The Seamer Grave

The Seamer family grave. Wesley Division C Row 21, Plots 80-84 
Waikumete Cemetery. Photo: Cathy Currie

The Seamer grave located in Wesley Division C Row 21 plots 81 – 84 of Waikumete Cemetery [1] sits at the top of a hill where its large tree trunk memorial once rose impressively above the surrounding graves.

In gravestone iconography the tree trunk is thought to be representative of the shortness of life on the physical plane. [2] There are other possible messages a tree trunk may portray, as throughout history the tree has had a variety of meanings to different peoples. With roots anchoring it in the earth and branches that reach toward heaven, the strong trunk of a tree connects the two and symbolises the journey of the soul from the physical to the heavenly realm. [3]

Upon examination of the memorial it appears not only to have been disassembled, but part of it is missing. Earlier inscription records denote 3 inscribed sections to the memorial indicating that the top of the tree trunk formed a cross. [1] The missing cross piece was inscribed “Into Thy Hands” [1] reinforcing the cross as a symbol of the crucifixion of Christ, conveying messages of salvation and eternal life. [4] The King James Bible refers to this phrase in the account of the death of Jesus in Luke 23:46 “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” [5] The middle section of the memorial which now sits on the ground is inscribed “In Memorium” and the base of the trunk is inscribed with the following names and dates in panels within its bark.

William
Nisbet Seamer
February – April 1910

Ida Marion
Seamer
1884 – 1920

Alfred Tennyson Howie
MB CH.B.
1902 – 1936

Arthur John
Seamer CMG
1878 – 1963.

2 inscription panels remain uninscribed

There are only 2 interments recorded, that of Ida Seamer buried 11/9/1920 plot 83 and influential Methodist minister the Rev. Arthur John Seamer who was cremated at Hamilton and his ashes interred 19/9/1963 plot 83 [1]

Ida and Arthur’s infant son William Nisbet Seamer whose name is inscribed on the memorial died 16/04/1910 at the age of 9 weeks and is buried in Wellingtons Karori cemetery. [6]

Their son–in–law Dr. Alfred Tennyson Howie, also remembered on the family memorial, died at Cromwell Hospital, Otago, [7] aged 32 years on the 4th of Nov 1936. He was cremated in Dunedin, and it is noted on the cremation record that his ashes were buried at Auckland. [8] Although I have not been successful in locating a record of this interment in an Auckland cemetery, it is possible that his remains rest here in this grave.

Dr. Alfred Tennyson Howie

Wedding of A T Howie & E L Seamer
 NZ Herald Volume LXVIII,
Issue 21069, 31 December 1931

Alfred Tennyson Howie (Tennie) was born on the 18th Nov 1902 at Waikiwi, Invercargill. [9] He was the fifth son of John Howie and Elizabeth Wright Howie. [10] [7] Tennie attended High School in Southland and began a mercantile career with the firm Wright, Stephenson and Co. However after 5 years with the firm he decided to pursue a career in medicine and attended Otago university for 6 years achieving M.B. and Ch.B degrees. [7] He graduated in 1930 [9] and became house surgeon at Auckland public hospital for 12 months prior to accepting a position with the New Zealand Presbyterian Board of Missions at Kong Chuen Hospital at Canton, China where he became superintendent. [7] 

On 30th Dec 1931 Tennie married Edith Leila Seamer, the daughter of Ida and the Rev Arthur John Seamer at the Methodist Collegiate Church. [11]

The couple sailed for China in January 1932 [9] where Edith assisted Tennie in his missionary work. He spent his first year engaged in language study and began hospital work in his second year as a doctor. 

Tennie was said to have a great passion and enthusiasm for his work, and respect for the Chinese people and their cultural practices. He was a friendly, sensitive and insightful man, gaining the respect of the Chinese and the affection of all. Tennie was a skilled administrator and team manager who held the support and loyalty of his staff. He had so much to give and such a promising life ahead of him which sadly was to be a short one. [9]

In 1936 Tennie was overcome by Tuberculosis and forced to return home where he spent time with family at Pembroke (Wanaka) for several months to recuperate. His health had improved, however suddenly worsened after he contracted pleurisy, and he passed away due to serious complications. [7] [9] 

His wife Edith survived him along with their two young sons aged 3 years and 14 months. [7]

Edith passed away on the 1st June 1999 at the grand age of 91 years. She was cremated at Waikumete and her ashes returned to the Battersby Funeral Services. [12]

Rev. Arthur John Seamer

S. P. Andrew Photo. 

THE REV. A. J. SEAMER,

 president-elect of the 

Methodist Conference

 which, opens in Auckland 

on Thursday.

Evening Post, Volume CXV, 

Issue 37, 14 February 1933.

Arthur John Seamer was born on the 10th of June 1878 in Tongala, Victoria, Australia. He was the fourth child of farmer William Seamer and his wife, Jane Matilda Townley.

When Arthur was 2 years of age his father died and the family worked hard to survive on the family farm. [13]

Arthur's 2 older brothers and sister received 7 years of education at primary school and his oldest brother won a 3 year scholarship to attend Melbourne College. When Arthur was the age of 9, his oldest brother returned home to work the farm as it was being damaged by the man who leased it, and his second oldest brother left to take up a trade. Arthur kept walking the 3 miles to school and back again each day until he was aged 11, when he felt it was his moral obligation to do his share of work on the farm, and he put in many long hours of hard work. His sister Edith who had first introduced Arthur to education by attempting to take him to school with her when he was just 3 years old, now tutored him at home in the evenings. Arthur ran the farm with the advice and guidance of friends of his father after his brothers had moved on and he remained on the farm until he reached the age of 16 when it was decided he too should go forth and pursue his own bent.

This is when Arthur went to Melbourne where he was employed in a harness factory and lived with his mother’s sister and her husband. The house he stayed in with his aunt and uncle was on church grounds as his uncle was a local Methodist preacher whose principles had a great influence on Arthur. When the opportunity arose for him to move to a furnished room with cooking facilities on the factory premises, Arthur did so, as this gave him more time to devote to study. He lived at the factory for 18 months without having to pay rental.

While Arthur was in Melbourne the Salvation Army launched an appeal for missionaries to serve in Borneo. Arthur applied and was accepted. However the destination was changed to Java, and the medical board refused to allow him to travel to Java on account of his youth and he was sent to New Zealand. It was a blow to him at first to learn of his destination for the New Zealand Maori missions. Once he knew of his father’s experiences in New Zealand during the Otago gold rush, and the interest he had for Maori, Arthur felt pleased to be able to follow in his father’s mission studies. And so it was that Arthur Seamer came to New Zealand in 1897. [14]

He trained in Gisborne and worked among the Maori in Taranaki and in the Urewera and Taupo areas, [15] where he not only learned to speak fluent Te Reo Maori, but was immersed in Te Ao Maori, sharing food and sleeping mats with Maori and learning about their culture to the extent that he thought in a Maori way. Arthur recognised that he was not the only one with something to teach and would sit at the feet of Maori and listen when they had knowledge to share just as they listened to him. He regarded each of them as brothers in spirit. His authenticity and respect gained the confidence and respect of the Maori people for whom he developed a passion. This time dangerously travelling on horseback over uncharted land and through thick bush to undertake his mission work forged friendships and provided Arthur with understandings that would influence his life. He continued to naturally think Maori and speak Te Reo Maori up until his death. [14]

Although Arthur had quickly risen to the position of Captain within the organisation [14] he became frustrated with the lack of progress of the salvation Army’s Maori Mission after his superiors had been transferred to Melbourne in 1899 and were replaced by an Irishman who was not familiar with New Zealand or with Te Reo Maori. And Arthur was recruited by the Methodists taking up an appointment as a home missionary in Whangaroa. [15]

Arthur became a candidate for the ordained ministry in 1903 and served as a probationary minister in North Canturbury and Rotorua. In 1905 He joined the Auckland Maori Mission with a circuit of North Auckland, Auckland, Waikato and the King Country. 

1907 was the year he was ordained as a minister and he went back to the Whangaroa – Kaeo mission station. [15] Rev. Arthur John Seamer married Ida Marion Nisbet the youngest daughter of Mrs A Nisbet on the 8th of May the same year in the presence of a large congregation at the Pitt Street Methodist Church in Auckland. The Rev. G. Bond, Chairman of the District, married the couple assisted by the Revs. J. Wilson and S. Griffith.  It was a traditional wedding with 2 of Ida’s nieces carrying out bridesmaid duties, Mr A. Nisbet was the groomsman and Mr R. Clark the best man.  [17] Arthur and Ida went on to have 3 children Edith Leila born 1908, William Nisbet born 1910 and Ronald Nisbet Born 1912. [10]

Rev. Seamer was to take up appointments in Petone in 1909 and then in Dunedin in 1911. And he served as president of the New Zealand Young Mens Methodist Bible Class Union for 2 terms. [15]

Appointed to the New Zealand Chaplains department as a Chaplain to the forces on the 31 March 1914, Rev. Seamer experienced delays in securing a chaplaincy. On the 28th of May 1915 he applied to accompany the Maori reinforcements, however there was no vacancy at the time. [17] Becoming anxious to get to the front he enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force as a Private in August 1915 and proceeded overseas attached to the New Zealand Engineers, 2nd Field Company as a non commissioned officer after being promoted to the rank of Corporal. [18] Rev Seamer had experienced stomach troubles some 12 years earlier when medical treatment was agreed upon rather than surgery. When he fell ill on the voyage over to Egypt and was later admitted to the New Zealand General hospital in Cairo in December 1915 with gastritis, it seemed to have flared up again and he was eventually returned home in March 1916 with a stomach ulcer and linea hernia aggravated by military service. [17]

Back in New Zealand Capt Sydney C Allen of the New Zealand Medical Corps reported that Rev. Seamer was dyspeptic when invalided home and concluded that this was actually due to chronic appendicitis. He performed surgery in May 1916 on his inflamed appendix and freed a lanes kink. All other abdominal organs were healthy and there was no ulceration of the stomach after all. He had only been out of bed a few days when he was assessed by the medical board for discharge, and was discharged on 30th June 1916. Rev. Seamer attributed his illness to the shock of a heavy fall. His surgery was successful and he recovered quickly taking up a position at Trentham camp as camp Chaplain on 23rd August 1916 which he held until 12th March the following year when he was appointed a chaplaincy as a 4th class Chaplain with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force upon recommendation of the president of the Methodist Church the Rev. A C Lawry. Embarking with the 23rd reinforcements he accompanied the Otago infantry battalion serving in France. [17]

While incapacitated in hospital in France with an injury to his right shoulder during May 1918, a shell burst in the Reverend's room from which he sustained inner ear damage. He was hit by shrapnel [14] and spent time being treated in hospital before he was sent home in August on privileged leave unfit for service for a further 3 months, suffering shell shock and neurasthenia. The medical boards assessment on his arrival in New Zealand was that he was unfit for active service for 12 months or for home service for 6 months and he was struck off strength on the 20th of May 1919 and absorbed into the New Zealand Chaplains Dept class 4 (captain) with a half pension for 6 months. Rev. Seamer served for a total of 311 days, 151 days abroad and 160 days at home [17]

He was never to be free from the effects of the shrapnel that remained lodged in his head which caused him discomfort and to experience head noises and sudden blackouts. [14] [15] And he had continued to battle the fatigue, depression and anxiety of neurasthenia on his home coming. He was being treated for this at Queen Mary Hospital in Hamner from the 11th November 1919 into February 1920. During his treatment, his wife Ida was suffering pulmonary tuberculosis in Cashmere Sanatorium. The worry of her illness diminished the effectiveness of his treatment. The commanding officer stated that Rev. Seamer was a “neurotic of a depressed type” and recommended further treatment. He received treatment for neurasthenia again at Hamner in Sept 1921 [17] a year after the death of his wife who passed away at Oratia on the 10th of September 1920 and was the first to be interred in the Seamer family grave at Waikumete cemetery. [19] [12] Ida’s death was devastating to the Reverend and he felt her loss for the remainder of his days. [15]

Rev. Seamer had been appointed the position of superintendent of the Maori missions in 1919 and resumed this position after his treatment in February 1920. In 1924 he also became the superintendent of home missions and gave exceptional service. [15]

During the 1920s Rev. Seamer provided guidance to Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana a prophet and faith healer at the forefront of a Maori religious and political movement. Working quietly and carefully so as not to alienate the movement from Christianity he opposed a break away church led by Otene Paora and assisted Ratana to formulate its creed. The Methodist church was supportive of the Ratana churches registration in 1925. Rev Seamer had developed a close friendship with Ratana and maintained his commitment to youth establishing a school at Ratana Pa run by the Methodists. [15]

Support for the Methodist mission work waned in the late 1920's due to economic recession bringing with it a declining morale for Maori. The Reverend used the Waiata Maori choir established in the mid 1920's to raise the spirits of young Maori and raise funds for the mission. Taking it on tour exhibiting and celebrating Maoridom throughout the country and to Australia in 1933, 1935 and 1937, and in 1937/38 to great Britain performing at Buckingham palace. [15] The choir showcased Maori song, dance, stories and traditions. The Reverend explained the waiata that was performed by the choir and spoke to the audience about the Maori people and the Methodist mission. The performances were very well received by the public. [14]

He became president of the Methodist Church of New Zealand in 1933. However the responsibilities became a strain on him and he retired from the position as general superintendent of home and Maori missions in 1939 and he moved to Drury. [15]

Over the years Rev. Seamer had earned the trust of the Maori who called him Te Himoa or Te Hiima. He moved to Hamilton in 1943 as acting superintendent of the Waikato Maori circuit and used his influence to skilfully introduce Pai Marire rituals of traditional Maori religion without provoking resistance. [15]

In the 1920s Rev. Seamer had attempted to unite all Maori religious and political movements in a lobby group that would use the Pakeha system for their own gain. However this did not eventuate due to Te Puea's opposition to Ratana. Rev. Seamer had gradually formed a relationship with her and had become a close advisor. He was now able to persuade Te Puea to assist with the effort to keep alcohol out of the King Country, and to establish a health clinic at Turangawaewae. [15]

After Te Puea had suffered a heart attack that was to prove fatal in 1952, and had asked for Rev. Seamer and his colleague, Sister Heeni Wharemaru, to come to her side. He became involved in the education of King Koroki's daughter Piki (later Queen Te Atairangikaahu). [15]

Rev. Seamer played an important part in the establishing of the Bryce Street Hostel in Hamilton for Maori girls seeking employment or attending the high schools and one for the boys in London St. He lived in the hostel himself. [15] [14]

He was awarded a C.M.G in 1949 for his tireless work for Maori and the community. The governor General presented it to him in his room at the Hamilton mens hostel, Te Rahi Tane where he was cared for by Methodist Mission staff in particular sister Heeni Wharemaru who trained girls from the hostel to relieve his pain when she was not there. [15] [14] Although in ill health he worked from his bed for several years from which he continued to give advice and guidance to the many people of diverse backgrounds who visited him from far and wide, including politicians. [14] 

The integration of Maori into Pakeha society with both cultures working together in understanding was what Rev. Seamer strived for. [14] Unfortunately he was not to witness his vision for a truly bicultural society ever come close to fruition before he passed away on the 17th of September 1963 and was laid to his final rest with his beloved Ida.

Maori liken a great chief to the strong growing totara tree. A tree which grows straight and strong for hundreds of years. It is a tragedy for a totara to fall. One fell with the death of the Rev. Arthur John Seamer. Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne - A tōtara has fallen in the great forest of Tāne.

Compiled by Cathy Currie using the following sources:

[1] New Zealand Cemetery Records. Waikumete Cemetery. New Zealand Society of Genealogists Incorporated.
[2] http://www.thecemeteryclub.com/symbols.html
[3] https://jeanraffa.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/1796/
[4] http://www.gocek.org/christiansymbols/?search=cross

[5] The Holy Bible, Authorised King James Version, Collins 1946

[6] Wellington City Council cemeteries database http://wellington.govt.nz
[7] Personal, Cromwell Argus, Volume LXVII, Issue 3444, 9 November 1936
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CROMARG19361109.2.21
[8] Dunedin City Council cemeteries search
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries_search?recordid=124131&type=Cremation
[9] http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/archives/Page170.htm
[10] Dept Internal Affairs NZ. https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
[11] Volume LXVIII, Issue 21069, 31 December 1931
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19311231.2.19.2
[12] West burial and cremation records http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/parksfacilities/cemeteries/Pages/westcemeterysearch.aspx
[13] Personal., Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 109, 8 May 1907
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19070508.2.27
[14] Te Hiima: Reverend A. J. Seamer and His Maori Mission Georgia Rae Cervin
https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10523/4054/CervinGeorgiaRae2011BAHons.pdf;sequence=2
[15] https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4s18/seamer-arthur-john
[16] Personal., Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 109, 8 May 1907
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19070508.2.27
[17] Military personnel File https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=24201627&digital=yes
18] Military Personnel file
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=7815529
[19] DEATHS., New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17572, 10 September 1920
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200910.2.2.4
[20] Forest mythology https://teara.govt.nz/en/te-waonui-a-tane-forest-mythology/page-5
Image Seamer grave, Cathy Currie

Image Wedding of A T Howie and E L Seamer, NZ Herald Volume LXVIII, Issue 21069, 31 December 1931

Image Rev. Seamer, Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 37, 14 February 1933

Image Clergymen and members of Parliament leaving for front, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19151111-44-