Who is Abel Tasman?: Dutch Explorer
Abel Janszoon Tasman (1603?-1659), mariner, was born at Lutjegast, near Groningen, in the Netherlands. He received a sufficient education to enable him to express his ideas clearly in writing and to become a skilled navigator. He married Claesgie Meyndrix, by whom he had a daughter. After his wife died, he married Joanna Tiercx in January 1632. Soon afterwards, as a sailor before the mast, he sailed for the East Indies, where he was a first mate in February and a skipper in May 1634. In that year in a minor exploration he had a narrow escape from death, when in an incautious landing several of his companions were massacred by people of Ceram. After spending some time in warlike and
anti-smuggling operations he returned to Holland in 1637. He sailed for the Indies again in 1638 as skipper of a flute, taking his wife with him. From the outset he was treated as one of the most reliable skippers there. He was at first employed in military and trading voyages, but in 1639 was appointed second-in-command, under Quast, of two ships which set out in June to find islands believed to lie east of Japan. He returned in November from this search. Despite a disastrous death-toll on it, he offered to repeat the search, but was sent instead on trading voyages to Japan and Cambodia.
In 1642 he was appointed to command two ships to explore southern and eastern waters. Sailing in August he discovered Van Diemen's Land, New Zealand, the Tonga Islands and some of the Fiji group, and re-explored part of the north coast of New Guinea. On his return to Batavia in June 1643 he was chosen to take part in an expedition to form a settlement in the Tonga Islands from which the Chilean coast was to be raided; while this expedition was preparing, he was ordered to find whether there was a passage into the South Sea between Carpentaria and De Witt's Land. For this purpose he set out with three vessels at the end of January 1644 and, following the coasts from Cape Valsche round to Cape Cloates, satisfied himself that, except perhaps at Endeavour Strait, there was no passage. He was rewarded after his return in August 1644 by confirmation in the grade of commandeur, with a substantial increase in pay dated back to the beginning of his voyage in 1642.
The plan to raid Chile was abandoned, and Tasman was appointed to the Council of Justice at Batavia. In mid-1647 he was sent on a mission to the King of Siam and was granted precedence over all Dutchmen in the kingdom. After that mission, he was given command of a fleet of eight vessels which sailed in May 1648 against the Spaniards. His conduct in this operation was unsatisfactory and, after his return in January 1649, proceedings were taken against him for having, when inflamed by liquor, treated one of his sailors in a barbarous way; as a result he was removed from office during the governor-general's pleasure. He was formally reinstated in January 1651, but not long afterwards retired from the service and became a merchant in Batavia. He died there in affluent circumstances in 1659. His daughter by his first marriage had married first Philip Heylman, and later Jacob Bremer. In 1661 permission was given for his widow to marry Jan Meyndert Springer.
Tasman was a member of the Reformed Church. He was a brave and energetic mariner, a humane and properly cautious explorer, and a conspicuously able commander, though over-hasty on one occasion at least. Reflections which have been cast upon his courage are the fruit of ignorance. There are two supposed portraits of him: one owned by the Royal Commonwealth Society in London, the other in the National Library in Canberra.
J. W. Forsyth, 'Tasman, Abel Janszoon (1603–1659)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/tasman-abel-janszoon-2716/text3823, accessed 16 December 2013.
-Palaki Liava'a
Abel Janszoon Tasman (1603?-1659), mariner, was born at Lutjegast, near Groningen, in the Netherlands. He received a sufficient education to enable him to express his ideas clearly in writing and to become a skilled navigator. He married Claesgie Meyndrix, by whom he had a daughter. After his wife died, he married Joanna Tiercx in January 1632. Soon afterwards, as a sailor before the mast, he sailed for the East Indies, where he was a first mate in February and a skipper in May 1634. In that year in a minor exploration he had a narrow escape from death, when in an incautious landing several of his companions were massacred by people of Ceram. After spending some time in warlike and
anti-smuggling operations he returned to Holland in 1637. He sailed for the Indies again in 1638 as skipper of a flute, taking his wife with him. From the outset he was treated as one of the most reliable skippers there. He was at first employed in military and trading voyages, but in 1639 was appointed second-in-command, under Quast, of two ships which set out in June to find islands believed to lie east of Japan. He returned in November from this search. Despite a disastrous death-toll on it, he offered to repeat the search, but was sent instead on trading voyages to Japan and Cambodia.
In 1642 he was appointed to command two ships to explore southern and eastern waters. Sailing in August he discovered Van Diemen's Land, New Zealand, the Tonga Islands and some of the Fiji group, and re-explored part of the north coast of New Guinea. On his return to Batavia in June 1643 he was chosen to take part in an expedition to form a settlement in the Tonga Islands from which the Chilean coast was to be raided; while this expedition was preparing, he was ordered to find whether there was a passage into the South Sea between Carpentaria and De Witt's Land. For this purpose he set out with three vessels at the end of January 1644 and, following the coasts from Cape Valsche round to Cape Cloates, satisfied himself that, except perhaps at Endeavour Strait, there was no passage. He was rewarded after his return in August 1644 by confirmation in the grade of commandeur, with a substantial increase in pay dated back to the beginning of his voyage in 1642.
The plan to raid Chile was abandoned, and Tasman was appointed to the Council of Justice at Batavia. In mid-1647 he was sent on a mission to the King of Siam and was granted precedence over all Dutchmen in the kingdom. After that mission, he was given command of a fleet of eight vessels which sailed in May 1648 against the Spaniards. His conduct in this operation was unsatisfactory and, after his return in January 1649, proceedings were taken against him for having, when inflamed by liquor, treated one of his sailors in a barbarous way; as a result he was removed from office during the governor-general's pleasure. He was formally reinstated in January 1651, but not long afterwards retired from the service and became a merchant in Batavia. He died there in affluent circumstances in 1659. His daughter by his first marriage had married first Philip Heylman, and later Jacob Bremer. In 1661 permission was given for his widow to marry Jan Meyndert Springer.
Tasman was a member of the Reformed Church. He was a brave and energetic mariner, a humane and properly cautious explorer, and a conspicuously able commander, though over-hasty on one occasion at least. Reflections which have been cast upon his courage are the fruit of ignorance. There are two supposed portraits of him: one owned by the Royal Commonwealth Society in London, the other in the National Library in Canberra.
J. W. Forsyth, 'Tasman, Abel Janszoon (1603–1659)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/tasman-abel-janszoon-2716/text3823, accessed 16 December 2013.
-Palaki Liava'a
Who is Cpt. James Cook?: English Explorer
James Cooke, a navigator, was born on the 27th of October in Yorkshire, New England. His father was a Scottish laborer and his mother a house wife. Before he was a navigator he was under the apprenticeship of John Walker, a Quaker coal-shipper in Witsbey. Under his apprenticeship was where he picked up his mathematics and navigation skills, and after three years Walker offered him command but instead he went to the H.M.S Eagle. Within a month under the Eagle, he had already become the Masters mate. After 2 years on the channel, he was transferred to the Pembroke and promoted Master which later on navigated across the Atlantic.
'Cook, James (1728–1779)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cook-james-1917/text2279, accessed 14 December 2013.
It wasn’t until October in the year of 1773 on Cooks 2nd journey did he reach the Islands of Tongatapu. When he first arrived he was welcomed a shore with a crowd of men and women, none of which had a stick or
spear in their hands. The people of Tonga welcomed Cook with unwavering hospitality which was how Cook established their AKA; the Friendly Islands. On
his third and final journey, Cook had decided to revisit Tonga and was again welcomed with open arms, that was until Finau; one of the natives, had plotted to kill Cook and his men to lute the ship. Luckily Cook and his men were able to escape from the islands just in time, but only to Hawaii where he was later on killed by the Hawaiian natives in the year of 1779.
‘A Cooks tour of Tonga’, Captain Cook Society,http://www.captaincooksociety.com/home/detail/a-cook-s-tour-of-tonga, accessed December 13, 2013
James Cooke, a navigator, was born on the 27th of October in Yorkshire, New England. His father was a Scottish laborer and his mother a house wife. Before he was a navigator he was under the apprenticeship of John Walker, a Quaker coal-shipper in Witsbey. Under his apprenticeship was where he picked up his mathematics and navigation skills, and after three years Walker offered him command but instead he went to the H.M.S Eagle. Within a month under the Eagle, he had already become the Masters mate. After 2 years on the channel, he was transferred to the Pembroke and promoted Master which later on navigated across the Atlantic.
'Cook, James (1728–1779)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cook-james-1917/text2279, accessed 14 December 2013.
It wasn’t until October in the year of 1773 on Cooks 2nd journey did he reach the Islands of Tongatapu. When he first arrived he was welcomed a shore with a crowd of men and women, none of which had a stick or
spear in their hands. The people of Tonga welcomed Cook with unwavering hospitality which was how Cook established their AKA; the Friendly Islands. On
his third and final journey, Cook had decided to revisit Tonga and was again welcomed with open arms, that was until Finau; one of the natives, had plotted to kill Cook and his men to lute the ship. Luckily Cook and his men were able to escape from the islands just in time, but only to Hawaii where he was later on killed by the Hawaiian natives in the year of 1779.
‘A Cooks tour of Tonga’, Captain Cook Society,http://www.captaincooksociety.com/home/detail/a-cook-s-tour-of-tonga, accessed December 13, 2013
Who is Siaosi ( George) Tupou I?: King of Tonga
King Siaosi the first was his Tongan name, but he was known as King George which was after King George the 3rd of England. King Siaosi was known as the founder of Tonga, but his desire was to be the 17th Tu’i Kanokupola and was denied by the high chiefs of Tonga because of his parents history. Before the death of his father in 1820, he was named the Tu’i Haʻapai; at his baptism in 1831 he had already declared himself King George. He later on named Nukuʻalofa the capital of his kingdom and reined from then on. He was a great leader who adopted Tonga politically and converted
the people of Tonga to Christianity. He later on died after swimming in front of his palace(1893), he was then buried in the new royal cemetery, Malaʻekula. He outlived his sons and his elders, then next king was a son of his daughter.
‘George Tupou, King of Tonga’, Find a grave memorial, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=92345419, accessed December 13, 2013
King Siaosi the first was his Tongan name, but he was known as King George which was after King George the 3rd of England. King Siaosi was known as the founder of Tonga, but his desire was to be the 17th Tu’i Kanokupola and was denied by the high chiefs of Tonga because of his parents history. Before the death of his father in 1820, he was named the Tu’i Haʻapai; at his baptism in 1831 he had already declared himself King George. He later on named Nukuʻalofa the capital of his kingdom and reined from then on. He was a great leader who adopted Tonga politically and converted
the people of Tonga to Christianity. He later on died after swimming in front of his palace(1893), he was then buried in the new royal cemetery, Malaʻekula. He outlived his sons and his elders, then next king was a son of his daughter.
‘George Tupou, King of Tonga’, Find a grave memorial, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=92345419, accessed December 13, 2013
Who is Jules Dumont d'Urville?
Dumont was born on the 23rd of May, 1790 in Normandy, France. He was the son of Gabriel Charles François Dumont d'Urville who was a judge and heir to many lands. Him and his family were forced to move due to the French revolution war in 1793. After two years of traveling they finally settled in Caen, and shortly after, his father had passed away.
He hadn’t had much education so he was tutored by his uncle Father Jean Jacques François de Croisilles and received a scholarship at the age of 14. Later on he came to marry he married Adèle Dorothée Pepin and had four kids,
none of which survived to adulthood. At the age of 17, Jules established himself as a candidate for the navy and entered with the rank of a midshipman.
Later on in 1812 he was promoted to ensign. In 1820, he was sent on his first voyage to the eastern Mediterranean and in two years he had privately published Enumeratio Plantarum, a study he had written of the Botanical Specimens he came across in the Eastern Mediterranean. He was responsible for securing the statue of Venus de Milo for France and was later on promoted to a lieutenant. On 25 April 1826 he was finally promoted to the title of a commander and
sailed to the Islands of New Zealand for political purposes. When he returned to France in December 1840, he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and received a Gold medal of the Société de Géographie for his works in the South Pacific. On that same year he, his wife and and only surviving son had all
passed away in a tragic railroad accident. (1790-1842)
‘Dumont d'Urville, Jules Sébastien César’, TE ARA,
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/en/biographies/1d19/dumont-durville-jules-sebastien-cesar, accessed December 13,2013
Dumont was born on the 23rd of May, 1790 in Normandy, France. He was the son of Gabriel Charles François Dumont d'Urville who was a judge and heir to many lands. Him and his family were forced to move due to the French revolution war in 1793. After two years of traveling they finally settled in Caen, and shortly after, his father had passed away.
He hadn’t had much education so he was tutored by his uncle Father Jean Jacques François de Croisilles and received a scholarship at the age of 14. Later on he came to marry he married Adèle Dorothée Pepin and had four kids,
none of which survived to adulthood. At the age of 17, Jules established himself as a candidate for the navy and entered with the rank of a midshipman.
Later on in 1812 he was promoted to ensign. In 1820, he was sent on his first voyage to the eastern Mediterranean and in two years he had privately published Enumeratio Plantarum, a study he had written of the Botanical Specimens he came across in the Eastern Mediterranean. He was responsible for securing the statue of Venus de Milo for France and was later on promoted to a lieutenant. On 25 April 1826 he was finally promoted to the title of a commander and
sailed to the Islands of New Zealand for political purposes. When he returned to France in December 1840, he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and received a Gold medal of the Société de Géographie for his works in the South Pacific. On that same year he, his wife and and only surviving son had all
passed away in a tragic railroad accident. (1790-1842)
‘Dumont d'Urville, Jules Sébastien César’, TE ARA,
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/en/biographies/1d19/dumont-durville-jules-sebastien-cesar, accessed December 13,2013
Who is Shirley Waldemar Baker?: Missionary (Wesleyan)
Shirley Waldemar Baker was born in London on 1836, his father was a clergyman at the Church of England, and his mom was the daughter of a Wesleyan minister. Before he was a missionary and the premier of Tonga, he was a help in a farm. In 1855 he was appointed to be a teacher in a Wesleyan school in Old Post Office Hill. Later on he got married to women named Elizabeth Powell in 1859. In 1860 he offered himself to be a missionary for the Wesleyan church, he was later on appointed to mission in Tonga. Baker immediately won the trust of King George Tupou upon his arrival; he later on eventually became the king’s advisor in which he was responsible for many of the kingdoms laws. But Baker failed to win the esteem of his brother missionaries, and their oppositions. His wife became ill and Baker was forced to return to Sydney. He was later on named
chairman of the Tongan missionary district for his work in Tonga. On his return to Tonga in 1869, he resumed his term as the Kings Advisor and advocated ecclesiastical independence for the Tongan mission. In 1880 he resigned from the
Wesleyan church and became a full time Premier for the King. When the King died, Bakers influenced had died with him. In Bakers last years he made living dispensing medicinal nostrums to the Tongans in Haʻapai, he later died in November 1903.
-Samson Mavea
Shirley Waldemar Baker was born in London on 1836, his father was a clergyman at the Church of England, and his mom was the daughter of a Wesleyan minister. Before he was a missionary and the premier of Tonga, he was a help in a farm. In 1855 he was appointed to be a teacher in a Wesleyan school in Old Post Office Hill. Later on he got married to women named Elizabeth Powell in 1859. In 1860 he offered himself to be a missionary for the Wesleyan church, he was later on appointed to mission in Tonga. Baker immediately won the trust of King George Tupou upon his arrival; he later on eventually became the king’s advisor in which he was responsible for many of the kingdoms laws. But Baker failed to win the esteem of his brother missionaries, and their oppositions. His wife became ill and Baker was forced to return to Sydney. He was later on named
chairman of the Tongan missionary district for his work in Tonga. On his return to Tonga in 1869, he resumed his term as the Kings Advisor and advocated ecclesiastical independence for the Tongan mission. In 1880 he resigned from the
Wesleyan church and became a full time Premier for the King. When the King died, Bakers influenced had died with him. In Bakers last years he made living dispensing medicinal nostrums to the Tongans in Haʻapai, he later died in November 1903.
-Samson Mavea
Who is John Williams?
John Williams (1796-1839), missionary, was born on 27 June 1796 at Tottenham High Cross, London, the son of John Williams and Hannah Maidment. His ancestors on his father's side had been Baptists for many generations. His
mother was influenced by the Calvinistic Methodist movement and brought her son up as a Congregationalist. Williams was taught writing and arithmetic at Lower Edmonton; he was apprenticed to an ironmonger in 1810 and was soon entrusted with the management of the business. In 1814 he underwent an Evangelical conversion and became a member of the Tabernacle Church (Calvinistic Methodist). He was taught grammar and exegesis by Rev. Matthew Wilks and in 1816 volunteered for missionary service with the London Missionary Society. Williams was accepted and on 3 September 1816 was ordained at Surrey Chapel. On 29 October 1816 he married Mary Chauner, formerly of Denston Hall, near Cheadle, Staffordshire. Williams, Robert Bourne (1794-1871), David Darling (1790-1867), and George Platt (1789-1865) formed the third party of missionaries to arrive in the islands after the nominal conversion of Tahiti in 1815. They sailed in November 1816 and were joined by Rev. Lancelot Threlkeld at Rio de Janeiro. They arrived at Hobart Town in March 1817 and held the first Evangelical service conducted in Van Diemen's Land, Williams defying opposition by preaching in the open air. In May the party arrived in Sydney where already an itinerant Evangelical ministry had been established by earlier missionaries. William Ellis (1794-1872), who arrived in July 1816, had visited the 'interior', conducted regular services based on Parramatta, taught reading and writing in a Sunday school at Prospect, and set up the mission press in the home of Rowland Hassall.
When Ellis left for Tahiti this work was carried on by John Muggridge Orsmond (1788-1856) and Charles Barff (1792-1866) who had arrived in the Surry in December 1816. Orsmond and Barff had taught many of the young Irish convicts to read and write and Barff continued this work in the country districts after Orsmond went to the islands in February 1817. Orsmond later returned briefly to New South Wales, and on 25 December 1819 married Isabella, daughter of Isaac Nelson, an emancipist farmer and the first schoolteacher at Liverpool. Orsmond was better educated than most visiting missionaries, and studied with the family of Dr. William Redfern. He later became principal of the South Sea Academy in Moorea, and as a Polynesian scholar and educationist influenced John Dunmore Lang.
Niel Gunson, 'Williams, John (1796–1839)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/williams-john-2793/text3981, accessed 16 December 2013.
John Williams (1796-1839), missionary, was born on 27 June 1796 at Tottenham High Cross, London, the son of John Williams and Hannah Maidment. His ancestors on his father's side had been Baptists for many generations. His
mother was influenced by the Calvinistic Methodist movement and brought her son up as a Congregationalist. Williams was taught writing and arithmetic at Lower Edmonton; he was apprenticed to an ironmonger in 1810 and was soon entrusted with the management of the business. In 1814 he underwent an Evangelical conversion and became a member of the Tabernacle Church (Calvinistic Methodist). He was taught grammar and exegesis by Rev. Matthew Wilks and in 1816 volunteered for missionary service with the London Missionary Society. Williams was accepted and on 3 September 1816 was ordained at Surrey Chapel. On 29 October 1816 he married Mary Chauner, formerly of Denston Hall, near Cheadle, Staffordshire. Williams, Robert Bourne (1794-1871), David Darling (1790-1867), and George Platt (1789-1865) formed the third party of missionaries to arrive in the islands after the nominal conversion of Tahiti in 1815. They sailed in November 1816 and were joined by Rev. Lancelot Threlkeld at Rio de Janeiro. They arrived at Hobart Town in March 1817 and held the first Evangelical service conducted in Van Diemen's Land, Williams defying opposition by preaching in the open air. In May the party arrived in Sydney where already an itinerant Evangelical ministry had been established by earlier missionaries. William Ellis (1794-1872), who arrived in July 1816, had visited the 'interior', conducted regular services based on Parramatta, taught reading and writing in a Sunday school at Prospect, and set up the mission press in the home of Rowland Hassall.
When Ellis left for Tahiti this work was carried on by John Muggridge Orsmond (1788-1856) and Charles Barff (1792-1866) who had arrived in the Surry in December 1816. Orsmond and Barff had taught many of the young Irish convicts to read and write and Barff continued this work in the country districts after Orsmond went to the islands in February 1817. Orsmond later returned briefly to New South Wales, and on 25 December 1819 married Isabella, daughter of Isaac Nelson, an emancipist farmer and the first schoolteacher at Liverpool. Orsmond was better educated than most visiting missionaries, and studied with the family of Dr. William Redfern. He later became principal of the South Sea Academy in Moorea, and as a Polynesian scholar and educationist influenced John Dunmore Lang.
Niel Gunson, 'Williams, John (1796–1839)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/williams-john-2793/text3981, accessed 16 December 2013.
Who is Brigham Smoot?: Missionary (LDS)
An American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1847 until his death in 1877. He founded Salt Lake City and he served as the first governor of the Utah Territory, United States. Young also led the findings of the precursors to the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. Young had a variety of nicknames, among the most popular being "American Moses" (alternatively, the "Modern Moses" or the "Mormon Moses"), because, like the biblical figure, Young led his followers, the Mormon pioneers, in an
exodus through a desert, to what they saw as a promised land. Young was dubbed by his followers the "Lion of the Lord" for his bold personality, and was also commonly called "Brother Brigham" by Latter-day Saints. Young was a polygamist and was involved in controversies regarding black people and the Priesthood, the Utah War, and the
Mountain Meadows massacre.
An American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1847 until his death in 1877. He founded Salt Lake City and he served as the first governor of the Utah Territory, United States. Young also led the findings of the precursors to the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. Young had a variety of nicknames, among the most popular being "American Moses" (alternatively, the "Modern Moses" or the "Mormon Moses"), because, like the biblical figure, Young led his followers, the Mormon pioneers, in an
exodus through a desert, to what they saw as a promised land. Young was dubbed by his followers the "Lion of the Lord" for his bold personality, and was also commonly called "Brother Brigham" by Latter-day Saints. Young was a polygamist and was involved in controversies regarding black people and the Priesthood, the Utah War, and the
Mountain Meadows massacre.
Who is Willem Schouten?: Dutch Explorer
Willem Cornelisz Schouten (1567-1625, Antongil Bay) was a Dutch navigator.
In 1615 Willem Cornelisz Schouten and Jacob le Maire sailed from Texel in the Netherlands, in command of an expedition sponsored by the Australische Compagnie whose objective was to evade the trade restrictions of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) by finding a new route to the Pacific and the Spice Islands. In 1616 he rounded Cape Horn, which he named for his birthplace, the Dutch city of Hoorn. He followed the north coasts of New Ireland and New GuineaSchouten Islands. and visited adjacent islands, including what became known as the
Although he had opened an unknown route, the VOC claimed infringement of its monopoly of trade to the Spice Islands. Schouten was arrested (and later released) and his ship confiscated in Java. On his return he would sail again for the VOC,
and on one of these trips he died of the coast of Madagascar. He was buried in the Noorderkerk in Hoorn. Schouten described his travels in his Journal, Dutch edition in Amsterdam in 1618 but soon translated into several
other languages.
Willem Cornelisz Schouten (1567-1625, Antongil Bay) was a Dutch navigator.
In 1615 Willem Cornelisz Schouten and Jacob le Maire sailed from Texel in the Netherlands, in command of an expedition sponsored by the Australische Compagnie whose objective was to evade the trade restrictions of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) by finding a new route to the Pacific and the Spice Islands. In 1616 he rounded Cape Horn, which he named for his birthplace, the Dutch city of Hoorn. He followed the north coasts of New Ireland and New GuineaSchouten Islands. and visited adjacent islands, including what became known as the
Although he had opened an unknown route, the VOC claimed infringement of its monopoly of trade to the Spice Islands. Schouten was arrested (and later released) and his ship confiscated in Java. On his return he would sail again for the VOC,
and on one of these trips he died of the coast of Madagascar. He was buried in the Noorderkerk in Hoorn. Schouten described his travels in his Journal, Dutch edition in Amsterdam in 1618 but soon translated into several
other languages.
Who is Jacob Lemaire?: Dutch Explorer
Jacob Le Maire (c. 1585, Antwerp or Amsterdam - December 22, 1616, at sea) was a Dutch mariner who circumnavigated the earth in 1615 and 1616. The strait between Tierra del Fuego was named the Le Maire Strait in his honor, though not without controversy. It was Le Maire himself who proposed to the council aboard Eendracht that the new passage should be called by his name and the
council unanimously agreed with Le Maire.
Jacob Le Maire (c. 1585, Antwerp or Amsterdam - December 22, 1616, at sea) was a Dutch mariner who circumnavigated the earth in 1615 and 1616. The strait between Tierra del Fuego was named the Le Maire Strait in his honor, though not without controversy. It was Le Maire himself who proposed to the council aboard Eendracht that the new passage should be called by his name and the
council unanimously agreed with Le Maire.
-Lose Moala
Who Is Walter Lawry?: Missionary (Methodist)
Walter Lawry was born on august 3, 1793 in Rutheren Sydney, Australia near Bodmin Cornwall. He came to be a colleague of Reverend Samuel Leigh and worked in Parramatta. Later on he was engaged to his girlfriend Marry who would give birth to his first born son. He was a well trusted man of religion, everyone in the town usually turned to him for their religious needs and life advice. He was ordained by the Methodist conference in 1817 and become chaplain on the convict ship (Lady Castlereagh) which arrived in Sydney in the first of May 1818. In Parramatta Sydney Walter organized the first society, founded the first Sunday school and built the first chapel. You could say he was the God Father of Parramatta; he literally influenced its whole society, church and culture.
Walter Lawry’s life in Tonga was of course troublesome and exhausting, not only did he have to adjust to the Native language and norms, they were also not used to the conditions of the Island. Their resources were very scarce and communication with the conference in England was faint. Walter Lawry and his family only lasted a little over a year; they left the Tongan Islands on October 1823 and returned to Sydney Australia without completing his mission. It is unclear why Walter Lawry and his family “:really” left Tonga, A twentieth century commentator writes, “Eventually the opposition of the traditional Tongan priests and the Tongan people was so strong, and constant threats to kill the missionary’s so affected Mrs. Lawry’s health that Walter Lawry decided to abandon the mission”( S.Latukefu, 1974:27-28). Another twentieth century wrote “Mr. Lawry was received and given land by Fatu, son of Mulika’amea and the father of the first Tu'i, but the heathen Tongan priests persuaded the Tongan people to oppose him and even made plots against his life. These circumstances, with the constant irritation caused by the natives stealing, affected Mrs. Lawry’s spirits and health to such extents that Mr. Lawry felt obliged to leave”. (A: Woods, 1932:44)
There were many reasons and theory’s why Walter Lawry did not complete his mission, whether it’d be the death threats from the islanders or the
inability to adapt to the Island lifestyle, one thing is for sure, Walter Lawry was part of the first ever wave of missionaries which paved the way for future
missionaries to journey to the Islands of Tonga, and influence the native people.
“Rev. Walter Lawry, Methodist Minister, Missionary in Tonga”. AutopostalHistory.com.200-2013. December 7, 2013.
Dr. Charles F. Urbanomicz. “Christian Missionaries in the Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga’s Late 18th and early 19th century Activities”. Csuchico.edu.15 August 2003 by cfu. December 6 2013
-Samson Maeva
Walter Lawry was born on august 3, 1793 in Rutheren Sydney, Australia near Bodmin Cornwall. He came to be a colleague of Reverend Samuel Leigh and worked in Parramatta. Later on he was engaged to his girlfriend Marry who would give birth to his first born son. He was a well trusted man of religion, everyone in the town usually turned to him for their religious needs and life advice. He was ordained by the Methodist conference in 1817 and become chaplain on the convict ship (Lady Castlereagh) which arrived in Sydney in the first of May 1818. In Parramatta Sydney Walter organized the first society, founded the first Sunday school and built the first chapel. You could say he was the God Father of Parramatta; he literally influenced its whole society, church and culture.
Walter Lawry’s life in Tonga was of course troublesome and exhausting, not only did he have to adjust to the Native language and norms, they were also not used to the conditions of the Island. Their resources were very scarce and communication with the conference in England was faint. Walter Lawry and his family only lasted a little over a year; they left the Tongan Islands on October 1823 and returned to Sydney Australia without completing his mission. It is unclear why Walter Lawry and his family “:really” left Tonga, A twentieth century commentator writes, “Eventually the opposition of the traditional Tongan priests and the Tongan people was so strong, and constant threats to kill the missionary’s so affected Mrs. Lawry’s health that Walter Lawry decided to abandon the mission”( S.Latukefu, 1974:27-28). Another twentieth century wrote “Mr. Lawry was received and given land by Fatu, son of Mulika’amea and the father of the first Tu'i, but the heathen Tongan priests persuaded the Tongan people to oppose him and even made plots against his life. These circumstances, with the constant irritation caused by the natives stealing, affected Mrs. Lawry’s spirits and health to such extents that Mr. Lawry felt obliged to leave”. (A: Woods, 1932:44)
There were many reasons and theory’s why Walter Lawry did not complete his mission, whether it’d be the death threats from the islanders or the
inability to adapt to the Island lifestyle, one thing is for sure, Walter Lawry was part of the first ever wave of missionaries which paved the way for future
missionaries to journey to the Islands of Tonga, and influence the native people.
“Rev. Walter Lawry, Methodist Minister, Missionary in Tonga”. AutopostalHistory.com.200-2013. December 7, 2013.
Dr. Charles F. Urbanomicz. “Christian Missionaries in the Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga’s Late 18th and early 19th century Activities”. Csuchico.edu.15 August 2003 by cfu. December 6 2013
-Samson Maeva