Thomas Coop - The Roxburgh Years

Thomas Coop circa 1898?
Photo used with permission (1-3-2023).
Collection of Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, H7
[Note: Permission of Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
 must be obtained before any re-use of this image]

Thomas Coop was born in Marylebone, London in 1838. You can read a little about his family background in my post about his parents Thomas and Elizabeth - Marylebone to Australia. He arrived in New Zealand in 1861 from Australia. His family had travelled to Australia from England when he was 14 years old. You can read about his life in Australia and his move to New Zealand in my post Thomas Coop - Youth to Early Adulthood.

Appointment as Postmaster

During 1873, Thomas was transferred to the Roxburgh telegraphic office and from 1 September 1873, took up the position of Postmaster/Telegraphist based in Roxburgh[1]. At that time Posts and Telegraphs were separate entities so, when Thomas commenced as the Postmaster for Teviot Post Office, he was charged with the operation of both the Teviot Post Office and the Roxburgh Telegraph Office.  Both were in the same building but distinct operations[2]. Thomas’ appointment as Postmaster of Teviot was published in the New Zealand Gazette of 3 October 1873 (p.603)[3].  

A Long and Noteworthy Career as Postmaster

Thomas served as Postmaster in Roxburgh for more than 32 years. He retired towards the end of 1905; his last day of service being recorded as 1 January 1906. Not only did the Roxburgh Post and Telegraphic Office (later Roxburgh Post Office) contain a post office (since 1863) and a telegraphic office (since 1868), it also had a money order and savings bank (since 1869)[4]. 

In addition to overseeing post, telegraph and banking services, Thomas would have fulfilled a number of roles as well, including Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Government Insurance Agent, and Officer for the Old Age Pension Act (after it was passed in 1898).  See 'The Post and Telegraphic Office – Roxburgh' below.

During Thomas' tenure as Postmaster, Roxburgh was an important mail distributing centre for the district. With the completion of the railway to Milton (previously Tokomairiro) in the early 1870’s, mail deliveries increased to three times a week. For a while, the coach which met the train at Waitahuna travelled only as far as Ettrick which is about 7 miles (11.5 kilometres) short of Roxburgh.  In order to get the mail, Thomas would borrow a horse and conveyance to go to Ettrick to get the mail which he would then sort over night. A daily mail service was established in 1876 when the railway reached Lawrence. For the next thirty years until the Otago Central railway neared Alexandra in 1906 (after Thomas’ time as Postmaster in Roxburgh), Roxburgh was an important mail distributing centre[5][6]:

Mt Benger Mail, 8 April 1914,
Page 3 via PapersPast 

'For a time the coach which connected with the train at Waitahuna came only as far as Ettrick, arriving at that place at about 7 p.m. and Mr Coop, the Postmaster at Roxburgh, was accustomed to borrow a horse and conveyance from any good-natured neighbour and proceed to Ettrick for the mail, which was sorted and delivered the same night. A daily mail service to Roxburgh was established in 1876. Subsequent to 1876, Roxburgh was an important mail-distributing centre, all the mail matter for south of Milton and intermediate offices being resorted, and bags made up at Roxburgh for all the places along the route. This arrangement ceased when the Otago Central Railway line neared Alexandra South'

Image of early telephone 
(a later model than that
installed by Thomas Coop). 
Photo: ©Al Thomas
(parch-mint.com)
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

One of Thomas' most notable achievements was connecting Teviot station, a sheep station, to Roxburgh Post Office by telephone. He is generally credited with being the first person to install an operational telephone line in New Zealand for the practical purpose of ensuring ongoing communication between two places. He worked on this during 1877 and the connection become operational in late 1877/early 1878.

Teviot station, a sheep station, was about 6 miles/10 kilometres from the Post Office. At that time, the station was owned by John Cargill and his son-in-law E. R. Anderson. To make the connection, Thomas used a pair of telephones that John Cargill had brought back to New Zealand in 1876 after travelling overseas. The telephones were given to John Cargill by Alexander Graham Bell.

You can read more about this in the post: First Telephone Connection in New Zealand

Thomas was well thought of by his employer and, during his years as Postmaster, he was offered transfers with promotion but he preferred to stay in Roxburgh for family reasons, as told by Nigel Fitzgerald in his 1974 Otago Daily Times article:

Thomas Coop was always held in great and deserved esteem by the Department of the Post Office, which many times during the more than 32 years of his postmastership offered him transfers with promotion.

Each time he refused with the explanation that the place was healthy for his wife and children. They liked the climate and they liked the people[7]

The Post and Telegraphic Office – Teviot / Roxburgh

Postal communication was established with the Otago goldfields as soon as people began to flock to them.  Gold was first discovered in Teviot in 1862. Some miners were on their way to the Dunstan goldfields and were unable to get through because of the swollen state of the Teviot stream. They occupied their time looking for gold in the vicinity and were so successful decided to stay.  The town of Teviot sprang up on the east side of the Clutha River at its junction with the Teviot Stream. The town was later moved to the west side of the river and became known as Roxburgh[8].

The Teviot post office (later to become Roxburgh Post Office) was established in 1863 with the first Postmaster, W. M. Kinross, being appointed from 1 January 1863. The Post Office initially operated from Kinross’ home. On 16 August 1868, Roxburgh got a telegraph office. The Post and Telegraphic Office was then housed in a building provided by the Provincial Government for this purpose[9].  In 1869 a money order and savings bank were added[10].

In 1874, shortly after Thomas’ appointment as Postmaster, and after the township was shifted to the west bank of the river, building commenced on a new building to house the Post and Telegraphic Office.  This building was situated at the corner of Scotland and Hawick Streets[11].  Margaret [Ballantyne] Coop, Thomas’ first wife, laid the foundation stone for the new building as reported in the Tuapeka Times on 9 April 1874[12][13]:

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 347, 15 April 1874, Page 2 via PapersPast

The building was completed on Good Friday, 1875, and, consisted of a postal and telegraph room, a public lobby, where there were sixteen private boxes, and a residence for the postmaster and his family[14].  

Post and Telegraphic Office, Roxburgh, Otago, New Zealand

In 1900, the building was extended[15], perhaps to better accommodate Thomas' sizeable family? See below 

When writing about this a century later in the Otago Daily Times, Nigel Fitzgerald[16] suggests that Thomas dropped the name ‘Teviot’ in his communications at the time in favour of ‘Roxburgh’ and Roxburgh Post and Telegraph slipped into use. This may just have been a matter of convenience since the telegraphic part of the office was ‘Roxburgh’ while the postal part of the office was ‘Teviot'.  It was officially renamed as the Roxburgh Post Office in 1878.

In 1913 (about 7 years after Thomas’ retirement), Thomas’ Post Office was demolished and replaced with a new one. The new building, a two story wooden building combining office and Postmaster’s residence, was opened by the then Postmaster General the Hon. R.H. Rhodes on 2 April 1914.  In his speech, Rhodes mentioned that just before leaving Wellington, Thomas Coop, now living in Wellington, had asked him to remember him to his old friends in Roxburgh.  As reported by the Mount Benger Mail, at the time, this was met with applause from local Roxburgh residents[17].

By all accounts Thomas was a keen family man and a well-liked member of the Roxburgh Community who gave freely of his time to help others in the community where there was a need:

'Many an old man and woman left his office with a weight off their minds, and a blessing for their benefactor, for he would never accept any monetary offering for the service he rendered'[18] 

Thomas’ Family

Thomas met and married his first wife, Margaret Ballantyne while he was working for the Post and Telegraphic Department as a linesman and relieving telegraphic operator[19]. This was immediately prior to his appointment as Postmaster in Roxburgh.  Margaret was herself an immigrant having been born in Scotland in about 1848[20].  They married at the Registrar’s office at Dunstan on 5 October 1869 when Thomas was 31 years old (Bachelor Telegraph line-man) and Margaret 21 years old (spinster)[21].   Their oldest two children, Arthur and Henry were born prior to the move to Roxburgh. However, Arthur died at 5 ½ months old.

Following their move to Roxburgh, Thomas and Margaret went on to have 7 more children together before Margaret died on 11 November 1889, just 41 years old[22]. Margaret was buried at the Roxburgh Cemetery with the children who had predeceased her – Arthur, Clara and Charles Francis[23].

Thomas and Margaret’s 9 children are listed below:[24]

Arthur Coop – born in 1870 (Registration 1870/37702) and died soon after on 8 Mar 1871 at the age of 5 ½ months – (Registration 1871/4929). Arthur is buried in the Old Roxburgh Cemetery, Roxburgh.

Henry Coop – born 21 Feb 1872 (Registration 1872/39841) and died 23 May 1947, 75 years old – Registration 1947/24858. Henry is buried in East Taieri Cemetery in Mosgiel, Dunedin, Otago.

Sarah Jane Coop – born 1874 (Registration 1874/363) and died 3 August 1959, 85 years old – Registration 1959/29748 (married name Sheehy). Sarah is buried in the Miller’s Flat Cemetery at Miller’s Flat, Central Otago.

Clara Coop – born 15 June 1875 (Registration 1875/9417) and died 17 Jun 1875, 2 days old (Registration 1875/575 ). Clara is buried at Roxburgh Cemetery.

Annie Coop – born 9 September 1877 (Registration 1877/11386 ) and died 3 May 1978, 100 years old (Registration 1978/31677) (married name Crawford), Annie is buried at Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.

Thomas George Coop – born 1879 (Registration 1879/12806) and died 13 Aug 1917, 38 years old (Registration 1917/6365).

Jessie Alice Coop – born 1880 (Registration 1880/12393) and died 19 Mar 1945, 64 years old (Registration 1945/30241) (never married). Jessie is buried at Roxburgh Cemetery[25]

Charles Francis Coop – born 1882 (Registration 1882/13282)  and died 17 February 1883, 7 months old (Registration 1883/2161). Charles is buried at Roxburgh Cemetery.

Emma Rebekah Coop – born 29 Sept 1884 (Registration 1884/18661) and died 8 Apr 1899, 14 years old (Registration 1899/3207). Emma is buried at Roxburgh Cemetery.

Thomas Coop and Margaret Ballantyne - Coop

Consequently, in November 1889, after twenty years of marriage to Margaret, Thomas found himself widowed and sole parent to the six children still living - two sons and four daughters - aged between 5 and 18 years old.

Emma White - Michelle - Coop 

Just over three years later, Thomas married again. On 2 January 1893, Thomas married Emma Amelia White - Michelle[26]. Thomas was 54 years old. Emma was 38 years old. Emma had been widowed the previous year, on 12 March 1892, when her husband Thomas Phillip Michelle was killed in a mining accident. He was a goldminer and was killed when the shaft he was working in in the mine collapsed.

Emma was born on 23 Dec 1854 at Emerald Hill, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia[27] and had travelled to New Zealand with her parents when she was quite young; probably about 8 years old.  She had married her first husband, Thomas Michelle at Benger Flat, Coal Creek, Otago on 20 August 1872[28]. 

Together, Emma and Thomas Michelle, had 10 children.  All 10 of these children were still living at the time of Emma’s marriage to Thomas Coop; thereby becoming Thomas’ step children.  At the time of Emma’s marriage to Thomas Coop, her children ranged in age from 3 years to 20 years[29]:

Richard Harvey Michelle – born 1873 (Registration 1873/44459) and died 29 Apr 1953, 80 years old (Registration 1953/21702). Richard is buried at Anderson Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, Otago.

Phillipa Elizabeth Harvey Michelle – born 1874 (Registration 1874/49052) and died 16 Sep 1945, 71 years old (Registration 1945/24521)(married names Hesson, Peddie). Phillipa is buried. Phillipa is buried at Bromley Cemetery in Christchurch.

Thomas Phillip Harvey Michelle – born 1876 (Registration 1876/15108) and died 11 August 1949. 73 years old (Registration 1949/27204). Thomas is buried in Roxburgh Cemetery.

Joseph Harvey Michelle – born 1878 (Registration 1878/6292) and died 14 August 1955, 77 years old (Registration 1955/23801). Joseph was cremated and buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.

Amanda Alice Harvey Michelle – born 1879 (Registration 1879/16334) and died 9 Sep 1955,  76 years old (Registration 1955/19758 )(married name Lakeman). Amanda is buried at Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland.

John Harvey Michelle – born 1881 (Registration 1881/9854) and died 28 August 1945, 64 years old (Registration 1945/25236). John is buried at Anderson Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

Emma Dorcas Harvey Michelle – born 1883 (Registration 1883/19749) and died in 1958, 75 years old (Registration 1958/32862) (married name Rocard). Emma is buried in Purewa Cemetery in Auckland.

Ada Catherine Harvey Michelle – born 25 June 1885[30] (Registration 1885/11729) and died 5 July 1947, 62 years old (Registration 1947/23317) (married name Hore). Rachel is buried in Hamilton East.

Laura Harvey Charlotte Michelle – born 1887 (Registration 1887/8358) and died 14 June 1966, 80 years old (Registration 1966/31151) (married name Goodwill). Laura is buried at Hamilton Park Cemetery in Hamilton.

Barbara Glaister Harvey Michelle – born 1890 (Registration 1890/18161) and died 29 October 1946, 50 years old (Registration 1946/35476)(married name at time of death Estall). Barbara is buried in Wellington.

Thomas and Emma surely had quite the houseful of children when they married; 16 in total ranging in age from 3 years to 20 years old.  It wasn’t long before they added to their family with three children of their own[31]:

Gertrude Ruth Coop – born 1893 (Registration 1893/13186) and died 26 November 1893, 3 months old (Registration 1893/6406). Gertrude is buried in Roxburgh Cemetery.

William Harold Coop – born 25 Oct 1894 (Registration 1894/15791) and died 3 Feb 1966, 71 years old (Registration 1966/27122). William was cremated and buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.

Dorothy Large Coop – born 17 January 1897 (Registration 1897/3614) and died 26 Jun 1987, age 90 years (Registration 1987/46408)(married name at time of death Taylor). Dorothy was cremated in Rotorua.

Community Activities and Contributions

Thomas was engaged in many activities within the Roxburgh community. Most probably, I have captured only some of them.

Member of the Foresters Lodge

The Foresters Lodge was established in Roxburgh in 1873 (later becoming Court Roxburgh AOF in 1904).  I have found little information about it or Thomas’ membership of it.  However, his Obituary[32] suggests that he was one of the original members and retained his membership of it:

Extract from Thomas Coop's Obituary - Otago Daily Times, Issue 19102, 22 February 1924, Page 8 via PapersPast

This photograph of Thomas was probably taken at the Court Roxburgh A.O.F Jubilee in 1923, the year before he died.

Thomas Coop - perhaps about 1923 at an AOF Jubilee

Lay Reader / Churchwarden / Sunday School Teacher

During his time in Roxburgh, Thomas was associated with St James Church (Anglican) as a lay reader, churchwarden and Sunday school teacher.

St James’ Church (Anglican), Roxburgh. Photo taken By: Shellie Evans - flyingkiwigirl. Accessed 5 April 2021 at: https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/2345

St James’ Church was built circa 1872. It is located at 12 Ferry Road And Jedburgh Street, Roxburgh. It is registered by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as a Category 2 Historic Place.

Auditor for the Borough Council

In August 1874, a Borough was formally constituted for Roxburgh and the first Mayor and Council were elected.  Thomas Coop was appointed one of the Auditors along with Kenneth McLennan[33].

Secretary and Instrumentalist for the Mount Benger Brass Band

Thomas was a member of the Mount Benger Brass Band. 

It was W. Telford who had the idea of starting a town band and, on the 19 September 1882,  the Mount Benger Brass Band opened its books with a roll of 80 subscribing members and a total subscription of £21.  Instruments were purchased for £72 and music for £2. Thomas Coop was Secretary to the band and a playing member. At that time there were 13 playing members. In the early days of the band, players came and went; the population of Roxburgh being predominantly a mining one. Over the years, the band became more proficient and in 1897, it gained 2^nd place in a contest at Alexandra and, in 1898, 4^th place in the Industrial Exhibition Contest at Dunedin[34].

Mount Benger Brass Band [Photograph probably take sometime between 1884-1891 when W. Telford was Conductor] - Back Row: Thomas Coop; J. Ormond; W. Mercer snr; J Smith; J Morrin. Front Row: W. Telford (Conductor); W. Mercer junr; J Snell; T Flemming. From family collection.      

In 1914 (after Thomas' time with the band), it band was renamed the Roxburgh Municipal Silver Band. This happened when band was registered with, and invested its property in, the Borough following discussions with the Council[35].

Commercial Interests

Roxburgh Gold Steam Dredging Company

It appears that Thomas was on the Roxburgh Gold Steam Dredging Company Board as he is reported to have chaired a meeting of the Company on 10 November 1897. Discussion related to the fact that the company’s liabilities were outweighing their assets. A proposal for dealing with this was put forward but no decisions reached. It was agreed to adjourn until 17 November when the matter would be fully discussed and a course of action decided upon[36].  

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10956, 10 November 1897, Page 2 via PapersPast

'MINING ROXBURGH GOLD STEAM DREDGING COMPANY

The adjourned annual meeting of the Roxburgh Gold Steam Dredging Company was held at Roxburgh on Monday evening; Mr T. Coop in the chair. After an explanation from the chairman to Messrs Brownlie and Leijon re the matter of the dredge being shifted from the company's claim to McKenzie's Beach, the directors' report and balances sheet were adopted on the motion of Messrs Coop and Haines. The Secretary reported that at the night of meeting the liabilities were £241 9s 11d, and the assets £52 19s 11d. The directors in their report made the following proposal:- That the shareholders should contribute, say, at the rate of 1s per share per month, not to exceed 5s per share in all, in order to pay off the present debt, with a view of working the Hercules Beach, where rich ground was left by the Hercules Company. The only alternative was liquidation. Owing to the quantity of tailings and stones the dredge could not work the ground. Before dealing with the above proposal, Mr Brownlie was elected a director [? to replace] Mr Burton (retired), and Mr Haines was re-elected auditor. A lengthy discussion then followed [?] the directors' proposal. Mr Brownlie stated that it would cost from £500 to £1000 to repair the dredge and erect a tailings elevator. Eventually, on the motion of Messrs Haines and Brownlie, it was decided to adjourn the meeting till Wednesday, November 17, at 8 p.m. at Wood's Hotel, Dunedin. The question will then be fully discussed and a course of action decided on.'

At the meeting on 17 November, it was agreed to liquidate the company[37]

Dunstan Times, Issue 1843, 19 November 1897, Page 5 via PapersPast

'The adjourned annual meeting of the Roxburgh Steam Dredging Co. was held last night, when a motion was carried that the company go into liquidation.'

Thomas’ later years

After Thomas’ retirement in 1905, Thomas and Emma lived in a variety of places eventually returning to Roxburgh again.

Electoral Rolls[38] and/or Wises NZ Post Office Directory[39] show as follows:

1911 – South Dunedin Electoral Roll - 42 Caversham Street, Dunedin - Thomas, retired and Emma, married

1914 – Wellington Central Electoral Roll – 27 Marion Street, Wellington – Thomas, retired and Emma, married

1916 – Wises NZ Post Office Directory – 27 Marion Street, Wellington – Thomas Coop

1919 – Canterbury South Electoral Roll – 54 Park Street, Sydenham, Christchurch – Thomas Coop, no occupation and Emma, married

Thomas and Emma moved back to Roxburgh sometime after 1919. 

Thomas’ Last Will and Testament was written on 16 January 1924 in Roxburgh and witnessed by A Burton, Commission Agent, Roxburgh and W. Mercer, Baker, Roxburgh. A copy of Thomas' Will can be accessed digitally via Archives New Zealand[40] 

It part his Will reads:

This is the last Will and Testament of Mr Thomas Coop of Roxburgh in the Provincial District of Otago Dominion of New Zealand Retired Postmaster

I give, devise and bequeath all my real and personal estate of whatsoever kind and wheresoever situated to my wife Emma Amelia absolutely for her sole use and benefit and I here appoint my said wife sole executrix of this my Will

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this sixteenth day of January Nineteen hundred and Twenty four.

Thomas Coop's signature (from his Last Will and Testament)

Thomas died in Roxburgh in the 18 February 1924[41][42].

Emma and her 5 sons (4 Michelles and 1 Coop) at Thomas' Funeral. From left to right - Back row: Joseph 'Joe' Harvey Michelle, William 'Bill' Harold Coop, Thomas 'Tom' Phillip Michelle. Front row: Richard 'Dick' Harvey Michelle, Emma White-Michelle-Coop, John 'Jack' Harvey Michelle. From family collection

Thomas was buried on the 20 February 1924 in the old Roxburgh Cemetery at Roxburgh[43].

Emma outlived Thomas by another 8 years. She died at the home of her and Thomas’ daughter, Dorothy, in Gisborne on 17 March 1932, aged 77 years (although her headstone says 78 years)[44]. Emma's remains were returned to Roxburgh for funeral and burial. She was buried with Thomas, at Roxburgh, on 28 March 1932[45].

Thomas' Obituary was published in the Otago Daily Times (Issue 19102, 22 February 1924, Page 8[46]:

'OBITUARY MR THOMAS COOP

Through the death of Mr Thomas Coop, which occurred at his residence on February 18, the Roxburgh district (writes our correspondent) loses one of its oldest residents, and Otago another of its fast diminishing band of pioneers. The late Mr Coop was born in London in 1838. He left school at 10 years of age and at 15 was following the arduous occupation of a bushman. In 1853 he arrived in Melbourne, and for eight years he worked in various parts of Victoria and Tasmania. On the outbreak of the Gabriel's Gully rush, in 1861, he came to New Zealand, but only remained a short time, returning to Victoria. The following year found him back again, and for dome five or six years he lived at Cromwell, where he was engaged at various pursuits. While there he cut the timber for the first bridge over the Molyneaux River. In 1868 he joined the Post and Telegraph department as lineman between Queenstown and Tokomairiro, now Milton, and acquiring a knowledge of telegraphy he became an operator and was appointed postmaster at the former place. Five years later he was transferred to Roxburgh, where he remained for 32 years, retiring on superannuation 19 years ago. Since his retirement he had been living quietly in different places but eventually he returned to Roxburgh.

As a public officer the late Mr Coop will long be remembered by the older residents of the district as a man full of courtesy and obliging to a degree. To many in the early days of the town he was both adviser and guide. The pioneers of those times were not blessed with much education, and to the late Mr Coop they would invariably go with their troubles, to have letters interpreted, and in every case to have replies written. Many an old man and woman left his office with a weight off their minds, and a blessing for their benefactor, for he would never accept any monetary offering for the service he rendered.

The late Mr Coop was married twice. His first wife predeceased him by 35 years, leaving two sons and four daughters, of whom one son and three daughters are still living, the former being Mr H. Coop, of the Railway Department, Dunedin. In 1893 he married Mrs Michelle, of Coal Creek, and of this marriage a son and daughter are left. To Mrs Coop and both families is extended the sympathy of a wide circle of friends.

The late Mr Coop was one of the original members of Court Roxburgh, A.O.F., and was for many years its secretary, and its members paraded in regalia at the funeral. He was also an old member of the Anglican Church, and was able to take part in the jubilee celebrations last year.'

Note: I have now moved my blogging efforts from this platform to WeAre.xyz so that I can integrate building my family history archive with blogging. This post, or an updated version of it, can be found at: https://app.weare.xyz/blog/the-dual-genealogist/blogposts/thomas-the-roxburgh-years

Notes

[1] 'Roxburgh' (pp.696-7) from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1905 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Text Collection, Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 March 2020.

[2] Nigel Fitzgerald 'Teviot Post Office Name was Quietly Dropped' Otago Daily Times 12 December 1874 Copy held by Author.

[3] The New Zealand Gazette of 3 October 1873 Image via Ancestry.com. New Zealand, The New Zealand Gazette, 1860-1894 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[4] Article: 'Post-Master General at Roxburgh Post Office Officially Opened. A Successful Function' Mt Benger Mail, 8 April 1914, Page 3 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[5] Webster A.H.H. 1948 Teviot Tapestry. A History of the Roxburgh – Millers Flat District Otago Centennial Publications

[6] Article: 'Post-Master General at Roxburgh Post Office Officially Opened. A Successful Function' Mt Benger Mail, 8 April 1914, Page 3 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[7] Nigel Fitzgerald 'Teviot Post Office Name was Quietly Dropped' Otago Daily Times 12 December 1874. Copy held by Author.

[8] Article: 'Post-Master General at Roxburgh Post Office Officially Opened. A Successful Function' Mt Benger Mail, 8 April 1914, Page 3 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[9] Article 'The Roxburgh Post and Telegraphic Office' (p.698) Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1905 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch (p.698) via the New Zealand Electronic Text Collection, Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 March 2020.

[10] Webster A.H.H. 1948 Teviot Tapestry. A History of the Roxburgh – Millers Flat District Otago Centennial Publications

[11] Article 'The Roxburgh Post and Telegraphic Office' (p. 698) Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1905 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Text Collection, Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 March 2020.

[12] Article 'Local Intelligence' Tuapeka Times,Volume VII, Issue 347, 15 April 1874, Page 2 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[13] Nigel Fitzgerald 'Teviot Post Office Name was Quietly Dropped' Otago Daily Times 12 December 1874. Copy held by Author.

[14] Article 'The Roxburgh Post and Telegraphic Office' (p. 698) Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1905 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Text Collection, Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 March 2020.

[15] Article: 'Post-Master General at Roxburgh Post Office Officially Opened. A Successful Function' Mt Benger Mail, 8 April 1914, Page 3 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[16] Nigel Fitzgerald 'Teviot Post Office Name was Quietly Dropped' Otago Daily Times 12 December 1874. Copy held by Author.

[17] Article: 'Post-Master General at Roxburgh Post Office Officially Opened. A Successful Function' Mt Benger Mail, 8 April 1914, Page 3 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[18] 'Obituary Mr Thomas Coop' Otago Daily Times, Issue 19102, 22 February 1924, Page 8 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[19] See post: Thomas Coop - Youth to Early Adulthood

[20] 1851 Scotland census - Parish: Ashkirk; ED: 1; Page: 7; Line: 11; Roll: CSSCT1851_200; Year: 1851 via Ancestry.com. 1851 Scotland Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006

[21]  Registration Number 1869/3989 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[22] Registration Number 1889/5049 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[23] New Zealand Society of Genealogists Incorporated; Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand Cemetery Records Image via Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Cemetery Records, 1800-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[24] The birth and death registrations that follow can be found at: Births, Deaths & Marriages Online, [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website].  The Cemetery records referred to can be found via Ancestry.Com New Zealand Cemetery Records 1800-2007.

[25] Note that the official death registration entry records date of death as 19 March 1945 at age of 64, whereas the Cemetery record indicates date of death as 18 March 1945, age 66:

0106 Blk I Plot 98 COOP Miss Jessie Bu. 20 March 1945 Native of New Zealand Died 18 Mar 1945 Agee 66 Res. Millers Flat Pu: T Coop Remarks Died at Millers Flat; Family Plot; C Moyle Undertaker Lawrence. Inscription: no stone

[26] Registration Number 1869/3989 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[27] Australia, Births & Baptisms, 1792-1981 Transcript via FindMyPast [Website] Accessed 28 March 2022. Her birth was registered in 1855 [Registration Number 1270/1855 in the District of Prahan, Victoria, Australia - See: Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages, Victoria [Website] Accessed 31 March 2022.

[28] Registration 1872/7880 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[29] The birth and death registrations that follow can be found at: Births, Deaths & Marriages Online, [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website].  The Cemetery records referred to can be found via Ancestry.Com New Zealand Cemetery Records 1800-2007  

[30] Many trees show Ada’s birthday as being 26 January 1885. However, her birth was registered as being on 25 January 1885 according to Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website] Accessed 22 April 2022.

[31] The birth and death registrations that follow can be found at: Births, Deaths & Marriages Online, [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website].  The Cemetery records referred to can be found via Ancestry.Com New Zealand Cemetery Records 1800-2007  

[32] 'Obituary Mr Thomas Coop' Otago Daily Times, Issue 19102, 22 February 1924, Page 8 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[33] The Author accessed this information from the ‘Roxburgh Project’ [Website] on 1 July 2004. It appears to be no longer on line.

[34] Article: 'Roxburgh Municipal Band 1882 - 1932 A Retrospect' Mt Benger Mail, 26 April 1933, Page 3 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[35] Article: 'Roxburgh Municipal Band 1882 - 1932 A Retrospect' - See Endnote 34.

[36] Article 'Mining. Roxburgh Gold Steam Dredging Company' Otago Daily Times, Issue 10956, 10 November 1897, Page 2 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[37] Article 'Late Telegrams' Dunstan Times, Issue 1843, 19 November 1897, Page 5 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[38] New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1853–1981. Auckland, New Zealand: BAB microfilming. Microfiche publication, 4032 fiche via Ancestry.com. NewZealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[39] New Zealand City & Area Directories, 1866–1955. Microfilm publication, 921 fiche. Anne Bromell Collection, BAB Microfilming. Auckland, New Zealand via Ancestry.com. New Zealand, City & Area Directories, 1866-1954 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[40] Last Will and Testament - Thomas Coop Collections Item R23090689, Series 6029 via National Archives [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[41] Public Notice - Public Trust Office Image via Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Notices of Deceased Estates, 1880-1950 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[42] Registration 1924/1915 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[43] New Zealand Society of Genealogists Incorporated; Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand Cemetery Records Image via Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Cemetery Records, 1800-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[44] Registration 1932/1856 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online[digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[45] New Zealand Society of Genealogists Incorporated; Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand Cemetery Records Image via Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Cemetery Records, 1800-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Accessed 22 April 2022.

[46] 'Obituary Mr Thomas Coop' Otago Daily Times, Issue 19102, 22 February 1924, Page 8 via PapersPast [Website]. Accessed 22 April 2022.