Ruth Bryden

Biography contributed by Nola Clark (née Reveley):

Ruth Reveley was born on 20 July, 1864 in Christchurch. Ruth, who was the first Reveley to be born in New Zealand was the daughter of Hannah (née Hogg) (1824-1902) and Bell Reveley (1824-1902). Hannah and Bell, from Yorkshire, England and their children – Thomas, Elizabeth, Hannah, Groves, Bell jnr arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand, on 23 March 1864 aboard the ship the Indian Empire. Ruth married John Bryden (1862-1948) on 25 March, 1888 at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Greendale. 

Ruth grew up on the family farm in Kimberley, Canterbury, attending Greendale and Kimberley schools. She also helped her sister Hannah Gough in Greendale when Hannah was left a widow with four young children. After their marriage, Ruth and John lived in Springfield. Later in 1904 they moved to Brooklyn where John drove a horse and tram route for the New Brighton Tramway Company, and their children went to New Brighton School. In 1908 they moved to Tankerville Road, Halswell where they had some land to make hay and chaff, and keep horses for John’s job delivering for Armstrongs. 

In 1914 they moved to Selwyn Street and were there when Ruth died in 1930. There are family memories of Ruth and John travelling to Temuka on their motorbike and sidecar to visit family.

Ruth and John had eight children - Walter Charles (1890-1917) who died in France during the First World War, Albert John (1893-1916) who also died during the First World War, Ivy (1895-1979), Olive Ruth (1896-1954) / Lillian (Lily) (1898-1980), Eric Stanley (1900-1996), Ruby May (1903-1970), and Joyce (Joy) Hannah (1909-1988).

Ruth died on 16 May 1930 at Christchurch Hospital from carcinoma of the lung and breast. Ruth and John are buried in the Sydenham cemetery, Christchurch.

Photo provided by Ruth’s descendants at our 2009 Reveley family reunion.