John and Sarah Leslie (nee Blick) John Leslie's true birth date has never been known. He endeavored to find out from his brother in Ireland as to the date on which he was born, but there was no record available. He knew he was born in the January of 1852, therefore on the subsequent birth of his first child, a son, in 1880 on 12th January, he decided to select this date for the celebration of his own birthday also. From a letter his brother James sent, we can see that John was the second son of John and Margaret (nee Harper) Leslie and his birth is understood to have occurred in the Parish of Annaduff at Mullawn in County Leitrim, Eire. He had two brothers, James and William, and two sisters, Margaret and Sarah Jane. We believe there was another brother Robert, who did not survive. According to the passenger list of the ship on which John traveled from England to Picton, Sarah (who became know as Aunt Jane to the resultant Leslie family) was younger than him, but we have established from her children that this was not so - in fact she was about three years older. John's youthful days were therefore spent in Ireland - a land of strife and poverty in the 1870's. He suffered from a bad lung condition and was given advice by a doctor to leave the damp of Ireland for a drier climate if he wished to prolong hsi life and improve hsi health and strength. What better country to select than New Zealand, a country that was being settled by people sick and tired of the way offering in Great Britian at the time, and people keen to seek adventure - a new way of life away from the fruastration of poverty and despair. Nowhere could John be worse than where he was at the time. To John, he had the heartbreak of leaving his family, but he was determined to go, so accompanied by Sarah Jane who was to look after him, he packed his belongings and left Ireland bound for New Zealand. They travelled to England and there boarded the good ship Carnatic which was to be their floating home for several months. Life on board in those days was very different from the modern style we know - there was strict control of the single men and women - they had septerate quarters and werenot allowed to mix together until the ship had been at sea for some considerable time. The ship voyage must have been adventurous at times, yet boring at others for it was often becalmed and the enire journey took three months. The Carnatic was the only ship which took immigrants direct from Britian to the Port of Picton. When the ship finally arrived at the harbour of Picton on 10th january 1875, it was too dark for John and his sister Sarah to catch a glimpse of their new land and they had to wait, along with all the other passengers, until first light the next day. And so the momentous day arrived, 11th Jauary, and John disembarked from the ship and had again to find his landlegs, adjusting to the stillness of the earth beneath. Apparently some of the Carnatic passengers had developed scurvy from eating so much salt meat on the long voyage. A docter advised them to eat the watercress to be found in the ditches on the way to Blenheim and this would soon clear up the condition. It is reported that John had only sixpence in his pocket on his arrival that day when he set off to walk to Blenheim. It was a long, dusty walk - nothing like it is today. The road was rough and to save his boot leather from wearing out, John walked barefoot and slung his boots around his neck. No doubt he suffered on that walk - a newcomer to a land that was hot and dry, so very different from the wet green land of Ireland. Unfortunately John's sister Sarah was apparently unwell and did not disembark at Picton but carried on to Wellington where she was given an offer of accomodation with a doctor and his wife until she was well enogh to travel again and join John in Marlborough. We seem to lose track of Sarah for a while. We do know, however, that she later met and married a Mr Charles Sutton and they lived for a short time at Kaituna and then for many years in the sirict of Linkwater in Marlborough. Later they moved to the North Island where they remained for the rest of their lives. John's first job was employment in a shop, that in those days was termed "counter-jumping". Later he began work on the land as a farm labourer and he never forgor whilst working on one property, the lady of the house proved to be not too particular with their meals. One moring at breakfast the meat was fly-blown and when John and his mates complained, they were told "not to worry about them, get your meat on your fork and hold it over the fire, they will soon drop out!" John obtained work at Altimarloch and Hawksbury Stations and was a very proud man and when Mr Goulter, his employer at Hawkesbury, asked him whether he might be Catholic, John was quick to declare that "indeed he was not a Catholic but an Orangeman". He developed a great love for the outdoor type of work - becoing a good hard worker, determined to make the most of is ife. The sweat and toil hardened his body and sharpened his mind. John came to know a young lady, a Miss Sarah Blick of Rapaura and duly courted her. Sarah was born on 9th August 1958, the fourth child of Enoch and Caroline (nee Ives) Blick. Enoch Blick, born 6th October 1824 arrived in New Zealand at Nelson in 1843 wiht his father Thomas Blick, having left Gloucestershire, England, the previous year. The Blick family had originally come from Flanders (Belgium) where they were known as Blique. Thomas was a weaver by trade and served in the Black Watch. He married Miss Hannah Gay and came with his famly to New Zealand in the ship Indus, having bought land there before leaving England, such land to be allocated to him on his arivall in New Zealnd. He started a weaving business in Nelson, the powere for which was firstly supplied by a bullock and then a waterwheel in the 1850's when he could not compete with more nodern methods. The prices for well made men's trousers then was one pound sterling, and flannel material sold for three shillings per yard. Enoch Blick married Miss Caroline Ives (born 25th December 1832) and owned property at Rapaura. The marriage of John Leslie to Sarah Blick took place on 13th November 1878 and witnessness to theire marriage certificate were a Mr C. Sutton and Miss Sarah J. Leslie - John's sister and her future husband. John and Sarah made their first home at a little house in Gibsontown as it was known (Kaituna to be correct), on the property that is today owned by Mr Arthur Steadman, John worked as a contractor on the bilding of the Tua Marina road which was built between kaituna and Tua Marina, thereby considerably shortening the journey not only between thses two districts, but also to Picton. It also provided a safer route to Blenheim, for in the early days there was no bridge across the Wairau River in that area and travelllers had to cross by ferry or simply ford the river. Whenever the river was in flood it was often unsafe to cross so the opening of this new route was invaluable. For Sarah, the birth of their first child meant she had to travel home to her mother's from Gibsontown to Rapuara. No mean feat his, for when she knew the time was close for the baby's arrival she had to pack together the clothes required, saddle and harness up a horse and ride to the Wairau River, whcih she had to ford and then on down to Raparua. On 12th January 1880 Sarah gave birth to a son, Ernest, and this was the date that John then decided to use as his own birthday. As time went on and the family grew, Sarah would get her Aunt Margaret Blick to come in and help with the running of the home when another child was due to be born and so the rest of the children were all born at home, wheihc was much more convenient arragement. Our research has shown that on 10th May 1883 Mr John Leslie paid the sum of five hundred pounds to Mrs Jane Blick, widow, for two parcels of land in the Dstrict of Kaituna and the North Bank of the Wairau, comprising 46 and 75 acres. John could see possibilites in the land for sale in Marlborough and in 1887 bough the Long Gully farm a land of swamp, flax and toi toi. By now there was a family of five children - Ernest, Margaret who was born in 1881, John William (better know as Willie) born in 1882, Sarah Jane born in 1884 and Maud who had arived in 1885. John sold the Kaituna property in 1889 to Mr Charles Sutton for a consideration of two hundred pounds to himself and the futhur sum of six hundred and fifty pounds payable to N. Z. Loan ad Mercantile Company to whom he was apparently mortgaged. As time went on, John was slowly increasing his assets by purchasing the adjoining properties of Mr Inman and Mr Johson. There is a story told, that Mr Inman's block of land was being leased by Messrs King and Edwards who were milking cows and developing land. Unfortunately they struck financial difficulties. John Leslie heard of this and as he knew thier lease contained a purchasing clause, approached King and Edwards and offered to take over the lease. They accepted his offer and John duly took over running the land and eventually purchased it from Mr Inman. John was more orless forced to buy a block of land from his neighbour Mr Kennington, as a fire he started one dry summer spead into the dried peat swamp and burnt out all the land, bringing down most of the large white pine bush which covered the farm at the time. Those were days o9f hard work for both John and Sarah. The path out from the first home taht John built in Long Gully, to the main road, was more like the Highland Fling in those early years - leaping from tussock to tussock across the bog - try8ng to keep boots and clothes clean. John successfully drained the swamp by digging a ditch foru feet wide and four feet deep the full legnth of Long Gully. Sarah Blick married John Leslie on November 13th 1878 in the Presbyterian Church in Blenheim. John Leslie1 the son of John and Margaret (nee Harper) Leslie and he was born in January 1852, the Paish of Annaduff and Mullawn in County Leitrim, Eire in Ireland. John arrived in New Zealand on the "Carnatic" on 10th January 1875 He arrived in Picton after leaving Britian. John was a Farmer. He left Ireland becase of health problem resulting from the damp climate of Ireland. His sister Sarah Jane Leslie also came to New Zealand with him. They had twelve children: 1.Earnest b.January 12th 1880 in Rapaura 2. Margaret Elizabeth b.February 9th 1881 in Kaituna, Marlborough 3. John William b.September 14th 1882 in Kaituna, Marlborough 4. Sarah Jane b.April 20th 1884 in Kaituna, Marlborough 5. Maud Alice b.October 26th 1885 in Kaituna, Marlborough 6. Robert Henry b.March 16th 1888 in Okaramio, Marlborough 7. James Arthur b.April 6th 1890 in Okaramio, Marlborough 8. George Harper b.March 16th 1892 in Okaramio, Marlborough 9. Jessie Elizabeth b.March 2nd 1894 in Okaramio, Marlborough 10. Albert b.March 15th 1896 11. Ellen Louisa b.April 20th 1898 in Okaramio, Marlborough 12. Mabel Caroline b.July 8th 1900 in Marlborough 13. Charles Alfred b.October 24th 1902 John Leslie died on April 15th 1930 at the age of 78 years. Sarah Leslie nee Blick died on August 10th 1935 at the age of 77 years. They are both buried in Kaituna, Marlborough. Ernest and Gertrude Leslie (nee Blick) Ernest Leslie, the first child of John and Sarah, was born at Rapaura, on 12th january 1880, Sarah had crossed the Wairau River on hosreback, from Gibsontown to her mother's home, where the birth took place. Ernest's schooling was at Mrs Cresswell's school, known as Birchwood, Okaramio. Ath the time there were two schools inthe valley, another being up where the church now stands. Ernest only attended school until 12 years old, as hewas then needed at home, to do small jobs because his father needed to go out to work to get money to support his growing family. As time went on Ernest farmed in partnership with his brother Willie at Starborough. This property had been drawn by their father, John in a land ballot when Starborough was subdivided into smaller blocks in Mrach 1899. The field Ranger's report for the years 1900 states that the property ws carrying 1000 sheep and two horses and that improvements ot the land included 30 acres of grain crop, a shed and 100 chain of fencing. In 1901 and the Report states that the property now caried 1200 sheep and nine horses with 76 acres grain and 54 acres rape. In 1902 the report states that a son was residing and we must presume that this was the year in which Ernest had his house built. 1. Ernest married Gertrude Alice Blick his cousin on September 5th 1923 in the Methodist Church in Springlands. Gertrude was born on 6th September 1897 in Blenheim. She was the daughter of William Blick and Caroline Sarah Stewart. They had no children. Ernest Leslie died on January 15th, 1969 aged 89. He is buried in Omaka Cemetary, Blenhiem. Gertrude Alice Leslie died on 29th February 1984 aged 86 in Blenheim. She is buried in Omaka Cemetary, Blenheim. Edward and Margaret Hart (nee Leslie) 2. Margaret Elizabeth married Edwart Hart on 2nd September 1903 in Okaramio, Marlborough. Edward was born on 31st May 1881 and was a Blacksmith and Farmer. Children: * Sarah Margaret b. December 8th 1906 Albert Edward b. May 28th 1907 Wilfred John b. August 22nd 1908 Evelyn Ellen (Ivy) b. May 12th 1910 Alice Maud b. January 30th 1911 Phyllis Jean b. July 24th 1913 Victor Earnest b. September 17th 1917 Harold George b. July 11th 1924 Margaret Elizabeth died on December 1st 1961 in Marlborough and is buried in Deep Creek Cemetary, Marlborough. Edward Hart died on 18th April 1969 in Nelson Hospital, Nelson and is buried in Deep Creek Cemetary. * Sarah Margaret Hart married Basil G. J. Bryant on February 25th 1931. Children: Barry Basil b. July 20th 1935 Estelle Ann b. May 16th 1934 Leonie Joy b. April 30th 1941 Barry Basil Bryant married Barbara Noeleen Henman in 1958. Barbara Henman was born on 17th April 1935 Children: Stuart Gordon b. 29th May 1959 Maree Elizabeth b. 24th September 1961 Yvonne Dorothy b. 29th August 1964 Estelle Ann Bryant married Ian Douglas Galbreath in1965. Ian Galbreath was bon on 30th August 1938. Children: George Douglas b. 1st April 1966 Angela Jane b. 6th January 1970 Lucie May b. 4th April 1973 Leonie Bryant married Donald Wyn Ladley Donald Ladley was born on 5th September 1945. Children: Donald Gordon b.January 10th 1968. Jenny Joy b. 3rd October 1970 Edwyn Barry b. 29th October 1973 * Albert Edward Leslie died on January 24th 1941 * Wilfred John Hart married Catherine Munroe on September 18th 1935. Children: Marion Catherine (adopted) b. March 13th 1938 Barbara b. February 13th 1938 Wilfred John Hart died from wounds received from shooting accident at Deep Creek on October 6th in 1938. Barbara Hart married William John Simmons on February 22nd 1958. William Simmons was born 12th April 1938. Children: Wilfred John b. August 5th 1958 Anthony Graham b. October 21st 1959 Janice Barbara b. 1961 Kenneth William b. 1963 Kay Margaret b. January 18th 1965 Marion Hart married John Charles Moran. John Moran was born on 20th September 1932. Children: Sandra Janice b. 24th May 1957 William John b. 17th August 1959 Gail Patricia b. 13th October 1961 * Evellyn Ellen (Ivy) Hart married Leonard Charles Neal on June 1st 1932. Children: Basil Eric b. March 7th 1933 Colin Charles b. 1937 Greame John b. October 30th 1939 Margaret Alberta b. January 12th 1942 Evelyn Rae b. July 4th 1943 Hartley Edward b. February 2nd 1945 Wilfred Max b. 12th March 1947 Noreen Alison b. November 16th 1948 Glenda June b. 13th June 1953 Lyel Leonard b. 15th Novmber 1957 Basil Eric Neal married Grace Coleman on May 4th 1954. Children: David Eric Geoffrey Geraldine Colin Charles Neal married Melva Joy Neal. Melva Joy Neal was born on 6th March 1939 Children: Lester Charles b. 19th November 1957 Raymond Bryan b. 18th September 1959 Karen Joy b. 3rd June 1966 . Graham John Neal married Janice Joy Dodge on September 5th 1964. Janice Dodge was born on 20th November 1942. Children: Robert Graeme b. 22nd March 1967 Edward Richard b. 30th March 1970 Chatherine Joy b. 5th December 1973 Margaret Alberta Neal married Bryan RonaldFaulkner on March 30th 1963. Bryan Faulkner was born on 10th February 1938. Children: Stephanie Margaret b. 12th January 1966 Bevan Charles b. 11th December 1967 Megan Ellen b. 5th December 1969 Evelyn Rae Neal married Stanley Athol Wells on March 7th 1964. Stanley Wells was born on 26th December 1934. Children: Andrew Gilbert b. 17th November 1964 Dianne Wendy b. 11th September 1967 Paul Thomas b. 2nd December 1969 Hartly Edward Neal married Mary Ann Perry in 1974. Mary Perry was bonr on 15th June 1947. Noreen Alison Neal married Francis William King in 1970. Francis King was born on 25th December 1944. Children: Denise Catherine b. 26th April 1971 Bevan Frances b. 9th May 1973 Malcolm William b. 27th November 1974 * Alice Maud Hart married Jack Cleveland Johnston on March 7th 1934. Jack Johnston was born on 11th August 1911. Children: Heather Marion b. April 14th 1935 Judith Harper b. September 12th 1937 Marie Josephine b. July 4th 1944 Jacqueline Ethel b. June 27th 1942 Josephine Doris b. October 17th 1943 Heather Johnston marreid Graeme Cranston. Children: Nigel John b. Augsut 20th 1959 Julie Ann b. September 5th 1961 Robert Stuart b. June 3rd 1963 Louise Marion b. 30th August 1971 Marie Josephine Johnston married Ronald Alexander Andrew Broderson in 1960. Children: Karen Jacqueline b. June 11th 1961 Scott Andrew b. November 26th 1963 Wade Alexander b. October 17th 1968 Mitchell Drew b. July 11th 1969 Jacquiline Marie b. 17th April 1973 Josephine Doris Johnston married John Charles Ching in 1968. Children: Clarke John b. 11th August 1969 Belinda Lee b. 3rd December 1970 * Phyllis Jean Hart married John Thomas Douglas on May 23rd 1940. Children: Jeanette b. 21st August 1941 (Twin) Joe b. 21st August 1941 (Twin) James Reece (adopted) b. 23rd August 1941 Charmaine b. 16th February 1952 Jeanette Doglas married William Te Huia in 1962. William Te Huia was bonr on 29th September 1941. Children: Karen b. 12th November 1963 Jeanine b. 19th October 1965 Shona b. 1st December 1969 Shane William b. 26th February 1971 Charmaine Douglas married Ivan Charles Clemett in 1971. Ivan Clemett was born on 21st June 1950. * Victor Ernest Hart married Edna Agnes Torrance on October 25th 1939. Edna Torrance was bornon 29th March 1920. Children: Fay Edith b. August 30th 1942 Brain James b. November 30th 1944 Gordon b. 17th October1947 Wayne John b. October 3rd 1949 Christine Valerie b. October 3rd 1953 Ian b. 8th February 1958 Fay Edith Hart married Gerald Edward Stratford in 1961. Gerald Stratford was born on 5th June 1939. Children: Stephen Brian b. 9th November 1961 Andrew Gerald b. 5th May 1963 Nigel James b. 28th May 1969 Blair Phillip b. 3rd September 1971 * Harold George Hart married Lola Alice Mae MacShultz on September 4th 1948. Lola MacShultz was born on 16th April 1928. Children: Pauline Daphne b. Febuary 15th 1949 Aven Harold b. January 17th 1952 Murray Edward b. May 5th 1954 Pauline Daphne Hart married James William Tebbutt in 1970. James Tebbutt was born on 4th April 1944. Children: Bruce Gordon b. 1969 Lisa Michelle b. 1971 John and Margaret Leslie (nee Leslie) 3. John William Leslie married Margaret Annie Gardiner on 6th May 1932 in Nelson. John was a farmer. Margaret was born on 18th September 1897. Children: Sholtz John Leslie b. June 12th 1933 d. 1933 Elizabeth Jean b. May 23rd 1934 Roberta Margaret b. September 17th 1935 William John b. April 7th 1937 Kathleen Rose b. January 12th 1939 John William Leslie died on 28th May 1949 aged 66 in Blenheim. Elizabeth Jean Leslie married Gary Racpuned Houstine on February 13th 1960. Children: Russell b. August 7th 1960 Barbara Scott Marlyn b. November 20th 1975 Daniel b. November 1972 Roberta Margaret Leslie married Arthur Graham Gibson on January 3rd 1959. Children: Grant William b. September 21st 1959 Sandra Mary b. June 20th 1961 Marie Elizabeth b. March 30th 1962 Ann Robert and Sarah Gardiner (nee Leslie) 4. Sarah Jane Leslie married Robert William Gardiner on 7th October 1914 in Okaramio, Marlborough. Robert Gardiner was a Farmer. He was born in 1889. Children: ° Cecelia Sarah b. November 23rd 1915 Isabel b. September 16th 1917 Donald Robert b. October 24th 1918 Gordon b. August 20th 1920 Leslie John b. August 3rd 1922 Alice Roberta b. June 2nd 1924 Sarah Jane Gardiner died on 18th February 1961 aged 76 at McLauclan Street, Blenheim and is buried in Havelock Cemetary. Robert Gardiner died on 23rd October 1923 aged 34 at Wakamarina, Marlborough and is buried at Havelock Cemetary. He was killed in an accident working on a fence. Cecilia Sarah Gardiner married John Wallace Neal on March 10th 1945. Children: Graham Geoffrey b. December 24th 1947 Aileen Dorothy b. January 24th 1949 Malcolm b. April 15th 1950 Norman James b. November 2nd 1951 Aileen Dorothy Neal married Vincent Robert William Barnes. Children: Steven William b. 2nd May 1969 Matthew Ronald John b. 11th February 1973 Nicola b. 29th March 1974 Malcolm married Jillian. son b. July 27th 1978. Isabel Gardiner married Rex Henry Jellyman on June 8th 1939. Children: Alan Rex b. September 10th 1940 Timothy William b. November 14th 1941 Lawrence Neil b. October 9th 1943 Ellen-Jane b. November 27th 1944 Rodney Harold b. December 12th 1949 Alan Jellyman married Elaine Wallenburg. Children: Sharon b. October 11th 1963 Wayne b. October 21st 1964 Darron b. March 8th 1966 Michelle b. 8th November 1969 Timothy Jellyman married Winnifred Hunt. Children: Hellen Marie b. September 23rd 1963. Kenneth Rex b. May 20th 1965 Lawrence Neil Jellyman married Lynette Beavon on February 4th 1967. ° Donald Robert Gardiner married Nancy Loe on 22nd March 1947. Children: John Robert b. February 7th 1948 David Edwin b. April 1st 1949 Anthony James b. March 29th 1950 Elizabeth Ann b. April 29th 1954 Ian Charles b. May 15th 1957 John Robert Gardiner married Olive Annette Jackson in 1971. Children: Jason Andrew Robert b. 18th August 1973 David Edwin Gardiner married Marion Grace Wallace in 1974. Marion Wallace was born on 4th October 1950. ° Gordon Gardiner married Kathleen Simson on October 15th 1949. Children: Peter Gordon b. 8th September 1950 Timothy John b. 23rd January 1956 Mary Jane b. 15th November 1958 Peter Gordon Gardiner married Eleanor Frances Burton in 1974. 2 Eleanor Frances Burton was born on 10th June 1952 Timothy Gardiner married Mary Ann. ° Leslie John Gardiner married Elizabeth Falvey on April 19th 1947. Children: Carolyn b. June 1st 1948 Suzanne b. 1951 Stephen b. 1955 ° Alice Roberta Gardiner married John James Joseph Archer in 1945. John Archer was born on 22nd August 1924. Children: Peter John b. June 9th 1945 Ann Marie b. 14th November 1948 Peter John Archer married Jeanette Rosalie Whall in 1969. Jeanette Whall was born on 5th September 1950. Children: Jonothan Andrew b. 4th August 1970 Hayden Peter b. 16th December 1974. David and Maud Hart (nee Leslie) 5. Born on 26th October 1885, Maud was also educated at the school at Okaramio and then helped her mother with housework and looking after the younger members of the family. In 1906 she married David Hart of Okaramio and they purchased a small property close to Rock Ferry. Their first child, Rachel, was born whilst they lived there. They sold the farm and took a bigger property on the Brancott Road close to the Wrenkin Station. This was a very dry and stony area which they used mainly for sheep with a little cropping. This farm is now the property of Mr John Western. Maud and Dave stayed on the Brancott property for about 12 years dufing which time Len, Ron, Alan and Gladys were born. The older children attended the little school over by Hawkesbury Station. In 1919 Dave decided to purchase a bigger farm and took his wife's brothers, Ern and Willie to look atone up at Hillerden. It's price was seven thousand, seven hundred and seventy-six pounds and Dave was hesitant to take it on, but Willie reckoned it would be worthwhile and said "Buy it, Dave. I'll back you. I'll let you have six hundred pounds, no more." So with this extra help from his brother-in-law Dave bought the farm. On 19th October 1919 Dave and Maud loaded the trap and spring dray with their family and posessions and headed for the Hillersden farm and a new home. Maud drove the trap with the aid of her daughter Rachel; it was a long journey but was completed in one day safely. The youngest child of the family, Sylvia, was born on this property, which at the time of the Reunion was still owned by the Hart family. The farm runs back for five miles from the front gate of on the main Wairau Valley road. After completing their education at Hillsersden School, the boys all worked on the farm helping their father, although Alan also worked on other farms in the district, or for his uncles. Rachel worked with her mother in the house and died occasional housework for other families nearby. It was a long trip from Hillersden by horse and trap so Dave decided to buy a car and pruchased a brand new Model T Ford for the princely sum of one hundred and eighty pounds. At the end of the financial year he still owed the bank the one hundred and eighty pounds butthe next year's prices met the overdraft. Sadness came to the family on 29th September 1933 when Maud passed away, aged 47 years. Rachel left home in 1934 when she married Mr Len Rogers of Blenheim. Her brother Len, now managing the farm with a view to taking it over from his father, who alos in 1934, married his late wife's sister Jessie. Dave and Jessie purchased a farm in Alabama Road in Blenheim and decided to live there with Alan to help his father do the farm work. Maud Alice Leslie married David Hart in 1906. David Hart was born on 7th September 1884. David was a Farmer Children: - Rachel b.October 19th 1907 Leonard Leslie b.August 1st 1909 Ronald Edward b. July 18th 1912 Alan David b. June 25th 1917 Gladys Mona b. Septembr 11th 1919 Sylvia Maud b. December 6th 1925 Maud Alice Hart died on 29th September 1933 aged 47. David Hart remarried to Maud Sister Jessie Eliza. - Rachel Hart married Leonard Thomas Rogers in 1934. Children: Elvina Maud b. June 11th 1935 Nola Lindsay Jane b. 13th February 1937 Janet Mary b. 9 November 1939 Malcolm Kenneth b. December 14th 1940 Claudia Estelle b. April 7th 1943 Kenneth Francis b. 10th April 1945 Leonie Rachel b. 12th February 1948 Ruth Mildred b. 15th May 1952 Elvina Maud Hart Rogers married Robert John Frew. Children: Marilyn Patricia Jean Kristine John Max Marilyn married Kimberly Tynan. Children: John Anthony David Nola Lindsay Jane Rogers married Richard William McGill. Children: Karen Elizabeth Raewyn Malcolm Leonard Rogers married Muriel Sharp. Children: Karen Barbara Anne b. May 20th 1965 Julia Anne Tania Rachel Andrew b. 28th January 1973 (adopted) Stephen Nigel b. 28th August 1974 Claudia Estelle Rogers married Noel Heywood. Children: Diane Marjory Elaine Rachel Joan Marie Kenneth Frances Rogers married Diane Eda Yealands. Children: Vanessa Marie Carolyn Kristine Leonie Rachel Rogers married Kenneth Charles Walters in 1969. Kenneth Walters was born on 31st October 1945. - Leonard Leslie Hart married Mary Elizabeth McConway.3 Children: John Bernard b. March 12th 1936 Leonard Leslie Hart was killed in a motor accident at Wairau Valley on June 15th 1936. John Bernard Hart married Coral Joan Henderson in 1962. Carol Henderson was born on 5th January 1936. Children: Alan Charles b. June 22nd 1964 Emma Christine b. 24th November 1965 Louis Leonard b. 9th October 1968 - Ronald Edward Hart married Muriel Sharp Fowler on February 10th 1937. Muriel Sharp Fowler was born on 9th September 1910. Children: Ronald Alexander b. January 4th 1941 Lynley Ann b. September 28th 1946 Elizabeth Clare b. 1948 Muriel Fowler died on 26th January 1959. Ronald Edward Hart married Peggy Matekino Kerr in 1966. Peggy Kerr was born on 14th November 1941. Children: Jaosn Edward b. 12th November 1966 Tania Marie b. 7th April 1968 Granger Jonathan b. 19th April 1971 Ronald Alexander Hart married Yvonne Lucy Adie in 1963. Yvonne Adie was born on 29th November 1938. Child: David Alexander b. 16th April 1964 Judith Anne b. 4th August 1965 Pamela Maree b. 30th May 1967 Lynley Ann Hart married Ronald Robert Price on February 4th 1967. Robert Price was born on 22nd September 1945. Children: Bartley Quentine b. 1967 Monique Jayne b. 15th May 1970 Claire Elizabeth Hart married Clive Vallance Stagg in 1969. Clive Stagg was born on 10th March 1948. Children: Trisha Monica b. 4th September 1971 - Alan David Hart married Catherine Hart nee Munroe.4 They married on June 30th 1949. - Gladys Mona Hart married Ronald William Slade on August 1st 1944. Ronald William Slade was born in 1915. Children: Pauline Antionette b. April 25th 1945 Kelvin Barry b. September 17th 1947 Christine Mary b. January 25th 1954 Pauline Slade married Bruce Thomas Davies in 1938. Children: Julie Anne b. 9th April 1969 Linda Mary b. 10th March 1971 Kelvin Barry Slade married Marie Hydes in 1971. - Sylvia Maud Hart married Clarence James Davies on May 14th 1949. Children: Leon James b. July 26th 1950 Clarence James Davies was killed in a Tractor Accident on September 23rd 1950. Sylvia Maud Davies married Owen Forrest Sutton on October 17th 1953. Children: Christopher William Owen b. December 30th 1957 Anne Marie Elizabeth b. July 16th 1961 Geoffrey Charles b. 3rd August 1965 Robert and Ivy Leslie (nee Looms) 6. Robert Henry Leslie married Ivy Susan Looms on 12th September 1922 in Renwick. Ivy Susan Looms was born on 2nd August 1901 in Irchester, Northamptonshire. Robert Leslie was a farmer. Robert Leslie was called up for military service in 1918, Ivy Susan Looms5 came to New Zealand on the "Ionic" in April 1915. They had a farm in Okaramio. Children: ^ George b. May 21st 1924 Robert Brian b. November 22nd 1926 Roy b. October 5th 1928 Ivy June b. April 12th 1933 Shirley Joy b. June 13th 1937 Robert Henry Leslie died on 25th May 1956 aged 68 and is buried in Kaituna. Ivy Leslie died on 3rd June 1983 aged 83 in Mahakipawa and is buried in Kaituna. ^ George Leslie married Margaret Ann Coleman on October 10th 1953. Children: Leon George b. March 23rd 1955 Stephen John b. January 15th 1958 Andrew Robert b. 26th February 1962 ^ Robert Brian Leslie married Edith Isabel White on July 21st 1951. Edith White was born on 15th March 1926. Children: Christopher Robert b. October 27th 1952 Kenneth Frederick b. November 11th 1954 Susan Joy b. January 6th 1959 Donald Grant b. October 27th 1960 Ellanor Dianne b. October 20th 1965 Christopher Robert Leslie married Trudy Holdoway on April 10th 1976. ^ Roy Leslie married Leatrice Rose Boyce on June 2nd 1951. Leatrice Boyce was born on 2nd March 1931. Children: Milton Ray b. October 7th 1954. d. October 11th 1954 (4 Days). Judith Ann (adopted) b. 20th March 1955 Neville Roy b. November 28th 1956 Kerry John b. 16th April 1961 ^ Ivy June Leslie married Lewis Alexander Watt on 1st September 1956. Children: Robert Lewis b. March 18th 1958 Philip Donald b. April 6th 1959 Vivienne Joy b. August 11th 1962 Leslie James b. September 22nd 1963 Euan Alexander b. 30th September 1967 ^ Shirley Joy Leslie married William Roland Pickering on March 9th 1957. Children: Fenton Robert b. July 27th 1958 Lesley Rae b. May 14th 1960 Mary Louise b. July 31st 1962 Virginia Lee b. June 10th 1965 Matthew Charles b. October 16th 1966 James and Carline Leslie (nee Gardiner) 7. James Arthur Leslie married Caroline Ann Rose Gardiner6 on 18th August 1915. Caroline Anne Rose Gardiner was born on 17th February 1892. James Leslie was a Farmer . Children: Arthur Stanley b. February 1916 Arnold George b. July 25th 1917 Herbert John b. September 1920 .James Arthur Leslie died on 3rd Januray 1968 aged 78 and is buried in Kaituna. Caroline Rose Leslie died on 7th October 1948 aged 56 and is buried in Kaituna. Arthur Stanley Leslie married to June Agnes Higgins in 1949. June Higgins ws born on 22nd June 1924. Children: David Kenneth b. December 24th 1951 Rosemarie Dawn b. November 12th 1953 Stuart Mark b. September 28th 1956 Jillian Ann b. October 17th 1965 Vivienne Jean b. December 22nd 1967 Arnold George Leslie married Edna Jean Burroughs on April 16th 1941. Edna Burroughs was born on 22nd December 1917. Children: Albyn James b. May 12th 1942 Paul Arthur b. January 27th 1947 Marion Grace b. February 29th 1948 Elizabeth Mary b. February 11th 1951 Albyn James Leslie married Barbara Ann Fox in 1963. Barbara Fox was born on 15th January 1944. Children: Nicola Jane b. August 4th 1964 Catherine Ann b. 13th September1966 James Andrew b. 3rd January 1968 Marion Grace Leslie married Anthony Winton Tripe in 1968. Anthony Tripe was born on 24th September 1946. Children: Jason Pual b. 8th April 1970 Rebecca Jane b. 14th April 1971- 28th August 1971 Melissa Joan b. 17th October 1972 Paul Leslie married Suzanne Jean Greathead in 1967. Suzanne Greathead was born on 15th February 1948. Children: Karl Brent b. June 10th 1968 Sarah Jean b. July 30th 1969 Herbert John Leslie married Doris Violet Sowman. Children: Jeanette Rose b. September 6th 1944 Murray John b. September 3rd 1946 Helen Kay b. 30th September 1950 Jeannette Rose Leslie married Michael John Harris on February 4th 1967. Michael Harris was born on 23rd December 1940. Children: Trevor Manson b. 29th September 1968 Marie Lesley b. 4th September 1970 Dianne Mary b. 15th January 1972 Murray John Leslie married Decima Marie Andrewes in 1968. Children: Peter Henry b. 12th November 1969 Aaron John b. 12th September 1972 Helen Kay Leslie married Douglas Robert Eaves in 1971. 8. George Harper Leslie died on 21st July 1918 aged 26 in France. He is buried in the Forest of Courton, Reims. He was in the Otago Mounted Rifles. David and Jessie Hart (nee Leslie) 9. One of the yonger members of the family, Jessie was born in 1894. She too was educated at the little school in Okaramio and then helped her mother in the home with numerous chores of baking, sewing and cleaning, etc. Jessie became well known by all the Leslie family as she was often the one to whom her brothers and sisters would turn for help with their families during the times of illnes or childbirth and she was a very willing helper. To this day, many of her nieces and nephews fondly recall their Aunt Jessie. In 1934 whe married her late sister's widower, Dave Hart and for a short while they lived on his property at Hillersden. David Hart was born on the 7th September 1884. Upon purchasing a farm in Alabama Road, Blenheim, they moved down and resided there. Dave's son Alan, went and worked on this farm with them. Jessie and Dave had one child, Nita Hazel Hart, born on 30th October 1935. Nita's early education took place at Riverlands School and her secondary schooling was at Marlborough College. Upon completing her education Nita went into a dressmaking accessory business in Blenhiem until her marriage in 1956 to Mr Clarrie Miller. Nita and Clarrie lived in Picton and have a family of four sons, the first arrival being a set of twins, David and John, followed by Robin and then Andrew. Jessie and Dave retired to a home in Stephenson Street, Blenheim, and Alan took over the Alabama Road property. Later they moved to Picton. Dave passed away on 23rd June1968 and Jessie on 9th May 1970 in her 77th year. Nita Hazel Hart married Clarence Miller Children: David Leslie (Twin) b. March 8th 1957 John Edward (Twin) b. March 8th 1957 Robin Wayne b. 14th September1958 Andrew Francis b. 1st September 1968 10. Albert Leslie died on 25th June 1909 at the age of 13 years and 4 months. He is buried in the Kaituna Cemetary. He died from a kick from a horse. Noel and Ellen Smart (nee Leslie) 11. Ellen Louisa Leslie married Noel Gordon Smart on March 27th 1934 in Blenheim. Noel Gordon Smart was born on 24th June 1899. Children: Gwendoline Nola b. January 6th 1935 Roger Ivan b. September 21st 1937 Maxwell Winston b. September 25th 1939 Athol Bruce b. July 11th 1941 Ellen Smart died on 20th August 1980, aged 82 in Blenheim and is buried in Kaituna. Noel Smart died on 29th June 1971, aged 72 in Rapaura, Marlborough and is buried in Kaituna. Gwendoline Nola Smart married Alec Murray Boyce in December 1955 Alec Boyce was born on 11th October 1933. Children: Linda Jane b. December 28th 1956 Heather Ann b. July 6th 1959 Richard Murray b. August 6th 1964 Roger Ivan Smart married Pauline Florence Mahar in 1966 Children: David Roger b. May 1st 1967 Philip Paul b. 15th August 1968 Christopher John b. 27th September 1970 Andrew James b. 4th September 1972 Maxwell Winston Smart married Susan Eland on June 28th 1975. Child: Vanessa Athol Smart married Jacqueline Weston on February 6th 1971 Jacqueline Weston was born on 19th March 1946. Mabel Caroline Leslie 12. In 1900 John and Sarah Leslie were blessed with their twelth child, Mabel. Her second name was chosen after her grandmother Charoline Blick (nee Ives). Mabel was always considered the baby of the family as the youngest, Charles, born in October 1902, died at he age of six months. However, Mabel thought otherwise and set out to show the family she was just as good as the rest of them. She got on well at school ans managed to get her Certificate fo Proficiency at the age of twelve years. When she left school it was the time of the First World War and she was quickly able to get quite a bit of farm work to do. Being a strong girl she helped load colver seed and one year helped with the loading of the wool. There were always a few cows to milk and the family supplied the Spring Creek Dairy Factory with cream. Both Mabel and her sister Louie, liked driving their father's car and would take it in turns when they went to town. It was a great blow to Louie when, at the age of 22 years, Mabel developed severe pain in the lower part of her stomach which the doctor was afraid to operate on and Mabel passed away and was buried in Kaituna Cemetary. She died of Appendicitis. That was on 2nd November of 1922, and by now Robert had returned from the war and was once aging helping his father with the farm work. 13. Charles Alfred Leslie died on 14th May 1903 at the age of 6.5 months and is buried in Kaituna. 1John Leslie had two brothers, James and William and two sisters, Margaret and Sarah Jane. 3After Leonard Leslie Hart died Mary Elizabeth Hart married Gerald O'Leary in 1943.. 5Ivy had a brother William.