Places

Date: 20 Feb 2001

From: Upper Hutt Uniting Parish Millennium Project

By: Whiteman, Coral May, 1907-2008

Reference: OHInt-0593/52

Description: Coral Whiteman was born in Wanganui in 1907 and mentions that she has just had her 94th birthday. Mentions that she went to Sunday School as a child. Explains why her son was baptised in the maternity home by Reverend Mr. Rowe. while her other five sons were baptised in the United Church. Talks of family links with Mangaroa and Whiteman's Valley, mentioning her father-in-law's farm. Describes the burial places of his wives and daughter after she fell off a horse. Relates that she has a history of the Whiteman family in England, mentioning farmers and smugglers. Explains about the brothers Spencer and Miller Whitemen sent to Botany Bay, Tasmania. States the relationship with Henry Avery, Sir Francis Renouf and Frances Underwood. Explains that the Whiteman's were a founding family who arrived on the 'Gertrude' in 1841. Mentions John Plimmer. Recalls the wonder of turning on an electric light compared with trimming wicks on oil lamps. Coral Whiteman describes the comfort of prayer during her 35 years as a widow. Recognises the friends who help at afternoons for Blind people, Care and Craft, the providers of sandwiches and baking, Red Cross. Discusses the number of donation envelopes received for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, IHC, Cancer Society, Wellington City Mission. Talks of Beth Gillon and home communion. Discusses changes in use of individual glasses rather than receiving the communion cup, mentions the linen purificator and challice. Talks of relationships with family members. Describes her birthday party. Talks of presents of creams and lotions. Explains about her youngest son's property in Whiteman's Valley, mentioning children, dogs and sheep. Describes the purchase of horse manure, a good vegetable garden. Compares Sunday lunch with deliveries of hospital meals. Talks of hospital equipment, mentioning a walking stick and handles in the bathroom, the convenience of a stool in the shower. Relates a telephone assessment by the Foundation for the Blind about Braille, access to a computer and talking books. Explains her sister's use of a talking books machine, mentioning magazines. Discusses her abilty to read the newspaper and to do crosswords after her eye surgery. Mentions that she has glaucoma and cataract. Describes having a blood clot. Talks of hospital visitors, mentioning Edna, her daughter-in-law, and her journey home by taxi. Recalls that Edna and her father were treated for TB at Wellington and Otaki Sanatoriums respectively. Explains that Edna had Rhesus Negative blood group and descibes the effect on her children. Relate that her son Bryan built his own house. Talks of Roy Triplow, a property developer. Mentions that her son Peter was pallbearer at Sir David Beattie's funeral. Talks of her grandchildren continuing the Whiteman name. Relates her experiences of catholicism and gives reasons for her parents-in-law's burial in different churchyards. Recalls a family reunion at St. John's where members of the Whiteman family are buried, and the donation of a stained glass window. Mentions Simnel cake. Talks of family members, Ivan, Anna and Ben McColl and other family members. Mentions reading James Hay Conway's obituary in Crosslink. Recalls the influence of the Reverend Frank Parker and his wife. Gives reasons for her weekly visits to the hairdresser. Recalls the thrill of receiving life membership of the evening fellowship group having been their first treasurer. Interviewer(s) - Elaine Bolitho Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009313, OHC-009314 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) - printed. 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 interview(s). 1.10 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3015, OHDL-000970. Portrait photograph taken at time of interview