Francis MARSHALL ^7,9

  General Notes:

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. 7-11.

p. 7:

Francis Marshall was born in Paisley, Scotland on the 27 Jan 1808 as the third of six children and as was customary, a name sake of his father Francis Marshall and mother Agnes Murray. Paisley is a large town, located about 15km form [sic] Glasgow, on the tributary of the Clyde and in the central area of the industrial lowlands of Scotland. At the time of Francis' birth, Paisley had developed into a manufacturing centre for the hand-loom weaving of linen and in time became noted for its own characteristic fine wool, silk and cotton, Paisley shawls. Francis grew up, was educated and like his father, trained as a weaver in the mills. A fragment of a lovely shawl he made existed for many years within the family.

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On the 31 August 1932 [sic] Francis married Margaret Crawford at the Paisley Abbey. Living in the district of Williamburgh in Paisley, during the next 13 years Margaret bore six children. These were: - Matthew Marshall born 18 September 1833. Matthew's life we shall follow more closely later. Margaret Marshall born 24 September 1835. Agnes Marshall born 13 May 1838. Francis Marshall born 17 August 1840. Alexander Marshall born 29 May 1843. Jane (Jean) Marshall born 9 November 1845 This was the family of Francis Marshall that bid farewell to family and friends, at the port of Geenock and left for a new life in New Zealand, on board the Philip Laing on the 23 November 1847.

To try and understand why so many Scots were prepared to emigrate to an unknown future we can briefly examine a little of the background.

Throughout Scottish history there have been difficult times with wars, rebellions, clan feuds, land disputes, religious dissension, and famine. Mix this with a harsh climate and it's no wonder the Scots have a history of migrating throughout the world. Whenever life became more difficult there resulted a surge in Scottish emigration.

Around the 17th-18th centuries, the principal cause of migration was the claiming of large tracts of land by the gentry, because of a shift in emphasis from small subsistence farming by crofters, to large scale sheep and marketable crops. The crofters (small family tenants) were gradually displaced off the farm land into villages and cities. The loyalty of both Clan Chiefs and tenants toward each other, had been eroded by English rule, which purposely tried to defuse the once strong power within the Clans.

In the lowland areas of Scotland, where the Marshafl family lived, the textile trade was a major employer in the early 1800's, however during the 1840's the linen industry went into rapid decline. The development of alternative fibres, shift in world markets and cheap labour overseas, as well as politics and the stock exchanges all contributed to economic depression in Scotland.

How all this affected the Marshall family is not spelt out clearly, but it is most likely that unemployment at home was a major factor for Francis.. The political climate, the vast number of ships leaving the docks near his home town, and the stories of vast lands and opportunities was a mighty inducement for Francis to decide to emigrate with his young family, and to secure a better life for themselves, away from the cramped struggle and depression in Scotland.

The journey to New Zealand

The barque, Philip Laing had been chartered as one of two ships, to carry the first new settlers to the proposed Otago settlement of New Edinburough [sic] (Dunedin). She was a well built ship of 459 tons and on this voyage housed 247 passengers, 93 being children. Francis had to pay 16 guineas per head for steerage accommodation, although it is unknown if there was a reduction for his

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children. The night before sailing there was farewell speeches, songs and prayers with the Philip Laing weighing anchor at Greenock on 27 November 1847.

On leaving Scotland, Francis and Margaret were both about 38 years old, with their eldest, Matthew, being 14 years and youngest child Jean, 3yrs. Certainly a mammoth undertaking and requiring much arsinner strength. On top of this, whether she realised it yet or not, Margaret was one month pregnant with her seventh child, Robert.

The introductory first weeks of this voyage must have had many on board seriously re-evaluating their decision when, due to bad weather, the vessel spent the next 23 days sheltering from storms at Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran. It finally left Scottish waters on the 20 December.

In charge was the Rev T Bums, who had high ideals of setting up a colony of parishioners of the free church of Scotland. Life on board was strict and disciplined with a 6.30am start and all expected to be on deck by 7.30. No breakfast until all berths had been scrubbed and cleaned, which really was essential to maintain hygiene in such cramped quarters. There were 2 religious services each day, school at 11am and further meals at 2pm and 5.30pm.

Great score was taken, in those days, of a vessels capabilities. Stories of speeds and fastest times were stuff of legends. The Philip Laing was a good sound vessel for its day. During this voyage, it was considered a fast days journey to cover between 180 to 200 miles with speeds up to 9.5 knots. Eventually after 117 days (4 months) at sea from Lamlash Bay, they reached Port Chalmers. This was about average for 1847, but remember to add another 23 days while waiting out bad weather.

Settling into Dunedin

It would be hard to describe the feelings of all on board at the first New Zealand sighting of Stewart Island. A day later all had arrived at their destination on the 15 April 1848

There was high excitement and bustle mixed with relief and joy when the Philip Laing (Plate 2) was piloted into Port Chalmers and lowered its anchor. This was tempered momentarily when a child fell overboard and needed swift rescuing.

One article set a different scene According to an 1898 Otago Day Times supplement to mark the 50th Jubilee of the first ships:

'A thick easterly rain set in and continued day and night for three long weary weeks leaving the new immigrants cooped up within the ship.
"The aspect of the country as it presented itself to the settlers who had come with high hope to found a new nation, was cheerless and depressing in the extreme. Dark sombre forests reeking with misty vapours hung on the steep hills right down to the waters edge, while
dripping mist rested like a pall over-head, shutting out the sun and the landscape alike".

After thanksgiving the slow work of organising a new life began. Preparations were not as promised and as there were only 5 houses on the site of Dunedin, the capable men rowed up the harbour and settled into construction of barrack type housing. That had been started by the settlers from the John Wickliffe. The barracks were built on the foreshore near what is now known as the Exchange. The women and children continued to live on board for another month, before enough shelters had been

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built and they too, were able to live on firm land. The women shared the household duties with cooking being done outside, often in the rain as by this time winter was setting in. From then on there was continual comings and goings as the individuals and families dispersed to establish their own dwellings and life styles.

While in the barracks, Margaret gave birth to Robert Marshall on the 19 July 1848. The first of the Marshall family to be born in NZ. Certainly all these happenings gave testimony to their toughness.

Now that all the settlers had arrived the task of establishing a new town began in earnest. Barracks had to be built and it was decided to build a jetty about where the present Jetty Street reaches Bond and Grawford Streets. The area now known as Bell Hill was earmarked for the colony's church and school.

Settlers who purchased parcels of land before emigrating were occupied selecting their quarter acre town sections as part of a package that included 10 acres suburban and 50 acres of rural land. A ballot held before they set sail had decided the order in which they would choose, but making the choice was difficult. The so-called streets of the "new Edinburgh" were nothing more than surveyors pegs and lines intersected by bush, hills, gullies and streams.

The Marshalls first lived in Princes Street, and had a potato patch about Moray place. Soon after they farmed at Half Way Bush. Their red painted cowshed was on that property until recently and they lived in a fern tree house, like the fern tree house still in the city.

(see the following newspaper articles for more details)

Two more children followed; Mary Marshall born in Dunedin 19 June 1851 and John Matherson Marshall born at Crossflat, Wakari, on the 6 April 1855.

Some younger sons grew up to work with Mr Kettle's survey team, but Matthew became a shepherd. (More details on Matthews life is recorded in the next article.)

Extended Family Attributes and Skills. (contributed by Phyllis Aspinall)

Margaret Marshall (nee' Crawford) along with her daughter in law Julia (nee' Bower) and granddaughter Christina, were all noted for their needlework skills and made beautiful patchwork quilts and other works of art. Most were of the 'Grandmother's Garden' pattern. Fragments left from family dress making were used and blended in a semblance of colour schemes. Julia also had a fine singing voice. A cousin Agnes Poole (nee' Bower) made exquisite lace and delicate shell pictures as well as encouraging her family in creating pieces of jewellery and ornaments.

The greater family had members with a wide variety of skills. Nobody had risen to great heights of fame, nobody has sunk to depths of notoriety. They are 'middle of the road' people, but as in every family, there were quirks of personality.

For example. One lady bought a car in the 1920's. She lived in Invercargill. After each outing the running boards and tyres were carefully polished with shoe blacking and the treasure was covered with canvas, on being driven into the garage. When she meant to drive it, she would carry chocks to the street, set them across the gutter, and look carefully in both directions. Then she walked to the back of her garden and the garage, fold the canvas cover and back the car with a flourish straight along the drive and to the opposite gutter. After all she had looked in each direction! No harm ever befell her, on any one else.

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Then there was the dashing girl who rode a motor bike in the 1920's.

Matthews [sic] golden wedding (1907) was a great family occasion. Members who hadn't met for years attended, and friendships cemented which endured a lifetime. More detail follows in the next article.

The first generation in New Zealand, mostly stayed around the Otago-Southland area, but since, members have become wide spread through New Zealand. Branches of the family live around Invercargill, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wairarapa, Hawkes bay [sic], Taranaki and Auckland.




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. 13.

BAPTISMAL REGISTER FIRST CHURCH OF OTAGO

(On Nov. 29th Rev. T. Burns baptised the following - children of Francis Marshall, labourer, Mavis Bank Dunedin and Margaret Crawford)

172 Agnes born May 13 1838 173 Francis born Aug 17 1840 174 Alexander born May 29 1843 175 Jane born Nov 7 1845 176 Robert born July 6 1848 177 Mary born June 19 1851

404 John Matheson, Francis Marshall, settler, Cross Flat (?) and Margaret Crawford born April 6th 1855 baptised by rev. [sic] T. Burns June 4th 1863 (correction = May 13th 1855)




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. 12.

OTAGO WITNESS March 4 - 1887 P.21 C1.L

Deaths - On the 26th February, at his residence, Half-way Bush, Francis Marshall, in his 80th year. (Ibid. P.15 C.3.C)

:Death of Mr F. Marshall" Mr Francis Marshall, another of the old settlers of Otago, died at his residence, Half-way Bush, on Saturday, in his 80th year. He arrived in the Philip Laing in 1848 and was one of the earliest pioneers to settle on the Taieri Plain. Deceased leaves a Widow, four daughters and five sons, besides 38 grandchildren.




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. 13.

THE OTAGO DALLY [sic] TIMES AND WITNESS. OTAGO SETTLEMENT JUBILEE NUMBER 1848-1898 Page 40 C.4.B.

MARSHALL, FRANCIS, born at Paisley, came out in Philip Laing; was on Survey staff, then employed by Captain Cargill: settled at Halfway Bush, dying there in 1887. Mrs Marshall is stil1 [sic] alive. Five of the family who came out in the Philip Laing are also alive. - Matthew Marshall and Mrs. Bower, Balclutha; Francis Marshall, Mosgiel; Alexander Marshall, Milton; and Mrs. Dewar, Ratani [sic], 41 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Baptised: Paisley Abbey, Rfw, Sct.

• Buried: Southern Cemetery, Dunedin, Otg, Nz. ¹⁶

• He was employed in Weaver; Farmer In Nz. ¹⁰

• He had a residence in Wakari, Dunedin, Otg, Nz.

• Emigration - to: 15 Apr 1848, Arrived Port Chalmers, Nz. ¹⁶

• Emigration - from: 23 Nov 1847, Left Greenock, Sct, On 'Philip Laing'. ¹³³

Francis married Margaret CRAWFORD, daughter of Matthew CRAWFORD and Margaret HILLCOAT, on 31 Aug 1832 in Paisley Abbey, Rfw, Sct ^7,8.^,10 (Margaret CRAWFORD was born on 18 Sep 1808 in Paisley, Rfw, Sct ^7,9,10 and died on 15 Apr 1899 in Balclutha, Otg, Nz ^10,14.)