Edward Betts Hopper was born in around 1799 in Dover, Kent into a Quaker family – his parents were Robert Hopper and Abigail Betts. Parts of his life are shrouded in mystery – indeed, nothing is known of Edward’s early life – the first official record we have of him is his baptism on 20 March 1826 in Queenborough, Kent. …
DREADFUL OCCURRENCE – Albert Benefield’s Fatal Rail Accident – 30 April 1908
Albert Benefield was involved in a fatal accident at Wanganui railway station in New Zealand in 1908.
Captain Herbert Greenstreet (1851-?) – sailed the world!
NINETY TIMES ROUND THE WORLD – NEW ZEALAND COMMODORE’S RETIREMENT [The Times, Saturday, August 4th 1917] Captain Herbert Edward GREENSTREET (b1851) – who is believed to have made many more voyages round the world than any other man, has, after bringing into port this week one of the finest liners in the New Zealand service, retired from the sea. Captain Greenstreet …
The Benefields of New Zealand – a blooming business!
When William Benefield set sail with his wife and child from Plymouth in 1874, bound for New Zealand, he could not have foreseen that the roots he would plant there would yield such a rich harvest – both literally and figuratively!