James Latto was born around 24 February 1828 in Kinglassie, Scotland to William Latto and Barbara Ross. Around 1845 he married Mary Brown, who had been born on 5 November 1822 in Kilmany, Scotland. James and Mary, along with eldest daughter 'Catharine' are listed in the 1851 Census living in Woodside, Markinch, Fife, Midlothian. James is listed as being aged 24, and an agricultural labourer born Kinglassie, Fife; Mary is a 25 year old, born in Kilmany, Fife; Catharine is a two year old born in Markinch, Fife.
James and Mary Latto had five children, who were all born in Markinch, Scotland, prior to their trip to New Zealand:
- Catherine Latto Born 27 March 1849, christened 8 April 1849 - died in 1860 in Scotland aged 10
- William Latto 13 December 1852 died on 6 October 1931
- George Latto 22 January 1855 married 1889 Mary Norris - died in 1912
- James Latto 14 April 1857 - 1863 aged six years
- David Latto 3 July 1859 - 1926
The family arrived in Canterbury, New Zealand on 21 May 1863, on the ship Sebastapol, having left four and a half months earlier on 7 January 1863. James and Mary's only daughter, Catherine, had died several years before they left for New Zealand. Sadly, the new start in a new country was marred by the death of their third son, six year old James, within months of their arrival in New Zealand.
On the Sebastapol passenger list, the family are listed as coming from Fifeshire and James is listed as being a ploughman. He certainly seems to have continued in this work upon his arrival in New Zealand.
It's long been thought that Jim and Jennie Latto, David's eldest son and daughter, were brought up by their grandparents, James and Mary, but given that Mary died in 1888, that seems unlikely. It's likely that George and his wife Mary assisted with the children instead.
James Latto died in 1907.
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