A request for a look up at the Motueka Pioneer Park

[Echovalley]

Hi,  I would love to know what is on the gravestone of Samuel Beresford, died 1854, named on the board at the Pioneer Park.  He died suddenly, 24th December and cause of death was 'a visitation of God' as no other cause was noted.

[BegClonrode ....]

I would love to know what is on the gravestone of Samuel Beresford

[...]

...cause of death was 'a visitation of God' as no other cause was noted.

Hello...

Can't take a photo (sorry) so I looked for a headstone transcription on the NZSG Cemeteries Fiche, but to no avail. All that was mentioned on the fiche was that Samuel was the son of Thomas BERESFORD of Wakapuaka.

In brackets were the words "inquest" and "Nelson Reg.". Not sure about the "Nelson Reg." (maybe Nelson Region?, Nelson burial register?) but "inquest" means a coroner was summoned. According to Archives NZ a coroner's inquiry was normally held in cases of sudden death, where the cause was not immediately clear, or there was suspicion of foul play.

Some papers relating to Samuel's inquiry are held at Wellington Archives. If you're interested in them you could start a new thread entitled something like "Wellington Archives look-up please - BERESFORD". Then ask if anyone's going to Wellington Archives and, if so, would he/she mind having a look at Samuel's papers on your behalf. He/she will then take photos of the papers and then email the photos to you.

The important bit to include in your look-up request post is the following link...

Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages - Inwards Letters - 11 February 1853 to 15 December 1857
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=19791338

You must also mention that Samuel's papers are to be found in Box 1 of 2

----

For your own interest you may want to click on the following link, then click on "MORE INFORMATION & INDEX", then scroll down to "ADDITIONAL FINDING AIDS". This is where Samuel is mentioned.

Nelson Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages Inwards Correspondence [record group]

30 January 1854 - Inquest BERESFORD, Samuel (27 January)

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewEntity.do?code=16316

Regards
Beg

[Echovalley]

I have the coroners report hence the vistation of God quotation.  Samuel, b 1790 and his daughter Mary, b 1831 came out to Nelson on the 'Mary", arriving in 1849.  Mary m a Charles Green and they settled in the Motueka area and their graves are in the other Motueka graveyard.  I did attend the Green reunion in Motueka in February 1998 so the Green side of the family is well documented.
I am curious as to the inscription as I have his parents down as Robert and Mary from central London and I did not think any other Beresford family member came out here.  Thanks for your comments,

[BegClonrode ....]

Hi again...

Wasn't aware you had seen the inquest report but is the "son of Thomas BERESFORD of Wakapuaka" bit new.

If you want to pursue that there is a Thomas BERESFORD in the NZSG FIrst Families Index

http://www.genealogy.org.nz/FF_Search_31.aspx

Unfortunately the only way to get more info is to join the NZSG which at the moment I'd not recommend.

Regards
Beg

[Echovalley]

Thanks for that, I am a member of NZSG so will check,

[BegClonrode ....]

Hi Lindemann,

Sorry to bother you again. I was just thinking about what you wrote.

Are you saying that in the coroners report the verdict he gave was "Visitation by God". If so, and if it's not too much of a hassle, can you give a quick summary of the events presented to him.

Certainly piqued my curiosity.

Thanks very much
Beg

[Echovalley]

Hi Beg,
      I looked up the Thomas Beresford bit and I dont think he is our Samuel's father.  Samuel was born 19th Nov, 1790 in London
    Re the Coroner's report, because he died suddenly a group of 9 sensible locals were called to give their opinions and because there were no suspicious circumstances they give their collective opinion as ' the visitation of God and not otherwise. ' The report is hard to read in places.   I guess because facilities in Motueka would be basic, it would be in the heat of summer etc they wouldn't have keep the body for very long.   The phrase 'visitation of God' was used in those days as I have heard of it being used elsewhere.
     

[BegClonrode ....]

Hello Lindemann,

Thanks very much for the summary. I see where I've gone wrong. I thought your Samuel was a child.

Both the NZSG Burial Locator CD and the NZSG Cemetery fiche mention a Samuel BERESFORD who died in 1854 in the Nelson area. Although neither mention an age he is listed as a child, the afore-mentioned son of Thomas of Wakapuaka.

It does seem a bit suspicious that there were two Samuel BERESFORD's who died in the Nelson region in 1854. Your Samuel in Motueka and the other in (possibly) Wakapuaka. Your Samuel aged 63, the other a child.

There's a fairly good chance I'm still wrong and it's not helping you in getting a photo of the headstone so I'll leave you in peace.

Thanks again for the summary.

Regards
Beg

[azmara]

Hi There. Went to Motueka Pioneer cemetery to look for your headstone. Sadly, very few have survived and there was no sign of his.. The noticeboard at the gate has his name on there though.