David Benge

http://www.lynly.gen.nz/UHBLDHerStonestead.pdf

Benge, David, who is said to have been one of the earliest settler in Upper Hutt, was born in Mardingbeach, Kent, England. Arriving in Wellington on 11/06/1841 on the ship Catherine Stewart Forbes, Mr Benge at once set to work to clear land at Taita, continuing till the great flood in the Hutt Valley washed away all his belongings. He then removed to Mungaroa, where, with his sons, he acquired an interest in, and ultimately bought, the Mungaroa sawmill, which they worked for a great many years. In 1875 Mr Benge died, and his widow succumbed two years later, leaving six sons - Messrs. John, David and Samuel - now farmers at Mungaroa, Edward - a retired farmer at Upper Hutt, Reuben - a sawmiller at Carterton, and Benjamin - a farmer at Ashurst. The sawmill was worked by the sons till 1888, when it was sold. Mr Benge senr, like most of the early settlers, saw active service in the militia, during the first few years in the Hutt Valley.

IMMIGRATION: Immigrated on the "Catherine Stewart Forbes" 1st Feb 1841- 11 June 1841.

OCCUPATION: Active service in the Militia in his 1sr yrs in the Hutt Valley and then went on to become a farmer and invested in the Collins Creek Mill.

ADDRESSES: Bought 316 Acres in the Hutt area.

Arrived on the Katherine Stuart Forbes, left London 10th Feb 1841, arrived Petone foreshore 14 Jun 1841 where they camped for 4 mths while men hacked up the river through the dense bush.

Got mixed up with 1854 earthquake- this changed the path of river so they had dreadful floods, often canoeing around in their whare- moved to Mungaroa north of Upper HUTT and began sawmilling & cartage operation

From Upper Hutt the History pg 22; Passengers stayed on board while tent space at Thorndon and Petone was sorted out. The settlers understood the river and valley Eritaonga (Heretaunga) but named it after a prominent British MP William Hutt. Henry Petre was the youngest son of Baron William Petre of Thorndon Hall, Brentwood, Essex. Arriving at age 20 he became one of Upper Hutt's significant landowners and was known as Daddy Long legs on account of his height and build. Pg 44: Upper Hutt was founded in 1846 by James Brown. They took 7 years to cut through thick bush from Alicetown (behind Petone) where they were carriers to Belmont- where they added farming to the business. The gold rush to Victoria from the Hutt began in 1852 but they soon realised that carting supplies was much more lucrative than panning for gold. Pg 57 David Benge was a waggoner at Taita until a flood moved hm north in 1857. he bought an existing sawmill at Mungaroa.