Passenger list for INDIAN QUEEN 1857

[patsymac]

I know what you mean still you never know.  No hurry just when you are next at Archives Luc. If you want anything here in ChCh let me know as I am in the city at least once a week.
cheers and thanks again
Patsy

[patsymac]

Hello again Luc, should have got your email address.  We will be away until late Saturday my daughter in law is unwell and we have to make a dash to their place for a few days. So dont worry about the Archives stuff as I wont be home until them.  cheers Patsy

[patsymac]

Hi Luc
back from our trip away which was very enjoyable and we had wonderful weather too boot. The camper went well and now its just a case of doing the 'houseworl' and getting it ready for the next trip. Did you get to Archives last week? no matter just wondering.  cheers Patsy   ^(*)


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[Lucy2]

Hi Patsy

Have just come online so will go back over thread as a refresher "to where we're at".   

Yes, managed to get to Archives early last week ... have lots to tell (and a bit more, besides.)      Will begin to add it all shortly.
[Unfortunately I don't have access to the messaging facility in this forum so am unable to send info via PM or email.   Please understand also that I'm not in a position to photograph Archive documents or produce copious notes (largely due to time constraints.)   What I can offer though is to view Archives files and extract any information which may lead to progressing a search.   Have had lots of experience in doing this. ] 

Back soon.

  ~  Lu 

[patsymac]

Thanks so much Luc and I dont expect you to do copious amounts of research just give me a few pointers if you can and I am very grateful for your help.  cheers

[Lucy2]

Hi again Patsy

Have lots of info to add here, and will attempt to post it in an order that will hopefully not confuse you.   
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Firstly, the John MASON (J. A. MASON) who arrived in Wellington on the "Indian Queen" in 1857, can be eliminated.  [As per Obituary for John Augustus MASON (1915).  And have since been able to confirm (death notice) that his wife was in fact "Julia". ]
Whilst the Petone Settlers Database (Immigrant information) is a useful tool, it is in my opinion,  unreliable in the areas where it shows "Is related to" (- there is no supporting evidence, and it appears to be "pure guesswork based on surname association".  The database is compiled from "family-supplied" information.)

However, via the "clue" provided on the Petone database > John MASON and family - per "Kinnaird - arrived 1859 -- with sureties given by W.F. and Wm. MASON < have been able to establish that this is the John MASON most likely to be "yours".
I'll come back to this ("Kinnaird" voyage) subject in a later post - 'cos it needs some explaining. 

  ~  Lu   

[Lucy2]

Extract from Probate File of ~

William MASON, Blacksmith of Wellington NZ - Deceased 12 November 1866

[Besides containing the last Will and Testament of William MASON, this file was largely made up of details of accounts relating to the Estate, which were dated up to 1873. ]

The most helpful piece of information was to be found in the following statement :

[Excerpt]

"In the Will of William MASON - Deceased :
Petition of T.H. CLAPHAM, late Publican of Wellington - Filed 22 August 1873

THAT William MASON, Blacksmith, late of Wellington, Deceased, by his Will dated 10 January 1860, devised unto James WALLACE and the Petitioner all his property both real and personal UPON TRUST for his grandchildren as tenants in common.

THAT deceased left six (6) grandchildren of his only child William Frederick MASON, one only of whom is of age, the others being minors, but one of whom is married to Frederick Walter (or WALLIS ?) HODDER."

[ Another note on file confirms that William Frederick MASON is the father of the children (i.e. grandchildren) referred to in Will and that Edward MASON, son of William Frederick MASON, is the only one "of age". ]
[[Note:  Lydia Ann MASON married Fredk. W. HODDER in 1873.   ]]
------------------------------------------

So above confirms that John MASON (1831 - 1869) was not a son of this William MASON (but that does not preclude John from having been related in some way, and it seems possible that he may have been a nephew of William.  Further info to come on this aspect. )
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[patsymac]

Hi Luc, it seems that reading Wm Mason's Will was the best bet doesnt it? it certainly confirms that John is NOT his son but as you say could be nephew maybe? also good to eliminate the other John Mason as well thanks so much.   So it seems I must have another look at the census etc and see if I can find another John Mason that fits the bill.  You are wonderful thanks so much for the help
cheers
Patsy

[Lucy2]

WILLIAM MASON, Blacksmith of Wellington - d. 1866 :

Just adding at this point some further info for William MASON from various sources, as it is now known that both he and his son, W.F. MASON, sponsored other immigrants to Wellington (and these persons also have a MASON connection).  
[This additional info may be of help (later) in finding further details for your John MASON.]

*   Found an M/I [source: Wellington Library], for Lucy Ann MASON - died 1855, aged 30 - buried Bolton Street Cemetery :   It stated that she was the second daughter of Lucy Ann and William MASON.

*  That lead to the following finds at FamilySearch :

Mary Ann MASON - baptised 25 May 1823 - at Radford, Nottinghamshire, ENG.
- d/o William and Lucy Ann MASON

Ann Lucy MASON - baptised 11 October 1825 - at St. Mary, Nottingham
- d/o William and Lucy Ann
------------

Couldn't find a baptism for a "William Frederick MASON" though trees (@ ancestry and a "submitted entry" @ familySearch) show "William Frederick MASON - baptised Nottingham, St. Mary - 6 June 1828 - Father: William, occupation Lacemaker / Mother: Lucy Ann - abode:  Grosvenor Place : Ref. # 13680 " :

Nor anything for a John MASON (bc 1831) who might have been a son of this couple.
-------------------

Additionally, there was also this marriage entry (@ familySearch) :  

William MASON - Lucy Ann WHITEHEAD - 4 August 1822
Saint Peter, Nottingham.

[You'll recall that the researcher, referred to earlier, who gave info re: Lydia Ann MASON (2004 thread), stated that William Frederick MASON's mother was "Lucy Ann - nee HUNTER". ]
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The connection between William and Lucy Ann MASON and others whom I'll detail shortly, "hinges on" a place named Radford, Nottinghamshire and also the churches of St. Peter and St. Mary.
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