RIPPON family:
Edward Holman Rippon was born in Perranporth, Cornwall on May 18th 1852, the son of John Rippon (1821-1874) and his wife Elizabeth nee Eslick. Edward was one of 9 children:- Matthew (sailor), John, Selina, Samuel, Billie, Frederick (emigrated to Australia), George the father of Samuel John (my husbands maternal grandfather), and Eleni mother of Mary Evelyn (my husbands maternal grandmother ). Edward emigrated to New Zealand on the Maraval together with his wife Elizabeth Jane (Bessie) nee Tregonning. I believe they may have had a shop in Ponsonby and Edward may have done some mining whilst Bessie kept the shop ,but this is not confirmed. We have a letter dated 8/4/1947 Ankles Bay, North Auckland from Charley Rippon in which he talks about his children and grand children and his first wife whose maiden name was Rowe. From this we have drawn up a possible descendant tree for Edward. We would love to make contact with interested members of this branch of the family. The Perranpoth part of the family continues and they have a bakers shop there,,,,. Edwards brother Samuel had a cart with which he used to collect flotsam from the beach. When interest in Cornwall as a holiday area began he bought a bathing machine- much to the horror of the locals and some of them hid it in the sand dunes. Edwards father was a Master Seiner and he won a life saving medal in 1870 for rescuing a young lad. I have a tree dating back to 1796, not a confirmed, and I am trying to put flesh on the bones at the moment. If you have a connection with this family or would like to know more please contact Jenny Taylor

"The death this week of Mr. Thomas Horton of Glenfield, at the age of 72 years, has removed a familiar figure from the Birkenhead district. He belonged to Brierley Hill, Staffordshire, England, and came out in the ship 'Marival' 51 years ago. He secured work at the late Mr. Richard Monks sawmill at Mercury Bay, where he met with an accident, slipping and falling across a circular saw. The result was that both legs were amputated below the knee, and for the past 48 years he had walked on wooden stumps. After recovery he went back to the bush and resumed his job at the circular saw. He then took up farming at Tuakau for a few years, but for the past 40 years had settled at Birkenhead. Mr. Horton ran the mail between Dairy Flats and Birkenhead for 16 years. He took a keen interest in local politics, and represented the Birkenhead Riding on the Waitemata Council for 12 years, retiring in 1911. He subsequently had a farm at Pokeno for 10 years, but retained his interest in the Birkenhead district up to the end. He was a man of indomitable courage, and was the object of admiration in the district for the remarkable energy and agility he displayed in the face of his disability. Mr.and Mrs. Horton celebrated their golden wedding a year ago. He is survived by Mrs, Horton, two sons and a daughter, and eight grandchildren. The sons are Mr. William J. Horton of Leigh, and Mr. Ernest T. Horton of Birkenhead. The Daughter is Mrs.Maria Louisa Hogan(nee Horton ) of Glenfield. There was a representative attendance at the funeral yesterday at the Birkenhead Anglican cemetery, many old identities attending, among whom was Mr. Peter Nelson, aged 84, an early pioneer of the Albany district. Mr. H. Day, member for Birkenhead Riding and Mr. C.A. Cawkwell, county clerk, representing the Waitamata County Council. Others present included Mr.A.E. Greenslade, Mayor of Northcote, and Mr. Thos Ingham, vice-president representing Albany Fruit Growers Association. The services were conducted by the Rev.W.W. Avery (Methodist) and the Rev. P.C. Davis (Anglican) Speaking at the graveside, the Rev. Mr. Davis said they had laid to rest one of the words heroes, he had been fighting adversity for 40 odd years, and had never once looked back. He was a hero that the world at large might not have known, but it was a privilege to have known him. He hoped that his example of grit and manliness would inspire others with courage to meet the trials of adversity". If you have a connection with this family or would like to know more please contact Stuart Horton