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Henry Williams
Also known asTe Wiremu
BiographyHenry Williams was born in England in 1792, the fifth child of Welsh lacemaker Thomas Williams and his English wife Mary nee Marsh. At the age of 14 he joined the British Navy and served during the Napoleonic wars until he was 23. Three years later he married Marianne Coldham. Together they planned and prepared for Henry's future as a missionary in New Zealand. They arrived at the Bay of Islands on the 3rd of August in 1823 with their three oldest children. There was a Church Mission Society (CMS) mission already established at Paihia. Henry William's forthright leadership led to many advancements in the mission's progress. His early focus on Te Reo Māori and printing prayer books in Māori aided the acceptance by Māori of Christianity.
Henry averted many tribal disputes by refusing to be initimidated, often standing between warring parties to negotiate a peaceful resolution. Known to Māori as Te Wiremu, he developed great mana and in 1840 his influence convinced many chiefs to sign the Treaty of Waitangi. He and his son Edward translated the English version of the treaty to Māori.
He was described as resolute, uncompromising, enterprising and strong, both physically and morally.
His wife Marianne coped remarkably well in often difficult conditions. In addition to raising 11 children, she nursed the sick and acted as a midwife for the settlers. She had trained in these skills in preparation for her missionary life before leaving England.
Though dismissed in 1850 by the CMS over land dealings, Henry Williams was reinstated in 1854. In 1939, he was completely vindicated by the CMS.
As archdeacon and overall leader of the CMS in New Zealand, Henry helped to establish other missions in other parts of the North Island.
From 1850 he lived at Pakaraka where many of his family members were living and farming.
Te Wiremu died in July 1867 aged 75, having always maintained that his primary concern was for Māori.Date of Birth11 February 1792Place of BaptismGosport, Hampshire, EnglandDate of Death16 July 1867Place of DeathPakaraka, NorthlandPlace of Burial/CremationPakaraka, NorthlandOccupationMissionary
BiographyHenry Williams was born in England in 1792, the fifth child of Welsh lacemaker Thomas Williams and his English wife Mary nee Marsh. At the age of 14 he joined the British Navy and served during the Napoleonic wars until he was 23. Three years later he married Marianne Coldham. Together they planned and prepared for Henry's future as a missionary in New Zealand. They arrived at the Bay of Islands on the 3rd of August in 1823 with their three oldest children. There was a Church Mission Society (CMS) mission already established at Paihia. Henry William's forthright leadership led to many advancements in the mission's progress. His early focus on Te Reo Māori and printing prayer books in Māori aided the acceptance by Māori of Christianity.Henry averted many tribal disputes by refusing to be initimidated, often standing between warring parties to negotiate a peaceful resolution. Known to Māori as Te Wiremu, he developed great mana and in 1840 his influence convinced many chiefs to sign the Treaty of Waitangi. He and his son Edward translated the English version of the treaty to Māori.
He was described as resolute, uncompromising, enterprising and strong, both physically and morally.
His wife Marianne coped remarkably well in often difficult conditions. In addition to raising 11 children, she nursed the sick and acted as a midwife for the settlers. She had trained in these skills in preparation for her missionary life before leaving England.
Though dismissed in 1850 by the CMS over land dealings, Henry Williams was reinstated in 1854. In 1939, he was completely vindicated by the CMS.
As archdeacon and overall leader of the CMS in New Zealand, Henry helped to establish other missions in other parts of the North Island.
From 1850 he lived at Pakaraka where many of his family members were living and farming.
Te Wiremu died in July 1867 aged 75, having always maintained that his primary concern was for Māori.
Date of Birth11 February 1792Place of BaptismGosport, Hampshire, EnglandDate of Death16 July 1867Place of DeathPakaraka, NorthlandPlace of Burial/CremationPakaraka, NorthlandOccupationMissionaryScrapbook
Document
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 5-2735-19
Whānau
MotherMary WilliamsFatherThomas WilliamsChildrenEdward Marsh WilliamsMarianne DaviesSamuel WilliamsHenry Williams jnrThomas Coldham WilliamsJohn William WilliamsSarah HuttonCatherine HadfieldCaroline Elizabeth LudbrookLydia Jane CarletonJoseph Marsden WilliamsPartnerMarianne WilliamsDate Married20 January 1818Place of MarriageNuneham Courtenay, Oxfordshire, England
FatherThomas WilliamsChildrenEdward Marsh WilliamsMarianne DaviesSamuel WilliamsHenry Williams jnrThomas Coldham WilliamsJohn William WilliamsSarah HuttonCatherine HadfieldCaroline Elizabeth LudbrookLydia Jane CarletonJoseph Marsden WilliamsPartnerMarianne WilliamsDate Married20 January 1818Place of MarriageNuneham Courtenay, Oxfordshire, EnglandRelates to
Further Information
See alsoWilliams, Henry (Dictionary of New Zealand Biographies)Te Wiremu: Henry Williams. Early Years in the North (sirsidynix.com.au)Letters from the Bay of Islands: The story of Marianne Williams (sirsidynix.com.au)Te Wiremu: A biography of Henry Williams (sirsidynix.com.au)The Life of Henry Williams (sirsidynix.com.au)
Te Wiremu: Henry Williams. Early Years in the North (sirsidynix.com.au)Letters from the Bay of Islands: The story of Marianne Williams (sirsidynix.com.au)Te Wiremu: A biography of Henry Williams (sirsidynix.com.au)The Life of Henry Williams (sirsidynix.com.au)Henry Williams. Northland Room Digital Collections, accessed 19/03/2026, https://wdc.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/5073
