George Thomas Shoebridge (1862 - 1939)

Born 15 Apr 1862 in West Farleigh, Kent, England

Ancestors

Husband of Ann Jane (Mills) Shoebridge — married 15 Oct 1885 in St Matthews church, Auckland, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 20 Aug 1939 at age 77 in Ngunguru, Northland, New Zealand

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George Shoebridge was born in England.

Biography

He was born in Kent in April 1862^[1]

George was baptised on the 11th May 1862^[2] at the Parish Church in Barming, Kent. His parents were Henry and Louisa Shoebridge.

Immigration to New Zealand

He came to New Zealand with his father and 3 sisters, when he was 11 aboard the Wild Duck^[3] which arrived in the port of Wellington on the 20th May 1873.

LONDON SHIPPING^[4].
Departures.—January 26, Edinburgh Castle, for Auckland; Lucerne, for Wellington. January 30, William Davie, for Otago. February 8, Wild Duck, for Wellington. February 9, George A. Holt, for Wellington,

PORT OF WELLINGTON^[5].
The Wild Duck, from London, arrived in harbour last night, after a passage of 101 days. She brings 7 cabin and 95 steerage passengers.

ARRIVED^[6].
To the Officers and Crew of the ship Wild Duck,—We, the undersigned passengers of the ship Wild Duck, feel the greatest pleasure in thanking Messrs Beck, Wallace, and Fowler, as officers of the ship for their kind and courteous manner during the passage, and at the same time we express the highest satisfaction as to the mode in which they have discharged their duties in every way. We also, without presumption, beg to express our highest approval of the manner in which the crew have conducted themselves, both as sailors and men, and though glad to get ashore, we cannot help feeling regret in leaving a ship where we have met with such good feeling throughout.—Alexander Davidson, A.B.R. Fookes, C. Elgar, R. Burgess, Joseph Gibbs, Mrs Baillie, W.B. Burgess, Mrs Burgess, Mrs Davidson, Miss Davidson, Miss Fannin, W.F. Burgess.
We, the undersigned passengers of the ship Wild Duck, from London to Wellington, New Zealand, beg to express our highest satisfaction as to the manner in which Mr James Millegan has carried out his duties as steward of the ship, and to say he has shown the greatest possible attention to us in every way. We beg to tender our hearty thanks to him, and wish him every success in his future undertaking.—W.B.Burgess, Mrs Burgess, Mrs Baillie, Mrs Davidson, Miss Davidson, Miss Fannin, W.F. Burgess, A.C. Powers, H.W. Diver, Alexander Davidson, A.B.R. Fookes, E. Elgar, R. Burgess, Joseph Gibbs.
To the officers of the ship Wild Duck, at sea.—We, the undersigned, wish to express our sincere thanks for the exceedingly kind and courteous manner in which we have been treated during our long passage from London to Wellington, New Zealand, also for the able and gallant manner in which you have performed your duties, likewise the crew under your able and efficient directions, and meet Divine Providence you may be long spared to continue your hazardous calling, wishing you every prosperity and happiness.—Joseph Williams, Thomas Blackmore, Robert M’Dermid, John Berks, John Gore, Albert Biggs, James Muir, Francis Matthew, James Robertson, Frank Cony, George Mason, William Arnatie, H. Shoebridge, G. Shoebridge, John Middleton, J. Sharkey, John Clark, John Connelly, W. Beaumont, W. Hepburn, James Crabb, W. Munter, John Henly, Jas. China, William M’Kune, John Rowley, Walter Tyrell, Joseph Moran, Walter Muir, Roger Lloyd, James Beck, Stephen Agate, Thomas Maslem, Richard Matthew, Elizabeth Mackune, Caroline Rowley, Annie Tyrell, Julia Moran, Agnes Muir, E. Lloyd, Mary Jane Beck, Caroline Ogate, Alice Maslin, Mary Matthews, Margaret Donahu, Sarah Ann Slait, Ellen Matthews, Maggie Tait, Annie Tait, Martha Tait, Charlotte Williams, Marie Crowe, Alice Fitzpatrick, Kate O’Leary, Annie Lloyd, Priscilla Lloyd, Mary Moran, Catherine Moran, Janet Muir, Jane Jane, Alice Jurcoch^(sic), Francis Shoebridge, Jane Deans, Mrs Anstie, Bessie Anstie, M.A.Shoebridge, Emily Canole.

On 15 October 1885 Ann Jane Mills and George Thomas Shoebridge were married. ^[7]

The Ngunguru Years

GOLDEN WEDDING^[8].
SETTLERS AT NGUNGURU.
MR. AND MRS. G.T. SHOEBRIDGE.
WHANGAREI, Thursday.
The first white couple to settle at Ngunguru, Mr. and Mrs. G.T. Shoebridge, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary this week. They received congratulations from all parts of the district.
Captain Shoebridge was born at West Farleigh, Kent, on April 16, 1862, and at the age of 11 came with his father and three sisters in the full-rigged ship Wild Duck to New Zealand. He shipped as a boy on the Robin Hood, running between Wellington and Newcastle with coal. The skipper, “Bully” Williams, ran a line of vessels upon which butter was always supplied to the crew. One Sunday, however, Captain Williams saw a sailor with a butter tub, greasing his sea boots. Thence forward there was no butter in the forecastle in any of “Bully” Williams’ ships. From Wellington Captain Shoebridge came north and was engaged in picking oysters at Russell for about three years. While at Russell he met Miss Ann Jane Mills, and their marriage took place at St. Matthew’s Church, Auckland, on October 15, 1885. Captain Shoebridge then engaged in fishing for some time with the Coristena, at that time champion boat of the Auckland fishing fleet.
Forty-three years ago Mr. and Mrs. Shoebridge settled at Ngunguru, where they have lived ever since. Captain Shoebridge was employed by the E. Ford and Tankard Coal Company, towing vessels and barges in and out of Ngunguru Harbour for over 20 years. He was responsible for towing the first load of coal down the Ngunguru Harbour from Kiripaka, at that time the centre of one of the largest coal fields in New Zealand. When the ketch Champion, commanded by Captain Stevenson, was wrecked on the treacherous Ngunguru Bar, Captain Shoebridge saved the crew.
Captain Shoebridge was harbourmaster at Ngunguru for a number of years, and in 1915 was appointed postmaster, a position he holds at the present time, combining it with dairy farming and the keeping of a general store.
Of a family of eight children the survivors are: Messrs. James (St Helier’s Bay), Alec (Dominion Road), Ralph (Ngunguru), and Mesdames W. Wellington (Tutukaka), W. Newman (Parna Bay Road, Whangarei), A. Akast (Onerahi), and J. Spiers (Mercury Bay).

George died during 1939 and was buried at the Maunu Cemetery in Whangarei^[9][10].

DEATHS^[11].
SHOEBRIDGE.—On August 20, at his late residence, Ngunguru, George Thomas, beloved husband of Ann jane Shoebridge, and father of James, Ralph, Alec, Mrs. W. Wellington, Mrs. W. Newman, Mrs. H. Akast and Mrs. Spiers, in his seventy-eighth year. Funeral will leave his late residence to-morrow (Tuesday) at 1 p.m. for Maunu Cemetery.

Probate was granted on his will on the 31st August 1939^[12] to his executors, his sons James Henry Shoebridge and Edward Ralph Shoebridge.

In his will he made provision for his wife, Ann, to be allowed to continue to live on the family farm and also mentioned all of his children, namely:-
my present children being the said James Henry Shoebridge and Edward Ralph Shoebridge and Alexander Shoebridge of Nelson Labourer Louisa Rose Wellington Elizabeth Frances Newman Annie Lydia Mary Akast and Minnie Gladys Spiers And I direct that if any of the said children shall die before the death of my said wife that the children of any child dying as aforesaid shall take their parent’s share as aforesaid to be equally divided.

Sources

1. ↑ "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2N84-YM7 : 1 October 2014), George Thomas Shoebridge, 1862; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Maidstone, Kent, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
2. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7PZ-19G : accessed 22 May 2016), George Shoebridge, 11 May 1862; citing Kent, England, reference item 7; FHL microfilm 1,851,039.
3. ↑ "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FS1W-T2V : accessed 21 May 2016), Geo Thos Shewbridge, 20 May 1873; citing Wild Duck, Ship, Arrival Port , National Archives, Wellington; FHL microfilm 004411740.
4. ↑ West Coast Times , Issue 2354, 17 April 1873, Page 2
5. ↑ Evening Post, Volume IX, Issue 84, 21 May 1873, Page 2
6. ↑ Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3813, 24 May 1873, Page 2
7. ↑ NZBDM marriages 15/10/1885 1885/3359 Ann Jane Mills, George Thomas Shoebridge
8. ↑ Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 247, 18 October 1935, Page 17
9. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2SM-4VGH : accessed 21 May 2016), George Thomas Shoebridge, 1939; Burial, Whangarei, Whangarei District, Northland, New Zealand, Maunu Cemetery; citing record ID 154557439, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
10. ↑ http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=154557439&PIpi=131054890 Find a Grave Memorial Photo]
11. ↑ Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 196, 21 August 1939, Page 1
12. ↑ "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9V-VTMM : accessed 21 May 2016), George Thomas Shoebridge, 1939; citing Whangarei, Whangarei Probates - Second Sequence, 1939-1959, record number 67, Archives New Zealand, Auckland Regional Office.