Information from Graeme Kenyon, whose great grandfather was James George Kenyon b.1861 whose second wife was Ada Oliver b.1864, daughter of Samuel Oliver b.1833.

Graeme writes that William Wilson, “came out from Glasgow as a young man in 1856. He settled in New Plymouth, married Jane Hawke and raised a large family”.

Graeme also writes that William Wilson arrived in New Plymouth, “having walked all the way from Wellington and married Jane Hawke in 1857 at the Hawke’s home in Grey Block. It is likely that the Olivers had moved to Carrington Rd (which is in Grey Block) by then. Anyway, the marriage certificate of William Wilson and Jane Hawke records that one of the witnesses was William Oliver”.

“The list of men qualified and liable to serve as jurors, for New Plymouth, in 1857/58 has William Oliver, cordwainer, living at Carrington Rd. A consideration of ages shows this is quite possibly the son of James Oliver, and also the man who appeared as a witness at the marriage of William Wilson and Jane Hawke in 1857. Note that Jane Hawke’s father was also a cordwainer by trade”.

Brian of nzolivers.com notes that a cordwainer is a shoemaker who makes fine soft leather shoes and other luxury footwear articles.