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Descendants of Dr Thomas Edward RAWSON Introduction I have put together this account of the Rawsons in New Zealand because I have a connection to one of the spouses. I was having difficulty working out whether occasional Rawsons encountered in the records were “family”, and decided the only solution was to produce my own account. I had realised that some of the places where they settled and their chosen occupations were influenced in both families by availability of kin to lend support. Both families produced surveyors as well as dentists, and both had branches in Westport. It appears that most of the early NZ Rawsons are part of the present family. The exceptions are a group descended from William RAWSON (from Lancashire ?) and Elizabeth Brice HAINES who farmed at Maheno in North Otago. This work is based almost entirely on articles in Papers Past and the online registration indexes of births, deaths and marriages, and for this reason I have not recorded sources specifically. Other sources were the FreeBMD index to English registrations, NZ Electoral Rolls indexed by NZSG, and the NZSG IndexV5. A great deal more biographical information could be extracted from the newspapers by anyone wanting to build a more detailed story. There may be additional grandchildren of Dr T E Rawson born after 1914, and possibly additional children who died in infancy in England. My thanks to Dr Herbert Dick RAWSON for providing family photographs. I would be pleased to make corrections if notified of any errors. Mary Skipworth, updated 24 Nov 2014 - 1 - Descendants of Dr Thomas Edward RAWSON First Generation 1. Dr Thomas Edward RAWSON, MD LSA, was christened on 9 Apr 1810 in Wymeswold, Leicestershire, UK, and died on 14 Dec 1879 in New Plymouth, NZ at age 69 of paralysis. Dr Rawson practiced medicine in Market Place, Kegworth, Leicestershire for over 10 years before emigrating to New Zealand – refer http://www.kegworthvillage.com/history/show_bits.php. 1858: arrived at Auckland by Mary Ann from London on 3 June 1858 - Chief cabin: Mary, Louisa, Alfred, Arthur, Thos., Herbert and Ernest Rawson, Surgeon: Dr Thomas Rawson. On 16 Oct 1858 arrived by Sporting Lass from Auckland at New Plymouth, Dr & Mrs Rawson from Auckland. 1858: Taranaki Herald 20 Nov 1858: Dr Rawson First Gold medallist and medical associate of the London University in attendance at Mr Hood's Devon St every alternate Wednesday for the purposes of practising dentistry. 1859: Dr Rawson appointed surgeon to New Plymouth militia 1862: Dr T E Rawson, Symonds St Auckland, Advertisment First Gold medallist etc MD LSA Spoke at meeting of Bible Society, Spoke at opening of a Methodist chapel, New Plymouth Gave a lecture to Mechanics Institute: Earth Air Fire Water 1879: Obituary 16 Dec Taranaki Herald: On Sunday at about three o'clock in the afternoon, Dr. T. E. Rawson, who has for some time been an invalid, breathed his last. Dr. Rawson had nearly reached the age which is said to be the allotted span of human existence, being in his seventieth year. He was born at Windsolt, in Leicestershire, and, after studying for the medical profession, started in practice in London. He afterwards removed to Kegworth, in Leicestershire, where he had a very large practice. In 1858 he emigrated with his family to Taranaki, and the war breaking out shortly after his arrival, he was appointed Surgeon-Major to the Militia and Volunteers of the District. In 1861, he resigned that position, and went to Auckland, where he commenced to practice his profession. He, however, returned again to Taranaki in 1863, when he was appointed Hospital Surgeon, which, with other offices, he held until a short time ago, when failing health compelled him to resign them. Dr. Rawson was highly respected, and enjoyed a large share of the confidence of his medical brethren. - 2 - Descendants of Dr Thomas Edward RAWSON Thomas first married Mary Catharine PEARSON on 2 June 1836 in Attenborough, Nottingham, England. She died in 1859 in New Plymouth, NZ. Said to have died giving birth to stillborn twins. Thomas and Mary’s children were 2 i. Charles Edward RAWSON 1837-1911 3 ii. Henry Freer RAWSON 1838-1879 4 iii. Frederic George RAWSON 1841-1878 5 iv. Louisa Mary RAWSON 1842- 6 v. Alfred Pearson RAWSON 1848-1911 7 vi. Arthur John RAWSON 1850-1894 8 vii. Thomas Harold RAWSON 1852-1904 9 viii. Herbert Pearson RAWSON 1853-1926 10 ix. Dr Ernest RAWSON 1855-1924 After Mary’s death Thomas remarried a soldier’s widow, Sarah Hannah KING, daughter of Rev J WHITELEY, Wesleyan Mission, on 9 Jul 1866 in New Plymouth. Sarah died in New Plymouth in 1907, aged 73, and was buried with her husband at Te Henui cemetery. Thomas adopted Sarah’s two young children, and they also had the following children: 11 x. Harold RAWSON born 18 Jan 1868, died 1941 12 xi. Helena RAWSON born 17 Nov 1868, died 1945 13 xii. Walter Edward RAWSON 1870-1933 14 xiii. Bernard Whiteley RAWSON 1873-1951 Mary Catherine, wife of Thomas Edward RAWSON - 3 - Descendants of Dr Thomas Edward RAWSON Second Generation (Children) 2. Charles Edward RAWSON (Thomas Edward (Dr) 1) was christened on 22 Feb 1837 in Kegworth, Leicestershire, UK [Baptist] and died in 1911 in Invercargill, NZ at age 74. Resident Magistrate and District Judge, New Plymouth for 30 years, then Invercargill. Obituary: As a young man the late Mr C. E. Rawson, whose death was announced this week at Invercargill was an active participator in the Maori war in Taranaki district. When the war broke out in 1860 he was about 20 years of age, and with two younger brothers, Henry and Fred, at once offered his services, and joined the Volunteers, or settler-soldiers as they were then called. They were actively engaged at the Battle of Waireka. A force composed of settler- soldiers and regulars marched up from New Plymouth to attack the Maoris at Waireka. Soon after the fighting commenced the regulars were withdrawn, and the Volunteers were left to stem the attack. The fight was very hot, and the Volunteers beat the Maoris, with the assistance of some man-o'-war's-men who attacked from another quarter. The sailors rushed the pa and climbed over the palisading regardless of the storm of bullets. The fight was also memorable for the energetic words of encouragement given by Major Stapp rallying the Volunteers. The Rawson lads had an unenviable experience during the fight. The bugle sounded the retreat, but as they and three other companions were not familiar with bugle calls—they had only been Volunteers for a week—they remained in the position they had taken up. Fred Rawson was badly wounded by a Maori bullet, and as this was the first, engagement in which Volunteers had assisted the Imperial troops he was the first Volunteer to be wounded in defence of his country. They waited until nightfall and then made for the beach, and returned In camp. On their way to the beach the little band of Volunteers heard a groan, and after a short search they discovered another Volunteer badly wounded. A stretcher was improvised with guns and coats, and the wounded man carried to the beach. It was intensely cold and the wounded man was spent, so they decided that four of them should push on for assistance whilst the other two lay down beside the wounded man in an endeavour to keep him warm. The doctor who was sent out to attend the wounded man and young Fred Rawson was the latter's father, Dr T. E. Rawson. - 4 - Descendants of Dr Thomas Edward RAWSON After the Volunteers were dispensed with Mr C. E. Rawson went to Auckland, and was given the position of warder over the prisoners. He was later made bailiff at New Plymouth, then clerk of the court, and subsequently deputy-registrar. In those days it was allowable for a man to study for the law without being articled, so Mr Rawson pursued his studies and passed his examinations as a barrister and solicitor. Ho subsequently was made a magistrate, and then district judge. All those offices he held in New Plymouth. He was transferred to Invercargill and retired in 1897 on pension. Mr Rawson was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Otago Daily Times 2 Sep 1911 Charles married Jane GINGER on 28 Mar 1860 in New Plymouth, NZ. Jane died on 12 Jul 1916 in New Plymouth. Obit Evening Post 20 Jul 1916. Probated estate £2345 Charles and Janes’ children were: 15 i. Emily Elizabeth RAWSON 1863-1947 16 ii. Edward RAWSON 1865-1919 Magistrate Hamilton, m Gertrude Emmeline MOSS 17 iii. Mary Louise RAWSON 1867-1913 married Dr Henry B. LEATHAM, New Plymouth, died London. 3. Henry Freer RAWSON (Thomas Edward (Dr) 1) was born in 1838 and died of dysentery in Wanganui on 14 Apr 1879 at age 40. Surgeon/Dentist of Nelson 1862-1873, later of Wellington. He was in the habit of residing a few months each year at Wanganui attending to his practice. 1863 H F Rawson in Buller giving a series of lectures on Natural Philosophy and Chemistry He was an avowed atheist, which gave rise to some controversy over his funeral at which the Anglican clergyman objected to reading the usual funeral service, refer Wanganui Herald editorial 3 May 1879. - 5 - Descendants of Dr Thomas Edward RAWSON Henry married Wilmot Elizabeth BORLASE in 1867. She died in 1915, probated estate £6895. They had no children. Following Henry’s death, Wilmot Elizabeth RAWSON married Walter Ernest PEARSON in 1892.

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