Benjamin Gregg, Waipori, Otago

[JONTYA1]

Hi
Recently I came across the following article in the

Otago Daily Times, ( New Zealand ) 17 Nov 1889 page 6
Our Waipori correspondent writes;- A miner named Benjamin Gregg was found dead in his hut on Monday afternoon, He was seen alive on the morning of that day, but complained of a pain in his chest. He was receiving chartable aid, and eked out a living by digging in North West Creek. At the inquest; verdict from natural causes was returned, deceased was about 70 years of age and a native of Cumberland in England.

I think this may be my long lost ancestor who I have been trying to find since the 1980’s. He married Mary Pattinson on 12 Nov 1853 just over the Cumberland border in Lancashire England, and seemed to have vanished after that. His occupation was a copper miner at Coniston, Lancashire. Benjamin was born 19 Feb 1828 Coniston, but his parents previously lived in Cumberland.
Can any one help with any further information, I will be over the moon if this is indeed our long lost ancestor
Jonty

[Janette]

Hello,

The only death registered for a Benjamin Gregg,is this one,I wonder if it should have been 1889   and not 1898

1898/6240 Gregg  Benjamin  75Y

Cheers Janette

[Suzy W]

help.desk@cluthadc.govt.nz  try the council for his burial as they do not have a online site

Suzy W

[JONTYA1]

hello
 Thanks for your help, though this Benjamin died in 1898 aged 75 years- born ca 1823,  sometimes the age at death is not always correct on a death certificate, so there could  still be a possibility he is the ancestor born 1828.

I have been searching through the old newspaper index and found an arrival Mr and Mrs Gregg, and son and daughter. on the "Gil Blas" from Melbourne on the Sept. 3 1855 which could be Benjamin and his wife Mary Pattinson, and children.
Do you think there might be further information from the Inquest of his death.
Very much appreciate your help, thankyou again
Jonty

[Janette]

Hi Jonty,

I wondered if it was a transcription error at BDM's

Cheers Janette

[JONTYA1]

hello Jenette
I had another look at the Newspaper entry, before I replied to you  and it does say 1898,
The error was mine, sorry
Jonty

[spades]

Hi Jonty,

The Coroner's Report/Inquest should expand on the précis reported by the Otago Daily Times but unless a witness knew deceased personally and happened to mention his background (unusual from my experience of such files) you may learn little more than what was reported.

But I can certainly look for the Coroner's Report for you next time I visit Archives NZ.

See here for a guide to Archives NZ's holdings on personal identity.
http://archives.govt.nz/research/guides/personal-identity

Spades

[spades]

Hi Jonty,

In the event that this proves to be your Benjamin GREGG (and I think the reference to Cumberland is a strong link) I found several more articles where he received a mention:

Daily Southern Cross, 5 October 1872, Page 1.
PERSONAL
BENJAMIN GREGG, from Victoria.— Anyone knowing his whereabouts please write to Wm. Gooch, News-agent, Ballarat.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0rjz/
Included only for elimination purposes.

Tuapeka Times, 17 September 1892, Page 3.
WARDEN'S COURT.
Friday, 16th September, 1892.
(Before J. S, Clendon, Esq., E.M.)
OCCUPATION LICENSE.
APPLICATIONS.
The following applications were granted:-
Kong Kee and others: Extended claim of six acres, Havelock Flat.
Ah Schoon and another: Water-race (four heads) from Tuapeka River.
W. E. S. Knight: Water-race (four beads) from Barber's Creek, Waipori.
Benjamin GREGG: Water-race (one head)  from Canton Creek, Waipori.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0rk0/

Tuapeka Times, 15 January 1898, Page 3.
TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.
CHARITABLE AID.
The secretary of the Otago Benevolent Institution Trustees wrote stating that John M'Bean would be admitted to the institution, and that Benjamin GREGG was granted 4s a week for three months.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0rjy/

Spades

[JONTYA1]

Hi Spades
Thank you for the information, I've had a look at the web site and found it very useful. I did a search  for Benjamin death in 1898 but couldn't find him with the reference number given;
 If it's possible and you do have the time,  I would very much like you to have look at the   inquest report, someone must have known him as he gives his birth place as Cumberland, England. it also might mention his wife and his children, don't know any thing about them;

That enquiry from Balarat is very unusual, the only other person we know  in Australia  at that time was his brother Henry. We are in contact with his descendant, but they  don't know anything about Benjamin Gregg
Thank you again
Jonty