Amelia Eyles

F, b. 14 September 1816, d. 1 July 1889
Family Explorer

Amelia Holdaway (nee Eyles) 1816-1889 - daughter of Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer - Photo courtesy of Helen
  • Amelia Eyles was born on 14 September 1816 in East Meon, Hampshire, England.
  • She was the daughter of Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer.
  • At the age of 18 years, 9 months and 20 days, Amelia Eyles married Thomas Cresswell, son of William Cresswell and Jane Jackson, on 4 July 1835 in Lasham, England. The marriage record showed them as Amelia Eales and Tom Crosswell.)
  • Amelia Eyles immigrated to New Zealand on 24 September 1841. The Eyles family left from London in the Mary Ann, captained by Bolton arriving at Nelson NZ on 5 February 1842. They were part of the second fleet of ships commissioned by The New Zealand Company to bring settlers to the area around Nelson on the South Island of New Zealand. With Amelia aged 26, were children William 6, Eliza 4, Mary 2 and Charles aged three weeks and her 15 year old brother in law Edward Cresswell (although his name is not on the passenger list) as well as her parents and siblings. Her husband Thomas had travelled on a different ship, the Whitby, which had been part of the first fleet sent to Nelson headed by Captain Wakefield. The NZ Company Embarkment Register shows that Amelia was 26, and that her husband Thomas was with the preliminary expedition. She had four children with her, boys aged 6 and 3 weeks and two girls 4 and 2. Her husband was Thomas aged 26 and their address at the time of application was Medsted, Hampshire. The children were 5, 3, and 1 1/2 at that time. Bett's list of passengers gives the children as William 6, Elizabeth 4, Mary 2 and Charles 3 weeks. It also lists Edward Cresswell aged 15, a labourer.
    Bay of Nelson, South Island New Zealand
  • On 22 November 1841,her husband, Thomas Cresswell died at age 27. He had contracted typhoid and took ill while he was still on the Whitby. He was transferred to the Will Watch for special care and nursing but died just before they reached Nelson.
  • At the age of 25 years, 10 months and 24 days, Amelia Eyles married John Holdaway, son of Edward Holdaway and Mary Baker, on 7 August 1842. They were married the same day as Amelia's sister Mary to David Norgate.The marriage was most likely from necessity as John had four young children to care for and Amelia had two. They went on to have another 11 children. The certificate shows that John was a labourer born Lasham, a widower. Amelia was from Madshad (Medsted), a widow. They were married by Charles Waring, sexton. John signed with his mark as did Amelia. Present were Thomas Samuel Tidd, Elizabeth Tidd and Mary Norgate.
  • In February 1861,their daughter, Ada Amelia Holdaway died in New Zealand at age 1. She died from diphtheria as did her brother Albert.
  • On 2 September 1888,her husband, John Holdaway died in Richmond, New Zealand, at age 84.
  • Amelia Eyles died on 1 July 1889 in Richmond, New Zealand, at age 72. Her death certificate shows she was 72 years old, and died of morbus cordis (heart disease). She had been married aged 20 to Thomas Cresswell in Hampshire and again at 25 to John Holdaway. She had 10 surviving children M. 26,36,38,43,44,51 F. 30,40,42,50.
  • Amelia was buried on 4 July 1889 in Richmond Cemetery.

Children of Amelia Eyles and Thomas Cresswell

Children of Amelia Eyles and John Holdaway

Amy Gertrude Eyles

F, b. 23 June 1875, d. 1945
Family Explorer
  • Amy Gertrude Eyles was born on 23 June 1875 in Wairau, New Zealand.
  • She was the daughter of Charles Eyles and Selina Higgins.
  • At the age of 16 years, 5 months and 2 days, Amy Gertrude Eyles married William George Stanton on 25 November 1891 in New Zealand.
  • Amy Gertrude Eyles died in 1945 in New Zealand.

Children of Amy Gertrude Eyles and William George Stanton

Amy Louisa Eyles

F, b. 27 January 1887, d. 1966
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Ann Eyles

F, b. 9 May 1828, d. 6 March 1907
Family Explorer

Ann Cresswell (nee Eyles) 1828-1907. Photo thanks to Helen Jennings

  • Ann Eyles was born on 9 May 1828 in Lasham, Hampshire, England.
  • She was the daughter of Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer.
  • Ann Eyles was baptized on 15 June 1828 in Normandy Street Independent, Alton, Hampshire.
  • She immigrated on 24 September 1841 to Nelson, South Island, New Zealand, with Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer. The Eyles family - Daniel 44, an agricultural labourer, Jane 44, Mary 23, a servant, William 18, and agricultural labourer, Jane 16 a servant, John 11, Benjamin 10, Ann 13 and Ezra 2 left from London on the Mary Ann, captained by Bolton arriving at Nelson NZ on 5 February 1842. They were part of the second fleet of ships commissioned by The New Zealand Company to bring settlers to the area around Nelson on the South Island of New Zealand. Their daughter Amelia's husband Thomas Cresswell was on the Whitby, part of the first fleet sent to settle Nelson. Ezra Eyles died on the voyage. The family encountered very hard conditions. They lived in a hut made of Manuka and clay while other families endured in houses consisting of four poles and a fern leaf roof. According to family hearsay one poor man was brought to the Eyles home and laid on the mud floor because his house was not weather proof. It is also said that Jane and her daughter Ann collected flat stones from the river, and using some clay Daniel had collected to plug holes in the wall, build an "oven around the wall and put in what they called on ship a boulli tin for a flue". That was the first chimney. Conditions were wet for the first few months and sickness was rife. Then when the New Zealand Company went broke food was scarce. Over a five week period they only had one loaf of bread in the house and could not purchase tea and sugar. If not for the potatoes they would have starved and Daniel found it difficult to find work. Anne had waited in line for more than an hour sometimes and then missed out at the bakehouse. The family didn't own the land but were squatters.
    The entry in the Embarkation Register for the family is Eyles, Daniel (wife Jane), agric labourer, 44; 3 boys 11,10,3; 1 girl 13. Mary servant 23; William agric labourer 18; Jane servant 16. Their address on the application register was Lasham. The family was recommended by a M Crowley.
  • At the age of 18 years, 4 months and 3 days, Ann Eyles married Edward Cresswell, son of William Cresswell and Jane Jackson, on 12 September 1846. Edward was the younger brother of Thomas Cresswell - husband of Ann's sister Amelia, and had travelled to New Zealand on the Mary Ann.
    At the time they were married Edward was working for a man called Martin for two shillings a week.
    Anne's brother Benjamin lived with them.
    They had a total of twelve children over the next 21 years.
  • Ann Eyles died on 6 March 1907 in Dovedale, New Zealand, at age 78.
  • Ann was buried in Seaview Cemetery, Stoke, New Zealand.

Children of Ann Eyles and Edward Cresswell

Ann Eyles

F, b. 4 October 1803
Family Explorer

Ann Eyles

F, b. 24 April 1864, d. 1864
Family Explorer
  • Ann Eyles died in 1864 in New Zealand.
  • She was born on 24 April 1864 in Wairau, New Zealand.
  • She was the daughter of John Eyles and Mary Driscoll.

Anna Eyles

F, b. 18 May 1860, d. 17 January 1935
Family Explorer
  • Anna Eyles was born on 18 May 1860 in Richmond, New Zealand.
  • She was the daughter of William Eyles and Amelia Catherine Thorn.
  • At the age of 16 years, 10 months and 20 days, Anna Eyles married Edward Mytton, son of Edward Mytton and Martha Unknown, on 7 April 1877 in New Zealand.
  • On 22 March 1908,Anna Eyles's mother, Amelia Catherine Thorn died in Motueka, New Zealand, at age 81. Catherine's death was announced in the Nelson Evening Mail :- DEATH. EYLES.— On March 22nd, 1908, Catherine Amelia, relict of the late William Eyles, of Richmond, aged 82 years, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs Edward Mytton, Thorpe.
  • Anna Eyles died on 17 January 1935 in New Zealand at age 74.
  • Anna was buried on 19 January 1935 in Richmond Cemetery.

Children of Anna Eyles and Edward Mytton

Annie Eyles

F, b. 1883, d. 18 December 1961
Family Explorer
  • Annie Eyles was born in 1883 in New Zealand.
  • She was the daughter of Walter Nugent Eyles and Mary Thomas.
  • At the age of 21 years, Annie Eyles married William Gridley on 21 July 1904 in New Zealand.
  • Annie Eyles died on 18 December 1961 in Blenheim, New Zealand.

Child of Annie Eyles and William Gridley

Arthur Norman Eyles

M, b. 19 November 1899, d. 31 July 1918
Family Explorer
  • Arthur Norman Eyles was born on 19 November 1899 in New Zealand.
  • He was the son of Charles Eyles and Amelia Mytton.
  • Arthur Norman Eyles died on 31 July 1918 at age 18.
  • Arthur was buried in Dovedale Cemetery. He was buried next to his father and later his mother.

Ashley Charles Eyles

M, b. 7 June 1908, d. 30 January 1984
Family Explorer
  • Ashley Charles Eyles was born on 7 June 1908 in New Zealand.
  • He was the son of Oliver Charles Eyles and Sarah Beatrice Win.
  • At the age of 26 years, Ashley Charles Eyles married Doris Ernestine Duncan in 1935 in New Zealand.
  • Ashley Charles Eyles died on 30 January 1984 in New Zealand at age 75. He was from the Napier District.
  • Ashley was cremated in Hastings Crematorium.

Barbara Eyles

F, b. circa 1914
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Benjamin Eyles

M, b. 15 January 1833, d. 25 May 1882
Family Explorer

Benjamin Eyles (1833-1881) and his sister Mary (1818-1888). Photo Courtesy of Helen Jennings
  • Benjamin Eyles was born on 15 January 1833 in Lasham, Hampshire, England.
  • He was the son of Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer.
  • Benjamin Eyles was baptized on 25 May 1833 in Normandy St, Alton, Hampshire, England.
  • At the time of the 7 June 1841 census, Benjamin Eyles was living in the household of Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer in Lasham, Hampshire. Daniel is shown as a 45 year old agricultural labourer, living with his wife Jane also 45, sons John 10, Ben 8, and Ezra 3, and daughter Esther(daughter of Elizabeth) aged 7.

  • Benjamin Eyles immigrated on 24 September 1841 to Nelson, South Island, New Zealand, with Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer. The Eyles family - Daniel 44, an agricultural labourer, Jane 44, Mary 23, a servant, William 18, and agricultural labourer, Jane 16 a servant, John 11, Benjamin 10, Ann 13 and Ezra 2 left from London on the Mary Ann, captained by Bolton arriving at Nelson NZ on 5 February 1842. They were part of the second fleet of ships commissioned by The New Zealand Company to bring settlers to the area around Nelson on the South Island of New Zealand. Their daughter Amelia's husband Thomas Cresswell was on the Whitby, part of the first fleet sent to settle Nelson. Ezra Eyles died on the voyage. The family encountered very hard conditions. They lived in a hut made of Manuka and clay while other families endured in houses consisting of four poles and a fern leaf roof. According to family hearsay one poor man was brought to the Eyles home and laid on the mud floor because his house was not weather proof. It is also said that Jane and her daughter Ann collected flat stones from the river, and using some clay Daniel had collected to plug holes in the wall, build an "oven around the wall and put in what they called on ship a boulli tin for a flue". That was the first chimney. Conditions were wet for the first few months and sickness was rife. Then when the New Zealand Company went broke food was scarce. Over a five week period they only had one loaf of bread in the house and could not purchase tea and sugar. If not for the potatoes they would have starved and Daniel found it difficult to find work. Anne had waited in line for more than an hour sometimes and then missed out at the bakehouse. The family didn't own the land but were squatters.
    The entry in the Embarkation Register for the family is Eyles, Daniel (wife Jane), agric labourer, 44; 3 boys 11,10,3; 1 girl 13. Mary servant 23; William agric labourer 18; Jane servant 16. Their address on the application register was Lasham. The family was recommended by a M Crowley.
  • As a child Benjamin contracted polio which left him with severe disabilities. Benjamin was a bachelor who lived with his sister Ann and her husband Edward Cresswell.
  • Daniel, William and Benjamin Eyles names were amonst those who partitioned to the Government for additional funding for Public infrastructure for the Nelson District. The letter was published in the Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle on 9 September 1848.
  • Benjamin Eyles died on 25 May 1882 in Stoke, Waimea, Nelson, New Zealand, at age 49. His death certificate showed he was a labourer and died of paralysis.
  • Benjamin was buried on 28 May 1882 in Seaview Cemetery (Wesleyan), Stoke, New Zealand. The cemetery record gives his year of death as 1881 and date of burial as 30 May.

Bevan Douglas Eyles

M, b. 1932, d. 2018
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Beverly Eyles

F, b. circa 1913
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Catherine Elizabeth Eyles

F, b. 10 March 1858, d. 10 December 1902
Family Explorer
  • Catherine Elizabeth Eyles was also known as Kate.
  • She was born on 10 March 1858 in Richmond, New Zealand.
  • She was the daughter of William Eyles and Amelia Catherine Thorn.
  • At the age of 16 years, 9 months and 19 days, Catherine Elizabeth Eyles married Charles William Lucas on 29 December 1874 in Blenheim, New Zealand.
  • At the age of 33 years, 9 months and 20 days, Catherine Elizabeth Eyles married Daniel Scarlett on 30 December 1891 in Motueka, New Zealand.
  • Catherine Elizabeth Eyles died on 10 December 1902 in Waimangaroa, New Zealand, at age 44.

Child of Catherine Elizabeth Eyles and Charles William Lucas

Cecilia Higgins Eyles

F, b. 4 February 1860, d. 14 May 1927
Family Explorer
  • Cecilia Higgins Eyles was born on 4 February 1860 in Blenheim, New Zealand.
  • She was the daughter of Charles Eyles and Selina Higgins.
  • At the age of 19 years, 9 months and 17 days, Cecilia Higgins Eyles married Robert Henry Witt on 21 November 1879 in New Zealand.
  • Cecilia Higgins Eyles and Robert Henry Witt lived in Croydon Rooad, Te Popo, at the time their son William Wallace left Wellington for the Suez
    on 16 October 1914.
  • Cecilia Higgins Eyles and Robert Henry Wittwere living in Mountain Road, Statford, when their son Charles Henry was killed in action in France
    on 10 May 1918.
  • Cecilia Higgins Eyles died on 14 May 1927 in Huinga, Statford, Taranaki, New Zealand, at age 67.

Children of Cecilia Higgins Eyles and Robert Henry Witt

Child of Cecilia Higgins Eyles and William Henry Mills

Charles Eyles

M, b. 26 January 1821, d. 5 April 1886
Family Explorer

Charles Eyles 1821-1886. Thanks to Helen Jennings

  • Charles Eyles was born on 26 January 1821 in Lasham, Hampshire, England.
  • He was the son of Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer.
  • Charles Eyles was christened on 11 February 1821 in Lasham, Hampshire, England.
  • He enlisted in the Army. In 1843 he was part of the Northampton Regiment.
  • At the age of 22 years, 2 months and 23 days, Charles Eyles married Mary Ann Dunkley, daughter of Thomas Dunkley and Mary Smith, on 18 April 1843 in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England. Both were of full age. He was a Private in the 11th Regiment of Foot. They were living at Regent Street at the time. He was sent to Australia as a convict guard. He and Mary Ann were stationed in Hobart, Tasmania. A Mrs Eyles arrived in Hobart on the Enterprise from London on 17 February, 1844. The ship left Cowes on 1 November 1843 and amongst the passengers were a Mr and Mrs Dunkley and several children.
    Their first child Henry was born in Hobart in 1844 but he died that year. Another son was born in 1847 in Hobart. He too died an infant in 1847. Charles left the army and moved to Geelong in Victoria where two daughters, Harriet and Elizabeth were born. A Mrs Eyles arrived from Geelong with two children on 20 November 1852 on the Flying Fish - perhaps the family returned to Tasmania before leaving for New Zealand.
  • Charles Eyles and Mary Ann Dunkley immigrated on 22 December 1852. Charles came from Melbourne, Australia in the Spray with his wife Mary Ann and daughters Elizabeth and Harriet. Charles was described as a 27 year old digger (he may have tried his luck at the gold fields). Mary Ann was 25.
  • Charles was known to the family as "Naughty Charles" and is said to have fathered a number of other children, one by the name of Prog Stratford.
  • On 1 July 1854 William Eyles and brother Charles appeared on the Electoral Roll list for Waimae East, published in the Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle on 1 July 1854.
  • On 18 February 1855 a notice appeared in the Colonist newspaper stating that " On the application of Constable Knapp a prohibition order was granted prohibiting any licensed person in the Stoke Licensing District from selling to Mary Ann Eyles of Richmond any liquor for the space of one year."
  • Family hearsay has it that Mary Ann was an alcoholic, and the marriage was not a happy one. On 26 September 1855 Charles placed the following advertisement in the Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle ."CAUTION TO THE PUBLIC. Whereas my wife, Mrs Mary Ann Eyles, has left her home without any provocation on my part, I hereby give notice that I will not be responsible for any debts she may contract. Charles Eyles, Waimea East, 18 September 1855".
    Mary Ann must have returned home as a son, Walter was born the following November.
  • About 1859 Charles Eyles began living with Selina Higgins in Blenheim, New Zealand. Selina was the granddaughter of Mary Higgins, the second wife of Charles's father Daniel. She lived just across the road from Charles and Mary Ann with her grandmother. Selina was 23 and Charles in his late 30's.
    Charles left his wife Mary Ann in Richmond and went to live in Blenheim with Selina and the children. Selina gave birth to their first child, Cecilia, in February 1860, just over three months after Mary Ann had given birth to Charles Samuel Eyles late October 1859. All of the children of the relationship are registered in Blenheim Courthouse under the name of EYLES, the name by which they were known.
  • Between 1866 and 1868 Charles was a provincial council member for the Lower Wairau District.
  • In 1883 Charles and his sons must have been having problems with people coming on to his land. He placed the following advertisement in the Marlborough Express on 19 March 1883 -
    "Notice. Any Persons trespassing on our Land in search of Game, will be prosecuted as the law directs, CHARLES EYLES, WALTER N. EYLES, CHARLES EYLES Jnr, Blenheim"

    According to the 1882 Freeholders Census, Charles was a farmer at Dovedale, Waimea and had 131 acres of land worth £400. On the same census Selina owned 150 acres at Blenheim with the value of £1400. This land was mortgaged to her son Albert Edward in 1866 after his father Charles had died.
  • Charles Eyles died on 5 April 1886 in Grovetown, Marlborough, New Zealand, at age 65. His death certificate showed he died of cellulitus of the scalp and exhaustion. His living children were listed as Walter 28, Elizabeth 37, Harriet 35, Charlotte 33, Esther 30. His children by Selina were not recorded.
  • Charles was buried on 6 April 1886 in Omaka (Taylor) Cemetery. His grave is not marked.
  • He left a will. On his death Charles left half his property to Albert and half to Walter. Albert's mother, Selina purchased the property from Charles’s estate, and then the next day sold it to Albert for £600. It was mortgaged to Selina and repaid by 1898.

Children of Charles Eyles and Mary Ann Dunkley

Children of Charles Eyles and Selina Higgins

Charles Eyles

M, b. circa 1757, d. August 1822
Family Explorer
  • Charles Eyles was also known as Erles or Eales or Isles.
  • He was born circa 1757. He was possibly born at Monk Sherborne, Hampshire.
  • Charles Eyles married Hannah Phillips, daughter of Charles Phillips and Jane Harris, on 6 June 1785 in North Waltham, Hampshire.
  • Charles Eyles died in August 1822.
  • Charles was buried on 11 August 1822 in North Waltham, Hampshire.

Children of Charles Eyles and Hannah Phillips

Charles Eyles

M, b. 23 May 1851, d. 31 March 1905
Family Explorer
  • Charles Eyles was born on 23 May 1851 in New Zealand.
  • He was the son of William Eyles and Amelia Catherine Thorn.
  • At the age of 25 years, 10 months and 15 days, Charles Eyles married Amelia Mytton on 7 April 1877 in New Zealand.
  • On 31 January 1883,his daughter, Frances Amelia Eyles died in Richmond, New Zealand, at age 1. Frances' death was announced in the Nelson Evening Mail :-Eyles- January 31. at Richmond. Frances Amelia Eyles the beloved daughter of Charles and Amelia Eyles of Dovedale aged 1 year and 5 months.
  • Charles Eyles died on 31 March 1905 in Motueka, New Zealand, at age 53.
  • Charles was buried in Dovedale Cemetery. His wife Amelia and son Arthur were buried next to him.

Children of Charles Eyles and Amelia Mytton

Charles Eyles

M, b. 10 May 1867, d. 2 March 1913
Family Explorer
  • Charles Eyles was born on 10 May 1867 in Acrere, Takaka, New Zealand.
  • He was the son of John Eyles and Mary Driscoll.
  • Charles Eyles was baptized on 13 January 1869.
  • At the age of 29 years, 2 months and 13 days, Charles Eyles married Louissa Margrater La Frentz on 23 July 1896 in New Zealand.
  • He was a miner.
  • Charles Eyles died on 2 March 1913 in Tasman Street, Nelson, New Zealand, at age 45.
  • Charles was buried on 4 March 1913 in Wakapauka Cemetery.

Children of Charles Eyles and Louissa Margrater La Frentz

Charles Edward Eyles

M, b. 23 March 1900, d. 27 October 1978
Family Explorer

Charles Edward Eyles (1900-1978) - son of Charles Eyles and Rose Helen Reid. Photo courtesy of Paul Jones
  • Charles Edward Eyles was born on 23 March 1900 in New Zealand.
  • He was the son of Charles Higgins Eyles and Rose Helen Reid.
  • Charles Edward Eyles was a witness when Charles Higgins Eyles and Rose Helen Reid were (an unknown value) in 1910 in Nelson Street, Blenheim.
  • At the age of 25 years, 6 months and 27 days, Charles Edward Eyles married Edith Rose Langridge on 20 October 1925 in New Zealand.
  • Charles Edward Eyles died on 27 October 1978 in Blenheim, New Zealand, at age 78.

Charles Higgins Eyles

M, b. 9 March 1861, d. 22 July 1945
Family Explorer

Charles Higgins Eyles, son of Charles Eyles & Selina Higgins - 1861-1945. Photo thanks to Paul Jones.

  • Charles Higgins Eyles was born on 9 March 1861 in Wairau, New Zealand.
  • He was the son of Charles Eyles and Selina Higgins.
  • In 1883 Charles senior and his sons Walter and Charles must have been having problems with people coming on to his land. He placed the following advertisement in the Marlborough Express on 19 March 1883 - "Notice. Any Persons trespassing on our Land in search of Game, will be prosecuted as the law directs, CHARLES EYLES, WALTER N. EYLES, CHARLES EYLES Jnr, Blenheim."
  • At the age of 30 years, 4 months and 21 days, Charles Higgins Eyles married Rose Helen Reid on 30 July 1891 in New Zealand.
  • About 1910, while at Nelson Street, Blenheim, Charles Higgins Eyles and Rose Helen Reid had a family photograph taken outside their home (an unknown value.)
  • Charles Higgins Eyles died on 22 July 1945 in Wairau, New Zealand, at age 84.
  • Charles was buried in Blenheim Cemetery.
    Grave of Charles Higgins Eyles - Blenheim Cemetery New Zealand. Photo thanks to Helen Jennings

Children of Charles Higgins Eyles and Rose Helen Reid

Charles Samuel Eyles

M, b. 30 October 1859
Family Explorer
  • Charles Samuel Eyles was born on 30 October 1859 in Nelson, New Zealand. His birth was registered in the Nelson Courthouse. It is possible Charles died an infant or at birth as a child of Charles and Selina Higgins was named Charles in 1861.
  • He was the son of Charles Eyles and Mary Ann Dunkley.

Charles William Eyles

M, b. 30 March 1846, d. 29 April 1846
Family Explorer
  • Charles William Eyles was born on 30 March 1846 in New Zealand.
  • He was the son of William Eyles and Amelia Catherine Thorn.
  • Charles William Eyles died on 29 April 1846 in New Zealand.

Charlotte Ann Eyles

F, b. 1853, d. 1943
Family Explorer

Charlotte Ann McMullan (nee Eyles) 1853-1943. Daughter of Charles Eyles and Mary Ann Dunkley. Photo thanks to Helen Jennings
  • Charlotte Ann Eyles was born in 1853 in Richmond, New Zealand.
  • She was the daughter of Charles Eyles and Mary Ann Dunkley.
  • At the age of 22 years, Charlotte Ann Eyles married Charles McMillan on 16 March 1875 in New Zealand.
  • In 1928,her husband, Charles McMillan died in New Zealand.
  • Charlotte Ann Eyles died in 1943 in New Zealand.

Children of Charlotte Ann Eyles and Charles McMillan

Clara Annie Eyles

F, b. 27 September 1896, d. 1974
Family Explorer

Daniel Eyles

M, b. 4 February 1790, d. 7 October 1870
Family Explorer
  • Daniel Eyles was christened on 4 February 1790 in North Waltham, Hampshire, New Zealand.
  • He was the son of Charles Eyles and Hannah Phillips.
  • At the age of 24 years, 2 months and 3 days, Daniel Eyles married Jane Primmer, daughter of Benjamin Primmer and Martha Newland, on 7 April 1814 in East Meon, Hampshire, England. The marriage was with consent of her parents, witness was Robert Smith. Both were of East Meon.
  • Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer appeared on the census of 7 June 1841 in Lasham, Hampshire. Daniel is shown as a 45 year old agricultural labourer, living with his wife Jane also 45, sons John 10, Ben 8, and Ezra 3, and daughter Esther(daughter of Elizabeth) aged 7.

  • Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer immigrated to Nelson, South Island, New Zealand, on 24 September 1841. The Eyles family - Daniel 44, an agricultural labourer, Jane 44, Mary 23, a servant, William 18, and agricultural labourer, Jane 16 a servant, John 11, Benjamin 10, Ann 13 and Ezra 2 left from London on the Mary Ann, captained by Bolton arriving at Nelson NZ on 5 February 1842. They were part of the second fleet of ships commissioned by The New Zealand Company to bring settlers to the area around Nelson on the South Island of New Zealand. Their daughter Amelia's husband Thomas Cresswell was on the Whitby, part of the first fleet sent to settle Nelson. Ezra Eyles died on the voyage. The family encountered very hard conditions. They lived in a hut made of Manuka and clay while other families endured in houses consisting of four poles and a fern leaf roof. According to family hearsay one poor man was brought to the Eyles home and laid on the mud floor because his house was not weather proof. It is also said that Jane and her daughter Ann collected flat stones from the river, and using some clay Daniel had collected to plug holes in the wall, build an "oven around the wall and put in what they called on ship a boulli tin for a flue". That was the first chimney. Conditions were wet for the first few months and sickness was rife. Then when the New Zealand Company went broke food was scarce. Over a five week period they only had one loaf of bread in the house and could not purchase tea and sugar. If not for the potatoes they would have starved and Daniel found it difficult to find work. Anne had waited in line for more than an hour sometimes and then missed out at the bakehouse. The family didn't own the land but were squatters.
    The entry in the Embarkation Register for the family is Eyles, Daniel (wife Jane), agric labourer, 44; 3 boys 11,10,3; 1 girl 13. Mary servant 23; William agric labourer 18; Jane servant 16. Their address on the application register was Lasham. The family was recommended by a M Crowley.
  • On 19 June 1842,his wife, Jane Primmer died at age 44. Her death is recorded in a family bible.
  • On 8 February 1845 Daniel's name appeared on the List of Persons Qualified to Appear as Jurors in the Nelson District list. He was a labourer of Maitai Valley.
  • At the age of 58 years, Daniel Eyles married Mary Slade on 4 February 1848.
  • Daniel, William and Benjamin Eyles names were amonst those who partitioned to the Government for additional funding for Public infrastructure for the Nelson District. The letter was published in the Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle on 9 September 1848.
  • On 24 February 1849 Daniel and his son William were amongst those who were named as persons who qualified as jurors in the District of Nelson 1849-1850. William was a labourer at Waimea and Daniel a labourer at Maitai.
  • On 11 March 1868,his wife, Mary Slade died in Richmond, New Zealand. The "Nelson Evening News" reported:- " 11 Mar, at Richmond, after 3 mths severe suffering, Mrs Eyles, 84 yrs."
  • Daniel Eyles died on 7 October 1870 in Stoke, Nelson, New Zealand, at age 80. His death was reported in the "Nelson Evening Mail on 7 October, 1870 and in the "Colonist" on 11 October 1870. His death certificate shows he died of natural decay and was a settler.
  • Daniel was buried on 9 October 1870 in Richmond Cemetery. His second wife Mary Eyles is buried in the same plot.
  • This story of the Eyles, Holdiway and Cresswell families was written by Mrs Mary Holdaway - a descendant of Jane and Daniel Eyles and John Holdaway - in approx 1960.
    "While the ships of the expedition were lying at anchor off Astrolabe, a boat crew was chosen to row the Beal? boat round the head of Tasman Bay to enable Captain Wakefield and Pilot Cross (I think one other name is mentioned in the records) to find a harbour with suitable land behind and within reasonable distance to make a town and country settlement. This was in October 1841 and John Holdaway was one of the oarsmen, as he told his son Henry, who in turn, told his children. One hundred years later, on the spot at which they landed, we two of these children, saw a memorial unveiled, and afterwards walked up the hill to where they made their first camp, and also raised the British flag.

    A few days later, the "Will Watch" (and other ships "Whitby", "Arrow" and ___) lay outside waiting for the tide to be suitable for entering the haven. It was then that Thomas Cresswell died and was buried on Haulashore Island. (His grave has never been located). The haven was entered on November 1st and then the Expedition men set about preparing for the arrival of their wives and children. The first ship to arrive was the "Fifeshire"? on February 1st, and then the "Mary Ann" came on February 4th and anchored just out from the street which was once called Mary Ann, but for forty years or so has been known as Richardson. Among the passengers on the "Mary Ann" were the Eyles family, their daughter Amelia, Mrs Thomas Cresswell and her children, of whom two, William and Elizabeth grew up to raise families. William who was a tinsmith (and would mend things for his neighbours) went farming at Lower Routere, where Ray, a grandson, and his family are still upholding family tradition as farmers and church workers. Amelia had the tragic news of Thomas' death told her, and over forty years later, she told a daughter-in-law, with tears, of the heartbreak it was.

    Other passengers on the "Mary Ann" were Mary, John Holdaway's wife, and his sons William, George and James and daughter Emma. Elizabeth Cresswell (Amelia and Thomas' daughter) married William Sutton, a Richmond farmer, and their family of eighteen have many descendants. The "Mary Ann" 's women and children were taken up the track which was afterwards named Mary Ann Street, (the name being changed to Richardson Street about 1920.) to the reception place on the Heights, where 100 years later a memorial was raised.

    While the men of the expedition were waiting for farms and sections to be allocated to them, the families, Holdaways, Cresswells, and Eyles lived in cob houses at Almond Tree Flat on the south bank of the Maitai, several miles up the valley. One of the Eyles girls put an almond in the ground, and the "Tree" grew from it. In the June of 1842, Mary, John Holdaway's wife died (in childbirth), and there were then seven children with only one parent each. John wanted Amelia to be his housekeeper, but she refused, and then consented to marry him in August. They commenced with seven children. During the nine years the home was up the Maitai, three daughters and three sons were born to them. Also they lost one, a Cresswell , by drowning. John's occupations during this time included building the home at Richmond with the help of his two older sons William and George, clearing the land, and he also went out with Mr Budge's survey party. Amelia told my mother of going to Takaka with them, and an earthquake coming, and how James, then about nine, came running to the camp calling out 'Mother, Mother. The lakes gone all ………."

    NOTE:- Henry who was born in 1851 while they lived at Almond Tree Flat bought the home on the property in 1914, which Mr Budge sold in 1860, and we still live there.

    In 1851, the families shifted to Richmond. In the meantime, the Methodists had obtained land for their church and parsonage, and John Holdaway and John Saywell were the Trustees. - speaking of Methodists, they held the very first church service in Nelson, an outdoor one on the banks of th Brook Stream. Richmond and the Waimea were the one Circuit, and had the one Minister. First Reverend S Ironsides, and second Rev John Aldred.

    The settlers faced very hard times, so somewhere about the 1850's the company financed the digging of the Company's "ditch", and William and George, were among the men who tramped from Waimea over the hills to the Moutere to dig the "ditch' which is a stream cutting the length of the Moutere on the Eastern side, to the sea.

    It was in 1856 that their eldest daughter, Ann, died aged 15, and in 1861, two died with diphtheria - Daniel and Ada, aged 6 and 2. They had a doctor when these children were ill, but Amelia, who was a great believer in herbs as medicine, then treated the other ones when they contracted the disease and they all recovered.

    By 1881 the family was scattered, George and James to Blenheim, William still in Richmond, their sister also , and Thomas. Charles first went to Masterton, Ellen to Nelson, Edwin to Lower Moutere, Sarah married Rev Joseph Simmonds and spent a period as a missionary in Fiji. Phoebe was preparing to get married and Henry and Ernest were working the farm when Henry got married and brought his wife to look after the home and his parents, and be hostess to many visitors.

    It was in the 1880's that the copper mine was worked and Henry and Thomas had the contract to cart all their supplies up the valleys and over the hills to the mine, which meant wagons, horses and men had to be employed and paid for. So April 1890 found him leaving Richmond for the farm a Lower Moutere which had been bought for Ernest - but Ernest had become an officer in the Salvation Army and married Elizabeth Edwards, the sister of Jane, Henry's wife. (The last Richmond friend to say goodbye to the family was Alfred Sheat and in 1912 when we drove into Nelson, he was on a visit and was the first to greet us).

    It was only a short time after Henry left, that the home, which in the meantime was occupied by Thomas' family, was burned down. In the years between 1890 and 1914 in which Henry farmed in the Moutere, he made well drained, well worked farm, planted with many acres of orchard and plantations of useful trees on the bare hill sides. Ian a grand son, and Mrs Alan Holdaway still live in homes on part of the farm. Further down, in the centre of Moutere, Edwin brought his family up before they bought a boarding house at the old wharf, and John, his son, then farmed it for some years. (When he came back from WW1 and married, he bought a small holding on the main road at Braeburn where his widow Ivy still lives. Roy the younger son, also had a farm at Braeburn, across the valley from John's.

    1914 World War came, and Alan, Henry's second son, though minus the sight of one eye, was accepted and left with the 9th Reinforcement with his cousin John. They both came home unwounded - Alan a stretcher bearer through 1916 Somme - but worn out. His younger brother Hubert, went in the 18th when he was twenty and came home with German shrapnel in his leg, which he carried to the day of his death (from the 1918 Somme) on April 25th 1963. His chief memorials are the Riverside community which he and his wife founded, and the Methodist church on the hillside there, in the building of which he was a moving spirit. The youngest of the family Edwin (Ted) went into the National Bank, and was finally manager of banks at Lower Hutt and Wellington, and is now Hutt Valley Power Board chairman and city Councillor of Lower Hutt. Arthur, the oldest brother retired and left Ian and family on his part of the farm. Murray, the youngest son is now living at Rangiora and his daughter Illa, lives at Motuela, both daughters married, and her son away in New Guinea.

    Thinking back over the time at the Moutere - when we went there, the only outlets to the main road were over the fields and through the gates of neighbours, and when we left, the Central or West Road had been put through, and also Holdaways Road was opened right to the Main Road with a foot bridge over the river (the old Company Ditch). This road was solely due to Henry's hard work. One recollection of floods seeming to cover the whole valley and taking at least three of the four cart bridges, Drummonds, Edwards and Ching's road bridges - and piling them against the old Jubilee Bridge and damaging it greatly. The old school being pulled down and school being held in the Jubilee Hall - how did they push us in? 80 or 90 and two teachers. Four miles to walk to school, over fields, through fences and gates and over logs, over old water courses - carrying eggs out to the Grocer's cart and the grocer's home at night. No high school in the district at this time, and college was beyond our bank balance, so we left school and we were in our teens as there was no chance of being selected for a scholarship for the older ones of the family (two younger boys went to Nelson College). Our school memories include the relief of Mafeking and the taking of Pretoria when we were sent home for holidays for celebrations. Then the death of Queen Victoria, when we all wore black arm bands.

    From 1914 the memories were mostly war, the boys leaving, news of ANZAC, Egypt and then France, the boys being invalided home, ill or wounded - getting back into civilian life, and hen the depression years, which anyway did not seem any worse than the early settlers had endured. We got rather tired of the unemployables who begged meals or money for work which had to be done over again. We did not refuse meals, even if we had to do without our own, but got very angry at the laziness of some. My father died in 1928 and I was a gardener, so I had to do the slummed? work over.

    Then came the 1939-40, the boys away again. One nephew whose mother (sister Nellie Yull) stayed with us from the time he was three months old (when his dad went into camp) spent 8 years as a Merchant Navy Engineer and married an English wife - was torpedoed once - his ship was bombed another time - donkey engine a casualty - fire bomb raid in Liverpool - a Jap raid at Calcutta when the ship arrived - getting engines put in Liberty ships in USA and going to Vancouver to see engines put in a Canadian Ship. Now Chief Engineer at Waipi Hill outside Roterua. Henry's wife died in 1947 when she was nearly 91 leaving two unmarried daughters in the home they have lived in for almost 55 years.

    Some original rose bushes are still growing and flowering still, in the company of many new ones.

    I became the first woman life member of the New Zealand National Rose Society and Owen accused me of getting swelled head about it, and maybe I did."

Children of Daniel Eyles and Jane Primmer

Douglas Arthur Eyles

M, b. 6 August 1895, d. 12 May 1957
Family Explorer
  • Douglas Arthur Eyles was born on 6 August 1895 in New Zealand.
  • He was the son of William Daniel Eyles and Rebecca Alice Cobb.
  • Douglas Arthur Eyles enlisted in the Military in 1915 in Nelson. He was a driver with the 7th Reinforcements Army Service Corps. His next of kin was listed as Mrs R A Eyles of Mouteka Street, Nelson. He embarked from Wellington on 9 October 1915 for the Suez, Egypt.
  • At the age of 27 years, 10 months and 7 days, Douglas Arthur Eyles married Margaret Myra Westrupp on 13 June 1923 in New Zealand.
  • Douglas Arthur Eyles died on 12 May 1957 in Hokitika, New Zealand, at age 61.

Children of Douglas Arthur Eyles and Margaret Myra Westrupp

Douglas Derbyshire Eyles

M, b. 8 March 1926, d. 9 March 1992
Family Explorer

Edward Robert Eyles

M, b. 8 October 1891, d. 22 March 1994
Family Explorer
  • Edward Robert Eyles was also known as Bob.
  • He was born on 8 October 1891 in New Zealand.
  • He was the son of Charles Eyles and Amelia Mytton.
  • At the age of 24 years, 2 months and 14 days, Edward Robert Eyles married Gladys Amelia Wadsworth on 22 December 1915 in New Zealand.
  • On 21 February 1981,his wife, Gladys Amelia Wadsworth died at age 90.
  • Edward Robert Eyles died on 22 March 1994 at age 102.
  • Edward was buried on 25 March 1994 in Richmond Cemetery.