Descendants of Francois and Justine

Press, 9 December 1989, Page 25

Descendants of Francois and Justine

By

ANABRIGHT HAY

PAUL LE LIEVRE farms the same land at Takamatua on Banks Peninsula that his great-great-grandfather, Frenchman Francois Lelievre, owned more than a century ago. Among the many family reunions being held throughout New Zealand next year will be the Akaroa reunion of descendants of Francois Lelievre and his wife Justine Rose Lelievre (the surname has since become two words). Francois Lelievre and Justine Rose de Malmanche became permanent residents of Akaroa in 1840 when he was aged 30 and she was aged eight. They were married in the Roman Catholic Chapel 10 years after they arrived in Akaroa. Nine children were born to the couple, with one dying aged two. Today, the Akaroa telephone directory lists seven Le Lievre subscribers, and there are thought to be about 1700 Le Lievre descendants, many . still living in Canterbury. A great-granddaughter of the couple, Janet Drury, of Ham, is hoping up to 600 people will attend the Le Lievre 150th jubilee at Akaroa from May 4 to May 6 next year. Four months later, the de Malmanche descentents of Justine Rose’s parents will hold a reunion in Akaroa and Christchurch. Technically inclined Francois was trained as a locksmith in his native Manche in France. After serving his apprenticeship, he went to Paris to work at his trade. He became unsettled, and

seeking a more exciting life, he became the driver of a mail coach serving the Versailles-to-Paris route. A staunch Republican and admirer of Victor Hugo, Francois saw the temporary success of Louis Phillippe, the Citizen King, as a bitter blow to the Republican cause. Being a man of strong political principles, he decided to leave Paris and go to sea. Francois caught his first glimpse of Akaroa in 1837. As a harpooner and steerer, he arrived aboard a French-owned whaling ship the Nil. When the Nil left on its home voyage back to France, Francois decided to stay on in the tranquil Banks Peninsula settlement where he was to spend much of his life. During this time, he was kept busy attending to the visiting whaling ships, building a whare in Rue Balguerie and planting willow slips that he is believed to have obtained near Napoleon’s grave at St Helena during the voyage out. From these trees, slips were later taken and planted along the Avon River in Christchurch. In late 1838, Francois returned to France on the whaling ship Cachalot, which was captained by Jean Langlois. Captain Langlois had been involved in land deals with Peninsula Maoris and thought he had acquired much of Banks Peinsula. Working on this assumption,

Captain Langlois was instrumental in persuading the French Government to form the NantoBordelaise Company, which administered a scheme that resulted in 63 settlers migrating to Akaroa from France. Francois and his future wife were among the emigrants who left France for Akaroa in the Comte de Paris. The ship sailed up Akaroa Harbour at noon on August 16, 1840. The French colonists were later to learn they were not founding a French colony as thought, that there were a number of British people already firmly established in Akaroa. There was much hard work to be done removing ferns and deep roots that covered the ground, then planting wheat, barley and potatoes. Mutual difficulties were discussed between Captain Charles Lavaud, the captain of another French ship (the L’Aube) and a British magistrate, Charles Robinson. As a result of theses discussions, order and understanding was established between the two groups of colonists. , Little is known of the details of Francois and Justine Rose’s friendship and courtship, but accounts of the couple’s life and activities feature in many books on Banks Peninsula history. Francois gave his bride a bed of French Imperial design, now Roused in the Langlois-

Eteveneaux House at the Akaroa Museum. He and Justine Rose lived in a large house in Muter Street. By 1844, Akaroa’s European population had reached 245. The resourceful Frenchman had plenty of work in the early 1840 s, attending the visiting whaling ships, doing blacksmith work and clearing the land for his farming activities. As the years passed, he acquired more land. In 1882, 20 years before his death, he owned more than 1010 hectares, the value of which exceeded £9OOO. Some of this land is still in the Le Lievre family. Janet Druiy says Francois and his compatriots became excellent colonists, giving Akaroa beneficial and distinctive characteristics. “He was a successful colonist, and a man of intelligence and a genial disposition.” A close observer of current affairs, he did not take an active part in local government He died on July 12, 1902, aged 92, and was survived by his wife, three daughters and four sons, also leaving 105 descendants including grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. The colonial couple had been naturalised on October 30, 1851. One son of Francois and Justine, Etienne, was Mayor of Akaroa in 1906. He was a noted breeder of light-harness horses in this country and Australia. Etienne bought more than 15 mares and stallions from America to his Oinako stud at Akaroa..

More recently, Jules Le Lievre, of Christchurch, is remembered by sports fans for his membership of the All Blacks rugby team in the early 19605. Among Le Lievre descendants expected at Akaroa is a great-great-grandson, Canon John Jobson, who lives in New York. Canon Jobson, of the Grace Episcopal Church, is expected to conduct a thanksgiving service at the reunion with another relative, Father David Moore, of Wellington. The service will be held in a marquee in the grounds of the Akaroa Area School. Other activities planned for the reunion include the taking of family photographs, sightseeing at places of special significance in the town and social functions. Mrs Drury hopes the only remaining granddaughter, Mrs Pearl McDonald, aged 81, of Ashburton, will cut the reunion cake. Descendants of both the Le Lievre family and the de Malmanches are arranging for special memorials to be unveiled at Akaroa next year. A large stone seat containing a plaque in memory of Francois and Justine Rose is planned by the Le Lievre descendants. The de Malmanches will provide a special stone at the grave of Emery and Rose de Malmanche, Justine Rose’s parents. Both families are planning to produce books on family history. The contact for those wanting to attend Le Lievre celebrations is Box 66, Akaroa.