Mr and Mrs John France (née Margaret Erskine)

John and Margaret France were both born in Alva, Scotland, John in 1815 and Margaret in 1830. John found work manufacturing woollen goods but felt that there were more prosperous opportunities opening up in the colonies. In 1852 John married Margaret Erskine and they emigrated to Melbourne later the same year. John established his own store at Ballarat and began trading animal hides and skins. Margaret’s health suffered in Victoria, however, and after a short time she returned to Scotland, while John remained behind to settle his business affairs. He wanted to see what New Zealand was like, so after finishing up with the shop, he travelled over for a short visit before returning to Scotland. He must have liked what he saw of New Zealand because he subsequently convinced his wife and his brother to uproot their growing families and emigrate to Otago on the George Canning in 1857.

They soon moved to ‘Brucefield Farm’ in Tokomairiro where they remained for the rest of their lives. The couple were strong supporters of the Presbyterian Church, and both were active in the community.  John lent his hand to any local work that needed to be done, and Margaret was highly charitable and well-loved by all who knew her. John died after a short illness on 19 February 1889, aged 73, leaving everything to Margaret.  She survived until 11 January 1907, when she died at ‘Brucefield’, aged 75, leaving behind two daughters and five sons.