Charles Lingham Hardy

The Lingham connection

Charles Lingham Hardy was Charles and Alice Hardy's first born child, and was my great grandfather. His middle name Lingham is helpful as a means of distinguishing him from his father Charles senior. Alice Hardy's mother was Emma Lingham daughter of George and Mary Lingham.

The research conducted by Dulcie McClure records that Linghams were established in London as early as the 1560s. George Lingham was born in 1786. He was christened on 20 July 1786 at All Hallows Barking, London. George was listed in the Guildhall Directories London in 1828 as an Importer of Wines and Spirits at 19 Little St, Thomas The Apostle. In 1830 he was a Beer Merchant at 88 Beer Lane London. In the 14th and 15th centuries Beer Lane was known as Berewardes Lane, being the place of the Wardens of the bear pits around the Tower Precincts.

Emma Lingham was born 17 May 1815 at Tower Hill, London. She married Frederick Wiliam Thomas on 23 May 1840 at Stoke Newington, Middlesex. Alice Frances was born 31 July 1845 in Islington, London. Her sister Emma was born in 1841. Alice and Emma married on the same day 15 June 1865, in the same church St Philip and St James, Hounslow, Whitton, Middlesex.

On 22nd of July of that same year Alice and her husband Charles Hardy boarded the Aliquis and sailed for New Zealand, arriving 28 October.

Charles Lingham Hardy was born at Freeman's Bay in Auckland on 12 March 1866. Within a few years the Hardy family had taken up their land grant at Dairy Flat. Charles Lingham grew up and was educated in this area. As a young man it is likely he learned the craft of logging assisting his father on the 200 acres of land Charles Hardy acquired in the Horse Shoe Bush. In his later life he was a handicapper at wood chopping events. This suggests he was experienced in swinging an axe. In 1896 Charles was on the Northland Electoral Roll with the occupation of bullock driver.

Charles Lingham Hardy ( This photo taken from the Hardy family photo we believe dated around 1903, i.e. making Charles about age 37))

Marriage to Jane Ann ("Annie") Riley

On 6 January 1892 Charles Lingham Hardy married Jane Ann Riley at the residence of Annie's parents in Wallace St, Herne Bay, Auckland. Annie was one of ten children of James and Charlotte Riley. The Riley family will be covered in a later blog.

An article by the Country News correspondent appeared in the New Zealand Herald of 15th January 1892 reporting on the post wedding celebrations held at the Hardy residence on 11th January.

It is my pleasant duty to record the marriage of Mr Charles Lingham Hardy the eldest son of our fellow settler Mr Charles Hardy, to Miss Jane Anna Riley, second daughter of Mr James Riley of Wallace Street, Ponsonby, Auckland. The ceremony, which was performed by Mr George Aldridge, took place at the residence of the bride's father, on January 6th 1892. On Monday evening, the 11th instant, at the invitation of Mr and Mrs Hardy, sen, a number of young people assembled to welcome the bride and bridegroom. It was a merry party that sat down to tea at six o'clock, the father of the bridegroom occupying the chair at the head of the table. After ample justice had been done to the bountifully supplied repast, the magnificent two decker cake, provided for the occasion by Mrs Hardy, sen, was cut by the bride in orthodox style and passed around. Mr Hardy then in a speech, proposed the toast of the evening- "The health of the bride and bridegroom"- and concluded by calling on all present to drink health, long life and happiness and prosperity to the young couple, which was duly done. The kitchen was then cleared and dancing was indulged by those who cared for it, others repaired to the parlour, where an abundance of excellent music and singing was provided by various young ladies and gentlemen present. Light refreshments were provided at half-past ten, after which some more music was indulged in, and one or two parlour games were played. The party broke up shortly before twelve o'clock. Before separating Mr Evan Bond called for three cheers for the bride and bridegroom, which were warmly given. Mr G.A. Green proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Hardy sen, which was seconded and carried with acclamation. Mr Hardy then called for three cheers for the musicians, which were given, after which all repaired to their respective homes, having spent a most pleasant and enjoyable evening.

On 5th January the Country News reported on the annual picnic of the combined Dairy Flat and Horse Shoe Bush Schools attended by some 150 people including parents and children. Charles attended in his capacity of Chairman of the School Committee and presented prizes to winners of the various athletic and other events held on the day. Amongst the competitors were Alice, Nellie (Helena) and Ada Hardy. It was a busy time for the Hardy family.

Charles and Annie's family

Charles and Annie had 5 children as follows;

Hilda Olive born 11 December 1893

Lydia Florence born 1895

Edna Charlotte born 3 November 1896

Mervyn Charles ( my grandfather) born at Aoroa 8 March 1899

Cyril Austin born 7 May 1909.

Cyril became a well-known entertainer performing magic and playing music on a wide range of unusual instruments. Cyril and my grandfather Arthur Austen who was also an entertainer, once appeared together by coincidence.

Annie with her daughters Hilda, Edna and Lydia.

My grandfather Mervyn with my grandmother Lilian on their wedding day.

In an account given by Charles and Annie's daughter Edna there is mention that Charles worked for Mitchell's Timber Mill in Dargaville at the time she was born in 1896.

By 1911 Charles and Annie were recorded in the Electoral Roll as living in Auckland at 8 Cox St and Charles was working as a carter. Charles continued to work as a carter/ carrier for many years. Charles and Annie had numerous changes in address which appear in Electoral Rolls as follows;

1914- 87 Rose Rd

1919- 22 Albany Rd

1928- 27 Ponsonby Tce

1935 and 1938- 50 Seaview Tce

Annie sadly died 27th January 1931 at 33 Castle St, Grey Lynn.

Charles subsequently remarried to Hannah Andrews. Hannah was a neighbour of Annie and Charles. Charles and Hannah moved to a house built at 32 Mount Albert Road. This was on a Right Of Way section that was part of the Hardy Estate developed by Charles Senior. It was next door to where Alice Hardy was still living until her death in 1934. Charles Lingham died 15th March 1945. He is buried with Annie at the Hardy Family Plot in Waikumete Cemetery.