William Harrison set sail from Hollyfort Ireland 150 years ago to settle in Mid Canterbury.
On November 8, to mark the occasion, his descendants will gather at the Dorie hall, close to where he farmed at ‘‘Summerlee’’ at Dorie.
John Harrison, one of the reunion organisers, is a great grandson of William and his wife, Elizabeth (nee Sharp). He said his great grandparents had 13 children so there was hope a good number of family members turn up for the reunion.
‘‘We have about 80 indicating they are coming at this stage, we hope more let us know they are coming. We have some travelling from Australia,’’ Harrison said.
At the reunion lunch, a display of family photos will be on show, and there will be speeches from some of the family.
In a booklet prepared for the 100th reunion – 50 years ago – author Joan Harrison wrote ‘‘it must have been a tremendous decision for the family to pack up and leave the comparative security of ‘‘home’’ and journey to the other side of the world in the hope of building a future for themselves and their families in a strange new land and an unknown environment.’’
William’s parents, Thomas and Ruth, had 14 children and 12 chose to come to New Zealand.
Elizabeth Harrison was called Lee by the family. Joan’s booklet stated some of the family believed the farm name of Summerlee came from her name and because it was summer; others say it was because it was bought in summer and sown with winter wheat. It appears the farm was originally called Summerlee but changed over the years changed to Summerlea.
On arrival in New Zealand on the ship, Cardigan Castle, William settled in Rakaia. His first job was on a threshing chaff cutting machine before moving to work at Chertsey as an engine driver and then Southbridge.
William and his brother Henry purchased a new Clayton and Shuttleworth threshing machine before purchasing a traction engine.
William’s skills and knowledge of machinery was sought by many farmers. During this time he was also an agent for Reid and Gray’s agricultural implements. The partnership between the brothers dissolved in 1886 and he took his shares and established Summerlea.
In 1900, William had their house fitted with electric lights. The machinery needed for this had been made by himself. They were the first people in the district to produce their own electric power.
William’s many interests saw him very involved in the community as a member of the Ashburton A&P Association, a breeder of Clydesdales horses and Berkshire pigs, on the school committee, on the vestry at the church, along with on local boards, the lodge and taking an active interest in public affairs.
In 1895, he made a trip back to Ireland taking with him a young cabbage tree from his property to plant at the family homestead there.
Elizabeth was educated at Miss Gibson’s private school, which today is Rangi Ruru Girls’ School in Christchurch. She married William when she was 18 years-old.
She was a talented musician who played for many dances in the area as well as the organ at St Patrick’s Anglican Church in Dorie where the family had a long association.
Elizabeth died in May 1920 and William in April 1922.
– Anyone wanting to attend the Harrison family reunion at Dorie on November 8 can email [email protected]
