George Taylor (1878 - 1959)

Born 16 Mar 1878 in Chadderton, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Flora (Wilkinson) Taylor — married 6 Sep 1902 in Chadderton, Lancashire, England

Descendants

Died 4 Nov 1959 at age 81 in Hamilton, New Zealand

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Biography

George Taylor was born on 16 March 1878 at 50 Lansdowne Rd, Chadderton, Lancashire, the son of Joseph Taylor, a core maker at the iron works, and Mary Ellen Taylor, nee Byrom. His mother Mary Ellen Taylor, of the same address, was the informant of his birth. ^[1] George was one of six children, two of whom died in childhood.

In the 1881 census George was living with his parents, siblings and his maiden aunt Hannah Taylor at the same address. He was aged 3 years. ^[2]

In 1891 the family were still living at the same address. George, aged 13, was working as an apprentice core maker. ^[3]

In 1901 the family was living at 215 Denton Lane, Chadderton. Aged 23, George was working as an iron founder. ^[4]

George Taylor married Flora Wilkinson on 6 September 1902 at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Busk Street, Chadderton. Their marriage certificate recorded George was a bachelor aged 24 years and an iron moulder. His father was named as Joseph Taylor, an iron core maker. Flora was a spinster aged 23 years and a cotton weaver. Her father was named as William Wilkinson, a cotton mill manager. At the time of their marriage George was residing at 215 Denton Lane, Chadderton and Flora at 166 Middleton Rd, Oldham. Their witnesses were Fred Taylor [George's elder brother] and Harriet Dawson [Fred Taylor's soon to be wife]. ^[5]

Son Fred Taylor was born on 8 October 1903 at 239 Denton Lane, Chadderton. George was still working as an iron moulder at this time. ^[6]

Family believe Flora had several miscarriages in the following years.

George's father Joseph Taylor died on 7 May 1907.

In 1911 the family was living at 240 Denton Lane, Hollinwood, Lancashire. George, aged 33, was working as an iron founder of textile machinery. Flora, aged 32, had a general drapery shop at home. Son Fred was aged 7 years. ^[7]

Hannah Taylor, George’s paternal aunt, died on 17 February 1912. He and his siblings were beneficiaries of her will, written on 25 March 1908, which reads in part - Unto my deceased brothers children Elizabeth Norcross of St. Petersburg Russia Fred Taylor of 12 Queens Road Chadderton near Oldham George Taylor of 240 Denton Lane Hollinwood Oldham and Herbert Taylor of 19 Longview Avenue Liscard Cheshire one third of such monies to be equally divided. ^[8]

George had a nervous breakdown and decided to move to New Zealand and start afresh. He and his cousin George Herbert (Bert) Dronsfield left England on the Rotorua, sailing from London on 27 September 1912. Their families were left in England to follow on later, once they had found homes and employment.
The ships manifest recorded Mr G. Taylor, aged 34, an ironmonger, and Mr G. H. Dronsfield, aged 35, a cotton spinner, traveled 3rd class, and disembarked in Wellington. ^[9]
From The Evening Post dated Tuesday 12 November 1912, Pg 6 –
ROTORUA, FROM LONDON. Shortly after 5 o’clock last night the New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer Rotorua arrived in the stream from London, via Capetown and Hobart, and about one hour later she berthed at the Queen’s Wharf [Wellington]. She brought 535 passengers to New Zealand in all classes, and as no extremely bad weather was experienced on the way out, an enjoyable time was spent. The Rotorua left London at noon on the 27th September, and arrived at Plymouth the following day. She left for Teneriffe on the 29th, and arrived at that port on the 4th October. Capetown was reached on the 19th October, and the vessel continued her voyage to Hobart the same evening. The weather on the run across the Southern Ocean was mostly fine, with moderate to strong winds. The vessel arrived at Hobart as previously reported, and the final stage of the journey was marked by fine weather until the vicinity of Stephen Island, when the southerly was encountered. The Rotorua has a large general cargo to discharge here, and will remain in port until the end of the week, when she will sail for Lyttelton. ^[10]

On 27 March 1913 the two families including Mary Ellen Taylor [his mother], Flora and Fred [his wife and son] and Sarah Dronsfield and daughters Nora and Lilian followed them out on the Athenic.
The Athenic’s manifest recorded Mrs Dronsfield, aged 33, a housewife, Norah [sic], aged 11, Lilian, aged 2, Mrs E. Taylor [sic], aged 64, a housewife, Florrie [sic], aged 33, a housewife, and Fred aged 9, traveled 3rd class and disembarked in Wellington. ^[11]
From The Evening Post dated 12 May 1913, Pg 8 -
IMMIGRANTS DUE TO-MORROW. Of the 550 third-class passengers being brought to New Zealand by the R.M.S. Athenic, due in port from London to-morrow, 210 are coming under the assisted scheme. According to advice received by the New Zealand Immigration Department the immigrants comprise 76 domestic servants, 20 farmers and farm labourers, 36 married women (who are coming to rejoin their husbands), and 78 children. Ninety-three of the above were approved by the High Commissioner, while the remaining 117 were nominated by friends in the Dominion.
And from the Evening Post dated 14 May 1913, Pg 6 -
ATHENIC ARRIVES FROM LONDON. At 7.30 a.m. the R.M.S. Athenic, from London, via Teneriffe, Capetown, and Hobart, dropped anchor in the stream. After pratique had been granted by the Port Health Officer she berthed at the King’s Wharf at 9.45 a.m. She sailed from London at noon on the 27th March, and from Plymouth a day later. Fine weather was experienced all the way to Teneriffe, which port was reached on 3rd April. After a stay of 6 hours, the voyage was continued to Capetown, fine weather prevailing to within 40 miles of the South African port, when fog was encountered. This, however, cleared after two hours duration, and the Athenic anchored off Capetown on the 17th April. At this port the ship took in bunker coal and fresh water, and, after receiving more passengers and mails, left on Saturday, 19th April, for Hobart. After leaving Capetown a fresh westerly gale blew for 24 hours, after which moderate weather prevailed until the 28th April, when a fresh westerly gale with high seas was experienced. The weather moderated on the 30 April, and northerly winds, fresh and strong in force, prevailed from 101deg. to 138deg. E. longitude, when it veered round to the south-west, and this wind lasted to the Newstone. At Hobart she disembarked 52 passengers and mails for the Commonwealth and 350 tons of cargo for Tasmania. After taking aboard more passengers and mails for New Zealand and 15,000 cases of apples for South America, the vessel commenced the last stage of her voyage on Friday last. Soon after leaving Hobart the ship ran into a very heavy southerly gale and high seas, which lasted for four days. The wind then moderated to S.S.E., with confused seas, which lasted till nearing the Heads. The Athenic brought 605 passengers, 292 packages of mails, and about 5000 tons of general cargo for New Zealand ports. ^[12]

The Taylor family first lived in Finch Street, Morningside, Auckland and George was employed as an ironmoulder [1914 Grey Lynn Electoral Roll]. They then moved to Devonport, Auckland and lived at 21 Cambria Road, Devonport where George had a job as a warehouseman [1919 Waitemata Electoral Roll]. ^[13]

Daughter Flora Olivia Taylor was born on 30 December 1917 at Devonport. Her birth certificate recorded George, aged 39, was a milk vendor. He had been born in Chadderton, Lancashire. Flora, nee Wilkinson, was also aged 39 years. She had been born in St. Pauls [sic], Brazil. This couple had married on 6 September 1902 at Chadderton, Lancashire and had one son aged 14 years. The informant of the birth was her father G. Taylor, of Devonport.^[14]

George was employed as a milkman by Takapuna Dairy Company immediately before he enlisted on 22 April 1918 with the N.Z. Expeditionary Forces 1914 – 1918. The following personal information has been taken from George's army records. Regimental No: 81687. Rank: Private/Rifleman. Age: 40. Height: 5 feet, 5 ½ inches [although family think he was taller]. Weight: 118 lb. Complexion: Fair. Colour of eyes: Hazel. Colour of hair: Fair. Distinctive marks: Scar on ball of left thumb. Religion: Methodist.
George was sent to Trentham, Upper Hutt for training until the 27 July 1918 when he departed from Wellington for England aboard Ulimaroa with G Company, 41st Reinforcements. The ship arrived in London on 4 October 1918. George was a rifleman with the N.Z.R.B. [New Zealand Rifle Brigade] in Brocton until his return to N.Z., departing from London aboard Matatua on the 28 June 1919. George was discharged from the army on the 5 September 1919. Family recall one of his jobs was to give the horses exercise on the deck of the ship en route and that he was a drill instructor in England. ^[15]

His parting gift to Flora was a hand painted teaset in green and pink with six sided cups. ^[16]

During the war Flora worked two days a week as a charlady for the Benjamin family. She then moved with them to become a caretaker of their huge house at 24 Princes St. Auckland City. Of interest the house was later converted into a private hospital, Mt. Pleasant Hospital, in the 1930s and is presently an administration building and part of Auckland University. ^[17]

After the war George returned to work at Devonport as a milkman with a horse and dray. His milk run was down to Stanley Point. They lived behind a dairy in Calliope Rd and sold milk, cream and eggs. [1922 Waitemata Electoral Roll for Mary Ellen Taylor had her address as 4 Calliope Rd, Devonport].

Later George and Flora had a drapery at Great North Road, Avondale [1928 Auckland Suburbs Electoral Roll]. ^[18]

Avondale School records state daughter Flora Olivia Taylor was enrolled there on 25 February 1924. Her last day of school was on 18 December 1924. Olivia did not return the following year as she died during the school holidays. She had previously attended Devonport School. Her parent was named as Geo. Taylor of Gt. North Road. ^[19]

Daughter Flora Olivia died on 17 January 1925 at Great North Rd, Avondale aged 7 years of polio. ^[20]

In about 1930 George, Flora and his mother Mary moved to Hamilton to be closer to son Fred, who had settled in Hamilton where he worked as an agent for the N.Z. Herald.
They lived with Fred, prior to his marriage on 21 March 1931, at 18 Somerset St, Frankton. They then lived at 100 Ulster St [1931 Hamilton Electoral Roll] and for a short while at 18 Station Rd. [1935 Hamilton Electoral Roll]. ^[21]

George and Flora then moved to their own home at 3 Whyte St, Claudelands, Hamilton. While living at Whyte St they had a long term boarder named Tommy. George, too, worked as a newsagent with the N.Z. Herald.
George's mother Mary Taylor died on 31 March 1939 aged 90 years.
Shortly after Mary's death they turned hers and Tommy's bedrooms and the back veranda into a flat. George's granddaughter Barbara and her husband were among those who flatted there over the years.
George was very athletic and keen on the outdoors and scrambling. He held records for the time taken to go up and down various local hills and mounts. ^[22]
At about age 63 [c.1941] George spent an unplanned night in the bush on Mount Pirongia when he was overtaken by darkness and fog. Newspaper clippings held by the family, probably from the Waikato Times and New Zealand Herald, read -
MAN FEARED LOST. SEARCH ON PIRONGIA MOUNTAIN. Three parties began a search on Pirongia Mountain early this morning for Mr George Taylor, aged 60, a married man living in Hamilton. An empty car discovered near McClunie’s Road, Pirongia, this morning caused inquiries to be made. It is feared that Mr Taylor became lost in the bush yesterday afternoon. At mid-day the search was being continued.
And - CLIMBER FOUND. ORDEAL ON MOUNTAIN. After having spent a day and a night in the bush on Mount Pirongia, Mr George Taylor, aged 63, of Claudelands, was found by a search party late yesterday morning in an exhausted condition. Six search parties were organized early in the morning after Mr Taylor’s empty car had been found and inquiries made. A party was successful in finding Mr Taylor about 300 yards from a farmhouse. He had attempted to climb to the top of the mountain, but had been overtaken by darkness and fog and had sheltered in scrub and manuka. He had experienced a severe frost and his clothes had become soaked with the fog. After receiving medical attention Mr Taylor returned to his home.
And lastly - NIGHT ON MOUNTAIN. CLIMBER'S ORDEAL. EXHAUSTED WHEN FOUND. Hamilton, Monday. Leaving Hamilton yesterday morning with the intension of climbing to the top of Mount Pirongia, Mr. George Taylor, aged 63, of Whyte Street, Claudelands, failed to return last night and was forced to spend the night in scrub and tea-tree on the side of the mountain. A party was organized to search for the missing man last night, but owing to a thick fog and the darkness considerable difficulty was experienced. Early this morning six parties set out in different directions and Mr. Taylor was found at 11 o’clock 300 yards from a farmhouse at which the search party had called last evening. Mr. Taylor was in an exhausted condition. The weather was bitterly cold during the night and there was a severe frost this morning. Mr. Taylor, whose clothing was soaked, had no matches and was unable to light a fire. He was taken to his home and his condition to-night, after receiving medical attention, was satisfactory. For a number of years Mr. Taylor has made climbing a hobby, and has attempted to reach the top of Mount Pirongia. ^[23]

George remained active even in old age - he climbed Mount Te Aroha with son Fred when in his seventies.
He loved to play bowls and won many trophies. Granddaughter Raewyn recalled spending many a Sunday afternoon pouring over a leather collar box full of exchanged bowling club badges. The family still has a miniature silver cup engraved with the words "Avondale Bowling Club, G. Taylor, Champion, 1928-9".
George had arthritis as he got older and spent a lot of time doing designs using a compass and coloured pencils to fill in his day. Big boards holding many of his designs were on display at the Waikato Winter Show one year. He also made cubes, hexagons etc from paper. Of interest his arthritis was treated with gold injections.
George has been described as a very pernickety man. When gardening everything was planted in ruler straight rows and he would cut the lawns both horizontally and vertically.
George and Flora loved to go for a 'drive' and frequently had their grandchildren along for the ride. ^[24]

In 1952 George and Flora celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. A newspaper clipping under the heading Golden Weddings reads -
TAYLOR - WILKINSON. - On September 6, 1902, at Busk Wesleyan Methodist Church, Chadderton, Lancashire, by the Rev. J. T. Binns, George, son of Mr and Mrs J. Taylor, of Chadderton, to Flora, daughter of William and the late Sarah Wilkinson, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Present address, 3 Whyte Street, Claudelands.
The clipping was kept in a book entitled The Methodist Hymn Book, which has written in the front "Mrs Geo. Taylor. Denton Lane". ^[25]

Son Fred died on 28 May 1957. George and Flora had outlived both their children.

George was tickled to bits to be asked to give granddaughter Raewyn away at her wedding [1958] in lieu of son Fred who had died the previous year.
He was working in the garden when he had a heart attack and was mortified to be taken to hospital in his dirty gardening clothes. He died later that day. ^[26]

George Taylor died on 4 November 1959 at 3 Whyte Street, Hamilton aged 81 of coronary thrombosis, immediate, coronary insufficiency, 3 months, and age. His death certificate further recorded George was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England the son of Joseph Taylor, a metal worker, and Mary Ellen Taylor nee Byrom. He had married Flora Wilkinson at age 24 in Oldham, Lancashire, England. At his death Flora was aged 81 years. He had no surviving children. George was buried on 7 November 1959 at Hamilton East Cemetery [Location: Lawn G, U59]. ^[27]

His obituary read - MR. G. TAYLOR. The death has occurred of Mr George Taylor, of Whyte Street, Claudelands, aged 81 years. Mr Taylor was born in Oldham, Lancashire, and learned the trade of pattern moulder. He was later employed as a draper. He came to New Zealand 48 years ago and after living for a period in Devonport, moved to Hamilton 30 years ago. He was closely associated with the Methodist Church in England and was keen on mountaineering. Since he took up his residence in Hamilton he became a member of the Hamilton Bowling Club. He is survived by his wife. An only son, Mr Frederick Taylor, died a few years ago. ^[28]

George Taylor's will read -
THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me George Taylor of Claudelands, in the Provisional District of Auckland, in the Dominion of New Zealand, News Agent.
1. I REVOKE all former Wills and testamentary dispositions by me made AND DECLARE this to be my last Will.
2. I APPOINT THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE of the said Dominion to be the Executor and Trustee of this my Will.
3. I GIVE DEVISE AND BEQUEATH the whole of my estate of whatsoever nature and wheresoever situate (subject to the payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses) to my wife Flora Taylor but should she predecease me then to my son Fred Taylor should he survive me.
AS WITNESS my hand this 22nd day of August, 1941. G. Taylor
SIGNED by the said George Taylor as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, both present at the same time, who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses: Signed [unreadable], Solicitor, Hamilton and C. J. Buckley, Typiste, Hamilton ^[29]

For information about Brocton Camp see http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH1-Effo-t1-body-d15-d3.html

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Certificate from GRO
   GRO Birth Index
   TAYLOR, GEORGE Mother's maiden name BYROM
   GRO Reference: 1878 J Quarter in OLDHAM Volume 08D Page 740
2. ↑ 1881 census RG11/4086 9 Pg 12
3. ↑ 1891 census RG12/3315 131 Pg 18
4. ↑ 1901 census RG13/3822 146 Pg 20
5. ↑ Original marriage certificate - in family hands
6. ↑ Birth certificate from GRO
7. ↑ 1911 census RG14PN24546 RG78PN1406 RD469 SD4 ED15 SN161
8. ↑ Will of Hannah Taylor
9. ↑ Find My Past - Passenger Lists Leaving UK 1890-1960
10. ↑ Papers Past -https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers
11. ↑ Find My Past - Passenger Lists Leaving UK 1890-1960
12. ↑ Papers Past - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers
13. ↑ NZ Electoral Rolls - available at most NZ libraries
14. ↑ Birth certificate of daughter Flora Olivia
15. ↑ Military Record - Archives New Zealand: R7824246
16. ↑ Teaset still in family hands
17. ↑ Family knowledge
18. ↑ NZ Electoral rolls
19. ↑ School Admission Register sighted & recorded by members of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists
20. ↑ Death printout
21. ↑ New Zealand Electoral Rolls are available at most large NZ libraries
    Some rolls are available to view at Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010
22. ↑ Memories of George's granddaughters
23. ↑ Newspaper clippings held by family
24. ↑ Memories of George's granddaughters
25. ↑ Newspaper clipping and bible held by family
26. ↑ Memories of George's granddaughters
27. ↑ Death certificate - obtained from NZ Historical Deaths Online
    Registration Number: Family Name: Given Name(s): Age at Death:
    Death 1959/36570 Taylor George 81Y
28. ↑ Newspaper clipping held by family - paper unknown but probably Waikato Times
29. ↑ Probate & Will - Archives New Zealand: R1952858