Richard Thomas Reed

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.

James was a Carpenter. Two sons were born in Wellington, Henry & Thomas, but in 1853 James decided to move to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. James went first and then Jane followed with their sons. Its believed that the daughters stayed in NZ. Henry later returned to NZ and Richard stayed in Australia.

Around 1882 Richard Thomas and family went to S Aust. aboard the ‘South Australian’ and as there is no record as a passenger, presume they were in the steerage.

They lived at Henry Street, Stepney and he worked for a Mr William Rossiter, Cabinetmaker as an organ builder.

Richard was admitted to the Adelaide Hospital 4th January 1883 with Apoplexy and died there on the 6th January 1883 aged 35yrs. Religion recorded was Church of England.

According to the West Terrace Cemetery, he was buried in an ‘ordinary’ grave, that is, funeral was paid for by the Govt. Family elected not to lease the land in which he was buried. The location of Richards grave is Road 4, path 28, lot 5 East.