Wallingford/Jarlov Family Trees

New Zealand Mail 3 Nov 1892 p33c
State School Drawing Examinations. Successful candidates.
Levin - Grace Prouse

In the 1908 Otaki electoral roll, Charles C. and Grace Nation were living in Levin.

On 20 June 1908 Richard Prouse (presumed) wrote a postcard from Wellington to Phyllis: "Dear Phil. All went and heard 'Golden Legend' last night. Weather showery and cold. Stayed 'Irocodera' went to see Mr. Hunt and his 'Argord' (?). He didn't say anything about clipping his horse. Love to all from Jess & Grace & Dad. XXX. You can divide these up."

PORT OF NELSON.
Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12275, 22 June 1908, Page
PORT OF NELSON.
ENTERED INWARDS
June 21 - Arahura, s.s., 1596, Lambert, from Wellington. Passengers Misses Jenners, Thompson, Reches, Brock, Prouse, Nicoll, Mesdames Brown, Jenners, Andrews, Nation, Messrs Brown, Painter, Parke, Jenners, Hunter, Myers, Lynnburg, Hardman, Rouse, Blundell, Satherley, Mcllverney, Langlois, Charlton, Derrick, Justice Chapman; 6 steerage.

Grace wrote a postcard to Charles (care of her father's house in Levin) from Nelson on 26 Jun (?) 1908, saying: "Sailing today for Motueka. Day five no wind. Trust you are well. Best Love. Mrs. Webley better today. Grace."

On 3 July 1908 Jess and Grace wrote to their sister Mabel from Richmond (near Nelson): "Called on Winders on Sunday. Surprised to see them so well. Miss W. so stout and well. Surprised at you feeling uncomfortable on their knees thought you were used to that by now. The hills look lovely with coating of snow but cold. Clean people over here. Plenty (?) water don't know about soap. Mrs. W. [Webley] no better here (Jess and Grace)."

On 1 February 1911 Grace wrote a birthday postcard to Isabella (no postmark): "Dear Mum. Am sending you a small parcel to wish you many happy returns of Feb. 1 1911. Grace."

On 18 January 1908 Grace wrote a postcard with a photo of the intake of the Levin Water Race, just signing and dating it from Grace and Chas.

On 23 January 1906 Grace wrote to Phyllis from Wellington with a photo of a cat: "Dear little Phyllis here is a white camillia for you. Grace."

On 28 June 1907 Grace wrote to Phyllis from New Plymouth with a picture of a cat saying: "I thought this would suit you. Be a good girl and hope you are all well. Love xx Grace."

On 28 ???? 1911 Grace wrote to Isabella from Ohakune: "Friday night 8 pm. Dear Mum. The fruit has just come. Unpacked all right. Thanks very much for the same. Also beans and cucumbers. Will have a good jamey time tomorrow. Will let you know how I get on next letter. Had a good thunderstorm 1-30 this morning. Short and sharp. Fine day again. Hope all are well. Grace."

from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19220729.2.109.1

FUNERAL NOTICE.

THE Funeral of the late Isabella Grace Nation will leave the residence of Mrs. R. Prouse, Weraroa House, Weraroa, for the Levin Cemetery, at 2.30 p.m., on Sunday, 30th July. HARVEY & CO., LTD. Undertakers.

Her will was probated with the archives reference AAOM 6029 32835, filed on 2 October 1922.

She attended Whitemans Valley School in 1889, 1890 and 1891. She began at Levin School on 31 August 1891, and was there for 1892, 1893 and 1894. She left Levin School on 31 January 1895.

Letter from Phyllis Prouse Taylor to Christobel Nation Tunnington, 30 January 1979:

... Well I spose I don't need to pretend. I think you have summed up the situation fairly correctly. She was not of the motherly type, just didn't possess these qualities - but she was a good mother all the same. The disadvantage was she had been married many years & no family - then when a family arrived she was unprepared (by nature) got past it etc. Yes she used to go out a lot - the only one who provide the music for anything - she was always on call. Chas ability to wander was because they were not really suited, he had around 1/10 the mental ability of Grace & he was never a hundred % ? the man he ought to have been. Grace was a victim of bronchitis - around 10 times a year "sick" would mean Bronchitis), of the worst variety - & it could have been more times than this she developed whooping cough one winter - she was around 37 -35? this really killed her - or it should have & she lived a few years after this, The never ending bronchitis is what caused her heart disease. I was in Levin when she died, she had recovered from an attack of bronchitis & was getting about. It was tea time & we were finishing the meal, it would be around 6-30P.M. We were sitting at the table about to partake of a cuppa. Grace looked at me & said "I am going to faint" I looked at her, and as though a veil had been drawn across her face, the life left her. I stood up & took her hands & Alley held her shoulders, Tina came around, shook her head & she & Alley carried her (Grace) to the sofa. During this time I sped up stairs & got the brandy off Tina's mantlepiece - but her time had come. The following days were lived, it was a hell of a shock to us all & Mabe thought it kinder to take you to Hawera where new surroundings perhaps would help. ...

Letter from Phyllis Prouse Taylor to Christobel Nation Tunnington, 21 December 1979:

Phyllis refers to the "tinkle tinkle business at pictures" - playing the piano. She said that Grace had the contract to supply the music, and that she (Phyllis) was only the secondary helper, playing matinees or if Grace was sick. She said that Grace had the brains to be able to play with an orchestra.

They were taken to Manakau once or twice a week - the theatre manager took them there for entertainment for people who didn't often get this sort of thing.

Grace created her will dated 22 November 1912, during the months between when her marriage broke up (March) and when her child was born (December). She made a notation/addition to the will to the effect that she was "formerly" the wife of Charles Nation!

Evening Post 23 Apr 1902
Along the Manawatu Line
Levin, 22 April - From our own correspondent

A wedding of more than ordinary interest took place to-day, when Mr Charles Cecil Nation, eldest son of Mr W. C. Nation, journalist, was married to Miss Grace Prouse, eldest daughter of Mr Richard Prouse, of the firm of Prouse Brothers, sawmillers. The ceremony took place at the residence of the bride's father, and the Rev. S. Peryman officiated. The bridesmaids were Miss Jessie Nation and Miss Jessie Prouse, and the bride and her maids were prettily attired. Mr F. J. Jones was best man. The congregation and choir of the Methodist Church presented a handsome clock as a token of appreciation for the bride's services as organist in the Levin church for eight years past, and she was entertained at a "social" on Monday night. The hands employed at the mill with which Mr Prouse is connected made another valuable present. The young couple left by train for the North.

Charles Cecil and Isabella Grace Nation appear on the 1903 Otaki electoral roll living in Levin, with him as a journalist. The same details appear for 1905/06 and 1908.

TELEGRAMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 128, 30 May 1912, Page 3

DECREES NISI

PALMERSTON N, 29th May

At the Supreme Court to-day Mr. Justice Chapman granted decrees nisi in the following undefended divorce cases:

...

Isabella Grace Nation v. Charles Cecil Nation, adultry.

Letter from Phyllis Prouse Taylor to Christobel Nation Tunnington, 17 December 1981:

Phyllis says she was there (she would have been 3 years old?) and believes it to have been a fine day.