Notes on Journals 1 and 2
J1: Journal 1:, January-April and September-October 1860
J2: Journal 2 , March 1860 and undated list of English Harris relatives
JANUARY
Jan 23 Hannah Clara & John Veal commenced?)
March 19th 2 months due Paid (J1)
Thomas and Mary Bennett Veale were neighbours of the Harrises on Frankley road. In 1860 they had four living children: Mary Hannah (born 1849), Clara Jane (born 1853), John (born 1855) and Thomas (born 1857). All four children died in the diphtheria epidemic that broke out in New Plymouth early in 1861. They are buried together at Te Henui Cemetery in New Plymouth with three other siblings. Sarah’s note appears to be a record of the enrolment of the three older children in one of her Frankley Road schools prior to the declaration of martial law 23 February and the outbreak of hostilities 17 March. It is written on the reverse of a page she later used for making journal entries after the schools were closed.
Veale Thomas, Grey Block, farmer (1856 and 1860 jurors lists)
Diagonally opposite Harris (section 481) and encompassing Frankley Road are three sections numbered 490-492 belonging to Thomas Veale. (Puke Ariki, ARC2005-26)
FEBRUARY
Spent the day at Mrs P Marshall law proclaimed (J1)
1860 Martial Law. Proclaimed February 23rd by Lieut Colonel George Freeman Murray (J2)
Mrs P is probably Mrs Susannah Patterson, second wife of engineer and sawmiller George Patterson, neighbours of the Harrises on Frankley road. Sarah corrects her spelling of ‘martial’ in the later journal notes.
Patterson George, Grey Block, engineer (1860 jurors list)
See Mike Gooch, ‘Word on the Street: Patterson Road,’ Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 2011.
25 fine <s>Mr Gardner came up & offered to take one of the family</s> if it was found necessary to go to town (J1)
Mr and Mrs Gardner were family friends and former neighbours on Frankley Road. In 1860 they were living in town, about five kilometres from their previous home.
Emily Harris, 5 Dec 1860: ‘I went with papa last week to spend the evening with Mr and Mrs Gardner, they have made up their minds at last to go to England for a year or two, they intend going next month.’ (‘Writing Lines’ 2)
Gardner Christopher Hatton, Grey Block settler (1856 jurors list)
Gardner Christopher Hatton, New Plymouth, settler (1860 jurors list)
26 fine Sunday Emily came up
27 fine Sunday Frances to church Emily came up (J1)
Sarah notes a Sunday visit to the farm by her eldest daughter Emily, who is working as a lady companion for Mrs Katharina Des Voeux at Glenavon, a large farm property on the northern bank of the Waiwhakaiho River.
29 March fine Corbyn to town (J1)
Perhaps an error for 29 February; 1860 was a leap year. Hugh Corbyn Harris, eldest child and only son of Sarah and Edwin, was born 9 February 1835 in Plymouth, England. In 1860 he was a farmer with his father on their Frankley Road property and Drove the family’s bullock team. See ‘The Family Songbook’ 1 and ‘Writing Lines’ 2.
Harris Edwin, Grey Block, farmer (1856 and 1860 jurors lists)
Harris Hugh Corbyn, Grey Block, farmer (1856 and 1860 jurors lists)
MARCH
[March 1?] removed to the Henui 1842 X (J1)
The first of several anniversaries Sarah notes in her journal. Edwin Harris purchased Dr Henry Weekes’ portable timber house early in 1842 and moved his family to a two-acre section fronting Devon Street East near Te Henui Stream. See ‘The Family Songbook’ 5.
March 1st Mr Harris & son sworn in the Militia Force (J2)
See Taranaki Militia call up for Edwin Harris, Cranstone collection, Whanganui, and ‘Lighted Windows.’ Corbyn Harris’s papers have not been recovered.
To Edwin Harris.
In pursuance of an order addressed to me by Lieut.-Colonel George Freeman Murray, Officer Commanding the Troops in Taranaki, the Deputy of his Excellency the Governor of New Zealand appointed in that behalf, directing me to draw out for Actual Service, the whole of the Militia Force of the District of Taranaki, I, Charles Brown, Officer Commanding the said Militia Force, do hereby require you to attend at Mr P. Elliot’s house on Thursday the first day of March at twelve o’clock in the forenoon.
Dated at New Plymouth, this 23rd day of February, 1860.
Signed Charles Brown, Officer Commanding the Militia Force of the District of New Plymouth.
2 fine Frances to Mrs Standishes Mr Parris & Rogan went to see William King his answer to the Governor was that he will not give up the land (J1)
Mrs Mary Standish was the wife of lawyer Thomas Standish. The Standishes and their three sons were family friends who lived in New Plymouth. Robert Parris, assistant native secretary, and John Rogan, Taranaki land purchase commissioner, were attempting to carry out Government surveys on disputed land at Waitara. William King is Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake. See ‘Writing Lines’ 1:
Wiremu Kīngi Te Rangitāke (?-1882) was a Te Āti Awa leader, thought to have been born in the last years of the eighteenth century, at Manukorihi pā, Waitara. He was of Ngāti Kura and Ngāti Mutunga descent, and is primarily identified with Te `Ati Awa. His father was Te Rere-tāwhangawhanga, who was one of the great Te Āti Awa leaders of his time. His mother was Te Kehu (also known as Te Whetū-o-te-ao). Te Rangitāke, also known as Whiti, was baptised in the early 1840s, taking the name Wiremu Kīngi. His life was bound up with the great migrations on the west coast of the North Island which took place between the 1820s and 1840s. In 1848 he led a migration of nearly 600 Te Āti Awa back to Waitara to settle on their ancestral lands. A dispute over government acquisition of land at Waitara led to open conflict between Te Rangitāke and British troops in March 1860 and signalled the outbreak of war in Taranaki. (Te Ara)
3 fine Mr Harris’ birthday Very unsettled not knowing if we shall be obliged to remove to town 70 carts preped to go to the Waitera with the soldiers baggage (J1)
Edwin Harris was born 3 Mar 1806 in Plymouth, England.
Taranaki Herald 10 March 1860, p. 2:
Sunday, 4th March. — How unlike a day of rest ! It soon became evident from the bustle in camp that W. Kingi’s reply to the Governor’s communication was not considered satisfactory. The troops were frequently paraded and inspected — the skirts of their great coats, in which they were to march instead of their scarlet uniforms, were tucked up — 25 teams of bullocks were collected on the ground, and knapsacks, trenching tools, and stores of all kinds were in readiness for moving. Towards evening the tents were struck, and every preparation made for the troops to march before daylight. The weather continued so fine that it was decided to put the camp equipage, and most of the heavy things on board H.M.S.S. Niger, and this excellent alteration of plans dispensed with upwards of 50 teams.
5th 56 Reg marched to the Waitera (J1)
Actually the 65th Regiment of Foot. Sarah repeats her mistake in J2.
8 fine Baby born 1841 (died March 12 1841
All the girls left the Henui sent furniture in (J1)
8th Sent all our Girls to the Henui to a house belonging to Mr Chilman for safety. All the country settlers crowding into the town (J2)
Richard and Agnes Chilman were cabin passengers on the Plymouth Company vessel William Bryan (1840-41), and became family friends of the Harrises. Chilman purchased 50 acres at Te Henui opposite Dr Henry Weeks block where the Harrises lived 1842-47. The younger Harris daughters are Kate (20), Frances (18), Mary (15), Augusta (12) and Ellen (9). The unnamed daughter was born and died on the voyage from England. See ‘The Family Songbook’ 3 and 4.
11 fine Kate & Frances went to the Henui Church. Mr H came to dine he called on the Chilmans’ Emily Corbyn & Moore to tea (J1)
Kate and Frances attend Sunday service at the Te Henui chapel in nearby Courtney Street. Part of the stone vicarage attached to the chapel survives on the site. Plans for its extension were drawn up by Edwin Harris in 1846. (Puke Ariki, A65.917)
Edwin Harris visits the Chilmans and his family at midday, the young folk during the afternoon at tea time. Emily may still be at Glenavon with her employers, Charles and Katharina Des Voeux, taking advantage of another Sunday to visit her family. Alfred William Moore is Kate Harris’s fiance, soon to depart for Nelson after the outbreak of war.
Moore Alfred, Grey Block, farmer (1860 jurors list).
13, fine Walked with Kate & Frances to the town posted a newspaper to Mrs Rendel called on Mrs S Smith the Hays Mrs D Mrs M brought us some peaches (J1)
Mrs Rendel is Catherine Jane Rendel nee Harris, Sarah’s sister-in-law, who lived in London. The newspaper Sarah posts is likely to be the Taranaki Herald of 10 March, covering the first days of the military crisis. The Herald was published weekly on Saturdays and with the 10 March issue editor Garland Woon began keeping a day by day Journal of Events throughout the war.
Mrs S Smith is perhaps Mrs Susan Smith, referred to in the Taranaki Herald Journal of Events 25 Aug 1860, p. 2. She appears to be a landowner: ‘Monday (20 Aug). — From an early hour this morning houses have been in flames at the Henui, and before noon the following were destroyed : — Dr. Wilson’s, Mrs Smith’s, Paynter’s, Shuttleworth’s, Ibbotson’s, Hamblyn’s, and others in the direction of the Waiwakaiho and Hua.’
The Hays had a farm at Tataraimaka to the southwest of New Plymouth. Margaret Bayly nee Hay, wife of William Bayly junior, died in September 1860, leaving an infant daughter. Harriet Halse 4 Sept 1860: ‘Mrs. Wm Bayly junior (formerly a Miss Hay) died today of slow fever proceeding from neglected influenza.’ Emily Harris 4 Feb 1861: ‘Poor Maggie’s baby is a pretty little thing, she is very fat and her hair is beginning to curl all over her head.’ (‘Writing Lines’ 7)
Hay James, Tataraimaka, farmer (1856 and 1860 jurors lists)
Bayly William junior, Tataraimaka, farmer (1860 jurors list)
Mrs D is perhaps Mrs Dingle, another neighbour on Frankley Road, wife of James Dingle. James Dingle owned the 50-acre rural section Grey 480 adjacent to Edwin Harris’s farm on Frankley Rd. See ‘The Family Songbook’ 24. It seems likely that Emily, Kate and Sarah Harris were teaching the Dingle children in one or other of their schools before the war. Emily Harris 20 Feb 1861: ‘I then went to Mrs Dingle and made her an offer of taking her children to Nelson. But she could not make up her mind to part with them, she strongly recommended me to open a school here, she said that I should be certain to get plenty of scholars. I felt very much inclined to try and consulted Mrs Standish about it and she was of the same opinion. Mrs Dingle also offered me a home for a few weeks. They live in part of Richard Brown’s house, but where to get a school room is the great difficulty.’ (‘Writing Lines’ 8)
Dingle James, Grey Block, farmer (1860 jurors list)
Mrs M is perhaps the wife of Alfred Miles. Mary Ann Miles died 11 Sept 1860, aged 30, and was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard. She was the wife of settler Alfred Miles and lived at Te Henui. See ‘Writing Lines’ 1.
14 fine Emily Harris born 1837. Mr Richardson brought some apples up in his carriage from Mrs King. Mr Richardson took the girls up in his carriage to Glenavon (J1)
14 Mr Richardson took Kate & Frances to Glenavon in his carriage to get apples (J2)
Emily Harris’s birth date is uncertain. Sarah gives 14 and then 20 March 1837 as her daughter’s date of birth. Emily herself was unsure of the date, observing ruefully in 1886: ‘March 28th. Today, my birthday, at least the day I keep for I am not quite sure that I was not born on the 1st of April. However it is the first time I ever remember my birthday being kept.’ (‘Drawing Lines’ 4)
Mr Richardson is Thomas Watkin Richardson: father of Emily’s employer Katharina Des Voeux. Mrs King is perhaps Eliza Mary King nee Richardson, wife of William Cutfield King of woodleigh. But she could be Eliza’s mother-in-law Mrs Mary Ann King, wife of Captain Henry King of Brook-lands. Or she might be Mary King nee Chilman, wife of Thomas King and sister of Richard Chilman.
15 fine at home the girls went out to walk in the evening I walked on the beach in the morning with the two youngest (J1)
The beach is probably East End at the mouth of Te Henui Stream, or Strandon a little to the north. Sarah’s youngest daughters are Augusta and Ellen Harris, aged 12 and 9.
I put the children clean things on for Sunday & they went to bed dressed in case we should have to take refuge in the Church which all the women and children were to fly to if they heard the great guns fire twice at Waitera (J1)
Edwin and Corbyn are called in from Frankley road as fighting starts at Waitara Saturday 17 March. Women and children are to seek refuge if the guns on Marsland Hill in the centre of town are fired twice. See Thomas Gilbert’s account of an alarm later in March 1860:
A proclamation had been issued, some time previous to this, that in any case of real danger, or cause for alarm, two large guns were to be fired from the barracks on Marsland-hill; the militia and volunteers, within a circle of two miles round, were then to rush into town; the women and children were to take refuge in. the barracks, church, and chapels, and all were to hold themselves in readiness to meet any attack that might be made by the insurgents. The preconcerted signal was given by firing off the two guns; and although it was pretty generally understood that this was to be a notice of danger, yet many were at a loss for some time to account for it, imagining all sorts of calamities. (New Zealand Settlers and Soldiers, p. 120)
19 Mr Harris first night on duty from five in the evening until seven in the morning (J2)
20 Hugh C Harris’s first night on duty (J2)
See ‘Lighted Windows,’ Edwin Harris to native secretary and chief land purchase commissioner Donald McLean, 21 Mar 1860 (Turnbull, MS-Papers-0032-0326):
New Plymouth
March 21st
Dear Sir
As it is probable I may not be able to see you personally, I have thought it best to write you to ask if you have any influence in obtaining from the governor, with whom I am unacquainted some employment more fitting (professionally or otherwise) for an old servant of the Government than that of a private in the Militia.
I am still able to map & draw as when we were first acquainted and could certainly render more efficient service professionally than as a fighting man. Should you wish to see me, I will call on you. But we are at present living at the Henui opposite Dr Wilsons.
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours
Edwin Harris
23 rain Sent a paper to Mrs Rendel Mrs Flight called (J1)
Mrs Anne Flight is the wife of Josiah Flight, settler, JP and Resident Magistrate. The Flights arrived on the Plymouth Company vessel Timandra in 1842. (‘The Family Songbook’ 9)
24 rain We all left the Henui took part of a native chapel in the town pa
very busy dividing the rooms. Great alarm in the night when we were all asleep
200 of the soldiers march’d up from Waitera all the volunteers & soldiers went out to Honeyfield farm where a number of hostile natives had assembled & were building a Pa & killing the sheep the force was too week to make an attack on them as the pa was in the bush sent a letter to Emma (J1)
24 We all left Mr Harris for the native chapel in the town Pah (J2)
Kawau Pā was at the seaward end of Currie St, near the landing place at the mouth of the Huatoki Stream. William Henry Honeyfield’s farm was at Moturoa, on the western outskirts of New Plymouth. Emma Jane Hill is Sarah’s unmarried sister who taught in a private school for young ladies in Liskeard, Cornwall. Sarah refers to the aborted march on Ratapipi to the southwest of New Plymouth in the early hours of Sunday 25 March. See the ‘Interesting Letter’ written by one of the Volunteer Riflemen and published anonymously in Nelson a few days later. A partial copy of the letter, transcribed by Emily, is present in the envelope inscribed ‘Grandmother’s letters.’
‘A Sketch of the War,’ Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle 4 April 1860, p. 1:
On Saturday last it was currently rumoured in town that Manahi had deserted and collected a body of men at Ratapihi, on the Mountain-road, and that he intended to attack the town. On Sunday morning, about one, a.m., we (the Volunteer Rifles) were called up, and informed that we we’re going on an expedition, which we all guessed was to Ratapihi to take Manahi. “We were to be ready opposite Newell’s at half-past one, so as to attack them by surprise at daybreak. We were all punctual ; and you may imagine our disgust at being kept in the ranks till three o’clock, on cold and wet ground, waiting for the military, the consequence of this delay being that it was an hour after sunrise when we arrived at the spot. But we got at last to the Omata-road, when Colonel Murray, commanding the whole of the force — about 100 volunteers and 200 troops — refused to take his men into the bush, as they were tired and he did not think it prudent! On being asked by Major Herbert, who commanded us (the Volunteers), whether he might take us, he replied — ” Oh, yes, you can take them, if you please.” We went, and found a most impracticable place for attack ; we retired, as the Colonel refused to bring his men to help us. I happened to be one of the advance skirmishers, and foolishly got over a Maori fence into one of their gardens, and when the order was given to retire I had great difficulty in getting back again ; for a minute or two I did not value my life at a half-penny, for if the natives had made a rush — we were not 200 yards from them, only they were so well covered in the bush — it would have been all up with me ; and if they had made a rush when we first entered the rise (quite a narrow pass, with a deep gully on both sides) not one of the skirmishers in front (20) would have again seen the sunset. We retired into town, and loud were the complaints against Colonel Gold, under whose instructions we supposed Colonel Murray was acting.
Newell Samuel, New Plymouth, publican (1860 jurors list)
Honeyfield William Henry, Moturoa, farmer (1860 jurors list)
26 An eclipse of the sun nearly a total eclipse seen at New Ply in 1857 (J1)
Taranaki Herald 28 March 1857, P. 3:
The partial eclipse of the Sun, for which our community were on the qui vive, commenced at a few minutes after 8 on Thursday morning, and terminated at about 20 minutes to 10. It was much feared, from the cloudy appearance of the early part of the morning, that the eclipse would not be visible, but towards 8 the clouds gave way before a bright sun, and enabled us to have an uninterrupted observation of the eclipse which at the greatest darkened three-fourths of the sun’s disk, and had a marked influence on the daylight.
Edwin and Emily Harris both produced celestial artworks later in the century, including representations of the solar eclipse of 9 Sept 1885, the first total eclipse to be observed in New Zealand since the beginning of European records. (‘Drawing Lines’ 2)
27 fine (J1)
Sarah does not record events leading up to the British and colonial expedition to Omata Wednesday 28 March. The Nelson Examiner letter continues:
Well, on Tuesday afternoon intelligence came into town that a large body of Ngatiruanui had arrived, and were building a pah on the top of Jury’s hill, at Omata, on the top of the Waireka, and also that dead bodies were seen lying in the road by the Omata Inn, which was ultimately confirmed by a third messenger from the Omata stockade telling us that Ford, H. Passmore, and S. Shaw were the victims. Next day we learnt that one of Gilbert’s boys and one of Parker’s boys were killed. Ford was going out to look at sheep he had purchased ; he was warned of the danger, but laughed at it. Passmore was driving his cart with timber ; and Shaw was going to milk his cows. These butcheries, as you may imagine, created an intense excitement, coupled with the knowledge that Parson Brown and all his family, Manuel and his wife and children, Touet and his family, and Gilbert and part of his family, were still at Omata.
Note: The two boys killed at Omata were sons of local sawyers William Pote and Joseph Parker. Their bodies were found by Rev Henry Handley Brown and brought to the Omata stockade.
Ford Samuel, New Plymouth, saddler (1860 jurors list)
Passmore Henry, Omata, farmer (1860 jurors list)
Shaw Samuel, Omata, farmer (1860 jurors list)
Pote William, Omata, sawyer (1860 jurors list)
Parker Joseph, Omata, sawyer (1860 jurors list)
Parson Brown: Rev Henry Handley Brown arrived with his family in New Plymouth from England in 1859. He was appointed Anglican minister at Omata and was protected by local Māori during the engagement at Waireka in March 1860. Comprehensive family archives and the famous Mahanga pānui (proclamation) that was nailed to the Browns’ gate in 1860 are held at Puke Ariki (ARC2001-131).
Manuel and his family: Manuel De Castro, a Portuguese, according to Thomas Gilbert, (p. 37).
Touet Edouard, Omata, farmer (1860 jurors list)
Gilbert Thomas, Omata, farmer (1860 jurors list)
Thomas Gilbert’s account of the Brown family’s ‘rescue’ differs markedly from that of the letter in the Nelson Examiner:
Near to my house was Brookwood, with its park-like scenery and farm buildings, the residence of Rev. H. Brown, formerly Rector of Burton Pedwardine, near Sleaford, Lincoln. Mr. Brown was the resident clergyman of Omata. He is the head of a large family of children, with servants and labourers about him–actively useful and zealous in the performance of his parochial duties. These duties often brought him into relationship with the southern natives, many of whom regarded him as their missionary, He had not settled amongst us more than a year, and during that time had been at considerable expense in improving the estate and employing labour on the farm. It is a grievous thing that a gentleman so universally respected as Mr. Brown was, and is, in his parish, both at home and at Omata, should be called upon, so early in his colonial career, to experience so many trials as have fallen to his share. The firmness of Mr. Brown and family in remaining at Brookwood, notwithstanding the alarm of nearly all around, greatly encouraged me, my wife and family, to remain in our house, trusting in our heavenly Father for protection and safety.
Another neighbour was Mr. Touett, formerly a resident in the island of Jersey. With the manners and language of a Frenchman, he had been exempted as a foreigner from serving in the militia, and as such was considered by the natives. He, however, entertained the same views of the unlawfulness of all war as myself, my friend, and my eldest son; and feeling secure by the oft-repeated assurances of the Maories that he would not be touched, for fear of bringing the “French to fight them,” he remained in his house with his wife and family. Besides these I have named, there was Mr. Somers (a German), wife and child; he was employed by Mr. Brown. Also, Manuel De Castro (a Portuguese), wife and children; James Keeler, a superannuated whaler, with his Maori wife; also, Hannah, a Maori woman, the faithful wife of a neighbour, who was then serving as a private in the militia. These all lived in singular proximity to my house, and, being neutral, were often assured of their safety. (New Zealand Settlers and Soldiers, pp. 36-38)
28 Great alarm that the Maoris were advancing on the town Papa & Corbyn went off in great hurry with their guns […]
I with Frances & Kate remained in the street to wait the return of the men until 12 (J1)
28th The Glorious Battle of Waraki against the rebels who are marching on the town (J2)
The Nelson Examiner letter continues:
About twelve o’clock on Wednesday, the Volunteers and Militia were asked who would volunteer to go out to Omata and try to bring these families in. About 80 volunteers and 40 or 50 Militia went, the Governor, prior to our departure, addressing us and wishing us success, &c. We started and went along the beach across Major Lloyd’s flax hills ; we got amongst the flax, a few natives showed, we commenced firing and drove them before us. We got on land that was formerly old Sutton’s about 1,000 yards from the beach side of the pah, at the top of the Waireka ; the natives then were numerous. About 40 of us marched up the field in skirmishing order, standing the whiz and whirr of the bullets well. The natives then nearly surrounded us, being so few, and we had to fall back under furze-house and straw-stacks.
29 fine
All of us harassed & tired out Mr Browns family brought in by native chief friendly) the enemy engaged in picking up their dead, it took 14 carts to carry away the dead & wounded & a great many left behind (J1)
29th The Rev Mr Browns family brought in by friendly natives from their house at Omata where they had been surrounded by the enemy, who were engaged in picking up the dead it took 14 carts to carry away the dead & wounded & many left behind. (J2)
The Nelson Examiner letter describes withdrawal of British troops at sunset and the taking of the pā by Captain Cracroft and his Royal Navy marines:
About seven o’clock we cautiously commenced our retreat, every moment expecting to receive a volley of bullets from our enemy ; but it appears that the gallant Captain Cracroft and his men had so taken the natives by surprise in storming the pah, that they had all rushed to it and left us to retreat unmolested. It being dark, of course we were not then aware of this. We arrived at the Omata stockade safe, and, carrying our wounded, proceeded on our march to town, which we reached between twelve and one o’clock. Here we found the alarm and excitement intense, every one believing that through the shameful conduct of Colonel Murray, in so cruelly abandoning us, we should be all cut to pieces ; and so we should have been if the natives had shown any generalship. The cheering on our arrival was vociferous : women rushing out and anxiously putting their questions — ” Have you seen so and so ? ” ” Have you seen my William ? ” &c, &c.
31 fine the Governor left
Breakfasted with Mr Sharland saw the family all off to the steamer Airedale with a number of families for Nelson a quiet night (J1)
31 Mr Sharland arrived from England left same day with his family for Nelson. Volunteers & troops inspected by Colonel Gold who said the militia & volunteers had acted splendidly in the late engagement with the natives (J2)
The Nelson Examiner letter gives a different account of events:
It was two hours, I am told, after our position was known, before the relief party was sent to our aid. Loud, bitter, and justly so, are the complaints against Colonel Murray for thus leaving to us not only all the brunt of the business (of that we do not complain), but for shamefully abandoning us in our critical position. To the subalterns and men we give every credit, and are anxious that no slur should be cast upon them ; only upon the heads of the one, whoever he be, who issued, and the other who so literally obeyed the orders which, but for the gallant conduct of Captain Cracroft and his men at a most critical moment, must have resulted in the annihilation of the abandoned force, and in the disgrace of the British arms.
So loud has been the murmuring, that the newspapers have been warned not to say anything against the troops ; and the Governor, on parade yesterday morning, begged and prayed of us not to encourage any ill-feeling betwixt ourselves and the troops, as a house divided against itself cannot stand. He thanked us, in his own and the Queen’s name, for our conduct on Wednesday ; and said he did not inquire whether we were right or wrong in the affair : this we construed in our own way : he also said that he had no authority in New Plymouth now, only in getting supplies. This we take as a hint that it would be better for ourselves not to say too much.
Sharland, James Cragg, New Plymouth storekeeper (1856 jurors list)
Sharland James Cragg, New Plymouth, merchant (1860 jurors list)
‘Shipping Intelligence,’ Taranaki Herald 31 March 1860, P. 2:
ARRIVED..
March 30. — Airedale, (S.S.,) 350 tons, Johns, from Manukau. Passengers— Captain Strange, Lieut. Wrixon, and 90 men of H.M. 65th Regt. Messrs J. C. Sharland, Newton, Tate, Morrison, Mr and Mrs Hall and family, Miss Humphries, Miss Parris, Mrs SutclifTe.
‘Shipping Intelligence,’ Taranaki Herald 7 April 1860, p. 2:
SAILED.
March 31.— H.M.S.S. Niger, Capt. Cracroft, for Manukau. Passengers — His Excellency the Governor, Ensign St. Hill.
March 31.— Airedale, (s.s.), Johns, for Nelson, with 60 passengers.
Note: This sailing took the ‘interesting letter’ to Nelson, where it was published 4 April.
‘Shipping Intelligence,’ Taranaki Herald 14 April 1860, p. 2:
Passengers for Nelson by the Airedale on the 31st ultimo [March]:— Mr and Mrs, C. Carrington and child, Mrs Gilmour and 4 children, Mrs Greaves, Miss Greaves, and Master Greaves, Mrs Chilman, Misses Chilman (3), Masters Chilman (2), Mrs Hursthouse Misses Hursthouse (2), Mrs Richmond, Mrs J. C. Richmond and child, Mrs Colson and 2 children, Mr and Mrs Sharland and 11 children, Miss Allan, Miss Davis, Mrs O. Carrington 8 children and servant, Mrs Gardner, Miss Green, Miss Bayly, Miss E. Bayly, Miss Rawson and 2 brothers, Mrs Kirk and child, Mrs Taylor and 2 children, Mrs Hales and 5 children, Miss Hellier, Mrs Coad and 5 children, Mrs Terrel and child, Mrs Richards and 9 children, Mr and Mrs Howell and 2 children, Mrs Handy and child, Miss Handy, Mr Macfarlane.
APRIL
April 1st fine Arrived in New Zealand 1841
Went to church heard Mr Brown Mr G dined with us Corbyn went to the bush with an escort of militia (J1)
Sarah probably heard Rev Brown preaching at St Mary’s in New Plymouth after his family’s removal from Omata three days previously. Mr G is probably Mr Gardner.
3 fine I walked to Mrs Sharland’s farm & on the beach with Mrs Hay – Mr H & Corbyn out all night together (J1)
The Sharland property, on the western outskirts of New Plymouth, was burned during later hostilities.
Taranaki Herald 9 March 1861, p. 2:
Mr Sharland’s house, near the Town Belt, was gutted last night (Tuesday) by the natives, the calico from the ceiling, linings torn down, and the windows smashed.
Thursday, March 7. — Last night (Wednesday) the sentinels at Fort Murray observing lights moving about Mr Sharland’s house, the garrison turned out and fired a volley into the house, The lights immediately disappeared. A party of militia and rifle volunteers went out to-day and brought in a quantity of lead from the roof of the house. Some of the bullets from Fort Murray had gone through it.
[Pages missing]
SEPTEMBER
10 fine Expedition to the Waitara went to Mrs Standishes to stay the day (J1)
Emily Harris, 10 Sept 1860: ‘Today an Expedition went to the Waitara with the intention of destroying Wiremu Kingi’s pa in the bush. They started from the town at 12 o’clock, upwards of a thousand men (1400) besides a large party of Volunteers and the mounted Escort. There were nearly fifty carts with luggage and four cannon. I saw them all pass, not all in one body, two strong detachments went first then the carts then another strong body and lastly the Volunteers who are mostly young men and seemed in good spirits. God grant that they may all return again in safety.’ (‘Writing Lines’ 1)
11 fine Mr Gardner called Mrs G ill I went to see her Mr Leach buried Mr H attended
Mrs Gardner ill (J1)
Emily Harris, 11 Sept 1860: ‘A poor woman, Mrs Miles, died of fever (another victim of this ill-fated war). Mr Leech was buried this afternoon, how very depressing so many deaths.’ (Writing Lines 1)
12 rain at home writing all day (J1)
Emily Harris, 12 Sept 1860: ‘Very wet. The soldiers returned in pretty much the same order in which they went except that they gave a loud hurra as they entered the town and some sang snatches of warlike songs, a great deal they have to be proud of, it is even asserted that some ran away; at any rate they left the dead body of their comrade to be mutilated by the Natives.’ (Writing Lines 1)
13 rain Airedale in received letters from Nelson posted one to Mrs Hill & H Harris with the sermons in them answered Mr Moore’s note (J1)
Mrs Hill is Sarah’s sister-in-law Elizabeth, married to her brother William. The Hills lived for many years in France. H Harris is Henry Marmaduke Harris, Edwin’s younger brother, who ran the family glazing and decorating business in Plymouth, England. Mr Moore is Alfred William Moore, Kate Harris’s fiance.
Sarah is sending her English family copies of the sermon preached by Rev Henry Wollaston at Corbyn’s funeral 31 July. The sermon was printed by the Nelson Examiner and sold to support Corbyn’s bereaved sisters.
Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle 8 Sept 1860, p. 1:
On Sale, at the Examiner Office, A Funeral Sermon, delivered at St Mary’s Church, New Plymouth, Taranaki, on the death of Hugh Corbyn Harris. By the Reverend H.N. Wollaston. The proceeds of the Sale to be given to the sisters of the deceased.
No copies of Wollaston’s sermon have been recovered though it is likely that the text included the passage of thanks published in the Taranaki Herald 4 Aug 1860, p. 2:
We have been requested to publish the following acknowledgments relating to Hugh Corbyn Harris :—: The afflicted Parents of the late Hugh Corbyn Harris desire to offer their warmest thanks to the Volunteer Rifles, Militia, and other numerous friends, who manifested their respect and esteem for their departed Son, by following his remains to their last resting place. As they are not able to make their acknowledgments in person, they take this opportunity of gratefully assuring them that their voluntary demonstration of kindness and sympathy has afforded much comfort and consolation to his surviving relatives, who mourn the loss of an only and affectionate Son and Brother, but who do NOT ‘ Sorrow
as those who have no hope.’ New Plymouth, 31st July, 1860.
Sarah’s last journal entry is followed by dates for September and October, none of which have been filled in. She returned to Nelson to be with her younger daughters some time after September and before December, when Edwin joined her there, leaving Emily in New Plymouth with the Des Voeux family.
UNDATED LIST OF ENGLISH HARRIS RELATIVES
Pages 3 and 4 of J2 list some of Edwin Harris’s English relatives and their children. Sarah appears to be compiling information from family letters, some of them later than 1860. In two instances she gives dates as late as 1864 (death of James Henry Harris) and 1867 (Merchant Marine rank of Charles Meadows Dobson). For fmore extensive family lists, see ‘Who’s Who: Harris Family in England and New Zealand.’
George Dobson Civil Engineer (J2)
Augusta Harris (1809-1874) married George Clarisse Dobson (1801 – 1874) in 1835. They had six sons and one daughter:
George Augustus Dobson (1836-1838)
Henry Austin Dobson (1840-1921)
Charles Meadows Dobson (1842-1909)
Hamilton Stuart Dobson (1844-?)
James Murray Dobson (1846-1924)
William Alfred (Willy) Dobson (1847-?)
Frances Mary Dobson (Fanny) (1854-1950)
James Harris – Artist, Plymouth. England (J2)
James Cobham Harris (1794-1876) married (1) Elizabeth Oake (born c.1792-95) in 1819; (2) Elizabeth Culverwell in 1864.
Children of James Cobham Harris and Elizabeth oake, four sons and 5 daughters:
Charles Harris
Sarah Mary Harris
Jane Oake Harris (1821-1901)
James Henry Harris (1823-1864)
Elizabeth Harris (1823-?)
Herbert Rendel Harris
Eliza Dean Harris (1828-1916)
Josiah Harris
Catherine Jane Oake Harris (Kate) (1832-1914) married cousin James Murray Dobson (1846-1924)
Children of James Cobham Harris and Elizabeth Culverwell, two sons and one daughter:
George Sydney Harris (1865-1930)
Ellen Laura Harris (1869-1960)
William James Cobham Harris (1872-?)
Miss Maria Good favourite aunt of Edwin Harris & sister of his mother who always lived in the family) (J2)
Maria Good (1794-1875), sister of Mary Roberts Harris, nee Good.
[in pencil at top of page]] 9 Hyde Park St
The Rendel family (J2)
Catherine Jane Harris (Kate) (1799-1884) married James Meadows Rendel (1799-1856) in 1828.
They had five sons and five daughters):
Alexander Meadows Rendel (1829-1918) married Eliza Hobson (1830-1916) in 1853
Lewis Rendel (1830-1851)
Catherine Rendel (1831- 1839)
George Wightwick Rendel (1833-1902) married (1) Harriet Simpson (died 1878) in 1860; (2) Luciana Pinelli in 1880
Stuart Rendel (1834-1913) married Ellen Sophie Hubbard (1838-1912) in 1857
Emily Frances Rendel ((Fanny) 1836–1897), married Charles Synge Christopher Bowen (died 1894) in 1862
Emma Hamilton Rendel (1837-1839)
Edith Rendel, (1839-1922) married Frederick Prickett Hebeler in 1867
Emily Catherine Rendel (1840–1921) married Clement Francis Wedgwood (1840-1889) in 1866
Hamilton Owen Rendel (1843-1902)
9 Hyde Park street is the London address of Catherine Jane Rendel in the 1861 UK census. She lived there with daughters Emily, Edith and Catherine and five servants. Obituaries for James Meadows Rendel (1856) and his son Stuart Rendel (1913) have been copied from English sources and are preserved with Sarah’s journals in the envelope marked ‘Grandmother’s letters.’
Sources
Thomas Gilbert, New Zealand Settlers and Soldiers. Or the war in Taranaki, being incidents in the life of a settler. London: AW Bennett,1861.
https://auckland.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=64UAUCK_INST:NEWUI&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&isFrbr=true&tab=Everything&docid=alma99189862714002091
Harriet Halse, Diary March-Sept 1860, transcript by Stacey Wellington. Puke Ariki, ARC2010-225.
Michele Leggott, Fredrika van Elburg, Makyla Curtis, Susannah Whaley, Betty Davis and Brianna Vincent (eds), ‘The Family Songbook: Harris Letters and Memoirs 1840-1853’, Emily Cumming Harris in New Zealand and Australia, 2019.
https://emilycummingharris.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/artandwriting/the-family-songbook/
Michele Leggott, Fredrika van Elburg, Makyla Curtis and Betty Davis (eds), ‘Writing Lines: Emily Harris Letters and Diary Excerpts 1860-1863’, Emily Cumming Harris in New Zealand and Australia, 2019.
https://emilycummingharris.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/artandwriting/writing-lines/
Michele Leggott, Brianna Vincent and Dasha Zapisetskaya (eds), ‘Drawing Lines: Emily Harris Diaries 1885-1891’, Emily Cumming Harris in New Zealand and Australia, 2020.
https://emilycummingharris.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/artandwriting/drawing-lines/
Michele Leggott and Brianna Vincent (eds), ‘Lighted Windows: The Death and Resurrection of Corbyn Harris’, Emily Cumming Harris in New Zealand and Australia, 2020.
https://emilycummingharris.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/artandwriting/lighted-windows/
‘List of persons qualified to serve as jurors for the province of Taranaki for the year 1856,’ Taranaki Herald 15 March 1856, p. 4.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH18560315.2.8
‘List of persons qualified to serve as jurors for the province of Taranaki for the year 1860,’ Taranaki Herald 18 Feb 1860, p. 2.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH18600218.2.3