I am tracing my family of early settlers who settled and farmed grass seed in Pigeon Bay in the 1850s. They were the Marshalls who came from Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. Captain John Wallace Marshall, George Waters Marshall, Christina and Charlotte Marshall. Robert, their brother, bought his family out also, his son Charles, was my great-grandfather.
My great great grandmother was Bussorah Goodwin, first child of Edward and Margaret Goodwin who settled in Pigeon Bay in 1859. Bussorah (named after the ship she was born on) married my great great grandfather Francis Helps.
Rona, I remember your parents well, especially during the years we went to Pigeon Bay for the sailing. I also remember sailing with you on your yellow boat if my aged memory serves me correct.
I lived in Pigeon Bay in the late 1950's. My parents Bert and Gwen Murray had the shop there and my dad started the local boat club. Had the best childhood growing up there enjoying every moment out fishing and sailing
Hi there,
My name is Adrian Goodwin, I believe my family came from Pigeon Bay as well... my Great Grandfather was Stanley Goodwin he moved to Hawkes Bay to start his own farm.
My Goodwin family line farmed at Pigeon Bay from 1859 to 1995. The Goodwin cockfoot seed shed still standing and also the Goodwin houses. The Goodwin's came from Newchurch in Wales and have links back to the Greathouse in Newchurch, Wales. There were two Goodwin brother's Edward and James. Edward married Margaret Craig and James married Jane Craig. James and Jane Goodwin came to Midhirst, Taranaki in late 1870 and took up farming on 200 arces.
Pigeon bay is a lovely place and full of history and of the families that lived there. It is always interesting to go back there to where ones family roots started in New Zealand.
I lived in Pigeon Bay in the 70 and 80's it was very vibrant with many people. We had a two teacher school, Womens' Division, CWI and other organisations in the bay. Church services were shared, but held every Sunday. Balls were held in the hall and next to the memorial was a small building that housed the library.
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