George Blackwell (1834 - 1932)

Born 22 Jun 1834 in Tipperary, County Tipperary, Ireland

Descendants

Died 12 Feb 1932 at age 97 in Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand

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Biography

George was born in 1834. George Blackwell, son of Thomas and Ellen was baptised on 13 Sep 1835 in Modreeny Parish, Tipperary, Ireland. The family's residence at the time was recorded as Behamore. ^[1]

George Blackwell, bachelor carpenter son of Thomas Blackwell farmer, and Elizabeth Williams, spinster daughter of James Williams farmer, married on 11 June 1863 in the parish church of Modreeny, Nenagh district, Tipperary, Ireland. Witnesses were Thomas Blackwell and Thomas ?Tin. ^[2]

George and Elizabeth immigrated to New Zealand from England on Ship Victory arriving in January 1864. Interesting notes about the family's time on and contribution to Great Barrier Island can be found at https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/arts-culture-heritage/heritage/heritagesurveys/aotea-great-barrier-island-historic-heritage-survey-appendix-1.2.pdf

He passed away in 1932 at the age of 97 years old and buried in Tryphena Cemetery, Tryphena, Auckland, New Zealand. Mr George Blackwell -- A well known resident of Ponsonby who had formerly lived ... at Great Barrier Island, Mr George Blackwell died on February 12, aged 97 years. Mr Blackwell spent many happy hours in the later years of his life on the waterfront chatting to seafaring men. He was also often to be seen watching football matches at Victoria Park. Mr Blackwell lost his right leg before he was 17 years of age, having been struck on the knee while playing hockey in Tipperary. He and his wife arrived in Auckland in 1865 by the ship Victory, and for two years he worked as a wheelwright. Then the family went to Great Barrier Island, where they worked a 40-acre farm. The only communication with Auckland in those days was by cutter once in every three months. Mr Blackwell was a keen fisherman and wonderfully active, although he had lost one leg. He is survived by the following children: Messrs Thomas, Adam, William and Jonathan Blackwell, Great Barrier; James Blackwell, Milford; Mrs Edlington, Ponsonby; Mrs Cavanagh, Avondale; Mrs Sidwell, Upper Waiwera; Mrs Nairn, Hunua. ^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ ffolliott Parish Registers. Accessed on findmypast.co.uk Irish Parish Register Baptisms & Confirmations, Ffolliott Collection.
2. ↑ Civil Records of Ireland. Accessed online at https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1863/09656/5501882.pdf
3. ↑ OBITUARY. AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME LXIII, ISSUE 37, 13 FEBRUARY 1932, PAGE 7. Accessed from the online newspaper database Papers Past at https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320213.2.50?end_date=31-12-1940&items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=george+blackwell&snippet=true&sort_by=byDA.rev&start_date=01-01-1860&title=NZABIG%2cNA%2cNORAG%2cWAIBE%2cALG%2cACNZC%2cAKEXAM%2cAS%2cAKTIM%2cBRATS%2cDSC%2cFRTIM%2cKWE%2cMANAK%2cNZH%2cNZHAG%2cNZ%2cTO%2cPWT%2cROTWKG%2cSUNAK

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1932/1577 Death

• Memorial ID 193846206 - Find a Grave