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Nathaniel Clotworthy
BiographyNathaniel Clotworthy was an early settler in Whangarei. In 1959 Nathaniel and his wife Amelia (nee Moore) emigrated from Antrim, Northern Ireland. They left their comfortable lives for the challenges of colonial New Zealand, likely never to see their families again. Because of the recent birth of their son William, they traveled separately. Nathaniel was aboard the Shooting Star, and Amelia with her two infant sons, arrived three weeks later on board Shalimar.
They settled at Parihaka in Whangarei, clearing the bush and establishing a 409-acre farm where Nathaniel farmed cattle. Initially living in a simple cottage, they later built a large two-storeyed homestead for their 13 children. They named their property The Abbey, which inspired the name of nearby Abbey Caves. Known for their hospitality, the Clotworthys hosted guests amidst their extensive gardens, orchards and paddocks.
In the 1860s, their home was accessible only by a four-mile horse ride on bridle trails from the township of Whangarei, as no road existed.
The homestead burned down in the early 1900s, leaving only the chimney. After passing through successive owners, part of the Clotworthy land became an 18-hectare public reserve when it was sold to the Whangarei City Council in 1989.
Nathaniel died in 1913 and Amelia in 1919. They were both interred at Whareora Cemetery. Some of their family members are also buried there, but many left the Whangarei district to make their lives elsewhere. Their youngest child, son Louis, died young from burns in 1884 and was buried on the family land.
Nathaniel and Amelia's son William Clotworthy farmed at Waimahanga in Onerahi, leaving the family legacy in the name of the Onerahi street, Clotworthy Crescent.
Nathaniel and Amelia are recognized for their pioneering spirit, with a plaque at Abbey Caves commemorating them.
Date of Birth1831Place of BirthAntrim, IrelandDate of Death9 March 1913Place of DeathWhangareiPlace of Burial/CremationWhareora Cemetery, WhareoraOccupationFarmer
They settled at Parihaka in Whangarei, clearing the bush and establishing a 409-acre farm where Nathaniel farmed cattle. Initially living in a simple cottage, they later built a large two-storeyed homestead for their 13 children. They named their property The Abbey, which inspired the name of nearby Abbey Caves. Known for their hospitality, the Clotworthys hosted guests amidst their extensive gardens, orchards and paddocks.
In the 1860s, their home was accessible only by a four-mile horse ride on bridle trails from the township of Whangarei, as no road existed.
The homestead burned down in the early 1900s, leaving only the chimney. After passing through successive owners, part of the Clotworthy land became an 18-hectare public reserve when it was sold to the Whangarei City Council in 1989.
Nathaniel died in 1913 and Amelia in 1919. They were both interred at Whareora Cemetery. Some of their family members are also buried there, but many left the Whangarei district to make their lives elsewhere. Their youngest child, son Louis, died young from burns in 1884 and was buried on the family land.
Nathaniel and Amelia's son William Clotworthy farmed at Waimahanga in Onerahi, leaving the family legacy in the name of the Onerahi street, Clotworthy Crescent.
Nathaniel and Amelia are recognized for their pioneering spirit, with a plaque at Abbey Caves commemorating them.
Date of Birth1831Place of BirthAntrim, IrelandDate of Death9 March 1913Place of DeathWhangareiPlace of Burial/CremationWhareora Cemetery, WhareoraOccupationFarmerClotworthy Family www.clotworthyfamily.co.nz
Whānau
ChildrenGeorge ClotworthyWilliam McElraith ClotworthyCatherine ClotworthySarah RobertsonEmily SmithThomas ClotworthyJohn Wilson ClotworthyEleanor FinlaysonNathaniel ClotworthyEliza PartridgeCharles ClotworthyAlice MunroLouis ClotworthyPartnerAmelia Moore ClotworthyDate Married1857Place of MarriageCrumlin, Antrim, Ireland
William McElraith ClotworthyCatherine ClotworthySarah RobertsonEmily SmithThomas ClotworthyJohn Wilson ClotworthyEleanor FinlaysonNathaniel ClotworthyEliza PartridgeCharles ClotworthyAlice MunroLouis ClotworthyPartnerAmelia Moore ClotworthyDate Married1857Place of MarriageCrumlin, Antrim, IrelandFurther Information
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Nathaniel Clotworthy. Northland Room Digital Collections, accessed 04/08/2026, https://wdc.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/5372
