A ROMANTIC STORY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 October 1931, Page 3

A ROMANTIC STORY.

FAMILY HISTORY OF FOXTON'S OLDEST RESIDENT. DESCENDANT OF NOBLE FRENCH HOUSE. (Manawatu Herald). Mr John Frederick William De Kidder, of Liddell Street, Foxton's oldest resident, had a romantic and fascinating story to tell when interviewed on the occasion of the celebration of his ninetieth birthday last Thursday. According to ancient French documents in his possession his ancestors once held the chateau of Benescure in France and Mr De Bidder is himself entitled to the title of Marquis De Benescure, ibeing the eldest grandson of the late Louis Edward De Bidder, Marquis De Benescure, the son of Sieur Jean Bartholomi De Bidder, Marquis De Benescure, ibailli of the- parish and native of Cassel. The erest and motto of the family are a knight's right arm holding a battle axe poised, the motto being, "Je suis pret," "Martel, I am near. I am ready." From the documents in Mr De Bidder's possession a view of the Chateau De Benescure is to be seen. It is approached by a gateway with drawbridge, portcullis, and all other details that went to make a strong fortress and defence 'in mediaeval times.

The first patent of nobility dates from 780, for saving the life of Charles Martel, then King of what was called France (but only a small part of the France of to-day), at the battle of Neustrie down to the date of 1711, when Mr De Bidder's father's grandfather was created Marquis De Eeneseure, which patent of nobility is still in existence.

Mr De Bidder's grandfather, who was aide de camp to Napoleon, was taken prisoner whilst engaged in fighting two British frigates. He discovered his vessel was sinking and to save the lives of his officers and men, he surrendered and became a prisoner on parole at Devon/port. He was eventually transferred to Frenchay, near Bristol, and his war friends finally arranged for him to be made French master at Bishop's Bristol. Two of his brothers were beheaded in the French revolution. Mr De Kidder's father received from his father a very large packet with a solemn injunction not to open it until his death. The packet lay forgotten for years but was ultimately examined and was then found to contain authentic proofs that his father was the head of one of the "oldest, noblest and richest families of France "'and that to'him had descended full and perfect right "that none on earth can gainsay'' to call himself "Louis De Bidder, Marquis of Beneseure, Baron De Bouroiburg and Monthiver.'' Mr De Eidder informed our representative that as a child he could remember his grandfather taking him on his knee and showing him a gold watch in a magnificent bejewelled gold ease and attached to two long gold chains which he said had been used by Napoleon. He always said that some day the watch would be his. Mr De Eidder's father was an engineer connected with the Great Midland Eailway in England and died as a result of injuries sustained while at work. His grandfather died away from their home and just prior to his death entrusted the watch into the keeping of an old servant with instructions that it was to be handed to Mr D'e Bidder. In the meantime he had left England, however, and the servant refused to hand •the heirloom to anyone else. On her death, a claim was lodged by members of the. family for the recovery of the watch and this, minus the case and chains came into Mr De Bidder's keeping in Foxton just after the Great War. It was shown to our representative and is certainly a wonderful piece of handicraft. The watch is no bigger than those in use to-day, despite the fact that it was made in 1668 to the order of one of Mr De Bidder's ancesters at a cost stated to be in the vicinity of the equivalent to £l5O. The case is of beautifully burnished gold and the date and name of the manufacturer are stamped inside the back. it is jewelled throughout and the dial appears to be of .porcelain. It has the usual figures but in addition the figures 15, 30, 15 and 60 opposite the respective quarters of the hour. The hands are fretted and the spring is wound by a key. The stem is a little longer than usual and is fitted with a gold ring to which the two chains were attached. The watch keeps perfect time despite its great age. Mr De Kidder has resided in -boxton for the past 48 years. He was ■born in the South of England and went, to Australia as a young man to try his fortune. After a time he came to New Zealand and landed at Lyttelton where he was engaged as confidential clerk to the firm of Messrs Strange and 'Co., and assisted to build up that firm's larpe business. He married Miss Slater in Christchurch and well remembers the opening of the Lyttelton railway tunnel. Being advised to go north on account of the health of his wife he arrived in Foxton almost half a century ago and was for a long time in charge of Messrs Nathan and Co.'s big warehouse which used to stand on the now vacant section in front of the New Zealand Shipping Co.'s sheds. It was while in charge of this position that he interested himself in the formation of the first Masonic Lodge in Foxton and the first meetings were held in a room of his house over the shop. >He acquired land in the Pohangina "and later lost practically everything in a flaxmilling venture when the slump came some 25 years ago, at which time he owned two flaxmills, one locally and the other at Oroua Bridge, now known, as Eangiotu. He continued in business locally and) right up until last year was engaged in clerical work. Unfortunately, some twelve months ago. he met with an accident, being knocked down by a motor car in Main Street, and practically since then he lias been confined to his home, where he is looked after bv his wife. Mr and Mrs De Bidder, have 26 grandchildrenand ten great grandchildren alive. The daughters living are Mesdames N. 'Walsh (New Plymouth), A. Sorensen ■ (Auckland), E. A. Newson (Palmers- [ ton North.), P. T. Boibinson (Pahnerston -North), and, Clapperton (Masterton)!, One daughter, Mrs Burns, died

in Foxton some years agojitwo sons/ Messrs Lionel and Edward, living 4» Auckland and Palmerston North respectively. -Their eldest son -died >in Christchurch prior to Mr and Mrs De Bidder coming north.