New Book on Hall Family released
Sailors, Settlers & Sinners
By Moira Taylor
Released: 6 June 2019
‘Fascinating stories. Moira Taylor has mastered the combination of detail, description, analysis and comment to provide a dynamic, arresting narrative.’ – Janet Wilson, Professor of English and Postcolonial Studies, University of Northampton, UK.
New Zealand-born author, Moira Taylor, has drawn on private letters and personal journals to take us on a journey through her family’s history. But this is no ordinary story. The book shares the ups and downs of a family with political ambition and entrepreneurial flare, a family who must deal with the dilemmas of members who don’t always follow the rules.
Beginning in the port of Hull on the east coast of England, Moira traces the highs and lows of the Hall family between 1795 and 1907. As mariners during the zenith of Britain’s global expansion, two of the three Hall brothers, George and Thomas, sailed the world and saw the potential of settling in the new colony of New Zealand. The third and youngest brother, John, became an early prime minister there and New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant women the vote.
The Hall’s story spans the globe through three generations, from France during the Napoleonic Wars to St Petersburg and Calcutta; from North and South America to New Zealand and South Africa; via the plague-ridden streets of Constantinople to shipwrecks in the North Sea and the Bay of Biscay. As such, this is an insight into maritime, political and cultural history at a time of great adventure and colonisation, and will appeal to all with an interest in this fascinating period of global expansion.
‘Alas life, at least a life like ours, is but a series of partings.’
But life in the new colony doesn’t always go to plan. While some members of the family make their political mark, others are remembered for other, more nefarious, reasons. Attempted murder, adultery and unpaid debt – the family is not immune to scandals.
The Hall family’s story is beautifully illustrated with original photographs, documents and maps, bringing this extraordinary tale to life. It captures the spirit of the age, while keeping us firmly grounded in the reality of a settler’s life.
About the author
Born in New Zealand, Moira Taylor (née Hall) now lives in London. She is a journalist, editor and author, and has written and recorded a radio documentary about Katherine Mansfield.
Sailors, Settlers and Sinners, available from amazon.co.uk and amazon.com, iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords. Price: UK £9.99 pbk/£7.99 ebk;
US $12.65/$10.12; NZ $12.95/
Elloughton Press: [email protected]; tel: +44 (0)7719 462947
See info sheet here
Sailors, Settlers & Sinners
By Moira Taylor
Released: 6 June 2019
‘Fascinating stories. Moira Taylor has mastered the combination of detail, description, analysis and comment to provide a dynamic, arresting narrative.’ – Janet Wilson, Professor of English and Postcolonial Studies, University of Northampton, UK.
New Zealand-born author, Moira Taylor, has drawn on private letters and personal journals to take us on a journey through her family’s history. But this is no ordinary story. The book shares the ups and downs of a family with political ambition and entrepreneurial flare, a family who must deal with the dilemmas of members who don’t always follow the rules.
Beginning in the port of Hull on the east coast of England, Moira traces the highs and lows of the Hall family between 1795 and 1907. As mariners during the zenith of Britain’s global expansion, two of the three Hall brothers, George and Thomas, sailed the world and saw the potential of settling in the new colony of New Zealand. The third and youngest brother, John, became an early prime minister there and New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant women the vote.
The Hall’s story spans the globe through three generations, from France during the Napoleonic Wars to St Petersburg and Calcutta; from North and South America to New Zealand and South Africa; via the plague-ridden streets of Constantinople to shipwrecks in the North Sea and the Bay of Biscay. As such, this is an insight into maritime, political and cultural history at a time of great adventure and colonisation, and will appeal to all with an interest in this fascinating period of global expansion.
‘Alas life, at least a life like ours, is but a series of partings.’
But life in the new colony doesn’t always go to plan. While some members of the family make their political mark, others are remembered for other, more nefarious, reasons. Attempted murder, adultery and unpaid debt – the family is not immune to scandals.
The Hall family’s story is beautifully illustrated with original photographs, documents and maps, bringing this extraordinary tale to life. It captures the spirit of the age, while keeping us firmly grounded in the reality of a settler’s life.
About the author
Born in New Zealand, Moira Taylor (née Hall) now lives in London. She is a journalist, editor and author, and has written and recorded a radio documentary about Katherine Mansfield.
Sailors, Settlers and Sinners, available from amazon.co.uk and amazon.com, iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords. Price: UK £9.99 pbk/£7.99 ebk;
US $12.65/$10.12; NZ $12.95/
Elloughton Press: [email protected]; tel: +44 (0)7719 462947
See info sheet here
Hororata Heritage Open Weekend
This took place on the 12 and 13 March 2016. For the first time The Children's Room was open for viewing. The display of books, games and toys that belonged to the children who have lived here created a lot of interest. The earliest game dates to 1816, long before this home was built but it would have been brought out by the family. The quiz activity for children during Heritage Weekend was also greatly enjoyed by adults. During the two days, 194 adults and many children enjoyed being at Terrace Station. One comment made was, 'I didn't realise there would be so much to see'.
This took place on the 12 and 13 March 2016. For the first time The Children's Room was open for viewing. The display of books, games and toys that belonged to the children who have lived here created a lot of interest. The earliest game dates to 1816, long before this home was built but it would have been brought out by the family. The quiz activity for children during Heritage Weekend was also greatly enjoyed by adults. During the two days, 194 adults and many children enjoyed being at Terrace Station. One comment made was, 'I didn't realise there would be so much to see'.
Visitors enjoying a Spring Open Day 2015
A C Rhodes Award
Congratulations to Trustee Kate Foster, who has been awarded the Canterbury History Foundation's A C Rhodes memorial medal and award for 2015. The purpose of the award is to honour and recognise the work of a non-academic Canterbury historian who has significantly added to our knowledge of the past or has by various means advanced and popularised the subject of History in the wider Canterbury community. This is a very well deserved award, recognising all that Kate has done in spreading knowledge about Sir John Hall and his family. One example of Kate's work is Letters To Grace, co-edited with the late Jean Garner. This a book which should be of great interest to anyone who wants to learn more about the life of women in colonial New Zealand.
Congratulations to Trustee Kate Foster, who has been awarded the Canterbury History Foundation's A C Rhodes memorial medal and award for 2015. The purpose of the award is to honour and recognise the work of a non-academic Canterbury historian who has significantly added to our knowledge of the past or has by various means advanced and popularised the subject of History in the wider Canterbury community. This is a very well deserved award, recognising all that Kate has done in spreading knowledge about Sir John Hall and his family. One example of Kate's work is Letters To Grace, co-edited with the late Jean Garner. This a book which should be of great interest to anyone who wants to learn more about the life of women in colonial New Zealand.
Visit by Chamberlain Tractor Enthusiasts, January 2015
Accessman helps with woodshed repairs
The 1869 wooden woolshed at Hororata needed repairs to the 7.5 metre high gable ends and placement of 5 metre lengths of barge iron to the three gables. This was far too difficult to be done from the top of a ladder! So with the valuable assistance we received from Accessman, the work has been achieved. The photo shows only part of the 20-stand woolshed.
The 1869 wooden woolshed at Hororata needed repairs to the 7.5 metre high gable ends and placement of 5 metre lengths of barge iron to the three gables. This was far too difficult to be done from the top of a ladder! So with the valuable assistance we received from Accessman, the work has been achieved. The photo shows only part of the 20-stand woolshed.
Storm Damage September 10, 2013
The garden and woodland at Terrace Station suffered significant damage in the major storm which struck Canterbury on Tuesday September 10th. One of the casualties was a beautiful Canary oak, Quercus Caneriensis, 30 metres high and approximately 140 years old. The third photo shows limbs of the Hornbeam twisted and broken. Within the woodland, many oaks (as yet uncounted) are uprooted. On the farm more than 300 trees have been damaged or blown over. Yet more damage was done on October 14.
The garden and woodland at Terrace Station suffered significant damage in the major storm which struck Canterbury on Tuesday September 10th. One of the casualties was a beautiful Canary oak, Quercus Caneriensis, 30 metres high and approximately 140 years old. The third photo shows limbs of the Hornbeam twisted and broken. Within the woodland, many oaks (as yet uncounted) are uprooted. On the farm more than 300 trees have been damaged or blown over. Yet more damage was done on October 14.
Letters to Grace: Writing Home from Colonial New Zealand
Jean Garner, Kate Foster
Canterbury University Press, 1/05/2011 - 204 pages
Providing a rare female perspective on life in colonial Canterbury, New Zealand, this collection of letters—discovered in 2008 and published here for the first time—from four middle-class women to their families in Britain presents a picture of daily colonial life. Though separated by distance and the long wait for post, the women of the Hall family sought to remain close to Britain while life in their new province took form. The collected letters focus on children, household duties, health, housing and servants, church, shopping, and social events. Preceding the annotated transcriptions of the letters is an enlightening introduction to the Hall family, which places them and the correspondence in an appropriate historical context that will appeal to history enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Review
Jean Garner, Kate Foster
Canterbury University Press, 1/05/2011 - 204 pages
Providing a rare female perspective on life in colonial Canterbury, New Zealand, this collection of letters—discovered in 2008 and published here for the first time—from four middle-class women to their families in Britain presents a picture of daily colonial life. Though separated by distance and the long wait for post, the women of the Hall family sought to remain close to Britain while life in their new province took form. The collected letters focus on children, household duties, health, housing and servants, church, shopping, and social events. Preceding the annotated transcriptions of the letters is an enlightening introduction to the Hall family, which places them and the correspondence in an appropriate historical context that will appeal to history enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Review
