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Abraham Frederick (Fred) & Matilda Billman

ABRAHAM (FRED) BILLMAN son of George and Harriet Billman was born Abt. 1848 in Manchester, England Known as Fred, he came to New Zealand in 1857 with his family. His father George Valentine Billman was a Wellington Cab driver.

His occ: builder of Island Bay; he died 12 Mar 1918 in Wellington Hospital aged 69 yrs. and was bur: 14 Mar 1918 Karori Cem. Ages and sex of living issue - male - 46, 44; Female 45, 40, 38, 29 His usual residence at the time - 38 Tiber St, Island Bay

He mar: 10 Dec 1870 in Wellington (1) MATILDA PRINCE (b; 1848 in Larkhall Lane to parents William Prince (1817-1888) and mother Matilda Worsley (1823-1867)in Lambeth, LND, ENG, and d: 25 Aug 1908 in Cuba St. Wellington.)

1891 Evening Post, 14 Oct: The scholars and teaching staff of Wesley Church Sunday-school are exceedingly proud of their music master (Mr. F. Billman), and last night, on the occasion of the school's Jubilee celebration, he was made the recipient of a beautifully illuminated and framed address, and a purse containing twenty guineas. The presentation was made during an interval of the concert by Mr. Geo. Tiller. ex-Superintendent of the school, who observed that it was given not as mere compensation, but was a slight token of gratitude and approbation of Mr. Billman's excellent services, and a memento of the Jubilee. The address was worded as follows "We, the officers, teachers, and scholars of the Wesley Church Sunday School, desire on this the occasion of our Jubilee to express our deep gratitude for and appreciation of your self-sacrificing labours as conductor of the services of song in our Sunday School, and in connection with the many public gatherings held in the interests of the institution. Tho enthusiasm and patience which you have invariably manifested in your work have at all times excited our admiration, and we earnestly pray that you may be long spared to carry on your labour of love amongst us. As a small token of esteem we ask you to accept this address, together with the accompanying gift, and we wish you and yours much of God's blessing in tho future, Signed, G. B. Clark, Superintendent, and W. E. Chisholm, Secretary."

Mr. Billman, in a few appropriate words, expressed his deep sense of the compliment, and returned to his post amidst loud applause. The illuminating work upon the address was the handiwork of Mr. W. E. Chisholm, Secretary of the Sunday School. The concert given in St. Mark's Parochial Room last evening was fairly well attended, and an excellent programme was presented.

1900 Evening Post, 16 Oct: TO LET, at Seatoun, five-roomed Cottage, furnished and well found; also, Whare, with four bunks, well suited for camping parties; terms reasonable to good tenants. Apply F. Billman, 156, Cuba-street.

1908 DEATH: Evening Post, 26 August: BILLMAN - On the 25th August, 1908, at her residence, 267, Upper Cuba-street, after a lingering and painful illness, Matilda Billman, dearly beloved wife of Abram (Fred) Billman, in her 60th year; deeply mourned

After Matilda's death in 1908, Abram now 66 went back to England. Mr. F. Billman, who leaves this week for the Old Country, was last evening presented with a handsome travelling Rug from the officers and teachers of Wesley Sunday School, Taranaki Street. Mr, L. Brabin, the secretary, made the presentation, and spoke appreciatively of the long services rendered by Mr. Billman. Mr. G. Tiller and Mr. Hatch also made a speech, and wished Mr. Billman, God-speed. Mr, Billman responded

1911 Evening Post, 22 Feb: News has been received in Wellington that Mr. Fred. Billman, senior, of this city, who for the past twenty-five years has conducted the singing of the Taranaki-street Wesley Sunday School Anniversary services, met with a motor accident in the Old Country. Latest advice is that he was laid up at Cambridge.1914

At Leek, 1914 he married his cousin, Ada Nicholls, (2nd wife) who was 14 years his junior - they had no children.

1918 Evening Post, 13 Mar: The musical community in Wellington has sustained a loss through the death of Mr Abraham (Fred) Billman which occurred at the Wellington Hospital yesterday. My Billman came out to new Zealand with his parents on the barque "Alma", landing at Wellington, and he remained a resident of this place up to the time of his death. He learned the trade of a carpenter, and erected a large number of buildings in various parts of the district. Music was his hobby. For many years he was musical director of the Taranaki Street Methodist Sunday School, and in that position he did very fine work. His success in training the children's voices was very marked, and it was largely due to his efforts that the singing of the boys and girls was such a feature of the school anniversaries. Mr Billman possessed an excellent voice and he was for years a member of the choral society.

For the past six months he had been in failing health, and he was obliged to undergo two operations for an internal trouble, the last one taking place three weeks since. He was twice married, and has left a widow and six grown up children, and twenty grandchildren. There are two sons Mr Frederick Billman, a coach builder of Fielding and Mr Walter Billman.

The respect in which the late Mr Fred Billman, a resident of Wellington for about 60 years, was held was shown by the large number of people who attended his funeral yesterday. For the greater part of his life, the deceased had been associated with the Taranaki Street Methodist Church, and amongst those present yesterday, were the officials of the church and many people who, while attending the Sunday School in their younger days, had taken part in the very fine musical services which he organised. The choral Union, of which Mr Billman was a member, was also represented. An impressive service was conducted in the Church by the Rev J G Chapman, who also officiated at the graveside at Karori. The pall bearers were Messrs Fred and Walter Billman (sons) Mr James Wilson (son in law) and Mr Ernest Knight. Numerous wreaths were sent. Mrs W L Coe of Wanganui is the late Mr Billman's only sister. The deceased was a native of Manchester.

Children of ABRAHAM BILLMAN and MATILDA PRINCE are:

i. FREDERICK GEORGE BILLMAN was born 1872 in Wellington, and died 1951. He married 28 Jun 1899 to MAUD MARY WILLIAMS, daughter of SAMUEL S WILLIAM and SARAH. She was b: 1873 and died 18 Dec 1951 in Wellington aged 78; crem: 20 Dec 1951

1909 FEILDING NEWS.Evening Post, 29 Nov: Fred Billman, of Feilding, emulated his father, leader of the Wellington Wesley school children, by conducting a successful children's choir here yesterday at the Methodist School anniversary. The Rev. S. J. Serpsll, of Wellington, was the preacher.

Obituary: Mr. Frederick George Billman, who died suddenly yesterday while on a holiday visit to Tauranga, was born in Wellington in 1871 and lived here until about thirty years ago, when he took up his residence in Feilding. His father, the late Mr. F. Billman, was conductor for thirty years of the choir of Wesley Church, Taranaki Street, and he himself became closely identified with musical matters in Feilding, and conducted the Wesley Church choir there for a number of years. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and also took a keen interest in hockey and yachting. Mr. Billman leaves a widow and an adult family. His brother, Mr. W.J. Billman of Ngaio and two of his sisters, Mrs. R. Janson and Mrs. J. Wilson of Wellington have been long associated with Wesley Church choir. There are two other sisters, Mrs. L.B. James and Mrs. G. Waddell, both of Timaru. Bur: Karori Cemetery

Their children:

i Lawrence Frederick Billman (b: 20 Jun 1900 in Wellington d: 1980) mar: Agnes Kathleen Alson (b: 1910; d: 1992) Children are GERALD LAWRENCE BILLMANand ANN MARILYN BILLMAN.

ii Joan Billman (b: 15 Jul 1913; d: 2004) mar: Claude Maurice Hoare Bennett (b: 31 July 1901; d: 1982)

ii. ANNE (ANNIE) MATILDA BILLMAN (b: 1873 in Wellington, and d; 1964) She mar (1) 11 Dec 1899 to BUCKLEY JOYCE.

1899 Evening Post, 23 Dec: Joyce - Billman: On 11 th December, at the residence of the bride's parents, 156, Cuba street, by the Rev. W. C. Oliver, Buckley, son of the late Mr. Joyce, of Port Chalmers, to Annie, oldest daughter of Mr. F. Billman.

Child of ANNE BILLMAN and BUCKLEY JOYCE is:

i. MAVIS BROOKLYN BILLMAN, (b. 1902; d. 1955); married 1923 to Rouse Gustaff JANSON who had taken over his father's grocery business in Cuba Street, Wellington - "the horse and cart delivery van would leave from the front door on Wednesdays and Fridays". Rouse Janson was the original Rotary Grocery member (b: 1870; d: 1937) Div.

MAVIS BROOKLYN JOYCE mar. 1927 GEORGE EDWARD PICKETT; (b. 17 Apr 1899; d. 1972)

iii WALTER JAMES BILLMAN (b: 1874 in Wellington d: 06 Dec 1948 in Wellington) Mar: 1910 to . Margaret Adelaide Patterson (b: 1880 d: 18 Nov 1957)

iv EMILY CLARA BILLMAN (b: 1875, and d: 1912; bur: at Purewa 1960 aged 87 years) She mar: 1897 to WALTER GEORGE HART. (b: 1869 to parents Emma and John Hart; d: 1960; Occ: Civil Servant; Bur; 12 Dec 1960 at Karori aged 92 yrs)

Their children: Doris b: 1898; Hazel Emily b: 1900; George Charles b: 1901; Beryl b: 1903; Olive Joyce b: 1904-1987; Phyllis Joan b: 1908; Rowena Winifred Matilda b: 1909; Jack b: 1912

v. ALICE HARRIETT BILLMAN (b: 1877 in Wellington, and died 1965 Timaru) She mar: 1902 to LEONARD (LEN) BENONI JAMES.(b; 1875 son of Elizabeth and Charles James; d: 1963. Len James was a Chemist in Timaru and a very keen sportsman in his day. Living at 8 Te Weka Street, Timaru at time of death

Children of ALICE BILLMAN and LEONARD JAMES are:

i. ERIC LEONARD JAMES (b: 1905; d. 1960) mar: 1947 to LYNDA RUTH (NAN) LYNN (d. 1960.)

ii. TUI NEVILLE JAMES. (b; 7 Jun 1912; d: 2011) mar William Stanley* Dale Wreford Their family Jill and Dal Wreford

iii. ENA MABEL JAMES, b. 1904; d. 1918.

iv. IVAN DIGBY JAMES, (b. 1908; d. 1986); m. THELMA IDA WESTNEY; (b. 1906; d. 2004)

v. JACK DESMOND JAMES (b. 18 April 1915; d. 2000) mar; Ina Mary McFarlane (b: 1906; d: 2004) Children are Verna, Gavin and Helen James

vi. ADA AMELIA BILLMAN was born 1880 in Wellington, and died 1958. She mar; 30 Nov 1904 in Wesleyan Taranaki-Street Church, Wellington to JAMES JOHN WILSON (b: 1871, and d: 18 Dec 1944 in Wellington; crem: 20 Dec 1944 Karori Cem)

Evening Post, 1 Dec 1904: Miss Ada, Billman, fourth daughter of Mr. Abram Billman, of Wellington, was married at the Wesleyan Taranaki-Street Church yesterday to Mr. James Wilson, of Glasgow, the Rev. Mr. Fairclough officiating. Miss Furness, Miss Mabel Billman, and Miss J. W-ilson (niece of the bridegroom) were the bridesmaids. The best man was Mr. A. P. Smith, and Mr. W. Billman (brother of the bride) and Mr. H. Wilson (nephew of the bridegroom) acted as groomsmen In the unavoidable absence of ' Mr. Harland, Mr. Maughan Barnett presided at the organ.

James WILSON, a very successful Scottish builder who lived at 88 Wallace Street, Wellington, later retired to Paraparaumu. One of James Wilson's big projects was the Art Gallery and Museum buildings in Wellington. They had four boys, Jack, Alan, Ian and Maxwell. 　

vii. MABEL WINNIFRED BILLMAN was born 28 July 1888 in Wellington, and died 1964. She married an Engineer; HAROLD GEORGE WADDELL- he died 1955.

Their children HAROLD JOHN (JACK) and RAYMOND FRANCIS WADDELL

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