Alice Bartley and Stephen Gilbert

This is the last of our posts on the children of Robert Bartley and Esther Kerby.

Today we are with Alice Bartley who was born at home in Chapel St, Auckland on 21 February 1858. We know very little about Alice herself. It is likely she met Stephen through his family relationship to her brother in law. Their families also shared adherence to the Wesleyan faith.

The Gilbert family travelled to New Zealand on the same ship as their cousins, the Rountree family. (Stephen Gilbert Rountree later married Julia Bartley). Their intention was to take up land north of Auckland. Parents, James and Eliza Gilbert, travelled with four daughters and three sons, one of whom was Stephen. Their ship SS Portland set a record time from Gravesend to Auckland. 181 passengers arrived in New Zealand on 22 July 1863, after leaving port on 31 April of that year.

The Gilberts did not farm their land for long. Their property, around the Waikiekie/ Matakohe area was rough country with poor access. These settlements around Port Albert and the western side south of Whangarei were originally established by immigrants with shared religious and cultural values. Many prospective settlers in this area made a second, more informed decision, about their likelihood of success once they had first hand experience of the conditions.  Instead of farming the Gilbert family moved to Auckland. James worked a few years for the 'New Zealander' before establishing a drapery in Parnell.

Stephen's first employer was the manufacturing pharmacist J. N. Manning. He continued his apprenticeship when the business was sold, working under the new owner James Sharland.
By 1879, when he married Alice Bartley, he was qualified and ready to his set up his own premises.

Ak Star 4 June 1881

The Gilbert Pharmacy opened at 223 Queen St in May 1881. The following year he moved to a better position at the other end of Queen St.

Ak Star 3 June 1882

  He continued to trade there until the business moved to K Rd in 1907. The new pharmacy was in Probert's Buildings on a good corner site which is recognisable today.

A 1909 view of the pharmacy. Image SGGSC 7-A4756

Alice and Stephen had one daughter, Flora who was born in 1882. She later married Reginald Hooton.

Stephen predeceased Alice. He died in 1938, at Epsom, Auckland. Alice followed almost ten years later in 1947.






Research by M W Bartley

Robert Bartley and Esther Kerby

In this next few posts I would like to share some of the images donated by the descendants of Robert Bartley (Jnr) and Esther Kerby. Thanks to all of the families who gave of their time, research and photographs.

Obituary Robert BARTLEY from New Zealand Herald Friday, 5 Sept 1913

Death of a Jerseyman in New Zealand: An Early Settler

Another of the rapidly diminishing band of early settlers, in the person of Mr Robert Bartley died yesterday at the age of 87, at his residence at Devonport.

The late Mr Bartley was born at Jersey, in the Channel Islands, in 1826, where he was brought up to the building trade. With his wife and three children, he arrived in Auckland by the ship Joseph Fletcher in 1854.

The deceased commenced business here as a builder and contractor, and carried on this work for many years. On retiring from his business he was appointed yard manager for the Kauri Timber Company, which position he held for some time.

For some years past, Mr Bartley has been living in retirement at Devonport. He took a keen interest in public affairs, and was always willing to help forward any deserving cause brought under his notice.

He leaves a widow and the following sons and daughters: Messrs Walter Bartley

(Ponsonby), Charles Bartley (Richmond Rd), Clement Bartley ( Ponsonby Rd),

Edwin Bartley (Christchurch), Mesdames J H Witheford, S G Rountree. S Gilbert & R Tudehope.

Robert and Esther's daughter Julia was born at St Helier on Christmas Eve 1851. Her baptism has not been found in the parish register at St Helier, but it likely to be recorded in the records of the Wesleyan chapel there.
In Auckland, New Zealand Julia met and married Stephen Gilbert ROUNTREE, son of Meredith Rountree and Margaret Ann GILBERT, of Co Armagh, Ireland.
Julia and Stephen were married at the Bartley home in Nelson St, Auckland on 19 Dec 1874.

Julia Bartley

The Children of Stephen Rountree and Julia Bartley

Eva 1876 - 1933 ( m Arthur Ferneyhough)

Harry 1878-1950 (m Stella Stewart)

Maud 1879 - 1965 (m Samuel Barry)

Vera 1881 - 1961 (m Percival Mourant)

Zillah 1884 - 1974 (m William Ray Ellingham)

Myrtle 1888 - 1966 (m Horace Richards)

Edward (Ted) 1890 - 1976 (m Anne Rae)

Search copy of Marriage Register Entry

Julia