James Wathen Preece
James Wathen Preece (1837 - 1878) was James and Mary Ann Preece's third child and eldest son. He was known as "Wathen" to distinguish him from his father.
Wathen was born at Moeatoa Mission Station, near the heads of the Manukau Harbour, where his mother had gone to be with Mrs Hamlin for the birth.
On the journey home, James Hamlin’s boat with the Preeces aboard was delayed for several days on the Manukau harbour by contrary winds. Hamlin lent one of his two blankets to the new mother and baby. Eventually they met James Preece at the appointed place (probably at the Otahuhu portage) and by late December, mother and baby Wathen were home.
Wathen spent his early years at mission stations at Parawai on the Thames, at Ahikereru in the Urewera mountains and at Whakatane. He accompanied his father on some of his missionary journeys around the western Bay of Plenty and the Urewera mountains.
Wathen spoke Maori fluently.
His first teacher was his mother but from about five years of age he attended, with his sisters, a private school in Auckland. He was for a time a pupil of the Reverend Robert Maunsell. He later attended a boy's school in Auckland where Samuel Kempthorne was headmaster.
Kempthorne's school and house adjoined the Auckland Domain. Here Kempthorne taught his own boys and some others who boarded with the family. It was not a happy experience for young Wathen. This establishment may have been incorporated into the "Church of England Grammar School" which opened under the head-mastership of John Kinder in Karangahape Road in 1856, before being moved to Parnell.
Some of Wathen's younger brothers were also taught by John Kinder and Samuel Kempthorne.
In 1856 when his father retired from mission work, Wathen lived with his parents at the Tiki on the Waiau River side of the Coromandel Harbour. He worked hard to establish the family farm. At various times he was involved in shipping, gold mining and the timber trade on the Coromandel peninsula and elsewhere.
He became a Licensed Interpreter and a Native Land Purchase Commissioner. He attended many sessions of the Native Land Court. He was highly respected by both races for his knowlege of the Maori language and customs, as well as his personal integrity and his perserverance in upholding the rights of others.
Wathen was a staunch supporter of the Church. He served on the Diocesan Synod.
Wathen married Amelia Anderson in 1867. They had three daughters, two of whom married.
Hard work and difficult conditions took their toll. His frail appearance was noted. He died aged thirty-nine. As a mark of respect Bishop Cowie the Bishop of Auckland, conducted his funeral service.
The following tribute to Wathen was printed in "Te Wananga" the Maori language newspaper of the time, Volume 5, No 34.
The painful news was received at the Thames on Saturday night that Mr. J. W. Preece, Native Land Purchase Commissioner for this district, was dead. The deceased gentleman has been in delicate health for a long time and the wear and tear of the Native Lands Court sitting for the past two months has very greatly undermined a constitution enfeebled by long standing disease.
Mr Preece was the son of the Rev. James Preece, one of the early Church of England Missionaries, and was born at Puriri, so that he was a Native of Hauraki. He has for some time been suffering from liver complaint, and about two years ago he went to Victoria for change of air in hopes that he might receive permanent benefit, and for some time it was believed that such a desired result had been attained.
Mr. Preece was, however, in anything but a fit condition to undertake the arduous work which fell to his lot at the Native Lands Court. The long sittings in a crowded court, with a close, hot atmosphere caused by the members in attendance, were most trying to his constitution. Besides this he had long and frequent consultations after Court hours in order to prepare for next day's work. About a fortnight ago Mr. Preece went in the Pearl to Mercury Bay to get some Natives whose evidence was required in a case before the Court. The trip was made during very rough weather, and the deceased gentleman caught a severe cold during the exposure to which he was subjected. This incapacitated him from attendance at Court for some days, and as he did not get better, he proceeded to Auckland to consult his own medical adviser. The disease, however, seems to have had a firm hold of his enfeebled constitution, and although he was hopeful of being able to return to the Thames and finish his work in the Native Lands Court, his hopes were not realised, as he succumbed on Saturday at 4 o'clock to inflammation of the lungs and acute bronchitis.
Mr. Preece was a gentleman of the highest integrity, and was greatly respected by his acquaintances and beloved by his friends. From his intimate knowledge of the Maori language, customs and traditions, he was possessed of great influence in his dealings with the Natives, amongst whom he was esteemed very highly. In fact it is not too much to say that the death of Mr. Preece will be generally and sincerely regretted by all to whom he was known, and who could estimate the courtesy and amiability that characterised his conduct in every relation of life.
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