Richard Annesley Eyre (abt. 1835 - 1876)

Born about 13 Oct 1835 in Eyrecourt, County Galway, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Dorothy (Churton) Eyre — married 23 Sep 1869 in Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Died 3 Apr 1876 at about age 40 in Auckland, New Zealand

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Biography

Richard Annesley Eyre, the eldest son of Richard Eyre and Sarah Persse, was born about 1835. ^[1]

"He was trained and educated for a soldier, and a soldier he became. He served with his regiment, 53rd Infantry, in the Indian mutiny, where he was wounded, and advanced to the rank of Captain." ^[2] He served in India in the British military (H.M. 53rd Infantry Regiment) before discharge for health reasons. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1863. (See Obituary)

He married Mary Dorothy Churton on 23 September 1869 at Auckland, New Zealand. ^[3]
MARRIAGES.
Eyre—Churton.—On the 23rd inst., at the Private Chapel, Bishop's Court, Auckland, New Zealand, by the Rev. Dr. Maunsell, L.L.D , assisted by the Rev. B. T. Dudley, brother-in-law of the bride, R. Annesley Eyre, late Captain H.M. 53rd Regt., eldest son of the Rev. R. B. Eyre, of Eyrecourt, County Galway, Ireland, to Mary Dora (sic), fifth daughter of the late Rev. J. F. Churton, L.LB., Colonial Chaplain and Minister of St. Paul's, Auckland, New Zealand.^[4]

He died on 3 April 1876 at Auckland, New Zealand.^[5]
DEATHS.
EYRE.— On the 3rd April, in his 42nd year, of inflammation of the lungs, Richard Annesley Eyre, Governor of Mount Eden Gaol, and late Captain of H.M. 53rd Regiment, eldest son of tho Key. B. B. Byre, Eyre Court, County Galway, Ireland.^[6]
DEATH.
EYRE—On the 3rd April, Richard Annesley Eyre, aged 41 years. The funeral will leave his late residence, Mount Eden, at 5 o'clock to-morrow (Wednesday). Friends will please accept this invitation.^{[7] [8]}

Obituary
CAPTAIN EYRE.
The death of Captain Eyre, Governor of the Mount Eden Gaol, though not altogether unexpected, has caused a feeling of sorrow to permeate a large section of the community. Captain Eyre was known throughout the colony as a man of sterling qualities and moral worth, and although he was exact and consistent in his duties, he, nevertheless was ever desirous of raising those who came under his charge and discipline, and in individual cases, much good has resulted from his kindly treatment and advice. Richard Annesley Eyre was the son of the rector of Eyre Court, Galway, in which rectory he was born. He was trained and educated for a soldier, and a soldier he became. He served with his regiment, 53rd Infantry, in the Indian mutiny, where he was wounded, and advanced to the rank of Captain. The exposure and pestilence to which he was exposed in the jungles told upon his constitution, and in 1863, he was invalided and came out to New Zealand, where it was thought the geneality (sic) of the climate might be favorable to him. He engaged for a time in farming at Papakura, and subsequently was engaged in connexion (sic) with the Provincial Council and general assembly on the clerical staff, when the governorship of the Auckland gaol became vacant on the resignation, of Mr Young, Captain Eyre accepted the position, which he maintained honourably until his death, which, as our readers know, occurred yesterday. Captain Eyre was married in 1869, to a daughter of the late Rev J. F. Churton, who survives him without issue. It is gratifying to learn that Captain Eyre had acquired some property in Auckland, which will be sufficient to maintain his widow in comfortable circumstances. The funeral will take place at 3 o'clock tomorrow at St. Stephen's Cemetery, Parnell.^{[9] [10]}

He was buried at St Stephen's churchyard, Auckland, New Zealand. His headstone inscription reads:
"R. ANNESLEY EYRE Late Capt. H.M. 53rd Reg. Eldest Son of the Rev. R. B. EYRE Eyrecourt, Co. Galway, Ireland. Died at Auckland April 3 1876 Aged 41" ^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ Year of birth inferred from age in death notices
2. ↑ "Auckland Star", Volume VII, Issue 1912, 4 April 1876, page 2 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18760404.2.12?end_date=31-12-1877&query=Richard+Annesley+Eyre&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1860&type=ARTICLE
3. ↑ New Zealand marriage registration number 1869/4242 Richard Abernerty [sic] Eyre married Mary Dorothy Churton https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
4. ↑ "New Zealand Herald", Volume VI, Issue 1782, 29 September 1869, page 7 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18690929.2.22.1?end_date=31-12-1877&query=Richard+Annesley+Eyre&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1860&type=ARTICLE
5. ↑ New Zealand Death registration number 1876/1507 https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
6. ↑ "Taranaki Herald" 8 April 1876 page 2 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH18760408.2.9?end_date=31-12-1877&query=Richard+Annesley+Eyre&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1860&type=ARTICLE
7. ↑ " Auckland Star", Volume VII, Issue 1912, 4 April 1876, page 2 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18760404.2.7?end_date=31-12-1877&query=Richard+Annesley+Eyre&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1860&type=ARTICLE
8. ↑ Death of Captain Eyre. "Auckland Star", Volume VII, Issue 1911, 3 April 1876, page 3 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18760403.2.28
9. ↑ "Auckland Star", Volume VII, Issue 1912, 4 April 1876, page 2 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18760404.2.12?end_date=31-12-1877&query=Richard+Annesley+Eyre&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1860&type=ARTICLE
10. ↑ Another lengthy obituary Death of Captain R. A. Eyre "Daily Southern Cross" Volume XXXII, Issue 5778, 4 April 1876, page 3 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DSC18760404.2.20
11. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/196348864/richard-annesley-eyre : accessed 18 September 2021), memorial page for CPT Richard Annesley Eyre (1835–3 Apr 1876), Find a Grave Memorial ID 196348864, citing St. Stephen's Churchyard, Auckland, Auckland Council, Auckland, New Zealand ; Maintained by Terri Williamson-Lee (contributor 49155228) .