William Tustin

Paper Hanger and Decorator

William Warren Tustin was born in Sheffield in 1834 and trained as a painter & decorator. Construction work was a family tradition. His father was a journeyman joiner and his brother a brickmaker. William married Harriet Elizabeth Dixon in 1856 in Sheffield and the couple came to New Zealand in 1859 on the ‘Mataka’ with their son, William George.

By 1866, William was operating his painting & decorating business from a shop on Willis Street where he sold the latest imported wallpapers and trade supplies such as ‘antifouling composition’. He won the contract to paint the S.S. Airedale and so changed his advertisements to ‘House, Sign and Ship Painter’.

In 1887, after 26 years in the business, he handed over to his two eldest sons who then traded as ‘Tustin Bros’. Willaim was a member of the Mount Cook School Committee and an active member of the Wesley Church, as was his wife. He died in 1892 at his home in Pirie Street, having suffered from Brights disease for two years. He was 58 years old. After his death, Harriet’s health declined and she died one year later. She left five adult children. The couple are buried at Karori Cemetery.

Burleigh, Lois, active 1990s. Burleigh, Lois : Photograph of W Tustin's store, Willis Street. Ref: PAColl-4763. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23042147

William Tustin courtesy of Ancestry Trees.

Harriet Tustin (born Dixon) courtesy of Ancestry Trees