Thomas Mortimer 1857 - 1932

Thomas Mortimer passed away on July 21 1932 at his home in Makarewa.

Thomas Mortimer, a Southland Pioneer settler, passed away on Friday 21st July 1932 at his home in Makarewa.  He was born in Hammersmith, London and was the son of Captain J.L. Mortimer, of the 21st Royal Fusiliers, who after having done military service in India, came to New Zealand in 1960 and settled first at Bluff, where his son Thomas Bythesea Mortimer was at school - being a fellow pupil of Sir Joseph Ward.
The family came to Invercargill later, and Thomas Mortimer was a pupil in Mr Macdonald's private school, where many old Southlanders were educated.
In 1875 Mr Mortimer was occupied with survey work in Invercargill. Later he took up the coaching business.  He was always recognised as a first-class hand with the reins, and loved driving a four in hand team in the early days.  
In 1875 he married Miss Ellen Swain, and their first home was one of the three sisters, built on North Road, Waikiwi.  Later they settled at Makarewa, where Thomas Mortimer died.
Their golden wedding was celebrated on Setember 13th, 1925.  
Nine of his fourteen children who survived them are Ethel, Mrs Shaw Crosland, Elsie,( Mrs H. Duncan)., May., (Mrs G. Edwards.), Myrtle.,( Mrs C. Lambert)., Pearl.,( Mrs J. Davidson.), John., (Gorge Road) Edmund., (Makarewa) William., ( Makarewa) George (Tuturau), and their 43 grandchildren.