Amelia Whitham

Signed family name

Whitham

Signed given name

Amelia

Given address

Auckland

Sheet number

378

Town/Suburb

No suburb given

City/Region

Auckland

Notes

Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert

Amelia Austin Boon was born in 1871 in Mahurangi, the third child and eldest daughter of Josiphia Wedgewood and wife Elizabeth Jane. Josiphia’s family were early settlers to Auckland and his wife’s family were descended from the Wedgewood Staffordshire potters.

In 1891 at the residence of the bride's parents, Mahurangi, Robert Currer, eldest son of J. Whitham, Christchurch, was married to Amelia Austin, eldest daughter of J.W. Boon, of Mahurangi.

Robert was born in 1861 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England one of the four children of Joseph and Grace, nee Anderson. They came to Lyttelton, Canterbury in 1870 on board the Ramsey. Joseph worked for the railways, both in Bradford and in NZ. Robert attended the Normal Training College in Christchurch and in 1876 began teaching at the East Christchurch school. In 1881 he was appointed headmaster of Kohimarama school in Auckland. After that at Newton East, Parua Bay (Dome Valley Warkworth) and assistant master at Devonport. In 1891 he made his final move and became headmaster at Mt Albert District School.

The couple lived in Morningside, Auckland and had four children.

Ethel Grace (1891–1895)
Alfred Currer (1894–1959)
Harold Wedgewood (1897–1930)
Esma Elizabeth (1902–1923)

Unfortunately, Robert became ill with typhoid, and died in less than a month in 1903, aged 42. He was a prominent member of the Kingsland Methodist Church, 'he took an active interest in all matters pertaining to the district. He was a member of the Rocky Nook Bowling Club for some years, and … won the respect of all with whom he came in contact.' He was buried in the Waikumete Cemetery. Robert had left an estate worth 275 pounds in trust for his children.

Amelia petitioned the court for use of the interest of the monies to support herself and three young children under 10. It was decided she was entitled to maintenance of one pound 10s per week. By the time this was settled, Amelia was no longer of Auckland, now living in New Plymouth where Robert’s parents lived.

In 1912 Amelia was taking in boarders, advertising The Bungalow New Plymouth, 'a new and up-to-date Home, pleasantly situated, opposite the Gilbert Street entrance to Pukekura Park. A comfortable home for permanent boarders and visitors.'

When her son, Corporal Alfred Whitham was wounded in action at the Dardanelles in 1915, Amelia was still in Taranaki. But by 1923 she was living in Mt Eden when her daughter Esma died aged 20. Her son Harold predeceased her also. Amelia died 1930 and buried with her husband in Waikumete Cemetery. In her will, valued at 3000 pounds, she left her household and personal effects half each to daughters-in-law, and her real estate to her widowed daughter-in-law Grace and grandchildren taking quarter shares each when they reached 25yrs.

Amelia is the sister of #379 Elizabeth J BOON