Peeress - Immigrants for South Canterbury, New Zealand, 1874

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.

Bryan
Timaru Herald, 20 July 1910, Page 3
An old resident of Temuka, Mr Wm. Bryan, passed away on Thursday last at the ripe age of 78, and the funeral took place on Sunday. The deceased, a Buckinghamshire man, landed at Timaru from the Peeress 36 or 37 years ago, and settled at Temuka. The son of a Methodist local preacher, he became one himself and was one of the founders of the Primttive Methodist congregation at Temuka, and gave his services as a preacher freely to Geraldine and other places in the district. A memorial service was held in the Temuka Church on Sunday, and the Rev. T. Coatsworth spoke highly of the character and example of the deceased.

ENNIS & POWELL
Henry Powell lived at No. 3. Jersey Villa, brown St. Timaru in 1885. He was a bricklayer and plasterer and slater.

Families
Powell Henry 43 bricklayer Hants
Powell Sarah 42, Henry 19, Edwin 17, Walter 9,
Ennis Abraham 19 (travelling with Powell family]

Single Men
Ennis Abraham laborer 19 Hants Travelling with the Powell's
Powell Edwin laborer 17 Hants Gone to Auckland
Powell Henry laborer 19 Hants Gone to Auckland

Timaru Herald 18 Sept. 1877 Timaru Herald
ENNIS - WEBSTER - August 10th, at the residence of Mr H. Powell, builder, Brown-street, Mr Abraham George Ennis, of Jersey, to Faith Angelina Webster, of Timaru.

Children of Faith Angelina Abraham George ENNIS
1878 Ennis Annie
1880 Ennis Abraham George
1882 Ennis Ashton Alfred
1885 Ennis Emily Bella Angelina
1888 Ennis Mabel Eveline
1890 Ennis Bertie William
1890 Ennis Arthur Herbert
1895 Ennis Alice Cressy
1896 Ennis Ivy Irene
1898 Ennis Bertie William
1900 Ennis Leslie Mataura Webster
1902 Ennis Gladys Eileen
1903 Ennis Linda Victoria

Annie Elizabeth Seyb married Abraham George ENNIS in 1901. He died in 1955 aged 77. Annie died in 1957 aged 82. She was born in 1878 d/o Christiana and George Seyb.Children:
1902 Ennis Ivy Elizabeth
1903 Ennis Arthur George d. 1940 age 37
1904 Ennis Alexander Philip d. 1980 aged 75
1908 Ennis Alfred William
1906 Ennis Ludwig Frederick Abraham b. 6 May. Died 1979 aka Lewis F. Ennis, buried Timaru
1910 Ennis Leonard Stanley Died between Fairlie and Kimbell during the 2nd January 1975 Swaggers Walk. Stan was a rabbitter in the Fairlie District.
1911 Ennis Ernest Walden b. 14 July d. 1977
1913 Ennis Herbert Eric

Hubbard
Press 1 May 1940 Page 2 HER 101ST BIRTHDAY MRS ANN HUBBARD, OF WAIMATE
WAIMATE, April 30. Still active and healthy despite her great .age, Mrs Ann Hubbard, of Waimate, celebrated her one hundred and first birthday to-day. when a number of friends paid her a visit and arranged a birthday party. A birthday cake was presented to Mrs Hubbard. "Lots of fun at 101� was the birthday wish for Mrs Hubbard, expressed in a telegram from the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs Geo. Dash). A number of descendants of Mrs Hubbard, down to the fourth generation, live in the district. Mesdames E. George, T. Phillips, and G. Kennedy, of Waimate, are daughters; "a son, Mr W. Hubbard, lives at Albury. and another, Mr T. Hubbard, at Timaru. Another daughter, Mrs H. Nixon, lives at Timaru, and another, Mrs H. Brain, in Christchurch, Mrs Hubbard lived in the same cottage in Waimate for 60 years, and only three years ago went to live with her daughters. Her eyesight is failing, but otherwise she retains all her faculties. Mrs Hubbard was born in England in 1839, two years after Queen Victoria ascended the throne, and the year penny postage was adopted. With her husband and six children she arrived in Lyttelton in 1874 in the ship Peeress, after a voyage of four months. Mrs Hubbard remembers hearing in her girlhood of the chief events of the Crimean War, of the charge of the Light Brigade, and of the work of Florence Nightingale. Her husband died in 1919. [Ann Hubbard died 12 May 1941 aged 102, Methodist] [George Hubbard died 28 March 1919]

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).

Auckland Star, 2 May 1941, Page 9 WELL-KNOWN WAIMATE WOMAN.
Her 102nd birthday was celebrated yesterday by Mrs. Ann Hubbard, of Waimate. Although she was still in bed after a recent illness. Mrs. Hubbard looked well and said that she wanted to get up, but doctors' orders had forbidden it. The Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. G. Dash, sent birthday greetings to Mrs. Hubbard. who also received many presents. A well known figure in Waimate, having resided there for some 60 years. Mrs. Hubbard was born in Foulsham. England. She and her husband, Mr. George Hubbard, and six children arrived in New Zealand in October, 1874, landing at Timaru. After some years the family removed to Waimate, Mr. Hubbard later taking up a farm on the boundary of the town, where he resided until the time of his death in 1919. Of the family of twelve, seven members are living.

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?

MANN
My Great-great grandparents John and Eleanor (Ellen) Mann arrived in Timaru on the Peeress in 1874, along with their 5 children, William 7, Henry 6, Elizabeth 4, Ellen 2 and Jabez age 3months (Jabez died on the voyage). They had eight more children after settling in Timaru.

Children:
William Mann 		b 1866 married 1900 to Margaret Garven
Henry Mann 		b 1868 married 1892 to Adeline Wells
Elizabeth 		b 1870
Ellen 			b 1872
Jabez 			b 1874 d. on voyage, aged 3 months
Joseph 			b 1875 (Timaru)
Lilyan Mann 		b 1877 married 1894 to Parkin Bower
Sarah Mann 		b 1878 married1900 to George Newman
Louisa Mann 		b 1881 married 1918 to Thomas Joseph Bates
Flora Agnes Mann 	b 1882
Melinda Mann 		b 1885 married 1923 to James Henry Giles
Frank Mann 		b 1886
Percy Mann 		b 1888 married 1925 to Catherine Mabel Fridd

The family lived in "Peeress Town" situated at Patiti Point, due to the unsanitary conditions there, Elizabeth age 9, Ellen age 3 and Joseph age 4 died while living there, from either dysentery or diptheria.
In the 1880's the family moved to Oxford street South (now Cambridge Street) where they lived until 1915.
Eleanor died in 1906 age 59 and John died in 1913 age 68, both are buried in Timaru cemetery.
Within this family there are at least 12 illegitimate children, so I would like to hear from anyone who believes they are related to this family as I have a lot more information to share. Carmen Hayman Posted Sept. 2012

"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:

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

Mr George Phillips
Press, 26 February 1929, Page 7
One of Temuka's early settlers, Mr George Phillips, died in Dunedin on Saturday morning. He was well known in Temuka up to a few years ago, when he retired and went to live with members of his family. Up to three weeks ago Mr Phillips had enjoyed the best of health, and was never known to require medical advice. He took ill last month and, on medical advice, liecame a patient in the Dunedin Public- Hospital, where he underwent an operation, from which he did not recover. The late Mr Phillips was born in Gloucester, England, 82 years ago, and assumed the occupation of a farmer. He married Miss Margaret Lane, in Berkshire, England, and a few years later the young couple left for New Zealand in the emigrant ship Peeress, arriving at Timaru on July 16th, 1373. The family, consisting of the parents and three children, one of whom was born on the voyage, landed in surf boats. They came to Temuka, and Mr Phillips obtained employment on railway works the -line between Temuka and Timaru being then in process of construction. On the completion of this work he obtained employment as foreman of the Temuka Road Board's outside staff. Later lie obtained a similar position under the Temuka Borough Council, and was subsequently appointed caretaker and sexton of the Temuka Cemetery, positions he held for some eighteen years. He was a member of the Temuka Volunteer Rifle Brigade, and soon became a proficient marksman, winning the Marksman's Cup for several years. He was a foundation member of the T.O.O.F. Alexandrovna Lodge, and was co-trustee with Mr James Blyth, who died in Temuka a few months ago. When this body ran the provincial athletic sports in Temuka, Mr Phillip was a most enthusiastic official, and on the formation of the Temuka Caledonian Society, to which body was transferred the duty of running these sports, he became a member, and assisted it in every way. He also took a keen interest in the local I.Q.G.T. Lodge, and was trustee of that body for a good number of years. He was a member of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. Mr Phillips died some nine years ago. There were eleven children of the marriage, nine of whom survive, their names being: Mrs W. Oliver (Temuka). Mrs A. Hull (Geraldine), Mr Harry Phillips (Temuka), Mr John Phillips (Washdyke), Mr Walter Phillips (Temuka), Mr Edward Phillips (Mosgiel), Mr Reuben Phillips (Masterton), Mr Frank Phillips (Christchurch), and Mr Noah Phillips (Timaru). The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at Temuka, there being a large attendance, including the Mayor (Mr T. E. Gunnion), prominent citizens, and members of the Alexandrovna Lodge.

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

William Henry TUBB
My Great Grandfather William Henry Tubb 1852-1933) and he arrived in Timaru in 1874 from Holloway, Middlesex, England. I presume he came for a better life and better weather. He was married at the time of arrival to Jane Leech (1850-1918). They settled in Timaru and had nine children. I know that William was a volunteer fireman at Timaru but I think he may have been a carpenter by trade. My grandfather Cecil Leonard Tubb (1882-1969) was a carpenter and joiner as was my father, Kenneth Charles Tubb (1917-1985). We lived at Fairlie. I now live in Caloundra, Queensland and have a substantial list of all the family members with dates etc. compiled by other relatives. Ngaire Vernal (nee Tubb) Posted 3 March 2013

Press, 9 August 1933, Page 5
Mr W. H. Tubb, whose death occurred recently, was born at Potter's Bar, in Middlesex, England, in 1852. He was apprenticed to the joinery trade and afterwards worked at his trade in London. In 1874 he married Jane Leach, of Cobham, Kent, and they left for New Zealand in the sailing ship Peeress, which reached Lyttelton after a passage of 121 days. They immediately transferred to a small steamer, and landed on the shingle beach at Timaru on July 26, 1874. Mr Tubb's first employment in Timaru was as a carpenter at the Main School, and afterwards on other public buildings. He was one of the contractors for the original part of the present post office. Later he worked for Mr George Clayton and helped to build several of the schools in the country districts, including those at Makikihi, Gapes Valley, and Fairview. He afterwards took up bridge building, and built several of the bridges in the country, among others the Allandale bridge at Fairlie. In 1910, together with his wife, he visited England. During his later years Mr Tubb lived a retired life at Marslon road. He took a deep interest in the local government of the town. He was for many years on the finance committee of the Foresters' Lodge, was a director of the Pioneer Building Society, and a member of the Congregational Church for more than 40 years. Mr Tubb was twice married. His second wife died nearly two years ago. He had a family of nine children�two daughters and seven sons. One son made the supreme sacrifice during the Great War.

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.

Star 23 November 1896, Page 3 Washington v. Washington (divorce). This was an application, on the wife's petition, for a decree nisi for the dissolution of marriage on the ground of adultery, desertion and cruelty. Mr Crisp appeared for the petitioner. The respondent did not appear. The petitioner, Agnes Washington, deposed that she had been married to the respondent, Robert Washington, in 1888, at the Presbyterian manse, Ashburton. They bad lived together for about five years, .but there were no children. Three weeks after marriage she found out that he had deceived her by saying that he had no debts; she complained, and he kicked her. He ill-used her on several occasions, and she had to go to her mother. In December, 1893, he had left her to see his mother at Temuka. He had not returned, and had paid her no money, and found her no home. She had not communicated with him in any way in connection with the present case.

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.

William's 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.