The Life of John Harris
John Harris, at the age of two years old, Immigrated from Colstock, Cornwell, Sailing
from London on August 2nd 1859 to New Zealand with his Mother Thamazine (Aged 23 years) on the Ship “Harwood”
and Arrived in Auckland on November 17th 1859.
Johns Father, Joseph Henry Harris (Aged 24 Years) Immigrated a year earlier Sailing from London 11th
September 1858 on the Ship “Evening Star”and arrived in Auckland on the 21st December 1858.
It appears they settled in Wanganui (NZ) where they had their children, Mary Ann (Polly) ,Joseph
Henry , Josiah & Sara Jane (Jeannie) then moved to Waverley.
Joseph was the Father of the well known “Sir Lewis
Harris”, Napier.
The history from then of Joseph Henry & Thamazine plus
their children other than John & Josiah is not known apart that in September 1877 Tamazine died at 41 years old and is
buried in the Havelock North Cemetery. How she came to be in Havelock North is unknown.
John left school at 14 and worked on a farm with a relative (not known) at Kaiwaka, Northland, then
worked a short time mining at Thames.
John Harris Married Mary Jane McDonald in Napier (How he was in Napier is unknown) on the 18th
September 1878 and moved to Wanganui where they had three children Agnus, Mary and Annie (1882).
It is not known what John did whilst in Wanganui.
Around 1882/83 John and family shifted to Woodville where they continued their family with Florra,
John (Jnr), Alexander, Alfred, Maud, Joseph Henry, Percy, Elsie.
Joseph Henry Died at only 6months and Elsie, Twin of Percy died at only two months.
Johns Wife Mary Jane Died at age 40 years in 1893 and is buried in the old Gorge Cemetery Woodville.
John it is believed worked on the Manawatu Gorge Rail Construction then owned and worked two farms
in Woodville, one called Meadowbank.
From 1888-1911 John also Managed the Hon. J.D. Ormond
Estate in Troup Road Woodville.
John Harris was keenly interested in Public Affairs and was a member of each of the following:-
Member 1st. Road Board (Woodville)
Member 1st. County Council Woodville & Chairman on several occasions.
One of the original members of A & P Associations.
Member: Woodville District Jockey Club, Domain Board, School Committee, Licensing Committee.
John Remarried in Woodville to Emily Jones but it is not known if they had children and nor is their
history together known?
John Harris Retired to Havelock North about 1919 and once again became involved in Public Affairs:-
Member: Hawkes Bay Hospital Board.
Chairman Old People’s Home at Parke Island (destroyed in Napier Earthquake). The Photo below
shows John Harris With Lord Jellico at the Old Peoples Home.
John was also a prominent Mason.
John Harris Died on the 23rd August 1927 and
is Buried with his Mother, Thamazine at Havelock North.
Josiah went to sea and became a Captain of the ship Helen B Stirling.
Click the link to the left for the story of Josiah.
