Hanson-Allen Family

Obituary of Caroline Frances Allen (nee Hanson)

From an undated newspaper clipping, probably Wanganui and dated mid-January 1903

Obituary

The Late Mrs George Frederic Allen

This lady whose death occurred on Saturday, the 10th instant, at the house of her ever kind friends, Mr and Mrs Burnett, of Oneida, came out from England on board the Ganges, to be married to Mr Allen, in 1863. She was the daughter of the late Rev. George Lowdon (sic) Hanson, Vicar of Great Burghstead (sic), Essex. She was born on August 31, 1840, at Felstead, Essex, of which parish at the time Mr Hanson was vicar. Mr and Mrs Allen were married in October, 1863, at St. Matthews, Auckland, by the Rev. David Jones, from the house of their friends, Mr and Mrs Jos. A. Barber. Mr Allen returned with his bride to Wanganui, at which he was at the time district surveyor.

Mrs Allen was one of those many excellent women who "do good by stealth and blush to find it fame." In her earlier married life, before family cares required home-staying, she was a member of the Wanganui Choral Society and of the Christ Church Choir, and for a short time filled a gap as organist.

During her residence (twenty five years) in Wanganui and the opposite village of Campbelltown, Mrs Allen became the mother of seven children. Two boys died during infancy; four boys and one daughter, all grown up, remain to lament her the loss of one of the best and most unselfish mothers who ever lived. The daughter and the two eldest sons are married.

All the sons, having taken up land, now reside away from the original home near Mangamahu. With few exceptions, however, all members of the family have been able to meet at the old house at Te Pohue every Christmas. Mrs Allen had a severe attack arising from a heart-complaint four months ago, which had much weakened her, and it is thought that the extra care and excitement of the last Christmas meeting may have been too much for her.

She was intending to stay with her old friends at Oneida for a week or two, and to visit Dr. Innes from thence. Very inclement weather came on during her journey towards town, and possibly increased her sickness. Dr. Innes found her very ill, but did not expect so hasty an end. Mrs Allen died in her husband's arms at 1 a.m. last Saturday, Mr Burnett being present during the final minutes and giving every kind of help. With their many kind friends in Wanganui, we extend our sincere sympathy to the sorrowing husband and relatives.

The funeral took place yesterday at Matarawa, the service being conducted at the church and at the graveside by the Rev. A.O. Williams, the musical portion in the church being rendered by a choir of deceased's musical friends from Wanganui.

Caroline is buried in one of the several unmarked lawn-covered plots shown above at Matarawa Anglican Cemetery. The trunk of the Camelia tree is at the head of her grave. Her grandson, Warwick Allen, is in the background looking at another grave in early 1994. Her great, great granddaughter, Tanya Burr (1981-2002) is mostly obscure behind Warwick.

To the present day, no permanent headstone has ever been put onto Caroline's grave, although apparently her son Fred, left a clause in his will that if there was any money left over in his estate, it was to be spent on a headstone for her. Evidently there was no surplus money.

Meanwhile, the family takes an interest in the preservation of the church and there is talk of a memorial plaque being installed to remedy this situation. G.F. Allen also has no headstone at Masterton Cemetery. This provides graphic evidence of the financial state of the couple at their respective times of death.

Two views of St. John's Anglican Church, Matarawa, in early 1994. Caroline's grave site is at the extreme right in the lower photo in the row of graves closest to the front wall on the church. The two men in the lower photo are Warwick Allen (grandson - son of Ralph) and John Allen (great grandson - grandson of Fred). These photos were taken during a visit to the area to show significant sites to John and his wife. This visit included calling in at 'Onieda', the huge house G.F. Allen designed and when Caroline died, which is just down the road from the church.