James Bruce Falconer

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Notes:

James worked on Merino Downs farm.

James married Helen Hazel Bruce on 10 Apr 1940. Helen was born on 30 Sep 1919 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand; died on 17 Jun 1981 in Gore, Southland, New Zealand; was buried in Gore Cemetery, Southland, New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Occupation: farmer
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The family farm was called Merino Downs, which is near Gore, Southland, NZ.
After David died Isabella continued to live there until her son, Stewart, retired from working on the farm and moved to Gore.

David married Isabella Galbraith Aitken on 14 Aug 1907 in Hawthornden, Waikaka Valley, New Zealand. Isabella (daughter of James Allison Aitken and Helen Stewart) was born on 3 Dec 1885 in Gore, Southland, New Zealand; died on 4 Nov 1967 in Gore, Southland, New Zealand; was buried on 6 Nov 1967 in Gore, Southland, New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Thomas married Susan McNab. Susan and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Notes:

James and all his brothers, excepting Andrew, the youngest, took up farming at Kaihiku, Waikaka Valley and Mataura Island areas.

According to "The Aitken's of Mosgiel": "James was born (on the 7 Sep 1856,) at East Taieri and educated at the local school. Working on his father's property he heard that land was available for settlement from the 'Knapdale run', he managed to secure section 13 of the Chatton survey district block 1. His two brothers, William and Peter, bought adjoining sections, 11 and 15. It took them three days from Kahiku to the Waikaka Valley where they found their land was covered with red tussock. He called his property Hawthorn Den. Breaking in the land immediately they sowed their first wheat crop. When harvested they carted the wheat to Tapanui where they waited whilst some of the wheat was ground into flour and taken back home. James was a very tidy farmer and a first class agricultururalist and stockman."

After Helen and James were married they travelled to Gore by train and then by dray to James's block.
James and Helen were prominent in their local Presbyterian Church, where James was the choir leader. James possessed a fine tenor voice and family and friends were encouraged to gather round the piano or tuning fork, which James preferred.
James purchased his brother William's property in 1882, when William went to farm at Longbush.
When James died his son William (Bill) took over the property.

James married Helen Stewart on 26 Jul 1881 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Helen (daughter of Alexander Stewart and Mary Downie) was born on 15 Aug 1859 in Kincardine, Fife, Scotland; died in Aug 1938 in Gore, Southland, New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Daughter of Alexander Stewart & Mary Downie. Helen & her younger sister Annie emigrated to Dunedin, NZ after their parents' deaths. Helen & her husband were prominent in their local Presbyterian Church where James was Choir Leader. Helen died in August, 1938

Helen and her sister left for Dunedin, Otago, NZ, from Stirling, STI. They were joining their brother who later became the Hon. Downie Stewart, MP.

After Helen and James were married they travelled to Gore by train and then by dray to James's block.
James and Helen were prominent in their local Presbyterian Church, where James was the choir leader

"Helen was renowned for her deep thinking and had lively discussions about religion and politics. She was very small in stature and had to leave a good 10 minutes before other family members to walk the mile to worship each Sunday."

After her husband died, of cancer, on 18 Jul 1926, his son William (Bill) took over the property.
"On James' death in 1926, Helen retired to Gore accompanied by her daughter Evelyn, until Evelyn's marriage.
In her retirement she maintained an interest in her church and the politics of the day, in which she was well read.

There is a "little red book" chapter XII probably written by David Falconer
which has a few paragraphs on Helen Stewart and James Allison Aitken, from
which I got most of her information.
Helen's parents lived at Westwood Lane Farm, Blairdrummond. After her parents
deaths Helen and her younger sister, Annie, emigrated to Dunedin, New Zealand,
to join their brother, William Downie Stewart.
"When she was visiting her married sister, Margaret Downie Aitken nee Stewart,
at Waikaka Valley, she met James Allison Aitken. (No relation to Margaret's
husband)
In July 1881 Helen and James were married in Dunedin. Soon after they
travelled by train to Gore and from there to Waikaka Valley by dray. There was
much to do in establishing a home and developing a farm, and Helen was an able
partner, helping out on the farm when needed as well as raising a family of
eight. Their farm and home, still in use, were a credit to their abilities."
Helen was an excellent hostess giving much help to those in need.
Together James and Helen had 10 children.
Helen was renowned for her deep thinking and had lively discussions on religion and politics."
Being very small of stature she would leave for church a good 10 minutes
before the rest of the family to travel the mile to worship, so that she would
arrive at church at the same time.
"On James' death in 1926, Helen retired to Gore, accompanied by her daughter
Evelyn, until Evelyn's marriage. In her retirement she mainained an interest
in her church and the politics of the day, in which she was well read. She
died in August 1938, four of her children - Mary, James, Nellie and Stewart
having predeceased her." (Nellie died in 1942 and so did not predecease her
believe Nellie should read Mabel))