26.RobertFurness, born Abt. 1828 in Bethnal Green, England; died 4 February 1868 in Hokitika, NZ (Source: NZ Births Deaths and Marriages
408/1868). He was the son of 52. JamesEarlFurness and 53. ElizabethTyser. He married 27. ElizaBetty 17 November 1851 in Hackney, England (Source: GRO England
17/1851).
27.ElizaBetty, born Abt. 1828 in Kenilworth, England; died 9 February 1868 in Hokitika, NZ (Source: NZ Births Deaths and Marriages
409/1868). She was the daughter of 54. ThomasBetty and 55. AnnWoodhouse.
Notes for Robert Furness:
Y.O.B. Headstone 44 yrs when died = D.O.B.1824; James Betty Y.O.B.
1860 Father's age on B.cert 34 = D.O.B. 1826; D.O.M: James Beatty's
B.C.
Family Story: Robert and Eliza were standing on the porch of
their pub
Microfiche e Cemetery Transcripts: Hokitika Cemetery Row
12 #106 In loving memory of Jackie infant sone (sic) of Mr & Mrs T.
Bennett. "Deeply Regretted." Also Robert & Eliza Furness d. at
Woodstock 3rd & 4th July 1868 aged 44 & 42. Death Cert: D.O.D. 4th
February 1868 Family Story: R. & E.
Left England & went to Sth Africa
first then to Australia and then NZ. Robert's occupation is noted on
James's Australian B.C. as a Miner.
Y.O.B. Headstone: 42yrs when died = D.O.B.1826; James Beatty Y.O.B.
1860.Mother's age on Cert 32 = D.O.B.1828; Hugh Winters noting of
Y.O.B. 1832? Date of death on headstone is 4 July 1868 which is
incorrect.
BIBLE INSCRIPTION: Eliza Furness from Nora Letitia Jordan.
Leamington. 1853. (this could be the year Eliza and Robert left
England)
Nora Letitia Furness B.Mar 9 1855
George William Furness B. Jul 14 1857 Died June 16 1861 4yrs 11mths
Robert Henry Furness B. Oct 23 1858
James Beattie B. Dec 23 1861
Eliza Anne B. June 29 1862
Edmond Earl B. July 26 1864
The spelling of Betty is not consistent with the
birth cert of James nor is his Y.O.B. so this could have been written
by someone other than Eliza !Source:Birth:Victoria Australia,1854/908.
Marriage:NZ 1871/1239; Marriage Index Folio# 910 Marriage Index Folio#
502; !Source: Elizabeth Furness Bible Full name written in bible with
list of all children of Robt and Eliza, Hugh Winters has noted his
name as Edmund Thomas. Greymouth Cemetery: Microfiche Transcripts:
Edmund Earle D. 1958 A 58 - Sec 4 Row 19 #30 19 21 extensions
(buried with Agnes & Mary Edith)
Source!Birth:NZ1881/1552Marriage:1919/553
Occupation: Private 8th Reinforcement Nth Canterbury Westland World
War 1 Source 1949 electoral roll !Source: IGI Index Marriages Folio
#502 !Source; Microfiche Transcripts, Greymouth headstones: Agnes
Furness 1928 A. 55 Sec. 4 Row 19 #30 1921 Extensions (Buried with
Edmund Earle & Mary Edith) !Source: CV Furness, place of death.
!Microfiche Transcripts Greymouth Cemetery: Leslie Thomas Gallipoli
1915 A. 20. Sec. 4 Row 17 #7 (Shared headstone with George; & James
drowned A. 16 1942) 1921 extensions '!Source: Self Ah ha my name -
Bob's wife Jean supplied the info on the children of Edmond and Agnes
Furness' children and spelt the name Annia could be a mistake maybe
not. The birth year is a calculated guess in that it is the only Anna
Furness (note that damnable spelling again) born within the years of
feasibility, further checking is continuing as this individual
intrigues me to say the least.
Source!Birth:NZ 1897/2956 Marriage:NZ1919/553 Source!
Birth:NZ1919/4224 Source!Birth NZ 1920/6945 Hughs file states birth
in 1946 Nelson NZ. Our info says born 1923 Woodstock NZ. Hughs records
state this individual born in Nelson 1960. Robert and Eliza Hale Lost
their lives in the wreck of the S.S. Penguin off Terawhiti Wellington
on the night of 12 Feb 1909. His wife Marion wouldnt get into the
life boat without him. Buried Karori Cemetery Wellington.
Ainna's husband was killed in a duckshooting accident at a young age. As the
story goes he was with a friend in a boat, shooting ducks and stood
up in front of his friend just as his friend fired the gun. Ainna was
so devastated by her husbands death she willed herself to die too.
In fact that was exactly what happened despite family and friends
pleading with her to think of their young son. She apparently died
of a broken heart a relatively short time after her husband.
!Source: Viv & Ash Furness Reid Cowan was and maybe still is in Timaru
where he worked as a surveyor.
West Coast Times 4 Feb 1868
We have given full details of the sad the catastrophe
by which Mr Furness, of Woodstock, met his sudden and
violent death; and from the accounts that reach us at
the hospital, of the condition of his unfortunate
widow, there is too much reason to fear that the 5
young children of the family will be left helpless
orphans. It is seldom that a more pitiable case comes
before the public. Mr Furness and his wife were
greatly respected by their neighbours-a profit of
which we may mention that a sum of upwards of $30 was
subscribed amongst them on Tuesday to mee the
immediate exigencies of the case. Large relief is,
however, required; and an appeal is made to the public
for assistance. The Benevolent society will,
doubtless, contribute something from its funds,
but we are requested to state that subscription lists
will be left.
