Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Martha McCurdy was born about 1832 in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, one of six children to George and Martha McCurdy. Martha’s father George died before she was 10.
Martha married Rev Robert McKinney, Missionary of the General Assembly to New Zealand, at the Presbyterian Church of Donoughmore, Northern Ireland on 17 April 1856. Several weeks later they sailed for Auckland, New Zealand on the ship Martaban as cabin passengers, arriving in October 1856. The same year the Reverend Robert was certified as an Officiating Minister. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church met to decide, 'that the request that the Rev. Robert McKinney should be allowed to take the spiritual oversight of the districts of Mahurangi and Matakana had been cheerfully granted, and also formally to introduce to them that gentleman as their minister….One section of it is set apart for the purposes both of a church and of a school, and the other comprises dwelling apartments for the minister. The whole cost of the erection has amounted to £220, and of this sum £50 require yet to be raised.'
At Mahurangi, ten children were born, including one unnamed who probably died soon after birth:
- Charles Stewart Holmes (1857–1920)
- Robert Bruce (1858–1909)
- Benjamin Holmes (1859–1935)
- Not named (1861–1861)
- Arthur Henry Elliott (1862–1936)
- Katherine Alexander (1864–1937)
- Emily Martha (1867–1949)
- Mary Elizabeth Elliott (1869–1950)
- Thomas Lyndsay (1871–1948)
- John Cuthbert (1874–1905)
Martha was involved in all parish and community activities. For example, in 1882 the schoolchildren's picnic to Kawau included, 'Rev, Mr McKinney, Mrs McKinney,... and the principal residents of Warkworth, who did their best to amuse the rising generation.' And 'the scholars and teachers of the Sunday-school in connection with St. Columba's Presbyterian Church were entertained at the manse by Mrs. McKinney and family. The day was fine, and games suitable for all ages progressed favourably during the afternoon..., and all well pleased and grateful for kindness received from Mrs. McKinney, on this as well as previous occasions.' She entered the local agricultural shows, winning at the Warkworth Show for her embroidery, and the Rodney Agricultural Show with her case of saleable dried apples.
In his obituary, reference was made to the remoteness of the parish, 'Mr McKinney was wont to smile when some people used bad language over the Northern roads. When he first went North there were no roads at all. Nevertheless he used, on an average, to preach in about four different places every Sunday, travelling from one to the other over mires and unbridged creeks and rivers innumerable....It was quite a common thing for this energetic parson to hold service at Mahurangi in the morning, preach at Mahurangi Heads in the afternoon; and, taking boat at Mullet Point, get to the Kawau in time for evening devotions. He was a great crony of Sir George [Grey], and his stay on the island was never of a definite length. Mrs McKinney would be looking out anxiously all Monday for her husband's return, but it often happened that he did not get back to Mahurangi till the Wednesday. The two friends had so many tastes in common that they would often sit up yarning until the small hours of the morning.'
Martha died first on 4 March 1905. She made a will three weeks before she died, leaving money divided more for the daughters than the sons, with unmarried Emily always having a home on this house, and her choice of the linen and furniture, also 'the silver plate presented to me by the Church in 1914', whilst she remains unmarried. On her marriage the plate was to revert to son Benjamin.
Two months later Rev. Robert McKinney, who died last after forty-nine years service as minister of the Presbyterian Church in the Mahurangi district. His will left 100 pounds to each child, and 100 pounds to the Presbyterian Church in Mahurangi for the purpose in building a manse, in loving memory of his late son Jack Cuthbert and at the direction of his wife. The will was made on 4 March, the same day his wife died. His estate was worth 1000 pounds. Both are buried at the Warkworth Cemetery. Part of the inscription reads, 'For 49 years he was the clergyman of this parish, she his devoted partner. They now sleep well. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord'.
Martha is the mother of 378 Mary EE McKinney and 378 Emily M McKinney, and mother in law of 378 Janet McKinney
Sources
Belfast Newsletter 24 Apr. 1856
PAPERS PAST New Zealander, Volume 12, Issue 1094, 11 October 1856, Page 2
PAPERS PAST Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIII, Issue 990, 23 December 1856, Page 3
PAPERS PAST Observer, Volume XXV, Issue 36, 20 May 1905, Page 4
Archway probates Robert
Archway probate Martha