John Alfred Langford (1815 - 1894)

Born 20 Oct 1815 in Knighton, Powys, Wales

Ancestors

Husband of Harriett (Bates) Langford — married 31 Aug 1839 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 9 Jun 1894 at age 78 in Auckland, New Zealand

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Biography

John Alfred was born in October 1815 to Richard and Mary Langford. "Nov. 12th. John Halford (Alfred) son of Richard & Mary Langford of Church Street, Knighton, joiner"

It was challenging to establish John Alfred Snr’s parents, because he emigrated and also because his father was not born in Knighton. A birth record for a John Halford Langford included parent’s names and a birth date and location. John Alfred’s death notice in the Auckland papers confirmed that he was born in Knighton and his father was Richard. That was a starting point as to what part of the UK to begin looking at. A search through Ancestry of all Richard Langfords born within a 15km radius of Knighton within an appropriate age range gave a number of possibles. The most likely was Richard Langford born in about 1794, Brampton Bryan - in the neighbouring county Herefordshire and about 9km from Knighton. Other evidence: the birthplaces of his other children (both Brampton Bryan and Knighton) and Richard’s occupation - cabinet maker.

He married Harriet Bates in Birmingham, Warwickshire in 1839, just before they departed for New Zealand.

John Alfred Langford immigrated to New Zealand aboard the Aurora with his wife in 1839. The Aurora was the first Emigrant ship to bring settlers to the Wellington region. It sank in Kaipara Harbour on 27 Apr 1840 on her return voyage! ^[1]. In the passenger list he is listed as age 23, a chair maker, and his wife is listed as Harriet, aged 20.

On 9 June 1894 John Alfred Langford passed away, aged 78. ^[2]

Death Notice ^[3]
LANGFORD -- On June 9, at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr Fredk. Stainton Norman street Rocky Nook, John Alfred Langford, beloved husband of Harriett Langford, aged 79. The funeral will leave her late residence for the Symonds-street Cemetery to-morrow Sunday June 10 at 2.30 p.m. Friends please accept this intimation. No mourning, by request.

He was buried at plot Presbyterian U 61 in the Symonds Street Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand. ^[4]

Sources

• Radnorshire, Wales, Anglican Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1994 for John Halford Langford Knighton Baptisms 1813-1853
• England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 for John Alfred Langford 1839 Q3-Jul-Aug-Sep L

1. ↑ "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDV-6VK8 : 10 August 2017), John Alfred Langford, 1839; citing ship , Archives New Zealand, Wellington; FHL microfilm
2. ↑ NZBDM deaths 9/6/1894 1894/2498 Langford, John Alfred, 78Y
3. ↑ Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 137, 9 June 1894, Page 8
4. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #143226746