Charlotte Norris

Ebenezer Goddard Norris was born at Brixham in Torbay, England on 20 August 1830. He was the eldest child of Gregory and Sarah Norris (nee Clarke). Gregory Norris was a Minister whilst Sarah's brother, missionary George Clarke, emigrated to Kerikeri in New Zealand. When Gregory died Sarah made preparations for the family to join her brother in New Zealand but unfortunately died in England. 20-year-old Ebenezer took charge of the preparations and arrived with his siblings in Kerikeri in 1851. He leased the old Stone Store at Kerikeri. He married Charlotte Kemp in Kerikeri on 16 March 1859. She was the youngest daughter of missionary James Kemp. They had one child together before moving to Auckland. Charlotte died in Parnell on 22 August 1865. Ebenezer was a member of the Volunteer Militia and after fighting during the New Zealand Wars became a Captain. In 1866 he moved to Tauranga, opening a store facing west on the right hand side of Wharf Street. This was just two years after the battles of Gate Pa and Te Ranga and Ebenezer Captained the Tauranga Rifle Volunteers. Their uniform was made from Grey Nelson Tweed with dark blue facings and silver lace. He married Amelia Harriet Campbell (1846-1935) at old St. Mary's in Parnell on 21 July 1868. She was the daughter of Captain Colin and Rosa Campbell. They arrived in Tauranga aboard the 'Star of the South'. There was no wharf in Tauranga at the time which made landing difficult but the local armed constabulary formed a double line along Tauranga's waterfront in their honour. The couple made their home at 'High Trees' which was originally built by Colonel Harrington. It was situated in what is now called Harington Street (site of Mrs E. T. Baker's flats). Together they had a further five children. From 'High Trees' Amelia released the first English birds in Tauranga which proved to be a disaster later in time. The family often had to flee to the safety of Monmouth Redoubt whilst Captain Norris and his volunteer and regular's saw to the defences. This was the time when Te Kooti was leading raiding parties. In 1870 Ebenezer was elected to the Tauranga District Highways Board. He was also a candidate for the mayorality of the new borough in 1882 but this was won by George Vesey Stewart. He was Chairman of the Town Board five times and carried out other civic minded activities. He built 'Barbreck House' and the family lived there from 1874. The home was situated on the corner of Second Avenue and Devonport Road. Ebenezer's nephew Fred who had been orphaned came to live with the family. Ebenezer died in Tauranga on 27 August 1890 and was buried in the Tauranga Mission Cemetery. Amelia took in lodgers after his death to support the family. She died in Tauranga on 3 July 1935. Source: Biography by Debbie McCauley (24 December 2014) http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/tauranga_local_history/topics/show/2416

• Updated from MyHeritage Match via husband Ebenezer Norris by SmartCopy: Sep 13 2014, 4:58:55 UTC
• Updated from MyHeritage Match via mother Charlotte Kemp (born Butcher) by SmartCopy: Sep 13 2014, 4:35:30 UTC
• Updated from MyHeritage Match by SmartCopy: Sep 13 2014, 4:43:30 UTC
• Updated from MyHeritage Match by SmartCopy: Sep 13 2014, 9:22:02 UTC