A LINK WITH PRIMITIVE NELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 9 April 1924, Page 4

A LINK WITH PRIMITIVE NELSON

THE HATE MR JOHN SUTTON, RICHMOND

Another link with the memorable early days of settlement in Nelson has been severed by the demise, on Monday March 31si of* Air John Hutton, of Richmond, at the ripe age of 93. .Born at Hastate in, n 1 lampsnire, it- was as a youth of 12 Hint Joiin Hutton accompanied his parents to New Zealand, being one of the parly of immigrants brought out by the ship Bolton, which arrived in Nelson Haven in 1842. One ot his shipmates was the- late Airs H. Higgins, of Wakefield, of whose reminiscences of those, stirring days an interesting account was given in the Evening Mail of April 17, 1922. The ship encountered a frightful gale in the Bay of Biscay. For three days and nights tlu* voyagers were at the mercy of tempestuous seas, total shipwreck, with the loss of all on board, being only averted by the timely appearance on the scene of a French ship, which stood by fur Hires days, and supplied sufficient limber to enable the Bolton to effect much needed repairs, and make, port. The sufferings and anxieties of those perilous days, and ihe conviction that only the Divine power rescued the imperilled ship's company, were often recalled by Air Hutton in vivid recital to sy mpa 11 1 et ic 1 ist oners.

'The family’s early days were spent in the Alaitai Valley, and they were, needless to relate, times of great hardship, tiie scarcity of food being so acute that at times. John and his brothers were driven to digging up newly-planted seed potatoes ,to appease the growing boys’ pangs of hunger. In his young manhood the subject of this sketch took Ins share, in the pioneer work of construction," helping to form some of Nelson’s first streets. In Nelson, too, young Joint Hutton won for his bride the lady who through 70 odd years of happy married life was to prove so true and devoted a helpmeet and home-maker for her husband and their family of 11 children (six sons and five daughters, el! nl whom are still living). At the age of 89, Airs Hutton—formerly Miss Esther Tide!—survives her husband, though now naturally very frail. The Alethodist minister who united the .young couple in matrimonial bonds was the Rev. H. Ironside, and all their married life the two have continued firmly and warmly attached to the Alethodist Church. For some years after his marriage the late Air Sutton lived in Stoke, engaged in farming, prior to moving to Richmond, where the past 69 tears of his life have been spent. He helped to build the first Alethodist Church in Richmond, at that time, of course, a very small building, now the ante-room of the present Sunday School building. For ninny years Mr Sutton was a trustee of the church, and a regular worshipper until comparatively re eentlv. It is some 30 years since he re tired from farming ; but he continued to lead an active life, with almost unimpaired possession of all bis faculties, and with but few intervals of sickness, until within a short time before tbe end. lie was of a genial and hospitable disposition, with a turn of quaint humour, and was deservedly respected in the community. Resides a widow and 11 children, Mr Sutton is survived by 36 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchild-ren.

The funeral took place at Richmond Cemetery on Tuesday April Ist, and was largely attended : Rev. J. R. Neb son officiating.