Richard Arnold KEMPSHELL (1830-1878)
- was born in Canada

Jemima Foote McDonald (1841-1916)
- was born in Aberdeen Scotland 1841

RICHARD + JEMIMA married in Williamstown, Melbourne
They moved to Maungatua, Otago in 1860


RICHARD & JEMIMA had 9 children

... 1
1861 - 1934 Richard Arnold Kempshell
- Richard married Margaret Mabon BELL (1862-1942) 31 Jan 1883
- they were Farmers at Woodside, Otago
RICHARD died 28 Sep 1934 aged 73
- he is buried Plot 12, Block 19 at West Taieri


... 2
1863 - 1932 Elizabeth Matthews Kempshell
- Elizabeth never married
ELIZABETH died 1 January 1932 aged 69 in Maungatua
- she is buried Plot 3, Block 7 at West Taieri with brother Alexander


... 3
1865 - 1866 Michael Francis Kempshell
MICHAEL died 8 November 1866 aged 1
- he is buried Plot 1, Block 7 at West Taieri with sister Agnes (1872-1902)


... 4
1867 - 1948 Sarah Ann 'Frances' Kempshell
- Sarah had a baby when she was 28
.. 1895 - 1970 Leslie McDonald Kempshell
- born 19 Nov 1895, his father is reported to have been a Mr Campbell
- Sarah Ann 'Frances' Kempsell married Thomas TURVEY (1835-1917) in 1900 & her son Leslie became Turvey. Leslie McDonald Turvey served in WWI as Private 73754 with the NZEF, 40th Reinforcements Specialist Company, embarking from Wellington 10 July 1918. His next of kin was his aunty E. Kempsell (either Elizabeth or Esther). Leslie married Jean Bell HAMILTON (1903-1994) in 1927 (in 1964 Jean wrote the words of "New Zealand's Soldiers Song", music by Howard Moody, 'In Loving Memory of Jim Hamilton, one of the many who did not return to "these fond isles". Jean also wrote When Topsy T Starts Rhyming)
- Sarah Ann Frances Kempshell/Turvey next married Tom PITT (1858-1927) in 1922
- Tom Pitt had first married Mary Jane Black WILSON (1866-1899) in 1886, they had 7 children, took over the 'Smithfield Nursery' in Ashburton in 1898, also lived Seaview, Timaru & Hastings, Hawkes Bay
SARAH ANN died 2 June 1948 aged 81
- burial not yet found


... 5
1870 - 1936 Esther Kempshell
- Esther never married
29 Nov 1894 - TAIERI 33rd AGRICULTURAL SHOW
... Fancy Butter for Tea Table, 1st Miss E. Kempshell, 2nd Miss Agnes Kempshell, 3rd Miss Annie Laverty.
... Six oat Cakes, Miss Esther Kempshell 2nd (possible this could have been Elizabeth)
26 Nov 1896 - TAIERI 35TH AGRICULTURAL SHOW
... Fancy Butter, Miss Agnes Kempshell, Miss Esther Kempshell Mrs W. Allan
31 May 1900 - TAIERI COUNTY EXHIBIT
... Best Collection of Fancy Butter, any design, Miss E. Kempshell 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
... Best Collection of Fancy Butter, quality & neatness, E. Kempshell 1st, 2nd & 3rd
... Best Collection of Fancy Butter, table use, Miss E. Kempshell 2nd & 3rd
... 10lb Honey in Comb, Miss E. Kempshell 2nd (it is possible this is Elizabeth)
26 Nov 1902 - TAEIRI SUMMER SHOW
... FANCY BUTTER, Miss E. Kempshell 1st, Miss A. Kempshell 2nd, Mrs Peattie 3rd
ESTHER died 13 Sep 1936 aged 66 at Maungatua
- she is buried with her father at West Taieri


... 6
1872 - 1902 Agnes Kempshell
- Agnes didn't marry
10 Jan 1880 - MAUNGATUA SCHOOL PRIZE
... Certificate for good attendance, Agnes Kempshell
18 Nov 1891 - TAIERI 30th AGRICULTURAL SHOW
... Six Girdle Scones, Miss A. Kempshell 2nd
7 Jan 1892 - PICNIC & DANCE at MAUNGATUA
... among the pretty dresses, Miss Agnes Kempshell, white figured muslin trimmed with embroidery and pale blue
29 Nov 1894 - TAIERI 33rd AGRICULTURAL SHOW
... Fancy Butter for Tea Table, 1st Miss E. Kempshell, 2nd Miss Agnes Kempshell, 3rd Miss Annie Laverty
26 Nov 1896 - TAIERI 35TH AGRICULTURAL SHOW
... Fancy Butter, Miss Agnes Kempshell, Miss Esther Kempshell Mrs W. Allan
3 June 1897 - BAZAAR in aid of repairs to MAUNGATUA SCHOOLHOUSE
... the goods stalls were in charge of Misses Kempshell, Thomson, Sparks, Robinson, Sutherland, Heenan and Calder; flower stalls were held by Misses Heenan and Kempshell & fish pond by Miss Agnes Kempshell
10 Oct 1899 - LAND TRANSFER
... The following application to transfer was also approved:- Agnes Kempshell to James Clouston, small grazing run 260e., Lee Stream
31 May 1900 - TAIERI COUNTY EXHIBIT
... Six Pancakes, Miss A. Kempshell, Maungatua
26 Nov 1902 - TAEIRI SUMMER SHOW
... FANCY BUTTER, Miss E. Kempshell 1st, Miss A. Kempshell 2nd, Mrs Peattie 3rd
Agnes & Esther also won many prizes for their flower blooms over the years
AGNES died 30 December 1902 aged 30
- she is buried Plot 1, Block 7 at West Taieri with brother Michael (1865-1866)


... 7
1874 - 1875 Alexander Kempshell
ALEXANDER died 1 July 1875 aged ? months


... 8
1876 - 1876 Mabel Kempshell
MABLE died 10 Dec 1876 aged 3 months
- she is buried Plot 2, Block 7 at West Taieri with her sister Jemima & husband


... 9
1878 - 1960 Jemima Kempshell
30 Oct 1896 - FAREWELL SOCIAL
... given at Maungatua School by the ladies, pupils and ex-pupils of the school to Miss Kirkland. Miss Jemima Kempshell was one of the young ladies in charge of the many tempting eatables
3 Nov 1898 - CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR SOCIETY
... The first anniversary of the Maungauta Christian Endeavour Society was celebrated on Thursday evening by a social tea-meeting. A vocal solo, "The gates of the west", was rendered in an efficient manner by Miss Jemima Kempshell
31 Aug 1899 - MAUNGATUA CONCERT
... in aid of the school prize fund, Miss Jemima Kempshell's "Jessie's Dream" was hearily applauded
28 Nov 1900 - SOIREE at MAUNGATUA
... A social tea meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, Miss Jemima Kempshell rendered a sacred solo
- Jemima married Andrew CARRUTHERS (1881-1962) 24 April 1912 West Taieri
JEMIMA died 29 Jan 1960 aged 82 in Middlemarch
- she is buried Plot 2, Block 7 with her husband & 3 months old sister Mabel
ANDREW died 22 Nov 1962 aged 82 in Middlemarch
- he is buried with his wife Jemima & Jemima's infant sister Mabel



Richard Arnold Kempshell died 10 Sep 1877 aged 48
- he is buried Plot 12, Block 7 at West Taieri with daughter Esther
14 Sep 1877 The funeral of Mr Kempshell, an old Taieri settler, whose farm was at Maungatua, took place yesterday afternoon, and was largely attended. His remains were interred at the West Taieri Cemetery


25 January 1879 CHATS WITH THE FARMERS
A VISIT to Mrs KEMPSHELL'S FARM, WESTON LODGE, MAUNGATUA
... Mr Richard Arnold Kempshell, a native of Canada, was one of the pioneers who left the Dominion in 1829 for California. He had been brought up to the business of coachbuilding, and was a first-class workman, with a talent to excel in anything that he took in hand. He met with varied success in California, and when gold was discovered in Australia, he took his departure for that colony. The line of business which he selected was that of teamster, and it was congenial as he had a natural fondness for animals.
After ten years of hard work in Victoria, he married a young lady from Scotland and determined upon settling down upon a farm in New Zealand. In 1860 he arrived in Dunedin, where he remained about a month, when he purchased 175 acres of land on the West Taieri, about five miles from Outram, and was the last applicant for land at 10s per acre (2012 equivalent of about $55 per acre).
Having erected a house and fenced in a portion of the land, he determined upon stocking it with the best animals to be obtained. Mr Lee, of Woodside, was one of the few who at that time imported cows. Although good colonial cows could have been had at ?8 to ?10 per head, still Mr Kempshell offered Mr Lee ?18 per head for the pick of his herd, and at that price he puchased six or eight. He then purchased the best colonial bred shorthorn bull to be had, and not content with mere breeding for pedigree, he studied the breeding problem, and determined upon giving attention to the personal properties of the animals which he had to deal with. He came to the conclusion that the best cow for this country was one in which were combined the qualities to suit the dairyman, the grazier, or the butcher, and with this object in view, he worked upon the principle of selection (... much more at link)
... so much for the good work done for the country by Mr Kempshell, who died a little over a year ago, leaving his wife with a son and five daughters. Fortunately, the son, who is a steady, intelligent lad of 18, takes a lively interest in the farm; and more fortunate still is it for the future of the Weston Lodge herd, that in all his plans and purchases, Mr Kempshell confided in and consulted with, his wife. The dairy was in her charge, and at one time she milked sixteen cows. She had the handling of the calves, and became not only expert in their management and in the manufacture of butter, but learned quite as well as her husband how to appreciate a good point gained in breeding.
Mr Kempshell was to some extent a book farmer. Many of his leisure hours were devoted to study, and from books and agricultural papers he learned a good deal about the practice of experienced farmers. The theoretical knowledge gained of an evening, was applied to practise during the day, and thus Mr Kempshell became acquainted with the labours of the farm and the improved principles of breeding. Much of this information he took a pleasure in communicating to Mrs Kempshell, who, we shall say, was an apt scholar, for she seems to be as well acquainted with stock, and the various operations of the farm, as many old and experienced farmers with whom we have conversed. She accompanied us through the paddocks to inspect the stock, and pointed out their characteristics with all the precision of an experienced farmer. The cows were as docile as lambs, and even the great bull, Premier, allowed us to walk up and feel his beautiful coat (... more at link)


Jemima's OBITUARY
14 August 1916 - Another link in the chain of Otago's old identities has been broken by the passing of Mrs R. A. Kempshell, sen., at her old home, Western Lodge, Maungatua, the other day. She was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, being the youngest daughter of the late Captain A. A. McDonald, and granddaughter of Commander Matthews, of the Royal Navy.
After crossing the ocean twice she went with her relatives and settled in Australia, in time for the Bendigo rush. While there she met her husband, the late Mr J. A. Kempshell, a native of Canada, and a nephew of the late Sir Joseph Banks, the founder of Banks Peninsula.
They were married and came over to New Zealand in 1860, and took up land in Maungatua, where she had resided ever since, until her death.
Her first journey to the Taieri Plain was taken in a bullock dray, driven by Mr Jno Heenan, another old identity, who is still living.
Mrs Kempsell was predeceased by her husband, who was well-known as a Shorthorn breeder throughout the whole Dominion. Mrs Kempsell leaves a grown-up family of daughters and a son, who is a member of the Taieri County Council and the Taieri Drainage Board


NOTES
The newspapers of the day are full of the prizes etc won by Mr and Mrs Richard Arnold Kempshell not only for their cattle breeding but all other exhibits at Agricultural and Horticultural shows

* see also ...
Subscriptions to Mrs RIDDLE FUND - Dunedin 1866

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS - Dunedin 1872



PHOTO
MAUNGATUA as seen from the shore of Lake Waihola