James Wiggins Thomson
James Wiggins Thomson was born in Hamilton, Victoria circa 1869 as a young adult he migrated to NZ and possibly died in 1933 to 1936 and buried in Lower Hutt. After going to NZ he disappeared of the family radar.
The only other clue I have is that coming from a pastoral background he was probably engaged in pastoral activities
hi allantho,
just a little something (needs a longer research) ...
James was born c1869 in Hamilton, Victoria to Alexander Thomson & Sarah Roberts (as you know) but this differs from the death date recorded in NZ
James was living in Epuni Street, Lower Hutt when he enlisted in the 2nd Reserves, C classification during WWI
James married Daisy Hall (1884-1976) in 1905
-- Daisy was 1 of at least 7 children of John Hall & Fanny Crossan (possibly from Otago?)
James & Daisy had 2 (known) children:
1907 - Violet Jane Thomson
-- husband not yet found for Violet but she excelled at school, winning M.A. degrees with first-class honours in languages, science & maths. She MAY even have been the Dux of Wellington Girls College in 1925. She accepted a position on the staff of the Avonside Girls College, Christchurch in 1931. Possible she was in Timaru in 1933 (all this needs more research of course)
1909 - 1988 Alexander James Pierpoint 'Alex' Thomson
-- Alex married Marion Roma Elizabeth Marie Cunningham (1910-1988) in 1935
* Alex died 11 June 1988. Marion died 11 weeks later
James Wiggins Thomson died suddenly at his home, 50 Pretoria St., Lower Hutt on 1 Dec 1936 aged 71. This would mean a birth year of 1865
His funeral was on Thu 3 Dec 1936 and he is buried Plot 579 C, Section PUBLIC3 at Karori cemetery, Wellington
His wife Daisy died 21 August 1976 and is buried with him
Lower Hutt was very agricultural/pastoral back in James's day (as you supposed)
James and his son Alex won many prizes in many Horticultural Flower Shows in the Hutt Valley, with their flowers and seedlings, especially with their daffodils & narcissus
In 1938 Alex was awarded the NZ Institute of Horticultural award of merit and was the champion of champions and champion with his yellow trumpet daffodil and other prizes including the North Island Amateur Championship silver-gilt medal
In 1939 he carried off all the major honours
Hello ngairedith,
My most grateful thanks for the information on James Wiggins Thomson he is definitely the missing link in the family history. I was intrigued by the name of his son as "Pierpoint" was the name of the pastoral lease where James Wiggins was born and bred and who was my Great Uncle.
It is also intriguing as to their devotion to Horticulture as my father (his nephew) was also heavily involved in this activity. It appears that I need to go back and qualify the date of birth but despite that your communication certainly clears up a lot of questions.
Thanks again, my regards, Allan Thomson
The Age Wed 14 Jul 1897
DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST.
HAMILTON, Monday,
One of the oldest residents, Mr. Alexander
Thomson, the owner of Pierrepoint Estate, died
last night. The deceased gentleman was a
native of Crathie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland."
He arrived in Adelaide in 1847 and came to Vic
toria in 1849 and settled down in "The Grange,"
as Hamilton was then called. Messrs. "Wm. Skene
and De Moodie, who had been the owners of
a considerable area of land round about Hochkirch, appointed the deceased as manager. Mr. Thomson was elected councillor of one of the first Dundas shire councils, which at that time held its meetings in Mr. French's woolshed.
He retained his seat at the council table for 21
years, during which he was president on several
occasions. He also took a leading part in the
Pastoral and Agricultural Society. He leaves
a widow and grown up family of three.
Hi Allan,
the spelling of Pierpoint was mine. I had Pierrepoint & thought it incorrect ;)
Maybe is should be as written in The Age which janilye posted
Anyway, obviously where the boys got their names - Alexander, Pierrepoint etc
He bequeathed his property to his widow and members of his family. Value of real estate, £24,497
personal property, £391.
Sarah died 26 October 1900 in her 72nd. year. There was a son called Alexander who died at Pierrepoint, in 1876 aged 14. His gun went off when he was climbing through a fence, the bullet hit him in the thigh and he bled to death
The very nice winery up there now call it Pierrepoint but back in the day it was also called Pierre Point
thanks for the input janilye, helps verify things this side of the creek :)
For some reason I always remember the name of a good winery!~
The reason I mentioned the bequests was because the family inherited and I assume that would include James;
perhaps the wills would include an address for James. Sarah also left a will.
They may be viewed on order PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA just click on the record number and order.
that's a great link janilye,
records can be viewed online as well but huge! so I didn't bother. Allantho may well want to though
cheers
You can view his will, best to view record first and order if you need. item 268 will show his will
He does mention James Wiggins.
Some wills are not viewable online. Usually the ones I need to read.
But, alantho is lucky all his Wills of interest are. William Thomson (Portland 2 Oct. 1915) the eldest son also has one worth reading.
Murphy's law ;)
Pierrepoint is correct that was the name of the property sadly now non existent all that remains are a few bluestone billets covered in weeds on the site of the original homestead.
thanks for the tip re Wills being available on line, shall chase that up. Thanks all