John Westrup

John was born in 1822. He arrived in Nelson, New Zealand some time before the 1849 Nelson Census. By that time, he had married Margaret Parker. John was a mariner, " a small-ship pioneer in resource hunting and trade" in the Nelson, Tasman Bay and Golden Bay area. The children who survived to adulthood were: John Edward aka Jack (1849/1850); William (1853); Sarah Ann Glover, later Stringer (1853); George Nathaniel aka Kemo (1857); Robert Porter (1859); Cockram (1862); and Samuel (1864). Another son, James, born 1851 died of croup aged 4. [1] He passed away in 1897[2] and is buried in Wakapuaka Cemetery.[3]

An old identity, more particularly known about the Port, and generally spoken of in late years as " Poor Old Jack Westrupp," died in the Old People's Home last night. Deceased, who was a native of Yarmouth, has been about Nelson for something over thirty years, during which time he has had many ups and downs, his career being an eventful one. For some time he owned and ran the cutter "Three Brothers," which came to grief some years ago. 0f late years the late Mr Westrupp has been an inmate of the Old People's Home, and though partially blind and deaf he persisted in endeavouring to earn something for himself by fishing and collecting cockles, etc, and many a time he has been seen out in the harbour in his boat, and sometimes fears have been entertained for his safety. Some six or seven years ago two of his sons were drowned, one at the Waimea West Entrance, and the other off the cutter Phoenix at the entrance to Nelson harbour. Several sons survive, one being master of the little steamer Wairoa, which runs form Wellington to the Sounds and Patea. [4]