Robert Albert Nicholson Earl (1833 - 1887)

Born 28 Dec 1833 in Dulwich, Surrey, England

Ancestors

Husband of Thirzah (Bishop) Earl — married 1 Jan 1862 in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 13 May 1887 at age 53 in Midhurst, Taranaki, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ann Carmel [send private message]

Biography

Robert Earl migrated from England to New Zealand.

Robert Albert Nicholson Earl was born in 1833 in Dulwich, Surrey, England to William Earl and Ann Dowley. He was christened at Dulwich College Chapel, 18 September 1834.

When Albert left school, he worked in Slough as a postal clerk. He then joined the Great Northern Railway Company and lived, for a few years, in the Boston, Lincolnshire area. In August 1855, he obtained a license to marry Harriet Julia Beeson in the Parish of St Pancras, London. There is no evidence that this marriage actually occurred; perhaps it explains his departure for New Zealand.

About 1857, Albert Earl arrived in Onehunga, near Auckland. He joined the militia when the Land Wars started and was involved in several skirmishes and fought in the Battle of Waireka (see the Free-Space page for the Taranaki War) in March 1860. He received the War Medal. You can see the image for his medal at Puke Ariki.

Albert married Thirzah Bishop, daughter of John Tidby Bishop and Charlotte Green Bishop on New Year's Day 1862 in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. The couple had a large family: Kate Isabel, Charlotte Leonora, Harriet Ada, Albert Robert William, Walter Isaac, Florence Rose, Rachel Ann, Thirzah Mabel, Ethel Emily, George Edward, Mary Emily Ethel, Alfred George, Ivy Alice and Edward John Tidby Earl.

Albert took up positions as schoolmaster and inspector of schools sometime in the early 1870s. He also gave drawing classes and was a sometime painter.

Robert Albert Nicholson Earl died in Midhurst, Taranaki, New Zealand 13 May 1887 at 53 years of age. He was buried at Te Henui Cemetery.

Sources

• Mrs Patricia Earl Glasgow, Ordinary People, New Zealand.
• England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, FHL Film Number: 254569. Name: Robert Albert Nicholson Earl; Gender: Male; Birth Date: 27 Dec 1833; Baptism Date: 18 Sep 1834; Baptism Place: Dulwich College, Dulwich, London, England; Father: William Robert Earl; Mother: Ann
• 1841 England Census for Andrew [Albert] Erle, Kent, Plumstead District 6.
• London and Surrey, England, Marriage Bonds and Allegations, 1597-1921 for Albert Robert Nicholson Earl, 1855 Jul-Sep.
• New Zealand Marriage Index, 1840–1950. Microfiche. 1862. Folio Number: 62/305.
• New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1853–1981. Auckland, New Zealand: BAB microfilming. Microfiche publication, 4032 fiche.
• New Zealand Death Indexes. Apr-May-Jun 1887. Inglewood, Auckland, New Zealand.
• New Zealand, Cemetery Records, 1800-2007, for R A N Earl, New Plymouth - Te Henui.
• Probate - "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2SB-HVPS : 9 August 2017), Robert Albert Nicholson Earl, 1887; citing New Plymouth, New Plymouth probate files, 1867-1981, record number 223, Archives New Zealand, Auckland Regional Office; FamilySearch digital folder 007499467. Probate records 1886-1887 P200/86-P223/87

• Also See: Puke Ariki entry for Robert Albert Nicholson Earl
• Also See: 'Fighting begins', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/taranaki-wars/fighting-march-june-1860, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 23-Jun-2014

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Ann Carmel for creating Earl-391 on 28 Aug 13. Click the Changes tab for the details on contributions by Ann and others.