James III

James (Jim) Archibald III

(31 August 1882 - 3 September 1958)

James (Jim) Archibald III was probably born at the family home at 85 South Head Road, Parkhurst, near Helensville on 31 August 1882. He was the eldest son born to Scottish immigrants to New Zealand, James Archibald II (1851 - 21 July 1910) and his wife Catherine Reid (17 Feb 1851 - 13 Jun 1935). The Archibald children included:

• Betsy Helen (or Ellen) Archibald (29 Aug 1877 - 28 July 1944).
• Margaret (Maggie) Reid Archibald (3 June 1879 - 26 Aug 1970) born Port Pirie
• James (Jim) Archibald (31 Aug 1882 - 3 Sep 1958)
• Adelaide (Adie) Archibald (27 June 1886 - 18 Sep 1971)
• Alexander Archibald (14 Dec 1889 - 19 Feb 1899) 
• Chloris (Sissy) Mary Archibald (20 July 1891 - 23 Dec 1986)

Links to early Seventh-day Adventists

Around 1890-91, Jim's mother became interested in the Bible teachings taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Sometime during 1891, she was baptised and became one of the earliest Seventh-day Adventist Church members in New Zealand. Around 1894-96, the Archibalds met regularly with a small group of Seventh-day Adventist Church members in Parkhurst where they studied the Bible together. It is possible that some of their meetings were conducted at the Archibald's home.

The Archibald family at their home in Parkhurst, Helensville c1896
Back from left: Margaret (Maggie), James Snr, Catherine, Betsy
Front from left: Alexander, Sissy & James Jnr
Photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of K Toepfer)

The Archibald family at their home in Parkhurst, Helensville c1896
From left: Margaret (Maggie), Adelaide, James Snr with Alexander, Catherine, Betsy, Sissy & James Jnr
Photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Glencairn in later years
Date & photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of K Toepfer)

Losing a brother and gaining a cousin

On 19 February 1899 Jim's little brother, Alexander (9), died after suffering meningitis. He was buried at the Helensville Cemetery, Public Burial Area, Block 1, Row B2, Plot 8, Seq 1.

Jim's cousin, David Mitchell (4 Mar 1882 - 8 Aug 1955), the only child of his father's youngest sister, Mary, immigrated to New Zealand in the early 1900s (date unknown at present). It is likely that he stayed with his Archibald family for a while until he found his feet in the new country. David married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Carter (1878 - 1969). David and Lizzie farmed in Bombay, Franklin, South Auckland. David's widowed father later joined them in New Zealand. 

The Liggett-Archibald wedding

Jim's younger sister, Adie, was the first of the Archibald siblings to marry. She married Irishman, 

Robert Liggett (16 Sep 1877 - 6 Jan 1963), who was nine years her senior. He had come to Helensville to work on the farm. Robert and Adie's wedding was held on Monday 24 June 1907, just three days before her 21st birthday. The wedding was probably held at the Archibald's homestead in Parkhurst, Helensville. 

Jim out the front of Glencairn
Date & photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of K Toepfer)

Loss of his father

Jim's father suffered with cancer of the intestines for nine months before he passed away at Glencairn, his home, on 21 July 1910. He was buried at the Helensville Cemetery in the family plot (Block 1, Row B2, Plot 8, Seq 2) where little Alex was buried eleven years before. The following acknowledgement from the Archibald family was published in the Auckland Star, 29 July 1910:

Following his father's death, Jim inherited the family farm.

James (Jim) Archibald III
Date & photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of K Toepfer)

The Yates-Archibald wedding

Jim's sister, Maggie (31) was the next to marry. Her husband was 31 year old Frank Albert Yates (29 May 1879 - 4 Nov 1961). They married in Parkhurst on 25 January 1911 then settled in Ruatangata, Northland. 

Jim finds a wife

Jim (32) married 33 year old English-born Louie Keymer (15 Sep 1881 - 17 Dec 1981) at her family homestead in Birkdale, Auckland on 19 April 1915. It is likely that Jim and Louie met at church meetings. (Louie's family were also Seventh-day Adventists.) Their wedding notice appeared in The New Zealand Herald, 3 July 1915, as follows:

The family portrait below was taken at the occasion of their wedding. Jim's best man was his first cousin, David Mitchell (seated fifth from the left), while Louie's bridesmaid was her sister, Alice Keymer (23 May 1888 - 19 Mar 1973). The flower girls were Louie's nieces, Mavis and Dorothy Keymer (her brother William's eldest daughters). 

The Keymer and Archibald families together at the wedding of James (Jim) Archibald III to Louie Keymer, 19 April 1915.
Photographer unknown but possibly W Short of Wilton Street, Grey Lynn.
(Photo courtesy of S Ringrose) 

The wedding of James (Jim) Archibald & Louie Keymer. 1915.
From left: Mary Keymer, Alice Keymer, William Keymer, David Mitchell (James's cousin),
James Archibald III, Pastor J Martin Cole (minister), Louie Keymer, Catherine Archibald.
The two girls at the front are Louie's nieces, Dorothy and Mavis Keymer. 
Photo by W Short, Wilton St, Grey Lynn.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

The marriage ceremony was conducted by Pastor John Martin Cole (1862 - 1937) who was the president of the New Zealand Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. According to the New Zealand, Officiating Ministers database of 1915, was one of only four Seventh-day Adventist ministers in New Zealand who had the right to perform marriages. A quick search of Papers Past shows that Pastor Cole preached many times at the Ponsonby Seventh-day Adventist Church where Louie attended.

Pastor J Martin Cole c1935
Unknown photographer
(Photo from Encyclopaedia of Seventh-day Adventists)

Jim and Louie had their honeymoon in Australia. The photo below was taken shortly before they left on their trip.

James (Jim) & Louie on their wedding day,
shortly before heading off on their honeymoon. 1915.
Unknown photographer.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Louie and Jim on their honeymoon in the Blue Mountains, Australia.
Unknown photographer. 1915
(Photo from Jessie McLean's collection courtesy of L McLean)

Parkhurst School Committee
A Mr J. Archibald (presumably Jim) was elected secretary of the Parkhurst School Committee in May 1915, although this seems a little strange as Jim was barely married at that point and had no children!


James and Louie's family
Jim and Louie had three children:

• Jean Catherine Archibald (13 Feb 1916 - 27 April 2010)
• Jessie Mary Archibald (25 Apr 1917 - 16 July 2008)
• William (Bill or Willie) James Archibald (26 Nov 1921 - 2 Nov 2004)

Louie gave birth to the couple's first child, Jean Catherine Archibald, on 13 February 1916 at her parent's home at 120 Grange Road, Mt Eden. Little Jean was given the middle name 'Catherine' after her paternal grandmother. The birth was announced as follows in the New Zealand Herald, 15 February 1916:

Jim and Louie's second child, Jessie Mary Archibald, was born a little over a year later, on 25 April 1917 which happened to be the second Anzac Day. She was also born at 120 Grange Road, Mt Eden, Auckland. Jessie's middle name 'Mary' is in memory of her maternal grandmother.

The Archibald family c1919
From left: James III, Jean, Jessie & Louie
Unknown photographer
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

A cousin's wedding

Jim and Louie probably attended the wedding of James's cousin, David Mitchell (1882 - 1955) to Elizabeth (Lizzie) Carter (16 Feb 1878 - 12 May 1969). The wedding was held on Wednesday, 28 June 1916 at the bride's home in Bombay, South Auckland.

Moving to Papakura

Around 1921, Jim and Louie sold the farm to William and Mabel Rimmer, and moved to a 40 acre dairy farm in Opaheke, Papakura. It is unclear exactly why the family moved south, but it may have been so they could be closer to Jim's paternal uncle, David Dunbar Mitchell (1852 - 1924), and cousin David who had settled on a farm in Bombay, Franklin. (David Mitchell Jnr was Jim's best man at his wedding.) 

The Archibalds named their new home 'Glencairn'. Jim built a little cottage on the new farm for his mother, Catherine, and Betsey, his disabled sister, to live in. 

Jim and Louie's third child, a son, William (Bill) James Archibald, was born on 26 November 1921. Bill was named after both of his grandfathers and father.


Church membership
Jim and Louie, along with Jim's mother, Catherine Archibald, and Louie's sister, Eliza (Lilah) Keymer, became charter members of the Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Church when it opened in 1924. Jim was an active member of the church, serving as treasurer for 21 years.

The Archibald family, c1926
From left: Jean, James III, Bill, Louie, Jessie.
Photo by Turnquist
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Life on the farm

Jim worked hard on the farm, maintaining a herd of dairy cows and a large orchard. He had a white horse on which he used to get around the farm. His grand-daughter, G J B, recalls one of her grandfather's horses being called Mick. She also recalls a long pathway reaching from the street to the big house which was lined by pear trees which Jim and Louie probably planted. She also remembers the orchard with apple and plum trees which was situated between the large homestead and the cottage. 

There was a long-drop toilet out the back of the house and a small windmill as well, probably to draw water. Initially there was no electricity on the farm. According to the Auckland Star, 9 September 1926, Jim approached the Franklin Electric Power Board, inquiring when electricity would be available in Opaheke. An engineer was appointed to look into the matter.

While Jim is remembered as a quiet, unassuming man, and a true gentleman, he wasn't without his struggles. G J B recalls that her grandfather was blind in one eye and only had half a thumb on one hand, both apparently caused by accidents on the farm. In later life Jim developed diabetes which was difficult for Louie because three times a day she had to test his urine over a naked flame.

James and Louie Archibald's homestead, 'Glencairn', in Opaheke, Papakura.
Photographer and date unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Family connections

Jim and Louie remained close to their respective families and often took their children to visit their cousins. Jim owned a lovely old Ford car, which was captured in several photographs during family trips in Northland to visit their Yates and Liggett relatives.

The Archibald family during an outing to visit the Yates family in Ruatangata. 
From left: Louie, Margaret Yates, nee Archibald, Bill, Jessie, Jean.
Jim is peeking out from the car window.
Photographer and date unknown, but c1930.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

The Liggett and Archibald girl cousins visit together on the Liggett farm in Tikinui, in the 1930s.
Jean Archibald is identified in the photo at the centre back, marked with the x.
The others in the photo have not been identified as yet.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Cousins, Nora Liggett and Bill Archibald
Photographer and date unknown, but c1930.
(Photo courtesy of S Ringrose)

Jim Archibald at the wheel of his car.
Seated outside are Jessie Archibald (left) and her cousin, Margaret Liggett.
Date and photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of S Ringrose)

Taking care of mother and mother-in-law

As mentioned previously, Jim and Louie took Jim's mother, Catherine Archibald, and his disabled sister, Betsy, into their care. Mother and daughter lived together in a small cottage on the farm for many years. After Jim's mother died on 13 June 1935, Betsy was put into care. The little cottage on the farm where they lived for many years was then made available to Louie's mother, Mary Keymer, and Lilah, (Louie's unmarried sister). Lilah and Louie cared for their mother there for a year until Mary Keymer died on Friday, 29 May 1936. Mary's funeral was held at the Ponsonby Seventh-day Adventist Church the following Sunday afternoon. She was buried at the Purewa Cemetery.

Weddings of the children
Jim and Louie celebrated the wedding of their daughter Jessie to Douglas (Doug) Cooper McLean (22 Jan 1915 - 1996) on 14 April 1941 at the Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The wedding of Jessie Archibald to Douglas McLean, 14 April 1941.
Standing from left: Alan Wright, A Neil McLean, Doug McLean, Jessie Archibald,
Jean Archibald, Nora Liggett, Yvonne Parlane, and M June Jarrett
Seated in front: Louie and James Archibald, the bride's parents
Photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of S Ringrose)

The following year, Jim and Louie's eldest daughter, Jean, married John (Jack) Arthur Reginald Cobb (28 June 1916 - 23 Oct 2007) at the Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist Church on St Patrick's Day, 17 March 1942.

Jim and Louie's son, Bill, married Nancy Eva Barlow (28 April 1920 - 6 Sep 2001) on 5 June 1945 at the Hawera Seventh-day Adventist Church.


Retirement
In the early 1950s, Jim and Louie moved from their farm in Opaheke and into a home that their son-in-law, Jack Cobb, built for them. The house was at 12 Wallis Road, Papakura.

Jim and Louie outside their retirement home 1950s
Photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Jim and Louie, 1950s
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

Jim died on 3 September 1958 aged 76. The cause of his death was bronchi pneumonia (he had suffered with this condition for one week) and diabetes (a condition he had for years). Jim was buried in the Papakura Cemetery, PLWN-G-038. The following obituary was published in the Australasian Record, 13 October 1958 to remember him: 

The children of James & Louie Archibald

James and Louie had three children:

• Jean Catherine Archibald (13 Feb 1916 - 27 Apr 2010)
• Jessie Mary Archibald (25 Apr 1917 - 16 July 2008)
• William (Bill) James Archibald (26 Nov 1921 - 2 Nov 2004)

Here is some information about each of their children:

Jean Catherine Archibald  

(13 February 1916 - 27 April 2010)

Jean was born at her maternal grandparent's home at 120 Grange Road, Mt Eden, Auckland. She spent the first five years of her life on the family farm in Parkhurst when her family moved to a 40 acre dairy farm in Opaheke, Papakura.

• While Jean may have started school in Helensville, we know that she attended Papakura School (later renamed Papakura Normal School and known as the Papakura Old Central School) which was several kilometres from their home. Because the school was so small the intermediate aged children were sent to Pukekohe to do 'manual' subjects. One of Jean's closest school friends was Mavis Williams nee Morrison who lived on Beach Road. 
• According to the Historic Heritage Evaluation. Papakura Old Central School and Memorial Peace Oak Tree  by the Auckland Council Heritage Unit. (2017, August), the Papakura School celebrated its Jubilee in November 1927. Jean and her siblings would have been part of the commemorations. A photo of the occasion was printed in the New Zealand Herald on 26 November 1927, and is shown below:

Papakura Old Central School jubilee, November 1927
Originally published in the New Zealand Herald, 27 November 1927
From   the Historic Heritage Evaluation. Papakura Old Central School
and Memorial Peace Oak Tree  by the Auckland Council Heritage Unit. (2017, August)

• Jean was baptised in the Ponsonby Seventh-day Adventist Church as a young girl (date unknown).
• In 1932 when she was 16 years old, Jean became a boarding student at the New Zealand Missionary College in Longburn, Palmerston North. She was a student there for one year. 
• Jean completed a dressmaking and tailoring course in Auckland then worked for a short time at a clothing factory in Papakura (near the railway line).
• In 1940, Jean went to the Australasian Missionary College (now known as Avondale University College), in Australia. She studied Elementary English, Old Testament History, Physiology and Music. Her boyfriend at the time was Alex McDonald who was a theology student at the college. He had gained a certificate from the New Zealand Missionary College in Longburn, Palmerston North the previous year. Alex would sometimes be asked to preach at Seventh-day Adventist Churches and Jean would go with him and play the piano for the services. According to information obtained from Jean in her later years, Alex McDonald died as a young man. It appears he died in an accident. No further information is known about him.

Jean is seated on the far right in this picture.
Alex McDonald is believed to be the man standing at the far right.
This photo was probably taken in 1940 at the Australasian Missionary College.
Photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Jean met John (Jack) Arthur Reginald Cobb (28 June 1916 - 23 Oct 2007) at the opening of the Remuera Seventh-day Adventist Church. Jack, who was formerly from New Plymouth, was attending the Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist Church at the time and had been painting the Remuera church. Jack began visiting Jean at the Archibald's farm. They married on Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March 1942, at the Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist Church after an engagement of just six weeks. 

The wedding of Jean Archibald to John (Jack) Cobb, 17 March 1942
Photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Shortly before Jack and Jean married, Jack was called up for military service but he appealed on the grounds that he was a conscientious objector. According to the Auckland Star, 4 March 1942, Jack was given non-combatant duties which he performed as a Private, at the records office in Trentham, and in the stores at Ravensthorpe.
• Jack and Jean had one daughter then enlarged their family by adopting two sons and a daughter:
• G J Cobb (still living)
• Brian Alan John Cobb [born Brian Frederick Knight] (26 Sep 1946 - 15 Sep 2005)
• Robert Bruce Cobb [his original surname was Thrupp] (19 Nov 1954 - 31 July 1917)
• D L Cobb (still living)
• Jack made a living as a builder, and built many homes in the Papakura area. He was also involved in many community and church projects. Jean was an excellent home-maker. She was well-known for her hospitality and kindness. 

Jack and Jean with their family.
From left: G J Cobb, Robert, Jack, Jean, Brian & D L Cobb.
My Bonnie Studios Ltd, Papakura, c1960.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Jack and Jean's son, Brian John Alan Cobb (26 September 1946 - 15 September 2005) was born Brian Frederick Knight, but was renamed after his adoption. He was given the second name, 'Alan' after Jack's friend from army days, Alan Wood. Brian trained as a school teacher but later gained his pilot's licence. He married Sue who was also a school teacher, but they later divorced. Brian lived his later years in Africa. He died in Gaborone, Botswana in 2005, and was cremated. One of his two daughters, Sophie Jane Cobb (25 Feb 1972 - 6 Dec 1991), predeceased him in 1991. She died as the result of a car accident.
• Jack died at the Hayman Rest Home (Trever Hosking Drive, Wiri) in 2007, aged 91. Jean also died there three years later, aged 94. They are buried together at the Manukau Memorial Gardens QANON-C-017
• Jack and Jean's second son, Robert (Rob) Bruce Cobb (19 November 1954 - 31 July 2017) was born Robert Bruce Thrupp, but was renamed after his adoption. Robert married EJ who originated from the Philippines. They had three children (still living). Rob worked for the Sanitarium Health Food Company for 45 years in the Distributions unit. Robert died aged 62 and was buried at the Manukau Memorial Gardens.

Jessie Mary Archibald  

(25 April 1917 - 16 July 2008)

• Jessie was born in Mt Eden, Auckland (probably at the Keymer homestead at 120 Grange Road).

Jessie Archibald
Date and photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of S Ringrose)

• Jessie married Douglas (Doug) Cooper McLean (22 January 1915 - 1996) on 14 April 1941 at the Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The wedding of Jessie Archibald to Douglas McLean, 14 April 1941
From left: Nora Liggett, unknown man, Yvonne Parlane, Doug McLean, Jessie Archibald,
June Jarrett?, unknown man, Jean Archibald
Photographer unknown
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Doug and Jessie had two daughters and two sons (still living), all born in Papakura.
• Doug died in 1996 and Jessie died in Palmerston North in 2008, aged 91.

William (Bill/Will) James Archibald  

(26 November 1921 - 2 November 2004) 

• Bill was born on the Archibald farm in Papakura on 26 November 1921, shortly after his family moved there from Helensville.

Bill Archibald 1932.

Photographer unknown.

(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Bill married Nancy (Nan) Eva Barlow (27 April 1920 - 6 Sep 2001) of Taranaki on 5 June 1945 at the Hawera Seventh-day Adventist Church. The notice of their marriage appeared in the Australasian Record, 30 July 1945: 

• Bill and Nan had one son (still living) who was born in Papakura.

James and Louie Archibald with their son Bill, in military uniform.
Photographer and date unknown
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• When Bill's father, James Archibald died, Bill inherited half of the Archibald family farm. 
• Nan died on 6 September 2001 at Erin Park Hospital, aged 81. Her funeral was held at the First Presbyterian Church, Papakura. She was cremated. Bill and Nan had been married for 56 years at the time of her death. 

Bill on his 80th birthday. With him are his son and daughter-in-law. 2002.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of G J Bland)

• Bill died at Erin Park, Manurewa, on 2 November 2004, aged 82. He was also cremated. Death notices for Bill and Nan were collected by Jean Cobb and are shown below (original source unknown):

The Keymer family

More information about the family of Louie Keymer can be found at the blog, The Keymer Family.

Bibliography

Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Officiating Ministers, 1882-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: 

Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Accessed 31 March 2021Anonymous. (1915, July 3). Marriages. New Zealand Herald. 1. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19150703.2.2.2  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Anonymous. (1910, July 29). Bereavement Card. Auckland Star. 10. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19100729.2.79  Accessed 3 April 2021. 

Anonymous. (1916, February 15). Births. New Zealand Herald. 1. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19160215.2.2.1  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Anonymous. (1926, September 9). Franklin Power Board. Auckland Star. 22. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AD19260909.2.174. Accessed 31 March 2021.

Anonymous. (1941, January 22). News Notes. Australasian Record. 8. Retrieved from https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19400122-V44-04.pdf

Anonymous. (1942, March 4). Army Service. Auckland Star. 8. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19420304.2.96

Auckland Council Heritage Unit. (2017, August). Historic Heritage Evaluation. Papakura Old Central School and Memorial Peace Oak Tree. Retrieved from 

https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/UnitaryPlanDocuments/pc7-02830-papakura-old-central-school.pdf Accessed 31 March 2021

Behrens, I. (1941, January 22). New Zealand Missionary College Closing Exercises. Australasian Record. 5. Retrieved from 

https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19400122-V44-04.pdf  Accessed 30 March 2021.

Ballis, P.H. (1985, November 23). 100 Years of Adventistism in New Zealand. Australasian Record. 8. Retrieved from https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19851123-V90-46.pdf  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Hook, M. (date). Cole, John Martin (1862 - 1937). Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved from https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=995G&highlight=john|martin|cole  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Judge, A. (1945, July 30). Wedding Bells. Australasian Record. 7. Retrieved from 

https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19450730-V49-31.pdf  Accessed 31 March 2021.

Stokes, F. L. (1958, October 13). Until the Day Break. Australasian Record. 15. Retrieved from https://documents.adventistarchibes.org/Periodicals/AAR/AAR19581013-V62-41.pdf  Accessed 3 April 2021.

Other Sources 

• Family records compiled by Jessie McLean, nee Archibald (courtesy of G J Bland)
• Recollections and photographs - G J Bland, S Ringrose
• Family records courtesy of A Low
• Photographs from G J Bland, K Toepfer, S Ringrose, L McLean
• Adventist Record Archives
• Papers Past
• Ancestry.com
• Auckland Council burial records
• Notes about 'Glencairn' from D Bayliss

Last updated 24 August 2022