James Davis

• Updated from MyHeritage Match via sister Mary Ann Matthews (born Davis) by SmartCopy: Sep 4 2014, 17:09:51 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

OBITUARY

Auckland Star 17.4.1889 page : 4 [1] We have to record the decease at Gisborne of one of our oldest settlers, Mr. James Davis, late of Waimate, Bay of Islands. Mr. Davis arrived in Now Zealand on the 15th August, 1824, being then six years old, with his father, the late Rev. Richard Davis, missionary. In the early days of the colony he was employed in the Native Department under Lieut.-Governor Hobson, but after a short time, throwing up his appointment, turned his attention to farming. Mr. Davis was a direct lineal descendant of the O'Donnells, of Ulster, who, together with the O'Neills, were expatriated for their rebellion soon after James I. came to the throne. The O'Donnells took refuge first in Rome, but subsequently removed to Wales where the family changed their name to that of Davis, finally settled in Devonshire, England, from whence they emigrated to New Zealand. The late Mr. Davis's connections both in this colony and in Australia are exceedingly numerous. He has left of his own immediate descendants three daughters and four grandchildren. Mr. Davis was twice married first to Miss Caroline Iselton and secondly, of late years, to Miss Frances A. Goodwin, who survives him. Two of his daughters by the first marriage are married to well-known colonists; Mr. James Coney, of the Thames Postal Department, and Mr. Kenneth Watkins, the artist of this city. Mr. Davis was well versed in all the legendary law of the ancient Maori, and was consequently held in great esteem by all the Northern chiefs. He was also one of the originators of the present Native Lands Court. His great knowledge of the Maori language also enabled him to assist the Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell in revising the translation of the Maori Bible.

GEDCOM Note