William Henry Preece (1841 -1920 ) was the Preece's fifth child. He was born at the Parawai mission station, when his mother was alone with the other children, assistance from a neighbouring mission not having arrived. Harry had fits from birth. As he grew older, Harry evinced a weakness on his right side. His his right hand (possibly both hands) was partially paralysed. He was slow to walk, but otherwise seemed a healthy child. He may have been intellectually disabled.
He never married, and lived at home with his parents.
After the old people died, he lived in a cottage (on Kingstone Road) at the Tiki. He was rememebered as "an old man who sold wood and vegetables, delivered in a hand cart. He rang the church bell three times on Sunday, and was very upset if anyone else did".
Very little is known about Harry. He died in 1920, and was buried in Buffalo Cemetery, Coromandel. When his estate was wound up, there were 13 shillings and 4 pence for each of his nephews and nieces.
Look at other parts of the Preece story by following the link to the Index page.