James Harper (1830 - 1900)

Born 2 Jul 1830 in Hillsborough, County Down, Ireland

Husband of Sarah (Ratt) Harper — married 14 Apr 1870 in Spring Grove, Tasman, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 24 Jan 1900 at age 69 in Bulls, Rangitikei, Wellington, New Zealand

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Biography

James was born around 1830. ^[1]

He married Sarah Wratt in 1870.^{[2] [3]}

In 1871 he was farming in Spring Grove.^[4].

The important sale of sheep, cattle, and horses to have been held yesterday at Mr James Harper's, Spring Grove, was postponed in consequence of the weather until Tuesday next, 23rd instant. We aiso notice that the sale will commence at ten o'clock instead of eleven o'clock as previously advertised. As Mr Harper is leaving the Colony,^[5] his property and the lease will be sold without the slightest reserve.^[6]

James subsequently moved to Bulls, Rangitikei with his wife and 3 children.

He passed away in 1900 age 69. ^[7]

Mr. James Harper, an old resident of Bulls district, died suddenly at his residence on Wednesday evening. The Rangitikei Advocate reports that he had been at work during the day, apparently in his usual health, and in the afternoon when engaged in shifting some logs, he suddenly fell over and expired. The cause of death was heart disease. Deceased had been resident in Rangitikei for over 20 years, and was 69 years of age. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ This is attested to in various family trees and other sources including Find A Grave: Memorial #222843337
2. ↑ BDM Online Marriage Search Registration Number: 1870/9453
3. ↑ Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 32, 20 April 1870, Page 2 MARRIED. On the 14th April, at the residence of the bride's mother, by the Rev. J. A. Taylor, Mr. James Harper, late of Ireland, to Sarah, youngest daughter of the late Mr. George Wratt, of Spring-grove.
4. ↑ Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 232, 30 September 1871, Page 1 Cattle Trespass Notice
5. ↑ Sale Notice In other advertisements it was stated that he was leaving the Province
6. ↑ Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 304, 19 December 1873
7. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Death registration 1900/160
8. ↑ LOCAL AND GENERAL. Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 23, 27 January 1900

• Curnow, Elsie S. The Wratt Race: from Rutlandshire, England through Nottingham to New Zealand. Nelson, New Zealand: Elsie Curnow, 2009. p577ff.