Myers AUTON (10.1)
Born
14 November 1845 Lakeside Farm, Eavestone / Sawley, Yorkshire, England
Parents
Christopher AUTON age 39 and Jane MYERS age 38
Death of Father
Christopher AUTON died 23 March 1848 at Eavestone, Sawley, Yorkshire, England age 41 when Myers was 3
Birth of Brother
Hardcastle AUTON was born 1849 at Darley, Yorkshire, England when Myers was 4
Education
1851 A school in Bolton Abbey. The Abbey was made available for educational purposes as it was not being used.
Resided
1851 with his widowed mother Jane MYERS, brother Hardcastle AUTON, uncle, Joseph MYERS and grandmother Mary MYERS nee HARDCASTLE at Darley, Yorkshire, England
1861 with the family of Luke BLACKBURN at Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, England working as an apprentice.
Death of Prince Albert
14 December 1861 Myers AUTON was living in Yorkshire, England in 1861 when Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert died suddenly
Death of Brothers
Thomas AUTON died 7 April 1866 at Grantley, Yorkshire, England when Myers was 20
Christopher AUTON died 11 September 1866 at Ripon, Yorkshire, England when Myers was 20
Barnsley Mine Disaster
12 December 1866 Myers AUTON was living in Yorkshire, England around the time of the Oaks Colliery explosion, an event that exemplified the dangers of the mining industry.
Married
Myers AUTON married Annie HOLDSWORTH 26 May 1867 Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, England when he was 21 years old
Birth of Children
Jane (Janey) AUTON born 12 August 1867 Sawley, Yorkshire, England
Hannah Deborah AUTON born 20 November 1868 Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, England
Agnes AUTON born 11 March 1905 at Pately Bridge, Yorkshire, England
Occupation
1871 – 1881 Painter and Wall Paperer
1882 recorded as working on the Wesleyan Chapel at Lofthouse, Yorkshire, England most likely as a painter
Resided
1871 at 47 Town Street Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, England
1871 at High Street, Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, England
Birth of Son
Christopher Kidd AUTON born 29 February 1872 Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, England
Birth of Children
Thomas AUTON 13 March 1875 Pately Bridge, Yorkshire, England
Mary (Alice) AUTON 13 January 1876 Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, England
Annie AUTON 15 November 1877 Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, England
Death of Mother
Jane MYERS died May 1879 Sawley, Yorkshire, England aged 72
Birth of Daughters
Elizabeth AUTON born 21 October 1879 Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, England
Maggie AUTON Maggie AUTON was born 6 September 1881 Yorkshire, England
Resided
1881 at Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, England
Holidays
Once a year the family went to Scarborough for holidays when they lived in Yorkshire, England
Occupation
1883 Farmer and Painter
Emigrated
1883 To New Zealand on the ship Crusader with wife Annie HOLDSWORTH and children Christopher AUTON, Thomas AUTON, Alice AUTON, Annie AUTON, Elizabeth AUTON and Maggie AUTON and cousins Christopher AUTON, Margaret Ann AUTON, and their children Elizabeth AUTON, Joseph William AUTON, Annie Louisa AUTON.
Printed in ‘The Press’ Saturday 24 1883 – Re The Crusader Voyage
Messrs Shaw, Savill and Co’s well known ship Crusader arrived on Thursday night with 381 immigrants on board, nominated by friends resident in the colony. they voyage from London or from leaving Plymouth, where the passengers embarked, to anchoring off the Heads, occupied ninety-four days, and was as to weather remarkable for freedom from severe gales and unpleasantly strong winds and stormy seas. The ship anchored at the heads on Thursday night, and while there was struck by one of the hard squalls, which broke her cable, and the anchor had to be let go to bring her up. The steam tug Lyttleton went down for her yesterday morning and towed her up to an anchorage of Ripa Island. She was cleared by the Health Officer, and after inspection by the Immigration Commissioners, the friends of those on board were admitted, and during the day a large number of passengers were landed.
The vessel came into port in admirable order, aloft and allow, reflecting every credit upon Mr Richards, the chief officer. the ‘tween decks were occupied wholly by the immigrants, and the condition of single men’s quarters down the fore hatch, the married people’s down the main hatch, and the single women’s down aft was all that could be wished, everything being beautifully clean and orderly.
Dr Husband, now finishing his fourteenth voyage to the colonies in charge of immigrant ships, and who was here last in the ship Rakia, is to be congratulated upon the success of his work. He had a busy time of it with measles from soon after starting to making the Cape of Good Hope, and he reports on death of an infant Fergan, of convulsions. Mrs Toombs gave birth to a female child during the voyage. The doctor gives the passengers a first-class name for orderly behaviour and respect for authority, and expresses his satisfaction at the way in which the matron, Mrs Jackson discharged the responsible duties of that position over 166 single women. The later complained a little of the stringency of Mrs Jackson’s regulations, but no doubt saw the propriety of the extreme circumspection they imposed on the voyage ended. Dr Husband wishes to mention the services of Mrs Johnson, Mrs McPherson and Miss Phynn in the capacity of assistants. He also reports that the medical stores put on board were of first quality and abundance. The passengers themselves speak in high terms of his attention, and of the courtesy of the officers, mentioning especially the kindly and sociable manner of the master. Captain Lewellyn Davis, an old and able commander in the employ.
A very sad occurrence took place while running down the easting. On March 6th, the ship was in 46,35S, 125.2E and travelling at 11 knots an hour. It was about noon when a boy named Edward was leaning over the bulwarks and overbalanced, falling into the trough of a heavy sea. Captain Davis, on the poop at the time, had a moment before told the lad to get down, and he noticed the little fellow go over instantly backed the yards and hauled up the courses and as the Doctor states ‘with astonishing smartness he had the boat lowered’. The poor little fellow was seen astern once from the ship, struggling in the water, and a life buoy was thrown to the spot by the master. The boat was out over an hour, but the search was fruitless.
Enquiries made amongst the passengers as to the dietary scale elicited the most satisfactory replies. The food was of good quality, and very liberal in quantity.
The monotony of the voyage was relieved from time to time by concerts and entertainment.
The names of the officers of the Crusader are Mr Richards, chief, Mr Edwards, second, and Mr Enon, third.
Birth of Son
William Thirkill AUTON born 25 March 1883 Christchurch, New Zealand
Resided
1883 – 1884 at 22 Stewart Street, South Belt, Christchurch, New Zealand
Occupation
1883 Farmer. Also continued to work as a Painter and Wall Paper Hanger in Christchurch, New Zealand. Myers would take his horse to Barry’s Bay where he collected red strata clay, which he used for pigment in his paints
Birth of Daughter
Jessica AUTON born 14 January 1885 Christchurch, New Zealand
Death of Brother
Hardcastle AUTON died in 1885 at Leeds, Yorkshire, England when Myers was 40
Birth of Daughter
Nellie AUTON born 13 September 1886 Christchurch, New Zealand
Resided
1886 at St Alban’s Lane, Christchurch, New Zealand
1886 – 1902 at Montreal Street, Sydenham, Christchurch, New Zealand
1887 at Hazeldean Road, Christchurch, New Zealand
Death of Daughter
Nellie AUTON died 17 February 1887 Christchurch, New Zealand
Birth of Daughter
Kate AUTON 1 January 1888 Addington, Christchurch, New Zealand
Resided
1888 at New Brighton Road, Christchurch, New Zealand
Birth of Son
Frank Myers AUTON born 1 June 1891 Christchurch, New Zealand
Resided
1892 at Northcote Road, Papanui, Christchurch, New Zealand
Birth of Son
Samuel Myers AUTON born 17 February 1893 Christchurch, New Zealand
Death of Brother
William AUTON died 9 January 1895 at Eavestone, Sawley, Yorkshire, England when Myers was 49
Marriage of Son
Thomas AUTON married Margaret Maria MORGAN 1899 New Zealand
Maggie AUTON married Alfred Ernest ROWSE 1907 New Zealand
Resided
1918 at Cuffs Road, Sandilands, Christchurch, New Zealand
Marriage of Children
Annie AUTON married Richard WAKELIN 17 July 1901 Palmerston North, New Zealand
Resided
1905 – 1906 at Bickerton’s Road, Christchurch, New Zealand working as a painter
Elizabeth AUTON married Harold Beauchamp LOW
William Thirkill AUTON married Emily Gladys Frances LEIGH 1911 New Zealand
Kate AUTON married William Thomas Wallace RUTLEDGE 31 July 1917 Wesley Church, East Belt, Christchurch, New Zealand. Witnesses: Jessica AUTON 66 Cuffs Road, New Brighton, Christchurch and Arthur KEPPLE, Builder, 139 Strickland Street, Spreydon, Christchurch
Samuel Myers AUTON married Mabel Sarah CLEMENT 1916 New Zealand
Death of Son-in-Law
Richard WAKELIN (husband of Annie AUTON) died 1919 Akaroa, New Zealand
Marriage of Daughter
Annie AUTON married Frederick James ROWEBERRY 1 December 1920 at 44 Cowlishaw Street, Avonside, Christchurch, New Zealand
Died
23 January 1919 at 66 Cuffs Road, Sandilands, Christchurch, New Zealand
Buried
25 January 1919 at Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch, New Zealand
Cause of Death
Apoplexy (Stroke) 16 Days, Cardiac Failure
Headstone
In Loving Memory of Myers AUTON (1845 – 1919) Born in Sawley, Yorkshire. Annie AUTON (1848 – 1927 Born in Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, beloved wife of the above. Their eldest daughter Janey STORER born in Pately Bridge, Yorkshire. John STORER husband of the above. Anne ROGERSON daughter of Janey and John STORER wife of Harry ROGERSON and beloved mother of Judith and Preston.
Will
6 June 1897 – Everything to Wife Annie HOLDSWORTH
Probate
Filed 29 January 1919 Supreme Court, Canterbury District. Sworn under the value of 1000 pounds and that the testator died on 23 January 1919
Memories of My Grandparents by Ruby Campbell nee Carey
To me my grandparents were always old – My Grandmother Annie AUTON – a gentle fresh-complexioned smiling person in a black frock, with a wide white embroidered collar.
My grandfather – Myers AUTON – shy bearded man, wearing a smoking cap, sitting in a rocking chair beside a polished range in a long kitchen, keeping the fire fuelled from the pile of wood on the hearth. The words ‘thee, thou and thine’ in his speech made fascinating listening.
My grandparents commenced their married life in Pately Bridge, Yorkshire, England where they lived in a two-story stone house behind a shop, which helped to provide a living. Nine children were born there, and to give them a chance in life it was decided to emigrate to Canada. Two different stories make it clear that some mistake was made in the booking, and the family sailed to New Zealand in the ‘Crusader’ one of the fastest sailing ships at the time….
…Before leaving England an auction sale was held which lasted for 3 days and list of articles for sale occupied a full page of the newspaper. These facts gave me the impression that the shop and house were large, but when I went to Pately Bridge I found only one short narrow street of shops, and nowhere could I see one as large as the one that existed in my imagination.
In Christchurch my grandfather who was trained as a coach painter, worked as a painter in the Addington Workshops and after living for short periods in Stewart Street, Hazeldean Road, Poulson Street in Addington and Northcote Road, Papanui he bought an 11 acre property about three miles from Cathedral Square on the corner of Cuffs and Pages Road on the way to New Brighton. The Postal address was 66 Cuffs Road.
The house had the narrowest and steepest stairs I had ever encountered, and gave me a feeling of great insecurity. The approach was by a long drive, lined on both sides by tall trees. The great achievement was to walk from the gate to the house, stepping on shadows only. The drive lead to the back door where a large area had been paved with bricks. Hens ran freely in the back yard and laid their eggs in all sorts of places, and these with a few cows and pigs and a large vegetable garden, provided most of the food.
Just off the kitchen was the dairy, on the shelves of which stood large round shallow pans of milk, waiting for the cream to rise, yellow cream, so thick that it wrinkled as it was skimmed.
The children were sent to Bromley School in Clogs, but having minds of their own, they severed their shoes in their school bags, and changed into them after leaving home, then back into the clogs for the return entry into the house.
The upbringing was fairly strict; dancing was not allowed; so the teenagers retired early and when darkness fell, left the house by the window instead of the door.
There were always cousins to play with and what fun we had. We tried to make shapes in the hot dry sand and did unmentionable things to dampen it. One day we were seen by an Aunt and called inside to be told we mustn’t do things like that! I stood looking at my mother and the Aunts. All were laughing! Odd people, these grown-ups I thought.
Transport was by horse and trap – an old horse named Masha. The trap held four people sitting in twos back to back. As a child I was always put in the back. What a nightmare!…
…The property has long since been sold and subdivided. Firstly houses were built there, some of these subsequently being demolished, and at present (1983) in the corner there is a large Motel complex known as Admiral Lodge.
They were a very happy family and one must pay tribute to the older ones, particularly to Janey, the eldest, who seems to have spent most of her early life bringing up the younger ones. She did a good job.
Yorkshire Days – By Nell SANDERSON
Mail was slower in those days and when sponsorship papers came through they (Myers and Annie AUTON had only three weeks to sell up the business and get the family equipped. Each child was fitted with two pairs of new boots. they took the train from Pately Bridge to Portsmouth, traveling in a special carriage.
In New Zealand grandfather did odd painting and decorating jobs until he joined the Railway Workshops. when he got home he liked peace and quiet and bought a wooden washing-up bowl so that there would be less noise when the dishes were being done.
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Sources:
10.1 Myers AUTON and Annie HOLDSWORTH English Marriage Certificate
10.1 Crusader Passenger List Government Assisted Immigrants 1883
10.1 Information about the ‘Crusader’ From Savill, d (1986) Sail to New Zealand London Robert Hale
10.1 AUTON, Myers, 1861 England Census, Yorkshire, Bishopside
10.1 AUTON, Myers 1871 England Census, Yorkshire, Bishopside
10.1 AUTON, Myers, West Yorkshire, England, Electoral Registers, West Riding East 1878
10.1 AUTON, Auton, 1881 England Census, Yorkshire, High and Low Bishopside
10.1 AUTON, Myers, West Yorkshire, England Electoral Registers West Riding East 1884
10.1 New Zealand School Register Project, Bromley School, Papanui School
10.1 Myers AUTON Business Card, Hazeldean, Sydenham, Christchurch, New Zealand
10.1 AUTON, Myers, New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1905 – 1906, Canterbury, Avon
10.1 Certified Copy of Entry of Death in the Registrar-General’s Office, Christchurch, New Zealand
10.1 AUTON, Myers Last Will and Testament, New Zealand 6 June 1897
10.1 AUTON, Myers Notice of Motion for Grant of Probate
10.1 AUTON, Myers, Deaths. Star, Issue 12536, 24 January 1919
10.1 AUTON, Myers, Deaths. Lyttleton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18006, 24 January 1919