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Copplestone's Bakery, Leeston
Description
TitleCopplestone's Bakery, Leeston
DescriptionDevon farm labourer Mr. Azeail and Mrs. Elizabeth Copplestone (nee Yaxley) married in 1874, and arrived in New Zealand in January 1877 aboard the 'Cardigan Castle'. They had eight children, two born in the UK, although two died in infancy. Azeail is recorded in the local census as living in Leeston and being a baker from 1882 through to 1887.
They established a bakery in High Street, Leeston, which is first mentioned in the local newspaper in 1885.
The bakery was burned down in January 1888 but was insured: the cause was cited as a defect in the oven.
In December 1889, Mrs. Copplestone applied for a protection order to secure her six surviving children and the business in her own name: she advised Mr. Copplestone had left three years prior, and she had carried on the business as well as raising their children. A protection order was granted.
By March 1891, confectioner, caterer, pastrycook and baker Jas. M. Phillips had taken over the Copplestone Bakery. Elizabeth Copplestone (1859 - 1927) is buried in Sydenham.Date1880sSourceEllesmere Guardian, Volume X, Issue 81, 21 January 1891, Page 4
DescriptionDevon farm labourer Mr. Azeail and Mrs. Elizabeth Copplestone (nee Yaxley) married in 1874, and arrived in New Zealand in January 1877 aboard the 'Cardigan Castle'. They had eight children, two born in the UK, although two died in infancy. Azeail is recorded in the local census as living in Leeston and being a baker from 1882 through to 1887.They established a bakery in High Street, Leeston, which is first mentioned in the local newspaper in 1885.
The bakery was burned down in January 1888 but was insured: the cause was cited as a defect in the oven.
In December 1889, Mrs. Copplestone applied for a protection order to secure her six surviving children and the business in her own name: she advised Mr. Copplestone had left three years prior, and she had carried on the business as well as raising their children. A protection order was granted.
By March 1891, confectioner, caterer, pastrycook and baker Jas. M. Phillips had taken over the Copplestone Bakery. Elizabeth Copplestone (1859 - 1927) is buried in Sydenham.
Date1880sSourceEllesmere Guardian, Volume X, Issue 81, 21 January 1891, Page 4Connections
CollectionRetail Businesses in LeestonPlaceKarumata LeestonMore Information1889 Mrs Copplestone seeks a protection order from the court in Leeston1888 Read about the fire at Copplestone's bakeryRead about Elizabeth Copplestone nee Yaxley
PlaceKarumata LeestonMore Information1889 Mrs Copplestone seeks a protection order from the court in Leeston1888 Read about the fire at Copplestone's bakeryRead about Elizabeth Copplestone nee YaxleyAttribution
Researched BySarah DavyWritten BySarah Davy
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Copplestone's Bakery, Leeston (1880s). Selwyn Stories, accessed 21/01/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6573
