John Caskie (abt. 1843 - 1920)

Born about 1843 in County Londonderry, Ireland

Descendants

Died 12 Apr 1920 at about age 77 in Lawrence, Otago, New Zealand

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Biography

John was born about 1843 near Castle Dawson, County Derry, Ireland. He worked in coal mining in England and Scotland for 15 years, and married Agnes Caskie. They emigrated with two young children, James and John, to New Zealand on the maiden voyage of the ship Invercargill, however the child John died at sea of tuberculosis. They arrived at Port Chalmers and settled at Lawrence, Otago, where John lived for over 45 years, having several more children. He was a contractor, becoming known as an expert in laying down asphalt and garden work. He was also a Presbyterian church officer for 35 years. He passed away at his home in Lawrence in 1920 aged 77 years and was buried at Lawrence Cemetery.

Sources

• New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages search 1920/511, death of John Caskie, aged 77 years.
• Archives New Zealand passenger lists via FamilySearch Passengers on the Invercargill, from Glasgow 16/7/1874, include the Caskey family: John, age 29, Edinburgh, farm servant [?], Mrs Agnes, 31, James 2 1/2, John 1.
• Evening Star, 16 October 1874, page 2 via Papers Past; shipping, including detailed account of the arrival of the Invercargill at Port Chalmers under Captain Lilley, from Glasgow. John Caskey died aged 18 months of tubercular disease.
• Otago Daily Times, 14 April 1920, page 4 via Papers Past Death on April 12, 1920, at his residence, Solway Street, Lawrence, John Caskie, husband of Agnes Caskie, aged 77 years. Funeral on 15th for Lawrence Cemetery.
• Tuapeka Times, 17 April 1920, page 3 via Papers Past Obituary of John Caskie, died at his residence, Solway Street, Lawrence, 12 April 1920; born near Castle Dawson, County Derry, Ireland, in 1843; worked in coal mining for 15 years in England and Scotland; emigrated to New Zealand on the maiden voyage of the ship Invercargill in 1874; arrived at Port Chalmers and settled at Lawrence, where he resided continuously for over 45 years; initially carried out contract work, later an expert in laying down asphalt and garden work; Presbyterian church officer for 35 years; survived by his wife and four sons: James, William and Charles Caskie (Dunedin) and Sinclair Caskie (North Island), and one daughter, Mrs Scott of Auckland. Buried at Lawrence Cemetery on 15th.