Legacy and Memory

It was Alexander who worked hard to help get the first Town Bridge across the river, and helped officiate at the opening. The final resting place of Alexander and his wife Sarah—who outlived him by 17 years—is to be found in the early Whanganui Cemetery on Heads Road, in the city. It stands to one corner and is but a small monument for such accomplishments. The story that has been handed down to me from my grandfather, who was the son of Alexander, makes this an appropriate spot.

It is as follows: On the death of Albert, Prince Consort of Queen Victoria in 1841, Queen Victoria had acorns from Windsor Park sent out to missionaries in each colony of the British Empire. They were to be planted and known as Commemorative Oaks. Four acorns went to Reverend Richard Taylor, missionary at Pūtiki. One of these grew into a giant oak that stood there until two years ago, when a storm destroyed it.

Francis Williamson, Alexander’s brother and Chairman of the Town Board at that time, was the one who organised the planting of the oak trees that grow along the section of Heads Road between the old cemetery and the public hospital. The acorns for these came from the parent tree at Pūtiki, and the section of Heads Road was named Queen’s Drive. The burial place of Alexander, who died 100 years ago on the 13th of next month, December, is a short distance from these oaks—which I am sure at some time of the day and year, would extend their shadows to his grave.