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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. Thomas William Deacon

Mr. Thomas William Deacon, Hotelkeeper and Storekeeper, was born in Cornwall, England, in the year 1823, and joined the Royal Navy at an early age. He came to Auckland in 1843 in H.M.S. “Calliope,” commanded by Captain Edward Stanley, and was stationed with her at the Bay of Islands until the end of the war with Heke. After that the “Calliope” proceeded to Wellington, where she had Te Rauparaha, the celebrated Maori chief, on board as a prisoner of war. Mr. Deacon then left the “Calliope” and joined a barque going to Hokianga to load spars; Dr. Logan Campbell was on board the same barque. On his return to Auckland Mr. Deacon left the sea, and after travelling around the country for a considerable time, he settled at Riverhead, where he started storekeeping and built his present hotel, which was the first in the district. Riverhead was then the outlet of an extensive timber trade from Kaipara, whence the timber was brought overland and shipped to Auckland. The return cargo was landed at Riverhead and taken in bullock drays to Kaipara. Mr. Deacon then purchased a boat, in which he carried passengers from Riverhead to Auckland, but when steamers came on the scene that means of travelling ceased to be necessary. Mr. Deacon's hotel is replete with every comfort and luxury, and all the accessories of a first class houses, and is much frequented in the summer months by visitors from Auckland. The large store, from which all the supplies in the district are obtained, is also owned by Mr. Deacon, who also owns a large hotel, store, bakery, and blacksmith's shop at Kumeu, where his son has the management. Mr. Deacon married Mrs Ellis, widow of Captain Ellis, and has a family of eight children, and about forty grandchildren.