ships to come to New Zealand (1842).
Her brother Matthew Storey was a Commander on sailing ships.

Probably, as a result of this background, great great
Grandma Worden came well prepared for the voyage
and was sometimes asked by others on board to help
with food. She baked her Brown Cake especially for
the voyage and the recipe is still used by her
descendants today. It is dark, moist, delicious and to
be recommended. (On right, recipe provided)

As fully assisted immigrants Richard Worden (sen.)
and his son Richard were each given 10 acres of land
at Bombay. Not much land to glean a living from but
enough to ensure the children had a good start to life
in their chosen new land.

Elizabeth and Richard are buried together at St Peters in the Forest
Anglican Church cemetery, Bombay.

Researcher and writer: Christine Wargent, (Elizabeth is her great great
grandmother)

462

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3239 Surname: WORTH
Given names: Fanny Residence: Mauku
Occupation: farmer Qualification: residential

Fanny’s signature from probate records for her husband John in 1892

Fanny appeared on the 1893 electoral roll as a farmer, living at Mauku. Her husband John WORTH
had died in 1892 and according to the obituary, he had arrived soon after 1863. No marriage record
has been found, so maybe Fanny and John were married before they arrived in New Zealand. They
did not come on one of the Waikato Immigration Scheme ships and no other record has been found
of their arrival in New Zealand. A possible marriage in England was in Newport, Buckinghamshire,
December 1862 between John Worth and Fanny RIVET.

From New Zealand birth records, their children born in New Zealand were:

1867 Charlotte, became Mrs William ADAMS; 1869 Mary Ann, became Mrs Phillip Thomas BIRCH;
1876 William John Worth and 1877 Maria, became Mrs George SANDFORD. These are the four
children also mentioned in Fanny’s death notice. There was, however, a Helen Worth, living in
Mauku, on the 1893 Electoral Roll, so could she have been a daughter born before the Worths
arrived?

It is interesting to note in John’s obituary that Fanny has been in a feeble state of health for many
years, yet she was to live another 22 years and died in Pukekohe in 1921. Her death notice states
that she will be buried at St Bride’s Church Cemetery but there is no headstone for her or John.

Sources:
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
John’s obit – NZ Herald 1 Nov 1892; Fanny’s death notice- 30 Sept 1921; NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk; BDM –
www.dia.govt.nz; Probate records – www.familysearch.com.
Researcher: Heather Maloney

463

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3238 Surname: WORTH
Given names: Helen Residence: Mauku
Occupation: parlour maid Qualification: residential

Helen (Ellen on her school records and Hellen on her death registration) was born in 1874, although
her birth appears to be unregistered. She was the third child of John (1834-1892) and Fanny (1831-
1921) WORTH and had three sisters and a brother.

Her parents farmed at Mauku and she attended Patumahoe School with her siblings. She gave her
occupation on the 1893 roll as parlour maid so she may have worked for one of the large estate
farmers in the Mauku area but by 1896 she was living in Owen Street, Thames.

On 14 August 1899 she married Jeffrey MURDOCK, a miner from Thames at that time, at St Bride’s
Mauku (not Mokau as in the wedding report of 19 September in the Thames Star). Jeffrey was a
flax-miller by 1905 and later in life became a farmer.

Helen and Jeffrey had two children:

• Muriel Violet (1900–1985), who
married Albert George INNIS in 1924

• Oliver Clive Jeffrey (1905–1973),
who married Martha STEVENSON aka
MACKEN in 1926.

Helen died at the very early age of 39 on 19 March 1913 and was buried in the Tararu Cemetery,
Thames. Jeffrey remarried and died 3 February 1958 and was buried at Paeroa.

Sources: paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; School records – NZ Society of Genealogists; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz;
NZ electoral rolls – ancestry.co.uk
Researchers: Lois Hopping & Heather Maloney

464

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3242 Surname: WORTHINGTON
Given names: Mary Anne Residence: Paerata Park Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Mary Ann GLASSON was born in 1842 in Bathurst, New South Wales. She was the daughter of John
Glasson (1803 Cornwall-1890) and Anne EVANS (1810 Wales-1861 Mauku) and was one of 3 siblings.

John Glasson had emigrated from Cornwall on the Australia in 1829 and settled in Bathurst, New
South Wales. Anne EVANS was a governess to George ALLEN’S (Solicitor) children. She was
apparently highly educated and was 5 foot 5 inches in height and of fair complexion.

In 1857 the family immigrated to New Zealand and settled on 900 acres at “Linwood”, Karaka.

Mary Ann married Richard Jevers WORTHINGTON (1848 Dublin-1905 Pukekohe) in 1891. Richard
was the son of Richard Benson Worthington (1805 Dublin-1884 Taupiri) and Mary Jane LEVERS
(1819-1890 Drury). Richard, Mary Jane and their family arrived in New Zealand aboard the Northern
Bride on 11 October 1860.

Richard J’s brother, William, was killed in the Bald Hill (Mauku) battle in 1863.

In 1896 and 1900 Mary Ann and Richard were farming 900 acres at Karaka. Richard died on 30 May
1905 in Pukekohe.

Mary Ann died in 1931 aged 88 years. There is a Glasson Family Cemetery in Linwood Rd, Karaka.
Records for this and other family writings are held by the South Auckland Research Centre.

Sources:
BDM
Paperspast
NZ Electoral Rolls
Google

Researcher: Barbara Raven

465

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3956 Surname: WRIGHT
Given names: Ann Residence: Patumahoe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Ann WRIGHT was born in Rayleigh, Essex to However, they appear to have had the means
William TYLER and his wife Esther (nee RAVEN) to purchase 180 acres, valued at £1200, on the
in 1837. 24 years later the Census noted her Patumahoe Road; land that stretched south
occupation as a general servant to a from the railway line to what is known today as
bootmaker. Marriage to 19-year-old William Gun Club Road. And they were able to adopt a
Thomas Wright followed in 1864. certain degree of style for they built a rather
grand home and William became locally known
They resided at various addresses around as ‘Gentleman Wright’.
London, where most of Anne’s waking hours
would have been spent in managing a Hannah BASS who travelled with them to New
household of six children. Zealand, listing her occupation as a servant,
may have also lived in with them, as did Mrs
Despite William’s apparently good clerical Caroline CHILTON (nee Wright). Locals
position with the Great Eastern Railway commonly believed Carolyn to be William’s
Company, the Wrights decided to immigrate to mother, but she described him, in a London
New Zealand. By now Ann was 44, and will, as the son of her sister.
pregnant with their 7th child.
The family who had worshipped in the
Life would have been very different in the Independent Church in England, now
pioneer settlement of Patumahoe. established close ties with the Anglican church
of St Brides. The graves of Ann, William and
Mrs Chilton reside beside the path to the
Church, surely a ‘prime site’ and, according to
family researcher Clyde Hamilton, a tribute to
the esteem in which they were held.

Sources: Wright family history
Informants: Jessie Houston & Jean Hamilton
Photo courtesy of Jessie Houston
Researcher: Clyde Hamilton
Compiled by Wendy Clark

466

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3958 Surname: WRIGHT
Given names: Annie McNaughton Residence: Mauku
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Annie McNaughton WRIGHT (nee BELOE) came The younger ones are known to have attended
from pioneering stock. Her father had fought Patumahoe School, but Annie was probably
with the British Forces in the Land Wars of the expected to help on the farm, or in the house,
1860s and met his future wife while on leave in by the time they arrived in the new country.
Auckland. When he returned to Scotland to Other members of her family were well versed
take his discharge, she followed him there and in the handling of horses and, no doubt, Annie
they married in 1867. would have also been proficient.

Annie was their first child. Two more were We can surmise she met her husband, Wynne
born in Coldstream, Berwich, before the family Ravens Wright, at St Brides church, and both
immigrated back to New Zealand in 1874. A probably attended the Church soirees that
further six siblings followed. were a part of social life in Mauku. Her life of
farm work and raising five children would not
have been easy.

This was still a time of horse-train-boat
transport, so leaving the farm for a day in the
city was not an option. Most of her ‘shopping’
would have been done in Patumahoe which
had at least one substantial trader, and for
whom her husband worked as the accountant.

The train was attainable at Pukekohe for travel
towards Auckland, or as far as Wellington in
later years, but there are no stories of her
having availed herself of the chance to venture
further than Pukekohe.

Annie’s death in October 1918, at the age of
sixty, spared her the grief of learning that her
eldest son had suffered war wounds from
which he never recovered.

Source: Wright family history
Informant: Clyde Hamilton
Photo courtesy of Judy Philpott (nee Beloe)
Compiled by Wendy Clark

467

Electoral Roll: Waipa 2988 Surname: WRIGHT
Given names: Bridget Residence: Rama Rama
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Bridget LAWLOR was born in County Kerry, Ireland c1839 and married Thomas John WRIGHT in
1862. They sailed to New Zealand on the ‘Ganges’ on 14 February 1865 and their daughter Ellen,
age 1, was among the 54 children who died during the voyage.

Although Thomas was a stonemason, as was Bridget’s father Michael, the Wrights also farmed at
Ramarama. They had 50 acres, made up of 7 lots and 20 acres Lot 169 Section Two, Parish of
Opaheke and it is here they brought up their family of 5 children – four daughters and a son.

Daughters Frances and Margaret remained single and stayed on at the farm after the deaths of their
parents before moving to Papakura.

Bridget died on 21 October 1917 and her husband Thomas, 8 days later. They are buried together at
the Catholic cemetery, Pratt’s Road, Ramarama.

Sources:
Headstone photo & death cert – Gaye Strand on www.findagrave.com
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Ganges information – Auckland libraries
Probate – www.familysearch.org
Researcher: Heather Maloney

468

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3246 Surname: WRIGHT
Given names: Elizabeth Amelia Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Elizabeth Amelia WRIGHT was born in New Zealand, probably Pukekohe, on 6 January 1870. She
was the third child (and third daughter) of James Wright (1841-1902) and Septima SMITH (1844-
1937) and had four sisters and three brothers.

Elizabeth was 41 and single when she died. She is buried
in Pukekohe Cemetery and shares a headstone with her
father. Her mother lived until 93 – she died in 1937 and
although cemetery records show she is buried here, she
does not have a headstone.

The inscription on this headstone reads:

‘In memory of James WRIGHT the dear and beloved
husband of Septima WRIGHT who fell asleep in Jesus 31st
Dec 1902 aged 61 years. Jesus leads me all the way I shall
be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness. Also Elizabeth
Amelia third daughter of the above died 12th July 1911
aged 41 years’

Sources:
Photo & Information, Gilder Family Tree – ancestry.co.uk
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz; Headstone photo – Franklin Branch
NZSG

Researcher: Heather Maloney

469

Electoral Roll: Waipa 3637 Surname: WRIGHT
Given names: Harriett* Residence: Pokeno Valley
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

On 7 June 1883 Harriet* POPE married Peter WRIGHT and by 1899 they had a family of eight
children.

A ninth child, Maud Elizabeth was born in 1901. This photo was taken in “People’s Palace” – a
boarding house, where they stayed for a short time prior to their departure for Pongakawa.

Peter died in 1910 and
Harriet on 7 July 1933.
They are buried
together at Pokeno
cemetery.

Sources:

Family info and photo –
Warren Wright –
ancestry.co.uk;
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz;
Newspapers –
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz;
Headstone photo:
Waikato District Council
Researcher: Heather
Maloney

470

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3960 Surname: WRIGHT
Given names: Jane Edwards Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Jane Edwards BILKEY was born on 22 January 1842 at
Ludgvan, Cornwall, England. She was the daughter of
Robert and Jane (mostly known as Jenefer) Bilkey, farmers.

She married Jacob Henry WRIGHT on 27 November 1861 in
Penzance, Cornwall. Jacob and his father were ships’
Captains although James was more interested in farming
and had been working for Robert Bilkey.

The class structure in England at that time meant that the
Wright family considered the Bilkeys to be a lower class –
England looked more favourably on a Captain than a farm
labourer. This caused a rift in the family and may have
been one of the reasons they migrated to New Zealand,
although no doubt the lure of land and Jacob’s desire to
farm played a major part.

On 26 November 1864, Jane and Jacob Wright, Jane’s
parents Robert and Jenefer Bilkey, her four brothers and
her young sister , age 2, departed Gravesend on the ill-fated ‘Bombay’, arriving in Auckland on 18
March 1865 – this was the slowest and most hazardous of the ship’s voyages. They were not
assisted immigrants. Although 100 acres had been promised before they left England it was not until
September 1871 that it was registered in their name. They took up Lot 51 of 108 acres on the south
west slopes of Pukekohe Hill and called it “Hillcrest”. When Jacob’s father died in 1874, the Wright’s
sold up and went back to England but did not stay long and returned with Jane’s Aunt Maria Bilkey
(born 1825). They bought another farm of 303 acres close to the first one and called this farm
“Boscarne” after a property in Cornwall. Jane and Jacob had a family of nine – six sons and three
daughters.

The family had strong church connections and were amongst the settlers who began the Anglican
Church in Pukekohe and Jacob was involved in many community organisations.

Jane was known to have been an excellent cook, skills she passed on to her daughters. As well as
being extremely hard working, Jane encouraged her family’s interest in music – she could play the
piano and organ and daughters Rebecca, Laura and Ethel played the organ in church.

Jacob died in July 1902 and Jane lived for another 25 years, spending her last days with her son
Robert and his wife at Buckland. She died 1 October 1927 and is buried with Jacob in Pukekohe
cemetery.

Source: Material taken from the book The Wright Way by Patricia E Reid.

Compiler: Heather Maloney

471

Electoral Roll: Waipa 2994 Surname: WRIGHT
Given names: Margaret Residence: Pokeno
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Margaret DEAN born 1845, probably at Enniskillen, Co Fermangh, Ireland, was the daughter of
William Dean (1798-1847) and Mary VANCE (1803-1874).

Mary and William, a carrier by occupation, had 10 children and endured tough times during the
potato famine during which William died. After also losing her eldest daughter, in 1850 Mary moved
the family to Glasgow. She then arrived in New Zealand on 22 December 1864 with 3 of her sons,
one of their wives, grandchildren and her daughter Margaret, on board the sailing ship the
Helenslee. This ship was part of the Waikato Immigration Scheme and almost the entire ship load of
passengers went to settle on the land allocated to them at Pokeno. On board this ship was a 21 year
old baker Robert WRIGHT and in 1870 he and Margaret were married at her brother John’s house in
Pokeno – then known as Queen’s Redoubt. This marriage would last over 55 years.

Margaret and Robert had eight children, four sons and four
daughters, all born at Pokeno.

(Left: This account of a house fire was found in the Auckland Star 16 July
1895)

Around 1903 they moved to Helensville to be near their son
Bert who was a baker there. They later retired to Baker
Street, Ponsonby.

Robert died in 1925 and Margaret 6 years later on 29
November 1931. They are buried together at the Pokeno
Old Soldiers Cemetery in Helenslee Road.

Sources:
Dean Family History – supplied by Matthew Dean
BDM – www.dia.govt.nz
Old newspapers – paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Researcher: Heather Maloney

Photo: Robert & Margaret Wright on their 50th wedding anniversary 1920

472

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3245 Surname: WRIGHT
Given names: Nellie Residence: Rama Rama
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Ellen Marie BALL (1864-1930), known as Nellie, was born in
Mangonui, New Zealand the daughter of William Thomas Ball
(1835-1921) and Charlotte Plater DUFFUS (1837-1920). She was
the eldest child and had one sister, who died age 11, and four
brothers. Her father William arrived, from Brigg, Lincolnshire, on
the Matoaka in 1859 with his father and two sisters (3 brothers and
his mother had died in England). He married in Mangonui on 15
October, 1862, noting his occupation as gentleman.
Her grandfather, Thomas Ball, was a trained chemist and a
prominent figure in the community in England and New Zealand. In
1858 he read a pamphlet on New Zealand which led him to
consider emigration. He felt the working classes could make better
lives for themselves in the colony.
Accordingly, he arranged for around 80 people to join him in emigrating,
finally settling in Oruaiti, Mangonui. One of Thomas’ first tasks was to
create a place of worship for the fledgling community. In 1861 he donated
land and commissioned the building of a small octagonal chapel (18ft in
diameter) to be used by all congregations. It is said to be the smallest
church in New Zealand, possibly the world, and is carved from a single kauri
log. Later shelves were added to create an impressive library for the
community. This chapel is now located at the Heritage Park in Whangarei.
Thomas was a provincial councillor from 1861-1872. He was succeeded by Nellie’s father William
Ball (1873-1876) who sat until the Abolition of the Provinces. Thomas Ball also represented the
district in the House of Representatives (1866-1870). He was a strong advocate of progressive
education and in 1869 moved a resolution in Parliament, which was carried without debate, calling
for the introduction of public schools. He is now credited as one of the people who helped to
establish the free education system in New Zealand.
Nellie married Frederic Luard WRIGHT (1861-1904) in Auckland on 5 August, 1885 and lived at
Raventhrope in Ramarama. They did not have any children and her husband appeared on the
electoral roll as a gentleman. He was only 43 when he died.
Nellie was a keen and skilled painter, her watercolours of the gardens at
Ravensthrope remain in the family today (pictured).
The importance of education within the family continued to be evident when
her father died in October, 1921. Shortly afterwards, Nellie travelled to
England and sponsored her nephews and her nieces, Margaret Dudley Ball and
Stella Ball, to travel with her to finish their schooling, indicating that equal
education was important to her too. Nellie continued to travel and paint during
this time and is thought to have settled there as she died in St Ives, Cornwall on
4 January 1930 (aged 66). Stella was 3 months into finishing-school in Switzerland when Nellie died,
although the education was prepaid it is thought the family encouraged her to return home, even
though she wanted to stay. Nellie is remembered on her husband’s headstone in St Peter’s of the
Forest Church Cemetery in Bombay.

Sources:
Family Tree Ancestry – J Dawson; NZ Electoral rolls; www.family search.com – passenger lists; www.dia.govt.nz – historic
bdm; Ball Settlement Mangonui – Barbara J Bolt; Jim Teat – Son of Stella Ball; Te Ara – The Encyclopaedia of NZ
https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2b4/ball-thomas

Researchers: Jan Ball, Catherine Ball.

473

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3961 Surname: WRIGHT
Given names: Sarah Annie Elizabeth Residence: Patumahoe
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Sarah Annie Elizabeth HAMLIN was born in Their homestead was situated at the end of
1869, to Sarah Grace (nee BARRIBALL) and Martyn Wright Road in a very commanding
Major Ebenezer Hamlin. Major Hamlin was the position overlooking farmland and native bush.
son of missionaries, the Reverend James and
Elizabeth Hamlin who had arrived in New Behind the house there were the usual
Zealand in 1826. He spoke fluent Maori, outbuildings; one with a loft where oats for
fought in the Waikato Land Wars and later their horses was stored and another for
served as a Member of Parliament. harnesses and tools. Across the stone
courtyard sat the old well and the wash house
Sarah, known as Lily, married Arthur Edwin with its wooden tubs and a copper. The
WRIGHT in 1891 who, at that stage, lived in pantry, where butter and cheese were made
Patumahoe. Most of their married lives, and stored, also opened on to the cobbled
however, were spent at “Garston” in Mauku courtyard.
where they raised four children – Eva, Doris,
Kingsley and Martyn. Like other settlers Lily had her share of life’s
battles, one being when her younger son
Martyn had his arm ripped off at the shoulder
in a chaff cutting accident. It must have been
a worrying time also when her older son
Kingsley went to the Great War.

Lily and her husband were regular worshippers
at St. Brides where Lily was the organist for 20
years. The family travelled to church in a horse
drawn gig, picking up their niece, Phyllis
SOMMERVILLE, on the way. During the service
the horses waited in a pen inside the main
gate.

Though Lily and Arthur retired in Mt Albert, it
was to St. Brides that they returned when they
died.

Sources:
Wright Family History
Informant: Jessie Houston
Photo courtesy of Jessie Houston
Researcher: Clyde Hamilton
Compiled by Wendy Clark

474

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3247 Surname: WRIGHT
Given names: Septina* Residence: Pukekohe
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Septima* was born Septima SMITH on 12 July 1844, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. Her
parents were Henry James Smith (1819-1908) and Jane RESTALL (1815-1899) who both died in New
Zealand.

On 9 August 1866, Septima married James WRIGHT in Newton, Auckland at the home of her sister
Elizabeth (Mrs James BRAY).

James appeared on the 1875 and subsequent electoral rolls, a farmer, owning Lots 41 and 192 of 20
acres in Pukekohe West. This is where they raised their family of eight children - five daughters and
three sons.

James Wright died 31 December 1902 and is buried in Pukekohe Cemetery. Their daughter Elizabeth
Amelia died, single, 12 July 1911, aged 41 years and is commemorated on the same headstone.
Cemetery records show that Septima who died 11 July 1937, aged 93, is also buried there but she
does not have a headstone. Maybe that is because she outlived all but two of her children and they
did not live locally. The headstone for James and Elizabeth reads:

‘In memory of James WRIGHT the dear and beloved husband of Septima WRIGHT who fell asleep in
Jesus 31st Dec 1902 aged 61 years. Jesus leads me all the way I shall be satisfied when I awake with
thy likeness. Also Elizabeth Amelia third daughter of the above died 12th July 1911 aged 41 years’

Sources:
Photo and information – Gilder Family Tree – ancestry.co.uk; BDM – www.dia.govt.nz

Researcher: Heather Maloney

475

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3962 Surname: WYLIE
Given names: Jane Residence: Buckland
Occupation: household duties Qualification: residential

Jane MOORE was born in Ireland on 20
November 1848. She was just sixteen years old
when she left Ireland on the ship ‘Ganges’ in
1864 with her parents and seven brothers and
sisters to come to New Zealand. As a single girl
she would have travelled in the forward part of
the ship away from her parents, but luckily she
was in the company of her sisters Elizabeth,
Mary and Maria (Annie).

After three long months at sea in confined

Jane and Hugh WYLIE in 1885 children (l-r) Hugh, James, Mary, Elizabeth spaces and under strict supervision, how
excited Jane must have been to cast her eyes

on the port of Auckland on 14 February 1865. The family was re-united, but no doubt grieving for

the loss of the family’s three youngest children Anne, James and Martha during the voyage.

There was a shortage of girls to work as servants in the homes and hotels of the growing New
Zealand and at least two of Jane’s sisters may have taken such work and did not travel with the
family to Pukekohe. Jane spent her first winter in a tent and nikau whare with the family in the
cemetery communal area. By 1866 the Moore family had moved into their weatherboard home and
started a store. A baby brother Charles was born in April 1866, so we can imagine Jane helping with
the household chores and in the store. The family store was at the centre of local activity on the
corner of Ward and Queen Streets. Here Jane met her husband-to-be Hugh WYLIE, who had also
emigrated from Ireland (Belfast). Hugh had purchased 80 acres of land about a mile and a half away.

Jane and Hugh married on 13 June 1871 in the Moore home. The young couple then settled to the
life of pioneer dairy farmers. Over the next twenty years they had six children, the first one dying at
three years of age. Family memories recall a tall upright lady who wore old fashioned long full skirts
and a bonnet hat. As a Grandma, Jane was an active participant in the lives of her children and
grandchildren. Weekends brought all the grandchildren to the farm where they enjoyed afternoon
tea around the big table. Jane would not change her cooking style to a coal range, and she cooked in
the open fireplace with a camp oven to the side. Jane’s plum puddings are legendary for their size
and solid nature! After years of making butter at home in a churn, Jane never took to the idea of
buying factory made butter and always insisted on nice salty, yellow, home-made butter.

The fellowship of the Pukekohe West Presbyterian Church was an important part of Jane’s life. She
was present at the opening ceremony in 1867, and at the Golden Jubilee in 1918. Jane believed
Sunday was not a day for unnecessary work and she refrained from any knitting and sewing. As an
old lady she would spend evenings in her rocking chair with a big Bible open on her knee. Jane died
at home in 1931 at the age of eighty-two, survived by four children and twelve grandchildren.

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

476

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3279 Surname: YOUNG
Given names: Jane Residence: Pukekohe East
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

When Jane TODD was born on 22 October Jane’s will, signed on 5 February 1891, reveals
1814 in Northumberland, England, her father, she had six children still living:
Thomas Todd, was 20, and her mother, Isabella
PAXTON, was 19. Jane was the eldest of eight • John Price Young born 1843
children. She married at the age of 20 to John • Ralph Young born 1846
YOUNG in 1834, the year after her father had • Kate (Catherine), born 1850, wife of
died. Over the next twenty years Jane and
John Young had ten children, all born in Edward COTTER, cabinet maker
Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland. • Walter Young born 1852
• Thomas Young born 1853, and
John was born on 26 September 1812 to James • Richard Young born 1856.
Young and Catherine PURVIS. The 1851 Census
shows John, a plumber aged 40, and Jane living The Executors were her son Walter Young,
at 52 Marygate. farmer and Charles Ryland TYLDEN, solicitor.
Jane left a legacy of £200 to each of her
It must have been a bold move for Jane and children.
John to leave Berwick upon Tweed and make The 1893 Electoral Roll records that Ralph
the long journey by ship to New Zealand with owned 62 acres freehold and Walter owned
their seven surviving children. They arrived in part of lots 6 and 20 freehold.
New Zealand in 1861 – the children’s ages John and Jane Young are buried in the
ranged from five to 18 years old. Symonds Street Cemetery, along with their
son, John Price Young and his wife.
In 1863 the family was farming in the district
between Buckland and Pukekohe. Jane’s third
son Ralph, who would have been about 17, was
reported to have been severely injured in the
engagement at the Pukekohe East Church on
14 September 1863.

1883 was a difficult year for the Young family:
Henry James Young, the only son of Jane’s
eldest son James, died on 4 May 1883 at the
aged of 12. (James’ daughter, Esther Ann, had
died previously on 6 August 1880.) Then Jane’s
husband died on 22 July 1883:

They had been married 49 years. Sacred to the memory of John Young who
departed this life July 22nd 1883 aged 71 years.
Then, once more the family faced loss with the His End Was Peace. Also Jane, wife of the
death of James, their eldest son, on 18 above who departed this life on the 29th day of
November 1883 at the age of 47. James’s wife April 1894 aged 80 years. Not dead but gone
Esther died nine years later in 1891 at the age before. Also John Price, son of the above and
of 50. beloved husband of Lucy Young, who died Aug
9th 1895.
Lucy Lepper Young, John Price Young’s wife,
who died on 17 January 1933 at the age of 81
is also buried here.

Sources: Papers Past, findagrave, Electoral Roll, WikiTree.
Compiled by Christine Madsen & Lynda Muir

477

Electoral Roll: Franklin 3277 Surname: YOUNG
Given names: Mary Residence: Tuakau
Occupation: domestic duties Qualification: residential

Mary was born around 1834 in County Armagh, Ireland and she was
the daughter of George RUNNETT. Details of her mother are unknown.
The name RUNNING is also quite often listed in the records instead of
Runnett.

On 9 November 1856 she married William John YOUNG in the
Mullabrack Parish Church in County Armagh.

William was born in County Armagh in 1833 and was the son of David
and Jane (nee CARROLL) Young. At the time of the marriage both listed
their occupation as weaver and they were both living at Markethill.
Their only child Mary was born on 9 March 1857 in Belfast. She was
aged 7 when they boarded the Ganges. William’s occupation then was
listed as an agricultural labourer and his land details were Lots 58 &
115, Sub Section 2, Pukekohe, both 10 acre lots. He was also given a
town lot in Tuakau, it being Lot 6, Tuakau North. These town lots were usually ¼ acre.

In July 1869 he was granted a further 10 acres in Whangarata. The place, as was the case throughout
the district, was covered in bush and the land was cleared and farms began to appear all over. William
and Mary gradually increased the size of their land holdings to 110 acres.

Mary was a midwife in the Tuakau district until she was well into her eighties. She mentioned to her
granddaughter once that she had ridden her horse through a river to get to a mother for the baby to
be delivered. They both worked hard in the community and William was partly responsible for the
first school.

William died on 16 June 1924 at the age of 91 at his grandson’s residence in Te Kohanga and was
interred in the Onewhero Cemetery. Mary passed away in Onewhero on 20 May 1929 aged 95.

Sources:
From Ireland to the Antipodes: The Young and Ingram Families of New Zealand and The McConnell
Family of New castle, New South Wales and New Zealand 1854 – 2004 by JM Allen 2006.
Published by Polygraphia Ltd. Waitakere

Researcher: Ross Miller

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