1858 Seon Notebook

FATHER SEON'S TRAVELLING NOTEBOOK

Banks Peninsula and Christchurch

1858 - 1859

Transcribed by Mavis Donnelly-Crequer, 1985

Scanned to e-text by Merv Duffy SM, 2023

INTRODUCTION

I wish to thank Father Kevin Clark, Diocesan Archivist, Christchurch, for making the manuscript material available; Anne Mee of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists for breaking the ground; Christine Tremewan for checking the Maori names; and Peter Tremewan for the production of the printed result. I have also consulted the following works:

• Andersen, Johannes C. Place Names of Banks Peninsula. Wellington: 1927.
• Keys, Lillian G. Philip Viard, Bishop of Wellington. Christchurch: 1968.
• Macdonald Dictionary of Canterbury Biographies. Manuscript, presented to Canterbury Museum Library, 1970.
• Mackay, Alexander. A Compendium of Official Documents. Wellington: 1873.
• Maling, Peter Bromley. Early Sketches and Charts of Banks Peninsula 1770- 1850. Wellington: 1981.

'During March 1859, at the time of the arrival of the three new Marists, Fr. Séon was visiting Port Cooper and Akaroa, and was expected shortly at Wellington.' (Keys, p.127) There was no resident priest in Akaroa, Lyttleton or Christchurch at that time or anywhere else in Canterbury. Fr. Séon kept a notebook during the three months (December 1858 - March 1859) he spent visiting Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. The baptisms and marriages recorded in this notebook were later transcribed into the large Akaroa register. The notebook has sixteen pages and measures about 15 cm. by 7.5 cm. It is held in Box 25 (Akaroa) at the Christchurch Catholic Diocesan Archives. Most of the notebook is in English. I have translated into English those portions written in French. Mavis Donnelly-Crequer, June 1985.

Biography and letters of Antoine Séon

Fr Seon’s text

[11 Dec 1858]

At Tukahara Port Cooper Bay on the 11th of December I received the mutual consent and united by a lawful marriage having granted license for consanguinity and banns publication [i.e., they were not read],

Petera Kautuanui about 50 years old and Repeka Tàntagatahou [Tangatahou] of the same age.

The ceremony was performed in the presence of two witnesses:

Ko Apera Pukenui and Himiona Powata [Pohata] both of the same bay, this day 11th December 1858.

Petera X Kautuanui’s mark

Repeka X Tangatahou's

koapera pukenui, Hemiona Pohata, J.A.J. Seon Cath. pri.

[15 Dec 1858]

On the 15th December at Aoriri I the undersigned baptised by the name of Evangeline Ellen a female child born on the 23rd of last March at Greensland Port Victoria New Zealand of Alfred Condon sawyer and Eliza Holmes his lawful wife. Godfather Philipp Ryan.

J. A. J. Seon

[20 Dec 1858]

On the 20th December 1858 I the undersigned received the mutual consent and united by a lawful marriage, license being granted for publication of banns and the law being already complied with, James Barford 19 years of age son of John Barford and Ann Maria Barford, and Anna Maria McNamara 22 years of age daughter of Peter McNamara and Mary Ann McNamara. The ceremony was performed before two witnesses John Carroll and Bridgitt Carroll.

Parties: James Barford, Anna Maria X McNamara’s mark

Witnesses: John Carroll, Bridgitt X Carroll’s mark

J. A. J. Seon, c. pr. S. M.

[26 Dec 1858]

On the 26th December 1858 at Christchurch I the undersigned received the mutual consent and united by lawful marriage license being granted for publication of the banns and the law of the prov. being already complied with;

Thomas Roach, carpenter, son of David Roach and Margaret Halloran, and Ellen Fitzgerald daughter of John Fitzgerald and Mary Heron - the ceremony was performed in the presence of the two following witnesses:

Thos Roach, Henry O'Callahan, Ellen X Fitzgerald, Bridgeth FitzGerald, J.A.J. Seon Cath. pr. SM

[29 Dec 1858]

On the 29th December 1858 at Hallswell near Christchurch I received the abjuration and received in the Cath. Church and gave conditional baptism to William Fleet in the presence of a small congregation. ·

William X Fleet's mark, Doherty's X mark, William O'Keif’s mark,

J.A.J. Seon

On the 29th December at Hallswell near Christchurch I the undersigned baptised by the name of Ema a female child born on the 8th of last August at Kennedy's bush near Christchurch of Thomas Kennedy and Sophia Kennedy. Godfather William O'Keif & godmother Sarah Dillon Jackson.

J.A.J. Seon

On the 29th December at Hallswell near Christchurch I received the mutual consent and united by a lawful marriage, license being granted for publication of banns, Michael Haly about 23 years of age, son of Patrick Haly and Mary O'brienne from the County of Kerry Ireland, and Grace Doherty 17 years of age daughter of John Doherty here present and Elizabeth Kelly his wife, in the presence of two witnesses.

Parties: Michael X Haly' s mark, Grace X Doherty' s mark

Witnesses: John X Doherty's Mark, Patrick Fitzgibbon

J.A.J. Seon Cath. pr. S.M.

N.B.

1. Asked by Mrs Kennedy. Marriage certificate to be sent to her home. 29 December 1858.

2. Eight masses promised for Mrs Fitzgibbon who is sick. These ought to be offered as soon as I possibly can.

3. A few Mount Carmel scapulars - Mrs Margueret Mealing.

4. Marriage certificate for Judith Weckerlan [Waeckerle] .

5. The Brothers' geometry and carpenter's manual for Jean Baptiste Etevenaux. :['In '59 he got the contract to build the Presbyterian church at Akaroa.' Macdonald File.]

[1 Jan 1859]

On the 1st of January 1859 at Christchurch I the undersigned supplied the ceremonies of baptism and baptised sub conditione and by the following names:

1. George male child born on the 21 of last March 1858 at Kaikoura o f John William Wilson and Jane Shipston his lawful wife.

2. Mary Jane female child born in the place called Bird Island Amoura [?] 31 December 1857 [for 1856: see Register] of the same parents. Godfather John O'Neill for both.

3. Mary, a female child born in Christchurch on the 10th January 1858 of John Booth & Jane Goodwin his lawful wife who privately baptised her child. Godmother Mary Goodwin for the last one.

J.A.J. Seon

On 1st January 1859 I the undersigned the officiating R.Cath. minister for the province of Cant. received the mutual consent and united by a lawful marriage, license being granted for publication of banns, and the law of the country being already complied with John Macaulay O'Neill son of Edward O'Neill and Jane Macaulay his lawful wife and Thirza Frances Coxhead daughter of Edwin Coxhead and Ann Osmond both of Christchurch before two witnesses - Thomas Roach and Ellen Roach.

Parties: J.M. O'Neill, Thirze Frances Coxhead

Witnesses: Thos. Roach, Ellen X Roach

J.A.J. Seon Cath pr SM.

[2 Jan 1859]

On the 2nd of January 1859 I the undersigned baptised. by the name of Margueret Ann a female child born at St Albans, Xchurch on 14th of October 1858 of Edward Brady and Elizabeth Bell his lawful wife - Godfather John O'Neill Godmother Ellen Roach.

J.A.J. Seon

[3 Jan 1859]

On the 3rd January 1859 I received in a solemn manner the mutual consent and united by a lawful marriage William Mealing, farmer, son of William Mealing and Rachel Collis and Margueret Downey, daughter of Patrick Downey and Catherine Dougherty. :The ceremony was performed in the presence of two witnesses.

Parties: William Mealing, Margaret Downey

Witnesses: William Dobbs, George Going

J.A.J. Seon R.C. pr S.M.

On the 3rd January 1859 in William Mealing’s house Lower Lincoln Road Christchurch prov Canturb. N.Z. I received in a solemn manner the consent and united by a lawful marriage George Going labourer 24 years old, son of William Going and Susanna Frur [Frewer?] his lawful wife of England and Elenor Mary Downey (or in the public registrar though mistaken Ellen) 23 years old, daughter of Patrick Downey and Catherine Dougherty his lawful wife in the presence of two witnesses.

Parties: George Going, Elen Downey

Witnesses: William T. Mealing, William Dobbs

J.A.J. Seon R.C. pr. s.m.

Certificate of marriage.

I hereby certify that on the 3rd January 1859 during my visit in the province of Canturbury N.Z. Willìam Mealing, son of William Mealing and Rachel Collis and Margueret Downey daughter of Patrick Downey and Catherine Dougherty have renewed their mutual consent for their Catholic marriage, in my presence and in a solemn manner having already complied with all the laws of the province.

Christchurch the 3 January 1859.

[11 Jan 1859]

Baptism.

On the 11th January 1859 at Port Levy, district of Akaroa, Bank Peninsula, I, the undersig[ned] baptised by the name of Rachel a female native child born on the 9 March 1858 of Hoani Tukutuku and Ruta Tapu his lawful wife. Godmother Rakera Purua.

J.A. J. Seon

[16 Jan 1859]

On the 16th January 1859 at Akaroa I undersigned baptised a male child born in the same place, on the 25th January 1858 of Thomas Brough & Sarah Carroll his lawful wife. Godfather Thomas Fitzgibbon. Godmother Louisa Benoit.

J.A.J. Seon

[18 Jan 1859]

On the 18th January 1859 at Opukutahi Akaroa I the undersigned baptised by the name of Erueti a male native child born in the place called Onuku same bay on the 18th of last December of Erueti Rangi Makere and Maria Keaea his lawful wife.

Godfather Paurini Hirawea.

J.A.J. Seon

On the 18th January 1859 at Opukutuhi Akaroa I·the undersigned baptised by the name of Jane Hana Henere a female native chil d, born in the place called the-french-farm, Akaroa bay, on the 21st of October 1858 of Henere te Ara and Hana Killder Pavet his wife. Godmother Hera Popokiere.

J.A.J. Seon.

On the same day & in the same place, I gave conditional baptism to Hana Killder Pavet about seventeen years old & received her in the Cath. church in the presence of two witnesses.

Hana X Killder Pavet

J.A.J. Seon

On the 18th January 1859 at Opukutahi, Akaroa bay, New-Zealand, licens[e] being granted for the publication of banns and affinity in the second degree, I received in a solemn manner and. united by a lawful marriage -

Henere te Ara, son of te Roko and Marata te Maora and Hana Killder Pavet, daughter of Thomas Killder Pavet and Makoa Mogay in the presence of several witnesses

Henere X te Ara’s mark, Hana X Killder Pavet’s mark

Witnesses: Paurini X Hirwea’s, Hamarama X Wiremu’s

J.A.J. Seon

[19 Jan 1859]

On the 19th January 1859 at Lands End, Akaroa Bay, I baptised privately by the name of Elizabeth a female child born in the same place on the 27th of October 1858 of Michael Courville & Sarah Wright, his lawful wife. She has received the holy Chrism.

J .A.J. Seon.

[26 Jan 1859]

On the 26th January 1859 - Marriage of J. Flutey at Okain's Bay, district of Akaroa. [Written up in full in the Register. See second-last entry below.]

[27 Jan 1859]

On the 27th January 1859 at Lavarick Bay district of Akaroa, I the undersigned baptised by the name of Timothy a male child born at Okain’s Bay on the 21st September 1858 of William Henry Webb & Margaret Goff [Gough] his lawful wife.

Godfather Timothy Hurley & godmother ... Godded [Godard?] represented by Margaret White.

J.A.J. Seon

[1 Feb 1859]

On the 1st of February 1859 in the cath church at Akaroa I the undersigned baptised the following children

1. by the name of Auguste Joseph a male child born at Akaroa on the 5th September 1858 of Etienne Francois Lelievre & Justine Malmanche his lawful wife. Godfather Hyppolite Gendrot, Godmother Josephine Malmanche.

2. by the name of Marie a female child born at Akaroa on the 13th October 1857 of Lucien Libeau & Clemence Gendrot his lawful wife. Godfather François Libeau. Godmother Josephine Gendrot.

3. by the name of Victoire Clemence a female child born at Akaroa on. the 9 th of December 1858 of Lucien Libeau & Clemence Gendrot, his lawful wife. Godfather Hyppolite Gendrot, Godmother Clemence Libeau.

J.A.J. Seon

On the 1st February 1859 in the Akaroa chapel, marriage of Pierre Malmanche and Elizabeth Hamilton. [Also in full in the Register]

J.A.J. Seon

[3 Feb 1859]

On the 3rd February 1859 at Akaruru or Cough Bay [Okaruru or Goughs Bay] conditional baptism of Erihapeti Tapipi widow of Hohua te Pori and her reception into the Catholic Church.

Seon.

[5 Feb 1859]

On the 5th February 1859 at Longbay district of Akaroa I the undersigned baptised two male children - the first by the name of François Eleonor - the second by the name of John Edward – both born of François Eleonor Narbet [Narbey] farmer and Mary Magee his lawful wife - François Eleanor being born in Longbay on the 15th October 1857

Godmother Mary Magee.

John Edward born in Long bay on the 20th January 1859

Godmother Jane Magee .

J.A.J. Seon

[9 Feb 1859]

On the 9th February 1849 [for 1859 ] at Akaroa I the undersigned baptised by the name of Henry Adolphe a male born in the same place, on the 11th October 1857 of Joseph Libeau & Mary Ann Hedgman his lawful [second] wife. Godfather Adolphe Leproux. Godmother Louise Benoit.

Seon.

[13 Feb 1859]

The 13th februar. 1859 at Akaroa, marriage of François Dessarthe & Ellen Fleuret. Witnesses: Massey, Hyppo[lite] Gendrot.

Seon.

[2 Mar 1859]

The 2nd of March 1859 First Communion of three children of Mr Webb. Robert Night and Joseph and William Henry Webb [Robert Knight, Joseph Knight, and William Henry Webb - Mr Webb having married the widowed Mrs Knight (maiden name Gough) ] at Laverick’s bay ..

[3 Mar 1859]

On the 3rd March 1859 at Okain's bay I the undersigned, baptised by the name of William a male child born on the 19th September 1858 in the same place of John Flutey and of the late Elen Puwha his lawful wife. Godfather Joseph [K]night.

J.A.J. Seon

[10 Mar 1859]

On the 10th March 1859 at Waikakahi district of Akaroa was baptised te Matenga [Martin] te Rapa about 40 years old, Godfather Paurini Hirawea at the same time & in the same place he was married to Kuini Hipinga with license. Witnesses Paurini Hirawea and Rora Nikuru.

J.A .J. Seon, Cath pr