This was the name of the house my mother grew up in, in Invercargill, NZ. It was built in the early 1900's and is still standing but is not being lived in! I'm surprised that the present owners of the property haven't pulled it down! I have turned this photo into a water colour adaption with the intention of painting it! You guys have given me an incentive after my 'Turkish Delight"!
How lovely for you the present owners haven't knocked it down, you have been able to edit this lovely home into a fabulous picture fit to grace any wall. I love these simple wood NZ homes.
I was looking at this for a while before I read your commentary. I couldn't work out if it was a processed photo or a photo of a painting. It's a lovely job and perfect for painting your own version xx
I actually lived in this house, it was owned by my late grandad Inglis Wright, it had been in the family up to the day he sold it . But I have many wonderful memories of belgravia.
It's a beautiful house filled with many stories.
@ejetwright This is so amazing, Emma! I have looked in my geneology book about the Todds who built this place (Robert was my Mother's father). It says: "The owner by 1996 had become John Inglis Wright a nephew of Wallace but the property had, yet again, been found to be too large for the energy and resoures of its owner, Early in 1995 offers to purchase Belgravia were sought" It goes on to describe the property. The property was still on the market in 1996. Reports say that John Inglis has had good offers but has declined to take the final step. John Inglis and his wife have moved to Invercargill tbut family members have remained and John Inglis calls frequently to absorb again the quiet and solace of a home that has so many memories"! This book was published in 1996. Hello to a distant cousin, Emma!
@maggiemae , hello..yes John Inglis Wright is my grandfather, whom passed 2006, yes it was many declines to sell, even when my grandparents moved from belgravia into town, my nana Elizabeth Todd (Wright) but my popa ( John Inglis ) found solace in belgravia and in 1996 my family moved to belgravia and rented the property from popa, which allowed him to come and go as he pleased and it still be a place for family gatherings etc...
My family moved to Australia in 1998, that was my last time ever at belgravia . It would of been a hard decision for my popa to sell as belgravia had been in the family since it was built.
Even today after seeing your post has brought back many memories, and belgravia will always hold a special place in my heart , more than anything I would love for it to be back within the family ..it is such a peaceful tranquil place, and you feel the history that comes with it.
Glad you got to visit ;)
@ejetwright I have worked out from my book that your grandfather, John Inglis and my grandfather were brothers! Sons of Thomas Todd and Elizabeth Wright. So we are second cousins! Hi there, cuzzie!
@maggiemae. .its great to hear from you also;) popa (John Inglis ) was very knowledgeable with all the history, I even recall he had the original boat tickets his parents or grandparents had when they came to NZ...
He also had done a family tree of both the Todd and Bradley side, my nana which I stated in above reply as a Todd ( wrong) is a Bradley..
It's all fascinating and I wld not know whom held all the documents now, as my nana is really sick after suffering a stroke recently she prob can't let me know....
So much was taken and lost after my popa (John Inglis) passed away;(
No, I've got lost in the generations and marriages, Emma! I'm just happy that I have known you were related and spent only two happy years down there! My mother was cousin to the famous Prime Minister of ex Rhodesia, Garfield! She grew up with him at Belgravia!
Oh wow, I'm quite fascinated by Sir Garfield Todd and his time as prime minister , interesting man ;) . Your mum would of known him quite well ??
Gosh I even remember the framed black and white photos of the family my popa had on the walls at belgravia they were from when they first settled at belgravia.
When I spoke to my dad last night he told me there was even a family grave that was on the land which later that land was sold and is now private property.
What was the book you read with belgravia in it??
I'd love to read it.
@ejetwright Its called "Todds in Tears, Toil and Triumphs" by Allan Todd. A private publication. Its about the early years as well as what has happened over the years. Where are you based in Aussie? I could send it to you for a loan?
@maggiemae I'm in Launceston , Tasmania .. Can the book be purchased online?? Prob not if a private publication, if its no trouble to loan me I'd be very grateful. ;)
@ejetwright If you give me your email, I can then get your address. It won't be in the next week as I'm off to Sydney briefly but will let you know. Cheers! M
@maggiemae@ejetwright Hello, my name is Hannah Wright, I happened to stumble across this photo and conversation just looking for information about Belgravia. I am Emma's cousin and one of the younger Grandchildren. I was not old enough to remember Belgravia and the only proof I have that I was ever there was a baby photo of me there. In just the past couple of days I have been looking at a copy of the Wright family tree and trying to learn more about my roots and history. I couldn't help but smile to see how rich it is.
@hannahwright How nice to hear this, Hannah! You will be a distant cousin of mine, of course. We were down there in Invercargill last year and I just couldn't find the house - it must be behind some trees or down a long drive. I sent a copy of the Todd family history to Emma some time ago and its a bit stuffy and too complicated to follow. They were a very interesting family - my mother grew up here!
Hi @hannahwright@ejetwright & @Maggiemae this is so great to find you! My mother Rankeilor Wright (married name is now Arnott) grew up at Belgravia. She is Wallace Wright’s daughter, and I remember visiting your grandfather Inglis there in the early 90’s. My mum has many magical memories of Belgravia and she often talks about it. I remember Inglis showing us the family tree & Ive been really wanting to find a copy of it, I wonder if you could help point me at it somehow? Lovely to connect with you all. My email is juliet@rekindle.org.nz
@jma Hi Juliet - great to hear from you! Belgravia certainly had more stories than I ever knew! Sorry don't have the family tree of that side of the family! Mine was all Todds.
How exciting...@Maggiemae, Emma and Hannah...
My parents Wallace and Belle purchased Belgravia from my father's cousins Eliza and Jane Todd in 1948..Maggiemae..your Aunts ?
I remember Eliza well as we would visit her in the rest home.
Inglis purchased Belgravia from my parents when they retired to Geraldine.
I have a picture of Inglis (your grandfather, Hannah and Emma) with his grand father John Inglis Wright in Dunedin after whom he was named.
Belgravia was built by an Englishman (can not remember the name)who then sold it to the Todd family. He was responsible for all the beautiful English trees and the masses of snowdrops violets, dog tooth violets and daffodils that were spread throughout the woods.
We visited three or four years ago and most of the house had been pulled down and was being rebuilt.
The brick works next door ( earlier Todds then McSkimmings) had purchased the property some years ago and dug up the paddocks for clay. I had hoped to dig some of the bulbs but they had all been destroyed.. Belgravia was then in private ownership again.
The Todd / Wright family marriages covered two generations.
Elizabeth Wright married Thomas Todd in 1849 and then the next generation Margaret (known as Maggie) married Adam Todd.
Garfield Todd grew up in another Todd house on the main road. The Todd family had three houses next door to Belgravia. But Belgravia was were the family all met. And Grand mama Todd was a midwife so all the near by family gave birth at Belgravia.
I remember Bessie and Mary Todd in their home Braeside. An old property name for the Todd family in Scotland.
Wow...that is enough !! Happy to be in touch.
motuekaarnotts@gmail.com...
@rankeilor Gee - that's so interesting, thank you! My mother's family all grew up there but it must have been near as Garfield grew up there as well and I have photos. I wonder if the present owners know of its interesting history!
Yes we did visit ..I suppose a few years ago now and took a painting of Jane's, thinking it would be lovely to be back in Belgravia. We met the owner who expressed a little interest in the history and said he had several people call regarding the past. He didn't invite us in !!
I really just wanted to see if I could collect some bulbs ! Anyway think the whole house has now been rebuilt looking on google earth !
If you are comfortable to forward your email I have several items you might be amused with reading..
Think we inherited a lot of items left in the house by Eliza and Jane.
The two houses of the Todd family ( Todd sons)next to Belgravia were Braeside and Taiglem Cottage. And from early memory there could have been a fourth home too.
I remember Garfield well when he used to visit and on one visit kindly gave me a horses crop he had bought from Zimbabwe.
We often, for Sunday lunch would have Mary, Bessie and John Howie plus Wright family members.
Ah...a little while ago !!
@rankeilor My email is mjm@munro.cc I have lots of photos taken at Belgravia too. My mother made a huge album with the first half taken up with Todd history and the second half with my father's!
November 6th, 2020
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It's a beautiful house filled with many stories.
My family moved to Australia in 1998, that was my last time ever at belgravia . It would of been a hard decision for my popa to sell as belgravia had been in the family since it was built.
Even today after seeing your post has brought back many memories, and belgravia will always hold a special place in my heart , more than anything I would love for it to be back within the family ..it is such a peaceful tranquil place, and you feel the history that comes with it.
Glad you got to visit ;)
He also had done a family tree of both the Todd and Bradley side, my nana which I stated in above reply as a Todd ( wrong) is a Bradley..
It's all fascinating and I wld not know whom held all the documents now, as my nana is really sick after suffering a stroke recently she prob can't let me know....
So much was taken and lost after my popa (John Inglis) passed away;(
Gosh I even remember the framed black and white photos of the family my popa had on the walls at belgravia they were from when they first settled at belgravia.
When I spoke to my dad last night he told me there was even a family grave that was on the land which later that land was sold and is now private property.
What was the book you read with belgravia in it??
I'd love to read it.
;)
My parents Wallace and Belle purchased Belgravia from my father's cousins Eliza and Jane Todd in 1948..Maggiemae..your Aunts ?
I remember Eliza well as we would visit her in the rest home.
Inglis purchased Belgravia from my parents when they retired to Geraldine.
I have a picture of Inglis (your grandfather, Hannah and Emma) with his grand father John Inglis Wright in Dunedin after whom he was named.
Belgravia was built by an Englishman (can not remember the name)who then sold it to the Todd family. He was responsible for all the beautiful English trees and the masses of snowdrops violets, dog tooth violets and daffodils that were spread throughout the woods.
We visited three or four years ago and most of the house had been pulled down and was being rebuilt.
The brick works next door ( earlier Todds then McSkimmings) had purchased the property some years ago and dug up the paddocks for clay. I had hoped to dig some of the bulbs but they had all been destroyed.. Belgravia was then in private ownership again.
The Todd / Wright family marriages covered two generations.
Elizabeth Wright married Thomas Todd in 1849 and then the next generation Margaret (known as Maggie) married Adam Todd.
Garfield Todd grew up in another Todd house on the main road. The Todd family had three houses next door to Belgravia. But Belgravia was were the family all met. And Grand mama Todd was a midwife so all the near by family gave birth at Belgravia.
I remember Bessie and Mary Todd in their home Braeside. An old property name for the Todd family in Scotland.
Wow...that is enough !! Happy to be in touch.
motuekaarnotts@gmail.com...
I really just wanted to see if I could collect some bulbs ! Anyway think the whole house has now been rebuilt looking on google earth !
If you are comfortable to forward your email I have several items you might be amused with reading..
Think we inherited a lot of items left in the house by Eliza and Jane.
The two houses of the Todd family ( Todd sons)next to Belgravia were Braeside and Taiglem Cottage. And from early memory there could have been a fourth home too.
I remember Garfield well when he used to visit and on one visit kindly gave me a horses crop he had bought from Zimbabwe.
We often, for Sunday lunch would have Mary, Bessie and John Howie plus Wright family members.
Ah...a little while ago !!