Samuel ATKINS [5938]

  General Notes:

The New Zealand government in the 1870s actively promoted immigration to settle New Zealand, offering a free passage, agents were appointed throughout Great Britain who advertised the country in glowing, but often inaccurate terms.
Colour Sgt Samuel Atkins (retired) of the 78th Seaforth Highlanders, was among many who embarked on the adventure of a new challenge for him and his family.
Born in Arnold, Nottingham, on July 23, 1824, Samuel had been twice wounded in the relief and later the defence of Lucknow, decorated for his service, most of his 31 year military career was on the Indian subcontinent.
Following his retirement in 1862 he lived in Selkirk, Scotland for 10 years acting as a Staff Sgt in the Border Battalion Rifle Volunteers, under Col Sir George Douglas of Springwood Park, Kelso.
On February 25, 1873 Samuel and his family embarked on the Shaw Savill vessel Woodlark, with his wife and 5 of his children, his oldest son Samuel Alexander having immigrated to the United States. They arrived in Auckland after 95 days at sea on 31 May 1873.
The Captain of the Woodlark was Thomas Wood and during the course of the voyage he and Samuels daughter Margaret Mary had established a relationship, on their arrival in New Zealand they declared they would marry, which they did on 21 June 1873 in time for Margaret to sail with her new husband back to London, on 1 August 1873.
Samuel and his family moved to Wellington where he found a job as a nightwatchman, purchasing a house at 7 Austin Street Mount Victoria, the property was renamed Ettrick Cottage, after Ettrick Vale in the Scottish borders where they had lived.
Ref: Jim's Article on Ettrick Cottage in NZ Legacy Vol 27 No 3 2015. Jim is the Gt Grandson of James Alexander Atkins

In Loving Memory of
Samuel Atkins

Late Colour and Pay Sergeant 78th Highlanders
who passed away 3rd April, 1917
in his 93rd year
Born at Arnold, Nottingham, England
"Hold the Fort"

Ref: Karori Cemetery Wellington, searched by Agnes Hopkin
s Gt Grandaughter of Samuel Atkins.

  Research Notes:

Atkins Family Reunion at Ettrick Cottage
In February (2017), five descendants of Samuel Atkins, accompanied by five family members, came to Wellington from the United States, England and Australia for a family reunion at Ettrick Cottage to commemorate the centenary of his death in 1917, aged 92. A reception was hosted by current tenant Kate Foot for Atkins family members and invited guests, including nine MVHS members.

Kate has compiled a shared folder of articles about the cottage, historical photos and Atkins family shots, and photos from the event - go to
<https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwHOjch0b06rNGtKYTJxdFUzZHc>

Samuel's great-great grandson Jim Atkins, who made his first trip from the United States about five years ago to see the home of his forebears, commented that "This reunion is very meaningful - I'm a sentimental kind of guy." Although all of Samuel Atkins' known descendants are living overseas, Jim is hopeful that there may be relatives living in New Zealand:

We have a missing branch of our family tree. Like most families, there was a "black sheep" in ours. Samuel's oldest son, Samuel Jr., joined the family in 1875 after serving in the US Army Calvary for five years, and first returning briefly to the UK. Interesting, at least to us, was that he arrived aboard the Edwin Fox, the floating museum ship in Picton.

Upon arriving in Wellington on 18/4/1875, Samuel met and married a young woman, Annhora Kershaw. It is
believed he met her through a shipboard traveling companion, William Kershaw. The couple was married 6/10/1875 in St. John's Presbyterian Church, Rev. James Paterson presiding. Witnessing for Annhora was Thomas George Kershaw, whom I presume to be her father. He listed his occupation as shoemaker, and there was a Thomas George Kershaw with a shoemaking establishment on Lambton Quay at the time.

Some time in 1876, Samuel Jr. did a runner, abandoning Annhora (nee "Annie") and their newborn child. It is known that he went to Fiji, but his tracks vanish after that. As for Annie, it is known that she applied to the Resident Magistrate's Court in September 1877 for a "married woman's protection order" against her husband. It seems that a Mr. Buckley appeared on her behalf, so he may have been a solicitor.

We do not know anything further about Annie or the child … We would be thrilled to learn that there was still family in New Zealand.

If you have any information to add to this story, Jim would very much appreciate it if you would email him at jgordon.atkins@gmail.com <mailto:jgordon.atkins@gmail.com>.

The Atkins family is concerned that the cottage will be torn down or moved again to make way for a second tunnel. Ettrick Cottage is on land leased from the New Zealand Transport Agency. In an article about the family reunion, the DomPost reported Neil Walker, NZTA Wellington highways manager, as saying that the Mt Victoria tunnel duplication project and other previously planned major projects had been put on hold while the Let's Get Wellington Moving transport initiative was progressing. If leased land owned by NZTA was needed in future, it would, "where appropriate", work with building owners on the relocation of their buildings.

  Other Records

1. Samuel Atkins and Family: At Ettrick Cottage Wellington NZ c1901.
Photographed on the verandah of Ettrick Cottage L to R. Marion Atkins nee Shennan, Alice Atkins, Marion Atkins, Samuel Atkins

Samuel married Annie J McEWAN [5939] [MRIN: 1975], daughter of John McEWAN [33898] and Margaret [33899], about 1845 in Gillingham KEN. (Annie J McEWAN [5939] was born about 1827 in Cork co Cork IRL, died on 8 May 1875 in Albion Hotel Courtney Plc Wellington NZ and was buried in Bolton Memorial Lawn Wellington NZ.)

Samuel next married Marion SHENNAN [6327] [MRIN: 2121], daughter of David SHENNAN of Scotland [33900] and Margaret [33901], on 23 May 1876 in Wellington NZ. (Marion SHENNAN [6327] was born about 1840 in Auchencairn Kirkcubrightshire, died on 2 Nov 1916 in Wellington NZ and was buried in Karori Cemetery Wellington.)