Profile
– Build 1893
– in 1988 relocated to Welsh Hills rd. No?
[Rugged Determination, p133]
Anthony Christian was born in 1862 at Matakana, son of Emanuel and Christina Christian, farmers of Tokatu Point near Warkworth.
On 3 December 1884 Anthony married Maria Taylor, born in 1863 at Kawau, daughter of Samuel and Eliza Jane Taylor.
Anthony took over his 500-acre block of land (part of the Henderson McFarlane claim) at the foot of the Waitakere Ranges in Swanson in 1896-1898, overcoming many difficulties.
Cutting logs from his land, he used bullock teams to haul them from the bush and to the railway at Swanson from where they were sent on to Auckland. He ran cattle, sheep and milked cows and found time to take a keen interest in local activities and particularly County Council affairs.
His property was situated near the source of the Auckland City Council water supply and he accompanied the then City Engineer on the first survey of the area. The Christian family house was build in 1893. In 1988, it was relocated to Welch Hills rd.
Anthony and Maria celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in December 1934 with family and friends at a function in the Swanson Hall. Maria died in April 1936.
Their son Victor helped his father on the farm, which was sold late 1952 — early 1953. Anthony went to live with his daughter Ina in Henderson. He died in July 1954. Anthony and Maria had 6 children:
- Ina (1885-1958) married Frederick Ash (who eventually became foreman at the Swanson Filter Station situated at the end of what is now Christian road);
- Hilda (1887-1917);
- Victor (1889-1973) married Ivy Sisam;
- Roy 1893-1895;
- Vera 1901-1987 married Percival Littin;
- Edna 1903-1978 married George Pegler
This Christian family and their descendants are not descendants of Fletcher Christian of the Mutiny of the Bounty of Pitcairn Island.