Robert and Ruth Strand nee Harvey
Robert Strand was born in Eythorne, Kent in 1847. Ruth Harvey was also born in Kent in 1851. Robert and Ruth married in the Baptist Chapel at Eythorne in Kent circa 1875. At that time, Robert was the head gardener on the Denne Hill Estate and as a result they lived in the Garderner's Cottage on the estate where 2nd daughter Rosanna was born in 1883. Robert was known for growing Black Hamburg grapes against the kitchen garden wall.
Robert Strand was a lay-preacher for the Baptist Chapel in Eythorne and walked the distance from his home to the Chapel to take some services. His daughter Rosanna enjoyed walking with him so she could play the organ. Ina Edmeades records in her family history two stories of the young twins William and George Strand. In one, the boys were known to have stripped off and run naked along a wall in the estate garden in response to a dare. In the other, the boys attempted to lift fence posts being used to construct the estate gates. They managed to lift the post, but when they dropped it, it struck another piece of iron and snapped in two. As punishment the boys were 'jailed' in an attic room for several days with only bread and water. Rosanna recalled feeling sorry for them as they looked forlornly out the window. Robert and Ruth and their children emigrated to New Zealand on board the ''Ionic'' in 1900 [?], by which time Rosanna was 17 years of age. The family settled in Petone, where Mr Strand eestablished a market garden. Ruth died 27 December 1921, while Robert lived on until 22 April 1930. They are both buried in the Taita Cemetery, in Wellington. |