Albert Edward Feilding Boyd (1889 - 1965)

Born 14 Jan 1889 in Feilding, Manawatu, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Eliza (Anderson) Boyd — married 31 Dec 1906 in Feilding, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 10 Jul 1965 at age 76 in Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Helen Gadd [send private message]

Biography

Albert Edward Feilding Boyd was born on 14 January 1889 at Feilding, the son of William Boyd, as named, and Ellen Boyd formerly Death. His birth certificate further recorded William was a settler aged 38 and had been born in Taranaki. Ellen was aged 36 and had been born in Bury St Edmonds, England. The informant of the birth was father William Boyd, of Feilding. ^[1]
He was generally known as Bert.

As a young boy Albert lived with his family on a farm of 264 acres situated within the Manchester Block, off Midland Road. He told his children how he would stand in cow pats to keep his feet warm on cold winter mornings while living on the farm. He broke his foot while living there and as medical attention was not sought his bones didn't knit correctly, leaving him with a life long disability.

Albert and siblings attended Aratika School.
From the Feilding Star dated 27 January 1894, Pg 1 [in part] -
ARATIKA SCHOOL. TEA, CONCERT, DANCE, &c.
A picnic in connection with the Aratika school was held in one of Mr Colby’s paddocks, at the junction of Midland and Valley roads, yesterday. At about one o’clock the children attended the school, and some of their relations and friends, began to assemble. Unfortunately heavy rain commenced to fall early in the afternoon, but cleared up later in the day, so the games and races had to be abandoned for a while, all taking refuge in Mr Colby’s woodshed, which was decorated with ferns and evergreens, where the time was made to pass enjoyably. Several races were run previous to the rain falling, and cash prizes were given to the first, second, and third in each event. ... The winners of the races were: [List included] Boys’ Race – Robert Boyd 2. Girls’ Race – Mary Boyd 1. Small Boys’ Race - Bert Boyd 1. Small Girls’ Race – Jane Boyd 3. ... The children who were successful in passing their standards at the annual examination in September last were presented with prizes, as follows, Mrs W. C. Smith making the presentations: - Standard I. [List included] Robert Boyd.

After financial troubles the farm was sold and they rented the house from the new owner before moving back into Feilding itself.

School records state Albert Boyde [sic] started at Manchester Street School, Feilding on 29 March 1894. His parent was named as William Boyde, of Manchester St. Albert left this school on 30 March 1899 to go to Pohangina. ^[2]

From the Feilding Star dated 18 May 1898, Pg 2 [in part] -
The following are names of the children who passed in their standard’s at the recent annual examination of the Feilding School:-
Standard I, 52 presented, all passed. [List included] Albert Boyd.

Pohangina is about 36 km north east of Feilding.

Then from The Manawatu Evening Standard dated 17 August 1900, Pg 4 -
SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS.
During the past two days Inspectors Bindon and Milne have examined the Ashhurst, Pohangina and Stoney Creek schools, and the following are the names of the children who have passed:- Standard III – [list included] Albert Boyd.

And from The Manawatu Daily Times dated 25 January 1901, Pg 3 [in part] -
POHANGINA SCHOOL PICNIC.
This annual event took place in the school grounds, Pohangina on Tuesday, Anniversary Day. The weather was splendid and the people turned out in large numbers. The day passed in an interesting manner, part of the time being spent by the scholars in outdoor competitions such as races, while the intellectual side was represented by the reading of essays previously written and judged, also by reading and recitation competitions judged on the ground. In all of these the children concerned took a deep interest and acquitted themselves very creditably. ... Boys’ Races – Standard IV – A .Boyd 2. Best Dictation, December quarter, Standard IV – A. Boyd 2. And Best Essay, “Temperance” Standard IV – A. Boyd 2. ^[3]

The family then returned to Feilding.

School records from Lytton Street School, Feilding state Albert and his two younger brothers all started school there on 9 and 10 September 1901. All three are stated to have previously attended Central School. Albert left school on 11 October 1901 to start work. ^[4]

Albert trained to be a small goods baker.

Albert Edward Boyd, as named, married Elizabeth Anderson on 31 December 1906 at the home of Joseph Darragh, West St, Feilding, where Elizabeth was employed as a domestic servant. They wore their Salvation Army uniforms. Their marriage certificate recorded Albert was a bachelor aged 17 [but would be turning 18 on the 14 January 1907] and a baker. His parents were named as William Charles Boyd, a gardener, and Helen [sic] Boyd formerly Death. Elizabeth was a spinster aged 19 years and a domestic. Her parents were named as George Halley Anderson, a cabinet maker, and Julia Anderson formerly O'Sullivan [sic]. Both were then living at Feilding. Their witnesses were Anne Elizabeth Darragh of Feilding and Clara Robertson Thurkettle of Feilding. ^[5]
Of interest Elizabeth's mother's maiden name was Lynch. O'Sullivan was Elizabeth's maternal grandmother's maiden name.
Joseph Darragh owned the local Department store in town. Papers of the time make mention of an Adjutant Thurkettle of the Salvation Army.

Their eldest child, Albert Edward Victor was born on the 10 August 1907, followed by Rita Erice on 15 October 1908, Constance Mona on 23 July 1911, Flora Jean on 5 July 1913, George Halley Anderson on 16 June 1915, Ina Esme on 14 March 1918, Sydney William on 14 March 1920 and Cicely June on 17 September 1922. Birth certificates for Albert, Constance, Flora, Sydney and Cicely all simply stated they were born in Feilding. Albert was employed as a baker when son Albert was born, as a labourer when Constance, Flora and Sydney were born and as a contractor when Cicely was born.

From the Feilding Star dated 16 October 1908 -
Birth.
On October 15th, at Grey Street, the wife of Mr A. Boyd, of a daughter. Doing well. Wanganui papers please copy. ^[6]

In both the 1911 and 1914 electoral rolls Albert and Elizabeth were recorded living at Queen St, Feilding. Albert was a labourer. ^[7]

School admission records provide details of the family's movements. Of interest it was fairly common at this time for children to be absent from school for some time (months) due to illness and usually the child would then be re-enrolled.

Manchester Street School, Feilding
Son Albert, named in the school register as Eddie, born 10 August 1907, commenced school on 11 August 1913 and left on 31 October 1913 [sic] to go to Lytton Street School. Rita, born 15 October 1908, commenced on 14 October 1914, no leaving date recorded. Constance/Connie, no date of birth recorded, was enrolled twice, first from 4 September 1916 to 29 July 1917, then from 12 September 1917 to 1 February 1918, leaving to go on to Lytton Street School. The parents name and address recorded at each of their enrolments was Albert Boyd of Sanden Rd. ^[8]

From the Feilding Star dated 3 October 1917, Pg 2 -
TO-DAY'S S.M. COURT.
Before Mr W. G. K. Kenrick, S.M., at the Court this morning. Raika Graham, Thompson Lewis, Robert Hammond, and Albert Boyd, for neglecting to send their children to school, were appropriately fined. The prosecutions were conducted by Mr C. J. D. Skinner, Truant Officer. ^[9]

Lytton Street School, Feilding
Albert Edward and Rita Erice commenced school at Lytton Street on the 4 February 1918 and Constance, born 23 July 1911, on 1 February 1918. No leaving dates were recorded. Their parents name and address was recorded as Mrs L. [Lizzie] Boyd of North St for the former two children and Mr Boyd of North St for Constance. ^[10]

The family then moved to Aorangi [just out of Feilding]. Daughter Cicely June told her children this is where she was born. Of interest Albert's mother Ellen Boyd, a widow, remarried on 16 January 1919. Albert was a witness at the wedding and stated he was then a farmer of Aorangi, Feilding.

Taonui School, Aorangi
Albert Edward attended Taonui School from 22 July 1918 to 8 December 1921. His destination on leaving was recorded simply as home. Rita Erica [sic] and Constance Mona both started school there on 23 July 1918, Rita leaving on 24 August 1921 for home. Constance left on 18 December 1921 for Aramoho School [Whanganui] then returned from 5 June 1922 to 24 August 1923 before leaving again for Feilding. Flora Jean, born 5 July 1913, commenced school on 4 February 1919, after attending Miss Fraser’s Kindergarten, and left on 25 June 1920 for Wellington [school unnamed]. She returned on 1 February 1921 and left again on 24 August 1923 for Feilding. At her enrolment her parent was named as Albert Edward Boyd of Cameron’s Line. Halley Anderson, as named, born 16 June 1915, commenced school on 5 April 1921, was re-registered on 27 October 1922, presumably after an illness, and left on 24 August 1923 for Manchester Street School, Feilding. ^[11]

Manchester Street School, Feilding
Connie, Jean and Halley, as named, all commenced at Manchester Street School on 1 October 1923. Their previous school was recorded as Taonui School. Connie left on 14 August 1925 for home, Jean left on 19 December 1928, also for home and Halley left on 2 December 1930 to go to work. Ina Esme, born 14 March 1918, was enrolled on 19 February 1924 and left in December 1924, presumably due to illness. She was then re-enrolled on 20 July 1925. Her leaving date is not recorded but she completed Standard 5 in 1932. Their parents name and address for these four enrolments was Albert Boyd of Denbigh St.
Wm. Sidney, as recorded, started school on 20 May 1925. His date of leaving was not recorded but he had completed Standard 6 in 1934. June Cecily, as recorded, commenced school on 11 November 1927. Parents name and address for the latter two enrolments was Albert Boyd of 40 Gladstone St.
Cecily June was re-enrolled on 2 February 1928 [after being ill with scarlet fever for 3 months]. At that time her parents address was given as 24 Hobson St. She was then re-enrolled on 8 November 1929 and left on 19 December 1935 to go to Castlecliff [Whanganui where elder sister Jean then lived]. For the fourth and final time June was re-enrolled on 15 April 1936 and left after completing Standard 6 in 1937 for home.
Of interest grandson Peter Taylor lived with his grandparents at Hobson St and attended Manchester Street School from 4 February 1941 to 6 October 1941, before moving back with his parents in Otaki, then again from 28 May 1945 to 20 December 1945, returning to his parents in Rotorua and finally from 22 July 1946 to 7 March 1947, before returning to his parents in Maraekakaho, Hawkes Bay. ^[12]

In the 1917 WWI Reserve list Albert was living in North St and was a contractor. ^[13]

Then in the 1919 electoral roll Elizabeth was living at Aorangi St, Feilding. Albert has not been located in that roll. In the 1925, 1928 and 1931 rolls they were living at 40 Gladstone St, Feilding and Albert was still a contractor. Then in the 1935 roll they were recorded at 24 Hobson St, Feilding. They were still living in Hobson St when Albert died in 1965. [Note: School Admission Registers recorded the family were living in Hobson St in February 1928.] ^[14]

Daughter Rita Erice Boyd died on 13 October 1927 aged 18 years of endocarditis syncope. ^[15]

From the Feilding Star dated 14 March 1928, Pg 8 -
IN BANKRUPTCY
A FEILDING PETITION
The papers of A. E. F. Boyd, labourer of Feilding, who has had a petition in bankruptcy, reveals that £14O 1s 2d is owing to unsecured creditors, the largest amounts being due to P. Power (Feilding) £23 7s. F. Taylor (Feilding) £18 4s, and Mrs S. A. Wright (Hastings) £27 12s 6d. The balance is owing in varying small amounts to tradesmen and professional men in Feilding, Wellington, Christchurch and Wanganui. The total assets are £13 18s 3d. There are no secured creditors and the deficiency is £127 16s 11d.

And from the Manawatu Standard dated 16 March 1928, Pg 7 -
IN BANKRUPTCY.
FREEZING WORKER’S FAILURE.
CREDITORS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.
(Special to “Standard.”) FEILDING, March 16.
A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of A. E. F. Boyd, freezing worker, of Feilding, was held in the Feilding Courthouse this morning, the D.O.A. (Mr C. E. Dempsy) presiding.
Bankrupt’s sworn statement of affairs was set out as follows: —"My brother and I took on a cropping contract in 1919 in which we failed badly and I have not been out of debt since then. Two years ago, however, my debts had mostly been paid off, but about this time I had much sickness in my family, especially, that of my oldest daughter, who was seriously ill for some months before she died. For the past five seasons I have been employed at the Feilding freezing works. Last year my position was made worse financially by the poor season at the works. I am a married man with seven children, six of whom are still dependent on me. This season the work has been better and I had hoped to pay off most of my present indebtedness. A certain creditor, however, issued an attachment order against my wages and in fairness to other creditors I was compelled to file. I attribute my present position to the utter failure of my cropping contract, the long continued illness of my daughter and family, together with the very short season at the freezing works last year."
EXAMINED BY OFFICIAL ASSIGNEE
In reply to the Official Assignee bankrupt said that he was still working in the freezing works and was earning about £3 per week. The highest wages he had earned were £21 per week. He was paying £1 per week rent and it cost him about £5 or £6 per week to live. He had given a statement of his wages (produced) to his solicitor (Mr Pagan). He had earned about £190 in the last three months. During that period he had paid off about £78 in back debts. Asked why he had filed when he was earning such good wages, bankrupt replied that one of his creditors had obtained a court order against him for the attachment of his wages and to protect his other creditors he had filed.
To Mr Mason bankrupt replied that the £78 had been paid off back debts only. Sickness had taken a lot of his money in cash payments. Mr Power had lent him £23 about six or eight years ago, and when Mr Power secured an order against his wages for the payment of £3 per week bankrupt filed. He admitted that his wages since December 1st were £188 9s. 10d.
Asked by Mr Mason what had become of the balance of his income after living expenses and the £78 for debts were deducted, bankrupt replied that they had gone in other expenses. He had only been to three race meetings in the last four years and had never been to any card parties. After the closing of the works last year, bankrupt stated, he went to Petone chimney sweeping. He had not earned about £7 a week as Mr Mason suggested. He could prove that he had not been to any race meetings because he had been warned off the Feilding course three years ago for bookmaking.
Questioned by the Official Assignee whether he had been a member of the “two-up” school which the police caught in Feilding sometime ago, bankrupt replied that he had not.
DID NOT INDULGE IN GAMBLING.
To Mr Eliott, bankrupt said that he did not indulge in gambling. He was warned off the Feilding course for being accused of laying a double. Bankrupt denied that he was still debarred from going on to a racecourse. Questioned regarding the £1 rent by Mr Elliott, bankrupt stated that the amount was paid in the reduction of the principal and interest off the purchase price of the property he lived on. He denied that he had stated to another person that he had filed because he (bankrupt) had a pal at the works who had filed last year and had got clear of his debts and was now putting away so much per week. He also denied that, he had filed to defeat his creditors. He admitted that Mr Power was the only creditor who had an order against his wages.
SUGGESTED OFFER TO CREDITORS.
The Official Assignee: If you say you filed to protect your creditors, what offer are you going to make them now?
Bankrupt: I think the best I can do is to offer them £1 per week.
The Official Assignee: I am not going to accept that amount with your wages. You will have to make them some better offer. Mr Dempsy went on to say that if bankrupt was earnest in his statement that he filed to protect his creditors lie should be prepared to allow an order for so much to be made against his weekly wages, and the speaker suggested that brankut [sic] consent to an order taking everything over £5 per week until the debts were paid. Bankrupt objected to this and asked for £6 per week to be allowed him, but the Official Assignee pointed out that he could not accept such a proposal as bankrupt offered and that if he did not agree to his (the Official Assignee’s) suggestion, a court order would be obtained against him for the amount.
Bankrupt then agreed to the sum suggested being taken and the examination closed without further discussion. ^[16]

Was Albert a gambler? According to family he was. Bert was also known to play pakapoo with the Chinese in Wellington. He was nearly caught in a police raid on one occasion. For a time he owned a racehorse named Sir Fox.
For information on pakapoo - https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/39429/chinese-gambling

Albert Edward Feilding Boyd died on 10 July 1965 at Palmerston North aged 76 years of bronchopneumonia, 2 days; hypertension, years; and a gastric ulcer, years. His death certificate further recorded Albert's usual address as 24 Hobson St, Feilding. He was a retired general contractor. Albert had been born in Feilding, the son of William Charles Boyd, a mixed farmer, and Ellen Boyd nee D'Arth [sic]. He was married to Elizabeth Anderson, aged 77 at his death. Albert had six living children, two sons aged 57 and 45 and four daughters aged 53, 51, 47 and 42. He was cremated on 12 July 1965 at Kelvin Grove Crematorium. ^[17]

Following Albert's death Elizabeth stayed with children [Flora] Jean, then Albert and finally with Ina Esme [Bonnie] before deciding to move into a local rest home at 204 Manchester St, Feilding.

The family home was rented by granddaughter Jenny Hodgson after Albert's death and was finally sold after Elizabeth's death.

Elizabeth Boyd died on the 1 August 1972 at 204 Manchester Street, Feilding aged 84 years of a coronary artery insufficiency, as disclosed by post mortem examination. The Coroner decided not to hold inquest. Her death certificate further recorded Elizabeth was a widow. Born on 16 November 1888 at Wanganui [sic], Elizabeth was the daughter of George Halley Anderson, a master builder, and Julia Boud nee Lynch. She had married Albert Edward Feilding Boyd in Feilding aged 19 years. Elizabeth had five children living at her death, two sons aged 64 and 52 and three daughters aged 59, 54 and 49. She was cremated at Kelvin Grove Crematorium on the 4 August 1972. ^[18]

Elizabeth's ashes were buried in a plot at Feilding Cemetery [Plot 1088, Row 65 Sub 2]. Daughter Rita had been buried in the same plot on 15 October 1927.

Memories of Albert

Cicely June Boyd [now deceased] said of her father -
Bert was 6 feet in height and mum only 5 feet, 1 inch. He was nearly blind. He would hold the newspaper in front of his face to read it but despite this would never miss a thing. One little quirk of his was to always put his felt hat on whenever he went outside, even if he was only stepping out to check the weather. He could quote the bible from front to back and is the only person I know who would welcome the Jehovah Witnesses in to discuss biblical matters. Worse still he would then follow them down the path as they left not wishing to end the discussion.
He was a Labour supporter and kept himself well advised on political matters. He also had a great sense of humour. Bert would tease "Mum", as he called her, and she would always rise to the bait. At that he would say "Alright Mrs Snapper". Bert kept a magnificent orchard.
Owing to a broken foot that knitted incorrectly as medical assistance was not sought for him during his childhood Bert was unable to walk for any distance. He would therefore ride a bike around town and was well known by the locals, who had to look out for him because, of course, Bert couldn't see them!
Bert could ice cakes beautifully. As he iced he worked his mouth to his movements. In latter years he made each of his daughter's wedding cakes and his own 25th wedding anniversary cake. Bert would make fruit cakes in boxes made from fruit cases (wooden cases).
Bert taught us children to swim in the Oroua River. He had a strict rule about always checking the riverbed with our feet for snags each time we went swimming. There was no diving until this had been done as the riverbed could change rapidly. Mum had a lovely singing voice which her father had wanted to have trained.
My parents little sayings still haunt me today. After all these years I still can't put a coat on the back of a chair without hearing mum say "Don't put it down, put it away" and if I dare say "That's near enough" there's Bert telling me "Near enough's not good enough, if you're going to do it, do it right". Another of his sayings was "Don't sweep it towards you, sweep it away".
Bert was known to gamble (pakapoo) with the Chinese in Wellington. He was nearly caught in a police raid on one occasion.
For a time he also owned a racehorse named Sir Fox.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth printout from NZ BMD
   NZ Historical BMD Index Online
   https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/home
   Registration Number; Family Name; Child's Given Name(s); Mother's Given Name(s), Father's Given Birth 1889/18060; Boyd; Albert Edward Feilding; Ellen; William
2. ↑ NZSG Kiwi Collection Version 2 - School Admissions Register transcribed by NZSG Members as part of a National Project
3. ↑ Newspaper can be viewed at Papers Past - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers
4. ↑ Lytton Street School Admissions Register sighted - held at the school
5. ↑ Marriage printout
   NZ Historical BMD Index Online
   https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/home
   Registration Number; Bride's Name; Groom's Name
   Marriage 1906/6173; Elizabeth Anderson; Albert Edward Boyd
6. ↑ Newspaper can be viewed at the Feilding Public Library or Papers Past - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers
7. ↑ New Zealand Electoral Rolls - available to view at some NZ libraries
   Some rolls are also available to view at Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010
8. ↑ Manchester Street School Admissions Register sighted - held at the school
9. ↑ Newspaper can be viewed at the Feilding Public Library or Papers Past - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers
10. ↑ Lytton Street School Admissions Register sighted - held at the school
11. ↑ NZSG Kiwi Collection Version 2 - School Admissions Register transcribed by NZSG Members as part of a National Project
12. ↑ Manchester Street School Admissions Register sighted - held at the school
13. ↑ Roll of the Second Division of NZEF Reserve - available to view at some NZ libraries on microfilm and at Ancestry.com. New Zealand, World War I Army Reserve Rolls, 1916-1917 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
14. ↑ New Zealand Electoral Rolls - available to view at some NZ libraries
    Some rolls are also available to view at Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010
15. ↑ Death printout for Rita Erice Boyd
    NZ Historical BMD Index Online
    https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/home
    Registration Number; Family Name; Given Name(s); Age at Death
    Death 1927/9835; Boyd; Rita Erice; 18Y
16. ↑ https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19280316.2.53?end_date=31-12-1979&items_per_page=10&query=%22a.+e.+f.+boyd%22&snippet=true&start_date=15-01-1908&title=FS%2cMH%2cMS%2cMT
17. ↑ Death certificate
    NZ Historical BMD Index Online
    https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/home
    Registration Number; Family Name; Given Name(s); Age at Death
    Death 1965/36738; Boyd; Albert Edward Feilding; 76Y
18. ↑ Death certificate
    NZ Historical BMD Index Online
    https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/home
    Registration Number; Family Name; Given Name(s); Date of birth
    Death 1972/38044; Boyd; Elizabeth; 16 November 1888