Phoebe Myrtle Love

Phoebe was born in 1870 on Mana Island, the daughter of Cornelius Fisher and his wife Elizabeth (nee Edwards). Her parents were married at Wellington in 1855 a year after the birth of their first child. Phoebe was the youngest of their eight children.

Cornelius had come to New Zealand aged 13 in 1841 with his family on the ‘William Bentinck’. He described himself as a Porirua settler and had various jobs. He ran the Porirua ferry from 1866 onwards. He also farmed land in the area. Cornelius and his sons were charged several times with sheep stealing but the evidence was always lacking. In 1879, Cornelius was committed for trial for feloniously killing a cow belonging to his neighbour. Cornelius’ two sons aged 14 and 19 were called to give evidence on the charge. Their evidence was refused as neither understood the nature of an oath or had ever heard of God.

On 23^rd September 1884, Phoebe married James Ernest Love at the Registrar’s Office in Wellington. The marriage certificate stated she was 16. Her birth was registered in 1870. The bride and groom each made their mark on the register, the witnesses all signed it. Later that year she gave birth to her first son, John Ernest. Richard Isaac was born in 1886, Rosie Isabella in 1889 and Alexander in 1897. Sadly, Rosie died in 1889 aged 5 days and Alexander died in 1898 aged 1 ½. He was buried at Karori Cemetery.

By 1886, Phoebe’s husband James was charged with failing to support his wife and child. Phoebe was living with her father who was described as a cripple and unable to support himself. James responded that he only received 5s per day from the Corporation. An order was made by the Court for 10s per week. In 1887 he was charged with failing to comply with the maintenance order and remanded.

By 1893, Phoebe is living in Cambridge Road. James gives his address as Thorndon Quay where he is working as a fisherman. In 1895, James Love was charged with having obstructed the audience at the Opera House. As his Workship thought the case had not been proved, the charge was dismissed. In 1896, Phoebe was living in Drummond Street and James still on Thorndon Quay.

When their son Alexander died in June 1898, his address was Cambridge Row (or Road) which was the same address as his father, so presumably the family were reunited. In September, James was the victim of assault by two labourers in his street. His skull was fractured and was unconscious for 15 hours. His attacker received two years with hard labour.

There are no further Electoral Roll entries for Phoebe after 1896.

In August 1904, Phoebe was transferred from the Wellington Hospital to Mt View Asylum to her ‘disturbed condition’ and upsetting the other patients. Despite every attention being paid to her, said the Matron Mary Agnes Sullivan, Phoebe died on 19^th September. An inquest determined that her death was due to exhaustion from a bladder infection and diarrhea.

Phoebe was buried with Alexander. They share an unmarked plot.

Phoebe’s son John Ernest Love died in 1952 and is buried at Karori. His daughter, born in 1904, was named Myrtle Phoebe Love. Her other son Richard Isaac died in 1912.

Plot: *Ch Eng/V/30

By Julia Kennedy