Samuel Butler was born in Nottinghamshire, England to Rev. Thomas Butler and Fanny Worsley. From the beginning it was to be an unhappy family. A bright little spark, Samuel was at first home schooled. He would later state that daily beatings accompanied the teachings from his father. He later went to school at Cambridge and …
Dr. Joseph Brittan (1805 – 1867) Died of bad health Place of Death: Christchurch Behind the naming of the suburb of Linwood. Buried at the Holy Trinity of Avonside, Christchurch The story of Dr. Joseph Brittan: http://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/linwood-dr-joseph-brittan-1805-1867/ Photo taken by Annette Bulovic
So, how long do you to take before you marry the sister of your dead wife? Not long enough when it concerned Dr. Joseph Brittan. The scandal that chased Joseph and his new bride Sophia (pictured) down the church aisle was bad enough to make emmigration to Canterbury look real good!!! Dr. Joseph Brittan, the …
“…nothing said about the Pilgrim mothers? Yet, they bore the same discomforts, hardships and privation and in addition had to put up with the Pilgrim fathers.” Mary Rolleston – Woman’s Division of the Farmer’s Union – Year Unknown As the bells of The Holy Trinity of Avonside tolled over the eastern side of Christchurch – …
Just had to share this wonderful description of the beginnings of Linwood and Avonside written by Rosamund Rolleston, the granddaughter of a very influential Canterbury founding father – William Rolleston. To give a very quick background check, William Rolleston was Canterbury’s last Superintendant and remembered today in the naming of Rolleston Ave, his (currently missing/under …
William Guise Brittan arrived in Christchurch on the Sir George Seymour, one of the first four ships. William’s main occupation before his journey was as a surgeon, serving as the doctor on board the Sir George Seymour! But once in Christchurch, he never practised medicine again. He became the Commissioner of Crown Land and was …
Even in William’s early life, he dreamt of being elsewhere. Born in Yorkshire, the 9th child of the family, he grew up to say he wanted ‘a freer life.’William became a tutor, saving up his wages for his voyage to Canterbury, arriving in Lyttelton in 1858. He turned down a job working in a office …
