Pre 1848 Settlers of Otago and Southland

William and Maria Kennard and their two children along with William's two brothers Thomas and George, sailed from London 23rd July 1838 for New South Wales on the Lady Nugent

The ship was carrying 240 emigrants and arrived in Sydney on 27th November 1838 after a voyage of 124 days. During the voyage Maria Kennard gave birth to a daughter Alice on the 7th of September.

On arrival in Sydney, William was engaged by Mr R. Stark of Botany Bay for a wage of 25 pounds per year plus rations.

In New Zealand, Johny Jones had "purchased" large amounts of land from the Maoris for the purpose of forming a settlement to serve his expanding whaling station at Waikouaiti. He went to Sydney and engaged several families from south England descent to work the land and rear cattle and sheep.

William Kennard was one of the agricultural workers selected and sailed on the Brig Magnet for New Zealand. on 12 March 1840

Arriving at Waikouaiti in March 1840, William and Maria and their three children were housed in temporary barracks for a time but after a fire destroyed the building they moved to "Tuamai" where Thomas Baker  Kennard was born on 6th of May 1841. He was the first of nine children to be born to them in New Zealand, completing a family of twelve.

William worked for Mr. Jones. He received as payment one Shorthorn cow valued at sixty pounds. This cow was a prizes animal from which Bullock Teams were bred. In 1853 William purchased 90 odd acres of land  at Goodwood. On this land he built his home that was also to be known as Kennards  Accommodation House. The farm was named "Brenzett Farm" named after the estate he was born on in Kent England.

During his trips around the coast by bullock team for sale, William discovered coal at Shag Point on the inland side of the hill, which he mined for some years.

As a result of the rigours of pioneer life, William died on the 27th of July 1875 at the age of 62 and is buried in Palmerston. Maria continued to work the farm with the help of Aaron and brother Robert. Maria was one of the Oldest Identities in the 50th anniversary parade held in Dunedin in 1898. Maria died 5 years later on the 30th of May 1903 and was buried beside her husband.

The farm was still in the Kennard hands until the early 1920's when Aaron's failing health forced him to sell up to George Clearwater.

Ron Clearwater his son still runs the 90 odd acres as part of his bigger farm.

William & Maria's 12 Children

A much fuller account can be found at the following link With those who came first: a book detailing the Kennard family history by Beryl Maultby.