E. Nottage

Esther Newman was born 31 July 1844 and baptised 25 Mar 1848 in St Dunstan and All Saints Stepney London.

She emigrated to New Zealand with her parents Benjamin Newman and Eleanor née Mitchell 18 November 1858 on the Regina from Gravesend to Port Chalmers. The family settled in Dunedin.

Esther married James Nottage 8 July 1879. In 1881 they were one of the first four families to live in Middlemarch.

James Nottage was an expert at erecting sod fences. He could put up a chain a day and was paid one pound per chain. They had no children.  

In later years the Nottage’s little cottage, with the onions and herbs hanging from the rafters in the back porch, sat cosily in among the trees. In summertime sweetly scented red roses and neatly trimmed  box-bordered  paths made a pretty picture. Many a school child called in passing to see what Mrs Nottage had to offer in the way of small fruits. The children were seldom disappointed and were nearly always given a handful of red, white or black currants, ripe gooseberries or raspberries.

Esther was also a member of the local Presbyterian Church and is recorded as a helper for the Parish Christmas parties.

Esther signed the petition directly above her sister Sarah Attwood (nee Nottage). 

Esther died 21 April 1921 and James in 1922 aged 89.

Biography contributed by Joan M. Conroy

Source

Middlemarch information from East of the Rock and Pillar by H. M. Thompson