Robert
Pendergrast
Born [location unknown]
Son of William Prendergast
and [mother unknown]
Brother of
Catherine Prendergast and William Prendergast
Husband of
Mary (McMaster) Pendergrast
— married
[date unknown] [location unknown]
Descendants 
Died
at age 75
in Auckland, New Zealand
Profile last modified
| Created 5 Feb 2021
This page has been accessed 114 times.
Biography
Robert Pendergrast emigrated to New Zealand with his family on board the Helenslee.
He was married to Mary McMaster, from Ireland.
On arriving in New Zealand the family made their way to Pokeno Valley where they became some of the earliest settlers, and took up land for farming.
Sometime in the early 1870's Robert began to show signs of instability, according to his family. He became obsessed with a man, Buchanan, who had been on the same ship to travel to New Zealand, and also settled in the same area. He believed him and his wife to have some relationship, and began also to hear things. While the man moved away from the area, Robert continued to believe he was nearby and that he and his wife were making the noises that were bothering him.
Robert spent 2 periods of time in an asylum for the insane, the longest being two years, but returned to live with his wife and his youngest sons in Pokeno on their farm.
Tragically in 1885, Robert's mania led him to murder his wife Mary. He confessed to the crime when he was apprehended, but showed no remorse. He was taken into custody and sent to Mt Eden Gaol following the inquest verdict of willful murder.
He passed away in 1897. Sons William and James had moved to Western Australia by this time.
Sources
- Burial - Find A Grave: Memorial #210682250 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 06 February 2021), memorial page for Robert Pendergrast (unknown–14 Feb 1897), Find a Grave Memorial no. 210682250, citing Waikumete Cemetery & Crematorium, Glen Eden, Auckland Council, Auckland, New Zealand ; Maintained by Bea McGill (NZL) (contributor 47230446)
- Probate - PENDERGRAST Robert - Pokeno - Farmer, Archway Item ID:R21452717, Archway Series Number:1569. Accessed online at Archway 6 Feb 2021
See Also
- See the sources of newspaper articles attached to his wife's profile
- Letters of Administration Granted - Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 282, 29 November 1898, Page 2. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18981129.2.5
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Categories: Waikumete Cemetery, Glen Eden, Auckland | Helenslee, sailed 10 September 1864