The Carlin and Gill Families · F. Carlin is most likely to be Fanny (Frances) Carlin, Mary’s...

The Carlin and Gill Families

and

Julia Nicholls

In December 1899 James Ducker jnr. Married Mary Frances Louisa Gill

Mary Frances Louisa Gill was the daughter of an early New Zealand photographer

named Carlin Gill.

This is a scrapbook record of the family history of Carlin Gill.

(Mary’s mother was Julia Nicholls, the daughter of Mary Ann Roebuck whose family

history is recorded in The Roebucks of Omata)

Contents

Page 1 The Carlins of Selston

Page 2 Thomas Skinner Carlin, Gentleman of Wren Hall

Page 5 George Gill

Page 7 The Marriage of George Gill and Mary Carlin

Page 13 Birth of Carlin Gill

Page 19 Carlin Gill, Photographer, in New Zealand.

Page 26 Marriage of Carlin Gill and Julia Nicholls

0 The Fraud Case

Page 36 The Death of Carlin Gill

Page 38 New Plymouth

Page 44 The Marriage of Mary Gill and James Ducker jnr

Page 46 Appendix 1 Further information on the Gill Brothers

Page 67 Appendix 2 A brief history of photography in New Plymouth and Nelson

Page 71 Appendix 3 The Photography of Carlin Gill

Page 75 Appendix 4 The estate of Old Luke Gill of Selston

Thanks to:

Carol Moor

Ann Linda Hansen

David M. Grundy who live in Derbyshire and provided much assistance…

Thanks also Martyn and Carol Taylor-Cockayne of the Jackson Heritage Society

6.12.2016 [email protected] 1

The Carlins of Selston

“Selston is situated on the Erewash border with Derbyshire, eleven miles north-west

of Nottingham and five miles east of the Derbyshire town of Alfreton. The Domesday

Book says 'there is a church and three acres of meadow' and from earliest times

agriculture was the main occupation, but beneath the soil lies coal, indeed, no less

than 16 seams outcrop at the surface within the boundaries of the parish.

For centuries it has been populated by folk who worked the land either above or

below ground. The original lease for coal dates from 1206 and for generations carts of

grain from the Trent valley were exchanged for Selston coal. Initially the mine

workings were shallow and small-scale but, with the coming of the Nottingham to

Newhaven turnpike and the development of canals and railways, deeper shafts were

sunk and the pace of industrialisation in the parish increased.

By the 1850s Selston had taken on the aspect of a modern colliery village.

Alongside agriculture and coal-mining, ironstone mining and frame-work knitting

provided employment from time to time. Frames were expensive and were usually

hired from the large warehouses like Brettles of Belper and Morleys of Nottingham.

(Frame-work knitting) was demanding, the hours long and the wages scandalously

low and most families were obliged to put their children to learn the trade from the

age of six or seven, the boys winding the yarn on to the bobbins and the girls learning

seaming from their mothers.……”1

Our first person of interest in this narrative is a gentleman residing at

Wren Hall, Selston, by the name of Thomas Skinner Carlin.

Newspaper records of the Carlins in Selston first appear in 1782

H. Carlin won prizes at the

Riddings Horticultural

Show for his peas, onions,

spring onions, turnips,

cucumbers and

cauliflowers. Derby Mercury 31 July 1782

Henry Carlin, of Selston,

was a Hosier (a person who makes or deals in

hose or goods knitted or woven

like hose.)

Derby Mercury 09 October 17832

On 24th February 1778 a baptism was recorded for Thomas Carline, whose father is

Henry Carline of Selston, Nottingham. (England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975).

We do not know for sure if this refers to our Thomas Skinner Carlin.3

1 Taken from “The Nottinghamshire Village Book,” written by members of the Nottinghamshire

Federation of Women's Institutes and published by Countryside Books.

Further information may be found at http://www.visitoruk.com/Mansfield/selston-C592-V14328.html 2 In this article George Carlin testifies as to the efficacy of T. Page’s “reftorative medicine” . 3 It seems likely. In 1844 Thomas Skinner Carlin made a testimony which implies he had lived in

Selston since his early childhood. See Appendix 4 “The Estate of Old Like Gill of Selston”.

mailto:[email protected]

2 [email protected] 6.12.2016

Thomas Skinner Carlin, Gentleman of Wren Hall.

From his memorial plaque (see over page) we know that Thomas Skinner Carlin was

born around 1778, and we know that his wife’s name was Mary.

Thomas Carlin of Selston married Mary Skevington of Awsworth, on April 2nd 1804.

The event took place at Nuthall, Nottingham. (Ancestry.com. England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973)

The marriage was also recorded in Pallot’s Index:

This is quite possibly our Thomas Skinner Carlin.

In 2016, in response to enquiries, I received the following letter from David M.

Grundy, a resident who has local knowledge of Selston - he wrote:

In the Congregational (later renamed United Reformed Church) there was a

plaque dedicated to (Mary) and Thomas Skinner Carlin which remained on display

until the church closed in April 20124……..

The Carlins were devout Congregationalists who attended and helped in the

Congregational Church in many ways. They held various Church offices and gave

generously to its funds. Carlin was a master hosier at a time when the

framework industry was the main industry in Selston until shortly after the 1851

census. He lived at Wren Hall situated only 200 yards from my father’s home.

It is now a nursing home, greatly extended since Carlin lived there.

Carlin owned considerable land in the vicinity of Wren Hall, which after his

death was sold in stages to various people mainly farmers.

Carlin was – unlike so many who attended the Congregational Chapel – quite

wealthy and was able to provide a good education for his children.

The Gill family are occasionally mentioned in church records. Gill was a common

name in Selston so the relationship with the Carlins is uncertain.5

No other stalwarts of the Congregational Church were honoured with plaques, a

fact which suggests that their contribution in service and finance was

outstanding.

In 1843, at the time of the Luke Gill court case (see appendix) Thomas Skinner Carlin stated

that he had an income of £500 per year which he had accumulated in the hosiery trade,

and that he had retired from business four years previously.6

4 Describes the plaque which is shown on the next page. 5 No evidence so far of any family relationship between Thomas Skinner Carlin and the Gill

families of Selston. T.S. Carlin knew Luke Gill of Selston, in fact wrote his will. See Appendix. 6 Thomas Skinner Carlin’s will (see later section) describes his estate including property owned.



Thomas Skinner Carlin and his wife Mary, had at least four children:

George Ludlam CARLIN7 born about 1805 m. Ann Coupe 1842, then m. Elizabeth Coupe 1850

Mary CARLIN born 1806 bap 26 Jun m. George Gill 29th May 1837 d. 7th May 1867

Fanny CARLIN born 8th June 1808 m. J. R. Burton 24th Dec 1838 d. 23rd Sep 1874

Benjamin CARLIN8 bapt. 29th May 1810

Some of these were spotted by Ann Linda Hanson. Birthdates confirmed in England,

Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. (Sometimes Carlin is spelled Carling, Carline or Karlin.)

Our person of interest is the eldest daughter Mary Carlin of Wren Hall, Selston.

7 Birth place Butterley in the Parish of Ripley – noted by Carol Moore 8 Record of Baptism of Benjamin Carling at Selston Parish Register - sighted by Linda Hanson.

Probably did not survive to adulthood. (Will of TS Carlin refers to Mary, Frances and George only)



Wren Hall as it is today, now a nursing home. Road sign on the right, and down the driveway.

The white building on the left is The White Lion tavern.

Facing Southwest from Nottingham Rd.

below: Google map satellite view

The old map below was sourced by Martyn and Carol Taylor-Cockayne.



George Gill

Mary Carlin of Wren Hall, Selston, married George Gill of South Normanton.

(South Normanton is about 2 miles north of Selston.)

George Gill’s parents William Gill and Ann (nee Purdy) were married on 30th June

1802 in South Normanton. They had a large family.9

Recorded baptisms to parents William and Ann Gill in South Normanton 1800-1825:

William 15 Nov 1802

Hannah 09 Jan 1804

Sarah 22 Jan 1805

Mary 14 Mar 1806

Harriet 18 Mar 1807

Jamima 04 Apr 1808

George 09 Feb 1810

Saml. Purdy 29 Apr 1811

Frederick 18 Sep 1812

John 02 Dec 1813

Jemmi 23 Jan 1816 From the original document for George Gill,

Pinday 09 Apr 1817 Parish of South Normanton, St Michael.10

Letia Eliza 09 Jun 1818

Herbert 16 Jan 1821

The original baptism records for Jemmi, Pinday, Herbert and Letia have also been

found in scanned form, and give the additional information that the father, William, is

a farmer of South Normanton – and confirm that the mother was Ann (nee Purdy.)

England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1970 for Jemmi Gill

RG4: Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths Derbyshire Wesleyan Piece 0494: Belper Chapel

(Wesleyan), 1790-1819.

9 Carol Moore found the marriage record and the subsequent baptisms in a transcript of the General

Register of St. Michael, South Normanton 1755 - 1812 10 Parish of South Normanton Register containing Baptisms, 1778-1812, and Burials, 1810-1812 held by the Derbyshire Records Office.


http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2972


George Gill grew up to become a surgeon, somewhat remarkable given that his father

was a farmer of 24 acres, in a small village. Evidently the family was moderately

wealthy and William Gill was able to see to it that his son was educated, and that he

learned Latin to a level of acceptance into the Royal College of Surgeons.

George Gill received his diploma in 1834.

News clipping found by Martyn and Carol

Taylor-Cockayne.

London Medical and Surgical Journal,

Volume 6 Page 479

The following year George Gill was granted a certificate of qualification from

“Apothecaries’ Hall.”

London Evening

Standard - Friday

10 July 1835

An apothecary today might be called a pharmacist.

(A Surgeon Apothecary approximates to today’s general practitioner.)

In 1836 Mr. Gill, surgeon, is reported as having his house at Alfreton and his surgery

at Codnor Park Ironworks.

In this article he saved the life of a young woman who had overdosed on laudanum.

(George Gill sent an emetic and instructions by a messenger, then rode his horse from

Codnor Park to his home in Alfreton and then back to Selston “in a very short time”

to successfully administer a stomach pump.)

Nottingham Review

and

General Advertiser

for the Midland

Counties –

Friday 24 June 1836

(Sourced by Martyn and Carol Taylor-Cockayne, Jacksondale Heritage Group. )



The marriage of George Gill and Mary Carlin took place on 29th May 1837.

Derby Mercury – 31st May 1837

Mary Carlin lived at Wren Hall, Selston. The certificate records that at the time,

George Gill was living in Alfreton, Derbyshire, about three miles ( five kilometres)

Northwest of Selston.

Selston parish register for George Gill and Mary Carlin on 29 May 1837 records that

the marriage was by licence, and the witnesses were Samuel Purdy Gill and

F Carlin. (The above scan was sourced by Linda Hanson.)

F. Carlin is most likely to be Fanny (Frances) Carlin, Mary’s younger sister.

Samuel Purdy Gill is George Gill’s brother.

Samuel Purdy Gill (about 1811-1871) was a corn miller and farmer of 20-odd acres.

He was born and lived his life in South Normanton.

Samuel Purdy Gill married Sarah Clarke of Codnor Park, in 1843.

He is listed on the electoral register for South Normanton in 1868 and in the 1849

Postal Directory as a farmer and miller (the only Gill listed in S. Normanton in 1849.)

He died 16th October 1871 in South Normanton.11

South Normanton is located about 2 ½ miles (four kilometres) north of Selston.

11 Index of Wills and Administration 1858 - 1956



In 1838 and 1839 George Gill, surgeon, was associated with the Mansfield Poor Law

Union, which was formed in 1836.

“In 1834 the Government set up a new system for dealing with the poor and

homeless. Parishes were grouped together in Unions which made payments to the

poor who were too old or sick to work. Those who were able bodied had no choice

but to enter the workhouse. Here conditions were kept deliberately harsh to act as a

deterrent. The Mansfield Workhouse opened at 105 Stockwell Gate in 1837 replacing

a smaller one on Nottingham Road. The former workhouse hospital is now part

of Mansfield Community Hospital.”12

“The poor-law union of Mansfield comprises 18 parishes or places, of which 9 are in

each of the counties of Nottingham and Derby, the whole containing a population of

27,627 inhabitants: the workhouse is a large building on the Sutton road, erected in

1837, at a cost of £7000, and containing accommodation for 300 paupers.” 13

The following two letters from Mansfield Poor Law Union to the Poor Law

Commission were sourced from the National Archives by

Martyn and Carol Taylor-Cockayne (Jacksondale Heritage Group)

14th September 1838 George Gill Surgeon to Mansfield Poor Law Union

Folio 212. Letter from W E Goodacre junior, Clerk to the Guardians of the Mansfield

Poor Law Union, to the Poor Law Commission.

He informs the Commission that the following have not got copies of their

regulations; Paulson and Furness, Surgeons, George Gill, Surgeon, Reverend T L

Cursham, Chaplain, Henry Carpenter, Relieving Officer and Anne Winter, Matron.

Annotated: the regulations should be sent.

Paper Number: 8703/C/1838. Poor Law Union Number 337.

Counties: Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

9th July 1839 George Gill was replaced as surgeon for Mansfield Poor Law Union

Folio 346. Letter from W E Goodacre junior, Clerk to the Guardians of the Mansfield

Poor Law Union, to the Poor Law Commission,

stating that Messrs Furniss and Paulson have again been appointed surgeons to the

first and second districts of the union at a salary of £130 per annum being an increase

of £40 as compared with the last year. Mr James William Valentine of Sutton in

Ashfield has been appointed to the third district in the place of George Gill with a

like increase of £40, the salary being now £100 per annum instead of £60 as before.

Paper Number: 5436/C/1839. See also: 5235/C/1839.

Poor Law Union Number 337.

Counties: Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Mansfield Workhouse was located at Stockwell Gate, about 15km to the North East of

Alfreton where George and Mary Gill resided.

12 from http://www.ourmansfieldandarea.org.uk “Mansfield Workhouse” by Liz Weston. 13 from “A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848)”, pp. 247-251.


https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/A_Topographical_Dictionary_of_England


One day in 1838 while riding “on the High Road”, George Gill was assaulted by a

crowd of drunken men who had been attending a prize fight.

“… it appeared that the prisoners, together with a great number more, had assembled

to see a prize-fight at Selston, and afterwards retired to the Black Horse, at Riddings,

where after much riotous conduct, they abused the constable, who was saved from

further mischief by being secreted; that they afterwards left the public house, and, on

the high road, assaulted Mr. Gill, surgeon, of Alfreton, who was passing on

horseback…” (Derby Mercury 11 July 1838)

Black Horse Inn today,

358 Lower Somercotes

Road. (Google Maps.)

The building is said to

date back to the 1790s.



On 6th July 1840 Mary Gill’s mother (Mary Carlin) died. Nottingham Review and

General Advertiser for

the Midland Counties -

Friday 10 July 1840

1841

In the 1841 census, George Gill was at his home at Coates Yard near Alfreton.

This is probably where he now had his surgery.

George Gill, surgeon, in the 1841 census. (Y = Born Derbyshire.)

The other person present, Elizabeth Hoplington, 30, “F. S.” is probably his assistant.

(“F. S.” = Female Servant “M. S.” = Male Servant)

Evidently on this day his wife, Mary Gill, was with her father Thomas Carlin (60,

Ind.) and her brother George Ludlam Carlin (35, Farmer), and 2 servants, at Wren Hall,

Selston.

George Gill’s parents William and Ann Gill, and four of his siblings, were recorded in

South Normanton on that day in 1841.

The census clerk for South Normanton took a route from “Townend Farm”, near

“Cornfield”, passing through “Woodhouse”, “Rough Close House”, then evidently

moving east, the farm of William Gill – after that the next landmark being “Ball Hill”

with the route ending at “Fullwood Farm.” Most of the families were coal miners,

farmers, agricultural labourers, framework knitters and the occasional tradesman.

In the Pigot & Co.’s Directory of Derbyshire 1842, page 28, George Gill is listed as a

surgeon in Alfreton. (Pointed out by Carol Moore)



21st May 1843 Death of George Gill’s father William Gill

“This is the last Will and Testament of me William Gill of South Normanton in the County of

Derby Yeoman made this twenty eighth day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty

two.

First I will and direct that all my just debts, funeral expense and the expenses of proving and

carrying out the provisions of this my Will, be paid and discharged by my Trustees and

Executors, hereinafter named and in that respect I charge whatever I have in this world with

the payment thereof.

Also I do hereby constitute and appoint my two sons Samuel Purdy Gill and Herbert Gill,

Trustees of this my Will, to act for themselves, and their Sisters, and to whom I state

underneath leave my property after my death..

Also I give devise and bequeath unto my son William Gill of Stoke Bardolph in the County of

Nottingham Yeoman, and my son George Gill of East Bridgford also in the County of

Nottingham Surgeon, the sum or legacy of one shilling apiece.

Also my Will and meaning is, that my wife Ann Gill shall have a reasonable maintenance out

of my real and Personal estate at the discretion of my Trustees and Executors. Also I give

devise and bequeath unto my son Samuel Purdy Gill the sum of twenty pounds and to my

daughter Hannah Gill I give devise and bequeath the sum of ten pounds to be paid to them on

the division of my personal property hereafter named.

Also as soon after my decease, as conveniently may be the whole of my personal property of

what nature or kind soever where soever found at my decease, shall by my Trustees and

Executors be converted into money and after all reasonable expenses are paid and all my

Legacies discharged be divided in equal shares among the following of my children viz;

Hannah Gill, Sarah now the wife of John Page of South Normanton in the County of Derby

aforesaid Grocer, Mary Ann Gill, Harriet now the wife of Samuel Stephenson of Leatford in

the County of Leicester Yeoman, Samuel Purdy Gill, Jemmi Gill and Herbert Gill, subject

nevertheless to the provision of above assured for my wife Ann Gill.

Also I give devise and bequeath my Grandchild Mary Ann Page the daughter of my daughter

Sarah Page above named the sum of ten pounds to be paid to her on her attaining the age of

twenty one years, or sooner if my Trustees and Executors see fit…..”

(The Will was sourced by Carol Moore, Marg Thorne and Joy at Derbyshire Ancestral Research Group)



1844 Birth of Carlin Gill 16th June 1844 Selston.

George and Mary Gill had a son they called Carlin Gill.

Taken from a certified copy of his birth certificate, GRO

16th June 1844, Carlin, Boy, (father) George Gill, (mother) Mary Gill formerly Carlin

(occupation of father) Surgeon, (informant) Mary Gill Mother Selston.

1850 Death of George Gill

George Gill died young, just 40 years of age, after a 3 month illness.

Taken from a certified copy of his death certificate, GRO

17th October 1850, General Hospital of Nottingham, George Gill, Male, 40 years,

Apothecary, Ill 3 months Effusion beneath Arachnoid. Cavities of Liver, Tubercules

of each Lung. P.M. Certified. Joseph White in attendance General Hospital Nottingham.

Here are some further fragments on the life of George Gill, received from

Carol Taylor-Cockayne:

“I followed (George’s siblings) through the census records and they are living in Riddings (scene of where George was assaulted). They are farmers, flour dealers and Butchers. All way above poor and working class at the time. His mother in 1851 is an 'Annuitant' i.e. someone who earns a pension and is living in Scalford, leicestershire near her son William……” “He had a house near to Alfreton on the Nottingham Turn Pike Road towards Somercotes, owned and rode a horse, worked for the Mansfield Poor Union and the Butterley Company at their Codnor Park Ironworks, who appear to have been his main employers…..” The main and probably only road in those days was the present day B600 which runs from Moorgreen in Notts and links to A610 Nottingham City at that end and at its other end is the market town of Alfreton, Derbyshire….. ….through Somercotes to Coates Yard where George is residing in 1841. There was also the Coates Park Colliery, so he probably lived near that and perhaps George was the surgeon there, dealing with some pretty ghastly accidents. So on horseback from Wren Hall to Coates Colliery area, would be I estimate maybe a 20 minute easy ride and very convenient to reach being on the Nottingham/Alfreton Road the B600. And I would pay a thousand pounds to see his world through his eyes then!”



1851 Census

Thomas Skinner Carlin Head Widower 73 Farmer 42 acres Notts Selston

Mary Gill daur Widow 43 House Keeper Do. Do,

Carlin Gill granson 6 Scholar Do. Do,

Mary Bond Serv U 17 House Servant Do. Bagthorpe

John Roberts Serv U 19 Agricultural Labourer Do. Mocegreen

Thomas Blcent Burton ?? Mar 64 Independent Nottingham

Elizabeth Bond Servant U 15 House Servant Derbyshire Anley

George Ludlam Carlin Head Mar 46 Farmer 43 acres Do. Butterley

Eliza Carlin Wife Mar 31 Notts Tevershall

Thomas Coupe Carlin Son 5m Do. Selston

Mary Gill is now a widow. Her son Carlin Gill is 6 years old.

Next door is George Ludlam Carlin, Mary Gill’s brother (he is a son of Thomas Skinner Carlin.)

The address is given only as Selston. These two neighbouring households are probably at Wren Hall.

1855 Thomas Skinner Carlin died. He made his will14 in 1853 and it is interesting now to consider some of the contents.

He was a wealthy man when he died, owning a number of properties and with a large

amount of cash out on loan as mortgages. The beneficiaries of the will were his son,

George Ludlam Carlin, his daughter Mary Gill, his other daughter Frances and her

husband John Robert Burton, a wine merchant of Surrey.

(Presumably the son Benjamin did not survive to adulthood, as neither he nor any

family is mentioned in the will of Thomas Skinner Carlin.)

The property appears to have been divided in roughly equal proportions.

George Ludlam Carlin was bequeathed a substantial part of the real estate: all

freehold real estate at Rosemary Hill (Selston), Blue Bell Estate (South Normanton)

and The Scholes (Selston) and other real estate at South Normanton, as well as

household furniture, plates, wines, linen and other household effects, growing crops

and livestock “in and upon my dwelling house at Selston,”

Frances was bequeathed £3,050 being money which was due and on loan as

mortgages.

Mary Gill was bequeathed some real estate and also £590 on loan as mortgages.

14 The copyright of the full document belongs to the Borthwick Institute, University of York.

[email protected]




The following are extracts which relate to Mary Gill:

“I give and devise that all my Freehold Estate with the House Gardens and

Appurtenances thereunto belonging situate at Green Hillocks near Ripley in the said

County of Derby now in the occupation of Robert Lowe, Samuel Barsly and others.

And also all my shares parts or interest of and in All that Freehold Estate situate at

Mansfield Woodhouse in the said County of Nottingham purchased by me of the Poor

Law Commissioners and now occupied by Job Cox and others unto my daughter

Mary Gill her heirs and Assigns for ever…..

And I give and bequeath the sum of three hundred pounds the remaining part of the

aforesaid Mortgage debt of six hundred and fifty pounds unto my daughter Mary Gill

absolutely I give and bequeath the sum of two hundred and ninety pounds due to me

from the representatives of the late George Nass(?) and secured by a mortgage…

unto my said daughter Mary Gill absolutely…….”

There is no mention of “Wren Hall” in Thomas Skinner Carlin’s will.

The executors of the will were George Ludlam Carlin, Mary Gill and John Robert

Burton.

An attachment to the will, dated 7th December 1855 reveals that on this date Mary

was residing near London – she is recorded as Mary Gill, widow, living at 189 Great

Dover Street, Southwark, Surrey – the same address as her sister and brother in law,

Frances and John Robert Burton, wine merchant.

This may have been a temporary arrangement, as the 1861 census records that Mary is

again living at the residence of her brother George Ludlam Carlin.

The address is not Wren Hall however, but a neighbouring address “Wood Nook”

(which may have been part of the farm or estate associated with Wren Hall.)



1861 Census

George Carlin Head Mar 66 Farm

Eliza Carlin Wife Mar 40

Thomas Carlin Son Un 16 Scholar

France Mary Carlin Dau Un 7

Catherine A Carlin Dau Un 4

Esther S. Carlin Dau Un 3

Ada E. Carlin Dau Un 7m

Mary Gill Sister Widow 54

Martha Buxton Serv. Un 31 General Servant

In the 1861 census Mary Gill, widow, is recorded present in the household of her brother, George

Ludlam Carlin. Their address is Wood Nook, Selston

(Wood Nook is neighbouring Wren Hall and at that time possibly part of the same estate?)

In 1861 Carlin Gill, now 16, was away from home, staying with the Timothy family at

St. Mary in the town of Reading, Oxford.

Carlin Gill is recorded as an apprentice chemist.

Thomas N. Timothy Head Mar 39 Chemist

Eliza Timothy Wife Mar 42

Thomas N. Timothy Son 8 Scholar

James C. Timothy Son 7 Do

Elizabeth C. Timothy Dau 5 Do

Carlin Gill App Un 16 Chemist's App

Mary A. Tagg Serv Un 22 General Servant

Mary Sparkes Serv Un 19 Do

No further record has been found relating to Carlin Gill in England.

He next appears on record in 1866, in Taranaki, New Zealand.



Here is a summary of the Gills and Carlins and relationships identified to date:

Researchers should note that there is another couple in Selston by the names of

George and Mary Gill. (In the 1841census this George Gill of Selston is recorded as

40, framework knitter and he has a wife Mary, 30 and son Mathew.)

This couple should not be confused with our George and Mary Gill in the diagram

above, and they are probably unrelated.

Recall that George Gill, the surgeon, who married Mary Carlin, was from South

Normanton (not very far away) and on the day of the 1841 census he was at his home

in Alfreton while his wife Mary was at Wren Hall with her father and brother.

The Gill families in Selston can not be assumed to be related to George Gill, surgeon,

of South Normanton, even though the places are only a few miles apart.

However the Gills and the Carlins of Selston did know each other of course, and there

was a connection of sorts.

Thomas Skinner Carlin was once called upon to write the last will and testament of an

old man he had known all his life, one of the Gills from Selston, called Luke Gill.

And George Ludlam Carlin was appointed as one of the executors.

Thomas Skinner Carlin was later to regret the involvement because when old Luke

Gill died the family descended on the estate and considerable drama arose, leading to

two rather surprising court cases which were reported in detail in the newspapers at

the time. The newspaper reports of the Luke Gill case seem to me to be interesting

enough to include in this narrative, and accordingly they are provided in the appendix.

After her husband died Mary (Carlin) Gill was recorded in both the 1851 and 1861

census as living with her brother, George Ludlam Carlin.

For this reason, the following page gives a brief outline of what we know of the life of

George Ludlam Carlin of Selston:



George Ludlam Carlin of Selston

Mary’s brother George Ludlam Carlin married Ann Coup on 18th Oct 1842 at

Pinxton.

Ann Carlin died in 1848 Nottingham Review and General Advertiser for the Midland Counties - Friday 10 November 1848

There is a monumental inscription at St. Helen, Pinxton:

"Sacred to the memory of Ann wife of George Ludlam Carlin of Wren Hall who died

November 3 1848, aged 31 years". (reported by Carol Moore).

Evidently George Ludlam Carlin and Ann Coupe had no children.

George Ludlam Carlin then married Eliza Coup on 1st January 1850 Nottinghamshire Guardian - Thursday 10 January 1850

They registered the births of five children: Thomas Coupe Carlin 1851; Frances Mary

Carlin 1854; Catherine A Carlin 1857; Esther S Carlin 1858; Ada E Carlin.

George’s only son, Thomas Coupe Carlin, died at age 16 on 31 August 1867.15

Perhaps this event caused his father to become seriously depressed. Two months after

Thomas’s burial, on 16th October 1867, George Ludlam Carlin was found shot, after

going out on his own to hunt a rabbit. The news item (see later) reported that he had

been in depressed spirits for some time past and that the night before the fatal

occurrence he had dreamt that “he had committed suicide and that blood had poured

from the side of his head.”16 He was found with a fatal bullet wound in the head.

We now leave Selston.

The next record we have of Carlin Gill is in New Zealand, in 1866.

We do not know how, why or exactly when Carlin Gill emigrated from England.

15 Recorded burial: Thomas Coupe Carlin 31st Aug 1867, Selston Parish register sighted: Linda Hanson. 16 See later. Derby Mercury - Wednesday 23 October 1867



1866 Carlin Gill, photographer, in New Zealand.

The first record of Carlin Gill in New Zealand was in September 1866. He had been

established in Taranaki for long enough to qualify for selection on a jury.

CORONER'S INQUESTS Taranaki Herald, 8 September 1866

Taranaki Herald,

8 September 1866

Carlin Gill’s selection on the

jury that day may have been

due to the convenience of his

being in court anyway,

prosecuting a matter of his

own.

It is hard to imagine a more

ridiculous scene in court than

that described here:

From this clipping we can learn that in 1866 Carlin Gill was a photographer, possibly

on an assignment at Stoney River, near Okato, then a remote spot some miles south of

the settlement of New Plymouth.

Frederick Warner reappeared

the next day, after 24 hours

on bread and water, and was

sentenced to two months’

hard labour.

Stoney River in 1866 was

merely a military outpost,

Okato being a mail drop-off

point a few hours horse ride

south of New Plymouth. Most

of the early settlers had fled,

the second Taranaki war

being still in progress.

This would not have been a safe place for an unarmed photographer. An ancestor of mine,

Joseph Hawke, had been ambushed, shot and tomahawked, just on the wrong side of Stoney

River, not 18 months before.17

Perhaps Carlin Gill, with his three tents, had been at Stoney River on a photographic

assignment for the military.

17 The incident is described in New Zealand Herald, 1 May 1865 and other newspapers.



In 1866 Okato had been surveyed and Military settlers were being allocated land in

the area. It is most likely that the phrase “…of Stoney River” in the article above was

intended to apply to the military settler Frederick Warner, not the photographer Carlin

Gill, who would normally have been residing in relative safety in the town of New

Plymouth some miles to the north.

The next episode in the life of Carlin Gill was his acceptance for the position of

leader of a Gold Prospecting Party, sponsored by the good citizens of New

Plymouth in a somewhat optimistic attempt to discover gold.

On the West Coast of the South Island gold had been recently discovered and fortunes

were being made. Something of the kind would do no harm to businesses and land

prices in the Province of Taranaki.

Soon after the September court case, a public meeting was held in New Plymouth to

consider the advisability of sending out a suitable prospecting party to search for a

payable gold field in the Province.

The meeting was reported in great detail, and the opinion of the 50 or 60 people who

attended was that such a prospecting party should comprise properly qualified persons

“who had experience in mining matters.” It was unanimously agreed that a fund

should be set up for the purpose.

A few days later Carlin Gill was chosen as the leader of the prospecting party.

Having served an apprenticeship as a chemist, Carlin Gill may have been a useful

person to have on the team. The fact that, at age 22, he was chosen as leader suggests

he may also have had prospecting experience.18

(We do not know what Carlin Gill had been doing between 1861 when serving his

chemist apprenticeship in Reading and September 1866 when he appeared in Taranaki

as a photographer. Perhaps he had already spent some time on the Australian

diggings, or the newly discovered goldfields of South Island’s West Coast.)

The newspaper report is worth reading in full (see next page.) 19

Aside from the somewhat misplaced optimism of the citizens, there are other

interesting insights to be gained. The settlers were evidently still feeling insecure as a

result of the recent bitter fighting in Taranaki and the subsequent confiscation of

much Maori land.

An attitude which would be shameful today was openly expressed in the comment

made by one of the settlers that “if gold were found in payable quantities we should

have such a flood of population here as would extinguish the natives in 3 months.

(Hear hear.)”

18 In Taranaki Herald 17th November he was described, perhaps a little over-enthusiastically, as:

“Mr. Carlisle Gill, a practical and experienced miner, and in other respects well fitted for the post….” 19 Dr. Hector, sarcastically referred to in this article as “a great oracle”, was derided by some people in

New Plymouth at the time as he had recently cast doubts on the future of the region’s oil prospects.

A geologist, almost forgotten today, but well known in the 1860s, Hector managed the Colony's

premier scientific society, the New Zealand Institute, for thirty-five years, and from 1885 was

Chancellor of the University of New Zealand. He controlled virtually every aspect of state-funded

science. Today he is remembered only through having given his name to the “Hector’s dolphin.”


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Society_of_New_Zealand

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_New_Zealand


Taranaki Herald, 10 November 1866

In compliance with the request of a

number of the inhabitants of New

Plymouth, His Honor the

Superintendent convened a public

meeting to consider the advisability

of sending out a prospecting party to

search for a payable gold-field in this

Province, which was held at the Taranaki Institute on Friday evening, the 2nd instant,

at 7 o'clock. Between 60 and 60 persons were present; but the inclemency of the

weather doubtless prevented many attending.

His Honor the Superintendent was expected to preside, but as he did not

appear, the meeting, after waiting | a considerable time, elected W. M. Crompton,

Esq., chairman in his place. The Chairman, after stating the object for which the

meeting was called, invited all persons who might wish to express their views on the

subject to do so.

Mr. Sharland said he thought it was much to be regretted that at a meeting of

this kind His Honor the Superintendent was not present (hear, hear), and he should

have preferred to adjourn the meeting to a day upon which it would be convenient for

His Honor to attend, and when the weather would allow a larger number of persons to

be present. In this dull period of Taranaki the discovery of any mineral stores, or any

source which would employ labour or furnish a fresh article of export was a matter of

the deepest importance to us all. He hoped there were some persons present who had

had experience in mining matters, and could state to the meeting that there were signs

of gold in this district, and they could base their movements upon it. At any rate, the

object was one worth attention and discussion. A resolution had been placed in his

hands, which he would now propose : —

" That this meeting is of opinion that it is desirable to ascertain, as far as may

be practicable, whether a payable gold-field exists ia this Province or not."

Mr. Nelson seconded the resolution.

Mr. J. L. Newman said he should have liked to have seen a greater number of

persons present. It was a pity to think there should be an apathetic feeling in this place

in getting up a prospecting party, because it would be the making of every one in

business, and indeed of every one in the Province if a gold-field were found here.

The benefit resulting from the gold-fields in the other island had been very great.

Mr. Newman then quoted certain Customs returns to show the large revenue derived

from the gold exported from the West Coast. He did not see why we should not be in

the way of getting gold here. It was well known now, from experience in other parts

of the world, that if you struck gold at one end you would find it at the other, that is,

if you were to put a parallel ruler from one end of the island where gold was found to

the other you would find gold all along the line, either in payable quantities or

otherwise. A great oracle had been brought into town to examine the country to see if

it were likely that a payable gold-field would be found here, but that gentleman had

stated no gold would be found on the West Coast, and had the hardihood to say that

no kerosene would be found in our district. (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Newman) need not

say what good a gold-field would do this place. Many people fancied it would bring a

rowdy set of characters into the place. You would never get a finer character in the

world than the genuine gold-digger: there was no more honorable man in the world



than the genuine gold-digger. Ofcourse there were always camp followers: you could

not help that. He would move the following resolution :—

"That in order to give effect to the foregoing resolution, this meeting considers

that a fund should be subscribed to send out a properly qualified prospecting party,

and that the said fund should be received and dealt with by a committee appointed by

this meeting."

Mr. Vivian seconded the resolution, but could not agree with the remarks that

had been made upon Dr. Hector. That gentleman had reported there would be no gold

found on the west coast of the Province of Otago, but did not say there would be no

gold found on the west coast of Nelson and Canterbury, Mr. Nelson thought it would

not be in good taste for the meeting to criticise Dr. Hector's scientific abilities; but all

practical gold miners knew from experience that theoretical knowledge was of no use

in discovering gold-fields. Geology might take in the natural features of a country,

but could not be depended upon to state whether gold would be found in restricted

localities. One advantage which would arise from the discovery of a gold-field in this

Province had not been touched upon by previous speakers. If gold were found in

payable quantities we should have such a flood of population here as would

extinguish the natives in three months, (Hear, hear).

Mr. B. C. Lawrence was not conversant with the subject, but he knew that it

was very probable indeed that gold was in the Province, and unless we looked for it

we should never find it. He had heard it stated that gold had been found on the other

side of the White Cliffs. By sending out a prospecting party, even if they did not find

gold they might find something else. They knew this country was rich, very rich in

minerals, and therefore it was well worth while to send out a prospecting party. He

knew of no better plan. Under ordinary circumstances, the offer of £1,000 might be

sufficient inducement for parties to go out prospecting on their own account; but

many circumstances prevented it being a sufficient inducement at the present time.

The country was in a very unsettled state, and many persons might fear to go out on

account of the natives; the Province was also very poor and the labouring population

not in a very prosperous condition, so that many of the most suitable men to go out

were not in a position to do so on their own responsibility. It would be a good thing

for the meeting to form a committee to raise funds and make the necessary

arrangements for sending out a prospecting party. If there was a chance of finding

gold, it was our duty and interest to find that gold.

Mr. Nelson said he had inquired of two or three practical diggers as to the

probable expense of fitting out a party of five or six men, and they thought that £50

would cover it. That would include the cost of one or two pack-horses, blankets,

provisions, &c. Of course the packhorses and some other things could be given over

to the committee when the party returned.

Mr. Newman thought it would take nearer £150 than £50 to fit out a

prospecting party, as it would be impossible to prospect the broken country at the

back of the ranges in less than three or four months.

The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.

The following gentlemen were then appointed to act as a committee : —

Messrs. R. Snell, J. Henderson, S. Hunt, J. D. Nelson, E. Hughes, A. Boss, and

W. Watkins.

The meeting then broke up.





Taranaki Herald, 1 December 1866


Taranaki Herald, 12 January 1867

The last two reports from the gold prospecting party are on the following page.

As history now tells us, no gold in payable quantities was ever found in Taranaki.




Gold. - We have received for

publication from Mr. Snell,

chairman of the committee, the

following report of Mr. Gill, in

charge of the gold prospecting

party :— "We started from New

Plymouth about 8 a.m. on 27th

November, and arrived at the

Waitara between 12 and 1 — full tide, waited till 5; crossed and reached Waihi late

28th; Started at 4 a.m., and got early to Captain Good's, Urenui; made a depot of a

whare near the river — got half a hundred weight of potatoes of the natives; Captain

Good tried to communicate with the natives, but the civil natives saying it was not

safe would not take his message. 29th: As Captain Good could not see the native, he

recommended us to try a gaily called Kakapo, vanning into the Onaero river — no

wash; clay bottom.

30th : Fine weather ; the half-cast William Hough not being able to come, we decided

to wait till Sunday morning when Mr. Atkinson oould spare him, and then start up the

Urenui.

Dec. 1- Raining heavily; the half-caste William did not come.

Dec. 2 -Went up in a canoe to Mr. Atkinson's, and from there started with William

and took a Course about S.E. to strike the rebel track running to the river; went

through some deep gullies and came on to a scrubby flat; kept on S.E., and coming on

rainy; camped, the rebels being between us and camp; bad travelling.

Dec. 3 : Came on raining heavily; tent kept the rain out well; W. Breunard and

William Hough went some miles to ascertain our position— came back late,

drenched; I went out and cut a track about a mile E.

Dec. 4: Started early on my track, and in an hour struck the rebel track; followed it up

a mile or two on the top of a range— thinking the Urenui was under us, we descended

a spur; very steep, but marshy; down by swag ropes; not the river, but a small creek

running into it; no prospect; waded down the bed of the creek up to our middle for

four or five-miles, raining heavily same time; W. Hough and myself went over a high

range and down other side, but could not find the Urenui; took our bearings and

decided to go N.W.

Dec. 5: Raining heavily all night; could not start as creek up and things wet.

Dec. 6: Raining again, as usual— course N.W.; climbed one or two ranges and came

down on Ureuui 2 p.m.; camped — got another pig and some eels.

Deo. 7: Took half-caste and went up Urenui; left three to cut a track down; got about

six miles; very bad travelling — where the supple-jacks were thin we had cliffs for a

change; got plenty eels at night.

Dec. 8: Went farther up river, and came across a small stream running from the east

with some good wash in — colour, blue and in all respects identical with the West

Coast wash, but too small creek for any amount of wash to come down; on rounding a

few turns of the river, we found the natives had been fishing there in the night, then

we followed their tracks on the sand an hour or two only; crossed the river and saw no

indication of the late stream we wished to try; got some good wash in the Urenui, but

had come down a great way; river is navigable for canoes, if cleared of snags, for

many miles — very sluggish; clay everywhere; river keeps N.E, as near as we could

judge.



Dec. 10: Started back, got to old camp 10.30; came on to the survey line and got to

William Hough's; Stopped there and came down river in boat this morning. During

our absence Captain Good had sent to two bodies of rebels, and they assured him they

would be blind if we came near. The natives we were so close to are the ones Captain

Good was unable to, communicate with; the messenger being frightened to go there.

We found the half-caste very intelligent and useful. Everything has gone on cordially

in the party, and all are in good spirits. Captain Good has throughout helped us to the

utmost in his power."

Taranaki Herald

29th December 1866

Letter to the Editor

“… and I, for one, hope

with all my heart that

they may succeed in

finding a paying field….”

Taranaki Herald

12th January 1867

“No signs of the precious

metal were found…”

In February another party set out, crossing the path of Gill’s party.

They, too, were unsuccessful in finding gold.

Taranaki Herald, 2 February 1867



A month later, Carlin Gill’s mother died.

Nottinghamshire Guardian - Friday 17 May 1867

Of course, it would have been some months before the news would have reached New

Zealand. Sadly, Mary Gill was never to know that her son Carlin was about to marry,

and was soon to be a father.

Carlin Gill (22, chemist) married Julia Nicholls (16) June 1st 1867.

Carlin Gill’s home (at the time they married) was in a central location in New

Plymouth known as Devonport.

The marriage celebrant was the well-known Wesleyan missionary, John Whitely. 20

Julia Nicholls, a recent migrant from Australia, was the daughter of Mary Ann

Roebuck. Julia’s step-father had been a Taranaki Military Settler named Stephen

Johnson Roebuck, who had been shot the year before by a fellow soldier,

in broad daylight and at point blank range.21

20 Tragically the Rev John Whitely was to become a victim of the Taranaki wars, shot a couple of

years later at Whitecliffs, along with a soldier, his wife and children and a small army garrison, by

war party led by Wetere Takerei of Mokau.

This event was front page news throughout New Zealand at the time, headlined “The Whitecliff

Massacre”. See my scrapbook “Dark Days in Taranaki.” 21 See “Mary Ann Roebuck and the Family History of Julia Nicholls” for this story.



Their first child, John, was born five months later.

1867/589 Gill John Julia Carlin NZ BDM

However the child lived for only three weeks, and died in New Plymouth on

November 14th of an “obstruction of the liver.”

The informant was Mary Ann Roebuck, the child’s grandmother

From “home” – further bad news:

It would be interesting also to know when Carlin Gill received the news from Selston

of the death of his cousin Thomas Coupe Carlin at the age of 16 –

- followed soon after by the demise of the boy’s father, Carlin’s uncle,

George Ludlam Carlin……

Derby Mercury - Wednesday 23 October 1867



By 1869 Carlin and his wife Julia had left New Plymouth and were now living in

Nelson, where their second child Mary Eva was born.

BIRTHS Colonist, 12 February 1869

Sadly, Mary Eva died two weeks later.

DEATHS Nelson Evening Mail, 9 February 1869

In the same year they had a son he named George Carlin, perhaps in memory of the

Uncle George Ludlam Carlin who had died the previous year back in Selston.

1869/23152 Gill George Carlin Julia Carlin

The following year tragedy struck for the third time:

DEATHS. Colonist, 8 April 1870

1870/6398 Gill George Carlin 5M

The next child, Carlin, was born in 1871, and he was destined to survive and later to

become a pioneer farmer in Taranaki, coincidently not far from Stoney River, and a

veteran of the Boer War.

1871/23542 Gill Carlin Julia Carlin

Carlin Gill advertised as a photographer at Takaka, near to the town of Nelson.

Wise’s City and Area Directories 1872/73

Frank Ludlam Gill was born in 1873.

(He too grew up to become a pioneer farmer in the same area as his brother Carlin.)

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand

Chronicle, 26 March 1873

1873/456 Gill Frank Ludlam Julia nee Nicholls Carlin

Sad news from England. Carlin’s Aunt Fanny (Frances Carlin) died in 1874.

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield

Herald - Saturday 03 October 1874



By now the Gills seem to have moved back to New Plymouth.

Julia had some problems.

Debts were mounting and there is some evidence Carlin was taking solace in alcohol.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES

COURT. Taranaki Herald, 14 Nov. 1874

Carlin Gill was also

experiencing health problems at

this time.


Taranaki Herald, 23 October 1875

Hartley Webster, “Auckland’s first resident professional photographer” (Keith Giles),

appears to have relocated to New Plymouth.

Carlin Gill seems to have moved too – by November 1875 he is now back in Nelson.

Nelson Evening Mail,

20th November 1875

and

Taranaki Herald,

20th November 1875


10 December 1875



In 1875 Carlin Gill and his wife became the subject of a serious fraud case.

The Gills had been borrowing sums of money on the promise of a family inheritance

of £1,000 which they had been claiming was due to them.

THE CASE OF MR. AND MRS. GILL IN NELSON. Nelson Evening Mail 16th December 1875 and Taranaki Herald, 22 December 1875

In the Resident Magistrate Court

in Nelson, Carlin and

Julia Gill were charged with

obtaining from Joseph Auty

Harley in July last, a cheque for

£19, by falsely representing that

a large sum of money was

coming out from England to

them through Messrs. Adams

and Kingdon.

Carlin Gill was absent, and after , some discussion it was agreed to proceed

with the case against the wife only.

Mr. Acton Adams appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Pitt for the

defendants. Mr. Adams in opening the case said that since the order was given by

Gill, £1,000 had come out to the defendants, but it had previously been conveyed, to

Mrs. Gill and a trustee and they had no power to draw upon it.

Mr. Bourke, the ledger keeper at the Union, Bank, produced the cheque, which

had been duly paid on presentation.

J. A. Harley: In July last I was landlord of the Ship Hotel. Previous to the 8th

July Gill frequently came to me to borrow money. On that date both husband and wife

came, and said that they were in distressed circumstances then, but had some

thousands - coming out from England through Messrs. A. Adams and Kingdon.

They gave me an order on Adams and Kingdon for £30, and as they owed me £11,

I gave them a cheque for £19. I should not have given them the cheque had it not been

for the representations which were made by both of them. Mrs. Gill came to my house

with her husband for the express purpose of signing the order. I presented the order

but it was not paid. I have since heard from both the defendants that the money has

come out. Mrs. Gill has told me that if her husband were in town I could get the

money.

Cross-examined: I wrote out the order which both signed. Gill had frequently

before asked me to lend him money, and said that he had a large sum coming out from

England. I asked Mr. Acton Adams whether this was true, and he said ' it was.

Gill had told me that he had executed a deed of settlement upon his wife, but that he

was going to get it upset. About two months ago Gill told me that the money had

come out. I have given them credit for £6 or £7 since the order was signed.

William Acton Blakeway Adams: I am a solicitor, and one of the firm of

Adams and Kingdon. The answer made to Mr. Harley was, "There is money coming

out." The money that came from England was a little over £1,000, and was sent out to

the trustees, but through our firm with the accounts to see that Gill examined and

signed them, and endorsed the draft before the money was paid to the trustees.

The draft was handed over to the trustees without deduction, these being our

instructions. The trustees are Robert Clinton Hughes, solicitor, of New Plymouth, and

Mrs. Julia Julia Gill. The draft was drawn in favour of the trustees, ourselves, and



Julia Gill. When Gill's order was presented we first declined to receive it, but

afterwards at Harley's request marked it and let it remain, in our office.

Cross-examined : One draft of a little over £1,000 came out. Adams and

Kingdon had advanced about £1,000 to Mr. Gill. The draft was finally sent to Mr.

Hughes at New Plymouth, I believe at Mrs. Gill's request. Mr. Sylvester, the solicitor

to Mr. Gill's mother's trustees, sent it out. We took Mr. Robert Martin Smith's

guarantee for money advanced to Gill. Mr; Pitt contended that the prosecution had

failed to make out any case whatever. It really was most painful that upon such slight

grounds so serious a charge should be made against a respectable woman. Mr. Harley

as a matter of fact had not given the cheque upon their representations, but had taken

the trouble to make enquiries, had learned that money was coming to the defendants)

and was aware of the deed of settlement. The Bench at once dismissed the case

against Mrs. Gill, and Mr. Acton Adams stated that he was instructed to withdraw the

charge against Mr. Gill.

The plaintiff was a creditor, a publican named Joseph Auty Harley.

It was found that the money had indeed arrived in New Zealand, but had been

temporarily tied up in a trust. A solicitor named Adams stated in evidence that the

trustees were Robert Hughes, the solicitor of Julia Gill, and Julia Gill herself.

The sum had been sent out to New Zealand by a Mr. Sylvester, the solicitor of Carlin

Gill’s mother’s trustees. (Mary Gill, Carlin’s mother, had died in May 1867.)

The case was dismissed.

10 months later, as we shall see, the Gills counter-sued Harley.

During 1876 Carlin Gill seems to have continued operating as a photographer,

advertising some times in Nelson and sometimes in New Plymouth.

Nelson Evening Mail, 13th January and 23 February 1876

Wises City and Area Directories

1875/76 Taranaki

Wises City and Area Directories

1875/76 Taranaki

It was also during the year of 1876 that their last child, Mary Francis Louisa Gill was

born, in Nelson.

BIRTHS Nelson Evening Mail, 11 May 1876

1876/6672 Gill Mary Frances Louisa Julia Carlin



Nelson Evening Mail, 11 September 1876

The Gills now began some litigation of

their own.

John James had a general store, selling

furniture, household appliances, pianos etc

on Bridge St., Nelson.

26th Dec Nelson Evening Mail reported that

the judgement went in favour of the

defendant.

Carlin and Julia Gill now took a case against Joseph Auty Harley, the publican of the

Ship Hotel in Nelson, who had the previous year laid information against them and

unsuccessfully prosecuted them for fraud.

Nelson Evening Mail, 7 December 1876

Gill and wife v. Joseph Auty Harley.

This was an action for damages for

malicious prosecution in

consequence of defendant having

laid an information against plaintiffs

for having obtained money under

false pretences, and caused them to

be arrested and. imprisoned, after

which they were brought before two

Justices of the Peace, and the charge

was dismissed. The arrest and

imprisonment were admitted, the

question at issue being whether the proceedings were malicious and without proper

cause. Mr Pitt appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr Acton Adams for the defendant.

The following jury was sworn:— Messrs J. Bolton (foreman), C. Smith,

Thomas Snowdon, R. Boddington, D. Whiting, J. Schwass, J. Robb, P. Leahy,

W. Lines, J. Glover, T. Brooks, and J. Braddock.

Having opened the case for the plaintiff at some length, Mr Pitt called

Carlin Gill, who said: My wife and I are the plaintiffs. We were marred in 1867.

We came to Nelson from New Plymouth in 1865. I executed a deed of settlement in

December of certain property coming to me under my mother's will, making my wife

and Mr Hughes of New Plymouth the trustees. Under that will certain property was to

be mine on attaining the age of 30 years, which was in June, 1874. My mother died

before I married Before making the settlement I had been receiving money from home

for some years. In 1874 Messrs Adams and Kingdon prepared a power of attorney to

forward to England, authorising an agent to receive money for me. In 1875 I used to

frequent the Ship Hotel, of which defendant was landlord. In July I owed him about

£11. He proposed to me that instead of scoring up the items against me I should give

him an order on Messrs Adams and Kingdon, which he could cash, and I could then

pay as I went. I gave him an order for £30, signed at his request by myself and wife.

He gave me a cheque for £19, and kept the balance in payment of my account. He and

I had had several conversations about my money affairs, with which he was perfectly

acquainted. I was expecting £2,000. I had had advances from Adams and Kingdon,



and owed them money. I was surprised to find it amounted to between £800 and £900.

In December, 1875, a draft for over £1,000 came out. In that month I was arrested by

Sergt. Nash on my returning from town to Nelson. I was taken to the lock-up, where I

was detained 24 hours. It had been raining, and I was wet through. I had been an

invalid for over two years, and caught cold and was very ill in consequence. My

solicitor's bill for defending me was £4 16s l0d. My credit was seriously affected by

the proceedings taken by Harley. (Letter put in from Mr Pitt to defendant, claiming

apology and reparation for arrest.)

Cross-examined: When I was frequently at the Ship Hotel I was on very good

terms with Harley, and remained so until he took the proceedings. I was not in very

distressed circumstances about that time. I did not tell Harley that my landlady had

threatened to turn me out on account of my owing her money. I used to borrow small

sums from Harley. I told him there was a considerable sum coming out to Adams |and

Kingdon for myself and Mrs Gill, and out of that the order I gave him for £30 would

be paid. It was on the strength of this that he gave me the cheque for £19. I had signed

an account showing the amount I owed Adams and Kingdon, but am not able to say

whether it was before or after giving the order to Harley. I made no effort to obtain

bail at the time of my arrest and imprisonment.

Re-examined: It was Harley 's proposition that Mrs Gill should sign the order

for £30. Sergeant Nash proved the arrest, and on cross-examination stated that

on Gill being brought before the Justices he was remanded because it appeared that he

had been drinking and was not in a fit state for the case being proceeded with.

H. C. Baddeley, clerk of the Resident Magistrate's Court, produced the

depositions in the case in that Court.

Julia Gill: I am wife of Carlin Gill. In July, 1875, I signed an order for £30 in

favor of J. A. Harley. I had never spoken to him before the day on which I signed the

order, which was lying on the table all ready for signature when I got there. I had no

conversation at all with him about any money coming from England or the deed of

settlement. I, made no representations of any kind whatever to him. I saw Mr Harley

after the money had arrived, and told him of it. I never gave any instructions to

Adams and Kingdon not to cash the order. I went to New Plymouth, in November,

1875, and returned in December,, and two days after I was arrested and taken to the

Police Court, brought before the Magistrates, and remanded. On the case being heard

the charge was dismissed. In the Court, Harley said he had seen Mr Adams before I

signed the order, and that it was owing to information received from him that he lent

us the money. He also said that Mr Gill told him he was going to get the settlement

upset. I saw Harley some time after the charge was dismissed, and asked him if he

would make a public apology, as, if so, I would be satisfied. He replied that I was a

dishonest woman, and he would have nothing to say to me. The sum that came out

was £1029, which came to Mr Hughes as co-trustee with myself. The money has been

devoted to paying Mr Gill's debts. I authorised Mr Akersten at one time to offer

Harley £20 toward the debt.

Cross-examined: I knew that Mr Gill was on good terms with the defendant.

I did not know Harley had lent him small sums at various times. Previous to the 8th

July we were boarding at Mrs Hamilton's. She was not pressing us for payment. I do

not remember Harley asking about the money coming from England before I signed

the order. The reason of my signing the order was to enable Mr Gill to get the cheque

for £19. The cheque was given to me, and I handed it to Mr Gill,for which Mr Harley

blamed me. I did not tell Mr Harley how the money was tied up by the deed of

settlement. The £30 is still owing to Harley. I believe Mr Gill incurred a further debt



of £8 to Harley between the date of our signing the order and that of our arrest. Re-

examined I was quite willing that the money should be paid to Mr Harley if I could

have had my way.

William Akersten: I know the plaintiffs. In July, 1875, defendant was keeping

the Ship Hotel. About September I had some conversation with him about the Gills.

They owed both of us money, and he told me that he had made his right, as they had

money coming out, and he had an order signed by Mrs Gill. He said he was sure of

getting his money, as he had seen Adams and Kingdon about it. In the last

conversation I had with him about it he did not seem so hopeful, and said he should

take proceedings to empower payment. Shortly after the proceedings against the Gills,

I offered at Mrs Gill's request to pay him £20, as £19 was owing him for money

advanced, and the balance of £10 to stand over at interest. He refused to take it, as he

said he would get the whole amount.

Cross-examined : I don't think the money was offered in settlement of the

whole claim.

This closed the case for the plaintiff. Mr Acton Adams then opened his case,

the gist of which was that at the time plaintiff gave the order he was well aware that

he had already settled away the money that was coming to him towards the payment

of his debts, and that even up to the present time no money had ever come to Adams

and Kingdon out of which the order could be paid.

Joseph Auty Harley was then called, who said: In July, 1875, I was landlord of

the Ship Hotel. I had then known Gill for a few months, and was on intimate terms

with him. Gill frequently stated that he had money coming out to him. I used to lend

him small amounts from time to time. In July he told me that he was in very bad

circumstances, that his landlady was pressing him for money, and that he was very

hard pressed, although he was expecting money very shortly. On the 7th July he

bothered me a good deal about money, and asked me for £30, for which he and his

wife 'would give an order on Adams and Kingdon, through whom money was coming

out to her. Next morning he came and said if I would go to his lodgings Mrs Gill

would sign the order. I said, No, if it was worth having she must come to me. He

brought her, and I told her all that had been said, and she said it was true, and signed

the order, when I gave her a cheque for £19. I gave the cheque on the strength

of Gill's representations, and for the purpose of assisting him. Previous to that I had

never gone to Adams and Kingdon's for the purpose of making enquiries about Gill’s

affairs. I knew, nothing of the settlement or its provisions. A day or two before laying

the information I went to Adams and Kingdon's, and found out from them that the

order would not be honored. I heard that the money had come out, and Gill told me

that his wife had gone to New Plymouth to arrange with her cotrustee about the

payment of the money. On enquiring at Adams and Kingdon's I learnt that there was

no chance of the money being paid. I had no ill-will whatever against Gill until I

found that he had swindled me. Cross-examined: I did not speak to Gill about the

affair between us, hearing from Mr Hughes that I should not get the money at the time

of taking proceedings. Before signing the cheque I had asked Mrs Gill whether her

husband’s yarn about getting money was true. She said yes. I did not order the

warrant for his arrest to be issued. This concluded the evidence, and, counsel on both

sides having addressed the jury, His Honor commenced to sum up, and had not

finished when we went to press.



Some of the details are interesting.

According to Carlin Gill the money had come to him under his mother’s will.

(Recall that the Carlin family was wealthy. Carlin’s mother and two siblings had

inherited considerable property on the death of her father Thomas Skinner Carlin.)

We can learn that when his mother died in 1867 property had been left to him to

which he would be entitled on reaching the age of 30 (which occurred in 1874).

When his recent sum arrived ( £1029.00) Carlin Gill had settled it as a trust in the

name of his wife Julia and her solicitor.

(Prior to this settlement he had been receiving money “from home” for a number of

years.)

SUPREME COURT. Nelson Evening Mail, 8

December 1876

The Gills won their case

and were awarded

damages of £150

Although he won the Supreme Court case in which he and his wife were sued for

fraud, Carlin Gill was still experiencing financial and health problems.

Nelson Evening Mail

20th December 1876

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Colonist, 9 January 1877

John James, who had been

unsuccessfully sued by the

Gills

(see 11th Sept 1876), now

sued Carlin Gill.

Carlin Gill did not appear.

He was found liable for the

sum of £37.5s.9d plus

costs and threatened with

gaol if he failed to pay.

For the next few years nothing more seems to have been reported regarding the Gills.

Evidently the family had shifted back to New Plymouth.



Death of Carlin Gill

Nelson Evening Mail

14th March 1883

Carlin Gill had recently returned, on his own, from New Plymouth and was staying in

a hotel Nelson while an out patient of hospital.


14 March 1883

The inquest of 15th March found that he had died as the result of an accidental

overdose of morphine.


15 March 1883

It seems Carlin Gill’s financial circumstances had diminished, he was dependant on

friends, and his health problems may well have been the result of having “fallen a

victim to drink”. He had committed himself to hospital, as an outpatient, and

Had died while staying at the Rising Sun Hotel.

The coroner’s report follows:



SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. GILL AT NELSON.

Taranaki Herald,

20 March 1883



New Plymouth

Evidently Julia Gill and the three children were living in New Plymouth at the time of

Carlin Gill’s death - perhaps near to Julia’s mother, Mary Ann Roebuck.

(Mary Ann Roebuck had a house in Gill St. from which she rented out a room - and

sometimes she stayed at nearby Okato on the Stoney River, where the Roebuck

children had by now settled.22 )

At this time (March 1883) Carlin jnr was 12 years of age, Frank 10 and Mary Frances

Louisa was 7. There are newspaper records of Frank and Mary attending New

Plymouth Central School, but no mention of Carlin jnr. Until 1887 (see below.)

ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE CENTRAL SCHOOL. Taranaki Herald, 17 December 1885

CENTRAL SCHOOL EXAMINATION. Taranaki Herald, 23 December 1886

JUBILEE EXHIBITION. HOME INDUSTRY. Wanganui Chronicle, 5 July 1887

Carlin Gill (16 years)

representing

New Plymouth School in

the Boys’ Under 17 Class B

(Maps).

CENTRAL SCHOOL PRIZE LIST. Taranaki Herald, 16 December 1887

BREAKING UP OF THE CENTRAL SCHOOL. Taranaki Herald, 24 December 1888

22 See scrapbook on the family history of Mary Ann Roebuck



Mary Frances Luisa Gill

went to a Convent School

for her secondary

education.

Taranaki Herald, 17 December

1890

JUBILEE SPORTS. Taranaki Herald, 20th March 1891

C. Gill (now 20 yars of age) was selected to represent New Plymouth in a number of

athletic categories.

New Zealand Tablet, 2 January 1891

“Miss Gill’s work consisted of a neatly finished cushion an embroidery work and

stitching…..” And Mary was also showing music ability: “…Duet (2 pianos and

organ, “Misses Hamond, Gill, Sullivan and Paul …. (organ) Miss Gill”




The above article interestingly testifies to Carlin Gill’s local reputation as an artist.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. New Zealand

Tablet, 8

January 1892

Miss Gill

Music


Carlin Gill takes a lease on a

farm at Omata


The boys Carlin (junr) and

Frank were now farming at

New Plymouth, and the

electoral list for 1896 records

the entire family living at

Frankley Road.

It has been said that Mary Frances Louisa Gill was sent back to England to stay with

an Aunt and finish her education. This has not been verified. It is possible, but seems

unlikely that the following shipping notices refer to our Mary Gill.

SHIPPING departures ARRIVALS. New Zealand Herald, 22 April 1893 Auckland Star, 12 October 1893

We do know from the following news clippings that our Mary Gill was actually a

Governess at a Girls “Finishing School” in New Plymouth in 1894, and that she was

in New Plymouth in 1896 as part of a music orchestra.



Auckland Star, 8 March 1894

Taranaki Herald, 12 March and

2nd May 1894

.New Zealand Herald,

26 April 1894

Two records of Mary Gill

travelling from New

Plymouth to Auckland.

Taranaki Herald,

27 June 1894

PASSENGERS BY THE DORIC. Star , 12 December 1894

From London 1894.

Unlikely to be our

Mary Gill.



By 1896 the musical talent of Mary Gill of Frankley Rd. was well known around the

town of New Plymouth

PUBLIC HALL AT OAKURA.

Taranaki Herald,

24 April 1896

The significance of this clipping is that it establishes Mary Gill as a

musician in New Plymouth in 1896.

It also refers to her performing in

association with the Ducker Brothers.

The Ducker Brothers (James jnr and

Alfred) were also living at Frankley Rd

at that time.

Hawera and Normanby Star 18 August 1896

1896, the Ducker brothers (Alfred and

James jnr.) and the Gill brothers

(Frank and Carlin jnr.) successfully

tendered for three adjacent sections of

newly opened land at Newall, near the

upper Stoney River.

Taranaki Herald, 20 August 1896

The Gill brothers and the Ducker

brothers, previously neighbours on

Frankley Rd., were now neighbours

again, this time breaking in new farm

land near Stoney River, at Newall, a

few miles south of New Plymouth.



The sections of land (1 and 2) tendered for by Carlin Gill jnr were bounded by the

Stoney River to the north, and by the Ducker Brother’s section (3) to the south.

The unsurveyed portion to the east of these properties is the quickly rising slope of

Mt. Egmont (today called Mt. Taranaki) which was designated reserve land.

Sections 8,9 and 10 were also taken by the Duckers, who built a timber mill and

developed a farm there, on Upper Newall Rd. 23

OMATA. Taranaki Herald 13 April 1897

Mary Gill and the Ducker

bothers formed an instrumental

trio.

PLAIN AND FANCY DRESS

BALL AT OAKURA. Taranaki Herald, 15 May 1897


23 Part of a map provided by Richard and Margaret Cardiff in relation to the Ducker family history.



In December 1899 James Ducker jnr. and Mary Frances Louisa Gill were married.

MARRIAGE. Taranaki Herald, 9 January 1900

The narrative can end here, as the story of James Ducker jnr and his wife Mary Gill is

covered in another family history scrapbook – “The Duckers.”

James Ducker jnr, together with his new wife Mary and his brother Alfred established

a timber mill on Upper Newall Rd and as the timber was cleared from the surrounding

area, they broke in the land and developed a dairy farm.

“The Duckers” documents the family history of the Duckers, and the life of James

Ducker jnr, his wife Mary (nee Gill) and his brother Alfred – their pioneering life at

Newall, and the establishment of Duckers Mill under the slopes of Mt. Taranaki,.

View of Mt. Taranaki (previously known as Mt. Egmont) from the Upper Newall Rd

opposite the farm of James jnr and Mary Ducker. (Photo Aeron Pollard)

Mary Frances Louisa (Gill) Ducker died in 1967

1967/38808 Ducker Mary Frances Louisa 91Y

For those interested in further history of the descendants of Carlin Gill,

the following appendix is a collection of clippings which relate to the brothers

Frank Ludlam Gill and Carlin Gill jnr.



Appendix 1 The Gill Brothers

OUR SECOND CONTINGENT. Evening Post, 2 January 1900

Carlin Gill jnr now

prepared to travel to

South Africa to

participate in the Boer

war.


The men provided their

own horses. Other

citizens provided

sponsorship.

Taranaki Herald,

12th January 1900

Taranaki Herald,

31 January 1900

Fire at Ripley Cottage

(Ripley Cottage was

owned by

Carlin Gill jnr)

It would be interesting to know why the Gills named this cottage after a village in

Derbyshire. Perhaps there is a story which dates back to the previous century.

Ripley is not far from Alfreston where Carlin Gill’s grandfather George Gill had

practised as a surgeon.

Taranaki Herald,

1 February 1900



NZ Archives.

Part of attestation form completed by Carlin Gill on 19th January1900, in Wellington,

the day before he sailed on the Waiwera with the 2nd Contingent.

Evidently Carlin Gill was present at the attack on Johannesburg as in later

correspondence relating to a petition for compensation, he claimed to have been

wounded there.

(This claim was denied by the military authorities who pointed out that no such

wound had been reported at the time, nor reported later when he was in hospital.)

The British finally captured Johannesburg on 31st May 1900

In July 1900, Carlin Gill transferred to do Police Duty in South Africa.

LIST OF NEW ZEALANDERS IN S.A.

POLICE.

Wanganui Herald, 24 July 1900



In Pretoria on 24th August 1900 Carlin Gill was sent to hospital with enteric fever,

described a “a very severe case.” He was hospitalised there for three months

transferred to No 5 Hospital, Cape Town, where he had a relapse and the decision was

made that he should be invalided.

Around this time he must have been able to send this news to his mother, Julia.

The following letter, part of his file held by New Zealand Archives, was written to the

Ministry of Defence, on behalf of Julia Gill, in January 1901, in which she expressed

great anxiety at the news that he was in hospital, and requested further information:

He was back in Wellington in February 1901



Carlin Gill was assessed by the Wellington medical board on 15th February 1901,

where it was decided he should be granted 6 months leave, and he was finally

discharged on 14th August 1901. As we shall see, in 1905 he suffered a reoccurrence

of the Enteric fever – and was plagued for many years by varicose ulcers which he

claimed were caused by his being wounded in Johannesburg (which was denied by

the authorities.) He did not claim for a war pension within the time fixed by statute

(time period ending 11th Nov 1904) and was denied financial assistance in 1907 when

he was again temporarily unable to tend to his farm. The matter arose again in 1922

and again his petition was unsuccessful.

(See 1905 and 1922 for further correspondence.)

The following, from New Zealand Archives, is a summary of his case:




Carlin Gill returns to New Zealand.


1901 Wises Directory In fact by 1901 Carlin Gill had shifted

and was part of the Okato community.

The Gill brothers and the Ducker Brother are now neighbours near the upper Stoney

River, not far from Okato.

FOOTBALL. Taranaki Herald, 22 March 1901

Note also along with C. Gill here is

J Roebuck (should be R. F. Roebuck)

half brother of Mary Gill (nee

Nicholls.)

R. F. Roebuck is now the

blacksmith at Okato.

Okato

Taranaki

Daily News

13th Dec.

1901

Carlin Gill jnr farming and participating in community events around the district of

Okato. “…Miss Roebuck, pianoforte solo…..

Mr. C. Gill’s splendid gramophone…”



WAREA. Taranaki Herald,

11 October 1902

OXFORD ROAD V. WAREA. Taranaki Herald, 25 April 1903

Oxford Rd. is in Okato.

Frank and Carlin Gill score some

useful runs for Warea in a cricket

match against

Oxford Rd.

OKATO. Taranaki Herald, 4 May 1903

In 1903 Carlin Gill jnr made a trip

back to the “old country”

He was accompanied on this trip

by his brother-in-law James

Ducker jnr.


They returned to New Plymouth in

early 1904.



Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1905

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1905

Evidently this was a relapse of the fever

he had contracted in South Africa.

OKATO. Taranaki Herald, 7 August 1905


Taranaki Herald, 24 September 1906

Messrs. Cassie, Davies, Gill and the Ducker Bros. lobby for improved roading.



Unsuccessful petition to the Ministry of Defence. (NZ Archives)

Carlin Gill states that he was wounded at Johannesburg. (He has made an error in the date 1899 when he became ill - it should read 1900.)



NZ Archives

A support letter sent to Minister of Defence at the time Carlin Gill came out from

New Plymouth Hospital “where he has been laid up for some time from the effects of

this wound….” “…I am satisfied that he will have to give up his occupation which is

that of a farmer. Mr. Gill is a very steady man, about 40 years old, and if it is not

possible to get him a pension for his injuries the Government may have some suitable

position that he could get a living from….”

Writer from Frankley Rd., possibly W. Okey, MP for New Plymouth. Name

indecipherable.



NZ Archives

1908

The Ministry of Defence did not accept that Carlin Gill’s medical condition was the

result of any wound incurred during his military service, as no such wound had been

officially reported at the time. Also the opportunity to apply for a pension had lapsed.

Evidently Carlin Gill jnr was able to return to his occupation of farming.

A FURIOUS GALE. Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1910



A COAST CATTLE CASE. Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1910



MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1915

Perhaps because of his own experiences in the Boer War, Carlin Gill maintained a

strongly sympathetic attitude towards soldiers serving in WW1.

OKATO DISTRICT GIFT AUCTION. Taranaki Daily News , 15 April 1916

Donations to

Wounded Soldiers’ Fund.

HELPING THE WOUNDED. Taranaki Daily News , 17 May 1916



Taranaki Daily News , 16 August 1916

BOWLING. Taranaki Daily News , 15 January 1917

R. F. Roebuck (Fred snr.) was said to

have been a keen bowls player, having

established the first bowling green in

Okato.

Here he is in the same team as Carlin Gill. LOCAL AND GENERAL. Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1917

Bush fires were common at the time

and often threatened settlers’ homes.

On this occasion both the Gill Bros.

and the Ducker Bros. both lost a

building.

It was reported that the building lost

by the Gill Bros. had formerly been

used as a dairy factory.

Richard Cardiff writes:

“I think the dairy factory would be the

one on the corner of Puniho and what

was then Okahu, but now Wiremu

Roads. It was called the Royal Arms

Cheese factory, and didn’t operate for

very long before the machinery was

sold and taken further down Puniho Rd to what became Brooklands Factory.

It now has the Tumahu Hall built on it.

The concrete ‘stage’ is still there supporting the toilet block of the Hall.”


http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TDN19170206.2.23&srpos=129&e=08-02-1913-----10--121-byDA---0DUCKER--


MILITARY SERVICE. Hawera & Normanby Star, 6 June 1917

Carlin Gill received a call-up

for military service in 1917.

Evidently he had already

previously volunteered – and

presumably been rejected on

medical grounds….

There was a very lengthy report of a cattle theft in February 1918 in which Carlin Gill

was a witness. SUPREME COURT. Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1918

TARANAKI COUNTY

COUNCIL. Taranaki Daily News ,

6 August 1918

Taranaki Daily News,

9 April 1919

SUPREME COURT Hawera & Normanby Star,

9 February 1922


http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TDN19180205.2.35&srpos=86&e=-------10--81-byDA---0carlin+gill--


In 1922 Carlin Gill again applied for compensation for war injury.



Transcription:

25th August 1922

Memorandum for: Chairman of Defence Committee, House of Representatives,

Wellington re: Petition No. 277 - Carlin Gill

This Department’s file in relation to the above named is forwarded, as requested in

your letter of 20th August.

Paras. 1 to 3 of the petition are substantially correct.

This man left for South Africa on the 20th January 1900, as a member of the 2nd New

Zealand Contingent.

He was admitted to hospital at Pretoria on 24/8/21900 suffering from enteric fever

(severe) and was under treatment for enteric fever and debility until 14th January 1901.

He arrived back in New Zealand on 15th February 1901, and after being examined by

a medical board was granted 6 month’s leave. He was discharged on 14th August 1901.

In regard to para. 4 of the petition there is no record showing that the Petitioner was

reported as having been injured, nor is there anything to show that, whilst a member

of the Contingent, he was treated for anything except enteric fever and debility.

Further, he did not mention the injury to his leg when he was examined by the

Medical Board on his return from South Africa.

Re paras. 5 and 6 whilst not disputing the statement that Petitioner had to undergo

medical treatment soon after his discharge, the file shows that the first report of any

illness subsequent to discharge was that described in Dr. Lentham’s certificate of

31/5/1905 (tabled “A”). This document shows that Gill was an inmate of New

Plymouth Hospital from 23rd March to 3rd May 1905 suffering from “enteric or

typhoid fever”, and that he was discharged “cured” from the institution.

Re para. 7 – the injured leg, it is submitted, was not due to or the result of active

service. It was not mentioned by him to the Defence Authorities until 14th December

1907. He was not treated at any time for this injury at the expense of the Department.

In regard to para. 8 nothing is known of this man’s present condition of health, not of

his capacity to earn a livelihood.

He did not apply for a pension within the time fixed by statute vis. Before 11th

November 1904, and his case cannot, therefore, now be considered under any

Pensions Act.

Application for pecuniary assistance towards his hospital expenses was made in 1905,

but was declined. In 1907 he applied for a compassionate allowance, but this also was

declined, presumably for the reason that he was believed to be in comfortable

circumstances (vide Tab “B”).

Kindly return the file at your earliest convenience.

The reply was a further disappointment:

“In my opinion the ulcers from which he suffers are the result of varicose veins and

there is no evidence to show that the varicose veins are the result of service.”



Frank Gill died in 1951

1951/21934 Gill Frank Ludlam 78Y

Carlin Gill jnr died in 1962

1962/37421 Gill Carlin 91Y

NZ Archives



APPENDIX 2

A brief history of photography in New Plymouth and Nelson

The first photographer

advertising in New Zealand

appears in

Wellington in the

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's

Strait Guardian,

16 August 1848

The process used by Sealy was

probably “daguerreotype”, an

arcane process using copper

plates, iodine vapour and then in a darkroom exposure to mercury vapour, fixing with

sodium hyposulphate and finally washing with water.

A trawl though the New Zealand newspapers on the 1850s shows the daguerreotype

process continuing to be used until the middle of the decade, and gives an

introduction to early photographers such as, in Auckland:

Hartley Webster (New Zealander, 10 September 1853),

Montague Scott (Daily Southern Cross, 30 October 1855)

J. N. Crosbie (New Zealander, 3 November 1855).

By 1855 new technology was

becoming available – the so-called

“collodian process.”

New Zealander,

01 December 1855

Daily Southern Cross,

19 September 1856

By 1856 Crombie had converted to

this new process and was about to

move to Taranaki. Many of the

“photographic artists” of this period

were itinerant.

New Zealander, 1 November 1856

The merits of the collodian process at

Hartley Websters studio, Queen Street.



In New Plymouth the well-known

auctioneer and entrepreneur

F. U.Gledhill advertised for sale: Taranaki Herald, 13 June 1857

Another Taranaki entrepreneur,

Newton King: Taranaki Herald, 5 Sept 1857

The professional photographer Hartley

Webster had now moved south from

his studio in Auckland, to set up a

practice in New Plymouth.

Taranaki Herald,

25 December 1858

Dozens of advertisements now regularly in the main papers. At least half a dozen are

offering hardware or professional service.

Hardwicke Knight, in “Photography in New Zealand wrote: “Most of the New

Zealand photographers who were working during the 1860s and 70s… were using the

wet plate collodian process.

Collodian is a mixture of gun cotton, alcohol and ether and forms a film when flowed

onto a sheet of glass. Scott Archer used it to bind the light-sensitive silver salts on to

glass plates and the process became known as the wet-plate process because the plates

had to be exposed and developed before the coating had time to dry……It meant

carrying heavy loads of apparatus such as tent or portable darkroom, chemicals and

glass plates…..

By 1860 most cameras were

made with bellows…exposures

as short as one second were more

satisfactorily made with the lens

cap than with the early roller

blind of flap shutters which

caused camera shake…”

Wet plate camera from the 1860s. Larnoch Castle Collection. Taken from “Photography in New

Zealand” by Hardwicke Knight

J. Wilson (Otago) and a Mr. Mountfort (Christchurch) were advertising regularly.

Newspaper references to “photographic art” were becoming less wondrous, and

commercial advertising was becoming more common.



Another photographer set up

business in Taranaki….

Taranaki Herald, 30 April 1859

Crombie, who had moved to Christchurch, now moved again to Nelson where he

attracted reviews from a number of newspapers….

… and for the time being, Hartley

Webster moved on.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand

Chronicle, 28 September 1859


(Later Hartley Webster was to return

to New Plymouth, and in 1975 around

the time he closed down his business

for good, he successfully sued Carlin

Gill for a debt of £5 1s 7d)

Note the price of a photograph

printed on card at this time has

reduced to 5 shillings – about the

price of half a day’s work for a

labourer.

The early 1860’s was the time of the first Taranaki war.

A new photographer established in

New Plymouth at this time. Taranaki Herald, 16 Feb 1861

Hoby (or his son) was still

advertising in 1866 when Carlin

Gill arrived in New Plymouth.

Cartes de visites 5s, copies for2/6.

T. Tuffin had arrived from

Wanganui and was advertising…. Taranaki Herald, 4 February 1865

….to be replaced by George

Jackson in July the same year.

Taranaki Herald, 22 July 1865



By the time Carlin Gill arrived in New Plymouth, photography was no longer a

novelty.

In fact the term “photographer”

had first appeared as early as

1862. Taranaki Herald, 8 November 1862

Taranaki Herald 30 June 1866

Druggists were advertising

photographic materials and

chemicals, which suggests by

now photography also existed

as a hobby, and Carlin Gill

would have been able to

purchase his materials in town,

over the counter.

Taranaki Herald

22 September 1866



APPENDIX 3 The photography of Carlin Gill

Name Gill, Carlin

Studio

address

Takaka 1872, 1872/3;Nelson 1875, 1876,

1880;Wakefield 1881

Known

years of

operation

1866 1872 1873 1875 1876 1880

Source Wise's NZ Directory (1872/3), p181; H Knight,

Photography in NZ (1971) p183.

Remarks Born in Selston, Nottinghamshire in 1844. (Note that the

Taranaki Herald, 9 January 1900, p2 says 'of Wren Hall,

Pelston'.) Apprentice chemist in Reading in 1861

(cenusus). Married Julia Nicholls 1867 (ref. 5791). C

Gill, photographer of Stoney River, charges Frederick

Warner of stealing 3 Bell tents (Taranaki Herald, 8

September 1866, p3). Former patient at New Plymouth

hospital (Taranaki Herald, 9 January 1875, p2). Taken to

court by photographer Hartley Webster (Taranaki

Herald, 23 October 1875, p3). Landscape photographer -

Orders to be placed with Mr Bonnington, Trafalgar

Street, Nelson (Nelson Evening Mail, 24 November

1875, p2) Knight lists a Carline Gill in New Plymouth in

1875. Photographer living in Wakefield (1880/1 ER -

Waimea). Death reported at Nelson (Manawatu

Standard, 17 March 1883, p2), caused by "an overdose

of morphia unintentionally" (Nelson Evening Mail, 15

March 1883, p2). See also Sascha Nolden, 'Hochstetter

collection Basel. Part 2, New Zealand Photographs and

Prints' (2012), p29.

Studio addresses Takaka 1872, 1872/3; Nelson 1875, 1876, 1880; Wakefield 1881

Nelson Evening Mail, 10 December 1875



Photograph held at Puke Ariki Museum, New Plymouth

Accession No PHO2008-1875

Name/Title William George's Thatched Farmhouse at Waitara

Primary

Maker Carlin Gill

Primary Prod

Role Photographer

Brief

Description

Landscape carte-de-visite photograph of a thatched

farmhouse at Waitara. The farmhouse was owned

by William George and the land was originally

owned by Captain Corbett. The farmhouse has four

windows, two on either side of the door. There is a

pathway leading up the he house. Fences and trees

in background.

Classification Documentary Artifact/Communication Artifacts


http://vernon.npdc.govt.nz/search.do?mode=1&view=detail&id=7584&db=person


By: Carlin Gill Description: Two men pictured sitting outside a surveyors tent in bush area.

They have a camp fire in front of them and various tools are pictured.

Photograph has been hand tinted. Puke Ariki

(from the collection of Sue Sharman)

Family photograph probably taken by Carlin Gill around 1867/69

Mary Ann Roebuck and her six children:

L to R: Fanny Roebuck, Julia Nicholls, mother Mary Ann Roebuck, Samuel Roebuck, Annie

Nicholls, Frank Roebuck and Robert Frederick Roebuck.

If Fanny’s age is estimated as 6-8 years, then the photo must have been taken around 1867-69.

Julia Nicholls (top left in photograph) married photographer Carlin Gill in 1867.



Source: Hochstetter Collection (part 2) Basel



Appendix 4 The Estate of Old Luke Gill of Selston

This story refers to Luke Gill of Selston, a man described by Thomas Skinner Carlin

as being “of very penurious habits” – and later by Martha Spencer’s legal counsel as

“a miserly man”. This may have been a little unfair. Although known to be thrifty -

and tight-lipped about the future disposal of his property – his will, when it was

finally revealed, showed a generous treatment of his ten nieces and nephews.

He had no children of his own, and his wife had predeceased him.

When Luke Gill died (in fact even before he died) his family descended on the estate

but found little of the expected cash. However the housekeeper Martha Spencer was

found to be in possession of rather more money than a person in her position might be

expected to have. The money was confiscated (by Thomas Skinner Carlin), and the

unfortunate lady locked up and held in custody for three months until her case was

heard. When she faced her accusers in court, they were unable to prove their case and

the old lady was acquitted.

Thomas Skinner Carlin who had drawn up the last will and testament for old Luke

Gill, was later to state that it was the first time he had drafted a will, and it would be

the last!

Nottingham Review and General Advertiser for the Midland Counties - Friday 28 July 1843



The story does not end there.

The following year, Martha Spencer sued the family for the return of “her” money.



Nottingham Review and General Advertiser for the Midland Counties - Friday 22 March 1844



The old lady won her case, no doubt to the surprise and chagrin of Thomas Skinner

Carlin, who was alleged to have been officious in the confiscation of the money.

An important point of interest in the above reports is that Thomas Skinner Carlin

testified to having known Luke Gill for sixty years.

Since he (Thomas Skinner Carlin) was 65 years of age at the time, we may infer that

he (Carlin) had grown up (and had probably been born) in Selston.

This makes the baptism record 24th February 1778 Thomas Carline, father Henry

Carline of Selston, Nottingham – referred to at the beginning of this narrative – very

likely to refer to Thomas Skinner Carlin.

The will of Luke Gill is held by Borthwick Institute, Univ.York. As another matter of

interest, it is evident from the names mentioned in the will, that there is no family

relationship between our George Gill the surgeon, and the Gill families of Selston –

and no family relationship between Luke Gill and Thomas Skinner Carlin.

Evidently there was a bond of neighbourly trust and respect between old Luke Gill

and Thomas Skinner Carlin, as not only did Luke ask Thomas Skinner Carlin to draw

up his will – he also appointed Carlin’s son, George Ludlam Carlin, as a trustee.



Old Luke Gill himself was illiterate. For a couple of years he had been requesting

Thomas Skinner Carlin to draw up the will for him, which Carlin finally did, a couple

of weeks before the old man died – and added a codicil for him just two days before

he died.

The old man, who was now bed-ridden, began his testament on a humble and pious

note, thankful “for all his Blefsings”

He bequeathed his property, in equal shares, to his ten nieces and nephews, children

of his brother John Gill. And in an aside, which may say something of his character,

he referred in his will to the nephew Jarvis Gill who had been born “some time after”

John Gill’s death and was regarded as not a true nephew – insisting that Jarvis Gill

should be treated equally with the others.

The will was drawn up by Thomas Skinner Carlin in the presence of Thomas Rawling

and William Sedgwick, on 12th May 1843 – then a codicil added on 21st May.

(The Codicil referred to a beneficiary, a nephew called Luke Gill, whose death had

just come to the attention of old Luke Gill. The purpose of the addition was to ensure

that the share that would have gone to Luke Gill would instead go in equal shares to

his legal heirs. It also included a repeat of the earlier request that Jarvis Gill should be

treated equally to his other nieces and nephews.)

Luke Gill died on 23rd May 1843.


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