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Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 2, Issue 6, April 1973

Rivington

Rivington

William Charles Hodgson, a Manchester cotton spinner, came to Nelson on the "Himalaya" in 1844 and took up 50 acres of land at Wakapuaka where he and his large young family struggled to make an existence. The property was named after the home district in Lancashire. He died in 1847. The family prospered and a son, also William Charles Hodgson, educated at the Manchester Grammar School, became a teacher and, in 1863, was appointed Inspector of Schools.

Rivington was later owned by William Wastney whose descendants still reside there.

William Wastney came to Nelson in 1842 with his mother on the "Lloyds," his father having arrived with Wakefield's Expedition. As a lad he did his fair share of hard work in the new settlement, joined his father in the building trade, and later moved with his page 17parents to Wakapuaka where his father had taken up land. He took a keen interest in local, as well as general, politics and served on various local bodies and organisations.

The original house, built about 1861, was burned, A few years ago the old barn was pulled down. The framework was all pitsawn timber while some uprights were whole tree trunks complete with bark.