Bodell, James, 1831-1892 (Person)

SummaryEnglish-born soldier, businessman, writer, and mayor of Tauranga (1888–89). He enlisted in the 59th Regiment in 1848, served in Ireland and Hong Kong, and left the army in 1854, the year he married Sarah Mackinay and emigrated to Tasmania, later working the Victorian goldfields. He volunteered for the Waikato Militia in 1863 and served during the Waikato and Tauranga campaigns, mostly in logistics, guard, redoubt and transport duties rather than in the major battles. He later wrote vivid reminiscences of campaign life, military settlement, and early Tauranga. He married Jane Munro in Hamilton in January 1866 and settled in Tauranga the same year, becoming an auctioneer, carpenter, and storekeeper. He served on the Borough Council (1882–89) and as mayor in 1888. In 1882 he built the Bellevue Temperance (Private) Hotel at the corner of Wharf Street and Cameron Road, and established Bradgate Villa and an auction mart nearby. He wrote reminiscences from 1881 to 1891, published as A Soldier’s View of Empire in 1982. Later an advocate for temperance, he died of apoplexy on 23 September 1892 while on his way to choir practice at Trinity Church, Tauranga.SourcesTe AraTauranga Photographers: James Bodell: Tauranga Historical Society Blog (August 2015)Reminiscences of James Bodell (1831-1890)Bodell's Auction Mart and Bradgate VillaBodell’s Bellevue Private Hotel: Tauranga Historical Society Blog (September 2019)Marriage registration 1866/5890, Jane Munro married James Bodell on 19 January 1866.Bodell, James, "A Soldier's View of Empire: The Reminiscences of James Bodell, 1831-92"Review of "A Soldier's View of Empire: The Reminiscences of James Bodell, 1831-92" in the Bay of Plenty Times (4 September 1982)"Solder-settler's memoirs" in the Bay of Plenty Times (September 4, 1982)Obituary: Bay of Plenty Times 26 September 1892

Usage

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.CopyrightTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesLicenseCC BY 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Bodell, James, 1831-1892 (Person)

Personal Information

First Name(s)JamesSurnameBodellDate of Birth1831Place of BirthNottinghamshire, EnglandDate of Baptism3 July 1831Date of Death23 September 1892Place of DeathTauranga, New Zealand

Partner

PartnerSarah MackinayDate Married3 Oct 1854Place of MarriageEngland

Partner

PartnerJane MunroDate Married19 Jan 1866.Place of MarriageMrs Munroes house, Hamilton

Relates To

PlacesDomain Hotel, 1882-1969 (Place)

Admin

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

Menu

Bodell, James, 1831-1892 (Person)