History: Susan Kenyon – settler, wife, mother, friend

BY ROBYN PARKES

Susan Elizabeth Kenyon, nee Eden, was one of Nelson’s earliest-born citizens.

She was born in Nelson in June 1844, the eldest child of Thomas and Jane Eden. Her father Thomas had arrived in Nelson on board the ‘Phoebe’ in 1843.

Soon after her birth the family took up a section of land at Waimea West.

At the age of 21, on 23 May 1866, she was married to Hugh Kenyon, son of Peter Kenyon of Wigtownshire, Scotland, at St. Paul’s Church, Spring Grove, by Bishop Hobhouse.

Hugh was born on 4 October 1833 and while still a young man left home for Victoria, Australia. After spending, some time there in the gold diggings he crossed to Dunedin at the time of the Gabriel’s Gully rush to try his luck, afterwards coming on to Nelson.

He worked with a surveying party and ultimately, in 1863, took up a plot of bush land at Dovedale, sections 40 and 41.

Around the time of their marriage the new road from Waimea West to Dovedale was under construction, and with a large quantity of land being cleared of bush the road was vital for agricultural purposes.

Susan was one of the first women to reside in the district and life was not easy with the isolation and lack of amenities.

Ten children were born over a 14-year period from 1867 to 1881. Unfortunately, they lost one son, George, at 21 years old. After returning from the West Coast in July 1896 he became unwell with a severe cold which developed into pneumonia, and he succumbed to the illness around three weeks later.

Their home was always known as a place of hospitality, and travellers were always offered a “refreshing cup of tea.” Susan was a very keen gardener and for many years her garden, which was her pride, was visited and admired by friends.

The Kenyon’s were true pioneers, helping neighbours and the community, being involved in all that concerned the welfare of the community such as its churches, schools and roads while at the same time coping with the hardships and privations. Hugh served for many years on the school committee and was a member of the Roads Board and a JP.

On 23 May, 1916, Hugh and Susan celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with family and friends in an afternoon tea followed by an evening in the Dovedale Hall where around 100 guests gathered to enjoy a time of songs and dancing until the small hours of the morning.

Sadly, Hugh died only six weeks later on the 26 June. In July, tenders were invited for the purchase of the property at Thorpe and in October a clearing sale of farm animals, farm implements, a trotting stallion, brood mare and sacks of wheat was advertised.  Susan, after that point, is listed in the electoral roles as living in Wakefield.

She died on 9 February 1934, aged 90 years. Both are buried in the Dovedale cemetery.