Mr Robert Wyeth.

Manawatu Herald, 4 August 1903, Page 3

Mr Robert Wyeth.

The death occurred July 15th at Masterton of Mr Robert Wyeth, one of the Mr Wyeth was born in Jamaica (where his father had an extensive plantation), and in October of 1814 came out to New Zealand In the barque Cuba, of 274 tons, with the first Imperial survey party sent, out under Captain Smith to survey the town of Brittania (now Petone). The party landed on the Petone beach in December, 1839, deceased at that time being about twenty-five years of age- -He remained with the survey party for some time, but later set up a general store on what was then known as Warmoll’s Corner, and is now the comer of Willis and Manners street. This was the first business started in Wellington, and all produce and goods was conveyed to the vessels in a- wheelbarrow. He was tho ~mrst person to get married in Wellington, being married about nine " months after his arrival in the colony to a Miss Runals, who came out in the Duke of Roxburgh two weeks later than "the Cuba. Mrs Wyeth pre-deceased her husband exactly seventeen years ago this

month. His mdrriage notice ajp- J peared in the first paper printed in | New Zealand. The late Mr Wyeth I afterwards went to the Upper Hutt, I where, besides taking up land and I engaging in farming, he established I a blacksmith’s shop, as well as I building several houses. In the I Hutt he remained twelve years, but I lost his all in the memorable flood I of 1858. He retired to rest in-the evening a comparatively rich man, only to ftwake in the morning absolutely ruined. At this time he returned to Wellington, and subsequently settled in Masterton thirty years ago He leaves a grown up 1 family of nine, five sons and four daughters, which includes Messrs George Wyeth (Kurupnni), Thomas Wyeth (Opaki), Charles Wyeth (Woodlands, Canterbury), Joseph Wyeth (Wellington), John Wyeth (Foxton), and Mrs Corringe, Mrs A. McLeod, Mrs W. Harris, and Mrs J. D. Murray, all of Masterton.