Arthur Longden (1856 - 1924)

Born 10 Nov 1856 in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Annie Evelyn (Ford) Longden — married 1886 in New Zealand

Descendants

Died 1 Jul 1924 at age 67 in 20 Rugby Street, St. Albans, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Biography

Arthur Longden was born 10 November 1856. He was the only son of Joseph Longden and Susannah Haggard.

Lyttelton Times 15 November 1856, page 6:

BIRTHS.

On Tuesday the 11th inst., the wife of Joseph Longden, Esq. of a son.^[1]

Arthur travelled with his family from New Zealand to England in 1859. While there his older sister Mary Jane passed away in 1863 at the age of 8. Two years later his father Joseph passed away on 27 April 1865 at about age 37.

In the 1871 England Census, Arthur Longden (aged 14) was recorded living with his widowed mother S A Longden (53) and his younger sister Katherine Longden (11) at 31 Harrington Square, St. Pancras, London. Also in the household was one servant.

Arthur Longden migrated from England to New Zealand.

He returned to live in New Zealand with his mother Susannah and his sister Katherine, travelling on the ship Hereford, Saloon class, arriving into Lyttelton, Canterbury on 14 July 1874^[2].

Arthur was a cricketer and played in six first-class matches for Canterbury from 1883 and 1886^[3].

He married Annie Evelyn Ford (the daughter of John Tucker Ford) on 26 October 1886 at St. Peter's, Riccarton, Christchurch.

They had two daughters.

Arthur and his family moved to Australia, where he was a Banker. In 1899 he was sub-manager at Sydney and later moved his family to Tasmania.

They celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1911:

SILVER WEDDING.

PRESS, VOLUME LXVII, ISSUE 14211, 27 NOVEMBER 1911

LONGDEN—FORD—On the 26th October, 1886, at St. Peter's, Riccarton, Christchurch, New Zealand, by the Rev. C. C. Bowen, Arthur, only son of the late Joseph Longden, of Mount Torlesse Station, and Elmfield, Esher, Surrey, to Annie Evelyn, second daughter of the late John Tuckor Ford, of Ringwood, Upper Riccarton.^[4]

In the 1914 and 1919 Australian Electoral Rolls (1903-1980), Arthur Longden was recorded living at 39 Patterson Street, Launceston, Tasmania with his wife Annie Evelyn Longden.

Arthur retired in 1919 and returned to New Zealand. He passed away on 1 July 1924. He was buried at Saint Peter's Anglican Churchyard, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand^[5][6]. PLOT: Row E, No. 142

Inscription:

Sacred

TO THE MEMORY OF

ARTHUR LONGDEN

BORN 11TH NOV. 1856,

DIED 1ST JULY 1924.

AND OF HIS DEARLY LOVED WIFE

ANNIE EVELYN

BORN 5TH OCT 1862,

DIED 2ND SEPT. 1954.

Obituary

MR A. LONGDEN. The many friends and associates of Mr Arthur Longden will regret to hear of his death, which took place at Rugby Street, St. Albans, yesterday, after a short illness. The late Mr Longden was born in Christchurch, and as a child accompanied his parents to England. He was educated at Chilton College and after spending seventeen years in the Old Country, returned to New Zealand. His father - having been the owner of Mt. Torlesse station, Mr Longden was, in the first instance, attracted to the "land, but after a brief experience left the country life and entered into service of the Union Bank, where he filled many important positions, l manager at Christchurch in 15.4, manager at "Wellington in 1S?«, sub-manager at Sydney from 1899 to 19lfr, then manager at Ballarat and JiraUj, at Launceston, where he remained till his retirement on pension in 1919. The remainder of his years were spent in Christchurch. With his public school training, Mr Longden was naturally a follower of cricket and outdoor sports. For many years he belonged to the United Canterbury Cricket Club, and his happy presence was well known in the cricket fields of South Canterbury and Otago with the Wanderers eleven, organised by the late Hon. E. C. J. Stevens. Without ever having entered into the activities of public life, Mr Longden was, intimately known to a wide circle of friends and business acquaintances, by whom his genial personality, fro'xl nature, integrity, and unfailing friendship will over be held in kindly remembrance. In 1886 Mr Longden was married to the second daughter of the late Mr J. T. Ford, who, with two daughters, survives him.

His Last Will and Testament was dated 29 April 1899. His widow Annie Evelyn Longden proved his Will in 1924 at Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, she being the sole Executrix^[7].

Sources

1. ↑ Lyttelton Times 15 November 1856, page 6, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/ (requires subscription)
2. ↑ https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18740715.2.3.1
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Longden
4. ↑ https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19111127.2.2.2
5. ↑ https://billiongraves.com/grave/Arthur-Longden/12622495
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/158713218/arthur-longden: accessed 9 February 2023), memorial page for Arthur Longden (11 Nov 1856–1 Jul 1924), Find A Grave: Memorial #158713218, citing St Peter's Anglican Churchyard, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch City, Canterbury, New Zealand; Maintained by Sanfaa (contributor 48556180)
7. ↑ "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9V-VYVL : 27 April 2016), Arthur Longden, 1924; citing Christchurch, Christchurch Probate Files, 1855-2003, record number CH12808/1924, Archives New Zealand, Auckland Regional Office; FamilySearch digital folder 100076094.

• NZ BDM Marriage Records Online: Registration No: 1886/3500 | Bride's Given Name(s): Annie Evelyn | Bride's Family Name: Ford | Groom's Given Name(s): Arthur | Groom's Family Name: Longden | https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/Search

• NZ BDM Death Records Online: Registration No: 1924/7980 | Family Name: Longden | Given Name(s): Arthur | Age at Death: 67Y | https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/Search