Harrison Family
Production date
1864-Circa 1960
1860-1869
1870-1879
1880-1889
1890-1899
1900-1909
1910-1919
1920-1929
1930-1939
1940-1949
1950-1959
Description
(Alfred) Valentine Harrison and his third wife Jane emigrated to New Zealand on the William Bryan in 1841. His sons Thomas and Alfred accompanied him and his eldest son William, along with his wife and two children, followed a year later on the Timandra. The family lived for a time at Waiwakaiho. Thomas and William later farmed at Poutoko, Omata. Thomas married Mary Palfrey Perry, daughter of John and Frances Perry, and died in 1893.
The papers include a photocopy of Thomas's diary as held by the Alexander Turnbull Library covering the period 1864-1874. The diary records family affairs, buying and leasing of land, building the house, establishing the farm, day by day work, growing and harvesting of crops, stock raising, prices received for farm products and payment made for supplies. Brief noting of historical events such as the killing of settlers by Maori, attendance at militia parades. A son prospected for gold in the Kaitaki range. Inserted on a loose sheet is a list of `Forts, blockhouses... occupied by the troops and militia 1863 and 1864'.
Also included are a copy of the marriage certificate of William Harrison and Harriet Wells (1837) and photocopies of the end-papers of family books giving genealogical information; a newspaper cutting concerning Mr P. J. McComish and Thomas's diary, and obituary for Mrs R. A. Northwood (daughter of Thomas Harrison), family notes and memoranda. The collection also includes genealogical information compiled by P. J. McComish ("Early Days in New Zealand") from reminiscences of various family members.
Object detail
1860-1869
1870-1879
1880-1889
1890-1899
1900-1909
1910-1919
1920-1929
1930-1939
1940-1949
1950-1959
Box 1
1.Letter. From Alexander Turnbull Library to Mr P. J. McComish re the photocopies of Thomas Harrison's diary.
2.Photocopy of Thomas Harrison's diary 1864-1874 (283 p.). Original held at the Alexander Turnbull Library, manuscript no. fMS-083
3.Photocopy of the marriage certificate of William Harrison and Harriet Wells (1837) and photocopies of the end-papers of family books giving genealogical information; newspaper cutting concerning Mr P. J. McComish and Thomas Valentine's diary; obituary for Mrs R. A. Northwood (daughter of Thomas Harrison) held at the Alexander Turnbull Library, manuscript no. fMS-083-084
4.Typescript of Thomas Harrison's diary 1864-1874.
Box 2
5.Manuscript.Copy of diary kept by Thomas Harrison Sen. of Omata. 1864-1874. A handwritten copy of the diary by P. J. McComish, great-nephew of Thomas. Aug.1969, includes map of Omata area.
6.Manuscript. Whakapapa Haritama, compiled by P. J. McComish. The genealogical record of the New Zealand descendents of Valentine Harrison. Section I. William and Harriet Harrison , Section II. Thomas and Mary Harrison.
7.Manuscript. Early days in New Zealand; reminiscences of the Harrison family, including various family genealogies and extracts from the diary of George Jupp an associate of Valentine Harrison. Compiled by P.J. McComish.
8.Transcript. Handwritten copy of Thomas Harrison's diary 1864-1874 and notes on Alfred Valentine Harrison. Written into 5 writing pads by an unidentified transcriber, it includes anecdotes of family members.
Part 3
Digital copies of Whakapapa Haritama, marriage certificate (on CD ROM and stored in Box 2, digital copies on O drive).
Digital file
Transcription of Thomas Harrison's diary 1864-1874. Created by Ron Harrison.
Public comments
Alfred was my great grandads father Edwin (Edward) as he was known as
- Sean Sullivan posted one year ago.
I agree with Kylie, Alfred was one of the sons who accompanied Valentine Harrison and Jane.
- Kiri Speirs posted 2 years ago.
Hi, I just thought you should check the passenger list of the William Bryan as, I believe, it was Valentine Harrison that came with his third wife and 2 sons. One of the sons onboard was Alfred Valentine Harrison.
- Kylie posted 4 years ago.