Friday, January 23, 2009

Simplified Timeline of the life of William Melody and descendants

Ireland
United States of America
  • 1848: Gold rush begins in California
  • 1849: William Melody, aged 21 becomes a Forty-Niner
  • c1851 - 1856: William leaves California, re-crosses America to travel via Boston to Australia with brother Anthony to seek fortune gold-mining.
Australia
  • 1854-55: Eureka Stockade incident occurs at Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Many Irish miners involved - was William Melody? See Wikipedia's summary of the events.
  • 1856: William now in Australia married to Eliza Moran in Ballarat, Victoria.
  • 1859: Sarah Marie, first child born to William and Eliza in Ballarat in a tent on the diggings
New Zealand
  • 1861: William travels to gold strike in Gabriel's Gully, Otago, New Zealand. Followed closely by his family.
  • 1862: William part of the Fox Party discovering gold in the Arrow River, gathering 260 ounces of gold in 3 weeks.
  • 1863: William uses his new wealth to set up the Galway Arms pub on the Arrow River beach, and took over the Royal Oak Hotel in Arrowtown itself.
  • 1863: John Patrick born, one of the first white boys born in Arrowtown.
  • 1863: The Ugly Barmaids incident.
  • 1864: Third child Mary Elizabeth is born.
  • 1866: William and family move to Hokitika, opening the Spread Eagle Hotel.
  • 1868: Irish Patriots incident in Hokitika in which William Melody was arrested as the leader of the Fenians.
  • 1878: Family recorded as living in 'Half Ounce' (now known as Westport), also living at Okarito at some stage that year.
  • 1880: Now living in Wanganui, with eldest daughter Sarah marrying John Brennan whom they met in Okarito. The couple set up a pub in Wanganui.
  • 1891: Eliza dies in Wanganui
  • 1884 : John Patrick Melody marries Mary Ellen Coleman. Children: William, Eileen, Maidie, Frank, Anthony Eric (known as Eric) and Penny.
  • 1899: The patriarch William Melody dies, aged 71 in a drowning incident in the Wanganui River.
  • 1902: Mary Elizabeth dies aged 36, leaving 6 children.
  • 1913: Sarah dies, February 2 in New Plymouth and is buried in Wanganui.
  • 1927?: Hayden Paul Melody born to Anthony Eric and Gwen nee Wilson
  • 1930: Barry Patrick Melody born to Anthony Eric, son of John Patrick.
  • 1942: John Patrick Melody dies, June 28.
  • 1958: Mary Ellen dies July 31 aged 97.
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  1. AnonymousApril 25, 2009 at 12:24 PM

    William John Melody was the headmaster of Karori School from around 1948 or so until 1953 I believe. He replaced the former retiring headmaster, Mr Henderson.

    I was a pupil there, and have very fond memories of him.

    He introduced copper-plate writing, and I admit that I excelled at it.

    He had played tennis at Wimbledon, and very much encouraged the sport at Karori School. He would sometimes take some of us out of class for a game. One of my classmates, Richard Hawkes later played Davis Cup tennis himself.

    Bill introduced paddle (we called it padder tennis) tennis to New Zealand, and had courts painted on the tar seal immediately alongside the school. Wonderful game.

    I became a prefect at the school, and when I left to go to Wellington College, Bill gave us a party treat of strawberries and icing sugar.

    I purchased the 1953 Who's Who in NZ, with Bill's entry, and still own and treasure the book

    Bill and his wife lived between Northland and Kelburn, just through the Karori tunnel.

    I was shocked to hear of his death, and I still mourn him.

    He had more influence on my life than anybody else.

    I will never forget William John Melody

    John Goodman, Berry, NSW, Australia

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