Robert and Bessie Edmeades nee Harris
_Robert Edmeades was born on 20 August 1861 at Margate, Kent, to Robert and Emma Edmeades. He migrated from England
on board the 'Chimborazo' in 1877 at the age of just 17. Robert's
intention was apparently to join his Uncle Henry in Perth to learn the
brewing trade. However, he decided that brewing was not for him, and
instead moved on to New Zealand in 1878.
Robert initially boarded with his Aunt and Uncle Martha and George Braithwaite in Wanganui, and worked as a grocer's assistant with the firm J. Jones. Bessie Harris was born on 10 June 1861 at Taunton in Somerset, England. She migrated to New Zealand with her parents William and Martha Harris on board the 'Waimea' in 1876. Robert Edmeades and Bessie Harris were married on 11 October 1882 at Tikorangi in the Manawatu at the home of Bessie's brother Alfred. Robert and Bessie's first home was in Wanganui, where Robert continued his work as a grocer. The couple became involved with the Baptist cause in Wanganui and were foundation members when the church was formed. Around this same time, Robert's sister Emma and step-sister Anna Rumsey arrived in New Zealand to stay with the couple. Emma later married Albert Evans, and Anna married Louis Adolphus Durrieu in 1885. In the late 1890s the family transfered to Petone where Robert found employment. Here they became foundation members of the Petone Baptist Church. Later the family moved to Renwick in Marlborough, where Robert entered into a business of his own. Robert died in Cambridge on 7th March 1923 as the result of a motor car accident. After this, Bessie retired to Brooklyn. Bessie died in Wellington in 1949 at the home of her daughter, Mrs Niven. Both Robert and Bessie are buried in the Karori Cemetery in Wellington. The Petone Baptist Church recorded in its 50th anniversary booklet that ''On March 7th, 1923, the man who had so much to do with the foundation of the Church, and the early work-Mr. Robert Edmeades-passed away. It was decided to place a marble plaque in the Church in his memory, and this tablet was unveiled on Sunday, August 19th, 1923..." |