The Clendons of Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt)

Thomas Clendon (1836-1921) & Eliza Kelsey Vye(1839-1915)

Thomas was born in Ramsgate, Kent, in 1836. He managed to emigrate to both the USA and New Zealand while also spending a lot of time in England.

Age 14 he Arrived in New York 11 May 1850, settling in Glens Falls, Warren, New York. With brother Benjamin he returned to England in 1860 but he stayed longer than his brother to get married to Eliza on 12th April 1861 – 3 days after US Civil War was declared. The couple returned to the USA on 20 June 1861, resuming residence in Glens Falls.

On 1 July 1863, aged 27, Thomas was drafted into Union Army to fight in US Civil War – both his brothers Benjamin and George also fought (George being first a captain and then a Major who fought and was injured at the second Bull Run – he later became Provost Marshall.

By 1879 he was back in the UK. His son Vivian was born there in that year.. He stayed in the UK at least until 1882 but it was likely that he went back for the death of his father in 1887. There he stayed for some years before arriving in Lower Hutt. They purchased a farm in the Akatarawa Valley near Upper Hutt. It was rough country and farming was hard. Sawmilling was a major activity. The photograph above is of the valley about the time of the Clendon arrival. It was taken by James Hallam and comes courtesy of the Horowhenua Historical Society. Thomas and Eliza were recorded as living in Akatarawa in 1901 through to 1907. Thereafter they moved to Lower Hutt.

They established a family dynasty, initially in Lower Hutt but then in Eastbourne.

Snippets

Hutt Election

Evening Post 3 May 1918

Hutt Mayoralty

Evening Post 10 Dec 1921

Mr S Clendon

Hutt News 7 March 1928

Bicycle Lights

Hutt News 4 Oct 1928

Hutt News 31 Oct 1929

Bicycle Lights

5 Dec 1929

Clendon Milne Wedding –

Hutt News Vol 2/33/23 Jan 1930

Hutt Valley High School Results -5 Feb 1931

MASSEY—CLENDON.

The wedding took place fit St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church on Saturday evening, April 8th, of Ellen Mary, daughter of Mr and Mrs Sydney Glendon, Lower Hutt, and Noel Gisborne, son of Mrs. E. Massey, of Sydney. The bride, who was escorted by her father, wore a frock of ivory satin. The corsage was finished with a deep circular yoke of lace, long-fitting lace sleeves, and was made with a highwaistcd effect, forming a sash at the back. The skirt, which was anklelength, was gracefully flared. The silk embroidered tulle veil, which formed a train; -was arranged cap fashion, and encircled with, a spray of silver leaves, with a cluster of orange blossoms at the side. Her bouquet was of autumn-tinted flowers. Her attendant maid was her sister, Miss Ivelsey Clendon, who was in a graceful frock of lettuce green lace over satin, the coatee being made with a crossover effect, with sleeves of georgette and, lace. The ensemble was finished) with Persian-rust sash of velvet*’ Her small hat was of ring velvet of the same shade, her shoes toned with the sash, and her bouquet was of pom pom dahilas and roses of a Persianrust shade. ; I The bridegroni was attended by his brother, Mr. Bruce Massey, of Masterton, as best man. The Rev J. E. Lopdell was the officiating minister, and Mr. L. S. P. Butcher was at the organ. Owing to the bride’s mother being indisposed, the guests were received by Miss Nancy Clendon, and Mr. Massey’s aunt, Mrs W. A. Jenson. Miss Clendon wore a sleeveless frock of heavy cau-de-nil marocain, made with a cape. The rucked bodice was vandyked on to the skirt at the knees and the skirt was fully flared. The shoulder-straps were of ostrich feather. Mrs. Jenson was in a frock of Tucker grey wool crepe and angel skin lace, and smart hat to tone, and she carried a posy of fuchsia tints. The hall and tables were tastefully decorated with autumn-tinted dahlias. The bride travelled in an ensemble of mustard French crepe, the cape being trimnid with brown fur, and her small hat was of nigger brown velvet The church was effectively decorated with dahlias by friends of tho bride.

Hutt Valley News 26 April 1933

Clendon visit

Mr and Mrs Bowen Clendon were in Auckland last Aveek to see the English cricketers.

Thames Star 8 April 1933

Clendon visit

Poverty Bay herald 13 Nov 1933

IN MEMORIAM.

Hannah Louise (Anna) Orr (MRS. SYDNEY CLENDON)

‘On Sunday evening last, June 18th, the Hey J. E. Lopdell preached from the text 1 Thess 5, 2d: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. ” After dealing with the need of holding fast to Christ Jesus, holding fast to His Church; holding fast to the Word of God; holding fast to home life, Mr Lopdell said: “1 have touched on these four facts for a specific reasou. These characteristics were real in the life of Mrs ‘Sydney Clendon, ; whoso memory is so vividly with us to-night. She lived Christ Jesus, and because of this fact, was a loyal member of His Church; a lover of -the Word of God, aud a true home ‘builder. We can say of her— “Far better thus. We know that thou art free; Sorrows aud tears no shadow cast on ■ thee; Thou knowest now, all glorious as thou art, Not through a darkling glass, uot now in past; But face to face thine eyes iv raptured gaze See Him the Light of Light, the Day of Days.1” “When I came to St. Stephen’s,” continued Mr Lopdell, “Mrs Glendon led the choir. X learned then several things, which were confirmed by a more intimate knowledge later. She had an artistic touch, she liked.-a little ritual in the service, and she loved the chants. The things she liked were in deepest harmony with our evangelical faith. Mrs Clendon was most reverent in all things that had to do with worship and service. ‘ Nothing .but the very best- must do when it was service in the Church. She sought to choose the anthem and have the hymns lit in to the subject matter of the sermon. She had a line contralto voice which was dedicated to the service of her ‘ Master .he sang with vigour and her enthusiasm was contagious, and until last year, when weakness made it impossible, she was a faithful member of the .choir… Mrs Clendon was also interested in all organisations of the church, especially .hose that the- women of the congregation are responsible for. When she had her strength she gave of her time and substance to the support-of this kind of work, and up till the last she kept in touch with what was doing. Mrs Clendon was also keenly interested in the prospects *of a new -church. Up to the time of the depression when we hoped within a reasonably short time to be able to launch the campaign of our building scheme, she often spoke of it. Once in speaking to me, with a far away look in her eyes, she remarked: ‘I am afraid it will not be built in time for some of us.’ She now will help us in the Great Beyond where she is, and her memory will be an incentive far us to carry on and get to work just as soon as circumstances will permit. [.This church of ours is now making history, and the foundation members, such as Mrs Clendon will never be for gotten. I (believe that those gone before know .what is doing here, and they watch our progress from the vantage position they have gained. I only wish further to say that Mrs Clendon was; a good wife and. mother. . She came from a Christian home, and all things Christian were her meat and her” drink. Anyone acquainted -with her home knew the place the circle of her loved ones had, in all her thoughts and plans. To her husband, who is a beloved Elder in this congregation^ to her son who is a member of the Board of Managers, to -her daughters, we extend as a congregation our sincere sympathy and love. I close with these lines of Longfellow:—

Is but a suburb of the life elysiau, Whose portal we call death.”

Hutt News 3 June 1933

Hutt News 12 July 1933

Hutt Commercial College

Hutt News 30 Jan 1935

5 August 1936

Business

Hutt News Vol 11/27/1 Dec 1937

Hutt Valley Motor Boat Club

HUTT VALLEY MOTOR-BOAT CLUB

At. the annual general meeting of the Hutt Valley Motor Hout Club, the following officers were elected tor the 1941-42 season:–Patron. Hon. Walter Nash; vicepatrons, Messrs. C. T. London, A. M. Macfarlane, and J. W. Andrews; post captains, Messrs. A. Harvey, D. Fraser, S. I’latt, C. Cook, K. Fvison, K. Brown, P. Shaw, K. Burns; commodore. Mr. A. R. Uuckland; vicecommodore, Mr. T. Clendon; rear commodore, Mr. F. Schneider; secretary, Mr. N. i’. Croft; assistant secretary, Mr. N. Hogwood; treasurer, Mr. VV. J Wilson; general committee. Messrs. A. Aldred, P. Andrews, D. Fox, A. C 3. Harvey, P. R. Morris, H. Turvey; social committee, Messrs. P. 11. Morris (chairman), N. Hogwood (secretary), L. Hanford, A. Cummins, H. Wild, C. Foster, K. St. Clair; slipmasters, Messrs. N. Hogwood, K, Turvey, P, Andrews; delegate to Wellington Yacht and Motor Boat Association, Mr. S. Reid; handieapper, Mr. S. lieid; starter and judge, Mr. A. C. Harvey; assistant starter and judge, Mr. N. Hogwood; sailing committee, Messrs. A. Aldred, A. R. Buckland, T. Clendon, A. G. Harvey.

The commodore reported that the club had had a most successful year, and its activities were expected to be greatly increased in the forthcoming season. One very pleasing feature was the number of new members the club had welcomed during the year, the total membership now standing at over 80, and the number of boats approximately 40. Despite the unsettled state of affairs, and also the fact that many of the members have gone overseas, the finances of the club are in a very healthy position, which is expected to be enhanced when the new season’s activities go into full swing. The official opening is to take place 011 the 6th December at 3 p.m., in the Heretaunga Hall, and after the diligent way in which members have been painting their boats and polishing their brass, it is to be hoped that the weather will be favourable, in order to set the ball rolling for very many pleasant days during the coming summer

John Sidney (Jack) Clendon (1913-1966) & Loris Kathleen Sullivan (1917-1977)

Clendon Sullivan wedding

CLENDON —SULLIVAX At St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church. Lower Hutt. on May 10, Miss Loris Kathleen Sullivan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Sullivan, of Woburn, was married to Mr.. John Sidney Clendon. son of Mr. S. Clendon, of Auckland and formerly of Lower Hutt. The ceremony was performed by Rev. L. V. Bibby. The church had been beautifully decorated with deep pink and mauve hydrangeas by friends of the bride.

The bride, who entered the church on the arm of her father, wore a graceful gown of off-white georgette over taffeta, with a softly shirted bodice fastening with tiny loops and buttons down the back. The full-gathered skirt, which was trimmed with graduated bands of satin, formed a train, and her veil of uncut tulle was mounted on a topknot of tiny ostrich feathers. She wore a triple string of pearls, and carried a shower bouquet of rosea and maidenhair fern.

The bridesmaids. Miss Jean Roberts and Miss Joan Sullivan (younger sister of the bride), wore frocks of shell-pink moire silk, with very full skirts and fitted low-waisted bodices with a deep frill round the net yoke. They wore cameo brooches. Their Victorian posies and hair sprays toned with their frocks. Mr. Ivan Adams acted as best man, Mr. Bill Sullivan (brother of the bride) as groomsman, and Messrs. Arthur Clendon and Len Sullivan as ushers.

After the ceremony a reception was held at Eva Draper’s studio, the ion guests being received by the bride’s mother, who wore a navy and white ensemble, with shoulder spray of deep red roses, assisted by Mrs. J. Walker, of Auckland (sister of the bridegroom), wearing a honey-gold suit with brown accessories and matching shoulder spray. Miss Margot Dallison was soloist. The young couple left by car for a tour oi” the North Island, the bride wearing a smart suit and matching coat of mist-blue, with brown accessories.

Hutt News 21 May 1947

J S Clendon

The Press 26 Jan 1974

Wartime

Corporal Jack Clendon, Maadi, 1943

Cpl Jack Clendon, 6th Field Ambulance, Maadi, 1943

 August 1943 ByBull, George Robert, 1910-1996

Group A Company, 6th Field Ambulance Unit at Maadi, Egypt.

Front row (left to right: Major William M Platts; Mr Quickendon; ?; ?; ?; Doug Stock; Eric Hartstrong; ?; ?; Bill Nell; ?; Arthur Pattison; Jack Hayes.

Second to front row, left to right: Sergeatnt Sam Dunstall; Graham Jackson; Howard Bartlett; ?; Cyril Bradwell; ?; Len Kushner; Harold Jamieson; ?; ?; ?; ?; Corporal Jack Clendon; Sergeant Jack Prescott.

Third row, left to right: ?; ?; Arthur Holt MSC; ?; Mr McElroy; Cliff Hindle (‘Brindle’); ?; Arthur ?; ?;.

Back row, left to right: ?; ?; ?; ?; ?; ?; Jack Phillips; ?; ?; ?; ?;. Possible other names are ‘Snow’ Woods; Chuck Fowler; Jack Smith; Sergeant Bob Purvis; Ron Stewart; Sam Patten; Tom Hopcroft; Mr McKechie, Lance-Corporal Baylis. Taken by G Bull, 17 August 1943.

Tragically Ralp Orr above, one of Jack’s closeset friends, was killed later in the war.

Towards the end of hostilities Jack went to England to help with the massive POW repatriation.

Family group

Wedding of Alison Clendon. From left: Graham Clendon, Alison Clendon, Vaughan Arundel Lambert, William Ross Clendon, Louise Stevens and daughters and John Clendon