EDWARD GROOBY born Greasely Nottinghamshire 15 June 1815 the eldest son of Francis and Sarah GROOBY, married Sarah HUDSON at the Gedling Church Nottingham. Sarah was born in 1817.
These are Llewellyn's grandparents who migrated to Nelson NZ aboard the Sir Charles Forbes which was the first migrant ship to sail direct from England to Nelson.
The 363 ton barque Sir Charles Forbes was the first ship of the third migant group that came to the New Zealand Company settlement of Nelson sailed from Gravesend 1 May 1842 arriving Nelson 22 August 1842.
Edward and his brother Francis were the first group members of the GROOBY family who migrated to New Zealand over the period between 1842 and 1864. Three further groups followed. Edward and Francis established themselves first on land owned by A G Jenjins near the top of Brook St Nelson. They leased 300 acres south of the reservoir, on the western side of the valley. They cleared the fern-covered land, and by 1845, had built three samll houses, fenced and cultivated 4 acres, (growing wheat, oats and potatoes). Three years later they had another 4 acres under cultivation, and by then they had a variety of animals including 30 goats. In 1849 the family was still in Brook St.
In 1850 most of the family moved to Motueka. From there, they began to purchase land on the Motueka River, mostly around the Ngatimoti/Pangatotara area on the eastern side of the river. Some land was purchased around Motueka itself.
Edward and Sarah had 10 children, their third son and sixth child Edward GROOBY was born in Motuka, 25 February 1851 and died 18 March 1931, married Elizabeth (Bessie) WRATTEN, born 1860, died 17 May 1952. Edward and Elizabeth had 5 children, 1 daughter and 4 sons. Llewellyn (Lyn) Gilbert GROOBY was their 4th son born 16 October 1898, died in England 9 January 1919. This is the gentleman who is buried in Brockenhurst Cemetery.
The third son of Edward and Elizabeth, Laurence Robert GROOBY born 9 Sept 1894 was killed in action in Palestine 27 Sep 1918. The parents were orchardists. Private Llewellyn GROOBY No. 68405. Canterbury Infantry Regiment left New Zealand with the 37th Reinforcements on HMNZT No 103 "Manganui" on 9 May 1918.
Kindly contributed by:
Allan & Yvonne Pope
Motueka 7161
NEW ZEALAND
Sources: Pioneer Passengers, To Nelson by Sailing Ship March 1842 - June 1843 , June E Neale, Nelson New Zealand, 1989.