John (Benjamin) GORDON Otaki

[SignalHill]

I am trying to find birth death and burial detailsl for John GORDON
The best reference I have is in CYCLOPEDIA OF NZ 1897   Wellington Province
which refers to "Gordon and Sons (John Benjamin Gordon, George Gordon, and Thomas Gordon), Carpenters and Builders, River Bank Road, Otaki."
John is said to have lived in Otaki from 1854 and been born near Chester, England
He is supposed to have come to Auckland in 1852 on the "Cashmere"   References to the Cashmere don't seem to tie up with 1852.

Family oral history suggests he was part of the "Scottish Constabulary" and married to Lena or Rina TE AKAU the mother of George and Thomas.
George died in 1956 and is buried in the Pukekaraka Catholic Cemetery in Otaki
Thomas died in 1920 and is buried in the "Native Cemetery" - presumably the same Pukekaraka
Rina according to family oral history is buried "up in the Horohoro area" which is her ancestral place of burial.   The modern Marae is Kearoa at the foot of the northern end of the Horohoro Bluff
Rina may be the same person as Hariata Tamihana (later known as Hariata Gordon)

SignalHill

[mckha489]

Working 1895 as Benjamin.

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FS18950806.2.9?items_per_page=10&page=7&phrase=2&query=Benjamin+Gordon+&snippet=true

[mckha489]

Seems to be on the 1896 electoral roll for Otaki,  but not the 1900


This death is Otaki

1897/5757   Gordon   John   67Y

Drills down to 29th December 1897

[SignalHill]

Was originally looking for post 1897 being the publication date of Cyclopaedia of NZ (Wellington Province)
Certainly looks like him

SignalHill

[Lucy2]

John is said to have lived in Otaki from 1854 and been born near Chester, England
He is supposed to have come to Auckland in 1852 on the "Cashmere"   References to the Cashmere don't seem to tie up with 1852.

Hi Signal Hill

Wonder if it was this 1853 "Cashmere" voyage  ??
   
Arrived 9 May 1853 at Auckland ... but look about halfway down column in following link,  to read about why her voyage (which originally commenced in 1852), was delayed.

Passenger list here >   
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZ18530511.2.3
 ... has a "John GORTON"  (near end of list)   

Unsure if there is a more comprehensive list for that voyage.

    ~  Lu

[Lucy2]

This death is Otaki

1897/5757   Gordon   John   67Y

Drills down to 29th December 1897

Above John GORDON not buried at Pukekaraka Catholic Cemetery, Otaki.
[Have details of the other five GORDON family members buried there, if you don't already have them, Signal Hill. ]

    ~   Lu

[SignalHill]

Thanks Mckha & Lu

I have ordered a Death Print-out and transcribed the New Zealander item.

I think you are right Lu.  The Cashmere voyage must be the one - it did leave on the stated year.

Was he buried at Otaki or near Horohoro ?   I am surprised there seems to be no reference to him in the local news given the number of buildings around Otaki which he is supposed to have had a hand in.

Signal

[Lucy2]

I was surprised too that there doesn't appear to be any mention of him and his contracting or building business.

Couldn't find him buried at Otaki (and searched a little north and south of there also.)

As to Horohoro, does the cemetery there adjoin the marae ?   

    ~  Lu 

[SignalHill]

As to Horohoro, does the cemetery there adjoin the marae ?   
   ~  Lu

The current marae church and cemetery only goes back to the 1920s to 30s but my understanding from a grandson of John GORDON is that earlier burials are higher up the mountain on the N E flank

I have details of 4 Gordons buried contiguously at Pukekaraka -- George (son) & Georgina, Grandsons George Thomas Weikerei (known as Wi) and Charles Benjamin Morris.   There is also the earlier John Patrick (grandson) who died aged 18 having dived into a swimming hole and injuring his spine.   I have photos of those 5 graves and one headstone in Otaki Cemetery of Morris Herbert (various spellings aka "Nook or Nuk")
Another grandson Frederick Wilson is buried at Rotorua in the  RSA section.
In all I have some information on 15 children of George and Georgina

Signal