Peter John Armstrong (abt. 1840 - 1887)

Born about 1840 in Balla, County Mayo, Ireland

Husband of Annie (McGill) Armstrong — married Feb 1878 in Reefton, Buller, West Coast, New Zealand

Husband of Honora (Power) Armstrong — married 1882 in Westport, West Coast, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 25 May 1887 at about age 47 in Nelson, New Zealand

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Biography

Peter John Armstrong was born about 1840 in Balla, County Mayo, Ireland to John Armstrong, storekeeper, and Mary Armstrong, nee Donnellan.

The attached birth record might be correct, if the above information was based on memory from a Peters death record.^[1] This means James would of been born likely around 1820.

Peter came to New Zealand around 1864, likely in search for Gold.

Peter Married Anne McGill in Feb 1878 in Reefton, West Coast, New Zealand.^[2]

Peter and Annie had two baby boys, one in January 1879 at Reefton, and December 1879 at Lyell, both named John, but the babies died on the day they were born. Sadly Annie Maria died barely 2 weeks later on 9 Jan 1880 of “general debility”, aged 26. Annie Maria had been in NZ only 4 years, and married for less than 2 years.

Mining was an uncertain way to make a living and in 1881 Peter was bankrupt.

Peter Married Hanorah Power in November 1882 in St Canice’s Catholic Church, Westport, New Zealand.^[3]

By Peters marriage, he was a hotel keeper in Zalatown, aged 42.

In 1885 Peter and Hanora built the Belfast Hotel in Gibbs Town near Lyell.

October 1885 the Lyell Times records that Gold Mining Leases were granted to Edward Carton & Peter J Armstrong “The Lumsden Gold Mining Co” 16 acres 2 rood, 8 Mile, Lyell.

In May 1887 Peter died of cirrhosis of the liver leaving Hanora with two little girls.

Peter passed away on 25 May 1887 in Nelson, New Zealand.^[4]

Peter was mentioned on a memorial in Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson, Nelson City, Nelson, New Zealand with a death date of 25 May 1887.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "Ireland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms"
   Archive: National Library of Ireland
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 17 November 2023)
   Peter Armstrong baptism on 1 Dec 1839, son of James Armstrong & Mary Dondon, in Balla, Tuam, Mayo, Ireland.
2. ↑ BDM, Birth, Death and Marriage Historical Records, New Zealand
   https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   Marriage + Registration: 1878/419 | Bride First Names: Anne | Bride Last Name: McGill | Groom First Names: Peter | Groom Last Name: Armstrong
3. ↑ BDM, Birth, Death and Marriage Historical Records, New Zealand
   https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   Marriage + Registration: 1882/3291 | Bride First Names: Hanorah | Bride Last Name: Power | Groom First Names: Peter John | Groom Last Name: Armstrong
4. ↑ BDM, Birth, Death and Marriage Historical Records, New Zealand
   https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   Death + Registration: 1887/2513 | Last name: Armstrong | First Names: Peter John | Age at Death: 47Y
5. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #140872194 (accessed 17 November 2023)
   Memorial page for Peter John Armstrong (unknown-25 May 1887), citing Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson, Nelson City, Nelson, New Zealand; Maintained by MystikNZ (contributor 48009964).

• https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/178586890