William Donaldson Brunsden, Lithographic printer and Salvation Army member, Christchurch

1852 - 1889  (36 years)

• Name	William Donaldson Brunsden
  Suffix	Lithographic printer and Salvation Army member, Christchurch
  Born	22 Oct 1852	Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
  	Named after his maternal grandfather, William Donaldson, tea dealer of Wroughton, Wiltshire, England.
  Gender	Male
  Occupation:	Jul 1874	Advertises as working on his own account
  	Star 24 July 1874: W. D. BRUNSDEN, Engraver, Lithographer, Copper-plate, and General Printer, Durham street north, Christchurch.
  Occupation:	Mar 1875	Doyle and Brunsden
  	Press 20 March 1875: NOTICE, to our Friends and Customers, that Augustus Doyle is not, and never was, connected with the firm of DOYLE AND BRUNSDEN, No 6, Whateley road.
  Occupation:	1877	Doyle, Brunsden and Fulton, printers, Christchurch
  	William a partner with John Fulton in the firm of Doyle, Brunsden and Fulton, printers.
  Event:	Jun 1877	Lithographic portraits published by W D Brunsden
  	Press 7 June 1877: Business Notices - JUST PUBLISHED. A LITHOGRAPHED PORTRAIT of WM. ROLLESTON, Esq., late Superintendent. Copies may be obtained of the Publishers, at the office of Mr W. D. Brunsden, Manchester street,and of the agent, Mr S. H. Saunders. Press, 9 June 1877: Lithographic Portraits. To The Editor of The Press. Sir.— In your issue of this morning you have favorably noticed the third portrait of a series now in course of publication by Messrs Brunsden and Co. In all your notices you have, however, omitted to state that in each ease the credit of the portrait, so far as likeness, pose, and other pictorial qualities are concerned, is due to me. You state in your review that the portraits are drawn on stone this is true in a way, but it is only half the truth. There is a very wide difference between a portrait drawn on stone, direct from a sitter (as your notice would lead any person to imagine had been the case in these instances) and a tracing made on stone of an enlarged photograph prepared expressly for that purpose. The truth in respect of the lithographs you have so favorably reviewed is this: —The gentlemen have in each case sat to me for their portraits, which, in the first instance, were taken of a small size, and proofs were then submitted for approval. In one or two instances some alteration was suggested, and in these cases a new sitting was given, so as to obtain a perfectly satisfactory portrait to start upon. This point gained, I enlarged the portrait to the size it appears in the finished result, and then reversed it, \"so as to render tracing on the stone more easy.\" In this stage the portraits were handed by me to Messrs Brunsden and Co. I do not wish for a moment to derogate from the skill of Mr T. S. Cousins, who is a most excellent draughtsman, as well as a masterly painter, but I think, the truth being as I have stated, I should in common fairness have my share of the credit attached to this work. Yours, &c., Nelson K. Cherrill. June 7th, 1877
  Residence:	Dec 1877	left for Wellington
  	Star 12 February 1878: [William reported as having left for Wellington, finishing his service with the Christchurch Fire Brigade]: MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. CHRISTCHURCH. The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last evening, ... THE FIRE BRIGADE. The Superintendent of the Fire Brigade reported as follows:— ... W. D. Brunsden has left for Wellington, and is entitled to a certificate for six years'. [His departure seems to co-incide with the insolvency of his partnership, but his stay in Wellington cannot have been for too long, as he marries in December 1878 in Christchurch. A Mr Brunsden appears in several passengers lists of coastal vessels between Lyttelton and Wellington in 1878, the first being on the Tui arriving in Wellington 28 Dec 1877].
  Interests:	c 1871 - 1878	Christchurch Fire Brigade
  	Active member of the Fire Brigade.
  Legal:	Feb 1878	Doyle, Brunsden and Fulton, printers, Christchurch
  	Press 21 February 1878: IN BANKRUPTCY. THE PRESS is an authorised GAZETTE For all notices under the Debtors and Creditors Act. IN BANKRUPTCY. IN the Supreme Court of New Zealand Canterbury district — In the matter of the Debtors and Creditors Act 1876 and in the matter of bankruptcy of William Donaldson Brunsden and John Fulton of Christchurch in the said district late of the firm of Doyle, Brunsden and Fulton printers, debtors. This is to notify that William Donaldson Brunsden and John Fulton of Christchurch in the said district late of the firm of Doyle, Brunsden and Fulton, printers, have this day filed a statement that they are unable to meet their engagements with their creditors —The first meeting of creditors to be held at the Supreme Court House Christchurch on Wednesday, the 27th day of February instant at eleven o\'clock in the forenoon. —Dated this 20th day of February, 1878. RICHARD DAVIS, Deputy Registrar.
  Occupation:	Sept 1882	William completes the lithographs for the Exhibition Record
  	Star 1 September 1882: EXHIBITION RECORD, SUBSCRIBERS are now being supplied with copies of the above at the printing office, 199 Gloucester street, and by Mr W. D. Brunsden, who alone is authorised to receive money and give receipts on my behalf. JAMES CAYGILL, Publisher of the "Record."
  Event:	Dec 1884	Presumably Elizabeth Brunsden's earrings stolen
  	MAGISTERIAL. CHRISTCHURCH; This Day. (Before E. Beetham, Esq., E.M. ; and P. J. , Kimbell, Esq.) Larcenies. — Mary Lynch was charged with stealing a pair of earrings, value 35s, the property of William Brunsden, on August 15 last. It appeared that the accused had gone on a visit to Mrs Brunsden on the day named. While there she went inside Mrs Brunsden's dressingroom for a few minutes, and about half-an-hour after she had left a pair of earrings were missed from this room. Information was given to the police, and eventually the stolen articles were traced to accused. She had given the knobs of the earrings to Mrs Stewart, and the pendants to Mrs Brittan, with whom she was boarding. Accused now said that she had found the earrings entangled in her shawl and veil after she left Mrs Brunsden's. The Bench said such excuses only aggravated the offence. Twelve months ago the accused had been sent to gaol for two months for larceny. This had not acted as a deterrent, and she would now be sentenced to four months' hard labour. [Star (Christchurch) 13 December 1884]
  Occupation:	1889	Christchurch Electoral Roll 1890 (presumably his 1889 registration as he died 1889)
  	Brunsden, William Donaldson, 268 Manchester Street, Photographer. [The best online resource I know of https://canterburyphotography.blogspot.com/ has no further information on, or examples of photographs by, William Brunsden]
  Religion:	1884 - 1889	Salvation Army
  	According to his Salvation Army obituary, William was converted to the Salvation Army at the Oddfellow's Hall, Christchurch, during the Commissioner's meetings in 1884. William was promoted to Sergeant in 1888. [The War Cry 22 Jun 1889]. The following may be the meetings: The Salvation Army. —Quite a detachment of members of the Salvation Army arrived on Wednesday night by the express, and were met by the band. A congress commenced yesterday in the Tuam street hall, at which some twenty-one different corps were represented. Major Howard, from London, was in command, with Major Pollard and Staff-Captain Oxby, from Melbourne. The congress will be resumed to-day. [Press 26 December 1884] From: The Salvation Army in New Zealand New Zealand in the 1880s was a young country of rich potential, but an economic depression was creating unemployment, poverty, social distress and violence. Responding to requests to help those affected by the depression, William Booth sent two Salvation Army officers to New Zealand in 1883. The two officers, Captain George Pollard and Lieutenant Edward Wright, brought with them a bank draft of 200 pounds and three Australian Salvationists. Between them they established The Salvation Army in New Zealand. Within a short time, Army centres had been opened in 21 cities and towns, and 'flying brigades' serviced country areas. Soldiers were enrolled, bands formed, individuals persuaded to accept Jesus, and the Salvationist message was preached. [From https://archives.salvationarmy.org.nz/our-history]
  Died	9 Jun 1889	Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
  	DEATH. Brunsden —June 9, at his late residence, Peterborough street, William Donaldson Brunsden, eldest son of the late Richard Brunsden; aged thirty-six. [Lyttelton Times 11 June 1889] Lyttelton Times 13 June 1889: SALVATION ARMY FUNERAL — Yesterday afternoon the remains of William Brunsden, who has been a soldier in the Salvation Army for the last five years, and has borne the rank of Sergeant for about half that period, were interred in the Addington Cemetery. The deceased, who was much respected, was carried off suddenly after only a week’s illness, by inflammation of the lungs. He was accorded a soldier’s funeral by his comrades in the Army. The procession, a large one, headed by the two Brass Bands of the Christchurch corps, left the residence in Peterborough street about half-past two. Over one hundred of the soldiers of the corps, both male and female, marched four deep behind the Bands, while a considerable number of vehicles followed the hearse. The funeral cortege attracted much attention from the public, as by way of Colombo street it passed through the city en route for Addington. Singing and playing were kept up continuously along the line of march At the Cemetery the service was conducted by Staff-Captain Veal, assisted by Mrs Colonel Taylor, Captain Cutler, and other officers, some hundreds of people being gathered round the grave. A memorial service is announced to be held in the Victoria street Barracks on Sunday evening next.
  Buried	12 Jun 1889	Addington Cemetery, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
  	THE Friends of the late Mr William Donaldson Brunsden, are respectfully informed that his Funeral will leave his late residence, Peterborough street, near Colombo street, on Wednesday, the 12th inst., at 2 p.m.— the Addington Cemetery. J. LAMB, Undertaker, 35 Lichfield street. [Press 11 June 1889]
  Legal:	Jul 1889	Life insurance payment
  	Star 23 July 1889: Prompt Payment. — It was rumoured some time since that the Insurance Association in which the late Mr W. D. Brunsden of this city had a policy, was raising difficulties regarding the payment of the same to his widow. We are in a position to state (having seen a letter signed by Mrs Brunsden on the subject) that the full amount assured was handed over to her by the National Mutual Life Association within one week of the papers being received by them.
  Person ID	I362	Grant
  Last Modified	18 Dec 2023

  
  

  Father	Richard (Dick) Brunsden, Seedsman, Corn factor, commission agent, farmer and Inspector of Weights and Measures in Christchurch NZ,   b. Jan 1828, Stratton St Margaret, Wiltshire, England ,   d. 31 May 1874, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand  (Age ~ 46 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Mother	Agnes Jane Donaldson, Governess and NZ Supreme Court litigant,   b. c 1830, Wroughton, Wiltshire, England ,   d. 12 Jan 1905, River Road, Richmond, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand  (Age ~ 75 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Married	9 Oct 1851	Broad Blunsdon parish church, Wiltshire, England
  	Marriage certificate: Marriage solemnized by licence in the Church of Broad Blunsdon in the County of Wilts. 9 Oct 1851. Richard Brunsden, full age, bachelor, land surveyor, residence Broad Blunsdon, father Richard Brunsden, yeoman. Agnes Jane Donaldson, full age, spinster, no occupation, residence Wroughton, father Robert Donaldson, Grocer. Both signed. Witnesses were Thomas Bendry and Sarah Brunsden [Richard's sister].
  Family ID	F142	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Elizabeth Robertson Allison, Salvation Army member,   b. 2 Aug 1854, 96 Brook Street, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England ,   d. 8 Feb 1919, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand  (Age 64 years)
  Married	30 Dec 1878	St Lukes Anglican Church, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
  	Lyttelton Times 11 Jan 1879: MARRIAGE. Brunsden-Allison.— On Dec. 30, at St. Luke’s Church, by the Rev. E. A. Lingard, William Donaldson, eldest son of the late R. Brunsden, Esq., to Elizabeth Robertson, second daughter of Mr John Allison, builder, both of Christchurch.
  Children	1. Arthur Richard Theodore (Brunny) Brunsden, Canterbury rugby representative player, later a founder of Rugby League in New Zealand and Rugby League test match referee,   b. 1 Oct 1879, North Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand ,   d. 31 Oct 1958, Auckland, New Zealand  (Age 79 years)  [Birth]   2. Elizabeth Allison (Robertson) Brunsden, died an infant,   b. 19 Jun 1881, High Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand ,   d. 19 Jan 1882, Timaru, South Canterbury, New Zealand  (Age 0 years)  [Birth]   3. John Allison Brunsden, died a child,   b. c 13 Mar 1883, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand ,   d. Dec 1885  (Age ~ 2 years)  [Birth]   4. Agnes Jane Donaldson Brunsden, Salvation Army member, unmd, died in her 20s,   b. 5 Nov 1884,   d. Apr 1912  (Age 27 years)  [Birth] + 5. Vera Brunsden,   b. 24 Mar 1887, Salisbury Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand ,   d. 9 Sep 1986, Fitzgerald House, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand  (Age 99 years)  [Birth] + 6. William Donaldson (Bill) Brunsden, Ironmonger, Rugby league player, emig to NSW, Australia,   b. 1889, Avonside, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand ,   d. c 1956  (Age 67 years)  [Birth]
  Last Modified	15 Mar 2020
  Family ID	F141	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Richard and Agnes Brunsden's pioneer home - Avonside, Christchurch. Old photograph of a family drawing owned by Vera Godfrey nee Gasson. This pioneer home was on the Stanmore road, somewhere near the intersection with Armagh Street (in fact, co-incidentally, Richard Brunsden's well was on the property owned by my wife at 407 Armagh Street)