Merriott Families Genealogy

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Trasks to New Zealand

In 1828 Reuben TRASK  married Ann LAWRENCE, and at least two sons of Reuben & Ann (nee Lawrence) TRASK emigrated to New Zealand, namely George and Francis.  Reuben died in Merriott in 1882, and Ann in Merriott in 1881.

A third son, Llewellyn TRASK, also went to New Zealand, and married there - Maria Torpey.   Thereafter they appear to have moved to Victoria, where son Llewellyn Charles TRASK was born in 1873 in Collingwood.  Llewellyn then moved to the USA, where he married Annie Norton in 1876.  This Annie Norton, aka Mary Ann Norton, was daughter of Francis Norton and Christianna Lawrence, and was born in Merriott on 4 February 1856.  The Norton family had emigrated to the United States by at least 1876.

1. George Lawrence TRASK

2. Francis Reuben TRASK

The story of Francis TRASK, mayor of Nelson, New Zealand courtesy of Ted Anderson.

EXTRACT FROM 1905 ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF NEW ZEALAND

FRANCIS TRASK

The Hon Francis Trask was called to the Legislative Council on 18^th March 1903. He was born at Merriott in Somersetshire, England, in 1840, and in 1860 he came out in the barque “Minorca” to Christchurch whence he went to the Otego goldfields. After a stay of a few months at Waterston's Gully Mr Trask went to Nelson where he has resided ever since.  In 1878 he was elected to the Borough Council & held office as a councillor till 1890 when he was first elected mayor- an office he held for ten successive years. Among the many works undertaken during Mr Trask's term of office were the Rocks Road, a new main road from the town to the county, by way of the seacoast. This work was started mainly through his exertions; it is perfectly level for its whole distance and forms the highway into Nelson from the fertile Waives & thence to the West Coast. “Gunnersbury House”, Mr Track's residence in Collingwood Street is one of the best (if not the finest) in Nelson.

ARTHUR  TRASK

  Captain Arthur F R Trask was born in Nelson in 1872 and is the son of the Hon F Trask MAC. He received his education at Nelson College where he gained his first experience in volunteering as a private in the College Cadets. Subsequently with the assistance of Sergeant-Major Weller and Sergeant Bird, Captain Trask formed the Waikato Mounted Rifles, and after serving as lieutenant was appointed captain in 1901. In 1900 he went to Australia as a lieutenant in the Commonwealth Contingent and shortly after his arrival was appointed lieutenant-quartermaster. Captain Trask resides at Stoke where he engages in hop growing and cattle dealing. He is a member of Court Robin Hood, Ancient Order of Foresters, Nelson, and he has passed through the chairs of his court. He is also a steward of the Jockey Club and Trotting Club and honorary starter to the last named; and he was for many years secretary of the Waikato Rowing Club. Captain Trask was married in 1895, to Miss Laing, of Nelson, and has one son and one daughter.

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