Harris, William Prole, 1839–1909 (Person)

SummaryAn English-born settler who became an early landholder in Te Puke. Born Braunton 6 February 1839, the son of Edward Harris and Rebecca Watson Harris (née Prole) he was described as blue eyed with a red ruddy complexion and white beard. Emigrated with his wife Elizabeth Rachael Scott Harris (née Cockburn) and their children aboard Oxford, departing Gravesend December 1881 and arriving Auckland 10 March 1882. Tauranga two years. The family took up land at Te Puke, which had been purchased prior to their departure under the George Vesey Stewart settlement scheme. During this period Harris began developing the property, and by 1884 had established the two-storeyed homestead “Lynwood” on No. 1 Road near the Waiari district. Contemporary correspondence records his early impressions of the district’s productive soils, favourable climate, and growing settlement, alongside the practical challenges of access and development. Retired to Rotorua. Harris remained associated with the early agricultural establishment of Te Puke, and died on 4 December 1909; his wife Elizabeth survived him until 1 July 1914.SourcesObituary » Bay of Plenty Times, 8 December 1909

Supporting PDF

Harris Family names and ages

Letter home while on voyage to New Zealand in 1881 and 1882

A letter home from Te Puke in March 1882

William Harris' transcribed diary of the voyage to New Zealand in 1881-1882

Photographs

William Prole Harris

Harris Family 1890

Archive Collections

Photocopy of letter from W. P. Harris's voyage, England to New Zealand, 1882

Our People (authority)

Harris, Elizabeth Rachael Scott (Lizzie), née Cockburn, 1838-1914 (Person)

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo 03-508

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, Harris, William Prole, 1839–1909 (Person)

Personal Information

First Name(s)William ProleSurnameHarrisDate of Birth6 February 1839Place of BirthBraunton

Whānau

MotherHarris, Rebecca Watson, née ProleFatherHarris, EdwardChildrenOliver Archibald HarrisJessie Mary HarrisJohn Leonard Prole HarrisEdward Stanley HarrisLucie Ethel Maud HarrisMabel Rose HarrisFlorence Mildred HarrisHerbert Aubrey HarrisArnold Theodore Harris

Partner

PartnerHarris, Elizabeth Rachael Scott (Lizzie), née Cockburn, 1838-1914 (Person)

Settler Information

Name of ShipOxfordDate of Arrival1882Port of ArrivalAuckland

Admin

AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesTauranga City Libraries Staff - Harley CouperType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | People

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Harris, William Prole, 1839–1909 (Person)