"MEROPE" 1875 from Plymouth via Timaru
The ship anchored at Timaru on the afternoon of the 22nd September. The immigrants were landed on the following morning - on the voyage there had been 2 births and 3 deaths (infants) - and the numbers landed were as follows- 263 souls (equal 225 adults) one family however named Fisher 2 adults came on the ship to Lyttelton. There was but one nominated immigrant (single woman) for ChCh- and she remained at Timaru with her shipmates.
Press, 27 September 1875, Page 2
Arrived Lyttelton - Sept 26 Merope, ship, 1053 tons, Sutherland, from London
via Timaru. Dalgety, Nichols and Co, agents.
Passengers: Cabin: Mr J.A. and Mrs
Campbell and child, Mr and Mrs J.T. Lowe and 4 children, Mr and Mrs Leask, Messrs
Maguire, E.T. Sumner [Timaru Herald reported Mr. E.T
Summers], Kay, W.F. Howlett, Gorton. E. Leask
[Timaru Herald reported Mr. T. Leask], Mrs Leask and child, Smith, George Temple.
Steerage: Mr and
Mrs Wotherspoon and 11 children (for Timaru -second cabin passengers).
The fine ship arrived again in our waters
yesterday, after a line passage. Timaru was reached, as already chronicle, in
eighty-five days from Plymouth. The immigrants having been landed at Timaru, the
Merope left on Friday night, and arrived yesterday at 10 a.m., and
anchored off Stoddart's point. Her cargo is a large and valuable one. She is
this trip in command of Captain Sutherland.
Timaru Herald report 24 Sept. 1875 page 3
SHIP MEROPE, FROM PLYMOUTH TO TIMARU
Lyttelton Times Monday 27 September 1875
The Merope, from London, arrived ship, Timaru, 24 September 1875 with 264
(250 immigrants and 20 cabin) passengers. 81 single men,
43 married couples and 31 single women and 66 children. She is 84 days out
from Plymouth. There were three deaths (children) during the voyage, and
three births.
This fine composite vessel arrived in harbour yesterday morning, came to an anchorage off Diamond Harbour at 9.30 p.m. Her arrival at Timaru has already been notified, and the following account of the voyage is taken from the Timaru Herald; -The ship Merope, one of Messrs Shaw, Saville, and Co.'s line, arrived here yesterday from Plymouth, with immigrants. The arrival of an immigrant ship being such an unusual occurrence here, the Merope attracted no little attention, She was first seen early in the morning to the southward, but did not reach Timaru till between two and three o'clock in the afternoon. Just before the vessel reached the roadstead the harbour-master went aboard and bought her to anchorage about a mile from the shore. Shortly afterwards a boat containing the immigration officer (Mr. F. Le Cren), the health officer (Dr M'Intyre), the Rev. E.A. Lingard, and other gentlemen, proceeded to the vessel. The health having found that no disease existed among the immigrants, cleared the vessel. An inspection of the immigrants and the vessel was then made, everything appearing to be in capital order. The vessel was well fitted up for the accommodation of immigrants, and the sleeping place being arranged on the most approved principles. From the Doctor, Mr Hassart, it was elicited that there had been but little sickness during the voyage, no disease of any serious nature had broke out. Three deaths of infants he stated, had occurred, one form tabes mesenterica, another from diarrhoea, and the third from premature birth. The births on board were two in number. The single men, who there are eighty, are study looking fellows, evidently use to hard work. The married men are clearly the right stamp for the Colonies. The majority of the men are agriculture labourers, the others mostly following useful trades. The single women, who came under charge of Mrs Bartropp, are healthy and strong in appearance, nearly all being domestic servants. The immigrants all appear to be in capital spirits, and they speak well of the manor they have been treated by the captain, doctor and others in authority. The Captain is Mr I. Sutherland, who was formerly in command of the Crusader, in which he made several trips to Canterbury. The present is his first voyage in the Merope, and he speaks highly of her sailing qualities. The voyage, he says was a very favourable one, extending over eighty five days. The Captains report as follows - "Left Plymouth at noon on July 1, wind Southwest. Continued so for three days. Afterwards, had light but favourable winds, which carried the vessel to the North-east trades. These were light throughout, and were lost in 11 North, when the usual light variable winds and calm prevailed for some days. The Equator was crossed on the morning of July 27, in 27.30 West. Hence across the Southern tropics the wind came from S.S.E. to S.S.W., and in consequence the ship was carried so far West that several tacks had to be made before weathering the coast of Brazil, which was not finally cleared until August 8. The meridian of the Cape was crossed on August 23 in Lat. 45. From that till off the south coast of Tasmanian, which was passed on Sept, 13, strong west and South-west winds prevailed, several times amounting to a gale with very high seas. , the ship making good runs, often logging 300 and as much as 320 miles a day. From off Tasmanian, till making the Snares, which were sighted at 2.a.m. on Sept, 20; had light northerly winds mostly, calms prevailing during three days. On Monday last light North-east wind was experienced, lasting till Wednesday, when a light South0west breeze sprang up, and continued until the ship's arrival at Timaru. She will not, however unload any cargo here. The immigrants on board the vessel seemed very pleased to see visitors from shore, and the Rev. L.E. Lingard was perfectly loaded with correspondence, which he kindly took to post for them. The immigrants will be landed this morning early, and conveyed to the Timaru barracks. Numbers of them will afterwards be taken to several country barracks.
After the landing immigrants and their luggage, the ship got under weigh on Friday night, the wind blowing from the Southward, made Lyttelton heads on Saturday night and anchored as above.
The following is a list of the Assisted Emigrants to Timaru:-
Columns represent Surname, given name, age, origin, occupation and remarks.
Reference: Passenger list National Archives Christchurch & South Canterbury Museum & Timaru Herald 6 Sept. 1875 page 3
Families and Children Batton Wm 21 Devon Farm Laborer Batton Jessie 22 Beswick Hart 26 Cornwall Blacksmith Colonial nominated [Beswarick] Beswick Maria 20 Burborough Joseph 47 Oxon Laborer Burborough Elizabeth 44 Burborough James 19 Transfered to S.M. Burborough William 16 Transfered to S.M. Burborough Mary 14 Burborough John 11 Burborough Thomas 4 Drake Edward 41 Nottinghamshire Laborer (birth & death) Drake Catherine 33 Drake Edward 17 Transfered to S.M. Drake Sarah 15 Transfered to S.W. Drake Reuben 2 Ellis Mark 23 Yorks Plaster Colonial nominated Ellis Hannah 23 birth Fifield Jonas 35 Oxon Laborer Fifield Caroline 35 Fifield William 14 Transfered to S.M. Fifield Fanny 8 Fifield John 7 Fifield Elizabeth 3 Fifield Joseph 8/12 Fifield John 38 Oxon Laborer Fifield Ann 40 Fifield Edward J. 18 Carpenter Transfered to S.M. Fifield Sarah A. 15 Transfered to S.W. Fifield Joseph 13 Transfered to S.M. Fifield Amy 3 Fifield Ellen 6 George Frank 29 Surrey Hair Dresser Colonial nominated George Ada 22 George Ada 6/12 Hulbert Alfred 23 Wilts Blacksmith Hulbert Emma M. 22 Harton Tho' 28 Devon Sawyer Harton Sarah C. 27 Harton Thomas 6 Hawkey Tom 22 Cornwall Shoemaker Hawkey Jane 21 Hollow Henry N. 26 Cornwall Joiner Hollow Lousia J. 24 Hollow Lousia N. 3 Hollow Henry M. 8/12 Jarvis John 31 Cornwall Navvy Jarvis Jane 31 Johns Frederick 21 Cornwall Farm Laborer Johns Jane 18 Johnson Cha's 22 Nottinghamshire Farm Laborer Johnson Kate 22 Johnson Osborne C. 6/12 Killworth George 23 Essex Farm Laborer Waimate Killworth Jessie 20 Karton Thomas 28 Devon Sawyer Karton Sarah A 27 Karton Francis 6 Karton Wm 31 Devon Sawyer Karton Sophia 30 Karton Fred'k 6 Karton Anne 4 Karton Florence 3 Langford John 25 Kerry Laborer Langford Ellen 25 Langford Bridget 6/12 Leahy B.J.F. 25 Dublin Carpenter Leahy Eliz'th 25 Mann Arthur B. 23 Cornwall Laborer Mann Jinfor 24 Necklen William Jnr 37 Dorset Farm Laborer Necklen Elizabeth A. 26 Necklen Henry J. 6 Necklen Elizabeth 2 Necklen Mary 5/12 Power Richard 26 Kings Laborer Power Mary A. 23 Power Mary 2 Power Anne 1 Pye George 23 Devon Farm Laborer Pye Eliz'th 29 Pye Mary J. 8 Pye George 5 Pye Martha 3 Pye Louisa 1 Roskilley George 22 Cornwall Butcher Roskilley Eliz'th 22 Sturges Wm 30 Northampton Laborer for Waimate Sturges Ann 24 Sturges Emily 9/12 Stanton Wm 28 Cornwall Navvy Stanton Emily 24 Stone John 35 Kent Printer Stone Susannah C. 38 Stone Susannah C. 11 Stone John 9 Stone Louisa M. 8 Stone George A. 6 Stone Harry 5 South George 35 Northampton Laborer South Susan 32 South John 9 South George 6 South Alfred 3 South William 8/12 died Tee Thomas 48 Northampton Farm Laborer Waimate Tee Mary 47 Tee Lydia 17 Transfered to S.W. Tee Clara 14 Transfered to S.W. Tee Thomas 11 Tee David 9 Tee Ada 7 Thomas John 35 Monmouth Farm Laborer Thomas Susannah 35 Thomas Eliz'th 3 Thomas Wm A. 1 Triggs John 39 Cornwall Farm Laborer Triggs Eliz'th A. 33 Triggs Annie 9 Uren Wm 26 Cornwall Farm Laborer Uren Mary 24 Yorks Farm Laborer Treffery George 26 Devon Laborer [Treffry] Treffery Amelia 28 Treffery Olvelina 3 Treffery Charlotte J. 10/12 died Wakelin Henry 32 Northampton Farm Labourer Wakelin Jane 23 Wakelin George 3 Wakelin Martha 1 Warren Thomas F. 23 Cornwall Farm Laborer Warren Alice 22 Warren Elizabeth A. infant Watts David 26 Berks Carpenter Waimate Watts Charlotte 27 Watts Wm 2 Watts Harry 1 Whealon Martin 34 Clare Farm Laborer Whealon Mary 31 Whealon Kate 16 Transfered to S.W. Whealon James 14 Transfered to S.M. Whealon Morty 13 Transfered to S.M. Whealon John 10 Whealon Bridget 5 Whittaker Wm J. 21 Yorks Tailor Whittaker Fanny 19Additional families from the South Canterbury Museum list - paying steerage passengers BISHOP George 40 Labourer for Waimate BISHOP Mary 41 BISHOP Mark 12 BISHOP Elizabeth 5 BOWDEN William 29 Devon Shoemaker BOWDEN Mary 21 BOWDEN Frederick 19 Devon Navvy for Waiamte BUSSELL John 42 Devon Shepherd BUSSELL Susan A 37 BUSSELL William 17 BUFSELL Mary 16 BUFSELL Agnes 14 BUSSELL John 12 BUSSELL Thomas 11 BUSSELL Edwin 9 BUSSELL Kate 7 BUSSELL Bertha 5 BUSSELL Clara 3 BUSSELL Alice 9/12 FISHER George 24 Essex Carpenter FISHER Jessie 25 FISHER Harry 18mths GILES Joseph 29 Devon Farm laborer for Waimate GILES Sarah 27 GILES John 5 GILES Samuel 2 Single Men and Women ADKINS George 17 Carpenter Warwick ANDREWS Ellen 17 Housemaid Devon BARRY Michael 23 Farm Labourer Tipperary BARTRUP Ellen 40 Housemaid Essex BARTRUP Larry J 5 Essex BENNETT Charles 24 Brickmaker Yorks for Waimate BENNETT Frank 21 Sawyer Yorks for Waimate BIRD Thomas 19 Farm Labourer Bowden Frederick 19 Navvy BOWERS Thomas P. 24 Farm Labourer Carlow BROWN Jessie 17 Servant Devon BROWN Nannie 21 Housemaid Kings BURGESS John 20 Porter Antrim BYRNE John 23 Farmer Carlow CAHILL Laurence 24 Farm Labourer Galway CAHILL Michael 21 Farm Labourer Galway CARROLL Jane 18 Servant Kings CAVERLEY Mary A 30 Laundress Middlesex C. nominated Canterbury 2952 CHEGWIDGEN Eliza 27 Dairymaid Cornwall COFFEY James 24 Farm Labourer Kerry COMMINS John 28 Farm Labourer Galway CONDEL William 21 Labourer Carlow CONNELL Margaret 20 Dairymaid Kings CORBETT Robert 23 Farm Labourer Down COX Emily 16 Servant Devon CRONIN William 15 Herdsman Cork CODLIN Clara 27 Housemaid Essex DOROTHY Elizabeth 26 Servant DUNSTAN Mary 22 Servant Cornwall near her confinement DWYER John 22 Labourer Kings FANNEN John 27 Farmer Carlow FENNESSEY Catherine 20 Servant Cork FENNESSEY Thomas 22 Farm Labourer Cork FINCH William 27 Farm Labourer Essex FORD William 25 Ploughman Devon GANNING Hugh 21 Farm Labourer Devon GILMOUR John 26 Farm Labourer Down GRENFELL Richard 21 Carpenter Cornwall HALL William 20 Farm Labourer Cornwall HANNA Alex 20 Farm Labourer Down HARVEY Frederick 22 Platelayer Essex HENNESSY James 22 Labourer Carlow HORTOP Charles 20 Farm Labourer Devon for Waimate HOSKING Ulta 22 Farm Labourer Cornwall HOSKING Jane 36 Servant Cornwall HOSKING Emily 14 M -- Servant Cornwall HUDSON William 18 Farm Labourer Oxon for Waimate HUME Arthur 26 Farm Labourer Wicklow HUNT Emma 21 Wife Cornwall Colonial nominated HUNT Emma 6/12 Cornwall Colonial nominated HYDE Isaac 34 Navvy Hants KEANE Joseph John 21 Farm Labourer Cornwall for Waimate KERR William 31 Farm Labourer Armagh KERR James 23 Farm Labourer Armagh KIRBY Osmyn 22 Farm Labourer LEHANT Melanie 22 Servant France MAHONEY Dan 21 Farm Labourer Cork MARSDEN Frederick 22 Brickmaker Yorks McGONIGLE Daniel 24 Constable Donegal MITCHELL Samuel 25 Farm Labourer Cornwall MITCHELL Thomas 19 Farm Labourer Cornwall for Waimate O'CONNELL Margaret 20 Dairymaid Kerry O'CONNELL Patrick 25 Farm Labourer Kerry O'LEARY John 20 Ploughman Cork O'NEIL Alexander 20 Farm Labourer King O'NEIL Alexander 23 Farm Labourer Kings PEACH Alfred G 20 Labourer Dorset POUND Thomas 21 Labourer Kings PRESTON Emily 24 Housemaid Devon PRIOR Reuben A 28 Farm Labourer Wilts for Waimate PURCEL Mary 17 Housemaid Kings PURCELL John 26 Labourer Kings RAYNEL Alexandrina 20 Servant Alderney RICHARDS Phillip 20 Farm Labourer Cornwall for Waimate ROTHWELL Henry 22 Labourer Carlow ROWE James L 21 Blacksmith Cornwall for Waimate SAMUEL Michael 22 Farm Labourer SCANNELL Michael W 22 Farm Labourer Cork SEWARD William 28 Dairyman Down SHANKS John 21 Labourer Devon SKEDGWELL William 20 Labourer Devon for Waimate SMITH Susie 20 Housemaid Essex SPENCE Samuel 30 Labourer Down SULLIVAN Cornelius 22 Farm Labourer Cork SULLIVAN John 20 Farm Labourer Kerry Colonial nominated Timaru 443 TANGEY Jane 31 Servant Cornwall TAYLOR David 20 Farm Labourer Down THOMAS Thomas 22 Farm Labourer Cornwall for Waimate UREN John 19 Farm Labourer Cornwall for Waimate WARREN Jonathan 18 Farm Labourer Cornwall WHITTINGHAM William 27 Blacksmith Essex WILLIAMS John 19 Farm Labourer Cornwall WILLIAMS Henry 23 General Laborer Cornwall WILLOUGHBY William 30 Carpenter Kilkarney WORTH Ellen 22 Servant Cornwall WORTH Thomas 47 Farm Labourer Cornwall WORTH Elizabeth J 7 Cornwall WORTH Thomas 18 Farm Labourer Cornwall WORTH William Jas 6 Cornwall
English 203
Irish 58
Welsh 1
French 1
Channel Islanders 1
Total Souls 264
Other Merope links:
The Timaru Herald September 6 has a full list of names, ages and
occupations.
Passenger
list 1870 to Lyttelton
A photo of the Merope appears in the National Maritime Museum catalogue
volume 2 Merchant Sailing Ships 1976 G2262. and White Wings Vol. 1.
page 89. She was a full rigged clipper of 1050 tons built in 1870 and completed eighteen
voyages to New Zealand. She mostly sailed from London Docks but on several occasions
departed from Glasgow.
Evening Post, 4 October 1875, Page 2
Timaru. 4th October.
The Herald's special London correspondent, writing on the 6th August, says : �
"Both Sir Julius Vogel and Dr. Featherston were abroad recruiting their health,
and the agency was in the sole charge of Mr. Walter Kennaway. The ship
Edinburgh, 2000 tons, was to sail that day direct for Timaru with immigrants."
The Merope's people are rapidly finding employment at good wages. There is a
good deal of building going on here in stone, brick, concrete, and timber.
North Otago Times, 18 November 1875, Page 2
Timaru. November 17.
A woman named Drake, one of the immigrants per Merope, had been committed
to the Lunatic Asylum by the Resident Magistrate, and was left in charge of her
husband in the barracks awaiting removal. At 8 o'clock last night Drake went out
for a moment, when his wife locked him out. On the door being broken open she
was found to have killed her son of two years old, almost severing the head from
the body with a razor, and to have cut her own throat severely. She is in a
dying state. This is the second case of lunacy from the Merope.
The married men are clearly the right stamp for the Colonies.
BESWICK
Assisted Emigration to Timaru
Name: Hart Beswick
Event: Passenger
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Origin: Cornwall
Occupation: Blacksmith
Estimated Birth Year: 1849
Ship : Merope
Departure Date: 30 Jun 1875
Arrival Port: Timaru
Arrival Date: 22 Sep 1875
Maria 20 from Cornwall
HAWKEY
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand
[Canterbury]
Councillor Tom Hawkey has been a member of the Timaru
Borough Council since 1894, and represents the South-east Ward. He was born in
1853, in Cornwall. England, apprenticed to the boot trade, and arrived in
Timaru, by the ship Merope, in 1875. Since about 1882 he has been in business
at the southern end of Timaru. He served for a number of years on the South
Timaru school committee, and was at one time chairman. Mr. Hawkey was married,
in 1875, to a daughter of the late Mr. C. W. Beswetherick, of St. Andrews, and
has had six sons and seven daughters. One son and two daughters have died.
photo
Timaru Herald, 10 April 1909, Page 5
The funeral of the late Mrs Tom Hawkey will take place, at 2 o'clock to-morrow
afternoon. Mrs Hawkey, a native of Cornwall, left Home for New Zealand in the
Merope in 1875, a few days after marriage, and had lived in Timaru ever
since arriving in the colony. She was a valued member of the Primitive Methodist
Church, and with her husband took an active interest in the South School. Mr
Hawkey and his family have the sympathy of many sincere friends of both older
and newer days, in their bereavement. [Priscilla Hawkey wife of Tom Hawkey died
April 7 1909 aged 54. Their son Leslie Gordon Hawkey was killed in action in
France October 8th 1918, aged 21 years. Tom died Nov. 23rd 1922. Their daughter
Janie died June 9 1885 aged 9. Alma died 5 April 1932.
KARTON
William Henry Karton married Sophia Wilkins in
Devon. Lived near Exeter in the County of Devon
Children of Sophia and William Karton
born in NZ
1875 Karton Emily
1877 Karton Sidney William d. Sept. 7 1954
1878 Karton Violet m. William McPherson in 1896
1880 Karton Leonard died Nov. 7 1955
1883 Karton Anna
1886 Karton Lily interned 6 Feb. 1887
Timaru Herald, 1 January 1903, Page 2 DEATH.
KARTON On Nov. 21st, 1902, at Johannesburg, South Africa,
Frederick H. W., eldest son of Sophia and William
Karton; aged 32. Deeply regretted.
Timaru Herald, 7 February 1916, Page 7
The deaths are announced this morning; of an elderly husband and wife, Mr and
Mrs William Karton, the former dying on Saturday, the latter on Sunday.
Timaru Herald, 7 February 1916,
Page 6
KARTON On February 6th, [5th] 1916, at Timaru Hospital, William Karton, late
of Woolcombe Street, in his 74th year. At Rest.
KARTON On Sunday, February 6th at the residence of her daughter (Mrs Hayes),
Browne Street, Sophia, widow of the late William Karton; aged 72 years. At rest.
Florence Karton married William Tutton in 1887
Annie Karton interned 30 April 1883 aged 14
Timaru Herald, 29 July 1882, Page 2
An Elopement Case. At the Dunedin Police Court on Thursday a man named Robt.
Knight was charged with stealing some bedding, the property of William Karton,
of Timaru. Mrs Karton stated that her husband had been in the habit of abusing
her, and the accused, who had lodged with them, leaving for Dunedin, the
determined to go with him. She said to him, When you go, Bob, I will go with
you, and you can board with me I think we "can get on all right." She had six
children, whom she took with her, and she said she took the bedding to make sure
of having something for the children to sleep on. Accused admitted that he had
helped to pack up the things and forwarded them to Dunedin, and when accosted m
Dunedin by Karton he said Mrs Karton was m his house. The Magistrate said
accused appeared to hare acted like a fool, but without any intention to commit
a felony. His foolish action might hare ended m his being sent to gaol, but
under the circumstances he thought he should be doing wrong to send him there.
The case would be dismissed. A similar case was heard at the last Supreme Court
sessions at Timaru, with a very different result.
Sarah Ann nee Pearce bc 1847 and Thomas Edwin KARTON
c.1848 were also passengers on this voyage of the
Merope along with their six year old son Francis. Thomas was a brother to
William Karton, another passenger. Children born in NZ.
1876 Karton Clara Ellen
1879 Karton Gilbert
James ANGUS
and his wife Jane FORBES arrived on the James Nicol Fleming into Port Chalmers
in Oct. 1870. Their daughter
Magdalene Smith ANGUS b 1871 in NZ married Francis Thomas KARTON in 1893 in
Victoria
Children of Magdalene and Francis Thomas KARTON
1895 Karton George Francis
1896 Karton Thomas
1897 Karton Douglas
1900 Karton Daphne
Daphne Magdalene Karton m. William Ross Hay in 1923
1901 Karton Annie Sutton
George and Sarah South arrived in Timaru with their three
sons. They later had five more sons, all but one settled in the Geraldine /
Winchester area. John and Elizabeth South lived at Croughton on Woodbury Rd,
named the village after the town in Northhamptonshire from whence the family
came.
TAYLOR
David Taylor, attended the Pioneer Day in Temuka Dec. 1926