Reminiscence 2

dated 11 October 1897

THE POWDITCH-MACKAY family's ancestors, on the POWDITCH side:

--------------

My father Thomas Powditch, is the second son of John Kittridge Powditch from North Shields (County of Northumberland, England). My father's grand-father, Thomas Powditch, was a large Coal and Ship Owner, in North Shields, doing a large trade in the "Russia Walk" or say, in business connected with Russia. He lent several of his ships, to the British Government free of all charge, to carry troops, during the Walcheren War in Holland, in 1809. He had five children - (three sons, and two daughters), and left each of them £20,000. - at his death. His children - being under age, when he died, all the money was invested in a Banking business which unfortunately failed, before any of them had drawn more than one quarter of their money.

Some time before this failure, John Kittridge and William (two of his sons), bought a brig - the “Snipe”, which they fitted out as a Privateer, with “Letter of Marque", during the war with France in 1815. John Kittridge had been an Officer in the “East India” Trade, for some years, and there, no doubt , acquired his great liking for the sea. At that time the "East-Indiamen", were fitted out, more like Men-of-War, than ordinary merchantmen. They had to give up this business, as the Bank, in which they had their money, failed, as before stated.

William, then went to New Zealand, where he died a few years ago. He lived for a long time in Australia, also. He had issue - one son, and one daughter. This daughter, Rose Anne, is now living in Sydney, and is married to a rich man, Mr.Cleghorn. At a great assembly years ago, in Melbourne, William being the oldest English resident, at the time, was made Chairman of the Meeting.

When John Kittridge, and William, bought the brig, they were both under age (about 20).

Mr. John Diston Poles - Chairman of the "Mexican and South American Company", London, (who died some years ago), knew my Great-grandfather, very well and spoke very highly of him, to my father.

My grand-father, John Kittridge Powditch, came out to Chile, as part-owner of a vessel, bringing merchandise to this coast. He started several businesses in Valparaiso, and in 1834, went to Concepcion, having sent his ship back to England, long before, under some Captain. In 1835, there was a great earthquake in Concepcion, which destroyed his house; the house then caught fire, causing him the loss of nearly all his belongings. After this, he started more new businesses, in Concepcion. He died in Valparaiso, in 1844. leaving three sons and one daughter. John, his eldest son, left Chile, for England, in 1835, in a sailing vessel, (probably just before the earthquake), which we suppose was lost at sea, as he has never been heard of since

THOMAS - (second son) - my father.

ALFRED - (third son) - who died a few years ago, in Hornito, Copiapo,

and

CAROLINE - married to Doctor John Mackay, and living in Concepcion.

My grand-mother's maiden name was Charlotte Hirst, and her family come from London. She died in Valparaiso, in April 1829, my father being only three years old, at the time. All the children were born in Valparaiso, where the family lived for a long time.

My father thinks that one of his grand-father's sisters, (his great-Aunt), married Mr.Kittridge, who gave his father, the name of Kittridge, when he stood as his (my grand-father’s), Godfather..

One of my father's Aunts (my great-Aunt) Margaret, eldest daughter of Thomas Powditch (my father’s grand-father), married the Reverent [sic] Henry Byron, a first cousin of Lord Byron's (the Poet). When Lord Byron died, leaving only one daughter, the Barony would have come to the Rev. Henry Byron, but for one other cousin (a son of an elder brother), coming between him and the title. When the Rev.H.Byron married, he was Curate of Saint Georges Church - Piccadilly, the principal Church of the place. Afterwards he was Rector of Muston. Leicestershire.

You can see this in “Burke’s Peerage”, under Byron.

Commander Richard Byron (a brother to the Rev.Henry Byron) of H.M.Sloop “Champion”, offered in 1843, to take my father home with him from Chile. His sloop was however. unfortunately lost, on this station, somewhere off the Mexican Coast, before he could start for England, and Captain Richard Byron was drowned.

My father's other Aunt, (he forgets her name). married a rich Banker In London, a Mr.Sharpe. Of his remaining Uncle George, my father remembers nothing.

-----------

Valparaiso, October 11th, 1897.

Robert Powditch

youngest son of Thomas Powditch and

Marianne Mackay

-------------

Robert Powditch m Kathleen Vine

Bernard Hirst

Eileen Elsie

Nora Barbara

Errol Hirst