William PARISH Born: April 17, 1816 in Elsworth, Cambridgeshire, England Baptism: June 06, 1816 Elsworth, Cambridgeshire, Children born to William and Hannah Parish: 1. Isabella PARISH Born: August 02, 1841 in Elsworth, Cambridgeshire, England Died: June 18, 1889 in Ashley Bank m. William CONE Born: 1838 in Aldham, Suffolk Baptism: May 27, 1838 Aldham, Suffolk Married: September 30, 1861 in St Andrews Church, Christchurch Died: December 18, 1905 in Rangiora 2. Jacob PARISH Born: July 03, 1842 in Elsworth, Cambridgeshire, England Died: September 20, 1906 in Christchurch 3. Issac PARISH Born: September 28, 1846 in Elsworth, Cambridgeshire, England Died: September 03, 1921 in Christchurch 4. William PARISH Born: February 20, 1848 in Elsworth, Cambridgeshire, England Died: July 14, 1921 in Christchurch 5. Elizabeth Anne PARISH Born: March 15, 1850 in Elsworth, Cambridgeshire, England Died: July 30, 1883 in Christchurch 6. Edward PARISH Born: May 21, 1854 in Christchurch Died: January 21, 1857 in Christchurch 7. John PARISH Born: November 28, 1855 in Christchurch Died: July 06, 1917 in Christchurch 8. Abraham PARISH Born: November 12, 1859 in Christchurch Died: March 28, 1910 9. Hannah Elizabeth PARISH Born: May 21, 1863 in Christchurch Died: February 02, 1932 10. Rose Hannah PARISH Born: May 21, 1863 in Christchurch Died: February 02, 1932 11. Gertrude PARISH Born: 1867 in Christchurch Died: July 03, 1883 in Christchurch William lived on Ferry Road and John farmed on the Lower Lincoln Road. William became active in public affairs and diverse business ventures. The advertisement above was in the Lyttleton Times a month before the marriage of his daughter Isabelle took place to William Cone. William Parish was determined to grow wheat. He had heard that the local Maoris had some over at Rapaki. He took Jacob, then aged nine, with him over the Bridle Path and bartered for a bushel of grain. The Maori could not speak English and William knew no Maori, but he got his grain and carried it back over the hill on his shoulders. On the way they were chased by another party and had to run for their lives with the wheat.
William organised an "Old English Sports Day" on Anniversary Day in 1867 which was held at the George and Dragon. It was very well attended and people coming from Christchurch were advised "if coming mention it to the guard and the train will stop for that purpose." He opened a monthly fair there in November 1872 and J F Ford acted as auctioneer. William Parish was a well known breeder of horses and pigs and took many prizes at A and P Shows in thee early days. He owned a property at Yaldhurst and finally purchased 125 acres on Hays Road at Springston where he remained until his death on 8 July 1878.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |