Alice Wright^[1]

1814 - 1901  (87 years)

• Gender	Female
  Alternate Birth	1814	Lochtour, Berwickshire, Scotland   [2]
  Alternate Birth	10 February 1814	Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland   [3, 4]
  	1841 Census indicates Alison was “born in county where dwelling”.
  Birth	13 May 1814	Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland   [5, 6]
  Baptism	6 June 1814	Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland   [5, 6]
  Census	6 June 1841	Easter Softlaw, Sprouston, Roxburghshire, Scotland   [4]
  	Parish of Sprouston Page 6 Easter Softlaw Robert Houliston 25 Ag Lab Born in Roxburghshire Alison Houliston 25 Born in Roxburghshire Helen Houliston 4 Born in Roxburghshire Agnes Houliston 2 Born in Roxburghshire Margaret Houliston 4 months Born in Roxburghshire Margaret Knox 15 H. S Born in Roxburghshire
  Alternate Name	Alison  [7]
  Emigration Note	In 1860, Robert, his wife Alison and all his family except Ellen Shiels, who was already married and in Australia, set out for New Zealand. It was a big decision, but with so large a family there was no chance of advancement in the homeland. The fact that Ellen, their first-born, was in Australia and would join them in New Zealand, probably influenced their decision. They sailed on June 2nd from Glasgow in the 'Robert Henderson' (552 tons) which, under the command of Captain Logan, reached Port Chalmers on Monday, September 3rd, 1860. Their voyage had an unfortunate beginning as on June 7th the nine-months-old infant, Helen, died of consumption and was buried at sea. Scarlet fever later broke out on board and resulted in four deaths. On arrival at Port Chalmers the vessel was quarantined. 'Temporary accommodation was arranged at Deborah Bay, for the passengers to wash their clothes and bedding. Good weather favoured this task. On June 13th the vessel was freed and most of the passengers proceeded to Dunedin on the harbour steamer "Victoria". During the voyage there were eleven deaths and four births, one still-born. The ship carried 284 passengers, 1 case ploughs, 1 case boots and shoes, 20 boxes of tobacco pipes, 3 packages paper, and 40 packages merchandise. [Source 2] “Robert Houliston, wife, 4 sons and 4 daughters” arrived 3 September 1860 on the Robert Henderson. [Source 57]  [7, 8]
  FamilySearch ID	KLL6-W5B
  Joan's Notes	First Name given as “Alison Or Alice Or Agnes Wright”  [9]
  Obituary	OBITUARY. MRS HOULISTON , We have this week to record the death of another of the early residents of the district; we refer to Mrs Robert Houliston, of Te Houka, who died on Saturday morning at the ripe age of 87 years. The deceased was born at Lochtour, Roxburghshire, Scotland, and came to the colony in company with her husband, the late Mr Robert Houliston and nine of a family, by the ship Robert Henderson in the year 1860. In 1864 Mr Houliston took up the farm of Aleybank. Te Houka, where he took up his residence and where Mrs Houliston continued to reside till about six months ago when she went to live with her daughter, Mrs Moffat. The deceased had always enjoyed good health till about six weeks ago when she was laid aside, her illness terminating fatally on Saturday. Mrs Houliston leaves two sons and five daughters, all married, 48 grand-children, and 54 great-grand children, the greater number being resident in this neighborhood, although a few have gone to the North Island, and all being good colonists and nearly all engaged in agricultural pursuits. The deceased was a most industrious kindly woman, and always took a great interest in her family and their numerous descendants. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at the Balclutha cemetery, and was largely attended by settlers and others of the surrounding districts. OBITUARY.,Clutha Leader, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1538, 30 July 1901  [10]
  Death	27 July 1901	Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand   [11]
  	Died of Senile Decay. Confined to bed 2 years
  Burial	29 July 1901	Balclutha Cemetery, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand   [11]
  Headstones	Submit Headstone Photo
  Person ID	I35	Roger | Ancestors of Roger
  Last Modified	26 January 2022

  
  

  Father	Samuel Wright,   b. before 6 April 1783, Gordon, Berwickshire, Scotland d. 1 August 1863, Suckleridge, Makerston, Roxburghshire, Scotland (Age > 80 years)
  Mother	Helen Shiel,   b. before 13 August 1782, Ednam, Roxburghshire, Scotland d. 13 June 1829, Ednam, Roxburghshire, Scotland (Age > 46 years)
  Family ID	F28	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family/Spouse	Robert Houliston,   b. 1814, Lochtower, Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland d. 5 November 1879, Te Houka, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand (Age 65 years)
  Marriage	1835	Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scotland
  Children	+   1. Ellen Shiels Houliston,   b. 19 July 1837, Ednam, Roxburghshire, Scotland d. 15 May 1919, Ellenslea, Te Houka, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand (Age 81 years) +   2. Agnes Houliston,   b. 29 July 1839, Kennetsideheads, Hume, Berwickshire, Scotland d. 26 July 1921, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand (Age 81 years) +   3. Margaret Houliston,   b. 16 February 1841, Kennetsideheads, Hume, Berwickshire, Scotland d. 26 December 1913, New Zealand (Age 72 years) +   4. Jane Houliston,   b. 16 June 1844, Greenlaw, Berwickshire, Scotland d. 16 December 1913, Taieri Beach, Otago, New Zealand (Age 69 years) +   5. Adam Houliston,   b. 19 August 1846, Castle Mains, Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland d. 22 April 1921, Kakapuaka, Otago, New Zealand (Age 74 years)     6. Samuel Houliston,   b. 1849, Castle Mains, Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland d. 1873, New Zealand (Age 24 years) +   7. George Houliston,   b. 1851, Spott, Haddingtonshire, Scotland d. 1899, Stony Creek, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand (Age 48 years) +   8. Robert Houliston,   b. 28 February 1854, Spott, Haddingtonshire, Scotland d. 29 November 1936, Koiterangi, West Coast, New Zealand (Age 82 years)     9. Alison Wright Houliston,   b. 28 December 1857, Dovecote Hall, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire, Scotland d. 21 August 1934, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand (Age 76 years)
  Family ID	F17	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Alternate Birth - 10 February 1814 - Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland  Birth - 13 May 1814 - Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland  Baptism - 6 June 1814 - Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland  Marriage - 1835 - Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scotland  Census - 6 June 1841 - Easter Softlaw, Sprouston, Roxburghshire, Scotland  Death - 27 July 1901 - Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand  Burial - 29 July 1901 - Balclutha Cemetery, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand   = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Dovecothall - the house at Cockburnspath Dovecothall is the house that Robert Houliston his wife Alice Wright, and their children lived in before leaving for New Zealand in 1860. Their eldest daughter Ellen Shiels Houliston married William Moffat in this house. Helen Houliston was born here in August 1859.
  		Alice Wright, and her daughter Alison Wright Houliston Scanned from photo by Ewan Caldwell
  		Alison "Alice" Wright Picture photographed with digital camera from a photocopy of a picture held by Eunice H. Photographed by Roger 24 June 2003. Probably taken before 1879 as this picture was "attached" to a picture of Robert Houliston, her husband. He died in 1879.
  		Alice "Allison" Wright
  		Four Generations of Houliston Women Left to right: Alice Wright, Ellen Houliston, Ellen Wilson and Alison Wright Moffat. Alice Wright is Ellen Houliston's mother. She died in 1901 aged 87. Alison Wright Moffat is Ellen's daughter. The child Ellen is Alison Wright Moffat's daughter.
  		Painting of the ships “Robert Henderson” and “Pladda” in Port Chalmers, 1861 Image from Toitū Otago Settlers Museum’s collection. Watercolour by Robert Park MacGoun. Draughtsman Robert Park MacGoun arrived in New Zealand from Glasgow in 1862. In 1877 he took up a position as the first county clerk for the Southland County Council. MacGoun remained Southland county clerk until 1906. As a painter he was known mainly for watercolour paintings of Invercargill and Bluff in the 1880s. https:/​/​collections​.toituosm​.com/​objects/​21448

  
  

  Documents » Slide Show		1841 Census for Sprouston, Roxburghshire, Scotland Shows family of Robert Houliston with wife Alison, and their children Helen (Ellen), Agnes and Margaret, plus Margaret Knox (no idea who she is), living on Easter Softlaw
  		Birth Record for Alice Wright - 13 May 1814 Copy of record from Old Parish Register of Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland shows: "1814 June 6th Samuel Wright & his spouse Nellie Shiell had a daughter born 13th May 1814 baptized named Alice". Scanned from microfilm at LDS Library, Salt Lake City in August 2003
  		Death Entry for Alice Wright Record shows death of Alice Houliston on 27 July 1901. Father Samuel Wright, born in Roxburghshire. Died of Senile Decay, confined to bed for 2 years. Survived by 2 sons and 5 daughters. Informant was son Adam Houliston.
  		Shipping News from Otago Daily Witness of 8 September 1860. Bottom corner of page 4 lists passengers arriving on Robert Henderson at Port Chalmers. Shows the following families: "Donald Campbell, wife, son and 2 daughters"; "Robert Houliston, wife, 4 sons, 4 daughters"; "Alexander King, wife, son and daughter"; "Adam King, 3 sons and 5 daughters"; and records the death of Ellen Houliston on 7 June and Jane King (wife of Adam) on 14 June. From http:/​/​paperspast​.natlib​.govt​.nz/​bin/​papers?name=OW&year=1860&month=09&day=08&action=view
  		Article from the "Otago Witness" of Saturday 25 August 1860 The article talks about the arrival of the "Pladda" with John Bringans, Janet Mitchell and Bethia Breingans as passengers, the conditions in Otago at the time and concerns about the rapidly growing immigration to Otago. See also this history page for a transcript of this article.
  		Clipping from the "Otago Witness" of Saturday 25 August 1860. This clipping lists a number of items for sale that were brought to Dunedin on the Pladda - blankets, cloth, floorboards, wheels paper. Items of interest to all new settlers probably.
  		Shipping News from Otago Daily Witness of 21 July 1860 Announcement from Otago Witness Newspaper of future sailing of the ship "Pladda" from Glasgow to New Zealand. Passengers listed include A Bringin, wife and child. This list was compiled in advance of the sailing and sent to New Zealand by mail. It was published in the Otago Witness on Saturday July 21 1860. The article also includes reference to upcoming sailings to New Zealand, including the Robert Henderson on which Robert and Alice Houliston and 9 children arrived in New Zealand a few weeks after the "Pladda" arrived on 20 August 1860. From http:/​/​paperspast​.natlib​.govt​.nz/​bin/​papers?name=OW&year=1860&month=07&day=21&action=view
  		Kennetsideheads, Stichell and Hume, Roxburghshire, Scotland 1863 Map showing the location of Kennetsideheads - a farm about mid-way between Stichell and Hume. It is thought that this might be the place that is referred to in "Here a Name" for the birth of Agnes Houliston and Margaret Houliston at "Kennilheads", and in the 1932 "Tree of Descendants" as "Kennitheads".
  		Lochtower, Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland 1863 Map showing Lochtower - a long established farm owned by the Wauchope family, on the north east shore of Yetholm Loch. According to "Here a Name", Robert Houliston and Alison Wright were born in "Lochtour, Berwickshire". Lochtower is in Roxburghshire, near the town of Yetholm.
  		Alice Wright Obituary in the Clutha Leader 30 July 1901

  
  

  Histories » Slide Show		Article about Robert Houliston and Christina Cameron from Stan Dunn's "Please meet.... Robert Houliston and Christina Cameron" The first 7 pages from the booklet made available by Stan Dunn that lists the descendants of Robert Houliston and Christina Cameron. Photocopy obtained by Roger Moffat in August 2004
  		Article describing the wedding of George Moffat and Ann Susan Fahey Article probably transcribed by Peter Moffat, but it doesn't contain a reference for where it came from. A newspaper most likely, but it's not known for sure.
  		Article from "The Clutha Leader" of Monday August 26 1929 describing the Diamond Jubliee of Te Houka School This article reports on the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations for the Te Houka School celebrating 60 years from 1869 to 1929. Includes mention of a number of Moffats and Houlistons in various capacities at the school or on the school committee during the 60 years.
  		Article from the "Otago Witness" of Saturday 25 August 1860 The article talks about the arrival of the "Pladda" with John Bringans, Janet Mitchell and Bethia Breingans as passengers, the conditions in Otago at the time and concerns about the rapidly growing immigration to Otago.
  		Obituary from "The Clutha Leader" for Ellen Houliston This obituary is transcribed from "The Clutha Leader" of sometime in May (after the 15th obviously) - possibly by Peter Moffat.
  		Travels of the Moffats - by Peter Moffat This article written by Peter Moffat describes his travels in the footsteps of his ancestors in Berwickshire as he visited the farms and places where several generations of Moffat and Houliston ancestors lived and worked
  		Document about Houliston and Lawson Families' Early History Document supplied by Michelle Fitzsimons Scott, who prefaced it saying it was told to her by her grandmother - Catherine Jane Higgins - in 1977.

  
  

• Notes

  Died 27 July at the residence of her daughter Mrs W Moffat at Te Houka.

  
  

• Sources

  [S56] indexed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Old Parish Register from New Register House, Edinburgh, Scotland. [S2] written by Caldwell, P., Booklet titled “Here a Name - A History of the Houliston Family in New Zealand”, page 1. [S61] hand drawn by Ashley Moffat, Hand Drawn Pedigree Chart. [S757] British Census of 1841 for Sprouston, Roxburghshire, Scotland. [S593] published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Information submitted by Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [S828] Old Parish Register for Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland. [S2] written by Caldwell, P., Booklet titled “Here a Name - A History of the Houliston Family in New Zealand”. [S57] author unknown., Shipping News from newspaper “The Otago Witness”. [S15] from Joan van’t Wout, GEDCOM File “Joan.ged”. [S2562] author unknown, Obituary of Alice Wright Houliston. [S754] Copy of Death Entry for Alice Houliston.