John and Louisa with four of
their family (Herbert, Mary, Sam and Tasman) came to
New Zealand in 1903 from N S W in Australia.
They had left Glen Huon Tasmania in 1894 for Richmond
River in New South Wales.
Two more daughters, Ada with her husband Mr. Chesworth
and Ethel followed later.
The Woolley's eldest daughter Amy was also married
but remained in Sydney.
They moved into the People's Palace Hotel in Auckland
while John went to Kawhia to see his block of land.
On arrival in Kinohaku he hastily constructed a
primitive camp and returned to Auckland to collect his
family.
It was three weeks before he got back to them and since
they had heard nothing of him in his absence, were about
ready to
return to Australia. Louisa believed he had got lost,
or been attacked by the Maoris.
They all eventually
got to Kinohaku, built a home and started breaking in
the country.
Ada later married Jack Wotherspoon,
Mary married George Shaw,
Ethel married Fred Derecourt.
After they settled in Kinohaku the Woolleys had a seventh child, a son John in 1909. The huge orchard they planted kept many locals in fruit for years. In fact the orchard remains known as Woolleys' Orchard to this day and the pear trees that were planted over ninety years ago still crop profusely.
Derecourt | |
Herbert | |
Grigsby | |
Bluett | |
Passfield | |
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