Kimball Bent (1837 - 1916)

Born 24 Aug 1837 in Eastport, Washington, Maine, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Karangi Punangaiti — married 1861 in Waikato, New Zealand

Husband of Te Rewanga Tito — married 1865 in Taranaki, New Zealand

Husband of Rihi Rupe — married 1870 in Taranaki, New Zealand

Died 22 May 1916 at age 78 in Wairau Hospital, Wairau, Marlborough, New Zealand

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Kimble Bent is Notable.

Biography

During the Taranaki War, Private Kimball Bent deserted the British Army and fled toward the remote Taranaki hinterland. Bent found a home among Maori and lived as if he was one of them for many years. In later years, Bent's life as a Pakeha-Maori was written by author, James Cowan. Published in 1911, The Adventures of Kimble Bent has made him a well-known figure in New Zealand History.

Kimball Bent was born on 24 August 1837 at Eastport, Washington County, Maine. He was the third son of John Waterman Bent and Eliza Reynolds and was born fourth in a family of seven. ^[1] In the 1850 United States Census, Kimball Bent was 12 years old and living with his Parents and siblings at Eastport, his race was recorded as White.^[2]

In search of adventure, 17-year-old Kimble "ran away to sea" in 1855 and at some stage surfaced in England. He enlisted in the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot on 18 October 1859, at Liverpool. Bent served in India, and was sent to New Zealand in March 1861.^[3]

1861 - 1865 is the estimated period that of Bent's Union with Karangi Purangaiti, which resulted in the birth of Maraea Karangi also known as Maraea Bent.

1865 Tito Hanataua, Ngati Ruanui
He deserted in June 1865 and fell into the hands of Ngati Ruanui leader Tito Hanataua, who kept him as a servant and protected him. He was put to work at Otapawa and forcibly married to Te Rawanga (possibly Te Rewanga and given the name Ringiringi.

1866 - 1879 Rupe, a Taiporohenui Chief.
Bent was handed on to Rupe, a Taiporohenui chief, with whom he was to stay for most of the time from 1866 until 1878 or possibly 1879. He was given Rupe's 15-year-old daughter, Rihi, or Te Hau-raro-i-ua, for a wife, after he had cured Rupe's son of a serious illness. Rihi met with his approval: she was pretty, and decoratively tattooed on her chin, body, hips and thighs. They lived together for nearly three years and had one child, who died; Rihi herself died soon after.

He passed away in 1916.^[4][5][6]

Sources

1. ↑ "Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWBR-F97 : 10 February 2018), Kimball Bent, 24 Aug 1837; citing ; FHL microfilm 10,840.
2. ↑ United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6VZ-H43 : 12 April 2016), Kimball Bent in household of Waterman Bent, Eastport, Washington, Maine, United States; citing family 290, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
3. ↑ W. H. Oliver. 'Bent, Kimble', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1990. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1b19/bent-kimble
4. ↑ "New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG6K-JHMP : 4 January 2018), Kimble Bent, 1916; citing Death, New Zealand, registration number 1916/4741, Archives of New Zealand, Wellington.
5. ↑ "New Zealand, Obituaries, 1844-1963," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2W3-TJM7 : 17 March 2018), Kimble Or Ringiringi Or Tu-Nui-A-Moa Bent, 1916; citing Blenheim, South Island, New Zealand, various New Zealand newspapers; FHL microfilm 7,832,196.
6. ↑ PERSONAL., Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 28, Issue 40, 30 May 1916.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimball_Bent
• https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1b19/bent-kimble