CEMETERIES in Nelson, Marlborough

The first burial in Nelson was on Haulashore Island
Thomas Cresswell, the first person to die in the new settlement, arrived in the "Whitby" of Wakefield's expedition. He was buried upon Aglionby Point on November 23rd 1841

* The first cemetery was the Haven Cemetery, aka Pioneers Cemetery, (1840s-1868 now closed) & the first burial there was John Poynter, Nelson's First Lawyer, in 1868

* Quakers Acre, Rutherford Street (1854-1875), once known as Town Acre 667, marks the site of New Zealand's first Quaker Meeting House. The land is technically a cemetery, and therefore it remained undeveloped. It was opened as a Quiet Garden in 2008

* Hallowell Cemetery (1844-1885), one of Nelson's oldest burial grounds. It is also known as The Old Burying Ground and Shelbourne Street Cemetery. was used for Maori burials before Europeans arrived. Then the New Zealand Company had set aside two roods and 30 perches for a gaol and cemetery. The infamous Maungatapu murderers are buried there, but outside the walls, as their crimes were considered too heinous to allow them resting places on hallowed ground.

* Fairfield Graveyard (1851-1910), Trafalgar Street Cemetery, for a long time thought to be haunted

* Wakapuaka Cemetery (now closed), since 1861 some 16,000 people have been buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery

* Hira Cemetery, a rural cemetery located on Wakapuaka Road, mainly used by families that have an existing burial plot or local connections to the area.
Collingwood Street Cemetery

* Seaview Cemetery, located at the end of Seaview Road in Stoke, from 1960 to now

* Marsden Valley Cemetery, situated in the Marsden Valley, behind Stoke, opened in 1956, this is the main cemetery in Nelson city

the COTTON buried Nelson, New Zealand to 2010
* some birth dates may be approximate, based on age at death
death info taken from the Nelson City Council Database

* Ada Evelyn Cotton (1883-1963 nee GAY)
daughter of Joseph & Elizabeth GAY
she married Frederick William Cotton in 1912
Ada died 9 May 1953 aged 69, buried Plot 25, Block 47 at Wakapuaka with Frederick

* Alexander Francis Cotton (1898-1949)
son of Alfred & Martha Ann COTTON
he served in WWI as Rifleman 24/105 with the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, embarking from Wellington 9 Oct 1915. His next of kin was his father A. Cotton of 6 Moa Place, Christchurch
. he married Ellen ELLIS in 1927
Alexander died 23 April 1949 aged 50 buried Plot 126, Block 21 at Wakapuaka
NOTE a brother, Arthur Albert Cotton, (born in Australia) served as Corporal 57485 with the NZEF, 29th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company, embarking from Wellington 15 Aug 1917. His next of kin was his mother Martha Ann of 17 Moa Place, Christchurch. He was KILLED IN ACTION at Ypres, Belgium 3 Dec 1917

* Alfred Charles Cotton (1875-1956)
son of Charles Robert Thomas COTTON & Matilda HODGKINSON
. he married Rosa BARTLETT (1876-1927) in 1896
. he married Florence Ruth SMITH (1899-1958 nee EPPLETT) 5 Sep 1932
- (this was Florence's 4th marriage, see her history below)
Alfred died 4 April 1956 aged 81, buried Plot 142, Block 21 at Wakapuaka with Florence Ruth

* Alfred Ernest Cotton (1893-1982)
born 14 March 1893
He served in WWI as Rifleman 25/599 with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 3rd Battalion, D Company, embarking from Wellington 5 Feb 1916. His next of kin was his father Ernest Cotton of 5 Moor Street, Derby, England
Alfred died 18 July 1982 aged 89
. his ashes were scattered in Oak Grove, Marsden Valley

* Alice Margaret Cotton (1926-2004 nee WILLIAMS)
born 15 Sep 1926
. she married Reginald Bert Cotton in 1947
Alice died 23 Oct 2004 aged 78
. her ashes buried Plot 111, Block Fantail Way at Marsden Valley 6-4-2010 - with Reginald Bert 91920-2009)

* Alice Mary Cotton (1916-2003)
born 31 May 1916
Alice died 13 August 2003 aged 87, buried Plot 209A, Block 23A at Marsden Valley with Allan Cecil (1917-1995)

* Alice Rita Cotton (1898-1899)
daughter of Alfred Charles COTTON & Rosa BARTLETT
Alice died 26 Oct 1899 aged 18 months
Nelson Examiner 28 Oct 1899 COTTON - On October 26th, at Wakapuaka after 24 hours illness, Alice Rita, second and dearly beloved daughter of Alfred and Rosa Cotton, aged 18 months [Wellington and Taranaki papers please copy]
. she is buried Plot 084, Block 04 at Wakapuaka

* Allan Cecil Cotton (1917-1995)
born 16 Nov 1917
Allan died 23 July 1995 aged 77, buried Plot 209A, Block 23A at Marsden Valley with Alice Mary (1916-2003)

* Alma May Cotton (1922-1988 nee NISBETT)
born 12 June 1922
. she married Keith William Cotton in 1945
Alma died 8 June 1988 aged 65 (4 days from her 66th birthday)
. her ashes are buried Plot 28, Block MLA at Marsden Valley
Husband Keith (1924-1987) was buried with her 17 June 1988

* Annie Cotton (1884-1885)
daughter of Henry COTTON & Frances BLICK
Annie died 26 May 1885 aged 7 months, buried Plot 25, Block 7 at Wakapuaka

* Annie Maud Cotton (1902-1984 nee HARRIS)
born 27 July 1902, a daughter of Augustin Austin HARRIS & Maud MILLS
. she married Henry Arthur Cotton in 1930
Annie died 15 December 1984 aged 82, buried Plot 110, Block 22A at Marsden Valley

* Annie Sutherland Cotton (1917-1995 nee HOWARD)
born 29 Sep 1917
. she married Kenneth Herbert Cotton in 1936
Annie died 20 August 1995 aged 77, buried Plot 121B, Block 23A at Marsden Valley - with Kenneth Herbert (1914-2012)

* Arthur Cotton (1888-1888)
son of Edward & Frances COTTON
Arthur died 24 June 1888 aged 4 months, buried Plot 3, Block 2 at Wakapuaka

* Arthur George Cotton (1868-1868)
son of George & Elizabeth Ann COTTON
Arthur died 5 Dec 1868 aged 5 months, buried Plot 34, Block 1 at Wakapuaka

* Arthur James Cotton (1880-1966)
son of James Henry COTTON & Maria LILEY
. he married Fanny Ethel HAWKINS 14 April 1903 in Collingwood, Nelson
their known children
(but possibly more)
1904 - 1977 Henry Arthur Cotton
1905 - 1964 Percy Alick Cotton
1906 - 1907 Ronald Willie Cotton
1908 - 1968 Hazel Lilian Cotton (+Funnell)
1910 - 1998 Arthur James Cotton
1917 - 1996 John Lloyd Cotton
1918 - 2001 Douglas Liley Cotton
* In July & Oct 1919 he was living next door to George Samuel WHITESIDE (1864-1942), county engineer, when they took their boundary fence dispute (Toi Toi street & Quebec road) to the Nelson Magistrate's Court
Arthur died 5 May 1966 aged 85, buried Plot 100, Block 04A at Marsden Valley - with Fanny Ethel (1885-1964)

* Arthur James Cotton (1910-1998)
born 20 August 1910
son of Arthur James COTTON & Fanny Ethel HAWKINS
. he married Irene Florence Coxhill in 1931
Arthur died 17 July 1998 aged 87, his ashes interred Plot 1 at Marsden Valley with Irene

* Athol Arthur Ferguson Cotton (1919-1986)
born 28 Oct 1919
. he married Audrey Joan VIVIAN in 1948
Athol died 3 April 1986, his ashes interred Plot 148, Block RSA at Marsden Valley with Audrey Joan (1927-2007)

* Audrey Joan Cotton (1927-2007 nee VIVIAN)
born 6 May 1927
. she married Athol Arthur Ferguson Cotton in 1948
Audrey died 11 May 2007 aged 80, her ashes interred Plot 148, Block RSA at Marsden Valley 28-6-2008 with Athol Arthur

* Bertha Otholie Cotton (1904-1987 nee GAUSEL)
born 6 Jan 1904
. she married Leslie Alexander Cotton in 1931
Bertha died 8 April 1987 aged 83
. her ashes may have been taken away

* C. Cotton
- C died ?, last address was in Stoke, Nelson
buried Plot 047, Block 11C, at Marsden Valley on 19-8-2008

* Charles Cotton (1878-1939)
Charles married Jessie May Ward in 1900
their known children
(but possibly more)
1901 - 1970 Gladys May Cotton
1902 - 1972 James Arthur Cotton
1904 - 1986 Henry Charles Cotton
1910 - 1936 Eva Grace Cotton (+Chittenden)
1916 - 2009 Richard Fredrick Cotton
1921 - 2014 Althea Joy Cotton (+Harvey)
Charles died 15 May 1939 aged 61, buried Plot 029A, Block 10 at Wakapuaka with Jessie May (1878-1943)

* Charles Thomas Robert Cotton (1852-1942)
Charles died 13 June 1942 aged 90, buried Plot 68, Block 43 at Wakapuaka

* Charlotte Ann Cotton (1888-1972 nee BRUNELL)
born 19 August 1888
. she married William Cotton in 1937
Charlotte died 20 April 1972 aged 83, buried Plot 18, Block 37 at Wakapuaka - with William (1877-1964) & next to his 1st wife Elizabeth Malinda (nee PARMENTER 1860-1928)

* Edith Mabel 'Dolly' Cotton (1906-1987 nee BRUNELL)
born 25 Oct 1906
. she married William Horace Cotton in 1945
Edith died 16 April 1987, buried Plot 12, Block 2, RSA Area at Wakapuaka with William

* Edward James aka Henry Edward Cotton (1854-1905)
. married Frances BLICK in 1877
Henry died 17 Nov 1905 aged 51
Nelson Examiner, 18 Nov 1905 COTTON - On November 17th, after a long and painful illness, Henry Edward Cotton, dearly beloved husband of Frances Cotton, aged 51 years
. he is buried Plot 8, Block 19 at Wakapuaka

* Elizabeth Cotton (1850-1870)
Elizabeth died 6 April 1870 aged 20
Colonist 8 April 1970 COTTON - April 6, at the residence of Mr J. Blanche, Haven-road, Elizabeth Cotton, formerly of Canterbury, aged 19 years
SUDDEN DEATH - A girl named Elizabeth Cotton, a domestic servant of Mr Myers, left a few days ago unwell, and went to stay with Mrs Clifford, Haven-road. She died a few hours after, and was found dead in bed. At the Coroner's inquest a verdict of "Died from natural causes" was returned
. she is buried Plot 36, Block 1 at Wakapuaka

* Elizabeth Malinda Cotton (1860-1928 nee PARMENTER)
she married William Cotton in 1911
Elizabeth died 10 July 1928 aged 68, buried Plot 017, Block 37 at Wakapuaka - next to William (1877-1964 & his 2nd wife Charlotte (nee Brunell 1888-1972)
* William next married Charlotte in 1937

* Esther Cotton (1898-1931 nee THOMPSON)
she married Albert Cotton in 1920
Esther died 7 Sep 1931 aged 33, buried Plot 032, Block 11 at Wakapuaka

* Fanny Ethel Cotton (1885-1964 nee HAWKINS)
daughter of Peter HAWKINS & Eleanor CONNELL
. she married Arthur James Cotton 14 April 1903
Fanny died 20 Sep 1964 aged 70, buried Plot 100, Block 4A at Marsden Valley - with Arthur James (1880-1966)

* Florence Ruth Cotton (1899-1958 nee EPPLETT)
born 22 Nov 1899 in Masterton to Archibald John EPPLETT & May Louisa PEARSON
. granddaughter of Thomas EPPLETT & Evangeline EDWARD
* Florence married John Joseph HUNTER (1897-1918) of Thames, 7 May 1917 in Waikanae, they had a daughter Sep 1917-Oct 1982, Florence Emma Hunter
- John was KILLED IN ACTION 4 Nov 1918 in Le Quesnoy, France aged 21
* Florence next married Noel Jones SUTTON (1890-1924) of Hawkes Bay in 1919 in Hastings, they had 3 children. Noel died of heart failure in Napier aged 34
* Florence next married Edmund Samuel SMITH (1902-1964) of Levin 25 July 1925, they had 3 children in Hawkes Bay and later separated
* Florence next married Alfred Charles COTTON (1875-1956) of Nelson 5 Sep 1932
Florence died 9 Nov 1958 aged 59, buried Plot 143, Block 21 at Wakapuaka with Alfred Charles (1875-1956)

* Frederick William Cotton (1882-1942)
son of Charles Robert Thomas COTTON & Matilda HODGKINSON
. he married Ada Evelyn GAY in 1912
Frederick died 14 Jan 1941 aged 58, buried Plot 24, Block 47 at Wakapuaka with Ada

* George Cotton (1794-1869)
George died 24 Jan 1869 aged 74, buried Plot 30, Block 3 at Wakapuaka

* George Arthur Cotton (1877-1946)
son of Charles Robert Thomas COTTON & Matilda HODGKINSON
. he married Margaret Wallace McCALLUM in 1902
George died 7 Nov 1946 aged 69, buried Plot 293, Block 015 at Seaview Road

* Henry Arthur Cotton (1904-1976)
son of Arthur James COTTON & Fanny Ethel HAWKINS
. he married Annie Maude HARRIS in 1930
Henry died 26 Dec 1976 aged 72
. his ashes were taken away

* Henry Charles Cotton (1904-1986)
born 15 July 1904 to Charles COTTON & Jessie May WARD
. he married Lilith Alice GARTNER in 1929
Henry died 1 Nov 1986 aged 82, his ashes interred Plot 93, Block 25 at Wakapuaka - with Lilith Alice (1906-1980)

* Herbert Cotton (1893-1961)
son of Henry COTTON & Frances BLICK
. he married Mabel Constance JEMMENS in 1913
Herbert died 26 April 1961 aged 68, buried Plot 85, Block 5A at Marsden Valley - with Mabel Constance (1894-1985)

* Irene Florence Cotton (1909-1994 nee COXHILL)
. she married Arthur James Cotton in 1931
Irene died 28 Nov 1994 aged 85, her ashes interred Plot 1, Tui Glade, at Marsden Valley

* Ivy Emma Cotton (1892-1945 nee WHITING)
daughter of William James WHITING & Elizabeth Annie HART
. she married Lewis Richard Cotton in 1913
Emma died 28 May 1945 aged 53, buried Plot 027, Block 17 at Wakapuaka

* James Arthur Cotton (1902-1972)
son of Charles COTTON & Jessie May WARD
. he married Marjory Helen McHARDY in 1924
James died 30 June 1972 aged 69, buried Plot 1A, Block 14 at Wakapuaka

* James Henry Cotton (1857-1883)
. James married Maria LILEY (1858-1936) on Christmas Day 1879
their known children
1880 - 1966 Arthur James Cotton
1881 - 1974 Alice Maria Cotton
James died 15 Oct 1883 aged 26
Colonist, 16 Oct 1883 COTTON - October 15, at the Nelson Hospital, after a long and painful illness, James Henry Cotton, aged 26. Wellington papers please copy
. he is buried Plot 34, Block 7 at Wakapuaka next to his parents James Henry (1829-1904) & Mary Ann (nee Nye 1833-1910)
NOTE
Maria next married George William JARRETT (1843-1925) 25 Oct 1884 & had 6 known children

* James Henry Cotton (1829-1904)
James married Mary Ann Nye and had 3 children before arriving in Nelson 23 June 1856 on the Emma Colvin
* they had a further 7 children in NZ
James died 19 Sep 1904 aged 75
Colonist, 21 Jan 1899 Yesterday Mr Robinson, S.M., sat from 10 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. investigating the claims sent in under the Old Age Pensions Act. Mr F. Graham, M.H.R., and Mr J. Sharp were in attendance and gave assistance in several cases. The full pension, which means £1 10s monthly (equivalent in Jan 2012 to $190 or $43.85 per week), was granted in the following cases:-
James Henry Cotton, aged 68, been in the colony 43 years
Mary Ann Cotton, aged 67, been in the Colony 43 years
Colonist, 20 Sep 1904 COTTON - On September 19th, at his residence, Grove-street, James Henry Cotton, aged 75 years [Home papers please copy]
* The death occurred yesterday of Mr James Henry Cotton, a very old resident of Nelson, at the age of 75 years. The deceased, who was well known throughout the district, came to the colony 52 (sic) years ago in the Emma Colvin, and dwelt here thereafter. He took part in the Taranaki war and afterwards returned to Nelson. For the past five years he had been a cripple and had to be carried about. In the early days Mr Cotton was an enthusiastic amateur in theatricals, but he took no active part in public affairs. He leaves a widow and a grown up family of five sons and four daughters
. he is buried at Wakapuaka, Plot 35, Block 7, with Mary Ann (1833-1910) and next to them is James Henry (1857-1883)

* Jessie May Cotton (1878-1943 nee WARD)
daughter of Richard & Mary Ann WARD
. Jessie married Charles Cotton in 1900
Jessie died 11 Jan 1943 aged 64, buried Plot 29A, Block 10 at Wakapuaka - with Charles (1878-1939)

* John Edward Cotton (1869-1930)
John died 18 Nov 1930 aged 61, buried Plot 028, Block 26 at Wakapuaka

* John Lloyd Cotton (1917-1996)
born 30 June 1917
. he married Thelma Marjorie McGAVESTON in 1938
John died 9 Aug 1996 aged 79, his ashes interred Plot 63 at Marsden Valley with Marjorie Thelma (1910-1982)

* Keith William Cotton (1924-1987)
. he married Alma May Nisbett in 1945
Keith died 2 March 1987 aged 62 at Okiwi Bay
. his ashes interred Plot 28, Block MLA at Marsden Valley 17-6-1988 - with wife Alma May (1922-1988)

* Kenneth Herbert Cotton (1914-2012)
born 25 June 1914
. married Annie Sutherland Howard in 1936
Kenneth died 29 May 2012 aged 97, buried Plot 121B, Block 23A at Marsden Valley - with Annie Sutherland (1917-1995)

* Leslie Alexander Cotton (1907-1990)
. he married Bertha Othilie GAUSEL in 1931
Leslie died 10 Jan 1990 aged 82
. his ashes were taken away

* Lewis Richard Cotton (1885-1958)
son of Charles Robert Thomas COTTON & Matilda HODGKINSON
. he married Ivy Emma WHITING in 1913
7 Oct 1918 APPEALS FROM MILITARY SERVICE
In the case of Lewis Richard Cotton, tomato grower, Nelson, the chairman said that the Financial Assistance Board had made an additional grant on their recommendation, but appellant said that the amendegrant would not meet all his outgoings. The chairman pointed out that appellant would receive his pay and allowances in addition. Appellant said he was prepared to accept the grant made, but he was in a worse position than when he appealed, as had his work for the season under way. Frederick William Cotton (C1), in reply to the chairman, said he was quite prepared to do what he could to help his brother. The chairman said there were five sons in the family and none serving. He thought both places could be worked to a limited extent to one brother. Lewis Cotton said he was doing work on his place, while others were employing labour. Captain Pilkington remarked that if others could employ labour appellant could do so. The appellant had been drawn in the thirteenth ballot, and the case had drifted since last January. Appellant claimed that the Financial Assistance Board had kept him hanging on since last March. The board allowed Lewis Cotton till the March draft and the appeal of Frederick Cotton was adjourned sine die
. Lewis died 19 Aug 1958 aged 73, buried Plot 26, Block 17 at Wakapuaka

* Lilith Alice Cotton (1906-1980 nee GARTNER)
daughter of Frederick GARTNER & Christina SIMONSEN
. she married Henry Charles Cotton in 1929
Lilith died 10 July 1980 aged 73, her ashes interred Plot 93, Block 25 at Wakapuaka - with Henry Charles (1904-1986)

* Mabel Constance Cotton (1894-1985 nee JEMMENS)
. she married Herbert Cotton in 1913
Mabel died 6 July 1985 aged 91, buried Plot 85, Block 5A at Marsden Valley - with Herbert (1893-1961)

* Marjorie Thelma Cotton (1910-1982 nee McGAVESTON)
born 8 July 1910
. she married John Lloyd Cotton in 1938
Marjorie died 27 July 1982 aged 72, her ashes interred Plot 380 at Memory Walk A, Marsden Valley, then disinterred and buried Plot 63 at Marsden Valley on 6 Sep 1996 with John Lloyd (1917-1996)

* Marjory Helen Cotton (1900-1957 nee McHARDY)
. she married James Arthur Cotton in 1924
Marjory died 1 April 1957 aged 56, buried Plot 1, Block 14 at Wakapuaka

* Martha Cotton (1883-1884)
daughter of Henry COTTON & Frances 'Fanny' BLICK
Martha died 11 Dec 1884 aged 21 months
on Dec 11 1884, Martha, the beloved daughter of Henry and Fanny Cotton, aged 1 year 9 months
. she is buried Plot 35, Block 7 at Wakapuaka

* Mary Ann Cotton (1833-1910 nee NYE)
. she married James Henry Cotton in London & had 3 children prior to their emigrating on the Emma Colvin. They had another 7 children in New Zealand
. Mary died 22 May 1910 aged 77
Colonist, 24 May 1910 Mrs James Cotton, of the Wood, has passed away. She has been a resident of Nelson since 1856. Mr Cotton predeceased her. They had ten children, of whom eight are living and there are 39 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren
. she is buried Plot 35, Block 7 at Wakapuaka with James Henry (1829-1904)

* Matilda Cotton (1874-1940)
Martha died 10 June 1940 aged 86, buried Plot 66, Block 43 at Wakapuaka

* Ngaire Joan Cotton (1918-1999 nee CHAPMAN)
born 29 Nov 1918
. she married Richard Frederick Cotton in 1940
Ngaire died 28 Aug 1999 aged 80, buried Plot 230, Block 24A at Marsden Valley - with Richard Frederick (1916-2009)

* Patricia Cotton (1925-1925)
Patricia died 7 May 1925 aged 3 days, buried Plot 42, Block 30 at Wakapuaka

* Peter William Cotton (1948-2007)
Peter died 7 Oct 2007 aged 59, his ashes interred Plot 15, Block Memorial Lawn B at Marsden Valley

* Reginald Bert Cotton (1920-2009)
born 27 June 1920
. he married Alice Margaret Williams in 1947
Reginald died 16 Nov 2009 aged 89, his ashes interred Plot 111, Block Fantail Way at Marsden Valley - with Alice Margaret (1936-2004)

* Richard Frederick Cotton (1916-2009)
born 3 Sep 1916
. he married Ngaire Joan Chapman in 1940
Richard died 21 Aug 2009 aged 93, buried Plot 230, Block 24A at Marsden Valley - with Ngaire Joan (1918-1999)

* Ronald Willie Cotton (1906-1907)
son of Arthur James COTTON & Fanny Ethel HAWKINS
Ronald died 6 Feb 1907 aged 5 months, buried Plot 3, Block 18 at Wakapuaka

* Rosa Cotton (1876-1927 nee BARTLETT)
daughter of Robert BARTLETT & Martha Ellen PRIESTIDGE
. she married Alfred Charles Cotton in 1896
Rosa died 24 March 1927 aged 51, buried Plot 43, Block 6 at Wakapuaka
NOTE Alfred remarried in 1931 to Florence Ruth Smith

* William Cotton (1877-1964)
William married Elizabeth Melinda Parmenter in 1911
He next married Charlotte Brunell in 1937
William died 30 Aug 1954 aged 87, buried Plot 18, Block 37 at Wakapuaka - with Charlotte (1888-1972) & next to 1st wife Elizabeth Malinda (1860-1928)

* William Horace Cotton (1905-1957)
born 4 Dec 1905, son of Alfred Cotton (1866-1941) & Martha Ann DOWTON (1865-1925)
. he married Edith Mabel 'Dolly' Brunell in 1945
William died 28 Oct 1957 aged 51, buried Plot 12, Block 2, RSA Area at Wakapuaka with Edith

* Zita Emily Cotton (1916-1963 nee KERR)
born 6 Sep 1916 to Hugh Kerr & Margaret DOUGLAS
. she married Douglas William James Cotton (1913-1979) in 1938
Zita died 11 May 1963 aged 46, buried Plot 783, Block 37 at Seaview Road
* Douglas next married Edna Marion Wilson nee Wilkie (1919-2011) who had 1st married (& divorced) in 1941 to Patrick James Wilson. Douglas & Edna are buried Bromley cemetery

PHOTO
Wakapuaka Cemetery first designated a cemetery zone on 18 Nov 1861