Anthony Ormsby

Individual Note

! ANTHONY ORMSBY Was a Trader stationed in Tutuila, American Samoa. Unfortunatly at the age of 31 years he died. What information we have managed to find about Anthony we give you here in the form of Documents held at the National Archives. Death Certificate found on a Film of Records of Deaths recorded by the British Consolate of Samoa.This Film is held at the Family History Centre,Temple View,N.Z.

Record No 26 16 Mar 1889 Apia Samoa Anthony Ormsby Male Trader of Tutuila but visiting Apia..Signed by Robert T.Chatfield of Apia, Samoa Death Registered March 20th 1889 with Seal of the Consular Service and Signature of Diplomat or Consular Officer, H. de Coelligan.

Letter dated April 1889 Sir, Many thanks for your letter of 20th March received today informing me of the death of my poor son, Anthony. I was rather surprised to hear from McArthur & Co a few days ago that he had been married for some time, as he never mentioned it to me or his brothers in his letters. Possibly you would be good enough to let me know if any legal marriage took place before I take any steps regarding his effects. I am, Sir, your obedient servant Robert Ormsby Senior.

Letter from Alexandra, Auckland,New Zealand. Dated 9 Augt 1889 To HBM Consul Apia, Samoa Sir, I received your letter of 20th March last about the middle of April and replied the same day. Perhaps my answer did not reach you. Many thanks for your kind letter as it explained my poor son's reason for staying aboard the Lily. I had a letter from McArthur & Co on 5 June last in which they stated that you had got what property he left and 80 or 90 Pound in money. I know no one in Apia. If you or McArthur's agent would kindly act as my representative in administering his estate I would feel greatly obliged. You will do me a great kindness if you will let me know as soon as possible about this matter. I have the honour to be,Sir, Your obedient servant Robert Ormsby Senior

(Cover sheet) In HBMHC Court for the WP in Samoa Administration Jurisdiction, re Anthony Ormsby deceased Application of Mr R T Chatfield, Administrator In her Britannic Majesty's High Commissioner's Court of Western Pacific at Samoa. In its Administration Jurisdiction on the matter of..............for Letters of administration in the Estate and goods of Anthony Ormsby, British subject,deceased. I, Robert Thomas Chatfield make an oath and say as follows I will faithfully administer the personal property of the deceased by paying his just debts and distributing the residue of his property according to the law. I will Accept(or Execute) an inventory and render the accountt of my administration whenever lawfully required. The deceased died at Apia in Samoa on the 16th day of March 1889. At the time of his death he had his fixed place of abode at Tutuila within the District of this Court. The whole of his personal property does not amount in value to the sum of six thousand dollars to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. Sworn at Malaulu this twenty third day of April one thousand nhine hundred and eighty nine before me....H. de Coelligan. Stamp of British Consular Service in Samoa.

Due to space here we insert only those entries that would historically be of interest. The following list of private effects of Anthony forwarded to his father by way of the SS Wainui may help you to form your picture of him.

1 Gold Hunter Watch 1 Gold Albert Guard 1 Gilt Watch 1 Silver Watch 1 Set of Gold-Faced Studs 1 Magnifying Glass 2 12 in Carpenter Rules 1 pr Forceps 1 Box Mathematical Instruments 1 set Draftmen 1 set Chessmen 1 Revolver in Case 1 Saloon Rifle 1 Violin Sundry Wearing apparel...End of list.

Here is a part list of Stock at Tutuila. A note from Pamela Ormsby who helped me as scribe is now included here.......This list represents the first page of a lengthy document(s) occupying several blue,foolscap, and very fragile pages- our limited time, but more importantly the fragility of the folded pages, suggested that this list will suffice...so let your imagination run wild on what other items-clothing? furniture? Machinery? who knows?- this interesting antecedent may have offered for sale to the good folks of Tutuila. We include Number of items Name and Value.

2/12 Regatta Shirts $2.00 5/12 White Shirts $4.16 5/12 White Shirts $4.16 2/12 LDS Trim Straw hats $4.00 1/12 Panama Hats $5.40 8/12 Flowers $2.00 7/12 Crimean Hats $5.60 5/12 CK Quilts $7.50 1/12 Blue KC Quilts $9.00 2/12 Work Boxes $1.40 4/12 Chemises $4.50 2 3/4 Cold Ribbon $9.90 3/12 Cold Blankets $6.37 68 yds Sheeting $17.00 2 Quilts $3.00 48 Llama $8.64 62 Llama $11.16 2 Suits Black Serge $11.00 5 Wrkr Wool Shirts $6.25 1 Blue KC Quilt $1.50 1 White KC Quilt $ 1.50 5 2/12 Cold Cate Hfo $15.75 8/12 Black Singlets $3.33 1 Wool Merino Singlet $ 4.50 9/12 Wool Merino Singlet $3.00 8/12 Wool Merino Singlets $3.00 1 Tweed Trousers $1.75. End of list.

Sold to Messrs McArthur and Co of Samoa 1 Dismantled Cutter now lying on the beach at Matautu for the sum of $75 29 Apr 1889.

Apia Samoa 25 Jul 1889 to Mr Chatfield in accordance with an advert placed in the Samoa Times 20th July 1889 Tenders were made by Wm McArthur and Co No 1 Store and Land at Pago Pago $650 No 2 Land at Leone $550

Sold at Auction by W E Gurr & Son 13 Nov 1889: 1 Saddle and Bridle $11.00 1 Thermometer.50c $11.50 less commission $1.15 = $10.35.

Robert Ormsby Senior received as the next of kin Personal Effects and 4 Carved Spears via SS Wainui. Plus final undisclosed amount to ...in Robert Senior"s words " Please remit it to the Bank of New Zealand, Te Awamutu Branch.Te Awamutu is a village about one hundred miles South of Auckland".

On the 15th of Mar 1889 a hurricane started to gain force around Apia Samoa. At this time there were several ships in the harbour German,English and American.Besides these there were Several smaller vessels which included the schooner "Lily" which belonged to Wm.McArthur and Co , Traders from Tutuila, American Samoa.There were 3 persons aboard the "Lily", namely the Captain, the Cook, and Anthony Ormsby. The storm had come up very Quickly and They stayed with the boat.However overnight as the fury of the storm increased the ships were in serious trouble and several were damaged and amongst all that chaos the Nipsic a German ship lost control and scuttled the schooner with Anthony aboard. He and the cook lost their lives, the captain was saved. This would have been a sad day for Anthony's Family. A Court Record for a land claim brought by a member of the Aumavae family was on behalf of the "Ormsby heirs".This states that their father died in 1888 and he had married into the Aumavae family. I cannot state that his wife's name was actually "Aumavae" ,But we know that these are her family,and that there was more than one child.