Capt. James Stone

In 1833 Robert Stone 1789, the son of another and older Captain Stone from our Somerset family who descended from Richard’s second marriage, immigrated to Tasmania, Melbourne and then New Zealand. Robert Stone again used the baptismal name “Captain” in 1816 when he named his son Captain James Stone. “CJ” Stone became a leading financier and industrialist in Auckland in the 1840s, and his son Charles Burrell Stone was the first white child baptized in the new settlement of Auckland. The highly unusual baptismal name “Captain” pops up in the Stone family on other occasions. Source: http://www.stone-rhodes.org/stone-family/geography/

Captain James Stone and his wife Louisa Rawlings lived in Mt. Albert, Auckland. He was a wealthy merchant and land owner. His company C.J.Stone & Son was a large shipping business with shares in the Auckland built steamship "Governor Wynyard".

The town bore many evidences of mourning today, several places of business being closed with crepes on the door. while others kept their flags at half mast high in respect for the memory of Captain J.Stone, one of Auckland’s oldest colonists, who passed over to the great majority this morning. “Captain” we might explain, was Mr.Stone’s christian name. The news of his decease created a general feeling of profound regret, although it had been well known for some time that the old man was fast approaching the end of his career in this world. He had been under the medical attendance of Doctor Purchas for several years and he was believed to be afflicted with disease of the liver and heart which eventually terminated in his death. Dr. Purchas recently had consultations with three other medical men with reference to Mr.Stone’s ailment. The deceased had their most able services, but without avail. For about a week past the patient had no pain, and gradually declined until 7.30 morning, when he passed away most peacefully in a sort of faint. He had been staying at the residence of Mr Fry of Messrs Bycroft and Co. which is situated in Grafton Road, and the funeral is to leave here on Friday afternoon next as will be seen from the usual obituary notice. Captain James Stone was born at London on December 29th 1816 so that he had passed his 65th year. He emigrated with Mrs Stone and arrived in Wellington in 1840. A few weeks however, covered his stay there and he came to Auckland where he has been until recently, actively engaged in business, first as carpenter and timber merchant, and latterly as general merchant. Mr Stone arrived here with his kit of tools, and by hard work and industry speedily placed himself in a good financial position. He built many houses in the earlier days, and the last he erected was pulled down only a few days ago at Emily Place. In 1851, along with his gardener and two others, Mr Stone had built the first steamer over put together here, the Governor Wynyard. He ran her in Auckland harbour for about six months, and then sent her over to Victoria, where the gold fever was at its height. On the river Yarra Mr Stone ran the steamer for six months, and then disposed of her at good profit and he returned to Auckland in 1855. Then he founded a mercantile establishment, then known as C. J. Stone and Sons, which has since grown and prospered, so that it is now carried cut on in extensive scale. The deceased gentleman took an active part in business up till the last ten years, when he retired from the firm. When a son who has since died went into business with Mr C. B. Stone the title of the firm was altered to Stone Bros. as it has since remained.

Mr C. J. Stone during his lifetime took prominent part in the formation of four large public companies, notably the Bank of New Zealand, New Zealand Insurance Company, Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Auckland Gas Company, Land Mortgage Company and he has been on the directorate of quite a host of other institutions such as the Northern Boot Factory, Shortland Sawmill Company, Bycroft and Company, the Union Oil, Soap, and Candle Company, Sutherland and Company (tanners) etc. He always took a deep interest in the development of the Thames Goldlields, and he was concerned in the working of nearly every mine on the field. So far did he give in an effort to develop the goldfields that it is estimated he calculated through them quite £50,000, and yet his profits from this great outlay are said to amount to less than £100. Mr. Stone was a prominent member of the Weslayan Church, he was, in fact the founder of that church in Auckland. In charitable matters Mr. Stone has been somewhat misjudged, and those who knew him best testify to numerous acts of benevolence which he did in that quiet and unostentatious manner characteristic of himself. The deceased gentleman leaves a family of nine sons and daughters all married. Two of his sons died a few years ago at the ages of 25 and 29. The eldest son is Mr O. B. Stone of the present firm of Stone Bros. and the youngest Mr Arthur Stone, of Messrs. Stone and Yates of Sydney. Of children and grandchildren Mr Stone leaves sixty all told, most of whom are well known throughout Auckland and who sincerely mourn the loss of he who has been to all a good father and a generous guardian. Although the deceased had given up active business for about two years past, he may be said to have almost "died in harness," for four weeks ago he was present at two meetings of directors in town. He was an energetic and successful man throughout life and has left footprints which mark a useful and remarkable career which calls forth admiration from all. Captain James Stone and his wife Louisa Rawlings are buried in Symonds Street cemetery, Auckland. Source: Auckland Star (15 April 1885, p. 3).