A Sketch by William Swainson (Our cows Hawkshead) - 1847
Two cows, one drinking from a stream at Swainson estate . A young cabbage tree is on the left, and toitoi is on the right at the water's edge
SWAINSON, William, 1789–1855
William Swainson was born at Newington Butts, London, on 8 October 1789
In 1839 Swainson became a member of the committee of the New Zealand Company and of the Church of England committee for the appointment of a bishop to New Zealand, bought land in Wellington, and gave up scientific literary work.
Together with second wife and four of Swainson's five children by the first marriage, they sailed for New Zealand in the Jane, reaching Wellington, after a trying voyage, in June 1841. Swainson took up 300 acres at the Hutt and established his estate of “Hawkshead”.
After a few months this land was claimed by Taringakuri, a Wellington chief, and for several years he was in constant dread of interference and violence. During the operations against the Maoris in 1846, he was an officer in the militia in charge of a body of friendly natives. In 1852, in partnership with his son-in-law, Major J. W. Marshall, Swainson took up a considerable area of pastoral land in the Rangitikei, but it yielded little return during his lifetime, and he was largely dependent on his half pay.
Read more at teara.govt.nz
Young cabbage tree - Our cows Hawkshead 1847
Alexander Turnbull Library
Ref: A-187-049.