Conrad Major Hamilton

Conrad was the 4th child of Sarah Jane and Enoch. He was born on the 7 February 1882 at New Brighton, Christchurch.

He attended Burwood School, before leaving Christchurch for Springston on the 12 Dec 1890. That appears to be the year that the family moved to start a different adventure. 1890 is also the year after the passing of his grandfather, D. W. Hamilton.

On the 18 September 1912, Conrad married Dorcas Elizabeth Hoskin at the home of her parents at Springston.

Conrad never owned a farm, but he remained engaged in the agricultural sector for most of his life as a farm labourer.

Anecdotally, during the years of the depression, Conrad turned to being a tinker and traveled between towns to earn money with casual offers of help to those that needed it. I have found not concrete evidence for that, but the stories remain.

Conrad and Dorcas had the following children.

ChildBornMarriedChildrenDiedComments
Frederick Ernest *15 Aug 19081932123 Jul 1995Chapman
Hilton Leonard 27 Jun 19131933325 Apr 1975Blowers
Mabel Lillian 12 Oct 19141936–13 Jul 1991Bennett
Ida Jane08 Feb 19171938220 Jul 2006Chambers
Harold David03 Aug 192519462 10 Sep 2003Living
Evelyn Ruth07 Sep 19281949315 Jan 1994Manson

* Frederick was born to Dorcas before marrying.

Conrad and Dorcas raised Frederick, but kept the origin of Frederick as a private matter. It was literally decades later that it became apparent that Frederick was a half-sibling of the other children.

Enoch’s farm, Springston
David and Conrad Hamilton at New Brighton
Conrad and Dorcas on their wedding day, 1912. Denise Hoskin
Dorcas and Conrad
Dorcas and Conrad
Ruth and father, Conrad, 1949
Dorcas and Conrad

Dorcas and Conrad

The couple lived at Tai Tapu for most of their lives.

Conrad and Dorcas’ home at Tai Tapu. Harold and Ida Chambers nee Hamilton, in foreground Photo from late 1940s, early 1950s.

Conrad passed away on the 13 October 1965 and his remains are to be found in the Springston Cemetery

Dorcas passed on 4 years later on the 10 January 1969 is the only great grandparent I remember. She is buried alongside her husband at Springston Cemetery.