LONG LINE BROKEN.'

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 154, 1 July 1936, Page 20

LONG LINE BROKEN.'

FIVE GENERATIONS. MRS. S. LAWRENCE'S DEATH. EIGHT " GREAT-GREATS." The death of Mrs. S. Lawrence 011 Sunday last breaks a line of five living generations which had existed in Auckland for the past seven years. Possibly five living generations was a record for New Zealand, but in the case of Mrs. Lawrence it was unique in that the generations were represented by members of the fair sex. In the year prior to her death Mrs. Lawrence could also claiin eight great-great-grandchildren, probably a record for the Dominion, and just on 00 living descendants, all but four of whom reside within the Auckland suburban area. Seven years ago last month Mrs. Lawrence attended the christening at St. Mark's Church, Remuera, of her great-great-granddaughter, a wee baby, Maureen Carter. Present at tlie ceremony were Mrs. Lawrence, Mrs. R. Bowden, Mrs. R. Pearce, Mrs. P. Carter and baby Maureen —five generations. It was in February, 1874, that Mrs. Lawrence left London for Auckland with her husband and three children —two girls and a boy —in the sailing ship Rooparell, under Captain Sandreg, a Norwegian. 011 the trip Mrs. Lawrence gave birth to a fourth baby, but it died, and after a journey occupying 90 ,days the family arrived at Auckland. There was 110 wharf for the ship to berth at, and the Rooparell anchored on the foreshore, then about the foot of Shortland Street. Quarters were taken up at Albert Barracks the present site of Albert Park, and a few days later the family were taken to Howick in a dray, Mr. Lawrence having secured work on a farm. Later the family moved in to Newmarket, where they lived for a long period of years, and nine more children were added, making 13 in all. During the whole of her 02 years' residence in Auckland Mrs. Lawrence never travelled further afield than Otahuhu and Howick. Her husband., Mr. C. Lawrence, died some years ago. Two years ago Mrs. Lawrence's health began to fail, and she died on Sunday at the age of 87. The funeral took place yesterday at St. Mark's cemetery, being attended by relatives and many old friends. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. P. Houghton.