The Timms family

To the best of our knowledge, Walter Timms (c1854 - 31 July 1933) was born in Milton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire, England, around 1854. The 1851 UK Census records the Timms family living on Frog Lane which is where Walter was probably born. We believe his parents were William Timms (1811 - 1856), a labourer/shepherd, and his wife, Mary Avery? (surname to be confirmed) (1812 - at least 1875). Walter was the youngest of the Timms children: 

• Elizabeth Timms (bapt 5 Oct 1831 - Oct 1845)
• Thomas (Tom) Timms (bapt 9 Feb 1834 - 30 April 1919)
• Ann Timms (bapt 28 Feb 1836 - 23 Nov 1915)
• James Timms (bapt 15 July 1838 - 1911)
• William Timms (bapt 26 July 1841 - ?)
• John Timms (bapt 22 Oct 1843 - 1870)
• Philip Timms (bapt 15 Mar 1846 - 1927)
• Frederick Timms (bapt 20 Aug 1848 - 16 Aug 1904)
• Mary Ann Timms (bapt 23 Mar 1851- 1927)
• Walter Timms (bapt 19 Feb 1854 - 31 July 1933)

Childhood

When Walter was two years old his father died. 

On 20 November 1858, Walter's sister Ann, married William Joseph Leggett (1837 - 19 June 1918), who was known as Joseph, in Milton-under-Wychwood. 

In 1861, when Walter was seven years old, the UK Census was taken. The Timms family lived in Upper Milton, Oxfordshire. He is listed there as the youngest of seven children, raised by his widowed mother, Mary. Walter's older brothers lived at home and worked as shepherds and carters. The census records that Walter and his nine year old sister Mary Ann, were scholars. 

On 13 November 1862, Walter's brother Thomas (Tom), married local woman Ellen Miles (c1834 - 18 Apr 1909) at the parish church in Milton-under-Wychwood. 

In 1870, when Walter was 16, his brother John died. 

Immigration to New Zealand

Work opportunities were very limited in the Wychwood area in the early 1870s and even though the town had a population of just under 1000 in 1871, there was significant unemployment. According to Rollo Arnold's book, 'The Farthest Promised Land - English Villagers, New Zealand Immigrants of the 1870s' , the industrial revolution had not made an impact on rural Oxfordshire and there was a general spirit of discontent amongst the labourers of Milton-under-Wychwood. At a gathering on the village green on 16 April 1872 they discussed forming a union. Of the 50 who agreed to the proposal, six local labourers were selected to form a committee. Walter's brother-in-law, Joseph Leggett, was chosen to be the secretary of this committee. 

On Tuesday 4 November 1873, there was a public meeting in Milton-under-Wychwood, organised by the union, in which 500-600 people from the surrounding areas attended. At the meeting a Mr C R Carter spoke to the crowd about the terrible farming prospects in England versus the amazing advantages of New Zealand. By the end of the lecture, a number of local families had volunteered to join the first cohort of immigrants to sail to New Zealand. Through the influence of C R Carter and union leaders such as Joseph Leggett, it is estimated that more than 200 individuals from Milton-under-Wychwood immigrated to New Zealand between 1873 and 1875. 

Joseph Leggett (37), took up the opportunity to lead a group of 111 emigrants and their families to New Zealand in 1874. This group of 502 people became known as 'Leggett's Gang' and included his his wife Ann (38). Their seven children registered on the passenger list were: Annie (14), Louisa (12), William (10), Kate (6), Ruth (4), Frank (2) and Walter (10 months). They departed England on the ship 'Ballochmyle' on 4 March 1874, arriving in Canterbury on 1 June 1874. Joseph Leggett was met by an old friend, Christopher Holloway, who had led the first group of emigrants from Wychwood. Mr Holloway took the Leggett family to stay with him until they could find their own residence, and helped Joseph to find employment as a carpenter. Apparently, Joseph's first job was to build a school. Incidentally, it was fortunate that Mr Holloway took the Leggetts in because Ann gave birth to their eighth child, Ellen Timms (10 June 1874 - 8 Oct 1950) just 10 days after their arrival in New Zealand! 

The Leggett family didn't stay long in Christchurch. By the end of 1874, they had moved to the new farming settlement of Ashburton, south of Christchurch, where Joseph became active around town. News of the opportunities in the new country would have been immediately sent back to family in England. No doubt it inspired others to come out too.

In fact, several months later, Ann Leggett's 20 year old brother Walter, also emigrated to New Zealand as an assisted immigrant. His name was entered on the passenger list for the ship 'Waimate' in London on 27 October 1874. It was the ship's maiden voyage! It was noted on the shipping record that Walter, a single, farm labourer, was destined for Ashburton. The Waimate docked in Lyttleton, Christchurch, New Zealand on Monday 25 January 1875 after a voyage of 81 days. 

Walter's oldest brother, Thomas (Tom) Timms (39), a shepherd from Milton-under-Wychwood, and his wife Ellen Miles ( - Apr 1909) also sailed to New Zealand in 1874. They came out on the ship 'Lady Jocelyn', arriving on 21 January 1875. Thomas and Ellen were accompanied by their four children, listed as: Paulina (9), Frederick (4), William (2) and baby Eliza (five months). On arrival in New Zealand, Thomas secured work at an isolated sheep station near Ashburton.

It is also significant that Walter's future wife, 15 year old Alice Ann Gardner (25 Dec 1859 - 24 Feb 1932), her parents, and Alice's future sister-in-law, Jane Simmons (bapt 16 Nov 1851 - 9 Jan 1917) immigrated on the 'Lady Jocelyn' with Thomas Timms and his family. It is likely that since they all came from the same hometown in England, they became a close-knit group.

According to Te Ara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, all immigrants arriving in Christchurch in the 1870s, passed through the Immigration Barracks located in Addington. Immigrants were checked by a doctor, and given two days to prepare themselves for job interviews on the third day. It was expected that employees accept job offers or be evicted from the accommodation. We expect that Walter spent a few days at the barracks before heading off to Ashburton and reuniting with his sister Ann and her family, and other friends from Wychwood.

Ashburton in the early days

According to the Ashburton Museum website, immigration barracks, and cottages were also built in Ashburton in 1874 to house the early settlers until they had secured employment and permanent housing. The immigration barracks was a wooden structure which consisted of 6m by 3m rooms to house 20 families, as well as a dormitory for up to 20 single males. More information about the immigration barracks can be found by clicking the link here.

The railway line connecting Christchurch with Ashburton opened in the later half of 1874. This created many opportunities in the area and caused the town to become more prosperous. On arriving in New Zealand, Walter probably traveled to Ashburton on this new train line, and may have stayed with his sister Ann Leggett (The Leggetts owned a sizable property in the town where they raised chickens, or at the immigration barracks for a time.

When Ashburton became a borough on 1 August 1878 it was a small town with 50 businesses and around 200 households. The Leggetts and probably Walter too, attended worship with the Primative Methodists (also known as the Wesleyan Church). They were the first to build a church in Ashburton, in 1878.

The 1870s have been described as 'boom years' in direct contrast to a period of depression in the early 1880s which was caused by two years of successive crop failures. 

Life as an early settler

Below is an excerpt of a letter (c1875 written by Joseph Legget and his wife Ann (nee Timms), to Ann's mother, Mary Timms, back in Oxfordshire. The letter references Ann's brother, Tom (Thomas Timms), his wife Ellen and another brother, Walter. The excerpt was published in Rollo Arnold's book, The Farthest Promised Land - English Villagers, New Zealand Immigrants of the 1870s and was originally printed in The English Labourer on 20 November 1875, p5: 

Also in their letter home, Joseph and Ann Leggett mention that they had discussed with Tom, the possibility of them going into a partnership together to purchase a small farm of 50 acres, then working up. This plan never eventuated as both men (and later Walter also) managed to establish themselves on farms independently. 

They also talked about the animals that they were raising on their property (believed to be on Peter Street), and their fine crop of potatoes which they had planned on sharing with Ann's mother when she arrived in New Zealand (it is not known if Mary Timms ever made it out to New Zealand). 

A double wedding

On Saturday 21 April 1877, Walter Timms married 17 year old Alice Ann Gardner (1860 - 24 Feb 1932) in a double wedding ceremony at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch. The other couple that married in the same ceremony was Alice's 21 year old brother, George Gardner (9 May 1856 - 24 Dec 1886), and his English-born fiancee, Jane Simmons (bapt 16 Nov 1851 - 9 Jan 1917). (There was no church in Ashburton at the time.) It is interesting to note that Jane Simmons accompanied Alice Gardner and her parents out to New Zealand just over two years before her marriage. 

Starting a family

Following their marriage, Walter and Alice Timms returned to the Ashburton area where he worked as a farmer. Their family included:

• Elizabeth Fanny Timms (18 Oct 1878 - 18 October 1962) who was known as Fanny.
• Mary Louisa Timms (19 Mar 1880 - 25 Mar 1965) who may have been known as Cis.
• William Walter Timms (1 July 1883 - 29 November 1970) 
• Evangeline (Eve/Eva) Alice Timms (27 Oct 1885 - 2 August 1971)
• Nellie (Nell) Gladys Timms (23 Mar 1888 - 1972)

William and Mary Gardner with their daughter Alice.
Photo by Halma & Co, Saunders' Buildings, Ashburton,
c1900-1910.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Shortly after the birth of their first child, Walter found himself a witness in a court case. He had bought some tools from man who unbeknownst to him, had stolen them. The judge ordered that the tools be returned to their original owner. The court case was reported as follows, in the Press, 2 November, 1878:

Farming & Family related events

The 1880-1881 and 1885-1886 Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directories show Walter living in Wakanui a coastal area near Ashburton. He was working there as a labourer, probably on a farm.

The Ashburton Guardian of 1 June 1885 reported that the week prior there had been a fire on Walter's farm which consumed a stack of uninsured oats:

8 April 1885 Walter's niece Paulina Timms (1865 - 1 Jan 1952), the daughter of Thomas & Ellen Timms, married Samuel William Norrish (c1864 - 7 May 1937) in Waterton. The settled in Ashburton where they started their family of 10 children. Later on the moved around a bit, and ended up in Auckland.

Both the 1887-88 and 1894-95 Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directories show that Walter Timms was living in Ashton, a small rural community outside Ashburton. No occupation was listed in the earlier edition, but the later stated that he was a farmer. It is interesting to note that The New Zealand Gazette reported Sheep Returns for 1887 and 1888. Walter Timms is reported there to have had 293 sheep on 31 May 1887, and 180 sheep on 31 May 1888.

[Note: The 1890 Electoral Roll shows that Walter's brother, Thomas Timms, worked as a shepherd at Longbeach.]

The 1890-1891, 1892-1893 and 1894-1895 Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directories show both Walter Timms and his brother Thomas, working as farmers in Waterton. While Thomas Timms (farmer) is still listed in the 1896-1897 directory as living in Waterton, Walter is not listed. Walter is, however, recorded in the Ashburton Guardian, 10 April 1891, as putting up his 232 acre farm at Waterton for auction. The farm is described as 'an improved farm' with paddocks of turnip and grasses, as well as a seven room house and other farm buildings. The notice is reproduced below:

In June 1896, According to Rollo Arnold's book, The Farthest Promised Land - English Villagers, New Zealand Immigrants of the 1870s,Walter's sister, Ann Leggett won a ballot for section 44, a 138 acre section, in the Highbank State Settlement near Methven, Canterbury. It was a lucky break as there were 193 applicants for that particular lot! This was how the Leggetts moved away from Ashburton and became foundation settlers in the Highbank District!

the Ashburton Guardian of 3 January 1923 re-published a reported cricket match 25 years prior, in which Walter Timms played for the Waterton team. He performed well as a bowler and was one of the top scoring batsman for his winning team also. The match report is as follows:

In 1898-1899 and 1900, Thomas Timms (farmer) is listed in the Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directories as living in Ashton.

In 1898, Walter's niece Mary Elizabeth Timms (1876 - 22 Sep 1957), youngest daughter of Thomas and Ellen Timms, married William Ernest Box (1873-7 July 1957). [Note: They are both buried in Ashburton Cemetery.]

On 28 May 1898, the following announcement was made in the Ashburton Guardian concerning a trial of a combined grain and fertiliser drill:

In November 1898, Walter was elected as a member of the A and P Association (Agricultural and Pastoral Association). 

The 1900 New Zealand Electoral Roll states that Walter lived in Waterton and was working as a labourer. Alice is listed as residing in nearby Flemington, and taking care of domestic duties. 

the 1900 Electoral Roll shows that Walter (farmer) was living and working in Ashton.

Walter and Alice probably attended the wedding of his niece, Ruth Timms (dates) to Frederick Foster (dates), an engineer who was also a talented singles rower. The wedding ceremony was held at the Ashburton Presbytarian Church on 30 November 1892, followed by a garden party reception at her father's home.

On 25 January 1903, a tornado swept through Ashburton, causing considerable damage but fortunately no serious injuries or deaths. 

1902 Wise's - Thomas Timms (farmer) in Tinwald.

1903 Wise's  Thomas Timms (& Frederick Timms (labourer) - his son???) is farming in Tinwald.

A notice in the Ashburton Guardian on 5 September 1903 announced a sale at Walter's leased property on Willerby Road. The advertisement is shown below:

Walter must have had a change of heart because the sale was cancelled, as can be seen in the Ashburton Guardian, 12 September 1903: 

Another tiny notice in the Ashburton Guardian, 10 August 1904, shows that Walter bought a farm at Wheatstone. 

The Timms family c1900-1905. Photographer unknown.
Back row from left: Elizabeth (Fanny), Mary (Cis), Evangeline (Eve) Timms
Front row from left: Nellie (Nell) Timms, Walter and Ann Timms, William (Bill) Timms.
(Photo courtesy of the Ashburton Museum)

1907 Wise's - Thomas (farmer) (& Frederick (labourer) listed as living in Tinwald.

1907 Wise's - Walter (farmer) listed as living in Tinwald.

On 18 April 1909, Ellen Timms, Walter's sister-in-law died in Tinwald. Her death was described as occurring "somewhat suddenly" even though she had been sick for some time. She was buried at the Ashburton Cemetery, Area 101, Plot 29. The funeral proceeded to the Ashburton Cemetery from Thomas and Ellen's residence on Graham's Road, Tinwald. 

1910 Wise's Thomas (farmer) Frederick (Labourer) Walter (farmer) - living in Tinwald

Alice's mother, Mary Gardner, died in Christchurch on 27 April 1910. She was buried on Friday, 29 April 1910, at the Ashburton Cemetery, Wesleyan Section, Area 114, Plot 13. Afterwards, Alice's father, William Gardner, came and lived with her family at Wheatstone. (According to William Gardner's funeral notice his son-in-law's farm was on Graham's Road, Tinwald. Electoral Rolls also give the address as Wheatstone Road, so the property was probably on the corner of both Graham's and Wheatstone Roads.)

The Ashburton Guardian of 18 August 1910, reported that Walter and his son, William Walter Timms, had had a clearance sale at the Wheatstone farm, and sold off farm machinery, and surplus animals including horses, sheep, cows and a pig. The report is shown below:

The 1911 New Zealand Census shows that Walter and Alice Timms were living in Wheatstone. Walter was farming. Their children, Mary Louisa Timms (spinster), and William Walter Timms (farm labourer), were listed as also living in Wheatstone, but interestingly, Mary's address was specifically listed as Milton Grove. This suggests that Walter and Alice named their farm after their hometown in Oxfordshire, England. 

91 year old William Gardner, Alice's father, died in Tinwald, Ashburton, on 3 December 1911 at the Timms's family home.

Walter held a total clearance sale at the Tinwald farm on Wednesday 10 July, 1912, because the farm had been sold. Buyer were informed of the items for sale in the Ashburton Guardian on 4 July, 1912, as follows:

23 Nov 1915 - Ann Leggett, Walter's sister, died. The place of her burial is unknown.

Walter was listed in the New Zealand Army World War 1 Reserve Rolls 1916-1917 (2nd Division). His occupation was given as farmer and his address was Riverside Ashburton. Fortunately, Walter was never called up for service. 

1916 Wise's - Thomas (farmer), and Walter & William Timms (farmers) both listed as living in Tinwald.

Between 1916 and 1919, Walter gave up farming and became a taxi driver. He appears to have enjoyed driving at speed because there are several instances recorded in the Ashburton Guardian of him coming before the courts for speeding. One example, from the Ashburton Guardian, 13 August 1919, is shown below:

19 June 1918 - Joseph Leggett (80), Walter's brother-in-law died. He was buried in Highbank. He was buried in the Presbyterian section, plot 13. 

On 30 April 1919, Walter's brother, Thomas Timms (84), died in Ashburton, at the home of his youngest daughter Mrs W E Box (Mary Elizabeth). He was buried in the Ashburton Cemetery next to his wife, Ellen. Thomas' grave is located in Area 101, Plot 30.

1922 - Walter Timms was listed the Christchurch Telephone Directory 1922, as living on Wills Street, Ashburton. His phone number was #26. 

Walter's cemetery record states that he was a taxi driver and was affiliated to the Salvation Army Church. 

The death of Alice and Walter

72 year old Alice died at her home on Wills Street East, on 24 February 1932. Her death notice appeared in the Ashburton Guardian the day following her death:

We are not certain of the location of Alice Ann Timms' grave, however, the plot Walter is buried in was purchased on 26 February 1932, two days after Alice died, so it is possible that she is also buried there. According to New Zealand Cemetery Records on Ancestry.com, Alice was buried at the Ashburton Cemetery, Area 7, Row C, Plot #2191. (See burial information below for Walter.)

Following Alice's death, it appears that Walter moved out of the family home. He died, aged 79, on 31 July 1933, in Christchurch. (It is unclear what he was doing there, but maybe he was staying with one of his daughters.) Walter's death and funeral notices were published in the Ashburton Guardian:

Walter was buried at the Ashburton Cemetery, Wesleyan Section, Area 161, Plot 28. He is listed on cemetery records as being a taxi driver, and belonging to the Salvation Army Church. (Note that the plot number for Walter's grave is different from the details listed above for Alice.)

The family of Walter and Alice Timms

Walter and Alice Timms had five children:

• Elizabeth Fanny Timms (8 Mar 1878 - 18 Oct 1962)
• Mary Louisa Timms (19 Mar 1880 - 25 Mar 1965)
• William Walter Timms (1 July 1883 - 29 Nov 1970)
• Evangeline (Eva)Alice Timms (27 Oct 1886 - 2 Aug 1971)
• Nellie Gladys Timms (28 Mar 1888 - ?at least 1972)

More information about each of the Timms children is as follows:

Elizabeth Fanny Timms (8 Mar 1878 - 18 Oct 1962)

• She was known as Fanny. 
• Fanny married James Holland (1871 - 5 Nov 1943), a farmer, in 1897. They lived in Ashburton and Temuka
• Presbyterian
• Children (highlighted children were definitely theirs, others were registered as being born to Fanny Elizabeth Holland & James.) Fanny's death certificate shows that she bought her burial plot under the name Fanny.
• William James Holland (1898 - ?)
• ?Did he have a son and grandson of the same name? There was a William James Holland who married Esther Isabella (surname and dates unknown) They had a newborn baby William James Holland who died 21 Dec 1974 and his ashes were buried at the Ashburton Cemetery. New Lawn, Plot 179. Esther was also interred there. 
• #Marjorie Warwick Holland (1900 - 14 Sep 1982)
• Married William Ashcroft (1889 - 6 Oct 1954), a farmer
• William and Marjorie had a daughter 
• Jeanette Ashcroft (dates unknown)
• William was buried at the Methven Cemetery, Anglican Section, Plot 229. His wife's ashes were buried there also. 
• Lucinda Gladys Holland (1902 - ?)
• #Reginald (Reg) Walter Holland (1904 - 3 July 1983)
• Married Ivy May (surname unknown) (1909 - 15 Feb 1983)
• Reg was a storeman
• They had at least one son
• Lester James Holland (1937 - 24 Apr 1996) who died as a sickness beneficiary
• Reginald's and Ivy's ashes, along with their son Lester's, are buried at the Ashburton Cemetery, New Lawn, Plot 1876.
• #Stanley John Holland (1907 - 22 Oct 1990)
• Buried at the Ashburton Cem, Catholic Section, Area 143, Plot 20
• Died aged 83. Was a retired driver at the time of his death. Catholic.
• A new born baby was also buried in the same plot. Surname Holland.
• Irene Alice Holland (1909 - ?)
• Doris Jeanne Holland (1914 - ?)
• #Mervyn George Holland (1917 - 2 Sep 1935)
• Died aged 18. Buried at Hinds Cem Presbyterian Area, Plot 72
• Elizabeth (Fanny) was buried together with her husband James in the Ashburton Cemetery, Area 230, Plot 28.

Mary Louisa Timms (19 Mar 1880 - 25 Mar 1965)

• Mary married George Albert Mehrtens (c1879 - 1934), in 1913.
• George was a farmer in the Ashburton area. Later he worked as a labourer in Timaru and Dunedin.
• George and Mary had one son:
• Ralph George Mehrtens (1915 - 26 Feb 1987)
• He lived in Rangiora and later, Otago.
• The 1949 Electoral Roll shows Mary (widow) living in Winslow, Ashburton, while son Ralph (store hand) was living at 119 Cox Street, Ashburton.
• The 1963 Electoral Roll lists Mary (widow) and her son, Ralph (storeman) as living at 22 Marquis Street, Dunedin North.

#William (Bill) Walter Timms (1 July 1883 - 29 Nov 1970)

William (Bill) enjoyed sports as can be seen in the photos shown below:

At the Wheatstone blacksmith ship, 1908.
Photographer unknown.
25 year old Bill Timms is seated in the centre front (with stripes on this sleeves). His cousin, also named William Timms, is in the picture. He's the man with the bike, third from the right. William was the son of Tom Timms, and was about 10 years older than Bill.
(Photo courtesy of the Ashburton Museum)

Willowby Cricket Team 1911.
Photographer unknown.
Bill Timms is in the back row, third from the left.
(Photo courtesy of the Ashburton Museum)

• William married Edith Mary Vessey (28 May 1892 -  21 Oct 1980) on 28 August 1914 in Tinwald. Edith was born in Ashburton, the daughter of English immigrants, George Nathaniel Vessey (1851 - 3 May 1912) and his wife Mary Prescott (11 Oct 1854 - 25 Sep 1942).
• William and Edith lived in Ashburton where William initially farmed with his father.
• They had five children:
• Rosamond Violet Timms (14 Oct 1917 - 8 May 1987)
• Rosamond was born in Ashburton.
• The 1946 Electoral Roll states that Rosamond (spinster) lived at 90 Richmond Road, Arch Hill, Auckland. 
• Rosamond married Marvin Hart (dates unknown) in Ashburton, in September 1947. Marvin was a Church Army officer. 
• Marvin and Rosamond had a son and a daughter.
• The following information has been taken from New Zealand Electoral Rolls:
• 1949, 1954 - Marvin and Rosamond lived at 195 Antigua Street, Fendalton, Canterbury. Marvin worked as a Church Army officer.
• 1957, 1963 - Marvin and Rosamond lived at 35a Spencer Street, Riccarton. Marvin's employment was labelled 'city missioner' and 'Anglican city missioner' respectively.
• 1972, 1978 - Marvin and Rosamond lived at 39 West Watson Avenue, Wigram, Canterbury. Marvin worked at the time as a clerk.
• 1981 - Marvin and Rosamond were still living at 39 West Watson Avenue. Marvin, however, was now retired.
• Rosamond died in 1987. Her ashes were interred in the grave of her parents, in Ashburton.
• Ernest William Timms (Dec 1918 - 28 Aug 1924)
• Died in Ashburton, aged five. 
• Dorothy Prescott Timms (29 Oct 1924 - ?)
• Married in Ashburton on 7 May 1949. Married name is Lamb.
• Infant daughter, Pauline Lamb (27 Apr 1950 - 27 Apr 1950), was buried at the Ashburton Cemetery, Area 82, Plot 25.  
• Walter Trevor Timms (14 Nov 1925 - 21 May 2007)
• Married in Charlton, Victoria, Australia on 7 May 1963. Wife's name unknown. They had two sons and a daughter.
• His last known occupation was grocer. His cemetery record lists his church affiliation as Presbyterian.
• Died aged 81.
• He was cremated. His ashes are buried at the Ashburton Cemetery, Area 82, Plot 25, the same plot as his brother, Ernest, and niece Pauline Lamb.
• Elva Mae Timms (6 May 1927 - ?)
• Married name McLaughlin
• William later gave up farming, and worked as a barber, and then a butcher. William and his business partner, Godfrey Ecrett Glossop, co-owned a butchery in The Triangle, Ashburton until 1930 when William gave up his share of the business. The notice of the disillusionment of the business partnership was announced in the Ashburton Guardian, 28 August 1930:

• William was keen on horse racing. It is said that he owned some racehorses at one point of his life.
• William and Edith were buried together at the Ashburton Cemetery, Old Lawn, Plot 663. Their daughter Rosamond is also interred there.

Evangeline (Eva) Alice Timms (27 Oct 1885 - 2 Aug 1971)

• Eva married Joseph Bell (1884 - 30 Jan 1966), a farmer, in 1910. Their children were:
• David John Bell (1910 - 10 Aug 1984), a farmer.
• Buried at the Ashburton Cemetery, Old Lawn, Plot 2015. His brother Ken is also buried in the same plot.
• Leslie Walter Bell (8 May 1912 - 12 July 1990), a farmer.
• Buried at the Ashburton Cemetery, New Lawn, Plot 2632.
• Cecil Joseph Bell (12 Jan 1914 - ?)
• Married Rona Taylor (22 Jan 1922 - ?) on 30 May 1942. They had a son and a daughter.
• Kenneth (Ken) James Bell (1915 - 25 Sep 1984), a labourer.
• Buried with his brother, David, at the Ashburton Cemetery, Old Lawn, Plot 2015.
• Alice Kay Bell (1918 - ?)
• Norman (Pat) Keith Bell (18 Aug 1925 - 2 Nov 1989), a stock buyer
• Married Eileen (maiden name and dates unknown)
• They had a daughter and three sons.
• Pat is buried at the Ashburton Cemetery, New Lawn 2520.
• Williamson Bell (?daughter) (dates unknown)
• Vera Bell (dates unknown)
• Evangeline is buried with Joseph Bell at the Ashburton Cemetery, Old Lawn, Plot 222.

Nellie Gladys Timms (23 Mar 1888 - 1972)

• Nellie married George Vessey (?1890 - ?1960) in 1909
• George and Nellie lived in Ashburton and Temuka. Their children were:
• Gladys Mabel Vessey (? - July 1973) 
• Gladys married Thomas Bannan Mackay (? - 18 July 1964). They had a son and two daughters.
• Louie Vessey (dates unknown)
• Kit Vessey (dates unknown)

Bibliography

Ancestry.com. 1861 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.

Ancestry.com. Oxfordshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1915 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.

Ancestry.com. Oxfordshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1915 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.

Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Sheep Returns, Owners and Officers, 1879-1889 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors.

Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

Ancestry.com. New Zealand Army WWI Reserve Rolls, 1916-1917 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

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Anonymous. (1903, September 5). Clearing Sale. Ashburton Guardian. 3. Retrieved from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19030905.2.22.5

Anonymous. (1903, September 12). Public Notices. Ashburton Guardian. 3. Retrieved from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19030912.2.26.2

Anonymous. (1904, August 10). Land Sale. Ashburton Guardian. 2. Retrieved from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19040810.2.4.3   

Anonymous. (1910, October 18). Clearing Sale at Wheatstone. Ashburton Guardian. 4. Retrieved from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG191018.2.67 

Anonymous. (1912, July 4). Clearing Sale at Tinwald. Ashburton Guardian. 8. Retrieved from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19120704.2.68.1 

Anonymous. (1919, August 13). Local and General. Ashburton Guardian. 4. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19190813.2.12

Anonymous. (1922) Ashburton. Christchurch Telephone Directory. 7. Retrieved from http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/DigitalCollection/Publications/Directories/Telephone1922/PDF/389765-1922-073-104.pdf

Anonymous. (1923, January 3). Looking Back. Twenty Five Years Ago. (From "Guardian," Jan. 3, 1898). Ashburton Guardian. 6. Retrieved from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19230103.2.46

Anonymous. (1923, November 17). Looking Back. Twenty Five Years Ago. (From the "Guardian," Nov. 16, 1898). Ashburton Guardian. 6. Retrieved from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19231117.2.42

Anonymous. (1930, August 28). Public Notices. Ashburton Guardian. 1. Retrieved from: http://paperspast.nat.lib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19300828.2.2.3

Anonymous. (1933, July 31). Deaths. Timms. Ashburton Guardian. 1. Retrieved from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG1933.0731.2.2.1  

Anonymous. (n.d.) Cemetery Record Inquiry - Walter Timms. Ashburton District Council. Retrieved from https://infoservices.adc.govt.nz/Cemeteries/RecordEnquiry?recordId=CEMIAS85448

"New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSBL-MZ5 : 8 July 2019), Walter Timms, 25 Jan 1875; citing ship , Archives New Zealand, Wellington; FHL microfilm 004412084.

Arnold, R. (1981). New Zealand - Feldon. The Farthest Promised Land - English Villagers, New Zealand Immigrants of the 1870s. Victoria Univeristy Press, Wellington. Retrieved from http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-ArnFart-c12.html 

Arnold, R. (1981). Oxfordshire and Wychwood Forest. The Farthest Promised Land - English Villagers, New Zealand Immigrants of the 1870s. Retrieved from http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-ArnFart-c6.html

Brogden, Mike. (n.d.). Leggett's Gang. Retrieved from http://www.brogden.info/PDF/LeggetGang.pdf 

Lysaght, C. (2019, December 29). The Big Twist of 1903. Ashburton Museum. Retrieved from: 

https://ashburtonmuseum.wordpress.com/2019/12/29/the-big-twist-of-1903/

Schrader, B. (2012). Housing and government - Immigration barracks to workers' dwellings. Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/housing-and-government/page-1

Stringer, K. (2016, October 14). Immigration Barracks - A starter for some, for others an ending. Ashburton Museum. Retrieved from http://ashburtonmuseum.wordpress.com/2016/10/14/immigration-barracks-a-starter-for-some-for-others-an-ending/

Other sources of information

M Ruane

G J Bland
Ashburton Museum

Last updated 25 January 2020

Can you help to answer these questions?

• Are Walter and his family in the 1871 UK Census?
• What is the death date for Walter Timms's brother, William?
• What is Nellie Gladys Timms' date of death?
• Is there a photo of the double wedding of the Gardner siblings?
• What is the maiden name of Walter's mother, Mary (Avery?). When did she die? A letter to her was written by her daughter Ann, in 1875.