Mrs. R. A. Henderson’s Death

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 44, 22 February 1936, Page 2

Mrs. R. A. Henderson’s Death

INTERESTING- LITE RECALLED Mrs Rachael Aitken Henderson, aged 82 years, an early pionoer and wife of the late William Henderson, passed away at the residence of her daughter, Mrs J. O’Brien, last Sunday. She came to New Zealand in the second ship of the second fleet of four vessels that came to New Zealand, landing in the Dominion in 1562. She was the eldest daughter -of Mr John

Newton, pilot of Lyttelton, and lived at Lyttelton from' when she landed in New Zealand until she was married to William Henderson in 1876. During her life in Lyttelton she saw tho oponing of the Lyttelton tunnel, and was in fact one of tho first few people to pass through it. When she was marriod she moved to Akaroa, where her husband was engaged in sawmilling. From there they shifted to Kaikoura, where most of her family were born. The next move was to this district, and at first they engaged in farming at Mangatiti, later taking over the Post Office hotel at Woodville. For the last three years she had been liv-

ing with her daughter, Mrs J. 0 ’Brien, in Pahiatua. Sho had been a member of the Mothers’. Union in tho South Island sinco 1889/and belonged locally to tho Women’s Institute and the St. Peter’s Guild. A very kindly woman, Mrs Henderson was a highly esteemed figure both in this district and in Lyttelton. Left to mourn their loss are three sons, Messrs William and Isaac Henderson, of Auckland, and Mr Horace Henderson, of Hamilton; and three daughters, Mcsdames J. O’Styko and J. O’Brien, of Pahiatua, and Mrs Adams, of Kaiapoi. Her husband predeceased her in 1927,

Tho funeral took plaeo last Tuesday, leaving from St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Rev. Wilson conducting the ceremony. Many friends and relatives followed tho body to its last resting place, and tho floral emblems were •numerous. The pall bearers wore Messrs O’Styko (son-in-law), M. Galbraith (grandson), G. Robertson, and Jack, Dave and Emmett O’Brien.