Jonathan Checkley (1857 - 1928)

Born 26 Jan 1857 in Sircireen, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Eliza Amy (Ick) Checkley — married 17 Jul 1885 in Merivale, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Husband of Martha (Douds) Checkley — married about 1912 in New Zealand

Died 3 Dec 1928 at age 71 in New Zealand

Jonathan Checkley was born in England.

Biography

Jonathan was born about 1857. He was the son of George Checkley and Eliza Jackson. Jonathan emigrated to New Zealand with his parents and older brother, aboard the vessel "Indiana", which departed England on 2 August 1858 and arrived into Lyttelton on 23 November 1858. His father, George, was recorded on the passenger list as being aged 30, a "carpenter" and his mother, Eliza, aged 24. His older brother, Tom (aged 4) and he was recorded on the passenger list as being aged 1.

Jonathan married Eliza Amy Ick in 1885. After her death (in 1911), he married Martha Douds (in 1912). For a number of years, Jonathan was a grocer, with a shop in Christchurch, however, he moved to New Brighton, Christchurch, where he worked as an agent for the A.M.P. Association.

He passed away in 1928, aged 71 and is buried at the Linwood Cemetery, Linwood, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Sources

Marriage Notice (1st marriage): https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18850723.2.7 Press, Press, Volume XLII, Issue 6191, 23 July 1885

Obituary: Press, Issue 19484, 4 December 1928 "MR JONATHAN CHECKLEY. The death is announced of Mr Jonathan Checkley, who for many years was a well-known and highly respected figure in Christchurch business circles. He will be remembered as a partner in the old established firm of Knight and Checkley, and it was in this connexion (sic) that he made so wide a circle of acquaintances in the City. The news of his death will be received with the deepest regret by all who came into contact with him in business or in his later years of retirement.

Born at Sircircen, Nottinghamshire, England, on January 26th, 1857, Mr Checkley came to the Dominion with his parents in 1868 on the Zealandia (sic). He settled at Akaroa and lived there for a considerable time after his arrival in the country, until commencing his business in Christchurch. He retired from business in 1911.

During the years of his retirement his great hobby was fishing, and, as a keen and experienced angler, he was well known to the fishermen at the Selwyn.

The only member of his family to survive him is Mr Leonard Checkley, of Knowles street, St Albans."

Tombstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141937509/jonathan-checkley

• NZ BDM Marriages registration no. 1885/2462
• NZ BDM Deaths registration no. 1928/8433