RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: hwlambert on Tuesday 19 June 07 00:05 BST (UK)
-
Does anyone have any information they can share on the Rev. William Woon and his wife Jane Garland. They went to Tonga in 1830's as Weslyan missionaries then on to NZ.
Can anyone help. Thanks.
-
Hi,
NZ Archives have a probate for Rev William Woon, 1858 held in Wellington.
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/
Cheers,
Stephanie
-
Hi again,
Have you tried googling his name? There is quite a lot on your Rev Woon - including a reference to his diaries.
Cheers,
Stephanie
-
there also appears to be lots of WOONs with a second name of Garland who could be children and grand-children/grt grand-children.
Bren.
-
Thanks everyone,
will look at those sites.
Cheers.
-
William Woon, & Jane Garland.
I am from New Zealand and a descendant of the Rev William Woon.
At present I am "Transcribing" Rev William Woon's Missionary Diarys written while in Tonga and New Zealand during the late 1830s -1840s plus.
I have given myself 5 years to complete this task and at present are only 18 months into it.
I estimate to consume 800 hours of transcribing ... in my spare time hence the long estimate to complete.
From what I have transcribed both William and Jane were from Truro Cornwell.
Check this URL to sight WW's headstone.
http://find.natlib.govt.nz/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?dscnt=0&vid=TF&dstmp=1329419952218&docId=nlnz_tapuhi473435&fromLogin=true
It also looks as though some of his ancestors/family went to Austraila, try http://www.reeves.com.au/trees/woon/index.html
Regards robthorx
-
Hi there - was wondering if you had finished transcribing the diaries and where are you accessing them from - is it the Alexander Turnbull or Hocken?
Thanks
J. Woon
(great great granddaughter of William Watson Woon)
-
Hi J. Woon
I Finished transcribing at the end of last year, from a zerox copy held in the family, who donated the originals to the Turnbull in the 60s. I think there may be a copy of sorts at the "Church Mission London" where a copy (hand written) was sent at the time reporting on progress out in the field.
From my reading it appears that reporting on the situation back to London was the original purpose of the Journal
Cheers
Great Great Great Grandson of W.W.Woon.
-
That's cool - good to see they thought of photocopying them first - should have given them the copies! I have two miniatures - portraits of W.W. Woon on his Wedding Day, age 26, July 28, 1830 and one (in bad condition) of his Mother. Are you in NZ? and/or a Woon by name?
Jo Woon
-
I too have a photo copy of the diary and have had a read through but got no closer to typing it out. If you would like to compare notes please PM me.
I have the Aussie Woon family in my line and they are somehow connected to William.
Heather
-
Hi Heather, are you in Auckland? If so, people have told me about you with our common surname.
Jo
-
I was living in Auckland but now live on the Gold Coast. Would love to have copies of your photos if possible. My grandmother was a Woon born in Moonta South Australia. Her grandfather John Woon went to Sth Aust from Cornwall in 1857.
Heather
-
Hi hwlambert,
There has been a biography of William Woon just published in May.
Biography on the career of William Woon in Tonga & NZ by Revd Gary Clover can be purchased from the Wesley Historical Society, C/- The Secretary, Mrs Margaret Ziegler, 6 Brouder Place, Manurewa, Manukau, 2102
Regards
Sarah :)
-
Thanks Sarah,
I did not know that and will get in touch with Margaret.
Cheers
Heather
-
Hi robthorx,
I am PhD student and I came across this thread in a search on Rev W. Woon this afternoon. I wondered if I can ask you a question about your transcription work on Rev W. Woon's journals.
In particular I am interested in the very start of his journey when he first joined the ship Lloyds travelling to the Pacific. I understand from a newspaper article (from Feb 1831) that he was escorting two Maori men from England to NZ. I also understand that sadly they died on the way.
I wondered if this crops up in his journal at all?
The men were known as Feedee (Te Whiti aged 43) and his nephew Adic Hator (Te Kato or Te Hato aged 23).
Many thanks in advance,
Polly
-
Hi Polly
Welcome to Rootschat.
As the query was on a closed thread I have asked the Moderator to move it to the Open threads.
Just on the 'Isn't NZ a small Place' I went to primary school with Woon fellow students in Wairoa in the 1960s.
-
Hi Polly, and welcome.
Unfortunately, Robthorx hasn't been active since May 2012 so you may not receive a response from him.
I'll move this topic to the main New Zealand board where I hope others might be able to help you.
Spades
-
I have not heard from Robert for a long time but he did give me a copy of his transcript.
The only reference I can find is an Extract from William Woon’s Journal - A Wesleyan Missionary’s Journey from England to New Zealand during 1830 to 1859, transcribed by Robert L. Horrocks from a copy held in the Horrock's Family and I believe he presented a copy to the Whanganui Library.
Page 21 of 668, line 5
Nov. 15th 1830
Died on board this ship (The Lloyd's of London) last night at 12 o'clock, one of the New Zealanders named Ata, who (with his uncle Fredee) was on his way to the abovementioned place from England. This young man and his uncle were stolen away from N.Z. Some time since by an English sailor, and brought to the British shores for an exhibition. Having been in England some time they were at length rescued from his hands by some friends at Derby who placed them under the care of myself and brethren that he might see them safe home again. Poor Ata was ill some time in England and his friends were of opinion that his native air only would restore him to health. But he died last night after much suffering, to live we trust in another and happier world. He knew something of the plan of salvation, and we trust that his faith in Xt: and sincerity of heart were acceptable to God. His remains were committed to the deep this morning about ½ past 11 in the presence of the whole crew. I commenced the service by singing a hymn, and Mr Watkin read the burial
service. His Uncle and some of the men were deeply affected. Yesterday we had service 3 times. Mr Watkin preached in the morning from the narrative of Dives and Lazarus 16th of Luke. A very interesting and profitable discourse. In the afternoon we had a class meeting. And in the evening improved Jonah's message to the Ninevites. We have great encouragement in our work. May the Lord make us eminently useful.
There is no mention of the uncle's death. I hope this helps but I am sure you will hear from the many other Woon researchers in New Zealand.
Good luck,
Heather
-
Hi Polly,
I'm pleased that you've received a helpful reply.
You might find the following biography of William HOUGH helpful, as he was one of William WOON's catechist's. There are a number of mentions of Rev. Woon and short relevant extracts from his journal.
Seeker of Souls & Gold. William Hough, Pioneer Preacher and Prospector, by Mary Troup Barker (1985).
Spades
-
You may be able to find a reference in the Journals of those accompanying the Woon’s on the “Lloyds”.
An extract from Rev. Woon’s Journal states ….. “We are accompanied by Misers Turner and Watkin and wives, with whom we are quite at home.” …..
This has not been proved but I think he is Peter Turner who was in Tonga in 1830 and eventually settled in Australia. I do not think Turner is the Rev. Nathaniel Turner who was in NZ in 1821, in Tonga around 1827 and active in the Pacific long before the arrival of the “Lloyds” in 1830.
I think the Watkin is James Watkin. The Alexander Turnbull Library has a copy of James Watkin’s Journal, and I am sure Peter Turner would have written a Journal as well, either of these may have a reference to the deaths you mention.
Good luck,
Heather
-
Polly I think the brackets in the extract I sent were inserted by Robert to give meaning but if that is the case I don't know where he would have got the name Fredee so I will have to read further for you.
Heather
-
Dear Heather,
Thanks so much for this - it is invaluable information and it has taken me a little time to digest.
I would like to use the extract below in something I am writing and so I also need to get the reference correct.
Thanks for letting me know that the brackets are additions by Robert, that is also useful.
Over the past week I have been glad to realise that 'Feedee' did make it back to NZ, to Hokianga (Jan 17th 1831) and went on to Pyhea, which yesterday I worked out is the missionary settlement Paihai established in 1823 by Rev Henry Williams (for the Church Missionary Society) in the Bay of Islands on the east coast.
I have seen that Robert's transcription is helpfully available online
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE17282385&dps_custom_att_1=emu
Looks like the original journal is in Manuscripts, Ref: qMS-2293
I will also try to follow up with the James Watkins and Peter Turner journals too.
Many thanks for this helpful information!
Best wishes
Polly
-
I'm sure it is just a typo but the name for Pyhea would be present day Paihia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paihia
-
Glad the information was useful Polly, good luck.
Heather