James Reed

It appears that James made the decision to move to NZ, after he (or his father of the same name) became bankrupt while building the 'Holy Trinity Church', Sissinghurst, due to escalating costs.

James and Jane Reed left for Wellington NZ in 1842 on the 'Clifton' a ship of 820 tons. Captain: Cox; Surgeon Superintendent: Joseph Hamilton Smyth.

They sailed from London October 2nd 1841 and arrived in Wellington on February 17th February 1842. James and Jane were from Hawekhurst in Kent and were accompanied by their three daughters, Louisa, Fanny and Jane. Their two sons, Henry and Richard were born in Wellington. The 1853 Electoral Roll records that the family lived in Willis St, which is now one of Wellingtons main streets.

James was a Carpenter/Builder. He became the Secretary of the 'Carpenters & Joiners Benevolent Society' in Wellington, which was to be the first Trade Union in NZ. While in Wellington he won the tender to build the Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute Building in 1850, for 300 pounds!

In 1853 James decided to move to Melbourne Australia, but its understood that the 3 girls decided to stay in NZ. James (50yrs), left in July 1853 on the 'Oceanica' for Victoria, ‘Mrs’ Reed (46yrs) and Henry(10yrs) and Richard (6yrs) left for Victoria in the December on the 'Australian'.

From their Funeral Invoices, it appears they lived in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy.

One son Richard stayed in Australia, but Henry later returned to NZ and lived in Gisborne, Poverty Bay, not too far from older sister Fanny in the Hawkes Bay.