SYDNEY THORNBURGH TWENTYMAN (1865-1903)
- was born in London, England and arrived in NZ when an infant
- a son of John Holme TWENTYMAN & Sarah Ann BROWN
- (big thanks to janlye for finding Sarah's maiden name - see comment box below)
- Parents address at time of Baptism Coldharbour Lane, London
NOTE - In 1818 a John Holme Twentyman, a Cooper was at 9 Cherry Garden Street Rotherhithe, London (4 miles from Coldharbour) - an ancestor surely ...

- Sydney's known siblings were:
John William Twentyman (1859-1918)
George Liddel Twentyman (1861-1932)


* In February 1881 Sydney Thornburgh Twentyman (aged 16, of Christchurch) reached matriculation standard in the Junior Scholarship examinaton

* In July 1883 Sydney was rowing down the Avon river in Christurch when he saw the body of a man lying face downwards on the bottom of the river opposite the Royal Hotel

* In December 1889 Sydney (now aged 25) was elected as one of the Board of Management at the Annual Meeting of the Young Men's Christian Association in Christchurh (his father was the first President one of the founders)

* On 12 March 1891 he married Emma Annie PIDGEON (1864-1934)
TWENTYMAN-PIDGEON, on 12 March at Holy Trinity, Avonside, Christchurch, by Rev. W. A. Pascoe, Sydney Thornburgh, 3rd son of John Holme Twentyman (1832-1900), to Emma, eldest daughter of the late James Pidgeon, of Liverpool, England

... Sydney & Emma moved to Auckland

* In April 1892 Sydney was the Hon. Treasurer for the South British Insurance Company

* In June 1894 Sydney read the statement of accounts at the Annual Meeting of the St John Ambulance Society (Auckland centre) which showed they had a balance of ?5 5s 6d (about $985 in 2011)

* In August 1894 ...from the "Auckland Star" - We are informed that Mr Tole, Speaker of the Union Parliament, in the absence of the Governor (Mr C. E. Button, M.H.R.), "in another place", has summoned Mr E. W. Burton, and entrusted him with the duty of forming a new Cabinet, in the place of the Parr Ministry recently resigned. We understand that the Ministry has been arranged and will consist of Messrs
E. N. Burton, Premier an Colonial Secretary
L. St. J. Kekwick, Colonial Treasurer
C. J. Tunks, Justice of Native Affairs
S. T. TWENTYMAN, Postmaster-General and Education
M. G. McGregor, Attorney-General and Defence
A. J. Entrician, Lands and Agriculture
E. O. J. Funston, Minister without portfolio
A comprehensive policy has been drawn, embracing free trade, and elective Upper House, and gradual establishment of a great network of yeomanry propretorship

* In March 1895 Sydney (now aged 30) was elected as a member of the Executive Committee of the Auckland Young Men's Christian Asociation

* In July 1896 Mr S. T. Twentyman, who for the last fifteen years has been in the South British Insurance Office has severed his connection with that Company in order to undertake the management of local mining companies, and also to act as agent in the flotation of properties on foreign markets. Mr Twentyman's friends will find that gentleman in future at Haliday's Building, Shortland-street, Auckland No. 260

He became the Manager of the intended companies:
- "the Lorna Doone Goldmining Company" which he made application to register in September 1896 as a No-Liability Company.
The place of intended operations of the mine was at Kennedy's Bay, Hauraki.
The number of Shares in the Company was 100,000 (of which Sydney held 11,750) at 1 shilling each (about $17.90 in 2011)
- On 30 November 1896 Sydney presided over the half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders of the "Gem Goldmining Company" held in Whangamata
- "Dover Castle Gold Mining Company" which he made application to register in February 1897 as a No-Liability Company.
The place of intended operations of the mine was at Puriri, Thames.
The number of Shares in the Company was 80,000 (of which Sydney held 13,350) at 1 shilling each (about $17.70 in 2011)

* In June 1897 the office at 103 Queen-street Auckland in the Mining Chambers suite formerly used by Sydney were up for rent

* In Sep 1897 the Registered Office of the following Gold Mine Companies moved from the Government Life Insurance Buildings to the ground floor of the Jesse King's Buildings, 97 Queen street Auckland:
AKBAR Gold Mining Company (No Liabilities)
DOVER CASTLE Gold Mining Company (No Liabilities)
LORNA DOONE Gold Mining Company (No Liabilities)
NATIONAL Gold Mining Company (No Liabilities)
STAR OF THE NORTH Gold Mining Company (No Liabilities)
QUEEN VICTORIA of HAURAKI Gold Mining Company (No Liabilities)
MINING STANDARD NEWSPAPER Co., Ltd (in liquidation)

* In Sep 1897 Sydney resigned as Manager of the "Star of Tairua Gold Mining Company" (No Liabilities)

* In Oct 1897 Sydney was at 71 Queen street, Auckland when he advertised for young men to work for wages or by the job

* In January 1898 Emma advertised "To Let for one month, comfortably furnished House of seven rooms with every convenience, near beach - Apply Mrs Twentyman, 'Eddington', The Avenue, Church street, Devonport"

* In May 1898 Sydney was appointed as 1 (of 2) auditors at the Annual Meeting of the Auckland Co-operative Terminating Building Society when they held their meeting in the St James's Hall, Wellington-street

* In 1898 Sydney was the vice for A. S. Paterson & Co., Shortland street, Auckland when they were appointed Agents of the Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation of London, Fire & Marine

* In Sep 1898 Emma advertised for a "Competent General Servant, willing to assist with children - Apply Mrs Twentyman, 'Eddington', off Church st., Devonport"

* On 4 March 1900 Sydney's father, John Holme Twentyman, died at :Wharetau", Lincoln road, Christchurch aged 68. He was buried at the Halswell cemetery

* In March 1900 the Devonport (Auckland) Borough Council meeting read a letter from Sydney complaining of a nuisance caused through rubbish being depositied in the gully at the junction of Lake and Owens Road. The Council decided to prohibit rubbish being placed at that place

* In May 1900 at the Annual Meeting of the St John Ambulance Asociation in Auckland, Sydney was elected as the Hon. Auditor

* In April 1901 Sydney was elected one of the auditors of the Holy Trinity Church at Devonport, Auckland

* In 1902 their 3 oldest children, John, Charles & Violet Twentyman were on the Cambridge, Waikato Primary School New Enrolments Registration

Sydney Thornburgh Twentyman died 7 Feb 1903 aged 38
- He is buried with his children, Helena Mary (6) and Charles (8) at Cambridge
- his wife Emma did not remarry. She lived at 63 Watford st, Christchurch
- She died in 1934 aged 70 and is buried Plot 23 at Waimairi cemetery

* On 8 Oct 1913 Sydney's mother Sarah Ann, died at 34 Bristol street, St Albans, Christchurch aged 83


- the known children of Sydney & Emma:

1892 - 1946 John Delabore Twentyman
- TWENTYMAN, On January 23 1892, at Stanmore Cottage, Artillery Road, Devonport, Auckland the wife of S. T. Twentyman, of a son
- John died aged 54 on 19 Nov 1946. His address was given as c/o Guardian Trust, Auckland. He is buried Plot 23, Block AN13 at Waimairi, Christchurch

1893 - 1963 Violet Beatrice Twentyman
- TWENTYMAN, On June 6, 1893, at Eddington, Devonport, Auckland, the wife of S. T. Twentyman of a daughter
- Violet Beatrice did not marry. She died aged 69

1894 - 1903 Charles Sydney Theodore Twentyman
- TWENTYMAN, On September 13th, 1894, at Devonport, Auckland, the wife of Sydney T. Twentyman of a son
- TWENTYMAN, On 25 March, 1903, at Cambridge, Waikato, Charles Sydney Theodore, second son of the late S. T. Twentyman; aged eight years
- he is buried with his father (who died 6 weeks before him) and his sister Helena at Cambridge

1896 - 1902 Helena Mary Twentyman
- born in Devonport, Auckland
- TWENTYMAN - On July 19th, 1902, at Jesmond, Queen-st., Cambridge, Helena Mary, second daughter of S. T. and C. A. (sic) Twentyman, late of Devonport, aged 6 years
- she is buried with her father & brother Charles at Cambridge

1898 - 1920 Edythe May Twentyman
- born in Auckland
- Edythe didn't marry. She was living at 39 Mays road Christchurch when she died aged 22
- she is buried Plot 26, Block 5 at Linwood cemetery


HOW & WHY did Sydney die at that age ??
if you can help please leave a comment below



other TWENTYMAN marriages in New Zealand 1865 - 1929


the TWENTYMAN GROOMS

George Frederick Twentyman (1901-1987)
- born 6 Sep 1901 in Thames
- son of Robert TWENTYMAN & Catherine Jane PEACE
- married Edna Radford BUCHAN in 1927
- died Sep 1987 in Auckland, buried Purewa

George Liddell Twentyman (1861-1932)
- born in England, brother of Sydney
- arrived in NZ aged about 4
- son of John Holme & Sarah Ann Twentyman
- married Janet Boag TWEEDY (1879-1939) in 1899
- their known chilren:
1900 - 1990 Annie Jean Twentyman
1904 - 1932 Helena Twentyman
1907 - 1983 Margery Holme Twentyman
1909 - 1992 Elizabeth Mary Twentyman
- George died in Lower Seadown, Timaru aged 72
- buried with his wife Janet and their 4 daughters in Plot 714 at Temuka

George Raisley Wilson Twentyman (1882-1941)
- married Marian Jane CORLETT (1895-1976) 25 Nov 1920 in Palmerston North

John William Twentyman (1859-1918)
- born in England, brother of Sydney
- arrived in NZ age about 5
- son of John Holme & Sarah Ann Twentyman
- married Marion Dumville HOLLOWAY (1874-1962) in 1910

Robert Twentyman (1866-1947)
- born in Onehunga, Auckland
- son of William TWENTYMAN & Mary Jane HICKS
- married Catherine Jane PEACE (1866-1919) in 1893
- married Mildred COX in 1921
- died 17 Oct 1847 in Thames

Robert Cameron Twentyman (1904-1976)
- son of Robert TWENTYMAN & Catherine Jane PEACE
- married Frances May COX (1905-1984) in 1928
- died 18 Jan 1976 in Thames

William Twentyman (1840-1888)
- married Mary Jane HICKS in Onehunga, Auckland 1865
- died 16 Sep 1888 in Thames

William Twentyman (1868-1922)
- son of William TWENTYMAN & Mary Jane HICKS
- married Louisa Ionia WATSON (1872-1957) 4 Dec 1892 in Auckland
- Louisa was a daughter of William WATSON of Lancastershire, England & Sarah Greer ALLEN (1829-1892) of Belfast, Ireland who married Belfast, had children in Ireland, Scotland, & Natal, South Africa. Louisa Iona was their 7th child, born at sea in 1872 as the family emigated to NZ (at least another 2 children were born in NZ)

William Twentyman (1896-1955)
- born 13 April 1896 in Thames
- son of William TWENTYMAN & Louisa Ionia WATSON
- married Ivy May DICKSON (1889-1971) 23 March 1923 Remuera, Auckland
- died 23 Nov 1955 in Auckland

William Ogden Twentyman (1879-1965)
- married Millicent Agnes FOSS (1879-1964) in 1910


the TWENTYMAN BRIDES

Alice Twentyman (1896-1983)
- born 13 Feb 1896 in Thames
- daughter of Robert TWENTYMAN & Catherine Jane PEACE
- married Jack Nayler LARKIN in 1929
- buried in Purewa, Auckland

Annie Elizabeth Twentyman (1901-1946)
- born in Auckland
- daughter of William TWENTYMAN & Louisa Ionia WATSON
- married Walter George HADWIN in 1929

Jessie Twentyman (1870-)
- daughter of William TWENTYMAN & Mary Jane HICKS
- married George PUGH in 1894

Jessie Twentyman (1893-)
- daughter of William TWENTYMAN & Louisa Ionia WATSON
- married Frank SHARRATT in 1914

Kate Twentyman (1894-1984)
- daughter of Robert TWENTYMAN & Catherine Jane PEACE
- married George Henry BUCKERIDGE in 1905

Louisa Ionia Twentyman (1872-1957 nee WATSON)
- first married William Twentyman in 1892
- married Thomas Norman HARRISON (1879-1942) in 1905

Louisa Ionia Twentyman (1894-1959)
- born 17 July 1894 in Thames
- daughter of William TWENTYMAN & Louisa Ionia WATSON
- married James Daniel TOLLEY (1883-1963) in 1925

Mary Jane Twentyman (1894-)
- daughter of William TWENTYMAN & Louisa Ionia WATSON
- married Highland HARVEY in 1923





Twentyman & Cousins Store (former), Christchurch. Wholesale and retail ironmongers, warehousemen and gerneral merchants at 83 Cashel street Christchurch, was opened by Sydney's father John Holme Twentyman who arrived from England in Nov 1865 in order to carry on business with his Cousin.
The business was originally established in premises in Cathedral Square
From the site LOST HERITAGE
It was destroyed in the Christchurch earthquake 22 Feb 2011