It's a Boy! were perhaps the words that heralded Frederick's arrival in January 1873. Born in Birmingham, England, the fifth child - the first boy!
This post is a collection of extracts from Paper's Past, in an effort to learn more about Frederick Unwin.
Gleaning Background details from the Family Tree
To look back on Frederick's life as it is represented in various family trees on the internet, one might feel a little sad for him. Frederick was only 8 (1881) when his Father died! He was 13 (1886) when his Mother - Anne married Henry Vette. Family members have surmised that the marriage was not a happy one, as Ann later moved to the Hawkes Bay, reassumed the name - Unwin and lived with her son, Hubert. Under such circumstances, I can't help but wonder if it was a happy home for her children. The older children may have left home already, Elizabeth who was 22, married William Howie the year earlier. Mary Jane was 20, and Ceda Marie was 18. The younger children were Fred, 13; Lucy, 12; and Hubert, 8.
Adulthood
Married Gertrude Sharp in April 1897, they had two children, Phyllis and Eda and they separated in December 1903 and eventually divorced in 1909.
Gertrude married again in 1910. In 1928, Frederick drowns in Nelson. 😢
Such a sad ending for him, I wanted to find out more about who he was and what experiences had shaped him.
Over time, I will be converting the extracts below into a narrative.
Frederick in the Papers...
School Days - Kaiapoi Borough School
In January 1881, Frederick Unwin was awarded a school prize for 3rd highest scholar amongst the Standard II boys.[1] He was 10 at the time. The following year, he was awarded another prize; this time for achieving the 2nd highest examination mark amongst the Standard III boys. He was also awarded the 'attendance prize' the same year.[2] Perhaps a studious young man!
1891 - aged 18
In the Star, Issue 7180, 3 June 1891, a Frederick Unwin was among a group of 'ten boys' charged with throwing rotten fruit and vegetables at the Addington Oddfellows Hall during the Salvation Arny services on May 12. For committing "such acts of larrikinism" they were fined 10s each, and 7s, the value of the glass, and 5s cost of cleaning the building would be divided amongst them as well as the costs of the Court.
There is not enough information to confirm the identity of this Frederick Unwin.
If this was "our" Frederick Unwin, he would have been 18 at the time.
This person could easily have been Frederick Branston Unwin, born 1872 [see BDM 1872/31339 - Unwin, Frederick Branston]. Frederick Branston would have been 19 at the time. Both young men were Cantabrians.
1895 - aged 22, Newspaper Man!
Otaki Mail (Frederick Unwin, Henry A. Solomon, and Frank Penn, proprietors), Mill Road, Otaki.
This journal, which was started about 1892, under the name of the West Coast Mail, was acquired in 1895 by, the present firm, who have changed the name as above. The paper, which is issued on Tuesday and Friday every week, is of four pages of twenty-two inches deep containing each seven columns of thirteen "ems" wide. In politics, the Otaki Mail claims to be independent, local and general news being its special features. It has a considerable circulation in the Horowhenua county and on the West Coast generally, and it is not surprising that it should be well supported as an advertising medium. The proprietors have a first-class jobbing plant, and can undertake general commercial printing. The building occupied, which adjoins the Bank of Australasia, is a single-storey wooden structure.
http://horowhenua.kete.net.nz/en/site/topics/1709-cyclopedia-of-new-zealand-otaki-section
1898 : aged 25
THE CANTERBURY RAILWAYS.
TO THE EDITOR .... "Canterbury is coolly asking further concessions on railroads, which, ... are giving almost absolutely no return on the enormous outlays they occasioned.... [T]here is no doubt that being early pioneers, they were entitled to consideration when the railways were built and on the whole there is precious little to growl about in the English province of the South Island...
"[I]t is here, Sir, in our fast progressing and prosperous North Island that Government neglect in the' matter of railways and roads is so manifest....Why does the Government show such want of stamina in dillydallying with the Main Trunk Railway of the North Island?"
With the exception of a couple of paltry grants of £500, nothing has so far been spent of public money between Wellington and Palmerston. It is a startling fact that so far we have no main arterial road between those two important centres...
I hear the Government are favourably inclined towards bridging the Otaki, and it is about time they did. Concessions for Canterbury, indeed ! Let them take a back seat. They have little to complain about, and a very great deal to be thankful for.
l am, &c, Frederick Unwin.
WANGANUI CHRONICLE, VOLUME XLIII, ISSUE 15000, 30 DECEMBER 1898
1901 : aged 28
While driving from Manakau, on Sunday evening, Mr Frederick Unwin's sulky collided with Mr F. W. Bills' buggy, near Moutere House corner. Miss Bills was thrown out, but fortunately escaped uninjured. Mr Unwin, his wife, and two children, were thrown out of the sulky, Mrs Unwin sustaining a cut on the head, and a rather severe shaking, The children were not injured.
WAIRARAPA DAILY TIMES, VOLUME XXVI, ISSUE 6757, 16 JANUARY 1901
THE LICENSING ELECTIONS.
OTAKI ELECTION 'DECLARED ■VOID.' The local'.Stipendiary Magistrate held an inquiry yesterday into alleged irregularities concerning the recent licensing 'election in the Otaki licensing district The inquiry 1 was the 'result of the following petition signed by residents of the Unit Valley:—ln tha matter of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act. We the undersigned electors of the Otaki licensing district hereby declare that we verily believe that at the election to the office of Licensing Committee for the said district holden at Otaki on the twenty-fourth day of March, 1900, at which Herbert Erceman, Frederick Unwin, Thomas Smith, George Brown and John Rod were declared to be duly elected to the said office or offices, the said election is void upon the following grounds:—l. That the poll at the polling-places in the. Lower Hutt, Taita, Upper Hutt and other places iii the said district was not kept open within the hours required by law. 2. That no ballot-boxes were provided for taking the poll at the said polling-places, as required by law. 3. That by reason of the matters referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, electors of the said district to the number of 1500 (fifteen hundred) and upwards had no opportunity of recording their votes for the candidates they preferred. 4. That by reason of the said matters and irregularities the fairness of the election was defeated.. And we pray that inquiry may ho made into the said election under the provisions of the Regulation and Local Elections Act, 1876, and that the said election may be declared to bo void.-—Signed, H.‘B. Rawsoii, TV F. Boyd, A. McCulloch, John Whiteman, R. Whiteman, J. Grange, W. Greenwood, R. Mabey. Mr Stafford appeared' for the petitioners. Jeremiah Hurley, returning officer for the licensing district of Otaki, said he appointed deputy returning officers for the Lower Hutt. Taita and Upper Hutt. On the election day there were rib ballot-boxes at any of these places. Witness posted , the boxes, hut they were not delivered. The boxes contained all the voting machinery. On account'of the absence of the boxes, no votes were recorded in these districts. One-third of the electors in the Otaki licensing district wore therefore prevented from voting. . This closed the case. • The Magistrate declared the election void; It seems probable that, according to the law as it stands, another .election cannot take place, and if this is so the Magistrate will have to transact the business .of the committee for the next three years.
NEW ZEALAND TIMES, VOLUME LXXI, ISSUE 4028, 19 APRIL 1900
1903 : aged 30 - Mangatainoka
 |
Dudley Arms Hotel as it looked in 2014
https://publocation.co.nz/pubs/manawatu-wanganui/mangatainoka/dudley-arms-tavern |
One of the most pleasing gatherings ever held in Mangatainoka took place on Wednesday last at Mr Sharp’s Dudley Arms Hotel, the occasion being a farwell to Mr W. Brown, of Pahiatua, who has been for several years the popular handicapper of our local Athletic Club and other kindred societies in the district. The function took place after a meeting had been held of the club in the Library.
As is always the case with Mr and Mrs Sharp, they provided a dainty spread which would do credit to the best of hostelries. It is superfluous to dilate on the catering of our genial host, or the exceptional culinary abilities of the hostess, suffice it to say, there was plenty of everything nicely provided.
The president of the Society (Mr Quinlan), occupied the head of the table, while the ex-president (Mr Barrel!) and the guest of the evening (Mr Brown), were his right and left-hand supporters. The commodious dining-room was comfortably filled with sportsmen and wellwishers, and every one thoroughly enjoyed themselves. After the orthodox respect to “ The King ” had been duly honoured, the President proposed the toast of the guest, who received highly eulogistic remarks at his hands, and who was respected as a good, true sportsman, a fearless but accomplished handicapper, and, above all, a gentleman who had done as much, and possibly more, in the interests of sport than anyone else in the district. —(Applause). In Response, Mr Brown’s modesty declaimed the good things that the worthy President had “ accused ” him of. What he had done to assist sports and pastimes had been a labour of love. To say that for sport was really a libel against Mr Quinlan who uttered the remark, as the President and his colleague (Mr Barrel!) had always been ready to dip (heir bands as deeply in their pockets as anyone to help athletics. —(Applause and a voice: “ They’ve done more than their fair share.”) Mr Brown continued in an “enthused” way to speak of the public spirit shown by the Mangatainoka Society, and their repeated and continuous successes. He deplored, in contrast, the lack of interest in athletics shown in Pahiatua, and the resuscitation of the Caledonian Society in that town and its amalgamation with Mangatainoka—(Applause). Before concluding, Mr Brown paid a touching tribute to the respected memory of the late Mr “Tommy” Read, who,'from its inception, was the secretary of the Society. After this, the few verses published underneath were recited by Mr Frederick Unwin, for whom the deceased was the manager for a considerable time.
Other toasts proposed were “ Kindred Societies,” “The host and hostess,” heartily received and responded to by Mr Sharp, who expressed himself as immensely pleased with the pleasure he and his wife had been able to afford those who had attended. Such gatherings were a pleasure to himself and his better half on all occasions. Several other toasts customary on such occasions were honoured, amongst the speakers being Messrs James Wilson (ex-Mayor of Pahiatua) Barrell (as a representative of local bodies), Ross, Manson, and Unwin. The addresses were all well received. Mr Barrell, the ex-President, spoke in glowing terms of his successor. Songs were interspersed with the toasts, the following gentlemen contributing : Messrs Barrell (2), Sharp, May, Wilson (recitation, very humorous) James and Unwin. The evening closed with hearty good wishes for the President and the guest, who, I understand, intends to reside at the Plutt. He leaves with the good wishes of every one, and says in return that he was never more heartily received than at the good old “ Dudley Arms.”
IN MEMORIAM. ' Tnos. K. Read. ’Tis hard to realise the loss we now nil mourn Of one so honourable and true; But Tommy’s taken from us so very suddenly— The most popular chap the townsfolk ever knew. On football field or cricket pitch, he always did his share; lie was manly and sportsmanlike in fume, Ho was never known to falter nor show a selfish care; Poor Tommy’s motto was, “ Always play the game.” As a resident our Tommy was always ’yond reproach, His character unimpeachable ami sublime; i llis conduct an example to all those j living round-; ’Tis a thousand pities he’s lost at such 1 a time. 1 But bo’s gone! poor Tom! no earthly powers can recall him; I lie’s loft a loving wife and little son. 1 He's gone to the Great Beyond to rest \ in blessed peace | ’Mongst the angels surely Tom a place has won. Frederick Unwin Mangatainoka, 1908. ! WOODVILLE EXAMINER, VOLUME XXI, ISSUE 3624, 2 NOVEMBER 1903
1903 : aged 30
Mangatainoka.{From our own Correspondent) There is a movement on foot to erect a memorial to the late Mr T. K. Read. I understand that the movement will be worthy of the public-spirited and popular young man who was so suddenly called away. The committee has chosen the following officer's; —Messrs Frederick Unwin (chairman), G-. Cade and R. Cade, secretary and assistant secretary, and Mr J. Cavanagh, manager of the creamery, as treasurer. WOODVILLE EXAMINER, VOLUME XXI, ISSUE 3637, 4 DECEMBER 1903
1903 - aged 33 Separated
EVENING POST, VOLUME LXXVII, ISSUE 119, 21 MAY 1909Desertion was the ground of the wife's petition in the case of Gertrude Unwin v. Frederick Unwin. The parties were married in April, 1897, and the husband had left the wife, according to her evidence, in 1903, since which time he had contributed nothing to the support of his wife and children. After hearing the evidence of the petitioner, and her mother, his Honour granted the usual decree, giving the wife interim custody of the children.
DOMINION, VOLUME 2, ISSUE 514, 22 MAY 1909
UNWIN V, UNWIN.
Desertion was the ground on which Gertrude Unwin -prayed for a dissolution of, her marriage with Frederick Unwin. Petitioner (for whom Mr.Wilford appeared) stated that was married to the respondent at Otaki. There were two children of the marriage. Respondent deserted her in December 1903, from which time she had had to maintain herself, and the children. Upon further evidence, his Honour granted a decree nisi to be made absolute at the end of three months, with costs on the lowest scale.
1904 - aged 34 Bankruptcy 😪😥
1909 : aged 36
POVERTY BAY HERALD, VOLUME XXXVI, ISSUE 11856, 21 MAY 1909
In the Divorce Court [in Wellington] decrees nisi were granted .... Gertrude Unwin v. Frederick Unwin, desertion.
1920: aged 48
DOMINION, VOLUME 13, ISSUE 90, 10 JANUARY 1920
On his third conviction for drunkenness, on the third successive day. Frederick Unwin was fined 3 pounds with an alternative of seven days' imprisonment' and Robert Henderson, who was arrested or drunkenness on two days in succession, was similarly fined.
1921: aged 49
MAGISTRATE'S COURT
EVENING POST, VOLUME CI, ISSUE 44, 21 FEBRUARY 1921
Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., dealt with police and maintenance cases, at the Magistrate's Court today. William M'Carthy and Frederick Unwin were each fined 10s for second offences of drunkenness, the alternative to payment being fixed at 48 hours' imprisonment.
1922 : aged 50
Charged with being an idle and disorderly person, Frederick Unwin ,was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. The Salvation Army officer offered to take Unwin in the meantime, and endeavour to obtain employment for him in the country.
EVENING POST, VOLUME CIV, ISSUE 110, 6 NOVEMBER 1922
**Mention of Police Court at Mt Cook.
1925 : aged 53
•Frederick Unwin, a second offender for drunkennesss, was fined £1.
EVENING POST, VOLUME CX, ISSUE 89, 12 OCTOBER 1925
1928 : Residence 103 Vivian Street, Wellington
1928 : Frederick Unwin employed at the public works relief camp at Tophouse.
[truncated]
1928 : Frederick Unwin, drowns at Port Nelson, age 56 years
EVENING POST, VOLUME CVI, ISSUE 66, 27 SEPTEMBER 1928
(From Our Own Correspondent.) NELSON, 26th September. At the' inquest regarding the death of Frederick Unwin (56), who fell from the wharf and was drowned at Port Nelson, it was shown that Norman C. Bergstrom, a seaman from the Titoki, very gallantly jumped into the water and Secured a line round the deceased, He was warmly commended by the Coroner for his prompt action. A verdict that death was due to drowning was returned.
Source :
http://www.theprow.org.nz/assets/enterprise/Albion-wharf.jpg
ENDNOTES
- 'Kaiapoi Borough School', Lyttleton Times, Volume LV, Issue 6208, 19 January 1881
- 'Kaiapoi Borough School', Press, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5375, 16 December 1882
