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http://furness.blogspot.com
Name: Robert FURNESS
Sex: M
Birth: 1823 in Bethnal Green, England
Death: 4 FEB 1868 in Hokitika, NZ 1 of Accidental-felled by tree
Burial: 11 FEB 1868 Hokitika, NZ
Immigration: 1865 Hokitika, NZ
Event: Ship and Arrival 1865 "Rangitoto", 1865
Occupation: Master Mariner, Goldminer
Religion: Anglican
Address: Goring St, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England
Note:
Y.O.B. Headstone 44 yrs when died = D.O.B.1824; James Betty Y.O.B.
1860 Father's age on B.cert 34 = D.O.B. 1826; D.O.M: James Beatty's
B.C.
Family Story: Robert and Eliza were standing on the porch of
their pub
Microfiche e Cemetery Transcripts: Hokitika Cemetery Row
12 #106 In loving memory of Jackie infant sone (sic) of Mr & Mrs T.
Bennett. "Deeply Regretted." Also Robert & Eliza Furness d. at
Woodstock 3rd & 4th July 1868 aged 44 & 42. Death Cert: D.O.D. 4th
February 1868 Family Story: R. & E.
Left England & went to Sth Africa
first then to Australia and then NZ. Robert's occupation is noted on
James's Australian B.C. as a Miner.
Y.O.B. Headstone: 42yrs when died = D.O.B.1826; James Beatty Y.O.B.
1860.Mother's age on Cert 32 = D.O.B.1828; Hugh Winters noting of
Y.O.B. 1832? Date of death on headstone is 4 July 1868 which is
incorrect.
BIBLE INSCRIPTION: Eliza Furness from Nora Letitia Jordan.
Leamington. 1853. (this could be the year Eliza and Robert left
England)
Nora Letitia Furness B.Mar 9 1855
George William Furness B. Jul 14 1857 Died June 16 1861 4yrs 11mths
Robert Henry Furness B. Oct 23 1858
James Beattie B. Dec 23 1861
Eliza Anne B. June 29 1862
Edmond Earl B. July 26 1864
The spelling of Betty is not consistent with the
birth cert of James nor is his Y.O.B. so this could have been written
by someone other than Eliza !Source:Birth:Victoria Australia,1854/908.
Marriage:NZ 1871/1239; Marriage Index Folio# 910 Marriage Index Folio#
502; !Source: Elizabeth Furness Bible Full name written in bible with
list of all children of Robt and Eliza, Hugh Winters has noted his
name as Edmund Thomas. Greymouth Cemetery: Microfiche Transcripts:
Edmund Earle D. 1958 A 58 - Sec 4 Row 19 #30 19 21 extensions
(buried with Agnes & Mary Edith)
Source!Birth:NZ1881/1552Marriage:1919/553
Occupation: Private 8th Reinforcement Nth Canterbury Westland World
War 1 Source 1949 electoral roll !Source: IGI Index Marriages Folio
- 502 !Source; Microfiche Transcripts, Greymouth headstones: Agnes
Furness 1928 A. 55 Sec. 4 Row 19 #30 1921 Extensions (Buried with
Edmund Earle & Mary Edith) !Source: CV Furness, place of death.
!Microfiche Transcripts Greymouth Cemetery: Leslie Thomas Gallipoli
1915 A. 20. Sec. 4 Row 17 #7 (Shared headstone with George; & James
drowned A. 16 1942) 1921 extensions '!Source: Self Ah ha my name -
Bob's wife Jean supplied the info on the children of Edmond and Agnes
Furness' children and spelt the name Annia could be a mistake maybe
not. The birth year is a calculated guess in that it is the only Anna
Furness (note that damnable spelling again) born within the years of
feasibility, further checking is continuing as this individual
intrigues me to say the least.
Source!Birth:NZ 1897/2956 Marriage:NZ1919/553 Source!
Birth:NZ1919/4224 Source!Birth NZ 1920/6945 Hughs file states birth
in 1946 Nelson NZ. Our info says born 1923 Woodstock NZ. Hughs
records state this individual born in Nelson 1960. Robert and Eliza
Hale lost their lives in the wreck of the S.S. Penguin off Terawhiti Wellington
on the night of 12 Feb 1909. His wife Marion wouldnt get into the
life boat without him. Buried Karori Cemetery Wellington.
Ainna's husband was killed in a duckshooting accident at a young age. As the
story goes he was with a friend in a boat, shooting ducks and stood
up in front of his friend just as his friend fired the gun. Ainna was
so devastated by her husbands death she willed herself to die too.
In fact that was exactly what happened despite family and friends
pleading with her to think of their young son. She apparently died
of a broken heart a relatively short time after her husband.
!Source: Viv & Ash Furness Reid Cowan was and maybe still is in Timaru
where he worked as a surveyor.
West Coast Times 4 Feb 1868
We have given full details of the sad the catastrophe
by which Mr Furness, of Woodstock, met his sudden and
violent death; and from the accounts that reach us at
the hospital, of the condition of his unfortunate
widow, there is too much reason to fear that the 5
young children of the family will be left helpless
orphans. It is seldom that a more pitiable case comes
before the public. Mr Furness and his wife were
greatly respected by their neighbours-a profit of
which we may mention that a sum of upwards of $30 was
subscribed amongst them on Tuesday to mee the
immediate exigencies of the case. Large relief is,
however, required; and an appeal is made to the public
for assistance. The Benevolent society will,
doubtless, contribute something from its funds,
but we are requested to state that subscription lists
will be left.
After their arrival in Australia they produced six children. March 9th
1855 their first daughter Nora Letitia was born followed by George
William- July 14th 1857 (who later died aged 4 years 11months.)
Robert Henry - October 23rd 1858. James Betty- December 23rd
1860. Eliza Ann - June 29th 1862. Edmund Earl - July 26th 1864.
The family settled in the Goldmining town of Ballarat, Melbourne, Australia.
On June 1st 1866 Robert and Eliza, with their five children boarded the
Rangitoto in Melbourne bound for Hokitika in the South Island of New Zealand.
The ship carried 94 passengers.
SHIPS PASSENGER LISTS:
Ship: Rangitoto
Port Dep: Melbourne 1st June 1866
Year No: Name: Age: Status: Sex: Occ: Ctry Origin Fare:
1866 3646 Furniss Eliza 37 M F England Fore
3649 James 03 S M " Fore
3647 Nora 10 S F " "
3648 Robert 06 S M " "
3645 Robert 43 M M Miner " "
Port Arr: Hokitika
Ship - Omeo:
Port Dep: Melbourne 20th Sept 1866
Year No: Name Age Status Sex Occ: Ctry Origin Fare:
1866 5948 Furness W 31 S M Miner England Fore
Port Arr: Hokitika NZ
Ship - Albion:
Port Dep: Hobsons Bay 5th April 1866
Year No Name Age Status Sex Occ Ctry Origin Fare
1866 2547 Sunaway G 28 M M England Steerage
Port Arr: Hokitika
Robert and Eliza settled at Woodstock where they ran a Hotel, Robert also
worked as a Miner and owned a One-sixth share in the Rise and Shine claim.
"On Feb 4th 1868, one of the heaviest wind storms that ever visited Hokitika
swept down from the mountains and raged furiously until sunset, filling the
streets with clouds of dust and fine gravel, causing roof's on houses to be
blown off and chimneys blown down.
Mr. and Mrs. Furness, their five children and a miner named Lear, were
in the Victoria Hotel, when two trees blew down. One of the trees stood close
to, and immediately in front of the hotel, the other about eighty feet away.
Apprehending danger, the trio were watching the nearest, tree when a tremendous
gust of wind tore the second up by the roots, and as it fell I struck the other,
which; unable to sustain the shock, gave way also, and both came down together.
Seeing their peril, Furness and his wife rushed from the hotel followed by
Lear, who, we understand, first threw one of the children through the window,
the remaining four being left inside. The nearest tree fell across a corner of
the house; the other cleared the building, but struck down the unfortunate
couple and narrowly missed Lear, who was a little way behind them. Furness
was frightfully crushed, nearly every bone of his body being broken, and
death must have been instantaneous. Mrs. Furness was dreadfully
injured, her collarbone being broken, and a ghastly scalp wound inflicted:
The unfortunate creature's life is despaired of. She was taken to the hospital
in town and died between four and five o'clock in the morning of 6th Feb 1868."
(Source: Westcoast Times 1868)
The following correspondence with reference to the Furness children, who
were lately left orphans by a terrible event at the Kanieri, will be read with
interest. The first is a memorandum by Messers Bonar and Shaw, which
was enclosed in a letter addressed to Mr. William Pearson, of Liverpool, a
relative of Mr. Shaw. Mr. Pearson was successful in his search for the friends
of the late Mr. and Mrs. Furness, and the other documents are letters from
them to Mr. Shaw, as Mayor of Hokitika.
Hokitika, February 13 1868.
The undersigned have the painful duty of communicating to
the relatives and friends of the late Mr. and Mrs. Furness, the
account of the sad calamity, which caused their death, and the
destruction of their property. Extracts from the WEST COAST TIMES
Newspaper, of the 4th 5th 6th and 7th of February are herewith
sent. They contain every particular concerning the catastrophe. It
will be no little consolation for the absent relatives of the deceased to
be assured that the most lively interest is felt and has been evinced by
the public here for the orphans, who have been temporarily provided for
in all things necessary for them; and it may be added that if their relatives
in England are satisfied with the children remaining in New Zealand, there
is no fear of their being neglected; but it is considered necessary that the
relatives of the children should be in the first instance consulted. For the
present, by the wish of the people here, the undersigned are acting as
trustees on behalf of the young people, concerning whom they supply
the following particulars. The oldest, Nora Letitia, will be fourteen years
of age in March next. She is tolerably well educated, and acted as
housekeeper for her father and mother, in which capacity she is said
to have been rather clever. She has never been engaged away from
her parents. Robert Henry, the second in order, will be eleven in
October. He is a smart intelligent lad, and has a ferryboat of his
own, which he turns to a profitable account by taking passengers
across the Hokitika River. He states he can earn and does earn
six or seven shillings a day. This lad, as well as those younger
than he is, has been neglected in his schooling, knowing nothing,
as yet, more than the names of the letters in the alphabet. James
is the next in order, was seven years of age last December. Hi
is useful to his brother, the ferryman, by steering the boat for him.
The fourth child is a girl called Eliza Ann. She will be six years of
age next June. She just knows the letters of the alphabet. The youngest, Edmund
was three years of age last July; of course, quite a baby. All the children are
in the best possible health; and they seem to be very intelligent
and kind hearted. For the present, the following arrangements have been made;
Norah and James remain under the care of MR AND MRS FREEMAN,
owners of the Freemasons Hotel, at the Kanieri, people who were
intimate friends of the deceased. A Mrs. Gibson, a kind-hearted lady,
and the wife of a respectable contractor in Hokitika are taking charge
of Lizzie. Edmund will remain with Mr. and Mrs. Walstin, who
keep the Commercial Hotel, at the Kanieri; and Robert takes up
his quarters with a very intimate friend of the deceased. His name
is George Sunaway. Mr. Furness did not appear to have any available
funds or property beyond his hotel, which was blown down; and the
debts will not realize more than perhaps 10 Pounds. He, however, had
a sixth share in a mining claim, the return of which mine is quite
problematical. Up to the present time the company or party
have been raising the stuff, and in about three weeks they
will commence washing it up. They have voluntarily proposed
handing over to the benefit of the children whatever would have accrued to
Mr. Furness, had he lived to work it out. All the parties who have
charge of the children have in the most generous manner
undertaken the responsibility at their own cost, so that all funds
subscribed by the public will be invested in the name of the trustees
of the children, and will be available for their benefit when needed.
Search has been carefully made of the letters and documents of
the deceased, which consist of about a dozen letters, the latest of
which has been written about two years ago. They throw very little
light to help to a clear knowledge of the nearest relatives of the
deceased; but it is hoped that the following parties or some of them
will be able to deal with the matter satisfactorily: - Mr. Scutchey,
18 Millpond Street, Bermondsey, said to be a brother in law of
Mrs. Furnesses; or, Miss Jordan, Blenheim Place, Leamington.
Jas. A. Bonar, county Chairman, William Shaw, Mayor of Hokitika.
The following letters were received in reply:
1 Blenheim Place,
Leamington
May 14 1868
Sir - Your enquiry respecting the relatives of the late Mrs. Robert
Furness, made through Mr. Pearson, of Liverpool has been duly
received and acknowledged by me, and I have since had forwarded
for my perusal the circumstantial account which you have so kindly
and considerately written of the awful and distressing accident
which deprived Mr. and Mrs. Furness of life; and rendered their five
poor children fatherless and motherless. Will you accept the united
thanks of myself and Miss Bettey, the eldest sister of Mrs. Furness
and who is residing with me at Leamington, for the very clear statement
of the facts connected with the fearful event. She requests me to say
it was her wish to have written herself; but, being an invalid, the dreadful
intelligence was so great a shock that it is quite out of her power to do so;
but feels sure with so able and valuable a friend as yourself
the children cannot be in better hands.
The distance is so very great that it is impossible for her to give any personal
attendance, nor can the calamity be altogether realized - It must have been
overwhelming.
It is considered by all who have had the circumstance named to them that it
is best to leave the poor orphans in the land of their early associations,
and under the control of the friends who have so nobly stepped forward to
assist them. The ways and customs of London must be so perfectly different
to the freedom and liberty they have been used to that it is a question whether
they would be happy and continue in good health. Of course you will hear by
this mail from Mrs. Scutchey or Mrs. Yates, or some other member of the family
of Mrs. Furness, what are their views and wishes on the subject; but I think, from
what I hear, they intend to be guided by your opinion.
Again thanking you for the trouble you have taken.
I have the honor to remain, sir,
Yours truly,
Nora Letitia Jordan.
To Mr. Shaw, Mayor of Hokitika.
233 Jamaica road, and 1, Circular road and George Street,
Borough S.E.
London
May 14 1868
Honored Sir - Allow me, in the most respectful manner, to return you my very sincere thanks,
both for myself and every member of our family, for the kind and generous manner you
have acted for the poor orphans of the late Mr. and Mrs. Furness; words are quite
inadequate to express the gratitude we feel to you, hon. Sir, and every one of those
benevolent friends who came forward so handsomely in that distressing hour.
Your suggestion of allowing the children to remain where they are now placed, we have
all consulted together, and have decided unanimously that it would be the very best
course to follow, we think we should be very unwise to remove them from such kind
protection, nevertheless we shall be very pleased to always hear from them, and
should there be any expenses that we can meet for their advantage, fail not in making
us acquainted with particulars. Your very kind letter, giving us such full details, did
not reach us from Liverpool till after Mr. Yates, my brother in law, wrote you, thus
must I excuse myself in not writing per last mail. The sad event has plunged in deep
grief the whole of the family, but that Providence, which has taken from the poor
orphans their natural parents, has indeed provided kind and benevolent friends in their
stead. We wrote, per this mail, to all those benefactors who have charge of the
children. I feel how I ought to say in thanking you for your kindness, yet cannot find
words sufficiently expressive. I have one other favor to request; should there be any
fresh arrangement for the provision of the poor children, will you kindly let us know, we
shall be pleased to meet any suggestion that may be thrown out at any time for their
benefit, and will ever pray for you and yours. Again, in conclusion, I beg to thank you
and all the friends for their goodness, and believe me to be, Hon sir,
Your most obedient servant,
JAS. SCUTCHEY,
Brother in Law to Mrs. Furness.
75 Cheapside London
May 1st 1868
To the Worshipful Mayor of Hokitika
My Dear Sir - I sincerely trust that you will pardon me in addressing myself to you;
but you will, I have no doubt, do so when you know my purpose for so trespassing
upon your valuable time.
I am related to a family residing in your town by name Furness, and I regret to
say that we have just received a letter from a gentleman, a Mr. Sunaway, to
whom we must all feel greatly indebted for his kindness in writing us of
the very sad calamity just fallen upon them by the two being killed as it
were by one blow.
The very sad news, as you may well guess, has caused a great deal of
sorrow here amongst their friends and relations, especially on account of
the poor young children, now orphans, being left entirely alone, with no kind
relations near to go to; but I do hope that they have found some kind friends
in the town who will look after their welfare.
My object in writing to yourself is this: - Mr. Sunaway in his letter tells us that
there has been a good subscription got together on their behalf, and that you
and some other kind friend are the trustees for the same. Now sir, will you
kindly answer this letter, and give me all the particulars of this very sad case.
We would all be very glad to hear the news from one in your position, and
with regard to the children - as to what has been done for them, and, in fact,
any suggestion that you could make as to their future welfare. We shall, I am
happy to say, although poor ourselves be pleased to pay any of the expenses
incurred by yourself in the matter. Of course, it would be folly upon any person's
part to expect them, young as they are now, to quit the colony; but the best thing
I should think would be to put them under the care of some trustworthy persons till
they are old enough to shift for, themselves; but this I will leave to your judgment to
do the best you can under such terrible circumstances.
We shall all of us very anxiously await your reply, and in the meantime allow me
to remain,
Faithfully yours,
William Yates.
N.B. Will you kindly inform Mr. Sunaway that Mr. Scutchey will reply to his letter, addressed
to the Post Office in your town, till called for.
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