Early New Zealand Photographers: September 2025

Huddleston Album

An album of 48 cartes de visite possibly belonging to Lilly Sophia Huddleston.

Lilly Sophia Huddleston born 21 September 1856 Masulipatnam, Madras [now Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh], India the daughter of Mary Elizabeth Cooke and Henry Bogie Huddleston, civil engineer, architect, surveyor. Arrived Sydney, New South Wales from Madras 8 December 1857 on the bargue "Rapid" [1]. Departed Sydney 28 January 1858 on the schooner "Ocean Queen" [2], arrived Nelson 14 February 1858 [3]. She died 16 May 1938 Blenheim, New Zealand, reg. 1938/18168, buried Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim.

Obituary

There passed away at Blenheim on Monday, after failing health for the past five months, a very old and highly respected resident of the district in the person of Miss Lilly Huddleston, who was the elder daughter of the late Mr and Mrs H. B. Huddleston. Born in Masulipatam, India, she came to New Zealand with her parents at an early age, her father, the late Mr H. B. Huddleston, C.E., being stationed in the Nelson district as a surveyor.

Miss Huddleston took a keen interest in all matters in connection with the Church of the Nativity, of which she was a devoted member. She was also a Sunday school teacher for over 25 years. She had also given religious instruction in the public school, and past and present scholars have kindly recollections of her teachings. The Misses Huddleston, of "Beverley," and Mrs A. F. Bent are her sisters, and brothers are Mr H. B. Huddleston (Central Australia), Mr V. A. Huddleston (Auckland), and Mr A. Huddleston (Blenheim).

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXII, Issue 116, 19 May 1938, Page 4

notes:

[1] Mr and Mrs Huddleston and daughter. The Sydney Morning Herald 9 December 1857, page 4

[2] Mr and Mrs Huddleston, 2 children. The Sydney Morning Herald 29 January 1858. page 4

[3] Mr and Mrs Huddleston, 2 children. Colonist, Issue 34, 16 February 1858, Page 2. A son, Joseph Cotton Huddleston was born either during the voyage to Sydney or in Sydney. Ancesty.com indicates he was born at sea on 21 January 1857, however the family was in Sydney at that time.

not identified

Mrs Martindale

Jessie Isabella Haggerston, born circa 1832, died 18 September 1892 aged 60 years, reg. 1892/4181

album inscription "Mr and Mrs Martindale. He had something to do with the Lyttelton Tunnel"

Robert Wilkinson Martindale, foreman to Messrs Holmes and Richardson, contractors for the Lyttelton Rail Tunnel. He died 7 February 1892 aged 61 years.

album inscription "H. B. Huddleston"

Henry Bogie Huddleston born 16 March 1828 Liverpool, died 4 August 1922 at his residence "Beverley," Blenheim aged 94 years, buried Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim.

Within a month there have passed away at their residence, "Beverly [sic]," Blenheim, two old and highly respected residents of the district, in the persons of Mr Henry B. Huddleston, C.E., and Mary Elizabeth Huddleston, at the advanced ages of 94 and 86 years respectively.

The late Mr Huddleston was born in Liverpool on March 16, 1828, and was educated there. He followed his profession of civil engineer and architect in India, and from there he went to Melbourne, after which he settled in Nelson. Then he proceeded to Christchurch and finally settled at Blenheim, spending here 40 of his 63 years of residence in New Zealand.

He married a daughter of the late Major Thomas William Cooke, H.E.I.C.S. Mrs Mary E. Huddleston, who survived her husband by only one month, was born at St. Thome, Madras, in 1826, and was educated at Paris. She came to New Zealand with her husband in 1859 from Melbourne. They were predeceased by two sons, and they leave five daughters and six sons to mourn their loss.

Marlborough Express, Volume LVI, Issue 207, 9 September 1922, Page 4

reverse inscription: "Mary Blair Faye?"

not identified

album inscription "Polly Lewis (Mrs Robinson) daughter of the early Surveyor"

Mary Ann Lewis born 18 November 1855, Nelson, died 26 October 1945 Nelson, married Edward Aldis Robinson in 1876. Her father was Henry Lewis, [Lewis Pass] Chief Surveyor in Nelson, a sister Eleanor Lewis was married to Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson [Arthur's Pass] in 1866. Dobson's sister Mary Dobson married Sir Julius von Haast [Haast Pass] in 1863.

"Lily" = Lilly Sophia Augusta Huddleston?

not identified

10.

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11.

not identified

12.

not identified

13.

not identified

14.

not identified

15.

not identified

16.

album inscription "Andrew Le Fleming & his sister. Son & daughter of Sir Michael"

Sir Andrew Fleming Huddleston Le Fleming 1855 or 1856-1925 and Isabella Emily “Eliza” Le Fleming 1858-1927

17.

album inscription "Aunt Florence (Cooke) Webb-Bowen"

Florence Angela Cooke born 18 March 1845, died 18 February 1902 Nelson, New Zealand

daughter of Thomas William Cooke and Augusta Matilda Chapman, married 1870 Charles Hugh Webb-Bowen.

18.

not identified

19.

album inscription "Cousins. Charles, Flossie & Dora Webb-Bowen"

Charles Hugh Augustus Forrester Webb-Bowen 1871-1957, Florence Emma Wilhelmina Webb-Bowen 1877-1958 and Theodora Matilda Josephine Webb-Bowen 1875-1952, children of Charles Hugh Webb-Bowen and Florence Angela Cooke [17. above].

20.

not identified

21.

reverse inscription "Minnie to Uncle Robert with love"

not identified

22.

album inscription "Grandfather Huddleston. Father of H. B. Huddleston"

James William Bogie Huddleston born 17 August 1799 Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, died 23 July 1885 at the residence of his grandson, Kaikoura, father of Henry Bogie Huddleston, 1828-1922.

[same person as 27 below]

23.

album inscription "Judge Richmond"

Not Judge Richmond [see his photograph below], this appears to be a photograph of William Rolleston, 1831-1903, Superintendent of the Canterbury Province.

Judge Richmond - Christopher William Richmond - known as William Richmond, 1821-1895

24.

album inscription "Arthur Sladden"

Photographed by Connolly, Beauchamp & Price in Wellington probably about 1889 or 1890.

Arthur Julius Sladdon born 27 August 1872 Christchurch, died 12 May 1940 Tauranga, son of Elizabeth Letitia Coster and Dilnot Sladden. His parents were married at St Marks Church, Opawa, Christchurch on 8 March 1866. He was a brother of Bernard Sladden, 1879-1961 and his uncles included Edward Stafford Coster, 1843-1914 and John Lewis Coster M.P., 1838-1886. His mother was the youngest daughter of Dr John Willis Coster.

Obituary

Mr Arthur Sladden

On Sunday night the death occurred of Mr Arthur Sladden, well known resident of Tauranga, at the age of 68 years. For some few years Mr Sladden had suffered from poor health, but a turn for the worse last week made it necessary for him to enter hospital, and he failed to recover.

Mr Sladden was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs Dilmot [sic] Sladden. early pioneers of New Zealand, and runholders in Canterbury for many years. As a youth he went to Wellington College, and later joined the staff of the National Bank, remaining at the Head Office in Wellington until his retirement in 1913. In this year he retired in order to join his brother, Mr Bernard Sladden, and go farming in the Opotiki district. The brothers were very successful, and after Mr Bernard Sladden enlisted for active service in the Great War, Mr Arthur Sladden carried on. After the war the two continued farming until 1920, when they sold out and came to live at Judea. A few years later, however, they sold their lovely home, and Mr Bernard Sladden again took up some land down the coast. Mr Arthur Sladden divided his time between Tauranga and the farm, staying while here with Mrs F.. H. Hammond of Cameron Road.

His main interests were bowling and trout fishing, and he enjoyed these sports until quite recently. In his early life he took a keen interest in rifle shooting, and had shot with the well known Ballinger Bros, of Petone for many years in that Club. Racing also interested Mr Sladden and he had had a long association with the Bay of Plenty Racing Club.

Always keen on any beautifying work, Mr Sladden was a keen supporter of the old Tauranka Society, and had put in many a day’s work on some of Tauranga’s historical spots. Again he was a member of the first Provisional Electrical Committee in Tauranga, but went on a trip to England just prior to the formation of the Electrical Power Board.

He had many friends in Tauranga who will sincerely regret his death, and condolences will be extended to his three sisters who live at Eastbourne, Wellington, and his brothers, Mr Hubert Sladden, Mr E. M. Sladden. and Mr P. J. Sladden, also of Wellington, and particularly to Mr Bernard Sladden of Tauranga.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 13035, 14 May 1940, Page 4

25.

album inscription: "Mrs Harry Brittan nee Miss S. J. Grace sister of Archdeacon Grace"

Sarah Jane Grace daughter of Rev. Thomas Samuel Grace and Agnes Fearon, born 27 June 1859, died 20 October 1939 Auckland, New Zealand, married January 1889 Harry Lyttelton Brittan son of William Guise Brittan and Louisa Chandler.

26.

not identified

27.

James William Bogie Huddleston born 17 August 1799 Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, died 23 July 1885 at the residence of his grandson, Kaikoura, father of Henry Bogie Huddleston, 1828-1922.

[same person as 22 above]

28.

not identified

29.

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30.

not identified

31.

not identified

32.

reverse inscription "Thomas Sabine Pasley"

Admiral Sir Thomas Sabine Pasley, 2nd Baronet, 1804-1884 son of Major John Sabine and Maria Pasley the daughter of Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley, 1st Baronet.

33.

not identified

34.

not identified

35.

not identified

36.

reverse inscription "Mr Gratton Cooke"

probably Gratton Sherwood Cooke born 23 June 1846, Madras, India, died 16 December 1908 Richmond, Nelson aged 62. Brother of Florence Angela Cooke - see 17 above.

[This man pictured appears to be older than someone who died aged 62 in 1908]

37.

H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Marie

38.

reverse inscription: "18/11/73 This is the picture of R P M Gown[?]"

39.

album inscription "Alfed Villette (Called by another Aunt Lil nee Kiallnard"

40.

not identified

41.

not identified

42.

reverse inscription: "Maurice D. Bent aged 9"

Maurice Daniel Bent born 5 September 1891 Islington, London, died 13 February 1979 Eastbourne, East Sussex.

43.

not identified

44.

identified as Henry Matson died 4 October 1885 Papanui aged 71 years

Founder of H. Matson & Co., Cashel Street, Christchurch.

The Weekly Press Jubilee Number - December 15th 1900

Obituary.

Henry Matson Another of our most respected old settlers, Mr Henry Matson, passed away on Saturday, the 24th inst., at about six o'clock p.m., after a most painful illness of long duration, aged seventy-one years. Mr Matson was well connected with one of the old families of that name in Kent, England. His history is one of considerable interest, and is closely connected with the early settlement of Victoria, Australia. He left England as chief officer on hoard the ship George III., bound for Batavia, via Hobart Town, Tasmania, and was shipwrecked in D'Eetnecataux Channel on 1st April, 1835, having left England on the 12th January the same year. On the 8th May he was appointed Tide Surveyor and Harbor-master in his late Majesty's Customs in George Town, Tasmanian Heads, Tasmania. He also has the distinguished honor, in his official capacity, to clear out from the Customs the early pioneers and first settlers of Port, Phillip, who took their departure from Launceston, Tasmania, in a small sailing vessel called the Rebecca, Captain Lancey, which left the port of Launceston on the 12th and arrived at Indented Heads, Port Phillip, on the 26th of same month. The names of the gentlemen, who constituted the Association, were:- John Batman (leader and inaugmator, together with a number of his Sydney aboriginals), Messrs Swanston, Wedge, Sinclair, Bannister, Simpson, Gellibrand, Arthur, J. and W. Robinson, Collecot, Cotterell, Sam Connelly and Mercer, who were the recognised founders of the now most thickly populated colony of tho Australasian group.

Mr Matron resigned his appointment under the Tasmanian Government on the 22nd September, 1838, left for Port Phillip, and became one of the early settlers. His brother James preceded him a few months, and was believed to be the first white man to land in Port Henry, Geelong. The two brothers took up a station at Colac, which they subsequently sold to Denis Brothers. After an absence in Tasmania, Mr Henry Matson returned to Port Phillip in December, 1843. He then purchased the following stations, viz, the Acheron, November, 1849, on the Goulbourne River, sold it in the following year, and then purchased the Bullengowrooka station, delivered to him 1st January, 1851.

He was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the colony of Victoria, and on 28th May, 1853, was sworn in before their Honors Judges Williams and Barry. After selling the latter station he worked, in conjunction with his brother, James Matson, the Bacchus Marsh stone quarries from which in 1857 the Public Treasury, several churches, and Government and private buildings in the city of Melbourne were erected.

Mr Matson left Victoria for New, Zealand, and arrived at Port Lyttelton on 21st January, 1862, and joined Mr Torlesse in business in Christchurch as import and export merchants, &c, which business subsequently merged into the present firm of H. Matson and Co., Cashel Street, Christchurch, from which he retired in favour of his son, Mr J. T. Matson, about eight years since.

He has been in declining health for some time past, and has been a great sufferer. He was a man of a most amiable disposition, and was greatly liked and respected by all who knew him. He leaves his sorrowing wife and children to mourn his loss.

Press, Volume XLII, Issue 6272, 26 October 1885, Page 2