James and Olive Gillingham (nee Spickernell) MORRIS

[BonnieDownUnder]

Hello,
Above were born in England ca 1828 and married at Poole, Dorset 1850.  They appear on the English C1851 living in Bruton, Poole
and
C1861 James and Olive G. now 32 years of age with children Herbert 9, Olive 6 and Laura 3.
James is a 'Master Painter'

Between between 1861 and 1864 they immigrate to NZ - A daughter Eva birth registered NZ 1864 and son Frederick 1867. 

James died 1905, late of St. Mary's Rd. Auckland, and Olive in 1915

Their son Frederick migrated to Australia, married and raised a family.  He (aged 49!) along with 3 sons served in WW1.

Hoping to find when they immigrated to N.Z. and if possible, the story that James fought in the Maori Wars is factual.

Thanks any assistance.

[spades]

Hi BonnieDownUnder,

Just to help narrow the search field, did James and Olive live anywhere other than in Auckland, do you know?

Where they lived first might suggest that they arrived at the nearest port to their residence.

In regards to your mention of military service, James wasn't a Fencible soldier at any rate; they arrived in groups between 1847 and 1852. This leaves enlistment as a volunteer.

A James MORRIS is listed in Stower's New Zealand Medal to Colonials, p.21 Armed Constabulary, but was born 1834 Northampton and arrived aboard Louisa in November 1865. Medal issued, but certainly isn't your James.

Be aware that not all of those who served in colonial units applied for a New Zealand Medal.

Do you have any information or anecdotes within the family that suggests that he served in a colonial unit?

Spades

[BonnieDownUnder]

Have no evidence they lived anywhere else in NZ but Auckland - son Frederick at 49! enlistment dox 1916 shows born Ponsenby Auckland (1867)

Article published The Globe & Sunday Times Newspaper 16 Sep 1916 p.12 (see Trove) last paragraph reads "Mr Morris' father fought in the Maori War in New Zealand" - sorry, that's it!

Thanks Spades any help
Regards Bonnie

[Janette]

They are both buried in Purewa cemetery
Olive
Surname     MORRIS
First Names     Olive Gillingham
Age     86 Years
Gender     Female
Date of Death     22 Nov 1914
Religion     Not Listed
Serial No     5431
Date of Service and/or Interment     22 Nov 1914
Funeral Director     Thomas Adams & Co, Remuera, Auckland
What Buried?     Body
Casket Size    
Casket Depth    
Cemetery     Purewa Cemetery
Location     Block E Row 53 Plot 24

Surname     MORRIS
First Names     James
Age     77 Years
Gender     Male
Date of Death     25 Aug 1905
Religion     Not Listed
Serial No     3143
Date of Service and/or Interment     27 Aug 1905
Funeral Director     Jonson Garlick & Co Ltd, Queen Street, Auckland
What Buried?     Body
Casket Size    
Casket Depth    
Cemetery     Purewa Cemetery
Location     Block E Row 53 Plot 24

Cheers Janette

[spades]

Ok no worries, we'll work on it.

Searching Papers Past I found three mentions of James MORRIS in connections with shipping. No mention of a wife or family, so I suspect none relative to him, however;

Daily Southern Cross, 29 November 1862, Page 10
ARRIVAL OF THE 'IDA ZIEGLER'
Vessel arrived at Auckland. A James MORRIS listed a passenger.

Otago Daily Times, 25 February 1863, page 5
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
Robbery from a Ship
A James MORRIS of the Hydra robbed of a shirt.

Daily Southern Cross, 1 June 1863, Page 2
PORT OF AUCKLAND.
Arrival of the SS Lord Ashley from the southern provinces.
A James MORRIS listed a passenger. Is he the same man from the Hydra?

Spades

[Janette]

Here you go

Name    MORRIS, James
Vessel    WILLIAM MILES: Nov 12 1862
Notes    Occupation: Farmer
Name    MORRIS, Olive
Vessel    WILLIAM MILES: Nov 12 1862
Notes    Addresses presented to Sir George Grey consist of individual's signature and their date of arrival in colony. Usually no more information is provided, including ship or port of arrival. Some may even be New Zealand born. In 1886 the Addresses presented (or acknowledgement) to Sir George Grey list an Olive Gillingham MORRIS as arriving in 1862
Source    Addresses presented to Sir George Grey, K.C.B. by the European and Maori residents in the province of Auckland on his seventy-fourth birthday, April 14th, 1886 (Microfiche) Central City Auckland Research Centre - Family History - 2 NZL - ASK AT DESK. Addresses presented to Sir George Grey p 176

Cheers Janette

[Janette]

There were other Morris' on the same ship

Name    MORRIS, Herbert
Vessel    WILLIAM MILES: Nov 12 1862
Notes    Title: Mrs
Name    MORRIS, Laura
Vessel    WILLIAM MILES: Nov 12 1862
Name    MORRIS, Thomas H W
Vessel    WILLIAM MILES: Nov 12 1862
Notes    Occupation: Labourer

Cheers Janette

[BonnieDownUnder]

Thanks Janette and Spades ... excellent finds, appreciated.
Regards Bonnie

[firefly74]

Here is a link with info about the William Miles journey and a passenger list

http://web.archive.org/web/20100522191055/http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/r-c/william.html

Cheers
Helen