1825: Escape of the Kendalls
January 7, 2021
By AHNZ
Thomas Kendall was New Zealand’s first (first equal with Hall) Missionary.“The experience of the Bain family must be quite a lot like that of Thomas Kendall’s family in the 1820s on their Mission to the Bay of Islands. Without the incredible, wilful, muscular, sense of self of a Henry Williams or a George Selwyn you’re likely to go native.
“Contrary to the youthful ideals of Bain and Kendall, the native they sought to convert had a very powerful sense of self. They knew who they were and it was their society and their home territory, their historical inertia that the Missionary Man sought to stand within the tide of and try to direct its course. Who is more likely to be seduced or converted by whom?”- 1994: “They’re dead, they’re all dead.”
“Instead, it blew up in Marsden’s face dramatically. Kendall went rogue.”- 1838: Fanatical Flogger Founding Father Falls
“Ngapuhi returned to find their creature gone”- p162, Binny (1963)
The Kendalls escaped Maori captivity on 31 January, 1825, and set up the vast estate of Kendall Dale in New South Wales in 1827. Thomas died 5ys later but his descendent constructed a homestead still standing today. Though it has been in their family ever since, they decided to sell Kendall Dale in 2019.
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Image ref. Historic Kendall Dale homestead at Yatte Yattah up for sale; South Coaster (2019)
Ref. The Legacy of Guilt, J.Binny (1963)
2 thoughts on "1825: Escape of the Kendalls"
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Kendall is my favourite Missionary. Have you read his writings on the spiritual beliefs of the Maori, they are quite deep and mystic, he expressed them in a letter to Pratt if my memory serves me well. His running off with a Tohunga’s daughter to a cove a few miles from Hohi was probably where he got that insight.
Definitely the Missionaries were kept on a short lead by Hongi, Kendall mentions in his writing that he wanted to do a visit to Hokianga, Hongi said no…end of story. Hongi thought Christianity was only a religion suitable for slaves….ha!
Definitely the missionaries were kept their only at Hongi’s leisure, to serve his purposes.
Only touched on his writings but I think the best ones are lost, possibly at sea. Interesting to note that it was Mrs Kendall who cheated on her husband before he did the same in return! Might write about that one day but I think Williams has to be my number 1 guy as will become clear with The Gate Incident.