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 1849 - 1940 (91 years)
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| Name |
Thomas Wyeth |
| Born |
6 Mar 1849 |
Wellington, New Zealand  [1] |
| Gender |
Male |
| Occupation |
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| Reference Number |
WE |
| Died |
13 Apr 1940 |
Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand [2] |
| Buried |
16 Apr 1940 |
Archer St Cemetery, Masterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand |
- In Loving Memory of Thomas Wyeth born 6 March 1849 died 13 April 1940. "His memory best is loved by those to whom his living was best known."
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Archer St Cemetery - Thomas Wyeth
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Archer St Cemetery - Thomas Wyeth - wording
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| Notes |
- (Research):Thomas' place of birth is recorded as Willis St Wellington on 6 March 1849 the 3rd son 5th Child of Robert and Jane (nee Runnalls) Wyeth.
Thomas' youth was spent in the Hutt Valley; he had vivid recollections of the floods that occurred in the Silverstream area in 1858 and recollected standing upstairs in their two-story dwelling watching the floodwaters wash away adjacent building and their occupants.
Hutt Valley
The Hutt Valley in Thomas' time was very thickly wooded, one of the better Totara forests in New Zealand. It was from this bush chiefly was drawn the timber with which the infant city of Wellington was built. Every day the forest rang with the blow of axes, and the crash of falling timber. Then came fire, and then the yellow wheat, which ground in a handmill, and winnowed in the wind, found its way into the camp ovens, or as damper, was baked in the ashes of a camp fire. As an indication of the extent of the timber industry in the Hutt Valley at that time, there were at least 27 wagon teams operating in the district. Cotters (4), Smith (2), Spackman (2), Wyeth (2), Robertson (1), Dews (3), Harris (3), Burnett (3), Maybey (3), Bruce (1). Cotter's teams were carting for the Cruickshank mill at Upper Hutt. Robertson was milling at Stokes Valley.
As the four horse wagons each carried 2000 feet of pit-sawn timber, and made three of four trips into Wellington each week, that busy settlement must, at this time, have been absorbing over 80,000 feet of timber each week.
Thomas was a skilled reinsman, and, with his brother Charles, carried the materials for the first telegraph line from Wellington to Masterton in about 1867. This was at a time when the roads were not remarkable for the quality of their surfaces, and the only bridge between Masterton and the Hutt was the Black Bridge' over the Waiohine River, and driving a heavy wagon loaded with copper wire and insulators was a man's task. The first telegraph line consisted of two wires, and took a more direct route than does the present line. The task of laying it through bush, from spur to spur across the Rimutakas was a difficult one. Many of the posts were cut on the spot. It was later found necessary, however, to revert to the present route owing to the difficulty of maintaining a line that did not follow the road.
1865 - 72 Champion Athlete
From the Masterton "Times Age""AN EX-CHAMPION PEDESTRIAN The winning of the Old Men's Race at the recent St. Patrick's Day Sports Association meeting by Mr T. Wyeth, of Opaki, brings back to memory some of the great races Mr Wyeth won in various parts of New Zealand in his younger days. He was one of the best long distance runners ever seen in New Zealand.
In Mr Wyeth's running days handicaps were unknown and all men started off the same mark. Mr Wyeth used to compete in races from 100 yards up to three miles, but it was in the longer distance races that he was best known as a champion.
During the seven years he was running, from 1865 to 1872, he was never beaten in one mile, two miles, or three miles events, and at those distances was champion of New Zealand. He competed all over the colony, and against the best runners in Australasia.
Mr Wyeth's first race was at the New Year's Day Sports in Wellington in 1865. It was a two days' gathering, and was held in Martins paddock, opposite where the Panama Hotel now stands in Taranaki Street. It was the youths' race, under 16 years of age, distance 220 yards, and Mr Wyeth won easily. On the second day of the sports he appropriated two wore races he started in.
It was on January 23 following that Mr Wyeth made his debut in "big" company. In those days a regatta was hold on Anniversary Day and a sports meeting in Clapham's paddock, on Thorndon Flat, opposite the old Princess Hotel, the next day, January 23. Some of the beat-known pedestrians in the colony were competing that day. Among these was John Phillips, then champion of Wellington, McGuire (a crack long distance runner and afterwards member of the House of Representatives for Hawera), and C. Wyeth, brother of Mr T. Wyeth.
In the Mile Championship, for which there were thirteen starters, Including the before mentioned cracks, all starting off the same mark, Mr T. Wyeth created a great surprise by winning somewhat easily from C. Wyeth, who was second. McGuire was third, and Phillips fourth.
Mr Wyeth competed at Wellington, Hokitika, Invercargill and various other parts of the colony, always appropriating the long-distance events and occasionally striking his colours in the sprint events.
In 1867, Isherwood, champion long distance runner of Cambridge, and one of the cracks of England, came to New Zealand and issued a challenge to race anyone In the colony over two miles. Mr Wyeth promptly accepted the challenge, and the match came off at Silverstream, Mr Wyeth once again demonstrating his claim to being the champion long-distance runner of the Colony.
In 1871 at Invercargill, Mr. Wyeth met the redoubtable Dawson, of Invercargill, who was carrying everything before him in the long-distance events, and defeated him somewhat easily.
Hessey, the crack Tasmanian, came over to the colony about this time, but met his match in the subject of this sketch.
Other notable runners Mr Wyeth met and defeated in long-distance events in those days were, G. Yule (now of, Pahiatua), the late Duncan McMaster (of Tuhitarata Station, Lower Valley), probably the finest all-round athlete New Zealand has ever seen, John Cotter (of Greytown), and Harrison (of Otaki).
A great struggle took place in Wellington in 1868 between the latter, who was a half- caste Maori, and Mr Wyeth in the 11/4 Mile Championship, but Mr Wyeth eventually won.
Mr. Wyeth gave up running in 1873, about which year handicaps began to be introduced. This was the year the crack Wellington Pedestrian, G. Donovan, made his debut."
Timber Milling
Superintendent's Message No 4 dated 16/5/1867, recommended that the Provincial Government establish telegraph stations at Featherston and Greytown. Contract for telegraph line awarded to T Wyeth and Bro, of Landsdowne, Masterton, line completed the following year.[1]
Tom and George Sykes, his sister Maria's brother in law, assisted in clearing the across the Rimutakas for the Upper Hutt Featherston portion of the Wellington - Wairarapa railway. They introduced the American system of squaring timber into the Wellington Province, importing special axes with twelve-inch blades for the work. Prior to this ordinary ship's axes had been used for this tricky work and Tom described the difference as about the difference between sawn and dressed timber. During this time Tom squared over a half a million feet of timber for the construction of the railway line.
Tom and his brother in law Isaac Sykes were responsible for squaring the timber used in the Railway Bridge across the Hutt River at Haywards.
Wairarapa
Thomas moved with his family to the Wairarapa in the late 1870s.
Marriage
Thomas was married in Masterton on 17 January 1883 to Margaret Rachael Ann McLeod the youngest child of Angus and Catherine (nee Sinclair) McLeod. Rachael was born 12 January 1859 in Scotland.
Thomas and Margaret lived `Rosebank' Mt Bruce; the actual house has been shifted to Opaki and restored.
Bush Fires
His farm property is now farmed by one of his Wyeth Grandsons.
After he left Mt Bruce he built a house in Totara St Masterton. Using timber from the Mt Bruce sawmill. (2)
Golden Wedding
Thomas' Reminiscences 1933 Mr and Mrs Thomas Wyeth, who last week celebrated their Golden Wedding are very old and well known residents of the Wairarapa. Mr Wyeth, at the age of 84, is an interesting personality, with a keen mind and an active body. Practically the whole of his life has been spent in the Wellington province, and caught in reminiscent mood, he is an interesting talker. (1)
Thomas died 13 April 1940 in Masterton and is buried in Masterton Cemetery. Maggie died almost two years later on 12 April 1942 in Masterton and was buried with her husband in Masterton Cemetery.
[1] 'Early History of Wairarapa' by Charles Bannister "In 1867 Mr Thomas Wyeth of Lansdowne and his brother laid the telegraph wires, insulatots, and cross pieces from the Hutt to the Waiporia."
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| Person ID |
I35 |
Frost Family |
| Last Modified |
21 Apr 2017 |
| Father |
Robert Wyeth, b. 14 Oct 1814, Jamaica , d. 15 Jul 1903, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand (Age 88 years) |
| Mother |
Jane Runnalls, b. Abt. 1816, Churchtown, Bodmin, Cornwall, England , d. 30 Jul 1886, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand (Age ~ 70 years) |
| Married |
27 Apr 1840 |
Wellington, New Zealand |
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Wedding Notice
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| Photos |
 | Robt Wyeth and Family
Photo L to R rear Thomas, George, John, Charles.
Front Sarah, Elizabeth, Robert, Mary, Maria.
Photo will have been taken after Jane died in 1866. |
| Family ID |
F8 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family |
Margaret Rachel Ann McLeod, b. 12 Jan 1859, New Zealand , d. 12 Apr 1942, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand (Age 83 years) |
| Married |
17 Jan 1883 |
Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand [3] |
- Wairarapa Daily 18/1/1883 Page2 Col 4 Marriage Notice.
On 17th, instant, at Mikimiki, by the Rev., L.M.Isitt, Thomas Wyeth, third son of Mr. R. Wyeth of Masterton, to Margaret Richaline, eldest daughter of Mr. Angus McLeod of Opaki. (Wellington Papers Please copy).
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| Golden Wedding |
17 Jan 1923 |
Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand |
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Pioneer Settlers
Mr and Mrs T. Wyeth Celebrate Golden Wedding |
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Mr & Mrs Tom Wyeth Golden Wedding
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| Children |
| + | 1. Catherine Margaret Jane Wyeth, b. 1 Feb 1884, Mt Bruce, Masterton, Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand , d. 20 Apr 1929, Levin, Horowhenua, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand (Age 45 years) |
| + | 2. Alice Wyeth, b. 11 Aug 1885, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand , d. 15 Feb 1983, Horowhenua Hospital, Levin, Horowhenua, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand (Age 97 years) |
| + | 3. Norman Robert Wyeth, b. 26 Feb 1887, Mt Bruce, Masterton, Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand , d. 16 Apr 1964, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand (Age 77 years) |
| + | 4. Thomas Wyeth, b. 29 Sep 1888, Mt Bruce, Masterton, Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand , d. 1 Dec 1970, New Zealand (Age 82 years) |
| + | 5. Alexander George (Degs) Wyeth, b. 12 Apr 1890, Mt Bruce, Masterton, Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand , d. 3 Aug 1980, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand (Age 90 years) |
| + | 6. Margaret (Beaut) Wyeth, b. 5 Jun 1892, Opaki, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand , d. 11 Feb 1979 (Age 86 years) |
| + | 7. Leslie Charles (Charlie) Wyeth, b. 4 Mar 1894, Mt Bruce, Masterton, Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand , d. 18 Jun 1968, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand (Age 74 years) |
| | 8. Archie Wyeth, b. 16 Apr 1896, Mt Bruce, Masterton, Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand , d. 7 Sep 1966, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand (Age 70 years) |
| + | 9. Lila Elizabeth Mary Wyeth, b. 22 Mar 1899, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand , d. 14 Nov 1925, Carterton, Carterton District, Wellington, New Zealand (Age 26 years) |
| + | 10. Angus Sinclair (Clair Or Sinclair) Wyeth, b. 1 Jun 1902, Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand , d. 5 Aug 1967, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand (Age 65 years) |
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| Photos
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 | Thomas and Margaret Wyeth and family 1908
Charles Alexander Norman Thomas Beaut Archie.
Center Alice Thomas Maggie June.
Front Lila Clair |
 | Sons of Thomas Wyeth
Back Row-Tom,Charlie(uniform),Norm.
Front Row- Clair, Archie, Alec (Degs)
Photo taken about 1916. |
 | Thomas Wyeth's adult children
Back L to R Alec; Archie; Sinclair; Charlie
Front Thomas; Margaret; Alice; Norman.
Wyeth Family Reunion 1955.
Lila and June were both deceased by this time. Lila died aged 26 and June 45. |
 | Family Gathering Masterton 1955
(Click on the photo to see the names) |
| Histories |
 | Jokes and Pranks of the Thomas Wyeth Family
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| Last Modified |
10 Feb 2009 |
| Family ID |
F133 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Event Map |
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 | Born - 6 Mar 1849 - Wellington, New Zealand |
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 | Married - 17 Jan 1883 - Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand |
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| Golden Wedding - 17 Jan 1923 - Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand |
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| Died - 13 Apr 1940 - Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand |
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 | Buried - 16 Apr 1940 - Archer St Cemetery, Masterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand |
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| Pin Legend |
 : Address
 : Location
 : City/Town
 : County/Shire
 : State/Province
 : Country
 : Not Set |
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| Sources |
- [S293] BDM NZ Historical Records, (http://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.identityservices.govt.nz/home/), 1849/758 (Reliability: 3).
1849/758 Wyeth Thomas
- [S293] BDM NZ Historical Records, (http://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.identityservices.govt.nz/home/), 1940/24692 (Reliability: 3), 13 Apr 1940.
Wyeth Thomas aged 91Y
- [S10] Marriage Register Index , 1883/310 (Reliability: 3).
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