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.

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.  

Marion and Nathaniel Sutherland Snr 1841 - 1905

Alister's Great Great Great Grandmother was Marion Sutherland, formerly Waters nee Thomason (Thomson or Thompson).  We know from her obituary, which appeared in the Evening Post on 28 October 1905 and was reproduced in the Wanganui Chronicle four days later, she was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 3 July 1815.  She was apparently from a "well known Scottish family".


Marion apparently came to New Zealand on the ship Slains Castle in 1841, arriving in the Port of Wellington.  It seems likely that she arrived in New Zealand with her husband John Waters and that he died not long after arrival in Wellington.  John's premature death left her a young widow with three children:


1. John Waters born 21 July 1835 and baptised on 9 August 1835 in Haddington 
2. Janet "Jessie" Waters born 28 September 1837 and baptised on 19 October 1837 in Haddington
3. Christina Waters born 3 January 1840 and baptised on 26 January 1840 in Haddington.   Christina was Alister's Great Great Grandmother.


Marion's obituary records that at the time of her death in 1905 her four surviving children were:

1. Mr John Waters of Wellington
2. Mrs James Bertram (Christina) of Devonport
3. Mr Nathaniel Sutherland, sheep farmer of Fordell, Wanganui
4. Mr Archibald Sutherland, sheep farmer of Fordell, Wanganui

Marion's daughter Jessie married Simon Tutchen, and predeceased her mother, dying in 1902.


The obituary also records that she left a total of 34 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren!  


According to the New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, as published on 12 October 1844, on 10 October 1844 Nathaniel Sutherland married Marion Thomson, widow of John Waters.   The notice records that both Nathaniel and Marion hailed from Edinburgh and that they were married by Rev. J. Macfarlane, First Minister of the Scotch Church.  At the time of marriage, Nathaniel was listed as being a printer.  Nathaniel had arrived in New Zealand on the SS Jane in 1841.


Marion and Nathaniel had a number of children together:


1. Marion Sutherland born 1844 died aged 16 years died 3 May 1861, buried 4 May 1861


2. Daughter born 1845 died 1846 of "brain disease."


3. Nathaniel Sutherland Jnr. born 27 April 1847


4. Archibald Sutherland born 30 September 1849


5. George Grey Sutherland born January 1852 died  aged 9 years 4 months on 24 May 1861 


6. Donald McLeod Sutherland born 23 July 1854 died aged 6 years on 28 April 1861


7. Robert Stokes Sutherland born 1857 aged 4 years died 6 May 1861


8. Margaret Sutherland born 1860 died aged 13 months died in May 1861 


According to the cemetery records there were two more children "FS" aged 3 years, buried 25 May 1861, meaning the child was likely born around 1858, and "E" - age unknown, buried 27 May 1861.  However, now I suspect that those records are not correct, and that possibly the children buried there are other relatives or are mistakes.  That five children (Marion, George, Donald, Robert and Margaret) died of diptheria in 1861, is confirmed by a letter which Nathaniel Sutherland descendant Murray Sutherland has - it is a poem written by a Mrs Watson for Mrs Sutherland, on the death of her "five children".  



There is an early record of a two year old daughter of Nathaniel Sutherland, dying of "brain disease" in 1846.  This will need to be further researched and confirmed.  I did read somewhere that Christina had had a sister die early in the 1840s, so that may relate to this child.


Five of a total of ten children born to Marion Sutherland, died of diptheria in April/May 1861.  One can scarcely imagine how devastating it must have been for the couple to have gone from a busy, bustling home full of small children, to be left with two young sons only, and an older son and daughter.  All the children were buried in the Bolton Street Cemetery in Wellington.


A very early settler; Nathaniel took part in many aspects of the community - he was a signatory on an historical letter of condolence sent by local settlers from the Wellington area to the Nelson settlement following the Wairau Massacre in 1843.  The letter is dated 11 July 1843.  He was also a shareholder in the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, and in February 1867 gave evidence, along with others, in the embezzlement trial of a former NZSN accountant, Frederick George Janes.


According to Nathaniel's obituary which appeared in the Manawatu Standard on 4 August 1883:


"The death is announced of Mr Nathaniel Sutherland, who arrived in Wellington on the barque Jane in 1841.  He was one of the original land purchasers under the New Zealand Company and came with the intention of settling on his land; but owing to the disturbed state of the country, he remained in Wellington, where he followed his trade as printer.  


He was engaged on the NZ Colonist, and afterwards, in connection with Mr R.Stokes, on the NZ Spectator until its collapse.  


Of late years deceased suffered greatly from rheumatism, which kept him very much at home, but he was always cheerful and contented.  He seemed in his usual health until Monday last, when he caught cold, and about 11 o'clock last night, quietly passed away, at his residence Pipitea Street at the age of 77 years old.  He leaves a widow and two sons who are settled in the Wangaehu district.  Deceased was highly respected by all who knew him for his kindly and obliging manner and his honest and sterling qualities."


Note the mention of an "R.Stokes" this is likely Robert Stokes a prominent figure in the lower North Island during the period.  This may well explain the naming of one of Marion and Nathaniel's ill fated sons, Robert.  Equally,  the naming of similarly ill fated son George after Governor George Grey - they obviously named after figures they respected at the time.  There was obviously a close relationship between Nathaniel Sutherland and Robert Stokes, as the obituary of young George Grey Sutherland, who died on 21 May 1861, records that he died at Mr Stokes' residence, Woolcombe Street, Wellington.


Until their deaths, both Nathaniel and Marion lived at their home in Pipitea Street, Wellington.  Given his age of 77 at death, Nathaniel must have been born around 1806.  Marion outlived her second husband by 22 years, dying aged 90, on 27 October 1905.


Although Nathaniel Sutherland was Christina Waters' step-father, he must have essentially been the only father she knew.  It is clear that there must have been something of a fond relationship between them as she named her youngest son, Alister's Great Grandfather, Nathaniel, although he was always known as Herbert, this must have been as a mark of respect to Nathaniel Snr., therefore, Nathaniel wasn't a direct ancestor of my husband, but was his Gr Gr Grandmother's stepfather.


Both Nathaniel Snr and Marion were buried with their six young children in the Bolton Street Cemetery.


Here is a photo taken of the Sutherland Family Plot at the cemetery before it was dismantled to make way for the Wellington Motorway in the 1960s:

Thanks to correspondence with Ethne Holt, I've come to understand that Nathaniel was the son of Donald Sutherland and Isabel McLeod.  Ethne is a descendant of Daniel Sutherland, Nathaniel's brother.  There were also three other siblings - John, Margaret and Isabella.


John Sutherland seems to have lived, at least for some time, in the Pipitea house with Nathaniel and Marion and the children.  John was a carpenter and died on 25 August 1865 at the Pipitea house at the age of 47.  At the time, Nathaniel was working in the Spectator office.