The Monsons of Burnside

In Dunedin's Northern Cemetery is a stone on which three names are inscribed, and three dates, quite close together.  I had my suspicions as to the reason for two of them - both named Harriet.

It was not long after I began to blog that I mentioned to a female friend that I was not finding many stories about women.  She remarked that, back in the day, men tended to have the remarkable deaths - the adventurous deaths, if you will - whereas women experienced the dangerous process of childbirth.  Many women died in childbirth, but it tended not to be reported.

A search through the newspapers of the time revealed the bare bones of a story - only a few details - but between the lines of those short stories can be read a world of sorrow.

BIRTH

MONSON. - On Saturday, 3rd August, at the stationhouse, Burnside, the wife of G. E Monson, of a daughter.  -Otago Daily Times, 19/8/1907.

DEATHS.

MONSON. - On the 16th August, at her residence, Burnside, Harriet, the beloved wife of George B. Monson; in her forty-second year. — Private interment.  -Otago Daily Times, 19/8/1907.

Many residents in this district, especially in the neighborhood of Pukeuri, will learn with regret of the death at the Dunedin Hospital yesterday of Mr (George Bernard Monson, at one time railway stationmaster at Pukeuri. Deceased was a son of Captain Monson, of Port Chalmers, one of the pioneer settlers of Otago, having arrived in the ship John Wickliffe in 1848. The deceased was transferred on promotion from Pukeuri to Burnside some time since, and a week ago received intimation of further promotion. He lost his wife by death about a fortnight ago, and is said to have contracted a cold while attending her funeral. A complication of disorders supervened, ending fatally yesterday morning. The deceased, who was 41 years of age, was a brother of Mr Monson, local representative of the Union Steamship Company, and was a good conscientious railway officer whose courtesy and readiness to oblige attracted friendships.  -Oamaru Mail, 2/9/1907.

Personal Matters

Genuine regret was expressed at Port Chalmers and in local railway circles on the 1st when it became known that George Bernard Monson had died on Saturday night after a short illness. Deceased was born at Port Chalmers about 41 years ago, and was educated there, and also at the Boys' High School. He entered the railway service over 20 years ago and during ihe past seven years has been station master Burnside, where he became very popular among all with whom he came in contact. In his earlier years Mr. Monson was a prominent footballer and cricketer, but latterly transferred his energies to bowling, being prominently associated with the Green Island Bowling Club. His untimely death is doubly sad from the fact that his wife has only been buried a fortnight and four little orphans are left to mourn their loss — the youngest being only several weeks old. Deceased was the youngest son of Captain Monson, Port Chalmers and had just received intimation of further promotion in the railway service.  Witness, 4/9/1907.

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETINGS

GREEN ISLAND  (excerpt)

Mention was made of Mr and Mrs G. Monson's death, councillors testifying feelingly to the excellence of the late Mr Monson's character whilst stationmaster at Burnside, and it was decided that the clerk forward a letter conveying the council's regret at the sad termination of the career of a most obliging and promising officer, and also sympathy with the family and relatives in their sad bereavement. The annual balance sheet was approved.  -Otago Daily Times, 5/9/1907.

One of the "four little orphans" left by the Monsons was little Harriet, born just before the death of her mother, Harriet. She died on September 6, 1907.