Links:

• John Edwin Sharp
• Theodosia Hann
• Isabella Mary Ann Hann

Generation 1 - Children of John and Theodosia

• Ernest John Sharp
• Alice Theodosia Sharp
• Bertram Sharp
• Arthur Sharp

Generation 1 - Children of John and Isabella

• Charles Sharp
• Jessie Sharp
• Isabella Sharp
• Sarah Sharp
• John Bentley Sharp
• Edwin Sharp

Generation 2 - Children of John Bentley Sharp

• Eileen Sharp
• Joan Sharp
• Doreen Sharp
• Dennis Sharp
• John Sharp
• Desmond Sharp
• Norrie Sharp

Charles Stewart Sharp, 1879-1950

Charles Stewart Sharp was born on 1 February 1879 at Cargill St, Dunedin. He was the oldest of John and Isabella's six children, and arrived shortly after his parents settled in Dunedin.

Charlie, as he was affectionately known, was 13 years old when his mother died suddenly in 1892. Household duties would have fallen on his shoulders in those first few years helping look after his younger brothers and sisters and doing chores. His occupation was a Carpenter.

Eileen remembers quite a lot about her Uncle Charlie, relating many stories about him and his family over the years. She remembers that Uncle Charlie used to visit the family at the Green Island Hotel in Dunedin on occasions.

Later in 1943, Eileen said he was staying at the Trafalgar Hotel for a few weeks, and they often got talking about the Sharp family and their history. Apparently Charlie told the story of how he had received a letter and invitation from the Jacobite Society in London to attend a celebration connected with the Society. However he could not afford to go as it was during the late Depression years, and he did not have the money. Eileen confirmed the story from Charlie's son Jack Sharp who had seen the letter.

A search on the internet for "Jacobite Society" results in a number of hits, but without knowing English history and the history of the society and what events may have been taking place in 1936, it is difficult to surmise why Charles had received the letter. A Wikipedia link gives some clues as to what it was all about, with its origins going back to 1688.

Charles married a woman named Alice Neil, born 1884, on 23 May 1902 in Dunedin. Alice had three younger brothers: Archibald, born 1878, James Alexander, born 1881, and William, born 1886. Together they had five children according to Births Deaths and Marriages online, although Alice's death notice lists 4 males including a John (Jack) as their daughter had died soon after birth:

• Charles Archibald, 1902-1964, aged 61
• James Linford, 1903-1977, aged 74
• William Stewart, 1904-1964, aged 59
• Mary Isabella, 1905-1905, aged 20 hours
• John Edwin Sharp, 1911-1990

Eileen had met William a few years ago and describes him as being quite short, with red hair and blue eyes.

William was a clerk (meter reader), and also a brilliant pianist, who used to teach children piano studies in his spare time. He never married, and Eileen thought he lived at 9 Park St, across the road from the Botanical Gardens, although she had never visited his house.

The last time Eileen saw Charlie was at the Palmerston Railway Station when she was there to meet her mother Margaret who was coming to stay with her for a short time. She wasn't on the train, "but who should walk along the station, but Uncle Charlie, so we had a nice chat", says Eileen. This was a couple of years before his death.

Deaths

Charles died on 18 October 1950 of a heart attack, aged 72 years, and was buried in Andersons Bay Cemetery (Block 167, Plot 114). His address at the time was 33 Drivers Road.

His wife Alice died eleven years later on 23 December 1961, and is buried with her husband.

Newspaper death notices and their headstone photo give the following details:

"Sharp, on October 18, 1950, at Dunedin, Charles Stewart, beloved husband of Alice Sharp, 33 Drivers Road, Maori Hill. No flowers by request. The funeral will leave our chapel 78 St Andrew Street, today, Thursday the 19th inst, at the conclusion of a service, commencing at 1.15 pm, for the Andersons Bay cemetery. Hope and Kinaston funeral directors."

"Sharp, on December 23, 1961, at Dunedin, Alice, beloved wife of the late Charles Stewart Sharp, 33 Drivers Road, Maori Hill, and loved mother of Charles, Linford, William and John. "At rest". The funeral will leave our chapel 78 St Andrew Street, today Tuesday 26 December at the conclusion of a service commencing at 11.30 am for the Andersons Bay cemetery. Messages to 15 Claremont Street. Hope and Sons Ltd, Funeral Directors"

The inscription on the headstone reads: Charles Stewart Sharp, died 1950, and his beloved wife Alice, died 1961.

Charles Archibald Sharp, 1902-1964

In his will dated 12 May 1960, Charles appointed his son Ian Neil Sharp of Tarara, Farmer, to be his executor, and divided his property between his children: Lional Stuart Alexander Sharp, Ian Neil Sharp, Ewan Charles Sharp, and Alice Margaret Sharp.

Ewan Charles Sharp died on 24 August 2001 aged 65 years, and his ashes were buried at Green Park Cemetery, Dunedin, Block B. Plot 19 (born 1936). (Dunedin City Council Cemetery Database)

Ian Neil Sharp died on 30 September 2010, aged 78 years, having been born on 11 August 1932 (BDM 2010/24257).

James Linford Sharp, 1903-1977

A search of the Christchurch Cemetery Records revealed a James Linford Sharp and Constance Evelyn Sharp buried in Bromley Cemetery. Dale Hartle visited the library and cemetery in January 2010 and took the following photographs. However it is not confirmed if these Sharps are part of the family until a birth certificate or more detailed family tree is obtained. If any member of the family can shed light on these people please contact Dale. From the death notices, it seems there were no children from this marriage.

Death Notice, Christchurch Press, Monday 25 October 1977: "Sharp, James Linford, of 27 Dover Street, St Albans, on October 23rd, at Princess Margaret Hospital, Cherished husband of Pans, so dearly loved, so sadly missed. No flowers by request. Funeral Service will be held in our Westpark Chapel, 467 Wairakei Road, this day, Tuesday, at 11.30 am. Private Interment thereafter. Lamb and Hayward Ltd." He was 74 years old, a retired rubber worker, listed as being born in Dunedin in 1903, and is buried in Block 36, plot 37.

Death Notice, Christchurch Press, Monday 27th May 1996: "Sharp, Constance Evelyn, suddenly at Christchurch, a dearly beloved wife of James Lenford, loved aunty of Raymond and Leonne Sharp, Warren and Marie Caesar, Wendy and David Fleming; a great aunt of Andrea, Chris, Debra, Craig, James and Catherine. Messages to 95b Memorial Avenue, Christchurch. Funeral Service will be held in our chapel, 65 Main Sth Road, Upper Riccarton, at 11 am, Interment thereafter at Bromley Cemetery. Academy Funeral Services." She was 89 years old, listed as being born in Christchurch in 1907, and is buried in Block 36, plot 38.

We also found a burial record for Leonne Beryl Partridge who died aged 58 years on 27 February 2006, buried 1 March 2008 in Belfast Cemetery, Block K61. And Raymond George Caesar, died Sunday 10 August 1969, aged 57 years, a retired farmer born in Christchurch, who is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Block 7, plot 9.

In the plot next to James Linford and Constance Evelyn Sharp are Charles William Caesar, died 8 October 1948 aged 71, born England, in NZ 60 years, and Charlotte Caesar, died 3 July 1919 aged 42 years, born in Oxford. It is presumed these are Constance Evelyn Sharp's parents. Also Alice Caesar is in Block 36, plot 37, aged 3 years, died 23 June 1920. She could have been a sister to Constance.

William Stewart Sharp, 1904-1964

We have also found death records for William Stewart Sharp, who died on 24 March 1964 in Dunedin aged 59 years. According to information provided on the Dunedin City Council Cemetery Database and from the funeral director, William was born in 1904, and married Hazel Frances Ruston. His occupation was listed as Meter Reader. They had one son Mervyn, who married Joyce, and they have a daughter named Christine. William lived at 14A Mitchell Avenue at the time of his death in Waikari Hospital. The records show that he was married in Dunedin at the age of 28, and his wife was 27. It appears William served in World War II in the RNZAF. Following his death, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered.

William's death notice reads in part: Beloved son of the late Charles and Alice Sharp, formerly of Wingatu and loved brother of Charles, Lin and Jack.

Sharp - On March 24, 1964, at Dunedin, William Stewart, dearly beloved husband of Hazel Frances Sharp, 14A Mitchell Avenue, Mornington, loved father of Mervyn, loved father-in-law of Joyce, and loved grandfather of Christine. Also loved son-in-law of Mrs Gertrude Ruston and loved brother-in-law of Trevor and Bill Ruston. At rest.

William made his will on 21 February 1936 and bequeathed his entire estate to his wife Hazel Frances Sharp.

Mary Isabella Sharp, 1905-1905

Charles and Alice's daughter Mary Isabella Sharp was born on 15 November 1905. However she was not mentioned in Alice's death notice, which raised the question of what happened to her. Searches on the BDM Historical website found a Mary Isabella Sharp born and died in 1905, so copies of the birth and death certificates were obtained from BDM. It was discovered that Mary Isabella was born prematurely, at 7 months, and lived just 20 hours. She was born at the family home in Grosvenor Street, Caversham, on the 15th of November, and died on 16th November. Her cause of death was listed as "insufficient development - 7th month child". It is noted that she was buried on 18 November 1905 at the Southern Cemetery in Dunedin, but no burial record has been found. She may have been placed in an unmarked childrens section. Today a 2-month premature baby usually survives, but may spend up to two months in a neo-natal unit in an incubator with specialist care. Obviously at that time, over 100 years ago, the medical facilities required to care for a premature baby were not available, and sadly, the child died.

John Edwin Sharp, 1911-1990

John Edwin Sharp was born on 11 September 1911 and died 3 August 1990 in Dunedin aged 78 years. According to information provided on the Dunedin City Council Cemetery Database and from the funeral director, John, also known as Jack, was an orthopaedic technician who lived in Dunedin. He married Linda May Smeal at the age of 27, and they had one son Ray. John died at the Otago Community Hospice. He had served during World War II in the RNZAF attaining the rank of LAC. His place of residence at the time of his death was 34 Edna Street, Brighton, and following his cremation, his ashes were buried at the Andersons Bay Servicemans section, Block 22A Plot 208, with his wife.

His wife Linda died on 21 October 1972 aged 62 years. After cremation her ashes were buried in Andersons Bay Cemetery, Block 22A, Plot 208 and a memorial plaque erected.

Linda appointed her husband sole executor of her will on 13 December 1940.

Jack's death notice reads: Sharp, John Edwin (Jack), 434258, 2nd NZEF, of 34 Edna Street, Ocean View - on August 3, 1990, at the Otago Community Hospice, beloved husband of the late Linda, loved father and father-in-law of Ray and Leone, and loved grandad of Andrea and Chris; aged 78 years. A service will be held in Hope and Sons Chapel, corner of Andersons Bay Road and Oxford Street, at 1 pm tomorrow (Tuesday) August 7 followed by private cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations for the Cancer Society would be appreciated and may be left at the service. Messages to 32 Scobie Road, Waverley. Hope and Sons Ltd, Funeral Directors, FDANZ.

Leone Sharp died on 11 May 1997 aged 46 years, and her ashes are buried in Block A, Plot 69, Green Park Cemetery.

Family Tree

The family tree I have compiled so far, from publicly available information above, is as follows:

Charles Stewart Sharp, 1879-1950
m. Alice Neil, 1884-1961

1. Charles Archibald Sharp, 1902-1964
m. Mary Jane Scott, 1902-1960
1.1 Lional Stuart Alexander Sharp
1.2 Ian Neil Sharp
1.3 Ewan Charles Sharp 1936-2001
1.4 Alice Margaret Sharp

2. James Linford Sharp, 1903-1977
m. Constance Evelyn Caesar, 1907-1996
(no issue)

3. William Stewart Sharp, 1904-1964
m. Hazel Frances Ruston
3.1 Mervyn (and Joyce) Sharp
3.1.1 Christine Sharp

4. Mary Isabella Sharp, 1905-1905 (verified from birth certificate)

5. John Edwin Sharp, 1911-1990
m. Linda May Smeal, 1910-1972
5.1 Ray Sharp
m. Leone Jean Sharp 1951-1997
5.1.1 Andrea Sharp
5.1.2 Chris Sharp

No further information is known about these families at the present time, nor do we have photographs. If you are able to provide updated family trees or contact information, please email or phone Dale.

First photo taken by Margaret Bremner of Dunedin. Other photos by Dale Hartle.

Links

You can view the Dunedin City Council Cemetery Database, and the Christchurch City Council Cemetery Database. Search for Sharp.