MR. JAMES COSSEY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 169, 4 August 1937, Page 9

MR. JAMES COSSEY

Regarded as "the father of Drury," Mr. James Cossey died ou Saturday at the age of 88 years, states an Auckland exchange. He was the head of an unnsually largie family, having no fewer than 115 descendants, comprising 12 children, 56 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchiidren. Mr. Cossey was born at Onehunga in 1849, his parents having arrived by the troopship Ramillies in August, 1847. After a few years Mr. Cossey went with his parents to Drury and had lived there ever since. He often spoke of the days of the Maori, War when all the scttlers were brought in from the Hunua hills and billeted in the Selwyn Church at Drury. When he was 12 years of age he and a friend were looking for some lost eows when they came upon footprints of Maori warriors. They at once tau back to the settlement to warn the soldiers, whom they later guided to the spot. By this time the Maoris had passed on to Ramarama. That night some settlers were massacred an the neighbourhood. Mr. Cossey married the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Appleby, also of Drury, they being the first couple married in the old Seywyn Church. of St. Johu's, -the- Ipmber of which had been. pil-sawn on Mr. Cossey 's father 's f arm. Mr. Cossey was at one time a member of the Drury Road Board. He tciok a keen interest in all form of sport, particularly football. Mrs. Cossey died ten years ago. Tiie surviving children are: Mesdames j W. Platt (Papakura), J. T. Bregman (Te Mata), R; Bregman (Auckland), W. Coldicutt (Drury), H. McLennan (Papakura), C. Morgan (DrDury), and Messrs. A. J. Cossey, H. Cossey, H. J. Cossey, O. C. Cossey, J. M. Cossey (Drury) aud P. R. Cossey (Whangarei).