Individual Details
Susan Janet HANNKEN
(16 Jun 1843 - 18 Apr 1915)
Reminiscences by Molly Evelyn Mary Newsome Cater (1902-1992)
Frederick Hannken > Susan Janet Cater > George Cater > Molly Cater -
Written 1991 in her 89th year
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Great Grandfather Frederick Cater was born in Bromley, London in
[1838]. He ran away to sea at the tender age of 13, eventually
reaching New Zealand where he abandoned ship to join the gold rush at
Thames.
Frederick claimed to have dreamed about his prospective wife, "a tall
lady standing by a table" before the met. When he woke he said "That's
the girl I'll marry!"
Upon meeting Susan Janet Hanncken, Frederick instantly recognised the
lady of his dream and they were married six weeks later.
Susan Janet Hannken was born in Coromandel in [1843]. It was said she
was the first [second, according to other sources] white child born in
the Coromandel. Susan Hannken was of French German extraction, born of
a French/German mother and a German father.
The Caters lived in Thames in one of the many hotels there. Grandma
converted an old bar into a haberdashery shop while they lived in the
back and the upstairs of the premises. Maoris came long distances to
buy materials for blouses and skirts, which were made for them by one
of three machinists while they waited. If they travelled long
distances, they stayed the night, and it was quite a meeting place for
old friends.
I can remember staying holidays with Grandma when I was very small,
and remember well the 'gabble' of voices.
Grandma was a very clever person and she spoke Maori fluently, like a
native.
She had a very upright carriage. Her hair was golden when young, but
latterly went dark. She always rinsed her hair in rosemary water, and
never went grey, even at 75.
Just prior to the birth of their first child, Grandpa Frederick was
caught in gas in the mine, and he always said it was only the vision
of Susan holding their expected child at the top of the ladder, that
compelled him to struggle out. When he arrived home the babe (George
Frederick) had been born.
The brass candlesticks (which I gave to John) were given to Susan as a
wedding present by her father, who had an antique shop for a while.
Frederick and Susan had nine children of whom five survived.
Frederick Hannken > Susan Janet Cater > George Cater > Molly Cater -
Written 1991 in her 89th year
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
Great Grandfather Frederick Cater was born in Bromley, London in
[1838]. He ran away to sea at the tender age of 13, eventually
reaching New Zealand where he abandoned ship to join the gold rush at
Thames.
Frederick claimed to have dreamed about his prospective wife, "a tall
lady standing by a table" before the met. When he woke he said "That's
the girl I'll marry!"
Upon meeting Susan Janet Hanncken, Frederick instantly recognised the
lady of his dream and they were married six weeks later.
Susan Janet Hannken was born in Coromandel in [1843]. It was said she
was the first [second, according to other sources] white child born in
the Coromandel. Susan Hannken was of French German extraction, born of
a French/German mother and a German father.
The Caters lived in Thames in one of the many hotels there. Grandma
converted an old bar into a haberdashery shop while they lived in the
back and the upstairs of the premises. Maoris came long distances to
buy materials for blouses and skirts, which were made for them by one
of three machinists while they waited. If they travelled long
distances, they stayed the night, and it was quite a meeting place for
old friends.
I can remember staying holidays with Grandma when I was very small,
and remember well the 'gabble' of voices.
Grandma was a very clever person and she spoke Maori fluently, like a
native.
She had a very upright carriage. Her hair was golden when young, but
latterly went dark. She always rinsed her hair in rosemary water, and
never went grey, even at 75.
Just prior to the birth of their first child, Grandpa Frederick was
caught in gas in the mine, and he always said it was only the vision
of Susan holding their expected child at the top of the ladder, that
compelled him to struggle out. When he arrived home the babe (George
Frederick) had been born.
The brass candlesticks (which I gave to John) were given to Susan as a
wedding present by her father, who had an antique shop for a while.
Frederick and Susan had nine children of whom five survived.
Events
| Birth | 16 Jun 1843 | Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand |  | ||
| Marriage | 14 Dec 1870 | Shellback, Thames, Coromandel Peninsular, Waikato, New Zealand - Frederick CATER | | ||
| Residence | 1912 | Thames, Coromandel Peninsular, Waikato, New Zealand | | ||
| Residence | 1915 | Argyle Street, Morningside, Central West Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand | |||
| Death | 18 Apr 1915 | Argyle Street, Morningside, Central West Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand | |||
| Burial | Aft 18 Apr 1915 | Shortland Cemetery, Thames, Coromandel Peninsular, Waikato, New Zealand | | ||
| Occupation | Dressmaker - Thames, Coromandel Peninsular, Waikato, New Zealand | | |||
| Description | Upright, with blonde hair - Thames, Coromandel Peninsular, Waikato, New Zealand | |
Families
| Spouse | Frederick CATER (1838 - 1912) |
| Child | George Frederick CATER (1863 - ) |
| Father | Charles Frederick HANNKEN (1809 - 1891) |
| Mother | Eliza Jane OTTO (1819 - 1880) |
| Sibling | Elizabeth HANNKEN (1838 - 1921) |
| Sibling | Emma HANNKEN (1841 - ) |
| Sibling | Rebecca HANNKEN (1845 - 1920) |
| Sibling | Matilda HANNKEN (1847 - 1848) |
| Sibling | Hannah HANNKEN (1849 - 1925) |
| Sibling | Martha HANNKEN (1851 - 1924) |
| Sibling | Martin Frederick HANNKEN (1853 - 1891) |
| Sibling | Eliza Jane HANNKEN (1854 - ) |
| Sibling | George Fischer HANNKEN (1856 - 1861) |
| Sibling | Philip Frank HANNKEN (1858 - 1940) |
| Sibling | Charles (2) Frederick HANNKEN (1861 - 1891) |
| Sibling | Alice HANNKEN (1861 - 1861) |
| Sibling | George Frederick HANNKEN (1864 - 1864) |
Notes
Birth
Reminiscences of grand-daughter, Molly CATERSusan Janet Hannken was born in Coromandel in [1843]. It was said she
was the first [second, according to other sources] white child born in
the Coromandel. Susan Hannken was of French German extraction, born of
a French/German mother and a German father.
Marriage
Officiating Minister: Rev. S WilsonFrederick claimed to have dreamed about his prospective wife, "a tall
lady standing by a table" before they met. When he woke he said
"That's the girl I'll marry!"
Upon meeting Susan Janet Hanncken, Frederick instantly recognised the
lady of his dream and they were married six weeks later.
Residence
Reminiscences of grand-daughter, Molly CATERThe Caters lived in Thames in one of the many hotels there. Grandma
converted an old bar into a haberdashery shop while they lived in the
back and the upstairs of the premises.
I can remember staying holidays with Grandma when I was very small,
and remember well the 'gabble' of voices.
Burial
Grave location: 3PUBL. Plot 2232Memorial ID: 173418886
Occupation
Reminiscences of grand-daughter, Molly CATERThe Caters lived in Thames in one of the many hotels there. Grandma
converted an old bar into a haberdashery shop while they lived in the
back and the upstairs of the premises. Maori came long distances to
buy materials for blouses and skirts, which were made for them by one
of three machinists while they waited. If they travelled long
distances, they stayed the night, and it was quite a meeting place for
old friends.
Description
Reminiscences of grand-daughter, Molly CATERShe had a very upright carriage. Her hair was golden when young, but
latterly went dark. She always rinsed her hair in rosemary water, and
never went grey, even at 75.