Black Hills History

Robert Adam Forrester, of Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, Scotland, arrived in New Zealand on the “Chrysolite” 24 November, 1862 having had a 3 month journey by sea.

Initially he worked as a boundary keeper on the property  Montrose, North Canterbury, then purchased his own first property in Rotherham, 14 years later calling it “Kilsyth”.  In 1883 he acquired Blackhills, Hurunui - this had previously been part of the original 201,000 acre property Glenmark Station, that extended from the Waipara River to the Hurunui River.

On 10 May, 1892 Sarah Forrester, the seventh child of Robert & Louise, was born in the cottage (formerly called Stoneycroft by the Perrot Family) on what was the Blackhills hogget block.

James Kilsyth Forrester, the fourth child, married in 1914 and his son Frank Kilsyth Forrester married Ellen, his first cousin, daughter of Sarah Black nee Forrester.

Sarah Forrester and James Kilsyth Forrester were therefore Beverly's husband, Jim’s great grandparents.

Jim Forrester born 8th October 1942 is the 4th generation on this property – married Beverley Price (14 June 1986)

Stock on the property farmed by Jim & Beverley included:

• “Heatherdale” Corriedale sheep stud (est. 1920) NZ Flock # 52
• “Blackhills” Hereford cattle stud (est. 1978) NZ Herd  # 690
• Bushlands Blacks (est. 1978) NZ Flock # 73

Jim died suddenly 12 September 1997, his dream having been to have restored the collection of limestone and cob buildings on the property (circa 1863)

Between 1999 – 2004 Beverley restored the buildings and although the farm is now downsized, it continues to this day in her ownership.