Yet another of my great pioneering family's, the Harpers,  travelled to New Zealand as part of the planned settlement of Canterbury orchestrated by the 'Canterbury Association' who's aim was to create a very 'Anglican' region later becoming Christchurch, etc.  The new settlement started with the arrival of  'The first four ships', one of those was the 'Randolph', which our Harper family was aboard.  There was a scattering of a few people already in the proposed new settlement prior to the arrival of these pioneers, they are referred to as Pre-Adamite's and among those trial blazers were our 'Day' and 'Nankivell' Family's. The picture to the left is the 'Randolph sketched from aboard the 'Sir George Seymour' - another of the first four ships. The picture was sketched on 6/Sept/1850 in the English Channel to appear in the 'Illustrated London News' .  Apparently, far from being an orderly trip to the new land, it was a race between the four ships with high stakes being wagered. 

As far back as we have gone to date with our Harper family, is to that of our bold Settler John Harper and his parents and family, John was born in Hemblington, Norfolk, England abt 1826,  John married Elizabeth King at Strumpshaw, Blofield, Norfolk, England in 1847 and their first child (Elijah William) was born 20 Jan 1849.  When departing England onboard the 'Randolph' on 4 Sept 1850, Elizabeth was over 7 months pregnant and there 2nd child ('Randolph George') who was born  on at sea 16 Nov 1850, named after the vessel he was born on. The Randolph arrived in Lyttelton, now the Port for Christchurch and Canterbury on 16 Dec 1850, and stories relate that upon setting foot on ground, Elizabeth was not happy with hanging around the landing area but picked up all she could carry (infant included I presume) and headed over a formidable range of hills to where the proposed town was to be located, once over the other side of this range of hills (named the 'Port Hills') the family took lodgings in a cave until more substantial accommodations could be constructed, certainly tough and sturdy people - to be enormously proud of!! pictured above and right , festivities at Gravesend England prior to the Embarkation of the first four ships bound for Canterbury, New Zealand. Sketched to appear in the 'Illustrated London News'

John Harper Snr was shown on census as a Gamekeeper on the estate of Squire Tuck and the local village doctor is believed to have requested John Jnr to move to Canterbury to run a farm on land he had taken up in the new land, the good doctor (Dr J.W. Earle) was also the Ships Surgeon on the voyage of the Randolph. pictured right, partying on the Randolph prior to departure from Gravesend.  

NB I have seperated the familys of John Jnr the Pioneer and John Snr (Father)    

1 John Harper b: 1798 in Strumpshaw  (John Snr)
. +Charlotte Gowan b: 1803
........ 2 John Harper b: 1826 in Hemblington, Norfolk, England d: 8 December 1916 Woolston  (John Jnr)
........ 2 Benjamin Harper b: 1826 in Hemblington, Norfolk, England
........ 2 Mary Harper b: 1826 in Hemblington, Norfolk, England
........ 2 Rebecca Harper b: 1829 in Hemblington, Norfolk, England
........ 2 George Harper b: 1830 in Hemblington, Norfolk, England
........ 2 William Harper b: 1833 in Hemblington, Norfolk, England
........ 2 Charlotte Harper b: 1835 in Strumpshaw, Norfolk, England
........ 2 Robert Harper b: 1837 in Strumpshaw, Norfolk, England - was a seaman
........ 2 Elijah Harper b: 1839 in Strumpshaw, Norfolk, England
........ 2 Susanah Harper b: 1843 in Hemblington, Norfolk, England

(denoted in pink text)

     (John & Elizabeth  Harper (nee King)

........ 2 John Harper b: 1826 in Hemblington, Norfolk, England d: 8 December 1916 Woolston  (Pictured)
............ +Elizabeth King b: 1828 in Strumpshaw, Blofield, Norfolk, England d: 7 January 1916,Woolston
................... 3 [1] Elijah William Harper b: 20 January 1849 in Bradestone, Norfolk, England d: 10 June 1933
....................... +Louisa Whittington b: 3 March 1851 in Gloucestershire. England d: 12 December 1904
.............................. 4 Alice Ann Harper b: 18 April 1870 in Woolston, Christchurch, NZ
.................................. +Joseph George Anderson b: 1866
.............................. 4 Ernest William Harper b: 28 June 1873 d: 29 October 1893, Drowned
.............................. 4 Rose Hannah Harper b: 3 September 1874 d: 6 September 1963
.................................. +William James Key b: 29 January 1873 in Northampton, England d: 17 January 1927 in Ch-Ch Hospital, Christchurch, NZ
.............................. 4 Frederick (Fred) Harper b: 18 September 1876
.................................. +Margret Stevens
.............................. 4 Theresa Harriet Harper b: 13 May 1878 in Woolston, Christchurch, NZ d: 4 December 1965, Christchurch, NZ
.................................. +Arthur George Brightmore b: 1881 d: 3 June 1965
.............................. 4 Elsie Mary Harper b: 30 November 1881 in Christchurch, NZ d: 13 January 1956
.................................. +John George (Jack) Hendren b: 12 November 1878 in On "Opawa" from Portadown, Co Armagh Ire d: 23 July 1949 Christchurch, NZ
................... *2nd Wife of [1] Elijah William Harper:
....................... +Charlotte Wykes b: 1855 d: 1934
................... 3 Randolph George Harper b: 16 November 1850 in On the "Randolph" d: 9 August 1937 in Daughter Emilys House St Albans
....................... +Amy Woodward b: 1847 in Kent, England d: 16 May 1915
.............................. 4 John Leonard (Len) Harper b: 10 July 1871 in Christchurch, NZ d: 12 October 1941, Woolston, Christchurch, NZ
.................................. +Emma Louisa Webber b: 13 March 1874 in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales d: 17 October 1957 in Christchurch, NZ
.............................. 4 Emily Sarah Harper b: 13 October 1873 in Christchurch, NZ d: in Christchurch, NZ
.................................. +Giles William Coates d: in Christchurch, NZ
.............................. 4 Randolph Benjamin Harper b: 20 May 1878 in Phillipstown d: 31 March 1964 in New Plymouth
.................................. +Ellen Locke Good b: 29 September 1876 in (Nee Simpson), Hamilton, Scotland d: 25 July 1970 in New Plymouth
................... 3 William Harper b: 23 July 1852 in NZ d: 22 May 1888
....................... +Mary Round b: 1852
.............................. 4 Herbert William Harper b: 9 February 1874 in Christchurch, NZ d: March 1941, Christchurch, NZ
.................................. +Catherine Cameron
.............................. 4 Arthur Harper b: 21 November 1875 in Christchurch, NZ d: June 1899
.............................. 4 Florence Edith Harper b: 30 August 1877 in Christchurch, NZ
.............................. 4 Bertha Ellen Harper b: 18 January 1880 in Christchurch, NZ
.............................. 4 George Edwin Harper b: 22 May 1882 in Christchurch, NZ
.............................. 4 Percy Guy Harper b: 5 November 1884 in Christchurch, NZ
.............................. 4 Sydney John Harper b: 7 July 1886 in Christchurch, NZ
................... 3 [3] John Harper b: 28 June 1854 in Christchurch, NZ d: 29 March 1939
....................... +Patricia Wright Vesey b: 1857 in Suffolk, England d: 14 March 1912, Christchurch, NZ
.............................. 4 [2] Albert John Harper b: 7 August 1878 in Christchurch, NZ d: 26 March 1939 in Melbourne, Australia
.................................. +Annie Swinton d: 5 May 1913
.............................. *2nd Wife of [2] Albert John Harper:
.................................. +Lillie Violet Edith Manship
.............................. 4 Horace Fredrick Harper b: 5 January 1880
.................................. +May Stewart b: 1885
.............................. 4 Millicent Priscilla Harper b: 18 August 1881 d: 1905
.................................. +Edward Heald
.............................. 4 Mabel Alice Harper b: 3 April 1883
.................................. +Victor James Drake
.............................. 4 Olive Mary Harper b: 2 December 1884
.................................. +Edwin James Cook b: 30 September 1883
.............................. 4 Ellis Stanley Harper b: 7 October 1887 in Christchurch, NZ
.................................. +Dorothy Stanaway d: August 1988
................... *2nd Wife of [3] John Harper:
....................... +Henrietta Edmondson b: 1863 in Geelong, Australia
................... 3 Alfred Benjamin Harper b: 24 August 1856 in Heathcote, Christchurch, New Zealand d: 21 January 1928
....................... +Elizabeth Charlotte Welch b: 1862 in Bedfordshire, England d: 9 June 1949
.............................. 4 Ethel May Harper b: 25 April 1879 in Christchurch, New Zealand d: 3 July 1970
.................................. +Thomas Brown b: 26 May 1876 in Dunedin, New Zealand d: 2 November 1935
.............................. 4 Cecil Alfred Harper b: 9 March 1881 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.............................. 4 [4] Francis Edward Harper b: 8 October 1882 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.................................. +Isobel Munro Leith b: in Scotland d: August 1953
.............................. *2nd Wife of [4] Francis Edward Harper:
.................................. +Gladys Bonisch
.............................. 4 Hilda Rosina Harper b: 2 June 1884 in Christchurch, New Zealand d: 13 November 1962
.................................. +John Robinson b: 17 May 1881 in Lyttelton, New Zealand d: 11 May 1929 in Greymouth, - In an Accident
.............................. 4 Lillian Emily Harper b: 28 March 1886 in Ch-Ch d: July 1886 in Ch-Ch
.............................. 4 Victor Gordon Harper b: 26 April 1887 in Ch-Ch d: 1 January 1906 in Ashburton
.............................. 4 [5] Claude Reginald Harper b: 21 July 1889 in Ch-Ch d: 15 November 1990, Auckland
.................................. +Elsie Elizabeth Shaw b: 1888 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.............................. *2nd Wife of [5] Claude Reginald Harper:
.................................. +Martha Meiklejohn Macaulay b: 1899 d: 14 November 1980
.............................. 4 Allan William Harper b: 17 August 1892 in Woolston, Christchurch, New Zealand d: 25 November 1965
.................................. +May Ellen Alecia Lawson b: 20 May 1903 d: 1 May 1978 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.............................. 4 Ivy Louisa Harper b: 3 January 1894 in Christchurch, New Zealand d: 1975 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.................................. +William Thomas Trethewey b: 1893 in Christchurch, New Zealand d: 1956 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.............................. 4 Harry Augustus Harper b: 14 August 1895 in Ch-Ch d: 26 September 1976 in Napier
.................................. +Ethel Jessie Thompson b: 1 February 1901 in Dunedin, New Zealand
.............................. 4 Irene Gladys Harper b: 12 September 1897 in Ch-Ch
.................................. +William Goddard b: in London, England
.............................. 4 Norman Edgar Harper b: 12 June 1899 in Ch-Ch d: 27 April 1981
.................................. +Essie May Nicholas b: 1897 in Penzance, Cornwall, England d: 9 July 1978 in Ch-Ch
.............................. 4 Myrtle Eveline Harper b: 1902 in Ch-Ch d: 11 August 1921
.................................. +George Whitla b: 1901 d: 1981
.............................. 4 Clarence John Radley Harper b: 9 December 1906 in Ch-Ch d: 9 August 1990
.................................. +Gladys ??
................... 3 Ellen Elizabeth Harper b: 10 August 1858 in Christchurch, NZ d: 31 May 1918
....................... +John Alfred Oliver b: 1854 d: 19 July 1926
.............................. 4 [10] Wilfred Oliver
.................................. +[9] Mabel Robinson
.............................. 4 [13] Ellen Rosina Oliver b: 14 September 1882 in Springfield, Ch-Ch d: 14 July 1967
.................................. +[12] Marshall Edward Victor Guy(Guy) Robinson b: 5 November 1883 in Wellington d: 1967 in Ch-Ch
................... 3 Walter (Watty) Harper b: 16 November 1860 in Woolston, Christchurch, New Zealand d: 16 June 1931
....................... +Agnes Emma (Emma) Day b: 17 March 1863 in O'Kains Bay, New Zealand d: 21 May 1957 in Christchurch, NZ
.............................. 4 Harold Walter Harper b: 19 February 1883 in Woolston, Christchurch, New Zealand d: 1968 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.................................. +Edith Annie Gundy b: 1884
.............................. 4 Edith Ruby May Harper b: 20 May 1884 in Woolston, Christchurch, New Zealand
.................................. +Thomas Dix b: 29 September 1881 in Lyttelton, New Zealand
.............................. 4 Wilfred Edward (Unc Jock) Harper b: 23 February 1886 in Woolston, Christchurch, New Zealand
.............................. 4 [6] Violet Beatrice (Queenie) Harper b: 5 June 1888 in Woolston, Christchurch, New Zealand d: 28 December 1988 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.................................. +Robert John William (Pop Sadler) Sadler b: 1 November 1881 in 36 Huntingdon Bld, Bethnal Green, England d: 14 November 1950
.............................. *2nd Husband of [6] Violet Beatrice (Queenie) Harper:
.................................. +John Nicholson (Jack) Harle b: Abt. 1889 in Newcastle, NSW, Australia
.............................. 4 Hector Stanley (Stan) Harper b: 9 July 1890 in Woolston, Christchurch, New Zealand d: 7 March 1984 in Ashburton, New Zealand
.................................. +Grace Clarke b: 8 June 1892 in (Grace Grey) - Lyttelton, New Zealand d: 11 August 1956
.............................. 4 Florence Irene (Floss) Harper b: 5 February 1893 d: 3 November 1976 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.................................. +James William O'Day b: Abt. 1882 in Ipswich, England d: 30 January 1954 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.............................. 4 Lawrence (Laurie) Harper b: 1895 d: in Gallopoli, Turkey
.............................. 4 [7] Gerald Robert Roy (Roy) Harper b: 1897 d: in 2nd WW, Killed by a Sniper on arrival
.................................. +Marjorie ??
.............................. *2nd Wife of [7] Gerald Robert Roy (Roy) Harper:
.................................. +Esther Joy ?? d: in Giving Birth ??
.............................. 4 Ernest Spencer Harper b: 24 February 1900
.............................. 4 [8] Mona Emma Harper b: 27 February 1902 d: 1997 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.................................. +Allan Gibson
.............................. *2nd Husband of [8] Mona Emma Harper:
.................................. +Toby Jacobs b:
.............................. *3rd Husband of [8] Mona Emma Harper:
.................................. +Don't Know
.............................. 4 Myrtle Vera Harper b: 13 August 1908 d: 21 December 1993
.................................. +Stanley Timms
................... 3 Louisa Harper b: 20 September 1862 in Christchurch, NZ
....................... +Marshall Ashton Robinson b: 12 April 1861 in Manchester, England d: 1926 in Oamaru, New Zealand
.............................. 4 [9] Mabel Robinson
.................................. +[10] Wilfred Oliver
.............................. 4 Eunice Robinson
.................................. +John Graham
.............................. 4 Gladys Robinson
.................................. +Jack Hopping
.............................. 4 [11] Lillian Robinson
.................................. +Norman Harrison
.............................. *2nd Husband of [11] Lillian Robinson:
.................................. +Walter De Their
.............................. 4 Ivan John Ashton Robinson
.................................. +Charlotte (Girlie) Porterfield b: 1 May 1913
.............................. 4 [12] Marshall Edward Victor Guy (Guy) Robinson b: 5 November 1883 in Wellington d: 1967 in Ch-Ch
.................................. +[13] Ellen Rosina Oliver b: 14 September 1882 in Springfield, Ch-Ch d: 14 July 1967
.............................. 4 Vera Eleanor Robinson b: 11 September 1898 in Christchurch, New Zealand d: 15 March 1950 in Christchurch, New Zealand
.................................. +Herbert Charles Watson b: 27 March 1897 in Christchurch, New Zealand d: 30 June 1963 in Christchurch, New Zealand
................... 3 Edward Harper b: 8 August 1864
....................... +May Woodham
................... 3 Alice Harper b: 20 August 1866 in Ch-Ch d: 1952 in In Wellington, Living with Lester
....................... +Henry Edward (Harry) Withers b: 1 October 1859 in Allingwood, Victoria, Australia d: 1901
.............................. 4 Maurice Withers b: 1891 in Dunedin d: 1955 in Ch-Ch
.................................. +Bessie M Lewis
.............................. 4 Cecil Henry Withers b: 21 December 1891 in Dunedin d: 6 May 1971 in Nelson
.................................. +Gladys Marion Kynaston b: 17 September 1891 in Ch-Ch d: 27 July 1974 in Nelson
.............................. 4 Lester Withers b: 1900 in Dunedin d: 1971 in Ch-Ch
................... 3 Elizabeth Harper b: 27 December 1868 in Christchurch, NZ d: July 1931 in Nelson, New Zealand
....................... +George Alfred Montgomery b: 28 September 1861 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia d: August 1934 in Nelson, New Zealand
.............................. 4 Leslie Norman Montgomery b: 26 May 1889 in Springfield, Canterbury d: 31 December 1971 in Gore
.................................. +Hilda Ruth Small b: 23 March 1890 in St. Albans, Christchurch, NZ d: April 1969 in Nelson, New Zealand
.............................. 4 Muriel Gladys Montgomery b: 28 November 1892 in Ch-Ch d: 21 October 1923 in Auckland
.................................. +Walter Charles Elliot b: 1 April 1892 in Bristol. England d: 18 December 1970 in On his farm in Northland
.............................. 4 Eva Gwendaline Montgomery b: 26 June 1895 in Ferry Rd, Ch-Ch d: 9 March 1982 in Greymouth, Greymouth, New Zealand
.................................. +Ronald John (Ron) Sansom b: 22 September 1903 in Kaiapoi, New Zealand d: 27 July 1986 in Greymouth, New Zealand
.............................. 4 Sybil Marguerite Montgomery b: 12 October 1896 in Ferry Rd, Ch-Ch d: 14 August 1987 in Upper Hutt
.................................. +Harold Sinclair Muschamp b: 14 April 1896 in Christchurch, New Zealand d: 9 June 1955
.............................. 4 Alma Montgomery b: 23 August 1899 in Ch-Ch d: 29 August 1922 in Community Ot The Sacred Name
.............................. 4 Doris Elizabeth Montgomery b: 27 February 1900 in Ch-Ch d: 28 March 1901 in Ch-Ch
.............................. 4 Rita Phyllis Montgomery b: 15 July 1901 in Ch-Ch d: 3 August 1910 in River Rd, Ch-Ch
.............................. 4 Violet Irene Montgomery b: 6 June 1903 in Ch-Ch d: 3 December 1941 in Dannevirke
.................................. +James MacGibbon b: 16 August 1902
.............................. 4 Cyril George James Montgomery b: 6 February 1906 in Ch-Ch d: 26 July 1920 in Ch-Ch, Tram Car Accident
.............................. 4 Ronald Harper Montgomery b: 23 January 1910 in Ch-Ch d: 6 October 1977 in Nelson
.................................. +Jean Boyce b: 28 February 1910 in Nelson, New Zealand
................... 3 Rosena Harper b: 9 February 1872 in 12/11/1872
................... 3 Alice Lilian Harper b: 28 October 1873

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