Helen Stewart

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Notes:

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))

Helen married James Allison Aitken on 26 Jul 1881 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. James (son of James Allison Aitken and Isabella Galbraith) was born on 7 Sep 1856 in East Taieri, Otago, New Zealand; died on 18 Jul 1926 in New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary Downie Aitken was born in 1881 in New Zealand; died in Pre 1938.
2. James Allison Aitken was born on 2 Nov 1884 in New Zealand; died on 19 Nov 1901 in New Zealand.
3. Isabella Galbraith Aitken 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.
4. Nellie Stewart Aitken was born on 26 Nov 1887 in Waikata Valley, Gore, New Zealand; died on 12 Feb 1942.
5. Stewart Alexander Aitken was born on 22 Jul 1890 in New Zealand; died on 2 Apr 1918 in Belgium.
6. Edwin William Aitken was born on 22 Jul 1890 in Waikata Valley, Gore, New Zealand; died on 14 May 1963 in Chatton, New Zealand; was buried in Gore, Southland, New Zealand.
7. Margaret Stewart Aitken was born on 10 Jun 1892 in New Zealand; and died.
8. Mabel Stewart Aitken was born in 1895 in New Zealand; died in 1895 in New Zealand.
9. Robina Christina Annie Aitken was born on 12 Oct 1898 in New Zealand; died on 27 Jun 1979 in Gore, Southland, New Zealand; was buried on 29 Jun 1979.
10. Evelyn Jane Aitken was born on 12 Nov 1900 in New Zealand; died in Aug 1983 in Gore, Southland, New Zealand; was buried on 23 Aug 1983 in Gore Cemetery, Southland, New Zealand.

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Alexander married Mary Downie. Mary and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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