William Thomas & Family

This 300 year family history covers 12 generations of the THOMAS family of Devon and New Zealand and specifically details the life of William Thomas, born in Devon, who came to New Zealand (aged 6) with his brother John and parents John and Jane Thomas, arriving in 1854. His father erected the Star Flour Mill on the Oakley Creek in Auckland and this was operated by the family until 1876. William married Eliza McKay and they had 14 children... 10 of whom went on to marry and raise families. William and family lived at Waterview in Auckland, Allenton in Ashburton, and at Ngawapurua near Woodville. He retired as a farmer and brick-maker at New Lynn in Auckland. William and Eliza's descendants now live throughout New Zealand. The main family surnames are: Thomas (x4), Sowry (x2), Dove (x2), Gardner and Hawken. Older generations include Carrie, Close, Coates, Earl, Griffiths, Hill, James, Ladbrook, McKay, Wilmshurst and Woods. With over 700 descendants of William and Eliza Thomas there is a great many other surnames listed in the Index of Family Trees.