John George Grey

Headstone: In memory of John George GREY died Feb 26th 1890 aged 67 years also his son Rogers died Novr 7th 1888 aged 22 years also his wife Isabella Rogers died May 17th 1896 aged 64 years. A faithful friend, a father dear, a tender parent lieth here, worn out with age, and gone to rest, God called him home when he thought best.

GEDCOM Note

<p>Centenary Celebrated by Farming Family</p><p>Milton(Special) - The opening up of the farming property named "Berrington" facing the main highway at Milburn, by the late John George Grey a century ago was celebrated at a social gathering in the Milburn Hall on Saturday night. The was an attendance of about 140 relatives and friends, some coming from as far away as Te Awamutu and Invercargill.</p><p> The property is perhaps the only one in Tokomairiro district which has been held by one family for 100 years. After the original occupants had lived for a period in a sod hut, a two storeyed house was built and it served until after the turn of the century, when the house was pulled down, the two front rooms were incorporated in the new design od a single storied wooden homestead now owned bya grandson of the original owner, Mr William Roger Grey.</p><p> Looking through an old diary, it was interesting to compare prices of goods and wages in 1875 with the ruling rates today. One pound oftobacco cost 5s, 7Ib mutton 2s 4d, 2cwt of potatoes 10s, two bags of wheat £1, 1Ib butter 1s. One farmhand received £16 11s 4d for 19 weeks work - an average weekly wage of 17s 4d. A servant in the house was paid 4s a week and another farmhand, whose tobacco and clothing were paid for by Mr Grey, received £110 for two years work.</p><p> Mr John George Grey was born in Berwickshire Scotland, and came to New Zealand in the Bernica in 1848. Shortly after his arrival he was engaged in running a boat service between Port Chalmers and Dunedin and later was employed as a shepherd in Central Otago and at Mount Misery.</p><p>When the gold rush began, Mr Grey bought the Milburn property and divided his time between farming and carting to the diggings, receiving as much as £60 a ton for freight.</p><p>He also served as a member of the Tokomairiro Roads Board and was for several years clerk to the Milburn School Committee.</p><p> In 1849 he married Miss I Rogers, who had arrived that year inthe ship "Blundell". The couple left a family of nine sons and three daughters.</p><p> Mr William Grey joined his father on the home farm and subsequently succeeded to the estate, which at that timeconsisted of 380 acres. Mr Grey was a breeder of purebred Border Leicester sheep, and he imported several rams from England. He won innumerable medals, cups and trophies at agricultural shows throughout New Zealand and sold several flocks of long wool sheep in the Sydney market.</p><p> Mr Grey was chairman of the directors of Otago Farmers Ltd., for several years, Chairman of the Milburn School Committee, President of the Farmers Union and a committee member of Toko Farmers Club, now the Toko Agricultural and Pastural Society.</p><p> In 1902 he married miss Helen Henderson whose father owned the Milburn store which recently celebrated it's centenary.</p><p> Three other sons of Mr J.G Grey settled on farms in the district, Alfred Percy at "Runnymede," now owned by Mr H. Stodart, Clarendon;James at "Burnbrae," now owned by Mr R.A. Gordon, and John at "Circle Hill" on the property now owned by Mr C Flett.</p><p>&nbsp</p> N.B. Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles (4 km) south of the Scottish border. Berwick-Upon-Tweed, the former county town of Berwickshire , had a population of 11,665 at the time of the United Kingdom Census 2001. A civil parish and town council were created in 2008.

GEDCOM Source

15 AUG 2015 19:31:39 GMT -0500 Jude Tomlins McDonald-Tomlins Web Site <p>MyHeritage family tree</p><p>Family site: McDonald-Tomlins Web Site</p>Family tree: 185583932-6 Discovery 185583932-6 3 15 AUG 2015 Added via an Instant Discovery™ Discovery

GEDCOM Note

The oldest son travelled on the BERNICIA BERNICIA, 548 tons; sailed from London, 7/7/1848, for New Plymouth (arrived 3/11/1848), Nelson (arrived 5/11/1848), Wellington and Port Chalmers, where she arrived on 12/12/1848. Captain Arnold; Dr Robert Williams, sugeon, who brought his family and remained in the settlement. BERNICIA list includes: Grey, John George (25) [ag.; m. Isabella Rodger (ex Blundell); South Waihola; d. 26/2/1890].