Fifth Generation  

26. Agnes CLUNIE [329] (William¹⁸, Andrew³, James², James¹) was born 06 Dec 1795 in Leslie Fife Scotland, was christened 06 Dec 1795 in Burgher Congregation Leslie Fife Scotland, died 04 Jan 1877 in Lindin St Lyttelton New Zealand at age 81, and was buried 07 Jan 1877 in plot248 Barbados St Cem.Christchurch.

General Notes:In an attachment to an email, dated February 19, 2003, Sylvia Robertson said:

"Story handed down:
After she bore 6 children to George FIFE, his father, Earl Fife, 'annulled the marriage', and made George a 'Duke' so his son could be married to royalty. A Duke is higher than an Earl. (Agnes told her family that their father, coming home one afternoon was caught in a cold storm, got a bad chill and died!)

Agnes then married Andrew ALLAN and had 2 more children, but the marriage didn't flourish. He apparently absconded with the Royal purse given to Agnes by Queen Victoria on the annulment of her marriage. She then decided to emigrate to NZ in 1841 with her children. (Janet FIFE (11 yrs) changed her name to ALLAN.) Agnes' cases off the ship were branded 'Duff' & 'Allan'. ('Duff' hold the Earl Fife title).

The 4 older children retained the surname 'FIFE' and travelled out on the 'London' also. (George, born 1828, died at age 8 or 9 yrs). Agnes was 39 when she emigrated as a Baker. (Her father & grandfather were also Bakers.)

Her eldest daughter, Margaret, died aged 43, and Agnes possibly reared her 3 children as they were the sole beneficiary of Agnes' Will.

Her Death Certificate states father's name 'Andrew' - should be 'William', and that she was 78 - should be 81.)

Her funeral was held at Holy Trinity, Avonside, and she was buried in Barbadoes St Cemetery (Church of England), Christchurch on 7 January 1877, aged 81. Died of old age. Headstone (Area 2) "Sacred to the memory of Agnes ALLAN who died 4 January 1877 aged 77 years. Her children shall rise up and call her blessed."
Plot 248 - easily seen from road.

Will filed 14 March 1877, Probate No. 92 (Administration papers only)

George & Agnes FIFE had 2 sons & 4 daughters. John (didn't marry), George (married but no children), Margaret, Agnes, Anna (aka Ann) & Janet."

Sylvia Robertson also commented:-

"Family state: Mr AllAN went through her money, and her lawyers suggested she come to NZ with a scottish party leaving by the 'London' for Nelson, NZ. She would be able to live more cheaply than in Scotland, and with the remains of her money, she came out here in 1842 on assisted passages, and started a small school at Nelson for young ladies.

Very shortly she moved to Lyttelton and, assisted by her daughters Margaret & Janet, Agnes opened a school there in a much more settled community. They lived there till the end of their lives.

Others say: Andrew ALLAN, finding that he could not get his hands on all her money after running through a great deal, left her, telling her he had only been through a sham marriage - a friend posing as the clergyman! It appeared he was already married. (Found Nov. 2002 her marriage to Andrew ALLAN in 1835 in Hornsey, London.)"

Noted events in her life were:

• Occupation: Agnes was a Baker.

• Immigration: from Gravesend London, on the barque "London" of 388 tons., 17 Nov 1841, Nelson Nelson New Zealand.

Agnes married George FYFE [328] [MRIN: 243], son of John FYFE [9178] and Ann TORN [9179], in 1819 in St.Luke's Chelsea Middlesex England. George was born 02 Dec 1795 in Forfar Angus Scotland and died in 1834 in Edinburgh Midlothian Scotland at age 39.

General Notes:may have been married before, and therefore not able to marry Agnes till
after the birth of their first two children.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 28 F    i. Margaret Clunie FYFE [330] was born 10 Feb 1820 in Chelsea Middlesex England, was christened 12 Nov 1820 in St.Lukes Chelsea London England, died 22 Sep 1863 in Christchurch Canterbury New Zealand at age 43, and was buried in Barbadoes Cemetery Lyttelton Christchurch Canterbury New Zealand.

   29 M    ii. John George FYFE [331] was born 16 Dec 1821 in Chelsea Middlesex England, was christened 16 Dec 1821 in St.Lukes Chelsea London England, died 31 Jul 1900 in Lyttelton Christchurch Canterbury New Zealand at age 78, and was buried in Lyttelton public Cemetery Christchurch Canterbury New Zealand.

Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: John was a Baker [probably Banker].

   30 F    iii. Agnes FYFE [332] was born 04 Jun 1823 in Chelsea Middlesex England, was christened 04 Jun 1823 in St.Lukes Chelsea London England, died 20 Dec 1905 in Lyttelton Christchurch Canterbury New Zealand at age 82, and was buried in Lyttelton public Cemetery Christchurch Canterbury New Zealand.

General Notes:In an attachment to an email, dated February 19, 2003, Sylvia Robertson said:

"Agnes was a Sempstress (seamstress) travelled out from England at age 17, arriving in Nelson in 1842. She did not marry, and helped her mother with a school forgirls. She was noted as a Nelson town section holder c1850; and the possible death of an Agnes FIFE in 1908 in Fortrose, Southland, NZ has been noted.

Noted events in her life were:

• Occupation: Agnes was a Semptress.

Agnes married Andrew ALLAN [8339] [MRIN: 4072] in 1835 in Hornsey Middlesex England.

+ 31 F    iv. Ann Torn FIFE [2465] was born 07 Sep 1825 in Chelsea Middlesex England, was christened 28 Sep 1825 in St Lukes Chelsea London England, died 21 Jan 1894 in Bembridge Lodge Ingestre St.Wellington New Zealand at age 68, and was buried 24 Jan 1894 in Bolton St. Cemetry Wellington New Zealand.

   32 M    v. George FYFE [649] was born 22 Apr 1828 in Chelsea Middlesex England, was christened 16 May 1828 in St Lukes Chelsea London England, and died about 1836 in England about age 8.

General Notes:In an attachment to an email, dated February 19, 2003, Sylvia Robertson said:

"Married but no family (Helen Nicholls)"

   33 F    vi. Janet FYFE [9189] was born 25 Jun 1830 in Chelsea Middlesex England, was christened 25 Jun 1830 in St Lukes Chelsea London England, died 23 Mar 1910 in Oamaru Otago New Zealand at age 79, and was buried in Lyttelton public Cemetery Christchurch Canterbury New Zealand.

Noted events in her life were:

• Name Change: After 1835, Janet Allen.

Agnes next married Andrew ALLAN [333] [MRIN: 245], son of Unknown and Unknown, in 1835 in Hornsey Parish London England. Andrew was born about 1790 in England and died in England.

General Notes:When Andrew David Mason & Fanny were born in 1836 & 1838, he was workingas a Baker in London, living in Piccadilly.

Agnes & children came out to NZ in 1841.

Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Andrew was a Baker.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 34 M    i. Andrew David Mason ALLAN [336] was born 01 Aug 1836 in Picadilly London England, was christened 03 Nov 1836 in St.James Westminster Middlesex England, died 25 Oct 1901 in French Farm Akaroa Canterbury New Zealand at age 65, and was buried 28 Oct 1901 in Wainui Cemetery Akaroa Canterbury New Zealand.

+ 35 F    ii. Florence ALLAN [337] was born 09 Apr 1838 in Piccadilly London England and was christened 18 Apr 1838 in St.James Westminster Middlesex England.