Jack Baxter
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John Watson Baxter (1862 - 1941)

John Watson (Jack) Baxter
Born in At Sea; on board the William Miles, enroute to New Zealandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 3 Apr 1895 in St Matthew's Church, Auckland, New Zealandmap
Descendants descendants
Died at age 78 in Devonport, Auckland, New Zealandmap
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Profile last modified | Created 27 Aug 2015
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Biography

Name: John Watson BAXTER Born: 12 Oct 1862 at birth at sea on "William Miles"

Thames Advertiser, Volume X, Issue 2813, 18 December 1877 THAMES SCHOOL EXAMINATION. The annual examination and distribution of prizes in connection with the Thames School took place yesterday, in presence of a goodly number of visitors. The schoolroom was nicely decorated for the occasion by the scholars attending the schools, and the proceedings commenced at two o'clock with recitations, &c., by the children of the first and second classes in both schools. The Chairman of the School Committee (Mr W. Davies) presided, and the Rev. V. Lush and others were present. After the recitations, prizes for which will bo awarded by the committee, the children favoured the visitors with a specimen of their singing capabilities.... The children were then each presented with a bag of confectionery...The following is the award of the prizes in each class: - Upper First Closs—Arithmetic, .. John Baxter; grammar,

THAMES ADVERTISER, VOLUME XI, ISSUE 3193, 14 December 1878 "During the last fortnight the annual written examinations hare been going on at St. George's Grammar School (Mr D. Schofield's). Yesterday the distribution of prizes, prior to the Christmas vacation, took place. The following is the order of merit of the prize- takers 6th class: W.C. Atkinson, Latin, French, history, and geography; J. Judd, second Latin, arithmetic, and grammar; J. Atkinson, reading, second History; J. W. Baxter, writing, second French."

Thames Advertiser,Thames Advertiser, Volume XIV, Issue 4011, 5 September 1881 " Mr J. W. Baxter, a promising young operator of tho Telegraphic Department, has been instructed to proceed to the Auckland office, whence he leaves this morning. We wish Mr Baxter success, but at the same time regret his departure from the Thames. " Compare this salary with that of his brother/s in 1881 Bear in mind that these are printed as at 31 March so would mainly apply to the previous year

Thames Baxter, T. N., Messenger, Telegraph. Salary 40 pounds Thames, Baxter, J W., Telegraphist, Salary, 130 pounds Thames, Baxter, J. N. Messenger, Telegraph, Salary 36 pounds The following year, there Thames Telegraphist Salary £140

This is big money for the time - as Telegraphists were involved with 'cutting edge' technology, and were highly regarded. They dressed better than stockbrokers

1885 Thames Messenger Telegraph Salary £120 1887 Telegraphist Ponsonby Electoral Roll James Nimmo Baxter, England St, Warehouseman, Thomas Nimmo Baxter, England St, Telegraphist John Watson Baxter, Fernleigh St, Telegraphist' Robert Baxter, Fernleigh St, Bank Clerk

The four brothers were founding members of the West End Rowing Club, and keen sportsmen, involved in athletics, cricket and rugby.[1] [2]**

On April 5 1884, Jack was witness to a fatal accident in Albert Street; reported THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT IN ALBERT-STREET.,New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6984, 5 April 1884. I can't help but wonder whether he too witnessed the murder of three children in Thames, where his mother 'disarmed' the axe woman.

In 1887, JWB is in his element following Rugby success, and "settling down to songs and toasts presented by Mr. J.W. Baxter" AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME XVIII, ISSUE 242, 15 OCTOBER 1887. At the time he weighed 10 stone 2 pounds (the same as his brother James Nimmo Baxter) according to Rowing Regatta information in the Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 292, 12 December 1887.

28 June 1888 saw Jack elected as the Treasurer and Secretary of the Civil Service Football Club, FOOTBALL.,New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9092, 28 June 1888.

TABLE TALK. AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME XX, ISSUE 40, 16 FEBRUARY 1889 J W Baxter is sent to Rotorua to relieve the incumbent telegraphist, who was ill with fever.

In September 1891, Jack was rowing on Lake Takapuna in the Aquatic Derby, before a large crowd. Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 227, 24 September 1891. In October he was the Judge for the trials off Ponsonby Beach. AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME XXII, ISSUE 248, 19 OCTOBER 1891

OBSERVER, VOLUME XI, ISSUE 696, 30 APRIL 1892 "Amongst the recent engagements of which I have heard is that of Miss Clara Cantlon, who is one of our successful lady vocalists, to Mr J. W. Baxter, of the Telegraph Department."

1892 Jack takes a turn at the role of Treasurer for West End Rowing Club NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME XXIX, ISSUE 8981, 12 SEPTEMBER 1892.

1893 City of Auckland electoral Roll Agnes, Shelly Beach Road Robert, Shelly Beach Road John Watson, Shelly Beach Road, telegraphist Thomas Nimmo Baxter, England St, telegraphist Elizabeth McKinlay Baxter, Jervois St, Wife AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME XXIV, ISSUE 266, 9 NOVEMBER 1893 Jack represented the Telegraph Office in the Telegraph Messengers Annual Race 100 yards!

1894 OUR CRICKETERS.,Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 35, 9 February 1894 we see JWB as Cricket Team Captain in a match between Telegraph vs Post Office, and Secretary of West End Rowing Club. On 10 November he was appointed to the Committee of the Ponsonby Regatta Club (with brother Robert elected Treasurer) Observer, Volume XV, Issue 827, 10 November 1894.[3] The following year the appointments were renewed, however Robert is now named Auditor. AQUATIC SPORTS.,Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 245, 14 October 1895[4]

1896 City of Auckland Clara Baxter, Shelly Beach Rd, Domestic duties Helen Jane Baxter, Shelly Beach Rd, Domestic duties John Watson Baxter, Shelly Beach Rd, telegraphist Robert Baxter, Shelly Beach Rd, Bank Agent Thomas Nimmo Baxter, England Street, telegraphist James Nimmo Baxter, Jervois Street, Commercial Traveller

It's very likely to have been JWB as Referee to the Judges for the Twenty Four Hours Walking Contest reported in the EVENING STAR, ISSUE 10732, 19 SEPTEMBER 1898.

1900 Class 6 J.W. Baxter age 37, telegraphist Auckland commenced 19 April 1879 salary £190 JWB contributes to The Baden Powell Fund (Boer War Fund : Mafeking) at The Herald Office, NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME XXXVII, ISSUE 11396, 12 JUNE 1900

1906 - John Watson Baxter, Telegraphist, Postal &Telegraph Department Staff Listing Auckland first appointed 19/4/1879 salary £200 1911 Telegraph Clerk

1914 Waitemata Electoral Roll Robert Baxter, Dominion Rd, Devonport, Bank teller John Watson Baxter, Dominion Rd, Dev., Telegraphist James Nimmo Baxter, Albert Rd, Dev., Comm Traveller Elizabeth Mckinlay Baxter, Albert Rd, Married John Mercer Baxter, Albert Rd, Warehouseman Margaret Hill Baxter, Albert Rd, Spinster Clara Baxter, Devonport, Married

August 1918 must have been a very worrying time, son Kenneth was severely wounded.

1919 Waitemata Electoral Roll Doris Catherine Stuart Baxter, 15 Dominion Rd, Spinster Kenneth Robert Baxter, 16 Dominion Rd, Devonport, Returned Soldier James Nimmo Baxter, Albert Rd, Dev., Comercial Traveller Elizabeth Mckinlay Baxter, Albert Rd, Married


1922 Waitemata Electoral Roll Thomas Nimmo Baxter jnr, 15 Dominion Rd, Devonport, Insurance Inspector Clara Baxter, 15 Dominion Rd, Dev, Married John Watson Baxter, 15 Dominion Rd, telegraphist Kenneth Robert Baxter, 15 Dominion Rd, Insurance clerk

1934 Auckland Street Directory J W Baxter 15 Allenby St, Devonport

There would have been much excitement in the household in late December 1932:- "TASMAN FLIGHT

DATE OF DEPARTURE PROBABLY ON JANUARY 10 KINGSFORD SMITH'S PLANS TAKING OFF FROM BEACH By Telegraph (Received December 28, 7.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 28 Preparations for the Tasman Sea flight by the Southern Cross have been almost completed. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith announced to-day that the passengers by the Southern Cross will be Mr. S. E. Nielson, secretary of the New Zealand Aero Club; Mr. J. Percival, journalist; Captain P. G. Taylor, assistant pilot and navigator; Mr. J. W. Stannage, wireless operator. The Southern Cross leaves Mascot Aerodrome on January 10 at 11 a.m. for Gerringong Beach, 80 miles south, where 660 gallons of petrol and 30 gallons of oil will be taken on board.

The flight to New Zealand commences the same evening, about the 4 p.m. low tide, or when a suitable meteorological report is available. Sir Charles is trying to borrow from the Navy a small deck watch chronometer, which would be most useful on the flight, but the Navy Board so far is reluctant to lend one. DOMINION PASSENGER LEAVING FOR SYDNEY MR. NIELSON SAILS TO-DAY Mr. S. E. Nielson, secretary of the New Zealand Aero Club, who is to accompany Sir Charles Kingsford Smith as a passenger in his flight in the Southern Cross from Australia to New Zealand next month, will sail for Sydney by the Monowai to-day. Mr. Nielson flew from New Plymouth to Auckland yesterday, his pilot being Mr. Guy Fields. While in Auckland Mr. Nielson is staying with Mr. J. W. Baxter, of Allenby Avenue, Devonport. Mr. Wilfred Kingsford Smith, brother of the noted aviator, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, and Mr. B. Shiel, aviation officer of the Vacuum Oil Company Proprietary, Limited, will arrive in Auckland from Hamilton at a late hour tonight. They will spend to-morrow making arrangements for the visit of the Southern Cross and will leave for Rotorua on Saturday morning."

1936 Auckland Street Directory J W Baxter 15 Allenby St, Devonport

Died: 30 Apr 1941. On April 30, John Watson, dearly beloved husband of Clara, and loved father of Doris, Ken, Tom and Jack. Funeral will leave his late residence, 14 Allenby Ave, Devonport on Thurs 2:30pm for O'Neill's Pt Cemetery Buried: 1941 at O'Neill's Point Cemetery, North Shore, Auckland Marriage: 03 Apr 1895 at St Matthew's Church, Auckland, New Zealand


Photo of John Watson Baxter listed on TePapa Museum website ACCESSION period responsible W3327 Telecom Museum Assorted Records c.1840 - 1988

CONTROLLING AGENCY / DEPARTMENT period responsible AALE Post Office Headquarters AAMF Telecommunications Corporation of New Zealand Limited (Telecom), Head Office

Sources

  1. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19340226.2.178.6
  2. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19340226.2.159
  3. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18941110.2.17.2
  4. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18951014.2.44

Archway (New Zealand Archives)

don't know whether this is him but http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18850131.2.22

Rowing related references:-

  • Treasurerhttp://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18920912.2.50;

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18921006.2.36 http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18870912.2.35.11 http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18891221.2.47

Rugby references:- http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18871015.2.47

Running





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It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Jack by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Jack:

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Categories: William Miles, sailed 29 July 1862