Ada Ackroyd was the 8th child born to parents John Edmund and Maria Ackroyd - b: 28 Jun 1874 in Temuka, Sth Canterbury; she d: 12 Nov 1954 in Temuka aged 80Y)

Ada mar: 2nd Dec 1897 at St Saviours (Temporary Church) Temuka to George McCullough (b: 7 May 1874 in NZ the son of Samuel and Sarah McCullough) The first wooden church had been erected in 1869 from Timber cut from the Arowhenua Bush but was destroyed by fire in Nov 1897 a month before before the McCullough marriage - it was replaced by one of stone in 1899.

George's father was SAMUEL McCULLOUGH (b: 1825; d: 9 May 1909 Temuka) was one of the oldest settlers at Rangitira Valley, and was highlv respected by all who knew him. Samuel  mar: Miss Sarah Clark, of County Down. Ireland (b:1835 and d; 07 May 1908 aged 73Y). He sailed from Spithead, possibly working his passage to New Zealand May 17, 1863, in the ship “Captain Cook" and landed at Lyttelton Sept 5 after a passage of 116 days. His wife with their 4 children followed him 18 months later travelling on the "Eastern Empire" - a trip that cost the family £25.10s and the government £16.10s. After some years working in the Selwyn County, their family of 7 children moved to Rangitira Valley, Temuka in 1866 where 7 miles from Temuka, Samuel purchased his first 110 acres cost £150 which he named Wattle Park, and increased this later to 280 acres. His 2 storried first house was built of white pine - this was replaced with one of brick in 1920 and he resided here until his until his death 9 May 1909. Only 4 children survived him - Mr George McCullough and three daughters (Mrs G. Talbot, Mrs G. Taylor and Mrs J. Marshall.
For 17 years he also farmed another property at Fairlie Creek where in 1890 the Sth Canterbury Times noted "Mr McCullough has a paddock of about 100 acres in wheat, nearly all Russian Red - a very nice crop and should thresh out at about 35 bushels an acre" - this was sold later.  Described as a "sturdy type of old settler" he never spared himself, and won success by grit and perserverance, was a good husband, father, and neighbour, but never took any part in public allairs. In 1899 he returned to Ireland and revisited the scenes of his youth. His funeral on 11 May 1909 left from his residence , for the Temuka Cemetery. In 2018  farm celebrated 150 yrs of the McCullough ownership. (Estate Probate - Samuel McCullough = £5229; Sarah McCullough = £1286)

Just month after her wedding, George's  wife Ada McCullough demonstrated her ability as a farmer's wife by competing at the Temuka Flower Show held in the Volunteer buildings: "Mrs George McCullough was placed first and second for her potted butter" and awarded a 1st prize in the fancy and plain needlework section for her patchwork. Regularly, in the years following, local newpapers recorded her success baking and produce skills at the various church and A & P shows held at Timaru, Temuka and Fairlie. Her reputation as a prize winner had her acting in her later years in the capacity of judge for various events.

George played a part in community affairs - he was appointed on the Rangitira School Committee in 25 April 1901; in 1914 he was a member of the Temuka Road Board and in 1918 he filled vacancy on the Geraldine County council. He retired from farming at Wattle Farm and d: 02 May 1948 in Temuka aged 73Y; Interred at  Temuka Cem. on 3 May 1948) His Will

Ada and George had one son - Samuel Gilbert* McCullough (b: 08 Feb 1900; (occ: 3rd successive farmer of Wattle Farm) After retiring from farming Wattle Farm he resided at Railway Terrace, Temuka when he d: 08 Mar 1956 aged 56Y ) mar: at 14 Jun 1923 at the Temuka Anglican Church to Florence Routledge (b: 02 Aug 1900)

Temuka Leader 17 Feb 1921: WANTED: A Competent Ploughman for Six-Horse Team. Apply, G. McCullough, Rangitira Valley.

GILBERT'S WEDDING: McCULLOUGH—ROUTLEDGE. A very pretty wedding was solemnised at St. Peter’s Church, Temuka, on Thursday afternoon, June 7th, when S. Gilbert McCullough, only son of Mr and Mrs George McCullough, " Wattle Park Farm,” Rangitira Valley, was married to Florence, youngest daughter of Mr W. P. Routledge, Maungati, late of The Mill, Temuka. The Rev Mr Pritchett was the officiating clergyman. The bride was becomingly gowned in a beautiful frock of white charmeuse, with over-dress of white net, embroidered with-small silver beads, and a beautiful full veil of tulle, embroidered in each corner with large white butterflies and surmounted by an exquisite wreath of orange blossoms completed a charming toilette. Miss Isabel Breamer was the only bridesmaid, being very becomingly dressed in sea-green silk with large black hat trimmed with clusters of fruit, and carried a beautiful shower bouquet of while chrysanthemums and maidenhair fern, with streamers of white ribbon, similar to that of the bride. The bride was led to the altar by her father, and as the bridal procession entered the church, Miss Joiner, the organist, played the hymn, Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us. Mr J, Tennant attended the bridegroom as groomsman. After the ceremony the wedding party and guests adjourned to the Parish Hall, where the wedding breakfast was held. Many toasts were proposed and duly honoured.

George and Florence McCullough had 2 children:

1 George William (Bill) McCullough (b: 10 Jun 1924; (occ: 4th successive farmer of Wattle Farm) he d: 22 Jul 2004 in 75Y; Bur: 27 Jul 2004 Temuka Cem) Mar: 16 Aug 1952 to Mary McColl (b: 25 Jan 1930; d: 16 Jul 2005 in 75Y)

Their 4 children - Donald; Malcolm; Peter (occ: 5th successive McCullough farmer of Wattle Farm) and sister Susan McCullough

2 Margaret Florence McCullough (b: 15 Nov 1928; d: 29 Mar 2007) Mar: 15 Feb 1950 in St Peters, Temuka to Samuel William Allan Woods (b: 15 Nov 1920; d: 13 Jan 2002 Timaru; Bur: 17 Jan 2002 Timaru Cem) Their 2 sons - John and Andrew Woods

Broken Headstone

Replacement Headstone

George and Ada McCullough

Gilbert and Florence McCullough

Bill and Mary McCullough

Samuel and Margaret Allen