ELIZABETH THOMAS

On March 30, 1865, Elizabeth married Nicholas Knight BOWDEN at Lyttelton, Christchurch, New Zealand.  They had 14 children but lost six in infancy and their firstborn aged 5.  Elizabeth died at Christchurch in 1911.

The reason for Elizabeth’s journey to New Zealand is unknown—did she come with family; was it with the intention of marrying Nicholas/had they met in England; or did she come on her own as a single woman to work (women were recruited in England due to the shortage of domestic workers in New Zealand in the 1860s).

    Elizabeth (Thomas) Bowden

Not much is known about Elizabeth’s family but it appears her parents David Thomas and Sarah Moore were married in 1830.

Possible children for them are:

Sarah              born 1830  

Edward           1832-1859

Alban              1835-1864

David              born 1836

There were probably others as there is an eight-year gap between David (1836) and Elizabeth (1844).

Edward and Alban seem to be likely because one of Elizabeth’s lost babies was named Edward Alban Bowden.

Both these young men died in the St Pancras area of London at the time when epidemics and disease were prevalent.  Parliament would adjourn during summer because that was when the stench from the highly polluted Thames was at its worst! 

If anyone knows anything about other members of the Thomas family could you please contact Barbara at barbmet@xtra.co.nz