LibbyTwisspage3



John came to Cambridge with the 3rd Waikato Militia in 1864 and, as a Major, received 400 farm acres and 2 town acres... At first a house with adobe and limestone walls was built. Then a villa, 'Waterside' was built overlooking the Waikato River. The gardens around the home were highly cultivated with flowers and ornamental shrubs. There was a flower strewn drive from the homestead to the stables and everywhere there were violets and other flowers. An orchard, nut trees and exotics were all planted and in 1880-81 a very ornate conservatory was built. (This can still be seen on the corner of Victoria Road and King Street.) When Te Aorere died in March 1883, Major John Wilson then married his governess Sophia Gray later in 1883 and they had three more sons. When he died, the Waikato Times reported, "We regret having to record the death of Major Wilson, of Cambridge, one of our pioneer settlers. No man ever acted with greater fairness to the Natives than Major Wilson. He was integrity itself, and his word was his bond. He passed away about noon on Thursday, an affection of the liver being the cause of his death.  ·  He married (for a second time) in 1877 to Te Aorere, a daughter of a Ngati-Haua chief Waimapuni and Inuaka. They raised 6 children at 'Waterside' but Te Aorere died 8 March 1883 aged 30. · John died 24 May 1892 aged 62
 * · ** **John Wilson was born 15 January 1830 in Kilmarnock, Scotland, the son of James and Annie nee Love, and he arrived in New Zealand **

 

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