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From: "Florence & Tom" <>
Subject: [MARTIN-UK] Thomas Cook Martin
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 08:50:30 +1000
References: <7CA73054DC60479D98A4D304E3A40622@SSVISTAPC>


Dear Steve, John & Listers,

I am also looking for a birth and parents of a THOMAS MARTIN, or THOMAS COOK (E) MARTIN.

My Great Grandfather Thomas Cook Martin married Emily Ellen STEVENS in Christchurch New Zealand in 1862.

According to their Application to Marry dated 17 January 1862 :
Thomas Cook Martin was a Bachelor, Labourer, Age 20, Dwelling Place Christchurch, Length of Residence 5 Years. .
Emily Ellen Stevens was a Spinster, Domestic Servant, Age 19, Dwelling Place Christchurch, Length of Residence 1 year.
No person gave consent to the marriage.

They were married as Minors in St Michaels's Church, Christchurch on 4th February 1862, Witnesses Wm. F. Head & Jane Kimber.

They had three boys Alfred born 1863, William born 1865, and Frederick (my Grandfather) born 1867.

Thomas Cook Martin died by suicide on 24th January 1869.

Emily and the three boys came to Victoria Australia where in 1871, she remarried to a George Cooper.

I have been able to trace Emily back to Middlesex, England, because she gave her parents names on her marriage certificate to George Cooper.


I cannot find any trace of THOMAS prior to the Application to Marry which places him in Christchurch C1857, age 15 years.
Our family knew nothing about him except that he died in New Zealand.
I obtained a copy of the inquest into his death, and the family were very surprised with the evidence of his Suicide.

We believe Thomas was British, as there is no evidence of him being a Naturalised New Zealander.
He purchased a block of land in Christchurch C1861. He was then on the Christchurch Provincial Roll.
There is no Will, Probate or Administration in the records.

There are scores of Thomas Martins born C1942 in the British Records.
Possibly someone reading this list may have a missing THOMAS (Cook) MARTIN, born C1842.

Hopefully, Tom

Thomas Percy Martin.
Sale Victoria
Australia









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