Leach Story

The following History was Obtained from records of the LEACH Reunion Feb 1989 at Wanganui.
(Can you put names to the Photos.)

CHARLES & PAULINA LEACH
Charles Leach was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire. He is known to have been a member of the 20th Regiment of the US Infantry from 24th Sept 1866 to 24th Sept 1869.It is presumed he went back to England and married "Matilda" On 28th July 1874 they sailed from Plymouth as assisted immigrants on the ship "Helen Denny" His wife Matilda died in childbirth on the ship on either the 10th Sept or the 10th Oct 1874.Thus Charles disembarked as a widower at Napier on the 22nd Oct 1874.According to barrack's records by the Hawke's Bay Art Gallery and Museum he left the Napier Barrack's on the 26th Oct 1874 to work for Mr Ashton of Napier for a rate of 10 Shillings per week.
Paulina TAYLOR was born in Halifax, Yorkshire. She sailed to New Zealand on the "DOUGLAS" with her father Abraham and sister Lucy as assisted Immigrants arriving in Wellinton on the 26th Sept 1873 and then went to Napier. The barrack Master's book states that, Paulina aged 12 years a maidservant, left the barracks on 9th 1873 to be employed by Mr Firth at a rate of 12 Shillings a week.
Charles & Paulina were Married on 2nd Aug 1876 in the church at Te Aute by the Rev Samuel Williams.They moved about the area finally settling in Ormandville on "The Hill" farm as it was known.They had eight children (See Tree) The youngest son Harry died of Meningitis on 2nd June 1909.
Charles died on 19th July 1911 in Ormandville. His death certificate says his father was Richard, a cloth factory hand and his mother was Rachel,formally Steel.
Paulina died at Dannevirke Public Hospital, noted from Te Rehunga.
Her death certificate says her father was Abraham, a Policeman, although Abraham's own death certificate states his occupation as Cabinet maker. Paulina's mother was also Paulina formally Crowther.
Both Charles and Paulina are Buried at Ormandville.