Edward Marsh Williams
Edward Marsh Williams | |
---|---|
Native Land Court | |
In office 29 April 1881 – 1891 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 2 November 1818 Hawkes Bay, New Zealand |
Spouse | Jane Davis |
Parent(s) | Henry Williams, Marianne Williams |
Edward Marsh Williams (2 November 1818 – 11 October 1909) was a missionary, interpreter, and judge who played a significant role in the British colonisation of New Zealand.[1] He was born in Hampstead, Middlesex, the eldest son of Archdeacon Henry Williams and Marianne Williams.
At the age of 21 in 1840, when Captain
Williams translated into Māori over 210 hymns and also
Early life
Williams arrived with his parents at the Paihia, Bay of Islands, in July 1823 aboard the ship Brampton.[2] He was educated in the CMS mission school by his mother and his aunt, Jane Williams, and by other members of the CMS mission.[6]
In 1835, Williams returned to England on HMS Buffalo. He was apprenticed to a London doctor, but after twelve months he ended his studies as the consequence of brain fever (an uncertain diagnosis) and he returned to New Zealand.[7]
Translation of the Treaty of Waitangi
In 1840, when Captain William Hobson arrived in New Zealand he appointed Williams' father to take charge of the translation of the Treaty of Waitangi. As Williams was an experienced Māori linguist as well as being well-acquainted with Māori customs, he assisted his father to translate the treaty into the Māori language.[2][8]
Williams was appointed as the Māori interpreter to Major Thomas Bunbury of the 80th Regiment, who had been appointed by Lieutenant Governor Hobson as Commissioner. On 29 April 1840 they travelled on HMS Herald under Captain Joseph Nias to take a copy of the Treaty of Waitangi (known as the "Herald-Bunbury" copy) to the South Island. On 16 June 1840 they arrived in Port Underwood in Cloudy Bay and obtained nine signatures. They then visited various Māori chiefs along the east coast of the South Island, stopping at Akaroa (two signatures), Otago Harbour (two signatures) and to Ruapuke Island in Fouveaux Strait where they obtained a further three signatures.[7][9]
The actual proclamation of sovereignty was made by Lieutenant Governor Hobson on 21 May 1840 (the North Island by treaty and the South by discovery),[10] notwithstanding that his agents were collecting signatures for the Treaty in the South Island at this stage.
Later life
On 20 April 1840, Williams defused a culture misunderstanding that could have resulted in conflict between the
Williams became a director of the
In 1861, Williams was appointed by Sir George Grey to be the resident magistrate for the Bay of Islands and Northern Districts. He held this position until 1880, when he was requested by the government of the day to retire upon his pension.[7] He was appointed a judge of the Native Land Court on 29 April 1881.[14] He retained office until 1891 when he finally retired into private life.[7]
Personal life and death
In 1843, Williams married Jane Davis (1822 – 3 October 1906), the daughter of the Revd Richard Davis. They had eight sons, including:
- The Revd Alfred Owen Williams, born 1856 in Waimate North[15]
- The Revd Arthur Frederick Williams, born 1860 in Waimate North[15]
- Joseph Heathcote Williams
Williams retired to
Williams died at Te Aute on 11 October 1909.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Williams, Edward Marsh 1818–1909". Una Platts, Nineteenth Century New Zealand Artists: A Guide & Handbook, Early New Zealand Books (NZETC). 1952. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ a b c Carleton, Hugh (1874). "Vol. I". The Life of Henry Williams. Early New Zealand Books (ENZB), University of Auckland Library. pp. 91–123.
- ^ https://teara.govt.nz/en/music/45243/god-save-the-queen-in-te-reo-maori
- ^ "The Treaty of Waitangi Timeline". Drawing by Edward Marsh Williams, 1840, National Library of NZ – Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, Alexander Turnbull Library (Ref: A-083-005). Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ "Treaty trail". Drawing by Edward Marsh Williams, 1840, National Library of NZ – Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, Alexander Turnbull Library (Ref: A-083-005). Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-86969-439-5. Henry Williams Journal, 6 November 1826 (Fitzgerald, pp. 116, 133.)
- ^ a b c d e Cyclopedia Company Limited (1902). "Williams, Edward Marsh 1818–1909". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Auckland Provincial District. Christchurch: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ McDowell and Webb, LexisNexis.2006 pp. 174–175.
- ^ "Treaty of Waitangi signing locations: 'Herald-Bunbury' copy". NZ History Online. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ "New Zealand Advertiser and Bay Of Islands Gazette, 19 June 1840". Hocken Library. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ Carleton, Hugh (1874). "Vol. II". The Life of Henry Williams: "Early Recollections" written by Henry Williams. Early New Zealand Books (ENZB), University of Auckland Library. pp. 21–22.
- ^ Carleton, Hugh (1874). "Vol. II". The Life of Henry Williams. Early New Zealand Books (ENZB), University of Auckland Library. p. 48.
- ^ Carleton, Hugh (1874). "Vol. II". The Life of Henry Williams. Early New Zealand Books (ENZB), University of Auckland Library. p. 50.
- ^ Judges of the Maori Land Court
- ^ a b "Blain Biographical Directory of Anglican clergy in the South Pacific" (PDF). 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
- ^ Boyd, Mary (1 September 2010). "Williams, Samuel – Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 22 September 2013.