Samuel Butler (1835 – 1902)

Samuel Butler was born in Nottinghamshire, England to Rev. Thomas Butler and Fanny Worsley. From the beginning it was to be an unhappy family. A bright little spark, Samuel was at first home schooled. He would later state that daily beatings accompanied the teachings from his father. He later went to school at Cambridge and …

Mary Rolleston (1845 – 1940)

“…nothing said about the Pilgrim mothers? Yet, they bore the same discomforts, hardships and privation and in addition had to put up with the Pilgrim fathers.” Mary Rolleston – Woman’s Division of the Farmer’s Union – Year Unknown As the bells of The Holy Trinity of Avonside tolled over the eastern side of Christchurch – …

Linwood & The Holy Trinity of Avonside

Just had to share this wonderful description of the beginnings of Linwood and Avonside written by Rosamund Rolleston, the granddaughter of a very influential Canterbury founding father – William Rolleston. To give a very quick background check, William Rolleston was Canterbury’s last Superintendant and remembered today in the naming of Rolleston Ave, his (currently missing/under …

William Guise Brittan (1807 – 1876)

William Guise Brittan arrived in Christchurch on the Sir George Seymour, one of the first four ships.  William’s main occupation before his journey was as a surgeon, serving as the doctor on board the Sir George Seymour! But once in Christchurch, he never practised medicine again. He became the Commissioner of Crown Land and was …