John Canton (abt. 1834 - 1920)

Born about 9 Feb 1834 in Reynalton, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Jane (Thomason) Canton — married 23 May 1877 in Motueka, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 30 Nov 1920 at about age 86 in Marlborough, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Michael Canton [send private message]

Biography

John was born in 1834. He was the son of Henry Canton and Priscilla Griffiths. He was baptised on 9 February 1834 at Reynalton, Pembrokeshire, Wales^[1].

In 1851 he was living with his parents and two siblings George and Priscilla in Reynoldston, Pembrokeshire. He was aged 17 and working as a Coal Miner (as was his father and 14 year old brother George).

He emigrated from Wales to Australia to work in the mines. After a time he made his way to New Zealand.

From Cyclopedia Of New Zealand:

CANTON, JOHN, Farmer, Ngatimoti. Mr. Canton is one of the first settlers who picked out Ngatimoti to settle down in life. He was born in 1834, in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and was brought up to a mining life.

In 1857 he emigrated to Australia, and went to the diggings at Castlemaine. He was not very successful, and came over to Nelson in 1861.

After trying the Lyell diggings he settled in Ngatimoti in 1864 to farm ninety acres of first-class bush land, which he has converted into a fine profitable property. Mr. Canton was the first man to fell bush in the valley where he lives, and which is now cleared for miles in all directions. He is married and has a family.

He married Mary Jane Thomason on 23 May 1877 in Motueka, New Zealand.

They had at least eight children.

He passed away in 1920 at the age of about 86 and was buried in Motueka Cemetery^[2][3]. PLOT: Old 4-134

Sources

1. ↑ "Wales Births and Baptisms, 1541-1907", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMMC-781 : 10 February 2020), John Canton, 1834.
2. ↑ "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDTM-61F : 8 August 2017), John Canton, 1920; citing Nelson, Numerical probated case files, 1891-1968, record number 1848, Archives New Zealand, Auckland Regional Office; FamilySearch digital folder 004711030.
3. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2SM-HM4M : 15 March 2016), John Canton, 1920; Burial, Motueka, Tasman District, Tasman, New Zealand, Motueka Cemetery; citing record ID 154619820, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154619820/john-canton

• New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages Online Marriage: Registration No: 1877/1032 | Bride's Given Name(s): Mary Jane | Bride's Family Name: Thomason | Groom's Given Name(s): John | Groom's Family Name: Canton

• New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages Online Death: Registration No: 1920/6138 | Family Name: Canton | Given Name(s): John | Age at Death: 86Y

Census Records

• "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M777-QJ9 : 25 May 2019), John Canton in household of Henry Canton, Reynalton, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

• "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SG6X-51N : 9 November 2019), John Canton in household of Henry Canton, Reynoldston, Pembrokeshire, Wales; citing Reynoldston, Pembrokeshire, Wales, p. 12, 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.