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    Alexander & Anna
    Alexander & Anna
    Alexander & Anna
    Ebook235 pages2 hours

    Alexander & Anna

    By Kenneth Ward

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    About this ebook

    the biography of a 19th century new zealand pioneer farmer and his immigrant parents. featuring his doomed marriage to a swedish radical christian, and the diverse nature of their three sons. success in farming, and property development, lead to alexander’s second marriage in australia. The early settlements of wellington and lower hutt, new zealand maori wars, conflicting ideologies, illinois commune life, murder and treachery, all feature in this absorbing true story.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKenneth Ward
    Release dateAug 1, 2013
    ISBN9781301015726
    Alexander & Anna
    Author

    Kenneth Ward

    Born in New Zealand 1937, educated at Ngaio School and Wellington College. A 5th generation New Zealander. Principle employment was as a travel agent, and tour operator. Has a strong interest in the arts operating his own gallery for a time. Now retired and developing non-fiction writing skills. Interests include genealogy, history, and 19th Century prints. Ken is married with a daughter and adopted son. He lives in Waikanae.

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      Book preview

      Alexander & Anna - Kenneth Ward

      INTRODUCTION

      This biography of my Great Grandparents and their sons has been on the drawing board for a number of years. I have found the extensive research involved enjoyable, but at times disconcerting. In many families there is reluctance to uncover the past, where events, even when they are not involving living persons, can still be disturbing, with traits, ambitions hopes and failures of ancestors often recognizable in the personalities of present generations. We are all made up of past generations genes. To recognize ourselves reflected in the stories of our ancestors uncovers the essence of who we are.

      The biographies I relate here are intended to be read by all, not just the descendants of the men and women whose lives are resurrected on these pages. The locations include Sweden, Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the United States, Australia and New Zealand; its cast includes both ordinary and extraordinary people whose lives, philosophies and circumstances encourage debate on the motivations, actions and inactions that shaped their lives.

      I do not consider myself an historian; therefore anyone looking for an academic analysis of the facts need go no further. This book is a true story that has been well researched and is my attempt to write linked biographical sketches enjoyable to any reader.

      I make no apologies for the lack of footnotes. I have found these divert attention from the rhythm of the text.

      I have included the principle sources of my research in a bibliography. Anyone wish to question, confirm, or further research any of the passages of the book should have little trouble finding a suitable source. There has however been a great deal of oral history prised from the memories of living relations. I have had to think carefully how much of this is accurate, and how much assumed. There were often puzzles to be solved and contradictions to be understood, even in official documents. At times I had to make my own assumptions based on minimal facts and on my understanding of the probabilities. These assumptions have been kept to a minimum. Having lived with this project and its characters for many years, I doubt if my interpretations vary significantly from the truth.

      PART ONE

      THE IMMIGRANTS

      CHAPTER 1

      Mysterious Past

      The death of Alexander Ward in Sydney Australia in 1923 brought to an end the life of an enterprising New Zealand pioneer, farmer, property developer, and family man. Alexander was the epitome of the mild mannered unpretentious New Zealander. Tall, strong and resourceful, with intellectual interests that included a love of good music and literature, no doubt inherited from his Ward ancestors; while his disciplined physical work ethic arose from the influence of his Scottish Grandparents.

      Alexander’s father, Charles, was said to have been born on the Isle of Man on 16th May 1819 in the reign of George the third and the Prince Regent. In that same year Queen Victoria was born, daughter to the Duchess and Duke of Kent.

      Louis Ward, a son from Charles Wards second marriage, and author of the book ‘Early Wellington’, always understood that the town and port of Peel was his father’s birth place. Charles’ family bible and subsequent documents allude to his Isle of Man origins, but no official record has been found of his birth or Christening despite searches, both the family, and a qualified Isle of Man genealogist. Charles’ death certificate indicates that his father was a merchant.

      Early in the 19th Century the Isle of Man was under the control of the Duke of Athol, but in 1829 when Charles was only ten years old the British Government secured all ‘privileges’ that were incumbent on the Duke for the princely sum of 410,000 pounds

      Throughout his life Charles seems to have made a deliberate effort to keep his family background secret. Either he did not believe that anyone would be interested, or perhaps there was a skeleton in the cupboard somewhere. Events we consider of no great consequence, such as bankruptcy, divorce or having a child out of wedlock, were seen in Victorian and Edwardian times as bringing scandal to the family and not to be talked about.

      Charles seems to have had a good education, was well spoken, and had excellent handwriting skills; he also had a good knowledge of the German language, indicating some German influence possibly through his mother, or by way of his education. Oral history points to his schooling having taken place in England and Germany. There was a Charles Ward listed as a commoner, in attendance at the highly reputable Winchester School from 1831-1835 but there is no record at the school of this pupil’s parentage. There were two types of pupils at the school; those who received a free education, and Commoners who paid a fee. The latter were essentially the private pupils of the Headmaster who received fees directly from the family; the College kept few records of such pupils. The attendance dates of the Winchester Charles would correspond to our Charles Ward’s possible attendance, but proof is lacking.

      Either through his father’s associates, or his contacts with Peel mariners and fishermen, Charles developed a love of the sea and ships. At the adventurous age of 21 years Charles, with one or more close friends, decided to sign up as ship’s crew and seek adventure on the high seas. While investigating his options, Charles discovered that The New Zealand Land Company vessels were seeking crew; he pounced on the opportunity, stating that he was experienced in sailing, and had previous employment on a vessel called the ‘Dahlia’. He was accepted, and was instructed to join the crew of the Lord William Bentinck due to sail that month with a full complement of mainly Scottish settlers. There is considerable doubt as to whether Charles had served as crew on the ‘Dahlia’ as a search of available merchant seamen records does not show anyone of that name on the crew list; a small lie perhaps to boost his credibility?

      Excited, and relieved, at escaping from a life that was not shaping up to his youthful demands, Charles was about to embark on a voyage that would see him leave the shores of Britain, never to return.

      CHAPTER 2

      Fife

      The year is 1818; the location is the Shire of Fife, on the East coast of Scotland, where Euphemia, the daughter of James and Euphemia Stuart is being wed to Alexander Farmer. The wedding is taking place in Cameron, a rural area about 10 miles from the prestigious medieval town of Cupar where Euphemia had been born just 22 years before. Euphemia and Alexander had known each other from childhood, their families being tenants of humble houses owned by absentee landlords.

      Within a year the couple’s first child was born and named Alexander, after his father. Four years later in the Westfield area of Cupar a daughter Elizabeth was born. The family was further extended with the birth of three sons; George in 1826, James in 1829, and Robert in 1832.

      Cupar during this period was the chosen home of a few wealthy land owners and industrialists, who found the small town comfortable and convenient but for the majority, living in the less desirable peripheral areas of the town, life was a struggle, having to manage with poorly paid jobs in industry, or working land that was barely able to sustain their families.

      Charles Dickens disclosed the plight of the poor in London. ‘Oliver Twist’ was published in 1838. The social inequality in the rural sector of Scotland would not have been substantially different. There was extensive Coal mining to the West of Cupar, and also a thriving linen/flax trade, Alexander however was almost certainly employed in agriculture.

      Alexander and Euphemia Farmer were not optimistic about a comfortable future for their offspring. The coal mines were employing adults and children in scandalous conditions, with miners having low expectations of a healthy life. The young Scots couple were thrifty, hard working and ambitious. They refused to timidly accept a life without hope for their growing family, which by 1840 included a Grandchild.

      A chance to escape from their depressing circumstances arose in when Alexander was informed by friends that The New Zealand Company had been advertising for suitable couples and families to migrate to their planned settlement. Alexander and Euphemia saw this as an opportunity that needed serious consideration. Both were excited by the idea, without being entirely sure that they were ready to commit to it. Fear of the unknown had to be overcome. The New Zealand Company agents were salesmen, and would not have explained any downside of the ‘Promised Land’.

      Euphemia’s elderly parents were still alive. This added to the stress of their decision making, however after much discussion and loss of sleep they decided to embark on this brave adventure. The application form showed Alexander’s occupation as an agricultural labourer, which gave him a better than average chance of acceptance. The raw, young colony was eager for men of the land to fulfill the aspirations of the New Zealand Company founders.

      The Farmer family was accepted by the Company’s agents, and Euphemia broke the news to her family and friends, packed their belongings, and prepared to join the barque Lord William Bentinck for its voyage from London to the Antipodes. It is likely that they were transported by coastal vessel from a port in Scotland to Gravesend, here the eleven members of the Farmer family embarked on what was to be their home for the next five months. The family on embarkation comprised of:

      Alexander Farmer 53 years,

      Euphemia 45 years.

      Alexander Jnr.23 years

      James 20 Years

      Elizabeth (Betty)18 years

      George 15 yearsRobert and John (twins) 12 years

      Alexander Jnr’s wife Elizabeth.

      Their daughter Elizabeth 1 year old.

      James’ wife Isabella

      Alexander &Euphemia were installed in the married quarters along with their twin sons Robert and John, Alexander Jnr with his wife and baby, and James and his wife. Elizabeth was placed in the single women’s quarters, and her eldest brother George in the single men’s quarters.

      CHAPTER 3

      The Voyage

      On the 2nd January 1841 the square rigged, three masted, 564 ton barque Lord William Bentinck under the captaincy of James Crow, sailed with a full muster of New Zealand Company settlers, and a crew that included the young adventurer Charles Ward.

      The mid-winter weather on the day of departure was appalling with gale force winds and icy showers dampening the migrant’s enthusiasm. The lines were cast off and sails unfurled, but it was far from being a happy start to the voyage, with most of the passengers suffering illness. The pitching and rocking of their cabins made it difficult to put their belongings into any sort of order, and tempers were tested.

      Captain Crow decided to shelter in ‘The Downs’, lying between the Straits of Dover and the Thames Estuary, delaying the ship’s scheduled departure from coastal waters for six days .This setback gave the passengers time to find their sea-legs and settle into their new environment.

      Many of the passengers were from rural backgrounds, and although accustomed to living in cramped, small houses, they were then able to achieve solitude by taking walks in the countryside. Some became irritable, anxious and poor company, but the majority were strong and mutually supportive in their determination to make the best of their situation, optimistic that their decision to emigrate would be justified.

      On this voyage conditions were relatively comfortable, unlike a number of other immigrant voyages to New Zealand that were described by the passengers as being ‘pure hell’. Although Captain Crow was known as a disciplinarian, and not popular with his crew, his strict control ensured that the passengers had as much support as was practical.

      The route taken by the Lord William Bentinck was through the Bay of Biscay, around the Cape of Good Hope, and then through the notoriously dangerous Southern ocean to New Zealand. There would be no landfall until they anchored in Wellington.

      Between his shipboard shifts Charles Ward observed among the passengers a slim, shy little Scottish lass being carefully chaperoned by her loving family. She was often seen in the company of, and touchingly devoted to two boys, whom Charles discovered were her young brothers. Sometimes he would see her holding a baby, her niece. The pretty young eighteen year old lass usually wore a plain but well presented dress and a perky little bonnet, popular at the time. Her occasional appearance on deck aroused in Charles a youthful quickening of the heart-beat and a yearning to speak to this girl and learn her name.

      Elizabeth Farmer would have noticed the attention she was getting from more than one member of the crew, but something stood out in Charles Ward’s bearing that intrigued her. Although very much ‘one of the boys’ in their company, she sensed something deeper in his character. There was a feeling of being flattered and unthreatened by his self conscious interest in her every movement.

      When at last Charles managed to speak to Elizabeth, she would have been either in the company of one of her12 year old brothers, or with her sister in law. The shy Charles asked for her name. Responding, she asked him to call her Betty, the name her family knew her by. The sophistication of Charles’ conversation in his well spoken English had a disconcerting affect on Betty who previously had only been exposed to the Scottish accent. She was intrigued, and wanted to find out more about this handsome young sailor. Betty’s enquiries were directed to an officer who laughed and said, Oh, its gentleman Charlie you are asking about. It is unlikely anyone would have been able to add more information as Charles had been a late addition to the crew and had never talked much about his background. During their conversations, Charles found Betty to be warm and amiable. Her chatter was unsophisticated but seductively charming. Unlike many of the other passengers, she was literate.

      The impression Charles had made on Betty was noticed by the Farmer family. They were puzzled by this well mannered young man, who stood out from the other rough and ready crew, and were cautious and protective of their charge. They were pleased that conditions

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