NZ Pioneers - Amos, Andrew & Caleb Sherratt

On May 7th 1863, the ship Captain Cook sailed from Spithead, with 18 second class, 66 steerage and 370 assisted immigrants - a total of 498 souls, including the crew. A vessel of over 1000 tons, she was commanded by Captain H C Cleaver and Surgeon Superintendent Dr J B Clutterbuck . After passing the Cape, she encountered two or three heavy gales, one developing into a fearful hurricane, which severely crippled the ship. Another on August 5th, encountered many large icebergs and the officers and passengers had an anxious time.

After a voyage of 116 days, they arrived at Lyttelton on September the 5th. There was 11 deaths and on arrival two of typhoid had the vessel was placed in quarantine. Weary from the long voyage, 200 men, women and children were landed on the beach at Camp Bay (September weather was still cold) with only rudimentary sanitary facilities to camp in tents on the exposed headland which also served as the quarrantine cemetery and were as was stated "to shift for themselves like so many savages".

On Ships List Captain Cook:

a Sherratt Amos 31Y occ. Labr; Mary Ann 31Y; Thomas 10Y; Mary Ann 6Y (she d. 1865 7Y); SBC female child d: 18 Aug 1863

b Andrew 23Y occ. Labr; Hannah 27Y;

c Caleb 21Y occ. Labr;

Amos Sherratt (b: 11 Oct 1831 in Moira Leicestershire, England; At age 23 he was a deputy in a coal mine in Warwickshire; he d: 06 Jul 1900 in Geraldine) He mar: (1) on 25 Dec 1850 in St Lawrence, Foleshill to Mary Ann Goldby (b: 1831 Leicestershire, England; miscarriage on voyage , d: Abt. 1863) On arrival at Lyttelton he worked at the Lyttelton tunnel and then went contracting with his 2 brothers at Lyttelton for 2 years under the name "Sherratt Bros". His moved next to Christchurch and worked for 2 yrs for Mr Aulsebrook

Iin 1866 Amos married Mary Anne Eskett (b: 1843; d: 1900 57Y) and purchased his farm "Rosedale" at Leeston. He went to Geraldine In 1878 and entered business as a money lender and turned his attention to sawmilling in partnership with Mr E Brown - the firm was dissolved when the bush was worked out. He was for some years a member of the Geraldine County Council and was on the Town Board. and a prominent member of the Primitive Methodist Church, He and his wife and son visited England in 1886 and returned the same year. Amos was made a Justice of the Peace in 1896.

TIMARU HERALD, 7 JULY 1900; There passed away early yesterday morning in the private hospital, Timaru, a well-known and much-respected Geraldine resident, Mr Amos Sherratt, brother to the late Mr Andrew Sherratt, of this town. Mr Amos Sherratt had often occupied public positions in Geraldine, where he had been engaged m business for many years. He came to Timaru to undergo an operation, which was performed last Monday, and which at first seemed to be quite successful. On Thursday he took a turn for the worse, and died yesterday morning. (Amos's Will)

Children of Amos and Mary Ann Sherrat:

1. Thomas Sherratt (b: Mar 1852; Occ: storekeeper, Geraldine; d: 5 Dec 1921 in Ferguson St, Geraldine, Sth Canterbury) Mar: 1881 in Geraldine, Sth Canty to Eliza Ann Maslin (b: 1858; d: 28 Jan 1931 in Geraldine 73Y) Family:

a George Raymond Sherratt (b: 1882; d: Apr 1952 in Christchurch) Mar: 1907 to Wilhelmina Boone Robertson (Children: - Thomas William; Bruce Graham; Alton Victor Sherratt)

b Bertha Evelyn Sherratt (b: 1883; d: 1960 )

c Elsie Adelaide Sherratt (b: 1885; d: 1962)

d Henry Amos Sherratt (b: 1886; d: 10 May 1887 in Geraldine 12 Mths)

*2nd Wife of Amos Sherratt: Mar: 18 Jan 1866 in Christchurch to Mary Ann Eskett (b: 1841; d: 06 Dec 1899 in Geraldine aged 58Y) Their son:

4. William Amos Sherratt (b: 1870; d: 10 Jan 1953 at Geraldine 82Y) Mar: 1894 to Ellen Maria Stonehouse (b: 1871; d: 10 Jul 1958 in Geraldine aged 87Y) Their Children:

a Zante Osborne Sherratt (b: 23 May 1897 in Geraldine; d: 21 May 1975 in 177 Talbot St, Geraldine 77Y) Mar: 1923 to Ivy Margaret Scott (b: 21 Oct 1897 in Woodbury, Timaru; d: 23 Nov 1975 in Woodbury, Timaru ) Family:

b Myrtle Ivy Eskett Sherratt (b: 06 Jun 1898; d: 05 Apr 1988 in Rawhiti House, Hewling St, Geraldine)

c Henry Amos Roy Sherratt (b: 1902; d: 16 Nov 1924 in Geraldine 22Y)

Andrew Sherratt (was b: 1839 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leistershire, England; d: 29 Jul 1899 at his residence Theodocia St, Timaru 59Y) He mar: 1864 at Christchurch to Mary Ann King (b: 1841; d: 06 Dec 1899 in Timaru 58Y) Bur: Timaru Cemetery

Monday 31 July 1899: The news of the death of Mr Andrew Sherratt on Saturday caused widespread regret among old residents in Timaru - another vacancy m the ranks of the old identities. The late Mr Sherratt came to the colony in 1863 on the ship Captain Cook, and whilst engaged in contracting at Lyttelton, paid a visit to Timaru and liked the district so much that in 1867 he decided to leave Lyttelton and join Mr George Butler, who he had known in the Old Country, in business in Timaru. Together for some years then Mr Butler took up farming and Mr Sherratt went into the coal trade.

Mr Sherratt took a lively interest in the affairs of his adopted town, had been Mayor of Timaru, and a member of the Timaru Borough Council, served on the High School Board, Hospital Board, etc. He enjoyed excellent health up to a year or so ago, when a very severe attack of infiuenza followed by serious complications undermined his health completely, and after a lingering illness he passed quiet!y away at an early hour on Saturday. Regret at his death is the more poignant, in that Mrs Sherrntt lies almost at the point of death. The deceased gentleman was widely known and respected, and in his quiet way always did his best to help forward the interests of Timaru. The funeral takes place this afternoon. Andrew 's Will

Death: Sherratt - At her residence, Theodosia street, on Dec 6th, Mrs Sherratt, relict of the late Andrew Sherratt aged 57 years. Bur: Plott 228; Block G Timaru Cemetery.

Caleb Ezekiel Sherratt ( (1841 -1917) OBITUARY - Press 21 Aug 1917: CALEB EZEKIEL SHERRATT: On Sunday evening occured the death one of the oldest residents of the Geraldine district in the person of Caleb E Sherratt at the age of 75 years.  Mr Sherratt was born al Moyra, in Leicestershire, England, in in 1841 and for come years was engaged in mining. He arrived in New Zealand in 1863 in the sailing ship Captain Cook, landing at Lyttelton with his brothers Andrew and Amos, and entered in partnership with them in contracting on a large scale. Contracts undertaken by them was making part of the Zig-Zag road to Sumner and built the stone embankments, and worked on roading at Akaroa and Kaituna and the road to Little River. He left for Timaru and was appointed to become Clerk of the Geraldine Road Board, and later on held (he position of Clerk to the Magistrates Court. while still continuing to undertake contracts in conjunction with his brothers. Later on he opened an office in South Talbot Street as a commission agent, and he subsequently purchased a bi-weekly coach service between Geraldine and Tiimaru. Though he practically retired about ten years ago, the late Mr Sherratt has since undertaken some small jobs - he was an office bearer and preacher in the Methodist Church, and was member of the Southern Masonic Lodge. His brother Amos died in 1899, and his brother Andrew a few months later. He leaves a widow and four children, his sons being Mr W. C. Sherratt and Mr Noah Sherratt, of Geraldine and his daughters, Mrs Edna Borrell and Mrs Florence Trengrove, (Timaru).

HANNAH SHEBRATT.: Eleven months after the death of Caleb Sherratt, his widow passed away after a long and useful life, The late Mrs Sherratt was bom at Cole's Hill, near Coventry, England, and came with her husband to New Zealand in the sailing, ship, Captain Cook, landing at Lyttelton in 1863. She lived at the port for a few years, then going to Timaru, and about 40 years ago settled at Geraldine, where she has resided since. She leaves four children : Mr W. G. Sherratt and Noah Sherratt of Geraldine, Mrs F. Trengrove, of Timaru and resided with Mrs E. Borrell, of High st Geraldine where she died on July 9th. She was buried July 12 at 2.30 pm at Geradine Cemetery..

Children of Caleb Ezekiel and Hannah Sherratt:
1. Elizabeth Sherratt (b: 25 Aug 1864 in Lyttelton, NZ; d: 28 Jan 1865 in Lyttelton, NZ)

2. William George Sherratt (b: 25 Sep 1865 in Salts Gully, Lyttelton, NZ; Occ: engine driver; d: 03 Apr 1935 in Geraldine, Sth Canterbury) Mar: 30 Dec 1896 in Geraldine, Sth Canterbury to Eva Ellen Smith (b: 1878 in Geraldine, Sth Canterbury; d: 26 Oct 1950 in Geraldine, Sth Canterbury) Their children:

a Harold William Sherratt (b: 28 Aug 1897 in Geraldine, Sth Canterbury) d: 20 Jun 1971 in Nelson, NZ) Mar: 22 Nov 1921 to Mabel Lillian Davis Hare (nee Hardwick) (b: 16 Sep 1895 in Waimate, Sth Canterbury; d: 03 Jul 1989 in Nelson,). He went to Ashburton 1922, was a director of Tekau Knitwear since establishment 1932 (it's proprietor 1945), in 1937 elected a member of the Ashburton Borough Council and was chairman of Works Committee and a member of the finance and By-laws Committee, and over the years he had been president of the Ashburton Athletic Association and the Advance Ashburton Assoc., a past member of the Ashburton East School Committee and was 1943 president of the Rotary Club, secretary IOOF Victoria Lodge; and deputy mayor of Ashburton. A keen Lakes fisherman. Health concerns Apr 1946 caused his resignation after nine years on the council and a bye election was held - regrets expressed of loss of a well-trained businessman and valuable public bodies man who always had the the interests of the council at heart. Children are:

i Merle Doreen Mary Sherratt (b: 1923 in Ashburton, Canterbury; d: 03 Jun 1959 in Marsden Valley, Nelson) Mar: 1945 in Ashburton to George William Herbert Benbow b: 27 Jan 1919 in Temuka Died: 08 Mar 2009 in Nelson 90Y

a George Ross* Benbow b: at Takaka mar: 1981 to Pamela Ngaire Barbara Gibbons (b: 1951; d: 29 Mar 2007 in Nelson Bur: 31 Mar 2007 Marsden Valley Cem.)

b Gillian Merle Benbow b: in Motueka mar: Mahutonga (Manu) Wallace

c Warwick Ian* Benbow b: in Takaka mar: Haley

ii Son Sherratt b: 22 Sep 1928 in Ashburton

b Myrtle Emily Sherratt (b: 22 May 1899 in Geraldine, South Canterbury 76Y; d: 27 Jun 1976 in Geraldine) Mar: 06 Mar 1924 in Geraldine, Sth Canterbury to Stanley James Neutze (b: 16 Jan 1900 in Annat, Canterbury; d: 29 Jun 1976 in Geraldine) Their two Sons:   Allan Clifford Neutze b: 31 Jan 1927 in Geraldine Died: 10 Sep 2008 in Christchurch and Colin Ros Neutze b: 17 May 1938 Died: in Invercargill

c Phyllis Eveline Sherratt (b: 11 Apr 1901 in Geraldine, South Canterbury 76Y; d: 10 Jan 1992 in Timaru) Mar: 06 Apr 1924 in Geraldine, Sth Canterbury to John Manson Sutherland (b: 30 Oct 1892 NZ; d: 09 Apr 1968 in Timaru) Their Son:  Geoffrey Manson Sutherland b: 23 Jan 1925 Died: 29 Jan 1994 in Timaru

d Vera Elizabeth Sherratt (b: 02 May 1903 in Geraldine, South Canterbury; d: 2 Apr 1992 in Christchurch 76Y)

e Mavis Lillian Sherratt (b: 26 Apr 1907 in Geraldine, South Canterbury; d: 23 May 1975 in Timaru) mar: Edwin Bruce Dunlop Logan (b: 28 Apr 1889 in Geraldine; d: Aft. 1963 in Timaru) Their Son: Edwin George Dunlop Logan (b: 1935 in Geraldine d: 1978 in Hamilton)

3. Thomas Sherratt (b: 23 Oct 1866 in Lyttelton, NZ; d: 27 Mar 1867 in Lyttelton, 5 mths)

4. James Andrew Sherratt (b: 07 Dec 1868 in Lyttelton, NZ; d: 30 Dec 1868 in Timaru, 13 mths)

5. Noah Sherratt (b: 07 Oct 1871 in Geraldine; d: 12 Aug 1945 in Geraldine 73Y) Mar: 02 Jan 1895 at Geraldine to Sarah Jane Rusbach (b: 1866 in Christchurch; active member of the Geraldine Methodist Church, he d: 04 Aug 1945 in Geraldine) Family:

a Alfred Samuel Sherratt (b: 1895 in Geraldine; d: 31 Aug 1971 in Geraldine 75Y) Mar: 31 Oct 1922 in Geraldine, Sth Canterbury  to Roseana Mary Peterson (b: 1898 Died: 15 Oct 1985 in Geraldine)

b Amy Florence Sherratt (b: 25 Sep 1897 in Geraldine; d: 1999) Mar: 1923 to Frederick Charles Neutze (b: 23 Jan 1898; d: 1979)

c Ethel Winifred Sherratt (b: 22 Jun 1899 in Geraldine; d: 1993 in Timaru) Mar: 1923  to Egerton Roy (Toby) Grayburn (b: 09 Jul 1897 in Canterbury; d: 1984 in Timaru) Son is Lester Roy Grayburn

d Ruby May Sherratt (b: 1900 in Geraldine; d: 10 Jun 1921 in Geraldine)

e Muriel Jane Sherratt (b: 15 Apr 1902 in Geraldine; d: 1991 in Geraldine) Mar: 1929 to Leonard William Neutze (b: 19 Oct 1905; d: 2000)

f Frederick Charles Sherratt (b: 1904 in Geraldine; d: 01 May 1969 in Geraldine)

6. Thomas Albert Sherratt (b: 1873 in Geraldine; d: 04 Mar 1874 in Geraldine)

7. Mary Edna Sherratt (b: 28 Feb 1875 Geraldine; d: 8 Aug 1940 Geraldine 65Y) Mar: 04 Apr 1901 Alfred Borrell (b: 1875; d: 7 Mar 1967 Turangi Home, Ashburton 89Y)

8. Florence Sherratt (b: 28 Feb 1877 in Geraldine; d: 26 Sep 1948 in Timaru) Mar: 1899 to John Charles Trengrove (b: 08 Dec 1875; d: 24 Apr 1942 in Timaru 66Y)