Person Page 1,231

John Guilding was born about 1815.¹

John Guilding was acting landing waiter Auckland in July 1841.² He immigrated to to Tamaki, Auckland, in 1844.¹

Mary Ann Dick was born in 1853.¹ She and Tom Wood were married.

Anne Baker was born in 1835 in Waikare, BOI, NZ.¹ She and Hugh Rose Gunn were married. She died in 1913, at age ~78.¹

Hugh Rose Gunn was born about 1830.¹ He and Anne Baker were married.

Robert Gunn was born in 1808.¹ He died in 1850, at age ~42.¹

Robert Gunn immigrated to to Auckland in 1842.¹

Mary Dwyer was born on 10 October 1841 in Tangitororea, Northland, NZ.^1,2 She and William Gunson were married in 1864 in Otahuhu, Auckland, NZ.^3,4

PPA Northern Advocate, 10 October 1931, Page 5
NINETY TODAY
MRS MARY GUN SON, OTAIKA BORN IN NORTH AUCKLAND. INTERESTING PERSONALITY.
Possibly the oldest living person born of white parents in New Zealand is Mrs Mary Gunson, of Otaika, who today celebrates her nintieth birthday. That she has reached such a ripe old age without showing to any great extent the burden of her years, is a happy assurance of our colonial stock and the healthiness of our northern climate. Mrs Gunson was born at Tangiteroria, on October 10, 1841, the daughter of Mr John Dwyer, a native of Dublin, Ireland. In Robust Health today Mrs Gunson is hale and active,. her-only disability being slight deafness. -She does not like to be idle, and still delights in helping with the work, especially with the milking. At her home at Otaika Valley, opposite the Reserve Bush, she has lived for 74 years, since she was a girl 10 years of age.
In the time that has elapsed since Mrs Gunson came to the Whangarei district, many wonderful changes have taken place. The town was non-exist-ent in those far-off days of 1857, but over at the Wairoa, Tangiteroria was then a busier place than it is today. The surrounding forests yielded great harvests of kauri logs to the timber workers who swarmed there.
Early Northern Wairoa,
All her long life has been spent in North Auckland, for Mrs Gunson first saw the light of day at Tangiteroria. being the daughter of one of the earliest settlers in the Northern Wairoa. John Dwyer, her father, must have been regarded as an exception in his time, because, instead of following the industries of timber and gum in their boom days, he concentrated upon farming, and a very good job he made of it, too. Today, when the rich agricultural district which fringes the Northern Wairoa river is dependent almost entirely upon dairying, Mr Dwyer?s early foresight is borne out. Mrs Gunsohn remembers well helping to make and salt the butter which was taken in canoes down the Wairoa to the big sailing ships which used to come for timber. Then many hogsheads were shipped away to Australia, and later substantial cheques were received in return. These were prosperous day for the Gunson family, and, in fact, for the whole Northern Wairoa, which the old lady avers was more lively in the middle of the nineteenth century than it is now.
Missionary Schools.
Mrs Gunson was the youngest of the Dwyer family of three, the two elder members having passed away many years ago. Her brother John, whose sons are well known in the Whangarei district, was a chum of the boy who became the famous naturalist, Sir Walter Buller. The only schools at Tangiteroria were two mission schools a Roman Catholic one under the charge of an old French priest, and the Wesleyan Mission kept by the Rev. Mr Buller, father of the naturalist. Mrs Gunson attended both schools; but, she says these schools were vastly different from those of the present day and the teachers had far too many pupils. The Maoris were very anxious to learn to read, so that the missionary teachers had more than they could manage to instruct properly. When the youngest child was but two years of age, Mrs Dwyer died, .Mrs Gunson well remembers that for several years after the death of his young wife, her father, to avoid the loneliness of the house, would nightly take the three little ones out with him into the clearings, and while he logged and burned, they would amuse themselves by roasting potatoes in the fire. Arrival at Otaika.
When Mary was 16 her father took up the block of bushland which is still in the possession of the family. It lies a little over a mile from the main south highway to Auckland up the road which leads to Kaigoose Valley. The journey across country from Ihe Wairoa to Otaika was accomplished on horseback, the roads being mere bridle tracks. It was an unforgettable experience. Mrs Gunson ?s father had taken up land at Otaika Valley, it was on condition that the property be fenced within a certain period. Being unable to obtain fencing materials in that time, Mr Dwyer had a deep ditch dug on three boundary lines. The fourth boundary was the creek. Built up like a sod wall, the outside bank of the ditch had gorse carefully planted upon the top. These plants had been obtained from England, Mr Dwyer wishing to have trim hedges around his fields as in the Old Country. Blackberry plants were also procured for the same purpose, and after a long time were persuaded to grow.
The late Mr Georg Edge, a neighbour of Mr Dwyer, was also a culprit in the blackberry-gorse matter. Naturally they did not dream of the tremendous spread of their pet plants, which they cared for so tenderly.
After the ditching, the timber on the flats was chopped and the farm gradually brought in. Slabs were split to build a four-roomed house, and in 1857 Mr Dwyer established one of the earliest commercial dairies in the Whangarei district. He also ran many fine fat cattle.
The first cow to be taken to Waipu was purchased from Mr Dwyer at Otaika some time after the settlement was founded. The purchase is recorded in the book on the history of Waipu. A Soldier?s Bride.
There is a romantic element attached to the marriage of Mrs Gunson. She often visited her sister at Otahuhu, and on one of these trips she met Mr William Gunson, a handsome ex-member of the King?s Life Guards, who, upon obtaining his discharge, had accompanied his parents to the colony. They became attached, but at that time troops were called for to fight the natives in the Waikato. Gunson was given a commission in the 2nd Waikato?s, but before he left for the wars married his sweetheart in the little Roman Catholic chapel at Otahuhu. The Rev. Father O?Hara performed the ceremony. The campaign brought nothing but honour to the young soldier, and when all was done the couple settled down on a small property near Mangapai. Shortly afterwards, upon the retirement of Mr Dwyer, they took over the farm at Otaika. This was 63 years ago, and Mrs Gunson has resided there ever since.
Asked ?whether she had yisited Auckland in that time, Mrs Gunson said naively: I have not been there since I was married. I have been too busy. Mr Gunson died in 1918, at a good old age.
Making Good.
With butter at 4d a pound and very little demand, sustenance was not easy, and the luxuries of life were not for the pioneers. However, Mrs Gunson has, and does always, enjoy a cup of tea. They ground their own wheat in the valley, and Mrs Gunson says that the slightly coarser bread which came from the mill was much to be preferred before the commercial production ww eat today.
Mrs Gunson admits that she was never a good jockey, and as her husband preferred blood horses and the track to Whangarei Was unbridged, she met with many falls; but, as her still supple limbs indicate, none which brought lasting detriment.
There was no resident doctor in Whangarei for a period, and in her eight confinements Mrs Gunson had only the assistance of a country midwife.
An Unfulfilled, Prophecy.
As a girl she was rather delicate looking, and this led one visitor, Mr Hugh Crawford, Senr., who often called on his way to Whangarei, to inform her: Ay, mon, ye?ll never live to 62, to which venerable age be had himself attained;
Varied Interests.
Despite her years, Mrs Gunson is keenly absorbed in affairs of the day, and reads the newspapers regularly. She is especially intimate With politics, taking a personal interest in the leaders of the country.
Although she has lived a very quiet and secluded life on the farm, Mrs Gunson is well known as a wonderful woman for her age.
A number of years ago she had an apple orchard planted, and now this is in full bearing. The trees are carefully tended and Mrs Gunson's apples are always in good demand. This orchard is a great interest in her life, and when a Northern Advocate reporter called on her the other day she had just climbed the hill from the cultivation where she had seen the trees in bloom.
The Family.
Mrs Gunson lost a son two or three years ago, but there are seven remaining members of her family. Mesdames H. Weaver and M. Williams live in Whangarei; Mrs W. A. Lovell at Taupiri,. Waikato; and the Misses Agnes and Frances Gunson live with their mother. Messrs W. and G Gunson, her sons, also live at Otaika Valley. Mrs Gunson has three grandsons and two great-grandsons. A Practical Pioneer. Until recently Mrs Gunson was always first up in the morning. Her
eyesight is sufficiently good for her to appreciate the beautiful scenery which surrounds the homestead. Across the river there lies a range of heavily bushed hills, forming part of the High School reserve. Her visitors, especiallv those from the towns, often wax enthusiastic over this, but with her animated and fascinating smile Mrs Gunson tells them, with all the practical instincts of a true pioneer: I would rather see a green field there instead.

William Gunson was born about 1826 in Eng? died aged 82.^1,2 He and Mary Dwyer were married in 1864 in Otahuhu, Auckland, NZ.^3,4 He died in 1918 in Otaika, North Auckland, NZ.²

Immigrated with parents to Auckland
8 children 5 daughters 3 sons?

N (Rev) Gurner was born about 1800.¹ He and Unknown were married.

Probably a typo in ESR and this is Nathaniel TURNER who arrived 1823 on the Brampton. N (Rev) Gurner immigrated to arrived BOI 3 aug 1823 on the Brampton in 1823.¹

Unknown was born about 1800.¹ She and N (Rev) Gurner were married.

Unknown immigrated to arrived BOI 3 aug 1823 on the Brampton in 1823.¹

Hannah Haddon was born in 1812.¹ She died in 1852, at age ~40.¹

Hannah Haddon immigrated to to Auckland in 1840.¹

Levinia Marriner was born in 1839 in Horeke, Hokianga, Northland, NZ.¹ She and Frederick Hains were married.

Frederick Hains was born about 1835.¹ He and Levinia Marriner were married.

Maria Hall was born about 1815.¹

Not on SL but could be Maria HILL who was listed.or possibly wife of William Jabez HALL but she arrived 1842 with husband. Maria Hall immigrated to arrived Auckland 1 apr 1843 on the Westminster in 1843.¹

John Halloran was born in 1826.¹ He died in 1911, at age ~85.¹

John Halloran immigrated to arrived Auckland 22 apr 1845 on the Slains Castle in 1845 not on SL.¹

Mary Henry was born in 1830.¹ She and James Halyday were married. She died in 1879, at age ~49.¹

Mary Henry immigrated to to Auckland in 1841.¹

James Halyday was born in 1826.¹ He and Mary Henry were married. He died in 1900, at age ~74.¹

James Halyday immigrated to arrived Auckland 3 mar 1850 on the Camilla in 1850.¹

Alexander Hamilton was born in 1810.¹ He died in 1852, at age ~42.¹

ESR also has Elizabeth HAMILTON 1810-1852 (typo?) Auckland 1845 ... spouse or sister? Alexander Hamilton immigrated to to Auckland in 1845.¹

Elizabeth was born in 1810 died aged 43.^1,2 She and Francis Hamilton were married. She died on 14 October 1852, at age ~42, in Auckland, NZ.^1,2,3,4

Elizabeth immigrated to to Auckland in 1842.¹

Marion Lomax was born in 1840.¹ She and Francis Edward Hamlin were married. She died in 1927, at age ~87.¹

Sarah Bariball was born about 1845.¹ She and Ebenezer Hamlin were married.

Isabella Donne Smale was born in 1846 in Auckland, NZ.¹ She and James Hamlin were married in 1853 in Onehunga, Auckland, NZ.²

Maria Hamlin was born on 19 December 1859.^1,2 She and John Middleton Hamlin were married.

Cousin??

Phillis Hoy was born about 1840.¹

P K Harkins was born in 1830 age 62 in 1892 JGOC.¹ He and Unknown were married.

11 descendants in 1892 JGOC. P K Harkins immigrated to arrived Auckland 16 sep 1840 on the Anna Watson in 1842.¹

Susan Menary was born in 1834 age 58 in 1892 JGOC ESR has a martha MENARY 1822 - 1885 a sister?^1,2 She and Edward Hammond were married on 6 July 1858.^3,4 She died in 1885, at age ~51, alive 1892 ? JGOC maybe a sister married to Edward?¹

ESR has spouse of Edward as MENARY. Previously had "Martha".
ESR2 has Susan. Susan Menary immigrated to to Auckland in 1841 JGOC has 1837 to Auckland which obviously wrong.^1,2