John Birbeck (abt. 1854 - 1898)

Husband of Rebecca (Bentelina) Gilbert — married 8 Jul 1889 in Canterbury, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 21 Jul 1898 at about age 44 in Opawa, Canterbury, New Zealand

Biography

Birth

John was born about 1854, calculating from age at immigration and death.

Immigration

On 18 May 1875 John Birbeck (21) a fireman from Cumberland arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Dunedin, sailed 13 Feb 1875. ^[1]

NOTE: In his son's military record (May 1917), John Birbeck (deceased) is listed as born in Cumberland, and resident in NZ for only 20 years. This would put his arrival at about 1896-1897.

Marriage

On 8 July 1889 Rebecca Bentelina and John Birbeck were married in Christchurch, New Zealand. ^[2]

Children

Children born to Rebecca Bentelina and John Birbeck ^[3]

1. 1889 John Richard Samuel (* Born 16 Apr 1889 in Christchurch)
2. 1890/17655 Rebecca (* at Charles St, Blenheim)
3. 1897/2390 Hilda (* born 13 Dec 1896)

Residences

Electoral Rolls ^[4]

1890, 1893 as John Berbeck, at Flaxbourne, Wairau, Marlborough, labourer

1896 as John Birbeck, Waiau, Ashley, Canterbury, labourer

2 December 1896 Newspaper report ^[5]
John Birbeck was charged with deserting his wife, and three children and refusing to support them. In defence he pleaded that two of the children were not his, and his wife had been guilty of misconduct. There was evidence of this latter allegation. His worship said that notwithstanding this she was still his wife. She was destitute; and he was bound to support her. He was ordered to pay his wife 10s per week.

Death

On 21 July 1898 John Birbeck passed away, aged 44. ^[6]

Death notice ^[7]
Birbeck.— July 21, at Ball's Road, Opawa, John, beloved husband of Rebecca Birbeck, aged forty-four years.

John Birbeck is buried in Block 23. Plot 174 at the Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch. ^[8]

He died intestate. ^[9]

Research

A person called John Birbeck served until 1868 during the New Zealand wars in the 68th Regiment of Foot. However, this does not fit, as this John Birbeck would have been of an age from 10 to 12 years.

Name: John Birbeck

Regiment: 68

Regt. Number: 374

Rank at the time : Private

Period in NZ : 1864-1866

Fate: Discharged - Discharged Y.E

Date (d-m-y) :4-4-1868

Sources

1. ↑ Passenger List, Dunedin
2. ↑ NZBDM marriages 8/7/1889 1889/2365 Rebecca Bentelina, John Birbeck
3. ↑ New Zealand Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Online search
4. ↑ New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981
5. ↑ Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9589, 2 December 1896, Page 3
6. ↑ NZBDM deaths 21/7/1898 1898/3939 Birbeck, John, 44Y
7. ↑ Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11639, 23 July 1898, Page 1
8. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #141936264

   John Birbeck

   BIRTH unknown

   DEATH 21 Jul 1898

   BURIAL Linwood Cemetery

   Linwood, Christchurch City, Canterbury, New Zealand

   PLOT Block 23. Plot 174

9. ↑ Public Trust administration