Charlotte Forsythe

Location: 14 Wikitoria Road, Putiki, Whanganui

Tikitiki was built in 1867-68 for Hori Kerei Paipai, chief of Putiki, and it remained in the ownership of this family until 1934. It is noted as one of the oldest houses in Putiki, and its name (‘Tikitiki’) was identified in the obituary of his daughter, Harete (Charlotte) Forsythe who died in 1922. It was the last residence of Hori Paipai's father, Kāwana Pitiroi Paipai. Paipai was a tohunga and a military leader; he signed the Cook Strait (Henry Williams) sheet of the Treaty of Waitangi on 23 May 1840, at Whanganui.

The historical importance of Tikitiki is now apparent and sets it apart from European houses built at the same time. It was built for a Maori family who played a significant role in the early history of Wanganui and New Zealand. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a28c0e68c56a8ed657dc973/t/5...

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18690417.2.7?items_p...
Forsythe-Grey - At Christ Church, Wanganui, on April 17, by the Rev. C. H. S. Nicholls, William Forsythe, Color-Sergt. 18th Royal Irish, son of Mr Joshua Forsythe, of Newry, County Down, Ireland, to Charlotte Grey, only daughter of Hori Grey, Esq., native chief, Putiki.

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19220530.2.15?end_d...
Hawera & Normanby Star, 30 May 1922
The death is reported from Wanganui of Mrs. W. Forsythe ("Harete"), daughter of the late Hori Kerei Paipai (Hori Grey) and grand-daughter of a prominent, friendly chief, Kāwana Paipai. She was married to Sergeant W. Forsythe, of the 80th Royal Irish, then located.in the Wanganui district, and on the regiment being recalled Mrs. Forsythe accompanied her husband to Britain where she lived for eight years. Returning to New Zealand, Mr. and Mrs. Forsythe and the late Mrs. Gregor McGregor, who was also so well and favourably known in Wanganui and the surrounding district, were associated together in various good works. The deceased lady was always actively interested in movements making for the improvement of her people and for the establishment of the best of relations between pakehas and Maoris. She was also an active worker for the Lady Liverpool League (the Putiki Maori Women's branch), which did very good work in raising funds for patriotic purposes during the war.

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19220530.2.15?items...
Evening Post 31 May 1922
Death has removed, another of Wanganui's old residents in the person of Mrs W. Forsyth (Harete), says the Wanganui Herald. The deceased, who was a daughter of the late Hori Kerei Paipai (Hori Grey), the granddaughter of a prominent friendly chief, Kāwana, was associated with early Wanganui. She was married to Colour-Sergeant W. Forsyth (still living); of the 18th Royal Irish, then located in this district. On the regiment being recalled upon the cessation of hostilities Mrs.,Forsyth accompanied her husband to England, where she resided for about eight years and where her first child was born. Subsequently they returned to New Zealand and Sergeant Forsyth received a Government appointment. About twenty years ago Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth returned to Wanganui, where they had resided in their homestead, Tikitiki (Putiki) ever since. The deceased was a very fine type of Maori woman. She was always actively interested in movements making for the improvement of her people and for the establishment of the best of relations between pakehas and Maoris. Her husband and family of three survive her. One son, Lieutenant W. Forsyth, was killed in the South African War.

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19220527.2.21?items_...

Sources:

Downes, T. W. (1915). Old Whanganui. W. A. Parkinson & Co. Ltd.