Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Emma Broughton was born in 1831 in Tubney, Berkshire, England to William and Hannah. In 1859 Emma married John Legge at Abingdon, Berkshire. John was born in Marcham, Berkshire in 1829, son of William Legg and Mary nee Broughton. John was a Methodist preacher and agricultural labourer.
Two children were born in Berkshire:
- Albert William (1859–1936)
- Walter (1861–1943)
The proposal to found a Non-Conformist settlement in New Zealand appealed to John’s rich imagination, and John and Emma determined to join the band of pioneers. The family arrived in Auckland September 1862 on board the Matilda Wattenbach. Also on board was Emma’s brother Jesse Broughton. They took up a land grant at Port Albert. Emma reported that, 'When the first settlers reached Port Albert they had to go in schooners, and their homes were quite isolated from the comforts of civilisation.' Five more children were born at Port Albert and all lived to adulthood.
- Henry (1864–1935)
- Eliza Jane (1866–1946)
- Ada (1867–1947)
- Emily (1870–1959)
- Arthur (1872–1946)
Like all the pioneer settlers, they had a hard time for a number of years carving a home out of the bush. 'Mr Legge re-called the first Sunday in Port Albert, the trepidation of the newcomers, at the sight of a canoe load of Maori approaching the landing place. Instead of danger, the natives came as friends, accompanied by their missionary, the Rev. Mr Gittos'. It was reported in September 1865 that Emma’s two brothers, Jesse and William Broughton drowned while rafting logs down to a sawmill. 'Both the deceased were known as excellent workmen and were esteemed for their general character.' They were among the first burials in the Port Albert Cemetery.
Both Emma and John were members of the Methodist Church, and their residence was always a home for ministers visiting the district. John continued to be a lay preacher, a member of the Hope of Albertland Lodge, supporting teetotalism. In May 1895, at an anniversary dinner for the original Albertlanders, 'What took the meeting most by surprise was the announcement from Mr John Legge, one of the early settlers, that he had made up his mind to go by steamer to Auckland after a sojourn in Albertland of 32 years, and had never been out of the district during that time…. says he would not spend one penny on fermented drink or tobacco during the whole period, and he is going to show the Aucklanders that these two obnoxious habits can be dispensed with.'
John died in 1911 aged 82. 'On Wednesday last Mr John Legge, a man whose warm heart was full of love to everyone, whose faith in God was the mainspring of a joyous life, breathed his last… it is in keeping with his whole life, to read his last request that no mourning should be worn.' He was buried in the Port Albert Cemetery.
His probate worth 700 pounds left everything to Emma for her life. And after she died, his property to youngest son Henry providing he give 100 pounds to his sister Ada, 40 pounds to brother Walter, and ten pounds each to sisters Emily and Eliza.
Emma lived with her son Henry in Port Albert until she died in 1921. She was 'the oldest pioneer resident of the Nonconformist settlement at Port Albert. ..During her fifty-nine years' residence in the North Mrs. Legge has seen the satisfactory development of Port Albert from very small beginnings to a thriving fruit-growing centre; with the third generation having the facilities of railway communication, telegraphs, telephones, and motor cars. When the first settlers reached Port Albert they had to go in schooners, and their homes were quite isolated from the comforts of civilisation.' She was buried with John in the Port Albert Cemetery.
Emma is the mother of 24 Ada LEGGE Port Albert
Sources
PAPERS PAST Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 2 August 1911, Page 5
PAPERS PAST Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 269, 11 November 1921, Page 6
PAPERS PAST Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXI, Issue 2535, 2 September 1865, Page 5
PAPERS PAST Observer, Volume XV, Issue 858, 8 June 1895, Page 22
Historical BDMs
Archway probate John