Grace, Thomas Samuel, 1815–1879 (Person)

SummaryAnglican missionary of the Church Missionary Society (CMS). Born in Liverpool to John Grace and Sarah Lawrence Grace (née Cox), he married Agnes Fearon (23 July 1845, Whitehaven, Cumberland). Grace trained with the CMS from 1844 and arrived in New Zealand aboard the Fairy Queen (9 July 1850).

Initially stationed in Taupō, Grace ran a mission school where one of his most promising pupils was Te Kooti. In 1865, during the Pai Mārire unrest that saw the killing of missionary Carl Sylvius Völkner, Grace was captured, tried by the Pai Mārire, and narrowly escaped execution. Pai Mārire leaders attempted to exchange him for the imprisoned Tauranga chief Hori Tupaea. He was rescued after two weeks by HMS Eclipse.

From 1872 he was based at Tauranga, ministering to both Māori and Pākehā communities, often at his mission house and school. Grace died in Tauranga on 30 April 1879 and was buried in the Mission Cemetery at Ōtamataha Pā.SourcesWaka Māori, 24 May 1879 p424 (Obituary)Dictionary of New Zealand Biography: Te AraNational Library Papers

Our Places (authority)

Grace Mission Homestead, c.1870-1952 (Place)

Portrait of Reverend Thomas Samuel Grace, seated and holding book. Auckland Museum PH-1969-33-4

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Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.LicenseCC BY 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Grace, Thomas Samuel, 1815–1879 (Person)

Personal Information

First Name(s)Thomas SamuelSurnameGraceDate of Birth16 February 1815Place of BirthLiverpool, Lancashire, EnglandDate of Death30 April 1879Place of DeathTauranga, New ZealandPlace of Burial/CremationMission Cemetery at Ōtamataha Pā. OccupationMissionary

Whānau

MotherSarah Lawrene CoxFatherJohn Grace

Partner

PartnerAgnes FearonDate Married23 July 1845Place of MarriageWhitehaven, Cumberland

Settler Information

Name of ShipFairy QueenDate of Arrival9 July 1850

Relates To

Start here:Grace Mission Homestead, c.1870-1952 (Place)

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AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | People

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Grace, Thomas Samuel, 1815–1879 (Person)