BLACKBRIDGE CEMETERY

David Speedy married Elizabeth Caroline Fagan in 1862.

 

Their children were - Eliza Caroline 1863, Emily Christine 1865, N R 1866, Marion Clara 1869, Edwin 1870, N R 1873, Stephen 1874, Sylvia Winnifred 1879.

 

Peter remained in the Hutt Valley, farming part of the original Speedy holding at Belmont. He was very involved in local affairs, as these newspaper reports show.

 

To make the bill of fare however complete, the following three horses entered for a Hurdle Race, we did not witness the running ourselves but the following was the issue. Once round and a distance.

 

Mr. Speedy's               Quay                            1

Mr. Serancke’s            Gay                             2

Mr. Ames'                   Clear the Way              3

 

This concluded the Hutt Races for 1860. The weather was throughout all that could be desired and the course was visited during both days by His Honor the Superintendent and others the elite of Wellington, Wanganui and elsewhere, and we cannot but here again express our highest commendation of the management of all who have in any way been instrumental in promoting these sports. (Wellington Independent 16 March 1860)

 

HUTT VOLUNTEERS - At two o'clock the same day, 55 of the Hutt Rifle Volunteers, with their band, met on the parade ground. This company went through the manual, platoon, company, and light infantry drill under Captain Speedy, proving company drill, &c. by Lieutenant a Hall and Ensign Mason.       Wellington Independent, 26 January 1869.

 

The nomination of candidates for election as representatives of the Epuni riding in the Hutt County Council took place at the Court-House at noon on Thursday. There were three nominations for the two seats required to be filled. Mr. David Speedy, Western Hutt, was proposed by Mr. John Ross, Taita, seconded by Mr. William Buick, Petoni. Mr. James Knight, Lower Hutt, was proposed by Mr. George M'Ilvride, seconded by Samuel Sanson. Mr. Thomas Mason, Taita, was proposed by Dr. Wilford, seconded by Mr. John White. The show of hands was for Mr. Speedy six for Mr. Knight, nine; for Mr. Mason sixteen. A poll was demanded by Mr. Speedy, and was appointed to take at the Court-House Lower Hutt, on Friday, the 22nd instant.   (Evening Post 15 December 1876)

 

The monthly meeting of the Hutt County Council was held yesterday, and was attended by Councillors Taylor (chairman), Perkins, Falkner, Speedy, Brown, Jones, and Monaghan. On the motion of Councillor Monaghan, seconded by Councillor Speedy, it was decided to endorse the resolution of the Bruce County Council, affirming the principle that County Councils should support their own poor, and that the contributions to the Hospital be in proportion to the cost of each patient and to request the member for the district to place the matter before Parliament. Notice was received from the District Land Registrar that unless a caveat were lodged, seven acres of section 35, Hutt district, would be brought under the Land Transfer Act. It appeared that some encroachment had been made upon the road by settlers at this point. The Council empowered the Chairman to lodge a caveat objecting to any portion of the main road being enclosed within Mr. James Groves' boundary.       (12/1/1887 Evening Post)

 

The monthly meeting of the Wellington District Road Board was held at the Board's office yesterday, at noon. Present - D. Speedy, in the chair, Messrs. Perkins, Jones, and Wakeham. In the absence of the Chairman, Mr. Speedy was voted to the chair. Mr. Perkins was instructed to obtain the signatures of Messrs. Gorrie and Burrell to the agreement and plan of sale of certain pieces of land required by the Government for a railway crossing at Parkes' line, Mungaroa. The Chairman was authorised to sign a plan of Hutt Park, Petone, allotments, being part of section 10, Hutt district, if required for the purpose of registration under the Land Transfer Act. Accounts were passed for payment, amounting to £103 0s 10d, and the meeting closed. (4 November 1886, Evening Post)

 

A meeting of the Lower Hutt School Committee was held in the Schoolhouse yesterday. Present - Mr. David Speedy in the chair Messrs M'Nab, Cudby, Jones, and Damant. The Inspector's report of the late examination was received and read. It showed good general results, the percentage of passes being 87. Accounts amounting to £2 15s were passed for payment. The Chairman reported that the amount collected for children's treat and prizes was £17 14s, and that the expenditure in connection with the treat (including £6 6s for books and £2 2s given for prizes in the paddock) was £l5 15s. It was resolved, that the Committee desire to express their satisfaction at the manner in which the prizes were awarded at the breaking-up of the school.       (Evening Post 12 January 1886)

 

Resignation of a School Committee. A meeting of the Lower Hutt School Committee was held in the Schoolhouse, Hutt, on Tuesday evening last. Mr. David Speedy was in the chair, and there were also present Messrs. Knight, Cudby, M'Nab, Jones, Caverhill, and Damant. A letter was received and road from the Education Board, enclosing a copy of the Board's decision, acquitting Mr. Richards, the headmaster, on the charges brought against him. The following resolution was then unanimously passed. “That this Committee being dissatisfied with the decision arrived at by the Education Board on the charges brought against Mr. Richards, the headmaster of this school, they therefore tender their resignation as a Committee, and that the clerk be instructed to forward the same to the Chairman of the Education Board at once."    Evening Post, 8 April 1886,

 

Public Cemetery for the Hutt, Petone, and Taita. A meeting of residents of the above district was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lower Hutt, last evening, for the purpose of nominating trustees for the public cemetery for the districts of Hutt, Petone, and Taita, for approval by his Excellency the Governor. Mr. H. Damant, in the absence of the Chairman of the Hutt County Council, who convened the meeting, read the advertisement convening the meeting, and Mr. David Speedy was voted to the chair. The Chairman stated the object of the meeting, and said the land was situated at the Taita, but he was unable to say whether it was suitable for the purpose for which it was intended but it would be advisable to proceed with the nomination. Mr. Damant said the land was part of section 44, and, as far as he knew, it was all hilly land. About four years ago he had observed that the churchyards were getting crowded, and had foreseen the necessity for a public burying ground. At that time little interest was taken in the matter, but lately the Vestry of St. James', Lower Hutt, had taken action to get the Taita cemetery for the use of all denominations in the district, and they had made a report on the question to the Hutt County Council, and as a result the present meeting had been called. The section had been vested in the then Superintendent of the Province (the late Dr. Featherston) as long ago as 1857. Mr. Brown said there was another section adjoining the proposed cemetery, which it might be advisable to purchase. Captain Humfrey moved that two gentlemen from each denomination should be nominated. Mr. W. J. Kirk seconded the resolution, which was carried without dissent. The following gentlemen were then nominated Messrs. W. A. Fitzherbert and Henry Jackson (Anglican), James Knight and W. J. Kirk (Wesleyan), C. E. Bunny and Jno. Kavanagh (Roman Catholic), D. Speedy and G. M'Ilvride (Presbyterian) A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

Evening Post, 7 September 1887

 

DISTRICT PRIZE FIRING. The Hutt Rifle Volunteers met at the Taita target on Thursday last, to compete for the above prizes. The day was very fine, with a light breeze from the N.W. Only about half of the company competed, and the subjoined is the score:

Captain Mills                           20

Ensign Farmer                         35

Sergeant John Cole                 25

Sergeant D. Speedy                41

Corporal J. H Speedy              43       

Corporal Mason                      39

(Officer’s scores only recorded here.)

 

Looking at shipping records for the Wellington area over a number of years, it is obvious that David Speedy was very involved in producing potatoes.

 

Wellington Independent, 27 June 1862, Exports:  In the Storm Bird, Duncan & Vermeil, Agents, 28 bags potatoes, Speedy: 1 horse, Captain Russell. June 24, s.s. Storm Bird, 105 tons, George Mundle, for Napier via Castle Point.         

 

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 24 September 1864, Exports - In the Wonga Wonga, for Castle Point, Napier, and Auckland— 2 bags potatoes, Speedy.

 

MR. DAVID SPEEDY. An old and well-known settler at Belmont, Mr. David Speedy, died at his residence. Methvyn, yesterday after a short illness. For many years he has been intimately connected with the affairs of the district, particularly as the representative of the Belmont Riding in the Hutt County Council. During the Maori troubles in the early sixties Mr. Speedy joined the first rifle company formed in the Hutt, and he eventually became its captain, which rank he held until the corps was disbanded. He was elected a member of the first Hutt Highway Board, and when this was merged into the Wellington District Road Board he was elected to a seat on that body, which he retained until the Board was merged in the Hntt County Council. Twice at least he has filled the office of Chairman of the County Council, and he was, as a matter of fact, its presiding officer at the time of his death, having been elected by the unanimous vote of his fellow Councillors only a few weeks ago. He has also at various times represented the county on both the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and also on the Wellington Harbour Board, being first elected to the latter body in February, 1888, and re-elected again in 1890 and 1892, so that he sat as a member of the Board for six years. The cause of death was acute inflammation of the bowels. Mr. Speedy, who was widely esteemed both in and out of the Hutt district, was 61 years of age, and he leaves a grown-up family, and also, we believe, brothers who are farming in the Hawkes Bay district. He is to be buried at 9 o'clock on Sunday next.   Evening Post, 31 December 1897

 

The remains of the late Mr. David Speedy Chairman of the Hutt County Council, were interred in the Presbyterian Cemetery at the Black Bridge, Lower Hutt, yesterday. The Rev. Mr. Gray read the burial service. The deceased gentleman was respected from one end of the Hutt Valley to the other, and the funeral was the largest seen in the district for a long time            (Evening Post, 3 January 1898)

 

DEATHS.     Speedy - On the 11th March, 1912, at Palmerston North, Elizabeth Caroline, relict of the late David Speedy, of Belmont, Lower Hutt, in her 71st year.          (13 March 1912, Evening Post)

 

The farm was named “Methvyn”, obviously after the village of Methven in Perthshire where David and Helen had married in 1826.

 

MARGARET SPEEDY married Charles Samuel Barnes in 1864.

 

Barnes— Speedy— On the 20th October, in the Presbyterian Church, Willis Street, by Rev John Moir, Charles Samuel Barnes, Esq., of Hawke's Bay, to Margaret Speedy daughter of the late Mr Speedy. Hutt.             (12 November 1864)

 

They appear to have only one child, Helen, who was born in 1868.

 

Charles Samuel Barnes died in 1885 at the age of 49. It is not clear as to whether Margaret re-married.

 

PETER SPEEDY married Matilda Milne in 1868. Their children were; Grace Milne 1869, David 1871, Ellen 1873, Elizabeth Agnes 1875, William Alexander 1880, Mary Florence 1883, John 1886, Matilda May 1887, Margaret 1889, Hortense 1892.

 

There is little information available about this family, apart from two newspaper reports involving sheep, and two very comprehensive obituaries in the Evening Post in 1924 and 1931.

 

In the Wellington Independent, of 26 November 1870 there is a report concerning the number of sheep in the wider Wellington district, and the state of them. The number of Sheep returned for the year ending 31st May, amount to 75,928

 

Peter Speedy is recorded as having 550, sheep, valued at £1  2  11. They are described as being clean, which means they did not have problems with scab.         

  

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

 

Thursday, February 20. (Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M.) Sheepstealing. Charles D….. was charged with having stolen eleven sheep from J. and H. Barber, and also with stealing three sheep from Peter Speedy, all the parties being sheep farmers at the Hutt. Mr J. G. Allan appeared on behalf of the accused. The Inspector of Police prosecuted. It having been agreed to proceed with the charges separately, that of stealing Speedy's sheep was gone into. Peter Speedy deposed that on the 6th of the present month he missed some sheep, and went to prisoner's place in search of them under the impression that they might have strayed away. Saw prisoner, and told him he had come to see if any of the missing sheep had got amongst his flock. Asked him to muster his sheep. He promised to do so next day. On going the following day when the sheep were mustered, did not find any of the missing sheep amongst the mob. There were between 50 and 70 sheep altogether, but witness could not recognise his mark on any of them. Asked prisoner if these were all he had, and he said they were. Went and found a pen about 300 yards from the first one, and alongside of a furze hedge found eleven sheep with their legs tied and covered over with furze. Witness said, "There is something wrong here; the sheep look like mine." The prisoner came up and asked him what he was doing there, as the sheep did not belong to him. Witness said, "Let us pull off the furze and examine them," and at once commenced to do so. Witness, on examination, found that they resembled his sheep very much, but he missed his brand a nick in the top of the ear— as he noticed the half of the ear was freshly cut away, some of them being bleeding then. Said to prisoner, “These look like my sheep, are they not?” He denied it, and said "They're mine." Afterwards, however, he confessed that the sheep belonged to witness, and that he had taken them. He professed to be sorry, and said he would pay for them. By Mr Allen “I sold prisoner ten sheep about a fortnight before that. I had not missed all the sheep. Prisoner did not tell me he had marked sheep by mistake. When the prisoner admitted the sheep were mine I partly agreed to let him have them but afterwards thinking I had done wrong I took them away. I had no knowledge of the existence of the second pen until the day before. I don’t think the second pen had been long made. The sheep were of all ages. I don't brand my sheep. Some remarks being made by counsel about sheep straying, the Inspector of Police answered, “Sheep don't stray with their legs tied." On the application of Mr Allan, both charges were remanded till Tuesday next. (Wellington Independent, 21 February 1873)

 

OBITUARY   MR. PETER SPEEDY.

 

The recent death of Mr. Peter Speedy at Belmont removes one of the earliest settlers of the Hutt district. A son of the late Mr. David Speedy, who arrived here on the Lord William Bentinck in 1840, Mr. Speedy was born near Pipitea pa in 1841. He went as a child with his parents to live at what has been known for many years now as Belmont about 1844. His earliest days were passed under conditions associated with the early settlers in the outlying districts. During the Native troubles this family, with many others, were compelled to withdraw to the vicinity of the Hutt stockade. The family grew with the development of the district. The facilities for education were few; but young Speedy received sufficient tuition from the. Rev. Mr. Dron, at the Presbyterian Church at the Hutt. At quite an early age Mr Speedy did his share of the work on this selection in the Valley, assisting in felling the timber, and took his turn in the sawpits. As the ground was cleared he helped in the growing of wheat on the natural terraces on the hillside just below the Belmont station. In 1868 Mr. Speedy married a daughter of the late William Scott Milne, himself a well-known early settler, who arrived by the Lady Nugent in 1841. Mr. Milne then lived at Taita, on the opposite bank of' the Hutt river. Mr. Speedy confined his attention to sheep, as being the most suitable to the land. During the later troubles with the Natives, Mr. Speedy joined the local volunteers. The neighbourhood of Mr Speedy's residence is of particular historical interest, as.it is situated almost opposite the site of Boulcott's stockade, the scene of the attack by hostile Natives in 1846, and at the mouth of the gully through which the “Pari-rahoo" track runs by which those Natives came from the vicinity of Pahautanui. It will be remembered that this was the route followed by the friendly Natives, and. some of the local militia, when a move was made to attack Rangihaeta in the Pahautanui pa. The late Mr. Speedy, who was a man of retiring disposition, and took no part in local affairs, is survived by his widow and a family of ten children. There are seven daughters—Mrs. T. M'Ivor, Featherston; Mrs. J. M'Leod, Palmerston North; Mrs J. D. Skinner, Feilding; Mrs V. Farquhar, Palmerston North; Mrs. J. Keir, Seatoun; Mrs. F. Mason, Belmont; and Miss H. Speedy - and three sons—Messrs. D. Speedy, of Whakaronga; W. A. Speedy, Home-Mason, Belmont; and Miss H. Speedy; Belmont. There are nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.       (Evening Post 19 January 1924)

 

The death, occurred at her residence at Belmont recently of Mrs Matilda Speedy, who was in her 83rd year. She was among the oldest of the settlers of the Hutt Valley, and the eldest daughter of the late Mr. William Scott Milne of Taita. Born in the Hutt Valley in 1848, Mrs. Speedy was educated at the Rev. Mr. Dron's school, and later, at Wellington, was married to the late Mr. Peter Speedy, of Belmont, by the Rev. Mr. Moir. Her many friends will recall with pleasure her reminiscences of the early days of the Hutt Valley, which she lived to see pass through various stages of development to what it is today Among her reminiscences (which in these days of rapid-transport are of interest) she would tell of the laborious coach trip from Wellington to Belmont, which was undertaken when the late Mr. Speedy brought his bride home to the latter place, where she resided until her death. Mrs. Speedy was predeceased by her husband and one daughter, the late Mrs. F. A. Mason of Foxton, and is survived by three sons - Mr David Speedy (Palmerston North), Mr. William Speedy (Martinborough), Mr. Jack Speedy (Belmont), and six daughters, Mrs T M'Ivor (Featherston), Mrs. J. M'Leod (Palmerston North), Mrs. C. J. D. Skinner (Mahina Bay), Mrs. O. Farquhar (Palmerston North), Mrs. M. V. Keir (Seatoun), and Mrs. F. A. Stuart (Lower Hutt). There are nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.             (Evening Post, 16 June 1931)

Below is a photo of a memorial plaque which can be found at the foot of a large Wellingtonia tree close to Belmont Memorial Hall in Lower Hutt. Speedy Creek flows nearby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JAMES HUTTON SPEEDY married Alice Ellerm in 1879. Alice Anne Ellerm was born in 1854, daughter of Henry Benjamin Ellerm and Mary Ann Ellerm. James and Alice had seven children, Alexander Pringle 1880, Olwin 1881, Wilfred Norman 1883, Eunice Hutton 1885, Norval James 1888, Bernice Edna 1890, Clarice Meta 1893.

 

Alexander was born at Waipawa, Olwin at Feilding (Sandon does not appear to be a registration district at time) and the other five at Sandon. There is still a Speedy Road close to Ohakea Air Force Base, just west of what is now known as Sanson.  

 

The Ellerm family had been farming in the Hutt, but their farm was advertised for sale in 1875, and by 1878 they were established in the Sandon area.

 

Evening Post, 5 March 1883, The wife of Mr. James Speedy, of Sandon, who recently gave birth to a son, discovered yesterday that the infant had a well-developed double-tooth in the back of his mouth. There were not the slightest signs of any other teeth coming. The occurrence is a very rare one, but cases have been known of children being born with a full set of teeth. This precocious infant is evidently speedy by nature as well as by name.    Evening Post, 5 March 1883

 

James Speedy died 1927 in Hamilton, aged 82.

 

OBITUARY.

MR. JAMES HUTTON SPEEDY. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Wednesday. The death occurred at Hamilton this morning of Mr. James Hutton Speedy, at the age of 82 years. Born at Hutt in 1845, Mr. Speedy saw service in the volunteer corps in the days of Te Kooti. Mr. Speedy took up land in the Manawatu district, and in 1902 he acquired a large block of land at Tuhikaramea, in the Waikato. He retired five years later and took up residence in Frankton. He was for many years a justice of the peace. He leaves a widow, four sons and one daughter.  New Zealand Herald, 21 April 1927, 

 

NOTE. Tuhikaramea Road still exists, a short distance south-west of Hamilton.

 

Alice Speedy died in 1938 aged 84

 

WILLIAM SPEEDY, brother of David Snr also arrived on the Lord William Bentinck in 1841. He is described as an Agricultural Labourer, aged 29, together with his wife Anne, who was aged 28, daughter Susan and 14 month old son.

 

Another website records the birth of two more children - Ann Speedy b: 6 OCT 1848 in Wellington,New Zealand and William Speedy b: 10 AUG 1845 in Karori,Wellington.

 

In the list of all persons qualified to serve as Jurors for the District of Port Nicholson, for the year 1847, William Speedy recorded as living in Thorndon Quay, carter. (New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian,  10 February 1847)

 

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 723, 7 July 1852, Page 2. DEPARTURES. July 3 Barque Napoleon, 400 tons, Collas, for Port Phillip. Among a number of passengers listed is W. Speedy.

 

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 19 January 1853,  Arrivals. January 16 Brig Spray, 141 tons, Scott, from Melbourne via Nelson. Passengers Mrs. Scott, Capt. Nicholson, Messrs. May, Roberts, Adams, Whyte, Aiken, Renwick, F. Bee, W. Saunders, J. Bailly, B. Ferrars, M'Dougall, J. Brodie, W. Badcock, J. Myles, T. Malmange, W. Speedy.

 

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 21 May 1853, Page 2. Departures. May 15— Brig Margaret, 186 tons, Halford, for Port Phillip. Passengers W. and J. Speedy.

 

Eighteen months later there appears the following newspaper item. “New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian,  January 30 1854 Barque Belle Creole, 267 tons, Henton, for Melbourne. Passengers Mrs. Speedy and four children.”

 

1852 co-incides with start of the gold rush in Victoria. Did this family migrate to Australia once William became established there? The following entry appears which appears in the Victoria Government Gazette on February 12th 1864 may be a clue.

 

BALLARAT EAST GOLD MINING COMPANY “We, the undersigned, being a majority in number and value of the shareholders in the Ballarat East Gold Mining Company, do hereby express our consent in writing that our said company be placed be placed under the provisions of the Mining Partnerships Limited Liability Act 1860.” Among the twenty-one names listed is that of William Speedy.

 

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand mentions the marriage of Susan Speedy, a native of Perthshire, and the daughter of William Speedy of Ballarat, to Moses Manuel, and their subsequent move to Coal Creek in Central Otago.

 

SUNDRY INFORMATION

It is not clear which of the Speedy family owned this dog, but I am curious about what breed it was.

 

Hawke's Bay Herald, 13 September 1889, Page 3. LOST, a Fawn-colored Kangaroo Dog, answering to the name of "Joe." Several scars on both shoulders, also one scar on near hind leg; right fore foot partly deformed. Any person will be rewarded on returning same to John Speedy, Thompson road.