Hirst family of Halifax

Letters, exchanged between members of the Bracken family in Yorkshire, but mainly from Grace, describe daily life in Taranaki, the outbreak of war in 1860 and its progress, domestic and farm life. Included are detailed accounts of the voyages to New Zealand on the Gwalior, Ravenscraig and Silver Eagle.

Thomas and Grace Hirst emigrated to New Zealand from West Riding, Yorkshire on board the Gwalior in 1851 with five of their eight children. They settled in Taranaki, first in New Plymouth where Thomas and Grace traded as general merchants. In 1854 they moved to a small farm at Bell Block, moving back to New Plymouth when marital law was declared in Feb 1860. Thomas & Grace made a visit to England later that year. On the return voyage their ship the William Brown caught fire and was destroyed. Thomas set sail again on the Ravenscraig and Grace returned in 1863 on the Silver Eagle. On the death of Grace's brother in 1870 the family inherited a substantial amount of money which was invested in land etc..

Grace frequently assisted neighbouring families as a midwife and nurse, attended at the birth of many of her own grandchildren, and helped lay out the dead. She was also active in fundraising for the Anglican Church

Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s).

Physical Description: Microfilm of typed transcripts

Alternative form available: Typed transcripts also available at MS-0994-1006