Alice Hopwood

  General Notes:

Baptised in the Parish of Kinver, in the County of Stafford, by John Hodgson, Vicar.

Was admitted to Tinwald School (Ashburton) on August 1st, 1884.
Married Harry Philip Brasell at the Methodist Church, South Featherston by I. Newman Buttle, Minister. Witnesses were Williarn Alfred Gray (Brother-in-law of the bride) and Elizabeth Ross, (sister of the bride).

Harry Philip Brasell was baptised in St Mary's Church, Timaruby Henry W Harper.

At 4 years of age Alice contracted measles, and had Rheumatic fever at 15. These illnesses affected her health, and she spent her adolescent years living amongst her sisters. Alice lived for twelve months with her sister Elizabeth Ross in Dunedin, helping "Lizzie" as she recovered from two serious operations. Lizzie and Angus paid her seven shillings a week during her stay and gave her an organ when she left.

Music was enjoyed by Alice, and she played Hymns, and sang with a lovely contralto voice. She also played the accordion very well. Music was her one consolation through years of isolation. Alice worked as a housemaid to the Maunsell Family at "Eridge" Lansdowne, and during this time Harry Brasell courted her.

Harry built a house which cost four hundred and fifty pounds in Makora Road, Masterton. He worked for two years or so to establish a cartage business with a horse and cart Hard times forced him to take a job as teamster for Bob Buick, four miles from town.

In 1910 the house was sold and the family moved to Homewood, working for Mr Ralph Tathwn as a teamster. They lived in a two room shack near the stables.

Harry was groom to Doctor Archer Hoskings for two years, till the Doctor purchased the first car in Masterton.

Alice and Harry had a year with William Perry at Waingawa, two years ploughman at Mr Frank Courts sheep and cropping farm at Waihakeke till 1916, when they moved the family to Carter Estate Parkvale where Harry developed a dairy farm on 100 acres. Ill health forced early retirement for Harry, so when son Bert married he purchased the farm. Harry built a home on Durie Hill, Wanganui, which he shared with his sister, Rhoda Brasell for 20 years.

At Parkvale the unpapered walls were draughty, so Alice hung framed photos of the Hopwood and Brasell families and friends. At one time over 40 pictures decorated the walls. Alice brought her family up the Christian way, by example, loving and forgiving. She was gentle, kind, patient and cheerful.

No house she ever lived in had good plumbing or drainage. No hot or cold water by inside tap. No flush toilet. Lino on some floors but never carpet. No telephone nor electricity. Writing was enjoyed very much by Alice and receiving and writing to her South Island relations gave much pleasure.

Alice married Harry Philip Brasell on 17 Jun 1908 in Methodist Church, South Featherston. (Harry Philip Brasell was born in 1881, christened on 15 May 1881 in St Mary's Church, Timaru and died in 1969.)