James Bellringer (1839 - 1901)

Born 2 Feb 1839 in Wrantage, North Curry, Somerset, England

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Anne Roberts Johns (James) Bellringer — married 17 May 1863 in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 17 Jun 1901 at age 62 in Fitzroy, New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Charlene Newport [send private message]

James Bellringer migrated from England to New Zealand.

Biography

James Bellringer was born in 1839 at Wrantage, North Curry, Somerset, England. ^[1] There he was educated and served his time with a leading firm of plumbers and painters, in whose employment he remained seven years. ^[2]

He was recorded in the 1841 census and 1851 census with his parents Emanuel Bellringer and Mary Ann Templeman. ^{[1] [3]}

In 1858 he arrived in Auckland in the ship “Spirit of Trade,” and shortly afterwards settled in New Plymouth. He served through the Taranaki war with the 65th Regiment, and afterwards joined the Taranaki Bush Rangers, with whom he saw some active service. On the conclusion of the war he received the Imperial medal in recognition of his services. ^[2]

He married Mary Ann Roberts Johns James on 17 May 1863 at the house of Mary's father Samuel James, Devon Street, New Plymouth. ^[4]

About 1865, he successfully established himself in Devon Street as a painter and decorator.^[2]

He was first elected a member of the Borough Council of New Plymouth in 1879 and was Mayor from 1889 till 1893.^[2]

He was for several years chairman of the New Plymouth school committee, chairman of the Fitzroy school committee, and chairman of the Te Henui Road Board, and of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. He was an active Freemason, and a Past Master in the Order; and was connected with the Oddfellows for over forty years. He was a corresponding secretary of the district for over twenty-two years, a member of Excelsior Lodge for over thirty-three years, and permanent secretary for seventeen years.^[2]

He left a family of seven sons and four daughters when he died on 17 June 1901 aged 62 years old. ^{[2][5] [6]}

He was buried on 19 June in the Te Henui Cemetery.^[7][8]

Headstone Inscription

Sacred to the memory of JAMES BELLRINGER who died 17th June 1901 Aged 52 years "Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." And of MARY ANN BELLRINGER who died 5th September 1936 Aged 91 years At evening time there shall be light. (front of obilesk) Sacred to the memory of ERIC NORMAN BELLRINGER died 2nd April 1928 Aged 39 years At rest. (right side)

Obituary

Death of Mr J. Bellringer. After a short illness.

General regret was expresed in town this (Monday) morning when the death, of Mr J. Bellringer was announced. The sad event occurred about 9 o'clock at his' residence at Fitzroy, and in the presence of his wife, and children. Mr Bellringer till a couple of weeks ago was about town as usual attending to his business affairs, but an attack of inflammation in one of the deep veins of the leg compelled him to take to his bed. Previous to this he had suffered for some time from heart feebleness, but no danger was anticipated by his medical adviser, Dr. Leatham. On Sunday he was up and' about the house the greater part of the afternoon. This (Monday) morning he had breakfast as usual, but very soon afterwards he was suddenly attacked by the fatal seizure. In the opinion of Dr. Leatham death was due to a clot of blood from the inflamed vein in the leg becoming detached and causing heart failure. His death came as a great shock to his many friends. Mr Bellringer was an old settler in this district, having come here with one of the Imperial regiments to take part in suppressing the Maori rebellion. After the war Mr Bellringer, like many more Imperial soldiers, settled in the district, and entered into the painting, paper hanging, &c, line. During his long residence here Mr Bellringer had always taken a keen interest in public affairs, and for many years held a seat on the Borough Council. He was elected Mayor in November 1889, and held the position for four successive years, including the year in which the Taranaki province celebrated its Jubilee. He was a prominent Mason and Oddfellow, holding high and important positions in both orders. He was also for some time a member of the Harbour Board, and for many years Chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, a position which he most ably filled. Some two years since Mr Bellringer left for a trip to Great Britain, and appeared to be much benefitted by the change.

He leaves a widow and large family, who will receive the sympathy of a wide circle of friends in their sore bereavements. The eldest son is Mr C. E. Bellringer, the Town Clerk; the second son, Capt. F. Bellringer, of the Fire Brigade Other sons are Messrs Percy Bellringer, Felix Bellringer (solicitor), Richard Bellringer, Harold Bellringer, and Eric Bellringer. There are also four daughters, Mrs Brockenshire, Misses Florence, Ethel, and Ivy. The deceased gentleman was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, of which he was a strong adherent. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGG5-J7S : 27 July 2017), James Bellringer in household of Mary Ann Bellringer, North Curry, Somerset, England; citing North Curry, Somerset, England, p. 5, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} Mr. James Bellringer, The cyclopedia of New Zealand. Vol. 6. Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Wellington provincial districts: industrial, descriptive, historical, biographical facts, figures, illustrations. Christchurch, N.Z.: Cyclopedia Co., 1908, New Zealand Electronic Text Collection http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d1-d7-d1.html [accessed 28 July 2017].
3. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ18-841 : 3 August 2016), James Bellringer in household of Emanuel Bellringer, North Curry, Somerset, England; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
4. ↑ Bellringer-James Marriage, Registration Number 1863/7292, New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz), Digital copy from the original register in the files of Charlene Newport
5. ↑ "Births, Deaths & Marriages Online", [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz), Death Registration of James Bellringer, aged at death 62Y; citing Registration Number 1901/2500 .
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Obituary for James Bellringer, Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11709, 17 June 1901, Page 3, Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH19010617.2.15 [accessed 28 July 2017].
7. ↑ Funeral Notice for James Bellringer, Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11709, 17 June 1901, Page 2, Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH19010617.2.14.1 [accessed 28 July 2017].
8. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 10 July 2019), memorial page for James Bellringer (2 Feb 1839–12 Jun 1901), Find A Grave Memorial no. 136330928, citing Te Henui Cemetery, New Plymouth, New Plymouth District, Taranaki, New Zealand ; Maintained by Robyn (-Marsh) (contributor 47932871) .