Brief Description |
This black and white photographic portrait of the Peat family with has three men standing behind three seated women. All sitters wear dark clothing and look at the camera. They are identified as: [Standing L to R] James, David Peat (father), William (Watsy); [Seated L to R] Jane Peat, Mrs Croll (sister of James and William), Mary Jane Hughes (James's wife).
David Peat (in the middle of the back row) was born in 1838 in Fettercairn Parish in Scotland. He arrived in New Zealand in 1858 where he settled as a farmer at "Hillside" on St Johns Hill, Wanganui. He was joined by his uncle, James Alexander, and together they established a partnership at Treeks Run at Kai Iwi. David later purchased land in Waverley's first land sale and was settled in Waitotara by 1878.
David was an active member of local society, at different times serving as the Director of the Gas Company, President of the A&P Society, and Chairman of the Harbour Board. He also gave Peat Park to the town of Wanganui.
David married Jane Hair (front row on the left) in August 1862 and they had the following children: James (unknown birth date), married John born 1863, married Margaret Isabella Ling in 1887, settled in Waitotara, died 1907 aged 44 years Jane born 1865, married James Reid Stewart in 1890, settled in Manaia Maria born 1867, married Alexander Alexander in September 1896, farmed at Waihi and Waverley, died 1851 aged 84 years Clara born 1869, married William Horton Wybourne in February 1898, died 1945 aged 76 years Bertha born 1871, married Edward Rayney Jackson in August 1892, died 1922 aged 50 years Ada born 1877, married Horace Bayly in 1903, settled at Kai Iwi, died 1936 aged 58 years Laura born 1880, married William Craig in 1908, died 1960 aged 80 years William born 1885 (back row on the left), married Mary Constance Tilson on 27 July 1911, died 1947 aged 61 years
David Peat died on 1 October 1919 aged 82 years.
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