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| Emily Bertha Bartley (Tottie) |
Emily
Bertha Bartley was born at home in Union St, Auckland on May 9, 1869.
[i]
She
was the fifth child of the family and the eldest surviving daughter. She was
known to family and friends as Tottie.
When
she was still a toddler the family moved to Devonport on the North Shore, where
the Bartley children enjoyed a seaside environment away from the public health
issues of Auckland itself.
Devonport
was a fledgling rural community at that time, but still a commutable distance
for her father’s work and social engagements.
Like
her siblings, Tottie was a talented musician. She enjoyed performing, was a
gifted soprano, and was often in demand as keyboard accompanist or for string
ensembles with her violin or viola.
[i] Daily Southern Cross 7 June 1869
page 10
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| Tottie photographed by her brother Fred, about 1890 |
In
February 1884 SS Doric berthed in Auckland. Amongst the new immigrants on board
were Philip Hawe MASON and his wife Martha ROBINSON. Coming from Swindon,
Wiltshire in England, they brought all their surviving children with them. The
Masons settled at Kerr St Devonport where their similarity of social circumstances,
religious and political views laid the ground for a solid and lasting
friendship with the Bartley family. Their ninth child was Frank Ernest Mason.
He was three years older than Tottie Bartley and a best friend of her older
brothers. Frank was especially close to Fred Bartley, sharing his interest in the
new dance music and new technology of photography.
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| Frank Mason about the time he arrived in Auckland, aged 17, in 1884 |
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NZ Herald 2 March 1891
|
Frank
trained as an accountant. From the beginning of his adult life and continuing
into old age, he was active in church, school and district affairs. Both he and
Tottie were so community focused there was hardly an organisation, interest
group or charity in Devonport deprived of their energy. In this they were
following the example of their respective parents, who were of a generation to
whom community service was grounding principle of daily life.
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| Devonport School Committee Meeting Auckland Star 28 April 1891 |
Tottie
and Frank had five children, all born at Devonport. They were Bertha Eileen
1892;
Dorothy Hazel 1894; Marjorie Estelle 1897; Norah Kathleen 1903 and Philip Hawe 1909.
Tottie died 27 May 1944 and was interred in the Mason family plot at O'Neills Point Cemetery, North Shore, Auckland.
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| Hazel photographed by her cousin George Bartley about 1913 |
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| Hazel in costume as an Egyptian Princess, from the album of George F Bartley |
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| Marjorie Mason photographed by her cousin George Bartley about 1913 |
