Hi
This is all I know about the Hill family. If you have any further info, please let me know.
Catherine Rice Nicholson (Mrs Thomas Hill) Her History as far as is known
Catherine Rice Nicholson was born on 8.6.1843 in Workington, England, the daughter of the Rev.Thomas Dickson Nicholson and Alison Nicholson nee McWhir. She emigrated to NZ with her parents in 1847. She married Thomas Hill of H M Customs, Nelson on 17.6.1863 at Woodstock Park, Stoke, Suburban South, Nelson. Her husband, Thomas Hill, was born in Cork, Ireland in 1831 and emigrated to NZ in 1854. They had fifteen children and at one time lived in an old house called Montecillo at Dunedin. Catherine died on 17.7.1888 (aged 45) at Ponui Island the day after the birth of twin sons. The cause of death was given as haemorrhage following childbirth.
Thomas Hill died in Auckland of heart disease on 12.2.1896 aged 65 when his youngest child, Trevor, was just 7 years old. Other facts know about Thomas Hill: He was appointed Collector of Customs Dunedin in 1867. He made his will in 1882 and retired from the Civil Service in 1892
Catherine and Thomas Hills children, their approximate years of birth and name if known:
b.1864 twin girls Edith Kate Constance and Alice Eleanor Martha
b.1865 or 1866 girl
b.1868 or 1869 girl
b.1870 girl
b.27.6.1871 Arthur William
b.1873 or 1874 Frank
b.1876 girl
b.1877 or 1878 girl
b.1881 or 1882 boy
b.1885 Eileen Gladys
b.16.7.1888 twin boys Ernest Trevor Rice Hill and Noel Alison Wilson
Names of some of their children and known facts about them
Alice Eleanor Martha (I have a photo) - Resident Upper Queen St. Auckland in 1893 - died unmarried
Edith Kate Constance - Resident Upper Queen St. Auckland in 1893 m. Dr Chalmers 13.1.1896
Kathleen b. 23.2.?. m. Alexander Laing 17.2.1892
Ethel m. Dr Attorbury of London
Arthur William born 1871 at Montecillo Dunedin. Went to sea and served as Captain and later Trinity House Pilot m. Henrietta Louisa Hartung1898 in London and died in Strood, Kent UK 1935
Frank - Purser Union Steam Ship Company
Thomas Vivian - rose to be Commodore of the Union Steam Ship Company (I have photo) Married Miss Walker 1910
Mabel Florence b. 25.2.? m. A (Harry?) Howard 15.4.1893
Clare
Ivy
Eileen Gladys m. Mr. Ross in 1906
Amelia Helen ?
Ernest Trevor Rice Hill ; Military call-up: Occupation Theatrical Manager at Thames More info on
http://www.speedy.co.nz/funmerchant/index.htm Married in 1932 to Isabel SarahFinlayson
Noel Alison Wilson Died on 26.2.1890 aged 19 months at Grafton Road Auckland and is buried at Purewa Cemetery
janehill