From: Jo
To: Jan
Subject: Rathbone enquiry
I wonder who “Rathbone Maternity Home” was named after ?
My GG Grandmother was Annie Rathbone who married Peter BARRIE both from Waipawa.
I think Annie’s brother was William Rathbone who married Jessie ARROW.
Peter BARRIE was a Justice of Peace, & Trustee & storekeeper in the late 1800’s.
My GGG Grandfather Frederick STURM from the same area…
From: Jan
To: Jo
Subject: Rathbone enquiry
Hi Jo,
I’m afraid I can only answer your question in a limited way.
As you are probably aware the Rathbones were a BIG name in Waipawa’s early days – but unfortunately I cannot find any information about your GG Grandmother Annie.
Her brother, William Rathbone has a little more written about him.
William Rathbone came to New Zealand in 1855 – and arrived in Waipawa in 1859. That year he was appointed as Waipawa’s Postmaster and in 1860 he began his business as a General Merchant. (His shop was situated where New World is now)
![](images/rathbone/rathbone store.jpg)
In 1869 William Rathbone married Lissie Arrow – 2nd daughter of Henry Arrow, (who was 27 years his junior)
![](images/rathbone/lissierathbone.jpg)
![](images/rathbone/williamrathbone.jpg)
His business flourished and in 1904 he sold his store to his old friend and business partner Fred Kettle and the store became known as ‘Williams and Kettles’.
![](images/rathbone/mainst.jpg)
William died later that year on Christmas Eve.
Lissie Rathbone died on 6th March 1918 leaving a large estate- half of which went to charity.
So bequests from the Lissie Rathbone Trust paid for:-
-Rathbone Maternity Home
-Abbotsford Children’s home
-Waipawa Plunket rooms (along with a bequest from Mrs James Bibby)
-The tower and spire of St Peters Church, Waipawa
– Renovations and enlargement of St Peters church and the stain glass window above the altar.
So to answer your question who is Rathbone Maternity home is named after – it was Lissie Rathbone.
Rathbone home is just over my back fence – only now-a-days it is no longer a maternity home(as it was originally built), nor is it a home for the elderly (as it was in the 1990’s). It is now owned privately and the new owners are turning it into a family home (They must have a VERY big family)
Hope this helps
J Jan