William and Mary Ann Knight : Lower Hutt 1840 - 1990

Page 49: James 1833 - 1904.

1. James Knight

2. Mrs Jane Knight by C.H.O.

3. William and Mary by Jean Ransom.

"William and Mary Ann emigrated to New Zealand in the Duke of Roxburgh leaving Pluymouth October 5th, 1839 and landed on petone Beach February 8, 1840. They settled in Lower Hutt with forty other families from Cornwall and made their home near the Waiwhetu Stream. The Hutt River seemed top be always in flood which made things uncomfortable for the settlers.

Knights lived on their holding until about 1952. James Knight built Penrose 1872, Stannard Knight being the last of the Knight's to live in this well kept home in a lovely garden of then about four acres. The rest of the farm was sold for housing some years previously and these four acres subsequently divided for more housing.

James, the eldest son, married Mary Ann Fairweather. They had five children, the three youngest dying at a very early age. The two eldest went to the Wairarapa to a Mrs Mathews when their mother died. James remarried, Jane Heaynes, sister of Joseph's wife. They had nine children. When James remarried, mary Ann (then about nine) and Elizabeth came back home. Mary Ann remained at home until she married Vincent Ransom. She always considered herself nursemaid to the second family. Elizabeth worked away from home.

Mary Ann remembered going into a stockade when very young, when it was feared that Te Rauparaha was about to visit the Hutt. Fortunately he didn't arrive.

After their marriage Mary Ann and Vincent sailed from Wellington to Foxton and took a bullock wagon to Sanson where they lived whilst clearing the bush from the land they had bought in Campbelltown (now Rongotea). This they farmed until 1903 when they moved to Levin to farm the fairfield area. 103 acres bought for 38 pounds an acre. After Vincent died in 1905 Mary Ann sold the farm and built a house in Kent Street, Levin. (SE corner of Kent and Winchester).

I can remember as a young child Great Grandmother Knight (Jane) coming to stay with her. I thought it was great and I was so proud that I had a Great Grandmother and it was not until I was much older that I realised that she was only my Step Great Grandmother. Another frequent visitor was Aunt Susie, wife of Stannard. She was a great conversationalist and good company. I have a postcard she sent to Grandma in 1909 with the address just Penrose.

Mary Ann was a staunch member of the Methodist Church throughout her life. On her 90th birthday the ladies of the Levin Methodist Church put on a lovely party for her."

Page 50: James cont. then James Knight 1865-1950

1. Rongotea Co-operative Dairy Company.

"Vincent Ransom was the first Chairman (1895-1903) of the Rongotea Co-operative Dairy Company while his brother-in-law Samuel Knight was the first Secretary (1895-1898).

The first records of payment for milk entered on May 11, 1895 included among the forty suppliers were V. Ransom, S. Knight, M. Hunt and W. Hunt Snr.

In 1897 the possibilities of mechanical milking had been so advanced as to seem practical in application and four Rongotea farmers were the first in New Zealand to install operating plants. One of these farmers being Samuel Knight. One of these pioneer machines was operated by manpower, two were driven by treadmills and one by steam engine. It was not long afterwards that suitable internal combustion engines were introduced and mechanical milking became the accepted practice.

Other members of the family who served on the directorate were Harold J. Ransom, Chairman (1927-29), son of Vincent and Mary Ann and Norman H. Knight, brother of Samuel.

James Knight Jnr also farmed in Rongotea. This farm later being taken over by Norman Knight."

REF: Dairying through the years 1895-1945. Rongotea Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd. W.J. Croucher.

2. James Knight 1865 - 1950

Related Items

• Mary Ann RANSOM (nee Knight)
• Vincent Christopherson RANSOM
• Mary Jean ( Jean) RANSOM