The
MARTIN Journey Continues ...
On 11 June 1881, according to the certificate of their marriage, Christopher and Elizabeth's eldest daughter, Elizabeth Ann MARTIN, married Richard Henry LAWRY in the Registrar's Office, Christchurch, New Zealand. They were both aged 21 at the time and living in Sydenham (Christchurch). Christopher and Elizabeth MARTIN (Elizabeth Ann's parents) were witness to the marriage and are stated as living in Addington (Christchurch), Christopher's occupation at the time is stated as "Miner". Richard LAWRY was born 1860 in Towednack Cornwall, the son of John LAWRY, a miner, and Honor Pengelly LAWRY. Richard also emigrated to New Zealand aboard the Piako. Elizabeth and Richard had the following children and eventually emigrated to Michigan, USA:
On June 11, 1939, Richard and Elizabeth celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Ishpeming, Michigan. The following article appeared in the local newspaper at the time and a copy has been kindly supplied by their Granddaughter, Elizabeth Lawry HEBBARD: "Surrounded by their family and scores of friends, Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Lawry, 117 S. Angeline Street, today observed their 60th wedding Anniversary. Because of their advanced age, no formal celebration was planned, but this afternoon there was "Open House" and in the evening a family dinner was served. The Lawrys, who have lived together more years than span many a lifetime, are still in excellent health and Mr. Lawry, particularly, has an amazing retentive memory. To the very day he remembers event after event in his life. Mr. Lawry is the elder of the two, having been born September 18, 1859, in Penzance, Cornwall. Mrs Lawry was born March 10, 1860, in Redruth, Cornwall. Tragedy almost caught them before their married life started. In the fall of 1878, Mr. Lawry learnt that Mrs. Lawry, then Elizabeth Ann Martin, was leaving, with her parents, for New Zealand. This territory was being colonized and the Martins were going to take up land in the new country. Mr. Lawry was young, in love and his girl was going halfway around the world. So he went too. They left October 3, 1878, for the new land. On November 11 their boat, the Piako, caught fire, 90 miles off the coast of Pernambuco and burned from Monday to Friday, before the Loch Doone hove to and took the passengers off the blazing ship. The sea was running heavy and as Mrs Lawry was being lowered into a lifeboat, a huge wave carried the smaller boat away and she dropped into the water. (Her family laughed with her this afternoon as she recounted the experience and she added, "It didn't matter much then. I wasn't married."). They were landed on a small island, which Mr. Lawry remembers for the never-ending diet of coconuts, which at first were very acceptable after three days of fasting on the boat. They waited on the island until their burned ship could be repaired, then re-embarked and landed at Port Littleton (sic.), New Zealand, March 3. 1879. Two years later, June 11 1881, Elizabeth Ann Martin and Richard H. Lawry were married in a little church in Christchurch, New Zealand, taking vows that have held them together 60 years and which carried them halfway round the world to Ishpeming. The Lawrys left New Zealand July 5, 1889, sailing from Port Littleton (sic.) for England. On October 21, of the same year, Mr. Lawry sailed for America, and seven months later, in May 1890, Mrs Lawry and the children sailed to join him. Mr. Lawry arrived in Ishpeming late in 1889 and has been resident here ever since. In addition to their four surviving children, the Lawrys have 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Lawry worked in the mines. He was employed by the Lake Angeline mining company until it was disbanded, after which he worked for the Oliver Iron Mining company. He retired in 1928. He was a member of the Ishpeming city band seven years and is the only living member of the band that was active in 1899. He also led the choir in the First Methodist Church and the Salisbury Methodist churches and played in the Sunday school orchestra in the First Methodist. He has been active in the Order of Foresters, "having gone through the chairs" and is still on the active list. He joined in New Zealand and dates his membership back 59 years. He also was affiliated with the Temple of Honor, known to older members of the community, but no longer a recognized organization. Many friends called at the home this afternoon and evening and the Lawrys received numerous messages and letters of congratulations."
TOP Elizabeth's parents, Christopher and Elizabeth MARTIN, and the remainder of the family, however, headed in quite a different direction.
Christopher Berriman MARTIN (senior) died in Boulder, Western Australia on 23 January 1902 age 63. His wife Elizabeth Ann nee BRAY lived until the age of 87, and died on 3 September 1925. They are buried together in the cemetery at Boulder, Western Australia. A headstone records for posterity that Christopher was of Towednack, Cornwall. Boulder, is located about 365 miles north east of Perth, Western Australia. The area was established following the discovery of gold in the late 1800's and is now one of the major regional centres of Western Austraia. I have no doubt that the MARTIN family was attracted there by the need for skilled miners and the hope of a prosperous life. They certainly found work, but, as far as I'm aware, they didn't find their fortune.
Passengers aboard the Piako [from the NZ National Archives - PDF] |
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