History – A Tauhoa patriarch

Among museum archives is a small notebook with the following entry:

Joseph Isherwood Buckton and his Wife & 3 children left home May the 26th 1862 – Wortley St Leeds, started from the Wellington Station, Leeds at 10 o’clock at night and arrived in London about 5 o’clock next morning, took the omnibus and went to the East India Docks onto the ship Matilda Wattenbach and there took possession of our birth (sic) for the Voyage to New Zealand.

Apparently, Joseph had land grants in Paparoa and Wharehine and lived in both areas before settling in Tauhoa with his wife Emma and children Emily, Joseph and Clara. He built his homestead ‘Brighton’ on a hill overlooking the Whanaki River. By 1876 there were seven more children; Manilla, Arthur (died age 11), Sarah, Gertrude, Rowland, Maurice and Clifford. Emma passed away in 1888, aged 54.

A joiner and cabinetmaker, Joseph built homes for other settlers as well as running a large farm. He was also a member of the Rodney County Council for 21 years, travelling miles with surveyors to lay out local roads. Council meetings were held in Warkworth – a three-hour return journey via Kaipara Flats. Joseph’s daughter Gertrude kept a diary between 1896 and 1913 and many entries referred to her father’s life and work: “November 11th 1896 – The Rodney County Council election took place at the different polling places. Father was returned for the Tauhoa Riding.”

In 1908, aged 77, Joseph decided to withdraw from Council elections, his last meeting being on October 13. Local ratepayers gave a banquet in his honour and presented him with a silver ink stand. In January 1909, Joseph attended a Warkworth dinner hosted by members of Rodney County Council who gave him an illuminated address thanking him for his work.

In May, Joseph sold Brighton to Frank Hooper but stayed in Tauhoa and certainly didn’t slow down.  When Joseph was 80, Gertrude wrote: “Father rode to Mr Browne’s farewell at Pakiri.  Arrived home Saturday 23rd.  It was a long ride and he was tired.”

Joseph must have decided to retire in 1913, Gertrude noted: “Father left Tauhoa to live with Sarah Ann Haverfield in Leighton St, Grey Lynn.”  Joseph (snr) travelled back and forth to Auckland over the next few years and he died, aged 85, in February 1917. He left behind four sons, five daughters, 41 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Joseph Isherwood Buckton lies with Emma and Arthur in the Old Tauhoa Cemetery.

Lyn Johnston, Albertland Museum
www.albertland.co.nz