Mary Elizabeth Cobb
23 October 1878 - 16 February 1908
Mary was the second daughter of Joseph and Harriet. She was born in Christchurch, Hampshire on 23 October 1878. Mary immigrated to New Zealand with her parents in 1883 on the ship, Lady Jocelyn. The family arrived in New Zealand on 1 January 1884. Mary was five years old at the time.
 |
Joseph and Harriet with their children, 1883.
Mary is probably the little girl on the extreme left in this photo. |
Here are some photos from Mary's childhood prior to arriving in New Zealand.
 |
| Mary Cobb, about age 3, in England. Photo by E Day & Son. About 1880. |
 |
| Mary Cobb Taken by E Day & Son about 1880. |
 | ||
| Mary Cobb, aged around 4 years. This photo was probably taken around 1881, by Harriet, although it is advertised as being taken by E Day & Son.
|
The Cobb family boarded the ship 'Kiwi' to take them to their new home in Napier. They arrived in Napier on 5 January 1884. Below is the notice of arrivals to Napier.
There they were met by Mary's aunt, Emily Lydford, and her husband Richard who had arrived in New Zealand in 1879. There were three little cousins for Mary to meet: Richard Jnr, William, and baby George.
The Cobb family lived in Port Ahuriri for a short time before shifting to Hastings around 1885. The Cobbs returned to live in Napier in 1889.
Mary must have been well-loved by her Aunt Emily & Uncle Richard Lydford, because on 28 September 1886, when Mary was about eight years old, they named one of their twin daughters after her! Sadly though, baby Mary Elizabeth Lydford lived just three days. The cause of her death is unknown.
According to family records, Mary worked with her brother Harold, in their mother's photographic business on Emerson Street, Napier, for a while. She was also very musical, singing solos numerous times at church and social functions. She was a member of the Trinity Church choir. It also seems likely that she was the Miss Cobb which was elected to the re-formed Wesleyan Tennis Club committee, along with Mr R Graham (her future husband), in November 1901.
One of the few photos in which Mary and Robert are pictured together prior to their wedding is below. It is unclear when the picture was taken or what the occasion was.
Mary's sister, Alice (known as Mabel), was married on Wednesday 26 March 1902 at the family church, Trinity Methodist Church, in Napier. Mary and her younger sister, Dorothy, were the attendants, and their brother, Harold was the groomsman.
According to information on the Electoral Roll, Mary did 'domestic duties' for a living.
It must have been heartbreaking for Mary to learn the news that her sister Mabel had passed away on 18 February 1903, just 11 months after her wedding, and just five days after giving birth. Mary and Mabel were very close and the loss must have been keenly felt.
A year after the death of Mabel, the church newspaper, The Outlook, reported that Mr Prime, on behalf of the church choir, presented Mary with what her father described as a "handsome" silver hot water jug/coffee pot to celebrate her up-coming marrige. Mr Prime spoke of Mary's great qualities and of her dedication to the choir and her other contributions at the church.
There they were met by Mary's aunt, Emily Lydford, and her husband Richard who had arrived in New Zealand in 1879. There were three little cousins for Mary to meet: Richard Jnr, William, and baby George.
The Cobb family lived in Port Ahuriri for a short time before shifting to Hastings around 1885. The Cobbs returned to live in Napier in 1889.
Mary must have been well-loved by her Aunt Emily & Uncle Richard Lydford, because on 28 September 1886, when Mary was about eight years old, they named one of their twin daughters after her! Sadly though, baby Mary Elizabeth Lydford lived just three days. The cause of her death is unknown.
According to family records, Mary worked with her brother Harold, in their mother's photographic business on Emerson Street, Napier, for a while. She was also very musical, singing solos numerous times at church and social functions. She was a member of the Trinity Church choir. It also seems likely that she was the Miss Cobb which was elected to the re-formed Wesleyan Tennis Club committee, along with Mr R Graham (her future husband), in November 1901.
One of the few photos in which Mary and Robert are pictured together prior to their wedding is below. It is unclear when the picture was taken or what the occasion was.
 |
| Back, from left: Robert Graham, either Alice (Mabel) or Dorothy, Harold, unknown woman. Front, from left: Mary, unknown gentleman, John (at front), Harriet, possibly Dorothy. Date unknown, but around 1897-8. |
 |
| Cobb sisters. Mary, Mabel and Dorothy. (not sure which is which at this stage) Date unknown but possibly late 1890s-1900. |
 |
| Mary is standing second from the left. |
Mary's sister, Alice (known as Mabel), was married on Wednesday 26 March 1902 at the family church, Trinity Methodist Church, in Napier. Mary and her younger sister, Dorothy, were the attendants, and their brother, Harold was the groomsman.
 |
| Wedding of Mary's sister, Alice (Mabel). Mary was one of the attendants, dressed in white, probably the one standing second from the right. 1902 |
According to information on the Electoral Roll, Mary did 'domestic duties' for a living.
It must have been heartbreaking for Mary to learn the news that her sister Mabel had passed away on 18 February 1903, just 11 months after her wedding, and just five days after giving birth. Mary and Mabel were very close and the loss must have been keenly felt.
A year after the death of Mabel, the church newspaper, The Outlook, reported that Mr Prime, on behalf of the church choir, presented Mary with what her father described as a "handsome" silver hot water jug/coffee pot to celebrate her up-coming marrige. Mr Prime spoke of Mary's great qualities and of her dedication to the choir and her other contributions at the church.
 |
| The wedding of Robert and Mary Graham. 30 March 1904. From left: Harold Cobb, Harriet Cobb (seated at front), Ida Graham (sister of the groom), Robert Graham & Mary Cobb, Dorothy Cobb, Joseph Cobb, Graham Foreman (best man - cousin of the groom). This photograph is from Mrs Cobb's studio, possibly taken by George Cobb. (Photo courtesy of S Rabarts) |
A more comprehensive description of the wedding is given here:
 |
 |
| Dorothy, Harold and Ida Olivia Graham, at Mary's wedding. 1904. |
Robert was a descendant of Irish settlers, Robert Grier Graham Snr (1836 - 9 July 1908) and his wife, Margaret Harvey (18 Jan 1836 - 3 Nov 1913). He was the youngest son in the family. His siblings are shown below:
- Annie Jane Mills (1864 - December 1891)
- Annie married James Mills (1860 - ?), a saddler, at the Trinity Methodist Church, Napier, in 1891. She was 27. He was 28. Both James and Jane were born in Ireland.
- James and Annie had a daughter, also named Annie Jane Mills (10 Dec 1891 - 21 Aug 1892). Sadly, Annie died a fortnight after giving birth to her daughter, and the baby died eight months later. It is not known what happened to James Mills.
- John William Graham (1865 - 1866)
- William Henry Graham (1867 - 1928)
- William married Jane Edith Julia Ellis Acheson (1866 - 1945). It appears that they had no children.
- Mary Eleanor Grier Graham (22 November 1868-25 March 1892)
- Mary was the second daughter of Robert and Margaret Graham. It seems that Mary was a pupil-teacher. She never married. Mary died aged 23 and was buried at the Old Napier Cemetery. Her parents were later buried along side her.
- Emily Maria Graham (1871 - 1941)
- Emily married John Hamilton Ferguson (b1872) on 24 December 1900 at the Trinity Methodist Church, Napier. He was from an Irish immigrant family. According to John's military files, they had a son, Alan Hamilton Ferguson (1902 - ?), before divorcing. John served in the Home Service Branch of the NZEF during World War 1 (1917-18). His service number is 62895.
- Emily married John Annand (dates unknown) in 1911. It appears they had no children.
- Emily died aged 70.
- Ida Olivia Graham (1873 - 3 July 1950)
- Ida never married. More information about her is found below.
- Annie Ethel Graham (1875 - 1944) who was known as Ethel
- Ethel married George Douglas Hamilton Smith (1877 - 1949) of Pahiatua, at Woodville on 5 March 1900. George was a veteran of the Boer War. His military service number is 1333.
- George and Ethel had three children, Graham Hamilton Smith (1902 - 1976), Sybil Jessie Margaret Smith (1907 - 2000) and Vivienne Joy Smith (1914 - 2006) who was known as Joy.
- Ethel died in Paihiatua.
Initially Robert Jnr worked as a harness maker. From 1905 he had his own saddlery business in Bridge Street, Ongaonga. Following that he became a farmer.
 |
| Robert's saddlery shop is on the left of the block of shops in the above photo. 1912. Photo courtesy of the Ongaonga Historical Society. |
After their wedding, Robert and Mary settled in Ongaonga. They moved into a small, newly built cottage in the small township that Robert had built prior to their marriage. (Ongaonga was named after the native stinging nettle with the same name.) Robert was very involved in the local tennis club. Another Graham family (Sam & Phoebe), also lived in the town at the time and ran the local livery stables, but it appears the two families were not related, or at least close relatives.
At 10:20am on 9 August 1904 there was a sizable earthquake that was felt all through the Hawke's Bay region, including Onga Onga, and even as far afield as Wellington.
In September 1904 it seems that a Mrs Graham helped to set up and decorate the Onga Onga Hall for a ball, and later, a social to celebrate the end of the pingpong season! We are not sure if this refers to Mary, or the wife of Mr Sam Graham who ran the livery stables in the town, quite possibly the latter.
Robert and Mary had one son:
At 10:20am on 9 August 1904 there was a sizable earthquake that was felt all through the Hawke's Bay region, including Onga Onga, and even as far afield as Wellington.
In September 1904 it seems that a Mrs Graham helped to set up and decorate the Onga Onga Hall for a ball, and later, a social to celebrate the end of the pingpong season! We are not sure if this refers to Mary, or the wife of Mr Sam Graham who ran the livery stables in the town, quite possibly the latter.
Robert and Mary had one son:
- Gordon Harvey Graham (6 November 1906 - 18 May 1978)
 |
| Mary Graham holds her son, Gordon Photo likely to be by Mrs Cobb. 1907. |
 |
| Mary Graham (nee Cobb) holds her son Gordon. It appears it is the day of his christening. It is unclear who the other woman is, but it is likely to be a sister-in-law, perhaps Ida Graham or Ethel Smith. Photo by Mrs Cobb 1907. |
 |
| Mary Graham (nee Cobb). Unknown photographer. Taken around 1907/8. |
 |
| Mary, left, and Robert G Graham, right. (Not sure if this is Robert G Graham Snr or Jnr.) |
In August 1907 Robert's horse was impounded by the ranger. The horse was described in the Impounding Notice as "one dark bay gelding, white patch on forehead, white snip on nose, two shoes on and two white hind fetlock, Onga Onga cover on."
Mary contracted tuberculosis and suffered for some time with the effects of it. On her deathbed, just a few days before she died, Mary wrote the following heartfelt letter to her one year old son, Gordon:
Onga Onga
Waipawa
Feb 1908
My dearest little Gordon,
As I write this to you I am lying very ill, and God will soon take me home to heaven to be with him for ever. It is very hard to leave you - my darling and to know you will have no mother to watch over and care for you - but - Jesus will take care of you - for I have asked him. I love you so very very much my darling that somtimes 'when I was well' I was afraid God would take you away from me - in case I made an idol of you - but - Jesus says he loves us more than we can even think - so if I love you so much as that - how much more must Jesus love you. Oh! Gordon dear - I do want you to give your little heart to him - for that is what he wants, and you will be so happy - and when you are in trouble just go and tell Jesus. Remember mother is in heaven looking down upon you - and by and by when Jesus calls you and daddy home - we shall meet each other on the golden shore. Goodbye my own darling. God bless you and help you to grow up to be a good man - This is your mother's dying prayer - I commit you into God's keeping - My own sweet baby!
Your loving mother
Mary Elizabeth Graham
Mary passed away on 16 February 1908, aged 29, and was buried in the tiny, peaceful Forest Gate Cemetery, Onga Onga, Hawkes Bay, Plot 58.
 |
| Mary's grave. (Photo by K Bland, 2015.) |
The grave is wide, but as far as we know, only Mary is buried there.
(Photo by K Bland, 2015)
Mary's gravestone. (Photo by K Bland, 2015)
The inscription reads,
In affectionate remembrance of
Mary Elizabeth
dearly beloved wife of
Robert Graham
who died Feb 16 1908
aged 29
years
|
Mary's death left Robert with the challenge of raising a small child as well as running the family farm. It was too much for him, so little Gordon's Aunt Ida took change of his care.
A few months after Mary died, Robert's father also passed away at his home in Bower Street, Napier on 9 July 1908. A detailed obituary was published in 'The Outlook', 19 September 1908, page 36.
It is said that the town of Onga Onga was at its peak at the outbreak of World War 1, then declined when all of the town's young men went off to war. Robert's saddler shop was operating in 1914 and was located in the middle of Bridge Street, next to Mrs McBride's Tearooms which also sold fruit and sweets, and J Baker's carrying contracting business.
Also in 1914, Robert won the right to purchase 333 acres of land in Springhill, a short distance from Onga Onga (Section 12, Block 3) in a land ballott:
 |
 |
| Photo from the Ongaonga Historical Society Facebook page. Used by permission. |
The home below still stands on the farm on Lot 12 which was once owned by Robert. Apparently it was built in 1880, and is still inhabited.
 |
| The old homestead on the farm once owned by Robert Graham. (Photo by K Bland, 2015.) |
 |
| The farm once owned by Robert Garham. (Photo by K Bland, 2015) |
Robert married for the second time, in 1920. His new wife was Eva Marion Carr (Jul 1884 - 16 April 1964). The following wedding notice was published in the newspaper, in March 1920:
Three years later, Eva left Robert without warning. Robert filed for divorce in 1926. His evidence can be seen in the following newspaper report, published in the Manawatu Standard 3 February 1926:
Electoral Rolls show that in 1938, Robert G Graham was farming first in Onga Onga, and later on Pinfold Road, Woodville.
Electoral Rolls, and the Onga Onga Directory indicate Eva's whereabouts as follows:
In 1946 and 1949, Electoral Rolls show that Robert, along with his sister Ida, and son and daughter-in-law, Gordon & Elsie, were living on Pinfold Road Pahiatua. Robert and Gordon were both listed as farmers.
Robert Graham died on 20 October 1951, aged 73. He was buried at the Old Gorge Woodville Cemetery, Main Block, EXT 4, Grave 29. Click here to see a map of the cemetery. Robert is listed as a Methodist in the cemetery records. His second wife, Eva, died on 16 April 1964, aged 84, in Wellington. Her body was cremated.
Gordon continued to run the farm on Pinfold Road after his father died, and following his death, his son and daughter-in-law farmed there.
Electoral Rolls, and the Onga Onga Directory indicate Eva's whereabouts as follows:
- 1928 - 16 Millar Street Palmerston North (listed as 'married')
- 1936 - 1942 - Onga Onga (dressmaker)
- 1946, 1949 - Onga Onga (listed as 'married')
- 1949 - Waihi (listed as 'married')
- 1954 - 7 Rutene Street, Gisborne (listed as 'married')
- 1957 - 23 Cameron Street, Karori, Wellington (listed as 'domestic'.)
- 1963 - 23 Cameron Street, Karori, Wellington (pensioner)
In 1946 and 1949, Electoral Rolls show that Robert, along with his sister Ida, and son and daughter-in-law, Gordon & Elsie, were living on Pinfold Road Pahiatua. Robert and Gordon were both listed as farmers.
Robert Graham died on 20 October 1951, aged 73. He was buried at the Old Gorge Woodville Cemetery, Main Block, EXT 4, Grave 29. Click here to see a map of the cemetery. Robert is listed as a Methodist in the cemetery records. His second wife, Eva, died on 16 April 1964, aged 84, in Wellington. Her body was cremated.
Gordon continued to run the farm on Pinfold Road after his father died, and following his death, his son and daughter-in-law farmed there.
Gordon Harvey Graham
6 November 1906 - 18 May 1978
Gordon Harvey Graham was the only child of Robert and Mary Graham. He was born in Onga Onga in 1906. His mother passed away a few months following his first birthday. Gordon was raised by his Aunt Ida, his paternal aunt. Here are some pictures of Gordon's first few years:
 |
| Gordon had fantastic curls. Photo by Mrs Cobb, 1907/8 |
 |
| Gordon Graham. Photo by Mrs Cobb around 1908. |
 |
| Aunt Ida Graham with her nephew Gordon. Photo by Mrs Cobb around 1908. |
 |
| Gordon Graham with his father, Robert. Unknown photographer, but possibly Harriet Cobb. Photo taken around 1909. |
 |
| Gordon Graham. Photo by Mrs Cobb around 1908. |
 |
Gordon Graham with his Aunt Ida.
Photo by Mrs Cobb around 1910.
|
 |
| Gordon Graham. Photo by Deighton Studio, Napier. Date unknown. |
 |
| Gordon in later life, and at his wedding. |
It appears that Gordon's father, Robert, left Onga Onga during 1938, and bought a farm on Pinfold Road, Woodville. In 1946 and 1949, Electoral Rolls show that Robert, along with his sister Ida, and son and daughter-in-law, Gordon & Elsie, were living on Pinfold Road. Robert and Gordon were both listed as farmers. Gordon carried on farming on Pinfold Road following his father's death. He is registered as a farmer on Pinfold Road on the 1954, 1957, 1963, and 1969 on Electoral Rolls. Around 1972, Gordon retired and his son and daughter-in-law took over the running of the family farm.
Gordon died on 18 May 1978, aged 72. He was buried at the Lawn Cemetery, Woodville, Section B, Grave 51. His wife, Elsie died in 1982, aged 78. She was buried next to her husband (at Grave 53). They are listed in cemetery records as being Methodist. A photo of their grave can be found by clicking the link here. Click here to see a map of the cemetery.
Ida Olivia Graham
(1873 - 3 July 1950)
Ida was born in Napier in 1873. It seems, she was an actress, performing at least once professionally in 1908 and also in 1911. According to Electoral Rolls, Ida resided in Springhill, Onga Onga in 1919, and in 1928 she lived in Masterton. From 1935 it appears that she lived with her brother Robert, then in the mid to late 1940s she lived on Pinfold Road, Woodville, presumably, on the family farm. Family records suggest that later in life Ida mostly resided at Onslow Park, Pahiatua, with her sister Ethel, and brother-in-law George Smith.
Ida passed away on 3 July 1950, aged 77, and was buried at the Mangatainoko Cemetery, Pahiatua, Block 4, Plot 11, Grave 60. Click here to see a photo of her grave and here to see a map of the cemetery.
Bibliography
Anonymous. (1926, February 3). Supreme Court. Manawatu Standard. 3. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19260203.2.8
Other sources of information:
Family records
Papers Past
Births, Deaths and Marriages Online
Cemetery Database - Central Hawkes Bay District Council
Church Papers Online
Onga Onga School & District - Centenial Celebrations 1875-1975
Ongaonga Historical Society
Ancestry - Electoral Roll records & NZ City & Area Directories
S Rabarts
Tararua District Council - Cemetery Search
Trinity Methodist Church record books
Papers Past
Births, Deaths and Marriages Online
Cemetery Database - Central Hawkes Bay District Council
Church Papers Online
Onga Onga School & District - Centenial Celebrations 1875-1975
Ongaonga Historical Society
Ancestry - Electoral Roll records & NZ City & Area Directories
S Rabarts
Tararua District Council - Cemetery Search
Trinity Methodist Church record books
Last updated 12 January 2021
Ongaonga Historical Society has a photograph showing Robert's Saddlery business. I can email you a copy if you are interested. You can contact us at: ongahistoric@gmail.com
ReplyDelete