Elizabeth Breitmeyer

MRS GEORGE BREITMEYER
Mrs George Breitmeyer of Little River, who died on Wednesday, was born at the Bruce Hotel, Akaroa, on November 12, 1842, and was therefore in her 96th year. Her parents came to Petone in the ship "Bengal Merchant," which left Glasgow in 1839 and landed them at Petone in 1840. Mr Peter Brown remained there for over two years, but the Maoris were much in evidence there and Mr Brown, who was a baker, came down to Akaroa to work with Mr Connell, arriving in May, 1843.
Two years ago Mrs Breitmeyer paid a visit to Akaroa where she met some old friends at the Bruce Hotel. She was accompanied by her daughter, Miss Anne Breitmeyer and by her two sons Messrs George and Leon Breitmeyer and by Mr Frank Stanbury. Mesdames J. Walker and Brittain who met her there have also joined the majority. Mrs Breitmeyer was educated at Pigeon Bay and enjoys the distinction of being the first child baptised in Akaroa, the ceremony being performed by Bishop Selwyn in 1844. In 1861 she married Mr George Breitmeyer, one of the French emigrants in the Comt de Paris, and lived a few years at Takamatua. Later the family moved to Pigeon Bay and to Christchurch and finally Mr Breitmeyer settled at Little River where he was foreman of the old Akaroa County Council, a position he held until he died as a result of blood poisoning brought on by running a splinter into his hand.
Mrs Breitmeyer was a fine type ol woman, and naturally had many interesting stories to recount. She recalled vividly the disastrous fires of 1863 which swept the Peninsula hill tops of their wonderful timber forests. She recalled the mysterious disappearance of Mr Dicken of French Farm, a mystery never solved. She remembered M. Benoit, who has given his name to one of our streets and she recalled the festive gatherings in the early days when the residents forgot for a few hours the heavy toil which is the lot of all pioneers. It is a curious fact that in all her years Mrs Breitmeyer never travelled further than Christchurch and had never been on a boat. She enjoyed excellent health until recently and was keenly interested in all around her.

(Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser,, 28 January 1938)

MRS G. BREITMEYER
The funeral of Mrs Elizabeth Breitmeyer took place at the Little River cemetery on Friday when there was a large representative gathering. The service at St. Andrew's Church and at the graveside was conducted by the vicar, the Reverend A. H. Barnett assisted by the Reverend D. Hay of Belfast. The chief mourners were Miss E. Breitmeyer (Poranui), Miss A. Breitmcyer (Christchurch), Messrs J. Breitmeyer (Little River), G. Breitmeyer (Christchurch), J. Breitmeyer (Christchurch), A. Breitmeyer'(Porauni), L. Breitmeyer (Little River) and C. Breitmeyer (Porauni). The pall bearers at the church and at the graveside were Messrs L. Breitmeyer, M. Breitmeyer, B. Breitmeyer and C. Breitmeyer (grandsons). Floral tributes were received from the Breitmeyer family (Poranui), Fritz, Mary and family; George, Agnes and family; Len, Mary and family; Queen and the boys; Doreen and Lindy; Mrs R. Brown, Bob, Florence, F. H. Wlliams and family, Mr and Mrs J. Brown and family, Mr and Mrs Cunneen and family, Mrs Turner Snr. and family, Mr and Mrs J. Johnson, Mr and Mrs H. J. Bell, Mr and Mrs J. Smith and family, A. E. and H. A. Birdling, Mrs L. Dawson, Mrs M. Lee and sons, Mr and Mrs J. O. Coop, Mr and Mrs F. Stanbury, Mr and Mrs F. Coop and family, Mrs C. B. Price and family, Banks Peninsula Collie Dog Club, Mr and Mrs L. Coop, Charlie and Sarah Jones and family, the Barclays, F. G. Birdling, Mr and Mrs Eric White and Ngaire, Mr and Mrs W. Parkinson, Mrs and Miss Gread, Canterbury Pilgrims' Association.

(Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 1 February 1938)