Gerald Sydney Thorner
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Post by Gerald Sydney Thorner on May 25, 2020 18:55:04 GMT 12
Wiremu Tutu Te Tahana (abt. 1835 - abt. 1861) Wiremu Tutu Te Tahana Born about 1835 in Te Kawau Pa, Taranaki, New Zealandmap Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown] [sibling(s) unknown] Husband of Mary (Bishop) Hill — married 1 Jun 1855 (to 1860) in Trinity chapel, Te Henui, New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealandmap Father of Mary Mere (Tahana) Sing and Caroline Louisa Tahana Died about Mar 1861 in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand Biography Wiremu Tahana is described as a Native Assessor (policeman) and interpreter. He travelled widely throughout Taranaki from Mokau to Parihaka and was employed by the local government as a Court interpreter and to keep the peace. On 10 May 1854 he donated 1 pound to the Wesleyan Maori Church Building Fund. In 1857 he was offering for sale 50 acres of part fern, part bush land in the Hua District with a contact to a Bishop. He also sought to sell a 2-storey timber house, 5 ground floor rooms and 2 upper ones, for removal in the same area. He must have had some affluence. By 1858 he was being described as "an active party" in disturbances at Bell Block, Hua, Waitara and Huirangi areas. These were mostly by small groups of armed Maori, generally harrassing the travelling public and stopping food & other supplies from being delivered. It also included the ploughing up of pasture land. No general violence was caused although food could be taken. On 5 February 1858 he was Gazetted by the Provincial Secretary, I N Watt - : 10. That two Native Assessors named Raniera and Tahana have taken an active part in the late disturbances (around Bell Block).... On the 12 March 1859 he addressed a meeting with the Governor of NZ, Col.Gore Browne. On 7th January 1861 he was jailed for "communicating with the enemy", by passing a letter to the 'rebels'. Nothing more is heard of from him, until his Estate notice appears in the Taranaki Herald in 1865. It appears several local Maori from the area were sent to the Chatham Islands as rebels. I am sure he did not die until after 1861 (Janice Liddle 2013) Marriage - NZBDM 11855/1123 Death - Tuberculosis? Birth No.742 - Wesleyan Baptism Records of Maori of Taranaki district & their parentage - (Fred Butler Archive) Hi and Kia Ora te whanau. We know Caroline as "Karo" Maori form of the name and I presume Louisa is the name of Mary Bishop's mother who was Louisa Bishop and came out with Daniel Bishop.I understand Daniel Bishop is buried in the St Lukes Churchyard (Hua Village Church) Bell Block. NB Wiremu Tahana wasn't the Native Assessor that was Te Tehana Papawaka who was the uncle of Wiremu.His mother was Te Wakangaru our direct ancestor too and te puna of The Tokomaru Canoe. Te Tehana Papawaka was very supportive and co-operative with the European Settlers. He wrote the most beautiful letters I have seen. He wrote a famous farewell speech to Governor Grey and the speech was signed by all the notable chiefs. Te Tehana Papawaka was a signatory to some important Land Sale Deeds. He sold land for the Waitara Railway- he was imprisoned briefly in Fort Bell Block for passing on information useful to the "enemy".When he died at Mangaone a body of 200 warriors came from Parihaka to pay their respects, performing a haka for him.He was the uncle of Te Whiti the prophet through his marriage to Ngapei Ngatata who was the sister to Wi Tako, who was a chief who sat on the NZ Provincial Council. NB There is some evidence that Tohu the Maori prophet was born at The Hua Village or Marae. When Tohu was imprisoned with Te Whiti at Addington Prison (without a trial) Tohu's two wives stayed at the Hua Village for safety. Our whanau has a rich and special history which we should be proud of. regards Gerald Sydney Thorner Te Atiawa iwi-Puketapu hapu and Hoewaka whanau(Hua Division)
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Gerald Sydney Thorner
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Post by Gerald Sydney Thorner on May 25, 2020 19:11:50 GMT 12
Hi there, I recently completed a book about the Chinese in Taranaki. This was information that I found when researching the Chinese man, Kum Sing. I have documented a bit about him in the book. It's called In The Mountain's Shadow, A century of Chinese in Taranaki 1870 to 1970. Mere is buried in New Plymouth, died 11 January 1881. Her 10 week old son Louis died 5 November 1880. Kum Sing left his business in New Plymouth in May 1897. He may have gone to Wellington as there was a Kum Sing there in 1926. He may have died in 1940, age 76. (Therefore year of birth 1864) 1940/17801 Sing Kum Man 76Y Minnie's brother William was still in New Plymouth in 1904. Do you think these dates match what you have? Where abouts are you? I'd be really keen to find out what you know about your Chinese heritage. Kum- Sing was married on November 7th 1876 at Registry Office New Plymouth-Kum Sing was age 22 and Mary Tahana was 19 years and 11 months.This would put Kum Sings birth year at 1854. Regards Gerald Sydney Thorner Te Atiawa Iwi-Puketapu Hapu Hoewaka whanau(Hua division/Bell Block) Ph 021 1291249
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Gerald Sydney Thorner
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Post by Gerald Sydney Thorner on May 26, 2020 16:05:05 GMT 12
I am interested to know where this information has come from and when it was from as my Great Grandmother was Minnie Kum Sing. I don't have very much information at all and couldn't believe it when I found this. I am trying to find out more of my geneology. Thank you. Dear Pam I have a copy of The Taranaki Minute Book where this extract came from if you would like a copy. regards Gerald Sydney Thorner Te Atiawa iwi-Puketapu hapu Hoewaka whanau (Hua Division) Ph 021 129 1249
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Post by NZBC on May 26, 2020 21:45:06 GMT 12
Mere Tahana described here is not our Mere Tahana. (I made the same mistake) our Mere Tahana also called "Dolly" married Kum Sing in 1876. She had three children Louis Kum Sing d.1881 William Kum Sing and Minnie Kum Sing. Mere died in 1881 and is buried in a nice and tidy grave at Te Henui with Louis and also William Kum Sing who is buried in the plot next door. The name on the tombstone is "Kum Sung" Chinese letters are also on the tombstone also.
Can you email me a copy of the headstone - with chinese characters? I would be interested in knowing where in China he came from. My Grandfather was in Stratford in the later 1890s
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Gerald Sydney Thorner
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Post by Gerald Sydney Thorner on Jul 27, 2020 12:46:42 GMT 12
We are not sure when and where KUm Sing immigrated from China,or what ship he came out on. We assume he came from Canton. He married my great great grandmother on November 7th in 1876 the age on his marriage certificate is 22 years,so he was born in 1854.I assume he immigrated around 1875 1876.He must have had money because he set up a business on the corner of Devon Street,and Gover Street. He saw the new Grand Hotel built.William his son survived into adulthood was a slaughterman and a good horseman.His grandmother was Mary Bishop and his grandfather was Wiremu Tutu Tahana of The Hua. Both William and his sister Minnie Kum sing won prizes for their school work.I have no evidence that William married or had children.He is buried next to his mother Mere Kum Sing nee Tahana of Te Atiawa iwi-Puketapu Hapu-Hoewaka whanau Hua division (Bell Block)
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philip Pothingy, jeffries
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Post by philip Pothingy, jeffries on Sept 4, 2020 21:20:15 GMT 12
Apparently Mary bishop was my great grandfathers, grandmother! My great grandad was called Sydney from taranaki... I'd love to talk more and learn everything! U can add me on Facebook if you like! Philip Pothingy, U.K. Hampshire
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Post by Mab on Jan 24, 2021 17:45:44 GMT 12
Mary Bishop was my great great grandmother. I didnt realise Wiremu Tahana and Mary had any children. My great great grandfather is Matthew Hill,however any children from wiremu and Mary would be related to me..its fabulous seeing new information
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Post by Mikayla Ginders on Jun 10, 2021 23:31:14 GMT 12
MERE TAHANA. ♦ DEATH OF AN OLD CHIEFTAINESS [Pcs, Pbjess Associatiox.] NEW PLYMOUTH, September 25. Influenza and pneumonia have claimed a heavy death roll amongst the Maoris of late, the latest being Mere Tahana, one of the beet known Maori women in this district. For the last forty years she had been a prominent figure in and out of town. Mere died at Puketotara on Monday. She had outlived many husbands, and she was wonderfully well preserved and vigorous for her years. She was a member of the Ngati Parikino Bapu, of thfe Ngatiawa tribe, people who in former years inhabited the country along tho Valley ot Henui, and at the Kawau pa in New Plymouth. She was a woman of rank in her hapu, and had a very good knowledge of the history of her tribe. Her age was about seventy-five. She has left no children. Deceased had been ailing for some time, and exposure in attending the tangis that have been so numerous this winter told its tale. She was taken to the New Plymouth Hospital about a fortnight ago, but her friends at her request took her back to the old home at Puketotara on Saturday to die, as is the custom of # the Maori, amongst the tribe. The dwindling remnant of these people is; now reduced to just a few, probably not a score. SurpJy and swiftly the true Maori is passing, and as the elders pass away there are few, if any, to etep into the breach to make good the loss. MERE TAHANA. STAR, ISSUE 9043, 25 SEPTEMBER 1907 paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19070925.2.25Mere Tahana described here is not our Mere Tahana. (I made the same mistake) our Mere Tahana also called "Dolly" married Kum Sing in 1876. She had three children Louis Kum Sing d.1881 William Kum Sing and Minnie Kum Sing. Mere died in 1881 and is buried in a nice and tidy grave at Te Henui with Louis and also William Kum Sing who is buried in the plot next door. The name on the tombstone is "Kum Sung" Chinese letters are also on the tombstone also. NB Mere owned 1- 27th of The Hoewaka Reserve at The Hua (Te Hua) Bell Block. All that is left now is the urupa or cemetary named "Hoewaka" which is our Maori family/whanau name. We are closely related ton the Broughton family. NB Minnie Barr the daughter of Mere Tahana had ten children. One of her daughters "Aunty Kath had 17 children. Surely we are the lost tribe of Hoewaka. Hopefully we can reconnect to our Marae Muru Raupatu regards Gerald Sydney Thorner Te Atiawa Iwi-Puketapu hapu-Hoewaka whanau-Hua Division. Kia Ora! “Aunty Kath” is my great grandmother! could you please tell me how the family tree goes from mere to her? if you could that’d be great!
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Gerald sydney Thorner.
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Post by Gerald sydney Thorner. on Aug 28, 2021 8:43:58 GMT 12
Greetings to you. Off the top of my head Aunty Kath was my great aunt. Her mother was Minnie Barr married to George Barr. Minnie Barr was a Kum Sing. Her parents were Kum Sing presumably from Canton (China) and married Mere Tehana. (Dolly)They had three children William, Minnie and Louie. Louie died as an infant and his mother shortly after.Kum Sing buried them in an nice grave in Te Henui Cemetery. Later William died he was a slaughter man and a good horseman. He was buried next to his mother and Louie. Kum Sing presumably moved to Wellington Taranaki Street.Mere Tehana was the child of Mary Bishop and Wiremu Tutu Tehana.(a striking and good looking Maori man) They had three children Karo (Blake), Mere and Ano. Mere's mother was Mary Bishop who came out on the Timandra in 1842. Her marriage to Wiremu scandalized the New Plymouth settlement. Mary's parents were Daniel and Louisa Bishop. He had a ferry business on the Waiwakahoihoi River.They are buried at St Lukes Church graveyard Bell Block. Wiremu's parents were Kurau Te Wawa and Teratapu. She was a sister to a chief Te Tehana Papawaka who married Ngpei Ngatata sister of Wi Tako.There was another sibling of Kurau Te Wawa called Henari Te Hori. He lived at Parihaka and was the forebear of the Broughton Family.Kurau Te Wawa's mother was Wakangaru who was a sibling of Wikitoria Apahuna. They were the direct descendants of the canoe Tokomaru. NB Mary Bishop married Matthew Hill after Wiremu died. Matthew Hill was Wiremu's best man at his marriage to Mary Bishop.Gerald Sydney Thorner Te Atiawa Iwi-Puketapu Hapu-Hoewaka whanau-(Hua Division)(Bell Block) Muru Raupatu Marae.
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Gerald sydney Thorner.
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Post by Gerald sydney Thorner. on Aug 31, 2021 8:29:45 GMT 12
For all descendants of Mere Tahana/Kum Sing and Mary Bishop and Wiremu Tutu Tehana who wish to register with Te Atiawa the details are as follows: Te Kotahitanga O Te Atiawa 35 Leach Street New Plymouth Ph 06 758 4685 email <tari@teatiawa.iwi.nz
You can register with the iwi and download appl;ication forms or register directly on line. <teatiawa.iwi.nz/registration>
Our marae details Muru Raupatu PO Box 255 Waitara <puketapu.hapu@gmail.com> or phone Theresa Patu Ph 027 444 9295.
I hope that you can all link up Gerald Sydney Thorner Te Atiawa iwi-Puketapu hapu-Hoewaka whanau(Hua Division) Bell Block
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Post by Kyle Legge on Sept 18, 2021 11:27:25 GMT 12
Hello Gerald, I have recently been tracing my family history trying to find information about Kum Sing. He is my ancestor through my great grandmother Kathleen Myrtle Barr. I am searching for any information about him, my nana spoke of him to me just before she passed and its always been something i have wondered about, recently my wife bought me a D.N.A kit which confirmed her information further, through a few name searches it seems it has lead me to your great aunt which is incredible to read, also the info about Mere Tahana. All this is brand new info and completely changing my perception of myself and my family, it would be great to hear from you as i am curious to find the book you have written and get to more about this great history, my grandmother is Joyce and she is Kathleens daughter. kind regards, Kyle Legge, p.s can find me on facebook. and also anybody else out there that would be willing to share info on the same family history would be appreciated.
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Post by Dental Nurse on Sept 27, 2021 19:18:46 GMT 12
For all descendants of Mere Tahana/Kum Sing and Mary Bishop and Wiremu Tutu Tehana who wish to register with Te Atiawa the details are as follows: Te Kotahitanga O Te Atiawa 35 Leach Street New Plymouth Ph 06 758 4685 email <tari@teatiawa.iwi.nz You can register with the iwi and download appl;ication forms or register directly on line. <teatiawa.iwi.nz/registration> Our marae details Muru Raupatu PO Box 255 Waitara <puketapu.hapu@gmail.com> or phone Theresa Patu Ph 027 444 9295. I hope that you can all link up Gerald Sydney Thorner Te Atiawa iwi-Puketapu hapu-Hoewaka whanau(Hua Division) Bell Block Hello Gerald, I realize that you have probably lost touch with me; as we have changed our email address. New address is :- harperrobert653@gmail.com I have just read with interest the up to date messages on Message Board and thinking of a DNA test also. thank you for the information on, to register with Te Atiawa. Take care, Pam Harper.
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Gerald Sydney Thorner
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Post by Gerald Sydney Thorner on Jan 18, 2022 16:12:34 GMT 12
Mary Bishop was my great great grandmother. I didnt realise Wiremu Tahana and Mary had any children. My great great grandfather is Matthew Hill,however any children from wiremu and Mary would be related to me..its fabulous seeing new information
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Gerald Sydney Thorner
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Post by Gerald Sydney Thorner on Jan 18, 2022 16:20:52 GMT 12
Your great great grandfather Matthew Hill was the "best man" at Wiremu Tahana's and Mary Bishops wedding. The wedding scandalised the new settlement. But Wiremu had very striking appearance and Mary asked him if they would like to be married. So Mary Bishop married her husbands best man.Remember there were no pensions in those days and Mary would have been precarious in her financial position. The Tehana's and Hills would be "step" relatives. Gerald Sydney Thorner Te Atiawa iwi, Puketapu Hapu, Hoewaka whanau (Te Hua Division) Muru Raupatu Marae.
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Gerald Sydney Thorner
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Post by Gerald Sydney Thorner on Jan 18, 2022 16:22:48 GMT 12
For all descendants of Mere Tahana/Kum Sing and Mary Bishop and Wiremu Tutu Tehana who wish to register with Te Atiawa the details are as follows: Te Kotahitanga O Te Atiawa 35 Leach Street New Plymouth Ph 06 758 4685 email <tari@teatiawa.iwi.nz You can register with the iwi and download appl;ication forms or register directly on line. <teatiawa.iwi.nz/registration> Our marae details Muru Raupatu PO Box 255 Waitara <puketapu.hapu@gmail.com> or phone Theresa Patu Ph 027 444 9295. I hope that you can all link up Gerald Sydney Thorner Te Atiawa iwi-Puketapu hapu-Hoewaka whanau(Hua Division) Bell Block Hello Gerald, I realize that you have probably lost touch with me; as we have changed our email address. New address is :- harperrobert653@gmail.com I have just read with interest the up to date messages on Message Board and thinking of a DNA test also. thank you for the information on, to register with Te Atiawa. Take care, Pam Harper.
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