Edward Marsh Williams
| Edward Marsh Williams | |
|---|---|
| Native Land Court | |
|
In office 29 April 1881 – 1891 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 November 1818 Hampstead, London |
| Died | 11 October 1909 (aged 90) Te Aute, Hawkes Bay |
| Spouse(s) | Jane Davis |
| Parents | Henry Williams, Marianne Williams |
| Religion | Anglican |
Edward Marsh Williams (2 November 1818 in Hampstead, London – 11 October 1909) was a missionary, interpreter, and judge who played a significant role in the British colonization of New Zealand. He was the eldest son of Archdeacon Henry Williams and Marianne Williams.
At the age of 22 in 1840, when Captain William Hobson arrived in New Zealand, Edward — who had grown up among the Māori at Paihia, and as a result was fluent in Te Reo and understood Māori culture — helped his father translate the Treaty of Waitangi into Te Reo. Edward was appointed by Lieutenant Governor Hobson as government interpreter, Clerk to the Court, and the first postmaster at Auckland. Edward was appointed to judicial positions: as Resident Magistrate for the Bay of Islands and in 1881 Edward was appointed a judge of the Native Land Court (which became the Māori Land Court) of New Zealand.
Williams translated into Māori over 210 hymns and also The Pilgrim's Progress. He drew HMS Herald in Sylvan Cove, Stewart Island / Rakiura in 1840.
Williams arrived with his parents at the Paihia, Bay of Islands, in July 1823 aboard the ship Brampton. He was educated in the CMS mission school by his mother and his aunt, Jane Williams, and by other members of the CMS mission.
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