Born in September 1812, the son of the Reverend H Bethune of Dingwall, Ross-shire, Scotland. Came to New Zealand on the 'Cuba' in January 1840, and entered into business with George Hunter (1821-1880), as Bethune and Hunter, auctioneers and land agents. Represented Wellington City in the Provincial Council 1853-1854. Returned to England and married 15-year-old Martha Harriette Goldie in 1855. Died in England on 25 July 1855.
Bethune, Kenneth, 1812-1855
Business papers
Date: 1860-1862
From: McLean family : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0032-1001D
Description: Papers are mostly correspondence relating land transactions in the Wellington and Wanganui areas. Some names have been entered in the Name field. Letter from C A Calvert, Registrar of Supreme Court of Canterbury re probates and management of intestate estates with reference to the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Great Britain Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Land Transfer Office : Wellington land deeds
Date: 1840-1890
Reference: fMS-256
Description: Mainly land deeds (conveyance, right of way, grants, leases, tenancy agreements, mortgages), includes certificates of New Zealand Company shares Includes discharge certificate from 65th Regiment of Foot for Private James McFadden, 1861 Variations in title - Spine title: Old land deeds of Wellington Quantity: 1 volume(s) (110 pieces). Physical Description: Mss (50 cm; brown linen tie folder) Finding Aids: Calendar of contents available.
Business papers
Date: 1850-1854
From: McLean family : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0032-1001B
Description: Papers are mostly correspondence relating to land transactions in the Wellington and Wanganui areas. Some names have been entered in the Name field. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Bethune, Kenneth, 1825-1855 : Documents
Date: 1852-1862
By: Bethune, Kenneth, 1812-1855
Reference: MS-Papers-1995
Description: Contract of marriage between K Bethune, Wellington businessman, and Martha Goldie of Inverness, 1854-1855; their will, 1855; schedule of deeds for Mrs Bethune and George Hunter, 1852-1862, including Crown grants, Wellington Relationship complexity - Related papers at MSI-Papers-0032-0800, MS-Papers-0032, folders 1001B, 1001c, 1001D and 1002A Quantity: 1 folder(s) (4 pieces). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss
Letter from Kenneth Bethune to Glasgow
Date: 19 May 1846 - [ca 1990s s- 2020s]
From: Frankcom, Margaret, active 1991-2023: Collection of New Zealand missionary and pioneer mail
By: Bethune, Kenneth, 1812-1855
Reference: MS-Papers-12917-6-1
Description: Lot description from Spink Auction House: "1846 (19 May) entire letter from Kenneth Bethune in Wellington to Glasgow [...] The letter was probably sent via Valparaiso on the Judith and thence to England on the John Mitchell". Refers to legal matters. Item includes transcription. Title supplied by Library. Arrangement: Delivered to Library in a Spinks Auction House folder labelled with lot number "2099". Quantity: 1 folder(s) contains letter, and supporting research documentation.
Papers re Kenneth and Harriett Bethune
Date: 1856-1860
From: McLean family : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0032-1002A
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Official papers re land and emigration
Date: 1839-1866
From: McLean family : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0032-0978
Deed conferring shares in Brigatine Hannah
Date: 16 Feb 1843
From: Treadwells : Legal documents
Reference: MS-Papers-2634-4/1
Description: Deed between George Hunter, Kenneth Bethune, David Smith and John Salmon conferring shares of the late George Hunter in the Brigatine Hannah to John Hannah
Exemplification of the probate of the will of K Bethune
Date: 24 May 1860
From: McLean family : Papers
Reference: MSI-Papers-9327-1
Description: Relationship complexity - Related papers at MS-Papers-1995, MS-Papers-0032, folders 1001B, 1001C, 1001D, and 1002A Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Personal inward correspondence - A-B
Date: [1840s-1870s]
From: McLean family : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0032-0984
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Wellington elections! At a numerous meeting ...the following resolutions were unanimous...
Date: 1853
By: Wellington independent (Newspaper)
Reference: Eph-D-POLITICS-Wellington-1853-01
Description: Text reports progress of meeting, and lists six candidates and 34 electors who comprised the committee. Other Titles - At a numerous meeting of the electors of Wellington, held at Barrett's Hotel on Monday Even., 1st August, the following ...6 liberal candidates, viz, Mr Bethune, Mr Clifford, Dr Dorset, Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Kelham, Mr Lyon...[Signed] Henry Bragg, James Smith, secretaries. Quantity: 1 colour art print(s). Physical Description: Letterpress print on blue paper, 562 x 455 mm.
Grand reform banquet. Demonstration in favour of the immediate establishment of represe...
Date: 1849
By: Wellington independent (Newspaper)
Reference: Eph-C-POLITICS-1849-01
Description: Chairman John Dorset. Vice Chairmen listed: Major Baker, J.P; Kenneth Bethune, Esq.; J Boddington, esq.; Captain E Daniell, J.P.; J. Johnston, esq.; James Kelham, esq., J.P.; William Lyon, esq.; A. M'Donald, esq., J.P.; Samuel Revans, esq.; W.B. Rhodes, esq. Stewards: Messrs: A. de B. Brandon, F. Bradey, Richard Barton, William Dorset, J.E. Featherston M.D., William Fox J.P., Major Hornbrook, W.S.Loxley, D.M. Laurie, J. Marriott, John M'Beth, Thomas M'Kenzie, Robert Park, E. Roe, George Rhodes, Joseph Rhodes, David Scott, George Scott, James Smith, J. Varnham, W.E. Vincent, R. Waitt, John Wallace, J.h. Wallace, George Waters, Thomas Waters, John Wade, F.A. Weld. Signed by the secretary, W.E. Vincent. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - Wellington, February 23, 1849; Recto - bottom right - Printed at the "Independent" office, Lambton Quay. Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Letterpress on paper, 460 x 288 mm. Provenance: Originally part of the Wallace papers.
Vote for Bethune, the true Constitutional and Liberal candidate. "Failt air a Bhan Righ...
Date: 1853
Reference: Eph-D-POLITICS-Wellington-1853-04
Description: An arrangement of text. The The Gaelic words may be a salutation to the Queen. Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Letterpress print, 455 x 560 mm.