Bloxham Family

In loving memory of Mary Ann, beloved wife of Henry Bloxham, died 7 September 1932, aged 80 years. At Rest.

Also of her beloved husband Henry Bloxham, died 26 May 1933, in his 82nd year.

Forever with the Lord.

Historical information

MRS MARY ANN BLOXHAM.

A resident of New Zealand for 58 years, Mrs Mary Ann Bloxham, of Mountain Road, Mount Albert, has died at the age of 79 years. She was the wife of Mr Henry Bloxham, and arrived in New Zealand from London in the ship Dunfillan in 1874, landing at Port Chalmers. Mrs Bloxham is survived by her husband and the following children: Mesdames F Smith, A Payne, W Twidle, J Rutledge (Auckland), S Turk (Sydney), H Foley (Auckland); Messrs. H J Bloxham (Gisborne), P Bloxham (Te Awamutu), and F Bloxham (Pukekohe). One son died in the Great War. Mrs S Turk was the first white child to be born at Herekino. There are 39 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

(Auckland Star, 20 September 1932, p. 3)

Henry Bloxham, Block 11., Section 6, Herekino Survey District.—Living on section with his wife and family. A nikau whare built. About half an acre of garden with seeds sown. A quantity of stumps cut, and a plot of ground cleared. Expected a cow and a calf on the ground in about a week's time. Extremely well pleased with his section.

(“Report on Herekino Village Homestead Special Settlement” AJHR 1887, C-13, p. 3)

THE HEREKINO SETTLERS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Mrs Ford was good enough to wait upon me some fortnight since, stating much as appeared in your columns on Thursday. I immediately wrote to Mr Bloxham asking for an explanation, which I received by today's mail, and send the following extracts:

"Writing with my knowledge, though against my will, I may regret my wife doing so, but I can do no more. You know a mother's feelings, seeing her children going about without clothes, and insufficient food, which, of course, pleads her excuse."

Mr B then details the troubles he has had during the past six months, and says, “With all this I have struggled on. What was written to you was the solid truth, and Mrs Ford had no right to say what she did. I have now no cows; to procure beef I had to kill. The horse I have, you may call it no horse, as it is dangerous to pack with. Having a large family of girls who can give little help in working bush land, it is heavy work for one pair of shoulders. My children are unable to go to school for lack of clothing and food, and they go about with flour sacks. I have always kept, as I honourably ought, my troubles to myself, but regretting, as I may, my wife's writing, I owe it to myself to clear any imputation Mrs Ford tries to foist on me."

Appended to the letter is the following: “We, the undersigned, having read the above statement, certify that it is correct in every particular. Henry C. Purcell, Joseph Baker, J B Parnell, Richard Vercoe, John Bowerman."

Mrs Ford states that all the settlers would be very thankful for seeds and cuttings. This, I learn from several sources, would be a great help to all the village settlers, and unless supplied by someone, there will be great distress next winter. As several friends called and wrote respecting this case, I promised them to publish the reply. By your permission I trust this will close the correspondence, as it entails the loss of time, which I cannot well spare. At the same time it is pleasing to know that the publicity through your columns has been of benefit to the village settler.— I am, etc., R. French. August 28th, 1891.

(Auckland Star, 29 August 1891, p. 2)

Herekino was a special government settlement in Northland promoted by John Ballance, with the Government shipping settlers there from January 1887. However, there were early reports of lack of roads, followed by starvation by the middle of 1888. By July 1892, out of 125 sections allotted, only 25 families remained. In 1893, it was described as better for grazing in large blocks, than as any kind of closer settlement. The settlement scheme itself proved a failure there, but the township continued.

Plot 15, Row D, Bloxham family grave site