Edwin Fairburn (1827 - 1911)

Born 27 Apr 1827 in Paihia, Far North, Northland, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Emma (Coney) Fairburn — married 24 Jul 1851 in Wesleyan Chapel, Otahuhu, New Zealand

Died 9 Dec 1911 at age 84 in Auckland, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Karon Shepherd [send private message]

Biography

Edwin was born in 1827. He was the son of William Fairburn and Sarah Tuckwell. He passed away in 1911.

Edwin Fairburn was a pioneer colonist responsible for laying out the town of Oamaru. He also engineered and surveyed the main road north from Takapuna to the Bay of Islands, laying the foundation for the Auckland Roads Department.

He was one of the oldest New Zealand born residents of Auckland being the 15th European child born in New Zealand. Born at Paihia in the Bay of Islands in 1827, he was the third son of William T. Fairburn, who settled in New Zealand in 1821 to take up work with the Church Mission Society under the Reverend Samuel Marsden.

He was educated at the Waimate Mission School and entered the Deeds Registry Office in Auckland. In 1847 he joined the Survey Department being the first cadet under the first Surveyor-General. Later he went into private practice and after retirement lived at Parnell and later Epsom. He took an active part in the formation of the Auckland Choral Society and was the first secretary to the original Agricultural Association, being made a life member. He also wrote a number of scientific pamphlets.

Headstone Inscription

In Loving Memory of EDWIN FAIRBURN, the beloved husband of Emma Fairburn born at Paihia 27th April 1827 entered into rest Dec. 9th 1911 at Epsom, Auckland aged 85 years was the Third son W. T.Fairburn who came to New Zealand with the Church Mission under the Rev. S. Marsden in 1819. Also EMMA, beloved wife of the above who died on Jan. 6th 1914 aged 79.

Sources

• http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
• New Zealand Death Registration Number 1911/7410 Age at Death 84Y
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208816859/edwin-fairburn: accessed 06 February 2024), memorial page for Edwin Fairburn (27 Apr 1827–9 Dec 1911), Find a Grave Memorial ID 208816859, citing Purewa Cemetery, Meadowbank, Auckland Council, Auckland, New Zealand; Maintained by JjH (contributor 48491654).