Gee !
While I’ve been otherwise engaged, this thread has gained wings. Thank you to all who have contributed. So another late night checking out your discoveries.
The ss Simlah was one I had had a look at, as it’s destination was advertised as New Plymouth, but was hesitant as the Waikato Times advert had added (1853) following the word Christmas. So to my mind it was a toss up if the sailing was in the new year of 1853 or 1854.
Minniehaha your find especially the letter re Cpt TURNBULL gives initials against the SHEPHERD’S & child, which other press passenger lists do not. A clincher.
One child came out with them, and confirmed in passenger list re sailing from Taranaki 17/10/1853 to Auckland.
Especially also the part about going for shelter in Kawhia. So in just two days we have gone from no proof, as to whom the author was, to good evidence now.
I would tend to place more weight upon what Annie wrote, [but acknowledging it was written as a tale for the Grand Kids, 37 years after the event,] than obituary material supplied by person’s unknown.
The Charles Edwin SHEPHERD obit rests well with his Mother’s account, but is his age a little out for a Middlesex birth in late 1852? Perhaps I should also return to MOTAT who hold the best NEW ZEALAND FARMER archive, to see what he published.
However there is some leeway appearing, from the facts that we have been able to establish. I have not been able to find a death listing for son James born at Waiuku 24/10/1860 and according to Grandmama, died shortly after his father’s death 21/11/1861.
I did go looking for a Miss KEET, [the reported unmarried sister] in the Taranaki press, and then NZ wide, without success. Wondering if that was a mis-spelt name by the person who published it.
Attached another edited quote with reference to the married sister at new Plymouth that they set out to link up with.
My sister (the unmarried one) was waiting for me on the beach, and my brother-in-law (Mr B.) just arrived as we landed. He had only heard the night before of the arrival of our vessel, and lived three miles away, hence the delay. The walk of three miles on a dreadful bush road nearly finished me, it being all mud and deep ruts. I gave up once or twice, but after a rest started again………… When we arrived at the farm where they lived, my brother-in-law cooed, and my sister and her little boy came out to meet us. How she surprised me, when she left England she was a slight graceful woman, she was now fat and ruddy……………. My brother-in-law was in partnership with Mr 0. B. They have both attained high positions in New Zealand, so I do not mention their names.
Will add a couple of attachments.
Thanks, must run.
Alan.
30/10/20 Edit replaced passenger table. Ship left out. Half asleep.
