A WAIKATO FAMILY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1429, 15 February 1888, Page 6

A WAIKATO FAMILY.

The " Waikato Times " of Thursday, the 12th of January, has the followidg: — " Duke-Street, Cambridge, was enlivened by a number of waggonettes and other vehicles loaded with ladies and children, and passers-by first iraagined^hat a Sunday school picnic was in progress. On inquiry, however, it was found that the assemblage was merely the annual gathering of one family, that of Mr Jonathan Kingdon, of Cambridge West. Mr Kingdon and his good wife number between them one hundred and fortyone years, the lady being one year older than her spouse, and their golden wedding was celebrated last April. They have for years been in the habit of gathering their descendants round then at Christmas, but last Christmas Day falling on Sunday the festival was adjourned until Monday last. About sixty descendants and relatives took part in it, forty-seven immediate descendants of the couple being present, comprising nine children (eight daughters and one son), thirty-seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Mr Kingdon has two married daughters residing in England, and as the old couple are hale and hearty, and likely to see many more family gatherings, the number present on future occasions promises to be very large. It is somewhat unusual in the colonies to see so large a family settling round the same neighbourhood, and Mr and Mrs Kingdon must have looked with considerable pride on their offspring."