Bella (Bell ) Flett Corrigall and Ernest (Ernie) Huddleston - my generation’s g grandaunt and uncle

Bella (Bell) Flett Corrigall was the seventh child and fourth daughter of Jean and James Corrigall. She was born on the 21st of August, 1892 in Omakau (Registration number 1892/14969). Her second name Flett was also her mother, Jean’s, maiden name. She attended Blacks school with her siblings beginning in 1898, where she was known as Bella.

I think as a teenager Bella became a member ‘Dot’s Little Folk’, a column in the Otago Witness through which young people, mostly teenagers, corresponded with one another. This column was major means of communication, with correspondents developing nom-de-plumes, and members recognising each other at outings through pins worn on hats or jackets.

Bella (Bell) Flett Corrigall

I believe Bella’s non-de-plume was that of Bessie Corr. I have only found two references to Bessie Corr in the ‘Dot’s Little Folk’ columns. The first was on the 5th of August 1908, when in asking to exchange autographs, she confirms that she was ‘care of’ Mrs Corrigall in Omakau. The second reference was on the 11th of November 1908 in the form of a letter in which Bessie Corr refers to the Matakanui ball and the children's dance that she attended. She also states that she has an exam on the 14th of November after which she will be leaving school which she hates! Bella who would have been 16 years old at the time. Her older sister Nell was 17, was likely to have already left school and was definitely attending the adult balls in the district; for example, she is recorded as being present at the Ophir Fancy Dress Ball on the 29th of May 1908. Janet had tragically died by this time, and Bess was 26 years old with a son to care for. Bella’s older sisters were obviously no longer attending school nor children’s dances. Bella’s younger sisters, Maggie and Polly were only 11 and 10 years old, and were neither teenagers nor leaving school. For these reasons, I believe Bessie Corr was Bella’s nom-de-plume.

A request to exchange autographs from Bessie Corr, as it appeared in ‘Dot’s Little Folk’ column of the Otago Witness on 5th of August

A letter from Bessie Corr, as it appeared in ‘Dot’s Little Folk’ column of the Otago Witness on the 11th of November 1908

By 1909, Bella was attending the adult dances and social occasions. She wore white muslin to the Bachelors Ball in Omakau on the 8th of October, also attended by her siblings and parents. Apparently ‘the gathering was voted by one and all to be one of the most enjoyable held in Omakau for some time’. Bella wore pink satinette to the Matakanui Footballers Ball on the 13th of September, 1911. This event was also attended by her sister and despite inclement weather, dancing continued till 3:30am in the morning! Bella was one of the Corrigalls that attended the Loyal Vincent Lodge, M. U. I. O Oddfellow Ball held on the 28th of August, 1912. She either wore a white zephaline evening dress with bead trimmings or a cream epongeline evening dress with sequin trimmings. The following month on the 13th of September, 1912 at the Matakanui Footballers Ball, attended by two of her sisters, Bella wore a white silk dress with sequin trimmings. In 1914, Bella dressed as a nurse at a plain and fancy dress masked ball held at Becks on the 22nd of May. Many of the Corrigall clan were in attendance, all in fancy dress, and as well as music and dancing, this event included a highland fling performance and a roller skate exhibition.

It is likely to have been at one of these social events Bella got together with Ernest (Ernie) Huddleston. The pair were married on the 20th of March, 1918 (Registration number 1919/1850 at her parents’, James and Jean’s, residence, ‘Willow Farm’. Bella’s sister Nell was the bridesmaid. It was reported in March 1918 that ‘the young couple being well-known locally, a large number attended the ceremony’ and ‘everyone enjoyed the bountiful hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Corrigall’.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette27 March 1918, p. 4

An April 1918 report of their wedding stated that: ‘Naturally much interest was centred in the event and needless to say the local folk turnout to wish them well. There was a good time provided at the residence of the bride the hospitality of the Corrigall’s is proverbial — and the wedding breakfast was splendid. The Rev. Chandler was the officiating clergyman. May Mr and Mrs Huddleston be blessed with all health and prosperity is everybody’s wish.’

Ernie Huddleston

The Huddleston family history is well told in two valuable texts, which I am very grateful to have accessed through Jill Ferry, Bella and Ernie’s granddaughter. One is ‘The First Huddlestons of Matakanui’ section written by Gwen Rowley, Bella and Ernie’s second daughter, and Jill Ferry, Gwen’s daughter, in Grant Barrett’s book (circa 2008) ‘Joseph Barrett and Mary Dodd and the descendants of Richard James Barrett’. The second is Betty Leask nee Huddleston’s ‘Huddlestons of Spottis Creek’ (circa 1998). Betty was Bella and Ernie’s oldest daughter. (Obviously writing and recording history is in the family!)

The following draws on information from both sources. The Huddlestons trace back to Slaidburn, Yorkshire, England in about 1820. Ernie’s father Christopher arrived in arrived in New Zealand in 1874 and settled in the Tinkers (Matakanui) area where he was engaged in mining. He was a contemporary of Jimmie Corrigall (James Corrigall’s uncle) and William Hourston Leask, Bella’s great uncles.

Christopher Huddleston, Ernie’s father, far right, with other unidentified members of probably the Blacks Plumpton Coursing Club; courteous of Jill Ferry via Hocken Library

Christopher was musical, a skilled billiards player, enjoyed athletics and curling, loved gambling and was a founding member of both the Vincent Jockey Club and the Blacks Plumpton Coursing Club. It is no wonder that the Huddlestons crossed paths with the Corrigalls!

Ernie’s father, Christopher married Agnes Grubb (nee Wilson) on 7th October 1881 at Alexandra. They built a fairly substantial sod house on section 20, Block 3 in the Lauder District. This is roughly two thirds along Hepburn Road at approximately -45.048208, 169.592915. They raised a family of six, two girls and four boys, including their youngest Ernest known as Ernie, who was born in 1894.

Partial view of Crown Grant and Record Map of the Lauder District, 1919, showing Christopher Huddleston’s name on section 20, Block 3 of Lauder District (bottom left) and Jimmie Corrigall’s name (top right)

Ernie was a great musician, athlete, horseman and a farmer. At the age of 18, he was working in the back country of Luggate during 1913 when it was reported he failed to attend military training in Sutton. There was good reason for this, however, as he didn’t receive notification of the training camp until it was over. During World War One, Ernie’s name was drawn from the ballot in September 1917. However the following month in October 1917, he was classed C2 and therefore spared from serving abroad. C2 was considered unfit for active service beyond the seas but suitable for service of some nature within New Zealand.

Ernie played music at various functions over the years including a 1914 surprise party with Bill Corrigall and a 1919 end of season football party with M. Corrigall, possibly Mary (Polly). He played violin at the RSA victory ball at the Lauder Hall in 1945 and assisted with the music at the 1946 RSA ball.

Bella and Ernie (date unknown)

Ernie successfully competed in athletic events. At the Omakau Sports Club and Picnic Day in 1915, he won the 130 yard race and the high jump, gave an exhibition of high jump and was second in the wrestling. In April 1915, Ernie won the high jump at the Clyde Sports Day with a jump of 5’ 6” (approximately 170 cm). In 1916 Ernie came second in the hop, step and jump at the Omakau Sports Day. He won £1 10s in March 1917 by coming first in the 100 yard race at the St Bathans Athletics Club annual meeting. Ernie was involved with the Athletic Association till at least 1925.

He was a skilled football player, playing for the Matakanui team in at least 1914, 1916 and 1919. Ernie was also an accomplished horseman and won prizes for his hack at the Omakau A. and P. show including the best paced walking horse in 1915 and second place in 1916. In addition, Ernie was a member of the Vincent Jockey Club during 1928, 1929 and 1934 and no doubt other years.

Betty Leask nee Huddleston recalled how her parents, Bella and Ernie, lived at in a cottage at approximately 504 Lauder Road, belonging to Mrs Lena Stafford when she was born. This was the family’s summer residence and during the winter they lived in a small rabbiter’s hut about 400 meters from the store at Matakanui. This was because Ernie worked on farms and shore sheep during the summer and had his own rabbiting block in the winter.

Bella and Ernie’s winter home, the rabbiter’s hut. Note Bella in the doorway. Photo presumably taken prior to 1928, courtesy of Jill Ferry

In 1928 the family along with Robert (Bob) Huddleston, Ernie’s brother, bought ‘Wether Hill,’ a 7500 acre run where they began eradicating rabbits and sheep farming. Their home was located at the corner of Huddleston Road and Glassford Road, near Thomsons creek, approximately 4 kms from Matakanui. This property became known as ‘Poplar Grove’ due to the numerous populars that had been planted by the Chinese market gardeners to provide shelter from the northwest winds.

Ernie’s brother Bob also lived with Bella an Ernie and the children at ‘Poplar Grove’. His main task on the farm was running the teams of horses until 1948 when the first tractor was purchased. Like the entire family, he helped with all the other farm jobs such as milking cows, separating milk and feeding the hens, dogs, lambs, pigs and calves. Bob had a hut near the main house and apparently had a photo of Sam Corrigall in his hut as they were both WW1 soldiers. From Betty’s account Bob sounds like he had a great sense of humour with nicknames for everything and everybody.

In 1920, before having their own children, Bella and Ernie fostered their nephew Leslie (Les) Alexander, who’s mother Mary, Ernie’s sister, had died when Les was just 9 years old. Les helped Ernie and Bob around the farm and played football for Matakanui in 1933, 1936, and 1937. By 1939, he was considered a ‘really good forward’ player. Les fought in WW2 and was welcomed home in 1946. Later that same year he was married to his English bride, who was welcomed into the district. In 1947, Les was still involved with football at Matakanui.

Bella and Ernie’s children included

1. Betty Isobel who was born on the 13th of June, 1922 in a cottage at approximately 504 Lauder Road with Bess Corrigall in attendance along with the midwife. Betty attended Spottis Creek school when she lived at Lauder Road and then she went to Matakanui school. She went onto marry John Kenneth (Ken) Leask in 1946 at Ophir and to have five children. She wrote the book, ‘Huddlestones of Spottis Creek’ circa 1998. Betty died on the 23rd of September 2008 and is buried at Omakau cemetery in Lot X, plot 9B

2. Gwenyth (Gwen) Alexandra Janet who was born on the 21st of May, 1926 in Alexandra; Gwen was named after the girlfriend of Bess Corrigall’s son, Alex Corrigall who was very unwell with TB at the time of Gwen’s birth and sadly died a few months later. Gwen went on to marry Russell Weston Rowley on the 18th of June, 1959 in Ophir. She had two daughters, Jill and Hilary, both who have been extremely kind to me in helping me with my research. Gwen died on the 16th of July 2012 and is buried at Omakau cemetery in Lot XX, plot 22

3. Jean Agnes who was born on the 26th of June, 1928. She got engaged in June 1948 and went on to married John Belbin Barrett. Jean died on the 6th of March 1998 in Ashburton. Her son Grant wrote the book ‘Joseph Barrett and Mary Dodd and the descendants of Richard James Barrett’ (circa 2008)

4. Ernest (Ernie) James who was born on the 30th of April, 1930 in Alexandra and died on the 21st of June, 1973 in Omakau. He is buried at Drybread cemetery, in plot 53

5. William (Bill) Christopher who was born on the 1st of November, 1932. He married Elizabeth Clare (Betty) Bell. Bill died on the 27th of October 2004 and is buried at Omakau cemetery in Lot IX, plot 24

The Huddlestons at their property ‘Poplar Grove’, on the occasion of daughter Betty’s wedding in 1946. From left to right: William (Bill) Christopher, Bella, Ernest (Ernie) James, Betty Isobel Leask nee Huddleston, Ernie, Gwenyth (Gwen) Alexandra Janet and Jean

Bella’s daughter Gwen Rowley nee Huddleston contributed a substantial section about the Corrigalls in Grant Barrett’s unpublished book mentioned above. In this book, Gwen describes her mother’s life as an extremely hard working farmer’s wife dealing with everything from half dead lambs to darning socks. Her weekly jobs included Monday wash days when ‘everything washable was washed’ in the copper, hung out to dry ready for ironing day Tuesday, making butter and Friday baking days to fill the tins with cakes and biscuits (short bread was her specialty!). These jobs would take the majority of the day and often involved back breaking tasks. Of course there would be the daily work of cooking for family and workers (there was always a pudding with cream!) and thoroughly cleaning the house. She seemed to be a stickler for cleanliness and tidiness. Incidentally, my mother recalls Bella’s extremely tidy cutlery drawer with spoons all on their sides tucked into one another. Other chores Bella carried out included wood collecting and splitting kindling for the fire, both tasks that she enjoyed, and cutting the grass around the house, initially with sheep shears until she acquired a push mower. Bella loved flowers and would pick them from her garden for friends and special occasions such as weddings.

Bella was notorious for her walks. The destination was often Duggan’s store at Matakanui to buy groceries. I am grateful to Hilary Rowley, Gwen’s daughter and Bella’s granddaughter, who explained a very laudable reason for this. During the 1930s depression, the Huddleston’s were very poor and Duggan’s store gave them credit, so when the good times returned and forever after, Bella continued to buy groceries there to support the isolated business and to pay back their kindness. This generosity of spirit is also evidenced in Ernie and Bella’s donations to the Vincent Hospital Board. They were thanked in the newspapers of the time for their donation of vegetables in 1944, turnips and ducks in 1945 and other donations in 1946 and 1947.

Hilary said that Bella used to take her golf club, ball and some grandchildren to go on a shopping expedition. The children would all trail after her while she hit the golf ball in the general direction of the Matakanui shop and then the kids would help her carry the groceries home. Bella’s walks sometimes included visits to friends and other outings too. Gwen described the children’s enjoyment of Bella’s picnics usually to Thompson’s Creek with a loaf of bread, butter, a tea billy and a piece of wire bent into a toaster. Like many women of that time, Bella did not drive, so it was either walk or stay at home. Wilma McLeod, Bella’s niece and Jock Corrigall’s daughter said that she soon learnt that if she agreed to go on a walk with Bella it could become a whole day’s outing and you would cover a great distance!

Hilary also told me that Bella was the best grandmother and that all her grandchildren adored her because of the attention she gave them all.

I am sure all that walking contributed to Bella’s longevity. She must have had a great attitude too, as apparently she also rode on the back of a motor bike in her old age and rode a push bike a short distance in her 90’s!

Bella died on the 4th of September, 1991 at Chatto Creek, eleven months short of her 100th birthday. She is buried at Omakau cemetery at Lot IX, plot 24, with Ernie, who had died in 1973.

References

Betty Leask nee Huddleston (circa 1998) ‘Huddlestons of Spottis Creek’ published by Betty Leask Printed by Otago Daily Times, Alexandra ISBN 0-473-08520-8).

Gwen Rowley and Jill Ferry ‘The First Huddlestons of Matakanui’ in Grant Barrett’s unpublished book (circa 2008) ‘Joseph Barrett and Mary Dodd and the descendants of Richard James Barrett’.