Christopher Smith (buried 1927)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Smith
First name: 
Christopher
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Yes
Burial number: 
1317
Born: 
0/0/1843
Died: 
14/12/1927
Buried: 
16/12/1927
Occupation: 
Sheep Farmer; Gapitaz of Gauchos in Falkland Islands.
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
WB
Cemetery row: 
1
Cemetery plot: 
31
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Headstone inscription: 
Loving memory of Christopher Smith passed away 14th Dec. 1927 aged 84 years. "Til the Day Break"

Life story

Life story

Christopher was born in Moffat, Dumfries, the son of Peter and Wilhelmina. The family were sheep farmers and in 1852, they emigrated to the Falkland Islands. Peter and his older sons were employed by the Falkland islands Council and lived at Darwin Harbour where they managed a large sheep farm. In 1867, Christopher married Elizabeth Harrison ( born Longford, Ireland) at Trinity Church, Port Stanley. Their son Peter was born in 1868, followed by John in 1869 and William Christopher in 1874. Christopher's son Peter later moved to Coy Inlet, Santa Cruz, Argentina where he ran a farm and ranch. Sadly Peter died in 1895 of pneumonia at the age of 27 and Christopher and his sons moved over to his farm to develop the land. In 1902, the family returned to Elizabeth's home in Ireland but made several visits to the Falklands over the next decade. Elizabeth died in Port Stanley on 15th February 1918 and was buried in the town cemetery. Christopher died on 14th December 1927. His address was given as "Colwell" Bath Road, Worthing. Probate was granted on 14th August 1928 to William Christopher Smith, sheep farmer. Effects £1466 10s 5d.

See also James and Hannah Smith.

See below for further information supplied by the Falklands Islands Archivist from their registers.

Burial researcher: 
Carol Sullivan

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/00/1843
Parents
Mother
Mother's name: 
Wilhelmina (Minnie)
Mother's maiden name: 
Anderson
Mother's year of birth: 
1809
Mother's year of death: 
1864
Father
Father's name: 
Peter Smith
Father's year of birth: 
1795
Father's year of death: 
1865
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Elizabeth
Spouse one last name: 
Harrison
Marriage one date: 
08/08/1867
Marriage one address: 
Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
14/12/1927
Age (at time of death): 
84
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Colwell, Bath Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
William Christopher Smith status: Sheep Farmer
Probate pounds: 
£1,466

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1851 census: 

Glenelg, Kyles of Loch Nevis

Peter aged 55, sheep farm manager. Wilhelmina aged 42. Andrew aged 21. James aged 19. Helen aged 17. David aged 15. George aged 12. Peter aged 10. Christopher aged 8. Margaret aged 2. Jean Smith aged 65.

1911 census: 

House 18, Keenagh Town, Kilcommock, Co. Longford:

Christopher aged 67, sheep farmer, Elizabeth aged 68. (Roman Catholic).

Married 43 years with three children.

Miscellaneous information

From the Falklands Islands Archivist

Christopher Smith born 1843 in Moffat, Dumfries. Capitaz of gauchos. According to Falklands Islands Company Ltd records in October 1858 he was earning £1 5shillings per month. In November 1858, his wages went up to £3 a month and by September 1860, he was earning £4 3shillings and 4 pence a month. In June 1862, he was put on half pay for being sick. This may mean that he was the son who got gored by a bull (Despatch 14th June 1862 " I am sorry to say that a bull unhorsed one of Peter Smith's sons and run his horns deep in his side below the ribs. I hope he will do well, but he is obliged to remain at Darwin Harbour." By August 1862, he was back on full pay. In July 1866, his wages went up to £6 5 shillings a month. Christopher aged 24 and living at Darwin Harbour was married to Elizabeth "Elise" Harrison aged 18, domestic from Longford, Ireland, 8th August 1867 at Trinity Church, Stanley according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England by Governor's Licence by Charles Bull MA Colonial Chaplain. The witnesses were William Alexander Hilton and David Smith. Christopher's father was recorded as Peter Smith, shepherd and Elizabeth's father James Harrison, farmer. Elizabeth was the niece of John Casey. In 1896, Christopher was living in Darwin when he signed a Power of Attorney for his son Peter's estate. Christopher finished working for the Falklands Islands Company Ltd on 6th September 1898. In May 1908, Christopher wrote to FIC from Punta Arenas to say that he was on his way to England. He had been living at Coy Inlet, Patagonia for several years. On 4th October 1909, he wrote from Kenagh County, Longford, Ireland to the manager of the FIC asking if he could draw his pension from the London Office as he intended to remain in "the old country".