History: Early Richmond’s Lusty family made mark on region

BY ROBYN PARKES

The Lusty family were one of Richmond’s earliest. Benjamin, a carpenter, and wife Eliza arrived in May 1842 via the ship Clifford having left Gravesend, England in December 1841.

Eliza’s time in Nelson was extremely short as she died at age 23 in August 1842 and was buried in Halliwell Cemetery. Benjamin married for a second time in 1845, his new wife Ellen being the widow of Issac Smith who was killed in the Wairau Massacre.

After spending a short time at Poor Man’s Valley, Stoke, Benjamin took up land in Richmond and established the homestead Amberley Farm, where he farmed and became involved in the district’s welfare. The couple had five children, Ann (daughter of Ellen by Issac Smith), Francis, Arthur, Sarah and Emily. Benjamin died in April 1894 and was buried in Richmond Cemetery. Ellen lived for another six years before joining her husband in July 1901.

Eldest son Francis was born in 1845 in Stoke but spent his childhood in Richmond. As a youth he went prospecting in the Buller district and spent some time at the Mangles looking for gold.

In March 1868 at his father’s residence, Francis married Ann Streeter, daughter of Richard. Between the years of 1868 and 1876 the couple were living in Collingwood and during this time Francis was elected to the Collingwood Road Board, was a foundation member of Court Aorere and of the Ancient Order of Foresters. After returning to Amberley Farm, Richmond, he was farming for around 50 years until his retirement in 1920. Francis and Ann had 11 children, six boys and five girls.

Francis was known for his incredible memory of events of earlier times and was able to recall dates, places and circumstances. Fifty years after his time at the Mangles, on a visit, he was still able to find the exact spot where he had sought gold. Francis died in March 1926 and Ann in October 1928, both buried in Richmond Cemetery.

Fourth son of Francis and Ann was Francis Jnr (Frank), born in 1875. Born and raised in Richmond he married Bertha Ching in 1903. In September 1907 he took over the grocery part of J. Ingram and Co’s business.

Around 1909 Frank’s brother Herbert built Henley Store on the corner of Queen and Salisbury Rd. The general store was a family affair with Bertha running the tearooms portion. The store carried groceries, drapery, boots and shoes with orders available for delivery through the district.

In 1920 the store was sold to Herbert Newport who ran it until his death in 1931. The store was bought and sold several times until Mr Goddard established a second-hand shop in the building, and today it operates as Richmond Antiques and Curios.

Frank was, for some time, a member of the Richmond Borough Council and took a prominent part on school committees and sports clubs. For many years he has been a member of the Nelson A & P Association and of the Nelson Automobile Association.

Tragedy struck on 12 November 1935 when (Frank), riding a bicycle, was hit by a car driven by R Bensemann, resulting in his almost instant death.

Frank was buried in Richmond Cemetery where so many of his family were also buried.

Frank was returning to his workplace after having lunch at his home in Edward St when the car hit him on the Corner of Queen and Edward Street. The results of the Supreme Court case resulted in Bensemann found guilty of negligently driving a motor car and was fined £25, and the cancellation of his driver’s license until 1937.