Samuel Marsden Preece, universally known as "Marsden" was James and Mary Ann's sixth child. A few weeks before his birth, his mother made a trip to Auckland. She returned with a midwife who had been recommended by Mrs Hobson.
Marsden was born on July 10, 1842 at Parawai, the first of twin boys. The second twin was stillborn.
Marsden went to school in Auckland, but spent the long summer holidays with his parents at their mission stations at Ahikereru and Whakatane.
He was employed in the goldmining and timber industries on the Coromandel Peninsula, but sustained some spinal damage, possibly from an accident. From mid 1883 he spent eight months in the Thames Hospital, before being sent to the Thames Old men's Home. He was confined to bed and "bath chair".
Marsden never married.
He died in 1890 and is buried in the Shortland Cemetery, Thames.
Look at other parts of the Preece story by following the link to the Index page.