Matthew MARSHALL ^9,10

  General Notes:

Newsaper articles

A PAGE OF EARLY HISTORY

The celebration of the Golden Wedding of Mr and Mrs Matthew Marshall on Wednesday afternoon has tempted a raconteur to give us some interesting 'swatches' of early history. Mr Marshall came out to the Clutha in 1852 to shepherd for Meredith, a Tasmanian, who then had a big run between this and Clinton with headquarters at Popotunoa bush. The year following the late Sandy Gordon, of Warepa, came up, and Matthew and he were mates for a short time. The Hays were then at Willsher Bay, and the sheep were taken down to Fuller's, now Hay's, at Romahapa, and shorn there. The manager for Meredith was a man Hobbs, who is still alive in the North Island. In 1853 the headquarters for Meredith's sheep were shifted down from Popotunoa to Moa Hill and Warapa and it was in the same year the late Mr Peter Ayson came out and selected Gorydon. Matthew Marshall left Meredith's in the spring of 1854 and went to Dunedin, where he did some pit sawing at Halfway / [p. 16] Bush along with Mr Jos Bower, now residing at Balclutha North. They sawed the timber for the late John McGlashan Balmacewan house, where the Maori Hill now is. The house still stands and is one of the first houses built there. Probably the very first was for Hugh Bower (Mrs Marshall's brother), and this house still stands though it has been altered and added to. Mrs Marshall herself, then a young girl of 13 or 14, helped to carry the shingles from Pelichet Bay, across the swamp, stepping from maori head to maori head, where the hospital now stands and up the hill. After four or five months Matthew Marshall again came back to the Clutba to shepherd for a man named Wight, who came from Australia, but who was originally an Edinburgh banker, and who first took up from the crown what is now the Greenfield Estate. The country from there down to Hillend wards (Begg's) was taken up by the Maitlands, but Wight was allowed the run of the whole country till the sheep increased sufficiently to stock both places, and Matthew Marshall was the man in charge. Matthew's first job for Wight was to go up to Waikouaiti and pick out 300 ewes which Wight bought from Johnny Jones. This was in the year l854. He brought the sheep down, and they did splendidly. There was plenty of grass and it was a fine season. Matthew's boast to this day is that he weaned l45 percent of lambs. They were merino ewes. The scab was very bad in those days. The headquarters of the run was where Begg's homestead now is. Wight sold out in a year or two to George Shand, of the Taieri, who in turn sold out to the James Smith who retained the property till the day of his death. Wight was a bit of a character. Matthew Marshall well remembers the time he christened the big rock by the road side, opposite near where Mr A. Carruthers now lives. Wight met Matthew there one day. Wight had half a bottle of rum in his pocket. "Here, have a swig," said he to Matthew. "Very well, but after you," replied the latter. "Be it so" said Wight "and then we'll christen this rock." After Matthew had his drink he handed the bottle back to Wight, who smashed it on the rock and christened it "Dumbarton Rock". This was in 1855. After being about a year with Wight, Marshall went to shepherd for Archibald Anderson, who had the lower part of Hillend, from the Lakes across to the river at Manuka Island, the place being christened "Aberturf", after the late Mr Hugh Bower's native town in lnvernessshire. This was the boundary between Anderson's and Pillan's. Maitlands being further up by Begg's. Mr Archibald Anderson then lived at Balmoral on the Island, but the homestead of the station was at the small bush on the hillside above Barnego Flat, then known as the "Wee Bush".

Marshall was about two years with Anderson. Then, in 1857, he left and went down to Dunedin and got married. He then returned to the district, however in a very short time, bringing his wife with him, and went to shepherd for Mr Pillans, his house being where Mr Cruickshank now lives at Manuka Island. He remained with Mr Pillans for two years, and then took up a 10 acre section in the valley at Aberturf, where he lived for a few years before buying the farm at Hillend, where he resided for forty years before coming to reside at Balclutha North. Thus there is bound up the life of the worthy pioneers who celebrated their Golden Wedding on Wednesday, a full and personal account of the very earliest incidents in the settlement of the Clutha.

GOLDEN WEDDING

MARSHALL - BOWER

A Golden Wedding is always an interesting event, for it is a privileged for but a few to enjoy 50 years of married life. But it is doubly interesting when it is so intimately associated with the very earliest history of the province as was the case on Wednesday afternoon at Balclutha North, when an old and highly respected couple, Mr and Mrs Matthew Marshall, celebrated the 50th anniversary of their wedding day. Mr Marshall arrived at Port Chalmers by the good ship Philip Laing on the 15th of April, 1848, and his wife, Julia Bower, by the Larkins on September 11th 1849. For some time / [p. 17] prior to marring, from 1851 in fact, Mr Marshall had been engaged in shepherding in the North Clutha district, embracing the country from Stirling up to Waitahuna. Latterly he was with Mr Archibald Anderson, who then had all the lower part of Hillend, and the station headquarters were at what is now known as Moirs Bush. His future wife was living at Moari Hill. In those days it was considered the correct thing to have the approaching weddings cried in the respectivechurches of the contracting parties for three Sundays prior to the event. Consequently Mr Marshall's part was "cried" in Mr Bannennan's church at Puerua, and Miss Bower's in the First Church, Dunedin, then, of course, presided over by the rev Thos. Burns. The young couple were married in the house of the late David Bower (Stoney Creek) at Anderson's Bay, in the 22nd of May, 1857. Mr David Bower was the bride's eldest brother. The rev Thomas Burns (he was not then a D.D.) was the officiating minister. The best man was Mr Jos Bower, who now resides at Balclutha North, and the bridesmaid was a Miss Maggie Ross, who at the time lived at the south end of the Tokomairiro Plain and who is still alive and residing, it is said, in Princes St. South Dunedin. The wedding took place on a Friday and on the following Wednesday the newly married couple set out for their new home on the banks of the Clutha. Mrs Marshall rode an old horse belonging to Mr Pillans' called Sebastopol, while Mr Marshall walked along side. The first night they stopped in Antonio Joseph's house on the Dunedin side of Taieri Ferry the second at Louis Dawson's at Tokomairiro, and the third night found them on the banks of the Clutha River at Manuka Island, the house being where Mr Cruickshank's now is.

Mr Marshall had left Mr Anderson and now started with Mr Pillans. He remained with the latter for two years, then took up a 10 acre section at Aberturf, eventually moving to Hillend, where he had bought a farm. On this farm they resided about 10 years, till nearly seven years ago, when they came to live at Balclutha North. They had altogether a family of nine children, of whom three are dead, leaving two sons and four daughters still alive. The two sons Frank and Matthew, are both married and reside in the North Island, Frank being in charge of the stud stock on Donald's Estate at South Featherston (Wairarapa). Of the daughters, one is Mrs Christic of Balclutha North, another is Mrs James Wylie, whose husband holds a responsible position at the Levin State farm; the third is Mrs Thos. Allan of Opoho, Dunedin, and the fourth lives at home and is unmarried. There are altogether belonging to one branch the two old couple, the family of six, and 26 grandchildren, a total of 34. The whole of these, with the exception of Mrs Wylie and family were present on Friday.

Of the Marshall family that came out on the Philip Laing, three still survive viz., Matthew, Frank, at Mosgiel and Mrs Dewar, of Ratanui. A brother, Robert, who was born in Dunedin on July 19th, 1848, and is believed to be the oldest surviving boy born in Dunedin resides in Southland. Mrs Marshall was born at the Water of Leith, Edinburgh on March 15th 1838. She was the youngest of the family and her father (David Bower) died before she was born. She came to the colony with her mother, a sister, and two brothers, of whom Mrs Marshall herself and her brother (Mr Joseph Bower) are the sole survivors. Matthew Marshall was born at Paisley on April 13th 1833.

So much by the way of introduction to the event of Wednesday afternoon. There was a large and happy gathering of descendants, relatives and friends of the couple who were the central figures in the proceedings. Amongst those present may be named the following; Mr and Mrs Matthew Marshall, Mr Frank Marshall and his wife, Mr Matthew Marshall junior, and his wife, Mrs Christie, Mrs Allan and her husband, Mr John Bower and Mrs Bower (nephew and niece of Mrs Marshall), Mrs John Ramage (nee Julia Bower, daughter of the late Hugh Bower, Mrs Marshall's brother), Frank Bower and two children (Frank is Mrs Ramage's brother), Miss Jessie Bower (daughter of Mr Joseph Bower), Mr and Mrs W. Sawers (Mrs Sawers, also a daughter of Jos. Bower), Mr Robert Marshall (Southland) and his daughter Kate. Mrs Alexander Marshall (of Milton, nee Dewar, sister of David Dowar, Ratanui). Besides those in the way of family connections were some 16 grandchildren. There were also present Mr and Mrs John McNamee, rev S. W. Currie, rev P. B. Fraser, Mr J. W. Wilson, Mr D. T. Fleming and several others. Hearty expressions of goodwill and / [p. 18] congratulations were the order of the day. The party were entertained at an excellent spread and after an hour's talk, at about 2 o'clock, a short service was held out on the green. The rev Mr Currie conducted the proceedings, and read the 103rd psalm, and after this the rev Mr Fraser engaged in prayer, breathing the spirit ofjoy and thankfulness to God for his goodness. There were some present who wished the ceremony of marriage gone through again, but the old couple were against it, and besides, as the rev Mr Fraser humorously remarked, one wedding 50 years between the same parties was enough in New Zealand, however they might do things in America. There is no doubt that Mrs Marshall would have gone through the ordeal all right, for she said in reply to her son Matthew that she was not so nervous on this occasion as she was fifty years ago when, by the way, she was only 19 years of age. Then followed some speech making.

Mr Currie spoke of his long and intimate acquaintance with Mr Marshall and of his regard for him as a man and a colonist. To his uprightness and integrity there was added a genial spirit which made Mr Marshall a great favourite with all who knew him. He trusted his children and grandchildren would prove as good and helpful men and women as Mr and Mrs Marshall.

Mr J.W. Wilson also said a few words by way of congratulations. His acquaintanceship with Mr and Mrs Marshall dated back many years and he had always held them in high esteem. He wished them many more years of happiness together.

Mr Fraser agreed with all that had been said about Mr Marshall, and in addition would emphasise the hospitable character of the Marshall home. He, Mr Fraser, was present, not only to congratulate Mr and Mrs Marshall, but to acknowledge his own indebtedness to them.

Mr John McNamee spoke of Mr Marshall as a neighbour, and of his straight dealing and kindly disposition.

Mr Frank Marshall referred to the good example he and his brothers and sisters had received from their parents, and of all their indebtedness to them.

Mr Marshall, in responding, thanked the speakers for the kindly things they had said, and for the good-character they had given him. His married life had been a most happy one and the best he could wish for his descendants was that their home life might be as enjoyable.

This over, the wedding cake was cut and handed round and the visitors entertained right heartily and hospitably.

It may be mentioned that this is understood to be the first golden wedding of any marriage celebrated in Dunedin

Merry talk, reminiscences of the early days, filled in the time, and many an interesting story was told of the days of fifty and more years ago in the Clutha.

In the evening the young people had a dance among themselves, and it is safe to say that all who were present will look back witli pleasure at the unique celebration, while with the younger generation it will make an impression in their memory that will live for many years to come.

Quite a variety of useful presents were sent in, amongst them the following: - Friends and family, purse of sovereigns; Frank Christie (eldest grandson), gold albert; Mr and Mrs Black (Taranaki), Bible; Mr and Mrs McDonald (Gisborne) eiderdown quilt; Mrs John Ramage (Balclutha), silver thimble; J. and F. Ramage (Balclutha), silver pepper and salt dishes and pipes; Misses A. and J. / [p. 19] Ramage, hot water bottle and crystal jelly dish. Mrs R Cumming (Dunedin), half dozen dinner knives; Miss C. Bower (Dunedin), palm: ? Mr and Mrs W. Manley (Dunedin), cups and saucers; Mr and Mrs R Marshall (Invercargill), silver breakfast cruet; Mr J. Bower (H.M.S. Pioneer), silver mounted walking stick and silk lace shawl; Mr and Mrs May (Dunedin), silver cake basket; Mr J.W. Wilson (Balclutha), pair gold spectacles; Mr and Mrs J. McNamee (Balclutha), gold and greenstone scarf pin; Mr D.T. Fleming (Balclutha), gift "May your pipe never empty". A large number of congratulatory telegrams were received from different places.

It perhaps only remains for us to add our personal word of congratulations on the happy event of Wednesday afternoon. There are very few, probably only the Hays, of Romahapa, who were in the Clutha when Matthew Marshall first came to it in January or February 1852. He spent his first night in the Clutha in the deep gully opposite Mrs Houliston's, on the Hillend road. With the exception of less than twelve months, he has spent every day of his life in the Clutha ever since. His wife came to it fifty years ago, and, as she herself says "never left it since." Here their family, and in a few cases their family's families, have grown up around them. They have truly borne the heat and burden of the day, and now after 50 years their sons and daughters gather round them. Their two sons and their wives came all the way from the North Island to be present. Mr and Mrs Marshall have earned a name for themselves of which their descendants may well feel proud. Advancing years are gathering upon them, but they are all hale and hearty, and that they may spend many years yet of peace and happiness together is the sincere wish of all with whom they have been brought into contact, not only in Clutha, but also of many old friends and acquaintances in Dunedin and in other parts of Otago.

Golden Wedding

MARSHALL-BOWER: On the 22nd May, 1857, at the residence of her brother, the late David Bower, at Anderson's Bay, by the rev Thos Burns, Matthew, oldest son of the late Francis Marshall, of Halfway Bush, to Julia, Youngest daughter of the late Mrs David Bower, resident, Moari Hill

MARSHALL (Matthew) One of the few remaining settlers who arrived in 1848. Mr Matthew Marshall died suddenly at his residence, North Balclutha, on Wednesday evening. He was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1833, and came to New Zealand in the Philip Laing arriving on the 15th April, 1848. In 1857 he was married in Dunedin to Miss Julia Bower by the late rev Dr Burns. They had a family of nine, six of whom survive to comfort the aged mother in her sorrow. There are some 29 grandchildren and one great grandchild. After his arrival in NZ Mr Marshall followed the occupation of a shepherd in the Clutha for many years. About 30 years ago he took up a section at Stoney Creek and retired from it 12 years ago, settling in Balclutha North, where he resided till the time of his death. / [p. 20] PASSING OF A PIONEER

MATTHEW MARSHALL, AGED 79

It is with sincere regret that we have today to record the death of Matthew Marshall, which took place suddenly at his residence, Balclutha North, at half-past 5.0'clock on Wednesday evening. He had been in failing health for some time, and once or twice had consulted his medical adviser, Dr Brugh, but he retired to bed in his usual health and spirits. Very shortly afterwards he gave three groans and expired without a struggle. Mr Marshall was an old and well known resident. He leaves a widow and a family of six sons and daughters, 29 grandchildren and one great grandchild, to mourn his loss. He was married at Anderson's Bay by the rev Dr Burns on May 22nd 1857, his wife being Julia Bower, sister of the late David Bower of Stoney Creek. There was a great gathering of the family and old friends on the occasion of the golden wedding five years ago.

The late Matthew Marshall was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1833 and sailed for New Zealand by the pioneer ship Philip Laing arriving at Port Chaimers on the 15Th April, 1848, to find that the John Wycliffe, which left the old land after them had made a better passage to the new country and had arrived fully three weeks before them. In a day or two the Philip Laing passengers came up to Dunedin, which was then in its primitive state. One of Mr Marshall's first jobs was making a road to Port ChaLmers but he very shortly got a job shepherding at Waitare Flat. There were no roads and the wool had to be taken by pack horses over Flagstaff and through Halfway Bush to Dunedin. Early in 1852 he came out to the Clutha to shepherd for Meredith who had the Popotunoa run in those days. He set out from Dunedin by himself, and near the end of the second day arrived at the Clutha. He had been directed to the late Archibald Anderson's homestead at Moir's Bush, on the terrace at Barnego Flat. At Stoney Creek, he took the wrong spur, however, and landed near where Begg's Station now is. He retraced his steps to the leading ridge, but night fall overtook him and he spent his first night in the Clutha in a ferny gully nearly opposite where Stoney Creek school now is. He was tired and weary after a long walk on a warm autumn day, and he used to tell how in the middle of the night he had an unquenchable thirst. He tried to appease it by melting in his mouth some butter he had with him, but the cure proved worse than the trouble. The next day he arrived at Moir's Bush and rested a day with some men, one of them named Bell, who subsequently settled on the Taieri, who were building a house there. Proceeding on his journey he walked down to the hill at Harvey's below the railway bridge, and cooeing, someone from Mr Anderson's at Balmoral on the island, took him across the river in a boat, landing him on the spit at the lower end of the present reserve. There was not a soul on the Clutha flat at that time. He walked up the river bank through flax and Maoriheads and swamp till he reached the hill at the top of the present embankment. Climbing the spur he caught sight of the wooded Popotunoa hill to which he --------------- and he made straight for it. There was at that time a dense growth of tussock between here and Popotunoa. After he had crossed the Waiwera he saw smoke rising from the burning coal seams at Pomahaka, concluded it was smoke from the hut he was making for, and was disappointed to think he still had a long way to walk with probably another night in a gully He continued on to the wooded hill, and was delighted to hear the bark of dogs, and soon saw the hut, and knew he was right. Hobbs was the name of the man who occupied the hut. He was managing for Meredith and Marshall was to have his mate an old Caledonian. They lived together for some time but the wild dogs were a terrible nuisance in those days, and to try and help matters the flock was divided into two, Marshall taking his flock over the Waiwera side. His camp was where the fish hatcheries now are, and Marshall's creek takes its name from him. The sheep were all driven down to Fuller's, now Hilly Park, to be shom, the wool being taken down to Port Molyneux and sent away by boat. The other shepherd left after shearing and Marshall had to look atler the sheep till another mate for him was sent up from Dunedin. The mate happened to be Sandy Gordon, whom Marshall had known in Dunedin, and who in later years became well known in the district. The wild dogs became --- destructive at / [p. 21] Popotunoa that the sheep were moved down to Warepa district, one camp being at the bush and the other at Moa mill. Meredith sold out, Sandy Gordon took up a section and settled at Warepa Bush, while Marshall sought fresh fields and ney pastures new. After an interval mostly shepherding in Hui-end district, he took up a section at Stoney Creek, where he settled and lived for about 20 years.

About 12 years ago he sold out and came to reside in Balclutha North where he resided till his death. The late Mr Marshall was a pioneer in every sense of the word. He is about the last of those who came to the Province of Otago at the time of its foundation over 61 years ago, and he experienced his full share of the hardships and privations of the pioneer days, saw the rise and progress of the new settlement from its initial stage to the present time, and did his part in laying the foundation of its present day prosperity. He was a kind hearted and hospitable man, bore an unblemished character and was held in respect and esteem by all who knew him. To his sorrowing partner in life for 55 years, and the family and descendants, there will be wide spread sympathy in their time of sorrow, which marks the passing of a worthy pioneer full of years.

Obituary for Julia Brodie Bower: (contributed by Denyse Knox)

Another of the fast diminishing band of Otago's pioneer women in the person of Mrs Matthew Marshall passed away at her residence, North Balclutha, early on Sunday morning, at the age of 77. The deceased lady caught a chill three months ago and had been confined to bed ever since, the chill finally taking the form of pleurisy. She was born in Edinburgh in 1837 and came to New Zealand in the ship "Larkins" in 1849, settling with her widowed mother and brothers in Dunedin. Mrs Marshall, who was formerly Miss Julia B. Bower married the late Mr Matthew Marshall in Dunedin in 1857, Rev. Dr Burns performing the ceremony. Five days after the marriage the couple set out for their home, a ten-acre. section at Aberturf, and after residing there for some time, went to Hillend, where they farmed for 40 years, afterwards coming to Balclutha. The deceased lady was of a cheery disposition, well known and beloved by many and could tell many a good tale of the tribulations of the early pioneers. Almost seven years ago the couple celebrated their Golden Wedding. Mr Marshall predeceased his wife by about two and half years and there is left to mourn a grown up family for four daughters and two sons. They are Mrs Hugh Christie (Balclutha), Mrs J.H. Wylie, (Douglas, Taranaki), Miss M. Marshall (Batclutha) Mrs T. Allan (Dunedin), Frank (Martinborough) and Matthew (Masterton).

Descendants of the Marshall family and Bower family : a collection of notes / compiled by Rod Asher with contributions from several family members. - Nelson : The Author, 2000, p. 15-21.

  Noted events in his life were:

• He was employed in Shepherd Farmer. ³¹

• Emigration - to: 15 Apr 1848, Arrived Port Chalmers, Otg, Nz, With Parents, Etc. ³²

Matthew married Julia Brodie BOWER, daughter of David BOWER and Isabelles McDONALD, on 22 May 1857 in Brother David's Home, Andersons Bay, Dunedin, Otg, Nz ^10,20.^,29 (Julia Brodie BOWER was born on 13 Mar 1838 in Water Of Leith, Edinburgh, Sct ^9,32 and died on 26 Dec 1914 in Balclutha, Otg, Nz ^20,33.)