BARR family:
James Porteous BARR was born on August 16th 1837 at Riccarton in Ayrshire. On December 31st 1857 he married Agnes THOMSON  in Dreghorn, Aryshire. 2½ years later with their infant son John they emigrated to New Zealand on board the William Miles. James and the family farmed at Courtenay in Canterbury then moved to 'Mountain View Farm', Annat and farmed there for 20 years until it was sold to the WRIGHT family in 1892. The family moved up to Gisborne in 1891 where James became a managing partner for a farm syndicate there. James's parents John and Ann BARR (nee SMITH) came out on the ECHUNGA 1862, his father dying on December 3rd during the voyage . Agnes's parents were Robert THOMSON and Ellen (Helen) WHITE. After her husband died, Ellen came out to NZ where she remarried George ROBERTSON 1892 in Christchurch. James BARR died on August 9th 1894 at Gisborne and Agnes died on July 9th at Christchurch. If you have a connection with this family or are intersted in learning more please contact Christine Sheehan.