William THOMAS
Born
Abt 1832
Baptised
17 August 1834, South Cave, Yorkshire, England
Parents
Stephen THOMAS and Jane Walker STAMP
Occupation
In 1851 employed as a Farm Labourer and Servant at Gate Fulford, Yorkshire working for John Feather
Religion
Anglican
Married
Jane Marie WOODILL on 1 September 1855 at North Dalton, Yorkshire, England (Hull, Yorkshire is listed on William’s death certificate)
Resided
1861 at 7 Main Street, North Dalton, Yorkshire, England
Emigration
17 May 1863 left England. Arrived in New Zealand on 5 September 1863
Travelled on The Captain Cook commanded by Captain Cleaver. The ship was built in Quebec in 1854. It was 195 feet long, 37 feet wide, and 22.5 feet deep.
Three infants on The Captain Cook arrived with both parents dead, five whose mother’s were dead and two instances where fathers were considered too young and unfit to take charge of babies. There were 11 deaths on the voyage and the ship was placed in quarantine on arrival in New Zealand as many of the people were sick with Typhoid symptoms. An improvement of the onboard female hospital was noted but it was still not big enough to accomodeate those who were sick. The upper deck had leaked through leaving nowhere dry.
The ship had been caught by heavy gales, one which developed into a hurricane leaving the ship quite damaged. Icebergs were also encountered. The passangers spoke highly of the kindness of Captain Cleaver and his Chief Officer
Resided
1864 at Grehan Road, Haylock’s Valley, Akaroa, New Zealand. A Home provided Grehan Road, Haylock’s Valley, Akaroa, New Zealand Jane’s brother John WOODILL
Note
Charged with John Woodill at Akaroa Resident Magistrates Court Tuesday 4 March 1879 for Cattle Trespassing
Children of William THOMAS
Resided
Moved from Akaroa to Pongaroa in the North Island of New Zealand some time after 1887 after his wife Jane had died. Later lived with his daughter Betsy at Pahiatua
Occupation
Farmed at Pahiatua, New Zealand
Died
25 February 1909 at Pahiatua Hospital, Pahiatua, New Zealand
Click here for video and story about Joseph William THOMAS (grandson of William THOMAS)