from the New Zealand Electronic Text Centre 1908

MARTON
... James McCHESNEY, Builder, Contractor, and Sash and Door Manufacturer, Marton. This business was established in the year 1877, and has one of the largest connections in Marton. In his various contracts Mr McChesney has often as many as twenty persons in his employment. The site of the premises occupied extends from Broadway to Stewart Street. In 1902 the sash and door factory was added to the business. The factory stands at the rear of the section, and carries a complete plant of wood-working machinery, driven by a thirteen and a half-horse power gas engine. Joinery work, cabinetware, and furniture are turned out in large quantities. There is also a fine two-storeyed shop, which carries a large stock of manufactured and imported furniture, and does a considerable retail trade.

Mr. McChesney was born in the year 1848, in Belfast, Ireland, where he was educated and brought up to the building trade. For some years he traded on his own account in Belfast, and then went to England, where he carried on building and contracting for three years.

In 1875 he came to New Zealand, and settled in Marton. Mr McChesney was for some years a member of the Borough Council, is a Freemason, a Forester, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

He is married, and has four sons and seven daughters.
- James married Eliza ? before emigrating to NZ
- the KNOWN children of JAMES & ELIZA
1872 - 1963 Joseph McChesney
- Joseph married Julia Miariana BRADBURY in 1902 in Halcombe
1875 - Jane McChesney
1877 - Eliza Ann McChesney
1879 - Matilda McChesney
1881 - Thomas McChesney
1881 - Eleanor McChesney
1883 - Roberta McChesney
1885 - Winifred McChesney
1889 - James Wilson McChesney
- James served in WWI as Private 37853 with the NZEF, 21st Reinforcements F Company
- he married Maud Evelyn DONNELL in 1909
1892 - Hugh John McChesney
- Hugh served in WWI as Private 10/450 with the Wellington Infantry Battalion


James died in 1925 aged 77


* you can order a transcript from CYCLOPEDIA OF NZ



photo - James McChesney
- from NZETC above