Frances Caverhill facts for kids

Hannah Rebecca Frances Caverhill (born King; 22 November 1834 – 11 August 1897) was a New Zealand woman who kept detailed diaries. She was born in England and moved to New Zealand with her family when she was 16. There, she started writing in a diary about her daily life. She later married a Scottish farmer and lived in North Canterbury. Her diaries tell the story of her family's life and work. In 1981, parts of her diaries were published as A Year at Hawkswood.

Early Life in England and New Zealand

Frances Caverhill was born in England on 22 November 1834. Her parents were Martha Wykes and John King, who was a farmer. She had three siblings. When she was a child, her father passed away.

At age 16, Frances and her family sailed to New Zealand on a ship called the Cressy. They settled in a town called Lyttelton. Her mother opened a boarding house, which is like a guesthouse. Frances began writing in a diary about her everyday activities. She wrote about visiting friends, going for walks and picnics, singing at concerts, and playing the organ at the local church. She continued this habit of writing in her diary for the rest of her life.

Family Life and Her Diaries

On 27 February 1855, Frances married John Scott Caverhill. He was a farmer, explorer, and valuer from Scotland. They moved to Motunau in North Canterbury, where their first three children were born. Later, they moved to Hawkswood and then to Highfield Station, both still in North Canterbury. They had five more children, making a total of eight. Their home became known for its warm welcome to visitors.

Frances's diaries from this time describe the hard work of running a home and raising children. She wrote about making jams, pickles, and other preserved foods. She also described laundry days, managing household chores, sewing, and knitting. She looked after her children and taught them music. The family did not have servants, but they did hire a governess to teach the children at home. Later, the children went to boarding school. Frances was a very religious person and held prayers for her family and any staff every Sunday. She also helped her husband with his business papers. Both Frances and John were often unwell, and she recorded their health issues in her diary.

In 1877, the family moved to the North Island of New Zealand. They farmed wheat in the Hāwera area and settled near New Plymouth. Her husband faced financial difficulties due to land investments. In early 1897, they moved to Christchurch. John died on 17 April 1897, and Frances passed away on 11 August 1897. They were both buried at Linwood Cemetery. Their oldest daughter, Agnes, married a reverend and politician named Leonard Isitt.

In 1981, Frances Caverhill's diaries from the year 1865 were published. They came out in two books called A Year At Hawkswood.