{"id":39,"date":"2021-10-20T07:13:53","date_gmt":"2021-10-20T07:13:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stark.gen.nz\/wordpress\/?page_id=39"},"modified":"2022-02-21T23:45:56","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T23:45:56","slug":"hamilton","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stark.gen.nz\/wordpress\/hamilton\/","title":{"rendered":"HAMILTON"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

David Wilson HAMILTON was an early pioneer of New Brighton, Christchurch, New Zealand. His story is interesting and through this archive I will try to create an impression of him and his family. DWH was a Carpenter and at some point in 1854 he purchased a run down building in Ashford on the Water for 15 pounds. (record at Derbyshire Archives). Perhaps he intended on renovating it for sale prior to departing to New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1856, he, Martha his wife and 5 children left Derbyshire for London, leaving their home behind for new adventures on the other side of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They departed London on the 5 Jul 1856 on-board the “Joseph Fletcher” and stepped ashore at Lyttelton, near Christchurch on the 24 Oct 1856 . They lost a child on the trip and David’s wife (Martha) died at Lyttelton, 2 weeks after arriving. From that point on, he was a father of 4, with no house, some money and literally no way back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The house in the image above is “The Grange” that DWH would eventually build in New Brighton, which survived until the 1970s until road straightening forced its demolition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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David Wilson HAMILTON (centre, sitting) and some of his family. David died in 1887. Frances nee MOSS to his right died in 1899. Photo from Elizabeth Weissenstein.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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David Wilson HAMILTON and Frances HAMILTON nee CHARLES nee MOSS. It might be prudent to point out that DWH married 3 times and is buried with 2 of them at Holy Trinity Church, Avonside, Christchurch. His first wife, Martha nee HANDLEY is buried at Lyttelton Cemetery in an unmarked grave. Photo from Elizabeth Weissenstein.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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David Wilson Hamilton, Tram Secretary complaining about the state of the road. Image Elizabeth Weissenstein<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Enoch HAMILTON as appearing in a round-framed picture in my Mother’s hallway.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The following section details my direct HAMILTON family, particularly Conrad and Dorcas, who lived most of their lives around Tai Tapu. Conrad was a man of the land who along with Dorcas, had 5 children. There is one wrinkle in this and that in the form of Frederick Ernest HOSKIN. He is actually Dorcas’ first child, so there are really 6 children and hopefully, you can meet them all here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Conrad and David HAMILTON as boys in the late 1800s, near Springston where Enoch farmed.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Wedding Day Photo – Dorcas HOSKIN and Conrad HAMILTON. They were married at the Bride’s parents house on Days Road. 18 September 1912.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Same day, different arrangement. Photo from Denise HOSKIN.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Conrad HAMILTON according to his daughter, Ida, was fantastic as an employee, but not quite so much as self-employed.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Dorcas and Conrad. Photo from Denise HOSKIN.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Dorcas, Pat STARK nee CHAMBERS, Conrad, Philip and Jane MANSON, Ida CHAMBERS nee HAMILTON and Ruth MANSON nee HAMILTON.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Of all things about Dorcas, her round glasses are something that has defined her through her life.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Conrad, Len and I believe Hilton HAMILTON. Somewhere around Tai Tapu or Selwyn Huts, Canterbury, New Zealand. 3 generations of rogue.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Len, Ida and Lil Hamilton<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Children of Conrad and Dorcas HAMILTON. At back from left, Ida, Ruth, Lilian. In front Dave and Len. But we need to include Ernie here too.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n