Arthur Cuthbert Williams

Born in Somerset, England. He immigrated to New Zealand on the Derwentwater' in 1864 and married Jane Pauline Harriet Lee at Southbridge, South Canterbury in 1881; the couple had 4 sons & 4 daughters. In 1901 he purchased 584 acres at Lyalldale and called his farm Charlcombe. In 2007 the property was owned by his great-grandson John Charles Levett Williams.

Undated newspaper clipping:

ARTHUR WILLIAMS

There died recently at his residence, Geraldine, one of the early settlers. Mr Arthur Cuthbert Williams was the youngest of the seven sons of the late Captain L. B. Williams, R.N. All seven brothers were in the Army or Navy. Arthur C. joined the East India Coy. Navy at 15 and went to India. He was stationed on the Persian Gulf for some years, his ship, the Sermiramus, being one of a number sent to catch pirates in that part of the world. After some exciting experiences, he was invalided home, and had to resign his naval career. He spent a year in Bath with his father, and then decided to come to New Zealand. Mr W. D. Lawrence, who now lives in Christchurch, came with him. They arrived in Lyttleton at the end of 1863, and Mr Williams went to Mr C. Harper, Lake Coleridge, and worked with him for some years. He then took up a small farm on the Healerton run, in partnership with Dr Hugh Knyvett. Some years later, he rented Brooklands, near Southbridge, from his father-in-law, the late Edward James Lee (he had arrived in New Zealand in 1848). In 1901 Mr Williams and his family moved to St. Andrews, where he farmed until 1920.