Moonlight, George Fairweather, 1832-1884

Goldminer, hotel publican and store-keeper. Born in Scotland in 1832, son of James Moonlight and his wife, Jane Lindsay. Sailed to America in 1848 and was on the Californian goldfields at age 16. He then moved on to Australia, prospecting on the Bendigo and Ballarat goldfields with some success, purchasing a ship to trade with Java. He arrived in Otago in 1861, with his cousin Tom Moonlight, and then moved on to the Nelson and West Coast goldfields. Moonlight explored much of the West Coast interior making numerous discoveries. He married Elizabeth Gaukrodger in 1863; they had two children Totty and Jack. He was publican of the White Hart Hotel, Richmond, Nelson, ca 1863-1868; followed by store-keeping ventures in the Maruia Valley, Murchison and Glenroy, where his wife died of typhoid in 1882. Died of exposure while on an expedition in 1884. (The Press, 30 Jun 1987). See DNZB (1990, Vol 1, 1769-1869, p295-296)

There are 6 related items to this topic
Manuscript

Papers relating to Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast

Date: 1962, 1968-1981, 2012

From: Garland, Phil, 1942-2017: Papers and recordings

Reference: MS-Papers-11839-030

Description: Contains songs (including some scores), verse, toasts, and stories relating to the Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast regions; together with correspondence from people living in these regions. Not all correspondent names have been indexed. Includes lists of tunes played by the Kokatahi Band; different versions of the song `The dying bushman' collected from Richard and Ken Hart; collection of poetry by Eric Hayman; and correspondence and stories from oral historian Christine Hunt. Cassette originally located here has been moved to MSC-023726. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter (some photocopies)

Manuscript

Murchison Historical Society : Records

Date: [ca 1880-1946]

By: Murchison Historical Society

Reference: MS-Papers-10036

Description: Includes `My early life in Murchison' by George McNee, being part of an unfinished autobiography written in 1946; career of George Fairweather Moonlight, and, `The derivation of the lost tribe', by George von Bell, ca 1929 Source of title - Supplied Quantity: 1 folder(s) (3 pieces). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescripts Provenance: Donor has written a history of the Murchison district

Manuscript

Letters

Date: 1952

From: Reed, Alexander Wyclif, 1908-1979 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-0199-05

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: Inventory available.

Online Image

George Fairweather Moonlight

Date: [ca 1867]

By: McNeish, James Henry Peter (Sir), 1931-2016

Reference: 1/2-008604

Description: George Fairweather Moonlight and dog, circa 1867. Photographer unidentified. Source of descriptive information - Dated assuming the subject is circa 35 years of age Relationship complexity - An original of the same image is at PA3-0021 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Add to cart
Manuscript

Moonlight, George Fairweather, 1832-1884 : Papers and newspaper clippings

Date: 1879-1965

By: Moonlight, George Fairweather, 1832-1884

Reference: MS-Papers-1321

Description: Newspaper clippings and other miscellaneous material relating to the gold prospector and explorer, G F Moonlight, his family and the centennial of the township of Atarau (Moonlight) in 1965. Includes letter written by Moonlight to his daughter, Elizabeth in 1884. Source of title - Supplied title Goldminer, hotel publican and store-keeper. Quantity: 1 folder(s) (16 pieces). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss and printed matter (some annotated)

Audio

A man called Moonlight

Date: [1965]

From: Garland, Phil, 1942-2017: Papers and recordings

Reference: MSC-023891

Description: Probably copy of 1965 radio documentary `A man called Moonlight', concerning the life of gold prospector George Fairweather Moonlight Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s).