OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 6 August 1945, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR THOMAS ROUGHTON By the death of Mr Thomas Roughto n at the residence of his son Oliver, Spring Grove has lost one of its oldest identities. His father, Mr Gervase Roughton, arrived in Nelson by the Clifford early in 1842 and soon afterwards acquired the section in Spring Grove known as "Brookside,’ which has remained in the possession of the family ever since. Here in 1857 Thomas, tire eldest son, was born, followed later by a sister, Hannah (who later married the Rev. John Thomas, of the Methodist Church), and by a brother, William, who is well-known as a businesman throughout the Nelson district. The young family grew up on the section, attending the public school nearby on week days and regularly •attending, with their parents, the Spring Grove Methodist services held in the mud Wesleyan Chapel, which still stands near the main highway. Thomas Roughton was the first child christened in this building, just after ils erection in 1858. After school the children assisted their parents to win a livelihood by fruit farming, hopgrowing and attending a small herd of cows and a few sheep. These occupations were typical of all the Spring Grove families of that period and Mr Roughton, in his later years was often heard to affirm that although lacking many of the facilities for pleasure offering to-day, those days contained many sources of real happiness. The Newman family lived close by and the late Mr Thomas Newman and Thomas Roughton were nearly the same age. Horses in those days were the chief means of locomotion and older setlcrs have often been heard to relate how the two "Toms” mounted on well-groomed, sharp-paced horses, were a familiar sight on the Waimea roads in the late 'seventies. Later on Mr Roughton, as a farmer, took keen interest in draught horses and introduced to the Waimeas several well-known draught stallions. Mr Roughton married Sarah, the daughter of the late Mr J. A. Langford, and for a short period lived in Nelson but, after a short visit to Australia, Mr Roughton returned to Spring Grove taking over the cultivation of his father’s hop garden and a general contracting business. When advancing age compelled him to lay aside strenuous work he retired to a small farm adjourning "Brookside.” Here Mrs Roughton died in 1936 and Mr Roughton shortly after went to live with his son Oliver at "Brookside.” Although of a retiring disposition Mr Roughton took a keen interest in public affairs. The Methodist Church received his loyal support and he served several years on the local school committee. He was a consistent supporter of the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association throughout the years. He leaves a family of 2 sons, Percy of Brightwater and Oliver of Spring Grove, and four daughters. Mrs Findlay, of Wellington, Mrs Pickering, of Hastings. Mrs R. Palmer, of Spring Grove, and Miss V. Roughton, of Wellington, together witn 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.