MICHAEL BILLOWS (1835-1901)
was born on Xmas Day 1835 in Dorset, England to Thomas BILLOWS & Jane HANHAM
NOTE there is discrepancies in Michaels birth date:
In the 1841 census, St James, Poole, Dorset, he is 7 (born 1834)
At his marriage in April 1865 he is 27 (born 1837/8)
At his death in Oct 1901 he is in his 66th year (born 1835)
Michael was a Mariner (like his father before him). He arrived into Nelson from Sydney on the 'Rangitira'
He was Captain/Owner of the small coastal traders 'Supply' & 'Shepherdess' which he worked from Pelorous Sound

Michael Billows married 11 April 1865, St Peter Church Te Aro, Wellington to:
MARY ANN DEVENPORT (1849-1906)
Mary was born in Birmingham, England and arrived into Wellington 19 Dec 1856 on the Oliver Lang with her parents Thomas & Mary Devenport and her 4 siblings, John, George, James & Jane
(The name is spelt Davenport on the passenger list)

their children
. . 1 . .
1866 - 1930 Arthur James Billows
born 9 March 1866 in Nelson
Arthur married Martha Jane MITCHELL in NZ in 1887
their NZ born children
* 1888 - Horace Michael Billows
* 1890 - 1958 Edric Devenport Billows (born in Wellington)
. Edric, (5'7", grey eyes, fair hair, Poultry Farmer & Cook), enlisted for WWI 16 Nov 1916. His address (and next of kin) was listed as his friend A. J. Hughes, 121 Regent St, Sydney. He served as Private 6526, 33rd Battalion with the Australian Imperial Forces. He was admitted to Bath War Hospital 28 Aug 1918 with gunshot wounds to his chest (France). He was discharged as medically unfit and returned to Australia on the HMAT 'Orsova' in April 1919. He died in Wyong, NSW
* 1892 - 1943 Cynthia Rowena Billows (not married, died in Orange, NSW)
* Arthur & Martha moved to Brisbane where a son was born
* 1902 - 1903 Clive Robert Billows (buried Nundah with his nana, see Mary Ann below)
Arthur next married Hannah Elizabeth SANDERSON in Holborn, London in 1920
ARTHUR died 10 March 1930 aged 64 in London


. . 2 . .
1867 - 1938 Walter George Billows
born 10 Nov 1867 in Nelson
Walter married Alice RICHARDS on 7 Aug 1890
WALTER died 26 Dec 1938 at New Plymouth aged 71
. he is buried Te Henui all his info at his link
ALICE died 17 May 1951 & is buried Taita Old Cemetery


. . 3 . .
1871 - 1915 Alice Mary Caroline Billows
born 9 Feb 1871 in Wellington
Alice married Walter James PETHERICK (1867-1947) in 1891
their known children
* 1892 - 1956 Doris Wade Petherick
* 1894 - 1972 Frances Sylvia Petherick
* 1896 - 1968 Horace Michael Petherick
ALICE died 15 March 1915 aged 44 & buried at Karori
WALTER died 30 July 1947 aged 80 & is buried with her


. . 4 . .
1873 - 1885 Frederick William Billows
born 13 September 1873 in Wellington
FREDERICK died 11 March 1885 aged 11.6 in Wellington
Daily Telegraph, 10 March 1885
WELLINGTON - A lad named Billows, about 11 years of age, was run over by a lorrie this afternoon in Willis street. and had his leg smashed, necessitating amputation. Frightened by the strains of the Circus band, the horse attached to a passing dray became unmanageable and young Billows was accidentally knock down and run over. The accident occurred exactly opposite Dr Gillon's and the sufferer was taken into the surgery. On examination Dr Gillon found that an amputation was necessary and order the boys removal to the Hospital, where he performed the operation successfully and this morning we learn that the lad is progressing as well as could be desired. so far as the leg injury is concerned, but he has also sustained some severe internal injury in the abdomen and from this cause is in a rather critical condition. The sufferer, wis the son of Mr Billows, expressman, who wishes to convey his thanks to those who so kindly rendered their assistance at the accident. No blame is attributed to the driver of the dray in connection with the occurrence. The dray was heavily laden with cement and belonged to Mr Dignan of Molesworth street, the driver's name being Murphy. [Since the above was written we regret to learn that the lad Billows died in the Hospital at 20 minutes to 3 this afternoon]
. he is buried at Bolton St cemetery


. . 5 . .
1875 - 1876 Ann Maria Billows
born 21 August 1875 in Wellington
ANN died 14 April 1876 aged 8 months
. she is buried at Bolton Street, Cemetery


. . 6 . .
1877 - 1966 Jane Agnes Billows
born 11 July 1877 in Wellington
Jane married Thomas Richard 'Tom' KEY (1875-1963) in 1929
JANE died 27 Jan 1966 in Auckland. Last known address: 84 The Parade, Buckland Beach (also see sister Nellie Yarrow above)
. she was cremated at Purewa


. . 7 . .
1878 - Sydney Gordon Billows
born 27 Sep 1879 in Wellington
Sydney married Emma Leah FRITH (1880-1946) in 1900
. daughter of William FRITH & Sophia Mary SKELTON
Evening Post, 24 Nov 1900 BILLOWS-FIRTH - On the 9th November, at St Mark's Church, by the Rev Mr Coffey, Sydney Gordon, youngest son of Captain Billows, to Emma Leah, eldest daughter of William Frith; both of this city.
their known chikldren
* 1901 - 1901 Gladys Mabel Billows
. Gladys died aged 24 days & buried Settlers Cemetery, Dannevirke
* 1904 - Russell Gordon Billows
* 1909 - 1951 Gwendoline Ada Billows
* 1914 - 1986 Barry Michael Billows
Hawke's Bay Tribune, 11 March 1913
HAWKE'S BAY AERATED WATER FACTORY. Notice is hereby given that the partnership heretofore existing between Sydney Gordon Billows of Hastings, Aerated Water Manufacturer and James Buckman Elmshird of Tomoana, Fellmonger, carrying on business as Aerated Water manufacturers at Hastings aforesaid, under the style or firm of "The Hawke's Bay Aerated Water Factory' has been dissolved as from the third day of March 1913, by mutual consent. With reference to the above intimation, customers are hereby notified that I have arranged to carry on the business above-mentioned under the management of Mr Riley, who has been manufacturing for the late firm for some time past. J. B. E. Hird, Proprietor.
NZ Times, 7 Jan 1918 Sydney Gordon Billows, a soldier, holding a non-commissioned rank, stood charged before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., on Saturday with obtaining the sum of £3 18s 4d from Robert Bland, of Lower Hutt, by means of a false pretence .. He had been convicted of a similar offence at Mangaweka and was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment
NZ Times, 22 March 1921 Sydney Gordon Billows to pay £2 per week towards the support of his wife and children
Manawatu Standard, 19 Dec 1933 Sydney Gordon Billows, alias Jones, a labourer of no fixed abode, aged 54, was charged with the theft on October 16, 1924 at Auckland, of £4 in money, the property of Charles Vernon
Auckland Star, 20 July 1922 At the Whangarei Magistrate's Court yesterday, Sydney Gordon Jones, alias Mellows, s traveller, was charged that on or about April 1, at Kaitaia he received the sum of £74 on terms requiring him to account for and pay to his employer, Stephen Valla of Auckland, and that he fraudulently omitted to do so. Placed on probation for three years and ordered to make restitution within twelve months.


. . 8 . .
1883 - 1971 Mable 'Clara' Billows
born 27 Aug 1885 in Wellington
Clara married Joseph Richard LEADBEATER (1885-1956) in 1905
. son of Joseph Richard & Caroline LEADBEATER
their known children
* 1907 - 1948 Joseph Richard Leadbeater (died as Mayclair)
* 1908 - 1914 Roy Leadbeater (buried Karori)
* 1910 - 1971 Elizabeth Leadbeater
* 1912 - 2004 Karl William Leadbeater (died as Mayclair)
. At some stage Joseph & Clara changed their surname to MAYCLAIR
JOSEPH died 7 Nov 1956 in Thames, Coromandel
CLARA died in Auckland 25 Sep 1971
. she was cremated at Purewa & buried Totara Memorial Park, Thames with Joseph


. . 9 . .
1889 - 1973 Nellie Frances Billows
born 5 June 1889 in Wellington
Nellie married Humphrey Parry WILLIAMS (1885-1957) in 1912
* she was in Wanganui in 1925
she next married Frederick William YARROW
. Frederick first married Annie Swinton Diston (1894-1958) in 1913
NELLIE died 14 Oct 1973 in Auckland. Last known address: 84 The Parade, Buckland Beach (also see sister Jane Agnes Billows above)
. she was cremated at Purewa


MICHAEL BILLOWS died in Wellington 4 Oct 1901
Evening Post, 4 Oct 1901
BILLOWS - On the 4th October, 1901, at the Wellington Hospital, after a painful illness, Michael Billows, in his 66th year; deeply regretted
. he is buried at Bolton street, Cemetery

MARY ANN BILLOWS died in Brisbane 16 Aug 1906
. she had been in Queensland for nearly a year and died at her son's home at Ann St., Fortitude Valley, Brisbane of Chronic Nephritis aged 57
Evening Post, 18 August 1906
A private message from Brisbane announces the sudden death in that city yesterday of Mrs M. A. Billows, widow of Mr Michael Billows, who was a very old resident of Wellington. The deceased lady arrived in Wellington by the ship 'Oliver Lang' in the early days, and spent most of her life in Marlborough and Wellington. The death occurred at the residence of Mr Arthur Billows, one of her sons. She left a family of three sons and four daughters
. she is buried Portion 8, Section 7, Grave 202 at Nundah Cemetery with a grandson, Clive Robert Billows (1902-1903), son of their first son, Arthur James Billows