Conquering Cottles

Their Story: From Norman Conquest and English West Country roots, to emigration and settlement across America and the Antipodes

Like life, this literary endeavour has grown and changed as new insights and information is gleaned. The new title of Conquering Cottles reflects this new theme; that of our common stock conquering each new environment. What, indeed who, is our common ancestral root? Where and when did the Cottle lineage spread? Why did Charles Cottle forsake England in 1841 and commit his young wife and family to a colonial ‘wilderness’ on the other side of the globe? This ‘fleshing’ exercise is built on the work of many others, as acknowledged. It gives new insights into the Cottle pioneering spirit as they conquered new lands. From Norman Knight, to the English family manor house and estate, known today as Cottles Park. From early American pioneer, to western settlement and a hero’s death at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Lastly the antipodean descent in Wellington, New Zealand. The success of a ten year old orphan and his familial and financial legacy. This is their story.