Mrs Bousham

I believe that Mrs Bousham listed as living in Tai Tapu is actually my Great, great Grandmother Martha Eliza Rousham (nee Hall). Born in 1872 in Gloucestershire, she emigrated to New Zealand with her parents Jesse and Caroline (nee Fry) and sister Caroline. In 1890 she married fellow Englishman Phillip Howard Rousham in Lyttelton. Phillip and Martha lived for the first part of their married lives in Tai Tapu and Motukarara. Phillip was the groundskeeper of Waihora Domain at Motukarara and a keen gardener. He had an interest in propagating plants and became known for varieties of daisies and lillies that he developed. He established a nursery at Motukarara which still exists today after being redeveloped by the Department of Conservation. Phillip and Martha had three daughters and a son, Gertrude (White), Florence(Beresford), Mildred (Murphy) and Montague. All were named after Phillip’s siblings. On their retirement Phillip and Martha lived with or near their eldest daughter Gertrude and her husband George. Martha died in July 1946 and Phillip in 1937.
Martha and Phillip are buried together at Bromley cemetery.

I can supply a copy of the 1893 electoral roll where Martha Rousham is listed as living in Tai Tapu and a 1906 photo of Phillip, Martha and two of their daughters at Waihora Domain, Motukarara. Phillip is watering the extensive garden and Martha and the two girls are sitting on a seat