Nathaniel Joseph Suckling (1842 - 1920)

Born 17 Feb 1842 in Clerkenwell England

Ancestors

Husband of Maria Emily (Mills) Suckling — married 1863 (to 1879) in New Zealand

Husband of Sarah Emma (Dearsley) Suckling — married 1880 (to 1908) in New Zealand

Husband of Annie Clarke (Willway) Suckling — married 1909 in New Zealand

Descendants

Died 3 May 1920 at age 78 in Richmond, Tasman, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Raylene McMeekan [send private message] and Christine Jones [send private message]

Biography

Nathaniel was born in 1842. He was the son of Nathaniel Suckling and Nancy Wright. He came to NZ in 1861; his brother John came in 1865, and the rest of the family of Xmas Eve 1870. He married Maria Emily Mills in 1863 ^[1] Two of his younger brothers later married two of Maria's sisters. He and his brother John Nathaniel set up Suckling Bros in Christchurch in 1871

Suckling Bros. (Nathaniel Joseph, and John Suckling), Wholesale Boot and Shoe Manufacturers and Importers, Dundas Street, Christchurch South. Telephone, 354; P.O. Box, 358. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Private residences: Mr N. J. Suckling, “Dearsleyhurst,” New Brighton; Mr. J. Suckling, Stanmore Road, Linwood. The large business conducted by this well-known firm was established in 1871; it has been carried on by the present proprietors for over thirty years, and the firm is the oldest in this trade in Christchurch. The premises, which were built especially in brick for the firm, have a floor space of over 12,000 feet. With the exception of the front part of the building, they are on the ground floor, but the front portion is of two stories. The factory contains a valuable plant, comprising the latest machinery invented for the trade, and is driven by a twenty-one horse-power Otto gas engine. Messrs Suckling Bros, were the first to introduce into the colony of New Zealand the “Goodyear” welting and stitching machinery for making facsimiles of hand-sewn boots. The firm makes it a rule, where practicable, to use colonial manufactured leathers. However, it also imports all kinds of fancy leathers direct from Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and America. The firm's well-known brand of boots (S. B. in diamond) is a guarantee for the excellence of the quality and workmanship. About 150 hands are employed in connection with Messrs Suckling Bros.' works. Their business extends throughout the colony, and the partners periodically visit the firm's customers.^[2]

After Maria passed away in 1879, he married 2nd Sarah Emma Dearsley in 1880 ^[3] After Sarah's death he married for a third time to the sister of his brother's wife^[4]. He passed away in 1920 age 78^[5]

MR N. SUCKLING. There passed away last week, at his residence, Richmond, Nelson, Mr Nathaniel Suckling, a highly esteemed pioneer Canterbury resident. The late Mr Suckling arrived in Lyttelton 61 years ago, and engaged in business for a time in Timaru and in Christchurch. He then entered into partnership with his brother, the late Mr John Sucknng, as boot manufacturers and importers, He was a most popular business man, and was much appreciated for his sterling qualities. .He was an active member of the firm until 16 years ago, when he retired on account of his health, and went to reside in Nelson. He leaves a widow, four sons, and six daughters to mourn their loss. The funeral took place at Addington on Saturday, and was largely attended. Among those present were the staff and employees of the firm, and representatives of various business houses. Many beautiful wreaths were placed on the coffin.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Marriage registration 1863/4051
2. ↑ The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d47-d10.html
3. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Marriage registration 1880/2338
4. ↑ NZBDM MARRIAGE:1909/3410 Annie Clarke Willway Nathaniel Joseph Suckling
5. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Death registration 1920/1640
6. ↑ OBITUARY. PRESS, VOLUME LVI, ISSUE 16830, 10 MAY 1920, PAGE 8

• "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGFB-HHK : 29 July 2017), Nathaniel Suckling in household of Nathaniel Suckling, Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England; citing Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England, p. 20, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915, Ancestry.com, 1842, page 292.

• BDM Marriage: 1880/2338 Sarah Emma Dearsley Nathaniel Joseph Suckling