Edward Bartley's Grave Restored

It is a great pleasure to be writing this post. On behalf of Edward's descendants we give a great bouquet of thanks to Frank and Dorothy Bartley who have undertaken and carried out the restoration of the Bartley gravesite at O'Neill's Point Cemetery, Devonport in Auckland.

With the site cleared Dorothy discusses the state of the headstone. Image F&D Bartley 2017

As visitors to the cemetery will know the plot was in a sad condition. Time and some vandalism during the late 20th century left us little to be proud of. Fortunately Frank and Dorothy were on hand in Auckland to closely oversee the project from the outset. The work was carried out by Steven Webb, of Monumental Headstones and Plaques Ltd,  who was able to salvage the marble and some surviving iron fittings.

Marble reinstated, remaining ironwork cleaned and returned to original placement, with work proceeding on re-erction of the headstone. Image S Webb 2017

The completed reinstatement and restoration of the gravesite September 2017. Image F&D Bartley 2017

Edward's wife Elizabeth Hannken also lies in this plot, along with their sons Percy and Claude  (husband of Cassie Tooher). Edward's daughter Bertha Bartley, wife of Frank Mason, lies nearby in the Mason family grave.

Frank Bartley stands with the reinstated headstone. The buff pink marble obelisk behind his shoulder is the Mason family plot where Bertha Bartley is interred. Image F&D Bartley 2017

Edward Bartley and Family Image BFA

Once again thank you Frank and Dorothy.

Claude Bartley and Cassie Tooher

Claude Victor Bartley was the youngest child of Edward Bartley and Elizabeth Hannken. 

He was born at Devonport, Auckland 23 June 1881[i] and followed his elder siblings to Devonport School in 1888.[ii]

In 1909 he married Catherine (Cassie) TOOHER. Cassie was from Thames and theirs was a summer wedding, celebrated 26 January 1909.[iii]

Cassie Tooher

The couple had four children: Allen Victor 1909, Eva Kathleen 1911, Claude Francis 1914, Owen John 1917.

Claude and Claude 1914, from the album of George Bartley

Allen Bartley about 1919, from the album of George Bartley

Cassie was the sixth child of John Tooher and Catherine DERMODY. Her parents emigrated from Tipperary and were married at the Cape of Good Hope in 1865. They settled in Thames where John worked as a miner. Their eldest daughter Margaret (Maggie) was born in 1869, later marrying Martin DOLAN. Twins James and Bridget were born in July 1876 but did not survive. Mary Anne was born in 1878. She married Michael KEANE. The next daughter Ellen arrived in June 1879 but died 6 months later on 30 January 1880. Another daughter followed in 1881, christened Ellen Josephine, she was known as Nellie and later became the wife of William BARTON, also of Devonport. John was born in 1884.

Thames Star 5 November 1904

At the time baby Ellen died, January 1880, the family lived at Terrace Block 27 in Thames.[iv] Two months later, Cassie’s father John was hospitalised after being caught in a fall of earth on Queen of Beauty Hill.

In 1895 the Toohers' family home was threatened by a fire at the neighbours property.

Thames Star 24 April 1895

Thames Star 26 April 1895

John never enjoyed good health after the accident but survived until 6 November 1910. He was buried on 8 November at the Shortland Cemetery in Thames.[v]

Thames Star 7 November 1910

Claude died of influenza 19 April 1919 and was buried at O’Neill’s Point 21 April 1919.

Cassie died suddenly at home on 4 March 1921 and was interred in at O’Neill’s Point Cemetery.

Auckland Star 5 March 1921

The four children were orphaned. Allen spent some time at St Joseph’s Orphanage in Takapuna until his Aunt Kate( widow of Frederick and mother of George) was able to bring him to live with her.

This image shows the new block in 1924 which was under construction when Allen stayed there.

Kate and George Bartley

Allen’s siblings were taken in by their mother’s family and were raised in Thames.

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[i] NZRBDM 1881/2202

[ii] Devonport School enrolment # 1730

[iii] NZRBDM 1909/517

[iv] Obit Thames Star 31 Jan 1880

[v] Shortland Cemetery Records Ref#P3087

Tooher family research by M W Bartley

[vi] NZRBDM 1919/3544