Person Index

Hopton, Robert

Robert Hopton
b: 1809
d: 19 JUN 1854
Biography
Wellington Independent 11 February 1846
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Hopton, Robert, Te Aro, carpenter
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Wellington Independent 4 March 1846
THE AFFAIRS OF THE HUTT.
In our last, we furnished the movement of the troops up to six o''clock on Tuesday evening. That evening a picket was thrown across the potatoe ground, the Maories being encamped on a plot of land across a creek, at the foot of a high hill thickly covered with bush. The natives followed the military custom by likewise having a line of pickets across the field. During the night the artillery under the command of Capt. Henderson, arrived on the ground, and by dint of great labour and perseverance, some field pieces and howitzers were conveyed to the camp. We cannot refrain from mentioning the characteristic zeal of the officers and blue jackets of the men of war, while assisting in dragging up the guns and ammunition.
On the following morning, Wednesday, affairs seemed approaching to a crisis. The natives refused to leave, demanding payment for their crops. His Excellency stated that quit they must, and as for compensation, he could not listen to it there, but they must bring it forward at their own place, Wanganui. His Excellency then gave the Maories till twelve o''clock, to consider whether they would depart, and if not, he informed them that they would be attacked immediately. By persuasion of Mr. Taylor, a Church Missionary, the natives made a semblance of departing, and marched into the bush. In consequence the artillery was brought down to the stockade near the bridge.
His Excellency, with Major Richmond, returned to town, and many were sanguine that affairs were settled in a peaceable and friendly manner. The military, when they left this place for the Hutt, expected to return the same evening, and did not therefore carry with them the necessary articles for a protracted stay. Owing also to the supposed settlement of the question, Captain Eyton was ordered over to Wellington, on Thursday morning, with the Grenadier company of the 96th, and Capt. Hardy with 76 men of the 58th.
Early on Thursday morning, Major Last discovered eight or nine armed natives on the ground which the main body of their countrymen occupied the proceeding day: who made an excuse that they were searching far trinkets. It is more than probable that they were acting as a look-out, upon the military. Major Last, ordered some men who had been employed by the authorities, to commence a road from Mr. Boulcott''s house to the camp. There is now an excellent road for carts up to the camp, thanks to Col. Hulme, and Major Last By the directions of the last officer, the ground has been cleared for the space of about 300 square feet, tents erected, logs thrown up for a breastwork, and preparations commenced for erecting a block-house, in which, we believe, it is intended to station 150 men. In the evening a party of the natives carried off a fine pig the property of a man named Sennox, striking the owner of the animal on the leg with the back part of a towahawk, and snapping a gun in his face. A second party entered the house of a man named Leverton (sic), and carried off a gun, whilst a third party robbed the warre (sic) of a man named Giles. In consequence of these outrages, a party of settlers remained up armed during the night to protect their property.
During Friday, the natives threatened the life of every settler in the district, in case one of their party was shot. They also threatened to pillage the houses of the settlers.
On Saturday, Captain Eyton returned to the Hutt, with 42 of the 96th; and Major Arney, with 94 of the 58th, and 73 of the 99th. Major Arney of the 58th relieving the commanding officer, Major Last.
On Sunday, March 1, the natives carried out their threats by pillaging the unfortunate settlers on a most extensive scale. The robberies on the Waiwatu were perpetrated in the earlier part of the day by from fifty to one hundred men of the Taupo tribe, whilst those on the Hutt were the acts of about one hundred of the Ngatirangatahi. F. Pare, the chief and subservient tool of Rangihaeata, is notonous for having butchered five of the unfortunates who fell at Wairau. One of the settlers, irritated at the loss of his property drew a sword upon a native who merely imitated the notes of the kaka, when he was joined by numbers who came from the bush, and the white man was compelled to fly for his life.
The following is a correct list of the Europeans who have been robbed of all they possessed:-
ON THE WAIWATU.
Francis Whiteman, and three adults.
John Russell, wife, and one child.
James Swan and brother.
William Leckie, and William Parker, and one child.
John Dounie, wife, and four children.
William Ebden, mother, brother, and servant, and three children.
John Jackson, and wife.
James Holmes, wife, and five children.
William Thomas, wife, and five children.
James McEwen, wife, and three children.
David Galloway, wife, and three children.
David McEwen, wife, mother, and three children.
William Tannahill, wife, and three children.
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ON THE HUTT.
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Charles Collis, wife, and two children.
Robert Fairweather, wife, and five children.
Thomas Hughes, wife, and four children.
Samuel Burnett, wife, brother, and five children.
John Sutherland, wife, and three children.
Thomas Reid, wife, and one child.
Total forty-four adults, and fifty-one children,
Thus ninety-six individuals, men, women, and children, were stripped of all they possessed on Sunday.
About 12 o''clock at night a deputation from the unfortunate men waited upon His Excellency Captain Grey in Wellington, and laid before him their grievances. His Excellency promised to see into the case as early as possible, and took the depositions of the men with his own hands. Monday, March 2. Various rumours of a conflicting nature were were rife in town. The out-settler, who had not been robbed, terrified at the idea of losing their property, began to remove their most valuable articles to a place of safety. About 80 more troops were ordered for the Hutt, and it was generally understood that martial law was to be proclaimed. In the afternoon a detachment of the troops were sent up the Waiwatu. A native threw a spear at one of the 96th, ripping up the sleeve of his jacket, and tearing the flesh on his arm. In the afternoon, another body of military departed from town for the Hutt.
Tuesday, March 3. At daybreak, the natives commenced firing on the grenadier company of the 96th, under the command of Capt. Eyton, who were stationed some distance from the camp. Capt. Eyton''s party returned the fire in a most spirited manner, and compelled the natives after some time to retire, with what loss cannot be ascertained. At the same time, a party of natives in the bush commenced firing on the encampment, but without inflicting any injury.
A despatch arrived in town about 11 o''clock, when his Excellency ordered H.M. Steamer DRIVER to prepare to receive bodies of troops to take over to the Hutt. 50 of the 58th, 20 of the 96th, and 30 of the 99th, under the command of Lieutenant Barclay, were conveyed on board by half-past one, and at 2 o''clock the DRIVER weighed anchor, and steamed over to Petoni. In the afternoon, his Excellency Captain Grey, following Up that energetic line of policy which has characterized his proceedings to the present time, proclaimed the district lying to the south of Wainui in Cook''s Straits, to Castle Point on the East Coast, under Martial Law. Toward the afternoon, a party of natives drove a man name Cole from his land on the Waiwatu, and took possession of his goods. Fifty Volunteers were embodied, under the command of Mr. Watt, and in conjunction with thirty military, were thrown out to endeavour to cut off the plunderers from the main body. Between four and five o''clock yesterday evening, a heavy firing, as if of continuous volleys of musketry, was heard by parties at the Kora Kora, who were returning to Wellington.
The Commandant, Colonel Hulme, and Brigade Major McLerie, both returned to the Hutt yesterday afternoon. Major Last, of the 99th regt., with two hundred men under him, has been left in command at Wellington. Captain Graham, of H.M.S. Castor, likewise placed the blue jackets, small arm men, and marines, at his disposal if necessary. Major Last took the most effective and vigorous measures, last night, to ensure the safety of the town. A party of thirty men were stationed at the brick barracks at the brick barracks at Tiakiwai, with orders to protect the road, and keep up a constant communication with the barracks on Thorndon Flat. A second party was ordered to carry on the communication to the barracks on Lambton Quay, whilst other parties received orders to peramulate from Te Aro Pah to the same place. Strict injunctions were likewise given to all the pickets to prevent any native crossing their lines after dark.
So far, every measure of precaution was carried out, and acted upon.
A guard was likewise stationed at the residence of his Excellency.
The settlers along the Porirua road, generally, are described as being in a state of great anxiety and fear, owing to the fact of Ranghiaeata having threatened to destroy every white man within his reach, provided a Maori was killed. Many of the Porirua settlers have sent their wives and families into Wellington. Yesterday, C. Clifford, Esq., J P., departed for that district, taking with him a quantity of arms and ammunition for the use of the settlers, and with the intention of remaining on the spot to cheer them with his presence.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook''s Strait Guardian 10 February 1847
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Hopton, Robert, Willis street, carpenter
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Wellington Independent 21 June 1854
DIED
May 30th, at her residence, Wellington Terrace, Mary Emma the beloved wife of Mr. Francis Eyare, Stone Mason, the eldest daughter of Mr. R. Hopton, Cabinet Maker, aged 22 years.
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June 19, at his residence near River Hutt, Mr. R. Hopton, Cabinet Maker, aged 45 years.
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THE Friends of the late MR. HOPTON are hereby informed, that the Funeral procession will be formed near Mr. Allen''s, Pipitea, at 2 o''clock next Thursday Afternoon, when all the Friends who wish to follow the Deceased are invited to attend.
June 21, 1854.

Probate Robert Hopton, Place: Hutt, Occ: Cabinetmaker, Date of Death: 19/6/1854, AAAR W3558 (Box 783)/61, Filed: 1854, Intestate, Archives NZ, Wellington



2nd Marriage for Charlotte Hopton nee
1855/2251, Bride: Charlotte Hopton, Groom: William Thomas

Hutt Valley Cemetery Records Charlotte Thomas, Date: 5/11/1875, St James Anglican, Lower Hutt, Burial Records

Evening Post 6 November 1875
On the 5th inst., at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. Boulcott, Charlotte, the wife of Mr. William Thomas, aged 64.
Facts
  • 1809 - Birth -
  • 19 JUN 1854 - Death -
Ancestors
   
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Robert Hopton
1809 - 19 JUN 1854
  
 
  
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Family Group Sheet - Child
PARENT (U) ?
Birth
Death
Father?
Mother?
PARENT (U) ?
Birth
Death
Father?
Mother?
CHILDREN
MRobert Hopton
Birth1809
Death19 JUN 1854
Marriageto Charlotte Unknown
Family Group Sheet - Spouse
PARENT (M) Robert Hopton
Birth1809
Death19 JUN 1854
Marriageto Charlotte Unknown
Father?
Mother?
PARENT (F) Charlotte Unknown
Birth1811
Death5 NOV 1875
Marriageto Robert Hopton
Marriage1855to William Thomas
Father?
Mother?
CHILDREN
FSarah Augusta Hopton
Birth1836
Death13 MAR 1877
Marriage21 JUN 1852to John Clement at Primitive Methodist Chapel, Sydney street, Wellington
FEliza Lavinia Hopton
Birth1834
Death26 AUG 1920
Marriage1856to Almon Boulcott
FMary Emma Hopton
Birth1832
Death30 MAY 1854
Marriage1854to Francis Eyare
Descendancy Chart
Robert Hopton b: 1809 d: 19 JUN 1854
Charlotte Unknown b: 1811 d: 5 NOV 1875
Sarah Augusta Hopton b: 1836 d: 13 MAR 1877
John Clement b: 1824 d: 30 OCT 1914
Daughter Clement b: 13 MAR 1877 d: 13 MAR 1877
Henry Samuel Clement b: 1854 d: 15 JAN 1888
Robert Hopton Clement b: 1855 d: 4 MAR 1930
Elizabeth Hudson b: 1863 d: 8 OCT 1942
Lottie Augusta Johnson b: 1880 d: 3 DEC 1921
Charlotte Hannah Clement b: 1860 d: 7 JUL 1932
Lucy Clement b: 1873 d: 25 FEB 1874
Eliza Lavinia Hopton b: 1834 d: 26 AUG 1920
Almon Boulcott b: 1815 d: 15 FEB 1880
Augusta Boulcott b: 1861 d: 4 FEB 1874
Charles Boulcott b: 1870 d: 17 FEB 1874
Margaret Boulcott b: 1863 d: 14 NOV 1934
Harry Jerome Howard b: 1870 d: 12 NOV 1926
Charles Herman Sumner Boulcott b: 1877 d: 10 APR 1951
Lavinia Boulcott b: 1858 d: 22 MAY 1929
George Arthur Cridland b: 1855 d: 25 JUL 1939
Arthur George Almon Cridland b: 1884 d: 26 AUG 1953
Henrietta Boulcott b: 1859 d: 13 JAN 1927
Annie Maria Boulcott b: 1860 d: 14 JUL 1886
Hebe Boulcott b: 1867 d: 16 FEB 1874
Mary Boulcott b: 1872 d: 26 MAY 1949
Almon Boulcott b: 1865 d: 26 OCT 1933
Mary Ethel Harding b: 1879 d: 29 NOV 1963
Mary Emma Hopton b: 1832 d: 30 MAY 1854
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