86 YEARS AT NEW PLYMOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1933, Page 2

86 YEARS AT NEW PLYMOUTH

DEATH OF MRS. JANE JOHNSON. The death of Mrs. Jane Johnson, aged 86, widow of the late Mr. William Johnson, occurred at New Plymouth this week. Mrs. Johnson was . bom at New Plymouth and was the daughter of Mrs. Marshall, who came to New Zealand in the William Bryan. Her husband was better known as Captain William Johnson, a well-known horseman in Captain Mace's company during the. war. He was engaged in scouting and dispatch carrying and played a prominent part in the attack on the L pa at Waitara in 1860. Following their max-riage Mr. and Mrs. Johnson lived at Waitara for some time and'Johnson Street, Waitara west, was named after Mr. Johnson. In 1887 they took up Crown land on the Junction Road at Taramouku Valley, beyond Waitara, and farmed there for 20 odd years. Retiring from the farm they lived at* Inglewood and following Mr. Johnson’s death 19 years ago Mrs. Johnson resided at New Plymouth. ‘ She experienced all the trials and difficulties of the early days and, blessed with a retentive memory to the last, could recount much interesting information of the troublesome time of the wars. She was a pioneer in the true sense of the word. Mrs. Johnson leaves a family of three daughters-Mrs. A. Paynter (New Plymouth), Mrs. S. Paynter (Stratford) and Mrs. A. J. Chong (Manaia) and four sons—Messrs. Wilson Johnson (Okau), Percy Johnson (New Plymouth), R. Johnson (New Plymouth) and J. Johnson (Palmerston North). There are 46 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren. Two daughters predeceased Mrs. Johnson.