Sarah Simmonds

Sarah boarded the “Tyburnia “ at Gravesend UK and arrived in New Zealand in September 1863 at an Auckland port. She remained on board until October due to an outbreak of smallpox. Her birthdate was 1836 which made her 27 years old on arrival in New Zealand. She married Charles Pontus Simmonds who was aged 22 years in 1864. My mother Cecily Torea Palmer ( Grundy) maintained that she was French in nationality because older family members always noted that she spoke French in the main. Rather the family has Swedish ancestry due to Charles Simmonds. It would be interesting to discover why Sarah spoke fluent French as she was born in Nottingham UK. Possibly due to education of some sort ? She was employed in the textile industry as a lace dresser, which was a common occupation at the time. No known photo or image exists at this time. She is acknowledged on Charles Pontus Simmonds tombstone as his beloved wife. Interestingly it appears that although one daughter Annie Sophia died of scarlet fever at the age of 10 years, another daughter is mentioned ( perhaps incorrectly) on her death. Another mystery surrounding Sarah.