Letitia Parkinson

Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert

Letitia Parkinson was the youngest daughter of Thomas Parkinson and Eliza Jane nee McMullan. They were married in County Down, Ireland in 1859 and after the birth of their first son, they emigrated to NZ on board the Flying Foam in 1864. Thomas and Eliza bought a farm and settled in Mahurangi, near Warkworth, as did several other families on that ship.

In September 1897, at the residence of the bride’s parents, Letitia married Murdoch McLeod, the 31-year-old son of Angus McLeod of Auckland. The family lived around central Auckland where Murdoch worked as a labourer or carter, with a short spell as an inspector of schools. The couple had five children:

• Flora (1898- 1939)           
• Angus (1900- 1982)                         
• Alexander (1901- 1967)                 
• William (1904- 1986)      
• Norman Murdoch (1910- 1986) 

Murdoch died in June 1933 aged 67 years. His probate left his house in Morningside to his wife until to death, and then to his children. Letitia had lived for over 30 years in that same house when she died in November 1963. Her will left her estate to be shared equally between her sons Angus and Alexander only. Murdoch was buried in the Waikumete Cemetery in west Auckland and Letitia was cremated and her ashes scattered.

Sources

NZer 14 Jul 1864

Ak Star 30 Sep 1897

NZ Electoral rolls

Archway NZ Archives

NZ Historical BDM