Sydenham OXENHAM was born in Somerset, England 16 July 1848
- he emigrated to New Zealand on the 'Inchinan' leaving London 14 Jan 1852 arriving into Auckland 27 May 1852 with his parents Sydenham William Oxenham (1809-1892) & Mary Ann (1826-1884, nee Oxenham) and sisters, Fanny Oxenham (1850-1852) and Jenny Oxenham (1851-1852) who died enroute
* his parents Sydenham & Mary Ann married 4 Jan 1847 in Bath, Somerset. Sydenham was a Fencible who was settled in the Onehunga Village and had a further 6 known children
1852 - 1933 Edwin Oxenham
- note that the name of the ship is incorrect at that link. The Berhampore arrived in NZ in 1849 and their name is not on the passenger list
1854 - 1925 Selina Oxenham (Mrs Joseph Scott)
1857 - 1934 Frederick Oxenham
- moved to Poverty Bay for a time with other family members. He married Agnes Jane Williams in 1889 and they had 11 known children, one of whom was named Sydenham John (1895-1980)
1859 - 1860 Ellen Maria Oxenham
1861 - 1875 Henry Oxenham
1863 - 1864 Mary Malinda Oxenham

Sydenham married Emily TRIMMER on 18 May 1878 in St John's, Napier
Hawkes Bay Herald, 21 May 1878
OXENHAM-TRIMMER - At St John's Church, Napier, on May 18, by the Rev John Spear, Sydenham Oxenham, to Emily, second daughter of Mr George Trimmer, baker, Coote-road. Auckland papers please copy
Emily was born 21 March 1856 in Howick, Auckland
They had 9 children, all born Hawkes Bay & Poverty Bay
...1 1879 - 1880 Sydney John Oxenham
- Sydney died 11 May 1880 aged 10 months
he is buried plot 100, block MKOLD at Makaraka with Frank

...2 1881 - 1954 Clara/Clair Oxenham
- Clara married William MAXWELL in 1911
Poverty Bay Herald, 20 Sep 1911
At Holy Trinity Church this afternoon, Mr W. Maxwell, of Matawai, was married to Miss Clair Oxenham, of Motu. Two sisters of the bride acted as bridesmaids, Mr Shanks was best man and Mr Holschier was groomsman, The service was partly choral. The Rev Dawson Thomas conducted the service. Miss Hyett presided at the organ
they had 2 known children:
1913 - Marcia Heather Maxwell
1915 - Fiona Esther Maxwell

...3 1883 - 1955 Selena Violet 'Cissy' Oxenham
- Selena married Clifton William ROSSER (1880-1966) in 1906
Observer, 6 Jan 1906
A marriage interesting to many Aucklanders was celebrated on the 20th ult., at Waerenga-a-hika Church, when Miss Cissy Oxenham, second daughter of Mr Sydenham Oxenham of Makauri (Gisborne), was united to Mr C. Rosser, second son of Mr W. Rosser, of Auckland. The Rev. M. W. Butterfield officiated, in the presence of a large congregation. The bride, who was given away by her fahter, looked very graceful and pretty in a creme dress and the customary wreath and veil. She carried a beautiful bouquet and wore a gold brooch, presented by the bridegroom. Misses C. S and E. Oxenham, sisters of the bride, acted as bridesmaids, both wearing dainty white muslin frocks trimmed with lace and they carried bouquets. The bridegroom's gift to each was a pretty gold brooch. Mr McKenzie was best man and Mr J. Oxenham, groomsman. After the ceremony the guests were entertained at the residence of the bride's parents, where afternoon tea was dispensed in a large marquee.Mr and Mrs Rosser left by the evening steamer for Auckland, where they spent their honeymoon.
they had 1 known child:
1907 - Mildred Iris Rosser

...4 1886 - 1896 Frank Oxenham
- Frank died 8 May 1896 aged 10
he is buried plot 100, block MKOLD at Makaraka with Sydney

...5 1888 - 1943 John Oxenham
Poverty Bay Herald, 18 Jan 1910
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION - Notice is hereby given that the Partnership theretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned, Sydenham Oxenham of Gisborne, Brick manufacturer; John Oxenham of the same place, Brick manufacturer; and William John Baty of Kaiti, Settler, carrying on business as brick, tile and pipe manufacturers, at Kaiti, Gisborne, under the style of OXENHAM AND COMPANY, has been dissolved by mutual consent as from the 17th day of January 1910. All accounts owing by the Partnership will be paid by the undersigned, William John Baty, who alone will also receive all debts due to and assets of the Partnership. Dated at Gisborne this 17th day of January, 1910.
- John married Marion Gladys ROBERTSON in 1923
Marion was born 23 May 1891, she died 1975 aged 84
- John died Dec 1943 aged 55
They are buried at Old Gorge cemetery, Woodville

...6 1890 - 1967 Mary Ann Oxenham
- Mary Ann married Henry John Holschier (1884-1969) from Dandenong, Victoria, Australia, who was very involved in Rowing in Poverty Bay (as was his brother Herbert Francis Holschier 1886-1966) and served as Lieutenant Corporal 10453 from Motu in WWI. Their parents were Herman Joseph Holschier & Margaret Walsdorf, originally from Erbach, West Germany. They are buried with her mother, see photo

...7 1892 - 1966? Sydenham Stanley Oxenham
- Sydenham married Ruth Natalie McFarlane (-1973)
* In 1918 he was with the Public Works Department in the Merriwa Shire, NSW. He was appointed Engineer to the Nambucca Shire Council in 1921. He resigned in 1924
* In 1928, Sydenham was an architect in Cairns, Australia when he designed the Hides Hotel. At the time of construction it was one of the largest buildings in Cairns and was one of only two three-storeyed structures in the city. The Hotel is now heritage listed.
* In 1935 there was a right-up in the 'Albury Banner and Wodonga Express' (NSW)...
Mr. S. S. Oxenham,. A.R.A.I.A., A.M.I.E. Aust., architect and consulting engineer, is commencing the practicing of his profession in the Albury district and has established an office in Commercial Club Chambers. Mr. Oxenham was born and educated in New Zealand and trained at architecture in New Zealand and Sydney. He was for a number of years engaged at designing and supervising large city architectural works in important city offices, including the Government architect 's office of tho Public Works Department. He went to Canada and America for experience and was engaged at large water supply and hydro electric works and at large steel buildings. Mr Oxenham qualified as an engineer and was appointed shire engineer to Merriwa Shire Council and shire engineer to Nambucca Shire Council and then city engineer to Cairns City Council, Queensland. He resigned the last position to engage in private practice as architect and consulting engineer. Mr Oxenham visited the city of Napier immediately after the great earthquake and investigated building and earthquake resisting structures. He was a member of the Cairns Rotary Club. He is settling in Albury and should prove a valuable citizen.
-- whilst in Napier they had a daughter, Joyce Natalie Oxenham --
* In 1938 in was an Architect in Albury when he designed a handsome masonic Temple at Albury. That year he also redesigned the old Tawonga Hotel, Victoria
* ~ there are many, many documented works over the following years
* In 1946, at his mother's death Sydenham was an architect in Sydney, Australia
Sydenham (possibly) died 29 June 1966 in Springvale Victoria Ruth died at North Bondi in 1972

...8 1896 - 1964 Esther 'Effie' Oxenham
- Esther married Harry Jones Priestley (1902-1963) in 1936
From about 1938 until the mid-1940's, Harry and Effie taught at schools in the Bay of Plenty and on Matakana Island - they didn't have children. After the war in 1946, Harry and Effie were teaching at Mohaka Native School in Hawkes Bay. It was here that Harry had an accident while chopping wood and injured an eye. It was more serious than first thought and led to total blindness. They moved to Auckland for treatment and Harry joined the St. Dunstan's School for the Blind where he learned leather work and started making sandals from his home factory in Manukau Road. Harry's sight started to improve in 1950 and he eventually regained total sight. By 1957 he was back working as a Clerk. They are buried with her mother, see photo

...9 1896 - 1907 David Oxenham
- David died 20 May 1907 aged 11
he is buried plot 973, block MKF at Makaraka cemetery

NOTES
* DEATH OF HIS FATHER
Auckland Star, 20 July 1892
OXENHAM - On July 20, at his residence, Inkerman street, Onehunga, Sydenham Oxenham, pensioner 13th Foot-Regiment, in his 84th year. The funeral will take place to-day (Thursday) at 3p.m. Friends please accept this invitation.
Another old identity passed away last night after a lingering illness. He had been ailing for a few weeks past of bronchitis, in the person of Mr Sydenham Oxenham, pensioner of the 13th Light Infantry. The deceased was in his 84th year and had resided in Onehunga for the past forty years. During the Afghan war, Mr Oxenham served under Captain, afterwards General Havelock and was one of the "Havelock's Saints". Oxenham was at the defence of Jellalabad, under Sale and witnessed the arrival of Dr Brydon under the walls of the fortress, the sole European survivor of the Cabul expedition which had set out 16,000 strong. He was at the taking of Ghuznee and had three medals, won for services performed. The late Mr Oxenham arrived in Poverty Bay in the early seventies and had been engaged at carious pursuits, principally those of contracting and brickmaking. The very difficult work of carting the pipes of the Gisborne water works was carried out under the deceased gentleman's supervision. The funeral will leave his late residence, deLautour road at 11a.m. to-morrow. Deceased leaves three sons and one daughter

* Sydenham Oxenham jnr was very innovative, inventing a couple of labour saving devices ...
known Patents:
1888 - at Makaraka, for a portable combined seed and grain cleaner and separator
1898 - #8671 an improved guard to protect house guttering from the intrusion of small birds and the deposit of refuse matter
Poverty Bay Herald, 3 Nov 1898
TO THE PUBLIC OF GISBORNE - Having obtained the patent rights for my inventions, I wish to invite the Public to inspect them at Messrs Wade and Erskine's yards. It is claimed that they will do away with at least 50 per cent of typhoid fever and dysentery and therefore they are deserving of public consideration. SYDENHAM OXENHAM
1899 - #9369 an appliance for straining water before it enters a storage tank

* Sydenham was in Bankruptcy in 1892
Poverty Bay Herald, 28 July 1892
IN BANKRUPTCY - Tenders are invited for the Purchase of the Debtor's rights and interest in the Stone Crusher, Embankments, Hoppers and plant in about the Patutahi Quarry , including:-
1 Blacksmith's Shop
1 Cook House
1 Sledge House
2 Trucks
3 Loose Truck Wheels
5 pairs Truck Wheels and Axles
1 set Duplicate Jaws for Stone Crusher
Tenders to be sent in by noon on Saturday next, the 30th inst., to my office, Gladstone road, Gisborne, where conditions of Tender may be seen. John Coleman, Deputy Official Assignee

* thanks to sjaneo on 23-8-2010 who wrote:
I am in the middle of researching the Robertson family tree of which Marion Gladys Oxenham is a member. Her husband was a John Oxenham so I assume this is the same one buried in the same cemetery. I have found that they had a son Douglas and possibly a son Troy
- thank sjaneo, research reveals that John OXENHAM married Marion Gladys ROBERTSON in 1923

Sydenham Oxenham died 12 April 1910 in Gisborne
he is buried plot 973, block MKF at Makaraka cemetery
Important Note There is a Sydenham William Oxenham (1848-1927) who died 25 Jan 1927 and is buried at Makaraka cemetery, plot 1303, block MKF with Sarah Oxenham (nee Lander 1852-1911), married 1870 in Onehunga, had 9 children from 1871-1888, lived in North Shore for a time and whose birth/death details match the above Sydenham?
Emily Oxenham died 25 Aug 1946 aged 90, 36 years after Sydenham and is buried at Taruheru cemetery (plot 45, block 14)
The HEADSTONES read
In memory of EMILY OXENHAM, died 25 August 1946 aged 90 years, widow of Sydenham Oxenham.
In memory of HARRY JONES PRIESTLEY, 1902-1963; and his beloved wife, ESTHER, 1896-1964.
In memory of MARY ANN HOLSCHIER, 1890-1967; HENRY JOHN HOLSCHIER, died 9 September 1969 aged 85 years.