Arthur Edward Bartley and Polly Holmes

Arthur Edward BARTLEY image donated by Steven Family

Today we begin a series of posts concerning the first New Zealand born generation of Edward's descendants. Our thanks to those researchers from Arthur's line who have donated materials and information during the last few years. We look forward to adding more background on this branch as it becomes available, particularly any verified images of family members which may be shared publicly with others.

Arthur was the eldest child of Edward BARTLEY and Elizabeth HANNKEN. He was born 26 November 1859 at Union St, Auckland and died in 1940 at Whakatane.

Arthur Edward Bartley was born on 26^th November 1859[i].

Birth Registry entry copy Arthur Edward Bartley

 On 5 April 1882 he married Polly HOLMES at the Arch Hill Hotel, which was owned by her father. At that time he was a carpenter with property to the value of £275 in the colony.[ii]  E. J. ELKIN of Brown St Ponsonby was the matron of honour and Frederick Bartley was the best man at their wedding.

Observer Extract 25 March 1882 p22 announcing Arthur's engagement

Polly was christened Mary Elizabeth in 1861 in Auckland, the child of John Holmes and Elizabeth CHARLTON. Her parents had been married at Newcastle on 6 April 1850. Polly’s father was born in 1822 at Newcastle and had worked originally as a shipwright there. Her mother was born in 1828 at Newburn, Northumberland.[iii]

Polly had several brothers and sisters. We know of Joseph (born December 1850) and John (b1852) who were born in Durham. Frank was the next eldest, being born on 13 May 1854 in Auckland. Their brother William was born in 1857 – he later married Annie Curtis at Thames, in 1884. Polly may also have had a sister.

 Arthur Edward BARTLEY and Mary Elizabeth HOLMES had four children that we know of:

Eva Elizabeth; John Edward (married Irene CHRISTIAN); Arthur Frederick (Married Elsie OSBALDISTON, sister of Eva’s second husband); Bertha (Married Mick BEASLEY).

On 5 August 1882 Arthur and Polly had a daughter Eva Elizabeth at their home in Devonport.[iv] Eva was enrolled at Devonport School on 4 February 1889. Between 1889 and 1901 Arthur and Polly moved to a farm property at Parakakau, near Silverdale. They were living there when Eva married Frederick Charles Lees on 10 April 1901 at the Holy Trinity Church in Wade.[v] Frederick’s brother Thomas was a witness at the marriage, at that time the brothers were in partnership as store owners. Later Thomas went into partnership with Henry Johnston as licensee of the Masonic Hotel in Opotoki. That arrangement was dissolved on the 19 February 1912.

Polly registered the birth of her grandson Albert Edward Bartley on 15 May 1902 at Devonport. She and Eva may have stayed at Victoria Rd for the last part of Eva’s confinement. Eva and Frederick Lees were not well suited and they separated while their son was still young.They divorced in 1910.  Fred Lees died at Orakei in February 1917.[vi]Albert Edward Bartley LEES lived at the home of his Grandparents and used the name Albert BARTLEY, which he formalised by deed poll. His mother Eva Elizabeth Bartley also resided with them until her second marriage, as far as we know at this stage.  

In 1915 Eva married Ralph Osbaldiston from Kaukapakapa.

Ralph’s grandparents were from Cheshire and had emigrated in the late 1850’s. Ralph’s father was born at Rangitopuni and the family were numerous and well known settlers in the Kaukapakapa district. Eva and Ralph’s family included Arthur, Betty, Lois and Ralph Ellis.
The following two extracts describe social events typical of the period. There are close community and family links between the families mentioned:

Observer 2 January 1889 page 10

Observer 8 February 1890 p16

The marriage of Mabel Osbaldiston, sister to Ralph in 1922 extract from Auckland Star 3 May 1922

Arthur and Polly’s second child was a son, christened John Edward Bartley. He was known as Ted and was born 6 June 1885 at Devonport. Ted married Ruby FISCHER in 1912, but they divorced in 1916. 

Auckland Star 1920

Ted’s second marriage was to Julia Frances Irene CHRISTIAN, who was known as Rene. She was born at Norfolk Island, one of nine children who were descendants of Fletcher Christian. Ted and Rene were married at Devonport 5 April 1921. They had two children – Roy and Faye.

The third child of the family was Arthur Frederick Bartley. He was known as Fred and born at Devonport in 1886. Fred married Elsie OSBALDISTON, a sister of Eva’s husband Ralph.

Bertha Bartley was next in the family. She was born in 1887 and married Mick BEASLEY.

Albert Edward Bartley, the youngest was born in 1910. He married Dollena and had two children – Beverley and Ross. Albert died in Wellington in 1976

Arthur and Polly were both musicians and active in their farming community. These reported social events give some of the flavour of their family life.

Observer 2 September 1898 p 22 

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[i] NZ Registrar Folio 1859/4480

[ii] NZ Register Folio 1882/846; Electoral Roll 1882

[iii] 1851 Census England 2395 Fol 38 p 21

[iv] NZ Registrar Folio 1882/3115

[v] NZ Register Folio 1901/1696

[vi] Purewa Cemetery 051/038/051