Mary Lye and Archibald Hood

Married Peter Facey Hoskin at New Plymouth in 1842 (died in 1860)
She then married Archibald Hood at Holy Trinity Church on 20 January 1862. Archibald was born in Newmilns Scotland 24 April 1826. He died 2 January 1913.

Mary and Peter Hoskin had 10 children,  two of whom died at an early age (Diptheria) and are buried with their father in St Mary's Churchyard (at the western end of the church) Peter Hoskin died in 1860 aged 40 years. Newspaper clippings say tragically but little could be found.

Children with Peter Hoskin
Alice  Matilda - born 31 March 1856. Married John Honeyfield 21 June 1876 at Omata    church. Children Newton, Nora (Married Bert Inch) and Ruth (drowned). Alice died 1889 aged 33
 

Richard James -Born 8 February 1853. Married Fanny Ward 19 February 1876. Children Jessie (Married name Goldstone) and Blanch (Married name Martin). Then married Mary Ann Emily Levitt 9 December 1183. Children were Gertrude (Married Roy Henry), Hazel (Married name Anderson), Gladys (Married names 1 Cash and 2 Chas White) and Kathleen.

Mary Ann Grace-Born 24 April 1847. Married 1 Hugh Dalghleish Knight at St Mary's Church. (No children). Then 2 Henry Watson (no children). Henry Weston was the owner of the Taranaki Herald. He purchased it from William George in 1867. Henry Weston owned it until 1920 when he died. Nineteen years before he died he introduced his nephew Walter to the business as the manager. On the death of his uncle, Walter inherited the business which he ran on his own until 1930 when the property was registered as a private company.

Bessie/Betsy Jane-Born 23 May 1851. Married 1 Joseph Beale (1 child -Valentine). Joseph died before 1888. and then 2 George A Corney. Married on Valentines day 1889. (3 children- Estelle, Enid, Dorothy). Bessie died 7 October 1935 aged 84.

Clara Doris -Born 9 November 1860. Married Albert Eric Algar 1888. Had 5 children-Eric, Hayden, Doris, Beethoven, Douglas. This photo is of left to right Douglas, Hayden, Doris, Beethoven and Eric. Clara died 5 April 1928 aged 67.

Josias -Born 6 December 1843. Married Matilda Sommerton. (6 children-Arthur,Grace, Dunston, Aola, Ethel, Beatrix). This photo is of the children of Josias and Matilda. I have no idea why there is 7 children in the photo.

Josias was named after his uncle (Peter Hoskins brother) who had a boatmakers shop in the 1840s where Whites dept store was in the 1980s. For many years Josias (nicknamed Paddy) and Matilda(Mattie) lived in a quaint old house surrounded by a very high fence, on the seaward side and eastern corner of young and Dawson streets. The property was known as "The Pines" due to the immense norfolk pines growing there. Peter Brennan when he was 3, on one of his many unauthorized excusions beyond the confines of 28 Dawson street, once lost his bearings completely until he said "I saw Auntie Mattie's trees" and thus wended his way home. Later the trees were listed as historic trees. See below.

John Rodd -Born 4 August 1845. Married Delia Conroy (10 children-Mildred, Josais Mary, John, Alice, Clara, Claude, Reginald, Keith and Norien). I have information on who the children married. Contact me on frenchpearce@xtra.co.nz if you require this information.

Edward-Born 2 May 1849. Very little known. Thought to have lived in Thames. Some talk that Mary (his Mum) had a grog shop business going with him in Thames.

Helen -Died young Diptheria.Born 26 December 1855. Died 28 June 1861

William Arthur Died young Diptheria. Born 27 December 1859. Died 25 June 1861. Died within days of Helen and a year after their father.

Children with Archibald Hood
Thomas born 21 May 1866. Died 29 May 1941. Married Mary Ann Ryan. (1 child-Kathleen Mary)

The following is copied from the obituaries in Diaries of W.H Skinner at Puke Ariki.

"We regret to have to record the death at an early hour this morning, of Mrs Hood one of the earliest settlers of New Plymouth, in her 80th year. The deceased lady was a native of Somersetshire and came out to New Zealand in the 'William Bryan' with her father the late Mr John Lye, and family, arriving at this settlement on March 31 1841."

"For several months she, in common with her fellow passengers, had to endure tent life at Moturoa, and afterwards came to live in a raupo whare built on the site of the house where she died. About a year after her arrival here she married Mr Peter Hoskin, who died in 1860. In the early days of the settlement she carried on business in a small shop which stood where Mr Maynard Ramson's* shop now is, and in 1855 moved into Victoria house situated on the corner of Currie street, where she continued to carry on business until nine years ago when she retired and has since resided in St Aubyn street. Mrs Hood was a very capable business woman and for many years made frequent trips to Auckland in connection with her business. She was also one of the few women who refused to leave New Plymouth during the Land wars. In those days Victoria House was the headquarters of the military staff and of Sir George Arney, the chief justice of New Zealand. In 1862 she married Mr Archibald Hood who survives her. The deceased lady leaves several children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to mourn their loss. The funeral will take place on Thursday."

Mrs Hood was buried in the Te Henui Cemetery.
*The business referred to was a drapery shop and was later purchased by Whites Ltd.

This photo is of James Lye, Mary Lye (Hoskin/Hood) and John Lye.