Henry Scott McKellar (1834 - 1912)

Born 20 Mar 1834 in Battersea, London, England

Ancestors

Husband of Sophia Louisa (Heywood) McKellar — married 12 Sep 1861 in Trinity Church, Lyttleton, New Zealand

Husband of Maria Russell (Hulme) McKellar — married 8 Jun 1871 in St Paul's Church, Auckland, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 25 Jul 1912 at age 78 in his residence, 3 Gladstone Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand

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Biography

Secretary of HM Customs, Wellington; Collector of Customs at Christchurch, Auckland, and then Wellington; "he was a Member of the Wellington Diocesan Synod for over 30 years; he was also Secretary of the Melanesian Mission"; Pioneer Settler, farmer and genealogist; of 3 Gladstone Terrace, Wellington, formerly of New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand.

Background

Henry Scott McKellar was the 2nd son of Dr Dugald McKellar, MD, and Annette Clarke, of Battersea, London. He was born on 20 March 1834 at Battersea.

Madeira

In 1840 the family went to Madeira for the benefit of their father's health. His father died there in 1849.

Education

"He was educated at the famous Bluecoat School (Christ's College), London."

New Zealand

On 10 June 1852 Annette McKellar and nine of her ten surviving children embarked for New Zealand. They sailed from Madeira with two servants onboard the St Michael Barque that had originated from London and brought the Constitution to New Zealand. The ship went to New Plymouth, then Auckland, arriving at New Plymouth on 2 December 1852.

Following their arrival in New Plymouth, the family settled on land that Annette McKeller purchased at Omata, south of New Plymouth, and began farming.

Taranaki War

Due to hostilities during the Taranaki War (17 Mar 1860-18 Mar 1861) the family fled back to New Plymouth for a time

Marriages and family

In 1861 he married 1ly Sophia Louisa Heywood, with issue two daughters. She died in 1864, six weeks after childbirth.

In 1871 he married 2ly Maria Russell Hulme, with issue two daughters. She died in 1874, after childbirth. She was buried with their baby daughter in the Bolton Street Cemetery, Wellington.

Colonial society

24 May 1890 "The Governor's Levee. There was a large attendance at the levee held by His Excellency the Governor yesterday afternoon in celebration of the Queen's Birthday. The following gentlemen had the right of private entree: H S McKellar, S Percy Smith, Sir F Whitaker, [etc]. The following gentlemen were presented: - C D Barraud, G Beetham, Captain Medley, Godfrey Mantell, Major Messenger, T W McKenzie, [etc]." EP, 24 May 1890, Vol XXXIX, Issue 121, Papers Past, ppNLNZ.

Later years

He retired in 1892.

Genealogist

In 1902 he wrote an account of the family's migration to New Zealand for a celebration they had for the 50 year anniversary of the arrival of the St Michael, which "he circulated in true Victorian style."

Death and burial

After the death of his second wife, Maria, in 1874, he never remarried. He survived her by 38 years and died on 25 July 1912, aged 78. He was buried with his second wife in Bolton Street Cemetery, Wellington.

Probate

Henry Scott McKellar £2,339.[1]

Sources

Obit 25 Jul 1912, EP, Papers Past, NLNZ.[2]

Obit 26 Jul 1912, NZ Times, Papers Past, NLNZ.[3]

Obit 26 Jul 1912, Manawatu Standard, Papers Past, NLNZ.[4]

Marriage (2), 10 Jun 1871, NZH, Papers Past, NLNZ.[5]

7 Dec 1912 Deceased Persons Estates, Hawera & Normanby Star, Papers Past, NLNZ.[6]

Marriage reg (1) 1861/4119; (2) 1871/3972; death 1912/6255, age 78, NZBDM.[7]

Find A Grave.[8]

Correspondence: (descendant) Cathi Maryon (2008).