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edited by Fiona McPherson

A personal history of early New Zealand, told through the correspondence of a leading Oamaru family. 

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A personal history of early New Zealand, told through the correspondence of a leading Oamaru family. 

 

The ‘black 1880s’ were a hard time for many in New Zealand, and this was felt across society — for young men struggling to establish themselves and ‘patriarchs’ alike.

Such a patriarch was George Sumpter, prominent citizen of Oamaru, sometime Mayor, Provincial Representative, father of eleven, and general wheeler-dealer. And such a young man was Richard Davies, a Welsh immigrant who came to work for George and, in the best tradition of fairy tales, fell in love with George’s first-born child.

Richard had to prove his ability to support George’s much-loved daughter, and so he was sent to ply his trade in Rakaia. Not quite the same as slaying a dragon! But times were hard, and Richard wasn’t the only young man to find gaining a wife a decided challenge.

From this separation, and Emma’s later separation from her parents and many siblings, we are fortunate to have a great deal of correspondence that has been kept in the family. These letters provide a fascinating window into the social and economic life of New Zealand’s European settlers, and into life in early Oamaru and Rakaia in particular.

 

Letters to Emma tells one story of how New Zealand was built in the later years of the nineteenth century. Companion website

 

 

 

Publication date: March, 2018

File size: 198 pages / 34 Mb (mobi) 15 Mb (ePub)

ISBN:

978-1-927166-16-1 (pdf)

978-1-927166-18-5 (epub)

978-1-927166-17-8 (mobi)

 

 

 

Preface

Beginnings

The patriarch

Roots of the family tree

First beginnings in Oamaru - John Lemon's story

George marries

George, businessman & politician

George the family man

His honour the Mayor!

Our hero enters the story

We introduce our hero

Richard makes his case

Richard the lover

The lovers are parted!

Richard the businessman

Richard the pining lover

Married at last!

Tough times for Richard & Emma

The family in 1884-5

Epilogue

Appendix

Richard & Emma's children

Sumpters

Newells

Davies

Lemons

References

Name index