Robert Houliston^[1]

1814 - 1879  (65 years)

• Gender	Male
  Alternate Birth	1814	Lochtour, Berwickshire, Scotland   [1]
  	Lochtour is almost certainly supposed to be Lochtower, which is on Yetholm Loch near Town Yetholm, Roxburghshire - Roger 16 Jan 2007
  Birth	1814	Lochtower, Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland   [2, 3]
  	1841 Census says Robert was born in County where dwelling - Roxburghshire
  Alternate Birth	October 1814  [4]
  Census	6 June 1841	Easter Softlaw, Sprouston, Roxburghshire, Scotland   [3]
  	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
  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. “Robert Houliston, wife, 4 sons and 4 daughters” arrived 3 September 1860 on the Robert Henderson.  [1, 5]
  FamilySearch ID	KLL6-W5S
  From Here A Name	In 1814 in Scotland were born Robert Houliston and Alison Wright in Lochtour, Berwickshire. In 1835, these two were married. To these were born in: 1837 Ellen Shiels Houliston at Ednam, 1839 Agnes Houliston at Kennilheads, 1842 Margaret Houliston at Kennilheads, 1845 Jane Houliston at Middlethird, 1847 Adam Houliston at Castlemains, 1849 Samuel Houliston at Doon, 1851 George Houliston at Spat, 1854 Robert Houliston at Spat, 1857 Alison Wright Houliston at Dovecothall, 1859 Helen Houliston at Dovecothall. Robert Houliston was a shepherd, and according to report was "of a very independent nature and never hesitated to leave one sheep farm and apply for work elsewhere if he thought he was not fairly treated or his skill and experience not given due consideration." Thus it was that the births in the family took place in so many parishes.  [1]
  Joan's Notes	Ednam, the birthplace of Robert Houliston, is across the River Tweed from Sprouston. The original name for the village was Edenham (i.e. hamlet beside the river Eden). The church has a foundation charter which dates from the beginning of the twelfth century. This document is in the archives of Durham University and from it we learn that Edgar, King of Scots, gave Ednam to Thor the Long who had the church built and dedicated to St. Cuthbert. Today the church stands at the top of a gentle slope which runs down to the river and looks out over the beautiful border countryside which has been worked and tended for centuries by the people of the district. Like every other parish in this area the land and the rivers provided a living for generation after generation and there was the advantage of being only a short distance from the market town of Kelso. As important as the lairds and artists of the town were the artisans who worked with their hands in the mills, breweries, smiddies and on the farms. Some families lived and worked in the same place for many generations. one such was the Fairbairns who were blacksmiths in the parish for about 200 years. The year 1814 saw the births of Robert HOULISTON and Alison WRIGHT at Lochtour, Ednam, Roxburgh, Scotland. They were married about 1835 and came to NZ. On arrival Robert began his farming career as a shepherd on Powder Hill, near Dunedin. Later he moved to the Clutha district where he bought "Alleybank" farm at Te Houka. His first house was wattle and daub and the floors were of clay. It was quite warm with and comfortable with its wide chimney and large camp oven; later a colonial oven was substituted. Jane Houliston was married to Robert Fairbairn in her parents' clay house.  [6]
  Obituary	DEATH. Houliston. —At Fearn Hill, Balclutha, on the 5th inst., Robert Houliston, late of Berwickshire, Scotland, aged 65 years.  [7]
  Obituary	THE LATE MR. HOULISTON. Last week we mentioned the occurrence of an accident on the Main South Road here by which Mr Robert Houliston, settler, Te Houka, had sustained serious injury. Although it was then known he had been severely bruised, and that several bones had been fractured, strong hopes were entertained that a favourable issue would result. These hopes have not been realised, as Mr Houliston succumbed at midnight on Wednesday night. During the beginning of the week the pain had very muoh left, and it was generally regarded that he was progressing favourably. It was only on Wednesday afternoon that symptoms were manifested that gave rise to serious apprehensions. It appears that Mr Houliston has been in very indifferent health for the past few years, and at the time of the accident was suffering from bronchitis, which, oombined with the shock resulting from the accident, proved too much for his strength. He remained perfectly conscious throughout, and freely expressed his own opinion that he would not recover. He spoke to those about him up to within an-hour and a-half-of his death. He seemed to fall into a slumber, and ceased to breathe without the slightest struggle, or other indication that the end had come. Mr Houliston arrived in the Colony nineteen years ago. For three years he lived in the Taieri, after which he came to Te Houka where he has resided ever since. He was regarded as a model farmer, an [unreadable] neighbour, and a sincere friend. [Unreadable] quiet and courteous in demeanour and we believe- leaves not a single {unreadable] behind. He was an Elder of the Presbyterian Church, and officiated [unreadable] Sacrament here. .He leaves a widow, three sons and four daughters [unreadable] their very sad loss we [unreadable] community of the Clutha mercifully sympathise.  [8]
  Death	5 November 1879	Te Houka, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand   [9, 10]
  Burial	8 November 1879	Balclutha Cemetery, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand   [10]
  Headstones	Submit Headstone Photo
  Person ID	I34	Roger | Ancestors of Roger
  Last Modified	26 January 2022

  
  

  Father	Adam Houliston,   b. about 1782, Roxburghshire, Scotland d. Yes - date unknown
  Mother	Agnes Cairns,   b. about 1786, Roxburghshire, Scotland d. Yes - date unknown
  Family ID	F27	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family/Spouse	Alice Wright,   b. 13 May 1814, Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland d. 27 July 1901, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand (Age 87 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		Birth - 1814 - Lochtower, Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland  Marriage - 1835 - Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scotland  Census - 6 June 1841 - Easter Softlaw, Sprouston, Roxburghshire, Scotland  Death - 5 November 1879 - Te Houka, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand  Burial - 8 November 1879 - Balclutha Cemetery, Balclutha, Otago, New Zealand   = Link to Google Earth
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• 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.
  		Robert Houliston Picture taken before his death in 1879. A matching picture shows his wife Alison Wright. Picture taken with digital camera from a photocopy held by Eunice H
  		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
  		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.
  		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".
  		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
  		Robert Houliston Accident Clutha Leader 31 October 1879
  		Robert Houliston Death Notice Clutha Leader 7 November 1879
  		Robert Houliston Death Article Clutha Leader 7 November 1879
  		Death Entry for Robert Houliston Record shows death of Robert Houliston on 5 November 1879. Indicates born in Roxburghshire, Scotland. Parents were Adam Houliston and Agnes Cairns, Burial in Balclutha Cemetery on 8 November 1879. Informant was Robert's son Adam Houliston

  
  

  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 from "The Cyclopedia of Otago & Southland" published 1999. This article was written by Peter Moffat for inclusion in the The Cyclopedia of Otago & Southland. Publication details are: Sorrell, Paul, ed., The Cyclopedia of Otago & Southland, "Te Houka", (Dunedin City Council:Dunedin, New Zealand, 1999) pp. 706-707.
  		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

  Upon landing Robert obtained work as a shepherd on Powder Hill, Mt. Allan, and there he and his family began colonial life in a hut perched precipitously on a steep hillside. All the provisions and goods had to be dragged down from the road on a bullock hide. Later they bought "Alleybank", Te Houka. Life in this newly settled district must have been a strange contrast to that in the old land. They took many of their old ways into the new life. Religion was a very real thing to them and attendance at the kirk of the Sabbath was as strictly adhered to as circumstances would allow. From "Alleybank" each Sunday Robert, his wife, and family along with daughter Ellen, her husband and family, attended Church on Inch Clutha, there being then no church at the Ferry as Balclutha was then called. The dray was yoked up and prepared by placing down one side a partly filled bag of chaff or straw. In this sat the mothers and youngest children. The men and older children walked. The girls kilted up their skirts and had their best boots in the dray ready to don later. Their route was down a ridge past Christie's farm and the present hospital site and continuing on through the town, then given over mostly to high flax and swamp, to the river slightly up stream from where the railway station now stands. They crossed the river by ferry and walked the rest of the way. The minister at Stirling was, at that time, Rev. Jas. Kirkland, and he had arranged with the Ferryman "to ferry people over to the Island every Lord's Day on which it was possible to cross the river". This arrangement continued till 1866 when a church was built at Balclutha. In 1879 Robert had an accident with his dray at Tosh's gate (at the Hospital road end) and injured his leg. This led to his death on October 5th.[Source 2] We regret to have to report a serious ascident that occurred here on Tuesday last. Mr Robert Houliston, settler, Te Houka, had been in Balclutha on business on the forenoon of that day. He was driving a young horse in a spring cart. He left for home about noon, accompanied by Mr Alexander Moffat. When nearing Mr Tosh's steading, the horse suddenly shied at some bags placed at the roadside, and the wheel going over the steep bank on the South side of the road, the trap was capsized. Mr Moffat escaped unhurt, but Mr Houliston was thrown violently to the ground and the horse fell upon him. The accident was observed by parties near by, and Mr Houliston was carried to Mr Tosh's house, where he still remains. Dr Smith was at once sent for, and on examination found Mr Houliston to have sustained very serious injury. Besides the bruises and shock to the system, the collar-bone, one arm and two ribs (one on each side) were broken, one of the ribs pressing inwards and resting on the lung. Mr Houliston's health has not been good for some time past, and at the time of the accident he was suffering from bronchitis. He continued sensible but in great pain all Tuesday night. Towards evening on Wednesday he got very low and was only partially conscious. Yesterday he had considerably revived, and continued so last evening, but was suffering great pain. Although the injuries are very severe, there are now good hopes of a recovery. Under the most favourable circumstances, however, a good many weeks must elapse before he can be about again. [1, 11]

  
  

• Sources

  [S2] written by Caldwell, P., Booklet titled “Here a Name - A History of the Houliston Family in New Zealand”. [S61] hand drawn by Ashley Moffat, Hand Drawn Pedigree Chart. [S757] British Census of 1841 for Sprouston, Roxburghshire, Scotland. [S86] Roger Moffat, Note about conflicting information. [S57] author unknown., Shipping News from newspaper “The Otago Witness”. [S15] from Joan van’t Wout, GEDCOM File “Joan.ged”, RIN = 782. [S2563] author unknown, Death of Houliston. [S2564] author unknown, The Late Mr. Houliston. [S359] by Stan Dunn, Robert Houliston and Christina Cameron. [S753] Copy of Death Entry for Robert Houliston. [S2565] author unknown, The Clutha Leader - columns of local news.