Family History Stories - John Clark Lidiard

The outside world of commercialism and development was finally catching up with the hardy band of settlers who had for so long enjoyed their own space, and managed their own lives in the south. More boats arrived, one bringing new settler John Howell who set up a station at Jacob’s River, now known as Riverton. Officials began visiting too and in June 1840 HMS Herald arrived to collect signatures for the Treaty of Waitangi. At Ruapuke Island three chiefs Tuhawaiki, Kaikoura and Taiaroa signed the treaty. Tuhawaiki and one of his men wore uniforms they’d acquired in Sydney. Then came Stirling’s boat Success, with the first white women and child to settle in the south.

In 1843 whale exports halved and whaling stations began to close. The wholesale indiscriminate slaughter of whales had caught up with the whalers, just as it had with the sealers at the turn of the century. Having exhausted the source of their income, the hey days of whaling were well and truly over.

In early 1844 Bishop Selwyn arrived in Foveaux Strait, visiting all of the communities, performing marriages and baptisms. On February 4th at James Spencer’s house, Bishop Selwyn married John Lidiard to Kearaki. John signed his name on the register. William Stirling also married his partner, and six children were baptised. Visitors to Bluff were impressed with the community that had developed there, but the settlement's days were numbered.

Stirling’s ship Success was totally wrecked at Bluff after the crew had spent the evening in Spencer’s pub. The 40 odd settlers were now hard pressed to make a living as few ships called, and in 1846 the original settler, James Spencer, died at sea while returning from Sydney. It was the beginning of the end for the little community. John Lidiard continued to live at Bluff until the death of his wife Kearaki after which he moved with his daughter to Jacob’s River to work for Captain Howell, the Jacob’s River settlement thriving with 70 or 80 residents.

In later years a little school in the district was opened and John gathered up the children who until now had enjoyed a free run. Captain Howell’s son George later said of his teacher "Morally and spiritually he was a good teacher and a good leader. Frequently he would lecture us on our duties to one another and always he stressed the necessity for telling the truth.....He was always dignified. In fact, he set great store upon personal dignity, and he was thorough in all that he undertook. He was a fine man."

John Lidiard's fellow whalers clockwise form back left: Stephen Watson, Theophilus Daniel, John Howell and Lewis Acker. Permission to use this image kindly granted by
Wallace Early Settler's Assocation, Inc.

At the age of 14, John’s daughter Nancy traveled to Ruapuke Island to marry James Lee, the son of John Lee, who had also been in the Bay of Islands in the early years. Within three years James had died and in 1854, Nancy married the son of another new settler Edward Stevens. A short time later while Nancy was pregnant with their child, Edward lost his life too.

Two times a widow by the age of 19 and an unmarried expectant mother, these were heartbreaking times for John and his daughter. Two years later Nancy met her third husband William Thomas and together they raised her only child Edward Stevens.

Progress marched on. Immigrant ships arrived, communities turned into towns, roads turned into streets, and a new nation formed before John's eyes. Having outlived all of his contemporaries, on the 9th of January 1876, John Lidiard - ship boy, Jack Tar, whaler, Pakeha Maori, husband, father, settler, teacher, survivor - died at his daughter's home at the age of 86.

Inscription on John Lidiard's headstone:

"In loving memory of Ann Thomas who died 26th April 1900 aged 63 years. Also John Clark Lidiard who died 1877 aged 88 years (sic).

Also William Thomas died 5th October 1903 aged 68 years. Also George de Paravicini, beloved son of John and Emma Simon born 10th September, died 30th December 1873."

In 1837 the northern Ngati Toa through their allies Ngati Tama, made their last assault on Ngai Tahu. Traveling down the West Coast of the South Island, they made their way south and attacked the southern tribe at Bluff. The southerners defended well and were victorious over the northern intruders, capturing several slaves, one of which was given to a new settler.

The Maori were jubilant and the whalers filled with relief. This was to be the last battle in the south, and eventually Te Rauparaha’s own son, a Christian convert, visited the area to help negotiate an end to hostilities between the two tribes.

In July 1837 Kearaki gave birth to a baby girl, Ann, known as Nancy. It was a dangerous time to begin life as disease from visiting boats began to plague the Maori. Over the next few years many Maori died from measles. While losing their lives, they were also losing their land, selling huge tracts to whalers and settlers, something both parties would feel the repercussions of in future years.

"This fascinating book comes out of the online Encyclopedia of New Zealand project and describes the incredible variety of the peoples who settled in New Zealand from the 19th century onwards."

"Rakiura - The Wilderness of Stewart Island celebrates all of its remarkable beauty with a stunning collection of photography by Rob Brown. Rakiura features over 80 large format photographs of Stewart Island's extraordinary and distinctive landscape."

Family History Website

Descendants of the Stevens Family, including through John Lidiard's grandson Edward J Stevens.

Our New Zealand Heritage