James Spedderi was born 1832 in Malta and came to Naseby in 1863 he was a goldminer. (Leo Charles Spedderi Dougherty owned a ring made from first gold mined in Naseby and has now been given to his eldest son Lawrence). He went to an area called Garibaldi (Where there were mainly Maltese, Italian and Chinese miners) in the Gimmerburn district with the gold rush in 1864 and was involved in a mining company,returning to Naseby the same year where he met and married Bridget Sullivan ( Bridget had sailed on a ship with Mary Moran who married James Herlihy Verdon's Grandfather) . She was one of many young women who had arrived in Naseby from Ireland. They were married at Saint Josephs Church in Dunedin in 31st March 1865. (Saint Josephs church was in Rattray Street and built in 1862 of brick. The Catherdral built between 1878 and 1886) The Spedderis according to Bessie Pearson, lived beside the Catholic church in Naseby and were neighbours of a family called Dooley. James and Bridgets' family were all born in Naseby.
Lawrence (Larry) 13/7/1867 never married. Died 6/8/1950
Mary born 26/9/1868 married James Caldwell.
Rosina born 18/7/1870 married Peter McErlane. Died 20/9/1947. Peter McErlane died 4/5/1947.
Bridget Ellen (Ellen) born 24/9/1872 married Patrick Dougherty. Bridget Ellen died 19/6/1947. Patrick Dougherty died 19/6/1965.
Bridget Ellen Spedderi and Patrick Dougherty were Leo's parents.
The Spedderi Family returned to Garibaldi late 1878. In 1880 the Gimmerburn area was surveyed by 1882 agricultural leases had bought sufficient people for a school.The first of which opened in February 1882. It was a cob 'mud hut' school and was built just to the south and east of the junction of Dougherty Road and Puketoi Run Road known as Kerrs. The Spedderi children rode horses down what was known as the bridle track to school. This school was shifted after being flooded, to Sharkeys Road Junction and was something of a compromise position between settlers to the east and the miners at Garabaldi and opened in 1883. Perhaps this is the reason Garibaldi children were not regular attenders as they must have had to walk about five miles each way and the return trip all up a very steep Rough Ridge Hill. The Spedderi's procured land in 1884. James drew a ballot with his daughter Bridget Ellen (Ellen) drawing two giving one to her newly married sister Rosina. His son Larry drew a later ballot. A small sod cottage was built on the farm and later superseded by a four bedroom dwelling in 1901. James's wife Bridget died 21st September 1882 at aged 35 and is buried in the Naseby cemetry. (Bill McErlane has said his Mother Rosina McErlane (Spedderi) tells of Bridget Spedderi her Mother, lying bleeding with cancer in the Garibaldi hut)
Their Daughter Bridget Ellen called Ellen by her family was only ten when her Mother died, she cared for her father and brother until her Father James died 16th March 1909 aged 77. James left his farm to daughter Ellen. Ellen had been courting Patrick Francis Dougherty a neighbouring farmer for some time but would not marry while her Father was alive. On September the 8th Patrick Dougherty and Ellen Spedderi married in Sacred Heart Catholic church in Ranfurly. The Spedderi farm and Charles Dougherty's now a combined property called 'Garrawaye' farmed by Patrick Francis Dougherty followed by Leo Charles Spedderi Dougherty born 19/8/1911. Then Leo's son Lawrence Patrick born 11/3/1939 and now his son Stephen James born 17/5/1964. Stephen's son Charles James Garrawaye Dougherty born 21/7/200 is the sixth generation.
A venerable apple tree planted by James Spedderi, provides a link to the early days as well as providing fruit for delicious apple pies the blossom some years is breathtaking.
Spedderi has also been carried on through generations with Leo charles Spedderi Dougherty born 1911. Adam Paul Spedderi son of Justine and Patrick Dougherty born 1970. Zac Riley Spedderi son of Stacey and Paul Dougherty born 2011.
Notice in the New Zealand Tablet after James Spedderi's Death in 1909.
It is with sincere regret that we have to record the death of one of the oldest pioneers of Otago Central in the person of Mr. James Spedderi, who passed away at the Naseby hospital on March the 16th after a very long illness. The deceased was a native of Malta, and arrived in Otago about 50 years ago. He spent a considerable number of years mining in and around the Naseby district eventually settling down to farming in Gimmerburn where he had resided up to the time of his demise. Mr Spedderi, who leaves a family of four, was predeceased by his wife who died several years ago aged 35. The family are Mrs Mary Caldwell (Wedderburn Hotel). Mrs Rosina McErlane, Miss Helena Spedderi, and Mr Larry Spedderi. The remains were removed from the Naseby Hospital to the resident of the deceased, from where the funeral left for the Naseby cemetry. Notwithstanding the inclement weather a very large number of mourners were present to pay a last tribute of respect to one who was greatly esteemed. The Rev. Father McMullan officiated at the graveside. R.I.P.
James and Bridget are buried in the Naseby Cemetry.
Larry Spederri died 6th August 1950 and is buried in the Ranfurly cemetry.
This is taken from Leo Charles Spedderi Doughertys' notes.