Wilds, John

Note Headstone has a memorial to Grandson, J. E. Wilds who died in France April 22 1919, and Norma the Great Granddaughter who is buried with John and Esther

Timaru Herald 6 January 1892
Marriage
BENTLEY - WILDS - On the 1st January, 1892 at Wellington, by the Rev. J. J. Lewis, John Bentley, of Ngahauranga, to Esther, fourth daughter of John Wilds (sic), Timaru

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Free BMD Records show Date Marriage Registered September 1856, District: Eastry, Names: John Wilds and Esther Emery, Volume: 2a, Page: 985
The district Eastry is in the county of Kent

The Mystery sailed from London 15 December 1858 and arrived at Lyttelton 20 March 1859
Names as on passenger list
Wilds, John, Aged: 32, Kent, Mariner
Wilds, Esther, Aged: 26

1865 Timaru Electoral Roll John Wilds

Death Details
1912/8192, John Wilds, Aged: 87Y - Date of Death 21/10/1912 from Death Registration

Timaru District Council Cemetery Records
Reference 32893
Surname Wilds
Forenames John
Occupation
Address
Age at Death 88
Date of Death Unknown
Date of Interment Wednesday, 23 October 1912
Cemetery Timaru Cemetery
Section General
Block G
Plot 105
Beam
New Row 6
New Plot 105
Clergy Name
Funeral Director

Evening Post 22 October 1912
ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES
[BY TELEGRAPGH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.]
...
TIMARU, 21st October.
John Wilds, aged 88, who was one of the Deal boatmen brought out about fifty years ago to work the Timaru surfboat service, committed suicide to-day under peculiar circumstances. Yesterday he underwent a rather serious operation. He got up early this morning, walked to the beach and into the water, but, being seen, was pulled out and taken home. A few hours after he left home again, though supposed to be unable to do so, and walked to the wharf and down the boat steps into the water. Though pulled out immediately, he was dead when recovered, probably from heart failure.

Evening Post 23 October 1912
...
At the inquest concerning the death of John Wilds, the old Dean boatman, who was brough out to Timaru in the old surfing days, the medical evidence showed that he died from heart shock, not drowning.
...

Probate John Wilds, Place: Timaru, Occ: Farmer, CAHY CH145 378, Filed: 9/12/1912, Will, Archives NZ, Christchurch
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Death Details
1894/6415, Esther Wilds, Aged: 63Y - Date of Death 12/11/1894 from Death Registration

Timaru District Council Cemetery Records
Reference 31730
Surname Wilds
Forenames Esther
Occupation
Address Purchased 1804 (sic) By J Wilds
Age at Death 63
Date of Death Unknown
Date of Interment Thursday, 15 November 1894
Cemetery Timaru Cemetery
Section General
Block G
Plot 105
Beam
New Row 6
New Plot 105
Clergy Name
Funeral Director

Timaru Herald 13 November 1894
WILDS - On November 12th, at North Street, Timaru, Esther, the beloved wife of John Wilds; aged 64 years. Deeply regretted.
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SAD DROWNING CASE.
Early last evening the police received word that the body of an elderly woman named Esther Wilds, had been found in a small dam near her house at the top of North street. A daughter who is living at home left the house about 1 o''clock in the afternoon to go down town shopping, and at that hour her mother was in her usual health. About 3 o''clock the deceased took her husband, who was working in a paddock near by, a jug of tea, and then she returned home. Mr Wilds knocked off work about 5.30, and on arriving home did not feel any alarm at the absence, of his wife, concluding that she had gone on a visit to the house of a married daughter near by. He walked down the garden, and on coming to the dam, which is about 10 yards square, and runs from 4 to 6 feet deep, and is 70 yards from the house, he was horrified to see the body of his wife floating on the water of the dam. With the assistance of his son, John Wilds, who had just come home, and Mr Allen, a neighbour, the body was quickly taken out of the water, conveyed to the house, medical aid summoned, and the police informed of the accident. Dr Bowe, on arrival tried all his skill, but Mrs Wilds was beyond medical aid. We further learn that there are trees and bushes about the dam, the sides of which are steep and slippery, and that the deceased was in the habit of going round the trees gathering eggs. It is concluded that while doing this yesterday afternoon she overbalanced herself and fell into the water with unfortunately fatal results. She had consulted Dr Lovegrove for nervousness, but was otherwise, an active and healthy woman for her 64 years of age. The coroner was informed of the facts last evening and will hold an inquest at the house at 11 o''clock this morning. Much sympathy is felt for Mr Wilds and his family, all of whom are grown up, at the sudden calamity. They are among the oldest residents in Timaru, and are well known to a great many people.

Timaru Herald 14 November 1894
FUNERAL NOTICE.
THE Friends of MR JOHN WILDS are respectfully informed that the Funeral of his late wife will leave his Residence, North street, TO-MORROW (Thursday), November 15th, at 3.30 p.m. for the Cemetery.
LISTER & BARRIE,
Undertakers.
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INQUEST.
An inquest was held yesterday by Mr C. A. Wray, coroner, before a jury of whom Mr M. B. Brown was chosen foreman, at the dwelling house, touching the death of Esther Wilds, found drowned the previous evening. The evidence was taken of the husband J. Wilds, the son John Wilds, and of Dr Bowe. It showed that deceased was well at a quarter past 3 o''clock, when she took her husband some tea to a paddock near the house, where he was at work. When he went home in the evening Mrs Wilds was not at home, but he supposed that she had gone to see her married daughter. When the son came home a little before six, and Mrs Wilds had not returned, suspicion was aroused, and her husband went to look at the dam near the house, a pool of water from 3ft to 6ft in depth, and the body of the unfortunate woman was found there. The police and Dr Bowe were sent for, and the latter tried to resuscitate her but without avail, and the doctor in his evidence said he judged that deceased had been in the water an hour. The jury viewed the dam, a somewhat difficult place to get out of, and the circumstances pointed to the conclusion that deceased had slipped in. A verdict was accordingly found that deceased met her death by accidentally drowning.

Timaru Herald 17 November 1894
THANKS.
I HEREBY tender my Sincere Thanks to all Friends and Neighbours for their kind Assistance and Sympathy in my late bereavement.
JOHN WILDS

Great Grandchild of John and Esther Wilds
Timaru District Council Cemetery Records
Reference 24631
Surname Hessell
Forenames Norma (Evelyn)
Occupation
Address
Age at Death 17 Months
Date of Death Saturday, 27 March 1926
Date of Interment Monday, 29 March 1926
Cemetery Timaru Cemetery
Section General
Block G
Plot 105
Beam
New Row 6
New Plot 105
Clergy Name STINSON
Funeral Director