John and Katherine Todd

(Eastern face of marble obelisk) In loving memory of John the beloved husband of Katherine Todd who died 14 August 1910, aged 75 years.

(Southern side of obelisk) In loving memory of Katherine, the beloved wife of John Todd, who died November 28th 1912, aged 60 years.

Historical information

Katherine lived on St Georges Road at the time of her death. (Death notice, NZ Herald, 29 November 1912, p.1)

John Todd was a farmer at Avondale by c.1888 (Notice, Star 22 October 1888) and served on the Board of Managers for Avondale Presbyterian Church. (Auckland Star, 22 January 1891, p. 3) By 1898, he had a six-roomed house in New Lynn.

FIRE AT AVONDALE.

On Monday forenoon a fire took place at Avondale, which resulted in the destruction of a dwelling house, owned by Mrs. Catherine Todd. She had been engaged in washing in an outhouse, and on going into the kitchen found the kitchen walls in flames. Her husband was working a short distance from the house, and she at once called him, and the men at Craig's brickyard also came to their assistance. Owing to the fire having such a strong hold before it was discovered, there was only time to remove a couch, sewing machine, and a few articles of trifling value. Mrs. Todd had left a fire on in the kitchen on a colonial oven, and it is supposed that the destruction of the house was caused by a spark from this fire, which was of shingles which had been taken off the roof a few days previously, and replaced by iron. The house was insured for £135, and the furniture for £60, both insurances being in the South British. The property was worth about £500. (NZ Herald 2 January 1901)

It appears John and Katherine were the parents of Avondale and New Lynn contractor Samuel Henry Todd (born 1877). Possible other children: Margaret Smellie Buchanan (1878), John Joseph (1882), Agnes Nelson (1885), John (1886), David (1891).