My great grandfather Jesse Whipp was born in Drayton Berkshire 16 December 1852 and privately baptised in Drayton 4 February 1853.
In 1861 ,at aged 8, Jesse is living with his mother Margaret and his sisters Mary and Leah in Abingdon Road Drayton, his mothers occupation listed as widow/tailoress.
On 28 September 1861 Margaret Whipp married William Buckle, a widower from Drayton, and their son Frederick Charles was born in 1862. Jesse is still in Drayton for the 1871 census so presumably arrived in New Zealand between 1872-1875. In the 1871 census Jesse is living in High Street Drayton with his mother and stepfather, William's son Daniel, sister Leah and his half-brother Frederick. At this time Jesse's occupation is listed as Masons labourer.
No record has been found of Jesse's arrival in New Zealand, he is not listed on emigration records so may have worked or paid for his passage. The next mention of Jesse is in 1887 when he is listed in the electoral roll at Dipton, New Zealand, a farmer, freehold section 218 Taringatura. On 16 July 1887 he married Mary Marshall Miller in Winton.
Mary Marshall Miller was born 21 June 1861 in Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, Scotland and was one of a large family of James Miller and his wife Agnes [nee Frew] who married in Kilsyth 25 April 1856. Mary's middle name of Marshall probably originated from Mary Marshall who was Agnes Frew's mother.
In a history of Pahia it is stated that "Jesse came from Dipton to work on the goldfield at Round Hill. He found a property to his liking across the road from Captain Thomson and soon established a home and extensive orchard, after buying fruit trees from Mr Felix Garden. Another interest of Jesse was fishing and he often rowed his old whale boat called The May to the nearby fishing grounds".
Jesse died 2 December 1933 and Mary 24 June 1930, they are buried in Orepuki.
Children of Jesse and Mary were:-
1. Agnes Leah.
Born Riverton New Zealand 13 May 1888, died Wellington 7 April 1974. Married
William Knowler 1908, son of Henry and Martha [nee Darrell]. Ten children all born
in Riverton/Invercargill area, numerous descendants.
2. Isabella Marshall.
Born Riverton area November 1889, buried Riverton 21 December 1889
3. Thomas Albert.
Born Pahia 7 January 1892 , accidently drowned in well 10 January 1900
Pahia, buried Orepuki 12 January 1900
4. James Frederick.
Born Pahia 18 April 1894. Pte. 1st Bn. Otago Regt. N.Z.E.F. killed in action
4 August 1916 France. Plague in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres,
France
5. Gordon Spencer.
Born Dalmore[Pahia] 23 July 1895, first born of twins. Married Mary Ann Wilson
Richardson in Invercargill. Two daughters and one son born Invercargill.
Died Invercargill 17 March 1955
6.Norman Leslie
Born Dalmore [Pahia] 23 July 1895, twin brother of Gordon.
7. Stanley Lewis [Kip].
Born 19 May 1901, died Riverton 20 May 1950, buried Orepuki. Batchelor.
8.Ernest Jesse.
Born 22 June 1903
