"Coptic" - voyage to NZ, 1888Also sharing the "first saloon" accommodation on this voyage, with Lt. STANHOPE and the Doctor, (though contracted to disembark at Auckland), was a
"Mr. R.H. SHAKESPEAR".
And, R.H. (Robert Henry Anson) SHAKESPEAR, was the co-owner with Captain W.S. STANHOPE, of the yacht, "Ilex".
[This following bit is my guesswork
: Travelling with R.H. SHAKESPEAR, was a "Mrs W. R. SHAKESPEAR", whom I believe was "Frances (a.k.a. Fanny) Isabella SHAKESPEAR, his long-time- widowed mother.
R.H. SHAKESPEAR had already lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years, having married Blanche SMITH here in 1878, but it would seem he returned to UK briefly for the purpose of bringing his mother to NZ ?? R.H.S. was born in India 1856 - his father William Ross SHAKESPEAR served in the 3rd Regt. - died in 1861-62 shortly after the birth of another son William Frederick who came to NZ many years later.]
A G
oogle search will bring up much (NZ) information re: R.H. SHAKESPEAR. A newspaper report of January 1897 ("Grey River Argus") records that "Mr R.H. SHAKESPEAR of Whangaparoa, was selected for the position of Caretaker, of Little Barrier Island."
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nzIn one tale of R.H. SHAKESPEAR, it was said that he and his immediate family were the only inhabitants of Little Barrier Island ... though it would now appear that Capt. STANHOPE also resided there for a time.
~ Lu