HarrisFamily

Once upon a time, in the town of Chepstow (which is just over the border into Monmouthsire), there lived a family with the surname of Harris. This family has not proved the easiest to track so far. The first Mr. Harris on my family tree is now JOHN and his wife JANE. St Mary's Church, Chepstow registers three baptisms. - JOHN c. 2 Oct 1777, JAMES c. 7 Mar 1779 and GODFREY c. 26 Sep 1784.

Below is an entry for the shop from an early directory.

GEORGE married MARY HURCUM in Gloucester on the 20th January 1846. They had nine children:

Anne Mary b. 4Q 1848

Sydney Buckland b. 24 Mar. 1851

Edgar b. 4Q 1852

Bertha Ellen b. 1Q 1855

Bessie Mary. b. 4Q 1856

Fenton George b. 4Q 1858

Sarah Ann b. 1Q 1861

Kate b. abt. 1863

George b. abt. 1867

It is at Little River that

he built "Beaufort",

a large, two storey

house on the hill.

It was named after the

Square in Chepstow

where his family

resided and had the

bakery. The house is

thought to have been

built in 1893.

It overlooks the eastern

end of Little River and

originally boasted

stables, a croquet lawn

and rifle range. Sidney centre of three seated men.

The ceilings in the house

were very high, so most of the rooms had a fireplace to heat the house in winter. It was the largest home in Little River and stood in a very prominent position.

A year after Sidney and Hannah arrived in New Zealand they had their first child. They had twelve children in all.

Mary Bertha b. 15 Aug. 1875

Blanche Hetty b. 28 July, 1876

Sidney Thomas b. 16 Sept. 1877

Fenton George b. 19 Mar. 1879

Mary b. 27 Feb. 1881

Edith Annie b. 1 Mar. 1883

Amy b. 30 June 1885

Clarabelle b. 28 May 1887

Oliver George b. 30 May 1889

Cluny b. 29 Jan. 1891

Maud b. 23 Dec. 1892

Edgar Gale b. 10 Jan. 1897

The inscription on the tombstone reads: In Loving Memory of Sidney Buckland, beloved husband of Hannah Harris of Little River, N.Z., who died 23rd October 1908 aged 57 years. Thy will be done.

Sidney was about 5' 5" tall and in later life weighed about 17 stone, so was extremely barrel shaped. He had dark auburn, bristly hair and a beard. As he was a good singer, he was often asked to sing at weddings on the Penninsula. He was a strict Victorian parent and it seemed that his children were scared of him as he also had quite a bad temper.

Sidney was always honest in his business dealings and over the years he lived in Little River, bought a number of farmlets in the area. He also had a leasehold property, Blue Duck Station, at Kaikoura, thought to be between 9,000 and 25,000 acres and the Glencoe and Hermitage Stations in North Canterbury.

Sidney always took a keen interest in Rifle shooting and for many years was a prominent member of the local Defence Club. At several meetings of the N.Z Rifle Association he took a leading place, being an excellent shot. In his private capacity he accompanied the Bisley Team to Gretna, Britain, on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee (1897) and at the meeting shot remarkably well, getting a number of prizes. Because of his shape he shot lying on his back with the rifle resting on his belly!

In 1890 he was elected to a seat on the Akaroa County Council, founded in 1876, and since that time took a prominent part in local affairs, representing the Akaroa couty on the Hospital Board and many other bodies.

Just before going on holiday to England with his wife and oldest daughter, Mary Bertha, he announced his intention of being a candidate for the Ellesmere seat in Parliament.

While on holiday, in his hometown, he died of a stroke and was buried there. It is thought that his doctor had suggested the holiday for health reasons.

Chepstow Parish Church

with 100 yrs between photos.

GODFREY was a blockmaker in Lower Church St. Chepstow. He had a daughter JANE and a son, GEORGE, who, unlike his father, he was a baker and he lived and worked from 9 Beaufort Square.

Below you can see a recent photo of Beaufort Square and between the memorial and the left hand tree was No. 9. The bakery of yesteryears now has a shop named Victoria Wine, as also seen below.

I wonder if this was the era of

Chepstow when our first John

was around.

The River here has to be the Wye,

surely. I believe it creates the

boundary between Wales and

England.

Dominating the picture is Chepstow

Castle.

Chepstow Town Gate

A closer view of Chepstow Castle and ship loading?

Sidney Buckland Harris

Sidney Buckland Harris was born on the 24th March,1851 in Chepstow, on the border of Monmouthshire and England, but always considered himself Welsh.

In 1873 at the age of 21 Sydney met Hannah Gale at a church function. It was love at first sight and soon after they were married.

In 1874 they decided to start a new life in New Zealand after seeing an advertisement in the window of the general store. On the 27th of June, 1874 they set sail for Lyttleton, NZ on the "Merope" and arrived at their destination on 27th September.

They lost three children at a young age and they are all buried in the same grave by St. Andrew's Anglican Church. The inscription reads: In Loving Memory of Blanche Hetty who died May 16th 1879 aged 2 ½ years also Fenton George who died March 4th 1887 aged 7 ½ years. Beloved children of Sidney and Hannah Harris. "Asleep in Jesus". Also Maud, yougest daughter, died February 10th 1894 aged 13 months.

The gravestone can be found at the bottom of the graveyard and is not tended, unlike the more recent ones closer to the church..

They started off in Cooptown, which is situated at the end of the valley at the head of Lake Forsythe, and at the foot of Bank's Penninsula. Sydney went into business as a butcher and also opened a bakery. He also went into saw-milling. The valleys all around were forest clad with Totara, Matai and Kahikatea with tangled undergrowth and creepers. On the valley floors, flax and toi toi fringed the stoney creeks which flowed down every valley. The timber from the saw-mills built practically all the early public buildings in Christchurch. At one stage Sydney owned a saw-mill up Weston Valley Rd. behind Little River. He also purchased land at Little River and opened a General Store.

Little River General Store

Butchery and Bakery

Zealandia Boots

(this is what was written on the side of the building)

Hannah Harris, nee Gale.

John m. Jane

all c. Chepstow

____________________I____________________

I I I

John James Godfrey

c. 2 Oct 1777 c. 7 Mar 1779 c. 26 Sep 1784

d. Sept 1849 d. 2Q 1853

Chepstow

bur. 27 Sept bur. 8 May 1853

Chepstow Chepstow

m. 19 Feb 1808

Chepstow

Mary (Ann) Hopkin

_________________________________________I_________

I I I I

Jane John Evan George Richard

26 Dec c. 14 Feb 1813 27 Jun 1819 27 Jun 1824

1808

d. 26 Nov 1855 d. 26 Dec 1898

Australia

m. m. 1838 m. 21 Jan 1846 m.

Chepstow

Edward Young Mary Ann Luff Mary Hurcum Matilda

see below see below abt 1827

I m. 26 Apr 1868

I Chepstow

I Ann Woodgate

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I I I I I I I I I

Anne Mary Sydney Buckland Edgar Bertha Ellen Bessie Mary Fenton George Sarah Ann Kate George

b. 4Q 1848 b. 24 Mar. 1851 b. 4Q 1852 b. 1Q 1855 b. 4Q 1856 b. 4Q 1858 b. 1Q 1861 b. abt. 1863 b. abt. 1867

Helen Ranger

Horatio Eric

c. 6 Feb 1901

Chepstow

Notes:

ANN HARRIS abt 1826: 1841 - 15 yrs, dwelling with family.

ANNIE MARY HARRIS 1848: 1841 - 2 yrs, with Hurcum grandparents as mother has just had baby. 1851 - 12 years, with parents. 1871 - 22 yrs, with parents. 1881 - 27 living with aunt, uncle, (Oliver and Sarah MA Davies - nee Hurcum) and brother, Fenton, in Porthycarne St., Usk, Monmouth.

BERTHA ELLEN HARRIS 1855: 1851 - 6 years, with parents.

BESSIE MARY HARRIS 1856: 1851 - 4 years, with parents.

EDGAR HARRIS 1852: 1851 - 8 years, with parents. 1871 - 19 yrs, pupil teacher in National School, with parents. 1881 - 28 yrs, Railway Clerk, dwelling as lodger at 28 Brook St., Stourbridge, Worcester. 1891 - 37 yrs, railway clerk, visitor (along with wife) in Tucker household, 17 Lucius St, Tormoham, Devon.

Wife KATE abt 1867: 1891 - 24 yrs.

FENTON GEORGE HARRIS 1858: 1851 - 3 years, with parents. 1881 - 22, bank clerk (serv) living with aunt, uncle, (Oliver and Sarah MA Davies - nee Hurcum) and sister in Porthycarne St., Usk, Monmouth. 1901 - M & R Estate Agent.

GEORGE HARRIS 1819: John in Parish register - mistake!! 1841 - ? 1851 - 30 yrs, dwelling Hawker Hill St., Chepstow with wife, son Sidney, a monthly nurse and an apprentice baker - older daughter A M Harris living with grandparents Isaac and Ann Hurcum.

1861 - 40 yrs, baker employing 1 man, dwelling Beaufort Sq with wife and 7 children along with 1 servant. 1871 - 52 yrs, baker employing 1 man and i boy, dwelling 9 Beaufort Square, with wife and 9 kids. 1881 - 61 yrs, baker, dwelling 9 Beaufort Sq., with wife, 3 children and 2 lodgers.

Probate record. 1899 of Beaufort Sq., Chepstow, Monmouthshire, baker, died 26. Dec. 1898. Probate London 25th Apr. to Bertha Ellen Harris, spinster. Effects 630.5s.9d.

Married by licence. Witnesses George Hurcum and Mary Jones. Vol 26 pg 57 1st Quarter

1881 - 9 Beaufort Sq. Only Sarah, Kate and George still at home, plus two boarders.

Wife MARY HURCUM: Daughter of Isaac Hurcum, butcher. 1871 - 51 yrs. 1881 - 60 yrs.

GEORGE HARRIS abt 1867: 1881 - 14 yrs, baker, living with parents.

GODFREY HARRIS 1784: 1813 - blockmaker, dwelling Quay. 1819 and 1824 - blockmaker, dwelling Back.1835 Trade Directory: Under the heading BLOCK AND PUMP MAKERS: Godfrey Harris (Block maker), Lower Church St., Chepstow.

1841 - 40 yrs ! Blockmaker, dwelling Lower Church St with wife and son Richard and another Godfrey aged 6 yrs! (This is incorrect surname for him - he should be a Young). 1851 - 65 yrs, living alone in "new alms house" Chepstow. Death reg Chepstow 11a 4. 2Q 1853. Died aged 67 - of New Alms House.

GODFREY H YOUNG abt 1835:

Wife Sarah Susanna Bradshaw: Daughter of William.

JAMES HARRIS 1779: 1841 - 65 yrs, fisherman, dwelling St Annes Lane with wife and 6 children - last ones possibly grandchildren.

Wife ELIZABETH abt 1791: 1841 - 50 yrs.

JAMES HARRIS abt 1831: 1841 - 10 yrs, dwelling with family.

JANE HARRIS 1808:

Husband EDWARD YOUNG:

JOHN HARRIS 1777: Died aged 73 yrs - from New Alms House.

JOHN HARRIS abt 1811:

MARY HARRIS abt 1836: 1841 - 5 yrs, dwelling with family - possibly grandchild.

KATE HARRIS abt 1863: 1881 - 18 yrs, shopwoman, living with parents.

RICHARD HARRIS 1824: 1841 - 15 yrs, smith, living with father Godfrey in Lower Church St., Chepstow. 1851 - 26 yrs, tinman, dwelling High St Chepstow with wife and visitor. Richard a 48 yr old broker at time of marriage to Ann Woodgate.

Wife MATILDA abt 1827: 1841 - 24 yrs.

Wife ANN WOODGATE nee JONES: Daughter of John Jones, carpenter. Married by license in Chepstow as a 61 yr old widow - 13 yrs Richards senior. Witnesses to marriage were Edward Davison and Mary Jones.

SAMUEL HARRIS abt 1826: 1841 - 15 yrs, dwelling with family.

SARAH ANN HARRIS 1861: 1851 - 3 months, weeks or days!, with parents. 1881 - 20 yrs, Dressmaker, living in family home.

SIDNEY BUCKLAND HARRIS 1851: 1841 - just days old, with parents. 1851 - 10 years, with parents.

Sawyer 1875. Storekeeper 1889.

Arrive in N.Z. 27th Sept.1874. Sailed back to England in 1908 with his wife,

Hannah, and oldest daughter, Bertie, and died of a stroke there.

Occupations: 1877 Sawyer. 1879 Bushman. 1881 & 1885 Baker. 1892 Storekeeper.

Spelt Sydney at birth.

1887-88 NZPO Dir. baker, Little River.

"Akaroa County Council: Those elected Nov. 1902 SBHarris. Councillor Sidney Buckland Harris was elected to represent Little River on the Akaroa County Council in Nov. 1899. Hr. Harris was born in 1851 at Chepstow, Monmouthshire. He sailed for NZ in 1874, landed in Lyttleton and immediately proceeded to Little River, where he still resides."

D. 4Q 1908 Chepstow 11a 2

Probate: Storekeeper, Little River, will filed Wgtn court, 26 Mar 1909.

SUSAN HARRIS abt 1821: 1841 - 20 yrs, dwelling with family.

WILLIAM HARRIS abt 1839: 1841 - 2 yrs, dwelling with family - possibly grandchild.

Jane Harris m. Edward Young

c. 26 Dec 1808 abt 1810

Chepstow Chepstow

d. 1Q 1875 d. 30 Oct 1883

Chepstow Lawford St Philip, Bristol

bur. 23 Feb bur. 3 Nov 1883

Chepstow Municipal Cem. Greenbank Cem, Eastville, Bristol

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I I I I I I

Godfrey Harris Eliza Edward John Harris Henry Thomas Mary A

abt 1833 b. 4Q 1837 b. 2Q 1840 b. 1Q 1842

c. 17 Mar 1833 c. 15 Jun 1834 c. 29 Nov 1835 c. 24 Dec 1837

d. 1Q 1916

Bristol

bur.

1. m. 26 Nov 1858 2. m. 2Q 1873 m. 3 Apr 1866 m. 3 Apr 1866

St Philip & Jacob Bristol Bedminster

Sarah Susanna Bradshaw Maria Starr Ellenor Morris Elizabeth Stockwell

b. Clevedon, Som

d. 2Q 1868

I_______________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ________________________________________

I I I I I I I

Anna Susanna Ada Frances Godfrey Harris William Lily Rose Violet

2Q 1856 2Q 1860 10 Jun 1867

Bristol Bristol Bristol

d. 2Q 1945

Bristol

m. 13 Oct 1888

Bristol Reg Office

Florence Bridges

b. 1Q 1872

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I I I I I I I

Godfrey Harris Edgar William Ralph Stanley Albert Ernest Winifred Thomas

b. 16 Aug 1889 abt 1891 1Q 1893 abt 1895 abt 1896

Bristol

d. 16 Aug 1960

int. 26 Aug 1960

Canford Cem.

Beatrice Carpenter

b. 2Q 1892

Bristol

d. 17 Feb 1964

Bristol

int. 21 Feb 1964

Greenbank Cem

John (Evan) m. Mary Ann Luff

Sidney Buckland Harris m. Hannah Gale

______________________________________________I____________________________________________________________

I I I I I I I I I I I I

Mary Blanche Sidney Fenton Mary Edith Amy Clarabelle Oliver Cluny Maud Edgar

Bertha Hetty Thomas George b. 27 Feb Annie b. 30 Jun Beatrice George b. 29 Jan b. 23 Dec Gale

b. 15 Aug b. 28 Jul b. 16 Sept b. 19 Mar 1881 b. 1 Mar 1885 b. 28 May b. 30 May 1891 1892 b. 10 Jan

1875 1876 1877 1879 c. 25 Sep 1883 c. 27 Dec 1887 1889 c. 21 Feb c. 8 Oct 1897

c. 31 Oct c. 3 Nov 1881 c. 26 Aug 1885 c. 25 Mar c. 19 Mar 1892 1893 c. 25 Apr

1888 1890 1897

Notes:

AMY 1885: Christened St Andrews, Little River by Walter F Knowles, curate.

CLARABELLE BEATRICE 1887: Christened St Andrews, Little River by Walter F Knowles, curate. Married William Fisher Waller, 40 yrs, bachelor, agent, b. ChCh., residing and usual residence ChCh., son of John Waller, formerly timber merchant (deceased) and Mary Ann nee Nelson. Clarabelle 20 yrs spinster, domestic duties, residing and usual residence Little River. Married at St Andrews, Little River by Rev. A Reginald S Holloway. Witnesses - Sidney Buckland Harris, farmer, Little River, Francis Dalziel Waller, Papanui Rd, teacher, and Amy Harris.

CLUNEY 1891: Christened St Andrews, Little River by PJ Cocks.

EDGAR GALE 1897: Christened St Andrews, Little River by P H Pritchett.

EDITH ANNIE 1883: Christened St Andrews, Little River by R F Garbett.

FENTON GEORGE 1879: Christened St Andrews, Little River by E H Wyatt.

MARY BERTHA 1875: Married Lara William Besley, 31, bachelor, baker, b. Bampton, Devon, residing and usual residence Little River, son of Samuel Besley (deceased) and Eleanor Escott. Mary Bertha 38 yrs, spinster, b. Little River, domestic duties. Married St Andrews, Little River by Rev. Bertram George Fox, by licence. Witnesses - S. Harris Storekeeper, Little River and Ann Harris.

MARY 1881: Christened St Andrews, Little River by E H Wyatt. Married John Whitby Webb, a 33 yr old widower, fruiterer, b. Lyttelton (son of John Richard Webb, grocer, and Anna nee Whitby) residing Lyttleton at time of marriage but usual residence Little River. Mary a 25 yr old spinster residing Little River (father a storekeeper at this stage). Witnesses - Sidney Buckland Harris, storekeeper, Sidney Thomas Harris, butcher, and Amy Harris - all of Little River. Married at St Andrews, Little River by Rev. A Reginald S Holloway.

MAUD 1892: Christened St Andrews, Little River by Henry T Purchas.

OLIVER GEORGE 1889: Christened St Andrews, Little River by HJC Christchurch (Bishop Harper).

SIDNEY BUCKLAND: 1875 - sawyer. 1879 - bushman. 1881 - 1888 baker. 1890 - 1897 storekeeper. Parents Sponsors at all christenings.

Hannah with Jake

Hannah with Jake's wife Ellie

Chepsow Castle and River

Beaufort Square, Chepstow.

Old Gateway, Chepstow.

Thank you Lynda Harris for sending these family photos.

James m. Elizabeth

c. 7 Mar 1779 abt

Chepstow Chepstow

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I I I I I

Susan Ann Samuel James

abt 1821 abt 1824 abt 1826 abt 1830

I____________

I I

Mary Ann William

abt 1836 abt 1839

Notes:

JAMES HARRIS 1779: 1841 - 65 yrs, Fisherman, dwelling St Anne Lane, Chepstow, with wife and presumeably 4 offspring and 2 grandchildren. 1851 - 75 yrs, no occupation stated, dwelling Back St, Chepstow with 2 grandchildren - wife must be away visiting.

Wife ELIZABETH abt 1841 - 50 yrs. 1861 -