Williams Family
HISTORY OF THE WILLIAMS NAME :
The origins of the ancient name WILLIAMS belong to that rich Celtic tradition that comes from Wales. This surname was derived from the personal name William. This was originally derived from the Old German names Willihelm and Willelm and the Norman form of the French name Guillaume.
Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, William was the most popular personal name in Britain until it was superseded by John.The Welch WILLIAMS family claims descent from Brychan Brecheiniog who was Lord of Brecknock at the time of King Arthur. The first member of the Welch WILLIAMS family to adopt the surname was Sir Roger Williams of Llangibby Castle who was recorded c1500. Other significant branches of the family claimed Penrhyn Castle in Carnarvon, and Dandreath Castle in Merioneth, and the family held many castles throughout Wales and Cornwall. One of the most important members of the WILLIAMS family was Oliver Cromwell, whose great-grandfather changed his name from Williams to Cromwell during the reign of King Henry VIII.
A number of people bearing the name Williams immigrated to North America in the 1600s. Some of those who landed in Virginia were David Williams, Elizabeth Williams, Henry and Hugh Williams in 1623, and Edward Williams in 1624. Richard Williams landed in Maine in 1630.
OUR WILLIAMS FAMILY
Including May (of Cornwall) Walker and May :
Paul Williams
Paul was born on 19 December 1824 in Perranarworthal, Cornwall, England. His parents were John Williams and Mary JOBE. John and Mary had married on 14 April 1822 in Perranarworthal. Paul married Lavinia May on 30 November 1848 in St Ives, Cornwall. Lavinia was born on 22 February 1829 and was the daughter of Nicholas MAY and Jane TRELEASE.
Paul worked as a miner in Cornwall until, at the age of 30, he left England to seek a fortune on the Australia gold-fields. He stayed there for eight years, and returned to England in 1862. He could not settle however and in 1864 he left again, this time for Auckland, New Zealand taking his family with him. Paul and Lavinia with sons John Paul and Thomas arrived in New Zealand on 16 October 1864 aboard the ship "Eaglespeed". Paul returned to Victoria, Australia in 1866 and from there went to South Australia in 1868. In 1871 the family settled in Thames, New Zealand.
Paul died on 9 February 1891 in Thames. Lavinia died on 24 February 1898 in Thames. They were both buried at Shortland Cemetery, Thames.
Children of Paul and Lavinia :
John Paul was born around 1850 in England. His wife's name was Lillian. Children of John and Lillian were -
- John who died on 6 May 1915 during World War One. He was buried at Alexandria Military & War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt.
- Paul
- Lavinia
- Lillian
- Janet (married name OFFER)
- Rose (married name BULKIN)
- Joseph
- Mabel.
Thomas was born on 26 October 1852 in St Ives, Cornwall. He arrived in New Zealand aboard the ship "Eaglespeed" with parents and brother John Paul on 16 October 1864. Thomas married Ellen WALKER and they had seven children - Ellen, Thomas, Mary, Harry, Ruby, Jane and Ethel.
Charles was born around 1855 in England. He married Selina BILLINGS. Children of Charles and Selina were -
- Joseph Charles born 1888 and died 27 December 1968 in Auckland.
- Violet who married Herbert STRONG.
- Rhoda (married name DARROW)
- Frederick
- Alred
- Rita.
Jane was born around 1866. Her married name was KNEEBONE and children were Leonard, Clara, Laura, Thomas and Harold.
Ellen was born between 1868-1871. Ellen married George WARNE. George was born around 1863 and died on 18 February 1924 in Kingsland, Auckland. Children were George, Paul, John and Walter.
Emily was born between 1868-1871. She married Charles HANLEN and children were Ella, Charles, William, Violet and Ivy.
Thomas was born on 26 October 1852 in St Ives, Cornwall, England. He arrived in New Zealand on 16 October 1864 aboard the ship "Eaglespeed" with his parents and brother.
Thomas married Ellen Walker at Hape Creek Road, Thames on 23 November 1878. Thomas and Ellen lived in Auckland for 12 months after their marriage and then went to work in the mines at Moonta, South Australia. On their return to New Zealand they settled in Thames and had a small farm and a milk run.
Thomas died on 4 April 1930 at Thames Hospital. Ellen died on 22 June 1939 also at Thames. They were both buried at Shortland Cemetery, Thames.
Children of Thomas and Ellen :
Ellen Louisa was born on 5 May 1879. She married Stanley THORBURN. Ellen died in Thames on 18 August 1950.
Thomas Percy was born on 11 May 1882. He was baptized on 31 July 1882 at the Methodist Church in Thames. Thomas married Nancy McISAAC. They did not have any children.
Thomas served in the army during World War One (1914-1918) and ran the Post Office Hotel in Thames between 1920 and 1940. During the 1950s he ran a boarding house in Auckland.
Thomas died on 10 June 1964 at the Ranfurly War Veterans Home in Auckland.Mary was born on 5 August 1884. She married Alec BATEMAN and they lived in Karaka Creek Road, Thames next door to Mary's sister Ethel and her husband Bert.
Mary died in Thames on 26 December 1972 and was buried at Totara Cemetery, Thames.Harry was born in the Kauaeranga Valley, Thames on 1 December 1886. He married Marjorie MAY on 17 April 1929 at St Mary's Anglican Church in Raetihi. They settled in Pukemiro. Harry died on 1 April 1970 in Papakura, South Auckland.
Ruby May was born on 15 May 1889. She accidentally drowned in the Kauaeranga River, Thames on 8 December 1904 aged 15 years.
Jane was born on 10 June 1894. Jane married Archibald Otto BATEMAN and they lived in Grey Street, Thames. Archie was born on 5 February 1889 in Ponsonby, Auckland and died on 1 May 1988. Jane died on 26 October 1983 in Thames.
Ethel Victoria was born on 16 June 1897. Ethel married Bert STRANGE on 24 May 1922 and settled in Karaka Creek Road, Thames next door to older sister, Mary and her husband Alec. Ethel died on 16 November 1979 in Thames and was buried at Totara Cemetery, Thames. Bert died on 16 November 1973 in Thames.
Harry was born in he Kauaeranga Valley, Thames on 1 December 1886. He spent his childhood years in Thames and later worked as an engine-driver and engineer in the mines there. He also lived and worked in the South Island for several years. After returning to the Waikato Harry met Marjorie May and they were married on 1 April 1929 in Raetihi. Marjorie was born on 24 September 1902 in Raetihi and was the forth daughter of Augustine Thomas MAY and Rose Emma PICKFORD.
Harry and Marjorie settled in Pukemiro and raised four daughters (all living). The three eldest girls all attended Huntly High School. About 1952 the family settled in Takanini, South Auckland. Harry was now retired but kept very busy in his vegetable and flower gardens. Marjorie and Harry had fourteen grandchildren and when Harry died in 1970 he was a great-grandfather to two boys.
Harry died on 1 April 1970 in Papakura. Marjorie died on 1 September 1979 in a private hospital in Papatoetoe. On 2 September 1989 Harry and Marjorie's ashes were scattered on the site of the old Williams homestead, Kauaeranga Valley, Thames, where Harry was born.
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