Jasper Calder

Jasper Calder was Alister's Great Grandfather.  

His obituary below, although it seems somewhat backwards, gives a good initial outline of his life.

Obituary for Jasper by Alfred Fearon Grace, which appeared in the Auckland Herald and the Evening Post in February 1956:

CALDER, Rev. Jasper, M.B.E.

(1885–1956).

Clergyman and social worker.

Calder was born at Ponsonby on 22 May 1885, the second son of the Rev. William Calder, vicar of All Saints' Church and later Archdeacon of Auckland. He attended the Ponsonby School and the Auckland Grammar School, and after a period in a city office took up studies at King's College, London, and St. John's College, Auckland. Entering the Anglican ministry in 1910, Calder earned notoriety as curate at Whangarei by taking part in a buckjumping contest on the spur of the moment and coming out winner. This and his interest in racing (he did not bet) caused him to be known for a time as “the sporting parson”.

After a period as vicar of Grey Lynn and curate at St. Matthew's, a city church, he helped in 1920 to launch the Anglican City Mission, of which he was head for the next 26 years. In addition to directing the evangelistic and social work of the mission, he was a pioneer of the health camp movement and founded two institutions, a permanent camp for children at Oneroa, Waiheke Island, and a convalescent home at Campbells Bay. In the depression of the 1930s he opened a soup kitchen and, in face of some criticism, a “doss house”, which he managed most effectively thanks to a full understanding of rough characters and their ways. He was awarded the M.B.E. in 1935. In 1941 he went to California for a holiday, and when the Pacific War broke out, he worked his passage to Sydney as a seaman in a cargo vessel. While running his mission he took charge for five years of a city parish for which a minister could not be found. He also served as honorary probation officer to the Auckland Racing Club, doing much useful work among young jockeys, apprentices, and stable hands.

When he retired from the mission, Calder settled on a suburban farm, where he grew vegetables for charitable institutions. For 10 years before his death he operated in succession two large launches, in which he took an estimated 6,000 children, old folk, and other deserving people for excursions on the Waitemata Harbour. In recognition of this he was given the honorary title of chaplain to the yachtsmen of Auckland. He died on 10 February 1956.

Calder was a mercurial extrovert, who took pleasure and pride in being himself, with little regard for conventional manners or the opinions of straitlaced people. He had a ready tongue, a flow of rough wit, and a consistent delight in doing the unexpected thing. He was reported to have once said that what he did not know about life could be written on a cigarette paper. He combined this knowledge of the “other half” with a strong sense of duty to all types of unsuccessful and unfortunate folk, whom he helped during most of his life.

Jasper was the second son of William and Lucy Calder nee Shipton, the Canon Vicar of All Saints' Church Ponsonby, Auckland.  

Jasper Cyril Austen Calder (1885 - 1956) married Agnes Baxter Keane Clarke (daughter of James Keene Clarke of Whangarei)(9 May 1882 - 1953) on 17 April 1912 at Christ Church in Whangarei.  Together, they had two sons:

   

Denver Harold Calder (4 October 1914, Auckland - 16 February 1984) Doctor.

Matthew Lewis Calder (11 February 1918 - 1989) 

Jasper and Agnes apparently also took in Blanche Isabella Ruth Nicholas, following her parents' death, and she worked for them until she married William Henry McKewan in 1898. 

There is information which suggests that following Agnes' death in 1953, Jasper married Patricia White nee Jeffs, who was a widow and a member of the Auckland City Mission Staff.  

There is a host of information on Jasper, and this will be recorded in due course.  

Stoddart family

James Stoddart (1792 - 2 August 1864) married Christina (1818 - 27 March 1892)
James lived in Dixon Street, Wellington and had been connected with the management of the Motupipi Coal Mine at Golden Bay in the Nelson/Marlborough area.  Obviously, later he moved his family north to Wellington.  Christina lived in the property at Dixon Street for almost thirty years, after James' death.  

James and Christina seemed to have a rather large family - at least two sons and five daughters (although I can't find one of the daughters) - however none of them seemed to live particularly long lives - certainly Christina seems to have outlived at least six of her seven children!  The family I have been able to attribute to James and Christina are:

1. Mary Ann Stoddart (1837 - 18 June 1871, Pipitea Street, Wellington) married John Sutherland.  See here.

2. John Charles Stoddart (1844 - 11 July 1871, Hopper Street, Wellington) married Eliza Williams (second daughter of David Williams of Tinakori Road, Wellington) on 2 October 1864 at St Paul's Church, Thorndon, Wellington by Rev. F. Thatcher.  Following John's death, Eliza married John Jamieson in 1873.

3. James David Stoddart (1846 - 30 September 1872, Willis Street, Wellington) married Jane Gordon in 1869.  Following James' death, Jane married Henry Cook in 1874.  

4. Christina Isabella Stoddart (1848 - 1878) married John William Matthews (second son of the late Mr Richard Matthews) (1840) of Auckland on 3 May 1865 by Rev. Isaac Harding.   
   John Stoddart Matthews (19 January 1868, Invercargill - 1933) married 
Emily Jane McConnon (1873)

5. Agnes Ingles Stoddart (January 1850 - 17 July 1870) married Thomas Taylor Cutbush on 10 December 1867 at Dixon Street, Wellington.  She had one child, Helen Stoddart Cutbush, who was died soon after birth in 1868. Thomas Cutbush is infamous in that he apparently left a son behind in England who would grow up to be a suspect in the Jack the Ripper case.  Following Agnes' death, it appears Cutbush went to Australia. 

6. Helen Stoddart (1852 - 23 February 1871, Ghuznee Street, Wellington) married David Allan (fourth son of Alexander Allan) on 16 September 1869.

John Sutherland

John Sutherland (2 February 1818 - 26 August 1865) was the younger brother of Nathaniel Sutherland Snr.  He was a carpenter and apparently at one time had a business on Courtney Place.  


He married Mary Ann Stoddart (1837 - 18 June 1871), daughter of James Stoddart in 1855.  Together they seem to have had at least four children:

1. John Sutherland (1856 - 29 August 1873, Pipitea Street)

2. Daughter (unknown - doesn't seem to have died as an infant - possibly Helen or Isabella?)

3. James Stoddart Sutherland (29 November 1860 - 19 November 1863).  At the time of James' birth, John was listed as being a carpenter.  James died of diptheria. At the time of his death, the family lived on Thorndon Flat (around Pipitea Street).  James was listed as being John's "third child and second son."


4. Donald Sutherland (July 1862 - 15 June 1863, Molesworth Street, Wellington). Donald died aged just 11 months and was referred to as being John's "youngest child and third son."  


John died on 26 August 1865 at the age of 47, meaning he must have been born around 1818 (meaning he is the right age to be Nathaniel's younger brother).  


Mary Ann Stoddart died at Pipitea Street on 18 June 1871.  She was aged 34 years. 

* I believe there were two John Sutherlands living in the Wellington area during the relevant period - the other John Sutherland died in Wellington and was buried at Bolton Street on 5 February 1890 aged 67, meaning he was born around 1823 - too young to be the correct John Sutherland.  This John Sutherland was buried in plot 41.0 at Bolton Street Cemetery with his family. 

This character could do with some more fleshing out - so any help or information would be gratefully acepted.  In the meantime, I'll try to find some information about Mary Ann Stoddart.

Isabella Sutherland and Edward Wild

The Isabella Sutherland who is died on 25 August 1889, and who was buried at the Bolton Street (formerly Sydney Street) Cemetery, was aged 55 years of age at her death (as per NZBDM registrations).  This would indicate that she was born around 1834.  Nathaniel Sutherland's sister Isabella was apparently born in 1808, which would make her too old to be the Isabella Sutherland who died in 1889.  I don't believe they were the same person.

Isabella Sutherland came to New Zealand with her brothers, Nathaniel, Daniel and John on the barque Jane, which arrived in Port Nicholson, New Zealand on 24 May 1841.  She would have been aged about 33.  

I have searched early marriages, and have found one marriage for an Isabella Sutherland, to Edward Wild in 1841.  This would seem most likely to be the correct Isabella Sutherland - Nathaniel, Daniel and John's sister.  I'll need to collect more evidence to confirm this, but proceeding on this assumption...

Isabella Sutherland (1808 - 18 July 1872) married Edward Wild in 1841.   Isabella Wild is buried in the Bolton Street Cemetery - plot 47.0.  The cemetery records indicate that she was buried on 21 July 1872 and that she was 64 years old at the time of her death - which puts her birth date as the correct one for Nathaniel's sister, and tends to confirm that she is the 'right' Isabella.  Isabella and Edward lived in Murphy Street, Thorndon at the time of Isabella's death.  I am unsure when Edward died, but given that weeks after Isabella's death, her furniture was being auctioned by local auctioneer, Mr R.J. Duncan, it would seem that he predeceased her.  Having perused Newspapers around the time, I think Edward may have even died prior to 1866, but I can't find his death or burial record.  Unfortunately, like Alister's grandfather, John Waters Snr, he seems to have just vanished.  

On 4 September 1872, Mr Duncan was also advertising, in the Wellington Independent, the auction of Isabella's property, which sounded pretty substantial:

THIS DAY, WEDNESDAY, 4th SEPTEMBER.

MR R. J. DUNCAN will sell by public auction, at the stores of J. Dransfield, Esq, Grey street, at 12 o'clock sharp, Land and Merchandise as under Lot 1. Consisting of all that piece of Land about of an acre (more or less) having a private read from Murphy street, being part of town section No 586, together with 10 roomed cottage thereon, formerly occupied by Mrs Wild. The garden is perhaps one of the best stocked with fruit bearing trees of any in or adjacent to the City, and has yielded a considerable yearly amount to the late proprietress. Adjoining is a lease-hold property with 14 years to run at a very moderate rental, having a frontage of 40 links to Murphy street, by a depth of 513 links. This desirable property is situated in the neighborhood of the residences of the Hon. the Premier, A. de B. Brandon, Esq, Colonel Gorton, &c, &c, and possesses many claims upon the attention of those anxious to secure a building site in the city, or as a highly remunerative investment. 

I highly suspect that Edward and Isabella didn't have children, or if they did, that they died young, as I can't find any indication of a family.

I believe that this Isabella is the correct one.  I also note that Murphy street was just around the corner from Pipitea street, where Nathaniel and Marion Sutherland were bringing up their family.

Isabella Sutherland and Benjamin Ling

My research thus far leads me to believe that this Isabella Sutherland who married Benjamin Ling was probably not related to Nathaniel Sutherland - ie was not his sister, as she was twenty years too young.  Despite this, it has been interesting looking into this family history, and so like I've done with others, I've published it in the hope it will be of use to someone.

Isabella Sutherland (1829 - 1921) married Benjamin Ling (1820 - 1881) on 29 September 1853 at the residence of Dr Taylor on Hutt Road, Wellington.  Benjamin was Carcass and Shipping Butcher on Lambton Quay, Wellington for years until he sold the business to James Gear on 1 April 1868.  Benjamin died suddenly of "apoplexy" (probably a stroke, or aneurysm) at the age of 61 leaving his widow with at least three daughters.  Given that Isabella was married from Dr Taylor's home and that their eldest daughter was given the middle name Taylor, I wonder whether Isabella had been married previously and if Taylor could in fact have been her maiden name?

Ben and Isabella had the following children, at least:

1. Benjamin Henry Ling (1854 - 1855).  Died as an infant.  Probably buried in Wellington, but not noted in the cemetery records.  

2. Jane Ann Taylor Ling (1856 - 2 November 1936, Masterton) married Robert Wellwood (21 May 1936 - 26 January 1927, Hastings) on 14 March 1883 at St Paul's Church, Wellington by Archdeacon Thorpe. Robert's property was known as Maxwell Lea, Hawkes Bay, although he was originally Irish.  Robert worked as an auctioneer and a stock and station agent was the first Mayor of Hastings, and was well respected in Hawkes Bay.  See more about him here.   Robert was twenty years older than Jane, and she was his second wife.  His first wife was Annie Heslop (1849 - 12 August 1881) and they married on 11 April 1872 at Puketapu.  Together they had the following children:

   2.1 Norman Richardson Wellwood (1877 - ) Norman was married at least three times.  His first wife was Ruth Holden (1882 - 1909) and they married in 1903.  In 1905, Ruth was recommended for a bravery award, for her efforts to save some friends in a drowning accident.  This was reported the Bush Advocate on 24 February 1905.  In 1909, Ruth died aged just 27 - I don't believe they had any children.  

In March 1912, Norman was in the news himself, having been injuring when the car he was driving 'smashed.'  

Norman moved to Australia sometime after 1916 and was living in New South Wales in the 1920s.  He had married Jean Mackay Gow in New Zealand later in 1909 and on 21 April 1926 they were divorced.  By September 1927 he seems to have remarried Madge ? and was possibly living in or around Murwillumbah, New South Wales.  Norman and his first wife Jean had the following child:
      2.1.1 Shislah Annie Wellwood (1911) 
   
   2.2 Arthur Trevor De Montmorney Wellwood (1880 - 18 April 1961)  He doesn't appear to have  married or had children.  Arthur served in the Boer War and his papers are available online.

Following their marriage, Jane and Robert had the following children:
   2.3 Eva Ling Wellwood (1884 - 1959) married John Alick Betts (1886 - 1959) in 1911
   2.4 Robert Terence Wellwood (1885 - 22 November 1918) married Alice Maude Brown (1889 - 1937) in 1914.  Robert died during WWI of disease.
      2.4.1 Terrence Wellwood (June 1915 - 16 August 1915).  Died aged just five weeks.
   2.5 Ruby Maudine Wellwood (7 January 1887 - 1980) married Frank Middleton Poynter (son of James Benjamin and Kate Poynter nee Simpson, who had married in 1875)(18 May 1878 - 1945) in 1914.  They lived in Tauranga.  The Poynter's wedding was reported in the Hawera & Normanby Star on 23 December 1914:

POYNTER—WELLWOOD.

At St. Matthew's Church, Hastings, Miss Ruby Maudine Wellwood, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Robert Wellwood, of Brooklands, Hastings, was united in matrimony to Mr Frank Middleton Poynter, youngest son of Mr J. P. Poynter, of Eltham. The bride wore a gown of white charmeuse and veil with orange blossoms, and carried a bouquet of white flowers. The bridesmaids were Misses Doris and Zeta Wellwood (sisters of the bride), who wore floral ninon frocks and pretty flower-trimmed hats with black velvet streamers. They carried bouquets of pink sweet peas. Mr Harold Symes was best man and Mr Hartshorn, groomsman.

      2.5.1 Dick Middleton Poynter (1915 - 24 December 1941).  Dick was killed during WWII.  There is more information about him and his death here.
      2.5.2 James Middleton Poynter (1923 - 1923) Died aged just six months
   2.6 Eileen Isabel "Isobel" Wellwood (1889) married John Campbell in 1928
   2.7 Erick Benjamin "Eric" Wellwood (1890 - 17 September 1940) married Margery Myers (19 February 1900 - 1983) in 1931.  Eric also served in WWI but unlike his older brother, he returned to New Zealand, where he and his wife seem to have lived in Masterton.  It's likely that following his father's death, Eric's mother Jane came to live with Eric and Margery, as she died in Masterton in 1936.
   2.8 Bessie Doris "Doris" Wellwood (13 August 1892 - 1976) married Eustace Percival Baker (11 June 1888 - 1974) in 1923
   2.9 Zeta Kathleen Wellwood (1897) married Leslie John Edmondson (son of John Alfred and Prudentia Elizabeth Edmondson nee Grey, who had married in 1891) (1895) in 1925.  Leslie served in WWI and then it seems like that he and Zeta moved to Australia.

3. William Sutherland Ling (January 1858 - 21 October 1869, Melbourne, Australia).  Died overseas aged 11 years and nine months.

4. Benjamin Ling (1860 - 1925)

5. Margaret Isabella "Isabella" Ling (1861 - 1935) married John Peat (eldest son of David Peat) on 20 April 1887 at St Paul's Church, Wellington by Rev. Still.  The Peats lived in Oriental Bay, Wellington.
   5.1 Elvira Peat (1889 - 1931) married Albert Oliver Douglas Boddington (son of Henry Albert and Mary Ellen Caroline Boddington nee Rutherford in 1887) (1892 - 1951) in 1926
   5.2 Isabel "Bunty" Peat (1894 - 11 January 1919, Leura, New South Wales) 
   5.3 Jack Peat (1 February 1898 - 1990) married Ellen Irene Chesswas in 1923.

6. Bessie Wilhelmina Ling (11 March 1871 - 1952) married Percy Archibald Gillies (1873 - 1920) on 19 November 1902 at Otaki, by Rev. T.C. Pargiter.  Percy was a farmer in Te Horo, and given that Bessie's mother owned property in Te Horo, this is likely how they met.  Percy was well known for his beautiful garden at his property at Te Horo.  Percy and Bessie moved to Palmerston North and Percy disappeared from there on 25 February 1920.    The mystery of his disappearance was solved and reported upon in the Feilding Star on 5 August 1920:

A MYSTERY SOLVED.

MR. GILLIES' BODY FOUND

A gruesome discovery, made yesterday morning, indicates the cleaning up of the mystery surrounding the disappearance from Palmerston North on March 24 last of Mr Percy Archibald Gillies, a married man, aged 48 years. For some time after his disappearance searching inquiries were made by the police and relatives, and a substantial reward was offered for information leading to the discovery ol Mr Gillies dead or alive.

At 11a.m. yesterday Mr C. T. Keeble, of Fitzherbert, and an employee named E. C. Edmonds, were working on the form's property, facing the riverfront, when they noticed the body of a man held fast in some drift wood, it having apparently been washed down the river.

The police were immediately informed of the fact, and Constable Gow proceeded to the scene. The body was in a very advanced state of decomposition—in fact, nearly all the flesh had gone from the bones, and the features were unrecognisable. Only a few shreds of clothing and the boots remained on the body. The clue to Mr Gillies identity, however, was discovered in an overcoat, which was found some 20 yards from the body.

On the maker's tag, inside the garment, was written, in indelible ink, the name “P. Gillies, Otaki." Mr Gillies had lived at Otaki for mony years, and had only resided in Palmerston for a comparatively short period before his disappearance. Deceased was a nephew of Mr Hugh Gillies, of Rangitikei Line, and is survived by a wife and family. Times.

   6.1 Wyvern Benjamin Gillies (9 September 1903 - 1998) married Edna Jean Rowlands on 31 October 1903 - 1979) in 1931. (Coincidentally, Edna was a descendant of Mary Tutchen and Edwin Bannister and is mentioned here.)
   6.2 Ruby Ellen Gillies (14 July 1910 - 1998) married Mr Reid.

Isabella died at the grand old age of 93 in 1921 and her passing was recorded in the Evening Post on 17 September 1921:

The burials that take place at the old Sydney-street Cemetery are very few and far between nowadays, and only the very early settlers have space there. Yesterday afternoon another of the rare funerals took place there, being that of Mrs. Isabella Ling who left Wellington a good many years ago for Otaki, but for the past year had been with her daughter, Mrs. Percy Gillies, at Palmereton North. Mrs. Ling had attained the age of 93 years, and till last year, when she received a severe shock, her house at Otaki being burnt, she enjoyed good health.

Mrs. Ling lived for many years in Wellington, and saw some of the excitements of the early days, some of which were very alarming. Her home was widely noted for its openhearted hospitality, and many old friends of the family will regret to hear of her death.

(The funeral took place at the Sydney-street Cemetery yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Ling leaves three daughters and a son—Mrs. Robert Wellwood (of Hastings), Mr. B. Ling (of Otaki), Mrs. Peat (of Wanganui, formerly of Wellington), and Mrs. Percy Gillies (of Palmerston North). Mr. Ling predeceased his wife several years ago.

Sutherland burials in Bolton Street Cemetery

Following is a list of all the Sutherland burials in the old Bolton Street Cemetery, Wellington, New Zealand.  I've grouped them into plots where possible (I think the record numbers aren't particularly helpful - the plot numbers are more significant).

Agnes Sutherland aged 9 years service 22 August 1859 PN 41.0 RN 101064
William Sutherland aged 4 years service date 1 September 1859 PN 41.0 RN 101091
Jane Sutherland aged 4 months service date 11 November 1859 PN  41.0 RN 101077
J Sutherland aged 4 days service date 8 October 1860 PN 41.0 RN 101075
Sarah Ann Sutherland aged 36 years service date 13 March 1861 PN 41.0 RN 101089
John Sutherland service date 5 February 1890 PN 41.0 RN 101079
Thomas Sutherland service date 24 May 1911 PN 41.0 RN 101090
Jemima Elizabeth Sutherland 16 July 1871 PN 41.0 RN 101078

Donald McLeod Sutherland aged 6 years service date 28 April 1861 PN 187.0 RN 101067
George Grey Sutherland service date 1 May 1861 PN 187.0 RN 101073
Margaret Sutherland service date 1 May 1861 PN 187.0 RN 101083
Robert Stokes Sutherland service date 7 May 1861 PN 187.0 RN 101088
Marion Sutherland aged 16 years service date 4 May 1861 PN 187.0 RN 101084
FS Sutherland aged 3 years service date 25 May 1861 PN 187.0 RN 101072
E Sutherland service date 27 May 1861 PN 187.0 RN 101068
Nathaniel Sutherland aged 77 years service date 5 August 1883 PN 187.0 RN 101087
Marion Sutherland aged 90 service date 30 October 1905 PN 187.0 RN 101085

Donald Sutherland aged 11 months service date 18 June 1863 PN Unknown RN 101066
James Sutherland aged 3 years service date 21 November 1863 PN Unknown RN 101076
John Sutherland aged 47 service date 27 August 1865 PN Unknown RN 101080
Mary Ann Sutherland aged 34 years service date 20 June 1871 PN Unknown RN 101086
John Sutherland service date 12 March 1879 PN Unknown RN 101081
Unknown Sutherland service date 18 April 1885 PN Unknown RN 101063
Louisa Sarah Sutherland service date 2 August 1885 PN Unknown RN 101082

Isabella Sutherland service date 27 August 1889 PN 206.207.G RN 101074

Elizabeth Sutherland service date 3 August 1866 PN 38.E RN 101070

Eliza Sutherland aged 56 years service date 6 August 1866 PN 1.M  RN 101069
Alexander Robert Sutherland service date 24 October 1878 PN 1.M RN 101065

Elizabeth Sutherland aged 26 years service date 21 October 1880 PN 98.H RN 101071 

*PN = Plot Number; RN = Record Number

Sutherland Genealogy Site

One of the wonderful things about this blog has been coming across people who are equally passionate about genealogy.  One such person is Ethne Holt, who had done a marvellous job in putting together a website detailing information about her Sutherland family ancestors - for more information I encourage you to go and have a look here and contact Ethne with more information if you can.  

George Grey Sutherland's book

One of the stories which had touched me the most has been that of the children of Nathaniel and Marion Sutherland, five or six of whom, aged between 13 months and 16 years, all died of diptheria in April and May 1861.  

The last child to die was George Grey Sutherland.  Probably named for Governor George Grey, George Grey Sutherland was born in January 1852 and died aged just 9 years 4 months on 24 May 1861 at Mr Robert Stokes' residence, Woolcombe Street, Wellington.

As a result of this blog, I received emails from a gentleman, Simon, who had come into possession of a Victorian children's book and had wondered what had become of the child to whom the book belonged - George Grey Sutherland.

Simon contacted me and has sent the following photos of the book.  He commented that he wondered how the book had survived so well (it is inscribed with George's name and the date - 21 December 1859), but that George's tragic premature death explained that.

Following are some photos of the book which George would have received when he was only around 8 years old, just eighteen months before his death:

Thanks very  much to Simon for sharing this little gem.