John Begg Crabbe
Dwelling #207.
Group Number 1

Group Members

The table below shows the people that make up the group.

No Last Name First Names Maiden Name Relationship Occupation Born Died School Year
1 Crabbe John Begg (Jack) Husband Orchardist, farmer 27 Aug 1895
2 Crabbe Mabel Annie Bremner Wife 1892
3 Crabbe Allen John Child 28 Dec 1928 5 Dec 1947 3 Sep 1934
4 Crabbe Jeffrey James Child 25 Jun 1930 11 Apr 1931
5 Crabbe Edith Elsie Lilian Child 14 Aug 1931 8 Sep 1936
6 Crabbe Molly Isobel Child 28 Aug 1935 3 Sep 1940

Notes

The table below shows any historical notes about the party group.

Note Date Short Description Note Text
2404 1892 Birth of Mabel Bremner

Mabel Annie Bremner was born in Dunedin in 1892.

2405 1895 Birth of John Begg Crabbe.

John Begg Crabbe was born on 27 Aug 1895 in Bannockburn, to James Newberry Crabbe and Isabella McFarlane (Begg) (see dwelling #48)

2406 1921 Stones directory listing.

Stones directory recorded John Begg Crabbe as being an orchardist in Bannockburn.

2407 c1926 Jack took up land in Jones Gully.

It appears that Jack Crabbe had taken up a parcel of land in Jones Gully as part of the subdivision of Kawarau Station.

2408 1926 Marriage of Jack and Mabel.

on 28 Dec 1926, John Begg Crabbe married Mabel Annie Bremner in the Presbyterian church in Bannockburn. Miss Bremner was at that time a nurse at the Cromwell hospital.

2409 c1926 Building of dwelling #207.

It appears that dwelling #207 may have been built around this time, possibly by Jack Crabbe. The couple made their home there.

2410 1930 Jack Crabbe planted fruit trees.

on 15 April 1930 the Department of Agriculture recorded Mr J B Crabbe as having an orchard with 1 acre planted with 140 trees.

2411 1931 Death of Jeffrey James Crabbe.

On 11 April, Jeffrey James Crabbe, aged 10 months accidentally drowned in a tin wash tub / nappy bucket. He is buried in the Cromwell cemetery.

2412 1947 Death of Allen John Crabbe.

On 5 Dec 1947, Allen John Crabbe, aged 19 years, was fatally injured. He was hit by the shed door while handling his gun. He is buried in the Cromwell cemetery.

2413 1949 Jack Crabbe purchased dwelling #206.

Jack Crabbe purchased dwelling #206 and the surrounding land from his brother Bill when he and his family moved south (see dwelling #206 for more details). The land was added to the farm.

2414 1960 Sale of the farm to Donald Cameron.

Jack Crabbe and his family moved to Dunedin and sold the farm along with the two dwellings (#206 and #207) to Mr Donald Cameron.

2415 1948 Coroners Inquest into the death of Allan Crabbe.

Extract from the Cromwell Argus, dated 20th January 1948. Coroners Inquest. An inquest was held by the district coroner Mr L H Denniston concerning the death of Allan John Crabbe, of Bannockburn on 5 December 1947. John Begg Crabbe, farmer, father of the deceased stated that his son was employed part time on the farm and other casual work on the water race and neighboring farms. He was a healthy lad, living a normal life. On December 5th, Allan John Crabbe worked on the farm whilst he rose at 6 a.m. and left home to work on the water race, returning at 10 p.m. that night. He was informed by his wife that the son was not home, but concluded that he had gone out visiting. he then went to bed and was awakened by his wife who told him that the son had not returned. Dressing, he went to the car shed, intending to go and look for him. The car shed door was partly open, and going inside he made his way to start the car when he discovered the body of his son. Thinking he was asleep, he shook him, taking hold of his coat, and discovered that he was dead. He then went with his daughter to a neighbor, thence to the Cromwell police station. His son was of a happy disposition and had not complained of ill health or lack of sleep. There had been a difference of opinion over the water race but this did not appear to have affected him. He was an industrious lad and had no financial worries. Mr J C Parcell, appearing for the relatives asked questions regarding the car shed, and witnesses stated that it was also used for storing farm gear. The space between the car and the wall was restricted. The deceased was experienced with rifles. Edith Lillian Crabbe, aged 16 years, stated that he brother was quite normal doing his work as usual about the farm. After his evening meal he went out and she did not see him again.He frequently went shooting or irrigating before retiring. She did not know what his intentions were that evening. After hay making for a neighbor the day before he had said there had been a row over water, and when asked about it said something about a stone in Ritchie's box. She thought he said that Ritchie's would be getting extra water. He told his sister that he had not slept for three nights. Mabel Annie Crabbe, mother of the deceased outlined her husbands activities on the day of December 5th. he did not return until after 10 p.m.. Her son was 18 years of age and worked .. a line is missing here ...she suggested it. After assistance with the evening milking he had his tea, leaving the house between 6.00 pm and 6.30 pm without saying anything. When he did not return at dark, she concluded that he had gone visiting. Deceased was not likely to pay any undue attention to minor troubles. Henry Vincent Parcell also gave evidence that deceased was a bright intelligent lad. he was a member of the local Rifle Club and a good shot. Steven Harry Rusbatch, police constable, in his evidence stated that he had been called to the scene by John Begg Crabbe about 2.00 am on the 6th December when he found the deceased lying on the floor of the car shed with a bullet wound in the forehead in a position consistent with the fathers statement. He was dead. The firearm had been examined by experts and though old, the firing mechanism was in good order. Summing up, the coroner found that the deceased, was killed by a rifle bullet discharged through his own actions at Bannockburn on December 5th 1947 whether by accident or intent there being not sufficient evidence to disclose.


Images

The table below shows a list of images related to the party group. Click on 'View Image' to display more details about the image, and to view the image.

Image Id Source Date Short Description
1287 Mrs E Alvey - Nelson 15 Apr 1930 Certificate of Registration for an Orchard View Image
1288 Mrs E Alvey - Nelson 30 May 1938 Certificate of Registration for an Orchard View Image
1290 Mrs E Alvey - Nelson 1959 Mr & Mrs John Begg Crabbe and family - Christchurch View Image