The Family of William Rabbitte and Honor (nee Fahey)
William Rabbitte: (1904-1973)
William was the first child of William (1873-1938), and Honor (nee Fahey), and was born at Turloughmore, in County Galway, Ireland, on 28 June 1904. Presumably William was named after his father, and his grand-father William, (1823-1897). This completes the situation where each of the original three Rabbitt brothers to come to New Zealand, named their first son after their own father.
In 1910, at about 6 years of age, William left Ireland with his family, to travel to New Zealand. He arrived at Wellington in February 1911, and the family then proceeded to live in the Kauana district of Southland. William, who was usually known as "Willy", was educated at the Kauana/Fernhills School, and he is recorded among the students who first attended during that school's third decade; (1903-1912).
In 1910, at about 6 years of age, William left Ireland with his family, to travel to New Zealand. He arrived at Wellington in February 1911, and the family then proceeded to live in the Kauana district of Southland. William, who was usually known as "Willy", was educated at the Kauana/Fernhills School, and he is recorded among the students who first attended during that school's third decade; (1903-1912).
William Rabbitte – his mother Honoria in the background
William left the Kauana district as an early adult and was recorded in the 1928 Electoral Roll as living at Aongatete in the Tauranga area and working as a shunter for the Railways. His cousin Patrick James Rabbitte was also living at the same address at the time). William is known to have been proud of his Irish heritage and when the occasion was right was known for his dancing of the Irish Jig. The next electoral roll record of William is in 1938, when he is recorded in the Electoral Rolls for the Otahuhu Electorate in the South Auckland area. He is continuously recorded in the electoral rolls in the South Auckland area, from 1938 through until 1969. His occupation is always described as a farm labourer, or a farmer.
William married Mavis Lillian Moore in Auckland, and there were six children in their family.
William married Mavis Lillian Moore in Auckland, and there were six children in their family.
William and Mavis taken in Southland in the early 1940’s
The names of their family are;
Kathleen Patricia
William; (Bill)
Michael; (Mick)
Molly
Maureen; (Bunny)
John
Kathleen Patricia
William; (Bill)
Michael; (Mick)
Molly
Maureen; (Bunny)
John
William and his daughter Molly – photo taken in 1958
William passed away at the Greenlane Hospital in Auckland, on 28 September 1973. He was 70 years of age, and his cause of death is given as pneumonia and bronchitis. He is buried at the Otahuhu Public Lawn Cemetery, with his wife Mavis who passed away in June 1974.
Michael Rabbitt: (1906-1991)
Michael was the second son of William and Honor Rabbitte, (nee Fahey).
He was born on 27 September 1906, while the family were living at Turloughmore, in Galway, Ireland. When he was about four years of age, Michael departedfrom Ireland with his family to travel to New Zealand.They travelled aboard the vessel, "CORINTHIC."
The family proceeded to make their home in the Kauana district of Southland, and Michael is recorded among the pupils who commenced school there during the third decade of the Kauana/Fernhills School. On leaving school Michael worked as a shearer in the district, working with his father and brothers. Later he worked in the NMA Store in Winton, bagging lime.
In 1937 Michael married Kathleen Boyle.
He was born on 27 September 1906, while the family were living at Turloughmore, in Galway, Ireland. When he was about four years of age, Michael departedfrom Ireland with his family to travel to New Zealand.They travelled aboard the vessel, "CORINTHIC."
The family proceeded to make their home in the Kauana district of Southland, and Michael is recorded among the pupils who commenced school there during the third decade of the Kauana/Fernhills School. On leaving school Michael worked as a shearer in the district, working with his father and brothers. Later he worked in the NMA Store in Winton, bagging lime.
In 1937 Michael married Kathleen Boyle.
They had six children;
Pauline Mary
Margaret Kathleen
Michael William
Terence John
Brian Patrick
Anthony Richard
For 25 years Michael worked as a bar man in the “middle pub” in Winton.
Pauline Mary
Margaret Kathleen
Michael William
Terence John
Brian Patrick
Anthony Richard
For 25 years Michael worked as a bar man in the “middle pub” in Winton.
Michael's wife Kathleen, (nee Boyle), died on 8 March 1985, and Michael passed away on 1 April 1991. They are buried at the Winton Cemetery.
 Michael Rabbitt at his home |
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John William Rabbitte: (1908 - 1966)
John was the third son of William and Honor Rabbitte; (nee Fahey).
He was born on 27 May 1908, while his family were living in Galway, Ireland. His given names are of course, a continuation of the long family history of the use of these given names.
In 1910, at approximately 2 years of age, John left Ireland, with his family, to travel to New Zealand. The family settled in the Kauana district of Southland, and John is recorded among the pupils who first attended the Fernhills school during its third decade. John is recorded on electoral rolls, as a resident of the Kauana district from 1935 through to 1963. For the most part of this time, his occupation is given as; - farmer.
John married Monica Mary Boyle. Monica Boyle was a cousin of Kathleen Boyle….the wife of John’s brother, Michael.)
He was born on 27 May 1908, while his family were living in Galway, Ireland. His given names are of course, a continuation of the long family history of the use of these given names.
In 1910, at approximately 2 years of age, John left Ireland, with his family, to travel to New Zealand. The family settled in the Kauana district of Southland, and John is recorded among the pupils who first attended the Fernhills school during its third decade. John is recorded on electoral rolls, as a resident of the Kauana district from 1935 through to 1963. For the most part of this time, his occupation is given as; - farmer.
John married Monica Mary Boyle. Monica Boyle was a cousin of Kathleen Boyle….the wife of John’s brother, Michael.)
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Their family are;
Gregory John Doreen Patricia Vincent William |
 John Rabbitte holding Greg, & Monica Rabbitte holding Doreen, taken in early 1940’s |
John William Rabbitte died on 1 June 1966, and his wife Monica, (nee Boyle), passed away on 29 March 1985. They are buried at the Winton Cemetery.
Delia Rabbitte: (1910 – 2006)
Delia is the fourth child of William and Honor Rabbitte. She is the first daughter of the family, and she was born on the 22nd August 1910 at Carnmore, in Galway. Delia came to New Zealand as a baby, arriving in 1911.
They lived at Kauana , The area known as Harringtons. Delia attended the Kauana/Fernhills School during the years 1913 -1921. She also spent a short time at St Thomas’s School in Winton. At the age of 14 Delia joined the work force, and worked as a domestic at the various hotels in Southland including Mossburn, Otautau, Browns and Winton . This was very hard work and she was paid half a crown a week. She then went on to work as a housekeeper for the Hazlett family at Oreti.
They lived at Kauana , The area known as Harringtons. Delia attended the Kauana/Fernhills School during the years 1913 -1921. She also spent a short time at St Thomas’s School in Winton. At the age of 14 Delia joined the work force, and worked as a domestic at the various hotels in Southland including Mossburn, Otautau, Browns and Winton . This was very hard work and she was paid half a crown a week. She then went on to work as a housekeeper for the Hazlett family at Oreti.
 Delia as a child photographed with and her parents. |
 Delia on the right, with her cousin Kate Addison |
Delia married Bernard Doherty in 1939 and they lived at Ivory Lane in Kauana. They had 2 children before moving to the nearby village of Centre Bush where they raised a family of eight.
Bernard and Delia on their wedding Day in 1939
Following are the details of their family:
Mary Johanne
William Bernard
Anthony James
Patricia Nora
Bernadette Ann
Jennifer Edith
John Laurance
Dianne Margaret
Delia and Bernard retired to Winton in 1990. Bernard passed away on 7 July 1992.
Delia continued to keep excellent health until suffering a setback in December 2004, she then went on to live with her family until she required further care in April 2005. Delia died in her 96th year on the 14 March 2006 in Invercargill.
Contributed by her daughter Dianne Langford
Mary Johanne
William Bernard
Anthony James
Patricia Nora
Bernadette Ann
Jennifer Edith
John Laurance
Dianne Margaret
Delia and Bernard retired to Winton in 1990. Bernard passed away on 7 July 1992.
Delia continued to keep excellent health until suffering a setback in December 2004, she then went on to live with her family until she required further care in April 2005. Delia died in her 96th year on the 14 March 2006 in Invercargill.
Contributed by her daughter Dianne Langford
Mary Rabbitte: 1913 - 2002
Mary is the fifth child of William and Honor Rabbitte. She is their second daughter, and the first member of this family to be born in New Zealand.
Mary, who is known as Molly, was born on 7 November, 1913. She attended the Kauana/Fernhills School as with the other members of the family - her first attendance is recorded during the school's fourth decade; - (1913-1922).
Mary married John Thomas McCarthy, in 1932.
Mary, who is known as Molly, was born on 7 November, 1913. She attended the Kauana/Fernhills School as with the other members of the family - her first attendance is recorded during the school's fourth decade; - (1913-1922).
Mary married John Thomas McCarthy, in 1932.
The picture below was taken outside her parents home at Kauana, and like the 1918 wedding photo of Nora Rabbitt and Thomas Ryan it again shows members of the three Rabbitt families together.
Family Group at wedding of Mary Rabbitte & John Thomas McCarthy
(See appendices for larger copy of this photo including names identified)
Note the bridegroom, John McCarthy was a half brother of Bernard Doherty, who married Mary’s sister, Delia.. Mary (Molly) and John Thomas McCarthy had a family of seven. Their names are;
Thomas William
Maureen Patricia
Margaret Therese
Kathleen Eleanor
Winifred Anne
Lenore Mary
Jan-Marie
Thomas William
Maureen Patricia
Margaret Therese
Kathleen Eleanor
Winifred Anne
Lenore Mary
Jan-Marie
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Mary's husband John Thomas McCarthy passed away on 25 November 1963. Mary passed away on 7 December 2002… aged 89 years.
Norah Patricia Rabbitte (usually known as Pat): 1921 - 1991
Norah was the sixth and final child of William and Honor Rabbitte. She was the third of their three daughters, and the second member of the family to be born in New Zealand.
Norah; (was usually known as Pat and hereafter will be referred to by that name); was born on 8 March 1921, and she is recorded among the students who first attended the Kauana/Fernhills school during its fifth decade; i.e; 1923 -1932.
In the 1943 electoral rolls, Pat is shown as a resident of Winton.
Pat worked at the Middle Hotel in Winton for many years.
Pat married Charles Gilbert Gatley and they continued to live in Winton where Gilbert run a transport business. The business was named “Gatley and Lodge”, and. Pat helped with this business.
Pat was a quiet reserved lady whose life was centred on her husband and family.
The following are the names of Pat and Gilbert’s family;
Kevin William
Annette Mary
Paul Johnson
Pat died on 5 October 1991. Her husband had died the previous year on the 30 August 1990.
The following is their headstone in the Winton Cemetery
Norah; (was usually known as Pat and hereafter will be referred to by that name); was born on 8 March 1921, and she is recorded among the students who first attended the Kauana/Fernhills school during its fifth decade; i.e; 1923 -1932.
In the 1943 electoral rolls, Pat is shown as a resident of Winton.
Pat worked at the Middle Hotel in Winton for many years.
Pat married Charles Gilbert Gatley and they continued to live in Winton where Gilbert run a transport business. The business was named “Gatley and Lodge”, and. Pat helped with this business.
Pat was a quiet reserved lady whose life was centred on her husband and family.
The following are the names of Pat and Gilbert’s family;
Kevin William
Annette Mary
Paul Johnson
Pat died on 5 October 1991. Her husband had died the previous year on the 30 August 1990.
The following is their headstone in the Winton Cemetery
