Past Newsletters

Newsletter – May 2021 Matakana Cemetery We are pleased to report that the renewal of the picket fencing and the railings are largely complete. The final coat of paint will be applied shortly. Many thanks to those who attended the working bees and to those who donated to the project. In particular, to Noel Meiklejohn who took the project on and carried it to fruition with the assistance of close relatives and others. Karen and Dan (Trustees) are funding the regular mowing of the plot and its surrounds. Anyone wanting to share in these costs should make contact with Karen (leewhanau@xtra.co.nz) The Matakana Cemetery index has 29 Meiklejohn names plus, no doubt, there are other relatives such as Errol Jones laid to rest there. Alexander (Sandy) and Robert were re-interred there from Omaha. For those interested Matakana Cemetery has a page on Facebook. A tribute to Sandy (Rapid’s captain) and the events surrounding Lemuel’s death by drowning on the ‘Rapid’ including a letter by Sandy are on that website and is re-produced below. If you wish you can be a follower of the Matakana Cemetery and thereby receive future posts including advice of any working bees. Letter from Alex. Meiklejohn dated March 1864 following the sinking of the ‘Rapid’ which he captained. The schooner ‘Rapid’ from Mercury Bay, loaded with timber with nine souls on board was running up under Cape Colville, with a heavy northerly gale, under close-reefed canvas, and was taken a back with a south-west squall about ten o’clock. I called all hands to save ship, the squall being so heavy that it lay the vessel on her beam ends, and she filled in the fore-scuttle and cabin. Mr. Paget who was in the cabin, did not turn out, and he was instantly drowned. The sea broke clean over the vessel as she floated. Mr. McFadgen and a Portuguese by the name of Jo were swept overboard and were not seen any more. All the next day the wind still continued to blow from the south-west. About twelve o’clock another man was washed overboard, suffering from the cold and wet and hunger, not being able to hold on any longer. This was within ten miles of Little Barrier. It still continued to blow heavy on Monday night. On Tuesday at eight o’clock Lemuel Meiklejohn was swept overboard. Towards the evening the wind hauled more to the westward, and drifted us towards the Great Barrier. We attempted to make sail, but failed, the wind still increasing. Towards one o’clock there was four left in the rigging, and we were drawing towards the land. At two o’clock we came to the rocks, the captain swam on shore with a line, leaving the end on board and by so doing a passenger named William McWilliams was hauled on shore by it, and was saved. John Francis who attempted to swim failed but was assisted by the same rope. Robert Clarke was drowned in making the same attempt. The captain went on and left the other two, who were speechless on the rocks, and got a native’s whaleboat and men and went down and got the other two men, who were almost exhausted. We were taken up to Mr. Harding’s house, and kindly entertained. The schooner ‘Swallow’ being in the harbour, her crew and a crew of natives went down and cleared the wreck and towed into Wangaproa.  Alex. Meiklejohn The Whangateau Cemetery index shows 19 Meiklejohn’s are buried or commemorated there, no doubt, along with relatives not bearing that name. Recently it was explained by the cemetery’s sexton that the probable reason for the family being buried in two different cemeteries might be based on the parish they lived in. Our Family making news A recent visitor to the cemetery was Tracey Wedge and partner Stephen Davies. Stephen has a great great great grandfather who arrived in New Zealand in 1855 buried there. Tracey, daughter of Albert and Glen Wedge and granddaughter of Norm and Dolly (nee Meiklejohn) Shaw, is the General Manager of the Kauri Museum at Matakohe having gained her History doctorate from Southampton University. Tracey previously was employed at the Southland Museum. Please make yourself known to Tracey should you be visiting the museum. Team New Zealand Congratulations to the team and in particular to Mike Lee – son of Karen and Graham Lee and a grandson of Ken and Pat Meiklejohn. Mike was the last Grinder to join the boat. Mike, who is an accomplished surf life saver – the winner of 24 NZ National Life Saving titles – featured on TVNZ following the retaining of the Americas Cup. 2023 Reunion Planning is about to commence for the 165^th reunion to be held in early 2023. Recent Deaths Over the last twelve months we have been notified of loss of the following family members – Laurel Hayward, Barrie Meiklejohn, Neil Darroch and Albert Wedge. Our U.S.A. connections The following has been collated by Mark Meiklejohn who resides in the state of Colorado. Milton, fifth child of John and Cordelia, was born in 1865 and married Amy Williams in 1889. Soon after, they sailed for the U.S.A. and settled in Portland, Oregon. Four sons were born  two years apart – John Alley (1890-1985), Sidney (1892-1979), Stanley (1894-1902) and Clyde (1896-1975). Amy died after the family moved to Bend, Oregon in 1898. Milton re-married to Mattie Vann in 1900. The three surviving boys were orphaned within a short time. Sidney was adopted by the Lindt family and Clyde by the Beal’s family. Both using the surnames of their new parents. John Alley grew up in a foster home but ran away in the fall of 1907. John Alley M. changed his name at an early age to Alvin J. Meiklejohn and was to marry Beryl Follon in 1915. They were to have two sons Charles Milton Meiklejohn Sr. (Mark’s father) and Alvin J. Meiklejohn Jr. Alvin and Beryl also had a daughter who died in infancy. Alvin Sr. became well educated and served as a Pastor and Evangelist in the Seven Day Adventist Church. He taught school in several locations throughout the western United States. Alvin Sr. and Beryl attended the 110^th reunion in N.Z. Sidney Lindt was raised in the SDA church and spent 40 years as a missionary, with 37 years in China. Sidney married Myrle Yvette Judd. They had two sons, Milton and Chester. Clyde Alden Beals married Edith May Mosher. Clyde became a writer and worked for the New York Times as well as other publications. They had two sons, Gordon and Stanley. Recent birthday We would like to pay tribute to Ian Meiklejohn on his recent 88^th birthday. Ian has been a mainstay in the recording of family history and a long-time participant in organising family events. It has been a tough twelve months for Ian and June and Craig and Allison with the loss of Barrie and Laurel. We very much appreciate your continuing support. Indeed, this is the opportunity to acknowledge the substantial financial support that Barrie gave to the video project ‘The Early Life of James Strange Meiklejohn‘. Barrie did not want public acknowledgment of his contributions at the time. Family Tree Kerry Moore (kerry.shorebird@gmail.com) maintains the family tree. Please advise him of births/deaths/marriages. Printed or electronic trees can be sourced from him for a fee. Funding The cost of postage and the fees for website hosting mean that we have annual costs of in excess of $500. Any contribution towards these costs would be much appreciated. All donations qualify for the 33 percent tax rebate. Direct credits can be made to our ASB account  12-3095-0205976-00. Big Omaha Historical Maritime Trust A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 Trustees – Des Meiklejohn, Graham Alison (09 520 3467), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Kerry Moore, Karen Lee-Meiklejohn and Dan Meiklejohn. Our postal address is Mr G Alison, P O Box 15-041 Remuera Auckland Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@hotmail.com  Editor – Des Meiklejohn June 2020 Newsletter The Meiklejohn 160 year Anniversary celebration held 25 March 2018 Greetings Family members. Well thank goodness the Meiklejohn’s landed in New Zealand in 1858, if it had been 1860 our 160 year celebrations would have been stopped by Covid 19. Our event back in 2018 was a wonderful celebration of family history and our family in present times. We had a wonderful turnout for the day, which started with the Lone Piper playing Scottish tunes as he walked across the viaduct bridge to Wynyard Quarter, Auckland City where we were gathered outside Marvel Bar and Grill. We had the family history boards created by the BOMHT on display and some merchandise for sale, T-shirts and wine as well as some lovely inlaid timber work created by Ian meiklejohn for sale by silent auction. Our Reunion ticket included entry to wander around the National Maritime museum, and many took the opportunity for a trip out on the Ted Ashby scow; on one of its two full sailings organised. The weather was stunning, we were fortunate to experience the city from the water and reflect on those first impressions the early Meiklejohn’s had when they arrived on our shores. Following that we had shared platters and come great catch ups back at the restaurant. Thanks so much to everyone for your attendance and support. Take Care everyone Kind Regards Karen Lee Meiklejohn (Organising Committee 2018 Reunion) Special thanks go to Karen for coordinating the occasion, to Shane and Justine of Marvel Bar & Grill for hosting the event and to all who helped put the event together. Also, to the NZ Maritime Museum for entry to the museum and accommodating us on the ‘Ted Ashby’. Genealogy Some DNA results and other research has provided new information for the Meiklejohn Family Tree. Many thanks to Carol Ramage for her pursuit of this part of our history. Recently we have become aware of the deaths of all of James Strange’s siblings. We knew that brother, William, had died at 4 months of age in 1812. We now know that within weeks of James turning seven that his brother, Robert, aged 5 was to die of whooping cough with his sister, Isabella, aged 3 was to die of the same disease 11 days later. This of course means that there are no known first cousins of James’. With James sailing away on his first voyage in 1823 – on the ‘City of Edinburgh’ to Australia and onto Batavia (Jakarta) followed by various sea journeys and then settling in Canada in 1831 would seem to lead to a life for his parents without children and grandies. JSM’s mother – Isabella Smith – we now know was born at St Andrews on the Orkney Islands on 11 October 1774. Her father was James Smith (a sailor) and her mother was Isabel(la) Peace – the couple married at St Andrews on 2^nd August 1759. (Saint Andrews is on the east side of the main island and extends from the eastern boundary of Kirkwall parish to the sea). Isabella is buried several paces from that of her husband, William, in the South Leith Parish churchyard. The ‘Meiklejohn Story’ talks of a half-brother of JSM with the name Hugh Livingstone. The surname being a Christian name of one of John’s daughters. However, through DNA testing a connection to a Andrew McLennan of Ballarat in Victoria has been established. Andrew, it seems, was the illegimate son of John McLennan and Catherine Mustard – both of Ethy, Ross-shire, Scotland. Andrew was born 2nd February 1829. Catherine was to sail from Scotland on 5 August 1831 on the ship ‘Industry of Dundee’ on which she met JSM. Following arrival in Pictou, Nova Scotia, James and Catherine were to marry there on 27 September 1831. Andrew migrated to Australia in 1856 and married a Martha Gowan the following year and after parenting eleven children was to die in 1907. Recent publication In its third print the book – ‘We Gathered Here – a History of Matakana’ was put together by the late David Grant. The introduction to the book states – ‘We Gathered Here’ traces the history of Matakana village from the earliest settlers through to the mid-1980s when the first grape vines were planted. Centred on the gathering places in the village, the book paints a picture of a vibrant and tight- knit rural community who together faced the rigours of settler life in establishing a village community, and could say, ‘This is our gathering place.’ At over 500 pages, the book draws on memoirs, newspaper reports, minute books, photo collections and personal memories, David Grant tells the stories of lives, loves, fears and achievements lived – the stories that shape the Matakana community today.’ An internet search will locate relevant booksellers – Matakana Bookshop have a supply at $60 each. The Ships Logs of James Strange Meiklejohn As part of the lead up to the 2008 reunion the logs were, with the help of ASB funding, preserved and are deposited with the Sir George Grey collection at the Auckland Library. Log extracts are partly quoted in the writings of the late Les Meiklejohn and the late Sylvia Moore. The late Val Meiklejohn had prepared extracts of the following journeys which can be found on our website at the following link – bomht.org/history The journeys covered are as follows – Part 1 St John (New Brunswick) to London August 1828 Part 2 London to Genoa (Italy) January 1829 Part 3 Genoa to Catte (Italy) April 1829 Part 4 Catte to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) May 1829 Part 5 Rio de Janeiro to Paranagua (Brazil) September 1829 Part 6 Paranagua to Valparaiso (Chile) November 1829 Part 7 Leith (Scotland) to Pictou and Quebec (Canada) June 1831 Part 8 Cardiff (Wales) to Alicante (Spain) September 1856 on the “Union’ Part 9 Alicante to Rio de Janeiro October 1856 Part 10 Valparaiso to Montevideo (Uruguay) January 1857 Part 11 Montevideo towards Liverpool March 1857 Website content refresher As a reminder the following material can be found on our website – bomht.org Gallery – contains 300 images of sailing craft, family, places, memorabilia and reunions History – 27 articles, poems etc Current and past newsletters Family history – write ups of the various families that make up the Meiklejohn story History of shipbuilders in Rodney county and of the scow Various background material, donation form and contacts Symonds Street Cemetery

• Rose Trail – Auckland Council has published the history of the Jewish, Presbyterian and Catholic areas of Auckland’s oldest public cemetery. You can find this write up and map at -aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/…/symonds-st-cemetery-rose-trail.pdf. One of the featured graves in the Rose Trail Walk is that of James Strange Meiklejohn. A short history of his life story is contained in one of the nine families/individuals written up.
• Hobson Walk – The Hobson Walk covers the Anglican/General and Wesleyan sections. Listed in the featured graves are those of John and Elizabeth Goldsworthy. Link is – www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/arts-culture-heritage/heritage-walks-places/docssymondsstreetcemetery/symonds-st-cemetery-hobson-walk

Trustees We recently welcomed Dan Meiklejohn as a replacement for the late Ken Meiklejohn. We would appreciate all offers of assistance including as a co-opted trustee. Financial In the twelve months to 31 March 2020 donation revenue was $520 while expenses were $311 – a surplus of $209. Equity was $3,610 with bank funds $3,694 and creditors $84. Matakana Cemetery fence replacement The condition of the paling fence surrounding the graves of Catherine, several of her sons and other descendants has reached a point where replacement is warranted. We will undertake replacement around November next. We are seeking volunteers either for onsite work or for offsite fabrication or painting. If you can help please register your availability with Noel Meiklejohn – 09 8184983 or email – nl.ar.meiklejohn@actrix.gen.nz Cost of materials and professional input will be in excess of $2000 so we need all the donation support that we can gather. As a registered charity any donations we receive qualify for the 33 cents in the dollar tax rebate. Your financial assistance would be much appreciated. Next family get together in 2023 The 165^th anniversary of the arrival of the Meiklejohn family into New Zealand occurs in early 2023. A family reunion is being planned for around March 2023. Obituaries Since the end of 2017 we have, regretfully, seen the passing of Pam Sclater, Derven Meiklejohn, Glen Wedge, Patricia Davison, and Colin Craigie Mailing List Our mailing list is very static. Please let us know of anybody that may be interested being informed of the trust’s activities. With increasing cost of postage it would be very much appreciated, if you have an email address, that you submit that address for future communications. Signage Many thanks to Sally Meiklejohn and Carol Ramage for seeking the renewal of the Meiklejohn No1 Bridge sign and tracking the signage at the Omaha Wharf and the Darroch Yard sign in Birdsall Road. Itinerary of points of interest Several family members have made contact about where they might go to view family-oriented points of interest. For the 2008 reunion a six page document – Meiklejohn Heritage Trail – that sets out places to visit around Big Omaha along with supplementary information was prepared. You can now find these on our website at the following link – bomht.org/Other In addition, there are papers or objects at – Auckland Library – Sir George Grey Collection / Warkworth Museum/NZ Maritime Museum Matakana Country Park – display boards of the family history are there Jane Gifford (at Warkworth) and Ted Ashby (at Auckland) run excursions The trust also maintains a register of family artifacts/mementos held across the wider family. Family writings I was recently approached by Donna Meiklejohn Jenkins about the sea journeys of JSM. Donna (daughter of the late Don Meiklejohn) and her partner who live near Brisbane spend part of their year sailing on the Mediterranean and sought to retrace some of the journeys of JSM. Donna has been a long time presenter, producer and journalist with the ABC and was for a period foreign correspondent for Channel 7 from the U.S.A. Donna recently completed a doctorate in creative industries. Donna also passed onto me the notes written by the late Heber Meiklejohn which had been held by her father titled – Bones found on the Omaha Spit – written in March 1936. These notes can be found on our website with following link – bomht.org/history Family Tree Kerry Moore continues the task of keeping up to date the family tree. Please contact him with births, deaths and marriages or information that is relevant to any family member. A printed family tree can be sourced from Kerry at a cost of $35 or electronically $10. Kerry can be contacted at – kerry.shorebird@gmail.com or Ph. 09 425 6866 Big Omaha Historical Maritime Trust A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 Trustees – Des Meiklejohn, Graham Alison (09 520 3467), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Kerry Moore, Karen Lee-Meiklejohn and Dan Meiklejohn. Our postal address is Mr G Alison, P O Box 15-041 Remuera Auckland MEIKLEJOHN FAMILY 1858-2018 CELEBRATING 160 Years Sunday 25 March 2018 2.00pm – 8.00pm LOCATION New Zealand Maritime Museum Quay Street Auckland To celebrate the 160^th anniversary of the Meiklejohn’s landing in New Zealand we are holding a special event in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. The event includes a tour of the New Zealand Maritime Museum history of which the Meiklejohn family is a significant contributor and an optional on water experience onboard the magnificent ‘Ted Ashby’ Scow followed by a gathering and light refreshments at Marvel Bar & Grill, 1 Jellicoe Street, North Wharf. There is a great opportunity for family members of all ages to celebrate this milestone in our family’s history. We are selling tickets to cover the cost of this event.

• General Admission ticket covers admission into the Maritime Museum and cost of the gathering at Marvel Bar.
• Ted Ashby sailings – there are two 45 minute sailings available at 3.00pm and at 4.00pm with a maximum of 42 persons per sailing.

Please note that all prices have a small transaction fee added by our ticket manager – Eventbrite What to wear – March is generally warm and dry in Auckland, but if you are intending to take the harbour sailing then it is suggested that warm clothing should be brought along. Weather forecasts can be viewed at – https://www.accuweather.com/en/nz/auckland/252066/daily-weather-forecast/252066 The museum is located not far from the place where James & Catherine set foot on NZ shores in 1858. The museum has recently added a coastal maritime history section. For attendees living out side the Auckland City boundary this is a great opportunity to see the museum with out having to pay the entry fee for non-Auckland citizens. All bookings before 16 February will go into the draw to win a commemorative Meiklejohn branded gift pack (including wine and a cap). Commemorative shirts, caps and wine will also be available for ordering from Karen Lee at leewhanau@xtra.co.nz We look forward to seeing you there. The Organising Committee Karen Lee, Des Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Shane Lea (and many others). Admission General admission –

• Adult $20 + $1.97
• Child $10 + $1.27

Ted Ashby Sailing $25 + $2.32 Tickets can be purchased direct from – eventbrite.co.nz – search Meiklejohn OR by contacting Karen Lee – leewhanua@xtra.co.nz or 021 629646     August 2016 Newsletter   Ken Meiklejohn Ken, who passed away in March after a relatively brief illness made a huge contribution to our family. Ken was a Chair of the family committee for a period, a maintainer of the family cemetery plot at Matakana and the moving force behind the DVD project and the display at the Matakana Country Park. Our sincerest condolences have gone to Pat, Karen, Natalie and Justine and their families. Ken’s enthusiasm for and counsel will be greatly missed. 2018 160^th Celebration We are but 18 months away from the family gathering celebrating one hundred and sixty years since the Mucklejohn family arrived in New Zealand. Plans are afoot for descendants to meet to celebrate this occasion. More on this in the New Year. Any ideas or contributions would be much appreciated. Our USA Family We welcome the recent efforts of Mark Meiklejohn to re-connect the descendants of Alvin Meiklejohn Sr to their NZ roots. Mark is researching the arrival of Milton and Amy in Seatttle in the late 1880s. Milton was the 5^th child of John & Cordelia. Mark has obtained various letters which he hopes to share with the wider family in due course. Matheson Farm – Goat Island Last October the following article appeared in the NZ Herald. “A waterfront farm block on the shores of the country’s first marine reserve is for sale for the first time in 155 years. The block was first settled around 1860 by Angus Matheson, the patriarch of one of Northland’s first pioneering families, and is still owned by direct descendants. The land overlooks Goat Island, near Leigh. Angus’ great-grandson, Don Matheson, 72, was born and bred on the land. His family, which included eight siblings, lived in an old homestead that has since been demolished. “We only got power down to the house and cow shed in about ’54. The old homestead survived on candles, a couple of batteries, copper outside boiling up for a bath and a long drop. I tell my grandchildren this and they think I’m a dinosaur.” The Matheson family owned most of the land on the Leigh Peninsula – breaking in the bush and scrub and converting it into a sheep and beef farm. The nearby village of Leigh was established in 1858, named after missionary the Rev Samuel Leigh. Angus and his wife Jessie landed at Waipu, just north of Leigh, after sailing from Nova Scotia. With a loaded horse-drawn wagon, the couple travelled south in search of land suitable for Angus to establish his boat-building business. They settled in the uninhabited bay which would eventually bear the Matheson name. Numerous landmark references on the Leigh Peninsula – including buildings, parks and streets – are named after the family. Over the past 155 years each generation has sold off part of the original Matheson land holding – with the last remaining three sites now up for sale. Angus and Jessie are believed to have produced 62 grandchildren. Angus’ great-grandson, Rodney Matheson, still lives on one of the three sections. Don Matheson said it was sad to be parting with land which held such strong attachments for the family. “But the family is getting older and it has to come to an end, I guess. The decision has been made that now is a good time to sever the last links with the land which Angus broke in, and share the proceeds while we’re still all young enough to enjoy it.” The three sites overlook the Leigh Marine Laboratory established in 1964, and the Goat Island Marine Reserve which opened in 1975. The Mathesons sold the marine laboratory land to Auckland University in the 1960s. Covenants ensure neither the beach frontage strip nor Goat Island are built on. The sites include a 3766sq m section with a three-bedroom farm house, a 9922sq m site, and a 3.5ha holding”. Research Since the last newsletter research has been furthered as follows-

1. PEI – David Meiklejohn, on a recent visit to Charlottetown, came across information in PEI Archives some of which is re-produced below.

The sale advert for JSM’s farm appears in 1856 as follows – Farm for sale The Subscriber offers for Sale, his farm situated on Lot 52, Georgetown, fronting on the Georgetown Road and intersected by the Road leading towards St Peters Bay and Mount Stewart. The above farm contains 130 acres Freehold, 50 acres of which are under cultivation, 30 more being easily cleared, and the remaining part covered with heavy Timber, Firewood and Longers. There is also a comfortable Dwelling House on the Premises 34×26 feet and Barn 34×28 feet. Possession given the 1st of May next. James S. Mucklejohn   A further newspaper notice read – Notice All persons having claims against Jas. S Mucklejohn, are requested to send their accounts, and all indebted to him are requested to make immediate payment. February 20th, 1856 (These adverts appear in the 3 May 1856 issue of Hazards Gazette – which is sometime after 20 February date and just weeks before the family set sail.) The farm is about 3.5kms from the Alley home from which, as we read in a 1920’s letter, the Muckle shipyard could be seen ie in the upper reaches of the Cardigan River. An October 1853 advert for sale of a 108acre farm owned by a Thomas McAvoy says it adjoins that of JSM.

1. Several legal actions are recorded in the archives from suppliers plus one from a Daniel Brennan with the address for service against JSM at West River PEI. Brennan was the owner of the ‘Prince Albert‘ which was launched in 1840 – earlier research had JSM as the master builder. West River is 75kms to the west of Cardigan. Further research might show how long JSM owned his property near Cardigan and whether building a ship in the late 1830’s at West River meant travelling there for a period.

In several of these claims JSMs second Christian name is ‘Strong’.

1829. The editor recently visited Braidwood NSW in the hope of learning more of the seafaring life of Capt. Duncan Mackellar who was the captain of the ‘City of Edinburgh’ on which JSM made his first trip in 1823 at age of 16 years. Mackellar was to buy land at Braidwood in 1825 and settle there in 1829. He became the local magistrate and had the title of Scourger which means he carried out the flogging sentences he handed out. Mackellar was to return to Scotland in 1839. Following which he wrote a publication ‘The Australian Emigrants Guide‘.

The City of Edinburgh was launched in 1813 and was 366 tons in weight. It was subsequently to become a convict ship.

1. 1841 PEI Census in PEI Archives shows for the Mucklejohn family –

A family of six males ( the younger sons were born in the mid 1840s) and one female plus a male older than 16 years of Irish Catholic descent. A land area of 100 acres with 14 acres of arable land with 4 sheep, 4 cattle, one horse one pig. The address in the census is within Lot 52 and the sale description above has the property at a road junction ie Pooles Corner in Roseneath. The surname is stated as ‘MacKlyohn’

1. The website – PEI Register – contains various items of correspondence of 19^th century settlers to NZ to their PEI family about conditions that they found on arriving in Auckland. The Hazard family letters of 1864 can be found on that website – http://www.islandregister.com/letters/morenz.html

As can that of Angus Stewart of Kaiwaka. The letter can be found at – http://www.islandregister.com/letters/angusstewart1914.html

1. On the following link you can find -Some material on the History of Leigh – http://journeys.falkor.gen.nz/blog/vern/some-material-history-leigh – which covers a brief history of families that settled in the Leigh and Omaha area.
2. Research continues into the origins of James’ family. Carol Ramage has spent considerable time following leads. Unfortunately, we remain stuck at the marriage of James’ parents. However, Scotland’s People records appear to reflect new information –
3. James’ brother William died 5 months after birth in 1812
4. A William died in 1835 aged 54 years – occupation – Carter – which is the same occupation of the William that appears on James’ siblings birth entries. This suggests that James’ father was born in 1781.
5. A Robert dies in 1833 aged 1 year – the illegitimate son of a Robert – occupation also Carter of North Leith – possibly James’ brother employed in the same occupation as his father.
6. There is an entry in the burial grounds of the South Leith Parish Church for a William Mucklejohn. The location relative to another grave is shown but the listing of headstones means that William’s grave is now unmarked.
7. In the booklet listing the headstones of cemeteries of the Black Isles there appears a memorial headstone for Catherine Mucklejohn (nee Mustard) parents – Alexander Mustard and Ann Munro.

Obituaries It is with considerable regret that we record the passing of – John Elwin Birdsall      Christine Darroch K R (Ken) Meiklejohn   E.A.R. (Rex) Pickering Matakana Country Park Project  The panels reflecting the Meiklejohn family migration and shipbuilding history are now located on the ground floor adjacent to the coffee lounge. Unfortunately, for now, several are hidden behind scrim used as cover for storage. Any thoughts as to another location would be much appreciated. Signage  The signs in Big Omaha Wharf Road and in Birdsall Road which state the maritime significance of the two locations have been replaced. Many thanks to Carol Ramage for her part in both getting together the material for the original signs and their replacement and working with the Auckland City on that project. Trustees/Volunteers   Karen Lee-Meiklejohn will join as a trustee in place of Ken Meiklejohn from her previous role as a co-trustee. Simon Meiklejohn now works overseas and is willing to step aside. A offer to replace Simon would be much appreciated. Financial The finances of the trust are a little depleted after the expenditures on the DVD and the Matakana displays therefore any donation to the trust would be very much appreciated. BOMHT maintains the family plot at Matakana Cemetery. There will be some expenditure coming up there with the replacement of part of the picket fence. Full accounts can be found on the Charities website. Accounts summary – Income Donations                                                        $100 Expenses Communications Website etc                        267 Panels                                                                  649 Net Loss                                                          (768) Accumulated Funds                                 2,471 Monies at ASB Bank                                 2,471 DVD project Copies of the DVD which is 25 minutes long and in five parts are still available – The early life of James Strange Mucklejohn, Meiklejohn’s of PEI, Voyage of the UNION, New Beginnings, Lake Erie and Beyond Family members will be supplied a free copy after forwarding the attached request. The DVD cost of production and postage etc is $10 so any donation would be appreciated. Copies of the CD are available to non-family members at a price of $15 each. The content fully explains the migration of our forebears and will in all likelihood never be re-produced. The DVD makes a great gift to our following generations – your descendants. Please email any enquiry. Website The website is – www.bomht.org We are always looking for new content and photos. Our prime purpose is to record the maritime history of the Big Omaha region. Therefore histories of shipbuilding families and their stories are more than welcome.   Extract from ‘Some Old-Timers of North New Zealand – W D Meiklejohn (1921) “Breathes there a man with soul so dead Who never to himself hath said ‘This is my own, my native land?’ ” Many facts of of interest both geological and historical are to be found close to Rodney Point. In nearby deposits of conglomerate bone and tooth, egg and claw, footprint and trail, have written the story of their long past ages, as clearly as some scientist of leisure will yet unfold it to us. The hills scored with trenches, tell of ancient Maori skill in constructing defences, as plainly as the piles of decaying bones on the sand peak of his determination in battle. There maybe yet some traces of where they constructed their war canoes of giant totara.But the Maori is gone. The bones of his ancestors, lifted and scraped, he has removed. Ichabod may well be written on his old pa gates, for his glory is indeed departed. Point Rodney pokes its bluff old nose several miles out towards the Little Barrier, that grim, sombre old sentinel of the Gulf which, once a safe haven for deserting soldiers, is now a sanctuary for native birds, that, undisturbed, propagate by thousands, seemingly endless variety. Away to the north’ard may be seen Mokohinau and where the fine revolving light is a God-send to ocean-going vessels. More to the westward, the Hen, with her Chickens clustering behind, stands bold and defiant, breaking for Whangarei Harbour the north-east ocean roll. Here to, on the outer Chicken, a flashlight ever winks its warning into the night. Nor’west from Rodney, the coastline, mostly sandy beaches, extends to Whangarei, the coal port of Northland, from where small coastal vessels of every variety, coal-laden, wend up the Gulf past Rodney, on their way to Auckland. To the south and west, Rodney is bounded by the Omaha Bay and River. Here may be seen traces of early enterprise. The stump of an old Kauri, felled on 1830, to make the main mast of a disabled barque, that anchored in the bay for several months, is still around, and will probably remain so for centuries. Not far away could once be seen a large portion of a canoe, a fine example of petrified wood, on which marks of the old adze were plainly distinguishable. Hereabouts , too, in the fifties and sixties of last century, settlers from Nova Scotia pursued their forebears’ craft of shipbuilding. But the time when families felled the timber, sawed the planks, built and sailed their own vessels, is past; left behind as specialization extended.  Family Tree Kerry Moore continues the task of keeping up to date the family tree. Please contact him with births, deaths and marriages or information that is relevant to any family member. A printed family tree can be sourced from Kerry at a small cost. Kerry can be contacted at – shorebird@clear.net.nz or Ph. 09 425 6866 THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 Trustees – Des Meiklejohn, Graham Alison (09 520 3467), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Co-opted -Karen Lee-Meiklejohn. Our postal address is Mr G Alison, P O Box 15-041 Remuera Auckland Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@hotmail.com  Editor – Des Meiklejohn March 2015 Newsletter   2015 Picnic The next annual gathering will be at Whangateau on Sunday 29 March 2015 from 11.00am. Karen will bring along a kayak, stand up paddle boards, cricket gear and a BBQ. So join us and take in the new display at Matakana Country Park. Matakana Country Park Project The large visual wall mounted display which is featured in the photo section of this newsletter has been hung in the gallery building at the Matakana Country Park in Omaha – accessed by climbing the stairs next to the café. It features elements of the Meiklejohn and related families time at Omaha and the maritime history of the area. Many thanks to Carol Ramage, Noel and Ken Meiklejohn for bringing this excellent display together. Further donations will allow us to look at stage 2 of the project as well as being able to mount the TV wall unit which will continuously play the DVD for added interest. DVD Project  Copies of the DVD which is 25 minutes long and in five parts are still available –

1. a) the early life of James Strange Mucklejohn
2. b) Meiklejohn’s of PEI
3. c) Voyage of the UNION
4. d) New Beginnings
5. e) Lake Erie and Beyond

The series is also online at – http://www.majorlook.co.nz/meiklejohn.htm Family members will be supplied a free copy after forwarding the attached request. The DVD cost of production and postage etc is $10 so any donation would be appreciated. Copies of the CD are available to non-family members at a price of $15 each. The content fully explains the migration of our forebears and will in all likelihood never be re-produced. The DVD makes a great gift to our following generations – you kids and grandchildren.  Website The new website is – www.bomht.org Recent additions to the website include – 1)      A vanishing fleet – the trading scows of Auckland – New Zealand’s own – ugly duckling of the sea P A Eaddy 1937 2)      Scows in the northern coal trade 3)      The days of sail Passing of the scow – old boats and their skippers The Lookout Man 1933 4)      Scow racing in years gone by. Stirring contests in Auckland waters. Smart vessels and hearty crews. P A Eaddy 1937 5)      Mariners – George Sharp, John Darrach 6)      Mullet Point Settlers Christine McClean Mahurangi Matters 2010 7)      Omaha – The Nova Scotian influence Alvin Smith 2000  We are always looking for new content and photos. Our prime purpose is to record the maritime history of the Big Omaha region. Therefore histories of shipbuilding families and their stories are more than welcome. Omaha The Nova Scotian influence. (The following was prepared by the late Alvin Smith in 2000 and appears in the family history of the Smith & Hooper families. Article published with the consent of his brother Vern Smith). The website on which this and further family information can be found is – http://journeys.falkor.gen.nz Around the year 2000 Alvin Smith, in response to an email enquiry, wrote a short note about the people of Nova Scotian descent who were still living in the Big Omaha area. This is that note. This record will be of particular interest because of the inter marriages at Omaha – Meiklejohns married Mathesons, Dunnings, Neeleys, Wyatts and Birdsalls. While Meiklejohns arrived independently they are very much considered part of the Scottish/Canadian Maritimes arrival celebrated at Waipu. In the 1940’s the only Nova Scotian connection left in Omaha were the children of Angus Matheson and their descendants. The children were Duncan Matheson, Catherine Dunning and Jessie Dunning. Catherine and Jessie passed away in the 1940’s, and Duncan in 1956. Dan Kempt, the son of Alexander Kempt Jr, who passed away in 1940. Dan Kempt farmed a property on Pakiri Hill did not marry, his nephew, Colin Matheson assisted on the farm from 1940 and on Dan’s death inherited the property. This property with sweeping views of the outer Hauraki Gulf from Coromandel to the Whangarei Heads is still in the family today. At present it is being farmed by Colin’s son John a Great-grandson of Angus Matheson and Alexander Kempt. Angus Matheson’s son Duncan married Ellen Kempt; Colin was their second son. Kempts beach and point is situated at the northern limit of the Goat Island marine reserve Duncan at the age of seventy-three was still performing the fortnightly mail and stores run to the Little Barrier Island. At the age of eighty was rowing his grand children to school across the Leigh harbour. With the passing of Duncan in 1956 the third generation living in Leigh were Alexander (Sandy) and Roddy the sons of Alex Matheson (born at Capetown on the ‘Spray’). Gerty Smith and Martha Newey, were the daughters of Christina Smith (nee Matheson). Ivy Wyatt, was the daughter of Catherine Dunning (nee Matheson). Colin and Gordon were the sons of Duncan Matheson. The forenamed are all descendants of Angus Matheson. In the wider Omaha Area the third generation was Jessie Birdsall, Sandy and Roddy’s sister; Roderick (Roy) Neeley; Bill Dunning all farming in Matakana and Bill’s brother farming at Tomorata Angus (Pat) Dunning. The total number of grandchildren of Angus and Jessie Matheson was sixty-two therefore the Matheson’s sought work throughout New Zealand not withstanding this ninety-one descendants were living in the Omaha area in 1952. Alexander (Sandy) lived for a time in Angus Matheson’s original house that had been dismantled in Matheson’s Bay and shipped around by his father and rebuilt at Goat Island. Sandy was in the army for a while and then manpowered to shipbuilders during the war. The end of the war saw him return to Omaha to live in a house that was on the original land purchased by his Grandfather in the 1860’s to work as a builder. Sandy’s brother Roddy farmed his father’s Goat Island property and lived all his life on the farm. Roddy and his wife Eileen raised a family of eight children. The farm was sold to the University and a laboratory was built with accommodation for the students And Roddy retired with his wife Eileen to a few acres overlooking the Goat Island beach and then to Leigh. Roddy and Sandy both represented Rodney in rugby and Roddy’s sons followed in his footsteps with Ewan, Alex and Peter all playing rugby for Rodney and also representing Rodney at cricket. Ewan also played for Northland at cricket. Roy Neeley farmed at Matakana and with Esther raised seven children. Two of their sons, Warren and Des, both played rugby for Rodney. Bill Dunning a Rodney and Northland Cricket captain and selector and Rodney hockey rep farmed with his wife Annie in Matakana and raised eight children. Elsie, Mavis, and Eileen were Rodney Hockey reps Edward, Ron and Jack were Rodney Hockey and Cricket reps and Auckland Hockey reps with Ron progressing to New Zealand. Edward was an Auckland cricket rep. Angus (Pat) Dunning a Rodney (Capt.) Auckland Country and Northland cricketer married Dorothy Greenwood and farmed in Tomorata raising seven children. Ina, Nancy and Marie all played Rodney Hockey Reps. Owen played Rodney Cricket. Noel, Don and Brian played Rodney and Northland Cricket with Brian attaining Northern Districts Captain and selector. Noel played for Rodney and Northland at rugby. Don played Rodney and Auckland country Hockey and Brian Rodney Hockey. Ivy Dunning married Eddie Wyatt farmer and sawmiller and Lt. Colonel in both WW1 and WW2 and raised five children their four sons achieving high Sporting achievements. Len, Norris, Kelvin and Ivan all played Rep Cricket and Hockey for Rodney. Len as Captain of both codes and continuing on to play for Auckland Country and Northern Districts in cricket. In hockey – Auckland country, Auckland (Capt. 1953) North Island and N.Z. Reserve. Ivan also represented in Cricket – Northland, Nelson and Auckland – and in Hockey – Auckland, Otago and N.Z. Colin Matheson, as previously stated, farmed the Kempt Property on Pakiri hill. He married Rona Graham and they raised six children. Their son, John, who still runs the farm, played rugby for Rodney. Gordon married Vida granddaughter of Margaret Neeley who was Angus’s Daughter and lived in Matheson’s cove in the Leigh Harbour and farmed the family property raising a family of six children. Duncan lived with them until his death in 1956. Gordon represented Rodney at Rugby. The only employment in the area was the Sawmill that was self-sufficient with the Wyatt boys and the Post Office that employed Marcia Neeley then Gerty Smith as Postmistress and Marjorie Matheson as Telephonist. This forced most to look for employment outside the area Roy Val and Margaret Matheson and Ivan Wyatt into the teaching profession Len Matheson the only descendent to go to sea since Angus’s sons .Today the descendants are working in various places around the world. At present there are only five known descendants of Angus living in Leigh, Ewan who is living on part of the original farm brought by Angus on his arrival in Omaha, Peter living in Leigh and his son Glenn living at Matheson’s Bay and Alvin Smith living at Ti Point. Diaries of Charles Septimus Clarke On the website  – http://csclarke.falkor.gen.nz is the  diaries of Charles Septimus Clarke who settled at Leigh in 1863. The diaries currently transcribed cover much of the period 1862-92 and will ultimately cover the period through to his death in 1929. Two entries that caught the attention were – Saturday 27^th January 1866 On getting up in the morning the “Dot” was in the harbour, she had to leave Pakiri on account of the wind & sea. The Wyatt’s went over to Mr Meiklejohns to bring home a heifer & her calf that they have bought of him, but they did not succeed in getting them home as the heifer has been hand fed & she would not leave the place although they led the calf in front of her by a rope. Thursday 27^th September 1866 We planted two rows of Broad Beans of my own sort  2 ft 6 in apart between the rows.  Next to them we planted three rows of French Beans the same distance between the rows, also three rows of Scarlett Runner Beans, & 1 row of choice Puzetaker Pease from pods containing not less than 7 pease largest quantity. It was a fine day. Friday 28th  Continued planting.  Planted four rows of Pease, three rows of Puzetaker & 1 row of Tall Climbing Pea 3 ft 4 in between the rows, also two rows of Spinach 2 ft 6 in between the rows.  We put manure in the trench along with all these things. In the afternoon  we planted small beds of Cabbage, Beet, Lettuce, Celery and four other sorts of seeds. It was showery in the afternoon so Tom & Samuel made a beehive. Monday 25th June   Tom & I went to Great Omaha to Mr Meiklejohn’s with the horse the first thing in the morning to buy some fowls,  I bought thirteen, I think they are of the pure black spanish breed.  It is nearly three years since I was at Mr Meiklejohn’s last so that I see great improvements. Island Register website A large amount of PEI history has been documented on this website. Recently the marriage notices of the B/D/M of ‘The Islander’ PEI newspaper of the mid 19^th century have been transcribed. The formality of the time is encapsulated in these two marriage entries – The Islander – Aug 22, 1845 At Truro, on Thursday morning, the 21st August, by the Rev. J. C. Leaver, Richard Beaumont Boggs, Esq., to Isabella Jane, youngest daughter of the late Lieut. Russell, of the 8th or King’s Regiment. (We acknowledge the receipt of a very handsome parcel of wedding cake, and in return, wish the new married pair may enjoy many years of happiness together.) The Islander – Aug 27, 1847 Yesterday morning, at St. Paul’s Church, Charlottetown, by the Rev. Dr. Jenkins, Ecclesiastical Commissary, George W. DeBlois, Esq., of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Sarah Frances second daughter of the Hon. T.H. Haviland, Colonial Secretary of this Island. (We were much gratified to observe the universal tribute of respect paid to our Colonial Secretary and his family, in the attendance of persons of all ranks and classes at the Parish Church to witness this most interesting ceremony. There was not even standing room to be obtained for those who arrived late, and we sincerely believe that the kindly and heartfelt responses from the numerous assemblage, followed the benediction given by the Clergyman to the youthful pair. We beg respectfully to express our kind wishes for their future welfare and happiness. The website address is – www.islandregister.com  Family Tree Kerry Moore continues the task of keeping up to date the family tree. Please contact him with births, deaths and marriages or information that is relevant to any family member. A printed family tree can be sourced from Kerry at a small cost. Kerry can be contacted at – shorebird@clear.net.nz or Ph. 09 425 6866 THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 Celebrating both the 157th year of the family of James and Catherine Meiklejohn’s time in New Zealand and also other shipbuilding pioneers of the Big Omaha (N.Z.) area. Trustees – Des Meiklejohn, Graham Alison (09 520 3467), Ken Meiklejohn, Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Co-opted -Karen Lee-Meiklejohn. Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@gmail.com  Editor – Des Meiklejohn     REQUEST FOR THE DVD – THE NEW ZEALAND SCOW – ITS ORIGINS   Name _________________________________________ Address_____________________________________ ________________________________________ Phone_______________ Email____________________________________ Descendant of __________________________________________ Other family members who you think might wish to join our mailing list (add others below) – Name ________________________________ Contact phone __________________ Contact email address __________________________________________ Send to – Mr Ken Meiklejohn APT 3403, The Poynton 142 Shakespeare Road Takapuna Any donation will be gratefully received and will be acknowledged by a receipt for the March 2015 Newsletter   2015 Picnic The next annual gathering will be at Whangateau on Sunday 29 March 2015 from 11.00am. Karen will bring along a kayak, stand up paddle boards, cricket gear and a BBQ. So join us and take in the new display at Matakana Country Park. Matakana Country Park Project The large visual wall mounted display which is featured in the photo section of this newsletter has been hung in the gallery building at the Matakana Country Park in Omaha – accessed by climbing the stairs next to the café. It features elements of the Meiklejohn and related families time at Omaha and the maritime history of the area. Many thanks to Carol Ramage, Noel and Ken Meiklejohn for bringing this excellent display together. Further donations will allow us to look at stage 2 of the project as well as being able to mount the TV wall unit which will continuously play the DVD for added interest. DVD project   Copies of the DVD which is 25 minutes long and in five parts are still available –

1. a) the early life of James Strange Mucklejohn
2. b) Meiklejohn’s of PEI
3. c) Voyage of the UNION
4. d) New Beginnings
5. e) Lake Erie and Beyond

The series is also online at – http://www.majorlook.co.nz/meiklejohn.htm Family members will be supplied a free copy after forwarding the attached request. The DVD cost of production and postage etc is $10 so any donation would be appreciated. Copies of the CD are available to non-family members at a price of $15 each. The content fully explains the migration of our forebears and will in all likelihood never be re-produced. The DVD makes a great gift to our following generations – you kids and grandchildren.   Website The new website is – www.bomht.org Recent additions to the website include – 1)      A vanishing fleet – the trading scows of Auckland – New Zealand’s own – ugly duckling of the sea P A Eaddy 1937 2)      Scows in the northern coal trade 3)      The days of sail Passing of the scow – old boats and their skippers The Lookout Man 1933 4)      Scow racing in years gone by. Stirring contests in Auckland waters. Smart vessels and hearty crews. P A Eaddy 1937 5)      Mariners – George Sharp, John Darrach 6)      Mullet Point Settlers Christine McClean Mahurangi Matters 2010 7)      Omaha – The Nova Scotian influence Alvin Smith 2000   We are always looking for new content and photos. Our prime purpose is to record the maritime history of the Big Omaha region. Therefore histories of shipbuilding families and their stories are more than welcome. Omaha The Nova Scotian influence. (The following was prepared by the late Alvin Smith in 2000 and appears in the family history of the Smith & Hooper families. Article published with the consent of his brother Vern Smith). The website on which this and further family information can be found is – http://journeys.falkor.gen.nz Around the year 2000 Alvin Smith, in response to an email enquiry, wrote a short note about the people of Nova Scotian descent who were still living in the Big Omaha area. This is that note. This record will be of particular interest because of the inter marriages at Omaha – Meiklejohns married Mathesons, Dunnings, Neeleys, Wyatts and Birdsalls. While Meiklejohns arrived independently they are very much considered part of the Scottish/Canadian Maritimes arrival celebrated at Waipu. In the 1940’s the only Nova Scotian connection left in Omaha were the children of Angus Matheson and their descendants. The children were Duncan Matheson, Catherine Dunning and Jessie Dunning. Catherine and Jessie passed away in the 1940’s, and Duncan in 1956. Dan Kempt, the son of Alexander Kempt Jr, who passed away in 1940. Dan Kempt farmed a property on Pakiri Hill did not marry, his nephew, Colin Matheson assisted on the farm from 1940 and on Dan’s death inherited the property. This property with sweeping views of the outer Hauraki Gulf from Coromandel to the Whangarei Heads is still in the family today. At present it is being farmed by Colin’s son John a Great-grandson of Angus Matheson and Alexander Kempt. Angus Matheson’s son Duncan married Ellen Kempt; Colin was their second son. Kempts beach and point is situated at the northern limit of the Goat Island marine reserve Duncan at the age of seventy-three was still performing the fortnightly mail and stores run to the Little Barrier Island. At the age of eighty was rowing his grand children to school across the Leigh harbour. With the passing of Duncan in 1956 the third generation living in Leigh were Alexander (Sandy) and Roddy the sons of Alex Matheson (born at Capetown on the ‘Spray’). Gerty Smith and Martha Newey, were the daughters of Christina Smith (nee Matheson). Ivy Wyatt, was the daughter of Catherine Dunning (nee Matheson). Colin and Gordon were the sons of Duncan Matheson. The forenamed are all descendants of Angus Matheson. In the wider Omaha Area the third generation was Jessie Birdsall, Sandy and Roddy’s sister; Roderick (Roy) Neeley; Bill Dunning all farming in Matakana and Bill’s brother farming at Tomorata Angus (Pat) Dunning. The total number of grandchildren of Angus and Jessie Matheson was sixty-two therefore the Matheson’s sought work throughout New Zealand not withstanding this ninety-one descendants were living in the Omaha area in 1952. Alexander (Sandy) lived for a time in Angus Matheson’s original house that had been dismantled in Matheson’s Bay and shipped around by his father and rebuilt at Goat Island. Sandy was in the army for a while and then manpowered to shipbuilders during the war. The end of the war saw him return to Omaha to live in a house that was on the original land purchased by his Grandfather in the 1860’s to work as a builder. Sandy’s brother Roddy farmed his father’s Goat Island property and lived all his life on the farm. Roddy and his wife Eileen raised a family of eight children. The farm was sold to the University and a laboratory was built with accommodation for the students And Roddy retired with his wife Eileen to a few acres overlooking the Goat Island beach and then to Leigh. Roddy and Sandy both represented Rodney in rugby and Roddy’s sons followed in his footsteps with Ewan, Alex and Peter all playing rugby for Rodney and also representing Rodney at cricket. Ewan also played for Northland at cricket. Roy Neeley farmed at Matakana and with Esther raised seven children. Two of their sons, Warren and Des, both played rugby for Rodney. Bill Dunning a Rodney and Northland Cricket captain and selector and Rodney hockey rep farmed with his wife Annie in Matakana and raised eight children. Elsie, Mavis, and Eileen were Rodney Hockey reps Edward, Ron and Jack were Rodney Hockey and Cricket reps and Auckland Hockey reps with Ron progressing to New Zealand. Edward was an Auckland cricket rep. Angus (Pat) Dunning a Rodney (Capt.) Auckland Country and Northland cricketer married Dorothy Greenwood and farmed in Tomorata raising seven children. Ina, Nancy and Marie all played Rodney Hockey Reps. Owen played Rodney Cricket. Noel, Don and Brian played Rodney and Northland Cricket with Brian attaining Northern Districts Captain and selector. Noel played for Rodney and Northland at rugby. Don played Rodney and Auckland country Hockey and Brian Rodney Hockey. Ivy Dunning married Eddie Wyatt farmer and sawmiller and Lt. Colonel in both WW1 and WW2 and raised five children their four sons achieving high Sporting achievements. Len, Norris, Kelvin and Ivan all played Rep Cricket and Hockey for Rodney. Len as Captain of both codes and continuing on to play for Auckland Country and Northern Districts in cricket. In hockey – Auckland country, Auckland (Capt. 1953) North Island and N.Z. Reserve. Ivan also represented in Cricket – Northland, Nelson and Auckland – and in Hockey – Auckland, Otago and N.Z. Colin Matheson, as previously stated, farmed the Kempt Property on Pakiri hill. He married Rona Graham and they raised six children. Their son, John, who still runs the farm, played rugby for Rodney. Gordon married Vida granddaughter of Margaret Neeley who was Angus’s Daughter and lived in Matheson’s cove in the Leigh Harbour and farmed the family property raising a family of six children. Duncan lived with them until his death in 1956. Gordon represented Rodney at Rugby. The only employment in the area was the Sawmill that was self-sufficient with the Wyatt boys and the Post Office that employed Marcia Neeley then Gerty Smith as Postmistress and Marjorie Matheson as Telephonist. This forced most to look for employment outside the area Roy Val and Margaret Matheson and Ivan Wyatt into the teaching profession Len Matheson the only descendent to go to sea since Angus’s sons .Today the descendants are working in various places around the world. At present there are only five known descendants of Angus living in Leigh, Ewan who is living on part of the original farm brought by Angus on his arrival in Omaha, Peter living in Leigh and his son Glenn living at Matheson’s Bay and Alvin Smith living at Ti Point. Diaries of Charles Septimus Clarke On the website  – http://csclarke.falkor.gen.nz is the  diaries of Charles Septimus Clarke who settled at Leigh in 1863. The diaries currently transcribed cover much of the period 1862-92 and will ultimately cover the period through to his death in 1929. Two entries that caught the attention were – Saturday 27^th January 1866 On getting up in the morning the “Dot” was in the harbour, she had to leave Pakiri on account of the wind & sea. The Wyatt’s went over to Mr Meiklejohns to bring home a heifer & her calf that they have bought of him, but they did not succeed in getting them home as the heifer has been hand fed & she would not leave the place although they led the calf in front of her by a rope. Thursday 27^th September 1866 We planted two rows of Broad Beans of my own sort  2 ft 6 in apart between the rows.  Next to them we planted three rows of French Beans the same distance between the rows, also three rows of Scarlett Runner Beans, & 1 row of choice Puzetaker Pease from pods containing not less than 7 pease largest quantity. It was a fine day. Friday 28th  Continued planting.  Planted four rows of Pease, three rows of Puzetaker & 1 row of Tall Climbing Pea 3 ft 4 in between the rows, also two rows of Spinach 2 ft 6 in between the rows.  We put manure in the trench along with all these things. In the afternoon  we planted small beds of Cabbage, Beet, Lettuce, Celery and four other sorts of seeds. It was showery in the afternoon so Tom & Samuel made a beehive. Monday 25th June   Tom & I went to Great Omaha to Mr Meiklejohn’s with the horse the first thing in the morning to buy some fowls,  I bought thirteen, I think they are of the pure black spanish breed.  It is nearly three years since I was at Mr Meiklejohn’s last so that I see great improvements. Island Register website A large amount of PEI history has been documented on this website. Recently the marriage notices of the B/D/M of ‘The Islander’ PEI newspaper of the mid 19^th century have been transcribed. The formality of the time is encapsulated in these two marriage entries – The Islander – Aug 22, 1845 At Truro, on Thursday morning, the 21st August, by the Rev. J. C. Leaver, Richard Beaumont Boggs, Esq., to Isabella Jane, youngest daughter of the late Lieut. Russell, of the 8th or King’s Regiment. (We acknowledge the receipt of a very handsome parcel of wedding cake, and in return, wish the new married pair may enjoy many years of happiness together.) The Islander – Aug 27, 1847 Yesterday morning, at St. Paul’s Church, Charlottetown, by the Rev. Dr. Jenkins, Ecclesiastical Commissary, George W. DeBlois, Esq., of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Sarah Frances second daughter of the Hon. T.H. Haviland, Colonial Secretary of this Island. (We were much gratified to observe the universal tribute of respect paid to our Colonial Secretary and his family, in the attendance of persons of all ranks and classes at the Parish Church to witness this most interesting ceremony. There was not even standing room to be obtained for those who arrived late, and we sincerely believe that the kindly and heartfelt responses from the numerous assemblage, followed the benediction given by the Clergyman to the youthful pair. We beg respectfully to express our kind wishes for their future welfare and happiness. The website address is – www.islandregister.com   Family Tree Kerry Moore continues the task of keeping up to date the family tree. Please contact him with births, deaths and marriages or information that is relevant to any family member. A printed family tree can be sourced from Kerry at a small cost. Kerry can be contacted at – shorebird@clear.net.nz or Ph. 09 425 6866 THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 Celebrating both the 157th year of the family of James and Catherine Meiklejohn’s time in New Zealand and also other shipbuilding pioneers of the Big Omaha (N.Z.) area. Trustees – Des Meiklejohn, Graham Alison (09 520 3467), Ken Meiklejohn, Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Co-opted -Karen Lee-Meiklejohn. Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@gmail.com  Editor – Des Meiklejohn     REQUEST FOR THE DVD – THE NEW ZEALAND SCOW – ITS ORIGINS   Name _________________________________________ Address________________________________________ ________________________________________ Phone_______________ Email____________________________________ Descendant of _________________________________________________ Other family members who you think might wish to join our mailing list (add others below) – Name ________________________________  Contact phone __________________ Contact email address __________________________________________________ Send to – Mr Ken Meiklejohn APT 3403, The Poynton 142 Shakespeare Road Takapuna Any donation will be gratefully received and will be acknowledged by a receipt for the OCTOBER 2014  DVD project  In the last month we have completed the DVD – The New Zealand Scow – Its Origins. The financial support of the ASB Community Trust was instrumental in completing this project. Also many thanks to Craig Powell of Majorlook Productions for a very professional job and for his valuable research that added to the projects value. The DVD is 25 minutes long and the five parts are –

1. the early life of James Strange Mucklejohn
2. Meiklejohn’s of PEI
3. Voyage of the UNION
4. New Beginnings
5. Lake Erie and BeyondThe series is also online at – http://www.majorlook.co.nz/meiklejohn.htmCopies of the CD are available to non-family members at a price of $15 each.
6. Matakana Country Park Project There has been a lot of work done over the last few months to complete a large visual wall mounted display to be located (permanently we hope) at the Matakana Country Park in Omaha. It features elements of the Meiklejohn and related families time at Omaha and the maritime history of the area. Noel is working on Audio Visual wall mounted equipment. We are also looking at making a much shorter DVD presentation suitable for screening at other maritime and historical Museums. All of this will add expense, but in the end will get the message out as to how important the Meiklejohn and other related families were to the development of early NZ. We hope to have this wall display mounted by early November. At this point thanks to some recent donations, we expect to be able to mostly fund this project from existing funds. Any further donations will allow us to look at stage 2 of the project as well as being able to mount the TV wall unit which will continuously play the DVD for added interest. Ken has been co-ordinating the project with a commercial graphics company. Carol Ramage has been doing outstanding work as Graphic Designer using many of the photographs from the excellent “The Ships of Omaha” book published by Carol and her husband James.Family members will be supplied a free copy after forwarding the attached request. The DVD cost of production and postage etc is $10 so any donation would be appreciated.
7. Len Matheson’s journey to PEI & Nova Scotia
8. I hold in trust a sampler that was created in Cardigan P.E.I. by Margaret Louden Aitken in 1821. This was displayed with pride on the wall of my grandmother Hilda Neeley (nee Darroch) wall. I was well versed in its history, Margaret married an Alley, their daughter, Cordelia, married John Meiklejohn – Hilda’s Grandfather. combining a visit to Cape Bretton, Nova Scotia for my Matheson origins with one to Middle River, Cardigan P.E.I. for my Mucklejohn side. Nora is one of those resourceful hard working people who make things happen. As everyone was busy I was left to my own resources and enjoyed a long look around the Museum with the J.S. Meiklejohn photo and history holding an important position on the wall with other Shipbuilders. I was returned to my hotel by Nora’s husband, John. The following day I was collected by Nora’s son to attend the unveiling. P.E.I. is an island off Nova Scotia linked by a 13 Km bridge. My accommodation was in Montague about 5Kms from Cardigan. On Friday, 11 July, I went to the Montague Museum and met Donna Collings (Curator of the Garden of the Gulf Museum), a very helpful lady, she drove me to Cardigan, to meet Nora Macdonald who has a similar role at the Cardigan Heritage Museum. On learning of the unveiling of the monument at Cardigan I registered my interest thereby combining a visit to Cape Bretton, Nova Scotia for my Matheson origins with one to Middle River, Cardigan P.E.I. for my Mucklejohn side.
9. On arrival I was introduced to John Mustard, a distant relative through Catherine Mustard, John was great company. John has been a benefactor to the local museum with information and artefacts.   The unveiling ceremony commenced with speeches by dignitaries, Highland Dancing and Fiddle playing. The playing of fiddles is very popular in Prince Edward Island. The monument was unveiled by descendants of the Shipbuilders, followed by the lining up of descendants behind their respective plaques. As shown by the photo I was the only representative of my line. On the roll call of shipbuilders I proudly held the plaque high and when it was announced that I had travelled from New Zealand many people approached me to discuss the Meiklejohn’s. These included two Aitken brothers that I showed the photo of the Aitken sampler that I had given to the museum. The monument is a display mounted on a trailer. It shows a cross section of a ship with ribs and the fastenings employed in building ships in the 1800’s. It is a solid structure built by a shipwright with meticulous care to detail. I enjoyed my stay in a beautiful part of Canada and was looked after well. The unveiling was an emotional bonus.
10. Errol Jones – 100 years in November Errol turns 100 on 11 November. Errol has Meiklejohn and Darroch ancestry. She has not had good health over the past few months. We wish her well and trust she can enjoy a very memorable day – one very few of us will attain.
11. 2015 Picnic
12. The next annual gathering will be at Whangateau on 28 March 2015 from 11.00am. A further reminder will be sent in the New Year.
13. Website change There are currently a few teething problems with the photo gallery but hopefully this will be resolved in the next week or so. We are always looking for new content and photos. Our prime purpose is to record the maritime history of the Big Omaha region. Therefore histories of shipbuilding families and their stories are more than welcome. Many thanks to family member, Kaye Dennan, for setting up this site for us.We have moved the content of our previous website to new software that is more flexible and user friendly. The new website is – www.bomht.org
14. Financial – accounts for year to 31 March 2014
15. Income
16. Donations etc                                                4,700
17. ASB Grant                                                      5,000
18. Expenses
19. Video progress payment                             4,000
20. Other expenses                                                  933
21. Net Income                                                  $ 4,767
22. Accumulated Funds                                   $11,223
23. Money at ASB Bank                                    $11,223
24. Family Tree
25. Kerry Moore continues the task of keeping up to date the family tree. Please contact him with births, deaths and marriages or information that is relevant to any family member.Kerry can be contacted at – shorebird@clear.net.nz or Ph. 09 425 6866 A printed family tree can be sourced from Kerry at a small cost.
26. Missing in action
27. Along the way we have lost touch with the following – Stephen Rathe, Kathryn Lee Perkins, Barry Puttick, Bruce Dunning, Carolyn de Sylva, Lynne Rabone, Paul MacKinnon, Glen Askew, Toni Anns, Gail Birdsall, Jennifer Meiklejohn, Stuart Gordon, John Wotherspoon, Bob Gordon, Thomas Birdsall, Jenette Chetham, Graham Hawkes, Jody Langdon, Bonnie Meiklejohn, Karl Meiklejohn, Shelene Meiklejohn, Talia Meiklejohn, Jocelyn Smith. 
28. If they are known to you can you ask them whether they wish to receive mail outs, if so, could they make contact with us.
30.  THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST
31. A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211
32. Celebrating both the 157th year of the family of James and Catherine Meiklejohn’s time in New Zealand and also other shipbuilding pioneers of the Big Omaha (N.Z.) area.
33. Trustees – Des Meiklejohn, Graham Alison (09 520 3467), Ken Meiklejohn, Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Co-opted -Karen Lee-Meiklejohn Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@gmail.com Editor – Des Meiklejohn  
35. REQUEST FOR THE DVD – THE NEW ZEALAND SCOW – ITS ORIGINS
36. Name _________________________________________Address________________________________________            ________________________________________Phone_______________ Email____________________________________Descendant of _________________________________________________Other family members who you think might wish to join our mailing list (add others below) –Name ________________________________ Contact phone __________________Contact email address __________________________________________________
37. Send to –Mr Ken Meiklejohn APT 3403, The Poynton   142 Shakespeare Road Takapuna Any donation will be gratefully received and will be acknowledged by a receipt for the donations tax rebate.

MARCH 2014 NEWSLETTER 2014 Picnic The next picnic will be at Whangateau on 23 March 2014 from 11.00am – high tide1.00pm Apart from water sports the opportunity will be taken to show part of the video set ‘The New Zealand Scow’ funded by the Trust and the ASB Community Trust.     Video project Many thanks for the considerable amount of donations that have secured the funding of the project. Our annual website and mailing costs are in the region of $800 so all donations are very much appreciated. Donations should be sent to – BOMHT P O Box 28018 Remuera 1541 – acknowledgment will be sent so as to claim the tax rebate that applies. Prince Edward Island in July 2014 We have been advised of an event in Cardigan, P.E.I. on July 12, 2014 and we have extracted the following from the Cardigan Heritage website. We know that Len Matheson is planning to participate in the celebrations and no doubt would appreciate other family members joining him. 2014 marks the 150th anniversary of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference – the event that led to the creation of Canada. The reason to celebrate? We think so! Year-long, province-wide events, festivals and celebrations will commemorate this landmark event and you’re invited.  Join us in PEI for a celebration 150 years in the making! For information on all things PEI 2014, visit pei2014.ca. The Cardigan Heritage Association would like to announce their 2014 project! Celebrating Shipbuilding in Cardigan July 12, 2014 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Prepare to be amazed, entertained and educated as Cardigan unveils a sculpture to honor those involved in Shipbuilding in the area.. July 12, 2014 from 10 to 4 will be a fun family day with heritage displays, demonstrations, stories, music, dancing and food. A photo shoot of descendants of those shipbuilders will end the day. Fun day of activities to honour those involved in shipbuilding in the Cardigan area from 1820-1920 Unveiling a sculpture /Demonstrations using shipbuilding tools Weaving/Rug hooking/Music/Dance/Stories/Food Part of the day’s activities on July 12, 2014 is a photo shoot of descendants of the people involved in the Shipbuilding in this area. All descendants are invited and you can check the lists that follow of names of men who worked on vessels that were built here. If you know relatives of any of those people please let them know of this event or contact Nora at 902-583-2316 or macdonaldnora@hotmail.com and we will try and locate them. Contact for more information – desmeiklejohn@hotmail.com Family Tree Kerry Moore continues the task of keeping up to date the family tree. Please contact him with births, deaths and marriages or information that is relevant to any family member. A printed family tree can be sourced from Kerry at a small cost. Kerry can be contacted at – shorebird@clear.net.nz The History of Omaha Ken Meiklejohn, as an Omaha ratepayer, has put together the attached write up for the local community newsletter of the maritime connection to the area. Ken has also donated to the Omaha Golf Club and Community Centre a painting of a scow. ‘The New Zealand Scow’ video series is close to completion  The Early life of ‘James Strange Mucklejohn’  The Meiklejohns of PEI and their Voyage on the Union  Landfall in New Zealand and the shipbuilding activity at Big Omaha  The New Zealand Scow Today Many thanks to Derve & Bev Meiklejohn who have collated this mail out and prepared the envelopes on this and on other occasions.  THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 Celebrating both the 156th year of the family of James and Catherine Meiklejohn’s time in New Zealand and also other shipbuilding pioneers of the Big Omaha (N.Z.) area. Trustees – Des Meiklejohn (Chair), Graham Alison (Vice Chair/Treasurer), Ken Meiklejohn (Secretary), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Co-opted -Karen Lee-Meiklejohn Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@gmail.com Editor – Des Meiklejohn Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@gmail.com  Editor – Des Meiklejohn OCTOBER 2013 Great news ASB Community Trust BOMHT has been granted $2,500 by the ASB Community Trust towards the production costs of the video recording the history of the New Zealand Scow and $2,500 for the display technology. The $5,000 grant will leave us about $3,000 short of the planned budget for production and equipment of $20,000 approx.  We again ask for your financial support.  Those contributors who in calendar 2013 have donated $100 or more will receive a gratis copy of the video while donees of $500 or more in this calendar year will be recognised in the video trailer. We wish to acknowledge and anonymous donation of $1,000 by a family member. Craig Powell of Majorlook Productions has produced the script outline and much of the content has already written. Donations should be sent to – BOMHT P O Box 28018 Remuera 1541 – acknowledgment will be sent so as to claim the tax rebate that applies. Those who have seen the teaser video on You Tube have been very complimentary. Requests for a copy of the video, which is due for completion in early 2014, have already been received from the Cardigan PEI Museum and for a new display video screen running on the riverside of the Warkworth Basin adjacent to the Jane Gifford berth. Anyone visiting Prince Edward Island in July 2014 We have been advised of an event in Cardigan, P.E.I. on July 12, 2014. There is to be the unveiling of a sculpture showing the early stages of building a wooden hulled sailing vessel. It will consist of a portion of a keel with several ribs (frames) attached.  It will be 15′ by 7 1/2 by 7 1/2. It will be placed on the wharf adjacent to the Cardigan Heritage Centre.   There will be an unveiling that day and assorted heritage displays.  It is proposed to have a photo shoot of descendants of the early shipbuilders so it would be great to have Meiklejohn representation. Contact for more information – desmeiklejohn@hotmail.com 2014 Picnic- preliminary advice of date The next picnic will be at Whangateau on23 March 2014 from 11.00am – high tide1.00pm   Warkworth 160^th Anniversary 9 November 2013 The Jane Gifford will be motoring up to the town basin where at 12.30pm there will be a reception. Celebrations will take place along the riverbank and within the township. Knaggs Family Ray Knaggs is putting together a history of the Knaggs family in New Zealand. Ray is seeking photos and other material. His limited records include shipping and passenger lists of those descendants who travelled to NZ, copies of Birth, Marriage, Death and Wills, plus a large range of photos, letters, both original and copies, War medals, Masonic medals, copies of land grants etc. Also a number of books on the Waipu and Springfield area, shipping in the Hauraki Gulf, Scows, Auckland Harbour Ferries plus coastal and overseas shipping where descendants were involved. Ray can be contacted at – phone 07 575 8689 – email – rf_dram4@xtra.co.nz Whangateau Cemetery Cemetery management may have answered the question – Why is John buried at the Whangateau cemetery and not with his mother and siblings at Matakana?  It seems that the Tamahunga Stream was the dividing line between the two Presbyterian parishes and with John residing to the east of the stream he and his kin were buried in their parish. It would be interesting hear whether this conjecture has any substance. Website additions Since February we have updated with the input of Rodney Price the Septimus and Jane section, created a separate section for ‘Scows’ and included names of vessels built by the Meiklejohns, the Darrochs and the Mathesons, also a history of early scow racing in the Auckland Anniversary Regatta along with more ship photos made available by the Warkworth Museum. Mailing List We endeavour to keep in touch with as many family descendants as we can. We despatch the newsletter by email and via letter post. Obviously emailing is quicker and less costly so if you can accept the newsletter via email and do not currently do so please let us know. We want to build the numbers getting the newsletter so please check with family if they are getting the mail out and if not ask them to get in touch with their contact address. Video content 1. Early life of ‘James Strange Mucklejohn’ Follows the life and geographic travels of young James. From his apprenticeship to PEI. 2. Meiklejohns of PEI Beginning with James and Catherine’s disembarkation from the Industry of Dundee at PEI. And encapsulating the twenty years of shipbuilding and raising a family of seven sons.   3. Voyage of the Union The family leave PEI aboard the Union to trade across the Atlantic and eventually arrive in South Africa, where Governor Grey encourages them to journey to New Zealand. A load of sugar from Mauritius to Brisbane later, they travel to Sydney where their beloved Union is sold. 4. Landfall The Meiklejohns sail as passengers from Sydney to Auckland, ultimately purchasing land at Omaha. They establish themselves on the shores of the Whangateau harbour, building a home named Unionville, and become re-known as mariners and shipbuilders. Their busy life is tinged with drama and tragedy.  5. Shipbuilding at Big Omaha Magnificent stands of native forest provided an abundance of building materials, proving this location a shipbuilders paradise, and enabling father and sons to produce vessels from their two shipyards for over twenty years. The size and designs of their vessels are compared, along with the introduction of the scow.  6. Lake Erie Early settlers endured problems of conveying produce to vessels at anchor, and vice-verse. This issue was over-come by Septimus Meiklejohn and George Spencer in 1873, with the building in the Meiklejohn Brothers shipyards of the Lake Erie. Not a graceful vessel, but its functionality initiated a new chapter in New Zealand shipbuilding.  7. Scows From 1873 to 1925, 130 sailing scows were constructed in New Zealand. These were the ‘freight trucks’ of colonial New Zealand, serving a road-less, burgeoning nation. When the last scow the Success was launched in 1925, steamships and automotive transport had reduced dependence upon these ‘winged freighters’. To compete, the surviving vessels were converted to diesel power and continued to serve for many years. The Jane Gifford is one example, which was finally retired in 1985, before being rebuilt and re-launched in 2009. She is the only original example sailing today.   8. Today Revisits where Unionville once stood, the ‘Meiklejohn shipyards’ and notes the demised kauri forests. It conveys the sacrifices this country has made to attain our present station in life. Also endorses the importance of retelling the triumphs and hardships endured by our pioneering ancestors. And by further stating ‘Yesterdays achievements should not be over-shadowed by today’s. (Illustrated with a modern container ship and the Jane Gifford). The teaser video can be found at You Tube at – http://youtu.be/2CCSwpva2SM On behalf of Karen, Graham, Ian, Ken, Kerry, Noel and Simon we wish you a wonderful festive season and a prosperous New Year and hope to catch up next year. THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 Celebrating both the 156th year of the family of James and Catherine Meiklejohn’s time in New Zealand and also other shipbuilding pioneers of the Big Omaha (N.Z.) area. Trustees – Des Meiklejohn (Chair), Graham Alison (Vice Chair/Treasurer), Ken Meiklejohn (Secretary), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Co-opted – Karen Lee-Meiklejohn Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@gmail.com Editor – Des Meiklejohn MARCH 2013 NEWSLETTER ANNUAL PICNIC Date: 17 March 2013 Time: 11.00am -2.00pm Location: Whangateau Domain – seaward side of football clubrooms. The annual opportunity to catch up with relatives and friends is upon us again. Kayaks will be available for use – cricket gear also. We look forward to seeing those who can make it.  Project See attached sheet summarising the documentary we are in the process of doing preparatory work on. See the You Tube introductory video which sets out the future content. Any assistance in supplying content would be appreciated. Website –www.meiklejohn.org Additions to the website during the past year include – photos of Prince Edward Island from a recent visit, list of attendees at reunions back to 1958, copies of photos from the Auckland Public Library archives and of the Upper Yard. Other material will be released shortly. Donations Sincere thanks to the many donors in 2012. The Mansergh family have donated to the trust the following -two plates from the ‘Union’, PEI flags, Psalm & Hymn book – printed 1879 – inscribed ‘To William – a death bed gift dated 26 July 1898’ – Captain William Meiklejohn was to die on 12 August, a photo of Captain William Meiklejohn, Sailors Hymn book – printed 1850 – inscribed “Union’” PEI – Alexander Mucklejohn and a photo of Grandma Sarah Buckley with 11 grandchildren – some of the children in the photo include those of Bernice Mabel Buckley (nee Meiklejohn). Gaye Meiklejohn has donated a replica of a ships chair – workmanship by her father Bruce M. Financial in brief In the year to 31 March 2012 the trust had the following income and expenses – Income Donations $ 1,500 Interest received $ 160 Total income $ 1,660 Total Expenses $ 777 Net surplus after tax $ 883 At 31 March 2012 the trust had – Assets Bank funds $ 9,820 Equity $ 9,820 Financial and other information can be found on the Charities Commission website – registration number below. HMS Orpheus Earlier in February the sinking of the Orpheus in 1863 was commemorated. Following the sinking on the Manukau Harbour bar the Meiklejohns participated in the salvage efforts. Items such as winches ended up in use at the Omaha yards. Family Tree Kerry Moore has been working on placing the family tree on a new database that will be more accessible. Hopefully this will deal with the issue of privacy that plagues the maintenance of databases involving living persons. More on this later when we are in a position to allow access. Tributes Errol Jones Errol recently entered her 99th year. While failing eyesight and other age concerns impact her lifestyle she maintains a vivid recollection of past events – perhaps not as perfect as she would like but nevertheless remarkable for her age. We wish her the best for the next two years and acknowledge her contribution to the recording of family history. Her book of poems – “Shadows on My Wall’ is in its 2nd print. Of further book of poems/reminiscences is due out in April. Carol Ramage & Noel Meiklejohn Many thanks to Carol & Noel for acquiring and donating a memorial plaque to place in the St Andrews Church at Matakana. The Meiklejohn plaque joins that of the Crotty family and marks the respective 150th reunions and church services. David Meiklejohn David passed away early in January. One of the few Meiklejohn’s living in Edinburgh and as best we know unrelated to the NZ family. David approached us several years ago and Glenys & I had the pleasure to meet him and wife Katie in Edinburgh and at his home in Gullane. Over time we have compared family trees and talked of the Lamont Clan. David’s tree takes him as far back as the 1600’s with his forebears living in the north of Scotland. David had a real interest in his ‘New Zealand family’ and in recent months he was tracking down the gravesite of JSM’s father in Leith. Ken Meiklejohn Ken has promoted and thoroughly immersed himself in the video project and its success will be attributable to his efforts. New contacts John Mustard John is a descendant of James Mustard who was a brother of Catherine and Barbara – all at some time residents of Cardigan PEI. John was also resident there before moving to Alberta. John recently donated to the Cardigan Museum James’ sextant and chronometer. His knowledge of the area will be invaluable to us in learning more of PEI. The contact with John follows a recent approach from Peter Home, a resident of Inverness and formerly of Rosemarkie, the Mustard home area. Peter is a descendant of Janet Mustard – sister to Catherine, Barbara and James. Researchers We would also like to acknowledge those who have helped over the last few months with the PEI research – particularly Nora MacDonald of the Cardigan Museum and Donna Collings of the Garden of the Gulf (Monatgue) Museum – both of PEI. Gordon & Stan Beals, Ian & June Sclater and Graham Mansergh have shared their experiences of their journeys to PEI. In recent times Rodney Price, a McGechie descendant, has introduced himself to Kerry has supplied a lot more depth of information to the Septimus family tree along with other data. We thank him for his efforts. A summary of James & Catherine’s descendants PEI visits – to August 2012 (Glenys & I had the good fortune to visit PEI last year. A number of family members had gone before and their notes and guidance allowed us to put together what follows below). Background to area Three Rivers These comprise the Brudenell, the Montague and the Cardigan. The Cardigan is the largest of the three, navigable for five miles above Cardigan Point and smaller vessels a further two miles. Each of the rivers feed into Cardigan Bay which lies between Panmure and Boughton Islands. Gordon Beals sighted the microfiche of an opened ended lease entered into in 1838 from an Angus Mac Donald to JSM on the Grand River. JSM’s is said to have returned to Cardigan in 1848 and launched his first ship the Isabel (perhaps named after his mother) in 1852. Ship construction A total of 396 ships were built on the Three Rivers area of PEI between 1787 & 1920 – the end of the wooden ship era with the building of the ‘Anna MacDonald’. (It was about the same time that the construction of wooden ships ended in NZ.) In the period 1836-1876 the main woods used were – Hulls below water line – the hardwoods of yellow beech and beech. Above water line – spruce, tamarack, pine. There is nothing remaining of the shipyards in the Cardigan area. Local history Stan & Gordon extracted from the book – ‘Shipbuilding on Prince Edward Island – Enterprise in a Maritime Setting 1787 –1920’ (by) Nicholas J. de Jong & Marven E. Moore Published by Canadian Museum of Civilization @ 1954 Quebec (Page 299) “The Brigantine Union is noteworthy since she was crewed by Captain James Meiklejohn and his family. Meiklejohn emigrated to PEI from Scotland, circa 1830, and spent some 20 years farming. In 1852, Meiklejohn, a trained shipwright, began building vessels. With the help of his sons he launched the schooner Isabel 153 T in 1852, the brigantine Bee 96 T in 1853, the brigantine Success 165 T in 1854. Members of the family sailed these vessels to Liverpool to be sold. The brigantine Union, however, was built expressly to carry the family to New Zealand. She sailed from the Island in June 1856, crewed by Captain Meiklejohn, his wife, and his sons James, Alexander, William, Robert, Lemuel and Septimus. After trading with the vessel for a year, they arrived in New Zealand early in 1858”. Reference: Islander, August 28, 1857” Pictou Nova Scotia The marriage place of James & Catherine in 1831 was also the original site selected for settlement by Norman McLeod and his Assynt settlers – arriving 1817. McLeod left in 1820 to survey possibilities in Ohio however storms drove his craft into St Anns on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and he chose that area to settle in until his departure in 1852 for Waipu in the first of six craft to make that journey. Site of farm property Sue’s research also found an 1838 advertisement for sale of the farm within Lot 52 that allowed a closer identification of the block of 100 acres on the Georgetown Road – 6 miles from Georgetown. The property was stated to have a 12 chain frontage to the Georgetown Road. John & Cordelia post the departure of the ‘Union’ John & Cordelia were married at the residence of William Alley on 30 July 1856 – some 5 weeks after the sailing of the ‘Union’ on 24 June 1856. They were to live on a property within Lot 53. Information from PEI has Bertha and Drucilla (Vida) being baptised at the Trinity First Methodist Church in Charlottetown in 1859. Vida’s baptism was to take place about 12 months before they sailed for New Zealand. Charlottetown is 47kms from Cardigan or Lot 53. Family connections Aitken The passing of Fred Aitken, whom the Sclaters had met, within the last few years seems to have dimmed the Aitken connection. His wife, Marjorie, still lives at the Aitken home in Lower Montague. This house was built in 1824 and has stone walls 3 feet thick. It has a view across the Brudenell to Roma Point – site of the French settlement of Roma – and the more distant Georgetown. I was fortunate to visit the home and meet Marjorie and to be shown the Aitken trunk – a leather box in the Aitken family since the 1600’s. See website photos. Cordelia’s mother was an Aitken. Mustard James Mustard was born in 1820 and his first child, John, was born in 1845 – presumably on PEI where his wife was from. Follow up research suggests that Catherine’s mother – originally Isabel Mustard – traces her lineage back to an Alexander Mustard b.1650. This family appears to have lived at Balmungie Farm near Eathie on the Black Isles. Her father – John Mustard – so far is traced to William Mustard b.1741. His family appears to hail from Fortrose – 10kms nor’east of Inverness and south of Rosemarkie. Exchanges on ancestry websites have the Mustard family living on Balmungie Farm – 6 miles north of Rosemarkie in Scotland. Possibly what is now Easter Balmungie Farm, Eathie Road, Fortrose near Rosemarkie. Another ship Gordon in his research believed that there was a fifth ship built by JSM. A letter from the PEI Provincial Archivist to Don M in the 1970’s states that JSM was the builder of the ’Prince Albert’ for a Daniel Brenan. The PEI Ships Registry shows the registration of a ship with that name and Daniel Brenan as owner and builder in 1840. It was not out of the ordinary for the shipwright not to be shown as the builder. The vessel was 232 tons. Further research is underway to establish where this ship was built and whether there were others built by JSM in the 1840’s. PEI & Nova Scotia in the summer are wonderful places to visit. Should visit there take time to enjoy Island music, the seafood and attend a ceilidh – seemingly once a week in every town. THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 Celebrating both the 154th year of the family of James and Catherine Meiklejohn’s time in New Zealand and also other shipbuilding pioneers of the Big Omaha (N.Z.) area. Trustees – Des Meiklejohn (Chair), Graham Alison (Vice Chair/Treasurer), Ken Meiklejohn (Secretary), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Co-opted Karen Lee-Meiklejohn Postal address is – BOMHT P O Box 28018 Remuera, Auckland 1541 – phone Graham @ (0-9)5203467. Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@gmail.com Website – www.meiklejohn.org Editor – Des Meiklejohn **************************************** THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST The proud history of the shipbuilders of Rodney and of the New Zealand designed & built scow is a story worth telling in documentary form. Imagine living in the late 1800’s with little transport that we know today. The Kaipara Rail Station was opened in 1906 – the Kaiwaka to Whangarei road was not completed until 1920. The need to move bulk materials – timber, sand & shingle, farm produce etc – from rural townships at the head of rivers or over sand barred estuaries was a major challenge to a nation that was rapidly growing as a result of migration. The vital role played by several Scottish families along with others in the Omaha, Matakana and Waipu areas in the later part of the 1800’s will be the subject of the storyline. Given that the Meiklejohn’s and the Darroch’s built most of the scows these families will feature. It will focus on how the head of our family built and crewed the ‘Union’. How the meeting with Governor Grey in Cape Colony influenced their choice of the Omaha destination. The Meiklejohns had an important place in shipbuilding, especially their design and launching of the first ever sailing scow in this country. The scow went onto become “The Work Horse” in the building our early towns and cities. You will appreciate that this involves significant expenditure. We are currently $5,000 short so any donation is most welcome. They are tax deductible. We would like to thank Gerry & Nick Freeman who became the first to make a specific donation for this project. We have posted on You Tube a brief introductory clip of what we hope to achieve – see http//:youtu.be62Lz9idXk9M Donations to BOMHT are to a registered charitable trust and therefore qualify for the donations rebate. We look forward to your support. ——————————————————————————————————————————————- THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST P O Box 28018 Remuera Auckland 1541 Please accept our donation towards the documentary and the general funds of the trust $________ From __________________________________ (name) __________________________________ We require a receipt for tax purposes Yes/No ********************************** ANNUAL MEIKLEJOHN DESCENDANTS GATHERING Date: 25 March 2012  –  2012 Picnic We have been able to arrange a sail on the Jane Gifford in conjunction with the picnic. The ‘Janey’ will depart from wharf at Scotts Landing – inside the entry to the Mahurangi River Our base for the day is the Scott homestead and grounds at Scotts Landing – an Auckland City heritage reserve. Facilities open 10.00am – parking at Scotts Landing wharf area – take Ridge Road which is 1 km past Snells Beach. We have booked the lower floor of the homestead so there will be shelter from any weather. We are limited to 50 persons on the ‘Janey’ so be in early should you wish to spend about one hour under sail. The charge for those sailing is Adult $30/Child (12 years and under) $15 – bookings open 7 February 2012 Sailing time: Meet at wharf at 10.00 a.m. Weather – there is limited cabin space so bring appropriate wet weather gear. Bookings: to be made with Noel Meiklejohn (Phone 09 818 4953) – email nl.ar.meikljohn@actrix.gen.nz The history of the Scott homestead The house is a two storied Georgian style house built for Thomas Scott (jnr) in 1877. It operated as a private hotel and boarding house at a time when Mahurangi was a hub of ship building and timber milling activity. The house fronts a beach so swimming canoeing a possibility. Your support for the annual picnic is very much appreciated. Obituaries We very much regret the passing away in 2011 of the following family members and extend condolences to their families – Jock Meiklejohn Mona Meiklejohn Projects We have under active consideration the updating of the technology that supports our website. We seek to make the website the centre of knowledge about the New Zealand scow and to further expand the information on the site about the early shipbuilding activity in Rodney. We believe if we get the appropriate foundation we can ultimately transfer the accumulated information to interactive technology that can be loaned to museums and the like. Origin of Meiklejohn name The 1946 publication – ‘The Surnames of Scotland, their origins, meaning and history’ – author George Fraser Black – has the origin of the name Meikejohn as follows – The McIlwhoms were a Sept of the Lamond (Lamont) Clan. The name McIlwhom was Scottized as Meiklham, Meikleham, & Meiklem etc. McIlwhom was also McIlwham, McIlkwhan, McIlquaham Following the Campbells laying siege to the Lamont land in 1646 and a resulting massacre saw clan members move elsewhere within Scotland with many changing their names to reduce identification with the clan. Website –www.meiklejohn.org Recent additions/updates to the website include – 11 photos from the late 1800’s early 1900’s of scows – sourced from the photo library of Auckland City – photographers Henry Winklelman and AD Richardson. Articles – ‘In their heyday they could lick the steamers’ – a 1965 newspaper article authored by Stephen With – and ‘Memories of life on the Coastal Scows’ – author H J Williams. On the website we have updated the Mucklejohns of Leith connection which endeavours to see if there is any link between a family of Mucklejohns that settled in Leith around 1780 and William Mucklejohn who married Isabella Smith in 1805 in Leith. The earlier family had moved from Larbet (near Stirling) to Leith where this William continued his occupation as Foundryman. Donations Sincere thanks to the many donors in 2011. The running costs of the newsletter (at commercial copy cost) and website are about $800 – 900. The tax year ends on 31 March so time to think about a tax rebateable donation to keep the activities of the trust ongoing. We do not operate on subscriptions and therefore donations are our only form of ‘continuing’ income. We have gradually accumulating funds to undertake projects such as that outlined above. Publications The trust is happy to promote the sale of the following publications – A) The poems and other writings of Errol Jones. Since our last newsletter Errol’s book “Shadows on my Wall’ has been published and is available in a Warkworth bookshop. B) ‘The History of New Zealand Scows and Their Trades’ – author David Langdon – written 2009. The book is available from Boat Books Limited – 22 Westhaven Drive Auckland C) ‘Ships of Omaha 1858–1921’ – authors Carol & James Ramage – contact Carol/James by email carol.ramage@xtra.co.nz . The book costs $49 plus postage ($7 within NZ). D) ‘The Last Landfall – Early Big Omaha History’ – author L D (Les) Meiklejohn- contact Carol Ramage to purchase a copy. Original printed – 1960 – reprinted 2007. Available for $10 per copy (plus P & P). Artifacts We maintain a register of family artifacts and memorabilia and would be interested in receiving any updates to changes in ownership/location. Please remember that BOMHT was in part set up to be the long term holder of family artifacts – either from donation of items or on loan. Financial in brief In the year to 31 March 2011 the trust had the following income and expenses – Income Donations 1500 Interest received 228 Total income 1728 Total Expenses 759 Net surplus after tax 969 At 31 March 2011 the trust had – Assets Bank funds 8936 Equity 8936 Financial and other information can be found on the Charities Commission website – registration number below. *************************************** THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 Celebrating both the 154th year of the family of James and Catherine Meiklejohn’s time in New Zealand and also other shipbuilding pioneers of the Big Omaha (N.Z.) area. Trustees – Des Meiklejohn (Chair), Graham Alison (Vice Chair/Treasurer), Ken Meiklejohn (Secretary), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Co-opted Karen Lee-Meiklejohn Postal address is – BOMHT P O Box 28018 Remuera, Auckland 1541 – phone Graham @ (0-9)5203467. Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@gmail.com Website – www.meiklejohn.org ********************************* THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST Celebrating both the 152nd year of the family of James and Catherine Meiklejohn’s time in New Zealand and also that of other pioneers of the Big Omaha (N.Z.) area. JANUARY 2011 Newsletter 2011 Picnic The Picnic this year is on Sunday 27 March 2011 at the Whangateau Domain. Indoor facility will either be the Hall or the Rugby Club rooms. Start 11.00am through until 3.30pm. High tide early afternoon. Bring a picnic lunch – a BBQ will be available for cooking meats etc. Canoes will be there for family use. Cricket/softball equipment will be on hand for inter-family or generation competition. Your support for the annual picnic is very much appreciated. The picnic represents an opportunity to update family on future activity being considered by the trust to meet its obligations under the trust deed. 2012 Picnic We are already planning for the 2012 Picnic. We intend to arrange trips under sail on the ‘Jane Gifford’. Departure would be from the mouth of the Mahurangi River. We very much regret the passing away in 2010 of the following family members – Eileen Raynes Molly Quintal Wayne Davison Jean Goldsworthy Donations Many thanks to the following donors in 2010 – Graham Alison Laurel Hayward Ian & June Meiklejohn Des Meiklejohn Annual running costs of the newsletter and website are about $900. Our donation income does not cover these costs. The tax year ends on 31 March so time to think about a tax rebateable donation to keep the activities of the trust ongoing. We do not operate on subscriptions and therefore donations are our only form of ‘continuing’ income. Other publications The trust is happy to promote the sale of the following publications – A) The poems and other writings of Errol Jones. See the attached leaflet about the content and availability of these publications. Congratulations to Bevan & Kate Jones for their efforts to bring these memories of Errol to a marketable state. B) ‘The History of New Zealand Scows and Their Trades’ – author David Langdon – written 2009. The book is available from Boat Books Limited – 22 Westhaven Drive Auckland C) ‘Ships of Omaha 1858–1921’ – authors Carol & James Ramage – available from Carol/James by email carol.ramage@xtra.co.nz . The book costs $49 plus postage ($7 within NZ). D) ‘The Last Landfall – Early Big Omaha History’ – author L D (Les) Meiklejohn- email Carol Ramage. Original printed – 1960 – reprinted 2007. Available for $10 per copy (plus P & P).  Artifacts We maintain a register of artifacts and memorabilia. Shortly we will be writing to those family members on the register to update our records. Please remember that BOMHT was in part set up to be the long term holder of family artifacts – either from donation of items or on loan. Website Recent additions/updates to the website include – ‘The Meiklejohn Saga or Ballad’- written by Errol Jones and read by Humphrey Beale on Radio Hauraki in 1988 ‘Ships of Rodney County’- author David M Darroch 1934 March 2010 Picnic photos Update to paper on family origins entitled – ‘Back Beyond 1805’ Trust Deed After considerable thought the trustees have decided to leave the deed as it currently stands. We believe that the changes that had earlier been formulated meant additional effort in maintaining a voting register and with the necessity to get seek nominations, advertise same and then go through a voting process at an AGM. We do not believe that the changes would result in any greater family involvement. We continue to seek involvement of family members who want to make to the workings of the trust. Snippets of family history A friend recently visited the Greenwich Maritime Museum in London and has photographed the entry of the ‘Union’ in a UK shipping registry. Of interest is the recording of the family name as ‘Mukljhn’. The entry in the 1876 register of deaths recently received for James Strange Meiklejohn records his father to have the same name rather than William that appears on his birth entry. Prince Edward Island and NZ settlers For those interested there are a volume of letters on the website of the P.E.I. Island Register (http://www.islandregister.com/letters/letterindex.html) which include the following – Letters from George Owen in Auckland dated 13 July 1859 about the difficulties of life in Auckland A letter from Alexander Beazeley dated 4 July 1851about life on PEI in those times Clippings from a Barbara Dorosh on manufacturing on PEI in 1861 From the Belfast Historical Society (PEI) an overview of early PEI settlers – the indigenous peoples The Mi’kmaq, The French Arcadians and also The Selkirk Settlers from Scotland. We are aware of a recent publication ‘From the Isles to the Antipodes’ – written and published by Aucklander Harold McIsaac – a history of the McIsaac family’s migration in 1800 from Scotland to PEI and the subsequent migration of part of the family to New Zealand in the latter part of the 1880’s. Anybody with interest in P.E.I. migration should ask Des M. for access to the publication. Financial in brief In the year to 31 March 2010 the trust had the following income and expenses – Income Donations 600 Interest received 82 Other income 730 Total income 1412 Total Expenses 864 Net surplus after tax 837 Transfer funds from Meiklejohn Family 5626 Transferred to Equity 6147 At 31 March 2010 the trust had – Assets Bank funds 7967 Equity 7967 Financial and other information can be found on the Charities Commission website – registration number below. (Apologies for lack of columns but the software is not ‘what you see is what you get’). ‘THE RAPID’ From the research site – Great Barrier History Research Group Inc – www.greatbarrierislandhistory.org – as contained in the recent publication – ‘Great Barrier Island Shipwrecks’. The book is of 60pp and costs $30 plus $2 postage. The newspaper article is of an 1864 interview with a passenger on the ‘Rapid’ after his return to Auckland following the loss of live – Lemuel Meiklejohn was one of the crew lost from the ‘Rapid’ – a vessel skippered by his brother, Alexander. . DREADFUL CASUALTY TO THE SCHOONER RAPID – SUFFERINGS OF THE CREW-SIX LIVES LOST. The cutter Swallow arrived in port yesterday from the Great Barrier Island, and brought intelligence of a fearful disaster which happened to the schooner Rapid while on her way from Mercury Bay to Auckland. William Page, one of the survivors, was a passenger by the Swallow, and we have taken the following particulars from his own word of mouth. He says: – “We left Mercury Bay in the Rapid on the evening of the 19th inst. (Saturday) for Auckland, and loaded with timber. We passed through Mercury Islands with very light weather, and it continued so until Sunday morning. The wind then freshened, and kept freshening gradually all day. I went below at seven or eight o’clock that evening, and the wind still kept freshening. The Rapid is a new boat of about 30 tons. About nine or ten o’clock they shortened sail; two reefs were taken in the mainsail. While below I felt the vessel plunging into the sea very heavily. I went on deck, and as I passed along the deck, I saw one man hanging on to the fore rigging. He was a passenger, and he cried out to me, “We are, gone, Bill.” All sail was then down, the foresail and mainsail hanging down over the lee side in the water. The vessel was then going well free from the wind. I have been a sailor, and I said to the captain that he had better hoist the peak up and try the vessel up to the wind. I was trying to do that myself, but found that the peak halyards had run aloft, and I could not do it. The captain said hoist a bit of the foresail again, but I replied that I feared it was no use. About this time one of the seamen went to the forecastle, looked down, and sang out that the vessel was filling with water. This was caused by her plunging into the sea so heavily. Directly after he sang out that she was filling water, she fell over on her beam ends and filled. When I sang out to the captain to set sail, A P Fadgen was standing on the quarter-deck, and he cried out, come here – do come here, Bill. These were the last words I heard him speak. After the vessel went over we were quite helpless. Four of us took to the forerigging, and four to the main-rigging, and Paget, a passenger, was below in the cabin, and was drowned by the vessel filling with water. He was a bad sailor, and was alarmed, and was probably helpless to save himself. This all occurred on Sunday night last, and we were then between the Little Barrier Island and Tiri Tiri. As the vessel was filled with timber she was, of course, waterlogged. Mr M’Fadgen was at first on the quarter-deck, and when the vessel went down, on her beam ends, he floated away on two planks to the masthead of the vessel. He then got off the boards, and worked himself up to where we were holding on. The keel of the vessel being to the wind, the sea was breaking over us, and we found great difficulty in holding on. About half-an-hour after that Captain (Alexander) Meiklejohn called out that M’Fadgen was dying, and I said take a rope and lash him to the rigging, which the Captain did. Shortly after that M’Fadgen died, and about an hour after that Portuguese Joo died in the rigging where I was. He was washed off two or three times, and we pulled him in again, but at last we found that it was no use, that he could not hold on. I can’t remember now whether it was the same day or next night, but they went off one by one after that. The last one that went was just when we were leaving the wreck at the Great Barrier. We saw one ashore, and this man either dropped off, or in attempting to swim was drowned. We had pulled him into the rigging two or three times, but he was so far gone that we could not pull him on any more. We were not far from the shore, the vessel having drifted in close to the rocks. As soon as the three of us who survived got ashore, we lay down and had a sleep until daylight. We got up and tried to walk to Mr Harding’s, but the captain being best able to walk, said he would go on and send a boat for us, which he did; and we were taken to Mr Harding’s house, and treated very kindly, and I came in the Swallow to Auckland. The following are the names of the unfortunate men who were drowned : – Mr Neil M’Fadgen, a shareholder in the Mercury Bay Saw Mill Company. Mr Paget, a passenger, and settler from Mercury Bay. Joe, a Portuguese, a passenger. Mr Burns, a passenger, and a working man, from Mercury Bay. Mr Robert Clarke, a farmer, and a passenger, who was drowned just as we reached the Little Barrier. Mr L. Meiklejohn, son (brother) of the captain, and one of the crew, aged about 17 or 18 years. The following are the names of those who survived the disaster: – Myself (William Page), a settler in Mercury Bay. Captain Meiklejohn, captain of the Swallow, and Frank, a Frenchman, and one of the crew. Before I left the Rapid was righted, and sailed for Oma, just below Tiri Tiri. We should say that Page, who gave us the above narrative of the sufferings of himself and his companion, appeared, as might naturally be expected, to be still suffering from the disaster, which will account for his statement not being so precise as it might, or exactly consistent with the captain’s account. Both of the survivors were floating about for three days on the wreck, under a burning sun, and with the sea washing over them, so that it can be well supposed that they were thoroughly prostrated when, through Providence, they were enabled to reach land. — Source “Auckland Weekly News,” March 30 1864. reproduced in the Otago Witness, 16th April, 1864 **************************** THE BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 Celebrating both the 153rd year of the family of James and Catherine Meiklejohn’s time in New Zealand and also other shipbuilding pioneers of the Big Omaha (N.Z.) area. Trustees – Des Meiklejohn (Chair), Graham Alison (Vice Chair/Treasurer), Ken Meiklejohn (Secretary), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Postal address is – BOMHT P O Box 28018 Remuera, Auckland 1541 – phone Graham @ (0-9)5203467. Our email address is – desmeiklejohn@gmail.com Website – www.meiklejohn.org FROM THE PEN OF ERROL JONES Errol Jones (neé Matthew) has been writing poems, prose and researching the pioneer families of the Rodney District for the last forty years. At 96 she has published four books with a fifth due out in April 2011. The history of the region is blended into the writing, as is a sense of how life was in the earlier part of the twentieth century in rural New Zealand. All her writing was handwritten, first in cursive script, then in print and then ten years ago she learnt how to use a computer and started typing! All the books are available from Paper Plus in Warkworth or from Bevan Jones (bevan.jones@biosecurity.net.nz or 0272 307 184). Shadows on my Wall ($40) Errol’s memoirs are of a Clan who were gentle and soft-spoken. None were imperious or didactic, but one was aware of grace and strength beneath the quiet exterior and of a latent power, a doggedness, which stemmed from their Scot’s heritage. The book is divided into four parts. The first part investigates the history of four of the pioneering families of the area. These are the Matthew family (Errol’s paternal ancestors), the Meiklejohn family (Errol’s maternal ancestors), the Darroch family and the Jones Family. Part Two looks at Matakana and the pioneers who lived there. Parts Three and Four about Errol’s parents and her life in Matakana, at Jones’ Road and in Warkworth. This and That ($30) This book is a collection of poems written over the last thirty years. There are a couple of hundred items of verse, poetry, doggerel, ballads and prose. The majority are factual, recounting the history of the Matakana region, childhood and adult life on the farm and in town. Errol has written a series of poems called Mod’ Cons, which cover the social history of New Zealand and afar from the 1960s to the 1990s. Floral Arrangements ($12) Floral Arrangements is a small book paying tribute to the flowers and plants that have been so much a part of Errol’s life. From living in Matakana with such fertile ground and the abundance of the Matthew Brothers Nurseries this provided inspiration for the poems contained in this book. Words About Birds ($15) Words About Birds is a collection of poems that were written as ‘fillers’ between other poems about Errol’s ancestors and life in Matakana. Many of these poems are about birds that live in the Rodney District. Only some of the many birds in the region have been written about, there is a yawning gap for other poets to fill. Family Sagas – due to be published April 2011 This book is a collection of prose and poetry about the pioneering families of the Rodney District. Ballads about the Matthew, Meiklejohn, Darroch, Jones, MacLeod and Dunning families are interspersed with prose about Immigration to New Zealand, Omaha, Scotland and information about Patrick Matthew. The Meiklejohn Saga is one of the poems in the book and can also be found at www.meiklejohn.org February 2010 Newsletter A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC 35211 2010 Picnic The Picnic this year is on 21 March and will be combined with a trip down the Mahurangi River on the Jane Gifford. Sailing time is 10.30am. Please arrive no later than 9.45am as due to tides there can be no delay to the departure time. Our base for the day is the hall of Rodney Lodge – above Westpac and opposite the Old Masonic Hall in Baxter Street – the wharf and an enclosed children’s playground is nearby. We have the hall from 9.00am until 5.00pm – kitchen facilities are available. Riverside walks are nearby. Depending on the level of support – ‘The Janey’ has a 100 person capacity – there will be either one sailing of up to 3 hours or two sailings of approximately 90 minute duration. Please come prepared with food and drink for the possibility of the longer trip. ‘The Janey’ has toilet facilities but only limited shelter. The cost of either sailing is $15 per adult and $5.00 per child (14 years and under). Bookings or enquiries to Noel Meiklejohn – phone (09) 818 4953 or email – nl.ar.meiklejohn@actrix.gen.nz. Priority bookings for family members close on 14 March after which bookings will be available to other interested persons. We have chartered ‘The Janey’ for the day so we have committed a significant sum. Payment can be sent with the attached slip otherwise or a phone/email booking can be made that commits you to payment. In the event of cancellation the fare is non-refundable but you will receive a voucher for a public sailing of ‘The Janey’. Any cancellation decision will be made on 20 March and posted on the website by 3.00pm. You can contact Noel after this time if you do not have internet access. Obituaries we regret to advise the passing of – Val Meiklejohn (wife of Barrie M of Brisbane) Donations Thanks to Bill M of Whangarei for his donation to the trust of the 1921 book by W D Meiklejohn – Some Old-Timers of New Zealand. The tax year ends on 31 March so time to think about a tax rebateable donation to keep the activities of the trust ongoing. Deed The process for filing revisions to the deed has taken longer than anticipated and the new election process will not take place prior to this year’s Picnic. Once the new deed is in place there will be the power for the trustees to co-opt trustees. Anybody wanting to be involved in the trust should record their interest with Des Meiklejohn. 1907 Wedding photo Thomas Knaggs and Lenore Darroch A large scale photo will be on display at the Picnic where orders will be taken. Newspaper article from 1857 The following article appeared in the Edinburgh Herald on 1 August 1857 and could well have first appeared in the Liverpool Daily Post. It was subsequently reproduced in the Hobart Town Mercury (Tasmania) on 30 October 1857 and in the Otago Daily Times on 28 November 1857. ROMANCE OF THE SEA. – An adventurous Leith family In the Birkenhead Dock there is now lying as pretty a little craft as ever hoisted a sail, the brigantine Union, Captain James Mucklejohn. Connected with this little “plougher of the deep” is a small romance which will doubtless be interesting not only to the nautical, but to the general reader. The Union is a model craft, and her commander is a ditto a seaman. The peculiarity of this case is this, that the vessel was built, is commanded, and crewed all by one family; and, moreover, sea service has been rendered by the wife of the master and mother of the crew. Captain James Mucklejohn is a native of Leith, a hardy Scot. Having in his youth to encounter obstacles which ever beset those who aspire to make their way in the world, he resolved to fight with them like a man; and with that determination of action for which his country is so distinguishable he set himself to work to follow out to success one given course of life. Like all sensible men, the first want he found to the accomplishment of the object he had determined upon was a wife, a good one, and he happened to be fortunate in his choice. He engaged and consummated with a bonny lass from Inverness. His domestic position now being settled, he emigrated with her to Prince Edward’s Island about 26 years ago. A virtuous marriage is generally followed by a beneficial result. Natural contingencies resulted in this case; the family grew up all sons, and no one family appeared to live more happily, not even that of Noah’s ark, the beasts, of course, accepted. They settled down in the colony of Prince Edward’s Island as farmers, and were prospering. As early aspirations in love lead to disquietude, so does early occupation oftentimes to discontent in position. The father had been brought up as a shipwright, and the sons had been originally taught the same trade. Notwithstanding the beauties of the broadfields, and the charms of rural life, a ship to them was more attractive than a farm. “They took counsel together,” and determined upon entering upon the ship-building trade. Prince Edward’s Island swarms with trees. Their axes went to work, and they hewed them down. A determined course of proceeding had now been come to. In process of time they constructed some vessels entirely with their own hands, except the smith’s work, and brought them for sale to Liverpool, These vessels were sold by Messrs. Wilson & Co, of this port; the first one, the Isabel, of 140 tons, in 1852: in 1853, the Bee, of 97 tons, and in 1854, the Success, of 230 tons ; and, in addition to the occupation of farming and the act of shipbuilding, the family acquired the art of seamanship and navigation. Genius, however is always restless, always endeavouring, and ever accomplishing. This family of unison had long had a desire to try their fortunes at the antipodes as farmers, or, perhaps, the temptations of the goldfields of Australia or New Zealand offered more inducements to the creation of wealth. They therefore came to the determination of leaving Prince Edward’s Island. How was this to be accomplished in a compact? After a family consultation, the father urged that the only way was to build a ship; the sons agreed with him, and they set to work, and built, entirely with their own hands, the brigantine Union, and fitted her out expressly to convey them to New Zealand. They launched her at Prince Edward’s Island on the 22nd of May, 1856, and sailed on the 24th of the next month with a cargo of timber for Belfast, where she arrived in 23 days – the Union being manned exclusively (save that Mrs. Mucklejohn invariably sails with the lot) by one family, Captain Mucklejohn, and his sons, James, John, Alexander, William, Robert and Lemuel. The second son Septimus, “had married a wife,” and therefore “could not come,” or, rather, “go”. In Belfast they “coppered their good and trusty ship” and otherwise fitted her for a long voyage (matters which could not well be done on the island), and then left in ballast for Cardiff, where they took in coals for Alicante, in Spain, arriving there in eighteen days. They next proceeded south, taking a cargo of wine to Rio Janeiro, making the run in 90 days: thence to Montevideo, with salt taken from the cargo, of an American ship, in 14 days. By these means, that is, by a trading voyage, they were gradually approaching their destination, and making the speculation lucrative. But here, from some unexplained cause – probably the temptation of a good freight-the course was altered, and Captain Mucklejohn was induced to take in a cargo of bones and bone-ash at Pysondu for this port, leaving the River Plate on the 31st March. When out a short time they encountered a terrific gale, “the little ship trembled but never shrank” she battled with the waves “as would a mother for her child,” and being nearly overwhelmed, was, providentially saved by a sudden change of wind. The adventurers and their own built craft arrived here on the 17th June, and are now fitting out once more for the Antipodes. After leaving the Cape, she may, probably, call at the Mauritius, thence Australia or New Zealand. Such is the history of a ship built, manned, and navigated by a single family. Publications The trust is happy to facilitate the sale of the following publications or to bring to your attention their existence – A) a recent publication – ‘The History of New Zealand Scows and Their Trades’ – author David Langdon. The book will be available for purchase at the Picnic and hopefully the author will be present.. B) ‘Ships of Omaha 1858–1921’ – authors Carol & James Ramage – available at the Picnic or email them at carol.ramage@xtra.co.nz . The book costs $49 plus postage ($7 within NZ). C) ‘The Last Landfall – Early Big Omaha History’ – author L D (Les) Meiklejohn- email Carol Ramage. Original print – 1960 – reprinted 2007. Available for $10 per copy (plus P & P). D) ‘Short History of a Pioneer Family: Founder of the Family – Life and Legends’ – author Sylvia Moore – the full version of Sylvia’s 1948 booklet is now on the website. E) Errol Jones’ book covering her life and times in and around Matakana and Warkworth – ‘Shadows on My Wall’ is with the printers and will be available with her book of poems in a couple of months. We will email further information on these publications when available. Merchandise etc We still have clothing items left over from the reunion – prices have been discounted – items and sizes are shown on the website. Stocks will be at the Picnic. Genealogy Clan Lamont – Contact has been made with the Clan Lamont Society who lists Meiklejohn as one of their Septs. It is stated that following the massacre of 300 clan members of the Lamont Clan by the Campbells at Dunoon, on the Cowal Peninsular, in 1646 that many Lamont families changed their names and moved off elsewhere – according to the secretary of the Clan the McLymonts became Meiklejohn. The Lamonts are one of the oldest clans in Scotland claiming lineage to the ancient Kings of Ireland possibly as early as 503AD. The Mustard family A descendant of the Mustard family has made contact. All of Catherine’s siblings other than the youngest were born at Nigg in Rosshire. The family then moved to Resolis in the Black Isle. Janet, Catherine’s sister, married a Thomas Home and their family lived there until they moved to Inverness in 1870. Goldsworthy web page Ian Wilson advises that the Goldsworthy story and photos can now be found at – http//:family-research-wilson.site11.com/002/index.html A trip to Scotland/England For those fortunate to be travelling to Scotland and England the following places may be of interest – maybe time for your own research – St Blazey (Cornwall) – the birth place of John Goldsworthy Islay in the Inner Hebrides – the birth place of John McGechie’s father – Archibald Leith – the home of JSM’s parents William and Bell Mucklejohn – a William Meiklejohn lived in Giles Street in 1841 and his property was sold in 1851 Nigg – the birthplace of Catherine Mustard and nearby Resolis – the next home of her parents Kirkcudbrightshire – the home of Cordelia’s Aitken connections – in the 1600’s a relative was the ‘Laird of Rhys/Jockley and Auchenhay’ Douglas Castle near the village of Douglas – said to be where Cordelia’s grandmother – Catherine Ann Douglas – was born. From ‘Papers Past’ A Mrs Meiklejohn and family left Auckland for the UK in 1898 In the Auckland paper – The Daily Southern Cross of 13 November 1867 – a Mr W Meicklejohn of PEI was appointed ‘Emigration Agent’ for Province of Auckland. W D Meiklejohn of Big Omaha applied for a patent 1 June 1906 – A gum diggers hook. Our mailing list – We have ‘lost’ the following – any help with new addresses/email addresses would be appreciated – John Darroch/Jane Meiklejohn/Johnson Birdsall/Mike Birdsall/Jody Langdon/Lloyd and Annie Darroch/Bob & Jude Gordon/Jane Cunningham/Jocelyn Smith. Trustees – Des Meiklejohn (Chair), Graham Alison (Vice Chair/Treasurer), Ken Meiklejohn (Secretary), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Postal address is – BOMHT P O Box 28018 Remuera, Auckland 1541. Our email address for now is – desmeiklejohn@gmail.com Website – www.meiklejohn.org ********************************* BIG OMAHA MARITIME HISTORICAL TRUST Newsletter – November 2009 A trust registered under the Charities Act – CC35211 Annual gathering We have planned an outing on the Jane Gifford down the Mahurangi River on Sunday 21 March 2010. Centre of activity for the day will be the Old Masonic Hall on the riverfront in Warkworth. Our plan at this stage depends on the level of interest but the programme might be – arrival 10.00am to 10.30am – AGM 10.30am – on the Jane Gifford from 11.00am. The capacity of the Jane is 100 persons – the high tide is noon – so there may be two trips of one hour duration or if numbers are less than 100 then a longer voyage. Watch out for more information in the February newsletter but enter the date in your diary now. Happenings The past year has seen the efforts of family members come to fruitition – A) A flagpole was donated to the Whangateau Hall – thanks to Sally Meiklejohn for organising this and to Lyn Berquist for the final touches. B) Signs were placed on and near the Big Omaha wharf by the ARC describing the history off the use of the adjoining area including shipbuilding – many thanks to Carol Ramage for helping with the accuracy of the signage content. C) The efforts of the Jane Gifford Restoration Society saw her return to Warkworth under her own steam in May last. Survey was completed last month and fare paying passengers are now being carried. The trustees are attempting to secure a permanent display area for family memorabilia and an area for a photographic display of local shipbuilding a century or more ago. Website The website has a number of new additions since the February newsletter – 66 photos added – half of these from the albums of Errol Jones to whom we are extremely grateful. Errol turned 95 years of age earlier this month – many congratulations to her. Many of these are photos of the Big Omaha area taken about one hundred years ago. A lot of new material has been added particularly on the Mustards, the Goldsworthys, the Aitken/Alley families and the McGechies. New sections have been added covering the third generation – all contributions to knowledge about this generation of our forebears would be very much appreciated. Publications The trust is happy to facilitate the sale of the following publications – A) a new book – ‘The History of New Zealand Scows and Their Trades’ – author David Langdon – see promotion slip attached to this newsletter. The publication would make an excellent Xmas gift. Mail out of orders will occur immediately after 12 December and the end of January, February and March. We hope to have David speak to our annual gathering in March. B) ‘Ships of Omaha 1858 – 1921’ – authors Carol & James Ramage – email them at carol.ramage@xtra.co.nz . The book costs $49 plus postage ($7 within NZ). It is about the Ships built at Omaha by the Meiklejohn family, David Darroch, the Matheson family and a few others. It briefly introduces each family and then writes about their ships in chronological order. C) ‘The Last Landfall – Early Big Omaha History’ – author Leslie Douglas Meiklejohn who lived in the district all his 80 years of life and recorded his history and some recollections of the previous generation – email Carol Ramage. Originally printed in 1960 it has been reprinted in 2007 and is available for $10 per copy (plus packaging and postage). NB The above three books will be available for purchase at the March gathering. D) ‘Short History of a Pioneer Family: Life and Legends’ – author Sylvia Moore – the full version of Sylvia’s 1948 booklet will be available early in the New Year from our website in e-book form at a reasonable cost. E) Errol Jones has in final draft a book covering her life and times in and around Matakana and Warkworth – ‘Shadows on My Wall’ – this is a limited run book that should be available early on in the New Year – keep watch for the release – we will try and keep you informed of when and where to secure a copy. About the same time Errol’s book of poetry should also be published. Merchandise etc We still have clothing items left over from the reunion – prices have been discounted – items and sizes are shown on the website. Audio recording of family history We have recently bought a digital voice recorder to tape recollections of history – we are happy to lend out the device for a couple of weeks at a time for a small donation. Donations Many thanks to the following for their donation to our funds since the last newsletter – Kerry & Wendy Moore, Carol & James Ramage, Beryl Rathe, Gordon & Barbara Beals, Pam & Ian Sclater, Glen & Albert Wedge, Jill & Colin Cunningham, Debbie Meiklejohn, Graham Alison, Des & Glenys Meiklejohn, Ken & Pat Meiklejohn. Remember that donations qualify for a tax rebate. Tartan Since 2006 there has been a Meiklejohn tartan registered – a web look up for Meiklejohn Tartan needed to see colour mix – regn # 3175 – green and blue with white and red stripe. Obituaries We regret to advise the passing since February of – Dorothy Roper, Venita Meiklejohn, Margaret Matheson and Jean Bain. Family tree Kerry Moore keeps the family tree records. There are now 1188 direct descendants and 576 spouses listed covering nine generations. This newsletter goes out to 230 individuals and family groups. Kerry would appreciate being kept informed of births, deaths and marriages. There is a form on the website to facilitate this. 1907 Wedding photograph From Errol Jones albums we have been fortunate to obtain a copy of a photograph of the guests at the wedding of Lenore, eldest child of 13 of David & Vida Darroch (nee Meiklejohn) to Wilson Knaggs – April 1907. The photo included in the Gallery section of the website shows the 3rd generation in their early thirties and some of the 4th generation. We believe a bulk order would keep costs down as well as leave something for the trust. The photo will be 12” X 8” and will cost $20 each – postage paid. A sample will be at the picnic – orders will be taken there as well as by post to our address at the foot of this newsletter – all photos to be mailed out in early April. Below are the names of those in the photo with the number referencing being to the ‘head plan’ that will be provided with the photo. 1 William Meiklejohn 2 William Dunning 3 Robert Neeley 4 Charles Bond (Snr) 5 Clara Meiklejohn 6 Norah Meiklejohn 7 Stephen Darroch 8 Enard Darroch 9 Charlotte Meiklejohn 10 Mr Knaggs (Snr) 11 Mrs Knaggs 12 Verena Darroch 13 Eliza Williams 14 Charlena Bond 15 Sarah Knaggs 16 Ethel Birdsall 17 Martha Whitaker 18 Ida Darroch 19 Hilda Darroch 20 Vida Darroch 21 Catherine Meiklejohn 22 Melinda Meiklejohn 23 Daphne Darroch 24 Watt Darroch 25 Harvey Darroch 26 Wilson Knaggs 27 Gladys Warin 28 Dorothy Warin 29 Eliza Warin 30 Connie Meiklejohn 31 Charles Holder 32 Donald Jones 33 Lenore Knaggs 34 Marcia Birdsall 35 Elsie Birdsall 36 Bowden Birdsall 37 Ethel Meiklejohn 38 Heber Meiklejohn 39 Bertha Darroch 40 Janet Darroch 41 Sergeant Meiklejohn 42 Lexie Meiklejohn 43 Arnold Meiklejohn 44 Will Alley Darroch 45 Isabella Matheson 46 David Darroch 47 Annie Harper 48 Jane Meiklejohn 49 Catherine Meiklejohn50 Lewis Meiklejohn 51 Eleanor Meiklejohn 52 Duncan Knaggs 53 Alex Meiklejohn 54 Maggie Harper 55 Catherine Croker 56 Warin? 57 Warin? 58 Jamesie Darroch 59 Wilfred Meiklejohn 60 Stella Meiklejohn 61 ? 62 Michael Smith 63 Elizabeth Smith 64 Cordelia Meiklejohn 65 Bertha Holder 66 Alvyn Meiklejohn 67 Edgar Meiklejohn NB The photos of Daphne D. and Alvyn M. are blurred. Genealogy The next newsletter will cover topics such as Clan Lamont, new contacts such as with the family of Janet Mustard – Catherine’s family in Scotland and with Cordelia’s family in Canada. Trust deed With the trust having now well in place the trustees are planning changes to the trust deed to provide more democracy to the election of trustees and to ensure control remains within the family. The changes, which are subject to regulatory approval, will assist in giving more certainty to those family members who want to gift, bequeath or loan memorabilia/artifacts and know that they are going to stay within the control of the wider family. In drafting the new deed the trustees have allowed for membership under several categories – A) Associates – Spouses of direct descendants and their children under 18 years plus others who wish to maintain an interest in the activities of the trust B) Family members – Direct descendants 18 years and older who shall have voting rights C) Life members – direct descendants who by payment of a nominated amount become life members D) Honorary Life Members – elected to that position. There will be no subscription attached to belonging to the trust. The AGM would be held at the time of the annual gathering – usually March – voting shall be by postal ballot. The draft of the new deed is now ‘posted’ on the website. If there are any comments please forward them so they may be considered for the final document. Subject to the approval of the proposed new deed nominations for trustees will close on 22 February 2010 with advice of nominees set out in the next newsletter. Nomination forms will be posted on the website by 31 January 2010 so if you want to be a trustee get a nomination in before the end of January. Trustees – Des Meiklejohn (Chair), Graham Alison (Vice Chair/Treasurer), Ken Meiklejohn (Secretary), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn and Kerry Moore. Postal address is – BOMHT P O Box 28018 Remuera 1541. Our email address is – Meiklejohn-family@googlegroups.com On behalf of the Trust and the wider family – ‘All the very best for the Festive Season and for the year ahead’. ******************************** MEIKLEJOHN FAMILY NEWSLETTER – FEBRUARY 2009 P O Box 676 Warkworth 0941 Contact – Sally Meiklejohn (09) 422 4095 Email – s_meiklejohn@ihug.co.nz 2009 Picnic Date: 14 March 2009 Location – Foreshore/Dacre’s Claim/Whangateau At this picnic we’ll have the company of Gordon and Barbara Beals – all the way from the USA! Gordon (brother of Stan) – unfortunately suffered ill-health at the time of the reunion but they decided they would come for the picnic instead.. Please do come to the picnic and welcome them! The new flagpole adjacent to the Whangateau Hall funded by the family in commemoration of the 150th reunion should be erected by the time of the picnic. Bring all you will need to picnic or barbecue, high tide is around 1030am..etc Wet weather contact – Sally. Obituaries Jack Meiklejohn John Neil Meiklejohn (1915-2009) was always proud of his Scottish ancestry. As a great-grandson of James Strange Meiklejohn who farmed and pioneered the shipbuilding industry in the 1860’s in Big Omaha he had a life long interest in the rural scene especially farming, boating and fishing. As one who held firmly to Christian values he was a benefactor to many charities. He had a long and happy marriage of over sixty years to Mona Porter and is now reunited with his “Sweetie” as he called her. Jean Meiklejohn It is with sadness that we advise the passing of Jean, wife of Jock on 3 February 2009. Jean was diagnosed with cancer last year and died peacefully in Te Puke. Jean leaves behind Jock and her children Gordon, Judy, Raewyn and Brian, their partners, children and grandchildren. Jean was extensively involved in the community during her life and got her final wish of a colourful celebration of her life with many memories shared on her day. Note – Please provide Sally with any obituary the deceased’s family would like included in the next newsletter. The Future In recent years the organising body has been the Meiklejohn Family committee. In early 2007, with the legal fees paid by the family, a trust was set up (the Big Omaha Maritime Historical Trust) to raise money for projects, to receive either by donation or loan and to hold any memorabilia or artifacts that family members wanted to pass into the long term care of the wider family. Also the trust has power to fund research into and the recording of the arrival in NZ of the family and the heritage they and subsequent generations created. The restoration of JSM’s ship’s logs was one such project. After the workload of the reunion has dropped away it has become more obvious that the activity of the trust and what the family committee will overlap to the point where the objectives of both can more easily be met by having only one body. Accordingly the committee has resolved to wind up and transfer the residual funds of approximately $6,000 plus any merchandise stock to the trust. With the recent approval of the trust as a charity in the meaning of the charities legislation these funds will be received as a donation and qualify as ‘raised funds’ if any grants are applied for. The trustees of the BOMHT are Graham Alison (Chair), Ian Meiklejohn, Noel Meiklejohn, Sally Meiklejohn, Simon Meiklejohn, Kerry Moore. No doubt on the future agenda of the trust will be – a) maintaining the family links and distinctive spirit that has been evident since the committee came into being b) establishing a subscription/donation base to meet annual costs such as this mail out and to pay for such costs as gravesite maintenance c) identifying worthwhile projects that can be advanced by donations and grants d) an attempt to bring to fruition the long held thought of having a permanent display of Meiklejohn heritage artifacts. Before implementing the resolution the committee would like input from family members either through – a) contact with committee members, or b) through an informal meeting to be held on the foreshore at Dacre’s Claim, Whangateau at 11.00am on 14 March 2009. Donors Many thanks to the following donors since the reunion – Craig Meiklejohn, Graeme Meiklejohn, Maureen Peacock and Michael Raynes. We have an annual budget of in excess of $1,250 per annum for newsletters, website fees, gravesite maintenance etc. With no regular source of income we rely on donations from family members. A $20 donation from each of the families on our mailing list to BOMHT (tax deductible to you) would ensure that we can continue to keep the wider family informed and together. Merchandise We will have available at the Picnic what we have left of the clothing etc from the reunion. These items are for sale at a hefty discount. Also on sale will be the following publications – The Ships of Omaha, Last Landfall plus the two CDs – photos of the reunion and the digitization of the JSM ship’s logs. A listing of available merchandise is on the website – subject to prior sale. Website Recent additions include a) photos of Leith and of Catherine’s home region of Nigg and Cromarty b) a genealogy page containing research into JSM’s parents and of any connection to the Meiklejohns of Caithness in the Highlands. Genealogy  The Spouses – our documented history and interests of the spouses of the first three generations (Catherine (Mustard), her sons wives Anna Maria (Goldsworthy), Cordelia (Alley) and Jane (McGechie) and of the wives and husbands of their families is very limited. Any input would be gratefully received. Separate section headings will be established on the website to allow information on the four wives named above to be accumulated. Likewise if there are photos of these family members we would like to add the images to our website. The hunt for William and Bell Mucklejohn (married 1805) – on our website Des has posted some research he has done into what, if any, connection William had to the Highlands and also around Leith. We know that JSM, his two brothers and his sister were born at Leith. The only lead to a William in Leith is one living at Giles Street at the time of the 1841 census (the 1st in Scotland) – aged 61 years at the time. A William of Giles Street with the occupation of wine and spirit dealer died in 1847 and his will is on the public record. A Robert (the name of one of JSM’s brothers) advertised, presumably, his father’s business in Giles Street and cellar plus tenement in an April 1851 issue of The Scotsman. Possibly this William had a connection to the Meiklejohn’s Brewery family of Alloa, Clackmannan but this hasn’t been established. The Giles Street area had a few connections to the brewing and wine and spirit trade – today the 17th century building – The Vaults – at 89 Giles Street is home to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. History records that the cellars of the building were built in the 12th century by abbotts. The various family trees that are in circulation, including un-researched