November 1866
November 1866I have never been far away from my mother, and today I pack up my clothes and my children’s clothes to set sail on a ship across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. David has been talking about going to New Zealand since we met, but until now, until today, it was an abstract concept. Now it is real. I will say goodbye to my mother and two of my sisters. Our family which has been through so much, is being even further fragmented.
We delayed our departure until William George was old enough to walk, and until David had reassurance from his brothers in New Zealand that the New Zealand Wars were finished. He told me we are going to the South Island, and the battles were on the North Island, but I was reluctant to go until he was certain.
I know Mama is desperately sad
