The First FROUDE Family in New Zealand

The First FROUDE family in New Zealand were David FROUDE (1830-1912) and his wife, Margaret  (1839 - 1873) nee AGNEW, and their daughter,  Margaret Jane, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, about 1857, who arrived here on the "Mary Ann" on the 24th September 1858. They were accompanied by Robert FROUDE, David’s brother. The ship left Gravesend, London on the 31st May 1858, carrying 117 passengers.

The "Mary Ann" was constructed in 1835 at Yarmouth, Norfolk. The 723 ton ship had been used to carry troops during the Crimean War (1853 - 1856).

 David is not listed amongst the passengers. He came out on an earlier ship, the “Tamar”.

ARRIVAL OF THE TAMAR

The New Zealander January 30th 1858

The barque Tamar, with Captain J ROSS, which arrived in harbour on Thursday at 4 a.m., has made a better passage than any of the last three or four English ships preceding her, having accomplished the run from Gravesend, whence she took her departure on 11 October, in 108 days.

David will have sent mail back to Margaret. Mail in those days took 3 or 4 months to get to England from New Zealand.

Isabella Gibson FROUDE, the couple's second child, was born on the 27 June 1859 in Auckland, nine months after the arrival of Margaret in Auckland. See here.

David and Margaret had married on the 3rd November 1856 in Belfast.

This picture is not of the "Mary Ann" but just a general picture which indicates what it was like on the sailing ships. I have been unable to find a picture of the "Mary Ann".

Next to arrive in the family was Lillian (Lilly) FROUDE who was born 26 Dec 1862 in Auckland. She later moved to Australia.

Then followed  a David FROUDE and a Louisa FROUDE both of whom died as babies.

Then came James Candlett FROUDE born 15 Jan 1866 in Auckland. He also moved to Australia

Alice Emmeline FROUDE was born in Auckland on the 20 February 1867.

In 1869 there was an un-named girl who died at or near birth.

In 1871 Ezekiel Burgoyne FROUDE was born in Auckland, the Burgoyne name probably coming in recognition of Jane Randell Burgoyne FROUDE, David's Aunt who arrived in New Zealand in 1840.

Finally Edith Mary FROUDE completed the family being born on the 1st March 1873 in Auckland. Tragically her mother Margaret died the same day.

At this stage the family consisted of 5 girls and 2 boys, with the oldest girl, Margaret, now 16. It must of been a case of the older girls having to look after their father and the younger children, until Jane Margaret arrived in the family.

David was to marry Jane Margaret HARDING (1836 - 1895) on the 25 April 1877 at the Wesleyan Church at Onehunga.