The Rose family - Music and Methodism

Many Marlborough families can trace their roots back to John Rose (1835- 1903), who arrived in Nelson from Nottinghamshire, England in February 1858.  In 1866, he married Ellen Gifford (1830-1912), a stepdaughter of Isaac Gifford of Spring Creek, and they had 11 children¹, who married into many early European settler families, these names include: Gifford, Webster, Crump, Watson, Davies, Glennie, Cresswell, Avery. ⁵

 Once in the Wairau, John leased Junction Farm near Blenheim. In 1870, he bought Kegworth Farm, named for his boyhood farm in England. This was followed by purchases of adjacent properties between Old and Middle Renwick Roads, “comprising in all 379 acres of the richest agricultural land in the Wairau. His land grows cereals, root crops, etc., to perfection, and over 5000 bushels of peas were produced in 1904.” ¹

Three of John and Ellen’s sons worked with him on the farm and lived on different parts of the properties with their families.  John was a member of the Omaka Roads Board and on the committee of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association. ¹

The family also ran a grocery store in Market Street South in Blenheim, where in 1885, “those who revel in the delightful occupation of gardening will be pleased to learn that Budden's celebrated Nelson seeds can be obtained in a few days from Mr John Rose, grocer.” ²  In 1890, John advertised a closing down sale as he was retiring from business due to bad health. ³

Music and Methodism were cornerstones of Rose family life.

 In 1889, 400 people attended a Garden Party at Kegworth with 30 pounds raised for the Wesleyan Sunday School extension fund. There were croquet parties on the lawn, an art gallery for ‘lovers of art and curiosities’ and people paid one shilling to have their heads ‘read’ by a phrenologist’. The Garrison Band played into the evening. ⁴

Age, blindness and poor health did not slow John’s passion for the church and in October 1896, the Nelson Mail reported that John Rose has preached to a large congregation at St John’s Church. “Mr Rose is a very fluent speaker, and his discourses are always most interesting.” ⁵

So musical was the Rose family that there weren’t many musical events in Blenheim without the surname Rose appearing on the programme. They even formed the ‘Kegworth Musical Club’. ⁵

In November 1891, another garden party at Kegworth saw John Wallis and Annie Rose each performing solos. ⁵ The Garrison Band performed, of which Ernest William Rose was to become band master in 1901. ⁶ 

John Wallis was known to ride to Nelson to sing and return a few days later. In his diary for October 1894, he wrote that on 23 October he left Kegworth for Havelock, stayed the night there swapping horses with his brother-in-law Walter Penny. “…..started from Havelock at 7.20 am via the Maungatapu Track, arriving in Nelson at 3.30 am 25^th October. It rained most of the way!” ⁵ 

After performing in Haydn’s Oratorio ‘The Seasons” at Nelson’s Theatre Royal on 25 October, he started the home journey from Webster cousins at 4.20am on 26 October, arriving at Kegworth at 6.30 pm. ⁵. 

An account of the 41^st Anniversary of the Wesley Sunday School in 1906 makes note of “Mr J.W. Rose’s achievement in three short weeks with such a body of children, indicates his gift in the art of choral training; and a portion of the credit is due to the accompanying on the organ, by Mr Rose’s sister, Miss Olive Rose.” ⁵

Deaths

John Rose died in February 1903, aged 76. His obituary provides a good picture of his later years after failing eyesight forced him to give up his grocery business. Described as ‘a fairly old resident of the district’ and an ‘earnest member of the Wesleyan denomination, he was known for his ability to recite whole chapters of the Scriptures and as a preacher until just a month before his death. ⁷  

Ellen Rose died in July 1912, aged 82.  Her obituary noted that she tirelessly assisted her husband in his religious work and maintained active membership after his death. John and Ellen were survived by eight children, 40 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. ⁸ 

Sadly, John Wallis Rose only outlived his mother by six years, dying of stomach cancer in June 1918 at the age of 47, leaving his widow Mabel (nee Watson) and five young children. His obituary notes that he was engaged in farming at Kegworth for the greater part of his life and was a ‘consistent member of the Methodist church’. 

“For years his fine tenor voice was a delight to music lovers……he also used to be in popular request at Nelson.” ⁹

Descendants

While many Marlburians can trace their roots back to John and Ellen Rose, here are a few of recent times:

• Roger Rose married into the Furness family who owned the Marlborough Express from 1893 until 2011. He was general manager for more than 30 years.
• Phil and Chris Rose were early Marlborough grape growers and their eponymous label Wairau River wines is a leading Marlborough wine company.
• Rose Agriculture is now run by a fifth generation of Rose family members and is still located on the site of Kegworth Farm. 
• Family research done by Christabel Tomes (nee Glennie), a direct descendant of John Wallis Rose can be seen at Te Kahu o Waipuna, Marlborough Libraries.

 

The wedding of William Glennie and Jean Miriel Rose 

(daughter of John Wallis Rose) Marlborough Museum

 MHS Coll. 1966.049.487

 

Story by: Joy Stephens