James and Jane came to New Zealand on the Glenmark in 1871. Their descendants are meeting in January 2002
Gradually the lives they and their family led are emerging from various sources.
The life of Jane Cann Born 2nd July 1849 at Holyrood, Bradworthy, Devon Youngest daughter of Daniel Cann and Ann Oke
"She could not remember the time when she did not love and follow Jesus Christ. In her teens she moved to Exeter, where she became a member of the Providence Chapel of the Bible Christian Church. It was there she met Mr. James Smith, whom she eventually married, and whose beloved wife she was for fifty-two years in fellowship with the Master. Soon after her marriage she accompanied her husband to New Zealand, arriving in Lyttelton in 1871, by the ship `Glenmark'." Before they left England they saw the sights of London - the tunnel under the Thames did not meet with Jane's approval " Jane thought she was never going to see daylight anymore, and I should not, from choice, pass that way again. I should be afraid of being waylaid by some evil disposed person."
Did not greatly enjoy the first week on board ship "Friday 4th August Today the Pilot left us just off Torquay, we were told, returning to Portland. We gave him three cheers. Jane was about bargaining with the boat man to take her back, at the rate of a penny per mile. We had thought that we should have had to have summoned up more courage to come if we had experienced what seasickness was before we came. Jane is better, I think, than I am. At least, she says so... but it is really awful. Wednesday 9th August The sheep are patiently waiting for food and water. Cocks are crowing, dogs are barking, birds singing, fish swimming, children crying, women chattering, men talking about old times and what they are going to do when they reach New Zealand, and some tell us they feel the fleas biting, just as they do in England. Jane says she almost forgets where she is at times. I suppose she would fancy she was down at "Holyrood" or "Newland" kitchen, if she had the cows to milk and the dairy to go to. Wednesday 20th September Very squally. Several Cape Pigeons have been caught. They are about the size of a wild duck. Jane has a pair of wings and tail given her, prettily marked. Friday 22nd September Very rough. The wet is coming through the decks in all directions, caused by the motion of the ship. It dropped upon our beds. We have been canvassing the ceiling and wedging our boxes in the cabin; they have turned themselves nearly outside the door. I feel very hungry and can eat anything seamable. Jane cannot get on as well. Thursday 12th October Wind aft. Making good running. Distance 273 miles. Thoroughly sea sick...want a change of diet...more room. Jane wants one of Richard's cabbages, and I want a good beef steak. Thursday 26th October Fearful rough night. The chains and rope are breaking in all directions. The main portion of the rigging to the main mast gave way. The Captain, mates and boatswain are giving orders in all directions. We were frightened up at one o'clock in the morning. Jane was ready to jump out of bed - fearful rolling. I never wish to experience such again, when we put foot on land once more.
Monday 30th October Not much sleep in the night. Jane waited up until 1 o'clock tending on the sick. So she went on deck before retiring to rest and saw some portion of the Peninsular Heads, came down, woke me up, quite overjoyed. I got up and found the winds had shifted allowing us to steer clear of the heads. Could not sleep after four o'clock. The ship is all alive, fearful noise and bustle. Some have changed their attire and thrown their beds overboard, ready for landing. At eight o'clock we were outside the Avoca (sic) harbour about three miles off. Be calmed. High cliffs form the Headland with ridge running down to the sea, with a hut or two dispersed. It looks like plots of vegetation growing around the hollows covered with brushwood. They set fire to some of it during the day and at night it is a good guide. The wind has sprung up again, banishing all our hopes. We are further off the Littleton Harbour in the evening than morning. The old adage looks true here, "Foreign hills are green, And when you are there, There is nothing to be seen"(Jane's heart is in her shoes.)
In Christchurch they became prominent workers with the Primitive Methodists, under the Revs. Robert and Josiah Ward. Later, when Mr. Edward Reed opened up the Bible Christian Cause they linked up with him at Addington, transferring later to the Lower High Street Church. Here through long years Mrs Smith was abundant in every good word and work. The Rev. W. Ready, a former minister of hers and a very old friend, writes: "Our Church has lost a real Mother in Israel. Her daily thought and prayer were for Zion's prosperity. She loved the House of Prayer as she loved her home. She was kind and hospitable to all preachers, and none lacked her spoken appreciation of his services. Our Church, the city, and many persons are poorer by the passing hence of dear Mrs Smith."
For the last few years her health and strength gradually failed. She bore her sufferings with Christian fortitude, always testifying her faith in her Saviour. Early on Sunday morning, December 23rd, she passed peacefully within the veil. The Revs P. R. Paris and F. T. Reed officiated at the grave, and on the Sunday evening in the High Street Church the former made reference to Mrs Smith's passing, and paid tribute to her beautiful Christian character, and her long service for her Lord and her Church. P. R. P. The New Zealand Methodist Times January 19, 1924
Deaths: SMITH.- On Sunday, December 23, at her residence, "Holyrood," 347 St. Asaph St, Christchurch. Jane, for 52 years the beloved wife of James Smith in fellowship with the Master; aged 73 years.
Life of James Smith
Early life: Devon Lived in Albert St, Exeter, in 1851 with Richard and Susanna and his sister Mary Ann (age 3) and brother Daniel.
"The Walls End Miner" "Life of William Crister" 1856 A reward from Downhouse Sabbath School given to James Smith for regular attendance and good learning August 1858
Health - Bronchial disorder Letter to R. Cann 1867
Marriage to Jane Cann, Providence Bible Christian Chapel, Exeter, 16 July 1871
Honeymoon in London then voyage to New Zealand on Glenmark, 1871
Church life : Cambridge Tce, Lower High St, Beckenham Methodist.
Commercial: Built home, Holyrood, at 347 St Asaph St. Bricklayer Built other houses and rented them out. Used to walk to Brighton carrying timber for the houses he was building.
Recreation: Bicycling Mountain climbing Lower High Street Mutual Improvement Association
Trip(s) to Australia with Mr. Ready Return to England in 1897
Family: outlived several, lived longer than all of them. Ernest 54, Bert 70, Gert 57, Claude 10 and Ewart 74
The Press July 1931 Obituary
JAMES SMITH An early resident of Christchurch, Mr James Smith died last week at the residence of his son,"Merchiston", St Martins. Mr and Mrs Smith arrived at Lyttelton in the sailing ship Glenmark in November, 1871, and settled in St Asaph Street, where Mr Smith resided for fifty-five years.
A builder by trade, he erected several buildings in the city and suburbs. In 1897, with his wife, he visited the homeland and witnessed the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the late Queen Victoria.
In church life he was one of the pioneers and he helped to build the Lower High Street Church, which at that time belonged to the Bible Christians. Throughout the whole of his life he was connected with that church and he attended the morning service up to the time of his death.
His wife predeceased him by seven years, and he is survived by one daughter, Mrs B.A.Undrill, and two sons, Mr E.G.Smith of Christchurch, and Mr E.C. Smith , of Gore.
