The restoration of of John and Isabella Cunningham’s grave in Kumara Cemetery.

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DescriptionJamie Rhodes from Rhodes Memorial Greymouth has completed the restoration of John and Isabella Cunningham’s grave in Kumara Cemetery 130 years after John died in Kumara hospital on the 26th of June 1893! We now await to hear if he wins an award at the 2023 annual NZMMMA awards!

Pauline Chalmers
John arrived in New Zealand from Northern Ireland with the Militia to fight in the Waikato War. He then joined the gold rush and was prospecting at the Big Dam and other sites. After he arrived on the Coast he met and married Isabella who was also from Northern Ireland and they went on to produce 13 children. Eventually they bought land in Taipo and engaged in farming and to help support John’s great love of horse racing. His death in Kumara hospital was sudden and it caused considerable consternation in the township at the time. An investigation was commissioned to try an ascertain why a man who seemingly was hale and hearty would succumb so quickly to a chest infection. After his death his three eldest sons went to the Boer War and when they returned Isabella died. John was a member of the Westland Education Board to try and meet his children’s educational needs with government funding to support a tutor staying in his home!Map^[1]ContributorPauline Chalmers

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Location (city or town)KumaraPersonJamie RhodesIsabella CunninghamJohn CunninghamLandmark (Place)Kumara Cemetery.Organisation (eg business)Kumara Cemetery.

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Category TagCemetery

From Facebook

Date Created5th July 2023CommentsMargaret Riordan
What a beautiful restoration has been done.

Lorraine Carr
Awe Inspiring.

Sharon Pugh
Lovely job Jamie and team Rachel Rhodes

Amy Franks
Excellent. I've been to Kumara Cemetery

Shirley Barrow
Sad to see headstones going to rack and ruin in most Cemeteries all over N Z. Realise that families move away, but some areas still have family members in the area that can't be bothered with cleaning them. Thanks to those that still care.

Jennifer Jarden

Shirley Barrow I have a project coming up when winter is over to clean my relatives headstones at Karori Cemetery in Wellington. I'm wondering what product to use as they are marble, or should I just use soapy water? Do you have any advice please?

Christine McNicol
The descendants of John & Isabelle Must be tried with the result.

Janette Schroeder
Jacinta Houston………show dad

Chris Windley
My great grandparents and grandparents graves cleaned up like that in Porirua City cemetery, by local council. They did a great job. I found out when I called in to clean them when I was up that way a few years back, and driving past.

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The restoration of of John and Isabella Cunningham’s grave in Kumara Cemetery.

Editing is temporarily disabled