Sinclair Family

James Paterson Sinclair died 28 September 1882, aged 72; also John Boyd McMillan, eldest son of above, died 12 April 1887, aged 28; also Jane Sinclair, wife and mother of above, died 16 December 1916, aged 96; erected by his affectionate wife; also James Paterson Sinclair, son of above, died 3 February 1939, aged 79

Historical information

James P Sinclair Sr. originated from Gallowayshire, Scotland. He died "after a long illness, borne with Christian patience". (Death notice, Auckland Star, 29 September 1882, p. 2)

Our Swanson correspondent writes: It is with feelings of sincere regret that I have to record the death of Mr John Sinclair, storekeeper, Swanson, who died on April 12, after an illness of about six weeks. The deceased gentleman, although but a short time resident in Swanson had, by his kindly manner and by his honourable and upright business dealings, gained the esteem and respect of all with whom he came in contact. The sincere and heartfelt sympathy of all the residents of this district will, I am certain, be with his aged widowed mother, who was most assiduous and untiring in her attentions to her son during his illness. The deceased gentleman was brother to Mr James Sinclair, of Queen-street, Auckland, commission agent. The funeral left Swanson on Thursday for Avondale, where his mother and brother reside. What makes the matter still more painful is the fact that the deceased, who was a young man in the prime of life, was to have been married a few weeks ago, when the fatal illness overtook him.

(NZ Herald, 21 April 1887, p. 5)

MRS J P SINCLAIR.

In her 97th year there died at Papakura on Sunday last Mrs Jane Sinclair, who had lived in the Auckland district ever since she landed here 57 years ago, with her late husband, Mr James Paterson Sinclair, and two infant sons. It is indeed averred that in these 57 years Mrs Sinclair has never been more than 20 miles from the city. Since the death of her husband in 1883 Mrs Sinclair has lived with her son Mr J P Sinclair, first at Swanson, and for the last 14 years his farm at Papakura. Mrs Sinclair was able to relate many stirring anecdotes of her recollections of the Maori war and of early settlers' experiences. Her family and friends attribute her long span of life to the fact that she lived quietly and simply, and never allowed little worries to disturb her genial and equable disposition. To the last she retained all her faculties excepting only a slight failure of the eyesight. Her remains were laid to rest in the Presbyterian cemetery at Avondale on Sunday, her old minister and friend, the Rev. Robert Somerville officiating.

(NZ Herald 22 December 1916, p. 9)

James P Sinclair Jr. was the subdivider of Sinclair Square (now Himikera Avenue, off Blockhouse Bay Road). He was living in Takanini when he died in 1939. (Death notice, Auckland Star, 3 February 1939, p. 1)

Row D, plot 2