The Descendants of William Pursey

G.S.B.'s farm in England before he went to New Zealand was at Street inSomerset. - (PCB 30 August 1999)
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The following death notice dated Nov., 16 1916 is pasted into the G S Bbible:
"BARTRUM - At the residence of his son-in-law, T. L. Flaus, GeorgeStothert Bartrum, late of Rangiora; aged 89 years."
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An obituary (undated) is pasted into the G S B bible:

"Mr George Stothert Bartrum, whose death occurred on Thursdaymorning, arrived at Lyttelton by the ship Stag on May 24 1851 [should be1852], thus in point of time just missed the honour of being classed asone of the arrivals in the first four ships. He was educated in Englandas a cival engineer, but as the scope for his professional services waslimited in this country he took up farming persuits. He also engaged inthe business of bringing limestone up the estuary to the Heathcote. MrBartrum was much interested in religious activities. He had a family ofthree sonsand six daughters, vis., Messrs B Bartrum (deceased), G.Bartrum, F. Bartrum, Miss Bartrum (England), and Mesdames Ivory, Opie,(deceased), Robinson, Baker, and T. L. Flaus."
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G. Bartrum. Prize Fighter.
The following is an extract from "Beyond the Waimakariri" , a regionalhistory D. N. Hawkins. Whitcomb and Tombs Ltd., Christchurch 1957. pp416,417.

"In view of the recent revival of boxing in Kaiapoi, it might bewell toconclude this social and sporting survey with a brief account ofan extraordinary incident which occurred on the banks of the Waimakaririon 8 July 1862. It proved unfortunate for several people that InspectorWilliam Revell of the Kaiapoi police should be on his way to Christchurchon that particular day, for, after alighting at Felton's ferry, he lookedinat the Courtenay Arms and there he heard that a prize-fight was aboutto take place near by. Prize-fighting was illegal, so, accompanied byFelton, who was a special constable, he followed a mob of peopleobviously interested in the fight. The group led Revell along a track toJohn Beswick's old house, then occupied by Charles Turner, and there hefound a boxing ring enclosed by ropes hidden behind a hedge, and onecontestant preparing himself for the engagement. Revell immediately rodeforward through the large crowd - estimated at several hundred - drew hisrevolver and ordered that the bout be abandoned, cutting the ropes as hedid so. The onlookers became angry, and a crowd was jostling him out ofthe ring when two more mounted constables rode up. At this show ofauthority the crowd moved away to set up a ring elsewhere, but aftergoing in several directions to confuse the police returned to the oldring and reset the ropes.
By this time the two contestants, Harry Jones and George Bartrum,had stripped, but in attempting to stop them Revell was again roughlyhandled and was struck by a bottle and by clods, and the constables wereforciblydismounted and treated likewise. Powerless to prevent the bout,the inspector could only watch it proceed. Each fighter had his seconds,and a referee was in command. After an hour Jones had battered Bartrumseverelyand the fight was stopped.
The last round was fought out in the Christchurch Supreme Courtwhere Bartrum's defence - that a magistrate had encouraged him, and hadbacked him, and had then sat in judgment upon him - availed him nothing.The judge considered it to be not a brawl but a prize-fight, Canterbury'sfirstin fact, and, because the case was unique, he would be lenient. Thefighters were sentenced to one month in gaol while their officials weredischarged on £100 recognizances to keep the peace for a year. No actionwas taken against those who had assaulted the police, although they wereall well known. Surely this was another age!
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The following was photocopied from a volume in the New Zealand Room at the Henry Field Library, Christchurch Teachers' College when I was therein 1979/80. Unfortunately I didn't note the source. It was contained in a section called "Rangiora" under a sub heading - "Old Colonists". (BRB31.8.1999)
Mr. GEORGE BARTRUM was born at Bath England, in 1827. He was brought up as a surveyor, and also gained experience of farming. In May 1852 he arrived at Lyttelton by the ship "Stag" and was for some years settled on the Ferry Road, Christchurch, where he grew wheat, and other crops for the support of his household, and used as spade in preparing the ground.In 1867 Mr Bartrum settled in the Rangiora district, and was for sometime engaged in carting. Afterwards he commenced farming over the Ashley river, and at a later period removed to the neighbourhood of Woodend, where he was occupied in agricultural pursuits. For some years he has resided in King Street, Rangiora. Mr Bartrum was married on the 29th of December, 1851, to a daughter of the late Mr. J. Pursey, of Somersetshire, England, and has three sons and six daughters, with whom he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding in April 1902
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Letter from GSB to a daughter Louisa Taylor Opie. Unfortunately only the first leaf survives.
Rangiora 23 July 1891
My dear Louisa,
When enclosing to you a photo of my brother John and his wife taken in commemoration of his golden wedding day I may as well send a few lines. I’m sure you will feel pleased both at your Uncle Johns thoughtfulness and for his nephews and nieces in sending a copy for each member of our household and at the photo itself, which speaks volumes;one item being the perennial character of true love, another being the manifestation of the glory of God ascribed to Him in the motto "Goodness and mercy have followed us all our days" "In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." I hope that you and Charlie may be so richly endowed from above that whether your time on earth be brief or extended you may be as useful to those around you as my brother John has been, and that you have as bright a hope of a glorious eternity -
Nelly had a bad turn a month ago but is better again now. She takes turnabout with your mother in visiting each day, with this difference that Nelly does nothing here - while her mother works a deal when there. I am thankful to say the latter keeps very well. Alice is at Mr. Cumberworths for these last 3 weeks Mrs C having not long having been confined. Georges old his horse when here and returned to Creek Station by rail. All the other members of our family are very well. Having sheep on the riverbeds,my attention in daytime is almost exclusively devoted to minding them.
Your mother’s eye has kept very well -
(End of side 2.)
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Letter from GSB to granddaughter, Rita Opie.
384 Manchester Street Christchurch
August 23 1915
My dear Rita
I have just received the epistle from our much loved grandaughter which was dated Aug 15 and has been redirected to me here as I left instructions before leaving Nelson. I thank you for your compassion on my loneliness when at a boarding house at Nelson, where some 8 young men beside casuals were making it their temporary home, among whom none were like minded to the writer. I am pleased to hear that you are all well and that Vivie is having a short rest from her labours at Okuku, which Leila is endeavouring to fill up, and where possibly she will give more profitable experiences because practicable - I must tell you that I am here since arriving in Christchurch from Nelson via Wellington on Saturday morning feeling this to be as it were a convalescent home, as my vital or physical energies are at a low ebb just at present. When circumstances (as the shipowners say) permit I desire to go to Rangiora,to arrange home ? matters.
On board the Maori which carried 300 Kaki (sic) men who were coming to the south island for their 9 days recuperation. I had conversation with Cyril Bartrum who says that he joined on May 29th and will be with his contingent leaving New Zealand in about 6 weeks time. He told me that Otira has gone to Egypt, whether his information is correct I cannot say.Cyril has naturally gone first to his own home and birthplace, but intends, so he says making short visits to most of his relatives and acquaintances before he leaves - Perhaps the officials may not give them another opportunity for visiting relatives before leaving for active service.
This is the only letter such as it is that I am likely to write today, as my correspondence is collected in my trunk now at the Railway station.
Mr Flaus did not look in the best of health, Alice seems to be very well- was very busy on Saturday at home embellishments - Today Alice is manoeuvring with a lot of clothes at the washtub.
Trusting that all is well - with you all and that God’s blessing may rest on us all. I remain Affectionately yours
Geo. S. Bartrum
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Letter from GSB to his daughter Alice in Christchurch. NZ.
Rangiora 8 a.m. 9 Sept 1915
My dear Alice
Many thanks for your kind note and feeling for me - may the Lord recompense you as He surely will - I am glad to receive that loving old ( )N P J Durey communications (?) , stirring one up to more love - the greatest of God’s gifts - His orthography may be criticised but his ideas are worthy-
I am much better thank God, my cold is evaporated, sleep better than I did - work very much harder for I am getting the section I occupy in readiness for sowing onions over all of it for it may be let or sold when a buyer will take it. I have a big schoolboy now the holidays are on- working for me from 9-a.m. till noon - Haven’t had time for visiting yet, not even Mr Bevington. You will be pleased to have Tom again with you, I hope that he has got another job - A working man without a job is a miserable man - The mornings are very cold - my fingers prevent me from fine penmanship. In these times of great stress let us be thankful,prayerful -generous and patient - with perfect trust in Him who alone is able to deliver. In sincere love
Geo. S. Bartrum