Batten Family
HISTORY OF THE BATTEN NAME :
The ancestors of the Batten family first reached the shores of England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Their name is derived from the Old English given name Batte, a pet form of Bartholomew. Population increases and the feudal system of government that began during that period made it necessary for people to adopt an extra name to remain distinct from others with the same first name. Often, as in the case of Batten, people merely took the name of their father or an older male relative as a surname.
Variations of the name include Baddin, Baddon, Battyn, Battan, Battent and many more.
The earliest evidence of the name Batten was found in Somerset. They were granted lands in this area by William the Conqueror for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Batten family name gained great eminence in Britain's wool trade. John Batten acquired the estates of Dunsland in Devon from the Cohans around 1500. By 1600, the Battens had branced to North Hill in Cornwall. They also moved to Upcerne, in the county of Dorset.
An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Batten arrived in North America very early including Robert Batten who landed in New England in 1648, William Batten who landed in Virginia in 1654 and Mary Batton who landed in New England in 1749.
OUR BATTEN FAMILY :
Robert Batten
Robert and his wife Sarah were living in Menheniot, Cornwall, England in the early 1800s and their children were all born there.
Children of Robert and Sarah :
Sarah born 31 January 1802 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Richard born 6 November 1803 in Menheniot, Cornwall and died 28 June 1872 in Menheniot.
Sarah born 8 December 1805 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Elizabeth born 31 January 1808 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Dorothy Easterbrook born 1 April 1810 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
William born 28 June 1812 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Mary born 15 January 1815 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Christiana born 17 August 1817 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Richard was born on 6 November 1803 in Menheniot, Cornwall, England. He married Elizabeth WEARNE on 24 May 1824 in St Germans, Cornwall.
Children of Richard and Elizabeth :
William born 1825 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Mary Ann born 28 January 1827 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Richard born 15 March 1829 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Robert born 22 May 1831 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
James Werne born 3 November 1833 in Menheniot, Cornwall and died on 7 April 1834.
Elizabeth born about 1835 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Emma Jane born 1844 in St Germans, Cornwall.
Selina born 1847 in Liskeard, Cornwall.
Richard died on 28 June 1872 in Menheniot, Cornwall.
Robert was born on 22 May 1831 in Menheniot, Cornwall, England.
He came to New Zealand about 1845. His occupation was a blacksmith.On 12 August 1874 Robert married Emma Amelia BROWN in Shortland, Thames. Emma (also known as Emily) was born around 1859 in Cape of Good Hope, South Africa and was the daughter of William and Elizabeth BROWN.
Children of Robert and Emma :
Robert born about 17 November 1874 in Parawai, Hamilton, New Zealand. He died less than a month later on 7 December 1874 in Parawai.
Emma Selina was born on 15 October 1884 in Huntly, New Zealand.
Robert born 3 January 1886 in Huntly, New Zealand.
Robert died on 20 September 1900 and was buried at Waikumete Cemetery in Auckland. Emma died on 7 October 1936 in Thames.
Emma was born on 15 October 1884 in Huntly, New Zealand.
Emma married Gregor Joseph Wenzlick on 23 December 1907 at St Matthews in the City, Auckland. After their marriage Emma and Gregor lived at Manganai where Greg worked in the bush. Their son Gregory and daughter Edna were born in Auckland during this time. About 1911 they settled in Kakahi where daughters Gladys and Minnie were born. About 1919 the family settled on the Thames Coast where daughters Audrey, Mavis and Beverley were born.
Gregor died on 3 March 1961 at Thames and was buried at Totara Cemetery in Thames. Emma died on 21 December 1974 aged 90 years. She was cremated and her ashes were buried with Greg at Totara Cemetery.
Robert was born on 3 January 1886 in Huntly, New Zealand. He married Eileen May WATSON on 8 November 1909 in Hamilton.
Children of Robert and Eileen :
Ronald Claude was born on 10 January 1912 in Awhina, Hamilton. He married Olive Ellen Mary Frances DAVYS on 10 January 1933 in Frankton, Hamilton. Olive was the daughter of James DAVYS and Ellen HICKEY.
Ronald and Olive had three children - Ian, Kay and Shirley.
Robert died on 19 March 1990 in Tauranga, New Zealand.Beryl Eileen was born on 10 January 1912 in Awhina, Hamilton. She married Wilfred COOMBRIDGE in 1936 in Hamilton. Beryl married Raymond Joseph PATON on 9 February 1946.
She died on 9 January 1994.
Robert and Eileen divorced in 1933 and Robert died on 30 June 1942 in Sydney, Australia.
