John Dunlop (abt. 1852 - abt. 1928)

Born about 1 Jan 1852 in Ireland [uncertain]

Husband of Mary (Muldrew) Dunlop — married 1 Jan 1874 in Tangaree,

Descendants

Died about 17 Feb 1928 at about age 76 in New Zealand

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Biography

In 1874 the sailing ship "Auckland" docked at Port Chalmers after the long voyage from the United Kingdom. On board were John Dunlop and his new bride., formerly Mary Muldrew. John, born in 1852 in County Antrim, Northern Ireland., had been apprenticed to a Belfast tailor., while Mary, born in 1854, was the daughter of an Edinburgh trained Presbyterian minister. Just before their departure for New Zealand the young couple were married at Tangaree. On arrival John Dunlop found employment on Mr Wylie's Punchbowl farm at Maheno, where he came to be highly regarded during his 12 year stay. On their departure from the Punchbowl, Wylie presented John with Geordie, a valuable half-draft gelding, as a parting gift. His destination was Section 6., Block XIII Rimu Survey district, 228 acres in the Tahakopa valley. This section was held under a perpetual lease in the name of Sarah spinster of Maheno, dated 10 April 1895 at an annual rental of.

The virgin bush was no easy place for a wife and a large family, so in 1896 John went ahead to the Tahakopa, leaving his wife and family to follow later. Two years were spent making ready for a year making a start clearing the section., and another building a house, helped by his neighbour Jack Galbreath., also a passenger on the "Auckland." In April 1898 when all was ready Mary Dunlop with her nine children made the journey from Maheno to Owaka , a journey completed in a single day thanks to the recent completion of the Catlins River Railway as far as Owaka. With them on the train was a truck containing some cattle and some bantams, both essentials on the bush farm. The family were met by John at Owaka, and they all stayed the night at the Owaka Boarding House. Next day the party set out into the bush for their new home, travelling on a spring dray pulled by Geordie and a second horse which had been purchased, another half-draft named Darkie. In case of bad weather the dray was equipped with a hood or tilt, which could be raised to protect the passengers and their belongings. So they went, on what passed for a main road in 1898, formed but not metalled, through Ratanui and Tarara the down the steep Devil's Staircase to the three miles of smooth sand of Tahakopa Beach.

By now the day was far advanced, and with the final obstacle, the bottom ford of the Tahakopa soon behind them they pulled in for the night at the home of his sister, Mrs Mary Adams near Papatowai.[1]

Arrived in New Zealand 1874 with his wife Mary [2]