Thomas Logan Williamson Part 3: 1866

An eventful year - in so many ways - for Thomas and his family. 

1866

1866 January 2   Onehunga regatta  for 1866; T Williamson mentioned on committee. There are several other names on the committee which have become familiar in association with Thomas's activities, so it would be fair to say that he was a well-known member of the Onehunga maritime community and a participant in social and recreational activities. 
1866 January 6   Results of the regatta. (Williamson came first in the Favourite for trading vessels race. 
1866 January 26   Favourite  in port from Waikato 
1866 February 17 Favourite  in port from Waikato 

Thomas's  activities to and from Port Waikato seem to have been involved with transporting goods and supplies for, and sometimes people involved with, military or militia activities.    His South Island deliveries seem to be based on transporting supplies for gold miners on the West Coast. 

1866 March 8    Looks like Thomas owed some money. I have not been able to find any further information about who the Wiliam [sic] McNaughten is.  The clue that this is probably our Thomas is that this is the Resident Magistrate's Court in Onehunga. 

1866 April 16 On April 16, the Favourite  was cleared for departure from Onehunga with Thomas as the master - and agent - taking 20 tons of potatoes to Okarita.  He had one passenger with him - Richard Cox. 

Thomas Williamson, his passenger Richard Cox, and the Favourite never arrived at Okarita. (Known now as Okarito). 

At the time of the gold rush, Okarita/o was the largest settlement on the West Coast. Interestingly, this time and place was the setting for Eleanor Catton's Booker-Prize-winning novel The Luminaries.

There was Richard Cox, store keeper, and later a hotel keeper, of Hokitika, which could have been Thomas's passenger, but as he is still mentioned as a store keeper after 1866, I guess it's not him.  There was a miner on the West Coast, also called Richard Cox - from Cornwall - who was killed when earth fell on him in 1869.  I can find no other reference to any likely Richard Cox, including death certificates issued under that name, although there is one for Richard Cox 1869 - the unfortunate miner, no doubt.

This is an article about Okarita in February 1866, outlining the impact on the small township of the recent find of gold, and that the "rush" has begun, requiring a track to be cut for easier transport of supplies. It also suggests a  need for "tucker" .  

In May 1866, an article suggests that the rush is almost over, and weather and tides have had an effect on the landscape and viability of the township. According to Maori oral accounts, there's a great possibility of the place being completely underwater, and has been in living memory. 

 There is another mention of  Okarita in June3 1866, giving an idea of the development of the gold rush and what life was like for those there. This is where Thomas was heading with his cargo of potatoes. In early August, 1866, 

1866 May 25  The schooner Thane of Fife (Hughes, master) arrived in Onehunga on 25th May, and reported that the Favourite had been in company with her for two days on her passage to Hokitika, but nothing since has been heard of her. 

1866 June 11  No sign of missing cutter Favourite . 

1866 June 26  In spite of there being still no word of Thomas, his eldest daughter, Annie Williamson, married Alexander Farquhar, master of the paddle steamer Prince Alfred on June 25th. Note that is identifies Thomas as Captain J Williamson - clearly a typo.   

I wonder what kind of wedding it must have been for them all, knowing that Thomas was most likely lost at sea.  Alexander was well known to Thomas and the two would have had much in common. This is the same Captain Farquhar who took Thomas and his new mast back to Port Waikato in November when the Favourite's mast had to be replaced. 

1866 July 16 Wreckage sighted near Kaipara - but not likely to be from Favourite . 
1866 August 3 Favourite from Okarita still listed as expected into the Port of Onehunga. 
1866 September 19 Favourite from Okarita still listed as expected into the Port of Onehunga.
1866 December 27 Birth of Alexander Faquhar Williamson, Thomas's last child, born approximately 8 months after Thomas was last seen.  

It would seem that Thomas's cutter  Favourite  was ill-fated by name and in its own right. (See previous entries about  mast breaking, and getting stuck on a bar.)

1867 May 31  Proof the our Thomas has been declared dead.  His name is removed from the list of Onehunga electors for the electoral district of Onehunga. 

In a list  of  coastal New Zealand shipwrecks, there are 4 vessels named Favourite  which have been wrecked on NZ coasts. 

And that doesn't seem to include the cutter  Favourite, from Dunedin,  in 1857, captained by  (must be) another Thomas Williamson, which was dashed to pieces on rocks  in a river trying to get to sea. 

And that is all I have been able to find out about Thomas Logan Williamson to date.  If you have any further information about him or his activities,  I would love to add it here. 

Interestingly, there is no record of Thomas Logan Williamson or the Favorite in the New Zealand Maritime Index, although his son, Robert (Mann) Williamson is listed (lost at sea in shipwreck on Manukau Bar, 1874). 

In the meantime, I would still love to know: 

- Where was Thomas born?
- How, when  and why did he come to New Zealand?
- Where was he, and what was he doing in the years where I have no mention of him in the previous blogs
- Is there a photo of Thomas  or any of his vessels anywhere?
- Is there any other family/ descendants' information to support, confirm or refute any of the assumptions I've made - or any of the Thomas Williamsons I"ve found?
- Was there a memorial service or memorial anywhere for Thomas.
- Who was Richard Cox who was lost with Thomas. 
- How did his wife Elizabeth cope? 
- How many people today can trace their ancestry back to Thomas? 

R.I.P Thomas Logan Williamson 

Thomas Logan Williamson Part 2 - Eliminating the non-ancestral Thomas Williamsons

(A work in progress - check back to post 1 and this one for updates)
Not our Thomas: 
There was clearly more than one Thomas Williamson in New Zealand.  Eliminating the non-ancestral Thomas Williamson references and information can be just as useful - and time-consuming -  as finding our own Thomas.  I'm including information on not-our-Thomas as it might be helpful to you if he is your Thomas. It might also save other our-Thomas researchers from the same side tracks that I've been down. 

There is a very early reference 1840, May 2   (The New Zealand Journal) to Thomas Williamson from Fowey, Cornwall, who must have enquired about paid passages to New Zealand for settlers, as there was a  brief reply to his request, outlining that free passages are available to married men only. I checked out the Cornwall Census, and in 1841 there was a Thomas Williamson, age 30, Tailor, located in Fowey. In Cornwall records online, there is a record  (1853) Thomas Williamson, tailor, aged 40 emigrating to Australia. It's possible that this could be the same Thomas from the 1840 request (above), thereby eliminating him from our family. Our Thomas was more of a mariner than a tailor.  Ah well, it was an interesting time finding my way through online Cornwall records - which will be useful in other family research. It also pretty much confirms that our Thomas was not from Cornwall. 

In September 1852 there  is a  cutter Pomona for sale by Thomas Williamson and WS Grahame (a shipping agent in other references).  This could be our Thomas, but I need further information to be sure. 

There's Thos. Williamson  listed in a return of Private Sale of Crown Lands in Matakana   -and other places - in 1854. There's no evidence to suggest this is our Thomas - but none I've found yet to link it to any other Thomas Williamson.  Although this places the cutter Favourite at Matakana  (from where it was stolen!) in 1857.  

In November 1859 there are several references to a  17 ton vessel  Progress with Williamson listed as master, travelling between the ports of Auckland, Waiheke, and Mahurangi.  In 1860, the master of the Progress is listed as George  Williams. I'm wondering if there was a typo/ misinformation for Williamson? 

 There are a few references to  a Thomas Williamson of Otahuhu, but because this one is a Temperance man, it seems unlikely that he is ours. 1854, May ;  1854 October Most likely not our Thomas - this one’s for a Temperance Society in Otahuhu 1855 January - most likely the Otahuhu Thomas Williamson

Likewise, there seems to be - not surprisingly - several Williamsons listed as masters or captains of vessels.  It seems pretty clear that our Thomas was pretty much a coastal mariner, in vessels  (cutters and schooners) less than 75 - 80 tons.   We can eliminate the following - who haven't always had their first name or initials included in their references, hence the need for clarification: 
- Captain (William) Williamson  of the Elizabeth Mason 
- Captain (James George) Williamson of the brig Maria  about 1863 

There is also a Thomas and Agnes Williamson who arrived on the Helenslee from Glasgow in 1864. No known relation. 

On 7 October 1865, a vessel called Wairoa, 15 tons, was listed as having Williamson as its master, heading for Waikato with 280 bags of potatoes. This might not be our Thomas as he was possibly on his way back from the South Island, but I wonder  who this Williamson could be?

I found information on the death of Thomas Williamson, age 69,  in 1866 and thought this must be our Thomas. Alas, I paid $25 for a death certificate for someone else's Thomas. If your Thomas died on 6 September 1866, and was a publican from Puketapu, then I have a facsimile of the entry of his death in the archive records, which you are welcome to have. This Thomas was found dead from natural causes. The informant was Eliza Shirley of Puketapu (Napier). Further research, just out of interest,  indicates that this was probably her father. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

Our Thomas, continued: 
1861:  

1861 25 December   The Cutter "Lizzy" advertising running between Onehunga and Waiuku.  There is no evidence of Thomas being associated with this vessel yet, but he is referenced as being a proprietor of the cutter "Lizzy" by 1865 (see below).  

1863
Onehunga 1863 Painting. 
1863 April 28    Cutter "Lizzy" is offered for auction.  Did Thomas buy this vessel? 
1863 April 30 Further advertisement for the "Lizzy" 
1863 May 1   Cutter "Lizzy"  is sold for 140 pound to Messrs Stephenson and Wardell - no sign of Thomas yet. 

A painting of Onehunga, possibly by John Kinder, looking south west, with St Peters Church, centre, Manukau Harbour and Heads, and a horse and cart in the foreground . Note: St Peters Church is where our Harris family founding ancestors are buried. ('Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-1204')

Onehunga near Auckland 1864. Painting by Joseph Osbertus Hamley 1820-1911. [Alexander Turnbull Library]

1864
1864 July 11  Fire on board the "Lizzy" whie she was docked at Onehunga. Fortunately the tide was in and there was plenty of available water to extinguish it. 
1864 July 16 (Saturday) Captain Thomas Williamson of Onehunga was selected  as umpire by Braithwaite (of the Manukau)  in a sculling competition over a four mile course in the Waitemata Harbour on Saturday 16 July  against Foster (of the Waitemata) (published 18 July). Braithwaite won the race and a return match was set to take place of Rowe's Wharf on the Manukau the following week. (More details from another publication.) 
1864 October 26  Advertisement for the sale of the cutter Favourite 

1864 December 28 (published 29th)  I wonder if this is our Thomas? The  vessels transporting troops to the Waikato include the Prince Alfred. If this is the paddle steamer Prince Alfred, it is likely to be captained by Alexander Farquhar, Thomas's future son-in-law (in 1866). Mr Williamson's boats were busy conveying troops on board the transport. 

1865
1865 January 7  T Williamson is listed as one of the organisers of a regatta to be held at Onehunga.  This could well be our Thomas, as he is based in Onehunga now, and he is obviously nautical. Although, if he was master of a ship, I wonder if he would have been Captain Williamson rather than Mr Williamson?  Here's the official advertisement for the regatta. 
1865 January 26 (published 27th) Minutes of meeting to organise payments of prizes for upcoming  Onehunga regatta. Thomas Williamson mention as proposing and seconding several motions.  
1865 March 22   T Williamson is also included in a committee to improve the wharf at Onehunga. Again, likely to be our Thomas

1865 March 28  On 22 March, the p.s. (paddle steamer) Sandfly ran aground on the Patea Bar (Whanganui) with cutter Favourite  in tow.  Would Thomas have been involved with the Favourite  then? Note: p.s. "Prince Alfred", Thomas's future son-in-law's vessel,  was to be in the area not long after. 

1865 April 10 The cutter Favourite belonging to Mr Williamson, Onehunga, has run on a snag in one of the Wanganui rivers. 

1865 May 11   Cutter "Lizzy" to Waiuku, taking about 40 natives who had been prisoners recently confined to the hulk "Marion". No mention of master or if Thomas has any association with it yet. 

1865 May 12. An amusing account of a (con?) artist proving that he could escape from being tied with a rope. Mr T Williamson was one of those present who stepped forward to tie the rope - but the artist complained it was too tight. It is easy to visualise the scene that followed. 

Further information on the  cutter "Lizzy"s visit to Waiuku (above) 

1865 May 18  The cutter "Lizzy" of Onehunga runs aground; Messrs Fleming and Williamson given as  owners.  At what stage did they become owners, I wonder.  1865 May 19  more details on the  cutter "Lizzy" of Onehunga slightly damaged when it ran onto the rocks at Onehunga. Mr T Williamson listed as one of the proprietors.  

1865 June 22   Cutter Favourite  in port (Onehunga) from Whanganui and Taranaki, in ballast.  The paper identifies Williams as captain, but this could be an error of information.  The Favourite  left Wanganui on the 16th, arrived Taranaki on the 18th and back  in port (Onehunga) on the 21st at 10:30 p.m. 
1865 June 23  Captain Williams of the  Favourite , on return to port, reported that the steamer Moa was lost on the Patea bar, (no loss of life), and the brig "Lady Deniston" was lost on the Wanganui Bar (cargo and all hands saved). Note: the same day, in the NZ Herald, the same information is attributed to Captain Dixon of the "Favorite". I wonder, where does this put Thomas? 

1865 Septembr 12   Advertisement for Thomas's cutter Favourite  heading for Nelson port. (note spelling!)

1865 September 14   The schooner Favourite , 18 tons, departed Port of Onehunga for Nelson, with six passengers, 8,000 feet of timber,  1,000 palings and 1 ton of flour.  It says that the master (Williamson) is the agent.   It also says the schooner Favorite will leave for the Grey River.  
 Note that Thomas's future son-in-law, Alexander Farquhar, of the p.s. (paddle steamer) Prince Alfred was in port on the day before Thomas departed) 
1865 September 22 Favourite  (Williamson) still wind-bound in harbour (Nelson?);  also listed as expected from Nelson.) 
1865 September 28    26th September: cutter Favourite  arrived in Nelson, from Onehunga with 6 passengers; 8,000 feet timber, 1 ton flour 
1865 3 October   Further confirmation of Favourite 's arrival at Nelson on September 26th. Favourite in port (Nelson) recorded October 3 

1865 October 4  Favourite, Williamson, cleared for Manukau with 200 bags of potatoes, 1 box eggs and 1,000 palings. 

1865 October 11   The cutter Favourite (Captain Williamson) arrived from Hokitika with 200 bags of potatoes, 1 box of eggs and 1,000 palings. Obviously, these coastal traders are vital for the delivery of news to and from the ports they visit.  Captain Williamson was able to give no further news about the diggings than what was already known.  It seems that at this stage, Thomas was his own agent. 
1865 October 19   Cutter Favourite  will leave shortly for Waikato 
1865 October 20  Interestingly, the Favourite  is listed as 22 tons, and with Gardener as the master, heading for Waikato with 30 (difficult to read) casks of rum, 210 bags of oats, and the DAC General (Deputy Assistant Commissary-General) Draper - who was based in Papakura.  It says that J Williamson is the agent, but this could well be a typo, and T Williamson (our Thomas) is more likely to be the agent. (This T/J mix up has happened before.) 
1865 October 25   This puts Thomas in another vessel, the "Wairoa", travelling from Waikato with 4 tons of firewood, 1 pig and T Williamson (Is this another T Williamson, or another Williamson as master?) Note that E Moore is the agent for the incoming vessel but T Williamson (our Thomas?) is the agent for the outgoing cargo of 160 bags of potatoes for the 4th Waikato Militia. 

1865 October 27   on 25th October  "Wairoa" from Waikato with 4 tons of firewood  and one pig, and for Waikato same day with  160 bags of potatoes for the 4th Waikato Militia. (T Williamson) - this is probably our Thomas -  but not a known vessel. 

1865 November 6   Favourite in port (Onehunga) from Nelson; projected early departure for Waikato (no mention of any master - or Williamson.)   There is further information on shipping intelligence for the port of Waikato in another publication: (see below) 
4 November Williamson (Thomas?) has entered  the Port of Waikato in the cutter  Wairoa,  coming from Onehunga with a general cargo.  On the 6th November the Favourite with Gardner as master was cleared from the Port of Waikato for Onehunga with a cargo of 9 boxes of arms, 37 hides, and 5 passengers (4 Militia and 1 prisoner).  It also states that the Favourite got into breakers and was dismasted while crossing the bar (at Port Waikato or Manukau?). She was, at time of publication, lying outside the bar, and would most likely be towed in again at high water. 

1865 November 8   Williamson's name is mentioned at the end of the details about the Wairoa with Grundy listed as master, and a cargo of 9 chests of arms and 2 trunks (for the Militia?) and iron for the government. Does this mean that the 40 hides were for Williamson - and would it be Thomas? Interesting!  Given his connection with the Wairoa,  it can be assumed this Williamson is ours?  I wonder . . . did  Gardner get the Favourite into strife, and then 2 days later, the Wairoa arrives 

1865 November 11   The following article explains it.  The writer of the article seems somewhat purse-lipped that Thomas sought a replacement mast from Onehunga when one could have been sourced and fitted locally.  As  deduced, the cargo and passemgers (minus one?) were transferred to the Wairoa.  This, perhaps, confirms any other Wairoa/Williamson connections questioned earlier.  I'm interested to now what eventually happened to the poor prisoner - and what his crimes were. 

1865 November 14  There was a Captain Williamson listed as a passenger on the Prince Alfred (Farquhar master - Thomas's future son-in-law) leaving Onehunga for Waikato. Interestingly, amongst the cargo is listed 1 mast, Williamson. This is obviously Thomas taking a new mast to replace the broken one.   The Favourite must have been waiting at Port Waikato for repairs after being de-masted on the 6th.  It looks like the cargo was transferred to the Wairoa. I wonder what happened to the passengers - and Gardner? (Who is Grundy, too?) 

1865 November 15  Thomas expresses his gratitude to the pilot at Port Waikato. 

1865 December 15   Favourite in harbour from Waikato.  Is this the earliest the Favourite  got back with its new mast?