St. Mary's Churchyard Cemetery,
Esk Valley, St. Andrews, South Canterbury

An old silver birch shades the tall headstone with an urn and with a beautiful etched bouquet of flowers, is the 1911 headstone for Elizabeth Blair. [8c.]

St. Mary's, inland from St. Andrews, has a lovely small churchyard cemetery. The older part of the well maintained churchyard cemetery is clustered more or less with the newer headstones right behind the church. Digital photographs were taken of every headstone on a beautiful spring afternoon Friday 13th November 2009 by Margaret T. and Olwyn and updated by John W., January 2011 as there have been more interments and additions since the initial project which coupled with the cleaning in preparation for a cemetery tour, made unreadable headstones legible. Transcription from the photographs and reducing size of photos took another six hours to place them online.  In 2009 the headstones are very readable except a couple which was covered with lichen.  The 1892 Alexander was very easy to read and did not have any moss on the face. Why not? Compare it with 1970 No.3a. In January 2011 all the headstones were cleaned.
    The headstones were photographed row by row.  In Nov. 2009 there are 88 headstones naming 114 people. There are six memorial headstones in memory of veterans who died overseas plus two 2nd NZEF returned servicemen have headstones here. As of 13 Nov. 2009 there are six plaques on the foundation - are in memory of parishioners who have been cremated with their ashes either in the lawn or their ashes have been spread elsewhere but a plaque was fixed so family had a permanent place to visit. It was interesting to see the wide use of boulders with plaques. 

George Lyall lost two son's in the Great War. Angus Lyall came back.  Four English daisies are to the right - it was springtime. All photos taken on 13 Nov. 2009.  There was one large flat white marble headstone broken, leaning up against the back of the church, this was the only broken headstone in the cemetery. The white marble was in three pieces and the grey inscription is made with flush lead lettering. The letters are chiseled into the stone and small holes are drilled in the groove and then lead is gently tapped into the letters. The gravestone is then polished smooth so the lead letters and the surface of the marble are flush.

The Lyall plaque used to be on the wall in the Presbyterian Church in St Andrews. It probably was broken when being removed before the church was closed and pulled down in the 1990s. The Lyall plaque was not leaning against the back of the church in 2005. In memory of Gordon Gilmour LYALL Killed at Messines, June 7th 1917, Aged 30 Also William Carnegie LYALL Killed at Solesmes, [France] Oct. 11th 1918 Aged 30 THEY GAVE THEIR LIVE'S FOR OTHERS.

I found headstone markers made by:
S. McBride, was the monument maker in the 1910s and 1920.
Harding was the monument maker in the 1970s.
Aorangi was the monument maker in the 1990s.

In 2011 McBride's is still in existence and is now owned by Aoraki Funeral Home (previously Hall & Moore) and located in Mountain View road, alongside the funeral parlour. Their listing says McBride's Memorials, Aoraki Monumental Masons, so it possible either name might appear at the bottom of plaques. In 2011 Aoraki Monumental Masons still repair old headstone lead lettering.
Harding & Aorangi are now one firm, Aorangi & Harding and are still on the corner near the city cemetery.

New Zealand Tablet, 14 April 1904, Page 14
S. McBRIDE, TIMARU. Direct Importer of Marble and Granite Monuments from the best Italian and Scotch Quarries. A large stock of the Latest Designs to select from at lowest prices.

The burial records are with the Diocesan Archives in Christchurch as is the marriage registers as well. The cemetery headstones have been transcribed for the NZSG and for a five page booklet, Esk Valley-Bluecliffs St Mary's Anglican Church Cemetery, [Christchurch, 1978], located at the Christchurch City Central Library ANZC Family History Collection. This booklet is out of date - 33 years leaves a lot of room for dying!

The first interment (1880)

Is in the NE corner against the hedge [see first photo] The first burial was in 1880, a boy, Digby Lawrell. No. 1a. The rows are all north to south - although there is a kink in one line it is still that alignment.
Timaru Herald Published 7th October, 1880. Death
LAWRELL. On September 13th, killed accidentally at St. Andrews railway station, Digby Lawrell, aged 3 years and 11 months, eldest son of H. Lawrell (late Captain 100th Regiment of Foot).

Timaru Herald August 1878 Birth
LAWRELL - On July 7th at St. Andrew's, the wife of Captain Lawrell, of a son. 

Row numbering starts in NE corner with first interment as [a] thence [b][c] along the row.
Rows numbered towards the front gate, i.e. westward.
Row 1 and 4 are still growing longer and growth of 11 & 12 can be expected.

 
Row one starts in the far corner, the Digby grave.
Row 1 with the artificial pink lilies is the Callaghan grave 1o.

Row1
1a
Digby LAWRELL
Born Oct. 6 1876
Died Sept. 13th 1880

1b
In loving memory of Roslind Anne
beloved wife of William James McKEOWN
7th April 1969. Aged 65
also her beloved husband
William James McKEOWN
7th February 1973. Aged 70.

1d
Rev. Canon H.J.W. KNIGHTS
20 -8-1880 - 20-11-1971

1e
Violet L. KNIGHTS
19-2-1882 5-2-1960

1f 4
1g 5
1h 6
1i  7
1j

1k
George Wood SQUIRE
beloved husband of Nora & father of Robin & Barry
23rd Nov. 1968 Aged 49 years
Ever Remembered

1      l
1m 11
1n  12
1o  13

1p
We remember with love
Wilden ACTON-ADAMS
No.1435 4th Field Reg. 2nd NZEF
23-12-1911 - 8-9-1992
dearly loved husband of
Nancy Hay 16-11-1909 - 20-1-2002

1q
Arthur Gentry PAGE
13-9-1949 - 31-8-1996
Dearly loved husband of Shirley

1r 18
1s 19

1t
In loving memory
Norman Hector (Norm) KERR
Died 20th Aug 1992, aged 59
dearly loved husband of Helen

1u

1v
In memory of Parishioners
1889-1969
Emma CALLAGHAN, EMS
Charlotte CALLAGHAN

Row 2
2a
E. McALWEE
1892

2b
In loving memory of
Catherine,
beloved wife of
John McALWEE,
died Sept. 27th 1890
Aged 52 years
Also their son
Ezekiel
died Dec. 1st 1892
Aged 22 years
S. McBride -monument maker

Timaru Herald Deaths
Sept. 1890: McALWEE. On the 27th inst, at Otaio, Catharine, the beloved wife of John McAlwee, aged 52 years.
Dec. 1892. McALWEE. On December 1st, at the Timaru Hospital, Ezekiel, third son of John McAlwee, of Lower Otaio, aged 22years.

2c
In loving memory of
William Robert SANDFORD
Died 6th May 1985. Aged 60
Dearly loved husband of Margaret
Also Margaret
Dearly loved wife and mother
Died 4th September 1984, aged 70.

2d
Willie
Dearly beloved son of F.W. and Lizzie DRUMMOND
Born, Timaru, Aug. 9th 1890
Died Burnside Upper Otaio, March 1st 1891
Lost awhile our treasured love,
gained for ever safe above.

2e
In loving memory of Lesley Ronald HUMM
1910 to 8th April 1988
Loved husband of
Alice Cecelia Lorraine HUMM
1915 to 17th April 2003
and their loved eldest son
Ronald William HUMM
1938 to 9th March 1998
Sadly missed by family and friends.

2f
A McALWEE 1916

2g
In loving memory of our dear mother
Mary Ann ARDEN
died March 3th 1926
Aged 67 years
Also of our dear father
John ARDEN
Died June 9th 1924
Aged 73 years
Peace, Perfect Peace

2h
Loving memories of
Michael Ashley TAYLOR
Born 27-7-95 died 6.11.97
Beloved son of Joanne and Matthew
He had a smile that will live in the hearts of all forever. Amen
Aorangi - monument maker

2i
In loving memory of Noeline Amy TAYLOR
Died 26th Sept. 1997 Aged 52
Dearly loved wife of Rex
Loved mother of Mark and Joanne
Generous of heart constant of faith.
Aorangi -monument maker

2j
Archelaus Stephen HOSKIN
died 1930 - Aged 69

2k
Ellen Louise HOSKIN
Died 1903 Aged 40 

2l
In memory of Edward HOSKIN
died Nov. 17 1907
aged 40
also wife Lucy Jane
Died may 4th 1925
Aged 56
In death we shall not part

2m

2n/i
Their daughter Eileen
wife of Stewart King
1904-1984
plaque: in memory of    
Douglas Roy KING
8-5-1930 2-8-2009
Son of Eileen & Stewart King

2n
In memory of
S.F. COLLIER
Otaio Gorge
1878 - 1957
also his wife
Mary Jane
1877 - 1970
and their son
John Fraser
1910 - 1985
also Mary Isabell CURTIS
(nee Collier) 1907 - 1994
Loved wife of Alec

2n /ii
Their daughter Harriet Eva HARRISON 1908 - 1969

2o
DONEHUE Leslie Glen
19-4-1890 - 27-11-1963
and his wife Madge Ethel W.
3-10-1893 - 25-7-1970
Their son
Wilford Ronald
27-10-1923 - 19-12-1998
Loved husband & father
Simon James
24-8-1956 - 11-7-1976
Loved son of Pat & Ron

2p
Remembrance
Henry James STOWELL
Died Aug. 11th 1970. Aged 85
Elizabeth Ellen STOWELL
Died Oct. 18th 1976. Aged 84
In God's house for evermore my dwelling place will be.
Son
Pilot Officer James
Killed in action 1943
1917-1943
Daughter
Lillian Margaret
1921-1999

[Inside the church is a brass plaque in the memory of P/O James Stowell who was KiA in WWII, there because the bell was given by the family in 1947 in his memory.]

Row 3
3a
In loving memory of Lloyd Stanton
beloved younger son of
Donald & Cecilia RISK
died 18th Jan 1970 Aged 19 years

3b
In loving memory of
Donald RISK
16-05-1906 - 17-10-1999
Loved husband of Cecilia

With love we remember
Eric George HENDRY
12th March 1993 Aged 9
dearly loved husband of
Vera
"God saw that he was weary the hill too steep to climb
so he closed his eyes and whispered peace be thine"
In loving memory of
Margaret Anne LONGMAN
17th Sept, 1950 - 6th March 2002
Dearly loved wife of Barry 

3d  1 plinth for 5 people on 4 sides clockwise from north side
i/ In loving memory of
George F. ALEXANDER
Died of wounds at Baupaume, France
Aug. 26th 1918. Aged 31
For King and Country

ii/ In loving memory of
HOLMES
second son of
Samuel & Nannie
ALEXANDER
Born 30th May 1885
Died 12th April 1892
"Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."

iii/ In loving memory of
Samuel ALEXANDER
Born Nov. 12 1847
Died Jan 21st 1909
Thy will be done
and his wife
Nannie ALEXANDER
Died June 2nd 1933
in her 79th year
Peace, perfect Peace.

iv/ Also
Florence Marguerite ALEXANDER
Died July 16, 1949
Aged 68
Lastly
July 7 1954
Frederick William Holmes ALEXANDER
aged 79

3e
In loving memory of
Mary Jane ARDEN,
Died at Langlands
Lower Otaio June 3rd 1892
Aged 48 years
 
Timaru Herald, 4 June 1892, Page 2
DEATH. Arden — On Friday, 3rd inst., at Langlands, Otaio, Mary Jane, the eldest sister of Wm. Arden.

3f
W. BARR 1893

3g
W. ADDISON 1893

3h
A. WILLIAMS 1896

3i
E. WEBB 1901

3j
Cicely Margaret
wife of
Raymond APPLEBY
and youngest child of
Minnie and C.S. Bailey
Died 11th July 1968
Aged 84 years.

3k
At rest together
Lloyd Douglas KENYON
17-10-1912 - 3-2-2003
and
Joan (Rae) KENYON (nee Appleby)
25-8-1915 - 11-4-2003

3l
Minnie
Dearly beloved wife of
Colonel C.S. BAILEY
late H.M. Devon Regiment
Died 3rd Feb. 1885
Aged 38 years
"Simply to thy cross I cling."

3m
Angus CAMPBELL
20-10-05 - 5-10-85
plaque;
Robin Angus CAMPBELL
3-6-1948 - 2-8-2005
Loved and remembered by so many.

3n
In loving memory of
Mary RANSONE
wife of
Herbert Fullarton RANSONE
Bowden, Cheshire, England
"They rest from their irksome toils but their congenial activities follow them." Rev. XIV 13
"Let one more attest I have lived, seen God's hand through a lifetime and all was for best." R. Browning.

3o
With love we remember
Colin Alexander HENDERSON
24th Dec. 1932 - 18th Sept. 1994
dearly loved husband of Nolene Patricia
plaque: Always in our hearts
Benjamin James HENDERSON
6-1-89 15-5-03
Aged 14
Loved and treasured son of Lesley and Guy

3p
Marianne WHITE
Died Oct. 3rd 1885
Aged 63 years

Timaru Herald 7 October 1885, Page 2 DEATH.
White — On the 3rd of October, at Otaio, Marianne White, for thirty years a faithful servant and beloved friend in the family of J. C. Thierens, aged 60.

3q
In loving memory of John
Dearly loved husband of
Robina McALWEE
Died Sept 1st 1946, aged 79
also his loved wife
Robina
Died Aug. 19th 1953 Aged 85
At Rest

Row 4
4a
In loving memory of
David Nelson WRIGHT
43223 1st R.N.Z.I.R.
Dearly loved eldest son of Philip & Evelyn
died of wounds (Vietnam)
19th March 1970. Aged 23.

4b
Sacred to the memory of
Philip Nelson WRIGHT
called to Higher Service
8th Jan. 1981. Aged 65
Vicar 1968-74
and his wife
Evelyn Louisa WRIGHT
Died 10th June 2008. Aged 85

4c
In loving memory of Ngaira Elizabeth SMITH
Beloved wife of
Charles Edwin
Died 25th Jan 1978. Aged 52.
also her beloved husband
Charles Edwin (Charlie)
Died 9th Feb. 1998 - aged 82

4d
Christian Richard THOMPSON
5th Oct. 1981, aged 5
result of an accident
Treasured and precious son of
Kelvin and Pure Thompson
"The Kopje" Lyalldale
call me by my own familiar name.
I am waiting for you, one brief
moment and all will be as it was before.

4e
In loving memory of
Eric Robert McCONNELL
"Finlay Downs"
Died 20th Sept. 1981 - Aged 71
Loved Husband of
Elizabeth Margaret
"Lella"
Fondly Remembered
Also his beloved wife
Elizabeth Margaret McCONNELL
"Lella"
Died 19th July 1991 Aged 79
"Be strong and of good courage."

4f

4g
Douglas Stanley TAYLOR
15th Dec. 1984 -aged 51
Here he lies where he longed to be
home is the shepherd home from the lea
and the horseman home from the hill.

4h In loving memory of Ilene Emily TAYLOR
Dearly loved wife and mother
Died 3rd May 1987 Aged 76 years
also
Stanley Norton TAYLOR
Dearly loved husband and father
Died 4th April 2000 Aged 90 years
plaque
In memory of
Ian Trevor TAYLOR
27-06-1946 - 11-08-2005
Loved son, brother and Uncle
Remembered with Love.

4i
In loving memory of
Henry Gilbert TAYLOR
Died 8th February 1997 Aged 62
Much loved father and grandfather
Always in our hearts

4j
Here lies
Maratha Joy NEWTON
Beloved daughter of Ron and Tani
29 October 1998
Until Jesus comes

4k
With love we remember
James Keith BOWIE
30-12-1930 - 25-11-2002
of "Moanaroa" Otaio
dearly loved husband of Jan
Janice Mary BOWIE,
8-1-34 - 1-4-2010
Dearly loved wife of Keith, 82

4l
In memory of
R.W. Bill FLETCHER
(Grandad Willie)
11-4-34 - 8-10-02
Beloved husband of Margaret

4m
Barry James RAWCLIFFE of Broadacres
3-5-1946 - 18-1-2008
Adored Husband and Father
of Rachel, Charlotte, Kate, Gerard, Hayden and Benjamen.
Loved son of Jim and Nellie Rawcliffe (Eskvale) and loved brother of Marie,
Elizabeth and Robert. Loved and respected by his extended family.
Forever in our hearts.

4n 
In Loving
Memory of Gillian Catherine DRON,
18-5-1946 - 16-5-2010,
Dearly loved wife of Bob,
Loved Mum of Sharon and Peter.
Much loved Nana. 

Row 5
5a
In Loving Memory of Lester Edwin DONEHUE
20-8-1929 - 24-10-2003
Dearly Loved Husband of Margaret Joyce, (loved Father of  ____???)
Forever in our hearts.

5b

5c
In Loving Memory of Harry Bell Spearman, born 1883 died 1945.
Also his Beloved wife Annie Catherine born 1884 died 1980.
Also their Son William Mathias JOHNSTONE born 1914 died 1993.
attached plaque Edward Spearman JOHNSTONE, 13-12-1909 - 24-6-1994.
At Peace and with Love

5d
In Memory of Janet HENDRY, born14-4-1834 died 3-1-1909

5e
Jessie BAIN died 1900
Aged 30

5f
Ida Majorie BRUCE died 1898 aged 5

Row 6
6a
In loving memory of Sandra Leigh DONEHUE
Dearly loved daughter of
Joyce & Lester
26th Jan. 1973 aged 8
Ever Remembered
Harding - monument maker

6b
DALE
Benjamin Gerald
Aged 18 months 3-3-73

6c
In loving memory of Elizabeth Mary (Betty)|
DALE
1915-1970
Thomas Lilienthal DALE
1914-1998

6d
In Loving Memory, Janice Helen WATSON, 1926-1968

6e
In Loving Memory of Charles HENDRY who departed this life
March 13th 1919 aged 74 years

6f
In loving Memory of Charles M. HENDRY
Died 7th January 1951
Also his beloved wife Louisa died 10th October 1973
[Louisa Wheatley married Charles Meyer Hendry, eldest son of station manager. She died in 1973 at age 102 years.]
Plaques- In Loving memory of Stella D. CURTIS 3-4-1909 - 13-6-1995
Loved wife of Jim and daughter of Charles and Louisa….
In Loving Memory of
John James CURTIS [Jim] 15-1-1910 - 6-12-1995
Loved Husband of Stella

6g

6h
In Loving Memory of our dear father David HAMPTON
Died Jan.10th 1915
Aged 87 years Also our dear mother Elizabeth HAMPTON
Died June 1st 1902
Aged 71 years. At Rest

Row 7
7a
7b

7c
Edith SHERSTON
1885-1970
Harding - monument maker

7d /i
Rosamond Mary
wife of
Thomas TESCHEMAKER
of Otaio
1866-1949

7d/ii
Gonda GRIGG
wife of
John Hutton Grigg
of Longbeach
1899-1983

7e
In loving memory of
Herbert HAMPTON
Died 10th Feb. 1955
At Rest

7f
CLIFFORD

7g
In loving memory of Thomas A. VALLANCE
Died July 27th 1902
Aged 2 years and 9 months
"Asleep in Jesus"

7h
 In loving memory of
John McALWEE
Died Feb. 26th 1914
Aged 86 years
S. McBride - monument maker

Row 8
8a

In loving memory of
57509 Trooper
B.L. HAMPTON
Beloved son of Joseph & Annie Hampton,
late S. Cant. M.R.
died in Egypt
May 20th 1918
Aged 26 years
S. McBride - monument maker

8b
In loving memory of Annie
beloved wife of Joseph HAMPTON
Died Sept. 20th 1953
aged 68 years
Also Joseph HAMPTON
Born June 1st 1860
Died Nov. 9th 1944     

8c
In loving memory of
Elizabeth
beloved wife of
Wm. BLAIR
Dec. 11th 1911
Aged 71 years
Her end was peace.
Also
William BLAIR
Died July 11th 1914
In his 84th year.
Erected by her family

8d W. Blair 1914

Row 9
9a
Carne Airini Rhodes ROLLESTON of Blue Cliffs and Timaru,
born 1st Jan 1924 died 30th Nov 1988
and her husband John William ROLLESTON of Timaru,
born 15th April 1912, died 23rd April 1993

9b
9c
9d

9e
In Loving memory of Mazzie Pierrepont,
Beloved wife of William Ernest MILLS,
Taken to Rest Sept 8th 1956

9f
In Memory William Ernest MILLS
Taken to Rest Feb 28th 1941

9g
William John husband of
Mary LAVERS Died Jan 31 1932
Aged 56 years

Row 10
10a
Loving Memory of
Isaac Moorhead THOMPSON of Lyalldale
Died 5th Aug. 1983 aged 78
"Sadly missed"
In loving Memory of Dorothy Eileen Nesta THOMPSON
Died 5th November 1987
Aged 82
Sadly Missed

10b
In loving memory of
Joy PERKINS
6-11-1916 - 29-2-2000
Jack PERKINS (Priest)
9-12-1912 - 10-2-2003
God has them in his care. We have them in our hearts.

10c

10d
In loving memory of
Charles Reginald Levett WILLIAMS
77456 2nd Lt. NZ Artillery, 2nd NZEF
7-2-1920 - 28-7-2005
Dearly beloved husband of
Linda Beryl WILLIAMS
13-9-1917 - 10-1-2007
Their beloved daughter
Susan Lynne WILLIAMS
12-7-1949 - 27-10-2005
plaque
Their Youngest Grandson,
Marc Matthew MURRAY,
23-9-1998 - 29-1-1999
Treasured Son of Anne & Alan 

10e
In Memory of Maud Helen,
Beloved wife of R.B. WILLIAMS
1889-1959

10f
In memory of
Reginald Bealey
Beloved husband of M.H. WILLIAMS
1889-1961 

Row 11
11a 
In loving memory of Runa Shirley RATHGEN
18 June 1995 aged 64
dearly loved wife of Murray
life is not forever, love is
Forever in our hearts
Gone from home, but not gone from our hearts

11b
Raymond John RATHGEN
Tragically taken in a diving accident
30th October 2002 Aged 40
Remembered with love
Loving Memories last forever

11c
Mark Geremy RATHGEN 9-4-1984   1-9-2009
Dearly Loved Husband of Monique,
Adored Father of Max & Chloe;
We will all ways miss you Dad
Cherished son of Peter & Marilyn
Much loved brother of Shona, Karen & Graeme.
Loving memories last Forever

Row 12
12a. Three plaques
Robert James McKEOWN
Loved son of Robin and Jannette
17-7-1960      1-4-2001
Loved brother of Sue & Mandy
Loved triplet of Christine & Debbie

In loving memory of
Christopher James Robin McKEOWN
12-12-29   7-5-79

In loving memory of
Jannette McKEOWN
20-3-1929 5-2-2003
Dearly loved wife of Robin
Loved mum & Gran

Around the foundation of the church
The plaques on the church foundations are for ashes which generally will be below / out in front of them but there could be some that have had the ashes scattered elsewhere, over the farm for instance. However there are ashes interred in grave plots; I think all of the R12 McKeowns' are ashes, and quite a few at the end R4 are too.

84
In loving memory of
Barbara Jane BARTOS
1948- 2005
Loved daughter of Bill and Joyce Cocks

85
Treasured memories
Brendon Christopher O'DONNELL
Died 12-7-83, aged 4½ weeks
Loved son of Phillip & Debbie

86
Edward Stafford FURBY
died 19-10-1987 Aged 69
Loved husband & father
"With Christ"

87
Edgar Harold John McALWEE
1923-1991

Ruth Gibson McALWEE
(nee Brown) 1930-1993
Aorangi - monumental makers.

88
In loving memory of Peter Kenard TENNENT
of Otaio
14-6-1918  -  8-6-1978
Loved father, husband and PK

South CanterburyGenWeb Project Home Page
Posted 1st April 2010. Updated 20 April 2011

Source: World Connect
Elizabeth HAMPTON nee LEATHEM
•Birth: 31 JAN 1831 in Magherana, Waringstown, County Down, Northern Ireland
•Death: 01 JUN 1902 in Otaio
•Burial: 04 JUN 1902 Esk Valley Cemetery, Bluecliffs
•Immigration: 14 MAY 1859 Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand
•Note: 'Victory' a barque of 579 tons, sailed from Gravesend on the 20th Jan. 1859, and arrived at Lyttelton on 14th May 1859 with 198 immigrants. The ship was under the command of Captain Stephens.
•Residence: Esk Valley
•Emigration: 20 JAN 1859 Gravesend, Kent, England
•Christening: 03 APR 1831 Holy Trinity Church, Waringstown, County Down, Northern Ireland
Father: Joseph LEATHEM from County Cavan , Ireland
Mother: Esther WATSON
Marriage David HAMPTON b: 27 SEP 1829 in Co. Down, N. Ireland
•Married: 04 Dec. 1858 in Waringstown, Co. Down, N. Ireland