A LONG LIFE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1921, Page 4

A LONG LIFE.

BROUGHT TO A CLOSE. The death of Mr. Henry Putt, which occurred yesterday morning, removes New Plymouth’s oldest inhabitant, for he arrived here, as a lad of fifteen, by the William Bryan on March 30, 1841, over eighty years ago. He is almost the last too of the party of immigrants who arrived by that vessel. He was born in South Devon on October 23, 1825, and therefore completed his 96th year a few days ago. With his brother John he took up a hundred-acre section at Moturoa, which they farmed until the Maori War drove them into town, fie joined the Militia and took part in the Battle of Waireka in 1860 and served afterwards through the war. On the conclusion of hostilities he received compensation for his losses and took up 300 acres of land at Hen wood" Road, which he "farmed for many years, besides taking an active interest in public affairs. He married a Miss Howell, who predeceased him some years ago, and had a family of three sous and. eight daughters. Some years ago he retired and purchased a small property at Vogel where he has lived ever since, taking up to the last an active interest in his home, looking after his garden, etc., and enjoying life. He retained all his faculties in spite of his great age and until a day or two ago seemed to have a reasonable prospect 9f living long enough to celebrate his hundredth birthday. On Thursday he had a stroke, which proved fatal and a long and useful life was suddenly terminated.