Charles Henry Symons

Charles Henry Symons, son of Charles and Elizabeth (nee Morshead) of Millbrook, Devonshire, arrived at Port Nicholson on the “Catherine Stewart Forbes” in June 1841. On the same ship were his cousin Henry Morshead Symons and their aunt and uncle James and Jane (nee Morshead) and their children. Three Symons brothers had married three Morshead sisters. They came as steerage passengers so no doubt they were pleased when the journey was over. James was superintendent of stores on the journey and was paid thirty five pounds. On arrival they stayed with an old friend, Judge Halswell at Goathurst Farm, Brooklyn. James bought the farm with his inheritance from family property. They cut wood for the military and Charles also milked goats on what is now “The Terrace”.

Charles and Henry moved to the Manawatu area about 1844, to manage a 400 acre property leased from the Maoris by their Uncle James. This was on the south bank of the Manawatu River, not far from the coast. James was drowned crossing the Otaki River in 1851 while driving cattle to Wellington. His grave is sited on the small hill behind the Rangiatea Church at Otaki.

An old family story says that Charles was summoned to appear at Rangihaeata’s pa after the Wairau Massacre in 1844 to explain Te Rauparaha’s arrest by the Government.

Charles’ first wife was Rangimoana and their son was born on 26th September, 1850. Rangimoana probably went back to her people before Charles married Miriam Nash whose parents James and Ann Nash were rope makers on the Manawatu River. The Nashes arrived at Port Nicholson two months before the Symons and as both families spent several years in the Wellington area they probably met first then. It is said that Miriam would not marry Charles until he legally adopted his son John. Charles taught the Maoris to plough, grow corn and work bullocks. Charles lost an eye when injured by a bullock horn. He once challenged to race a bullock against a racehorse at the Foxton Racecourse and won! The horse was too frightened to pass the beast being ridden with flapping ribbons and bells.

In all Charles and Miriam lived thirty years on the Oturoa farm “Huriangataitoka on the south side of the Manawatu River near Whirokino. Besides farming, Charles, for many years carried on the only butchering business in Foxton. He was an excellent judge of stock and prospered. He was also very interested in horses, particularly trotters.

They had eleven more children and all twelve survived to adulthood, no mean feat in those days when so many childhood diseases proved fatal.

Eventually they moved to “Herston Farm” closer to Foxton on the main south road. “Herston” was said to be the name of family property in England but no such name can be found. However, it seems that James was a tenant farmer on “Higher Hareston Manor Farm” and this is probably the origin of the name. Charles Junior became the owner of “Huriangataitoka” after the death of his parents.

Charles died on 28th September, 1900 and four years later Miriam moved in to Foxton to live with her daughter Louisa Emily at “Okataina” in Robinson Street. (“Lonsdale” Hospital is built around this old house). Miriam died in Foxton on 21st November, 1913.

Their family:-

John (son of Rangimoana) 1850-1886, married Elizabeth Sophia Evans 28th May, 1873.

Matilda Frances born 1855, married Charles Henry Collins 16th December, 1875. Charles was a carrier and bookkeeper/accountant for T.U. Cook. Their eldest son, also Charles Henry bought a general store from J.A.Nash & Co in the early 1900s. Older residents may remember him as “Bunny” Collins. He later went farming at Dannevirke and Matamata.

Miriam, 1857-1945, married Frederick William Frankland 30th April, 1879. He was an actuary and they lived in New York during the 1890s returning to New Zealand on account of his ill health. They had two sons, Herston and Harold.

Annie, 1859-1947, married William Toogood 19th December, 1883. This was his second marriage. T.V. personality Selwyn Toogood is a grandson from his first marriage. William had a drapery business in Featherston.

Charles Henry 1861-1937, married
1. Catherine Elizabeth Wallace lst July 1903,
2. Agnes Mary Trengrove Williams 12th June, 1929.
There were no children from either marriage. On his retirement Charles built a home in Lady’s Mile. This later became the Maternity Home and is now the Kohanga Reo.

James Nash 1863-1912, married Mary Cook 6th May, 1890. James was a flax miller and farmer and moved to Hawke’s Bay about 1909.

Jane Morshead 1866-1934, married George Graham Johnson 7th September, 1893. He was a Post Office employee and moved about the country.

Louisa Emily 1868-1939, did not marry. She had several overseas trips with her sister Miriam Frankland.

Elizabeth Mary, born 1870, married Alexander Toogood, son of William, thus her sister Annie became her mother-in-law.

Clara Ellen, 1873-1938, married Charles Edward Robinson, farmer, 24th January, 1895. They remained in Foxton. They had three sons, Cecil, Herston and Maurice, who all married and many of their descendants still live in the area.

Arthur William Norman, 1875-1931, married Rachel Grace Carkeek on 24th March 1902. After the First World War, Arthur took his family to Hastings where they became orchardists. Their son Ray and his wife, Judy, returned to the Foxton area where their sons, Bruce, and Royce are well known.

Walter George Thomas, 1877-1938, married Florence Catherine O’Brien on 29th March, 1910. He was a flax worker and worked at King’s flax mill maintaining the engines. When the mill closed about 1931 he worked for Charles Robinson, clearing land for farm production. They had one son and one daughter.

Referencing:

When referencing this book please use the following:

Pioneers of Foxton : Book Two. p8-9. [Foxton, N.Z.] : Foxton Historical Society, 1989.