John Francis Donnithorne was born 24 Mar 1848 East Newlyn, Cornwall (His parents were Francis Donnithorne (b: 25 Dec 1825 in Newlyn East, Cornwall, England, and mother Grace Richards chr: 25 Dec 1820 in Perranarworthal, Cornwall)
After leaving school he was instructed in agriculture by his father who was managing a farm in the district. In 1876 he decided to emigrate to the colonies and arrived at Port Lyttleton by the ship "Rangitikei". Prior to leaving he had married Miss Phillipa Stribley b: Sep 1854 Truro, Cornwall (her Father: John Stribley b: 1826 in St. Enoder, Cornwall, England and her mother: Phillipa Morrish b: 1825 in St. Enoder, Cornwall, England)

John DONNITHORNE, 24, Bachelor, Farm Labourer of Trevice, Newlyn East and Phillippa STRIBLEY, 21, Spinster of Chylane, St. Enoder married on 18 October 1873 at The Wesleyan Chapel, St. Columb in the Parish of St.Columb Major in the County of Cornwall according to the rites andceremonies of the Wesleyan Methodists by license. Fathers: Francis DONNITHORNE, Farm labourer and John STRIBLEY, Farmer. Witnesses: John TREBILOCK and John JAMES. John DONNITHORNE signed with the mark of 'X'

Their infant daughter came with them to the colony but the child died shortly after their arrival. John's brother William Henry DONNITHORNE, b. 1852 also immigrated to New Zealand - he married Philippa's sister Catharine STRIBLEY and was a farmer at Waitohi when he died 1918.)

Donnithorne Farm Sale

After a comparatively lenghthened stay in Christchurch due to Phillipa's

health, John left for Rakaia under engagement to Mr Leonard White. Later on he engaged in cropping on the well-known Acton estate and was subsequently cropping at Waipara for one year, and at the Waikari Valley for seven years. In 1890 he leased from Mr Francis Barker the Korari farm at Winchester, where he resided for many years. He also had a leasehold farm of 200 acres at Seadown. John Donnithorne devoted much attention to the fattening of stock, principally sheep for freezing. He took no special interest in public affairs but was a member of the St. John's Lodge of Freemasons at Winchester, one of the oldest lodges in the colony. A family of ten children, eight of whom are living; six sons and two daughters. (Src: 1902 Canterbury Cyclopedia P927)

Press, 20 Jan 1923: FRIENDS of the late John Donnithorne are respectfully informed that his Funeral will leave his late residence, Godley street, Temuka, on Sunday, January 2lst, 1923, at 1.16 pjn., for St. Peter's Church, and thence to the Temuka Cemetery

Their family was:

i Marion Millicent Donnithorne b: 1876 Cornwall; d: 1876 in Christchurch

ii Francis John Donnithorne (b: 1877 in Temuka d: 29 Jun 1955 in Temuka) Mar: 1902 to Sarah Matilda Beattie (b: 1881 in Rangitira Valley, Temuka - Father: James Richie Beattie Mother: Elizabeth Hanna)

iii William Henry* Donnithorne (b: 28 Mar 1879 in South Rakaia d: 26 Jun 1953 in Auckland Burial: Waikumete Cem) Mar: 01 Dec 1920 to Lucy Victoria Trumper (b: 15 Jun 1897 in Temuka - Father: Benjamin Trumper Mother: Elizabeth (Lizzie) Benbow d: 22 Apr 1964 in Auckland

iv Philippa Gracie Donnithorne (b: 1884 d: 1910 in Temuka) mar: Harold Phillip Wareing (their dau: Clara Grace Wareing b: 02 May 1906)

v Miriam Millicent Maud Donnithorne (b: 1886; d: 1969) Mar: 1909 to Richard John Kelland

vi Albert Edwin Llewellyn Donnithorne (b: 03 Jun 1889 in Korari, Winchester; d: 1971 in Nelson) Mar: 1919 to Barbara Mary Patrick b: 1888; Father: William Miller Patrick Mother: Elizabeth Emerson; d: 1927)

*2nd Wife of Albert Edwin Llewellyn Donnithorne: Mar: 1929 to Janet Mary Patrick (b: 1878 Father: William Patrick Mother: Ellen Emma Kelly)

vii Leonard Ivon Donnithorne (b: 1891 d: 1893)

viii Arthur Morrish Donnithorne (b: 1893 d: 1940 in Temuka) Mar: 1924 to Beatrice Elle Larcombe (b: 01 Mar 1896 d: 19760

ix Leonard Ernest Donnithorne b: 1897 d: 1954 in Temuka