Transcript of the "Thomsons of Winton", New Zealand. Published 1999 by my father, Rev John Thomson Gardiner. As at 3 February 2001, I am revising the Descendants Charts and I intend to publish at a later date. Ian D Gardiner ___________________________________ T H O M S O N S of W I N T O N Featuring the family of John Thomson who arrived in New Zealand from Scotland in 1864 on the Lady Raglan and settled on the Winton Plains of Southland (NZ) Author :- (Rev) John Thomson Gardiner 13 Willis St Torbay North Shore City 1310 19 July 1999 FOREWORD Many family histories have been written in recent years but to my knowledge, no one has attempted to do one on the Thomsons of Winton. In 1966, my Uncle Peter Thomson of Waikiwi, produced for the clan gathering in Winton, a chart of the descendants of John Thomson, who arrived in New Zealand in 1864. It was a mammoth effort and much appreciated. Since then, individual families have collected material into scrapbooks e.g. Anne Cunningham family, Janet Shaw family, David Thomson family, Peter Thomson family, John Thomson Jr family, Robert Thomson family and Thomas Thomson family. But no one has attempted to do a master write-up for the original pioneer and his descendants. Most thought it was too big to do. This has worried me and so, being one of the oldest surviving members, I took the bull by the horns to rectify the matter. A major task was to contact the people who had the knowledge to supply the data required. Many letters were sent out with SAE's, parliamentary rolls were searched, telephone calls were made, etc. Quite often letters were returned "gone no address" or "we do not belong to your family". From Auckland to The Bluff information has trickled in adding to my own knowledge to make this volume possible. Although I have relied heavily on such information, I do apologise if there are inaccuracies or omissions. Several have got "the bug" and are doing more research, so hopefully this effort of mine will spark yet more interest, especially in areas that I have not covered. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all who helped me, for without such help this volume would not have been produced. However, I would appreciate more information such as dates or new arrivals. While every effort has been made for accuracy I would like to be informed of any errors and/or omissions. John Thomson Gardiner 19 July 1999 being the 181st birthday of my grandma, Janet Thomson nee Honeyman, and the 119th birthday of my own mother, Janet Honeyman Gardiner nee Thomson. Postscript: Due to ill health I have been unable to complete this work myself. I appreciate the help from my son, David John Gardiner, who has edited, formatted, and printed the final presentation. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS :-- The author wishes to acknowledge the following in supplying data for family members Anne & James Cunningham:- Alma Barrie, Ray Hickey, Edith Horrell, Colleen Sew Hoy, Robina Wilson, Miles & Linda Herdman, Sid Cunningham Janet & Mark Shaw :- Mary Butler, Fay Burke, Robyn Caughey, Betty Christie, Anne Cockroft, Iain Duncan, Eva Day, Lorraine Findlay, Beth Hoffman, Till Jukes, Olaaf Laytham, Joyce Wilson, June Sharp, Jessie Armstrong, Selwyn Armstrong & Mabin Day. David & Margaret Thomson:- David and Joyce Thomson Robert & Ruth Thomson;-- Gayle Fraser , Edna Payne, Rita Rose, Raymond Shaw, Jean Shaw, Robert de Jouk, Vera Wright and Russell Whyte. Peter & Julia Thomson;- McCall Thomson and Maree Gentle. Thomas & Catherine Thomson:- Arlene Booth, John Slattery, Alwyn Gray, Dorothy Hayward, Nan Enright, Joyce Black. James & Catherine Thomson:- Esma Thomson, Rhona McKillop and Linda Chaffey. John & Janet Thomson: -- Roalind McDowall, Marjory George, Raynor Robb, Alice Thomson, Dulcie Sutherland, Jack and Hugh Thomson, Linda Chafffey, Eric Campbell, Joanne Campbell, Jean Thomson, Janette Scott, David and Ian Gardiner. Publications:-- Southland Times, Southland Daily News, "Ten Decades", Otago Daily Times, M C Thomas "They Settled in Winton", "Gardiner Warnock Thomson Begats", & "Gardiner Warnock Thomson Update" & odd cuttings not identified. SURNAMES CARRIED FORWARD It is rather interesting to see surnames of our ancestors carried forth as first or given names. For example: Honeyman, Arthur, Shaw, Drummond, Hay, Erskine, Miles, McCall, Thomson, Gow, but there may be others. The names of Ship's also for example: Constantine (Warnock) Tally of John Thomson's descendants 1188 made up as follows:- Peter 73 James 15 John 285 Janet 332 Thomas 44 Robert 203 David 51 Anne 185 William Nil Total 1188 FAMILY GROUP NAMES :-- Family of Peter:-- John, Helen (Tapper), Jessie, Walter, Peter, David & William. Descendants = 73 Family of James: Christianne, Catherine Anne, James & Mabel Anne. Descendants = 15 Family of John: Helen (McKillop), Janet (Gardiner), John, David, Peter, William, James, Robert, Margaret (Robb), Mark & Annie (Chrystal). Descendants = 285 Family of Janet (Shaw): John, Sarah (Wilson), Jessie, Anne (Day), & Thomas. Descendants = 332 Family of Thomas: Jessie (Hayward), Catherine (Cleland), Arthur & Andrew. Descendants = 44 Family of Robert: Janet (Wright), Alice (Rose), Ruth (Butt), Annie (Drain), John, Janey (Shaw), & Olive (Duthie). Descendants = 203 Family of David: Julia (Maltby), Reta (Hurring), Letitia (Manchester), Phoebe (Chapman) & David. Descendants = 51 Family of Anne (Cunningham): Jessie (Burgess), James, John & Robina ( Horrell). Descendants = 185 Family of William : Nil Name Born Married Died Children Descendants Peter 1839 1876 1902 8 73 James 1840 1918 4 15 John 1844 1878 1918 11 285 Janet 1846 1869 1917 5 332 Thomas 1848 1882 1934 4 44 Robert 1850 1886 1913 7 203 David 1852 1938 5 51 Anne 1854 1882 1938 4 185 William 1859 1953 0 0 CONTENTS FOREWORD i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS :-- ii SURNAMES CARRIED FORWARD iii FAMILY GROUP NAMES :-- iv CONTENTS v THOMSONS of WINTON 1 WHY LEAVE SCOTLAND? 2 WINTON & DISTRICT 4 LAND PURCHASED 5 BULLOCK POWER 5 LOVER of HORSES 6 WINTON and FOREST HILL PLOUGHING MATCH 6 THE DINNER 6 SOUTHLAND FARMS 7 BANKRUPTCY 10 DEATH of JOHN THOMSON sr 10 FUNERAL and OBITUARY 10 ESTATE 11 BANKRUPTCY MEETING 12 ANY RELATIVES LEFT IN SCOTLAND? 12 MARSHALL BANQUET 14 THOMSON "GET TOGETHER" at WINTON 1966 15 BRIEF SKETCHES OF JOHN THOMSON sr FAMILY 17 PETER THOMSON (1839 - 1902) 17 JAMES THOMSON (1840 - 1918) 17 JOHN THOMSON Jr (1844 - 1918) 18 JANET THOMSON (1846 - 1917) (Shaw) 20 THOMAS THOMSON (1848 - c1934) 21 ROBERT THOMSON (1850 - 19I3) 21 DAVID THOMSON (1852 - 1938) 22 ANNE THOMSON (1854 -1938) (Cunningham) 22 WILLIAM THOMSON (1859 - 1953) 23 DESCENDANTS CHARTS 25 DESCENDANTS CHART - Peter THOMSON and Julia HENDERSON 26 DESCENDANTS CHART - James THOMSON and Katherine NICOLSON 28 DESCENDANTS CHART - John THOMSON and Janet WARNOCK 29 DESCENDANTS CHART - Janet THOMSON and Mark SHAW 38 DESCENDANTS CHART - Thomas THOMSON and Mary KINROSS 51 DESCENDANTS CHART - Robert THOMSON and Ruth PRESTON 54 DESCENDANTS CHART - David THOMSON and Margaret FOX 61 DESCENDANTS CHART - Ann THOMSON and James CUNNINGHAM 63 DESCENDANTS CHART - William THOMSON and Mary THOMSON 68 NB: Descendants charts are currently being revised and are NOT PUBLISHED HERE. "THOMSONS of WINTON" In writing a family history the big question is "Where does one start?" No matter which ancestor is chosen that one is still the link between the past and the present. Furthermore which line does one follow, the paternal or the maternal? The general tendency is to choose the former but in many instances it would be much better to follow the maternal. Quite often obituary notices on a male deceased say, "He was ably assisted by his wife." Yes, it is true behind every successful man there is a woman. In genealogy, or history, this should not be overlooked. The writer, a great grand son, of this account has chosen John Thomson, a widower from Fifeshire in Scotland, who arrived in New Zealand in 1864 on the Lady Raglan. John Thomson first landed at Port Chalmers, then moved to Invercargill by coastal ship only to be grounded in mud at Invercargill Jetty. John and his family eventually settled on the Winton Plains in Southland between Winton and Lochiel. His success was amazing with offspring running into hundreds living throughout New Zealand and even the world where they can be found in varying degrees of success in all walks of life. John Thomson's background is as follows James Thomson John Honeyman Thomas Arthur Farmers & labourers weaving stock married married married Amelia Reid Elizabeth Black Janet Storer Anne Peter James married Janet b 10. 8. 1774 b 17. 5. 1776 b 13. 7. 1775 4. 3. 1814 b 1788 d. 20.5 1870 d 25. 3. 1866 d. 11. 11. 1859 married Anne Lumsden John Thomson married Janet Honeyman b Nov 1813 Fifeshire m 30. 03. 1839 b 19 08 1818 d 13 06 1894 Winton Auchtermuchty d 26 06 1861 Scotland John Thomson, born Perth November 1813, married Janet Honeyman 11th April 1839 also of Perth. Janet died 1861 leaving John a widower with seven sons and two daughters. Three children had already died. John Thomson with John (20), Janet (18), Thomas (16,) Robert (14) David (12), Ann (9) and William (4) landed at Pt Chalmers after a voyage of 91 days on 4th February 1864 by the barque Lady Raglan, later by coastal ship at Invercargill. They left London on 3rd October 1863 and then from Portsmouth on 23rd October 1863. Son James had previously arrived by Brother's Pride in 1860 and Peter by Brother's Pride in 1863. WHY LEAVE SCOTLAND? It is not known what inspired John to pack up his belongings and leave dear old Scotland for a land far across the oceans which in those days took months of living in cramped conditions on board a windjammer and sailing over dangerous waters. Conditions at home were not of the best. The spirit of adventure and opportunity prompted many a young person (male and female) to answer the challenge of settling in a new land to make a new beginning. Then it must be remembered that John, after losing not only two sons and a daughter by death, also lost his wife, Janet, at the age of 43. (Hysteritis) These facts must have weighed heavily on his mind. Furthermore, many labourers, artisans and even professional personnel were heading in droves to the colonies. With James already away and Peter on the brink of leaving, John was losing two very valuable farm hands. The future looked bleak at home for him. Why not take his remaining young family too? By early mid 1863 both James and Peter had sailed the high seas on the Brother's Pride albeit on different voyages. James obtained a self-paid ticket to Lyttelton intending to go farm labouring in the Blenheim area. However, James, arriving at The Bluff, was so impressed with the luscious green grass that he left the ship. Realising the great scope for farming he sent off a letter on the same ship to his father and family to make haste to come to New Zealand. Peter left England on Brother's Pride 23rd July 1863 arriving at Lyttelton on 10th Dec 1863 as a farm labourer. Brother's Pride of 1236 tons, came out with 371 Government migrants, 44 having died on route and was quarantined on arrival in Lyttelton. On Tuesday last we briefly noticed the arrival of this vessel at the heads, and although we possessed the information since proved to be too true respecting the amount of sickness aboard, for the sake of friends on shore we refrained from publishing the melancholy intelligence that 44 deaths occurred during the passage. In our columns will be found a list of the sufferers, as well as a number of births.1 Hence on 3rd October 1863 John and his young family, named previously left London via Portsmouth on the Lady Raglan for shores across the seas. The Otago Daily Times of 4th February 1864 reported as follows: The barque Lady Raglan, (730 tons) which has brought a heavy cargo and 62 passengers sailed from Portsmouth on Oct 23rd 1863. She had a good N.E. trades which she lost in 8 deg north. Crossed the line on Nov 21st in 32 deg W on Dec 25th, passed the meridian of the Cape in 45 deg S. Ran down her easting in 50 deg S experiencing rough and boisterous weather. Passed the Snares on Saturday last and made Nugget Point on Sunday and from that time she experienced the fearful gale which has been so generally over the province. The barometer stood at 28. 60, and with the wind veering from N to W N W she hove to during the Monday with no canvas but little topsail. Though blown out of the gaskets she saved all her sails. Bore up for the Port on Tuesday, after being driven a long distance to the northward and eastward. Previous to the gale sighted a ship to the northward but saw nothing of her afterwards. 2 M C Thomas, in Feb 1940, writing in the Southland Daily News on the pioneers of Southland under the title of "Yeomen of the South" wrote:- On the voyage out, tragically enough, the skipper, Captain Jarvey, poisoned his wife. He was condemned to death, and a hangman had to be brought from Australia before his execution could be carried out. The executioner, however, died between Sydney and New Zealand, another having to be imported, so that it was three years before the sentence could be carried out.3 There are two reports as to the Captain's name. One says Capt Jarvie(y) (credit William Thomson then aged 4 years) while another says Capt Bowden. (Otago Daily Times shipping reporter) Take your pick. My "gut" feeling is Bowden. Reflecting upon this voyage it would appear the 62 passengers were courageous souls to travel such a long distance in a ship of 730 tons under sail travelling practically in unfamiliar waters and without the navigational aids of later years. The women, especially the pregnant ones, would have endured undue suffering and even fear. Truly they were loyal wives prepared to go to the other end of the world for better or for worse. How many modern women would do that? Your answer is as good as the writer's. Rough seas, high winds, poisoning and the like must have kept the passengers awake and wondering what next. John Thomson, born in Perthshire in 1813, a widower, with five sons and two daughters aged from 4 years to 19 years probably had some anxious moments taking care of his family on board ship. Janet would be about 19 so no doubt she bore a heavy burden on the journey in caring not only for dad but especially the younger ones. There is no mention of a nurse or doctor on board. Incidentally this writer recalls his grandmother, Janet Warnock, who married John Thomson Junr was born at sea rounding Cape Good Hope on the barque Constantine. It must have been a relief to land at Port Chalmers and later, to catch the sight of the Invercargill Jetty. Their joy was turned to sadness as the coastal vessel grounded in the mud, the passengers being obliged to wade ashore. Further disappointment was to follow, inasmuch, only two trunks of goods out of 14 were found, much to the dismay of the Thomsons. It is not known what was salvaged but it can be assumed much of their clothing and personal goods were lost thus replacing them would have been a problem. Nor is it known if there was any financial loss. After a voyage of 91 days this was an undignified entry into New Zealand, the land upon which they had hoped to start a new life. It is believed the Thomsons were not assisted immigrants. I am familiar with the estuary for as a young man training to be a civil engineer I was obliged to wade in it doing survey work for the Invercargill City Council and I know the suction power of the silt and mud in it. On one occasion my thigh gumboots were filled with silt and had to be lifted out by colleagues. WINTON & DISTRICT Why John Thomson chose the Winton district in which to settle is not known except that sons Peter and James were much taken with the pasture when they arrived. Being farmers in Scotland they recognised the quality of the land with its green pastures and timber prospects. In the gold rush days Winton became a good stopping over place for folk, especially wagoners, going to and from the Lakes. In the early days getting from say Invercargill was no easy task so travellers would be glad to have a stop even to spell their horses. The roads were in a sorry state particularly after rains which caused floods making river crossings dangerous. With the opening of the railway to Winton the township soon developed becoming the starting point of the road traffic to the north. Have you ever noted the many such towns every 50 to 80 kilometres apart in the South Island? Surely a throw back to the pioneering days. M C Thomas provides some information although I have always believed the Thomsons paid him to do so. Looking at the article, it seems William, the youngest son was the supplier of the information. He was an astute gentleman, of good memory, a wonderful storyteller and a devout Church member who would not unduly distort his story. However, there are offspring today who have reason to believe the write up is not totally accurate. Be that as it may, it does indicate the nature of the settlement of the Thomson family into Southland, especially around the Winton and Lochiel district. Other writers have used the "Yeomen of the South" as the basis of their work. I am doing it too. It is assumed John Thomson Sr. paid his own passage to New Zealand and was not an assisted immigrant like many other settlers. Son John, at a dinner in his honour at Winton (1911), said his father arrived with half a crown and a family of eight so it was necessary to find work. To set up farming in their new land of Promise they all sought and obtained it while the daughters and younger sons were sent to live in a hut in Invercargill owned by a Mr Wm. Gilchrist whose son was later a prominent chemist. It was situated in Deveron St, nearly opposite the R S A Club House (c 1940) and this section was once the site of the old Clarendon Hotel. I was a friend of Patrick (Pat) at Southland Boys High School and Cath who later worshipped at Browns Bay Presbyterian Church. We had many talks on Invercargill and the notable characters who lived and made the City at the mouth of the Cargill, later known as Waihopai. According to William, the youngest of the family, writing years later, John Thomson went to Winton living in a shack but later, according to another writer, in the old Winton Borough Council Chambers, which John soon bought. Because the land around the building was rent free, John was able to run a few cows which soon multiplied enabling the Thomsons to sell milk in the community. Meanwhile, the sons and their dad, who were very industrious, did a great deal of agricultural work such as ploughing in Eastern Southland which paid handsomely. They were also engaged in cartage contracting from the runholders up country to convey their wool etc. to Invercargill. LAND PURCHASED One of the first tracts of land that John purchased was a 2000 acres section or block from Shand Bros. This became known as the "Winton Plains" holding at Thomsons Crossing, upon which sometime later a homestead was built. In a very short time another 2000 acres were added. It would appear John and his family were not only keen workers but in their dealings much of which was by word of mouth thus continuing the old adage that a Scotsman's word was his bond. In passing, it is noticed that a good many of John's descendants became stock agents, real estate agents, bankers, and sales people. Perusing the occupations of some it is noticed many have been, and are, company directors involved in dealing in a big way. Following on from this line of thought, quite a number have achieved great success in other fields, such as medicine, politics, economics, education and general administration. Many of the female offspring have achieved great heights in their professions too. The question arises, "Where does this sense of achievement originate?" Surely from the root stock and perhaps from generations beyond our study. There are two sides to every coin. Sadly, some fell by the wayside and while this is regrettable it is a fact of life. As, in every family, there are skeletons and failures. Fortunately there are not any major fatalities. In studying the life and activities of John Thomson it is apparent he was not only a "go getter" in his farming interests but also a public spirited gentleman - indeed a man of many parts. As a matter of interest, John McCall Thomson, Winton, a great grand son of John, has a complete set of Land Transfer plans showing the extent of John's holdings stretching from Gap Rd to below Lochiel. John set up Thomson & Sons which originally consisted of himself and sons John Jr, and James. Later Thomas was included. The papers show other sons being added to the partnerships and also some moving out to set up on their own. The solicitor R H Rattray of Invercargill did well in arranging transfers and mortgages. John McC. Thomson has kindly given me a set. According to him these plans cost an arm and a leg. As one who has had dealings in this I can fully appreciate the truth of it. BULLOCK POWER It is on record that a wooden house in Winton, which John built and owned, was put on rollers and pulled by ten bullocks to "Winton Plains" Perhaps it could be said this was the beginning of large buildings being transported on modern machinery. I, personally remember one of the last bullock teams in Southland, if not New Zealand, that of Dick Bradley of Black Mount and a relative of the Warnocks. He used to display his team at Southland A & P Shows. Incidentally Mark Shaw, who married Janet, was the first to own a bullock team carting from Winton to the Lakes. Winton was the terminus for the railway and so bullock teams, some owned by John Thomson and Sons, travelled to the Lakes carting goods, etc. to and fro. Many stories are told of the comradeship of those early pioneers especially helping each other when wagons became bogged in river flats and streams. Some were real "toughies" but while there were many fights at pubs etc. they were men of good hearts to their fellows in trouble. Personally, I think the Thomson boys were gentlemen, at least I am prepared to stick up for them. Earlier on John Thomson, according to M C Thomas, worked for 4 / 6 a day filling up and levelling the main road to Winton. This was a far cry from the picks, shovels, and heavy wheelbarrows to the modern machinery of 1999. The modern motorist probably does not even spare a thought for the early pioneers who slogged from morn till night doing hard labour to develop the modern highways of today. I recall the pick and shovel stint in my student days working on the new highway between Tahakopa and Wyndham in the early forties. LOVER of HORSES John Thomson was a great lover of horses, even a judge, officiating in shows as far away as Dunedin. However he was not the only member to be a lover of horses. Many offspring owned, bred and raced horses. I can recall as a child listening in to conversations at Lochiel on the merits of the said animals. One horse was called "Last Home." I thought this was a silly name for a racehorse. It did win a few bob now and again but I surmise not enough to pay for its keep. However, the men had a lot of fun. When the 300 Thomsons had their "get together" in 1966 it is not without significance held on the Winton racecourse arena because John Thomson was a founding member of it and trustee for many years. John Thomson Sr. was the first president of the Winton Farmers' Club as well as serving many years on the Southland County Council. He was also the driving force to get a flood channel to give protection to Winton town. Let us remember such service in the community on local bodies was non remunerative, not like today (1999). WINTON and FOREST HILL PLOUGHING MATCH The fifth Annual Ploughing Match held under the auspices of the Winton & Forest Hill Farmers' Club came off on Friday the 31st ult., in Mr Froggart's paddock about two miles north of Winton Township. 4 THE DINNER The field work of the day was not finished till early sunset and then the competitors and spectators took off their "several ways". A considerable number came to Winton, where in the evening a dinner was held in the long room of McWilliam's Hotel. Fully thirty gentlemen sat down to an ample and elegant repast which was prepared and served out by Mr McWilliam in praiseworthy style. The chair and vice chair were occupied respectively by Mr J. Thomson, Sr., President of the Farmers' Club and Mr G Sampson, one of the judges. Mr Bremner then proposed that the farming interest of the district be coupled with the name of the chairman. Mr Thomson said that it was with the greatest pleasure that he rose to respond to the toast which they had done the honour to couple with his name. He would not trouble them with anything in the nature of a speech, but he wished to make a few remarks relating to the subject of the toast to which he was called upon to respond. It was well known that in that district they were heavily weighted with dear labour but to counter balance that, their land was cheap and fertile, and their clients good. A great change for the better had taken place within the last two years, and they were able to pay a labourer 10s a day with oats selling at 4s a bushel, than they were able to pay 5s when oats were at 2s a bushel. Therefore, he held that the farming interests had greatly improved of late and not only the farming interest with which the district was connected. Some would be witty people were in the habit of sneering at the "cockatoos", as they were pleased to call the farmer, but they might spare selves the trouble, for the "cockatoos" of that district at any rate, were deserving of nobody's contempt, nor pity either. For instance, a 'cockatoo" who happened to buy 500 acres of land in that district at one pound per acre, could now sell at 6 pounds an acre; and surely the man who could command so much capital was not such a contemptible being after all. And even though the farmer could not in all cases realise so handsomely all at once, yet he could see success waiting for him in the distance-- that success which was sure eventually to crown the efforts of every honestly industrious, hard working man. With regard to the event of the day, it had at one time been tough that, owing to the lateness of the harvest, and the consequent backward state of home ploughing, there would have been no ploughing match this year, but it turned out that they had that day witnessed the best ploughing match which had yet taken place in the Winton district. He had a word to say about what was known as high-cut ploughing. Every one was aware that it was false ploughing, and it was known as such among ploughmen as such; yet it was likely to continue fashionable at ploughing matches, because it required great skill on the part of the competitors, and presented a pleasing appearance to the eye of the onlooker. 5 SOUTHLAND FARMS The agricultural reporter wrote saying Southland progressed because of its agricultural back ground and in one article referred to the farms of John Thomson and sons near Winton. He says These consist of nearly 4.600 acres, all freehold with the exception of 300 odd acres of Education reserve, leasehold. Worked in conjunction with this fine property situated about half a days ride from Pebbly Hill Station (University Reserve) extending to 10.000 acres native grass, held on a lease, and attached to it is 500 acres purchased land making nearly 400 acres of freehold property. Mr Thomson, senior, and his family of seven sons and two daughters, mostly grown up, emigrated from the south of Perthshire near Kinross and close to the border of Fife, where they had occupied an arable farm of 300 acres. After landing at Bluff they came straight up to Winton, settled in the township and shortly afterwards started ploughing by contract for the NZ and Australian Loan Company at Oteramika and Edendale. At this work they continued for four years, when they commenced to purchase land on the Winton plain and became permanently located in the nucleus of their present holdings, increasing the extent year by year. The eastern boundary of the farms until a few months since was intersected by the Bluff and Kingston railway but a section has lately been cut up and sold. This leaves the property an almost square block extending along the main north road from Jack' Crossing to Forest hill crossing and having Thomson's Crossing midway between these points. Those railway platforms are distant from each other only little more than a mile, are all within two or three hundred yards of the eastern boundary and are placed there because the main district roads cut the railway line at these points. Two of these roads form the northern and southern boundaries and the third runs right through the centre of the farms, passing near two of the steadings and all of them reaching the New River (Oreti), the western boundary about half way to which they are bisected by another district road passing from north to south. The means of communication is thus nearly all that can be expected. A visitor arriving by road or rail at Thomson's Crossing looking in a westerly direction observes from that low elevation a very varied landscape. A magnificent expanse of plain stretches away till bounded by the blue horizon of rugged mountains. Low terraces rising sometimes to bolder plateaux, diversifying the generally flat or gently undulating surfaces. Bush disposed in masses, in clumps and in belts relieving the eye and giving the assurance of natural wealth and of comfort is seen by profusion and the windings of the fertilising Oreti are distinctly traced out by the evergreen scrub that adorns its banks and which, sad to say, is rapidly disappearing before the exigencies of the rabbit pest. Comfortable homesteads, thickly in places, sparingly in others, are dotted in every direction and the haze that dims the brightness of the summer sky and blurs the sharpness of the snow-capped Takitimus is not yet smoked by Russian or revengeful Turk, but marks the beneficent destructiveness of the pioneering Anglo-Saxon in the war against aboriginal nature. To the land distant about a mile and a half the Winton Bush with its rising little town forms a natural division to the river flat. In the foreground, a little to the right and pleasantly situated on the Winton Creek on the sunny side of a clump of bush, is Mr Sproull's homestead, which, in conjunction with Mr Jas Taylor's section is nearly surrounded by Messrs Thomson's land, and which we hope to notice at another time. In the foreground to the left of Thomson's Crossing, and within about 300 yards of it is a large steading in the course of completion. The surrounding ground is partly improved, being ploughed or in crop and partly in tussock and swamp. Further on there are other groups of farm buildings at suitable intervals and wider expanse of meadow or crop, till the river is reached. Up the river bank and lying between it and the township of east Winton and having the road from Jack's crossing passing close by is another homestead. There are six new homesteads on the Winton property. Meeting Mr Thomson Senior at the farm next to Thomson's Crossing he proceeded to show us around it. It consists of 800 acres all within one ring fence and is now nearly subdivided into three paddocks by ditches with stakes and wire which prove as valuable for draining the swampy portions as for fencing purposes and without which we were informed, the greater portion of it could not have been ploughed. The buildings are a substantial five-roomed house of sawn timber and lofty stables to match, with stalls for nine horses and a large barn etc. behind. There are 100 acres in turnips sown broadcast and 100 acres in oats. The turnips were roughly put in on the first furrow without manure. The soil was rather too crampy and as was remarked would certainly have been well rolled. The soil of this division is a rich alluvial dark clay loam having a brownish clay subsoil lying on a substratum of gravel about two to four feet below the surface. Mr Thomson had not great expectations from the turnips which, in fact, were not any better than too many crops this season, but one of his sons assured us that those sown in this fashion generally appeared unpromising at this period and almost invariably proved a good crop as the winter advanced. Our own observation of a similar class of soil led us to concur with this. Mr Thomson's system of management, he explained is to turn over large breadths of land in some fashion, to sow extensive breaks of different crops in a rough and ready style if it could not be done differently and all he could say in its favour was that it paid them. A small patch of potatoes for home use also seemed too hurriedly put in to come to much of a produce. The oats, however, were the mainstay here and taking the barren season into account made up for the short comings. Our guide freely afforded us every opportunity of inspection taking us around and through the growing corn up furrows. As usual, this season, on the dry portions, there was a good appearance but on the colder spots the crops ranged from middling to decidedly light. Mr Thomson estimates the probable yield at about forty bushels per acre. A method was here pointed out which was well worthy of general adoption. When sowing oats, any corners, stripes or awkwardly shaped patches in bends or swamps etc. are left out as not being worth expending time upon at that busy period and are afterwards broadcasted with turnips. Being on the second furrow these always succeed to perfection and greatly enhance the value of the stubbles and the fresh swamp feed in connection therewith. The corn is usually stacked and thrashed on the paddock where grown and thus the straw stacks furnish dry fodder, shelter and a comfortable lair to the cattle or sheep which may then be introduced and remain there for a length of time, having all their wants supplied without any further trouble or expense. The division being finished, Shaw's old farm situated near Winton was the next in order and we proceeded towards it along the main road. The pace was perhaps a trifle livelier than a canter but it being a sporting locality, we thought it best to do it at Winton as the denizens do. We arrived in safety. The buildings consist of a pine slatted stable and hut etc. The oats growing here are extended to 60 acres valued at 40 bushels per acre, present the same inequalities as the previous lot. A portion of the land had been well cropped out by Messrs Shaw and this influence was plainly apparent. The soil is partly a sharp nature well fitted for turnip and sheep feeding husbandry, but along side of the Winton creek, which meanders around and through the holding. It is rich alluvial luxuriantly covered with artificial and native herbage. A break of oats in conjunction with this was sown instead of turnips for the purpose of affording fresh feed for fattening sheep or cattle when grass becomes dry and it was considered preferable for that object to rape or turnips. Running on the mixed rough feed and clover of the creek bank was a fine mob of about a dozen colts and fillies, all draughts, mostly by "Black Champion" except a small two year old "Stormbird". None of them was decidedly first class but all of them promised to be heavy enough for any land and to be good serviceable horses. Leaving Mr Sproull's bush to the right we next viewed the old original homestead the nucleus around which the present concern has formed itself. A comfortable house composed of the old identity cottage and recent well finished additions, stables for twelve horses, barn, stockyard, piggeries etc. form the building, which are perhaps a little more primitive than later erections though quite of an average description. In front large level enclosures of grass and smaller divisions of wheat and oats snugly fenced by gorse hedges stretch down to Mr Sproull's. The wheat, like most late crops, is only indifferent. A few acres of perennial ryegrass cut for seed was newly thrashed out. The yield was about 25 bushels per acre and the quality quite good enough for exhibition. The ordinary production is from that rate to 30 bushels according to weather and quality of he soil. On a choice spot they can grow 60 bushels per acre of good hard seed. To the rear of the buildings and extending to the scrub and lagoons of the river bank are magnificent paddocks level as a bowling green and grazing a stock of 50 fattening cattle ad 800 sheep and a few horses, cows etc. Part of the grassland is intended to be turned up, having lain for a number of years, but the riverside enclosures certainly may be ranked among the best in Southland. The cattle were mostly bred at Pebbly Hills Station and are crosses from the Land Company polled "Doddies" and partly from a Shorthorn bull. They are a kindly thriving mixed lot, in all stages to nearly fat, a draft having been disposed of to a butcher a few days before our visit. The sheep are an ordinary description of crossbreeds from Leicesters and Merino ewes and were also raised on Pebbly Hills which suits them better than breeding here. Twelve draught horses constantly employed in the ordinary routine or in "breaking up" beside one or two teams belonging to ploughing contractors. 6 BANKRUPTCY While there was much trafficking in property unfortunately John went bankrupt about 1887 but details at the moment are sketchy. Maybe he was too busy settling his sons on to their holdings that he drained his own resources or maybe it was a case of seeking to avoid large death duties for he died in 1894 age 81 at "Winton Plains", the home of son Peter. DEATH of JOHN THOMSON Sr. THOMSON -- on 13 June 1894 at the residence of his son, Peter, Winton Plains, John Thomson, aged 81 years. The funeral will take place on Saturday, 16th inst., leaving the house at of Mr Peter Thomson, Winton Plains, at 12.30 pm. 7 FUNERAL and OBITUARY The people of Winton are by no means wanting in paying their last token of respect to the dead and testifying their sympathy with the surviving friends. One of the largest gatherings of the kind that Winton ever witnessed was seen at the funeral on Saturday of the late Mr John Thomson, of Winton Plains, who departed this life at the ripe old age of eighty one years. And it was but fitting that the district should turn out to the funeral of such a one, who had taken a lively interest in its welfare ever since he first settled in it. The deceased gentleman was a native of Perthshire for twenty-five years before coming to New Zealand in response to an invitation from his son James, who was in Southland some two years before his father. On arriving he at once took up his abode in the Winton district where he speedily became identified with its every interest. He was chairman of the first Farmers' Club, an office he filled for many years, and up to a comparatively recent date was willing to read papers of interest to its meetings. He was up to the time of his death one of the trustees of that valuable property known as the Winton Racecourse. He was also for three years the representative of the Winton Riding in the Southland County Council, and during the whole term of its existence of the Makarewa Road Board. He had the honour of being one of its members and chairman of the Winton sub-division of the district. It is a matter of some interest to notice that though it is some thirteen years since the Road District merged into the County there met around his grave several members, some of whom from a distance, and the clerk of he late Board, all anxious to show the last mark of respect to his memory. The Rev James Baird officiated at the house and grave. Mr Thomson had been a widower for some 33 years and is survived by his two daughters, both married, one in the north Island (Annie) and the other, Mrs Mark Shaw of Barkly, just north of Winton, where her husband owns one of the finest farms in the district. Of his seven sons one is in the North Island and the other 6 are all settled on the 4000-acre block originally taken up by John Thomson and Sons and on which six prosperous and thriving homes have been established. The old gentleman is also survived by a large number of grand children, making it improbable that the broad acres owned by his sons or daughters will ever have to go seeking for heirs." 8 ESTATE It is not without some significance John Thomson's estate when wound up did not show any significant wealth. It is on record above that John Thomson was a public spirited man and so it is assumed he gave liberally to worthy causes. However it appears he had wisely set up his family on to farms in and around the Winton district. At the time of his death his family were aged as follows (approx.) Peter 55, James 54, John 50, Janet 48, Thomas 46, Robert 44, Ann 42, David 38, William 35. All the sons were married and settled on farms presumably financed by their father. Perhaps someone will search the records for a will to determine the nature of their settlement. It must be remembered that females were usually overlooked in any settlement arrangements so it is assumed Anne and Janet, both of whom were married would have received only a gift at their marriage. The "Women's Lib Movement" was not born till many years later. There are many cases known where women worked and slaved long hours in family homes cooking for all and sundry, including shearers, harvesters and various itinerants receiving little or no recompense. Nothing is known whether Janet and Anne were treated any differently from other girls of their generation. Janet, for example, as a 19 year old must have given yeoman service on board the ship Lady Raglan in looking after John and her brothers and younger sister Anne (12). I recall my mother, daughter of John Thomson Jr, worked very long hours at the old Riverside home cooking etc. for the family and the 16 workers at the flaxmill. At her marriage to Donald Gardiner, my father, she received a Koch & Son piano which she used until her death in 1951. It is not known if there was any other recompense. There was, however, some disquiet when John Thomson Jr died in 1918 because the daughters who had worked so faithfully for him received little or no consideration. BANKRUPTCY MEETING In the Estate of John Thomson, Snr, of Winton, Farmer A meeting of creditors in this estate was presided over by the Deputy Assignee. Mr Rattery appearing for the debtor whose statement was as follows:-Total liabilities £5,722.14. 0 (of which £5329.4.0 was due to secured. Total assets £6,234, (£6,110 of which was due to secured creditors) apparent surplus £511.14. 0. The Assignee said the secured creditors might make further claims on the estate if there was any deficiency after realising. The secured creditors were --- The Colonial Investment Co £4,600.14. 0 secured by mortgage over nine sections in Winton Hundred and one section in Lynhurst Hundred valued at £5,319. George Printz £320 secured by first mortgage over section 13 pt 1 Winton Hundred valued at £791 and James Thomson £400 secured by 2nd mortgage over same. The unsecured assets were surplus over securities of £780.6. 0; and stock plant and furniture (£10) £124. The unsecured creditors were The Colonial Bank of N.Z. £377 and Thomas Buxton £16. The debtor, examined on oath, stated that the claim of James Thomson as a secured creditor was incorrect; he had received no consideration from him. He was examined by Mr Buxton and another creditor who got no information from him. It was ultimately ascertained that his son transacted all his business and the meeting adjourned till further particulars were obtained. 9 ANY RELATIVES LEFT IN SCOTLAND? There is no record of any relatives left behind in Scotland. It appears two sons and a daughter had already died. There is no record of any brothers and sisters of John still living there but John Honeyman who married Elizabeth Black appear to have had a family of Ann. b.25 Nov 1764 at Cults, Fifeshire, John b. 13 Nov 1771 at Collessie Fifeshire, a second Ann b. 15 Dec 1773 at Collesie, Fifeshire, James b.13 July 1775 at Collessie Fifeshire and William b. 9 Sept 1779 at Collessie Fifeshire. This would make James as the father of Janet Honeyman who married John Thomson and Ann an aunt and William an uncle. Did any of these have a family? Now the question arises, "Who is Mr Marshall & Miss Stella Stella Newton?" I, John Gardiner, recall my mother saying there was a Mr Marshall of a Marshall Engineering Company being a relative but cannot recall more. I mentioned this in my Gardiner Warnock Thomson Update to which my cousin Alice Ryder, daughter of John C Thomson, wrote saying :--"Your mother spoke of Marshall Engineering. I can remember Mum and Dad talking about a Mr Marshall coming out from England to meet his NZ relations. Dad said he was wealthy and when he left he hired a special train from Invercargill to Bluff so every one could see him off. Our cousin Marshall Thomson was called after him, it seems he was born when Mr Marshall was here. (Marshall was the son of David and Mary Thomson of Winton and a grand son of John Thomson, junior.)" Esma Thomson, Nelson, daughter of James Thomson "The Sport" and a great grand daughter of John Thomson senior spoke to me about Mr Marshall as follows }--Mr Marshall arrived from Scotland at Christmas 1908 to see relatives. He held a dinner at a Winton Hotel in their honour. Esma says she was only three months old and her mother was pressurised to take her. Esma was given a sugar-coated dummy to keep her quiet. Esma could not elaborate. In browsing through the book "Ten Decades" I came across this relating to an engine used by Kilkelly Bros sawmill at Northope.-- The mill was powered by one of the two largest steam engines to come to New Zealand -- a 27 H P engine built by Marshall and Sons, in 1912. 10 A photo appears, bearing the following remains of the 27 H P cylinder 12" dia Marshall portable engine which powered Kilkelly's mill- photographed at Motu (Waiau River near Clifden -- E Simpson photo. 11 I am still of the opinion I saw the name of Marshall on N Z Railways engines years ago. However I have not researched this. Rosalind McDowall, grand daughter of John Thomson Junior recently wrote enclosing a letter written by grand pa while on a trip to Scotland in which he says: We landed at Avonmouth at half past ten that morning, and took our tickets to May Bole. We reached Ayr at half past ten that night and May Bole the next morning Mr & Mrs Marshall were on the platform to meet us. I had sent a telegram from Ayr that morning -------- 12 Quite recently I managed to contact Eric Campbell (nephew of cousin Marshall) of 90 Windsor St, Invercargill, but he didn't know the origin of Marshall's name nor does his daughter Joanne Campbell here in Howick, Auckland. My brother Herbert has a video of the 1966 gathering showing Stella Newton. Herbert was one of the organisers but he doesn't remember anything more about her. I am told there is a Marshall railway engine in Sydney Museum and also a Marshall engine still operating in Burma and one at New Plymouth. However, in the course of this project some information has emerged. I know grand-pa went on the trip to Scotland with someone but do not know with whom. I know Grandma did not want to go for such a long sea voyage. John McCall Thomson of Winton, tells me that it was his great grand parents Marion and John McCall who went with John Thomson on the trip but they went further north. John Thomson took ill and curtailed his visit and returned home but at Capetown his illness got worse which took some time to get better. At the 1966 Thomson "Get Together" at Winton, Miss Stella Newton, North Shields, England and Mrs G. McIntyre, Australia, both came especially. Stella spoke at the gathering. Who then are Stella and Mrs Mcintyre? It is known John Thomson had brothers and sisters so perhaps a sister married a Marshall. Jessie Armstrong, Cargill Home, Invercargill, corresponded with Stella but receiving morphine sedation cannot recall anything. Her son Selwyn will ask her for more details as opportunity affords. Information has come to me that Janet Honeyman who married John Thomon had a sister Ann b. 6 May 1821, Mary b. 6 Jan 1826 and brother John b. 19 Jan 1826 and John b. 30 May 1830 all born at Collessie Fifeshire. Maybe some other member of the Thomson family can help out. MARSHALL BANQUET Mr John Marshall, ex Provost of Maybole, Scotland, and his daughter (Stella) have been spending some six weeks visiting notable scenic spots in the Dominion, ending up by a week in the Winton district as the guests of Messrs Thomson, the well-known farmers of that locality. On Friday evening the visitors were entertained by their numerous hosts at a highly successful banquet, held in Thomsons Hall, Winton (probably one of the many ventures of the James Thomson family). The occasion was, in some respects, notably unique. Nearly one hundred of those present belonged to one or other of the numerous households of the wide spreading family tree of Thomson. There were three generations represented, those of the first including six brothers, who were here renewing their friendship with their cousin Mr Marshall, whom they had not seen since leaving the old land over 46 years ago. Peter, James, John, Robert, Thomas, Ann (Cunningham), Janet (Shaw), David and William. Loyal toasts having being honoured, Mr D T McKillop, as chairman, introduced the toast of the evening by proposing the health of Mr and Miss Marshall. He referred to the business capacity and purposeful character by which Mr Marshall had acquired the implement works of Jack and sons, and had enhanced the high reputation of that widely known firm. In public life, civic progress, and educational affairs his record of services had been as notable as his success in business. As a representative Scot, as a man of wide experience and keen insight as a traveller who had seen many parts of the globe, Mr Marshall's observations on New Zealand and its people would be interesting. Following the chairman, Messrs James, John, Thomas, David, Robert and William Thomson all briefly spoke to the toasts, recalling the times of their youth in the Homeland. One reminiscence revived another, and the past was brought to life again. Not to be behind the second generation -- represented by Messrs Jas Thomson (jun.), John Thomson (jun.) Jno Shaw and H Wilson --- offered its welcome to the guests, and wished them bon voyage. Lastly to accentuate the welcome, to mark an occasion so notable, and to give the visitors a momento of their sojourn, a presentation of various articles of beautiful design in greenstone and gold, together with a silver table service, was made to Mr and Miss Marshall, Mr Wilson voicing the sentiments of the Thomson families in presenting the gifts, while Miss Day placed the articles in the hands of the recipients present. Mr Marshall, in reply, said that his daughter and himself were overwhelmed by the kindness manifesting itself that evening. They had had a right royal reception during their stay among their friends, and it needed not these material tokens to fix their visit in their memory. They would, however, treasure the gifts and cherish the kindly affection that had prompted generosity so lavish. Taking up the past history that had been in evidence, he told of the worth of his uncle and aunt, the late Mr and Mrs John Thomson. He was pleased to note that the younger generation before him was maintaining the stalwart characteristics of the old stock, of whom he would mention one, their great grand father, who had attained he age of 95. He noted with gratification that their descendants had kept to agriculture and made a prominent success of it. He had noticed how highly developed farming was in New Zealand. The instruction given in Lincoln College, which he had visited, was up to date, and. as for practical evidence, the farms he had inspected under Mr Smale's guidance during the previous days, showed crops as fine as he had ever seen. Mr Marshall then, in graphic fashion, outlined his trip to New Zealand via Canada, Honolulu, Fiji, Brisbane, and Sydney, ending up with his impressions of this country. The phenomenon of Rotorua, he said, would make of that locality an inexhaustible gold mine if it were within a week's journey from Europe. Their lake scenery was not surpassed by the best that Switzerland could show. As for resources, to his eyes, the land was magnificent and the great want was population. A wise immigration policy appeared to him the need of the hour. In conclusion, he trusted many if those present, would give Miss Marshall and himself an opportunity of reciprocating the kindness and hospitality that had followed them wherever they went in Southland.13 Question? Who was the Jack of Jack & Sons? Was it a Mr Jack Marshall and was the firm of engineers Marshall & Sons "implement makers" also the makers of steam engines? Was this Mr Marshall a cousin through the Thomsons or Honeyman families? THOMSON "GET TOGETHER" at WINTON 1966 14 "Visitors from England, Fiji and Australia were among 200 descendants of John Thomson, an early settler in the Winton area, who attended an informal get together at the Winton racecourse yesterday. Miss Stella Newton, of North Shields, Northern England, a great grand niece of the late Mr Thomson attended. Descendants of eight of the nine children were at the gathering. A family tree which contained 724 names was on show. Additions to the tree yesterday brought the number of names to nearly 800. During the day special presentations were made;-- oldest descendant -- Miss C Thomson. Invercargill, Overseas visitors --- Mr & Mrs J T Gardiner and Janette, Fiji, Mrs G McIntyre, Australia. The reunion included a roll call and sporting activities. The informal get together could be a prelude to a full-scale reunion next year. There are more than 700 descendants of the early settler who arrived at Winton with his nine children from Fifeshire." 15 The newspaper did not mention that Mr Jack P Thomson, son of Peter A Thomson and a great grandson of Mr Thomson, of Bluff presided and duly welcomed those present. Speaking to him recently he said he cannot recall the relationship of either Miss Stella Newton or Mrs G McIntyre. However Mrs Jessie Armstrong of Cargill Home, Invercargill corresponded with Stella for many years. It is also known John Thomson had sisters and brothers so possibly a sister married a Marshall or a Newton. After the roll call photographs were taken of each group by Mr Ted Phillips, ex Winton but now Dunedin, a professional photographer and personal friend of the Thomsons. 1999-----Unfortunately, There has not been any attempt for a reunion as suggested in 1966 probably no one has seen fit to organise one. It would be a mammoth task to make contact with 1200 descendants now scattered world wide. BRIEF SKETCHES OF JOHN THOMSON sr FAMILY provided by a descendant of each PETER THOMSON (1839 - 1902) Peter was the eldest son of John and Janet (nee Honeyman) to arrive in New Zealand also on Brother's Pride but in 1863 just ahead of his father. He was born near Kinross in 1839 and worked on father's farm near Bridge of Earn, Perthshire. It appears he and brother James after arriving in New Zealand, being so impressed with the luscious grass and prospects of settling in New Zealand urged their father to migrate. After arriving at Lyttelton, Peter worked for Mr James Gammack, Springston with whom he remained for three years. He then began farming at Leeston and in 1870 joined his father and brothers at Winton. In 1876 he married Julia Henderson (1856- 1937) a daughter of Walter Henderson of "Craighouse" Forest Hill. He and his wife settled on a 900-acre block of his father's property, later taking over the homestead. His main source of income being derived from sheep grazing and cropping. Like his father he took an interest in local affairs and sports, being a trustee of the Winton Racecourse, and at one time a director of the Farmers' United Agency Company and a member Southland County Council. He died at the age of 62 years his wife surviving him for about 35 years. At the time of his death he was survived by five sons John m. Elizabeth McCall, Walter m. Helen Munro, Peter m. Julia Henderson, David, William and two daughters Helen m. Alf Tapper and Jessie. On the site of the old homestead a new home was later built. Peter was part owner of Springburn Farm. The family of Peter and Julia were:-- John m Elizabeth Thomson, Walter m Jessie Price, Peter m. Helen Munro, William, Helen (Tapper), Jessie (single) and David (killed in WW1) 73 descendants JAMES THOMSON (1840 - 1918) Born in Scotland in 1840, James migrated to New Zealand aged 22 on Brother's Pride in 1862 intending to go to Marlborough. Seeing the luscious green grass he left ship and immediately wrote a letter to his father urging him to migrate. He posted it on the same ship. He did not go near Nelson or Marlborough where he had intended. His brother Peter must have been impressed, too, because he came out to NZ almost immediately. Father and his five other sons and two daughters followed in 1864. Apparently James and Peter were not assisted immigrants, nor indeed, the father and the others. The rest of the family followed in 1864. Father and brothers worked on various contracts to the N Z and A Loan Company in the Edendale and Morton Mains districts, reaping a cheque for £600 in less than one year. Next he took fencing contracts for Elles Bros at Five Rivers, for Barnhill at Castlerock and also for other run holders. At one stage he was associated with the John Thomson and Sons partnership in land around Winton and Lochiel. Eventually he bought from the partnership a block of 1,050 acres at the top end of the holding. In conjunction with farming he owned a threshing mill serving the surrounding district. James married Katherine Nic(h)olson of Queensland and had four daughters Christianne, Catherine Anne, Jessie, Mabel Anne none of whom married and one son James Alexander, "The Sport", who married Mary McKillop. The property which fell to him was a block of 1,050, acres of the original estate (probably near Gap Rd). It is interesting to note the name Anne appears in three daughters. James along with his farming owned and operated a threshing mill which travelled the surrounding country. Mabel was educated by a governess. During World War 1 Mabel used to drive the rabbit cart as part of the rabbit canning factory operated by the family. Because refrigeration was not known in those days the rabbits were tinned in cold water. She with sisters Cath and Chris owned many businesses in Winton being involved in rabbit canning, lanolin manufacturing, concrete block making, wine making, owners of the Radio Theatre, owners of much property in Winton, racehorse breeding and racing, a haberdashery shop, Winton Skating Rink, Winton Radio Theatre, and other pursuits The label for rabbits was "The Spotsman Prime Preserved Rabbit" In a sense they were oddities but were most industrious and helped in many ways the development of the Winton district. No historical account of Winton would be incomplete without reference to them. Incidentally each daughter had Anne attached to the first name. The family of James and Catherine were Christianne, Jessie, Catherine Anne, Mabel Anne and James Alexander. (James m. Mary McKillop.) 15 descendants. JOHN THOMSON Jr (1844 - 1918) John Thomson, the third son of John and Janet (nee Honeyman) was born in Kinrosshire, Scotland on 15 June 1844. At the age of 20 years he migrated to New Zealand on the barque Lady Raglan with his father, five brothers and two sisters. After a voyage of 91 days landing at Port Chalmers on 3rd February 1864 thence by coastal ship to Invercargill. There is nothing known about his early life but it is assumed he, like his father and brothers, would be working full time in the various ploughing, cropping, harvesting and carting contracts in Winton even as far away as the Lakes and Edendale. In 1878 John married Janet Constantine Dunn Warnock (Seaward Downs) at First Church manse, Invercargill. Born at sea on the Constantine, she was the eldest daughter of David and Helen Warnock. They settled on a 700-acre block of land on the south of the Thomson estate called "Riverside". Later, 1911, John and Janet moved to "Section One" nearer to Lochiel which became known as the Chrystal home (Annie & Bill) until his decease in 1918. At "Riverside" a property which had a frontage of 1.5 miles to the Oreti River. He engaged in farming but in 1901 he established a flaxmill, the plant being powered by steam. Did the Marshall & Sons of England, whose owners were probably related to the Thomsons, make it? Sixteen people including his sons, were employed cutting flax from the riverside and turning out 16 tons of dressed flax per month. Eventually a two-storey home was built only to be destroyed by fire shortly after 1909 when son Peter and Dot were living there just after their marriage. Unfortunately, they lost their wedding presents, piano and music. It appears a traction engine had been placed too close to the house when an ember blew out thus sparking off the fire. John's wife, Janet, died in 1908. Jean Thomson, widow of Ernie, wrote recently to say that his father, William, lived with Barbara, too, at Riverside after their marriage and were in the 1913 flood which swamped the house. William came down the stairs to find Ernie's cradle floating on the water. Ernie was only a few months old. Grand pa Thomson moved from Riverside to Section One to his new home at Lochiel where he remained till his death in 1918. The shift was necessitated because farming there was not practical. A description of the Lochiel property is contained in "Gardiner Warnock Thomson Begats Update16" which followed after the production of "Gardiner Warnock Thomson Begats17". My mother told me several times that that grand pa, an employer of men wouldn't engage any who parted hair down the middle, wore tan shoes or a ring on the finger. What would he think today? I shudder to think about it. As a child of six years when he died I can vividly remember the old gentleman with white whiskers wearing a waistcoat with a silver watch chain. On one occasion he offered me a penny if I could stay quiet for five minutes. That was a long silence on my part but I prized that coin. Because I had been given Thomson as a middle name I was given five pounds which was also treasured for many years. However a lasting memory is his funeral with all the fuss and ceremony prevalent in those days. The most impressive part was the undertaker sitting high and mighty on the seat of the horse drawn hearse taking grand pa away for burial. For me it was an awesome time, explained more fully elsewhere in the Gardiner Warnock Thomson Begats. John and Janet's family were Helen m. David McKillop, Janet m. Donald Gardiner, Margaret m. James Robb, Annie m. Bill Chrystal, John m. Agnes Butler, Jim m. Beanie Kidd, David m. Mary Gerrard, Peter m. Dot White, William m. Barbara Legat, Robert m. Lizzie Ledington and Mark m. Ethel Robb. Incidentally, my Mother, Janet, was the first of this group to pass away and being cremated caused quite a stir among the Thomson family. She made the request many years previous, after the closing of the Old Winton Cemetery. In 1911 John did a six month's extended trip to Scotland to see relatives and friends in Scotland, England and Ireland. Janet had already died. Although I knew he had company it was not till very recently that I learned that John and Marion McCall went with him but going farther north. (Marion was a sister to Janet). Also see letter elsewhere. Before leaving, John was not enjoying the best of health and unfortunately it deteriorated in Scotland causing John to curtail his visit. The illness became worse in Capetown and he did not fully recover fully which lasted until his decease in 1918. The last six months needed constant medical care. Prior to his trip there was a public banquet in Winton presided over by the Mayor (Mr Ross Jamieson) who in proposing a toast to the guest said Mr Thomson had earned the highest esteem of all he had contact with by his uprightness as a man and his excellent neighbourly disposition. A presentation, by Mr Moore, of a handsome pair of binoculars and silver mounted umbrella both suitably inscribed. Other speakers endorsed the Chairman's remarks. In his reply Mr Thomson said he had no idea that he was such a fine fellow until that evening. It was 47 years ago that he had built his "suburban" residence; there was no "brick area" in those days. He had had many experiences since he settled in the district, and besides farming he had been engaged extensively in the carting business which was at times a hazardous occupation. Sometimes the only way to get through the creeks was by riding on the leaders' backs the others would follow. When his father arrived in Southland all he had was 2 / 6 and eight children. He got the half a crown from his father and went up country. (He was 20 then) In a short while he returned and much to his father's surprise he handed over the half crown borrowed and £18 interest. (applause) (Ed:- this dispels the thought that John senior arrived in New Zealand with much capital.) See his article "A Returned New Zealander" published in Southland Times 11 Nov 1911 contrasting farming conditions there with N Z. and made requests for more migrants to come out. As personal friends of (Sir) Joseph Ward, founder of J G Ward Ltd. Stock and Station agents, Invercargill and brothers Adam and Jackie Hamilton, of Forest Hill, both of whom entered Parliament John had an ear on government. Joey Ward later became Prime minister of New Zealand. (Joey was also a guest at wedding of Helen to David McKillop} I have vivid memories when Joey campaigned for the office of Prime Minister. Opponents described his campaign as "Borrow, Boom and Bust". On the night the elections were announced the old Post Office Square in Invercargill was crowded and buzzed with intense excitement. I have never seen anything like it since. John and Janet's family were Helen Hay. m. David McKillop, Janet Honeyman m. Donald Gardiner, Margaret (Maggie) Warnock m. James (Jim) Robb, Annie m. William (Bill) Chrystall, John Constantine m. Agnes (Aggie) Butler, James (Tiny) Honeyman m. Robina (Beanie) Kidd, David Warnock m. Mary Gerrard, Peter Arthur m. Margaret (Dot) White, William m. Barbara Legat, Robert Hay m. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ledington and Mark Shaw m. Ethel Robb (sister to Jim Robb) 285 descendants JANET THOMSON (1846 - 1917) (Shaw) Janet was born 30th July 1846 at Arngask, Fifeshire, Scotland to John and Janet (nee Honeyman). She arrived in N Z on the Lady Raglan with her father and five brothers and one sister. On 2nd November 1869 she married Mark Shaw, born Longford, Derbyshire, 1831, a pioneering farmer of Round Hill, at her father's house in Winton by the Rev Wm. Oldham of Riverton, not at Riverton as mistakenly reported in "Invercargill Pioneers" by F G Hall-Jones. They farmed at Round Bush, Lady Barkly, a district named after an engine on the Invercargill -- Makarewa railway. The property at Round Bush just north of Winton remained in the Shaw family for over 100 years. Unfortunately the homestead, a big two-storey one built by Mark and Janet, was raised by fire destroying many family records. Mark and Janet along with daughter Jessie had already moved to Winton. A manager cared for the property. Mark died in 1917 and Janet in 1906. Daughter Jessie died 1960. The family of Mark and Janet were John m. Elizabeth Thomson, Sarah Wilson, Annie m. Sid Day, Jessie who remained single and Thomas m. Jessie Hamilton. 332 descendants. THOMAS THOMSON (1848 - c1934) Thomas, the third son of John and Janet (nee Honeyman), was born 01 Aug 1848 at Perthshire, Scotland arriving in New Zealand on the Lady Raglan in I864 and like his brothers would have worked around Winton as contractors, ploughing, etc. He married Mary Christina Kinross who was born in Melbourne. They took over a block of land at Thomsons Crossing proving himself a very capable farmer. He passed away about 1934 with his wife predeceasing him by three months. Thomas's family are Jessie Hayward, Catherine (Rena) Cleland, Arthur m. A McKenzie and Andrew m Kinross. 44 descendants ROBERT THOMSON (1850 - 19I3) Robert, born 1850 at Auchtermuchty, Scotland, to John and Janet (nee Honeyman) m. Ruth Preston of "The Retreat" Waikiwi, arrived in New Zealand on Lady Raglan 1864 at Port Chalmers then aged about 14. Died 03 Sep 1902 a few years after his wife aged 64 years. Ruth hails from a very prominent pioneer family especially around Waikiwi but more particularly "The Retreat" at Waikiwi. Occupation farmer. Robert's obituary speaks for itself:- The passing away of Mr Robert Thomson of Stirling Park, Lochiel on Wed Nov 26th 1934 diminishes the number of early settlers of Southland. Mr Thomson was the fifth son of the late John Thomson who settled on the Winton Plains 50 years ago. He was a typical pioneer and had his full share of the hard-ships of the early colonists. Mr Thomson assisted his father in farming pursuits for a number of years. He was one of the few noted bullock drivers of the early pioneering days - a time when most of the carting was done by bullock teams. When quite a young man he took charge of a sheep run at Pebbly Hills and afterwards owned a freehold farm at Hedgehope. After disposing of this property he ventured his luck at Poverty Bay, N. I., where he remained for 14 years then returning to Southland. Mr Thomson then took up a farm at Lochiel where he resided for the remainder of his life and was an active member of the community. He was widely read and had a good grasp of public affairs. His services in a public capacity were invaluable to the district. In the early days he was an active member of the Lindhurst Road Board becoming a member at the age of 24 years Mr Thomson was a member of two river boards, a director of the Lochiel Dairy Factory also chairman of different school committees in Southland. He had a happy disposition delighting to relate early day experiences. Mr Thomson leaves a family of seven. His funeral was largely attended.18 The family of Robert were :-- Janet m. Fred Wright, Alice m. George Rose, Ruth m. Richard Butt, Annie m. John Drain, John m. Ivy Horrell, Janey m . Peter Shaw and Olive m John Duthie. 203 descendants. DAVID THOMSON (1852 - 1938) David, born in Scotland 1852, arrived on the Lady Raglan at Port Chalmers on 3 Feb 1864 at the age of 12. He married Margaret Fox, daughter of Mr W G Fox, who was a Police Inspector at Invercargill. Like his brothers he worked on the various contract jobs ultimately taking up a block of 400 acres from the Thomson and Sons partnership of which he was a partner, at Thomsons Crossing. After several years he sold out and retired to corner of Thames & Dee Streets, Invercargill where he and Margaret had a very successful boarding house catering for office and banking executives. He died in 1938. Their family were Julia Maltby, Letty Manchester, Reta Hurring, Phoebe Chapman and David m. Joyce Clark. , 21 descendants. ANNE THOMSON (1854 -1938) (Cunningham) Anne, born Perthshire Scot, 1854, second daughter of John and Janet Thomson arrived N Z 1864 on Lady Raglan. She married James Cunningham on 16 Feb 1882 at her father's home in Winton Plains by the Rev Jas Baird, (Presbyterian) Winton. DEATH Cunningham. At the residence of her son In law Mr W S Horrell, Te Tua, the 15th Nov 1938, Ann the beloved wife of the late James Cunningham, late of Winton; in her 84th year. The funeral will leave the residence of her son in law, Te Tua, on Thursday, the 17th inst, at 12 noon for the Winton Cemetery, arriving about 2.15 pm (via the Farmers' Rest, Oreti. Friends please, accept this (the only) intimation. W D McArthur Funeral Director. OBITUARY inter alia. Mrs Cunningham arrived in N Z with the other members of the Thomson family by the sailing ship Lady Raglan in February 1864, when she was nine years old. Her family settled near Winton, and she proved herself an efficient and hard working housekeeper. As a young women she was known to cook for up to 40 harvest workers for three months even with primitive equipment. Included was the making of the bread. She did this with the utmost good nature. She was an accomplished horsewoman who would ride side-saddle and would even "break in" wild horses. She married Mr James Cunningham, b. Glasgow, a farmer and cattle dealer who pre-deceased her in Dec 1927 after a long illness. Most of their married life they lived in the Gisborne district but returned to Southland in 1900 to live at Benmore, Dipton Flat and Te Tua. Mrs Cunningham spent her later days among her family of whom there are two sons James of Lochiel), John (South Hillend) and two daughters Jessie Burgess, Dipton and Robina Horrell, Te Tua.19 144 descendants WILLIAM THOMSON (1859 - 1953) William b. 1859 was the youngest son arriving on the Lady Raglan in 1864 as a lad of four years. His mother died when he was a few months old. After staying in Invercargill for a while William moved to Winton along (walking & carried by brother John a distance of 20 miles) with the family to live in a sod hut with a thatched roof which his father had built for them behind the Winton school. In an article by Betty Christie the family stayed there till father bought the Council Chambers.20 Incidentally, the school was housed in the Police barracks which had to be evacuated on court days so on occasions the pupils looked in to see the court at work. On one occasion according to Betty Christie, William (or Willie as he was called) hearing a case in court, in which two bullockies had had a row after indulging freely. A witness called to give evidence was asked by the magistrate what his profession was. "A bullock conductor, your worship." Then he was asked his place of residence "Round about the wagon " he said. "But your permanent place of residence?" insisted His Worship, and the witness replied "in the wagon". This man had a very squeaky voice upon which the magistrate had a hard time to maintain order in the court. Betty's article 21 records William as being the first milkman in Winton as the family had a few cows grazing locally for free. His pay was the policeman's pint. After about three years at the school the family purchased 2000 acres on the Winton Plains from Shand Bros, Centre Bush and from there William rode a horse for the five mile journey. A Mr de Joux (whose son later became a member by marriage to the Duthie family, Jack had married Olive Thomson). A later teacher, Dougall Cameron was classed as A 1 and was stricter and he could see, at once, that it would be courting trouble to be too forward, so took no risks. (Very diplomatic was William in many ways) For example, later on the boys at the school went bush (after a lesson on exploring the source of the Nile) during lunchtime and became lost. Arriving back at school at about 3 pm the teacher called them in to explain their absence. William, being one of the biggest and oldest, acted as defence counsel so he said "Please, sir, we went into the bush to find the source of the Nile." Acquitted. Leaving school at 14 William joined the work force with his brothers doing all sorts of labouring jobs around the farm and bullock wagons. William married Mary Lewis Thomson of "Newfield" (no relation) and settled on a block of 300 acres at Thomsons Crossing where he farmed specialising in cropping and breeding horses. It is worthy of note here that John Thomson, son of Mark and Janet Shaw, married Elizabeth Thomson, Newfield, and thus became more closely associated with William who then became a great great uncle to Betty Christie and others twice over. In due course William and Mary retired to "Paterangi" in McMaster St, Invercargill. This is when I came to know and appreciate their qualities. Uncle Willie always had a twinkle in his eye and took an interest in my well being, especially after I commenced my studies for the Presbyterian ministry. He and Auntie Mary often called into the Southland Times office to see my fiancee, Edna Keast. On one occasion in the late 1930's he asked me to meet with his brother David and Margaret, Mary and himself. He had the Thomson family Bible given to John Sr. at his wedding to Janet Honeyman in 1839. Unfortunately the pages containing family births etc. had been torn out. Nevertheless I treasured their gift. Uncle Willie and Auntie Mary, as loyal members of First Church were always present whenever I had occasion to preach there. (Edna and I belonged to St Paul's) Also Edna knew them both, as a child, because living in McMaster St further up she used to go to them for eggs. On one occasion she was given a double yolker as two eggs. Her father made her take it back and get two. Both Edna and I have very happy memories of them both as a loving and caring couple. They were both at our wedding in 1941. No family. DESCENDANTS CHARTS John Thomson (born Perth Nov 1813) and Janet Honeyman (born Perth 19 August 1818) were married on 11th April 1839. Janet died 1861 leaving John a widower with seven sons and two daughters. Three children had already died. The nine surviving children were Peter, James, John, Janet, Thomas, Robert, David, Ann and William. The following descendants charts track the descendants of the nine surviving children who emigrated to New Zealand. * Peter THOMSON and Julia HENDERSON * James THOMSON and Katherine NICOLSON * John THOMSON and Janet WARNOCK * Janet THOMSON and Mark SHAW * Thomas THOMSON and Mary KINROSS * Robert THOMSON and Ruth PRESTON * David THOMSON and Margaret FOX * Ann THOMSON and James CUNNINGHAM * William THOMSON and Mary THOMSON Note: 3 February 2001 The descendants charts have been removed from this version for privacy reasons. Ian, the son of Rev John Gardiner is presently reviewing the database and will post modified data at a future date. 1 The Lyttelton Times Thursday, December 10, 1863 2 Otago Daily Times of 4th February 1864 3 Southland Daily News in Feb 1940 4 Southland Times Monday 3. 1874 (no month) 5 Southland Times Monday 3. 1874 (no month) 6 by Agricultural reporter Southland Times 19 Feb 1878 by courtesy of D G & J S Thomson 7 Southland Times 14 June 1894 8 Southland Times 15 June 1894 9 Southland Times 15 June 1887 courtesy J. McCall Thomson 10 Lochiel School Centenary, p 84 11 Lochiel School Centenary, p 84 12 a letter written by grand pa while on a trip to Scotland 13 Newspaper clipping no date 14 Southland Daily News 7 Feb 1966 15 Southland Daily News 7 Feb 1966 16 John Gardiner, Gardiner Warnock Thomson Begats Update, c1995 17 John Gardiner, Gardiner Warnock Thomson Begats,1993 18 Newspaper cutting - no reference 19 Newspaper cutting no reference 20 an article by Betty Christie 21 an article by Betty Christie 24 DESCENDANTS CHART - William THOMSON and Mary THOMSON 25 DESCENDANTS CHART - William THOMSON and Mary THOMSON