He doesn’t know that Christ Church, where he was christened yesterday on the day it celebrated its 164th anniversary, was founded by Betsey and her husband Charles Throsby.

But his proud grandmother Margaret Stuart is sure to pass on the story of little Betsey, who at two years of age was one of only four survivors of the massacre of around 70 crew and passengers of The Boyd in New Zealand in 1809.

Rescued by Captain Alexander Berry, Betsey sailed half way around the world before she returned to Australia, where she grew up to become a pioneer of Moss Vale.

“It’s a legend of strength and survival, that a little girl only two years old survives a massacre and finally gets back home to marry Charles Throsby, have 17 children and build Throsby Park and Christ Church,” Mrs Stuart said.

Descendants of survivors of The Boyd will gather at St James Church, Sydney on November 29, to mark the 200th anniversary of The Boyd massacre.

Mrs Stuart, who is secretary of the organising committee, will attend with her cousin Jill Chauncy, also of Moss Vale, and Vicki and Peter Chauncy.

Events to mark the bicentenary will also be held in New Zealand in December.

Mrs Stuart said she believed Betsey had passed on some of her qualities to her descendants.

“I think that in the Throsby family there was obviously a strength and the ability to survive in the face of adversity,” she said.

“Charles and Betsey were decent people and compassionate people that that’s what I see about the family,” she said.