Marion Shaw

Signed family name

Shaw

Signed given name

Marion

Given address

Mahurangi

Sheet number

378

Town/Suburb

Mahurangi

City/Region

Auckland region

Notes

Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert

Marion Buchanan Perry was born in 1853 in Dunbarton, Scotland, a child of James and Mary. She arrived with her parents and four siblings on the Flying Foam in 1864. The family settled at Pohuehue, four miles from Warkworth, at one time known as Little Scotland, on account of the group of Scottish families settled there. ‘Luggie Bank’ was the name the Perrys gave to their farm on Perry Rd. Eventually it became Perry and Sons Jersey Breeding Stud. Amongst the Scottish neighbours were William and Margaret Shaw who had arrived on the same ship.

In 1874 Marion married William Shaw, the 21-year-old son of their neighbours, William and Margaret. They raised a large family on their ‘Burnside’ property in the midst of heavy bush.

William (1876–1914)
Mary (1877–1953)
Margaret (1879–1946)
James Macolm Fleming (1882–1918)
Archibald McDonald (1882–1956)
Agnes Marion (1884–1963)
Jessie Campbell (1886–1934
Alexander Bruce (1888 -1954)
Elizabeth Wilson (1889–1932)
Livingston Burns (1891–1958)
Sarah Grace (1895–1969)
Flora McDonald (1897–1957)

The land was developed as an orchard and nursery, and William and Marion lived there the rest of their lives. It was also a coaching stop and housed the post office and telephone exchange. The house, which was built using burnt lime, survives as one of Warkworth’s historic homes.

In 1914, their eldest son William died aged 38 years of an inflammation of lungs, leaving a widow and two young children. And they lost another son in 1918, died of illness while away in WW1.

Marion died in July 1923 at Pohuehue. The newspaper noted they, 'for many years bore all the hardships and dangers of the early days, turning the wilderness into literally a fruitful land… Had she lived until September she would have celebrated her golden wedding.' She was buried in the Warkworth Cemetery.

'The death has occurred at Warkworth of Mr William Shaw, one of the oldest and best-known settlers of the district' in 1934. 'He planted a nursery and orchard and carried on the business for many years, his sons eventually carrying on their father's extensive business. Mr Shaw was an ardent Freemason and always endeavoured to maintain the highest traditions of the craft. He had been a member of the Rodney Lodge since he was a young man, and, in 1911, was Master of Rodney Lodge. From 1920 until last month, he held the office of almoner and attended almost every meeting during that time.' He was buried with his wife at Warkworth Cemetery. His headstone reads, in part, 'Remote from town, he ran his Godly race’.

Marion is the daughter-in-law of 378 Margaret SHAW