Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Matilda Mitchell was born in 1857 in Oxford, England, daughter of policeman, James and his wife Jane nee North. Shipping records have not been found, but Matilda seems to have come to NZ as an adult, leaving her family back in Oxford.
Edward Paddison was born in 1856 in Lincolnshire, England to William and Charlotte nee Gregson. His father was an agricultural labourer, as were most of his sons. About 1874, Edward and an older brother Robert immigrated to NZ, probably to join Edward’s uncle, also named Edward Paddison, on Great Barrier Island. For a few years the nephews worked on farms on the island. In 1885 Robert died in an accident, whereby he fell from his horse, was knocked unconscious and drowned in the tide on Great Barrier. Edward was working as a coachman or carter in Auckland by then and had to look after his unmarried brother’s affairs.
At St Mark's Church Remuera, in 1889 Edward Paddison, of Kaikoura Island (Great Barrier), married Matilda Mitchell, second daughter of James and Jane Mitchell, of Oxford, England. They continued to farm on the Barrier and also had the store at Awanga, and there had four children:
- Edward James (1890–1964)
- Minnie (1894–1986)
- Ethel (1895–
- Matilda (1897–1920)
Several times the couple had charges of ‘sly grog-selling’ brought against them. Mainly arising from buying liquor from the steamers that called and on-selling it to neighbours. It appears the steamers had licences to sell booze, but not the local store. The charges were usually dismissed. After 1914 Edward and Matilda moved to Auckland, where Edward worked as a striker, then retired.
Edward died in 1930 at their home in Grey Lynn, aged 74. He was buried in the Waikumete Cemetery with their youngest daughter. His death notice stated, 'By request no mourning’. His probate left his interest and patent for an ‘electric leakage detector’ to his son Edward, and gold watch and chain. The property at Lisnoe Avenue to Matilda for her life and then to daughter Ethel provided she gives Edward 100 pounds. The residue and interest of 1500 pounds to the grandchildren after they reach 21.
Matilda lived on in Grey Lynn and died in 1942 aged 84 and was buried with her husband in Waikumete. 'At rest'.
Sources
PAPERS PAST Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 28, 3 February 1930, Page 1
PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9361, 11 May 1889, Page 1
PAPERS PAST Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 93, 19 April 1904, Page 3
Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com)
Historical BDMs