Fanny Rhodes

Fanny's parents James and Jane Reed immigrated to Wellington NZ in 1842 on the 'Clifton' a ship of 820 tons. Captain: Cox; Surgeon Superintendent: Joseph Hamilton Smyth.

They sailed from London October 2nd 1841 and arrived in Wellington on February 17th February 1842 James and Jane were from Hawekhurst in Kent and were accompanied by their three daughters, Louisa, Fanny and Jane.

Father James was a Carpenter and also the Secretary of the very first 'Trade Union" in NZ; The Carpenters and Joiners Society. Two sons were born in Wellington, but in July 1853 James decided to move to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. James went first and then Jane followed in the December with the two boys.

It was believed that the 3 daughters stayed in NZ. However, Fanny ended up in Sydney in 1849 where daughter Caroline Fanny was born. The father, Joseph Rhodes, was in Wellington from 1844 to 1848 and also ended up in Sydney in 1849. It appears that Fanny could have become pregnant to Joseph in Wellington, which may have prompted their move away to a larger city. They married in Sydney in 1853, after their 3rd child.

They were married at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney and their 3 children were all baptized in the suburb of Balmain, where it appears they lived. They returned to Hawkes Bay in New Zealand in 1854 where they had seven more children.

Joseph and Fanny became people of means in the Hawkes Bay where Joseph owned several sheep stations. He was on the Provincial Council and a member of numerous boards and notiable organisations. They became very prominent people in Hawkes Bay Society and by all accounts had a very enjoyable and privileged life.

It appears that Joseph left Fanny in c1888 and remarried in Australia after her death in 1897.

FUNERAL NOTICE: At Milton Grange, Napier, on Monday, 6th July, 1897, Mrs Joseph Rhodes, aged 68, mother of Mr Frank Rhodes, Solicitor. The funeral will leave her late residence to-morrow (Wednesday), at 2 p.m.