James Corrigall and Jean (Jane / Janet) Flett - my generation’s great great grandparents

James, Jean and family circa 1893 at the back from left to right: Jim, James, Bess, Jean and Janet; Front left to right: Jock, Bella on James’s knee, Bill and Nell

James Corrigall was born on the 27th of June, 1857 (birth certificate: 1857-018-00-0011) at Ballarat House, Netherbrough Harray, Orkney, Scotland. He was the oldest child of eight. His parents were Betsy Corrigall nee Leask and John Corrigall who had married a year earlier. Jane / Janet Flett known as Jean, was born on the 14th of October, 1863 in Dounby, Sandwick, Orkney, Scotland. She was the third child of Magnus Flett and Janet Johnstone.

James Corrigall’s birth certificate

James Corrigall married Jean Flett on the 23rd of July, 1882 at ‘Yeldaval’ in Harray, Netherbrough, where Jean had been working as a dairymaid for the Johnstons. The Johnston family had a connection to the Corrigalls; Mrs Mary Johnston was nee Corrigall from Harray, and also living with the family was Mrs Mary Isbister, also nee Corrigall and who was Mary’s aunt. As mentioned in a previous section, I am unclear whether the Johnstons were possibly related to Jean’s mother, Janet (nee Johnstone) and as spellings of names seemed to vary at times, it can become confusing.

Marriage certificate of Jean and James, 23rd of July, 1882

Jean and James were six months pregnant at the time of their wedding. One family story suggests that James was training to become a medical doctor before Jean became pregnant, and the family ‘encouraged’ their move to New Zealand. Their first child Betsy Leask, known as Bess, was born in Harray, Orkney on the 15th of October, 1882. A few months later, the family prepared to immigrate to New Zealand. On the 15th of March 1883, James paid £7 10s for the family’s advance passage.

The receipt for £7 10s paid by James in March 1883 for his family’s passage to New Zealand.

James was 25, Jean was 19 and Bess was just a baby when they embarked on the clipper ship, the ‘Nelson’. The ‘Nelson’ had been especially built to carry passengers, and travelled relatively fast with several of her journeys to Dunedin taking between 75 and 77 days. The ship left from Glasgow and arrived in Port Chalmers on the 20th of October, 1883. The passenger list states that the Corrigall family was from Orkney and that James was a labourer. This document also states that the family had assisted emigration. Farm labourers were among the selected immigrants being sort by the New Zealand government during this time.

The clipper ship, the ‘Nelson’ at Port Chalmers in 1874

Photo of the Passenger list from the ‘Nelson’ showing James, Jean and Bess Corrigalls’ names.

According to the family story, it was a rough trip out to the new country, especially for Jean who was pregnant with her second child, Jim. Apparently they spent a few days with friends, possibly the Blackies, in or near Dunedin before starting their journey by bullock wagon and shank’s pony through the ‘Pig Root’; i.e: via Palmerston, Dunback and Ranfurly. The family were no doubt headed inland towards the Blacks / Ophir - Omakau area where several relations were already residing. Already established in this area known as Tiger Hill, were James’s uncle, Jimmie Corrigall, and aunt, Ellen Leask nee Corrigall, and her husband William Hourston Leask. There had also been a William Corrigall in the vicinity too, who was most likely related.

The newspapers of the late nineteenth century confirm James and Jean’s relationship with, and possible dependency on, James’s uncles Jimmie Corrigall and William Leask to establish themselves in the Tiger Hill district. Fortunately for James and Jean, both Jimmie and William had perpetual leases on several Tiger Hill sections and were engaged in a variety of business interests. For example, by 1883, Jimmie had been carting coal, tendering for roading contracts, was involved in the Blacks Flour Mill and was a shareholder in the Colonial Bank.

According to Gwen Rowley, James and Jean’s granddaughter, in Barrett (c.2008) p.92, Jimmie was supposed to have prepared a home for the family, but by all accounts it turned out to be a very primitive place with just a camp oven and little else! Wilma McLeod nee Corrigall, another granddaughter of James and Jean’s, told me the original house stood tucked under the hill next to a lone poplar tree to the south of White’s road. It was a long way from the nearest creek, so accessing water was difficult. I estimate this was in section 22 of Block 1 at Tiger Hill.

James and Jean had ten children, all of whom are written about in detail in subsequent chapters. Their children included:

1. Betsy (Bess) Leask - born on the 15th of October, 1882 in Harray, Orkney; died on the 6th of April, 1959 in Omakau, aged 76; buried with her son, Alex and brother, W.L. (Bill) Corrigall in Lot V, plot 28 Omakau cemetery

2. James (Jim) - born during 1884 in Omakau (Registration number 1884/8735); married Rose May Drake on the 10th of January, 1912 (Registration number 1912/1873); died on the 15th of November, 1946 in Omakau (Registration number 1946/29831); buried with Rose in Lot VIII, plot 3 Omakau cemetery

3. Janet Johnstone (Jennet Margaret) Wallace - born on the 3rd of December, 1886, in Omakau (Registration number 1886/798); married William Irwin Wallace, of ‘Hillend’ on the 9th of January, 1907(Registration number 1907/1370); died 6 months later on the 18th of July, 1907 in Dunedin; buried at Omakau Cemetery, Block V, Plot 29

4. John (Jock) - born on the 23rd of September, 1887 in Omakau (Registration number 1887/12755); married Ellen Sophia Pearson (known as Sophie) on the 8th of March, 1927 (Registration number (1927/1545); died on the 29th of August 1957, Omakau (Registration number 1957/32759); buried with Sophie at Omakau Cemetery, Block VIII, Plot 20

5. William Leask (Bill) - born on the 5th of July, 1889 in Omakau (Registration number 1890/8764); married Adelina (Addie) Naylor on the 26th of May, 1915 at Lauder (Registration number 1915/2220); died on the 2nd of July, 1929 in Omakau (Registration number 1929/4638) and is buried with his sister Bess and nephew Alex in Lot V, plot 28 at Omakau Cemetery

6. Ellen (Nell) Woods - born on the 21st of March, 1891 in Omakau, (Registration number 1891/14969); married Alfred John Woods (Registration number 1925/8967); died on the 3rd of February, 1970 in Alexandra; buried with Alf in Alexandra cemetery , Block C, Row 15, Plot 3

7. Bella (Bell) Flett Huddleston - born on the 21st of August, 1892 in Omakau (Registration number 1892/14969): married Ernest (Ernie) Huddleston on the 20th of March, 1918 (Registration number 1919/1850); died on the 4th of September, 1991 at Chatto Creek; buried with Ernie in Lot IX, plot 24 at Omakau Cemetery

8. Samuel Leask - born on the 17th of May, 1894, Omakau (Registration number 1894/10857); died as a result of gun shot wounds received at Passchendaele and gas gangrene on the 19th of October, 1917 in World War 1 (Registration number 1918/65335), aged 23; buried at Block/Plot 8, 1, 73 at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France

9. Maggie Flett Paterson - our direct ancestor - born on the 1st of April, 1897, at Omakau (Registration number 1896/10781); married James Gordon (Gordon) Paterson on the 2nd of August, 1916 (Registration number 1916/8279); died on the 27th of January, 1936 at Omakau; buried with Gordon in Lot VII, plot 29 at Omakau Cemetery

10. Mary (Poll, Polly) - born on the 25th of February, 1898 at Omakau (Registration number 1898/15773); married Charles (Charlie) Henry Drake Omakau (Registration number 1921/10045); died on the 2nd of September, 1987 in Alexandra; buried with Charlie in Lot IX, plot 17 at Omakau Cemetery

Jean and James (standing) Corrigall with baby Janet, Betsy / Bess (standing) and James junior (sitting), and James’s uncle also James (known as Jimmie) seated, circa December, 1886 or early 1887 - notice the homemade chair!

Willow Farm

Gwen Rowley, James and Jean’s granddaughter, in Barrett (c.2008) p.92, wrote that after several years in their first ‘primitive’ home, the family built a stone house consisting of two bedrooms, a living room and a lean to scullery’. It was sited approximately 1.5 km south of Omakau, to the west of the railway line. This property had much closer access to water with a creek nearby and became known as ‘Willow Farm’ as is was nestled amongst willow and poplar trees. A couple of walls from the original house are still standing, however, one of the large poplar trees recently fell in a storm and damaged one wall. A new house has been built nearby and the current owners kindly allowed me to take some photos.

The remains of the dwelling and dairy at Willow Farm, October 2022

Gwen wrote that two more rooms were added later to the original stone house in the form of a wooden structure providing an extra bedroom and a sitting room. Gwen describes her memories of the house:

‘a living room, which I thought was large, with a coal range with a water tank on the side. A big cane Orkney chair by the fire, a Welsh style dresser/cupboard and a large turned leg table covered in a red piled table cover with large pom-pom tassels. Everyone seemed to sit around the table and you played cards, cribbage or dominos. It always had that lovely warm feeling. The bedrooms were so small there was little space left after the addition of a double bed and a scotch chest. At one end there was one tiny window. No electricity, only kerosene lamps or candles for lighting. Dishes were washed in a bowl in the scullery. You got to wash in that same bowl when you were small, using big round cakes of pink perfumed soap and water from the coal range. Washing was done outside under the trees, boiling a copper for hot water.’

‘Willow Farm’ was the site of many occasions including family weddings and the 1906 ‘Dot’s Little Folk Omakau Picnic’. ‘Dot’s Little Folk’ was a column in the Otago Witness through which young people, mostly teenagers, corresponded with one another. It ran from 1886, and became a major means of communication, with members recognising each other at outings through their pins worn on hats or jackets. According to some it was an early form of FaceBook, with correspondents developing nom-de-plumes, a.k.a user names. From a 1906 advertisement, it seems that ‘Willow Farm’ had previously been the venue of a Dot’s Little Folk picnic, likely the picnic that ‘Indian Chief’ wrote about at length in 1905. Whoever ‘Indian Chief’ was, he definitely knew Azile Sehctip, who I believe was Eliza Pitches from the infamous Blacks / Ophir store. And Azile definitely knew Nell Corrigall, as Azile’s address was care of N. Corrigall, Omakau.

A Butcher, Healer and a Mystery Baker

Gwen Rowley, James and Jean’s granddaughter, in Barrett (c.2008) p.92, wrote that James was a butcher by trade, which is different to the story that he had begun his medical training, but perhaps the two trades are related through dissections?!!! Whatever his background, James began a slaughter business a few years after probably labouring for either one, or both of his uncles. He first applied for a slaughter license in 1887. This was at his premises at Tiger Hill and the application was agreed upon during May of that year. According to Gwen, James slaughtered mutton for the miners which he delivered by cart to Tinkers (Matakanui) and Blacks (Ophir) and apparently some of that income went on ‘liquid refreshments’!

Gwen also wrote of James’s love of reading and interest in the art of healing. Apparently he had a few of his own home made cures. I have also been interested in herbal medicine and home remedies, so I would love to know James’s lotions and potions! Gwen also confirmed that James’s family always hoped James would be a doctor.

I wonder who this mystery baker was? In 1893, ten years after settling in New Zealand, several advertisements were placed by a young man known only as C.L.C. who was staying with James and Jean. These ads were placed in the Otago Witness and Dunstan Times. Looking at the initials, I wonder if the mystery young man was a Corrigall? Possibly another relation who had come over from Orkney?

Tiger Hill

Eighteen months after James and Jean immigrated to New Zealand, James’s uncle, Jimmie purchased the perpetual lease on property in the Lauder district. However, Jimmie retained his Tiger Hill property including sections 21, 22, 30 and 31 of Block 1, consisting of ‘198 acres, 3 roods and 9 perches’. It is likely that James and Jean looked after this farm for Jimmie from this time, around 1885. In 1888 James and Jean took over the perpetual lease of some of the sections previously leased by his uncle Jimmie. These were sections 30 and 31, of Block 1, consisting of 50 acres, 3 roods and 39 poles and 50 acres 1 rood respectively, the lease of which they bought for the cash price of £1 / acre.

Partial View of the Crown Grant Index Record Map of Tiger Hill District, September 1913, showing Blacks / Ophir and Omakau townships

However £1 / acre ie: £50 per annum, was a significant amount of money, and the rabbit population was exploding. It should be of no surprise then that James and Jean along with many other farmers had difficulty paying their leases. James and Jean had not paid their arrears by February 1892, so the Land Board resolved to forfeit his lease on sections 30 and 31. Fortunately by April, the Otago Daily Times and Otago Witness report that James had managed to pay his outstanding debts and the forfeiture was rescinded. A similar scenario occurred in 1898 when James and Jeans’ license was considered lapsed by the Land Board.

In 1895, James and Jean applied for and were granted a license to lease sections 21, 22 and 59 of Block 1 of Tiger Hill. James’s uncle Jimmie had leased sections 21 and 22 previously, so probably James and Jean had been managing them anyway. These sections remained significant to James and Jean, as in March 1912 he applied through W. R. McKean for a yearly licence to lease them. Presumably they had been under his management since 1895 or earlier when Jimmie had the lease on them. The lease was granted in July 1912, at £4 15s per annum. Shortly before this, in May 1912 James and Jean applied to purchase sections 30 and 31 of Block 1, Tiger Hill, that they had leased since 1888. These sections combined totalled 101 acres, 6 roods and 39 poles and James and Jeans’ application was approved in July 1912. In November 1914 James and Jean were also occupying sections 23, part 18 and 35 of Block 1. This property was offered for sale and although I have not found proof that it was bought by them, it must have been as by 1917 James and Jean’s property had expanded to 500 acres.

Advertisement for James and Jean’s farm as it appeared in the Otago Daily Times on the 25th of November, 1914

Corrigall and Other Roads

James and Jean, and others living rurally in the late nineteenth century would have to write to the county council requesting roads be formed or improved. James asked for a road to be formed between Harrington’s and Alexander’s sections in 1896. I am unclear where exactly this is, but it is no doubt in the Tiger Hill district. Harrington’s name is on the Omakau side of the Crown Grant Index Record Map of Tiger Hill District of September 1913, and this name was associated with a fire that James’s uncle Jimmie witnessed. The Council agreed that to attend to James’s request in March of that year.

I wonder if the road James requested to be formed is what we now know as Corrigall Road? Corrigall Road near Omakau, runs between Clouston and Donnelly Road in the northwest, and state highway 85, the Omakau Chatto Creek road, in the south west. It is 3.63 kilometres long and runs along the north west edge of James and Jeans’ property, sections 30 and 31 of Block 1, Tiger Hill. It wasn’t until October 1911 that the estimate to form and gravel Corrigall Road of £100 was published, with tenders sought in December of that year. By April 1912 it was reported that satisfactory progress was being made by the contractors forming and gravelling Corrigall road.

At the end of 1900 the Dunstan Times reported that

“Between Corrigall’s and MacDonalds lands (sections 17 and 18, block 1 of the Tiger Hill district) the water of Thomson's Creek is blocked back, apparently by the road, but really by the filling up of the Creek Channel below the road and in Corrigall’s land. There is a large double culvert at this point, with two openings at least three feet square. This culvert has always been able to take all the water in the creek, except at the highest point of a very high flood. It would take all the water that has been in the creek at any time this season, if the proper channel at the outlet had been kept clean. It is, however, almost quite filled with gravel, brought down from the lands on the upper side of the road, the removal of which is due to the construction of straight channels for the Creek waters. The remedy in this case is to continue the channel through Corrigall’s land, to the main sludge channel, when the accumulation of gravel would be at once got rid of. To build a bridge without making this channel would be utterly useless. As to whose duty it is to make the channel is a question for the solicitor, but I believe that it will be found to be the duty of the person to whom the land belongs in which the block occurs. It is certainly necessary that something should be done, and that soon, because the road is being damaged, and as will be seen Mr. MacDonald also complains of the effect of the water which is backed up on his land.”

Seven days later the Dunstan Times reported that

“Cr Laidlaw moved that the sum of £80 be voted to erect a bridge in place of the present culvert between sections 17 and 18, Block 1, Tiger Hill District. The culverts were not large enough to carry the water, and that portion of the road was frequently flooded. The stoppage of the water flow caused a deposit of drift gravel to accumulate on the lands above the culvert. A bridge would permit a free flow of the water across the road. Cr Rutherford seconded. Some councillors thought a channel at a cost of £10 would meet the case. Cr Laidlaw contended that a bridge would be the better way of avoiding the difficulty. The lands in the locality were injured by the present state of the culverts. The engineer said that much of the damage originated through Corrigall putting sand bags in the creek to turn the water upon his lands. He had been told that this was so. He could certainly open a channel to give vent to the flow of drift. The motion was supported by Cr Naylor, who expressed the opinion that a bridge would be better and cheaper in the long run. The drift was interfering with the adjacent lands, and some settlers had to resort to a recurring system of keeping the race clear by shovelling out the drift. After further discussion the motion was altered in favour of having a channel cut and on being put was carried.”

The issue was not resolved, however, and in 1908 James asked for channel that was cut by council into his property be continued as it was damaging his land. The cutting near Corrigall’s road was still being discussed in 1928, six years after his death, by which time it had become a ‘dangerous bit of road that badly wanted widening’. Then in 1930 Jean wrote to the Vincent County Council asking if she could put a nine inch pipe across the road. It is unclear if this was in regards to the same issue but the Council agreed to Jean’s request.

Photo taken by my cousin Ken, from his milk tanker during a night run! We’ll have to get the spelling corrected!

Many years later in 1945, Corrigalls bridge was reported to Vincent County Council as needing urgent repairs. The following year in 1946, repairs began and were completed.

Business and Debts

James must have continued his slaughter business for at least ten years, as his slaughter licence was renewed in January 1897, and presumably had been done so in the years since first being issues in 1887. As with all businesses, including butchering, owners are reliant on customers paying their bills, and chasing payments are part of the job. In January 1897, James had to resort to taking H. J. Reaks to the Ophir Magistrates Court. His claim was for £17 18s 2d for goods supplied. He was awarded judgement by default and costs of £2 7s. Later that same year in November 1897, James took Rankin to court, stating he was owed £21 19s. Judgement was again in James’s favour and he was awarded the amount claimed with costs of £3 11s.

Wheat, Sheep, Rabbits and Horses

James and Jean probably took the lead from their uncles and aunts, and began growing wheat and farming sheep alongside the slaughter business. The area was ideal for growing crops such as wheat prior to the influx of rabbits. In 1892, the Otago Witness reported that the steam engine was heading to James and Jeans’ property from their uncle William Leask’s to thresh wheat. Although William was known as the king of the wheat, James and Jeans’ wheat was also impressive:

‘We were shown on Wednesday a capital sample wheat grown at Mr Corrigall’s farm at Blacks. The wheat was in the sheaf, and the heads were large and well filled.’ Dunstan Times, 1893, 17 February, p.2

Unfortunately some of the early Annual Sheep Returns are missing, but I can confirm that in 1890 James and Jean had a flock of 400 sheep. Their flock fluctuated between 100 and 500 over the years. Records of individual famers ceased in 1919 when James and Jean were running 342 sheep.

Between 1916 and 1920 the Crown became the sole buyer and seller of wool in New Zealand and Britain bought all wool at a fixed price. In October 1918 James signed a petition that acknowledged the debt of British seamen in getting their wool to market. The petition proposed that wool surpluses should to be distributed to that fund by the imperial and go towards the sons

of those who had lost their lives. As well as sheep, James and Jean also had the odd cow or cattle beast as evidence by stock sales.

As mentioned earlier, the influx of rabbits was devastating to farming and by 1887 rabbits were swarming with exploding populations. In 1904 James was brought before the Ophir Magistrates Court by the Inspector of the Rabbit Department at Clyde for failing to keep the rabbit population down. Evidence was given at length on both sides and the case was adjourned for two months presumably to give James and Jean an opportunity to sort the problem. At the next hearing in April 1904, James was fined £2. The following year in 1905, James gave evidence to support A. Kinney in the case against him failing to keep down the rabbit population. The rabbit agent said that Kinney’s property was infested with rabbits and apparently there were no efforts being made to destroy them. The rabbit inspector, S. M. Taylor, gave corroborative evidence. James said rabbits could not be trapped successfully in dry weather and it was too dangerous for the sheep to lay poison. The case was adjourned to the following day, however, as the corresponding issue of the Dunstan Times is unavailable, I am unsure of the outcome. Obviously rabbits were a huge issue for everyone!

In 1906 James and Jean lost their horse and advertised for its return. From reading between the lines of this ad, it sounds like they may have thought it had been stolen. I am not sure who the Hammond referred to is, or the significance of the Dunedin address, but the advertisement appeared in the Otago Daily Times on the 24th and 25th of December, so perhaps James and Jean were in the city for Christmas?

Only a matter of months earlier in July 1906, James had offered the Vincent County Council to be a ranger for the Ophir district. Apparently there had been wandering cattle in the area and Councillor John Pitches had been discussing the need for a ranger with James’s uncle, William Leask. By August 1906, James had written to the Council extending his offer to be a ranger for the Omakau and Lauder districts. This was a time of few fences and a petition was signed by sixty locals protesting against the appointment of a ranger in the area. After much discussion at an October 1906 meeting, and an admission by one councillor that he had difficulty keeping his own cattle off the road, it was decided that a ranger was not required. I wonder if had there been a ranger would James have lost his horse?

Balls and Social Events

The six Corrigall sisters (in order of age Bess, Janet, Nell, Bell, Maggie and Polly) and their mother, Jean, did not escape the news of the day either. Although far fewer mentions are made of the women compared to the menfolk in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, there are some examples.

Balls, socials and weddings were key events in the social calendar, an opportunity to meet with others, dress up and for the younger ones to meet potential spouses. The newspapers of the time would regularly report on the balls, socials and weddings and would often list what the women were wearing, and gifts given in the case of weddings. Often participants would have to travel some distance by horse and cart to attend such occasions. The Corrigalls seemed to be regular participants and are mentioned in several newspaper articles:

1902 Jean and a Miss Corrigall are mentioned as a guests at a Miss Paul and Mr White’s wedding, where Jean presented them with a lamp and Miss Corrigall gave them a pair of picture frames. This Miss Corrigall is likely to have been Janet, who was 16 at the time. It is unlikely to have been Bess as she would have either been pregnant or have just had her son, Alex.

1905 Miss Corrigall (probably Janet who would have been 19) wore a white muslin blouse and a dark skirt to the anniversary ball of the Loyal United Brothers Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. held in Victoria Hall, Cambrians on the 15th of September.

1906 Miss Corrigall acted in the charades at a social in Omakau on the 30th of August. This event included singing, lantern slides, a geographical competition, games and charades. Probably this was Janet who was 20 at this time.

1908 Miss Nell Corrigall who was 17, attended the Fancy Dress Ball at Ophir on the 20th of May, hosted by the Ophir Cricket Club. Nell wore a ‘quaint and very handsome costume’, that of a housemaid.

1908 Miss Corrigall (probably Nell, 17) wore white muslin and Miss B. Corrigall (possibly Bell, 16 or Bess, 26) wore blue to the Leap Year Ball at Becks on the 2nd of October. Dancing was kept up till about 4:30 in the morning!

1909 Miss Nell Corrigall wore a white silk blouse and black skirt to the Becks Cricketers’ club Ball on the 24th of September.

1909 Three Miss Corrigalls and Mrs Corrigall attended the Bachelors Ball in Omakau on the 8th of October. Nell (18) wore blue Indian muslin and Bell (17) wore white muslin. The third Miss Corrigall was probably Maggie, who wore white dotted muslin. Although she was only 13 years old at the time, she had her mother and most likely her father in attendance with her. Mrs Corrigall, Jean, wore a black dress. Bess (27) probably did not attend as she would have been looking after Alex, her 7 year old son and probably Polly, who would have been 9. Janet had passed away in two years earlier. Apparently ‘the gathering was voted by one and all to be one of the most enjoyable held in Omakau for some time’.

1911 Miss Corrigall (probably Nell, 20) wore a cream dress and Miss B. Corrigall (Bell,19) wore pink satinette to the Matakanui Footballers Ball on the 13th of September. Despite inclement weather, dancing continued till 3:30am in the morning!

1912 The first ball under the auspices of of the Loyal Vincent Lodge, M. U. I. O Oddfellows was held on the 28th of August. Visitors came from as far as Alexandra to attend the function which featured violin and piano music. It seems like the entire Corrigall clan was in attendance at this event. Miss E. Corrigall (Nell) wore a black evening dress with jet black trimmings, Miss M. F. Corrigall (Maggie Flett) wore a cream radianta dress, Miss B. Corrigall (Bell or Bess) wore a white zephaline evening dress with bead trimmings, Miss M. Corrigall (Polly, who’s first name was Mary) wore a white embroidery dress, Miss Corrigall (Bell or Bess) wore a cream epongeline evening dress with sequin trimmings, Jim’s wife Mrs Rose Corrigall wore a white silk dress and Mrs Jean Corrigall wore a black costume.

1912 The Matakanui Footballers Ball was held on the 13th of September, with a large attendance. Forty couples participated in the grand march. Nell, 21, wore cream striped voile with sequin trimmings, Bell, 20 wore a white silk dress with sequin trimmings, and Maggie 15 wore a white silk dress.

1912 A Welcome Home social was held at the Becks hall to welcome Mr Robert Lee and his new bride Mrs Lee, nee Croft. This was a big party, with singing, dancing and speeches and 50 couples participated in the Grand March. Nell was in attendance wearing a cream dress.

1914 A plain and fancy dress masked ball was held at Becks on the 22nd of May. As well as music and dancing this event included a highland fling performed by Miss May McLean and a roller skate exhibition by champion skater Mr Andrews. According to the report dancing was kept up till the early hours and everyone enjoyed the best ball ever held in Becks. Many of the Corrigall clan were in attendance including Maggie (17) dressed as Billiards, Polly (16) as a Perriot, Bell (22) as a Nurse, and Nell (23) as Stars and Stripes. Because of the nature of the ball, the male’s costumes were also described in the article. Sam (20), went dressed as Jack Johnson on a Visit and Jock (27) as a Red Indian. By the way, Sam’s character, Jack Johnson was a famous American boxer who became the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908-1915).

1915 Building on the success of the previous year, a second plain and fancy dress masked ball in aid of the Belgium Relief Fund was held at Becks on the 22nd of May. Polly (17) dressed as a Sailor Girl, Sam (21) as Man Friday and another Corrigall (probably Maggie, 18) went as Britannia.

Community

James and Jean were a hospitable family, hosting functions such as picnics and weddings, contributing to the community through the school committee and possibly the Central Otago Agricultural Society. It may have been James or his uncle, Jimmie that was involved with Central Otago Agricultural Society. One of them were elected to the committee in 1893 and appointed a steward at the first Central Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Show later that year. On Friday the first of December, 1893 the first Central Otago A. and P. Show was held at William Leask’s sale yards. Either it was James or Jimmie that was placed third with their spring cart horse driven in harness and third prize for cow over 3 years old. One of the two was again elected to the committee the following year in 1894.

It was most likely James who became an office bearer for the Vincent Jockey Club in 1909 and acted as a steward at the annual race meetings at Matakanui Park Reserve on the first and third of January, 1910 and the second and third of January, 1911. These races were advertised many times across a variety of Otago publications from October to December.

It was definitely James and Jean that subscribed 5s to Dunstan District Hospital in 1915, 1916 and 1917. In those days, voluntary contributions were essential to finance hospitals. Later on, Jean continued to donate eggs and other items to Dunstan Hospital with in October and December 1947.

The first Central Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Show held on Friday the first of December, 1893, at William Leask’s property

Jean was responsible for the refreshments stall with Mrs McGuckin at the Vincent Carnival held on a Friday in July 1915. No doubt many of the family were involved as it included a fancy dress football match, auction, and an evening dance. Nell was in charge of the ‘brand tub’ stall, with a Mr. Perry. I have not been able to determine what a ‘brand tub’ stall is, and to confuse matters it was also reported as a ‘bran tub’ stall by the Otago Daily Times! Let me know your thoughts!

During the war years there was much fundraising across New Zealand to aid soldiers and their families. Such a fundraising social was held in Omakau on the evening of the 17th of November 1916. Jean was given special mention for the ‘splendid business’ she did in the refreshment room with a team of helpers, their ‘efforts considerably augmenting the funds’. James was one of the M.C.s who ‘did everything to make the function a success’. At this time of course, nobody knew that the war would bring injury and death to the Corrigall family, as will be discussed in subsequent sections. Jean was obviously a fabulous organiser and caterer, as early in 1919 she was appointed to the ladies committee organising welcome home functions to WW1 soldiers. Jean was thanked later in 1919 for her work at the Omakau Peace celebrations.

In June 1919 James and Jean, their son Jim and his family, their daughter Maggie and her husband Gordon Paterson, and Josiah Jones and his wife Lill nee Paterson (Gordon’s sister) all contributed to paying for the funeral of John Sweeney of Omakau. The Corrigall’s must have known and respected John Sweeny. I have been able to find that a John Sweeny donated 5s to Dunstan Hospital in 1904 and was a cook in the Ophir area in 1908. Court cases say he was from Chatto Creek in 1912 and an old aged pensioner in 1913. He applied for a one acre residential site in the Wardens court in 1913 and this was granted later in that same year. John Sweeny was 79 when he died in 1919.

James’s Death

It was reported in October 1922 that James had been dangerously ill in Dunstan Hospital for some time. He apparently had a disabled hand in 1917, but whether this was related to his illness is unknown. James died on the 15th of December that year, aged 65 and his death notice appeared in the Otago Daily Times and the Otago Witness. A report in the Dunstan Times on the 18th of December 1922 read

‘At his residence here on Friday there passed away a very old and respected resident of the district, in the person of Mr Jas. Corrigall. Some months ago he had a paralytic stroke, but up till within a few days of his death he was able to get about, and was an interested spectator at the recent show. A second seizure, however, was responsible for removing a genial friend and a familiar figure from our midst. Mr Corrigall, who was 65 years of age, is survived by a large family, all grown up. The funeral took place this (Sunday) afternoon.’

The funeral left ‘Willow Farm’ on Sunday the 17th of December for the Omakau cemetery at 4:30pm. At the end of December, Jean placed a notice in the Otago Daily Times thanking all friends for their kind expressions of sympathy and floral tributes. James’s probate was granted in February 1923. Memorials were placed in the Otago Daily Times and the Otago Witness in 1923 and again in 1924 in the Otago Daily Times and Otago Witness.

Jean was 60 years old when James died. She continued to run the farm for several years as evidenced by stock sales till at least 1930.

Some of the stock Jean sold included

1923 - 7 bullocks for £10

1926 - 1 bullock for £15

1928 - 12 lambs for 28s 6d, 20 lambs for 27s 6d, 17 lambs for 26s 9d, 27 lambs for 23s

1929 - 23 lambs for 23s 6d, 22 lambs for 23s, 28 lambs for 22s 9d

1929 - 2 ewes for 30s 9d 36, ewes for 17s

1929 - 34 lambs for 25s 6d

1929 - 34 hoggets for 22s 6d

1930 - 4 wethers for 43s, 4 wethers for 26s

In 1930, the Corrigall brothers also began selling stock, so it would have been around that time that Jean retired from farming. She would have been 68 years old. Possibly it was around this time that Jean began planning her new house, known as ‘Grand View’ at 17 White Road, Omakau. This was confirmed by Edna Thomson nee Corrigall, Jean’s granddaughter, who thought the new ‘Grand View’ house was built around 1935.

Jean was mentioned as winning the progressive euchre evenings, at a farewell in 1931. She wrote a letter to the council 1931 suggesting it was unfair for some residents to have their hedges cut by the council and others not. Jean was one of those who did not get her hedge cut! I wonder if this was the same hedge that Wilma McLeod, Jean’s granddaughter and Jim’s daughter, told me she remembered needing daily watering to get established! I suspect the hedge Wilma was referring too was a little later at the new ‘Grand View’ property.

In May 1937 Jean planted a scarlet oak at Coronation Reserve, the approach to Omakau school, which had been established in 1935. In planting this tree Jean represented the early settlers of the district. Several other trees and shrubs were planted on the occasion by various community members including representative from neighbouring schools. The Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette article (p. 7) stated:

‘It was a scarlet oak, the gift of Mr W. Harper, that Mrs Corrigall planted, and indeed it is fitting that this royal tree should find a place on such an occasion. The association of the oak and a King of the Stuart period is probably familiar to most and is remembered in England, also in May, on a day which is known as Royal Oak Day…. The Reserve is to be tended by the children of Omakau school, and in time to come, when bronze tablets are added to tell the history of its creation the plot will commemorate in perpetuity, for this district, the Coronation of their Majesties, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.’

On a recent visit (Spring 2022) to Omakau, Coronation Reserve was not obvious and neither was the scarlet oak. However, a visit in summer time, when the trees are in leaf may make things more apparent. Curiously on Arbour Day two years earlier in 1935, Gordon and Alex Paterson, Jean’s grandsons planted a tree on Jean’s behalf at Chatto Creek. This was written on the back of the accompanying photo. I am unsure what sort of tree it is, but it seems to be deciduous.

Arbour Day 1935, Gordon and Alex at Chatto Creek, planting a tree on their grandmother Jean Corrigall’s behalf

In October 1944, Jean celebrated her 81st birthday. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers at the monthly meeting of the Omakau Ophir Women's Institute and was the guest of honour at a birthday party. I actually doubled checked Jean’s birth certificate on finding this out, as I wondered whether she had in fact been born in 1864, and it was her 80th party that was being celebrated. Her birth certificate confirms she was indeed born on the 14th of October, 1863, so it was her definitely her 81st birthday that was celebrated.

Grand View

‘Grand View’ at 17 White Road, Omakau became the location of many family gatherings, as shown in the 1949 photo below. Jean became better known as Grandma Corrigall with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and even those of us who were born once she died.

Jean a.k.a Grandma Corrigall (middle rear) surrounded by whanau at ‘Grand View’ in 1949. I am unsure which family this is with her, so please let me know if you recognise any of them

Jean a.k.a Grandma Corrigall (seated in the shade) surrounded by whanau at ‘Grand View’. I am unsure of the date or families, so again, please let me know who you recognise - probably 1940s-1950s?

Right: Jean a.k.a Grandma Corrigall with her great granddaughter Jennifer Paterson (Gordon and Iris Paterson’s daughter and granddaughter of Gordon Paterson senior and Maggie nee Corrigall) when she was a baby at ‘Grand View’ circa 1944 - 1945

Left: Jean Barrett nee Huddleston, Jean a.k.a Grandma Corrigall (seated), Bell Huddleston nee Corrigall and Grant Barrett (baby) - 4 generations - circa early 1950s

Jean a.k.a. Grandma Corrigall with her great grandchildren Jennifer and Carol Paterson, the daughters of Gordon and Iris Paterson and granddaughters of Maggie and Gordon Paterson senior, circa 1948-1949

Jean’s Death

Jean was in hospital for several weeks in 1946 but had recovered and returned home by September. During late 1947 or early 1948, she had a fall and again spent time in hospital. According to the Dunstan Times, Jean was Omakau’s ‘grand old lady’ and a ‘bright and model patient’ and a ‘general favourite at the hospital’.

Jean died on the 23rd of September 1953. She was nearly 90 years old. She was buried two days later with James and her son Samuel in Lot 5, Plot 29 at the Omakau cemetery.