Rush Family History
The Story of the Rush Family
Links:
Cemetery Records:
View Palmerston North City Council Cemetery Database records. Search for:
- Sarah Phillips
- Abraham Phillips
- Cecilia Penman
- James Frederick Penman
- Stacey Thomas Tapp
Death Certificate:
Online newspapers:
View PapersPast, online digital newspapers from the National Library of New Zealand. Search for Sarah Phillips, fire, Kaiwarra, Abraham Phillips, Alphonsus Rush for the year 1879, to view details of the Kaiwarra fire. Various birth, marriage and death records can also be found
- Transcript of Court Proceedings
Family Tree:
View the full family tree of Sarah Ann Maria Rush (14 pg pdf). (Produced by Robert Phillips, June 2013.)
Sarah Ann Maria Rush, 1842-1902
This page documents the story of Sarah Ann Maria Rush, the first child from the marriage of Richard Rush and the newly widowed Cecilia Eliza Rodgers.
Sarah Ann Maria was born in the Hutt Valley on the 13th January, 1842 (although there is the following record in the New Zealand Gazette and spectator: "Birth - March 9, the wife of Mr R Rush, Petoni, of a daughter." so the exact date is not known. [New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume II, Issue 126, 23 March 1842, Page 2]. Although she was the first, she already had two half brothers that she knew of - Thomas Rodgers, from her mother's first marriage to Charles Rodgers, and John George Rush, from her father's marriage to Maria Steele (plus the family left behind in England when Richard was convicted and sent to Australia). Her father was Richard Rush, a carrier, plying business between the Hutt Valley and Wellington, and they lived in a small house close to where the Lower Hutt railway station stands today.
In the late 1860s Sarah met Abraham Phillips, a carter, of Kaiwharawhara, near Wellington. Abraham came to Wellington from Ballarat, and was born around 1845 in Sheerness, England. Sarah moved to Kaiwharawhara herself in March of 1869, and married Abraham four months later, at the age of 27, on the 4th of July 1869 at the Catholic Cathedral. Fr Petit Jean performed the service. You can view a record of their marriage notice in the "Evening Post" and the marriage notice in the "Wellington Independent" on the Papers Past website. Abraham was listed as the eldest son of Mr Thos. Phillips of Kaiwara.
Family
Their first child, a daughter, was born 7 months later on the 20th January, 1870, and was named Cecilia Eliza, after her grandmother and aunt. There were two sons, Alfred, born 1872 and Thomas, born on 28 July 1874, and two more daughters, Anne Alphonsine, born on the 8th May 1876, and Ada Josephine, born on 11 February 1878, making 5 children in all. View details of the birth notices on PapersPast and full details below.
Court Case
A court case was reported in the Wellington Independent on 22 November 1861, where a Robert Phillips, Abraham Phillips, and John Phillips were charged, along with others, of assaulting a person without provocation. They were eventually discharged with costs, after promising not to annoy the complainant in the future. Abraham would have been 16 at the time.
Burglary
It was reported in the "Evening Post" on Saturday 12 January 1878 that "yesterday afternoon a daring robbery was committed at Kaiwarra, at the house of Mr Abraham Phillips. Mr Phillips was in town attending to business, and in the afternoon, between one and two o'clock, Mrs Phillips went out with her child, leaving the house unattended. When Mrs Phillips returned about three o'clock she found that someone had entered the house, and ransacked everything. Only one drawer was left untouched, and in that, singularly enough, was a considerable sum of money. As it was, the thief got clear away with a considerable booty, includng a gold watch and chain, valued at £25, a silver locket and chain, worth £9, two gold rings, a locket, and a morocco pocket-book containing £6.10s in gold and some papers. Inquiries in the neighbourhood have elicited the fact that a man was seen to enter the house, and his description has been furnished to the police."
House fire
Newspaper research by Robert Phillips (great-grandson of Sarah) has found that she was arrested twice over a house fire (arson) in "Caiwarra/Kaiwarra" now known as Kaiwarawara in 1879, and her half-brother Alphonsus Rush, then aged 16, was also arrested for perjury relating to his sister's activities.
View the "Evening Post" report of the incident and the follow up court records on the PapersPast website, or download and print the entire transcript of the entire proceedings from the link on the right.
On 20 September 1879, Abraham Phillips, Carter, of Kaiwarra, was declared bankrupt, and this was notified in the "Evening Post". It would seem that there were money worries in the Phillips household prior to and immediately after the fire. There is no report of the insurance payout for the Kaiwarra house being made.
Move to Palmerston
At some stage the family moved to Palmerston North and took up farming, probably in the mid 1880s. This may have been around the time that the rest of the Rush family moved to the Manawatu when the area was opened up for settlement. It appears they took up farming in the Awapuni area.
There is a record of court action published in the "Feilding Star", Volume XXII, Issue 10, 12 July 1900, page 2: Court action by Sarah Phillips for injuries, supported by husband Abraham and son Alfred. Apparently Sarah had been struck by a horse and suffered injuries to her chest and broken ribs.
Deaths
Sarah died on 21 October 1902 at the age of 61, and is buried at Terrace End Cemetery, in Palmerston North in Block 079, Plot 42. Abraham eventually died of Cancer of the Stomach on 12 August 1920 at the Awapuni Old People's Home, aged 75 years. He was buried at Terrace End with Sarah on 14 August. Abraham was listed as a Farmer living in Awapuni at the time of his death.
Funeral Notice: The friends of Mr Abraham Phillips are respectfully informed that the funeral of his late wife, Sarah Ann, will leave the residence of her brother, Mr John Rush, Fritz-street for St Patrick's Church at 2 pm on Thursday 23rd inst. J Bett & Co, Undertakers. [Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7565, 22 October 1902, Page 3]
You can view their burial records and headstone photos on the Palmerston North City Council Cemetery website from the link at the right.
Children
Cecilia Eliza, 1870-1951
Cecilia Eliza Phillips was the first born child of Sarah and Abraham Phillips. A birth notice in the "Evening Post" of 21 January 1870 states: "On the 20th inst., at Kaiwarra, the wife of Mr A Phillips, of a daughter".
Cecilia was baptised on 13 February 1870 by Rev. Jean Baptiste Jean Petit SM, at St Mary of the Angels, in Wellington.
Cecilia died on 31 October 1951 aged 81 years, and is buried in Kelvin Grove Cemetery, Palmerston North, Block F004, plot 12.
Her husband James Frederick Penman, a horse trainer of Awapuni, died 7 years earlier aged 78 years, on 7 May 1944, and is buried with his wife in Kelvin Grove (Block F004, plot 12).
The Penman family tree has been documented. View their cemetery records from the link on the right.
Alfred Abraham, 1872-1957
Alfred was born on 1 March 1872, at Kaiwharawhara in Wellington. He died on 28 August 1957 in Gisborne and is buried in Gisborne at the Taruheru Cemetery, Block 25, Plot 168 together with his wife Susan, who died on 12 January 1972. He was 85 years old. Their inscription reads: "In loving memory of ALFRED PHILLIPS, passed away 28 August 1957; and his loving wife, SUSAN, passed away 12 January 1972."
Thomas, 1874-1954
Thomas was born on 28 July 1874, and baptised on 7 November 1874 by Rev. Jean Baptiste Petitjean SM, at St Mary of the Angels, Wellington.
For some reason he was excommunicated in 1913, but his (Presbyterian) second wife buried him in a Catholic gravesite in Auckland, and was then buried with him a year later.
Thomas married Sarah Ruth Curteis (1880-1953) on 7 July 1897, and they had four children:
- Eva Laura, 1897-1973
- Alfred Abraham, 1898-1973
- Irene Annie May, 1901-2002
- David Charles, 1904-1954
Thomas separated from Sarah and some time later, met and married Christina Margaret Paton (1891-1955). The marriage took place on 23 December 1913, some time after George William was born. Together they had another six children:
- George William "Jack" 1913-2003
- Ivy Mavis, 1914-1938
- Ada Eileen, 1915-2004
- Joan Shirley, 1920-2000
- Robert Henry, 1924-1988
- Thomas Sidney, 1927-1945
Thomas died on 23 November 1954 in Auckland, and is buried in Waikumete Cemetery with his second wife Christina, who died on 1 February 1955.
Further information on this family will be posted here when it becomes available.
Anne Alphonsine, 1876-1916
Anne Alphonsine was born on 8 March 1876 and baptised on 30 May 1876 by Rev. Jean Baptiste Petitjean SM, at St Mary of the Angels, Wellington. The birth notice in the "Evening Post" on 11 March states: "BIRTH, on the 8th March, at Kaiwarra, the wife of A. Phillips, of a daughter. Both doing well."
Anne married Jesse Tapp born 1867 in Ridgemount, England, on 30 December 1895. The marriage certificate shows they were married at the house of Abraham Phillips, Apiti on a Monday. Jesse was 38 years of age, a farmer resident in Apiti, and Anne (or Annie) was 19. Jesse was quite a good singer, and there are several newspaper articles about his concerts and recitals, and he also participated in local sporting events. They had 11 children, and their family is documented in the Tapp family tree. Two members of the Tapp family are buried in Kelvin Grove Cemetery.
There are several newspaper articles or items listing activity by the Tapp family, as noted in the following excerpts.
1892: Article describing the monthly meeting of the Primitive Methodist Band of Hope at Awahuri where Anne Phillips gave a recitation. (Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 27, 20 August 1892, Page 2).
1896: A Court case where Jesse Tapp sued a Mr E F Eagar for ten pounds 14 shillings for failing to take delivery of three tons of potatoes which had been dug up and bagged, ready for delivery, but which had been destroyed by cattle. (Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 4, 4 July 1896, Page 2).
1897: Jesse Tapp purchased Section 85 in Apiti from Mrs H E Guy and his name was entered in the Rates Roll. (Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 88, 11 October 1897, Page 2).
1898: Bush fire near Oroua river - Jesse Tapp had to remove his household goods to a place of safety and the family came into the township before the fire reached their house, fortunately they sustained no loss. (Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 171, 18 January 1898, Page 2).
1905: Report of a house fire occupied by the Tapp family in which the house in Waihi and all its contents were destroyed while they were visiting in the township of Normanby. (Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8933, 27 June 1905, Page 2)
Anne died on 24 June 1916, when her youngest child was just two years of age. Shortly afterwards, Jesse married a Martha Ann Connor, born 6 July 1884, on 17 October 1916. However we have been unable to trace her death. The Tapp family lived in the Taranaki.
The Tapp children were:
- Alma Annie May, 1896-
- Jessie Victoria Mary, 1897-1930
- Edward Charles Abraham, 1899-1979
- Isobel Jane, 1900-1978
- Howard William John, 1902-1983
- Eric Phillip, 1903-1954
- Stacey Thomas, 1904-1977
- Osmond Clarence, 1908-1908
- Raymond Stuart, 1909-1965
- Cyril Thomas, 1912-2001
- Noeline Cecilia, 1914-1925
The Tapps Troubles - Dippy Domestic Discords
The story of a two day session in the New Plymouth Supreme Court before Mr Justice Hosking regarding a maintenance order for Martha Tapp against Jesse Tapp, under the provisions of the Destitute Persons Act, makes fascinating reading.
Apparently Jesse met the newly widowed Martha Connor on a train and invited her to come and live with him and his family and provide household help. She reluctantly agreed, and three months later, they were married at the Registrar's Office in Patea in Octgober 1916, shortly after his first wife Anne had died. However the family situation was difficult, with the older Tapp girls refusing to do any work in the house, and the younger ones constantly squabbling. Jesse and Martha separated many times, although Jesse managed to convince her to return every time. Finally after two and a half years, Martha left for good, although she had no means of support. Jesse blamed Martha's sister for the breakup, accusing her of being a drunk and beating one of the Tapp children. However it would appear that it was not a match made in heaven, but of convenience. Read the full story from the Court Case. (Feilding Star, Volume XXII, Issue 10, 12 July 1900, Page 2)
The Tapp Children
Jessie Tapp, was 23 years of age when she married Francis Cornwall, a farm hand, aged 27 years, on 30 October 1920 in the Catholic Church in Taihape. Jessie was registered as being born in Apiti, near Fielding, and Francis was born at Hurleyville near Patea. They were both resident in Taihape at the time of the marriage, and Robert Henry Cornwall, Farmer and Jesse Tapp, Carrier were listed as the fathers. Jessie died suddenly during childbirth aged 34 years of an embolism on 6 October 1930 at the Glendair Hospital, Wanganui. She had 3 daughters aged 8, 3 and 2, and a son aged 6 at the time (Doris, born 1921, Walter, Pat, born 1927 and Doreen born 1928). There are also family reports that Jessie had a daughter before her marriage, Daphne, who was born in 1919. However efforts to trace her have so far failed and she is not reported on her death certificate. It is also noted that there are 5 sets of twins in the Cornwall family. Francis Cornwall died on 18 August 1966 in Waitara of a heart attack. He had remarried after Jessie's death, to Eliza May Barker on 15 January 1932, and his death certificate shows 4 living children from his first marriage, and 6 from his second marriage.
In 1917, Francis (Frank) was signed up in the Army for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force He gave his occupation as shearer and was working at Alton (near Patea) for Mr T Foreman. He had been signed up to serve with the XI Regiment Territorials. Then he returned to his normal job and waited until his name was balloted for active service. He finally embarked on 31 December 1917, with the 33rd Reinforcements on the "Athenia". There is a photo of Frank in full Army uniform in the family archives. He arrived back in New Zealand on the hospital ship "Marama" and was discharged on 26 February 1919. He went to work for Mr McDonald at Karioi near Taihape.
Isobel married Albert Edwin Wilton who was born in 1898 in Carterton. Isobel and Albert had 3 daughters: Nancy Isabel, Maisie Irene Edith, and Joyce Lillian. Isobel died on 26 June 1978 aged 78 years, and is buried in Awanui Cemetery, Block 07, plot 445. Albert died on 15 March 1988 aged 89 and is also buried in Awanui Cemetery, Block 07, plot 444. The family tree from 1 May 2001 lists 38 direct descendents.
Cyril Tapp was interviewed in October 1995 and the following are notes from this interview: "Jesse Tapp came to New Zealand as a child aged 9 years. He farmed near Bulls, breaking in horses. When Cyril was about three, Jesse moved the family to Kaupokoui, leasing then later buying J J Patterson's farm (880 acres, 160 cows).
Jesse was hard, like lots of the English settlers. He didn't like his wife to go to town without him, but when he was at the back of the farm, she would get the children to harness up the horse and buggy. She would get to Manaia and back before Jesse got home."
When Annie died on 24 June 1916, Cyril was just four years old. She is buried in Karori Cemetery in Wellington in the Public2 section, Plot 19Q. She was just 37 years of age. (See Wellington City Council burial search for Annie Tapp.
Jesse, who was 50, remarried 4 months later. Mrs Martha Connor, who was 39 years old, had 3 children of her own. These children fought with the Tapp children, so Jesse bought a house in Wilson St, Hawera, for Mrs Connor.
Cyril, aged 8 and Ray, 9, were put into the Salvation Army Home, Eltham, on the 5th of August 1920. Cyril reports that they were "very hardly treated, very unhappy" The youngest child Noeline was adopted out.
Jessie Victoria was a kind but determined woman. Cyril says he went to stay with her and Frank for two weeks, and Frank helped him fix his bike. There is a paddock at Parewanui, near Bulls that was called Tapps Paddock, where Jesse borke in horses, and had a carrying business.
Jesse Tapp died on 8 December 1923.
Further information on this family will be posted here as it becomes available.
Ada Josephine, 1878-1962
Ada was born on 11 February 1878 and baptised on 3 May 1878 by Rev P.M. Guinness SM, at St Mary of the Angels, Wellington. The birth notice in the "Evening Post" on 11 February states: "BIRTH, PHILLIPS - On the 11th February, at Kaiwarra, the wife of Mr A. Phillips, of a daughter."
On 22 August 1895, Ada married William Fraser Burrows, who was born in Colchester District, Essex. Together they had 7 children:
- Williamina Annie, 1895-1922
- Thomas Alfred, 1898-1899
- Evelyn Cecilia, 1899-1987
- Lenard, 1900-1971
- Wilford George, 1902-1950
- Gladys Maud, 1905-1967
- Lily Beatrice, 1908-2003
Ada died on 13 March 1962, but her husband William, a farmer, had died many years earlier, on 26 September 1938, in Ohaupo. Further information on this family will be posted here when it becomes available.
References
The Phillips story and family tree has been documented by Robert Phillips of Auckland. The information on this page was compiled from a number of sources, including the detailed Family Tree provided by Robert Phillips and records held by Dale Hartle of Levin.
2017 Rush/Rodgers Family Reunion
Members of the Sarah Rush family attended the 2017 reunion held in Palmerston North. Here's their family group photo. Click on the image to see a full screen view.
Contact details
If you have any information or photos to add to this page, or any corrections, please contact Dale Hartle in Levin, New Zealand, by phone +64 021 45 34 24.