Having been born in Ireland, John Thomas Mellsop was the eldest son of the new immigrants John and Anna Maria, and was able to take a leading role in getting the family established in New Zealand as he was 22 when they arrived. Working as secretary to Major James Speedy in the Mauku district, he soon became relied on for many local administrative tasks. He was a member of the local volunteer militia, and played a role in defending the new settlement when relationships with Maori deteriorated. He married Charlotte Elizabeth Crispe and they had ten children. JT was able to purchase land in Glenbrook where he built a home, Knockmaroon, for his parents John and Anna Maria Mellsop. One of his roles was to assist new settlers that arrived in the area, putting them to work on roads and in building dwellings for their families.
Their headstone at Waiuku cemetery remarks on the couple being New Zealand pioneers.
Their headstone at Waiuku cemetery remarks on the couple being New Zealand pioneers.
John Thomas's date: Born Sept 22nd 1833, Dublin. Died July 11th 1896 Glenbrook.