The contents of this Website covers 12 generations of the Ingram 
Blood-line, dating from the 1600's to the present time of 2016. 
Each Ingram family listed is a direct descendent of 
Thomas & Tabitha Ingram, 1647, Essex, England.
 

It appears most of our (English) Ingram Ancestors originated from 
around Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Southend-on-Sea is a seaside 
resort and in the East of England. The borough of Southend-on-Sea is part of 
the ceremonial county of Essex and is located on the north-side of the 
Thames estuary, roughly 40 miles (65 km) east of London."

It was from Gravesend, Southend, Essex, England
that John Henry (Samuel) Ingram, his wife Eliza (nee THORN), 
and their 2 small sons boarded the Immigrant Ship 'Zealandia' in 1875, 
to embark on a journey [102 days] that would take them halfway around the 
world to New Zealand, where they, and other British families
hoped to create a new life for themselves.

"Zealandia" 

John Henry and his family arrived in NZ on Nov 20, 1875
and set up home in the new settlement of Caversham, Dunedin.
 

'An Overview of Caversham'
In the 1870's Otago's economy was strong with returns from the 
Central Otago goldfields and the development of public works including railway 
construction. New Immigration Barracks were built at Caversham in 1873. After 
becoming acclimatised to their new home, many immigrants settled nearby or in 
neighbouring South Dunedin providing a boost to the population. 

Railway stations already linked Caversham and Kensington to the city. Horse  trams followed in 1880, stretching through Caversham and South Dunedin and  then to the beaches at St Kilda and St Clair. New housing subdivisions  followed the tramlines, while industrial sites, including the Hillside Railway  Workshops and Dunedin Gasworks clustered around Caversham.

The homes and workplaces, in addition to shops, schools and churches provided  a economic, social and cultural infrastructure and Southern Dunedin became a  world of its own. Its inhabitants could live, work, shop, worship, socialise,  be entertained and educated, all within 'the Flat' or just beyond.


THE INGRAM FAMILY RESIDENCE, David Street, Caversham, Dunedin. 1902



John Henry (Samuel) INGRAM worked as an Asphalter for many years, while Eliza cared 
for their growing family of 10 children, of which 3 died as infants. Around 1905, John left his 
Asphalting job to join with his sons in the business of making non-alcoholic beverages in premises 
on the corner of David and Thorn Streets. Ingram’s cordial bottles were manufactured in London, 
England, where the name ‘Ingram & Sons’ was imprinted into the bottles and stone jars, 
before being shipped to the family business in Dunedin.

They resided at 29 David St, Caversham. The house, well over 100 years old still stands today on 
the corner of David & Thorn Street, Caversham, now listed as number 42 David St.

 

ELIZA THORN'S BROTHERS' also made the journey to New Zealand and settled in Dunedin with 
their wives & children. The first brother to arrive was the youngest brother *John Samuel 
THORN who arrived in 1874, 1 year prior to Eliza’s arrival.
He married Isabella Tolmie who was on the same ship. After approx. 10 years of marriage he 
deserted his wife and 6 children. The children were 5 girls, and 1 boy named after himself - John 
Samuel Thorn, II. Several people without success, have searched for John Samuel's whereabouts. His 
place of death is unknown.

(Grandson of the *above; also named John Samuel Thorn, III was Mayor of Port Chalmers from 1956-
1989. In 1984 he was knighted Sir John Samuel THORN,  III in recognition of a half-century 
of service to his community.)

The 2nd Thorn brother to arrive in Dunedin with his wife and 4 children, was Charles John 
THORN. Charles & Francis Perriam Edwards' family increased to 13 children over the 
following 10 years, of which 3 infants died. He established himself as a Master Builder and 
Undertaker, having brought with him many recipes for embalming corpses. Unionism absorbed much of 
his time and he was a great believer in self-improvement. He devoted himself to community affairs; 
especially Caversham School, of which all his children attended. He faced bankruptcy in 1889, and 
during the 1890s he concentrated on re-establishing his business, which soon prospered during the 
turn of the Century. At the age of 87yrs Charles had already lived a lifespan of 42yrs in Marion 
Street; a short distance from his Funeral business, also located in Marion Street. The street was 
later re-named THORN STREET. (Several Thorn families have continued to live in and around 
Marion/Thorn St to this present day.)

At the death of Charles THORN, his son & daughter; George T. THORN and Sarah THORN, and Mr. 
GILLIONS were partners in the company known as C J THORN LTD, FUNERAL DIRECTOR 
(Established 1884). Later Mr. Gillions bought them out; George THORN was 81yrs at the time. 
The business now goes under the name of GILLIONS FUNERAL SERVICES LTD.

The 3rd brother Peter Hawkes THORN died aged 42 in England from cirrhosis of the 
liver in 1887. Occupation - Foreman Builder. After Peter's early death, his widow Clara Ann 
Rankin; with her adult children immigrated to New Zealand (approx 1910) and settled in 
Dunedin alongside the other Thorn families. 

Life for The Ingram and Thorn Families centred in around Caversham for many generations.




 *Above: Eliza Thorn (Mrs Ingram) & Charles J. Thorn (sister & brother)
George T. Thorn (5th son of Charles J. Thorn), (who took over his father's business).
Sir John Samuel Thorn (Grandson of their brother John Samuel Thorn.)

A Link with the Past...

"During the 1990’s, Ian INGRAM, (g.g.Grandson of Eliza Thorn & John Henry Ingram) 
moved his Upholstery business to David Street, Caversham. By sheer coincidence, the premises from 
which he worked, was the original livery stable used by his g.g.Grandfather to shelter his horse-
and-trap used for delivering his Cordial beverages in Caversham, over a Century ago."


 


INGRAM & SONS CAVERSHAM Cordial Bottle

An Ingram bottle complete with its original *RILEY PATENT screw stopper. Standing at 9 inches in height, this rare find dates back to pre 1920’s  and is in excellent condition. As well as the INGRAM & SONS label; 'THE RILEY MNFG Co LONDON S.W.' is also embossed on the bottle-base.

*Riley’s exported all over the world to small and medium sized bottling
companies for specific customers; with their names and trade marks 
sandblasted on the glass bottles.

(Click on picture to view embossed 'Ingram' labelling) 



Charles W.N. Ingram, grandson of John Henry,
and a lifelong resident of Caversham, is the author of 
'New Zealand Shipwrecks'
An invaluable reference book which has 
gone into several editions.
(John Henry & Charles' photo at top of page)


This Website would not have been possible if it hadn't been for the many hours 
of research done by John Valentine Ingram, (aka) Uncle Jack, [son 
of Charles W.N. Ingram] and his father's cousin, Emily Stirling Donaldson,
(nee INGRAM), (Deceased) (aka) Betty Donaldson, of Invercargill).

Since my recent discovery of the 

Boddington-Ingram Website 
... correspondence with the webmaster - Derek Boddington,
has enabled us to exchange additional information relating to our ancestors 
who were brothers in the late 1700's:
 Robert INGRAM 
(great (x3) grandfather of Derek)
John INGRAM
(great (x4) grandfather of Rona)

If you wish to view this branch of the family in more detail, click on the link above, or on 'Useful Links' at top of page.

'Many thanks' to Derek - (England)

If you have any queries or new information,
please do not hesitate to contact me! 
Feel free to leave any comments or suggestions 
in the 'GuestBook' at the top of this page.
I hope you enjoy exploring this site
and discovering your ancestors!











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