Thomas (Tom) "Hop Ashore" Rowling

alt c. 9 June 1817 Death Location Riwaka, Tasman, New Zealand

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Thomas was born in 1817.His father was William Rawlings a Butcher at the time of Thomas,s marriage .. Thomas and two brother William and Richard Rawlings left Gravesend 2nd May 1841 sailing for New Zealand on the Expedition ship "Will Watch". Arriving in Nelson, NZ 5th November 1841. Their wives came out on the ship " Lloyds" 1842. ( Elizabeth, Thomas,s wife lost two children on the trip out. Edward aged 2 and Eliza 9 months were buried at sea) The family .. Census of Nelson 1845 shows Thomas Rawlings occupied a town acre in Bronti street and Erin Street. occupation- Miner. 1849 Census of Nelson shows Thomas Rawlings, wife and 4 children are tenants on 3 acres of land in Bronti Street.-In 1856 the final time the name Rawlings was used and changed to Rowling: In 1860 Thomas ROWLING did some of the stone work on the Staples Brewery in High Street, Motueka. When the family finally moved to Riwaka, Thomas built a house on 17 acres of land. " his tombstone inscription reads " In Loving Memory of Thomas Rowling, Native of Camborne, Cornwall. Arrived Nelson 1842 on the Will Watch."