In 1830 Australian-born Elizabeth (Betty) Guard – shown here in a shadow portrait – married Jacky Guard, a convict who, after serving his sentence, became a seafarer, whaler and trader. The couple became one of the first European families to live in the South Island when they settled in the Marlborough Sounds.
two of Betty and Jacky Guards daughters married brothers, namely Gordon and Hector Jefferies of Taonui, Feilding. They were farmers, sons of Henry and Susan (nee Dyke) Jefferies who had come with the Jefferies family from Marshfield, near Bath, in England. They had settled in Bunnythorpe and were instrumental in founding the Church there. Their names were John and Eliza (nee Hook) Jefferies and were my Great Grandparents. The Jefferies bought up all the land from the Taonui little airport to the Mill at Adsett's corner. My brother and I still own what was Jefferies land almost next door to where Gordon and Hector farmed. My grandfather was Albert Jefferies and lived until he was 94. He was one of the youngest in the family. Henry was the eldest and born in England. His two sons married the Guard girls, Ada and Grace, who I remember clearly.
Community contributions