condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white
discuss document export feedback print share gallery-landscape xml

Letter from Jane Williams to Lydia Marsh, March 27, 1828

documentary heritage
  • Description

    Jane writes to her sister in law of the rewarding and trying two years her family had spent in New Zealand. Jane was hopeful, writing "the thick darkness around us appears to be gradually receding, and though the day scarcely dawns, yet we doubt not, ere long the Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in his wings.

    " She goes on to write of the children recently born into the Williams, Davis, Kemp, King, and Fairburn families, and to mention the progress of their school. She then writes a line of the wilful stupidity of their domestics. She acknowledges their slow improvement in both assisting at the school and in her house, however she states "we are more gratified at perceiving that they become more orderly and obedient, and that their habits are more decorous and less dirty, though there remains much, very much to be reformed outwardly, to say nothing of the cleansing and purifying requisite for the inner man, and which nothing short of the Saviour’s blood can effect." Furthermore, she writes of how the family was in need of assistance, especially concerning the care of their children. However, Jane hoped that more discrimination would be exercised by the Committee when any assistance was selected to be sent out.

  • Other Id

    14398 (Presto content ID)

    MS-1991-75-709 (Reference Number)

  • Department

Images and documents

Catalogue

  • Object Type
  • Name/Title
    Letter from Jane Williams to Lydia Marsh, March 27, 1828
  • Primary Maker
  • Date
    1828
    1783-1963
  • Physical Description

    4pp on 1 leaf ; 226 x 369mm Folded to 226 x 183mm

  • Language
    English
  • Collection
  • Level of Current Record
    Child
  • Is Part Of
  • Public Access Text

    Partially cross-written.

    [Keywords: Correspondence, Colonialism, Missionary Women, Missionary Wives, Missionary Families]

  • Subject Notes
    Lydia Marsh (nee Williams 1788-1859) was the daughter of Thomas Williams and Mary Marsh. In 1813, she married Edward Gerrard Marsh, who is said to have been the spiritual adviser of the Williams family.
    [Further reading: Faith and Farming: The Legacy of Henry Williams and William Williams, pg. 15 ; Williams and Marsh family papers, 1989 - 2003. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-200-/66.]
    Jane Williams (nee Nelson, 1801-1896) was the wife of William Williams, and a force for Missionary work in her own right. Trained as a school teacher, she taught Maori women and girls the art of domestic 'English' life. During her husbands frequent absences, Jane managed the day to day running of their mission. She is remembered as a bright, intelligent, courageous and cheerful soul.
    [Further reading: Faith and Farming: The legacy of Henry Williams and William Williams. pg. 275]
  • Last Update
    07 Dec 2023
The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

The gift of curiosity

With unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events, a Museum Membership is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.

SEE OPTIONS FROM $60

The gift of curiosity