John Squires (1835 - 1901)

Born 22 Aug 1835 in Walton on the Hill, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Catharine (Dewe) Squires — married 6 Apr 1861 in New Zealand

Descendants

Died 31 Dec 1901 at age 66 in New Zealand

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Biography

John Squires lived in Bluff, Southland, New Zealand.

This profile is part of the Bluff, Southland One Place Study.

Baptism: 17 Sep 1835 St Mary, Walton on the Hill, Lancs. John Squires - [Child] of Richard Squires, Gentleman & Mary Born: 22 Aug 1835 Abode: Walton Baptised by: Jno. Swainson Curate Register: Baptisms 1835 - 1866, Page 3, Entry 23 Source: LDS Film 1647560

In 1860 John Squires came to live and work at the Dewes' farm. Kate, aged 17, and John, aged 25, were married at Tokomairiro on 6 April 1861. For two years they farmed in the Tokomairiro district, where their only child, John Westbrooke, was born in February 1862. During this period, to the dismay of her father, Kate Squires became involved with the Plymouth Brethren. Her son was raised in the Brethren faith and John Dewe was 'very grieved' that the child was 'to remain a heathen'.

In March 1863 John accepted a position as farm manager and the family moved to Invercargill. They lived there until late 1864, when John purchased a farm and built a house at Woodend. Over the next 10 years Kate held regular prayer meetings at home, did congregational visiting, and promoted the Brethren faith in the district.

In January 1875 the Squires returned to England on the Invercargill and lived at Haydock, Lancashire, where John helped manage the family coalmining business. Kate was involved with Haydock Chapel; she taught Sunday school, held mid-week prayer meetings, and worked among the mining families to investigate and relieve cases of hardship. She was also active in the temperance movement. In 1878 she held a New Year tea party for young men, 'to keep them away from drink'; 35 attended.

The Squires returned to New Zealand in March 1883, to farm at Pyramid Creek, near Gore, until 1896. During this period Brethren services in the district were led by the Squires family, with Kate the driving force. From 1894 Kate virtually led a schism at Wendon and preached every Sunday to a congregation, known locally as 'Squireites', in a specially built 'temple' attached to their house. She preached there on Sundays, and on Mondays she drove her buggy to visit any neighbours who had been absent. Most attended on Sunday to avoid the embarrassment of a private sermon on Monday.

After a four year stay in England from 1896 to 1900 the family settled at Bluff, Southland, where in August 1900 John Squires purchased two houses. He and Kate lived at Hillend, while their son and his wife, Minnie Rout, resided nearby at Preswylfa. Kate Squires established regular prayer meetings at Bluff and became known throughout the district as Granny Squires. John Squires died in 1901.

Until her death Kate Squires continued to preach, hold prayer meetings, and promote the Brethren faith and the temperance cause in the Southland district. A slightly built woman, she was a tireless worker with strong religious convictions and great strength of character. She died at Bluff aged 69, after a short illness, on 15 July 1912. Kate and John Squires are buried at Bluff cemetery

Sources

• http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1s19/squires-catharine

http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Liverpool/Walton/stmary/baptisms_1835-1842.html

See also

OBITUARY.Star, Issue 7285, 23 December 1901