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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Taylor, James

Taylor, James, Farmer, Tawa Flat. Born on the 17th of August, 1823, at Tunbridge, Wells, England, and educated in his native land, Mr. Taylor came to Port Nicholson with his father, the late Mr. William Taylor, per “Martha Ridgway,” in 1840. The subject of this notice settled in Johnsonville as early as 1844. Three years later he removed to Pahautanui, where he started a small dairy farm, and in 1849 he became a pioneer settler in Tawa Fiat, then a dense forest. The section Mr. Taylor acquired at that time is still in his possession, his farm consisting of 276 acres of freehold and 112 acres of leasehold. In the early days Mr. Taylor represented Porirua district for eight years in the Wellington Provincial Council, and was for twelve years afterwards a member of the Hutt County Council. Before the County took over the Road Board he was the representative of Porirua Ward on the latter body, and for many years since he has been a member of the Tawa Flat School Committee. During the native troubles of the early days Mr. Taylor took his share of duty, and for fourteen years was associated with the volunteer movement, first as lieutenant of the Porirua, and after wards as captain of the Pahautanui Rifles. As a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, Mr. Taylor estabished a Sunday School on the first Sabbath spent in the district, and is still superintendent of the Tawa Flat School. He was married in 1844 to Miss Hook, of Wellington, and has seven sons and six daughters, who are nearly all married and settled. Mr. Taylor has fifty-four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Porirua Creek.

Porirua Creek.