Louie

Louie Keymer

(15 September 1881 - 17 December 1981)

Louie was born in Kentish Town, London, England on 15 September 1881. The parish register records her baptism as being the following day, at St John the Baptist Church in Camden. Her parents were, William Keymer (21 Dec 1856 - 30 Oct 1926) and his wife Mary Elizabeth Smith (25 Mar 1857 - 29 May 1936). William and Mary Keymer had eleven children, Louie being the third-born:

• Eliza (Lilah) Keymer  (31 (or 20th?) May 1878 - 24 Sep 1959) 
• William John Keymer (3 Mar 1880 - 28 Nov 1961)
• Louie Keymer (15 Sep 1881 - 17 Dec 1981)
• Ada Keymer (14 Jan 1884 - 27 Oct 1974)
• Edith Keymer (22 Apr 1886 - 22 June 1971)
• Alice Keymer (23 May 1888 - 19 Mar 1973)
• Laura Keymer (23 April 1890 - 11 Jan 1983)
• Bertha Keymer (12 June 1892 - 1 Nov 1979)
• George Edward Keymer (9 Feb 1894 - 12 Oct 1917)
• Dorothy Keymer (26 Apr 1898 - 5 Aug 1968)
• Hector McDonald Keymer (13 May 1901 - 27 July 1994)

Home in London

The Keymer family lived in London. The Census of 1881 gives their address as 3 Hope Cottage, Kentish Town, London.

Immigration to New Zealand

Louie, her parents William and Mary, along with two sisters and her widowed maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Smith, nee Preston (19 May 1916 - 20 July 1898) immigrated to New Zealand on the ship Northumberland. According to the Auckland Star, 20 February 1884, the Keymers and Mary Smith were among the 159 government assisted immigrants taking the voyage to the new country. Their journey across the world began on 10 December 1883 when the Northumberland sailed down the Thames River to Gravesend where it docked until 16 December. 

The Northumberland arrived in New Zealand on 18 March 1884. According to the Bay of Plenty Times, 20 March 1884, the journey was plain sailing and took just 93 days. Sadly, five passengers and a crew member died during the trip. Three of the deaths were children which must have been quite a traumatic experience for Louie and her siblings. Two bright spots in the voyage would have been the births of two little girls, one of whom was Louie's sister, Ada Keymer who was born on 14 January 1884, barely a month into the voyage.

A new home in Auckland

On arrival in New Zealand, the Keymer family made their home in Ponsonby, Auckland. They lived in a number of homes there.

On 22 April 1886, when Louie was four years old, her sister, Edith Keymer was born. 

Links to early Seventh-day Adventists

In 1887, Louie's parents were baptised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church following tent meetings in Ponsonby, which were conducted by a young American evangelist, Pastor Arthur Grosvenor Daniells (1858 - 1936). According to the Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, December 1887, these meetings led to the formation of the Ponsonby Seventh-day Adventist church at 66 Mackelvie Street, the first Adventist church in New Zealand. William and Mary were among the 67 foundation members of the church when it was formed on Saturday afternoon, 15 October 1887. Louie and her siblings were in attendance on this occasion. 

A growing family

The Keymer family continued to grow. Louie's sister, Alice Keymer was born on 23 May 1888. Shortly after her birth, the family portrait shown below, was taken. Louie's maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Smith, nee Preston, is also in the photo holding Louie's little sister, Edith.

Unknown photographer.
(Photo courtesy of G Keymer)

Childhood

Not a lot is known about Louie's schooling or childhood. What we do know is that according to the Richmond Road School register Louie and Ada were enrolled there on 23 September 1889 and that they had previously been students at Ponsonby Primary School. Louie remained at Richmond Road School for about two weeks, and was withdrawn for unknown reasons, on 8 October. She was sent back to Ponsonby Primary. School records don't show what happened to Ada, but presumably she was also removed to the Ponsonby school. 

Louie's sister Laura Keymer was born on 23 April 1890, and Bertha Keymer arrived on 12 June 1892. Around this time the Keymer family lived on Ponsonby Road. A second brother, George Edward Keymer was born on 9 February 1894.  

Louie's teenage years

As a teenager, Louie must have been a great support to her mother, helping to raise her youngest siblings. 

Around 1896, the Keymer family lived on Brown Street but this was short lived. This curious advertisement in the Auckland Star on 13 February 1897 shows that the Keymer family lived at 25 Ponsonby Road, Auckland central at this time. Their home was on the right hand side, just down a little from Karangahape Road:

Louie's youngest sister, Dorothy Keymer was born on 26 April 1898. Three months later, Louie's maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Smith, nee Preston (81), died at the family home on 20 July 1898. Her death notice appeared in the Auckland Star, 20 July 1898. She was buried in the Purewa Cemetery. 

The family photograph shown below was taken in 1898 and appears to have been taken shortly after Louie's grandmother died. 

Photographer unknown

(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Louie's paternal grandfather, John Keymer (8 Sep 1826 - 8 July 1902), a widow, made the journey out to New Zealand to live with the family, arriving in 1899. 

On 13 May 1901, Louie's youngest brother, Hector McDonald Keymer was born. Almost a year later, their paternal grandfather, passed away on 8 July 1902 at the family home at 25 Ponsonby Road, Auckland. He was buried at the Purewa Cemetery Block D Row 21 Plot 76, next to the Keymer family plot.

The Keymer family moved to Chamberlain Street around 1905, and then later, around 1911, to Birkdale Road, Birkenhead, Auckland.

Sisters, Louie, Lilah & probably Ada.
Photographer and date unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

The Keymer family, 1904.
Seated back from left: Bertha (or could be Edith), Edith (or could be Bertha), Alice
Seated middle from left: Eliza, Louie, Laura, William Snr, Mary, Ada, William Jnr
Front, from left: George, Hector, Dorothy
Unknown photographer.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

The War Years

Louie's sister, Bertha, was married to Ernest (Ernie) Charles Jarrett (15 Dec 1891 - 2 Dec 1948) on 29 January 1914. 

Later that year World War I broke out in Europe. Although it started far away, it affected everyone in New Zealand. The following two photographs are the last pictures of the Keymer family all together.

The Keymer family c1915.

Standing from left: Louie, William Jnr, William Snr, George, Eliza, Edith

Seated from left: Ada, Alice, Mary, Laura,  Bertha

At front: Dorothy & Hector

Photographer unknown.

(Photo courtesy of E Donaldson)

Louie Keymer c1915.
Unknown photographer.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Louie marries 

Louie married James (Jim) Archibald (31 August 1882 - 3 September 1958) on 19 April 1915 at her family home in Birkdale, Auckland. Their wedding notice appeared in the New Zealand Herald, 3 July 1915:

The family portrait below was taken at the wedding. Louie's bridesmaid was her sister, Alice Keymer (23 May 1888 - 19 Mar 1973). Jim's best man was his first cousin, David Mitchell (seated fifth from the left). The flower girls were Louie's nieces, Mavis and Dorothy Keymer (her brother William's eldest daughters). 

Wedding of Louie Keymer to James Archibald, 19 April 1915.
Most of the people in this photograph are family members.
Unknown photographer, but possibly W Short, Wilton St, Grey Lynn.
(Photo courtesy of S Ringrose)

The wedding of James (Jim) Archibald & Louie Keymer. 1915.
From left: Mary Keymer, Alice Keymer, William Keymer, David Mitchell (James's cousin),
James Archibald III, Pastor J Martin Cole (minister), Louie Keymer, Catherine Archibald.
The two girls at the front are Louie's nieces, Dorothy and Mavis Keymer. 
Photo by W Short, Wilton St, Grey Lynn.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

The marriage ceremony was conducted by Pastor John Martin Cole (1862 - 1937) who was the president of the New Zealand Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. According to the New Zealand, Officiating Ministers database of 1915, was one of only four Seventh-day Adventist ministers in New Zealand who had the right to perform marriages. A quick search of Papers Past shows that Pastor Cole preached many times at the Ponsonby Seventh-day Adventist Church where Louie attended.

Pastor J Martin Cole c1935
Unknown photographer
(Photo from Encyclopaedia of Seventh-day Adventists)

Jim and Louie had their honeymoon in Australia. The photo below was taken shortly before they left on their trip.

James (Jim) & Louie on their wedding day,
shortly before heading off on their honeymoon. 1915.
Unknown photographer.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Louie and Jim on their honeymoon in the Blue Mountains, Australia.
Unknown photographer.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Life in Parkhurst, Helensville

James (Jim) Archibald was a farmer who was born in Parkhurst, Helensville to Scottish settlers. As the oldest surviving son, he had inherited his family's Parkhurst farm after his father died. He brought Louie to live on this farm after their wedding. The farm was named 'Glencairn' after the Archibald's farm in Scotland. 

This is 'Glencairn', the homestead on the Parkhurst farm that was once owned
by James & Louie Archibald, and his parents before them.
The house has been extensively renovated.
(Photo by K Bland 2009)

James and Louie had three children:

• Jean Catherine Cobb (13 February 1916 - 27 April 2010)
• Jessie Mary McLean (25 April 1917 - 16 July 2008)
• William (Bill) James Archibald (26 November 1921 - 2 November 2004) 

On 13 February 1916, Louie, aged 34, gave birth to Jean Catherine Archibald at her parent's home at 120 Grange Road, Mt Eden. The birth was announced as follows in the New Zealand Herald, 15 February 1916:

Louie's brother called up

In November 1916, Louie's brother, George Keymer was selected by ballot to join the New Zealand Armed Forces. This was a turning point for the Keymer family. The photograph below shows James and Louie at the foot of the steps of their Parkhurst home with George and his fiancee, Frances (Fanny) May Harkin (4 June 1894 - 13 Oct 1984), who are standing at the top of the steps. This may show Louie's last encounter with her brother.

Jim and Louie Archibald are at the foot of the steps of their Parkhurst home,
while her brother, George Keymer, is at the top of the steps
with his fiancee Frances (Fanny) Harkin. c1916
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Another baby

On 25 April 1917, just over a year since giving birth to Jean, Louie gave birth to her second daughter, Jessie Mary Archibald. Like Jean, baby Jessie was also born at her maternal grandparent's home, at 120 Grange Road, Mt Eden.

The Great War

The Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 3 May 1917 reported that Louie and her mother-in-law supported the war effort by each donating 10/- to the Parakai branch of the Women's Patriotic League who were collecting funds on behalf of the Y.M.C.A. 

Louie's brother, George (23), departed for the Great War from Wellington, on 26 April 1917, reaching the front lines on 8 October. Four days later he was killed in the battle for Passchendaele. This was a terrible loss for Louie, the Keymer family and for Fanny Harkin. 

James, Jean, Jessie, Louie Archibald, c1919.
Unknown photographer
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Around 1921, Jim, Louie, and their girls moved to a 40 acre dairy farm in Opaheke, Papakura. They called their new homestead Glencairn too! Jean was five years old at the time of this move. 

James & Louie's home at Opaheke, Papakura.
Unknown photographer and date.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

James and Louie's son, William (Bill) James Archibald was born at the family farm in Opaheke, Papakura on 26 November 1921. 

Cousins.
Back row: Jessie Archibald is the first on the left and Jean Archibald is second from the right.
Front row: Bill Archibald is the first on the left.

Date and photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

The Keymer sisters in the early 1920s
Standing from left: Laura, Alice, Ada
Seated from left: Dorothy, Bertha (or could be Edith), Eliza, Edith (or could be Bertha), Louie
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of E Donaldson)

In 1924 the Archibald family, along with James's mother, Catherine Archibald, and Louie's sister, Eliza (Lilah) Keymer, attended the opening of the Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Church, becoming founding members. At that time, the church was located on Wentworth Avenue. This clipping from the Australasian Record, 23 November 1985, was kept by Louie's daughter, Jean Cobb, to commemorate the opening of the church. 

The opening of the Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1924.

Front row: Fourth from the left is Jean Archibald, fifth from the left is Jessie Archibald.

Second row: First from the right hand side is Louie Archibald,

second from the right is Catherine Archibald, fourth from the right is likely to be Eliza (Lilah) Keymer.

William Archibald and his son Bill are not in the picture.

(Courtesy of G J Bland)

Family connections

Jim and Louie remained close to their respective families and often took their children to visit their cousins. Jim owned a lovely old Ford car, which was captured in several photographs during family trips in Northland to visit their Yates and Liggett relatives.

The Archibald family during an outing to visit the Yates family in Ruatangata. 
From left: Louie, Margaret Yates, nee Archibald, Bill, Jessie, Jean.
Jim is peeking out from the car window.
Photographer and date unknown, but c1930.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

The Liggett and Archibald girl cousins visit together on the Liggett farm in Tikinui, in the 1930s.
Jean Archibald is identified in the photo at the centre back, marked with the x.
The others in the photo have not been identified as yet.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Cousins, Nora Liggett and Bill Archibald
Photographer and date unknown, but c1930.
(Photo courtesy of S Ringrose)

Taking care of mother and mother-in-law

As mentioned previously, Jim and Louie took Jim's mother, Catherine Archibald, and his disabled sister, Betsy, into their care. Mother and daughter lived together in a small cottage on the farm for many years. After Jim's mother died on 13 June 1935, Betsy was put into care. The little cottage on the farm where they lived for many years was then made available to Louie's mother, Mary Keymer, and Lilah, (Louie's unmarried sister). Lilah and Louie cared for their mother there for a year until Mary Keymer died on Friday, 29 May 1936. Mary's funeral was held at the Ponsonby Seventh-day Adventist Church the following Sunday afternoon. She was buried at the Purewa Cemetery.

A family reunion

This is a special photo of the ten Keymer siblings taken in 1939. The occasion may have been the wedding of William Keymer to widow, Lola Edmiston Dryden, nee McDell (26 Nov 1883 - 19 July 1965).

The Keymer siblings in 1939.

Standing from left: Dorothy, Bertha, Laura, Alice, Edith, Ada, Louie, Lilah

Seated from left: William Jnr, unknown woman, Hector

Photographer unknown.

(Photo courtesy of E Donaldson)

Home Nursing certification

According to the Franklin Times, 22 November 1939, Louie, her sister Eliza (Lilah) Keymer, and Jessie Archibald attended classes with the Papakura St John Ambulance. All three passed their home nursing exam. The Auckland Star, 14 July 1939 reported that Jean had passed the senior home nursing exam earlier in the year along with her cousins, Cath and Nora Liggett. 

Family moments

This family portrait is the last photo we have of the Archibalds all together. 

The Archibald family c1940.
From left: Jean, Jessie, Jim, Bill, Louie.
Photo by Thomas Henry Ashe, Onehunga, NZ
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

The photograph below shows Jim and Louie supporting their daughter Jean as she farewells her boyfriend of the time, Alex McDonald, at Auckland wharf. He was heading to Australia to study theology at the Seventh-day Adventist college there. Also pictured is Jessie and Louie's, Lilah Keymer. 

 The Archibald family c1940.

Front row from left: Jessie and Jean Archibald with their mother, Louie Archibald.

Behind: Lilah Keymer, and Jim. 

Photographer unknown.

(Photo courtesy of G J Bland) 

Weddings of the children
Jim and Louie celebrated the wedding of their daughter Jessie to Douglas (Doug) Cooper McLean (22 Jan 1915 - 1996) on 14 April 1941 at the Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The wedding of Jessie Archibald to Douglas McLean, 14 April 1941.
Standing from left: Allan Wright, A Neil McLean, Doug McLean, Jessie Archibald,
Jean Archibald, Nora Liggett, Yvonne Parlane, and M June Jarrett
Seated in front: Louie and James Archibald, the bride's parents
Photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of S Ringrose)

The following year, Jim and Louie's eldest daughter, Jean, married John (Jack) Arthur Reginald Cobb (28 June 1916 - 23 Oct 2007) at the Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist Church on St Patrick's Day, 17 March 1942.

Jim and Louie's son, Bill, married Nancy Eva Barlow (28 April 1920 - 6 Sep 2001) on 5 June 1945 at the Hawera Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Retirement
In the early 1950s, Jim and Louie moved from their farm in Opaheke and into a home that their son-in-law, Jack Cobb, built for them. The house was at 12 Wallis Road, Papakura.

Jim and Louie outside their retirement home 1950s
Photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Jim and Louie, 1950s
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Jim died on 3 September 1958 aged 76. The cause of his death was bronchi pneumonia (he had suffered with this condition for one week) and diabetes (a condition he had for years). Jim was buried in the Papakura Cemetery, PLWN-G-038. 

Keymer sisters
From left: Louie, Lilah, Dorothy, and Laura.
Unknown photographer and date.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Louie must have had a sense of humour. Her grand-daughter, GJB recalled her commenting on the passing of wind with the following quip: Better an empty house than a lose tenant!

Four generations. Louie with her daughter Jean,
and Jean's daughter and grand-daughters. 1975.
Photo by K J Bland
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Louie lived at the Bethesda Home and Hospital which when it was situated on Esplanade Road, Mt Eden. When Louie reached her 100th birthday on Tuesday 15 September 1981, she was given a special celebration there. Many family members were present, including two of her siblings, Laura James and Hector Keymer, her children, many grandchildren and some great grandchildren. Louie received congratulatory telegrams from Queen Elizabeth II, and the Prime Minister, amongst others.

Louie Archibald, seated centre with white cardigan, on her 100th birthday, 15 September 1981.
Also in the picture are her sister Laura James (green cardigan) and brother Hector Keymer (grey suit with maroon tie),
along with several children, grand children and great grandchildren.
Unknown photographer.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Louie Archibald with her family on her 100th birthday, 15 September 1981.
From left: Laura James (Louie's sister), Jean Cobb, Bill Archibald & Jessie McLean (Louie's children),
MB (Jessie's daughter) & Louie are holding the cake.
Unknown photographer.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Louie passed away on 17 December 1981 from pneumonia and senility. Her funeral was held at the Papakura Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was buried at the Papakura Cemetery next to her husband, James. The following obituary appeared in the Australasian Record on 22 March 1982, Vol 87 No12. p15:

ARCHIBALD. On December 17, 1981, Louie Archibald
(nee Keymer) passed to her rest at "Bethesda" Rest Home,
Auckland, New Zealand, aged one hundred. She and her
husband were charter members of the Ponsonby church, a
suburb of Auckland. Their home was an open house, and
Louie was well known for her hospitality. Left to mourn her
loss are three children and their families: Jean (Mrs. J. Cobb,
Papakura), Jessie (Mrs. D. McLean, Papakura) and William
(Maraetai). With the assistance of Pastor H. Hollingsworth,
words of comfort were administered to the large company
who came to say farewell as we laid her to rest in the
Papakura Cemetery to await the call of her Lord. F. E. Baker.

Funeral of Louie Archibald, December 1981.
Papakura Seventh-day Adventist Church.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

James and Louie's old home on Opaheke Road was deliberately burnt down
by the Fire Service as part of a training exercise.
Unknown date and photographer.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

The children of James & Louie Archibald

James and Louie had three children:

• Jean Catherine Archibald (13 Feb 1916 - 27 Apr 2010)
• Jessie Mary Archibald (25 Apr 1917 - 16 July 2008)
• William (Bill) James Archibald (26 Nov 1921 - 2 Nov 2004)

Here is some information about each of their children:

Jean Catherine Archibald  

(13 February 1916 - 27 April 2010)

• Jean was born at her maternal grandparent's home at 120 Grange Road, Mt Eden, Auckland. The following year, her sister Jessie, was also born there. Jean spent the first five years of her life on the family farm in Parkhurst, Helensville, then her family moved to a 40 acre dairy farm in Opaheke, Papakura. At the time the population of Papakura was around 1000. Shortly after arriving in Papakura, Jean's brother, William (Bill) was born. 
• While Jean may have started her schooling in Helensville, we know that she attended Papakura School (later renamed Papakura Normal School and now affectionately remembered as the Old Central School) which was several kilometres from the Archibald's farm. It was the only school in Papakura until the mid 1950s. Because the school was so small during Jean's time, the intermediate aged children were taken to a school in Pukekohe to study 'manual' subjects such as Home Economics. One of Jean's closest school friends was Mavis Morrison (later Mrs Williams) who lived on Beach Road. In November 1927, the Papakura School celebrated its Jubilee. Jean and her siblings would have been part of the commemorations. 

Jean's friend Mavis Morrison wearing her tech uniform.
Photographer and date unknown
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Jessie (seated) and Jean holding their 'babies' with Nurse Sherra.
Photographer and date unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Jessie (left) and Jean (right) playing golf in the orchard between the big home and the cottage.
Photographer and date unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Jean was baptised in the Ponsonby Seventh-day Adventist Church as a young girl (date unknown). Her maternal grandparents, William and Mary Keymer were founding members of this church and among the earliest Adventists in New Zealand.
• In 1932 when she was 16 years old, Jean became a boarding student at the New Zealand Missionary College in Longburn, Palmerston North. She was a student there for one year. 
• Jean completed a dressmaking and tailoring course in Auckland then worked for a short time at a clothing factory in Papakura (near the railway line).
• Jean passed the senior St John Ambulance's Home Nursing exam in July 1939 according to the Auckland Star, 14 July 1939. Jean's cousins, Cath and Nora Liggett, also passed the same exam. 
• In 1940, Jean went to the Australasian Missionary College (now known as Avondale University College), in Australia. She studied Elementary English, Old Testament History, Physiology and Music. Her boyfriend at the time was Alex McDonald who was a theology student at the college. He had graduated from the New Zealand Missionary College in Longburn, Palmerston North the previous year. Alex would sometimes be asked to preach at Seventh-day Adventist Churches and Jean would go with him and play the piano for the services. According to information obtained from Jean in her later years, Alex McDonald died as a young man. It appears he died in an accident. No further information is known about him.

Jean is seated on the far right in this picture.
Alex McDonald is believed to be the man standing at the far right.
This photo was probably taken in 1940 at the Australasian Missionary College.
Photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Jean was a involved with the Papakura Women's Institute. The Franklin Times, 15 December 1941 reported that she gave a demonstration of glove making to some of the members. 
• Jean met John (Jack) Arthur Reginald Cobb (28 June 1916 - 23 Oct 2007) at the opening of the Remuera Seventh-day Adventist Church. Jack, who was formerly from New Plymouth, was attending the Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist Church at the time and was working as a painter. Jack began visiting Jean at the Archibald's farm. They married on Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March 1942, at the Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist Church after an engagement of just six weeks. Shortly before the wedding, Jack was called up for military service but he appealed on the grounds that he was a conscientious objector. According to the Auckland Star, 4 March 1942, Jack was given non-combatant duties which he performed as a Private, at the records office in Trentham, and in the stores at Ravensthorp.
• Jack and Jean had one daughter then enlarged their family by adopting two sons and a daughter:
• G J Cobb (still living)
• Brian Alan John Cobb [born Brian Frederick Knight] (26 Sep 1946 - 15 Sep 2005) Brian was given the second name 'Alan' after Jack's friend from army days, Alan Wood.
• Robert Bruce Cobb [born Thrupp] (19 Nov 1954 - 31 July 1917)
• D L Cobb (still living)
• Jack made a living as a builder, and built many homes in the Papakura area. He was also involved in many community and church projects. Jean was an excellent home-maker. She was well-known for her hospitality and kindness. 

Jack and Jean with their family.
From left: G J Cobb, Robert, Jack, Jean, Brian & D L Cobb.
My Bonnie Studios Ltd, Papakura, c1960.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Jack and Jean's son, Brian John Alan Cobb (26 September 1946 - 15 September 2005) was born Brian Frederick Knight, but was renamed after his adoption. He was given the second name, 'Alan' after Jack's friend from army days, Alan Wood. Brian trained as a school teacher but later gained his pilot's licence. He married Sue who was also a school teacher, but they later divorced. Brian lived his later years in Africa. He died in Gaberone, Botswana in 2005, and was cremated. One of his two daughters, Sophie Jane Cobb (25 Feb 1972 - 6 Dec 1991), predeceased him in 1991. She died as the result of a car accident.
• Jack died at the Hayman Rest Home (Trever Hosking Drive, Wiri) in 2007, aged 91. Jean also died there three years later, aged 94. They are buried together at the Manukau Memorial Gardens QANON-C-017
• Jack and Jean's second son, Robert (Rob) Bruce Cobb (19 November 1954 - 31 July 2017) was born Robert Bruce Thrupp, but was renamed after his adoption. Robert married EJ who originated from the Philippines. They had three children (still living). Rob worked for the Sanitarium Health Food Company for 45 years in the Distributions unit. Robert died aged 62 and was buried at the Manukau Memorial Gardens.

Jessie Mary Archibald  

(25 April 1917 - 16 July 2008)

• Jessie was born in Mt Eden, Auckland (probably at the Keymer homestead at 120 Grange Road).
• She was educated at the Papakura School where she gained her 'competency' certificate at the end of 1931, according to the Franklin Times, 21 December 1931. 

Jessie Archibald
Date and photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of S Ringrose)

• Jessie (24) married 26 year old Douglas (Doug) Cooper McLean (22 Jan 1915 - 9 July 1996) on 14 April 1941 at the Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Church. The bridal party made a colourful spectacle. According to a report on wedding printed in the New Zealand Herald, 3 May 1941, Jessie's bridesmaids were: her sister Jean Archibald (25) who wore blue, and their first cousins, Nora Liggett (19) who wore green, June Jarrett (14) who wore pink, and Yvonne Parlane (13) who wore 'daffodil'. The best men were Doug's brother, A. Neil McLean (1909 - 1974) and his friend Allan Wright. The newspaper account is as follows:

The wedding of Jessie Archibald to Douglas McLean, 14 April 1941

From left: Nora Liggett, Allan Wright, Yvonne Parlane, Doug McLean, Jessie Archibald,

M June Jarrett, A Neil McLean, and Jean Archibald.

Photographer unknown

(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Doug and Jessie had two daughters and two sons (still living), all born in Papakura.
• Doug died in 1996 and Jessie died in Palmerston North in 2008, aged 91.

William (Bill/Will) James Archibald  

(26 November 1921 - 2 November 2004) 

• William James Archibald was born on the Archibald farm in Papakura on 26 November 1921, shortly after his family moved there from Helensville. He was known throughout his life as Bill, Willie or Will.

Bill Archibald 1932.

Photographer unknown.

(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Bill married Nancy (Nan) Eva Barlow (27 April 1920 - 6 Sep 2001) of Taranaki on 5 June 1945 at the Hawera Seventh-day Adventist Church. The notice of their marriage appeared in the Australasian Record, 30 July 1945:

• Bill and Nancy had one son (still living) who was born in Papakura.

James and Louie Archibald with their son Bill, in military uniform.
Photographer and date unknown
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• When James Archibald died, Bill inherited half of the Archibald family farm. 
• Nan died on 6 September 2001 at Erin Park Hospital, aged 81. Her funeral was held at the First Presbyterian Church, Papakura. She was cremated. Bill and Nan had been married 56 years at the time of her death.

Bill on his 80th birthday. With him are his son and daughter-in-law. 2002.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Bill died at Erin Park, Manurewa, on 2 November 2004, aged 82. He was also cremated. Death notices for Bill and Nan were collected by Jean Cobb and are shown below (original source unknown):

The Archibald family

More information about James Archibald and his family can be found at the blog, The Archibald Family of Parkhurst.

Bibliography

Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Officiating Ministers, 1882-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Accessed 31 March 2021Anonymous. (1915, July 3). Marriages. New Zealand Herald. 1. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19150703.2.2.2  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Anonymous. (1884, February 20). Immigrants for Auckland per Rangatikei and Northumberland. Auckland Star. 2. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18840220.2.22  Accessed 2 April 2021.

Anonymous. (1884, March 20). Auckland. Bay of Plenty Times. 2. Retrieved from 

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT18840320.2.11.1  Accessed 2 April 2021.

Anonymous. (1897, February 13). Wanted. Auckland Star. 1. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18970213.2.3.7  Accessed 2 April 2021.

Anonymous. (1898, July 20). Deaths. Auckland Star. 8. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18980720.2.77  Accessed 2 April 2021.

Anonymous. (1916, February 15). Births. New Zealand Herald. 1. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19160215.2.2.1  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Anonymous. (1917, May 3). YMCA Campaign. Kaipara and Waitemata Echo. 2. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KWE19170503.2.5  Accessed 3 April 2021.

Anonymous. (1931, December 21). Proficiency. Papakura Successes. Franklin Times. 1. Retrieved from https://paperspast.nat.lib.govt.nz/newspapers/FRTIM19311221.2.29.6  Accessed 4 April 2021.

Anonymous. (1939, July 14). Home Nursing. Auckland Star. 9. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newsppaers/AS19390714.2.98  Accessed 4 April 2021.

Anonymous. (1939, November 22). Home Nursing. Papkura Passes. Franklin Times. 8. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FRTIM19391122.2.40.7  Accessed 4 April 2021.

Anonymous. (1941, January 22). News Notes. Australasian Record. 8. Retrieved from https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19400122-V44-04.pdf

Anonymous. (1941, December 15). The Institute Movement. Franklin Times. 4. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FRTIM19411215.2.28  Accessed 4 April 2021.

Anonymous. (1942, March 4). Army Service. Auckland Star. 8. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19420304.2.96

Auckland Council Heritage Unit. (2017, August). Historic Heritage Evaluation. Papakura Old Central School and Memorial Peace Oak Tree. Retrieved from 

https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/UnitaryPlanDocuments/pc7-02830-papakura-old-central-school.pdf Accessed 31 March 2021

Behrens, I. (1941, January 22). New Zealand Missionary College Closing Exercises. Australasian Record. 5. Retrieved from 

https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19400122-V44-04.pdf  Accessed 30 March 2021.

Anonymous. (1941, May 3). Ceremony at Papatoetoe. New Zealand Herald. 13. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19410503.2.124.1  Accessed 3 April 2021.

Ballis, P.H. (1985, November 23). 100 Years of Adventistism in New Zealand. Australasian Record. 8. Retrieved from https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19851123-V90-46.pdf  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Daniells, A. G. (1887, December). New Zealand. Bible Echo and Signs of the Times. 11. Retrieved from https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/BEST/BEST18871201-V02-12.pdf  Accessed 2 April 2021.

DeVaynes Jones, F. M. (1935, May 20). Reminisces. A Reunion of Pioneer Adventists at Ponsonby Church, Auckland.

 Australasian Record. 4-5. Retrieved from https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19350520-V39-20.pdf  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Hook, M. (n.d.). Cole, John Martin (1862 - 1937). Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved from https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=995G&highlight=john|martin|cole  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Judge, A. (1945, July 30). Wedding Bells. Australasian Record. 7. Retrieved from 

https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19450730-V49-31.pdf  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Piper, H. E. (1936, June 29). Keymer. Australasian Record. 7. Retrieved from 

https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19360629-V40-26.pdf  Accessed 2 April 2021).

Keymer, G. (2011). Website of the Keymer Family in NZ.  

McArthur, B. (n.d.). Daniells, Arthur Grosvenor (1858-1936). Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved from https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=8972&highlight=a|g|daniells  Accessed 2 April 2021.

Other Sources

• Family information compiled by Jessie McLean (courtesy of G J Bland)
• Recollections of G J Bland
• Papers Past
• Ancestry
• Births, Deaths and Marriages
• The Cyclopedia of New Zealand - Parkhurst
• The Australasian Record - Online archives
• Auckland Council - Cemetery database
• The Stacey's from Somerset - Keymer family
• Notes about 'Glencairn' from D Bayliss 
• Richmond Road School. Registers of admissions, progress and withdrawals, 1885 - 1987. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-2002-116. Accessed 27 May 2016.
• Photographs - G J Bland, K J Bland, S Ringrose, K Bland

#Catherine Reid (17 Feb 1837 -) was the daughter of Andrew Reid (a farmer) and his wife Helen (or Ellen) Greig. She was born in Wakefield. Catherine married James Archibald. James's brother-in-law, John Bruce, was the witness at this wedding.


Last updated 22 April 2023

Louie's friend Alice Bailey with her father, Mr Bailey.
Photographer and date unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)