"Peeress"
South Canterbury NZGenWeb Project
Immigrants for South Canterbury, New Zealand
The Timaru Herald Friday 24 July 1874
The Ship Peeress, from London, with 300 immigrants (164 statue adults) on board for Timaru, arrived at Lyttelton yesterday, 118 days out from Gravesend. Four births occurred during the voyage and six deaths. The telegram from which we obtain this information says that the passengers well be forwarded to Timaru today (Friday) by the Comerang, so that the vessel will not come to this port, as anticipated. The Immigration Officer, Mr LeCren, received a telegram yesterday, stating that Mr March, the Chief Immigration officer, had started for The South to assist in providing accommodation, and in distributing the immigrants, and that he would be in Geraldine to-day. An advertisement appears in another column, intimating that persons desirous of obtaining labor will find immigrants open for engagement, after Monday next, at the barracks at Timaru, Temuka, Geraldine and Waimate.
The Eastern Monarch, 1,800 tons, from London, arrived off Lyttelton Heads on Tuesday night, and came into the harbour on the following day. She is a new vessel, belonging to the New Zealand Shipping Company's line, and made the passage from port to port in 73 days. She brings 530 immigrants who are all well. Fifteen deaths occurred during the voyage, chiefly among children.
The Timaru Herald Monday 27 July 1874
Port of Timaru Arrived
July 24 - Maori, s.s., 118 tons, Malcolm, from Lyttelton. Russell, Ritchie, & Co., agents. 3 cases cheese, 50 cases, 1 crate, 7 sacks, 2 bundles, 20 qr-casks, 2 bundls trees, 1 nest boilers, 36 springs, 1 box, 57 casks, 5 trunks, 30 drums, 20 bales tow.
July 25 - Claud Hamilton, s.s., 660 tons, Bawdon, from Melbourne, via Northern ports
July 25- Wellington, s.s., 262 tons, Carey from Lyttelton. Passengers - Mr Marshman, and 250 immigrants.
July 25 - Comerang, p.s. 154 tons, Hughes, from Lyttelton. Passengers - 90 immigrants. Imports. 105 iron rails, 62 bags potatoes, 1 case. F. LeCren, agent.
Sailed
July 24 - Beautiful Star, s.s., 146 tons, Hart, for Lyttelton
July 25 - Claud Hamilton, s.s., for Melbourne, via Southern ports
July 26 - Wellington, s.s., for Dunedin. Passengers - Captain and Mrs Jones
Immigrants by the Peeress
Timaru Herald Friday 19th June 1874
page 2
The male adults number 93, female adults 77, males children 59, female children 57 and infants 14, making a total of 300 souls, equal to 228 statute adults. The list given below shows more than 300 names, but they only represent 300 souls, a few of the names under the headings single men and single women also appearing among the
families. [Note the date. This list is not the disembarkation list. Four births
occurred during the voyage and six deaths.]
It seems to be an established fact that the poorer people are, the more children they have.
Families and children Bailey William 28 shoemaker Warwickshire _____ to Whittaker Bailey Ann 28, Florence 8, William Hy. 5, Mary L. 4, Adelaide 2 Beere Robert 33 laborer Warwickshire Beere Emily 31, Walter E. infant Blackwell William 33 laborer Warwickshire Blackwell Catherine 35 Brown Henry 28 tailor Somersetshire Brown Eliza 29, Harry 2, Ben 1 (died) Brown John H. 24 laborer Yorks Brown Sarah E. 23, 1 infant Bryan William 38 shepherd Bucks Go to Temuka Bryan Eliza 37, Emily 14, Louisa 10, Octavious 8, C. Elizabeth 6 , Fanny 14 Butler Edwin 26 laborer Oxon Butler Mary A 26 Butler Jesse 34 farm laborer Oxon Butler Sarah 24, Lizzie 2, Annie M. 1 dead Coles Richard 30 blacksmith Somertsetshire Coles Charlotte M. 26, Elizabeth A. 5, Fanny 3, Henry 1, 1 infant Cook John 44 laborer Surrey Cook Catherine 40, Margaret 12, Agnes 9, Ursula 5 Darby John 24 farm laborer Dorsetshire Darby Sarah 22, 1 infant Davis John 23 laborer Oxon Davis Ann 20, Annie 4 mths Fly William 33 laborer Hants Go to Temuka Fly Sarah 30, William 9, Harry E. 7, Walter J. 6 George Thomas 37 laborer Warwickshire Go to Temuka George Catherine 30, Frederick 9, Lucy 5, Amy 2yrs 1 mth, Mary 6mths Gray Richard 43 smith Dorset Gray Mary A. 40, Richard 20, Alice 17, Emma 14, Maria 11, Thomas 7, Elizabeth 5, Jane3 , Ann 11 months Gurney Thomas 323 laborer Warwickshire Going Dunedin Gurney Mary A. 30, Thomas 5, Mary A. 11 mths Hart George 35 farm laborer Essex Go to Temuka Hart Mary A. 38, Maria 13, Charles 7, Annie 4, Mercy 2 Hayes Charles 43 painter Notts Go to Waimate Hayes Elizabeth 40 Hoare Henry 39 laborer Surrey Hoare Mary A. 36, Henry 10, John 9, George 7, Alfred 5, Harriet A. 2 mths Horsley Alfred 28 mason Warwickshire Horsley Susan 26 Hiorns John 31 farm laborer Northamptonshire Go to Waimate Hiorns Emma 27, Elizabeth A. 6, John H. 4, Richard 2, W. Edward 10mths dead Hubbard George 33 farm laborer Norfolk Go to Waimate Hubbard Ann 35, Mary A. 13, Clary 12, Harriet 8, Charles 6, Thomas 3, Eliza 6 mths Joyce George 33 farm laborer Hants Go to Waimate Joyce Elizabeth 27, Matilda 7, Frank 5, Frederic 4, Thomas 1 2months Kenyon Valentine age 28 police constable Denbighshire [NE Wales] Kenyon Jane age 29, Sarah Jane age 6 Colonial nominated going to friends Fryee V.I. B Knight Thomas 39 cowman Worcestshire Go to Waimate Knight Elizabeth 39, Elizabeth 11, Fanny 9, Richard 8, William Thos. 7, Henry W. 4, John E. 3 , Sarah S. 2mths? Mann John 27 carpenter Northamptonshire Engaged Frank Wilson Mann Ellen 27, Henry 7, William 6, Elizabeth 4, Ellen 2, Jabez 3 mths (dead) Metson Robert 24 farm laborer Essex Go to Temuka Metson Martha 23, Annie 2 Morgan Samuel 49 laborer Oxon Gone to Nicholson Morgan Eliza 49, James 17, Rose 15, Sylvia 9, William 6 Rose Morgan Gone to Nicholson Morgan Arthur 23 farm laborer Oxon Morgan Mary 25 Noble Joseph 28 laborer Yorkshire Noble Sarah A. 30 Payne William 31 laborer Northamptonshire Payne Eliza 27, George 9, Henry 2 Phillips George 23 laborer Glostershire Go to Temuka Phillips Margaret 27, William G. 5 Precilla 3 , Ada 11mths Powell Henry 43 bricklayer Hants Powell Sarah 42, Henry 19, Edwin 17, Walter 9, Ennis Abraham 19 (travelling with Powell family] Price Samuel 34 laborer Warwickshire Go to Waimate Price Patience 32, Emma J. 15, Richard W. 13, Tom 8, Samuel C. 6, Annie E. 4, Minnie 2, Sarah L. 1 Robinson Henry 32 carpenter Beds. Go to Temuka Robinson Mary A. 38, William 11, Letitia 9, Charles 7, Mary A. 5, Henry. Sell Walter 21 navvy g. laborer Middlesex Sell Eliza 24, Edward W. 3 mths Shave Thomas 42 blacksmith Essex Shave Hannah 44, Lizzie 13, Laura 11, Clara 8, Florence 7, William 17, George 15 Smith John 34 farm laborer Oxon Go to Temuka Smith Charlotte 34, Charles 10, Henrietta 8, Lottie 5 Smith William 25 laborer Oxon Smith Sarah 30, Jno Hy.S. 8, William Charles 2ys 6mths Symes William 29 laborer Hants Symes Fanny 25 Taplin George 39 laborer Warwickshire Taplin Elizabeth 37, Mary A. 19, Jane 17, Sarah 13, John 10, Thomas 4, Frederic 2 Tapp Charles 32 laborer Beds Tapp Mary A. 33, Jane 9, Jesse 7f, William 5 Tubb William 22 sawyer Middlesex Engaged Frank Wilson Tubb Jane L 24 Wallace Charles 31 laborer Herts Wallace Susan 30, Henry, Harriet M 8, Francis E. 5, Emma A. 2 [1 infant] Waller Henry 28 navvy Herts Waller Emma M 27, Charles E. 2yrs 6mths,, Annie E. 14mths, William 1 mth dead Washington George 37 laborer Bucks Go to Temuka Washington Jane 35, Rebecca 16, Mary 15, Thomas 13, John 9, Robert 7, Jerm 4, Anthony 2 Watts Henry 35 carpenter Berks Go to Waimate Watts Mary 36, George 11, Joseph 10, Ida 8, Mary E. 4, Ellen 13 months Wheeler Charles 23 farm laborer Hants Wheeler Sarah A. 21, Albert E. 5, Lavinia 1 Wild William 38 farm laborer Wilts Go to Waimate Wild Charlotte 33, James 13, Mary 11, Emily 9, George 6, James 3, Herbert 9mths Wilkes Albert 31 farm laborer Warwickshire Go to Waimate Wilkes Ann 27, Amy 10, Karen 8, Thomas 6, Jane 4, Frank 2, Frederick 3 mths Willingham Peter 26 farrier Essex Engaged to Gammie Willingham Hannah 25 Winrow Thomas 25 bricklayer Middlesex Winrow Margaret 25, Elizabeth 1
Single Men
Blake William laborer Boyer Joseph laborer Carter Benjamin H bricklayer Castle William laborer Clancey James farm laborer Davis Tom farm laborer Earl Thomas farm laborer Foulkes Jeffrey farm laborer Gabb Alfred laborer Gilbert Thomas shepherd Godfrey Aaron laborer Grey Richard fitter Hillyer Mark fitter Hunt William laborer Judge Robert laborer Mills Thomas brickmaker Mainer James painter Mainer William carpenter Morgan James laborer Naughton Peter farm laborer Neal Job laborer Payne Thomas navvy Paynton George laborer Powell Ennis A laborer Powell Edwin laborer Powell James laborer Price Richard fitter Seaby George laborer Shave William laborer Shave George laborer Southward Henry farm laborer Stapely George laborer Stewart James miner Tooth Benjamin R range fitter Wild James laborer Wilcox James laborer Wilkes Riley laborer Woodford Joseph laborer
Single Women
Bryan Fanny and Louisa servant Butler Annie housemaid Butler Emily servant Cook Annie matron Cook Margaret servant Gray Alice and Emma servant Hart Maria cook Holder Sarah nursemaid Hubbard Mary A. and Clara servant Mainer Harriet and Mary A. servant Maycock Louisa cook Morgan Rosa servant Poole Annie S. housekeeper Price Emily J. servant Shave Lizzie servant Taplin Mary A., Jane and Sarah servant Washington Rebecca and Mary servantThe number of souls divided according to nationality is as follows :
England 297, Ireland 2, Scotland 1The following is a summary of the trades and occupations of the immigrants:
19 farm laborers
1 miner
3 navvies
1 cowman
2 shepherds
4 carpenters
3 blacksmiths
1 farrier
2 general fitters
1 range fitter
3 bricklayers
1 bricklayer
1 mason
2 painters
1 police constable
2 shoemakers
1 tailor1 cook
8 general servants
1 housekeeper
1 housemaid
1 nursemaid
The British farm laborer displays an aptitude for having a huge family which bloated aristocrats would gladly barter thousands for.
Timaru Herald Friday 19th June 1874 page 2
We notice among these immigrants several instances of young married couples, neither of whom is yet thirty, with seven or eight arrows in their quiver. Objections have been raised from time to time against the introduction of such troops of youngsters, but in reality there seems to be no valid ground for them. The very fact of having a large family of small children dependent on them will make the parents industrious and thrifty, while a very few years will make most useful settlers of what now are mere brats of seven of eight. Obtaining large numbers of children from England and bringing them up in New Zealand, is like importing raw material for colonial manufacture instead of using home-made slops - what Superintendent Macandrew calls "devil's-dust and shoddy." The child is father to the man, and the effects of good living in their early years will not be lost in the physique of the men and women whom these children will develop into. The extra intelligence and adaptability to circumstances also, which result from an early colonial training, are particularly valuable.
Account of Voyage
Timaru Herald Monday 27 July 1874 page 2 & 3
The Peeress' immigrants were transhipped to the s.s. Wellington and p.s. Comerang at Lyttelton on Friday, and both steamers started for Timaru shortly afterwards. The passage from Gravesend was anything but a comfortable one. The Captain's report:- Left S.W. India Dock on March 27, having embarked the immigrants on the previous day; left Gravesend on the 29th, and anchored in the Downs. Owing to heavy weather, did not leave until April 5, when the ship was taken in tow, and finally took her departure from Start Point on April 11, with the wind being strong from N to N.E. It increased, rounding to N.W. and then to S.W., increasing in strength until reaching a heavy gale, accompanied with terrific squalls and high seas, the ship rolling and straining heavily, and taking large quantities of water on deck. At 2 p.m. on the same day was wore to the N.E. At 4 p.m. it was blowing a fearful hurricane, and the fore-topsail was blown away. At 5 p.m. the main-topsail was blown to ribbons, ship at the time rolling and straining heavily, the seas washing the decks fore and aft. Weather continued bad until the 14th. At 2.am. on that day, the vessel shipped a heavy sea, which carried away the topgallant bulwarks and main rail on both sides of the vessel, and also a portion of the lower bulwarks, the main hatch and winch being smash to pieces, and the deck house stove in. In the afternoon the gale abated. Madeira was passed on April 27. The N.E. Trades were light, and the meridian was crossed on May 16. The S.E. Trades were very light. The eastings were run down in 4 deg. 50 min. Sighted the Island of Palma on June 2. When in lat. 28 deg. 21 min. S, long 19 deg. 53 min. W., the ship was surrounded with waterspouts, one passing within 50 yards of her, and having a most destructive appearance, also accompanied by a violent whirlwind. The ship was kept off, and she steered clear of the danger. A gun was fired, which had the effect of dispersing the most dangerous waterspout, and violent showers of rain followed. The meridian of the Caper was passed on June 14, in lat. 44 deg. 4 min. S., the wind at this time blowing a heavy gale, with high confused seas. One sea struck the ship, staving in the port side of the deckhouse. And thence to passing the meridian of Tasmania in lat. 48 deg. 36 min. S. Thence to within 50 miles of the Snares had strong W, and N.W. winds. The Snares were sighted on July 18, 103 days from the Start. A strong gale was experienced on the coast, a portion of the port bulwarks being stove in. On Monday, June 20, another gale from the S.S.W., accompanied with squalls of hail and snow, was experienced. The land being in sight, stood in the next day, but the weather was so bad that the captain deemed it best to come on to port, and Godley Heads were sighted at noon on Wednesday.
The roadstead presented on Saturday morning last, three steamers arriving pretty nearly together, and another riding at anchor at the time. The one at anchor was the s.s. Maori, which arrived on Friday morning from Lyttelton with a large cargo, but owning to the heavy beak on shore no communication was detected, and she moved out to an anchorage about two miles from the land. The vessels that arrived the following day were the s.s. Claud Hamilton, from Lyttelton, with a small cargo on board for this port, and the s.s. Wellington and the p.s. Comerang, with the immigrants by the Peeress. On the Wellington were 35 families, 35 single men, and 14 single women; and on the Comerang 16 families, 4 single men, and 8 single women; also 5 immigrants from the Eastern Monarch. The sea was, if anything, more boisterous than on the previous day, and as there was no possibility of any communication being made with the shore, the vessels cruised about in the roadstead for a few hours. Ultimately the Wellington and the Comerang dropped anchors for the night near the Maori, and about noon, after retransferring two or three passengers to the Wellington, the Claud Hamilton proceeded on her voyage southwards. The passing of another night on board the steamers was snot a pleasant prospect for the immigrants, but by a little scheming very fair accommodation was afforded. The Comerang, as is well known, is well adapted for the conveyance of passengers, and on the Wellington good shift was made by giving the married and single women the cabin and the married men the steerage. Early yesterday morning, the sea being pretty favorable for landing, the Comerang and Wellington came to an inner anchorage,, and the steam having been got up at the Landing Services, a cargo boat was dispatched for each Service at about half-past seven, to take the immigrants and their luggage, the debarkation being concluded at about 11 o'clock. A large number of persons assembled on the beach to witness the landing, some being friends or relatives of the immigrants. The immigrants, upon landing, were conveyed to the quarters provided for them, the families to the drill-shed on Lecren's Terrace, the single women to the barracks in North-street, and the single men to the old barracks on the main-road. The Wellington after parting her passengers, steamed away for Dunedin.The "new chums" of today.
Timaru Herald Wednesday 29th July 1874
Out of the Peeress' shipment, there have been forwarded to Waimate ten families (43 adults), comprising 65 souls, and to Temuka seven families, equal to 37� souls. These families comprise amongst their members several girls and boys fit for light work. The immigrants now remaining in Timaru of the Peeress; shipment are sixteen families and twenty single men.Immigrants at Temuka. - On Monday at midday two coach loads of immigrants, numbering 53 souls, equal to 37� adults, arrived at Temuka, where they were placed in the temporary barracks - the Court-house and Road Board room. Great disappointment was felt that no single women had been sent out, there being ten applications for domestic servants. Those sent out as single women were from thirteen to sixteen years of age, and only fit to take situations as nursemaids. The men appear to be of a god class. Two families will be placed tomorrow.
31 July 1874
Of the shipment of 299 souls 135 were children from twelve years of age downwards, leaving about 120 or 130 men for employment. All but twelve families and six single men are now away from Timaru.The British ship Parsee has arrived at Christchurch, with loss of anchor and chain, having struck lightly off Timaru. She must go into dry dock.
"Christchurch Press" Saturday August 23rd 1930 Photograph
Early Settlers celebrate their Landing in NZ, arrival of sailing ship "PEERLESS" [sic] at Timaru in 1856 pictured Messers Earl, Tooth, Tubb, Sealey, Mrs Wheeler, Mr Wheeler, & Mr Metson, Mr E.C.J. Stevens, pioneer of Canterbury had biography just published Mr O. Caygill was associated with cricket in Canterbury Hon. W. Downie Stewart, Mr W.F.M. Buckley former member of Board of Gov. Canterbury Ag. College.
Evening Post, 13 May 1941, Page 9
Waimate, This Day. Mrs. Ann Hubbard, who was 102 years of age on April 30, died yesterday after one of the few illnesses of her long life. Born in 1838 at Foulsham, England, she came to New Zealand with her husband, George Hubbard, and six children, landing in surf boats at Timaru in 1874. After a few years they removed to Waimate and bought a farm on the outskirts of the town. Widowed in 1919 Mrs. Hubbard still lived at her old home, leaving only in 1936, after 60 years, to reside with a daughter. The survivors of her family of twelve are Mesdames E. George, T. Phillips, and C. Kennedy (Waimate), and H. Nixon and H. Brain (Christchurch), and Messrs. T. Hubbard (Timaru) and W. Hubbard (Albury).
Joyce Barry Pinnell 14 March 2009
My great,great grandfather George Joyce & his wife Elizabeth, arrived on the Peeress in Lyttelton 1874. Unknown which vessel took them to Timaru from there. Their children : Francis (my great grand father), Matilda, Frank, Frederick, Thomas.
Two more sons (George & Joseph) were later born in Waimate.
Francis married Mary Eliza Wilson. Their children: Laura (my grand mother), Frank, Helen (Nellie), Lucy, Eva, Norman, Gladys, Thomas, Eileen, Henrietta, Douglas & Violet. Francis had a second marriage as well, a daughter Jean was born. Hopefully there are some descendants out there that could get in touch with me?
Henry Robinson married in 1862 in Ridgemont, Bedfordshire to Mary Ann Green. The family emigrated to New Zealand from Woburn with five children on assisted passage. Herbert and Mabel were born after they arrived in Temuka. Settled in the Temuka area where two more children were born.
There were 7 children in the family. William b Bedfordshire 1863 Letitia b " 1865 Charles b " 1867 Mary Ann b " 1869 Henry / Harry b " 1871 Herbert b Temuka 1878 Mabel b Temuka 1880Henry was a carpenter and lived in Arowhenua when he died in 1901. Buried in the Temuka Cemetery. One of Mary Ann's letters which she wrote from the ship Peeress to her parents back in the UK, is quoted in the book "The Farthest Promised Land" by Professor Rollo Arnold. See below. This letter describes life on board the vessel as well as the landing in Timaru and conditions for them on arrival. Information courtesy of Beverley McInnes Posted 23 Feb. 2005
"A glimpse into the lives of immigrants newly arrived in Temuka in 1874 is provided by a letter from Mary, the wife of Henry Robinson, a carpenter from Bedfordshire, who arrived with their five children by the Peeress in July 1874. The letter was written to her parents after a month in the colony. Mary first described the voyage and then wrote of their landing at Timaru:
You should have seen the people on the beach when we landed, there were hundreds to receive us. We were taken to a large building and provided with plenty to eat and tea to drink. This is the place for drinking tea. We stayed there till Monday morning, when eight families were taken about 12 miles farther to a place called Temuka, and put in the barracks until the men got into work, and a home to live in. Harry got work the same day; he has got a good master and he gets 11s. a day for eight hours work.... We have got a nice little home to live in, it is a new house, belonging to the government, with a quarter of an acre of ground belonging to it; there are only two places - one to live in and the other to sleep in, and the rent is six shillings a week. When we have paid enough rent to pay for the house it will be our own, if we stop long enough. Carpentering seems the chief trade about here, for the houses are all made of wood, except the chimneys; our house is all on the ground-floor, and it is stained and varnished inside; we are obliged to make Harry's chest do for a table, until he can make us one, for furniture is very dear; he has made us a beadstead (sic), which, if we had bought an iron one, we should have had to have given �3 10s. for. It cost him only 3s for wood, besides his time for making; his next job will be a table; we have bought two chairs, six shillings each, but people about here don't look for a fine house and a lot of furniture; it is all pushing ahead; it is a very pleasant country, and I think I shall like it very much. There is a good school, and two churches and a chapel. We can sit in our house and see the mountains with the tops all covered with snow, although they are about 60 miles off."
Reference to this letter was No 52, which says LUC, 19 December 1874, p3
LUC = Labourers' Union Chronicle.
Samuel Morgan b.c.1825 and married to Elizabeth. They emigrated to Timaru on the Peeress, leaving 28 March 1874 with their children James b. 1856 (17), Rose b. 1859 (15), Sylvia b. 1864 (9) and William (6). The passenger lists cites Samuel as being a labourer from Oxon. From the census we see the existence of the elder son, Author (sic). Arthur did come out on the Peeress with his wife Mary and with Rose went onto Wellington and the rest settled in South Canterbury. It was Ann who was already married, who stayed behind with her husband. Any info on these families or contact with descendants, would be very welcome. I have information to share. Keith Skudder. Posted 5 March 2005
1851 Oxfordshire Census Index HO107/1730, Folio 97, Entry 50 - Sandford & Ledwell: MORGAN Samuel HD m 26 Ag Lab OXF Sandford Eliza WI m 26 WAR Knowle Author SO 11m OXF Sandford The 1871 Census has these entries: RG10/1447, Folio 54 - "Summertown", Sandford: MORGAN Samuel HD m 47 Ag Lab OXF Sandford Eliza WI m 47 - WAR Knowle James SO u 15 Ag Lab OXF Sandford Sylvia DA 6 sch OXF Great Tew William SO 5 sch OXF Great Tew William FA 70 Ag Lab OXF Yarnton
Walter and Eliza Sell and son Edward came to Canterbury in 1874 on "Peeress". Went to Otago. Walter born Enfield MDX. Eliza nee Steele - marriage cert (Walthamstow, Essex 1873) says father unknown. Son, Charles Sell married Lucy Eva Holland, daughter of George Holland & Maria nee Thompson of Cheviot Hills, Canterbury NZ. George was supposed to have been born in Geelong in Australia. Parents were Charles Holland (d. Geelong) and Alice Harris formerly King.
SELL, SINFIELD, STEELE, THOMPSON, HOLLAND, KING
Any info on these families (my direct line), or contact with descendants, would be very welcome. I have information to share. Joyce Hallett Posted 5 March 2005
George Washington and family
George was born in Wotton Underwood, Buckinghamshire in 1836, he came from a working class family mainly agricultural labourers. He and Jane Brockless were married in 27 Oct 1856 in Wotton Underwood and over the next sixteen years they produced eight children. One of these children, Charles, passed away in 1864 at age 3. George and Jane and their seven children Rebecca 17, Mary Jane 15, Thomas 11, John 9, Robert 7, James 4 and Anthony 2 left from their home in Buckinghamshire, England and immigrated to Timaru, South Cantery, N.Z. on the "Peeress" to Lyttelton where the vessel berthed 23rd July 1874, having spent 118 days at sea. The ship left England on 26 March 1874. 291 immigrants were trans-shipped to Timaru on the PS Coomerang and SS Wellington.
On arrival at Timaru, fifty three of the Peeress immigrants were then coached to Temuka where they were placed in temporary barracks until such time as the men obtained work and a home to live in. Twenty four families of the immigrants set up homes at Patiti Point, Timaru, and others, more fortunate, of which our family was one, set up their home at Arowhenua, Temuka. The Government erected cob and sod house near Patiti Point, which came to be known as Peeress Town but the living conditions were so bad and after outbreaks of typhoid and other diseases, Peeress Town was gradually demolished and the buildings razed to the ground. A report from a resident at Arowhenua, where our Washington family lived, indicates that the families at Arowhenua fared a lot better. They had cottages provided to them by the Government with a quarter acre of land and were able to rent to own. They had a good school, two churches and a chapel, and were able to sit in their houses and view the snow-topped mountains 52 miles away. Information and photo courtesy of Jan MacKinven posted 20 January 2009
Date of photograph 7th March 1904.
Back row ( left-right ) Anthony, Robert, Mary, James, John Washington.
Front row ( left-right ) Rebecca, George & Jane Washington ( parents ) Thomas Washington.World connect
Rebecca married John WILLIAMS in Timaru, both died in Dannevirke.
Thomas George married Sarah Jane DOUGLAS in Temuka in 1885, both died in Temuka.
John married Mary Ann NORTON, both died in Temuka.
Robert married (1) Agnes PAULING in Ashburton and married (2) Grace Louisa WEBB.
James married Sarah RADD in Blenheim. Sarah died in Temuka and their children died in Tuamarina, Blenheim and Temuka.
Anthony married Winifred BELL. They both died in Temuka and one of their children Gordon in Christchurch.
William and Charlotte WILD
The Wild family from Chute in Wiltshire, England came over on an assisted passage on the "Peeress" .William's occupation was recorded as a Farm Labourer. He didn�t marry Charlotte Smith, also from Chute, until 1881. Their children on the voyage out were:
James and Mary, both born in 1863(?)
Emily (1865)
George (1868)
Jane (1871)
Also listed was Herbert, but I have yet to find records for him. They settled in Waimate went on to have the following children in New Zealand:
Rose (1875)
Alexandria (1878)
Arthur (1881)
Tom (1882)
Kate (1887)
Hester (1888)Papers Past - George was only 21 when he died from typhoid fever. He is buried in the Waimate Cemetery along with William, Thomas and Arthur.
Timaru Herald, 29 May 1889, Page 3
An inquest on the body of George Wild was held before the coroner at the Waimate Hospital at 7 p.m. on Monday last. The following jury were embannelled [sic]: W. Coltman (foreman). R. Inkster, F. Smith, P. Russell, G. Harding, and J. Ansell. The jury having viewed the body the following witnesses were examined :
Charlotte Wild, mother of deceased, stated that on Tuesday last deceased, who had lived with his brother for the last fourteen months, came home complaining of a bad cold, and he would stay with her until he was well. He remained from Tuesday until Saturday. As he was getting worse Dr Stacpoole was called in, He said that deceased was suffering from typhoid fever, and advised him to go to the hospital. On the Wednesday previous to this deceased had sent to Dr Niccols for some medicine. Witness did not know what the medicine was for, and whether it was taken. Deceased would not say what was the matter with him. To the foreman : I never spoke to Dr Niccols about my son.
James Wild, of Waimate, labourer, brother of deceased, said that his brother first complained of being unwell on the 21st April, but would not say what was the matter with him. He afterwards told witness he had consulted Dr Niccols. Witness noticed that deceased had several bottles of medicine.
To a juror: I saw deceased take a dose of medicine three weeks after the 23rd April. Dr Stacpoole deposed to having made a post-mortem examination which proved that the cause of death was typhoid fever. The immediate cause was hemorrhage of the bowels. In his opinion deceased had been suffering from fever for three weeks.
To the foreman : Would not say whether the removal to the hospital would aggravate the disease. Dr Niccols stated that deceased had on the 25th April consulted him for a complaint for which he prescribed and supplied a lotion. Subsequently deceased sent his young brother for another bottle of lotion, which was supplied him. To the foreman : Could not remember the exact date the boy came for the lotion, but thought it was within ten days or a fortnight ago. Mr Gall, chemist, and William Wild, father of deceased, were called but were not sworn, as the jury were satisfied that their evidence was not required. The jury returned a verdict of death from typhoid fever.Williams� older brother John (born 1825) married Elizabeth Smith (no connection to Charlotte) and he also settled in New Zealand, arriving in Auckland on the Loch Awe in July 1874 on an unassisted passage. His occupation is not recorded. John and his family, however, left New Zealand for Sydney, Australia in 1876 on the SS Hero. Their family was:
Alice (1853)
Elizabeth (1856)
Richard (1857)
Edward (1860)
Agnes (1862)
Arthur (1865)
William (1867)
Frank (1869)
Albert (1870)
Ada (1873)
An Allen is also listed, who may have been a grandchild to John and Elizabeth. Again, I have no records at this time. Information courtesy of Maggie Fox. Jane is her Great-grandmother. Posted 8 March 2010.
Since 1st March last, over one thousand immigrants have come into this district,
and it is marvellous how rapidly a very large proportion of them have been absorbed.
A neat place to
walk
and feel the sea breeze while watching the black backed
sea gulls and to look for paua shells, it is
hard to find one intact.
Patiti Point
The picnic area at Patiti
Point with the Timaru Hospital in
background.
Photo taken 25 January, 2008.
Geocahing. The plaques on the wall read:
Patiti Point
In the early 1800's this site was used as a shore whaling station
and subsequently as a lookout for spotting whales for the Weller Brothers'
station at Caroline Bay.
Also the site of Peerless [sic] Town, an early immigrant receiving centre.
The reserve was developed by the South Timaru Rotary Club
and handed over to the Timaru District Council, 1992.
Bluestone Rock.
Salvaged from the old Timaru Main School.
Built 1874.
Demolished 1956.
Stonemason K.H. Kempf.
Distressingly the plaque has a mistake....there is an 'L'. The ship was "Peeress"
Otago Witness, 10 December 1881, Page 11
The South Canterbury Times of the 29th ult. reports that a man named Pierce, who with his wife lately came from Dunedin, and were living at Peeress Town, went out of his mind, and on Tuesday morning jumped down the face of the railway excavation south of the town, and afterwards tried to make for the sea, but was too much hurt. He was taken to the Hospital, when it was found that he was decidedly insane, and that he had broken his knee joint by his jump down the bank, which was about 30 feet high.Otago Witness, 2 October 1869, Page 3
The Timaru Herald of Wednesday states :- On Monday morning a good-sized whale was been close in shore off Timaru. A boat was put off, and the crew fired several shots from a rifle into the monster, but without much apparent effect. Harpoons could not be used as whale lines were wanting. A whale again was seen towards evening, probably the same one as appeared in the morning, and a boat again put off and came close alongside the fish, who was among the rocks near Patiti Point. A harpoon was ready, with line attached to it, and the men in the boat pulled with a will until they were suddenly brought to a sense of their position by the whale appearing almost immediately beneath them, and had to "back water" to prevent a collision. At this time the monster was in a position where it was not thought advisable to fasten the line to him, as the boat would iv all probability have been upset by being dragged over some of the numerous reefs in the vicinity. The line, too, was of an indifferent character, and there appeared to be no one in the boat who really understood whaling. The boat returned to the shore after a little further chase, and the prize was allowed to escape. We believe that at least a dozen whales have been seen near Timaru this season, and yet very little effort has been made to effect a capture. There was some talk of forming a small company, but the matter fell through.