Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert.
Agnes Hayes was born in 1861 in Kaeo, Northland. She was the seventh daughter of John Daly Hayes and Sarah Mary nee Simpson. John was originally from Ireland and was an early settler in the north.
In January 1885 Agnes married at her father’s house in Kaeo, Charles Nisbet. He was a bush contractor born in Kaeo, Northland in 1862, the third son of Canadian, Alexander Guild Nisbet and his NZ born wife Mary Rogers.
Charles and Agnes settled in Kaeo where Charles was a bush contractor with his brother Albert. They had six children:
- Allen (1885 -1970)
- Janet Anne (1887 – 1993)
- Charles Leonard (1891 – 1965)
- Mabel Evelyn (1892 – 1980)
- Alexander William (1895 -1980)
- Ida Mavis (1901 – 1964)
Charles took a prominent part in local body affairs and was a member of the Whangaroa County Council for ten years, he served for six years as the representative of the Kaikohe Riding on the Bay of Islands County Council and on the Bay of Islands Hospital Board. He was involved in the founding the freezing works at Moerewa, and was a director of the Auckland Farmers Freezing Company. In 1904 he accepted a position as head of the Forestry Department for the Kauri Timber Company. They moved to Mason’s Avenue, Herne Bay Auckland where Charles worked as an inspector.
Charles and Agnes’ two sons served in the First World War. Allen enlisted in 1916 and served as a Trooper in the Suez. Alexander enlisted in March 1916 and was a sapper with Signallers Unit. He was awarded Military Medal in July 1918 for gallantry in the field.
Charles retired about 1922 and returned to the north, where he continued farming operations. He died at Rawene Hospital in 1929 and was buried in the Kaikohe Public Cemetery.
Agnes moved in with her son Allen at the Mason’s Avenue, Herne Bay house. She died in a private hospital, of heart disease in October 1947 aged 86 and was taken to be buried at the Kaikohe Public Cemetery with her husband. She left a detailed probate worth 3200 pounds, including; a wristlet watch to granddaughter Rona, wireless to daughter Mavis, piano to granddaughter Eva and 400 pounds in installments, son Alexander 200 pounds, son Allen 300 pounds, with the rest to be sold and money to be divided between 3 daughters, with trustees to hold Mavis’ share for her maintenance and benefit.
Agnes is the sister-in -law of #375 Lavinia Nisbet Kaeo and #375 Gertude Nisbet and #375 Jennie Nisbet, and daughter-in-law of #375 Mary Ann Nisbet Kaeo
Sources
- PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7240, 31 January 1885, Page 4
- PAPERS PAST Northern Advocate, 25 March 1929, Page 4
- Findagrave
- Intentions to Marry Wangaroa 1885
- Archway probate Agnes