John Armstrong (1818 - 1902)

Born 1818 in County Cavan, Ireland

Husband of Anora (O'Brien) Armstrong — married 4 Oct 1840 in Clewer Green, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Elizabeth Armstrong — married 8 Nov 1862 in Nelson, New Zealand

Husband of Margaret (Connell) Armstrong — married 14 Nov 1872 in Nelson, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 8 May 1902 at about age 84 in Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand

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Biography

John Armstrong was born in Ireland.

John Armstrong migrated from England to New Zealand.

Emigrated with the Wakefield expedition to Nelson - ship Whitby 1841

Taranaki Herald 9th May 1902 page 3 [1]

Mr John Armstrong, one of the members of the Nelson expedition who arrived in the ship Whitby on the 5th November 1841, died at Blenheim this evening aged 83. He lived here till he retired from business and leaves a large number of descendants.

Marlborough Express 9th May 1902 page 3

OBITUARY.

MR JOHN ARMSTRONG. A pioneer settler, incidents of whose early life are of historic interest, passed away yesterday in the person of Mr John Armstrong. Deceased, whose death occurred at the residence of Mr William Gosling, was in his 86th year and to the last his mind retained an intelligent grasp of everyday affairs, while it was only lately that the state of his health confined him to bed.

Mr Armstrong was an early arrival in New Zealand, coming out from England with the expedition which was fitted out by the New Zealand Company under the command of Captain Wakefield, and set sail In the ships Whitby and Will Watch in 1841.

The object of this expedition was to discover a suitable place for the founding of the City of Nelson, and it was at the beginning of November 1841, that the two vessels entered the harbor. Deceased took part in the surveying operations and had the honor of cutting the first tree in the Nelson bush, performing this feat after a perilous swim across the Maitai River for the purpose of making a survey mark. In connection with the survey operations he also had the privilege of erecting the first flag, the first traverse line being cut where the Cathedral now stands. Prior to the arrival of the expedition there were only three white women in Nelson. Mr Armstrong described the foundation of Nelson in an interesting communication which appeared in our columns at the time of the Nelson Jubilee.

Deceased lived there till he retired from business, and then he came to Blenheim, where he has resided for a lengthy period. He was one of the oldest members of the Manchester Unity I.0. Oddfellows, Nelson district, having joined the Society at Nelson in 1845, and was treasurer of the Nelson lodge and district for over thirty years. His wife predeceased him some years ago. He leaves a family of two daughters and four sons, forty-seven-grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Four of his grandsons are now serving at the front in South Africa, and one of them was slightly wounded at Bothasberg.

Colonist 13th May 1902 page 2 (Supplement) [2]

MR. JOHN ARMSTRONG.

We regret to learn of the death of Mr John Armstrong, which occurred at half-past six last evening at the residence, Blenheim, of one of his daughters, Mrs Gosling.

It will be remembered that at the time of the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Nelson, Mr John Armstrong wrote an interesting account of the Nelson expedition, in the course of which he mentioned that he was himself the first man to cut down a tree in the Nelson Bush.

The deceased came to New Zealand in the expedition ship Whitby, which entered Nelson Haven on the 5th November 1841, and his death occurred just a fortnight after the 61st anniversary of his leaving London. On the 61st anniversary of that occasion - the 24th of last month - Mr Armstrong drove a party of friends along the Maxwell road, out of Blenheim and back, but the day after he felt knocked up, and took to his bed. He lived in Nelson till some twenty years ago, when having given up business, that of a carter, in favour of one of his sons - the same business is how carried on by Mr Shallcrass - he went to live at Blenheim. The deceased was esteemed by all the old settlers, and very many will hear of his death with sorrow. :We believe his age was 83, and he leaves two daughters, Mrs Gosling and Mrs Harry Wilson, and four sons, Messrs George, John, Edward, and Alfred, as well as a large number of grandchildren and great-graadchildren.

Burial

Omaka Cemetery, Marlborough

Marlborough Express 9th May 1902 page 3 [3]

FUNERAL NOTICE. The friends of the late Mr John Armstrong are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, which will leave the residence of his son-in-law, , Mr W. Gosling, Main Street, for the Catholic Church, thence to the Omaka Cemetery at two o'clock on SUNDAY, 11th inst. BYTHELL & CO.Undertakers.

Sources

• THE FOUNDATION OF NELSON - Written gy JOHN ARMSTRONG, One of the Expedition Men. pub: Colonist 18th February 1902 page 3 (Supplement) [4]
• The Jubilee History of Nelson: From 1842 to 1892 by his Honor Lowther Broad, Esq., District Judge, Nelson pub: 1892 chapter II [5]
• N.Z. MARRIAGES - 1862/3975 - Elizabeth Armstrong & John Armstrong
• MARRIAGE : Armstrong - Timbs - November 14th at St. Mary's Church, by the Rev. Father Garin; Mr. John Armstrong to Mrs Margaret Timbs, both of Nelson. Nelson Evening Mail 16th November 1872 page 2
• N.Z. DEATHS - 1902/3303 - Armstrong John aged 85 years

Acknowledgements

• First entered by Phil Richardson, Aug 27, 2012 Phil Richardson,