Elizabeth Lanfear
Elizabeth Lanfear
(9 October 1853 - 17 August 1937)
Family background
Elizabeth Lanfear was born in Westbury Leigh, Wiltshire, southern England, on Sunday, 9 October 1853. She was the youngest child of James Lanfear (10 Oct 1808 - 21 Dec 1882) and his wife Mary Anne Kates (12 May 1810 - 1865). James Lanfear was born in Dilton Marsh, Wiltshire, and Mary Kates was born nearby, in Frome, Somerset. Following James and Mary's wedding in Corsley, Wiltshire on 30 March 1834, they settled in Dilton Marsh, and had the following family:
- Matilda Lanfear (25 Dec 1834 - 1st qtr 1862)
- Thomas Lanfear (11 Apr 1838 - at least 1851, as he appears in the UK Census of 1851)
- Elizabeth Lanfear (1840 - Apr 1840)
- Emma Lanfear (15 June 1841 - 24 May 1863)
- Louisa Lanfear (1 June 1847 - before 1851, as she doesn't appear in the UK Census of 1851)
- Elizabeth Lanfear (9 Oct 1853 - 17 Aug 1937)
It is interesting to note that Elizabeth's older siblings: Matilda, Thomas, and Emma, were all baptised on 12 April 1846 in Dilton Marsh church (probably in the new Holy Trinity Church which was opened in 1844), along with two other girls from the village. While Matilda was 11 years old at the time, Thomas was one day shy of his eighth birthday, and Emma was four years old. It is unclear why the children were baptised together on this occasion, but it could quite likely be linked to the Great Famine (1845-1849), in which the potato crop failed, leading to widespread starvation and disease across Europe and the United Kingdom. Perhaps James and Mary Lanfear wanted their children to be baptised as a safeguard. Baptismal records for the youngest two girls have not yet been found.
In 1852 England introduced a vaccination programme in an attempt to control the devastating smallpox disease. By 1853 it was compulsory to have children vaccinated. Elizabeth received her compulsory vaccination when she was six weeks old. The following copy of her certificate is courtesy of G Barnett.
In 1852 England introduced a vaccination programme in an attempt to control the devastating smallpox disease. By 1853 it was compulsory to have children vaccinated. Elizabeth received her compulsory vaccination when she was six weeks old. The following copy of her certificate is courtesy of G Barnett.
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The weaving industry
During Elizabeth's childhood, the Lanfear family lived in Dilton Marsh, a small outlying settlement about three kilometers south-west of the town of Westbury, Wiltshire. Elizabeth's parents were woolen hand-loom weavers and probably operated their own cottage industry. Their home was on Slob Lane which has since been renamed St Mary's Lane, after the old church. According to the Wiltshire Community History website, Dilton Marsh was an important centre for hand-loom weaving in the early 1800s. Many of the cottages that were built on Slob Lane, were built for the weavers. Most of them were constructed in the early 1800s and were made of bricks and were set back from the road, on large sections. On the back or side of the cottages there were lean-tos which housed the looms. Many of these cottages are still standing and are still inhabited. If you follow the link here, you can see the house on 14 St Mary's Lane that we believe was the Lanfear home in the mid-1800s.
To maximise their weekly earnings, it was important for a family of weavers to keep their loom in constant use. To do this, the husband often worked the day shift and the wife, the night shift. The meager weekly pay was approximately eight shillings. Families with older children may have operated several looms simultaneously, and therefore, earned more money. The cloth that was produced would have been made for the clothiers of Westbury and/or Warminster.
Westbury was well known for its weaving industry. Dilton Marsh, in particular, became an important a hub for weavers because it was located near a steep part of the Biss Brook which was used to harness water to wash the woolen cloth. Two fulling mills were located in the area. Wiltshire Council Libraries and Heritage records that in 1840 there were approximately 150 hand-loom weavers in Dilton Marsh, including Elizabeth Lanfear's parents!
A difficult childhoodTo maximise their weekly earnings, it was important for a family of weavers to keep their loom in constant use. To do this, the husband often worked the day shift and the wife, the night shift. The meager weekly pay was approximately eight shillings. Families with older children may have operated several looms simultaneously, and therefore, earned more money. The cloth that was produced would have been made for the clothiers of Westbury and/or Warminster.
Westbury was well known for its weaving industry. Dilton Marsh, in particular, became an important a hub for weavers because it was located near a steep part of the Biss Brook which was used to harness water to wash the woolen cloth. Two fulling mills were located in the area. Wiltshire Council Libraries and Heritage records that in 1840 there were approximately 150 hand-loom weavers in Dilton Marsh, including Elizabeth Lanfear's parents!
Much of what we know of Elizabeth's early childhood has been gleaned from census documents, and death dates of family members.
On Sunday, 7 April 1861 the UK census was taken. It records Elizabeth as being a 7 year old student, and living with her parents, James (53), a woolen hand loom weaver, and Mary (50), and older sisters, Matilda (25) who had no recorded employment, and Emma (19) a glove maker, at 14 Slob Lane, Westbury, Dilton Marsh, Wiltshire, England. It appears likely that her sister Louisa had died before the census was taken as her name doesn't appear in it or in any following censuses. Thomas' name doesn't appear in the 1861 census either, but some family documents (from Rachel White's line) suggest that he was a soldier and may have died in India.
It is likely that Elizabeth attended the only school in her village at the time, the National School. The school was established in Dilton Marsh around 1848 by the Church or England to educate poor children in accordance with religious values. It was situated on the premises of the Holy Trinity Church. The Wiltshire Community History website states that the Dilton Marsh National School had around 70 students around the time Elizabeth would have attended. It appears that the boys at the school were quite unruly and consequently, the students hadn't learnt very much when it was inspected by officials. Elizabeth's education would have consisted of basic instruction in reading, writing and arithmetic. Students at the school were also required to attend a church service once a week. The Wiltshire Community History website records that the school holidays included 7 - 12 days off at Christmas, a week off at both Easter and Whitsun, and four weeks in the summer.
The few years following the 1861 census would have been quite traumatic for Elizabeth as she lost at least three close family members. In early 1862, while eight years of age, Elizabeth's eldest sister, Matilda (26) died. The following year, on 24 May 1863, another sister, Emma (21), also died. Further tragedy struck in 1865 when she lost her mother, Mary. It is believed that the deaths were caused by cholera or diphtheria.
Elizabeth's father, James, remarried in 1866. His second wife was 39 year old spinster, Mary Axford (1827 - c1912) who was recorded on the 1871 UK census as being a 'needle-woman'. Mary was born in Westbury, Wiltshire and was the daughter of a weaver. The following undated photographs show James Lanfear and his second wife, Mary Axford:
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| James Lanfear Photographed by Taylor of Westbury, Wiltshire, c1880. (Photo courtesy of L Prole.) |
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| Mary Axford Date and photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of L Prole.) |
It is not known how religious Elizabeth's family were, but we know that she attended church as a teenager because family are in possession of a little Bible she was gifted when she was 14 years old. The Bible was presented by the Westbury Leigh Sunday School to Elizabeth on 27 October 1867. This Bible became one of her treasured possessions and has been passed down to her descendants. It is pictured below:
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| Bible gifted to Elizabeth Lanfear in 1867. Photo by K Bland, 2016 |
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| Dedication and inscriptions in the front cover of Elizabeth Lanfear's Bible Photo by K Bland, 2016 |
Employment
As a teenager, Elizabeth gained employment as a general servant. At the time of the 1871 UK census, Elizabeth was 17. It records her as being the domestic help for Henry and Elizabeth Cull, a middle aged couple who lived at 11 Park Place, Studley, Trowbridge, Wiltshire. Henry Cull was a carpenter and builder.
Immigration to New Zealand
In 1874 when she was just 20 years old, Elizabeth immigrated from London to New Zealand as a government assisted passenger. She traveled on the ship Rooparell. The ship departed London on 23 February 1874. Her little Bible (as shown above), a prayer book, and an embroidered sampler made by her sister Emma, were among the few possessions that Elizabeth brought out to New Zealand.
The voyage to New Zealand was described in the Auckland Star, 30 May 1874, as follows:
According to a story in the Auckland Star, 1 July 1936, there was no wharf for the Rooparell to dock at when it arrived in Auckland, so it was anchored just offshore at the foot of Shortland Street, on Saturday afternoon, 30 May 1874. Passengers were checked by a medical officer before taken ashore on the paddle steamer, Takapuna, in three lots, then taken to the Albert Barracks (also known as the Immigration Barracks) on the site of present day Albert Park. [A photo of the P.S. Takapuna can be found by clicking the link here.]
Shipping and newspaper records record that 367 immigrants were on board the Rooparell, the largest number brought to Auckland up until that time. Apart from Elizabeth, there was one other family from Wiltshire on board, the Watts family: Thomas (32), a weaver, his wife Ruth (34), and their children, Thomas (13), Ann (11), Jane (9), Alice (4), Hannah (10 months). Sadly, baby Hannah died on board the ship the day after it docked in Auckland. It is highly likely that Elizabeth knew the Watts family well and they probably kept in touch on arrival in their new country.
The Auckland Star, 1 June 1874, describes the immigrants of the Rooperell, as follows:
The passenger list mentioned in the Auckland Star on 30 May 1874 shows that both Elizabeth and the Bland family from London, traveled on the Rooparell. This is significant because many years later, Charles Bland (who was just 9 years old at the time of the voyage) became Elizabeth's son-in-law!
It may have been difficult for Elizabeth to obtain suitable work in New Zealand, because we know that she only spent a short time there before going on to Fiji where she lived for around two years. It is interesting to note that Fiji became a colony of the British Crown on 10 October 1874. We are not exactly sure why Elizabeth decided to go on to Fiji or what she did there, but is likely that she performed domestic duties for wealthy European settlers. At the time, most of the 2500+ European settlers in Fiji were engaged in cotton growing enterprises.
Marriage
Elizabeth returned to New Zealand around 1876 and settled in Auckland. It was there that she met English immigrant, Walter Henry Barnett (1 Aug 1844 - 7 May 1908), known as Harry who was almost ten years older than her. He had been in New Zealand just a year when they married on 12 February 1877. The wedding celebrant was Alexander Macdonald and the ceremony took place at the home of Elizabeth's Irish friends, Thomas and Harriett Archbold (or Archibald) who lived on Victoria Street, Auckland. The Archbolds signed as witnesses to the marriage. They were an older couple, that Elizabeth knew from her voyage out to New Zealand. Harry and Elizabeth's marriage certificate shows that Thomas Archbold was a General Dealer. [Prior to immigrating to New Zealand, the Archbolds lived in St Anne, Limehouse, London, with their grand-daughter.] A copy of the marriage record is shown below, courtesy of L Prole.
A new start in Christchurch
Harry and Elizabeth's marriage certificate records that Harry was a carpenter. Shortly after their wedding, Harry and Elizabeth moved to Christchurch, Canterbury, where he set up a second-hand trading business at 80 Oxford Terrace. He may have been inspired to take up this profession from Thomas Archbold who was a General Dealer.
Family
The five eldest children born to Harry and Elizabeth were born in Christchurch, and the remaining children were born in Auckland. Their 11 children were:- Rachel (Ray) Barnett (25 Oct 1877 - 10 Sep 1939)
- Harriet Louisa (Lou) Barnett (6 Nov 1878 - 22 Mar 1965)
- Isabella (Bell) Barnett (31 Aug 1880 - 16 May 1959)
- Emily (Em) Barnett (24 Aug 1882 - 2 July 1970)
- Sydney (Syd) Walter Barnett (26 June 1884 - 20 Aug 1971)
- Alice Nellie Barnett (8 Aug 1886 - 4 Mar 1888)
- Chrissie Barnett (24 Dec 1888 - 8 Jan 1889)
- Stanley (Stan) James Barnett (20 Dec 1889- 31 July 1964)
- Bertie (Bert) Edward Barnett (31 Dec 1891 - 8 Mar 1917)
- Arthur William Barnett (24 Oct 1895 - 27 Mar 1980)
- Baden (Bay/Barney) Thomas Barnett (29 Aug 1900 - 15 Jan 1993)
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| Harry and Elizabeth with their three oldest children, Rachel (Ray), Harriet Louisa (Lou), and Isabella (Bell). Photo taken in 1880. Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of L. Prole.) |
While we are unsure who registered the birth of the older children, we know that it was Elizabeth who went to the registry office with one month old baby Em on 28 September 1882. It is likely that she took the three older toddlers with her as well.
Elizabeth would have received news in early 1883 that her father, James Lanfear, had died on 21 December 1882, in Westbury, Wiltshire, England.
Elizabeth would have received news in early 1883 that her father, James Lanfear, had died on 21 December 1882, in Westbury, Wiltshire, England.
On the move
In 1884, it appears that Harry decided to return to Auckland. The following newspaper advertisement from The Star, 23 September 1884, lists all of the Barnett's household goods, including a horse, a dog with her pups, some chickens, and a family Bible, that were to be sold at auction prior to their relocation to Auckland:
It appears that it took several months for Harry to sell up and move north. The goods from the shop were advertised for sale in The Press (Christchurch) on Saturday 7 February 1885. The items were sold from the shop premises at 82 and 86 Oxford Terrace. Harry also tried to get someone to take over the remaining part of his lease, which was about two years.
The family grows
After the Barnett family returned to Auckland six more children were born. Alice Nellie Barnett arrived on 8 August 1886 but died 18 months later after suffering from diarrhea for four days and 15 hours of convulsions. Another daughter, Chrissie Barnett was born on Christmas Eve 1888. Sadly, Chrissie, a premature baby, lived just 15 days, dying from 'exhaustion' according to her death certificate. Both babies were buried at Waikumete Cemetery, West Auckland, in unmarked graves. The death certificates for the girls both show that the Barnett family lived on James Street (St James Street), Arch Hill, Auckland. Alice's death certificate lists Harry's occupation as 'carpenter' and Chrissie's death certificate records him as a 'dealer'.
Four more sons were born to Harry and Elizabeth in Auckland and they completed the family: Stanley (Stan) James Barnett on 20 December 1889, Bertie (Bert) Edward Barnett, on 31 December 1891, Arthur William Barnett, on 24 October 1895, and finally, Baden Thomas Barnett, on 29 August 1900.
It is interesting to note that the 1890 Electoral Roll indicates that Harry was still living and working in Christchurch, while his family lived in Auckland.
According the the Richmond Road School register, Em was enrolled on 19 May 1891 by her father. The school register notes that the family lived on Hepburn Street, Freeman's Bay, Auckland.
The Wises New Zealand Post Office Directories show that Harry moved his family around quite a lot between 1891 and 1902. It gives the following addresses for Harry:
- 1891 - James Street, Arch Hill (Kingsland). From Cracroft street, the house was after the Oxford Street intersection.
- 1892/93 - Richmond Road, on the right hand side from Ponsonby Road, and after the Brown Street intersection.
- 1898/99 - Howe Street - The house was situated after the Beresford Street intersection.
- 1900 - Beresford Street - The home was on the right hand side from Pitt Street, after the Day Street intersection and a few houses before Howe Street.
- 1902 - Arney Street
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| This photo of the Barnett family was taken in 1896. Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of L Prole.) |
Elizabeth sent her children to the Plymouth Brethren Church. Em was 12 and her sister Bell, 14, when they joined the church.
Life at home was tough for Elizabeth and the children. Later in life, Em wrote an interesting letter to her son Maurice and his wife Irene in which she indicated that her dad was frequently drunk and violent. The three oldest girls left home as soon as possible, but Em felt obliged to stay for the sake of her mother. Here is an excerpt of her letter, describing the hardships she faced at home:
July 6th 1964
31 Benfield Ave
Mt Albert SW2
Auckland NZ
My dear Maurice & Ire
It is early, and I haven't done much work but decided to write and ask if its too late to write to a lonely boy you asked me to write to some weeks ago. If you still know his address, and think it will be profitable to still write I'll do my best to write of a few experiences of a couple of instances of youngsters who've had (including me) unhappy experiences in the home of a drunken parent (my Dad) and in order to be obedient to a Godly Mother (and still live in the same home for her sake this was up to the age of 20) and though at times it was very very hard. I only succeeded through earnest prayer several times daily to resist running away from home. Circumstances grew worse and I pleaded with God "that if I stayed with Mother and not leave home, would God be so kind as to reward me?"This thought (that He would grant my request) kept me definitely from running away - though swearing and even a punch between the eyes which was painful indeed, was most humiliating, and very hard to bear, especially too, that my three older sisters had all cleared out without saying they were going. It was a heart break for dear Mum and when one day things got worse and worse with my Father, I said "Mum, can I leave home?" (I felt I couldn't stand another day of his growling.) She looked at me so pathetically and said with such entreaty "Oh! Emily don't you leave me." I'll never forget it. The Girls all were round about Wellington, and dear [Auntie] Bell to my surprise - just a few weeks before she died asked if I'd forgive her, for going away and leaving me in such an unhappy environment. I said "I never could blame you Bell as you went to protect your weaker sister Loo." ...
Well has God rewarded me? I'll say He has. First my two dear sons love and serve Him and endeavoring by His Grace to save others. For myself He [God] placed me in Company with good intelligent people, gifted by an unusual talent for Art, and descended from titled people. (I married at 20, and soon after I was invited to the place called Waiwera and the large beautiful home called 'Wenderholm'. This lady told me that I would be able to paint, that I had the shaped hand and fingers of an artist. She took me to her studio upstairs and gave me paints, brush, and canvas of her own. She was pleased at seeing my first painting. It made me so happy. Then a year ago, a lady visited me and saw "Twinkle Little Star" and at once inquired about it. Was it a painting? And who was the painter? She was amazed and took a step backward. She couldn't believe I did it and said "There's nothing so good at present in our Art Gallery! Do you know that is worth 50 pounds?" Well, guess my surprise. Oh! How I thank God for His amazing kindness...
July 6th 1964
31 Benfield Ave
Mt Albert SW2
Auckland NZ
My dear Maurice & Ire
It is early, and I haven't done much work but decided to write and ask if its too late to write to a lonely boy you asked me to write to some weeks ago. If you still know his address, and think it will be profitable to still write I'll do my best to write of a few experiences of a couple of instances of youngsters who've had (including me) unhappy experiences in the home of a drunken parent (my Dad) and in order to be obedient to a Godly Mother (and still live in the same home for her sake this was up to the age of 20) and though at times it was very very hard. I only succeeded through earnest prayer several times daily to resist running away from home. Circumstances grew worse and I pleaded with God "that if I stayed with Mother and not leave home, would God be so kind as to reward me?"This thought (that He would grant my request) kept me definitely from running away - though swearing and even a punch between the eyes which was painful indeed, was most humiliating, and very hard to bear, especially too, that my three older sisters had all cleared out without saying they were going. It was a heart break for dear Mum and when one day things got worse and worse with my Father, I said "Mum, can I leave home?" (I felt I couldn't stand another day of his growling.) She looked at me so pathetically and said with such entreaty "Oh! Emily don't you leave me." I'll never forget it. The Girls all were round about Wellington, and dear [Auntie] Bell to my surprise - just a few weeks before she died asked if I'd forgive her, for going away and leaving me in such an unhappy environment. I said "I never could blame you Bell as you went to protect your weaker sister Loo." ...
Well has God rewarded me? I'll say He has. First my two dear sons love and serve Him and endeavoring by His Grace to save others. For myself He [God] placed me in Company with good intelligent people, gifted by an unusual talent for Art, and descended from titled people. (I married at 20, and soon after I was invited to the place called Waiwera and the large beautiful home called 'Wenderholm'. This lady told me that I would be able to paint, that I had the shaped hand and fingers of an artist. She took me to her studio upstairs and gave me paints, brush, and canvas of her own. She was pleased at seeing my first painting. It made me so happy. Then a year ago, a lady visited me and saw "Twinkle Little Star" and at once inquired about it. Was it a painting? And who was the painter? She was amazed and took a step backward. She couldn't believe I did it and said "There's nothing so good at present in our Art Gallery! Do you know that is worth 50 pounds?" Well, guess my surprise. Oh! How I thank God for His amazing kindness...
After Loo left home she had a son while unmarried. When the family found out about it, they confronted her. To save face, she initially told them that the child was Emily's. Understandably, this caused a major rift between the sisters that lasted many years. The child was adopted out.
Em (20), married Charles (Charlie) Robert Bland (38), on Wednesday 12 November 1902 at the home of Reverend C H Garland of the Methodist Church, who lived on Karangahape Road, Auckland central. The marriage record shows that at the time of the wedding Harry was working as a 'general dealer'. It is interesting to note that Elizabeth, immigrated to New Zealand on the same ship as Charlie and his family (Rooparell 1874).
Harry's death
Em (20), married Charles (Charlie) Robert Bland (38), on Wednesday 12 November 1902 at the home of Reverend C H Garland of the Methodist Church, who lived on Karangahape Road, Auckland central. The marriage record shows that at the time of the wedding Harry was working as a 'general dealer'. It is interesting to note that Elizabeth, immigrated to New Zealand on the same ship as Charlie and his family (Rooparell 1874).
Harry's death
It is interesting to read Em's own account of what happened when her father died in 1908. (Chas refers to Em's husband, Charles Bland.) Please note that mistakes have not been corrected.
Sunday 3 May
Stan called Both went home to see Squire. Very bad and in bed. Had Dr Murray.
Monday 4 Ma
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went home early to Mother's. Father very much worse. Unconsious most of the time and suffereing much pain. I mad custard and gave him his port wine. Ray came and asked C to assist with Father.
Tuesday 5 May
Chas at Mother's. Father went in Ambulance accompanied by Charlie and Mother to Hospital. I stayed home at Mother's with Arthur. Spoke to May and Mrs Lauder. Mother back at 1 o'clock. Chas and I had tea at Mum's.
Wednesday 6 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went hom to Mum's. Had lunch. Then Mum, Ray and I went to Hospital to see Father. Very bad and in pain. Ray excited and would not leave when I told her.
Thursday 7 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I going to shop and met Baden telling me to come as Hospital had rung up to say "Wife and family [should come] as soon as possible." I ran to Mrs Fitzjames then caught car home and then went to Hospital. Poor Father in great pain and very week. Nurse informed me no hope. Mother and Mar at Father's bedside.
Friday 8 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went home and on the table lay a note which ran thus, "Dear Em, Father died last night at 11 o'clock. Mother." I very upset and Sid came in. I sent telegram and letter to Bell. Mother went Hospital and saw Dad. Mr Herr (Undertaker) came with Mr Cox. I made arrangements for funeral. Met Mrs Trevelyn and Ethel.
Saturday 9 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. Chas and I slept at home (Mother's). Sid, Ethel, and Ray came home. Chas told me Dad very "cut up" by not being invited to funeral. I went and begged Dad Bland to come but no use. Very affected. Table (Blands) strewn with flowers. Received telegram to say Loo arriving Sunday.
Sunday 10 May
At 2pm all arrived at Hospital including members of Grand Orange Lodge then drove to Waikumete Cemetery. At Kingsland picked up Loo then driver caught up to others. Burial Service read by Grand Master, who was much affected and poor Father laid to rest. I stood beside Mother who bore up very bravely. All left again at 4 o'clock or 3:30pm.
Sunday 3 May
Stan called Both went home to see Squire. Very bad and in bed. Had Dr Murray.
Monday 4 Ma
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went home early to Mother's. Father very much worse. Unconsious most of the time and suffereing much pain. I mad custard and gave him his port wine. Ray came and asked C to assist with Father.
Tuesday 5 May
Chas at Mother's. Father went in Ambulance accompanied by Charlie and Mother to Hospital. I stayed home at Mother's with Arthur. Spoke to May and Mrs Lauder. Mother back at 1 o'clock. Chas and I had tea at Mum's.
Wednesday 6 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went hom to Mum's. Had lunch. Then Mum, Ray and I went to Hospital to see Father. Very bad and in pain. Ray excited and would not leave when I told her.
Thursday 7 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I going to shop and met Baden telling me to come as Hospital had rung up to say "Wife and family [should come] as soon as possible." I ran to Mrs Fitzjames then caught car home and then went to Hospital. Poor Father in great pain and very week. Nurse informed me no hope. Mother and Mar at Father's bedside.
Friday 8 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went home and on the table lay a note which ran thus, "Dear Em, Father died last night at 11 o'clock. Mother." I very upset and Sid came in. I sent telegram and letter to Bell. Mother went Hospital and saw Dad. Mr Herr (Undertaker) came with Mr Cox. I made arrangements for funeral. Met Mrs Trevelyn and Ethel.
Saturday 9 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. Chas and I slept at home (Mother's). Sid, Ethel, and Ray came home. Chas told me Dad very "cut up" by not being invited to funeral. I went and begged Dad Bland to come but no use. Very affected. Table (Blands) strewn with flowers. Received telegram to say Loo arriving Sunday.
Sunday 10 May
At 2pm all arrived at Hospital including members of Grand Orange Lodge then drove to Waikumete Cemetery. At Kingsland picked up Loo then driver caught up to others. Burial Service read by Grand Master, who was much affected and poor Father laid to rest. I stood beside Mother who bore up very bravely. All left again at 4 o'clock or 3:30pm.
The death notice for Harry was printed in The Auckland Star Vol XXXXIX, Issue 110, on 9 May 1908,
BARNETT - At the District Hospital,
Walter Henry Barnett; aged 63.
The funeral will leave District Hospirtal
at 2pm. on Sunday for Waikumete
Cemetery. Friends please accept this in-
timation.
Harry, was buried at the Waikumete Cemetery, West Auckland near their daughters, Alice and Chrissy, both of whom died as infants. Harry's unmarked grave is located in the Wesley Division D Row 2, Plot 20. The following thank you message was printed in The Auckland Star on Thursday 14 May 1908, page 10:
MRS. BARNETT AND FAMILY wish to
tender their sincere thanks to the Grand
Master, Chaplain, and all the members of the
Loyal Orange Lodge, especially Mr. Cox,
who gave every assistance to them in their
bereavement.
On Tuesday, 19 May 1908, just 12 days after father Harry's death, Elizabeth's eldest daughter, Rachel (30), married 23 year old, Auckland-born John (Jack) Leigh White (22 Sep 1884 - 15 July 1916) at the Parsonage in Ponsonby. Following the wedding ceremony, Elizabeth, the newly married couple, and Elizabeth's daughter, Loo, dined at Trevelyans. (We are unsure if this refers to a restaurant or family friends.
BARNETT - At the District Hospital,
Walter Henry Barnett; aged 63.
The funeral will leave District Hospirtal
at 2pm. on Sunday for Waikumete
Cemetery. Friends please accept this in-
timation.
Harry, was buried at the Waikumete Cemetery, West Auckland near their daughters, Alice and Chrissy, both of whom died as infants. Harry's unmarked grave is located in the Wesley Division D Row 2, Plot 20. The following thank you message was printed in The Auckland Star on Thursday 14 May 1908, page 10:
MRS. BARNETT AND FAMILY wish to
tender their sincere thanks to the Grand
Master, Chaplain, and all the members of the
Loyal Orange Lodge, especially Mr. Cox,
who gave every assistance to them in their
bereavement.
On Tuesday, 19 May 1908, just 12 days after father Harry's death, Elizabeth's eldest daughter, Rachel (30), married 23 year old, Auckland-born John (Jack) Leigh White (22 Sep 1884 - 15 July 1916) at the Parsonage in Ponsonby. Following the wedding ceremony, Elizabeth, the newly married couple, and Elizabeth's daughter, Loo, dined at Trevelyans. (We are unsure if this refers to a restaurant or family friends.
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| Elizabeth Barnett, nee Lanfear, 1908 Photo by Tadema, Newton, Auckland. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
Relocating to Foxton
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| From left: Elizabeth Barnett, nee Lanfear, holding Ivy Williams (later Hewetson), Isabella (Bell) Williams, nee Barnett Emily (Em) Bland, nee Barnett, holding baby Sylvia Bland (later Edwards & Anderson). Photo taken 1912. Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
The war years - World War I
New Zealand declared war on the Germans and their allies on Tuesday 4 August 1914 and immediately mobilised thousands of young men to go off to fight in Europe. The war affected all families in New Zealand, including the Barnett family.
Elizabeth's son, Bertie (Bert), was working as a chauffeur in Auckland at the beginning of the war. He enlisted to serve as a tunneler, and departed New Zealand on the ship Ruapehu from Auckland, on 18 December 1915. Sadly, he never returned home.
Less than six weeks later, Elizabeth's son-in-law, John (Jack) White also embarked on a troop ship bound for the war. He too, would never return. He was killed in action in Somme, France, on 15 July 1916, leaving behind a widow and two small children.
When the Barnett family received word that Bert had died of disease on 8 March 1917, it affected the family deeply, especially Arthur and Stan who had both enlisted and were preparing to head off to front line duties themselves.
Arthur left for front line duties on 2 April 1917 and Stan departed on 13 October 1917. While both returned home to New Zealand, Stan was badly affected by his exposure to gas while at the front line and suffered the effects of it for the rest of his life.
Final days
Elizabeth lived out her days in Foxton, surrounded by family.
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| Stan Barnett with his mother Elizabeth Barnett, nee Lanfear, and his children, Stan Jnr and Avis. Date and photographer unknown but c1925. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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| Stan's mother, Elizabeth Barnett (nee Lanfear). Date & photographer unknown. Possibly taken around 1937. Photo courtesy of L Prole |
Elizabeth's last recorded address was Union Street. She died at her daughter, Isabella's home, on 17 August 1937, aged 83 and was buried two days later, at the Foxton Cemetery, Anglican Block, Row 3, Plot 28. Her obituary was printed in the Manawatu Standard on 25 August 1937, and reads as follows:
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| The grave of Elizabeth Barnett, Foxton Cemetery (Photo by G J Bland, 2020) |
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| Elizabeth's grave is pictured at the right of the larger grave which belongs to her daughter and son-in-law, Symon and Isabella Williams. Photo by G J Bland, 2020 |
Bibliography
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my father, K J Bland, for sharing his knowledge of the Barnett family with me, as well as the old family photographs.
Thank you to L Prole for sharing information, family photographs and death certificates.
Last updated on 28 March 2020
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