Jones Rountree (1848 - 1921)

Born 1848 in Armagh, Ireland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 21 Aug 1921 at about age 73 in Auckland, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Graeme Gunson [send private message]

Jones Rountree was born in Ireland.

Jones Rountree migrated from Ireland to New Zealand.

Biography

Immigration - 1863; ship Portland from London, England to Auckland, New Zealand with his parents, aged 14 ^[1]

The Rountree family settled at Oakleigh/Mangapai Northland.

Jones Rountree and Ellenor Gunson were married 1871 in New Zealand

Meredith Rountree

Margaret Ann Rountree

William James Rountree

Mary Ellenor Rountree

Gilbert Gunson Rountree

Kate Adeade Rountree

Christopher Jones Rountree

George Worth Rountree

Alick Norman (Norman) Rountree

Jones Rountree took up land at Waikiekie, Waiotira Northland

New Zealand Herald 3rd February 1881 page 3 ^[2]

THE NORTH

In this Northern tour I have observed patches here and there of very fertile open land - land that had been either all fern or fern and scrub mixed. But, as a rule, the selections made by settlers have been of forest land, light or heavy, or perhaps both on the same holdings. Clearings have been made in proportion to the time and labour expended; many settlers having felled nearly all their bush, and not a few having stumped and ploughed some of their paddocks. I was not a little surprised to see the extent of the forest still existing in certain parts of the North. From some of the hills at Waikiekie, for instance - and there are any number of hills there - looking in one direction, the. bush seems interminable, stretching away as far as the eye can reach - range after range, all clothed with virgin forest. There is plenty of country yet to be taken up, and abundance of work to be done before all this land can be brought into cultivation. ..........

What the farmed limestone land will produce, after the bush is felled and properly burnt, I saw at Mr. Rountree's. Better grass could hardly be desired, its nutritious character being apparent from the condition of the stock. From their size, some of the young cattle might have been taken to be much older than they really were - an excellent criterion of the qualities of both soil and feed. Mr. Rountree has 224 acres, and has been .farming in this district for four years. The ground is undulating and well watered. Near the house are huge blocks of limestone, and a clump of bush has been left for shelter. A quantity of bush is felled each year and burned at the proper season. Their milking cows are a good class of animals; their excellence consisting in the amount of butter that is churned from their milk, of which a careful record is kept by Mrs. Rountree. In course of time, amongst other improvements, a new dairy is to be erected; and as grass and cows increase, the amount of butter from this farm will, no doubt, be something astonishing. Although the time he has been on the farm is comparatively short, Mr. Rountree has already got the plough to work, with which he has put in this season's crops. A limited number of fruit trees have been planted, and sheep and horses are kept in addition to the dairy stock.

Death - 21st August 1921 in Auckland, New Zealand; age 73 years

Northern Advocate 25th August 1921 ^[3]

OBITUARY - PASSING OF OLD PIONEER -

Another of the fast decreasing number of the early pioneers in the person of Mr. Jones Rountree passed away in a private hospital in Auckland early on Sunday morning last, at the age of 73.

As a lad of about 14 years of age, Mr. Rountree came to New Zealand with his parents from Ireland. They took up land at Ruarangi, on the borders of Waipu, where they lived for a number of years.

At an early age Mr. Rountree married Miss Gunson of Ruarangi. The father dead, Mr and Mrs. Rountree lived on the old farm until it was disposed of. Mr. Rountree then looked round for another section and finally settled in Waikiekie. Arriving in Waikiekie. Mr. Rountree with his wife and family settled down to bring the bush section into one of productiveness, and anyone seeing the farm then and now, will know the hard work they had in bringing it to its present state.

Mr and Mrs. Rountree bore their full share of the privations and difficulties of the early settlers. Mr. Rountree was well known right throughout the North. His general knowledge of horses was unrivalled, and his advice was always sought and willingly given in all cases of trouble. He was also a good judge of dairy cattle.

As a public man, Mr. Rountree always took an interest in local affairs, and was a prominent member of the Weslyan Church.

Mrs. Rountree predeceased him three weeks ago. They leave a large family of six sons, two of whom, Norman and George, served at the recent great war, and three daughters, Mrs S. Stewart, Miss Rountree and Nurse Rountree, the latter nursing her father through his last illness.

Mr. Rountree went to Auckland about a month ago to obtain medical advice, and was advised to go to a private hospital for treatment, an operation being performed from wliich he rallied for a time. A second operaation became necessary and although he came through the operation successfully, it was doubted if he would have sufficient strength to rally, which foreboding was unfortunately fulfilled, the end coming peacefully. The body was brought to Waikiekie on Tuesday, the funeral taking place at the Waikiekie cemetery on Tuesday afternoon in the presence of a large number of settlers, the service at the Graveside being read by the Rev. Kendon, of Paparoa.

Burial - Waikiekie, Northland New Zealand

Sources

1. ↑ Daily Southern Cross 23rd July 1863 page 2 Ship Portland from London to Auckland 1863 - Stearage Passengers - Meredith, Margaret, Gilbert, Emma, Meredith & Joseph Rountree - Jones Rountree is listed separately - also James, Eliza, Anna, Stephen, John, Maria, Thomas and Mary Gilbert and Mary Little
2. ↑ New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5995, 3 February 1881, Page 3
3. ↑ Northern Advocate, 25 August 1921, Page 5

• Dept of Internal Affairs, New Zealand - www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
• N.Z. MARRIAGES - 1871/8112 - Ellenor Gunson & Jones Rountree
• N.Z. DEATHS - 1921/3132 - Rountree Jones aged 73 years