Mary Elizabeth Jane Gardner
(1878 - 11 November 1961)
Family roots
Mary Elizabeth Jane Gardner was born in Longbeach, Ashburton, in 1878. 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). Mary was named after grandmothers, Mary Ann Gardner (27 March 1825 - 27 April 1910) and Elizabeth Simmons (3 May 1810 - 1891), and of course, the name Jane came from her mother. Mary was the eldest of George and Jane Gardner's six children:
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| Mary Hazlehurst, nee Gardner 14 April 1913 Photographed by Talma, 119 Swanston Street, Melbourne & at Sydney (Photo courtesy of G J Bland) |
Family roots
Mary Elizabeth Jane Gardner was born in Longbeach, Ashburton, in 1878. 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). Mary was named after grandmothers, Mary Ann Gardner (27 March 1825 - 27 April 1910) and Elizabeth Simmons (3 May 1810 - 1891), and of course, the name Jane came from her mother. Mary was the eldest of George and Jane Gardner's six children:
- 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)
Childhood
When Mary was born, her father was a labourer at Longbeach in South Canterbury where he worked on the rural estate owned by John Grigg.
Brother Francis, known as Frank, was born in Longbeach in 1879, then when Mary was about two and a half years old her family moved north to Waipawa. Her four sisters were born there, first Clara in 1880. Alice arrived on 11 June 1883, then Emily in January 1884, followed by Mabel in 1885.
The work of the Salvation Army Church began in New Zealand in 1883 and quickly attracted the attention of those who believed in temperance and in giving support to the economically disadvantaged in society. In a relatively short time this message had spread around New Zealand and 21 churches were established in towns and cities all over the country. Mary's parents were attracted to the Salvationist message and, with their children, attended the Salvation Army Church in Waipawa. Mary was to remain connected to the Salvation Army Church throughout her life.
Tragedy in Waipawa
When Mary was nine, her father, George (30), contracted encephalitis (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 young Mary and her siblings and it must have been especially tough happening at Christmas-time. Their father'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 Mary's poor mother ended up taking in washing to help make ends meet. Perhaps Mary helped her mother with the washing. Life must have been very tough in the Gardner household at this time.
Around Christmas of 1887, Mary'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. Mary'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.
Mary's step brothers were born in Waipawa and Ashurst respectfully:
Scandal
Unbeknownst to Mary, 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, Mary'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 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 Mary was born, her father was a labourer at Longbeach in South Canterbury where he worked on the rural estate owned by John Grigg.
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| Longbeach Photographer and date unknown |
Brother Francis, known as Frank, was born in Longbeach in 1879, then when Mary was about two and a half years old her family moved north to Waipawa. Her four sisters were born there, first Clara in 1880. Alice arrived on 11 June 1883, then Emily in January 1884, followed by Mabel in 1885.
The work of the Salvation Army Church began in New Zealand in 1883 and quickly attracted the attention of those who believed in temperance and in giving support to the economically disadvantaged in society. In a relatively short time this message had spread around New Zealand and 21 churches were established in towns and cities all over the country. Mary's parents were attracted to the Salvationist message and, with their children, attended the Salvation Army Church in Waipawa. Mary was to remain connected to the Salvation Army Church throughout her life.
Tragedy in Waipawa
When Mary was nine, her father, George (30), contracted encephalitis (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 young Mary and her siblings and it must have been especially tough happening at Christmas-time. Their father'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 Mary's poor mother ended up taking in washing to help make ends meet. Perhaps Mary helped her mother with the washing. Life must have been very tough in the Gardner household at this time.
Around Christmas of 1887, Mary'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. Mary'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) |
Mary'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 Mary, 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, Mary'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 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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| Mary Gardner on her baptism day. Photographer and date unknown (Photo courtesy of G J Bland) |
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Four of the Gardner girls, Clara, Mary, Alice (at back), and Mabel.
Photo by Crown Studios, Whallby & Co, Palmerston North.
Date unknown but c1900
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)
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Marriage & family
Mary worked as a domestic servant in Aramoana prior to her marriage to 30 year old William Matthew Hazlehurst (12 Nov 1874 - 13 Mar 1943) from Christchurch. William (30) and Mary (26) were married at the Salvation Army Barracks on Victoria Christchurch on 8 December 1904. At the time, William was living in St Albans, Christchurch and worked for the railways. Mary's brother Frank, and sister, Alice were the the official witnesses to the marriage.
William and Mary had two children:
Family weddings
Also in 1904 was the wedding of Mary's sister, Clara Gardner who married George Henry Arrow (Oct 1879 - 29 Mar 1926) of Waipawa. Two years later, brother Frank married Ellen (Nellie) Burke (dates unknown) in Waipawa on 18 July 1906.
Mary made a special trip north to Waipawa to attend the wedding of her sister Alice to Robert (Bob) Charles Cobb (20 October 1870 - 20 December 1949). The wedding was held at the Salvation Army Hall in Waipawa on 4 December 1907. Both Robert and Alice were Salvation Army officers. He was a Captain, and she a Lieutenant. It is interesting to note that Mary and her husband were keen Salvationists also. Mary's son had vivid recollections of his father dressed up in his Salvation Army uniform each Sunday while his mother refused to don the uniform to attend church services!
Bits and pieces
William and Mary's daughter Muriel was born in Christchurch on 24 December 1909, on the 23rd anniversary of Mary's father's death. Five months later William's father, William Snr, died in Christchurch on 3 May 1910, aged 67.
The Electoral Roll of 1911 shows the Hazlehursts living at 7 Coventry Street, in central Christchurch. William worked as a shunter for the railways. In 1914 they lived in Rangiora, Canterbury.
Mary must have been visiting family in the North Island in early 1915, because on Thursday 4 February Mary and her sisters, Clara and Alice, took their children into the Billens studio in Palmerston North for a photo shoot. The following photo of the cousins was taken on this occasion. We know that a copy of the photo was sent to their brother Frank, and probably to their sister Emily as well.
Muriel and Jack Hazlehurst are pictured below.
Electoral Rolls show the following information for the Hazlehurst family:
It is believed that for a short period of time when the children were young, the Hazlehurst family lived in Australia but it appears they returned around 1928-29 and lived in Auckland.
William and Mary lived out their days at their home at 25 Milton Road, Mt Eden, Auckland. William died on 13 March 1943 aged 68, and was buried at the Hillsborough Cemetery, Auckland, Area 12, Block B, Plot 120. Mary died on 11 November 1961 and was buried with her husband.
Mary worked as a domestic servant in Aramoana prior to her marriage to 30 year old William Matthew Hazlehurst (12 Nov 1874 - 13 Mar 1943) from Christchurch. William (30) and Mary (26) were married at the Salvation Army Barracks on Victoria Christchurch on 8 December 1904. At the time, William was living in St Albans, Christchurch and worked for the railways. Mary's brother Frank, and sister, Alice were the the official witnesses to the marriage.
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| Mary and William Hazlehurst Photographer and date unknown (Photo courtesy of G J Bland) |
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| Marriage of William Hazlehurst and Mary Gardner (Courtesy of G J Bland) |
William and Mary had two children:
- Muriel Isabel Hazlehurst (24 Dec 1909 - 2004)
- William John (Jack) Hazlehurst (1913 - 2007)
Also in 1904 was the wedding of Mary's sister, Clara Gardner who married George Henry Arrow (Oct 1879 - 29 Mar 1926) of Waipawa. Two years later, brother Frank married Ellen (Nellie) Burke (dates unknown) in Waipawa on 18 July 1906.
Mary made a special trip north to Waipawa to attend the wedding of her sister Alice to Robert (Bob) Charles Cobb (20 October 1870 - 20 December 1949). The wedding was held at the Salvation Army Hall in Waipawa on 4 December 1907. Both Robert and Alice were Salvation Army officers. He was a Captain, and she a Lieutenant. It is interesting to note that Mary and her husband were keen Salvationists also. Mary's son had vivid recollections of his father dressed up in his Salvation Army uniform each Sunday while his mother refused to don the uniform to attend church services!
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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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Bits and pieces
William and Mary's daughter Muriel was born in Christchurch on 24 December 1909, on the 23rd anniversary of Mary's father's death. Five months later William's father, William Snr, died in Christchurch on 3 May 1910, aged 67.
The Electoral Roll of 1911 shows the Hazlehursts living at 7 Coventry Street, in central Christchurch. William worked as a shunter for the railways. In 1914 they lived in Rangiora, Canterbury.
Mary must have been visiting family in the North Island in early 1915, because on Thursday 4 February Mary and her sisters, Clara and Alice, took their children into the Billens studio in Palmerston North for a photo shoot. The following photo of the cousins was taken on this occasion. We know that a copy of the photo was sent to their brother Frank, and probably to their sister Emily as well.
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| Cousins 4 February 1915 From left: Mavis Arrow (7), Lionel Cobb (6), Mollie Arrow (5), Dulcie Cobb (2 years, 9 months), Muriel Hazlehurst (5), Joyce Arrow (10), Jack Hazlehurst (14 months) Photo by Billens, Palmerston North (Photo courtesy of G J Bland) |
Muriel and Jack Hazlehurst are pictured below.
Muriel and Jack Hazlehurst
Photographer and date unknown
(Photos courtesy of G J Bland)
Electoral Rolls show the following information for the Hazlehurst family:
- 1919 lived at 176 Redruth Avenue, Spreydon (William was a railway employee)
- 1929 & 1935 lived at 97 Sherbourne Street, Christchurch North (railway employee)
- 1938 lived at 46 Buckley's Road, Avon, Christchurch (Retired). Son Jack was living there too (a clicker)
It is believed that for a short period of time when the children were young, the Hazlehurst family lived in Australia but it appears they returned around 1928-29 and lived in Auckland.
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| The Hazlehurst family From left: William, Muriel, Jack & Mary Photographer and date unknown (Photo courtesy of G J Bland) |
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| Mary and William Hazlehurst Photographer and date unknown (Photo courtesy of G J Bland) |
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| Mary Hazlehurst is pictured here with her sister. at her nephew's wedding 17 February 1942. From left: Mary Hazlehurst, John (Jack) Cobb, Alice Cobb Photographer unknown (Photo courtesy of G J Bland) |
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| Mary Hazlehurst c1960 Photographer unknown (Photo courtesy of G J Bland) |
William and Mary lived out their days at their home at 25 Milton Road, Mt Eden, Auckland. William died on 13 March 1943 aged 68, and was buried at the Hillsborough Cemetery, Auckland, Area 12, Block B, Plot 120. Mary died on 11 November 1961 and was buried with her husband.
The family of William & Mary Hazlehurst
William and Mary's family include:
Sources of Information
Family records from G J Bland & J Hazlehurst
Papers Past
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