Since you're here, how about reading the final chapter of Walton's life? There's only the conclusion to come after this, folks.
‘Old soldiers never die, they simply fade away.’
I found one final record of Thomas WALTON. In 1873, two years after his involvement in the death of Henry MEARS, he appeared in a contemporary newspaper as a witness to the dissolution of a business partnership at Picton. The other witness, J.T. ROBINSON, was the Town Clerk:
Marlborough Express, 10 May 1873, p. 6
DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP.
THE PARTNERSHIP hitherto existing between Charles BIRSS and George COOPER, trading under the name of 'Birss and Co.," Butchers, Picton, has been this day DISSOLVED by mutual consent. The Business will be carried on by C. BIRSS.
All Debts due to the late Firm must be paid to Charles BIRSS, who will discharge all Debts due by the late Firm.
Dated this April 23rd, 1873.
Chas. BIRSS,
George COOPER.
Witnesses:
J. T. ROBINSON,
Thomas Fellows WALTON.
Thomas Walton died childless at Picton in 1884:
Death certificate 1884/2619. Thomas Fellows WALTON.
Thomas Fellows WALTON, a labourer formerly a soldier, died on 25 August 1884 aged 51 at Picton Hospital. Causes of death were phthisis and exhaustion. The medical attendant was Charles SCOTT who last saw deceased on 25th August 1884. His parent’s names and father’s occupation were ‘not known’. He was buried at Picton Cemetery on 27 August 1884. The witnesses to the burial were ? HARRIS, householder and ? THOMPSON, householder. He was born at Cambridge, England and lived 24 years in New Zealand. He married Annie PARKER at Nelson but his age at marriage wasn’t given. There were no living issue. The informant was ? HARRIS, undertaker having charge of funeral. Registered on 27 August 1884.
According to the NZSG Burial Locator v.2 a Thomas Fellows WALTON was buried at Picton Cemetery in 1884 aged 21 (therefore born c’1863). A Sergeant Thomas Walton was also buried at Picton Cemetery in 1884, aged 49 (therefore born 1835). But these two records appear to be for the same individual, with incorrect ages.
What about Annie Walton, Thomas’s widow? I have not been able to find a death record for her, but there is a marriage record for an Annie WALTON to Alfred Ernest WRIGHT in 1909. I checked the 1909 Intention to Marry Registers for Picton and Blenheim but couldn’t find them.
So, a few questions to finish off:
1) What was phthisis?
2) Can anyone find the death or burial of Annie WALTON?
