Biography contributed by Mrs Colyn Storer, Sydney, Australia
Sarah Bartrum was born on 22 January 1829, Sarah Pursey, daughter of James Pursey and Lucy Ann nee Frampton of Walton Somerset, where he was a Thatcher. She was baptised on 1 March 1829.
She was working for George Bartrum who was a farmer at Shapwick when the 1851 census was taken. They married in Paddington London on 29 December 1851. A few days later on 4 January 1852, they boarded the Stag to emigrate to New Zealand. The ship arrived at Lyttleton on 17 May after a cold and wet voyage and much sickness along the way.
They initially settled at Riccarton then Ferry Road Christchurch where George was a farmer. Their first seven children were born in Christchurch, including Ellen (later Ivory) who also signed the Petition.
They later lived at Ashley and Rangiora where the electoral roll of 1875, states that George owned 50 acres on the north side of the Old Rangiora Road.
All their children survived to adulthood and most of them lived nearby.
When George and Sarah celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 29 December 1901, it was reported that they had nine children and thirty one grandchildren.
Sarah died on 4 February 1904 at King St Rangiora. Her obituary states that she often had to carry her babies over the Port Hills into Lyttleton and “that her medical knowledge proved a boon to many settlers.” She was dearly loved by her friends and all the local people who appreciated the help she gave ungrudgingly to so many.
She was buried at the Wesleyan cemetery at Rangiora. George died on 16 November 1916 and was buried beside her.
References
Birth and Marriage England:
Ancestry.com.au
1851 Census:
Ancestry.com.au
Emigration:
On Stag arriving Lyttleton 17 May 1852 in Second Cabin
Description of the voyage and painting by a descendant
http://winsomegriffin.com/Cone/Stag.html
Including details from the Surgeon and Chaplain’s reports/notes
Birth, Marriages, Deaths:
https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
Electoral Rolls:
Ancestry.com.au
New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981
Golden Wedding:
PERSONAL ITEMS. Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11241, 5 April 1902, page 7
Death, Burial:
PapersPast
New Zealand, Cemetery Records, 1800-2007 for Sarah Bartrum
Canterbury, North, Central
Obituary:
Lyttelton Times, Volume CXI, Issue 13357, 9 February 1904, page 11
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
Community contributions