As Mrs. Fanny Fitzgerald bustled along The Terrace, Wellington, she had one arm around her infant daughter while her free hand hitched her long petticoats away from the stomping heels of her shoes. To strangers, the frustrated crease between her eyebrows were no doubt caused by the stress of the recent break out of Scarlet …
“I will not attempt to draw aside the veil which clothes, or half reveals, the invisible power which has had so large a share in government”. Spoken by William Rolleston, who was referring to his wife, Mary Rolleston – 2nd February 1900 William was Canterbury’s 4th and last Superintendent and is remembered today in 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 (nee Brittan) * Wife of William Rolleston – Provincial Secretary 1863 – Canterbury’s fourth and last Superintendent 1868 -1877 – Member of Parliament 1868 – 1899 – Minister …
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 …
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 …
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 …
