William Harrington 1830 - 16 October 1908
William Harrington arrived in Lyttelton in July 1852 on The Samarang with his wife Marianne and son Henry William. In the shipping list he is recorded as being a wheelwright. In 1853 he is first recorded in a John Hall notebook of expenses for Rakaia Terrace Station, Run 20, the property owned by the Hall brothers near Windwhistle:
1853, August 20 Harrington making cage 6.0
wheelbarrow wheel 10.0
planing 16.0
making bed 8.0
mending Dray 4.0 £2. 4.0
There are more entries during 1854.
William became a builder in Christchurch. He and Marianne had seven more children born in New Zealand. They had 50 acres of land in Papanui and 25 acres near Little River, Banks Peninsula.
By 1867 John Hall had taken over the lease of Run 17, The Selwyn Station previously owned by the Studholme brothers. William Harrington is again recorded in the ledger, this time laying batons in the old woolshed, building a shed and building at the homestead. This latter was a two-storied extension to the homestead: a bedroom, dining room and office downstairs with two bedrooms above and a lean-to kitchen, store room and pantry at the back. This extension is still within the homestead today. It is interesting that William’s family also came to live at the station while the work proceeded. Where they were accommodated is not known. They were here for most of September and again later in the year.
1867
Sep 2: Harrington & family arrived from town
27: Harrington & family started for town
Oct 23: Harrington arrived from town
Dec 2: Harrington putting up [cart] shed
6: Harrington finished Station work
Information in Ledger No 2, 1868, p 97
On the debit side of ledger entries are for food, soap, firewood, board, oats. Shinglers’ account – maybe William had procured the shingles and needed to be reimbursed. On the credit side, ‘Settled by Mr Hall.’
In 1869 William built the 20-stand Rakaia Terrace Station woolshed. Information about this can be found on the website under ‘History - farm buildings’.
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It is interesting to note that The Samarang also had as passengers John Hall and Charles Wright who was an assisted immigrant. After arrival, Charles worked for John. They may well have got to know each other on their way to New Zealand.
1853, August 20 Harrington making cage 6.0
wheelbarrow wheel 10.0
planing 16.0
making bed 8.0
mending Dray 4.0 £2. 4.0
There are more entries during 1854.
William became a builder in Christchurch. He and Marianne had seven more children born in New Zealand. They had 50 acres of land in Papanui and 25 acres near Little River, Banks Peninsula.
By 1867 John Hall had taken over the lease of Run 17, The Selwyn Station previously owned by the Studholme brothers. William Harrington is again recorded in the ledger, this time laying batons in the old woolshed, building a shed and building at the homestead. This latter was a two-storied extension to the homestead: a bedroom, dining room and office downstairs with two bedrooms above and a lean-to kitchen, store room and pantry at the back. This extension is still within the homestead today. It is interesting that William’s family also came to live at the station while the work proceeded. Where they were accommodated is not known. They were here for most of September and again later in the year.
1867
Sep 2: Harrington & family arrived from town
27: Harrington & family started for town
Oct 23: Harrington arrived from town
Dec 2: Harrington putting up [cart] shed
6: Harrington finished Station work
Information in Ledger No 2, 1868, p 97
On the debit side of ledger entries are for food, soap, firewood, board, oats. Shinglers’ account – maybe William had procured the shingles and needed to be reimbursed. On the credit side, ‘Settled by Mr Hall.’
In 1869 William built the 20-stand Rakaia Terrace Station woolshed. Information about this can be found on the website under ‘History - farm buildings’.
***
It is interesting to note that The Samarang also had as passengers John Hall and Charles Wright who was an assisted immigrant. After arrival, Charles worked for John. They may well have got to know each other on their way to New Zealand.
The gabled end of the house was built by William Harrington in 1867
