ID Number102365
NameFITZGERALD James Edward
Family NameFITZGERALD
Plot5613
CemeteryChurch of England
StatusReinstated Monument after Disinterment for Motorway
Location on the Modern Grid MapL14 15
Inscription on TombstoneJames Edward FITZGERALD, born 4 March 1818, d. 2 August 1896. Fanny Erskine FITZGERALD, born 21 March 1832, d. 8 July 1900. Katherine FITZGERALD, d. 29 June 1880, a. 13 years, also Mabel FITZGERALD, d. 21 August 1880, aged 4 years, Maurice FITZGERALD, d. 10 July 1886, a. 25. In memory of Jane, the beloved wife of Gerard George FITZGERALD, who was drowned at the age of 45 years in the wreck of the "Taiaroa", on the 11 April 1886.
Description of GraveDescription Not Available
Date of Death or Burial*02 Jul, 1896
Public Cemetery Register Number
Type of Record Burial
Age78
SexMale
BiographyBefore James emigrated from England in 1850, he had been the superintendent of the antiquities department of the British Museum. In New Zealand he became involved in politics, while editor and owner of The Press, and became the superintendent of Canterbury Province. As MP for Lyttelton he urged the Maori representation in Parliament and became MInister of Native Affairs. Note the memorial alongside erected by the Star Boating Club. This was the first rowing club in the country, and was started by whalers in 1866. The club rooms are now in Frank Kitts Park and are still in use. A full biography is available at http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/ (Dictionary of New Zealand Biography)