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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mrs. Hannah King Letheridge

Mrs. Hannah King Letheridge, who resides near Russell, and is said to be the oldest living white woman born in New Zealand, was born at Ohihi, Bay of Islands, in 1815, and is the daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Hansen, whose father brought the first missionaries from Sydney to New Zealand page 567 in 1814, per brig “Active.” Mrs. Letheridge's father was associated with the Rev. Samuel Marsden and the early missionaries, and was highly respected by the natives, who in times of tribal warfare protected his family from molestation. It was no uncommon thing for Mrs. Letheridge to be an eye-witness of the cannibalism of the Maoris, who, after a fight, brought captives to their feasting ground on the beach adjoining the residence of the Hansens, and there killed and cooked their victims. Mrs. Letheridge resided at Ohihi till 1830, when she went to live at a native settlement called Koutu. Her first husband was the late Captain Clapham, to whom she was married in 1837. They bought land in Kerikeri, where they lived peaceably till Heke's war broke out and put the whole country in a blaze. Captain Clapham returned to Sydney with his wife and for many years was a successful whaler, but he was lost with his ship in 1855. Two years later his widow was married in Sydney to Mr. Jeremiah Letheridge, who purchased a large piece of land at Purerua, which he farmed up to the time of his death in 1881, when Mrs. Letheridge removed to her present residence. For a woman of her years, Mrs. Letheridge is remarkably active. She does all her own work, and a well-kept kitchen garden bears evidence to her industry.