William Wakefield
This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(September 2015) |
William Wakefield | |
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![]() Mr. William Wakefield sketched in the Court of Kings Bench in 1826 | |
Birth name | William Hayward Wakefield |
Born | 1801 London, United Kingdom |
Died | 19 September 1848 Wellington,New Zealand |
Allegiance | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Service/ | Portuguese Loyalists British Auxiliary Legion |
Years of service | 1832–37 |
Rank | Lieutenant Colonel[1] |
Unit | 1st Reina Isabel Lancer Regiment, 1836–37[1] |
Commands | 1st Reina Isabel Lancer Regiment, 1836–37[1] |
Battles/wars | Liberal Wars(Portuguese Civil War) •Siege of Porto First Carlist War • Battle of Ayete, 1836[1] Wairau Affray |
Awards | Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand, 1840[2] |
Memorials | William Wakefield Memorial,Wellington |
Spouse(s) | Emily Sidney |
Relations | Edward Wakefield(father) Susanna Wakefield (mother Priscilla Wakefield(grandmother) Catherine Wakefield (sister) E.G. Wakefield(brother) Arthur Wakefield(brother) Daniel Wakefield(brother) Felix Wakefield(brother) Jerningham Wakefield(nephew) Emily Wakefield (daughter) |
Other work | Principal Agent, New Zealand Company, 1839–48 |
ColonelWilliam Hayward Wakefield(1801 – 19 September 1848) was an English officer of theBritish Auxiliary Legion,and the leader of the second New Zealand Company's first colonising expedition to New Zealand; one of the founders ofWellington city.As a leader, he attracted much controversy.
Early life
[edit]William Wakefield was born just outside London in 1801,[3]the son ofEdward Wakefield(1774–1854), a distinguished surveyor and land agent, and Susanna Crush[4](1767–1816).[5]His grandmother,Priscilla Wakefield(1751–1832), was a popular children's author and helped to establish savings banks.[6]
Wakefield's siblings were Catherine Gurney Wakefield (1793–1873), the mother ofCharles Torlesse(1825–1866);Edward Gibbon Wakefield(1796–1862);Daniel Wakefield(1798–1858);Arthur Wakefield(1799–1843); John Howard Wakefield (1803–1862);Felix Wakefield(1807–1875);[5]Priscilla Susannah Wakefield (1809–1887); Percy Wakefield (1810–1832); and an unnamed child born in 1813.
Wakefield was largely raised by his elder sister, Catherine, who found him a difficult child.[citation needed]As he grew older he came under the influence of his elder brother,Edward Gibbon Wakefield,who was later to establish theNew Zealand Company.
Imprisonment
[edit]In 1825, Wakefield became formally betrothed to Emily Sidney, but before they could be married he became involved with his elder brother Edward in theabduction of a wealthy heiressand both brothers were arrested.[7]While out on bail, Wakefield absconded to Paris, apparently to meet with Emily who was three months pregnant. He returned to England when the baby was born and was promptly arrested and held inLancaster Castleuntil his trial, and subsequently sentenced to three years in jail. During this time, Emily Sidney died, leaving him with a daughter also named Emily.[citation needed]
Military service
[edit]Upon his release from jail, Wakefield spent some time with his daughter and his sister Catherine. In 1832 he travelled toPortugaland enlisted as a mercenary soldier in the service ofDom Pedro,the Emperor ofBrazil.Although he had no military experience, Wakefield was apparently able to enlist as a Captain. He survived theSiege of Portoand the subsequent campaigning, and earned several medals.[citation needed]
After his time in Portugal, Wakefield returned briefly to England and enlisted in theBritish Auxiliary Legion(BAL) fighting for the infant QueenIsabella II of Spainin theFirst Carlist War.He emerged from the campaign with the rank of major, re-enlisted, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Among his junior officers wasHenry Inman (police commander).Wakefield was one of the few officers to survive the campaign; he stayed until the Legion was disbanded in 1837 and returned to England the following year.[citation needed]Regarding the 1st Reina Isabel Lancers, BAL,Alexander Somervillenoted:
They were commanded by Colonel Wakefield, an officer who was strict in discipline, though not so tyrannical as Colonel Kinloch, their former commanding officer, but every whit as brave and efficient before the enemy. Kinloch was a tyrant, but at the same time a clever officer, and hero in courage. He was the son of thelate M. P. for Dundee.Wakefield, on the other hand, was as clever, less tyrannical, and distinguished, nay, almost reckless in courage. "[8]: 167
TheToryexpedition
[edit]In early 1839, theNew Zealand Companyin London was hurriedly organising its first expedition, eager to take advantage of the still uncertain governance situation in New Zealand. The Company's aim was to establish a model of English society in New Zealand by selling land to settlers at a profit and using the funds to pay for settlers' travel to New Zealand, encouraging immigration.[9]In reality, the Company was more like a real estate agency, promising generous returns to its investors.[10]
At the suggestion of his brother, Edward Gibbon, the New Zealand Company appointed Wakefield as commander of this first expedition. TheTorysailed from Plymouth on 12 May 1839,[11]with Wakefield as sole and unqualified leader of the expedition. He was given set of instructions for the expedition's activities: to purchase land for the New Zealand Company, to gather knowledge about New Zealand, and to prepare for building settlements. Wakefield was expected to treat the Māori with the utmost fairness.[citation needed]
Wakefield's first sight of New Zealand's formidable mountain ranges was not encouraging. The expedition took on supplies of wood and water at Ship Cove inQueen Charlotte Soundand met their first Māori, who were interested in trading.[citation needed]
After five weeks in theMarlborough Soundsin theSouth Island,theTorysailed acrossCook Straitto Te Whanganui-a-Tara ( "The Big Harbour of Tara" ) andPort Nicholson.Here he began serious negotiations for purchasing land. The negotiations involved twoiwi(tribes),Ngāti ToaandTe Atiawa,and sixteen chiefs. After five days a deal was made that was subsequently endorsed by the paramount chief of the area,Te Rauparaha.Strong objections were raised by Te Rauparaha's nephew,Te Rangihaeata.[citation needed]
The purchase completed, Wakefield and theToryset out to explore a more of New Zealand, sailing up the west coast. The expedition were impressed with the potential of theTaranakiarea for further settlement. They then sailed up to theHokianga,made contact with traders, and looked at buying land in that district. However, the expedition was cut short when theToryran aground in Hokianga Harbour. The ship was saved but it needed extensive repairs.[citation needed]
Wellington settlement
[edit]Wakefield returned to Te Whanganui-a-Tara in early January 1840. The first British settlers’ ships arrived in Port Nicholson in January, encouraged by the New Zealand Company's advertisements promoting immigration. However, it became clear that the land aroundPetonewas not suitable for settlement, being too swampy. A new site had to be selected andLambton Harbourwas chosen, a few kilometres further west.[citation needed]
This site was already occupied by Māori, being one of their residential areas. Wakefield had bought and paid for the land on behalf of the New Zealand Company, but soon realised that Māori had had a different understanding of the deal; they had expected to share the land withPākeha(non-Māori), and were unwilling to move.[citation needed]
When the missionaryHenry Williamsappeared in the district with copies of theTreaty of Waitangifor Māori to sign, he also claimed some of the land the New Zealand Company had purchased. Wakefield granted him one acre (4,000 m²) of town land, but Williams was later to lose his role as a missionary for defrauding Māori.[citation needed]
Wakefield believed that Port Nicholson's central position made it the obvious choice to beNew Zealand's capitaland seat of government. However, GovernorWilliam Hobsonchose Auckland, possibly feeling that Port Nicholson was dominated by the New Zealand Company. When theGeneral Legislative Councilwas formed in May 1841, Hobson appointed Wakefield as one of its members. Wakefield's membership terminated only a few months later.[12]
In 1842, Wakefield was joined in New Zealand by his daughter Emily, then sixteen years old. Shortly afterwards she became engaged to Francis Molesworth, but the engagement was broken off when an injury forced Molesworth to return to England. In late 1845, Emily metEdward Staffordof Nelson and they were married the following year.[citation needed]
Criticism of land deals
[edit]The secretive and rushed way that the New Zealand Company had begun settlement ahead of the signing of theTreaty of Waitangicreated problems for Wakefield. GovernorWilliam Hobsonresented the New Zealand Company, seeing the Settlers' Council as an attempt to establish an illegal republic. The Acting Colonial SecretaryWilloughby Shortlandwas dispatched with soldiers and mounted police to disband the council.[citation needed]
Several land deals were renegotiated, as many settlers were either not happy with the land they had been allocated or hadn't received what they had paid for. To satisfy its commitments, the New Zealand Company needed about 500 square kilometres of land, which was difficult considering the terrain in the Wellington area and the fact that the Company had limited resources.[citation needed]
Over the next few years, Wakefield was involved in disputes with the Crown, with Māori, and with his own surveyors, meaning that land deals were delayed by months or years. The New Zealand Company had guaranteed work for labourers that emigrated to New Zealand, but delays over land deals led to a lack of work, causing further anger. At one stage, the town ofNelsonwas almost in a state of armed rebellion against the Company’s agents.[citation needed]
In 2003, theWaitangi Tribunalinvestigated the New Zealand Company's 1839 Port Nicholson deed of purchase and declared it invalid. The tribunal found that Māori were never paid for some 120,000 acres (49,000 ha), the boundaries weren't clear, not all those with customary rights signed the deed, and those who did sign didn't understand it, as it was in English andRichard Barrett'stranslation missed or confused several important facts.[13]
Personal troubles
[edit]The unruly behaviour of Wakefield's nephew,Jerningham,caused concern for Wakefield.[citation needed]Wakefield was also affected by the death of his brotherArthurin theWairau Affray,and felt partly responsible. This led Wakefield to clash with GovernorRobert FitzRoywhen FitzRoy declined to take action against Arthur's killers.[citation needed]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Wakefield_Memorial.jpg/220px-Wakefield_Memorial.jpg)
The New Zealand Company's issues were made worse by Wakefield's personality; he demonstrated no leadership qualities and was unwilling to take initiative in dealing with problems, alienating many settlers.[citation needed]One settler wrote that "the baneful influence of Colonel Wakefield has ruined every settler and the colony of Port Nicholson."[citation needed]Another described Wakefield as "the coldest mannered man they have met".[citation needed]
In March 1847, Wakefield fought a duel with his doctor,Isaac Featherston,over an editorial in the Wellington Independent newspaper that questioned his honesty. Featherstone fired first and missed, then Wakefield fired into the air, stating "I would not shoot a man who has seven daughters".[14]
Death
[edit]On 15 September 1848, Wakefield collapsed at a bath house following two strokes earlier that year, and he died four days later in a room at theWellington Hotel.He was given what amounted to a state funeral. GovernorGeorge Greyattended as did nearly half of Wellington, both Māori and Pākeha. Māori chiefHōniana Te Puni-kōkopuwas one of the pallbearers.[15]
Soon after his death, Wakefield's friends began to fundraise for a memorial, but it was not until 1882 that theWilliam Wakefield Memorialwas unveiled at Wellington'sBasin Reserve.[16][17]The memorial is registered as a Category I heritage structure by theHeritage New Zealand.[17]
Notes
[edit]- ^abcd"Carta a W. Wakefield (Tte. Col. 1º Lanceros B.A.L.)".Historia Militar de San Sebastián: Vida y Asedios de una pequeña gran ciudad.Retrieved21 July2024.
- ^"Anglo-Spanish Legion".Parliamentary Debates (Hansard).Parliament of the United Kingdom: House of Lords. 24 February 1840. col. 515.
- ^Temple and a number of British sources use 1801 while some New Zealand sources give 1803 as his birth date.
- ^Marriages and Deaths of Considerable Persons.1791. p. 969.
- ^abFalkiner, Cæsar Litton(1899). .InLee, Sidney(ed.).Dictionary of National Biography.Vol. 59. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
sources:[Allibone's Dict. of Engl. Lit.; Edinburgh Review, xx. 346; Russell's Memoirs of Thomas Moore, iv. 129; Webb's Compendium of Irish Biography; Place MSS. Brit. Mus.; Edward Gibbon Wakefield, by Dr. R. Garnett, 1898.]
- ^Garnett 1911,p. 248.
- ^"Philip Temple:A Sort of Conscience, The Wakefields ",review, NZ Herald
- ^Somerville, Alexander(1838).A Narrative of the British Auxiliary Legion: With Incidents, Anecdotes, and Sketches of All Parties Connected with the War in Spain, from a Journal of Personal Observations.Glasgow: Muir, Gowans, & Co.
- ^"Taming the frontier: Land issues on the eve of the Treaty of Waitangi".New Zealand History.5 October 2021.
- ^Rossiter, Trish (2023).Finding Thomas: The search for my great-great-grandfather.p. 22.
- ^"William Wakefield | NZHistory, New Zealand history online".nzhistory.govt.nz.Retrieved20 February2020.
- ^Wilson 1985,p. 27.
- ^"T E WHANGANU I A TARA M E O NA TA K I WA Report on the Wellington District"(PDF).Waitangi Tribunal.16 May 2003.
- ^Heughan, Sam and McTavish, Graham (2023).Clanlands in New Zealand.p. 37.
- ^Ballara, Angela."Te Puni-kōkopu, Hōniana".Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.Ministry for Culture and Heritage.Retrieved10 July2020.
- ^"William Wakefield Memorial".Cricket Wellington.Retrieved25 May2014.
- ^ab"William Wakefield".New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero.Heritage New Zealand.Retrieved25 May2014.
References
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/38px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png)
- Edward Gibbon Wakefield biographyfrom theDictionary of New Zealand Biography.
- public domain:Garnett, Richard(1911). "Wakefield, Edward Gibbon".InChisholm, Hugh(ed.).Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 248–249. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
- Biographyin 1966An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand.
- Temple, Philip (2002).A sort of conscience: The Wakefields.Auckland: Auckland University Press.
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913].New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984(4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer.OCLC154283103.
- 1803 births
- 1848 deaths
- Criminals from London
- New Zealand people of English descent
- Wellington City
- New Zealand duellists
- British Auxiliary Legion personnel
- Burials at Bolton Street Cemetery
- Wakefield family
- Military personnel from London
- Members of the New Zealand Legislative Council (1841–1853)
- Settlers of New Zealand
- History of Wellington