Frank Adams (1863 - 1944)

Born 8 Dec 1863 in Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Ellen (Ahern) Adams — married 9 Mar 1900 in Wellington, New Zealand

Died 23 Jul 1944 at age 80 in Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand

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Biography

Frank was the son of Frederick Adams and Eliza Hopkins and born in Blenheim.

He attended St Mary's School as a young boy with his brother George. ^[1]

He and his brother George set up a partnership. Adams Bros. involving themselves in numerous ventures.

They set up The British Picture Company in Blenheim, sourcing films for public viewings which was well patronised. Property was bought in Picton, namely High Street and Telegraph Quay and buildings erected for lease.

In 1899 Frank applied for a publicans licence to run the Federal Hotel on London Quay, Picton which he and his brother had rebuilt. Their brother Frederick installed the gas for lighting in the new establishment. Mr A Hardy was installed as a Manger for the Federal.

Numerous events were hosted by the Adams Bros. at the hotel for farewell dinners, important visitors to Picton and sporting teams. In 1900, they gave a farewell dinner for the Marlborough men, part of the Fifth Contingent, who were setting off to South Africa.

That same year he married Mary Ellen Ahern. No children were born during their marriage.

In 1901 Frank applied for a 2nd licence for the Reefers Rest Hotel in Deep Creek and installed Manager, William McCaster. Further licencing was refused on the grounds that there wasn't suitable accommodation for families.

Frank and George were also instrumental in in the completion of a road near Grovetown, Spring Creek, close to the railway crossing, and later this was dedicated to them and named Adams Bros Road.

Frank Adams lost his house in Manse St in 1905 when the 8 room building was completely destroyed by fire. ^[2] Luckily Frank's house and furniture were all insured.

Frank and George purchased Lot 10 comprising 410 acres at Dashwood in 1912 when Dungree was subdivided. ^[3] The farm boundaries the Awatere River, State Highway 1 and the Awatere Valley. George's wife Mary Florence purchased 500 acres further up the valley in 1917 adjacent to their property.

In 1919 Frank sold off 225 acres situated in the centre (Lennox Farm) separating the two blocks. The blocks became known as GLENBRAE which were later farmed by Wilfred Gordon Adams. The land was still farmed under the estate of George Herbert Adams for decades after his death. Wilfred's daughter and her husband were the first in the family to live on the property. (Sources: The Awatere Valley: today and yesterday. Published Awatere Valley Women’s Division of Federated Farmers, 2nd edition, 1988)

In 1922, Frank was one of 3 appointed as members of the Dominion Land Purchase Board. Frank and brothers John and Frederick registered their company 'F W ADAMS & Co Ltd' in 1930.

Frank involved himself in community affairs and was on the Committee of the Wairau River Board and later Chairman. ^[4] He was also active in the family Butcher Shop and was a member of the local Bowls and Cricket Teams.

Frank Adams passed away age 80 and is buried at Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim. Blk 16 plot 24

Sources

• Personal knowledge
• "New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGXS-HWW9 : 4 January 2018), Frank Adams, 1944; citing Death, New Zealand, registration number 1944/25530, Archives of New Zealand, Wellington.
• "New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24V-YB8V : 27 November 2017), Frank Adams, 1883; citing Birth, New Zealand, registration number 1883/17587, Archives of New Zealand, Wellington.

• https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz Birth 1883/17587

• https://marlborough.govt.nz/services/cemeteries/cemetery-records-search

• https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz Marlborough Express, Evening Post Out of copyright

• http://canterburyphotography.blogspot.com Photos with permission'

• Find A Grave: Memorial #161102689

1. ↑ https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MEX18761230.2.13?query=frank%20adams&items_per_page=50&phrase=2&page=2&start_date=01-01-1868&end_date=01-01-1920&snippet=true&title=MEX&type=ARTICLE,ILLUSTRATION
2. ↑ https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MEX19050425.2.17.1?query=frank%20adams&items_per_page=50&phrase=2&start_date=01-01-1868&end_date=01-01-1920&snippet=true&title=MEX&type=ARTICLE,ILLUSTRATION
3. ↑ https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/imageserver/newspapers/P29pZD1NRVgxOTEyMTIwOS4yLjIzLjE2JmNvbG9yPTMyJmV4dD1naWYmYXJlYT00JiZ3aWR0aD00Mzc= Marlborough Express 9 Dec 1912
4. ↑ https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MEX19120104.2.50?query=frank%20adams&items_per_page=50&phrase=2&page=2&start_date=01-01-1868&end_date=01-01-1920&snippet=true&title=MEX&type=ARTICLE,ILLUSTRATION

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Faye Whitfield for starting this profile.

Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Faye and others.