Samuel Furminger and Sarah (Mitchell) had 9 children:

1.Elizabeth Anne born 1821 Brede, East Sussex.

Her occupation at time of emigration was documented as Sempstress.

Elizabeth Emily BUTLER born March 1846 and died 1st September 1846 in Wellington. Page 8 (1846) of St Paul's burial records has Elizabeth Emily Butler Fermiger aged 6 months who had died on 1st September and was buried on 4 th September.

Almira BUTLER baptised 27th September 1847. The Wellington Independent 1847 - Visiting Akaroa in September 1847 Fr Comte baptized nine children. Elizabeth was Godmother to one of the other girls when her own child Almira BUTLER, 5 months old, born of William and Elizabeth Butler was bapt. 27 Sept.

In 1848 The Wellington Independent of Wednesday Janury 5 reported that the scooner Agnes Hay, 30 tons had arrived from Akaroa on the 3rd Jan.
Among the passengers were Dr and Mrs Butler and child, perhaps just on a visit because the NZ Spectator and Cook straight Guardian of Saturday Jan 22 carried:
NOTICE
The undersigned will not hold himself responsible for the payment of any debts contracted, or that may be hereafter contracted, by W.S.Butler, Esq. of Akaroa.
Farnish Street - W.S.Loxley - (A shipping agent) (Note: Wellington Street & Trade Directory 1864 has Loxley W S as a merchant in Ingistre Street,west side, Te Aro ward. And again in 1865 in Willis Street and Customs House Street, south side)

The Wellington Burgess Roll of 1842 has Butler William Steven - Te Aro

The Wellington Burgess Roll of 1843 has Butler W.S. - Willis St.

A Christchurch doctor David MacMillian in 1946 brought out a book "By-Ways of History and Medicine". He mentioned Dr Butler briefly and added "Mrs Butler was a sister of the first Mrs William Boag of Burnside, Christchurch. Miss Ann Firmager came to Pigeon Bay in 1844-5. She remained 9 years in the Bay, and then married". [In a short-lived C of E church in Lyttelton, it had been built with green wood which warped as it dried and the bricks fell out]

What happened to Almira is currently unknown.

It seems that William returned to England some time before 1851 as he is shown on the 1851 Census living with his uncle Cornelius Butler b.abt.1779 Thornham, Berkshire.(Late surgeon now occupier of 150 acres land employing 5 labourers)

The 1861 Census has him living in at Ingatestone Street,Fryerning, Essex with the Cook family. He them seems to have died in 1864 as there is a death record for William MarQ 1864 Chelmsford v4a p110. The census gives his birth as 1815 Rayleight, Essex which would make him only 49 at his death.

St John's Church, Johnsonville was built on the Porirua Road, the main route heading north out of Wellington. It was opened in July 1847. The first minister was Rev Robert Cole who was also the minister of St Paul's Anglican Church, Wellington. There have been five churches on this site. The current one is still in use today. Fire was a constant danger with wooden buildings and the original church burnt down in 1855 and its replacement also burnt down a short time later in 1860 courtesy of: Kevin L Stewart - Arrangement and Description Librarian - Manuscripts and Archives Section - ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY - New Zealand

William HINDS was born in Acton, Middlesex about 1821. He enlisted into the 58th Foot(58th Foot later the Northamptonshire Regiment and now the Royal Anglian Regiment) on 5th July 1842.
His records state his occupation prior to enlistment as a Sawyer.
William sailed on the Orator (the 2nd of 19 convict ships bound for Australia)on 14th July 1843
(Some records show the ship departed Dublin 12th August 1843 and arrived Hobart 21st November 1843) as part of a guard detachment from the 58th.
He then sailed to New Zealand, when the 58th were transfered, on the BEE from Sydney to Wellington arriving 20th April 1845.
William transfered to the 65th on 11th February 1849 (Reason unknown - but I have reason to suspect that as elements of the 58th were shipping back to Australia he wanted to remain in New Zealand - possibly because he had already meet Elizabeth).
He discharged (On payment) from the 65th on 31st January 1850. 58th - 1786 Pte Hinds, William 65th - 2708 Pte Hinds, William

I have currently been unable to locate any further information regarding Elizabeth or William HINDS.

2. Samuel born 1823 Brede, East Sussex

There is a reference in the NZSG CD3 Samuel FURMINGER - Douglas 1874 Ships papers. Having been able to check out the source, it seems that information has been mixed with that of early settlers and in fact this entry refers to Samuels father Samuel, and is just a record of him being an early settler.

I currently have no further information about Samuel

3.Harriet born 1825 Brede, East Sussex

Harriet married Edward HASLAM (born 1824 died 1885) on 4th October 1845 in Wellington.

Edward was a Private in the 58th and later the 65th he is recorded as:
1629 Pte HASLEM(sic) Edward, birthplace Dublin.
Cabinetmaker, enlisted 25 Apr 1842, discharged at Wellington 31 Jan 1850 (on payment, ie purchased pension).
Arrived per Sir George Seymour Deptford/Hobart then Bee Sydney/Wellington arr 20 Apr 1845.
Transferred to 65th Regiment 11 Feb 1849: 2706 Pte HASLAM Edward

The 58th arrived in New Zealand April 1845 from Australia, they had sailed from England as escorts on 19 convict ships, Edward sailed on the Sir Goerge Seymour ex Deptford 9/10/1844 to Hobart arrived 27/2/1845.

"Sir George Seymour" which departed Woolwich 9 November 1844 and arriving Hobart 27 Feb 1845, a direct voyage of 110 days. The ship was 580 ton, 4 guns, 53 crew, Master Jn. Young, Surgeon Superintendant Dr Hampton. Embarked with 345 male convicts, 1 death, 2 landed at Sydney (forwarded to VDL), 175 landed at Port Phillip, 169 landed at Hobart Women & children, 5 passengers, 44 troops & families. The ship's arrival was reported in Hobart Town Courier, Colonial Times and Hobart Town Advertiser.

When the 58th were transfered to New Zealand he sailed on the Bee from Sydney on 8/4/1845 to Wellington arried 20/4/1845.

Edward Haslam died 2/3/1885 aged 61 and was buried 11/3/1885 in Symonds Street Cemetery, Auckland.
His Occupation at time of death was given as Carpenter and he was living in Wellington Street, Auckland.
Probate filed in Wellington. Archives ref: AAOM 6029 2362
Probate No. 2362 filed 3/6/1885

I have been unable to locate any further information regarding Harriet and Edward

4.Mary Ann born 1827 Brede, East Sussex

Mary Ann married Thomas SWEENY on 13th September 1843 in Akaroa or Wellington. (Folio 0020 b61)

Recorded in the New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator of Saturday September 23 1843 - Married - by the Rev. J MacFarlane of the Scottish Church on the 13th Inst. Mr Thomas SWEENY, of Akaroa, cabinet Maker, he also was a constable, formerly of New York USA to Mary Ann Furminger formerly of Rye Sussex. (my note: Rye was the registration district for Brede at the time)

Mary was living with her sister Anne in Banks Peninsular for a while.

Thomas was born 1811 and possibly arrived in New Zealand on a whaling boat after he was shipwrecked for a long period in the Marquesas.

Mary Ann and Thomas had two children in New Zealand prior to departing for America, (New Bedford) on the whaling ship, China, in 1845.
Where they subsequently had a further 14 more children:

i)    Phoebe Ann born 18th May 1884 baptised 2nd September 1844 at Akaroa in New Zealand
ii)   Charles born 1845 in New Zealand
iii)   Sarah born in USA
iv)   Joseph born in USA
v)   Mary born in USA
vi)  Thomas born in USA died in infancy
vii)  Matilda born in USA
viii) John born in USA
ix)   Edward born in USA
x)   Elizabeth born in USA
xi)   Anna born in USA died aged 3
xii)   Ella born in USA died aged 3
xiii)   Almina born in USA
xiv)  Walter born in USA
xv)  Alfred born in USA
xvi)  Roland born in USA

5.Anne born 1829 Brede, East Sussex and died 1884 in New Zealand

Anne married William BOAG on 5th July 1853 in Lyttelton.

William BOAG was born on 17th January 1828 in Braco, Scotland and died 28th August 1904 in New Zealand.

Decendents of William and Anne have written a book detailing the life of the family, which includes some information about Anne.

I have therefore created a seperate page for Anne and William - see Navigation bar -

6.Catherine born 1831 Brede, East Sussex.

Catharine married Richard LOUGHTON on 3rd November 1851 at St Pauls in Wellington.(ref 0105)

I currently have no further information on Catherine and Richard

7.Thomas born 1838 Brede, East Sussex and died 19 April 1897 in Wellington, New Zealand.

Thomas is buried in Karori cemetery in Wellington. He was originally buried in a plot that is now part of the large Aitken grave, and moved in February 1937 to the "Common Ground" which is a narrow strip between rows B and C of the earliest CofE ground.

               

Karori Cemetry Map       Sketched Location of Burial

At the time of his death Thomas was living in Little Taranaki Street which had its name changed to Egmont St in 1911. It is now an alley way parallel to Taranaki St near Courtney Place, right in the middle of the commercial centre. No houses there now.

NOTE: Probate: 06 May 1897, Wellington ,New Zealand enquiries Archives New Zealand.
(Intestate - letters of administration)

               
Archives New Zealand reference: AAOM 6029 p5510/1897

It seems that as no living relatives were found his estate was kept by the government.

Death certificate states age as 60 at death and having been in NZ for 57 years. This makes Thomas the 3 years old "Son" on the passenger list.

I currently have no further information on Thomas

8.Joseph born 1833 Brede, East Sussex

Possibly married in 1854.

I currently have no further information on Joseph

9.Daughter born abt. 1834 Brede, East Sussex

Died of Fever, Wellington 1842/43 according to Early Wellington page 459

I currently have no further information on Daughter - I am hoping to check the parish records to find a name

Burial Register 1840 to 1866 - St Pauls Church Molesworth St, Thorndon

Fermiger - Elizabeth Emily Butler - 16 months - 1st September 1864

Fermiger - Sarah - 37 - 20th March 1843

Ferminger - Samuel - 70 - 28th March 1864