John Raven (buried 1886)

Heene Hallmark Rev John Raven 1821 - 1886 Pioneer Christian John was born in Croydon, the son of Henry Richard and Ann. He was baptised at St John, Croydon on 22 June 1821. His father died in 1831. John studied at Caius College Cambridge in 1839 before transferring to Magdalene College. He gained a BA in 1844 and an MA in 1851. In 1846, John was appointed curate at Oxton in Nottinghamshire. He married Sarah daughter of Samuel Hole of Caunton Manor on 15th July 1847. From 1849 until 1852, John was rector of Broughton Astley in Leicestershire. In 1852, the family (John, Sarah, their three children and John's sister Ann)  sailed from Plymouth aboard the "Minerva" arriving at Port Cooper, New Zealand on 2nd February 1853. They settled in the Canterbury area. John was canon of Christchurch Cathedral from 1859 until 1864. He bought land at Woodend and built a farm which was called "Ravenswood". It had a flour mill and the house dealt with the local mail. John became the minister at Kaiapoi. He donated land for a new Anglican church, becoming the first Anglican priest in North Canterbury. Sarah kept a diary from 1862 until 1864 which is held in Canterbury Museum. Five children were born during their stay in New Zealand. Rose was born in 1855, followed by Edith Della Janette in 1856, Percy Earle in 1858, Lizzie Geraldine in 1860 and Algernon Wilmer Isle in 1863. In 1864, the family returned to England, where John became the curate of Cowley in Gloucestershire. Sarah died in 1868. John moved the family to Hastings. In 1872, John took his daughters back to New Zealand to sell his farm and visit Edith who had stayed in the country. The family survived a shipwreck aboard the "Tartar" on their return to England. In 1875, John married Louisa Jane Hoskyns at Blaby in Leicestershire on 22nd July. The family were living in West Hoathly by 1881. John died at The Grosvenor Hotel in London on 27th July 1886. The newspapers reported that he had died of the effects of sunstroke. At the time, John was living at "Rutland Lodge" in Gratwicke Road, Worthing. Probate was granted on 30th September to John Earle Reynolds Raven barrister at law, son and Henry Peregrine Birch solicitor. Effects £13307 18s 1d (approx £1 million in 2020).