Handley, Uriah

About Uriah HANDLEY

Uriah, now aged 46, owner of the Carriers Arms Hotel, married again to Elizabeth Margaret Duncan an 18 years old spinster from South Spit New Zealand on the 18 April 1878 the witnesses were Richard Hooper, a miner of Woodstock, and Margaret Duncan of South Spit.

Both Uriah and Harriet were buried in the Woodstock cemetery and Elizabeth erected a headstone inscribed "Erected by Elizabeth in memory of her beloved husband Uriah Handley, died Woodstock 23 July 1902 in his 70th year. Sacred to the memory of Harriet, the beloved wife of Uriah Handley of Woodstock, departed this life 4 Jun 1877 aged 45.".

A funeral notice in the West Coast Times newspaper reads "the friends of the late Uriah Handley and of his wife are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the cemetery, the funeral to leave his late residence, Woodstock, at 2 o'clock passing Belle Vue hotel at 2.15 on Saturday afternoon. T.L.Ralfe, Undertaker"

Obituaries appeared in the newspaper leading up to the funeral, one of which states "Uriah Handley died at 9am", and that "he took a prominent interest in mining affairs,and was until recently one of the biggest shareholders in the Back Creek Water Race." This all happened in the Gold Rush era.

Colin Holt, who has written several articles for the Cambridgeshire FHS, told me that when Uriah Handley left England there was quite a general exodus and he mentioned that Harriet Burling's brother John Burlingmarried Ann Manning, both aged 19, left England on the "Thames" for Australia and so did Ann Manning's brother William Holmes Manning married to Mary AnnFrost 18 May 1855.

I nominate and appoint my wife Elizabeth Handley sole executrix of this my will, I direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be fully paid with all convenient speed after my decease. I declare that the receipts of my executrix shall efectually discharge any purchasers or other persons paying monies under this my will. I give and devise, bequeath and dispose of all the real and personal estate whereof or whereto I or any person or persons in trust for me am are or is seized or entitled or which I have power to give or dispose of by this my will and all other my estate whatsoever and wheresoever in possession reversion remainder or expectancy with the appurtenances unto and to the use of my said wife Elizabeth Handley her heirs and assigns for ever and lastly revoking all former wills I declare this to be my last will and testament . In witnes whereof I have to this my last will and testament set my hand the day and year first above written.

Signed by the said Uriah Handley the testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us being present at the same time who at his request in his presence. And in the presence of each other subscribe our names as witnesses

G. Morton Burkiss( Solicitor of Hokitika)

H. S. Wales (Clerk of Hokitika)

Uriah Handley born 1826 in Waterbeach son of William Handley (Shoemaker) and Sarah Hoppet. Uriah married Harriet Burling on 31 January 1854 in the Waterbeach Parish Church her father was John Burling described as a Publican and Butcher. Uriah signed and Harriet made her mark the witnesses were William Burling and Margaret Mason, the vicar was Wm Theed.