Our Heritage

OUR HERITAGE

 

The Meiklejohn family after seven generations now reflects the general mix of a twenty first century New Zealand family.

James and Catherine brought to New Zealand a family that had skills as master mariners, shipbuilders, loggers and farmers. Subsequently they added orcharding. In time the sons carried on their father’s endeavours in the family shipyards and in captaining some of the scows and other ships they had built.

The marriages of their daughters to other local families such as the Darrochs, the Mathesons, the Birdsalls, the Neeleys, the Knaggs, the Quintals and the Goldsworthys saw inter-generational continuity in shipbuilding, seamanship and farming. Many of these other families had similar heritages and were from first generation settler stock.

As might be expected subsequent generations reflected changes in the community and a drift both to other occupations and into more urban environments. Gradually a transition took place to community service occupations, to business and to the professions – occupations such as teaching, pharmacy, civil engineering, scientific research, medicine, law, accountancy and surveying are now extensively represented.

 

The heritage of seamanship passed through generations –

Captain Alexander (Sandy) Meiklejohn

Captain W D (Bill) Meiklejohn

Captain Duncan Matheson

Captain Ronald Matheson

 

Today Andrew Wotherspoon and Andrew Meiklejohn continue the heritage through recent America’s Cup participation and around the world racing.

Settler stock inevitably produced strong women. Many were homemakers while others also established careers. More recently these anchors of the family included –

Sally Meiklejohn – who after a career in broadcasting and film Sally used her close interest in the family to deepen her involvement in organising family reunions and ultimately taking on the role of chairperson – also keenly involved in many community activities such as the Matakana slow town movement, Rural Women, volunteer at the Warkworth Library, member of the Rodney North Arts Council and Kaipara Flats Hall Committee.

Sylvia Moore – had a keen interest in recording family history – author in her own right – contributor to a TV series on the Hauraki Gulf.

Belle Matheson – matron of her own private hospital in Devonport – travelled overseas extensively and maintained relations with our overseas family – described as the matriarch of the family for many years – passed away in 1999 just short of her 100th year.

Marian Knaggs – matron of her own private hospital in Mt Eden – a keen supporter of family

Errol Jones – has been collecting and writing about the history of the family and of the Warkworth district for many years. Errol’s father was a Matthews who were early pioneer farmers – the Matthews farmed in the Sugarloaf area and were orchardists of renown. Her grandfather was the roading engineer for the Leigh road. Her sons and grandsons have all been respected businessmen and plumbers in the Warkworth community.

Carol Ramage – published health/medical research, experienced health service manager, former General Manager Green Lane Hospital, former member Medical Laboratory Technologists Board.

 

Creative skills made their appearance –

Authors – Heber Meiklejohn, W D Meiklejohn, Lemuel Meiklejohn, Les Meiklejohn, Errol Jones, Sylvia Moore, Carol & James Ramage, Kaye Dennan

Television & film production – Sally Meiklejohn

Sporting champions emerged in the family tree while many family members were participants or administrators –

Ken, Douglas and Mervyn Meiklejohn – Rodney hockey reps

Ross Jones – rugby league – 1939 ‘Kiwis’ tour of England

Brian Dunning – Northern Districts cricket

Howard Jones – NZ and Auckland hockey

Don Jones – Auckland soccer

Rex Pickering – All Black & Waikato rugby

Murray Jones – All Black & Auckland & North Auckland rugby

Rod Jones – North Auckland rugby & All Black trialist

Colin Cunningham – North Auckland rugby

Andrew Meiklejohn – yachting – Interdominion 12 Foot Skiffs – Seamanship Award for the Baltimore leg of the 2006 Volvo Round the World race

 

Many family members have made their marks on their local or wider community –

James Strange Meiklejohn – member of the Matakana Highway Board

Septimus Meiklejohn – Chairman of the Rodney Agricultural Society, Director of the Matakana Co-op Dairy Co., Director of the Coastal Shipping Company and member of local roading boards

John Meiklejohn – Chairman and member of various Matakana roading boards

Les Meiklejohn – Chairman of Directors and also a director of the Matakana Co-op Dairy Co., Chairman of the Big Omaha School Committee

E W Meiklejohn – Chairman of Directors and Director of Matakana Co-op Dairy Co.

Lew Meiklejohn – Director of the Matakana Co-op Dairy Co.

E V Meiklejohn – Director Matakana Co-op Dairy Co.

Ian Matheson – Matheson Minster Clothing – deputy chairman of NZ Forest Products – Rotary District Governor

Ken Meiklejohn – senior international executive Upjohn Pharmaceuticals

Alvin Meiklejohn Jr – lawyer and Colorado State senator

Lloyd Darroch – founder Puhoi Cheese Company

Neil Darroch – property valuation

Barry Darroch – logistics consultant

Keith Matheson – retail clothing

W D Meiklejohn – Director of Matakana Co-op Dairy Co. – proprietor Meiklejohn & Sons Bagwash & Devonport Borough councillor and 1935 Devonport mayoral aspirant

Ross Jones – Life Member – Warkworth Bowling Club

Doug & Phil Meiklejohn – Life members Pupuke Golf Club

Doug Meiklejohn – President North Shore Chamber of Commerce

Derve & Jean Meiklejohn – Life members Glenfield Rovers Soccer Club

John Davison – foundation trustee Bream Head Conservation Trust

Ron Davison – scientific research leading to commercial planting of the Zespri Gold Kiwifruit

Ian Meiklejohn – Director – Matakana Dairy Co-op

 

(The above content has been taken from biographic details in the family tree and other sources – additional identities and biographic details are welcome.)

 

Contributed by Des Meiklejohn