Captain James Stone (1816 - 1885)

Born 29 Dec 1816 in Stepney, London, England

Ancestors

Husband of Louisa (Rawlings) Stone — married 1 Mar 1838 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Descendants

Died 15 Apr 1885 at age 68 in Auckland, New Zealand

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Biography

"Captain James Stone" was the name with which he was christened on the 26th January 1817 in Stepney, London.^[1]

C.J. Stone was born in Stepney, London, in 1816; he grew up and his boyhood at Epping Forest, and at school at Waltham Abbey, and Harlow, in Essex. On leaving school, he worked in, the office first of a London auctioneer, and later in a solicitors office. He emigrated to Tasmania, Australia in 1833.^[2]

Marriage

Name Louisa Rawlings

• Spouse's Name Captain James Stone
• Marriage Date 1 Mar 1838
• Marriage Place Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
• Registration Number 4156^[3]

Captain James Stone and his wife Louisa Rawlings lived in Mt. Albert, Auckland. He was a wealthy merchant and land owner. His company C.J.Stone & Son was a large shipping business with shares in the Auckland built steamship "Governor Wynyard".

Observer 2.5.1885 p:13

Last Will and Testament of Captain James Stone of Auckland, New Zealand, merchant. Whereof I appoint Charles Burrell Stone of Auckland, aforesaid, merchant, and Francis Angus White, of Auckland, aforesaid, estate agent, to be trustees and executors. I give, devise, and bequeath the whole of my estate, real and personal, whatsoever and wheresoever, to my said trustees, with power in their discretion, from time to time to sell, convert, and get in the same or any part thereof, and I direct that my said trustees shall stand possessed of and interested in my said real and personal estate, as well before as after any such sale or conversion as aforesaid, upon trust to my dear wife, Louisa Stone during her life and after her death, upon trust for all my children living at my decease.

And I direct that the shaves of all female cestui que trusts here under shall be taken and held by them as their separate property freed from marital control, and I empower my said trustees to invest the whole or any part of my said trust estate on such security as they may think fit, and in their discretion to vary any investments existing at the time of my decease, or made thereafter by my said trustees in pursuance of this, my will and hereby revoking all other wills and testamentary writings heretofore made or published by me.

I declare this alone to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name to this. 14th day of April, 1885. C. J.Stone; Witness Thomas Buddie, Solicitor, Auckland, U. E. Buddie, Solicitor, Auckland. Codicil to my last will and testament above written, and bearing even date herewith, I give my brother, Charles Stones the sum of £100, and my sister, Mary Ann Ostler, £100. In witness of which I have hereunto subscribed my name C. J. Stone: Witnesses Thomas Buddie, Solicitor, Auckland, C. E. Buddie, Solicitor, Auckland. Solicitors Whitaker and Russell.

Auckland Star 15.4.1885 P:3

The town bore many evidences of mourning today, several places of business being closed with crepes on the door. while others kept their flags at half mast high in respect for the memory of Captain J.Stone, one of Auckland’s oldest colonists, who passed over to the great majority this morning. “Captain” we might explain, was Mr.Stone’s christian name. The news of his decease created a general feeling of profound regret, although it had been well known for some time that the old man was fast approaching the end of his career in this world. He had been under the medical attendance of Doctor Purchas for several years and he was believed to be afflicted with disease of the liver and heart which eventually terminated in his death. Dr. Purchas recently had consultations with three other medical men with reference to Mr.Stone’s ailment. The deceased had their most able services, but without avail. For about a week past the patient had no pain, and gradually declined until 7.30 morning, when he passed away most peacefully in a sort of faint. He had been staying at the residence of Mr Fry of Messrs Bycroft and Co. which is situated in Grafton Road, and the funeral is to leave here on Friday afternoon next as will be seen from the usual obituary notice.

Captain James Stone was born at London on December 29th 1816 so that he had passed his 65th year. He emigrated with Mrs Stone and arrived in Wellington in 1840. A few weeks however, covered his stay there and he came to Auckland where he has been until recently, actively engaged in business, first as carpenter and timber merchant, and latterly as general merchant. Mr Stone arrived here with his kit of tools, and by hard work and industry speedily placed himself in a good financial position. He built many houses in the earlier days, and the last he erected was pulled down only a few days ago at Emily Place. In 1851, along with his gardener and two others, Mr Stone had built the first steamer over put together here, the Governor Wynyard. He ran her in Auckland harbour for about six months, and then sent her over to Victoria, where the gold fever was at its height. On the river Yarra Mr Stone ran the steamer for six months, and then disposed of her at good profit and he returned to Auckland in 1855. Then he founded a mercantile establishment, then known as C. J. Stone and Sons, which has since grown and prospered, so that it is now carried cut on in extensive scale. The deceased gentleman took an active part in business up till the last ten years, when he retired from the firm. When a son who has since died went into business with Mr C. B. Stone the title of the firm was altered to Stone Bros. as it has since remained.

Mr C. J. Stone during his lifetime took prominent part in the formation of four large public companies, notably the Bank of New Zealand, New Zealand Insurance Company, Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Auckland Gas Company, Land Mortgage Company and he has been on the directorate of quite a host of other institutions such as the Northern Boot Factory, Shortland Sawmill Company, Bycroft and Company, the Union Oil, Soap, and Candle Company, Sutherland and Company (tanners) etc. He always took a deep interest in the development of the Thames Goldlields, and he was concerned in the working of nearly every mine on the field. So far did he give in an effort to develop the goldfields that it is estimated he calculated through them quite £50,000, and yet his profits from this great outlay are said to amount to less than £100. Mr. Stone was a prominent member of the Weslayan Church, he was, in fact the founder of that church in Auckland. In charitable matters Mr. Stone has been somewhat misjudged, and those who knew him best testify to numerous acts of benevolence which he did in that quiet and unostentatious manner characteristic of himself.

The deceased gentleman leaves a family of nine sons and daughters all married. Two of his sons died a few years ago at the ages of 25 and 29. The eldest son is Mr O. B. Stone of the present firm of Stone Bros. and the youngest Mr Arthur Stone, of Messrs. Stone and Yates of Sydney. Of children and grandchildren Mr Stone leaves sixty all told, most of whom are well known throughout Auckland and who sincerely mourn the loss of he who has been to all a good father and a generous guardian. Although the deceased had given up active business for about two years past, he may be said to have almost "died in harness," for four weeks ago he was present at two meetings of directors in town. He was an energetic and successful man throughout life and has left footprints which mark a useful and remarkable career which calls forth admiration from all

Captain James Stone and his wife Louisa Rawlings are buried in Symonds Street cemetery, Auckland.

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NVDK-BC3 : accessed 24 February 2015), Captain James Stone, 26 Jan 1817; citing Stepney, Middlesex, England, reference ; FHL microfilm 597,604.
2. ↑ New Zealand Herald, New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6290, 14 January 1882
3. ↑ "Australia, Tasmania, Civil Registration, 1803-1933," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q279-9YGP : 3 October 2018), Captain James Stone and Louisa Rawlings, 1 Mar 1838; citing Marriage 1 Mar 1838, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, line #8301, Archives Office of Tasmania, H

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:3CXF-L5V : accessed 2016-09-12), entry for Captain James /STONE/

• http://lockington.me/desc_of_stones.htm