Hugh Morrison and Anne Turner

Hugh Morrison and Anne Turner were included on the initial passenger list for the Blenheim with the comment “Recommended by his late Master Mr McLachlan Laudale and his Parish Minister.”:

• Hugh Morrison, 50, Kinlochaline, shepherd
• Anne Turner, his wife, 40
• Hugh Morrison, his son, 18, labourer
• Duncan Morrison, his son, 16, labourer
• Anne Morrison, his daughter, 14, housemaid
• John Morrison, his son, 12, cowherd
• Margaret Morrison, his daughter, 10
• Mary Morrison, his daughter, 8
• Colin Morrison, his son, 6

Spelling: In some records the name is spelled “Morison” in others “Morrison”.  “Eun” was a form of “Ewen” or “Hugh”.

The book Morvern to Glenmorven, by Frank Fyfe and Bebe Douglas, contains considerable detail, background and surmise relating to this family. The Kaiwarra Camerons, by M J Ulyatt, also covers this family.

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Return to The Blenheim People.

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Hugh Morrison and Anne Turner

Hugh Morrison was born on 28 May 1782 on the Isle of Mull to John Morison and Jannet Cameron.

The Old Parish Register for Morvern recorded the marriage on 10 July 1819 of Hugh Morison, labourer, and Anne Turner, by Mr N McLeod, Minister.

Anne Turner was born around 1800.

Hugh Morrison worked as a cattle drover, and the family lived initially in the village of Glencripesdale in Morvern until they were cleared around 1820 to the hamlet of Knock on the Lochaline Estate, then at some time after 1830 they moved to the new village of Lochaline, erected by the landlord John Sinclair.  Dugald McLachlan of Laudale and Killiemore (Mull) bought the Laudale estate in 1825.  This estate bordered the Glencripesdale estate in the northern part of Morvern.

Old Parish Registers for Morvern indicate that Hugh Morrison and Anne Turner had other children, not on the passenger list. These included Katrine born on 12 March 1820, and an un-named daughter born on 15 October 1821, who both died at birth, and Katherine, born on 24 August 1823, who stayed behind in Scotland.

Following their arrival in Wellington, the Morrisons lived initially at Kaiwarra, then moved to Evans Bay, where Hugh worked on J C Crawford’s property on Watts Peninsular, which was managed by Archibald Gillies.  They later moved to Mein Street in Newtown.

Anne (Turner) Morrison died on 11 June 1844, following the birth of a daughter, she was aged 44.

In 1846 the family moved to the Wairarapa, and took up their land at Hakeke (later called Glenmorven), near where Greytown now stands.

In The Kaiwarra Camerons, there is a quote from the diaries of the missionary William Colenso describing a visit to Hakeke in 1847:

The settler whose name is Morrison, is an aged Xn [Christian] man in humble life. He gave me a brief outline of the trials he had had since his arrival in the country but not in a repining spirit, although he had been tried severely, having lost his wife, a son grown to man’s estate and a son-in-law, (but recently married), and all within a short time of each other. He acknowledged, however, the Lord’s hand, and all that he did was for good. He still had several sons and daughters about him. He spoke well of the Natives; and of the great injustice to take from them their lands; “which” said he “is doubtless as much theirs, as that of any Scotch laird is his.”

According to New Zealand BDM records Hugh Morrison died on 5 September 1872 aged 87. The Evening Post of 10 September 1872 contained the following:

Intelligence was received at Greytown, on Thursday, of the death, at eight o’clock that morning, at his residence, Glenmorven, of Hugh Morrison, Esq. one of the earliest colonists of New Zealand, having arrived here in 1840. He was also one of the first settlers in this district, coming here in 1846, where he has ever since resided. The deceased was a worthy man, and universally respected. All persons visiting the Wairarapa were ever sure to receive at his house a warm and hospitable reception. He has left two sons and three daughters all of them married and settled, and a whole host of grand-children and greatgrand-children. Deceased was interred in the Cemetery here yesterday, the funeral procession being very large.

After arriving in New Zealand Hugh and Anne had a child, Annie, in 1844.

The Lyttelton Times of 8 May 1858 carried the Death Notice: “On the 6th inst., at Christchurch, Annie Morrison, youngest daughter of Mr Hugh Morrison, of Glenmore, Wairarapa Plains, and sister-in-law of the late Mr William Stewart, Christchurch, aged 14 years.”

Hugh Morrison Jnr

Hugh Morrison was 18 and a labourer when he came to New Zealand on the Blenheim in 1840.

Hugh Morrison died in 1843 at Wellington, aged 22, possibly from a fall from his horse.

Duncan Morrison

The Old Parish Register for Morvern for 1825 recorded that Hugh Morison, crofter, Knock, and Anne Turner, had a legal son Duncan, born 27 March.

Duncan Morrison was recorded as a labourer of 16 in the Blenheim passenger list.

Duncan Morison married Mary McPhee on 4 June 1856.  Mary was the sister of Hugh McPhee, Ann Morrison’s second husband.  The McPhee family also came from Knock in Morvern.

Mary (McPhee) Morrison died on 1 November 1883, aged 57.  The Wairarapa Daily Times of 3 November 1883 published the following:

The many friends of Mrs. Duncan Morrison, of Glenmorven, Morrison’s Bush, near Greytown, writes the Standard, will regret to hear of her very sudden death, at the age of 57, which occurred on Thursday morning. It appears the deceased, who had been an invalid for some years, did not complain of anything unusual on the morning in question, but on taking her a cup of tea, between 9 and 10 o’clock, it was discovered that she had passed away, and her sudden departure was a painful shock to the family. The cause of death has not yet been ascertained, but it is supposed to have resulted from the bursting of a blood vessel. Mrs Morrison has been many years a resident in Moroa, she having resided there since 1855, and was greatly respected by all who knew her. Mrs Morrison was one of kind-hearted old settlers who was always ready to entertain a visitor, and her household kindnesses will long speak for her. An inquest will be held to-day, and the funeral will take place at 12 o’clock.

The inquest confirmed that Mrs Morrison died from natural causes.

Duncan Morrison died on 29 November 1889 as a result of a fall from his horse.

The Evening Post of 3 December 1889 reported:

Greytown, 30th November. Death has removed two more of our early settlers. Mrs. Jones, who came to the Wairarapa in 1853, died last Wednesday, and Mr. Duncan Morrison, of Morrison’s Bush, was thrown from his horse near Blairlogie and received such injuries that he died shortly after. He came to this colony in the ship Blenheim, and lived for some years at Evans Bay. He then came up to the Wairarapa with his father, and has lived at Glenmorven, his run, ever since. His funeral, which takes place on Monday, will draw together a large number of settlers from all parts of the valley.

The Wairarapa Daily Times of 30 November 1889 provided a more detailed description of the accident:

FATAL ACCIDENT TO AN OLD SETTLER.
In addition to particulars telegraphed and published in Friday’s issue, one of our staff whilst at Blairlogie yesterday gained the following information of the sad accident which befel Mr Duncan Morrison and ultimately led to his death on Friday evening, On his way up to Blairlogie Mr Morrison called at Mr Carswell’s Hotel at an early hour on Wednesday morning. During his stay he intimated he was paying a visit to his late brother’s people at Blairlogie, where he had not been for many years. He seemed in excellent spirits and expressed the pleasure he felt at being able, after such a long interval, to again pay a visit to that locality. His horse appeared to be a very spirited animal, especially for a man of his great weight (over 19 stone) and age to ride. Mr Morrison proceeded on his journey and had scarcely crossed the threshold of the estate, when his horse shied and threw him heavily to the ground. How long he lay there even the poor fellow himself could not afterwards tell, but it must have been a considerable time, The first to notice him lying on the road was the mailman from the East Coast, who jumped off his horse, had a look, and then rode on. It was several hours after this when Mr Urquhart, buyer for the Happy Valley Meat Company came along, and carried the news to Mr A. McPhee, at Blairlogie station, that an old gentleman, very much resembling Mr Duncan Morrison, of the Lower Valley was lying on the road apparently badly hurt. Mr McPhee immediately rode off to ascertain if anything serious had happened. When he came up to Mr Morrison he found him sitting on the roadside. In reply to inquiries, Mr Morrison stated the horse had shied at some object on the road and threw him. That was all that he could remember. Poor Morrison at this time was almost smothered in mud, and drenched with rain. Seeing that be was badly hurt, Mr McPhee, with the assistance of the roadman (who happened to be at work a short distance away), conveyed him to Mr Carswell’s Hotel, This was late in the afternoon. Being under the impression the case was not a serious one, medical aid was not called in that evening. In the meantime everything that could possibly be done to relieve pain was resorted to. On Thursday he appeared no easier, and a wire was despatched to Dr Milne, who promptly attended, and reimained at the hotel all night. On Friday morning the doctor left for Masterton, and returned in the afternoon in company with Dr Hosking. Within a short time of their arrival, although they did everything possible to relieve their patient’s suffering, he expired. Great sympathy is felt with the surviving relatives, this making the third death in the family in the short space of two months, Mrs Strang, a daughter of Mr D. Morrison, having died a month ago, and John Morrison, brother of deceased, on the 27th of September. He leaves a large family of children and many connections to mourn their loss. Deceased came out to New Zealand in the ship “Clydesdale” [sic] forty-seven years, and settled with his parents at Glenmorven where he carried on the pursuit of a grazier in an extensive way.

Duncan and Mary had six children:

• Hugh Morison, born in 1857, died in 1859.
• Ann Morison, born in 1858, died in 1891, married Donald McLaren in 1882.
• Mary Morison, born in 1860, died in 1889, married John Strang in 1883.
• Hugh Morison, born in 1861, died in 1938, married Isabel Hodge in 1891.
• Colin Morison, born in 1862, died in 1918.
• Sarah Morison, born in 1863, died in 1929, married Peter Lee McLaren in 1889.

Anne Morrison

The Old Parish Register for Morvern records that that Eun  [Hugh] Morison, crofter, Knock ,and Anne Turner, had a legal daughter Anne, born 21 March 1827.

Anne Morrison was recorded as a housemaid of 14 on the Blenheim passenger list.

Anne Morrison married Donald Smith on 2 October 1845 in Wellington. The Church Register recorded that Donald Smith, now of Wellington, formerly of Kirkmichael, Perthshire, N.B., and Ann Morison, daughter of Hugh Morison of Morvern parish, Argyllshire, N.B., now of Wellington, were married.  The witnesses were Hugh Morison, Katherine Bethune and Andrew Reid.

Donald Smith was christened in Kirkmichael, Perthshire, Scotland, on 20 April 1826, the son of John Smith and Barbara Watson.

Donald Smith died of fever on 8 January 1846.  He and Anne Morrison had one child:

• Donald Smith, born in 1846, died in 1920, married Margaret Morrison in 1870.

Ann (Morrison) Smith married Hugh McPhee on 5 June 1855 in a joint ceremony with her sister Mary, who married Alexander Cameron.

Hugh McPhee was the son of Hugh McPhee and Ann Cameron of Knock, Morvern, Argyll, and would have known the Morrisons there.  In 1854, Hugh, with his mother, sister Mary and brother Donald, emigrated to Australia, but in 1855 came on to New Zealand.

According to New Zealand BDM records, Hugh McPhee died on 14 April 1859.

Ann and Hugh had three children:

• Margaret Ann McPhee, born in 1856, died in 1932, married Thomas Harvey in 1876.
• Hugh Morrison McPhee, born in 1857, died in 1916, married (1) Margaret Daysh in 1883, (2) Hannah Compton in 1894.
• Archibald McPhee, born in 1858, died in 1938, married Beatrice Hughan in 1892.

Ann (Morrison) McLachlan, formerly McPhee, previously Smith

Ann (Morrison) McPhee, formerly Smith, married Duncan McLachlan on 22 July 1862.

Duncan McLachlan had come to New Zealand on the Oliver Lang in 1858, and was related to the McPhees by marriage.

Duncan McLachlan died on 9 October 1886, aged 58.  The Wairarapa Daily Times of 9 October 1886 reported, “A settler on the Taratahi by the name of Duncan McLachlan died this morning at 10 o’clock after a short illness. He was taken ill while at the dairy factory with his milk yesterday morning, and was brought into Carterton to Dr Johnston, and conveyed from their to his home where he died as, above stated. ”

Ann (Morrison) McLachlan died on 28 June 1900, aged 73.

Ann and Duncan had three children:

• Annie McLachlan, born in 1863, died in [….].
• Donald McLachlan, born in 1864, died in 1918
• Colin McLachlan, born in 1865, died in 1939.

John Morrison

The Old Parish Register for Morvern for 1829 recorded that Hugh Morison, Knock, and Anne Turner had a legal son, John, born on 22 March.

John Morrison was described as a cowherd of 12 on the Blenheim passenger list.

John Morrison worked on the Glenmorven property, but was also involved in shipping cattle to the Otago goldfields and purchased land in Christchurch.

John Morrison married Jessie Morrison in 1868.  Jessie Morrison was the daughter of Hugh’s cousin Alexander, who emigrated to New Zealand on the Oliver Lang in 1858.

In 1870 John Morrison purchased the Whareama Station and soon afterwards he bought Blairlogie from the Cameron brothers.  He also owned Bowlands.

John Morrison died on 29 September 1889.  The Wairarapa Daily Times of 27 September 1889 reported:

The sufferings of Mr John Morrison of Blairlogie, are over. A few days ago he came up from Wellington in a moribund state to die amongst his own people, He attempted to travel to the Whareama, but became exhausted by the time he reached Otahuao and took shelter at the house of a kind friend, Mr John Drummond. The nature of his malady was such that he was unable to take nourishment, and though doctor after doctor visited him nothing could be done but wait patiently for the inevitable end. This morning he breathed his last, and will long be remembered by a thousand friends as one who always welcomed both rich and poor to his homestead and dispensed hospitality with an ungrudging hand.

The Evening Post of 28 September 1889 reported:

The death is announced yesterday of Mr. John Morrison, of the Wairarapa, one of the oldest settlers in the district, and after whom Morrison’s Bush was named. He arrived in the colony when quite a boy, accompanied by his parents, in the ship Clydesdale [sic], in 1842 [sic]. The emigrants were almost exclusively Scottish Highlanders, and after their arrival at Kaiwarra, near Wellington, their interviews with the Maoris, to whom the Gaelic was an extraordinary tongue, created many an amusing scene. The cause of death was stricture of the gullet, so that really he was starved to death.

Jessie Morrison died on 10 March 1922, aged 77.

John and Jessie had eight children:

• John Morrison, born in 1869, died in 1902, married Helen Blanche Calders (grand-daughter of Blenheim passengers) in 1900.
• Alexander Morrison, born in 1870, died in 1892.
• Jessie Isabella Morrison, born in 1872, married (1) John Chapman Andrew in 1894, and (2) Francis Arnot Bett in 1910.
• Margaret Ann Morrison, born in 1875, died in 1957.
• Mary Morrison, born in 1876, died in 1883.
• Hugh Morrison, born in 1878, died in 1951, married Muriel Stanley Booth in 1908.
• Catherine Maud Christina Morrison, born in 1882, died in 1950.
• Rupert Donald Matthew Morrison, born in 1884, died in 1918, married Amy Violet Thompson in 1912, in Australia.

Margaret Morrison

The Old Parish Register for Morvern recorded that Eun Morison, crofter, Knock, and Anne Turner had a legal daughter Margaret, born 20 December 1831.

Margaret Morrison was 10 when she travelled to New Zealand on the Blenheim in 1840.

According to New Zealand BDM records, Margaret Morison married William Stewart on 25 June 1850.  The New Zealand Spectator and Cook’s Strait Guardian of 29 June 1850 carried the Notice: “On Tuesday, the 25th inst., at the Scotch Church, Wellington, by the Rev. W. Kirton, Mr William Stewart of Wellington, to Margaret, third daughter of Mr. H. Morrison, Wairarapa.”  Apparently the witnesses were Alexander Grant and Donald McLean.

William and Margaret travelled to Canterbury in 1850 with John Macfarlane and his wife Catherine Cameron (see Donald Cameron and Christian McLean).  They landed at Heathcote, and the men became supervisors for the building of the road into Christchurch.  William and Margaret took over the lease of the Heathcote Ferry Arms, then moved into Christchurch in 1853 to establish the Royal Hotel in Oxford Terrace.

William Stewart died on 24 November 1857 aged 34.  The Lyttelton Times of 28 November 1857 carried the following Death Notice: “On the 24th instant, at his residence, the Royal Hotel, William Stewart, aged 35 years, deeply lamented by all who knew him.”

There was one child from the marriage:

• William Morrison Stewart, born in 1852, died in 1935.

Margaret remarried in 1861. The Wellington Independent of 9 August 1861 carried the following Marriage Notice: “MacKay-Stuart – On the 20th June, at Glenmorven, Wairarapa, by the Rev. Wm Ronaldson, Mr David Mitchell of Wellington, late of Tain, Rosshire, to Margaret, second daughter of Hugh Morrison, Esq., of Glenmorven, and relict of the late Wm. Stuart, Esq., Christchurch, Canterbury.”

David Mitchell Mackay was a clerk in the Immigration office, and after the wedding the couple moved back to Christchurch, where they lived in Antigua Street.  In September 1869 David Mackay, immigration officer, was brought up at the Police Court, Christchurch, charged with embezzlement of public funds of the province of Canterbury.  The Timaru Herald of 11 December 1869 reported the Supreme Court proceedings before Mr Justice Gresson, with the final outcome being that the judge accepted the defence argument that the Crown had failed to establish to his satisfaction that the prisoner was clerk in the strict sense, or at all events, that the money he received was the property of Mr Rolleston [Canterbury Superintendent].  That being the case there was no use in letting the evidence go before the jury, whatever might be the moral guilt of the prisoner, and the judge directed them to return a verdict of acquittal, which they did, and the prisoner was discharged.

It is not clear what happened to David Mitchell MacKay, but at the time of the marriage of his daughter Margaret in 1888 he was described as “the late D.M. MacKay of Christchurch”.

Margaret (Morrison) MacKay died 25 February 1907, aged 73.  The Wairarapa Daily Times of 26 February 1907 carried the Death Notice: “Mackay – At the residence of her son, H. Mackay Martinborough, Margaret, relict of the late P.M. Mackay, aged 73.  Christchurch papers please copy.”

Margaret and David had possibly four children:

• Hugh MacKay, born in 1862, died in 1932, married Catherine Mary Bunny in 1924.
• Margaret Ann Mackay, born in 1864, died in 1942, married William Andrew in 1888.
• John Stanley MacKay, born in 1867, died in 1871.
• Name not recorded [possibly Mary Isabella] MacKay, born in 1869.

Mary Morrison

Mary Morrison was 8 years old when she travelled on the Blenheim to New Zealand with her family.

Mary (Morrison) Cameron

On 5 June 1855 Mary Morrison married Alexander Cameron, another Blenheim emigrant, son of Donald Cameron and Christian McLean.

Alexander Cameron died on 19 December 1899 aged 76, and Mary (Morrison) Cameron died on 11 October 1911 aged 77.  See Donald Cameron and Christian McLean for more information about this family.

Alexander and Mary had ten children:

• Donald Douglas Cameron, born in 1856, died in 1937, married Annie Ida Storey in 1880.
• Annie Cameron, born in 1857, died in 1949, married Captain Angus Cameron in 1882.
• Christina Cameron, born in 1859, died in 1878.
• Mary Cameron, born in 1861, died in 1929.
• Hugh Cameron, born in 1863, died in 1910.
• Alexander Cameron, born in 1865, died in 1937.
• Jessie Cameron, born in 1867.
• Catherine Margaret Cameron, born in 1869, died in 1934.
• Isabella Jane Cameron, born in 1871, died in 1945.
• John Duncan Cameron, born in 1873, died in 1957, married (1) Ellen Jane Kibblewhite in 1906, and (2) Helen Annie McBeath in 1939.

Colin Morrison

The Blenheim list recorded Colin Morrison as a child of 6.

The Wellington Independent of 9 February 1859 carried the following Death Notice: “On Tuesday evening, the 8th instant, at the residence of Mr. W. F. Mason, Lambton-quay, Colin, son of Mr. Hugh Morrison, of Glenmorven, Wairarapa; aged 22 years.”

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Sources:

• Blenheim passenger lists at FamilySearch website
• Family trees on Ancestry.com
• ScotlandsPeople website
• PapersPast website
• NZ BDM records
• Morvern to Glenmorven, Frank Fyfe and Bebe Douglas, 2000
• The Camerons of Kaiwarra, M J Ulyatt, 2009
• Morvern Transformed, Philip Gaskell, 1968

Photographs:

• Masterton District Library and Archive, Picture Wairarapa: Ann (Morrison) McLachlan, formerly McPhee, previously Smith; Mary (Morrison) Cameron.

Donald Cameron and Christian McLean

The Blenheim passenger list noted that this Cameron family came from Ormasaigmore, and Donald McDonald commented that “This man and his family have been known to me for many years, he is very industrious.”  The family included:

• Donald Cameron, 46, weaver
• Christian, 40, his wife
• Dugald, 18, labourer, his son
• Alexander, 17, labourer, his son
• Donald, 16, labourer, his son
• Catherine, 14, housemaid, his daughter
• Ann, 12, his daughter
• John, 10, his son
• Duncan, 8, his son

In order to distinguish the various Donald Camerons, the senior Donald Cameron in this family was nick-named “Weaver” on account of his occupation, and his son Donald Cameron was nick-named “Piper”, because he was a bagpiper.

A detailed history of this family and their life in New Zealand can be found in The Kaiwarra Camerons, by M J Ullyat.

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Return to The Blenheim People.

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Donald Cameron and Christian McLean

Donald Cameron was born at Ockle, Ardnamurchan, Argyll, probably around 1784.

Christian McLean was born in Ockle, probably in 1791.

Donald and Christian were married around 1820, and went on to have at least the seven children who accompanied them on the Blenheim. One child, Allan, born in 1827, died the same year.

Ormasaigmore is a locality on the Ardnamurchan peninsular of Argyll.  The  parish of Ardnamurchan was partly in the county of Argyll, and partly in the county of Inverness, and comprised the quod sacra districts of Aharacle and Strontian.  As discussed in The Kaiwarra Camerons, the family probably moved to Ormasaigore, on the southern side of the peninsular, in the mid-1830s, from Ockle,  on the northern side, where the children were born.

Following their arrival in Wellington in 1840, the family lived at Kaiwharawhara (“Kaiwarra”). In 1842 Donald and his son Donald joined a New Zealand Company expedition led by the surveyor Charles Kettle and including Alexander Grant, another Blenheim passenger. While exhausting, the expedition did confirm that there was a lot of land in the Wairarapa that would be suitable for farming.  Donald and his sons made further trips to the Wairarapa, and also, in 1856, bought a section of land at Waiwhetu in the Hutt Valley, where Donald and Christina made their permanent home.

There is a suggestion in some histories that in 1843 Donald set up a rope-making business and a flax dressing school in Wellington, at the corner of Molesworth and Murphy streets.  However, this is incorrect, since in fact it seems to have been the activity undertaken by a Mr Robert Cameron, a rope-maker from Durham, England, who emigrated to New Zealand on the Himalaya in 1843 with his wife and six children, and established himself as a rope and sailmaker, ran a flax and rope-making school in Thorndon, and later owned a flour mill in Ngauranga.  Contemporary newspaper reports and advertisements, and juror lists, confirm this.

Donald Cameron and Christina McLean

Donald Cameron and his family had taken up land in the Wairarapa by 1846, at Pahaoa on the Wairarapa coast, which was initially leased from local Maori. In 1854, following the Government purchase of land in the district the leaseholders were able to buy the land. Donald Cameron purchased the homestead block, while the licence for the remainder of the Pahaoa property was in the names of his five sons. By 1858 Donald had also bought land at Parewanui in Rangitikiei to secure a property for his daughter Annie and her husband James McDonell.

In an 1867 court case involving the estate of his son Donald, it was noted that Donald Cameron, the elder, the father of the intestate, died about February, 1860, having devised his freehold land near Pahaua and “Blairlogie” at Whareama to his five sons, their heirs and assigns, as tenants in common. He also bequeathed all his sheep unto, and to be equally divided between, his said five sons. The sheep bequeathed were depasturing upon the devised land. The case goes on to state, that the five brothers took possession of the lands and sheep, and carried on, thereon and therewith, the business of sheep-farmers together, without any agreement in writing.

Donald Cameron died on 12 February 1860 aged 75, apparently as a result of a logging accident at Waiwhetu. and his wife Christina died on 18 December 1872 aged 81.  The Evening Post of 18 December 1872 carried the Death Notice: “On the 18th inst, at the residence of Mr. David Smith, Mulgrave-street, Mrs Donald Cameron, relict of Mr Donald Cameron, of Kaiwarra, aged 81 years. (Canterbury papers please copy.)”

Dugald Cameron

Dugald Cameron was born around 1822 in Ardnamurchan.

In the Blenheim passenger lists Dugald was described as a labourer of 18.

The Wellington Independent of 8 April 1862 carried the Marriage Notice: “Cameron-Jeffs – On 12th March, at Kai-warra-warra, by the Rev. John Moir, Mr Dugald Cameron to Miss Anne Jeffs, both of this City.”

Annie Jeffs was a schoolteacher in Wellington, who was born in Wellington on 1 July 1842 and baptised on 26 June 1845 at St Paul’s in Wellington.  She was the daughter of George Jeffs and Anne Bilton, who arrived in Wellington on 30 October 1841 on the Gertrude, having sailed from Gravesend on 19 June 1841.  The Jeffs came from Coventry in England, and in the 1841 census for the parish of St John the Baptist were listed as living in Spon St, Coventry, Warwickshire.  George, aged 40, was a ‘plush weaver’, born in the county, his wife Ann was 35 born outside the county, daughter Louisa was 12 and son Francis was 8.  The steerage passenger list for the Gertrude had George as a labourer of 35, with a note that he was a cook, possibly meaning on the voyage, his wife Ann was 32, daughter Louisa was 12, an un-named son was 7, twins were born on board on 10 July 1841, with Charles dying on 23 July 1841 and Ann dying on 5 August 1841. At the time of Anne’s baptism their address was given as ‘on the Waiwetu River’, and George’s occupation was ‘labourer’.

Anne (Jeffs) Cameron died on 30 April 1870, aged 26.  The Wellington Independent of 3 May 1870 carried the Death Notice: “Cameron – On April 30, Ann, the beloved wife of Mr Dugald Cameron, Kaiwarawara. Aged 26 years.”

The Wellington Independent in April 1871 published  advertisements for the auction by Dugald Cameron Esq. of freehold and leasehold property at Kaiwarra, “comprising 8½ acres of freehold land and 20 acres of leasehold land, including a four-roomed dwelling house, large stable, and piggery; also, a very fine garden, well stocked with fruit trees, in splendid order.”

The Wellington Independent of 17 March 1873 carried the Death Notice: “Cameron – On March 16, at Kaiwarra, Mr Dugald Cameron, aged 50 years.”  In the same newspaper on 19 March 1873 it was reported that at the inquest on Dugald Cameron, Dr Grace who carried out the post-mortem examination, certified to death having been produced by apoplexy, and a verdict to that effect was returned. The Evening Post of 17 March 1873 reported more fully on the death:

A case of sudden death occurred yesterday at Kaiwarra. Mr Dugald Cameron, an old settler, went at about nine o’clock into the Waterloo Hotel, and having obtained a drink, lay down apparently to sleep. After some time, those in the hotel went to wake him, but found that he was dead. An inquest was to have been held this afternoon on the body.

Dugald and Annie had five children:

• Christina Ann Cameron, born in 1862, died in 1877.
• Donald Francis Cameron, born in 1864, died in 1943 in Scotland, married Elizabeth Charlotte Margaret Burles formerly Mathie in 1908 in Scotland.
• Catherine Lyons Cameron, born in 1866, died in 1908, married George Herbert Humphrys in 1890.
• George Alexander Allan Cameron, born in 1867, died in 1897.
• William Duncan Cameron, born in 1869, died in 1890.

Alexander Cameron

Alexander Cameron was born around 1823 in Ockle, Ardnamurchan, Scotland, and travelled to New Zealand on the Blenheim in 1840, being described as a labourer of 17 in the passenger list.

On 5 June 1855 Alexander Cameron married Mary Morrison, another Blenheim emigrant, daughter of Hugh Morrison and Anne Turner. This was a joint ceremony with Anne Morrison ‘s second marriage to Hugh McPhee.

Although Alexander Cameron was a partner with his brothers in their Wairarapa farming activities, it seems that he remained primarily in Wellington and handled matters from there as their Wellington agent.

Alexander Cameron died on 19 December 1899 aged 76.  The Evening Post of 21 December 1899 published the following obituary:

The funeral of the late Mr. Alex. Cameron, one of the oldest and most respected residents of Kaiwarra, took place this afternoon, and was very largely attended. The interment was made in the Sydney street cemetery. The deceased, who was a native of Argyllshire, and was 76 years of age, came out to New Zealand by the ship Blenheim in 1840, and has resided in the colony ever since. He was in New Plymouth when the first immigrants arrived there, and later on he walked from that township to Wellington. He went down to Otago with the first party of surveyors sent to that district, the journey occupying six weeks. Later on he worked under the Hon. Captain Russell’s father in forming the military roads near Johnsonville. Mr. Cameron was for some time in partnership with his brothers as station owners in the Wairarapa, but for the last 21 years he has been out of business. Amongst many public offices which he had held were those of Mayor of Onslow, Chairman of the local Licensing Bench, Vice-President of the Caledonian Society, and Chieftain of the Gaelic Society. The deceased, who leaves a widow and nine children, one of whom is the wife of Captain Cameron, Marine Superintendent for the Union Company, was possessed of a genial and generous disposition, and was deservedly popular.

Mary (Morrison) Cameron

Mary (Morrison) Cameron died on 11 October 1911, aged 77. An obituary was published in the Wairarapa Daily Times of 12 October 1911:

The death of Mrs Cameron, wife of the late Alexander Cameron, of Kaiwarra, occurred at her son’s residence “Okar,” yesterday afternoon, at the ripe age of 77. The deceased lady was one of Wairarapa’s earliest pioneers. She came out with her father, the late Hugh Morrison, of Glenmorven and Morrison’s Bush in the year 1840, by the ship “Blenheim.” After residing in Wellington for a short time, when quite a young girl, she came to Wairarapa with her father, who had taken up a run known as Morrison’s Bush. They made the journey from Wellington in an open whaleboat, and after a very rough and exciting passage, during which they narrowly escaped shipwreck, they landed on the open beach at Te Kopi. It was in the days when quicker modes of transit were unknown in these parts, and through the roughest of country she made the way to her future home, all on foot. She was the only surviving sister of the late John Morrison, of Blairlogie, well known in this district. Mrs Cameron was a fine type of the early pioneer, facing the difficulties of the early times with undaunted courage; and at the same time had a kindly disposition and was greatly beloved by all who came in contact with her. She leaves three sons and five daughters to mourn her loss. The funeral takes place to-morrow at Wellington.

Alexander and Mary had ten children:

• Donald Douglas Cameron, born in 1856, died in 1937, married Annie Ida Storey in 1880.
• Annie Cameron, born in 1857, died in 1949, married Captain Angus Cameron in 1882.
• Christina Cameron, born in 1859, died in 1878.
• Mary Cameron, born in 1861, died in 1929.
• Hugh Cameron, born in 1863, died in 1910.
• Alexander Cameron, born in 1865, died in 1937.
• Jessie Cameron, born in 1867.
• Catherine Margaret Cameron, born in 1869, died in 1934.
• Isabella Jane Cameron, born in 1871, died in 1945.
• John Duncan Cameron, born in 1873, died in 1957, married (1) Ellen Jane Kibblewhite in 1906, and (2) Helen Annie McBeath in 1939.

Donald (Piper) Cameron

Donald Cameron was born around 1824 in Ockle, Ardnamurchan, Scotland.

Donald Cameron was a labourer of 16 when he emigrated to New Zealand on the Blenheim in 1840.

Donald (Piper) Cameron

On 28 December 1853 Donald Cameron married Isabella Glasgow.  Isabella was the daughter of Robert Glasgow and Mary Lamb, and had arrived in New Zealand in 1842 on the Bombay.  The Glasgow family went on to become early settlers in Turakina.

Donald Cameron died on 26 June 1866.  The Wellington Independent of 14 July 1866 carried the Death Notice: “At his residence, Waiwetu, Hutt, Donald Cameron, Esq., on the 27th of June, 1866, aged 40 years. Deeply lamented by a large circle of relatives and friends. He was one of the oldest settlers of this province.”

Isabella (Glasgow) Cameron remarried in 1868 to William Lowes, and died in 1920 aged 86. The Wairarapa Age of 6 July 1920 published the following obituary:

MRS. WILLIAM LOWES. Residents of the Wairarapa will learn with deep regret of the death of Mrs Lowes, relict of the late Mr William Lowes, which occurred on Sunday night. The deceased lady arrived in New Zealand with her parents (Mr and Mrs Robert Glasgow) in 1841, and resided for some time in Wellington. She came to Masterton in 182, and later went to Wanganui, where she married the late Mr Cameron. Returning to Masterton in 1877, the late Mrs Lowes went on to a farm with her husband at Te Ore Ore, and endured many of the vicissitudes of the pioneer settlers. She was a woman of sterling character, and endeared herself to a large circle of relatives and friends by her kindly disposition. The deceased lady was twice married, her second husband being Mr William Lowes, who predeceased his wife some years ago. The family of the first marriage are Messrs Duncan (deceased), Robert, D. J., William, Walter and Allan Cameron, of Masterton, while Messrs F. B. Lowes and J. P. Lowes (Rongomai), Mrs Gledstone, Mrs F. C. Lewis, and Mrs F. F. G. Cooper, of “Westbrook,” Queensland, are the family of the second marriage. The funeral will leave the residence of Mr H. Graham, Gladstone road, Manaia, at 2 o’clock this afternoon, for the Masterton cemetery, the processional route being by the Te Whiti road and Johnstone street.

Donald and Isabella had six children:

• Duncan Cameron, born in 1854, died in 1918, married Evelyn Barker in 1881.
• Robert Cameron, born in 1856, died in 1931, married (1) Eliza Clark in 1895 and (2) May Ellen Baigent in 1899.
• Donald John Cameron, born in 1859, died in 1942, married Anna Robina Woodroofe in 1886.
• William Lamb Cameron, born in 1861, died in 1933, married Elizabeth Shaw in 1891.
• Walter Cameron, born in 1862, died in 1946, married Madeline Stewart Baldwin in 1902.
• Allan Alexander Cameron, born in 1864, died in 1934.

Catherine Cameron

Catherine Cameron was born around 1826 in Ockle, Ardnamurchan, in Scotland.

Catherine Cameron was 14, and described as a housemaid, when she travelled to New Zealand on the Blenheim in 1840.

Catherine married John Macfarlane on 30 December 1848.

John Macfarlane was born on 9 February 1817 at Letter, Port of Menteith, Stirling, Scotland, and came to New Zealand in 1842, landing at Nelson.  His brothers Daniel and Malcolm followed him to New Zealand some years later.  John Macfarlane was a field man with the survey team at Wairau, and made haste into Nelson to bring news of the massacre there.

John Macfarlane moved to Wellington and by the time of his  marriage to Catherine Cameron he was managing White Rock station in the Wairarapa.  In 1850 he sold out his interests to his in-laws and moved to Canterbury. The family established themselves in North Canterbury, where John Macfarlane and his sons became leading pastoralists.

John Macfarlane died in 1884.  The Press of 24 October 1884 carried the following obituary:

THE LATE JOHN MACFARLANE.
We have to record the decease of Mr John McFarlane, of Rangiora, which took place at his residence, Coldstream, near Rangiora yesterday morning. The deceased gentleman landed in Wellington about thirty-eight years ago, and we believe married there, and then came to Canterbury. He settled first at Loburn station, near Rangiora, and afterwards removed to White Rock, a few miles further up country. He subsequently, bought a large quantity of the best land near Rangiora, and took up his residence on it where he remained until his death. As a sheep farmer he had a most successful career, being able of late years to purchase for his sons several very large stations in the north of this island, The deceased took very little interest in’ political matters, but for some time was a member of the Ashley County Council. He was President, for a number of years of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, in which, he took great interest, giving liberally towards the prizes and encouraging the shows with large exhibits of stock of various kinds.
For the past two or three years Mr Macfarlane has been failing in health, and hence has resigned the position he has so worthily filled in connection with the above Society. He leaves a widow and a family of six sons and three daughters, all of whom, except the three youngest sons, are married. The funeral will take place on Saturday.

Catherine (Cameron) Macfarlane died on 24 April 1908 at Christchurch. The Star of 25 April 1908 carried the Death Notice: “Macfarlane – On the 24th inst., at the residence of Mrs Nicholls, Papanui, Catherine, widow of the late John Macfarlane of Coldstream, Rangiora; in her eighty-third year.” The Dominion of 28 April 1908 carried her obituary:

AN EARLY SETTLER.
Christchurch, April 27. Mrs J. MacFarlane, of Coldstream, North Canterbury, who died on Friday night, ranked among the very earliest colonists, having arrived in Wellington with her father, Mr Donald Cameron, in the ship Blenheim in 1841. Seven years later, she married Mr. John MacFarlane, who had landed in Nelson in 1842, and afterwards removed to Wellington. In 1850, three weeks before the arrival of the first four ships; she and her husband came to Canterbury and took up the Loburn run, where they lived until 1862. They then removed to Coldstream, where Mr. MacFarlane died in 1884. Mrs. MacFarlane has left six sons, four of whom are well-known Amuri pastoralists, while the eldest has Coldstream.

Catherine and John had eleven children:

• Malcolm Macfarlane, born in 1849, died in 1911, married Anna Mary Chisnall in 1883.
• John Donald Macfarlane, born in 1851, died in 1921, married Margaret Hart Gibson in 1880.
• Catherine Macfarlane, born in 1852, died in 1934, married John Fulton in 1881.
• James Macfarlane, born in 1853, died in 1931, married (1) Stephana Mary Tylee in 1876, (2) Isabel Louise Scully in 1916.
• Agnes Macfarlane, born in 1854, died in 1924, married George Jameson in 1874.
• Walter Macfarlane, born in 1856, died in 1914 in England, married Minnie Margaret Wilson in 1889.
• Helen Macfarlane, born in 1857, died in 1922, married Walter Charles Nicholls in 1881.
• Christina Ann Macfarlane, born in 1858, died in 1875.
• David Duncan Macfarlane, born in 1860, died in 1914, married Mary Frances Newton in 1893.
• Frederick Graham Macfarlane, born in 1862, died in 1863.
• Alexander Macfarlane, born in 1863, died in 1913, married Sarah Helen McRae in 1896.

Annie Cameron

Annie Cameron was born around 1829 in Ockle, Ardnamurchan, Scotland.

Ann Cameron was listed as 12 years old when she travelled on the Blenheim to New Zealand in 1840.

Anne Cameron married James (Big Mac) McDonell on 18 December 1849 at Kaiwarra.

James McDonell was born in Auchlauchrach, Glengarry, Inverness, Scotland, in 1818.  He went first to Australia with other members of his family, and then became  one of the first settlers in the Rangitikei district.

James McDonell died on 4 September 1875 at Parewanui.  The Wanganui Herald of 16 September 1875 published the following obituary:

The death of James McDonnell, which happened on Sunday, has cast a gloom over the whole District. The deceased who has been gradually declining for some mouths past, arrived in the Colony of New South Wales as long ago as 1838, when he came to Wellington, being engaged in the shipping of horses and cattle to the above port. He subsequently determined to make New Zealand his home, and was one of, if not the, first, settler in Rangitikei, where he has remained, living at Inverhoe ever since. The deceased in the early days was known throughout the Province for his unbounded hospitality, and never was there a case of want or distress but what “Mr Big Mac” as his friends fondly called him, came forward to assist and alleviate. The funeral, which took place yesterday, was attended by settlers from all parts and as the procession, which started from Bull’s, neared the family burial ground at Inverhoe, its ranks were gradually swelled by young and old, by Maoris and others, all wishing to pay the last tribute of affection and respect to the once free-hearted settler, until it was at least half a mile long. In passing Parawanui I noticed that nearly all the Maoris who were themselves unable to follow, had adopted the usual symbol of their grief, viz—a garland of green creepers wreathed round their brows. The funeral service, which was performed by the Rev. Father Kirk, was admirably adapted for the occasion, and the address afterwards, pointing to the uncertainty of life and the wonderful mysteries of the never ending future, will long be remembered by the hundreds surrounding the grave where the remains of James McDonnell now rest in peace. Much sympathy was expressed for the widow and the large, though happily grown up family, thus suddenly left in sorrow, which let us hope will soon give way to a feeling of thankfulness in that death in this case was not only painless but peaceful.

The Wanganui Chronicle of 18 September 1875 published the following:

Big Mac has passed away. I know that no irreverence attaches to this old familiar name, with which every one of the pioneers on this coast is so well acquainted. Many will miss his warm hearty greeting, and many will remember his open hearted hospitality. In days of yore, the deceased, Mr James McDonnell, was engaged pretty extensively in cattle trading, Poneke being then the only market. His life has not been without its adventurous incidents, and many and hairbreadth have been the dangers which he encountered and surmounted triumphantly in the early days of colonization in this province. Many an old identity will feel a pang of regret to hear that the genial host of Inverhoe, who was never happier than when his hearth was surrounded with guests, has left the old familiar scenes, where his cheery presence was a welcome in itself. A large family is left behind. His funeral was one of the most touching demonstrations I have ever witnessed Maori and Pakeha seeming to vie with each other in showing respect for the departed.

Annie (Cameron) McDonell died in 1919.  The Wanganui Chronicle of 19 April 1919 carried the following obituary:

BULLS NOTES.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
I have to record the passing of the last of the pioneers of the Lower Rangitikei, in the person of Mrs. Annie McDonnel, who reached the bend, in the road of life early on Wednesday morning The deceased lady will be sincerely mourned, especially by those’ to whom she was such a friend in the days of long ago. It is a far cry to the year 1840, when she landed in New Zealand in the ship Blenheim. She was a member of one of the Cameron families on board, and to distinguish her family from the others they were known as the Piper Camerons. The deceased lady was the last surviving member of that family. She lived in Wellington for about nine years after her arrival, and was then married to the late Mr. McDonnel, and came up to “Inverhoe,” on the Rangitikei, where she has resided ever since. She is survived by three sons and six daughters, viz., Mr. John McDonnel (Marton), Mr. James McDonnel (Wairoa), and Mr. A. A. McDonnel (Lower Rangitikei), Mrs. Hugh Fraser (of Kauangaroa), Mrs. Gray (Wellington), Mrs. Smith (Palmerston North), Mrs. Daniels (Foxton), Mrs. Morse (Bulls), and Miss K. McDonnel, who lived with her mother. Twelve of her grandsons served at the front, viz., Capt. Daniels (killed), Laurie and Denis Daniels, William, Eric, and Dan Gray, also Lionel, Claude, George, Keith, and Wilson McDonnel, and Jack Fraser. Many of them were wounded. She also had three grand-daughters in the nursing staff—Nurse Gray, at the Front, and Nurses E. Gray and I. Daniels on the nursing staff in New Zealand. The two latter were both able to assist in nursing their grandmother at the last. Mrs. McDonnel would have been 90 years of age on Saturday.

Annie and James had at least eleven children:

• Archibald McLean McDonell, born in 1850, died in 1917, married Elizabeth Ann Wheeler in 1884.
• Christina Ann McDonell, born in 1852, died in 1922, married Hugh Fraser in 1874 (New Zealand-born son of Duncan and Marjory Fraser).
• Flora Jemima McDonell, born in 1855, died in 1938, married Joseph George Smith in 1895.
• Donald Cameron McDonell, born in 1857, died in 1884.
• Catherine  McDonell, born in 1858, died in 1921.
• James Angus McDonell, born in 1862, died in 1924, married Mary Jane Nicholls in 1883.
• Elizabeth McDonell, born in 1863, died in 1942, married George Gray in 1888.
• Mary McDonell, born in 1864, died in 1936, married Percy Edward Daniell in 1888.
• John McDonell, born in 1866, died in 1936, married Ellen Brookie in 1891.
• Aeneas Alexander McDonell, born in 1868, died in 1930, married Elizabeth Burne in 1896.
• Selina Priscilla McDonell, born in 1872, died in 1960, married Ernest Walford Morse in 1904.

John Cameron

John Cameron was born around 1830 in Ockle, Ardnamurchan, Argyll, and travelled to New Zealand on the Blenheim as a 10 year old.

John Cameron married Ann Stewart in 1868.

Ann Stewart was the daughter of Duncan Stewart and Anne McPherson, and was born in Ardnamurchan, Scotland in 1841.  The family came to New Zealand on the Oliver Lang in 1858.

In October 1873, a number of newspapers, e.g. the Southern Cross of 15 October 1873, carried advertisements for the sale of station properties in the Province of Wellington in the estate of the Cameron Brothers, noting that in consequence of the death of two partners in the firm, two stations were to be sold at public auction in Wellington on 1 December 1873.  The stations were “Blairlogie” in the Whareama District and the station at Pahaua in the East Coast District.  At the auction they were purchased by the surviving members of the firm.

In 1878 there was a further sale of the Blairlogie and Pahaua stations, with the former purchased by Mr John Morrison and the latter by Messrs J and D Cameron.

The Evening Post of 2 October 1890 reported “The house of Mr John Cameron, at Pahaua, East Coast, was totally destroyed by fire on Sunday last.”  In the Evening Post of 4 October it was further reported that the day after the fire, while returning from the funeral of his nephew William Cameron, John Cameron suffered serious injuries when his buggy overturned as a result of the horse shying at a cow in the road, and he was dragged for a hundred yards along the road.

John Cameron died on 8 December 1900 aged 68.  The Wairarapa Daily Times of 8 December 1900 carried the following obituary:

DEATH OF MR JOHN CAMERON.
From one end of Wairarapa to another, the news of the death of Mr John Cameron, of Opaki, will be learned with deep regret. He passed away this morning, at the age of 68. The deceased was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, and came out to New Zealand in 1840, in which year he arrived at Wellington. He lived at Kaiwarra for some little time, and eventually settled at Pahaou, where he has a station, which his son John now manages. He leaves a large family, nearly all of whom are grown up.
The late Mr John Cameron was a brother of Mr Duncan Cameron, of the Coast, and father of Mr Robert Cameron, who joined the Masterton Contingent of the New Zealand force which went to South Africa. The deceased was one of the few remaining pioneers of settlement in this part of the Colony—and was one who had earned the esteem of all who knew him for his integrity and his sterling qualities as a colonist of many years standing. The grieving relatives will have the sympathy of a large number of settlers in their bereavement, The funeral will take place on Monday afternoon.

Ann (Stewart) Cameron died on 13 October 1918, aged 76.  The Wairarapa Age of 14 October 1918 carried the Death Notice: “Cameron – At the residence, Cole Street Masterton on October 13th, Mrs John Cameron, relict of the late John Cameron, Opaki, aged 76.” The paper also published the following obituary:

Mrs John Cameron: Another old resident of the Wairarapa, in the person of Mrs John Cameron, died at her residence at Cole street, Masterton, on Sunday evening. The deceased, who was seventy-six years of age, had been ailing for about five weeks. She was born at Argyllshire, Scotland, and came to New Zealand in 1857 in the «hip Oliver Laing.  For a number of years she resided at Pahaoa, East Coast, and later on the Opaki. She leaves a family of six sons and four daughters. The sons are Messrs Donald Cameron (Hinakura), Duncan A. Cameron (Hunterville), John Cameron (Dunedin), Robert A. Cameron (Mauriceville), M. D. Cameron (Sydney), and E. P. Cameron (France). The daughters are Mrs H. Hamlin (Auckland), Mrs W. Roberts (Whakatane), and Misses C. and M. Cameron (Masterton). The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon.

John and Ann had at least ten children:

• Donald Cameron, born in 1869, died in 1945, married Elizabeth Sutherland in 1898.
• Flora Anne Cameron, born in 1871, died in 1940, married Henry William George Hamlin in 1905.
• Christina Cameron, born in 1872, died in 1967.
• Duncan Alexander Cameron, born in 1873, died in 1937, married Ethel Walton in 1909.
• John Cameron, born in 1875, died in 1928.
• Mary Stewart Cameron, born in 1877, died in 1949.
• Robert Allan Cameron, born in 1878, died in 1942, served in South African War, married Florence Jessie Young in 1914.
• Dugald Stewart Murray Cameron, born in 1880, died in 1967 in Australia, married Ethel Norah Shepherd in 1916 in Australia.
• Ernest Percival Stewart Cameron, born in 1882, died in 1967, married Donalda Ross Sutherland in 1921.
• Maud Isabella Katherine Cameron, born in 1884, died in 1970, married William Clare Roberts in 1909.

Duncan Cameron

Duncan Cameron was born in Ockle, Ardnamurchan, Scotland around 1832, and was 8 years old in 1840 when he sailed for New Zealand on the Blenheim with his parents.

Duncan married Mary Gillies in 1863 (daughter of Isabella Turner and Archibald Gillies). They spent the rest of their lives farming in the Wairarapa, although not without mishap. The Evening Post of 29 April 1880 reported that Mr Duncan Cameron of Moroa met with a serious accident at Featherston, when his trap capsized going around a corner, causing cuts and bruises and a broken collar bone.

Duncan Cameron died on 21 April 1915.  The Wairarapa Daily Times of 22 April 1915 carried the following obituary:

MR DUNCAN CAMERON
The: death occurred yesterday morning, at Moroa, near Greytown, of a highly respected and pioneer settler of the Wairarapa, in the person of Mr Duncan Cameron, who had reached the ripe ago of 84 years. Deceased came to New Zealand with his parents, and landed, at Kaiwarra on Christmas Day, 1840. In the year 1846 his father, Mr Donald Cameron, entered into possession of the sheep station, on the East Coast, known as Pahaoa, which later was taken over by the five sons, Messrs Dugald, Alexander, Donald, John and Duncan Cameron. Later again Messrs Duncan and John Cameron bought out their brother’s interest in Pahaoa, and divided the property into two parts, one of which was renamed Glen Dhu, and became the property of Mr Duncan Cameron.
Deceased leaves a widow, who is a daughter, of the late Mr Archibald Gillies, of Otaraia, and there were ten children, as follows:—Messrs William, (deceased), Thomas (deceased), Alan (at Castlepoint), and Jack Cameron (at Glen Dhu), Misses Annie, Nellie. and Grace Cameron, and Mrs Cecil Kebbell, Mrs Fred Pearce, and Mrs J. Goring Johnston. The relatives will have the deep sympathy of a wide circle of friends in their bereavement.

Mary (Gillies) Cameron died on 16 February 1916 at Moroa, Greytown, aged 73.

The Wairarapa Daily Times of 30 July 1919 reported that the Misses Cameron had instructed Messrs Levin & Co to sell by public auction the well-known Moroa homestead, together with fine old home of 15 rooms and outbuildings which, with slight alteration, could be made into a good boarding school.

Duncan and Mary had nine children:

• Annie Isabella Cameron, born in 1864, died in 1934.
• Donald Thomas Cameron, born in 1866, died in 1913, married Mary Bulkley in 1910.
• Mary Christina Cameron, born in 1867, died in 1943, married Cecil Kebbell in 1896.
• Catherine Ellen Cameron, born in 1870, died in 1956.
• Jessie Cameron, born in 1871, married Frederick Pearce in 1896.
• William Duncan Cameron, born in 1872, died in 1901 while serving in the South African War.
• John Alexander Cameron, born in 1874, died in [1941?] married Helen Gough in 1920.
• Alice Margaret Cameron, born in 1876, died in 1936, married John Goring-Johnston in 1899.
• Allan Archibald Cameron, born in 1878, died in 1928, served in South African War, married Kathleen Meredyth Meredith in 1912.
• Constance Evelyn Grace Cameron, born in 1879, died in 1970.

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Sources:

• Blenheim passenger lists at FamilySearch website
• Family trees on Ancestry.com
• PapersPast website
• NZ BDM records
• The Kaiwarra Camerons, M J Ullyat, 2009
• Morvern to Genmorven, Frank Fyfe and Bebe Douglas, 2000
• The Sons and Daughters, Shona McRae, 1991
• Hardy Highlanders in New Zealand, Jennifer Macdonald, 1991
• The Early Canterbury Runs, L G D Acland, 1930, 4th ed. 1975, available online at the Victoria University NZETC site.

Photographs:

• Masterton District Library and Archive, Picture Wairarapa: Donald and Christina Cameron; Donald (Piper) Cameron; Mary (Morrison) Cameron.

Donald McDonald and Anne Cummings

The Caledonian Mercury of 29 August 1840, in reporting on the departure of the Blenheim, noted, “The ship is commanded by Captain Gray, and the emigrants amount to betwixt 150 and 200. They are all from Lochaber, Morvern and Skye, with a few Lowlanders. The families consist of the parents, and from six to ten children each, and they are all under the kindly and fatherly care of Mr M’Donald of Drimintoran, a genuine and highly respectable Highlander, who, to prove his confidence in the benefits to be derived from emigration, and the trust that might be put in his sincerity, goes out along with his family and friends to the land of hope, which we understand, is Wellington, Port Nicholson.”

Because they were cabin passengers the family was not on the passenger lists of those receiving free passage. From newspaper reports the family included:

• Donald MacDonald, Esq., 51
• Mrs MacDonald,
• Catherine MacDonald, 17
• Donald MacDonald, 16
• Adam MacDonald, 15
• Flora MacDonald, 13
• Alexander MacDonald, 12
• Campbell MacDonald, 10
• Thomas MacDonald, 5
• Duncan MacDonald, 18 mths

Spelling:  The variations used in documents and other sources include “MacDonald”, “Macdonald”, “M’Donald”, and McDonald”.  In this post “McDonald” has been used unless the source indicated otherwise.

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Return to The Blenheim People.

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Donald McDonald and Anne Cummings

Donald McDonald was described in the New Zealand Journal of Saturday August 29 1840 as “a large landholder in the colony, and nearly the whole body of emigrants by the Blenheim was composed of his own and the neighbouring clans, near Fort William, in Inverness-shire.”

Alexander McDonald wrote a memoir which included some of the history of his family. He noted that he had documentary evidence sufficiently conclusive to himself, that he belonged to the Glencoe branch of the MacDonald Clan.

Alexander’s grandfather’s name was Donald MacDonald, and while he was too young to join the clan in the rising of 1745, he ran after and overtook the Glencoe men and marched with them to Culloden. After Cullodon, this Donald McDonald escaped with others to France, but returned to Scotland while he was still a young man and took to farming. His son Donald (Alexander’s father) followed in the same pursuit, and was presented with a silver cup in 1829 by the Highland Agricultural Society in testimony of the best managed farm in the West Highlands (this cup, and another awarded to the senior Donald MacDonald, have been recovered by descendants of Alexander MacDonald and are their treasured possessions). Donald MacDonald was in the Commission of the Peace, and Deputy Lieutenant of Argyleshire for 22 years. The cup was not the only recognition received by Donald McDonald. The Caledonian Mercury of 31 January 1828, in its publication of premiums adjudged by the Highland Society of Scotland, reported that Mr Donald MacDonald, Tenant in Drimintoran, Sunart, received five Sovereigns for the best two Quays [heifers] of two years old in the District of Morvern, Ardnamurchan etc, and in 1833 the Caledonian Mercury of 31 January reported that he received eight sovereigns for the best bull exhibited at the Competition held in Strontian in August 1832.

Donald McDonald was born around 1781.

Donald McDonald had an early marriage to Jane Kennedy, who died a few years after the marriage.  It seems unlikely that there were any children.  The Caledonian Mercury of 19 February 1814 carried the Marriage Notice: “At Keppoch, on the 3rd current, Donald McDonald, Esq., of Drimintoran, to Miss Jane Kennedy, only daughter of the late Rev. Mr John Kennedy, of Auchterer.”

A few years later, Donald McDonald married Anne Cummings.  The Old Parish Register for Coldstream in the county of Berwick recorded that Donald McDonald of the parish of Ardnamurchan, and Ann Cummings of this parish, were registered for proclamation on the 23rd September and married the 9th October 1820.

The New Zealand Company employed Donald MacDonald to arrange with a number of Scottish families to emigrate to New Zealand, and a large number from the West Highlands agreed to make the trip. There were some late withdrawals and the ship could take more, so several families of Paisley weavers were also enlisted for the voyage.

Jessie Campbell’s Journal includes many references to the McDonald family, given that they lived cheek by jowl for several months on the voyage to New Zealand.  Not all of the remarks were charitable.

In talking of the McDonald’s plans, Jessie wrote, “Capt. Gray told Capt. C today that he knew all Mr Macdonald’s history, that he had failed for £10,000 and of his intemperate habits. Mr Macdonald told Capt. C that he has hopes of getting a situation from the company as he had letters from some of the Directors to Col. Wakefield; he says it will be useless for him to go to his land as he has no subject to stock it or improve it. (Of course we are very doubtful however time will soon shew). His wife and daughter are to keep school he says in Port Nicholson. Catherine is fit to teach none but mere beginners, what her mother means to teach I cannot fancy. ”

Before leaving Scotland Donald McDonald, and others, had bought land at Wanganui from the New Zealand Company, but remained in Wellington at Kaiwarra where he had charge of the road-making from Wellington to Petone, Porirua and Karori. The New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator of 3 March 1841 noted, “We walked out on the Porirua road a few days since, and were much gratified with the rapid progress which had been made. About three miles of the road are now as good as need be for the present. Mr. M’Donald has shown great judgment in the management of this important undertaking, and the colonists may consider themselves fortunate in having among them a gentleman so evidently well qualified to perform the task he has in hand.”

Jessie Campbell’s letters home included much gossip about the McDonalds, including Donald McDonald’s reversion to intemperence and the effect it had on his health.  In a letter of 4 December 1842, she wrote, “I wrote to my mother about Drimantoran having lost his situation, alas miserable man, the accounts we had a few days ago are still more wretched, he is a ruined man. Everything he has was seized for debt. His son Adam, saved him from being sent to jail by giving up the little pittance he had saved. God help his poor wife, I feel deeply for her, with all her faults she is well principled. He, poor wretch, is lying dangerously ill, scarcely expected to recover, I think his death would be a happy release to his family, he has brought such disgrace upon them. Adam is very steady and a sensible lad. Donald’s death was blessing, he was as drunken as his father without his abilities when sober. Catherine’s intended has not returned from Auckland, all this blow up has occurred during his absence. I wonder what he will feel about it when he hears of McDonald’s disgrace. The Capt. and John Cameron were thankful to be at such a distance from him, they would not like to have intercourse with a man spoken of as he is.”

As outlined by Alexander McDonald in his memoir, his father, once a first-class farmer and magistrate, fell “victim to the intemperate use of intoxicants,” which broke him down but not irretrievably before leaving Scotland, but after a year or two in New Zealand he gave way to the habit.

Donald McDonald died on 26 July 1849. The Wellington Independent of 28 July 1849 carried the Death Notice: “At Glengower near Wellington, on Thursday Evening the 26th inst., Donald M’Donald, Esq., late of Drimintoran, Argyleshire, and Deputy Lieutenant of the same County, Aged 68 years.”

Anne (Cummings) McDonald died on 7 April 1870 at Christchurch under the name of Agnes McDonald.  The death registration noted that she was 70 years old and died of “general vital failure consequent on old age”, with the informant being Llewellyn Powell MD, Christchurch, but with no other information.  It is likely that she was living with her daughter Catherine at the time.   The Press of 8 April 1870 carried the Death Notice: “McDonald—At Christchurch, on the 7th April, Agnes, widow of the late Donald McDonald, Esq. Drinintoran, Argyleshire, and of Wellington, N Z, aged 74.”

Catherine McDonald

The Old Parish Register for Ardnamurchan and Strontian records the baptism on 27 October 1823 of Catherine, daughter to Donald MacDonald, tacksman of Drimintoran, and Anne Cummings.

Catherine was 16 when she boarded the Blenheim in August 1840. She appears to have given lessons to the younger children, occasioning Jessie Campbell to remark that she had a very good method with young children.

In a letter of 27 June 1843 Jessie Campbell wrote, “…but my servant, who was with them for some time, says Catherine was quite the fine lady, did nothing to assist her mother. Her intended has not yet returned from Auckland, she hears from him regularly. From a reduction of the surveying staff he lost his situation, he has been wanting the acting Governor to fulfil his promise of giving him another place, by the last accounts he was on the eve of being appointed Protector of the Aborigines either here or at Kafia, a place further down the coast. I do not know what his salary will be, probably 200 pounds a year. Catherine has been very fortunate. Mr. Campbell has been highly spoken of by all. Mr. Spain told me he was a most honourable well principled young man.”

The New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator for 14 October 1843 carried the following Marriage Notice: “At ‘Kai Wara Wara, on the 10th October, by the Rev. J. Macfarlane, first minister of the Scotch Church, N.Z., John Campbell, Esq., formerly of Edinburgh, now Protector of Aborigines at Taranaki, to Catherine, daughter of D. M’Donald, Esq., formerly of Druim-an-Soran, Argyleshire, N.B.”

However, the New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator of 15 November 1843 reported:

Died. At Wellington, on the 2nd instant, John Campbell, Esq., formerly of Edinburgh, aged 29. Mr. Campbell was originally bred to the profession of the Law, but having emigrated to New Zealand, he was employed as a Surveyor by the Local Government, for which his scientific acquirements particularly fitted him. Subsequently he was appointed Protector of the Aborigines at Taranaki, and it is much to be regretted that the liberal and enlightened views which he entertained as to the relative position of the European’s and Natives, and his anxious wish to promote the interest of both, have been frustrated by his premature death. He was much respected by all who knew him his funeral was attended by most of the officials connected with the Government and the New Zealand Company, and upwards of a hundred Natives.

Catherine (McDonald) Campbell remarried, to Robert Waitt on 5 June 1844.

Jessie Campbell wrote on 9 September 1845, “Catherine seems quite wrapped up in her baby and Grandmama not less so.” and in another letter, “The last time I heard from Mrs. Macdonald, Mrs. [Waitt] was so ill with rheumatism she was preparing to go to Sydney in hopes of the warm climate benefiting her, her baby is a very fine child, Catherine is so thin and haggard John C, says I would hardly know her.”

The family moved to Christchurch in 1854 where Robert Waitt carried on business as a merchant in Lyttelton and leased a sheep station at Double Corner at Motunau. By 1857 he had purchased the Casterton Estate in the Heathcote Valley.

Robert Waitt died on 14 September 1866. The Lyttelton Times carried the Death Notice: “Waitt – Sept. 14, at Opawa, Robert Waitt, aged 50 years.”

Catherine (McDonald) Waitt died on 23 December 1877. The Press carried the Death Notice: “Waitt – On the 23rd December, Catherine, widow of the late Robert Waitt, Esq., aged fifty-four years.”

Catherine and Robert had at least five children:

• Mary Douglas Waitt, born in 1845, died in 1865, married Llewelyn Price Traherne in 1863.
• Robert McDonald Waitt, born in 1847, died in 1879, married Janie Emerald White in 1876.
• Agnes Isabella Waitt, born in 1850, died in 1882, married Andrew Jameson in 1869.
• Flora Margaret Waitt, born in 1851, died in 1885, married Thomas Dyke Acland in 1874.
• George Caverhill Waitt, born in 1855, died in 1867.

Donald McDonald

The Old Parish Register for Ardnamurchan and Strontian records that Donald, son of Donald MacDonald, tacksman of Drimintoran, and Anne Cummings, was born the 26th September was baptized the 1st October 1824.

Donald McDonald was 16 when he travelled to New Zealand in 1840.

It appears from Jessie Campbell’s letters that Donald McDonald died before December 1842, but details have not been found.

Adam Cummings McDonald

The Old Parish Register for Ardnamurchan and Strontian records that Alexander, son of Donald MacDonald, tacksman of Drimintoran, and Anne Cummings, was born 27th March, baptized the 5th April 1829.

Adam Cummings McDonald and Margaret Wallace were married in Wellington on 10 June 1852.

Adam Cummings McDonald died in Wellington on 20 September 1858 at the age of 35.

In his memoirs, Alexander McDonald wrote that after his father’s death:

His place was nobly filled by my elder brother, Adam Cummings McDonald, who at the time of my father’s death was a valued clerk in the Union Bank of Australia.  It pleased God however, that he should also be taken from us.  He died very suddenly in 1858, leaving a widow and two sons, and two daughters.  He was then Manager of the Wellington Branch of the Union Bank of Australia.  On his sudden death the directors of the Bank wrote a letter of sympathy to his widow, enclosing also a whole year’s salary £400 of their late Manager in testimony of their appreciation of his worth.  The Directors also expressed a wish that the two boys of their late Manager would be kept at school, with a view to commercial life, and that a place would always be open to them in their Bank when of suitable age.  In due time the eldest boy Adam was taken into the Bank, and the youngest, George, went into the office of Messrs. Turnbull.
Let me say here to you young people that there never was in this world two young men who gave greater promise of a beautiful, useful, Christian life.  And yet it pleased God to take both these fine young men before they reached the prime of life.  They both died of typhoid fever within a fortnight of each other.  It had been found impossible to prevent the younger from nursing the elder brother, who was first taken ill, and the former caught the infection and they were both taken.  The youngest sister Amelia, without exception the most delightful child I ever saw in my life, also caught the infection and died within a few weeks of her brothers.

[The reference to the date of Amelia’s death is not consistent with BDM information.]

Adam and Margaret McDonald had four children:

• Adam Campbell McDonald, born in 1853, died in 1879.
• George Robertson McDonald, born in 1854, died in 1879.
• Agnes Jane McDonald, born in 1856, died in 1924.
• Amelia Jessie McDonald, born in 1858, died in 1875

Flora McDonald

The Old Parish Register for Ardnamurchan and Strontian records that Flory, daughter of Donald McDonald, tacksman of Drimintoran, and Anne Cummings, was born the 6th and baptized the 17th day of March 1828.

Flora McDonald was 13 when she emigrated to New Zealand on the Blenheim.

Flora McDonald married Thomas Kebbell on 8 November 1848. The couple moved to the Manawatu district, where Thomas Kebbell and his brother John built the first steam sawmill. After returning to Wellington following the 1855 earthquake, Thomas Kebbell carried out duties as a J.P. and was active in business.

Thomas Kebbell died in 1890 by drowning during a yacht race on Wellington Harbour. The incident was reported by the Feilding Star of 23 January 1890:

Terrible Drowning Accidents
It is with deep regret that we record the death by drowning of Mr Thomas Kebbell, a well known citizen, which occurred during the progress of the First Class Yacht Race at the Regatta yesterday. Mr Kebbell, who has taken great interest in yachting for many years, was engaged in sailing the Florence, whicb was owned by him, when the accident occurred. The yacht, which was leading, had completed her second journey round the course, and shortly after passing the flagship Mr Kebbell took the tiller from Dr Fell, who formed one of the party, remarking, strangely enough, “that this would be the last race he would ever sail.” He was sitting on the weather gunwale of the boat holding on to the tiller lines, when he was observed by the doctor to suddenly fall backwards into the water. The yacht, which was travelling at a great rate, was put about as speedily as possible, and in the meantime Mr Cecil Kebbell jumped overboard with the intention of assisting his father. A small rowing boat, manned by two boys, which had been cruising about, had been brought up alongside Mr Kebbell, and the lads succeeded in holding his head above water until the Florence was brought up alongside. The unfortunate gentleman was then hauled into the boat as speedily as possible. Mr Kebbell had evidently been dead some time before he was taken out of the water.
The deceased gentleman was 71 years of age, arrived in New Zealand by the ship Mandarin in 1841. In co-operation with his brother he built a steam sawmill (afterward a flour mill) in the Manawatu, from which place he was driven by the earthquake of 1855, which destroyed the mill. He leaves a widow and six children. Three sons are living in the Wairarapa. and the three daughters are Mesdames H. P. Higginson, A. de B. Brandon, and Tilley (Wanganui). Inspector Thomson received the following telegram from Otaki last night Catherine Mary and Dora Ann Kebbell, 10 and 8 years respectively daughters of Mr J. Kebbell, J.P., Ohau, were drowned while bathing in the Ohau river at 11 a.m. to-day.” Mr J. Kebbell, father of the two children who have thus met with a terrible death, is a nephew of Mr T. Kebbell who was drowned yesterday. We feel sure that the people of Wellington generally will sympathise with the members of a highly esteemed family in their severe bereavement.

Flora (McDonald) Kebbell died on 20 December 1919, aged 91. The Dominion of 22 December 1919 carried the Death Notice: “Kebbell – On December 20, 1919, at her residence, No [..] Hobson Street, Flora, widow of the late Thomas Kebbell, Esq., in her 92nd year.” The Wairarapa Age of 24 December 1919 noted:

Many people will regret to hear of the death of Mrs. Flora Kebbell, widow of the late Mr. Thomas Kebbell, both being much respected and popular pioneer residents of Wellington, Mrs. Kebbell passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday morning early, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Tilly, of Hobson Street. She was in her 92nd year, and had enjoyed wonderfully good health, considering her advanced age. Mrs. Kebbell leaves three daughters, Mrs. Higginson, who is resident in England, Mrs. A. de B. Brandon, and Mrs. Tilly, both of Wellington. Her sons are Messrs William, Richard, and Cecil Kebbell.

The Dominion of 24 December 1919 published the following obituary:

AN INTERESTING MEMOIR
THE LATE MRS. THOMAS KEBBELL. On January 22 next it will be 80 years since the pioneers of the New Zealand Company landed at Petone, and laid the foundation of the settlement of New Zealand. Ship after ship followed in succession’ laden with immigrants and stores, and among them was the Blenheim, which cast anchor in Port Nicholson on December 27, 1840, welcomed by bright sunshine. Among her passengers was a girl twelve years of age accompanying her father, mother, brothers, and sister, who had left the home of their ancestors to found a new home in a new land, M’Donalds of Druimantorran, in Scotland, they sought a favourable turn of fortune’s wheel in New Zealand. The people of to-day cannot really form any conception of travel as it was in those days. The Blenheim was a ship of 378 tons burthen, and on that voyage carried 197 passengers, besides officers and crew. Salt meat and biscuits were the staple food, and the voyage lasted four months.
The excitement of the child on waking one morning and finding the, ship at anchor may be imagined, and her joy at seeing the beautiful harbour of Port Nicholson surrounded by hills, bush-clad to the water’s edge and alive with singing birds, created an impression which lasted her lifetime. For eight years she saw forest disappear to give place to dwellings and pasture during the infancy of the city of Wellington. Towards the end of 1848 she married Mr. Thomas Kebbell, who was then a pioneer settler on the banks of the Manawatu River, but in the meantime she had experienced the awful earthquake of that year. That convulsion so disturbed the peace of mind of some of the settlers that they chartered a schooner to take themselves and their goods and chattels to Sydney. They set sail at the earliest moment, and among them was one of three men prominent in the call for constitutional government, and who were known as “The Three F’s.” The wreck of the schooner at the heads put an end to the desire of Dr. William Fitzherbert to cast the dust of New Zealand from off his feet, and he subsequently did great service to the colony in helping to adjust the differences between Downing Street and its distant protege, ending in the launching of the “self-reliant” policy which quickly brought an end to the Native troubles that hitherto, under the Imperial control had seemed interminable.
The bride accompanied her husband to the Manawatu, making the journey on horseback, which at that time was the only alternative to walking. Riding along the Old Porirua Road, and passing the Porirua Harbour on the west side, they swam their horses across the entrance to the harbour at the ferry east of where Plimmerton now stands. Following the Maori track through the bush over the Pukerua hill and down to the seashore, they rode along the coast to the Manawatu River, and thence to their home.
Few nowadays know of the difficulties which then beset travellers on that coast – high spring tides, the rivers Waikanae, Otaki, Manakau, and Ohau each liable to flood, and each with a deep channel running back into sandhills. Many a traveller had been compelled to wait for hours or even days until the flood had subsided or the tide had ebbed sufficiently to allow of a passage in comparatively shallow water near the line of the breaking waves; or in the case of the Otaki the traveller might have made a laboured journey inland and sought, the assistance of a friendly Maori who would take him across the river in canoe and tow the horse behind. In those days the beach was the main road northward from Paekakariki as far as Scott’s Ferry on the Rangitikei River.
The earthquake of 1856 and unprecedented floods in the river ended the Manawatu venture, and the bride of ’48, with three children out of four (one having met the “New Zealand death” — drowned in the river) were brought to Wellington, where she saw further great changes in the development of the city. She had already seen forest removed for dwellings and pastures: later she saw shops and stores replace dwellings, and still later she saw dwellings displace horses and cows.
Nurtured in times when “woman rights” were motherhood and home management, home life was the life of the late Mrs. Kebbell. With all her faculties clear to within a few hours of death, she lived loved by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. With her death it might almost be said that the foundation of this Dominion has now passed from the ken of the eye-witness into the domain of tradition.

Flora and Thomas Kebbell had at least seven children:

• William McDonald Kebbell, born in 1850, died in 1933, married (1) Charlotte Ellen Willock in 1882, (2) Annie Hassell Liddle in 1902.
• Ann Kebbell, born in 1852, died in 1854 (drowned in the Manawatu River).
• Florence Kebbell, born in 1853, married Harry Pasley Higginson in 1874.
• Louisa Kebbell, born in 1858, died in 1941, married Alfred de Bathe Brandon jun. in 1879.
• Edith Kebbell, born in 1861, died in 1929, married Henry Johnston Robinson Tilly in 1883.
• Cecil Kebbell, born in 1866, died in 1938, married Mary Christina Cameron in 1896.
• Richard Cummings Kebbell, born in 1868, died in 1940.

Alexander McDonald

The Old Parish Register for Ardnamurchan and Strontian records that Alexander, son of Donald MacDonald, tacksman of Drimintoran, and Anne Cummings, was born 27th March baptized on the 5th April 1829.

In a letter of 2 August 1843, Jessie Campbell wrote, “I think I mentioned in former letter that one of Drimantoran’s sons had gone to be herdboy with his old servant, Angus McMaster, is not this terrible?”

In his memoir, Alexander MacDonald wrote:

In some respects I was a precocious boy, in other respects I was extremely slow in assimilating wisdom, of which I fear I have not a very large stock even now. As an example of my best qualities I will mention that coming out on the “Blenheim” I made the acquaintance of a Highland lassie of about my own age. We forthwith became sweethearts and agreed that when our respective parents would permit, or we became of age to act for ourselves, we certainly would marry. Well through thick and thin we stuck to that agreement, until I was a little over 22 years of age, and then my little sweetheart was foolish enough to become my wife. This is the only act of my life in which I showed absolutely just discrimination.

Alexander MacDonald and Annie Cameron were married on 13 January 1852. Annie was the daughter of Donald Cameron and Mary McPherson, sister of Jane (see Dugald McLachlan and Jane Cameron), and Mary (see Alexander Grant and Mary Cameron).

In Poyntzfield, Eliza McKenzie’s memories of the wedding day are recorded:

Though this was Mr Hogg’s first there, it was not the first Turakina marriage, because our beloved ‘Little Annie’ and Alick had gone to Wanganui before Mr Hogg had arrived. I think it was by ‘Missionary Taylor’ so well known and liked – but it might have been Mr Nicholl. I remember her coming to our house, accompanied by Mysie who introduced her as ‘Mrs MacDonald’ at which everyone laughed, and Annie blushed, looking lovelier than ever. Both ladies were bewildering in the beauty of their attire, culminating in the wreath of ‘orange blossom’ round the vivacious face of the bride, and some sprays on the outside of the bonnet mixed with ‘blond’ lace. Annie carried a nice little kit in her hand from which she presently took a parcel of wedding cake saying to Mother “This is something for you, somebody gave it to me and I have a bit for Mrs McGregor” with which they went on to ‘Annbank’, a vision of brightness to us.

Alexander McDonald’s memoirs provide an informed assessment of the issues arising in first few decades of settlement in New Zealand, and in particular his views and engagement in issues relating to Maori land purchases and the relationship with Maori. The memoir also provided a history of the various places he lived in and the people there, and was quoted extensively by his friend Sir James Wilson in his book Early Rangitikei.

It was as a result of his support for the rights of some Maori in relation to purchases that Alexander McDonald was imprisoned after shooting a horse pulling a mail coach to prevent it crossing Ngatikauwhata land. The iwi supported Alexander and his family with land and money during his imprisonment.

Ann Christian (Cameron) McDonald died on 26 February 1898. The Feilding Star of 1 March 1898 carried the following obituary:

Mrs A Macdonald: On Saturday night, at Shannon, there died one of the best-natured and truest-hearted women it is the lot of human beings to meet, Mrs Macdonald, wife of Alexander Macdonald, at the age of 69. Few women have had a more stirring life, and few have retained their natural kindness and love for their fellow-creatures to the same extent as Mrs Macdonald. As Miss Cameron, she came to the colony when quite a child, in the ’40’s, and both before and after marrying Mr Macdonald lived at Kaiwarra. From thence they went to the Wanganui district, subsequently removing to Turakina, Bulls, Kopani, Awahuri and Shannon. Coming to the bush districts years in advance of settlement, Mrs Macdonald had every opportunity of displaying that hospitality for which she was so well known, and very many can testify to her kindness even to those who had not the slightest claim to consideration. Her death leaves a good wife, a loving mother, and a kind friend the less in the world, and her relatives have our heartfelt sympathy in their loss. Mrs Macdonald had five married daughters (Mesdames Dundas, Scott, Lyons, Macintyre, and Nethercliffe), one single daughter, two sons (Adam and Donald), and a number of grandchildren. The funeral took place yesterday and was very largely attended.

Alexander McDonald died on 25 March 1905 at Shannon, aged 76.

The Manawatu Standard of 27 March 1905, contained the Death Notice: “McDonald – At his late residence, Shannon, Alexander McDonald, late of Rangitikei and Turakina, aged 76 years.”  The newspaper also included the following obituary:

On Saturday last at Shannon, Mr Alexander McDonald, one of the best known settlers on this coast, died at the age of 76 years. Mr McDonald, who descended from the McDonalds of Glencoe, of historic fame, was born at Drimmentoran, in Argyleshire, in 1829. He came to the colony in the early forties, and after his marriage with Mrs McDonald (nee Miss Cameron), who predeceased him eight years ago, lived at Kaiwarra. From there he removed to Turakina and, subsequently, at different stages of his life, lived at Bulls, Kopani, Awahuri and Shannon. From his earliest days Mr McDonald was an authority in all native matters. He was created a chieftain by the Awahuri natives and dowered with a large acreage of land just adjacent to the township. Mr McDonald lived there for several years but, subsequently, owing to legal informalities at the time of the gift from the natives, had to re-transfer the property to the natives. He then removed to Shannon, where he has resided for the past ten years. There was, probably, no better Maori linguist in the colony, and for years the deceased gentleman acted as Native Assessor for the Government and Maori Interpreter. In the latter capacity he was engaged in several of the most important subdivisions of native property that have taken place on this coast. He was a keen friend of the natives, and possessed their confidence in a high degree. His life in the early days of the colony, during war time, was particularly adventurous, much more so than the average colonist of that time, and many a stirring tale the deceased gentleman could tell of the trials, tribulations and adventures of those historic days. As stated, his wife predeceased him eight years ago, but he is survived by five married daughters, Mesdames Dundas, Scott, Macintire, Lyons, and Nethercliffe, one unmarried daughter and two sons, Adam and Donald. Deceased was a man of splendid physique and bore his years remarkably well up to the last twelve months, when he aged considerably, and showed signs of failure of the heart. On Saturday he complained of feeling unwell and went to lie down. His son going to his room a few minutes later was just in time to be with him in the closing moment. The funeral will take place to-morrow, the 76th anniversary of his birth.

Annie and Alexander had eight children [details require confirmation and completion]:

• Mary McDonald, born in 1854, died in 1939, married Alexander Dundas in 1878.
• Annie McDonald, born in 1855, married (1) Henry Seegers Palmerson, (2) George Latta Rodaway Scott in 1891.
• Donald McDonald, born in 1857.
• Adam Alexander McDonald, born in 1860, died in 1940, married Mary Helen Sarah Dundas in 1898.
• Ada McDonald, born in 1863, married John Henry Lee Macintyre in 1887.
• Catherine McDonald.
• Georgina McDonald, born in 1866, died in 1945, married Alfred Richard Lyons in 1889.
• Margaret McDonald, born in 1869, died in 1924, married Edward Cyril Morley Netherclift in 1897.

Campbell Riddell McDonald

The Old Parish Register for Ardnamurchan and Strontian records that Campbell Riddell, son of Mr Donald MacDonald of Drimintoran, was born 22nd July and baptized 30th ditto 1830.

Campbell McDonald was 10 years old when he embarked on the Blenheim.

In 1845 Jessie Campbell wrote in a letter, “Campbell Macdonald has determined on going to sea and is bound apprentice to Capt. Dawson of the Skiro Castle when his contract with the Government expires, she is to go home and will be at least 5 months at Home. Campbell is to spend that time with his friends in the Highlands, he is at present with the ship in Auckland, he is a very steady boy.”

Campbell Riddell MacDonald died on 11 January 1853 aged 22.  The Wellington Independent of 12 January 1853 carried the Death Notice: “On Tuesday, the 11th instant, at Wellington, Mr Campbell Riddell McDonald, aged 22 years.”

Thomas McDonald

The Old Parish Register for Ardnamurchan and Strontian recorded that Thomas, son of Donald MacDonald and Anne Cumming, was born September 9th 1835.

Thomas McDonald was 5 years old on the voyage of the Blenheim.

Thomas McDonald moved to North Canterbury and worked on a number of farms before moving to Waikuku. He was active in community affairs, especially the Waikuku School Committee.

Thomas McDonald married Annie Ford, formerly Adams, in 1864.

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District], 1903, carried the following entry:

McDonald, Thomas, Woolscourer and Farmer, Waikuku Woolworks, Waikuku. These works were established in 1869, by Mr. W. Bailey, the present proprietor having acquired them in 1872. Mr. McDonald was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1835, and arrived in Wellington with his parents in 1840, by the ship “Blenheim.” As soon as he was old enough he became a cadet on a station. Having qualified as a manager, Mr. McDonald was in charge of Horsley Downs estate for about eighteen years, and settled at Waikuku in 1872. He has for many years served on the Waikuku school committee, and for a long period held the position of chairman. Mr. McDonald is a member of the committee of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He was married, in 1864, to the widow of the late Mr. T. K. Adams, and has four sons and four daughters.

Thomas McDonald died on 2 August 1907. The Press of 3 August 1907 published the following obituary:

DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST
MR T. McDONALD,
The many friends of Mr T. McDonald, of Waikuku, will learn with regret of his death, which occurred at an early hour yesterday morning. He had been ill three weeks, and a few days ago underwent a serious operation, which afforded temporary relief. Mr McDonald was a native of Argyleshire, Scotland, and arrived, with his parents by the ship Blenheim, at Wellington, in 1840. Shortly afterwards Mr McDonald came to Canterbury, and, as a cadet, was well known. For some years he was at Motonau, and took charge of Cheviot when that country was first taken up by Mr J. S. Caverhill. He became manager for Messrs J. W. Mallock and J. D. Lance at Horsley Downs, on which large run he remained for about eighteen years. About 1872 Mr McDonald took over the Waikuku wool scouring works, which had been started by Mr Joseph Bailey, of Christchurch. Mr McDonald was chairman of the Waikuku School Committee and manifested a very keen interest in the education of the children of his district for twenty-five years. He likewise held a position as a warden of the Woodend Church, and was foremost in matters intended for the benefit of the district. He was a most valuable supporter of the local Agricultural Show, and one of the earliest members of the North Canterbury Racing Club, being an admirer of good honest sport. He was a gentleman of thoroughly genial and open-hearted disposition, and through life won the highest respect and loyalty from all whom he employed. His business transactions were characterised by irreproachable methods in conducting the same. He married in the early sixties, and leaves a widow, four sons, and four daughters. His sons are: – Messrs H. McDonald (Pyne and Co.), J. McDonald (North Canterbury Stores), R. McDonald (Waikuku), and G. McDonald (Hawarden). Flags were flown at half-mast in Rangiora yesterday, and at the horse fair general regret was expressed on all sides on hearing of Mr McDonald’s death.

Thomas and Annie had nine children:

• Flora Agnes McDonald, born in 1865, died in 1950.
• Harry Donald McDonald, born in 1867, died in 1924, married Mary Agnes Buss in 1895.
• John Glencoe McDonald, born in [1868, died in 1938, married Edith Nora Steele in 1902].
• Thomas Campbell McDonald, born in 1870, died in 1877.
• Catherine Annie McDonald, born in 1872, died in 1934, married John Pratt Andrews in 1902.
• Constance May McDonald, born in 1873, died in 1946, married Joshua Henshaw in 1897.
• Ronald McDonald, born in 1875, married Alexandrina Agnes Palmerson in 1903.
• Isabel Margaret McDonald, born in 1876, married William Charles Frank Lukis in 1906.
• Duncan George McDonald, born in 1878, died in 1953, married Elsie Annie Archer in 1903.

Duncan Campbell McDonald

The Old Parish Register for Ballachulish and Corran of Ardgour recorded that Duncan Campbell, son of Donald McDonald Esq., and Ann Cumming, Calchenna, was born 3rd July 1839 and baptized on 9 August 1838.

The electoral roll for Kaiapoi in 1890 listed Duncan Campbell McDonald, Waikuku, accountant.

The Feilding Star of 20 July 1900 carried the following Death Notice: “McDonald — On July 16th, at Waikuku, Canterbury, at the residence of his brother, Duncan Campbell McDonald, youngest son of the late Donald McDonald of Druimintorran, Argyleshire, Scotland aged 60 years.”

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Sources:

• Blenheim passenger lists at FamilySearch website
• Family trees on Ancestry.com
• ScotlandsPeople website
• PapersPast website
• NZ BDM records
• Jessie Campbell’s Journal and Letters.
• 19th Century British Newspapers at Gale Online Newspapers, via NZ Society of Genealogists
• Alexander MacDonald, 1829-1905: My Story, transcription at National Library of New Zealand
• J G Wilson, Early Rangitikei, 1914, available online at The Internet Archive.
• Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District], 1903 on the NZETC website.
• Canterbury Museum, Macdonald Dictionary, index cards with biographical information on early Canterbury settlers.

Catherine Cameron, Archibald McQueen and Catherine Cameron, Mary Cameron, Angus Cameron

A group included on the initial list of Blenheim passengers was as follows:

• Catherine Cameron, Borline, 40, dairymaid
• Angus McQueen, her son, 21, labourer
• Catherine McQueen, his wife, 17
• Angus Cameron, his brother-in-law, 20
• Mary Cameron, his sister-in-law, 15

In the body of the initial list all of these names were crossed out, but added again at the end were:

• Angus Cameron, 21, labourer
• Catherine Cameron (widow), 45
• Mary Cameron, 15, housemaid
• Archibald McQueen, 21, labourer
• Catherine Cameron, 17, housemaid

They were similarly described in the other lists, although  Angus was an agriculturalist.

This post covers all of this family.

Updated information on this family has been provided through the comments below from Jacqui Gee, which have been incorporated into the description.

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Return to The Blenheim People.

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Catherine Cameron (widow)

Catherine Cameron was listed on the Blenheim arrival list as a widow of 45.

Family tree information on Ancestry.com shows a range of possible marriages. These include to an Angus Cameron (from Mary’s death registration) or to a Ewen Cameron (OPR records show a potential marriage and births, with Catherine’s maiden name as MacPherson or, possibly, McPhee).

No further information on this Catherine Cameron has been established.

Archibald McQueen and Catherine Cameron

According to the Old Parish Register for Bracadale, a parish on the Isle of Skye, Archibald McQueen was born or baptized on 4 February 1819.  His parents were Donald MacQueen and Mary MacLeod, and the witnesses were  John and Mary Shaw.

As noted above, the Old Parish Register for Bracadale recorded the birth, on 18 April 1823, of a Catherine, daughter of Ewen Cameron, Brittle, and Catherine McPherson his wife.

The Old Parish Register for Bracadale records the marriage on 14 March 1840 of Archy McQueen to a Christian Cameron, and this marriage has been listed in family trees on Ancestry.com as relating to Catherine Cameron.

While it is not clear why Archibald McQueen and Catherine Cameron chose not to travel as a married couple, they both emigrated on the Blenheim in 1840, with Catherine Cameron listed in the arrival list as a housemaid of 17 and Archibald McQueen  21, listed next to her.

It appears that Archibald McQueen and his wife travelled to Canterbury in March 1844 to work for the Greenwood Brothers, and then for the Rhodes Brothers in 1847.  They then took up land near Lake Ellesmere in what became known as McQueens Valley.

The Lyttelton Times of 3 November 1855 carried the Birth Notice: “On the 29th ult., the wife of Mr McQueen, Ellesmere Station, of twin sons, one of which survived but a few minutes.”

The Lyttelton Times of 12 September 1860 carried the Death Notice: “Sept 11, at his residence, Ellesmere Station, Mr Archibald McQueen, aged 41 years.”

Catherine McQueen married her second husband John Apps Dockery on 19 June 1865.  Newspapers carried reports of legal action relating to the estate of Archibald McQueen with questions relating to sales of trustee estates (see in particular, the Star of 19 October 1885).

The Star of 2 January 1895 carried the Death Notice: “Dockery.— Dec. 31, after a long and painful illness, Catherine Dockery, of 294, St Asaph Street west; aged sixty-five years. Deeply regretted.”

Catherine Dockery’s death registration noted that her father’s surname was Cameron and he was a shepherd, and her mother’s name was given as Mary.  It was also noted that Catherine was twice married, first in Scotland to Archibald McQueen when she was 16, and second in Christchurch to John Dockery when she was 42.  There was one living male child from her first marriage, aged 45, and five living females aged 31, 33, 35, 38, and 49, while from her second marriage there was one living male aged 27, and one living female aged 24.  [These ages don’t seem to match up]. The informant was her daughter Catherine McQueen.

Catherine (Cameron) Dockery, formerly McQueen, was buried in Addington Cemetery in Christchurch.  The tombstone notes that she was from Lake Ellesmere Station, McQueen’s Valley, Banks Peninsular, born Inverness 1824, died Christchurch 1894, and buried with her are her second and third sons, John McQueen 1851-1884 and Charles McQueen 1857-1889, and her third daughter Catherine.

Based on family tree information on Ancestry.com and New Zealand BDM records, Catherine had at least ten children with Archibald McQueen and two with John Apps Dockery:

• Marion (Sarah) McQueen, born in 1841, died in 1907, married John Hart in 1860.
• Hugh McQueen, born in 1843, died in 1927, married Martha Upton Waller in 1879.
• Mary McQueen, born in 1848, married William Bevins in 1865.
• Catherine McQueen, born in 1850, died in 1946.
• John McQueen, born in 1851, died in 1884.
• Christina McQueen, born in 1853, died in 1903, married John Thomas Radford in 1870.
• Jane McQueen, born in 1854, died in 1939.
• Charles Donald McQueen, born in 1857, died in 1880.
• Jean Dean McQueen, born in 1860, died in 1897.
• Isabella McQueen, born in 1861, died in 1950, married Joseph Hart in 1882.
• William Robert Apps Dockery, born in 1866, died in 1929, married Carolina Annie Davies in 1886.
• Lucy Ann Dockery, born in 1868, died in 1902, married Robert Ferguson in 1884.

Mary Cameron

Mary Cameron was listed on the Blenheim arrival list as a housemaid of 15.  This would make her birth around 1825.

It seems likely, from Jessie Campbell’s Journal, that Mary Cameron was Jessie’s maid (but was not the “Skye woman” who was “always sick”, causing Jessie to engage Mary’s sister Catherine).  It appears, therefore, that Catherine also worked as a maid for Mrs McDonald.

On 7 September 1840 Jessie Campbell wrote:

Catherine had Susan at the window and allowed her to throw the lid of the tin pan overboard in which we keep the fresh water, very vexed about it. Mary defended her sister very impertinently, told her to hold her tongue I did not want to hear her opinion about it, Mary continued to answer very impertinently, said a letter would reach Dr. Macleod yet to tell how she was used, told her instantly to walk out of my cabin that Dr. Macleod forgot his duty when he did not teach her the respect due to a Mistress, that I would oblige her to make out the time she was engaged with me after that she might go about her business. Had preserved soup, roast ducks and fowls for dinner. Capt. said if the breeze continued we would be in the latitude of Madiera tomorrow, did not think we would see land. Lat: at noon 36-5 N., Long: 16-46 W.

On 29 October 1840 she noted, “Mrs Macdonald discharged one of her servants for insolence, she is sister to my Mary Cameron, they are a forward, pert set. My maid has been quite spoiled, she has been tolerably obedient and submissive since she and I had a row soon after coming on board; I will not keep her after her six months are out. My Skye maid has improved very much, she is so careful and interested in the children.”

Mary Cameron married Donald Ross in Wellington on 15 October 1845. One of the witnesses was Alexander McQuarrie who also travelled on the Blenheim.

In 1846 Donald Ross and his family sailed on the Mary Catherine to Otago with Charles Kettle’s survey party. The group included Mary’s brother Angus Cameron and Alexander McQuarrie. When the survey was completed around June 1847 many of the party returned to Wellington in the cutter Leven, but were drowned when it was lost after calling at Port Levy on the Banks Peninsular. Most of the married men, including Donald Ross and his family, had stayed behind in Otago.

Donald Ross died on 9 February 1880. An obituary was published in the Illustrated New Zealand Herald of 27 February 1880:

Mr Donald Ross, of Roslyn, who died early on February 9, at the age of seventy-seven, was a native of Ross-Shire, Scotland. He arrived at Wellington from Cape Colony forty years ago. After residing there for six years, he came to Otago with the late Mr Kettle in the year 1846. Mr Edward Martin and Mrs Duthie of Tokomairiro, were of the party. Mr Ross, then newly married, was among the first who reared a roof-tree in Dunedin. After a time he entered the service of the Government, and latterly served as bailiff of the Supreme Court.
Mr Ross was a great walker, making the journey to Invercargill, when the rivers were unbridged and the roads there were none, in three days. Once and again he all but accomplished the journey to Oamaru in a day.

Mary (Cameron) Ross died in 1886.  The death registration shows that Mary Ross, relict of the late Donald Ross, died on 19 February 1886 at Roslyn, in the district of Dunedin.  She was 60, the daughter of Angus Cameron, shepherd, and Catherine Cameron, maiden surname not known.  Mary was born in Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, and had been in New Zealand for 42 [sic] years.  She was married in Wellington at 18 to Donald Ross.  Mary’s living issue were three males aged 40, 34 and 29, and two females, aged 38 and 25.  The cause of death phthsis pulmonalis, two years, and exhaustion.  The informant was the undertaker.  Mary Ross was buried at Dunedin’s Southern Cemetery with her husband and many of her children.

Mary and Donald had at eleven children:

• Robert Ross, born in 1846, died in 1923, married (1) Mary Beckett in 1869 and (2) Sarah King in 1880.
• Catherine Ross, born in 1847, died in 1848, married James Familton in 1868.
• Elizabeth Ross, born in 1848, died in 1869 (drowned in Cobb & Co coach accident).
• Mary Ross, born in 1850, died in 1872.
• Isabella Ross, born in 1852, died in 1879, married Daniel Forbes Ross in 1875.
• Sarah Ross, born in 1855, died in 1872.
• Angus Cameron Ross, born in 1853, died in 1920, married Elizabeth Hopwood in 1897.
• John Ross, born in 1857, died in 1909.
• Janet (Jessie) Dunn Ross, born in 1860, died in 1941, married James Dick in 1887.
• William Ross, born in 1862, died in 1864.
• Barbara Ross, born in 1864, died in 1874.

Angus Cameron

Angus Cameron was listed in the Blenheim arrival list as being 21 years old. Other sources suggest that he was born in 1822, so would have been 18 when he travelled on the Blenheim.

The Old Parish Register for Bracadale records the birth on 27 September 1818 of Angus, natural son of Ewen Cameron, Crackinish with [Ket McPhee – name not clear on record].

From information summarised in From Alba to Aotearoa, after working as a roadbuilder in Wellington, Angus travelled to Port Chalmers in February 1846 with his sister Mary and her family as part of the Kettle survey party, and remained in Otago. He became a shepherd and stockman at Kelvin Grove on the Otago Peninsular owned by Archibald Anderson. By May 1848 Angus was a member of the Armed Constabulary, becoming a senior constable in 1851.

On 25 June 1852, Angus Cameron married Mary Niven at the house of his brother-in-law Donald Ross in Dunedin. Their first child was born two days later.

Mary Niven was born on 11 February 1834 at Bonhill, Dumbarton, Scotland, to Dugald Niven and Christian Swan. She travelled to New Zealand on the Philip Laing with her parents, sister, and two brothers, one born on board, arriving at Port Chalmers from Greenock on 15 April 1848.

Angus left the Armed Constabulary in January 1853 and became a shepherd on the Otepopo property of Charles Suisted, and in 1856 moved to the Papakaio Run, then owned by Richard Filleul, where Angus was a shepherd and Mary a cook. By 1858 Angus had purchased land at Otepopo (now Herbert, about 22 km south-west of Oamaru), part of the property where he had previously worked, then a store, and served as postmaster as well as working as a shepherd and drover.

The Otago Witness of 2 July 1859 reported that Angus Cameron of Otepopo, drover, was charged with unlawfully driving 200 sheep through the property of Alexander Fraser at Moeraki without the notice required by law. He pleaded guilty and was fined at the rate of 6d per head with costs.

Angus Cameron died on 3 April 1873 at Otepopo. His death registration noted that he was “about 50 years”, and described him as a settler.  The North Otago Times of 8 April 1873 carried the following report:

Sudden death – A well-known resident of Otepopo, named Angus Cameron, died very suddenly on Thursday morning last, He had been, some days previous, on a visit to Oamaru, and left for home by coach on Thursday. Shortly after his arrival he dropped dead. An inquest was held the following day, at the Royal Hotel, by T.W. Parker, Esq., District Coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr Robert Frame was foreman. Dr Haynes deposed to having made a postmortem examination of the deceased, and found that he had died of syncope, congestion of the lungs, and enlargement of the heart, The heart was double the natural size. The jury returned a verdict of “Died from natural causes”.

Mary (Niven) Cameron died on 27 April 1884, at Invercargill. The Southland Times of 29 April 1884 carried the Death Notice: “CAMERON. — At Ythan street, Invercargill, on the 27th inst. Mary Cameron, widow of the late Angus Cameron, Otepopo, aged 50 years.” Mary died at the house of her mother, Mrs J. Kelly, and is buried in the Kelly/Niven plot at Invercargill’s Eastern Cemetery.

Based on family tree information on Ancestry.com and New Zealand BDM records, Angus and Mary may have had at least nine children [this information requires further clarification and checking]:

• Elizabeth Nivin Cameron, born in 1852, died in 1935, married James Stark Anderson in 1868.
• Hugh Cameron, born in 1855, died in 1934, married Margaret Hunter Brown in 1886.
• Christina Cameron, born in 1857, died in 1857.
• William Cameron, born in 1858, died in 1958.
• Christina Cameron, born in 1860, died in 1940.
• John Cameron, born in 1862, died in 1929, married Elizabeth Susannah Palmer in 1899.
• Mary Cameron, born in 1864, died in 1940.
• Alexander Angus Cameron, born in 1867, died in 1922 (on gravestone as Alexander Angus Cameron-McNeil), married Rose Winifred Dykes in 1902 (with registration in names of both Cameron and McNeil).
• David Cameron, born in 1869, died in 1929.

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Sources:

• Blenheim passenger lists at FamilySearch website
• Family trees on Ancestry.com
• ScotlandsPeople website
• PapersPast website
• NZ BDM records
• Jessie Campbell’s Journal and Letters.
• From Alba to Aotearoa, Rebecca Lenihan, 2015