11 Pendarves Street (circa 1860s)

Little is currently known about the early history of this home, except that it was probably constructed in the 1860s, and was originally located on neighbouring Town Section 1013, nearer to the corner of Pendarves and Liardet Street, and shifted to its present location in mid-1912 to provide space for the construction of present 98 Liardet Street.

The home is characteristic of larger vertical board and batten clad dwellings constructed in New Plymouth in the 1850s-60s period, and shares similarities with 'Willowfield' (37 Cameron Street), constructed in 1863. The home, with its distinctive return-gable roof, can be clearly seen on its original site in a sketch of New Plymouth by Charles W. Wilson dated 9 August 1871, and is also marked on W. H. Skinner's 1880 map of New Plymouth.

Town Section 1013 appears to have been originally owned by William Smith Atkinson (possibly granted in exchange for neighbouring section 1012 taken for Pendarves Street deviation), although when or if he occupied it is unknown. William emigrated to New Zealand in 1845 and seems to have initially settled in the Wellington/Wairarapa area. In 1852 he moved to New Plymouth to join his siblings, including Sir Harry Albert Atkinson (four-time Premier of New Zealand), who had recently arrived from England. In 1872 he became an associate to Judge Richmond and shifted to Nelson. He became unwell and died at Nelson on 3 September 1874. 

It is unclear who owned the property immediately following William's death, with an exchange dated 1893 (possibly occurring earlier in connection with the Pendarves Street deviation), and then a conveyance from Atkinson to Emma Douglas in 1902. The property was later conveyed to Emma's daughter, Clarice Allan Douglas, in May 1907. 

Stones Street Directories list Thomas Frethey only as the occupier from at least 1894 until 1902; thereafter the property is occupied by Thomas Frethey and at least one other. The 1900-01 New Plymouth Borough Council Rating Book lists Frethey as the ratepayer for Town Sections 1012 and 1013, and notes that a house is present on the section; the property was valued at £30.

The 1903 edition of Stones Street Directory lists Thomas and Mrs Sarah Thomasina Douglas (Clarice's mother) as the occupiers; the 1904 edition lists Thomas and Walter Ernest Bailey as the occupiers; the 1905 edition lists Thomas and Mrs ? as the occupiers; from 1906 until 1910, Thomas and Mrs Isabel Williams are listed as the occupiers. The home doesn't feature in Wises Street Directories for 1911 or 1912 - presumably whilst renovations were taking place. From 1913 onwards, Mrs Emma Douglas is listed as the occupier at the home's new location on Pendarves Street. 

On 17 May 1912, well known New Plymouth architecture partnership Sanderson and Griffiths advertised for tenders for the removal and alterations to a residence in Liardet Street. Later, on 25 May 1912, a permit was granted to 'Douglas' for 'alterations' to a residence on Town Section 1012, Liardet Street - Griffiths was listed as the architect, and the estimated construction cost was £340.

Miss Clarice Allan Douglas appears to have never married, and remained living in this home until her death on 28 May 1943 - she is buried in Te Hēnui Cemetery, listed as 'Spinster', last known address 11 Pendarves Street.

This home seems to have strong associations with the temperance/prohibition movement, with Thomas Frethey treasurer of the local 'No Licence League', and both Emma and Clarice strongly associated with the local chapter of the 'Women's Christian Temperance Union' (WCTU).

Related items:

Town Section 1013, Taranaki Land Deeds Index I13 page 221. (Archives New Zealand)

Taranaki (Lot 2) DP3032 Sheet 1 (1912), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)