Emily Annie Gardner
(January 1884 - 19 February 1972)
Emily was born in the small, rural town of Waipawa, in January 1884. Her parents were English immigrants to New Zealand, George Gardner (9 May 1856 - 24 Dec 1886) and his wife Jane Simmons (c16 Nov 1851 - 9 Jan 1917). She was probably given the middle name Annie in memory of her maternal aunt, Anne Smith (nee Simmons) who was known as Annie.
- Mary Elizabeth Jane Gardner (1878 - 1961)
- Francis (Frank) William Gardner (1879 - 1943)
- Clara Lorraine Gardner (1880 - 6 Aug 1920)
- Alice Maud Gardner (11 June 1883 - May 1950)
- Emily Annie Gardner (Jan 1884 - 19 Feb 1972)
- Mabel Gardner (1885 - 31 Aug 1968)
Tragedy in Waipawa
When Emily was almost three years old, her father, George (30), contracted ncephalitis
(inflammation of the brain), and after being seriously ill for three days, died on Christmas Eve 1886. His death must have come as a awful shock to the family, and it must have been especially tough happening at Christmas-time. George's funeral was the first one held in the Waipawa Salvation Army Church. Afterwards, the family buried him at the Waipawa Cemetery, Plot 046.
Following the funeral, the members of the Salvation Army Church and the local community, took a special collection for the destitute family, but Emily's poor mother ended up taking in washing to help make ends meet. Life must have been very tough in the Gardner household at this time.
Around Christmas of 1887, Emilyl's mother met a new man, and then on 22 February 1888, within two months of meeting him, they married at the family home on Ruataniwha Street, Waipawa. Emily's new step-father was Thomas George Smith (25 Feb 1852 - 12 Dec 1919) a 31 year old travelling shoemaker who was originally from Shipton under Wychwood, Oxfordship which was a short distance from his new wife's hometown.
Emily's step brothers were born in Waipawa and Ashurst respectfully:
Around 1890 Thomas moved the family to Ormondville where he worked as a shoe maker and repairer. He advertised his business in The Bush Advocate from at least May 1892 until July 1893. By this time, Emily was attending the Ormondville School along with Alice, Mabel and step-brother, Thomas. The older children had probably finished their schooling. The girls would have been helping their mother with domestic duties at home while Frank may have helped his step-father at the shop. A measles epidemic during 1893 may have affected the children.
Scandal
Unbeknownst to Emily, her mother had received a strange letter from the Dead Letter Office addressed to 'Mrs Thomas Smith, Oamaru' and sent from Thomas Smith in Ormondville. Jane had opened the letter and read it. To her horror she discovered that her husband had another wife and family in the South Island. For whatever reason, Emily's mother decided not to tell a soul about the contents of the letter. However, shortly afterwards, Thomas disappeared without warning.
In September 1893 Thomas was arrested for failing to comply with a court order to support his first wife and children and as a result his bigamist activities came to light. They were reported publicly, in The Bush Advocate, Volume XI, Issue 831, 14 September 1893:
The court case was reported on 23 September 1893. At his trial, Thomas pleaded guilty to bigamy and was sentenced to two years hard labour at the Napier Prison (New Zealand's oldest prison). The Bush Advocate, Volume XI, Issue 835, published on 23 September reported the following facts from the trial:
The New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9312, 22 September 1893 reported the case succinctly, as follows:
It is not clear what happened to Jane and the children after Thomas was sent to prison. We believe she moved back to Waipawa at the end of 1893 as four of her children, including Emily, completed the school year at Ormondville. We also know that she continued to use the surname Smith because her son Fred named Mrs T Smith his next of kin when he enlisted for war. It appears that although Thomas returned to his first wife, Bridget, after he was released from prison, he kept in touch with his youngest sons, and for a time, lived in Waipawa.
When Emily was almost three years old, her father, George (30), contracted ncephalitis
(inflammation of the brain), and after being seriously ill for three days, died on Christmas Eve 1886. His death must have come as a awful shock to the family, and it must have been especially tough happening at Christmas-time. George's funeral was the first one held in the Waipawa Salvation Army Church. Afterwards, the family buried him at the Waipawa Cemetery, Plot 046.
Following the funeral, the members of the Salvation Army Church and the local community, took a special collection for the destitute family, but Emily's poor mother ended up taking in washing to help make ends meet. Life must have been very tough in the Gardner household at this time.
Around Christmas of 1887, Emilyl's mother met a new man, and then on 22 February 1888, within two months of meeting him, they married at the family home on Ruataniwha Street, Waipawa. Emily's new step-father was Thomas George Smith (25 Feb 1852 - 12 Dec 1919) a 31 year old travelling shoemaker who was originally from Shipton under Wychwood, Oxfordship which was a short distance from his new wife's hometown.
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| Ruataniwha Street, Waipawa Photographer and date unknown (Photo courtesy of G J Bland) |
Emily's step brothers were born in Waipawa and Ashurst respectfully:
- Thomas Edward Smith (1889 - 20 Jan 1917)
- Frederick (Fred) James Smith (24 Oct 1890 - 1 Aug 1961)
Scandal
Unbeknownst to Emily, her mother had received a strange letter from the Dead Letter Office addressed to 'Mrs Thomas Smith, Oamaru' and sent from Thomas Smith in Ormondville. Jane had opened the letter and read it. To her horror she discovered that her husband had another wife and family in the South Island. For whatever reason, Emily's mother decided not to tell a soul about the contents of the letter. However, shortly afterwards, Thomas disappeared without warning.
In September 1893 Thomas was arrested for failing to comply with a court order to support his first wife and children and as a result his bigamist activities came to light. They were reported publicly, in The Bush Advocate, Volume XI, Issue 831, 14 September 1893:
The court case was reported on 23 September 1893. At his trial, Thomas pleaded guilty to bigamy and was sentenced to two years hard labour at the Napier Prison (New Zealand's oldest prison). The Bush Advocate, Volume XI, Issue 835, published on 23 September reported the following facts from the trial:
The New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9312, 22 September 1893 reported the case succinctly, as follows:
It is not clear what happened to Jane and the children after Thomas was sent to prison. We believe she moved back to Waipawa at the end of 1893 as four of her children, including Emily, completed the school year at Ormondville. We also know that she continued to use the surname Smith because her son Fred named Mrs T Smith his next of kin when he enlisted for war. It appears that although Thomas returned to his first wife, Bridget, after he was released from prison, he kept in touch with his youngest sons, and for a time, lived in Waipawa.
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| Jane Gardner with four of her children, outside of her home.
Photo by W Billows. Date c1890s.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)
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Family weddings
Emily would have attended several family weddings in the early 1900s. Firstly, her sister Clara married George Henry Arrow (Oct 1879 - 29 Mar 1926) in Waipawa in 1904. Later that year, on 8 December, her sister Mary married William Matthew Hazlehurst (12 Nov 1874 - 13 Mar 1943) in Christchurch.
On 18 July 1906 Emily's brother Frank married Ellen (Nellie) Burke (dates unknown) in Waipawa. The following year, on 4 December 1907 her sister Alice married Robert (Rob) Charles Cobb (20 Oct 1870 - 20 Dec 1949) in Waipawa. All the Gardner sisters and the two Smith brothers were pictured together on this occasion:
Marriage and family
In 1909 Emily married John (Jack) Barnes (c1872 - 7 Aug 1964).
Jack and Emily's only child, John Selwyn Barnes (known as Selwyn) was born in Waipukurau on 9 October 1913.
War broke out in mid 1914. It affected everybody.
On 11 November 1915, Emily's youngest sister, Mabel, married Scotsman James (Jim) Preacher (14 July 1883 - 5 Oct 1918), in Waipukurau. The Preachers lived on Northumberland Street.
Emily would have attended several family weddings in the early 1900s. Firstly, her sister Clara married George Henry Arrow (Oct 1879 - 29 Mar 1926) in Waipawa in 1904. Later that year, on 8 December, her sister Mary married William Matthew Hazlehurst (12 Nov 1874 - 13 Mar 1943) in Christchurch.
On 18 July 1906 Emily's brother Frank married Ellen (Nellie) Burke (dates unknown) in Waipawa. The following year, on 4 December 1907 her sister Alice married Robert (Rob) Charles Cobb (20 Oct 1870 - 20 Dec 1949) in Waipawa. All the Gardner sisters and the two Smith brothers were pictured together on this occasion:
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The wedding of Robert (Bob) Cobb and Alice M Gardner. Waipawa, 1907.
Back row: George Arrow, Mary Hazelhurst (nee Gardner), Robert (Bob) Cobb,
Alice Cobb (nee Gardner), Mabel Gardner, Thomas Smith Jnr, Emily Gardner
Front row: Clara Arrow (nee Gardner) with daughter Joyce Arrow,
Jane Smith (nee Simmons), and sitting on the ground is Fred Smith.
Photo taken by Mrs Cobb.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)
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Marriage and family
In 1909 Emily married John (Jack) Barnes (c1872 - 7 Aug 1964).
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| John (Jack) Barnes and his wife Emily Gardner c1909 Photographer unknown (Photo courtesy of G J Bland) |
Jack and Emily's only child, John Selwyn Barnes (known as Selwyn) was born in Waipukurau on 9 October 1913.
War broke out in mid 1914. It affected everybody.
On 11 November 1915, Emily's youngest sister, Mabel, married Scotsman James (Jim) Preacher (14 July 1883 - 5 Oct 1918), in Waipukurau. The Preachers lived on Northumberland Street.
The War Years
On 6 March 1916 Emily's 25 year old step-brother, Fred Smith, enlisted for war. After a brief period of training he departed for the western front on 26 June.
1917 was a tragic year for Emily. First, her mother Jane, died aged 60, in Waipawa on 9 January. The family buried her in the Waipawa Cemetery with her first husband, George Gardner. Less than two weeks later Emily's step-brother, Thomas (28), tragically died in Palmerston North Hospital as the result of a motorcycle accident. He was buried at the Terrence End Cemetery, Palmerston North, Block 9, Plot 33.
In June 1917, news was cabled to Emily's step-father, to inform the family that Fred (Emily's youngest brother) had been wounded in action in France. His injuries were so severe that he was sent back to New Zealand and discharged from service.
Emily's brother-in-law, Jim Preacher enlisted for war on 14 September 1917 when his daughter Gladys was only two months old. He departed from Wellington wharf on 23 April 1918. Sadly, 35 year old Jim was killed in action on 5 October 1918 in the Le Cateau area of France, a mere eight days after arriving at the front line.
Around this time, Emily's sister Mabel and niece Gladys moved to Palmerston North. This left Emily without any known relatives in Waipukurau.
Jack and Emily's son, Selwyn, became engaged to Evelyn Margaret Jessie Shepherd (3rd qtr 1910 - ?), the only daughter of farmers, James and Annie Shepherd of Te Puke. The engagement was publicly announced on Christmas Eve, 1938 in the New Zealand Herald, Vol LXXV, Issue 23229, 24 December 1938. Evelyn was a nurse who had completed her training at Te Puke Hospital. Selwyn and Evelyn would have probably met in Waipukurau as Evelyn was there working. The 1938 Electoral Roll shows that she lived in the Nurses' Home. At present, it is unknown where and when Selwyn and Evelyn's wedding was held.
Jack worked in Waipukurau as a labourer all his life. The family home was at 31 Jellicoe Street.
Jack and Emily celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1959. The following newspaper clipping is from a relative's collection. The newspaper source is unknown.
Death
Jack died on Friday 7 August 1964, aged 92. He was buried at the Waipukurau Cemetery, Block 1C, Plot 193.
Emily died on Saturday 19 February 1972, aged 88. She too was buried at the Waipukurau Cemetery, next to her husband (Block 1C, Plot 194).
On 6 March 1916 Emily's 25 year old step-brother, Fred Smith, enlisted for war. After a brief period of training he departed for the western front on 26 June.
1917 was a tragic year for Emily. First, her mother Jane, died aged 60, in Waipawa on 9 January. The family buried her in the Waipawa Cemetery with her first husband, George Gardner. Less than two weeks later Emily's step-brother, Thomas (28), tragically died in Palmerston North Hospital as the result of a motorcycle accident. He was buried at the Terrence End Cemetery, Palmerston North, Block 9, Plot 33.
In June 1917, news was cabled to Emily's step-father, to inform the family that Fred (Emily's youngest brother) had been wounded in action in France. His injuries were so severe that he was sent back to New Zealand and discharged from service.
Emily's brother-in-law, Jim Preacher enlisted for war on 14 September 1917 when his daughter Gladys was only two months old. He departed from Wellington wharf on 23 April 1918. Sadly, 35 year old Jim was killed in action on 5 October 1918 in the Le Cateau area of France, a mere eight days after arriving at the front line.
Around this time, Emily's sister Mabel and niece Gladys moved to Palmerston North. This left Emily without any known relatives in Waipukurau.
Jack and Emily's son, Selwyn, became engaged to Evelyn Margaret Jessie Shepherd (3rd qtr 1910 - ?), the only daughter of farmers, James and Annie Shepherd of Te Puke. The engagement was publicly announced on Christmas Eve, 1938 in the New Zealand Herald, Vol LXXV, Issue 23229, 24 December 1938. Evelyn was a nurse who had completed her training at Te Puke Hospital. Selwyn and Evelyn would have probably met in Waipukurau as Evelyn was there working. The 1938 Electoral Roll shows that she lived in the Nurses' Home. At present, it is unknown where and when Selwyn and Evelyn's wedding was held.
Jack worked in Waipukurau as a labourer all his life. The family home was at 31 Jellicoe Street.
Jack and Emily celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1959. The following newspaper clipping is from a relative's collection. The newspaper source is unknown.
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| Newspaper clipping (newspaper source unknown) Courtesy of G J Bland |
Death
Jack died on Friday 7 August 1964, aged 92. He was buried at the Waipukurau Cemetery, Block 1C, Plot 193.
Emily died on Saturday 19 February 1972, aged 88. She too was buried at the Waipukurau Cemetery, next to her husband (Block 1C, Plot 194).
Jack and Emily had one son:
Sources of Information
Family held records and photographs courtesy of G J Bland
Central Hawke's Bay District Council - Cemetery Search
Ancestry.com
Papers Past
Last updated on 20 April 2019
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