Biography

JAMES ERNEST MAITLAND

Burial register ID: 572
Surname: MAITLAND
First name: JAMES
Middle names: ERNEST
Gender: Male
Age: 16 Years
Cause of death: Accident
Burial type:
Date of death: 22-May-1878
Date of burial: 24-May-1878

Block: 4
Plot: 13
Inscription:

There are three separate gravestones on this plot with inscriptions as follow:-

ANN HAZEL MAITLAND

DIED 27 JANUARY 1901.

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JAMES ERNEST MAITLAND

DIED 22 MAY 1878

AGED 16 YEARS.

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JAMES PILLANS MAITLAND

DIED 22 AUGUST 1902.

Bio contributor:

Sixteen-year-old James Ernest Maitland was the third son of J. P. Maitland, Commissioner of Crown Lands. On 21 May 1878, on his way to Christchurch College, having chosen to travel by rail and coach rather than by steamer with his brother, he was a passenger on the last coach to run from Palmerston to Moeraki before the opening of the railway line. The driver lost control on the descent of the Hampden side of the Horse Range, and the coach crashed. One passenger, Charles Nichols, was killed immediately, and James Maitland was fatally injured. Seven of the other twelve passengers were also injured, as well as the driver, William Goddard. James died of his injuries the following day.

The Otago Witness of 31st August 1878 reported that “a stained-glass window has lately been placed in St Matthew’s Church, in memory of James Ernest Maitland, son of Mr J.P. Maitland, who was killed in the late terrible coach accident. The window was erected by the choir of St Matthew’s, of which the deceased was a chorister for a long time, and the Carisbrook Cricket Club, in which Ernest Maitland’s name will be long remembered as one of the most promising juniors. The chaste design and colouring of the window reflect much credit on the builders.”

(From the report of the tragedy in the North Otago Times, 22nd May 1878, and subsequent reports in the Otago Witness.)

There are 4 Interments in this grave:

Surname First names Age Date of death Date of burial
MAITLAND ANN HAZEL 66 Years 27-Jan-1901 29-Jan-1901
MAITLAND JAMES ERNEST 16 Years 22-May-1878 24-May-1878
MAITLAND JAMES PILLANS 71 Years 22-Aug-1902 24-Aug-1902
MAITLAND MARY STUART 22 Years 07-Jun-1881 09-Jun-1881