Home > New Zealand > Waikato > Matamata-Piako District > Te Aroha > Te Aroha Cemetery > William Purdon

William Purdon

Birth	:	15 Dec 1813 England
Death	:	4 Sep 1896 Lanark County, Ontario, Canada
Burial	:	Te Aroha Cemetery, Te Aroha, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate	:	-37.5561450, 175.7109550
Description	:	In the death of William Purdon, Sr., which occurred at his residence in the township of Dalhousie on the evening of Friday, Sept. 4, the well known figure in the community has been removed. In the year 1821 his parents came from Glasgow and with other families of Scotland formed the nucleus of a new settlement in what is now known as Dalhousie Township. His father was an officer in the Lancashire Militia and it was during a sojourn in England that the subject of this sketch was born. The event took place December 15, 1813. ... Read More	In the death of William Purdon, Sr., which occurred at his residence in the township of Dalhousie on the evening of Friday, Sept. 4, the well known figure in the community has been removed. In the year 1821 his parents came from Glasgow and with other families of Scotland formed the nucleus of a new settlement in what is now known as Dalhousie Township. His father was an officer in the Lancashire Militia and it was during a sojourn in England that the subject of this sketch was born. The event took place December 15, 1813. One cannot but admire the hardiness and bravery of the early pioneers. The majority of them were unacquainted with farming and did not even know how to chop down a tree. But with that Scottish determination which will never give in even when things are at their worst, they set to work to clear the land and by degrees hewed out their farms and forced a subsistence from the unwilling soil. The stories of the hardships endured in those early days in which he fully shared was told some years ago by Mr. Purdon himself in a column in the Courier. Mr. Purdon was a Reformer in politics and one who was such by reading and thinking. He was an ardent admirer of the late Alexander McKenzie the humble born Premier of Canada. Mr. Purdon was a man of intelligence and a wide reader. He assisted in the establishment and was a constant patron of the Dalhousie library which was formed early in the history of the township and provided the best intellectual food at a time when newspapers and magazines wee not so numerous or available as today. He was ever ready to forward every movement for the good of the community. He served the community for many years both as councilor and reeve and was a member of Dalhousie's firs council. For 20 years he served as a school trustee and secretary-treasurer of that section. Thoroughly honest and upright in all his dealings, a kind neighbor and general friend, he won the love and respect of the entire community. It is related of him that during the Franco-Prussian War when wheat was over $2.00 a bushel he refused to take more than $1.50 a bushel considering that enough to ask of his neighbors, many of whom required it for seed. As another instance of his kindness of heart, he required that he should be buried in a plain coffin and without a hearse which he himself could well afford lest such an example should lead another to extravagance beyond his means and the widow and orphans be thereby robbed of their support. His last illness was long. He was stricken with the terrible disease of cancer. The constant pain he suffered he bore with Christian fortitude. He was in possession of all his faculties to the last and faced death without fear, looking forward to Christ the Savior to the hope of a glorious immortality. His partner in life whose maiden name was Isabella Chalmers died three years ago in December of 1893. They reared a large family 12 of whom, 9 sons and 3 daughters, grew up to adulthood and survive their parents. One died in infancy. Of the children, five sons and two daughters reside in Dalhousie, one son in the county of Huron; on daughter in Michigan; three sons in the northwestern States; all have done well. James, who is a merchant in Dakota, has served for some time in the state legislature. The funeral took place on Sunday September 6 and was largely attended. The remains were interred in the Highland Line Cemetery. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Jas. Binnie, B.A. of McDonald's Corners. With Mr. Purdon's death closes the first 75 years of Dalhousie's history

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Purdon's memorial?
William Purdon's memorial is located at: Te Aroha Cemetery, Te Aroha, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand.
When did William Purdon death?
William Purdon death on 4 Sep 1896 in Lanark County, Ontario, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the William Purdon's memorial?
Latitude: -37.5561450
Longitude: 175.7109550

Family Members:

Parent

Robert Purdon

(1780 - 1852)

Jean/Jane Ferguson Purdon

(1787 - 1872)

Spouse

Isabella Chalmers Purdon

(1816 - 1893)

Siblings

Jane Purdon Duncan

(1816 - 1891)

Jennet Hunter Purdon Lockhart

(1818 - 1855)

Robert Purdon

(1820 - 1896)

Margaret Purdon O'Neil

(1822 - 1906)

Children

William Purdon

(1838 - 1911)

John Purdon

(1844 - 1916)

Isabella Purdon Scott

(1848 - 1944)

Mary Jane Purdon McDonald

(1849 - 1927)

Donald Purdon

(1851 - 1931)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Te Aroha Cemetery
Te Aroha, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.5561450, 175.7109550

2. Tirohia
Paeroa, Hauraki District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.4381503, 175.6436459

3. Katikati Cemetery
Katikati, Western Bay of Plenty District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.5824500, 175.9061600

4. Piako Cemetery
Morrinsville, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.6484900, 175.5412240

5. Pukerimu Lawn Cemetery
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Coordinate: -37.3900600, 175.6908910

6. Kaimai Flight 441 Air Crash Memorial
Gordon, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.6960470, 175.8260440

7. Morrinsville Old Cemetery
Morrinsville, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.6531500, 175.5374260

8. Tuapiro Cemetery
Katikati, Western Bay of Plenty District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.4987630, 175.9234740

9. Rukumoana Urupā
Matamata, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.6976740, 175.5572500

10. Waihi Cemetery
Waihi, Hauraki District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.4093500, 175.8629600

11. Maukoro Cemetery
Morrinsville, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.4614130, 175.5018220

12. Waharoa Māori Cemetery
Waharoa, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.7473890, 175.7434760

13. Waharoa Cemetery
Waharoa, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.7486230, 175.7444230

14. Faulkner Urupā
Tauranga, Tauranga City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.4464650, 175.9540970

15. St Peters by the Sea
Waihi Beach, Western Bay of Plenty District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.4012045, 175.9369234

16. Matamata Cemetery
Matamata, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.8018000, 175.7535440

17. Okauia Māori Cemetery
Okauia, Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.8015800, 175.8726300

18. Omahu Cemetery
Hikutaia, Thames-Coromandel District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.2707910, 175.6533300

19. Kutaroa Urupā
Tauranga City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.6186690, 176.0719430

20. St. Joseph's Church Urupa
Tauranga, Tauranga City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.6077515, 176.0759161

21. Orini Cemetery
Orini, Waikato District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.5535200, 175.3222100

22. Te-Iti-O-Haua-Marae Urupā
Tauwhare, Waikato District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.7860000, 175.4208010

23. Ngatea Memorial Walls
Ngatea, Hauraki District, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.2757990, 175.4915380

24. Gordonton Cemetery
Hamilton, Hamilton City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -37.6735460, 175.3134070