Amelia Longuet

Amelia Longuet (nee Gregory), was born on 8 January 1824 in London, England. Amelia’s parents were Mary and Anthony Gregory and she had older siblings, Anthony and Mary.

On 8 January 1842 Amelia married Lewis Longuet Levy, a merchant, in St John’s Parish Church in Hackney, London. They had four children before travelling to New Zealand; Amelia (1843–1925), Lydia (1844–1927), Lewis Alfred (1846–1930), and Thomas Walter (1848–1933).

The family travelled to New Zealand as ‘intermediate passengers’ on board Ajax, sailing from London on 8 September 1848, arriving in Port Chalmers, Otago on 8 January 1849. The family settled for eight years in Purakanui, before moving to Bluff in 1859 where Lewis had a general merchants store. The family later moved to Waikiwi.

Another six children were born in New Zealand; Emily (1851–1924), Harriet (1854–1933), Charlotte Longuet (1857–1939), Charles Stephen (1861–1941), Alice Eliza (1863–1864), and Clare Eliza (1865–1951).

Amelia’s husband was elected to the Provincial Council in 1867. By now the family were using Longuet as their surname. Lewis died on 13 August 1894. Amelia’s son, Charles Stephen Longuet, was Mayor of Invercargill in 1901–1902. 

Amelia died in July 1914, aged 90 and is buried in the Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill. A photograph of Amelia was published in the Otago Witness on 18 March 1908 along other early settlers and descendants from the ships Ajax and Mary.

Amelia was living in Gala Street, Invercargill when she signed the petition. Her eldest daughter, Amelia O’Toole of Invercargill, also signed the petition. 

Biography contributed by Cheryl Fowler (2nd great granddaughter)

Sources

• 1841 England Census
• Marriage certificate
• Cemetery record https://icc.govt.nz/cemeteries/cemetery-search/
• Hall-Jones, F.G.  Invercargill Pioneers.  Invercargill, Southland Historical Society Committee, 1946.
• Papers Past http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
• Passenger arrivals at Port Chalmers, New Zealand 1848 – 1851 http://www.ngaiopress.com