John Lewis Coster

  Notes:

Info from Jeremy Archer;
Of Opawa, New Zealand.
Founder and Managing Director; New Zealand Shipping Company
Member of the Houseof Representatives for Heathcote 1884-86.
Died without issue. His wife was sister to his brothers wife.

The 'Blackford' book says he attended King's School, Bruton and Christ's Hospital, London (as did his brother). Also says ... had a house nearby (his brother) at Opawa called Compton and though he took an interest in the farm he was manager of a branch of the Bank of New Zealand in Christchurch. Lewis continued to take an interest in the sheep station, but in 1873 he became founder and managing director of the New Zealand Shipping Co. In that same year he was presented with two fine silver candelabras and two silver epergnes on the occasion of his leaving for England".

Was expected to inherit a large estate from his Coster grandfather, but the Witheridge property was so heavily mortgaged that the inheritance was < £1000. This was sent to Sir Charles Nicholson to pass to John Lewis and Sir Charles made it up to a round £1000 to set John on his way !


From Mike Walker;
1841 Census; Living as son, age 2, at South Cary, Castle Cary, Somerset with parents, 2 siblings and 3 servants.
In 1851, I found:
Quapperlake Street, Bruton, Somerset
COSTER Letitia Widow/er 34 Annuitant Tewkesbury
John son 12 Scholar Exeter
Edward 7 Scholar at Home Castle Cary
MARCH Louisa Servant 17 House Servant

John married Ellen Henty, daughter of Hon. Stephen George Henty and Unknown, in 1870 in Melbourne, Australia.