John (Benjamin) GORDON Otaki

[Lucy2]

Just re-checking what the Cyclopedia entry actually said.   

http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc01Cycl-t1-body-d4-d121-d3.html

 ...   "Mr John GORDON the founder of the firm, has resided in Otaki for over 40 years" ...


And it goes on to say ... he arrived in Auckland by the "Cashmere" in 1852 where he stayed for 2 years before coming to the district  ... [district being Otaki]
We now know that the "Cashmere" voyage (through misfortune) didn't arrive in NZ until May 1853.

By my reckoning, (and I'm lousy with maths), if this Cyclopedia reference was published in 1897,

 >  1897 less say, 40 years =  1857
 >  less about 2 years spent in Auckland = 1855
 >  less another year ('cos he'd been in Otaki over 40 years) = 1854
     ...  overall, dates not too far removed from his "supposed" arrival in mid-1853.   

          ~  Lu

[SignalHill]

Where did the two different arrival times in NZ come from ?

George signed the Death Cert which I read as "30 years in NZ" = arr 1867

I would have thought that The Cyclopaedia info "arr 1852 per Cashmere"also came directly or indirectly from George.
John was sick for the last half of 1897 and Thomas was probably in Rotorua

15 years seems too a long period to be put down to memory slippage

Signal

[SignalHill]

Here is the "Birth info" on D Cert printout

Signal

[SignalHill]

Some digging in Cheshire records has found the following which may be related

Parish of St Michael Macclesfield     21 March 1830
John GORDON s. o. William GORDON a weaver and Elizabeth residing at Macclesfield
and
Parish of St Michael Macclesfield     29 September 1844
Thomas George GORDON s.o. William GORDON a weaver and Elizabeth residing at Hurdsfield

Could John (Benjamin) GORDON have called two of his sons Thomas and George from his brother's names ?

A crash in the silk industry in 1851 precipitated a lot of emigration from Macclesfield.

The problem I see is that Macclesfield (though in Cheshire County) is a lot closer to Manchester than it is to Chester

This seems the best working theory I have at the moment.

Signal

[Lucy2]

The John GORDON b. Macclesfield is still in England in 1861 with widowed mother Elizabeth.

1861 census  -  Macclesfield

GORDON - John - 32 - Silk warper (looks like) - b. Macclesfield
 also siblings - Mary, William, Joel and Thomas Geo.

    ~  Lu

[SignalHill]

Thanks Lucy

Couldn't see any other John Gordons in CPRdb System so maybe its in a Parish whose records are not covered or outside of Cheshire .... or even wrong information in the Cycopaedia.

Signal

[mattwilson76]

Hi my name is Matthew Wilson , John Benjamin Gordon is my Great Great Grandfather . John to George(te Oti Kotene)Gordon  to Mary Ellen Gordon to Gordon Hector Wilson to James(Jim) Wilson to me. I would really love to know details of Rena Gordon (maiden name TeAkau) who married John Benjamin as I believe she is Daughter or Granddaughter to TeAkau 5th and most prominent wife of Te Rauparaha. I need to prove this connection. Te Akau came from Horohoro and Rotorua region. She firstly married Ngati Raukawa chief Hape-ki-tu-a-rangi . She and her tribe Ngati Tuara came to Otaki with Te Rauparaha . She encouraged her tribe down who were famous canoe builders.

[SignalHill]

Hi Matt

Welcome to Rootschat
If you post 2 more messages I can send you a Personal Message with details I have from family sources and other info.    PMs are a way to exchange info not otherwise allowed on Rootschat.   (information on living persons etc).

If your father is still alive his name should be removed from your original post to keep to Rootschat policy.

My information on your line stops at your grandfather Gordon Hector though I see on his Death Cert that you have one aunt and six uncles on that side of your family
The info you have noted on Rena corresponds with what I have though I have not seen the number 5th wife of Te Rauparaha
Another family member is currently searching in Maori Land Court records for details of Rena.
Our branch of the family originally had Rena noted as Lena ((English form of the name)

I have Death Cert (printout) for John (Benjamin) and Georgina nee DUNN wife of George also George & Georgina Marriage( printout)

Signal

[mattwilson76]

Hi Signal thanks so much for the reply, I would love to have anything you have on Rena TeAkau or John Gordon if that is possible.
I actually have a marriage cert and other info on Rena proving her name was Rena not Lena- it is from Thomas , Georges brother marriage.
 I have info on Maori land at Horohoro.
 I have court docs also that show George Gordon is descended from TeAkau to Rena TeAkau to George. Te Akau's brother Kipihana was as a big chief at Horohoro.
talk soon I will post again so I comply to receive info.
I am still working through things though to confirm what I have.
talk soon cheers