From Moira Draper 1 November 2000
Sponsors at baptism were James Higgins and Cate McCarthy.
James immigrated to New Zealand early in 1865 with his sister Mary. (National Archives Ref HB Herald 25748.)
James nominated three people from Ireland to New Zealand in 1873. From records held at the Hawke's Bay Museum at Napier: "James Lawton 50 yrs Blacksmith, Mary Lawton 35 yrs, and Michael Lawton 28 yrs Blacksmith. Address: Castle Martar, Lady Bridge, County Cork. Nominator James Lawton. Date 11 November 1873."
National Archives 30 September 1999:
"AD 32/1016 AD 36/3 3510 James LAWTON Private Napier Militia Omaranui 1866.
New Zealand War Medal Register:
No. 3510 LAWTON James Frasertown Hawke's Bay No. 4 Coy H.B. Militia
Actions Omaranui 1866-1869 Maori War Claim 981"
James Lawton applied for and received in 1914 the New Zealand War Medal for services rendered with the No. 4 Company Hawke's Bay Militia. He was present and under fire at Omarunui between 1866 and 1869. The engagement under fire taking the Omaranui Pa was in October 1866. His great granddaughter Pemla Davis of Clyde Road, Wairoa, has the New Zealand Medal.
James was listed as a farmer on many documents during his early days in Taradale. Sometime after his wife Sarah's death he moved to Frasertown Wairoa. From the minutes of the Wairoa County Council's meeting of March 1889: "Resolution that maintenance of roads be carried out in future by placing reliable men on sections of roads at a remuneration of 35 shillings per week." At the April meeting of April 1889 one of the appointments was: "James Lawton - from Dead Horse Creek to Hikawai and from the Junction Hotel to the small bridge West of Mr Elliott's woolshed. Manutawhiorangi, Waikaremoana Road, including whard cutting, and streets in Frasertown."
"MUSKETS & MARSHES" by Laraine Knight includes this story about James Lawton, but unfortunately the name has been misspelled as Laughton. It was printed in the Hawke's Bay Times of the day.
George Rymer had only one eye. He lost the other after going into the Taradale Hotel, raising his glass, and consigning the Pope to Hell, without first checking the company in the bar. His eye was knocked out by a flying glass. James Lawton was sentenced to six months imprisonment on 8 December 1873 for the assault on Mr Rymer. When sent to prison Lawton was accompanied by a sympathetic crowd and met on his release by a brass band. It is reported that George Rymer and his assailant remained on excellent terms.
The information below was given by my Aunt Lottie Lawton of Napier, (James Lawton's God-daughter) to the Sisters of Compassion for inclusion in the book on the life of Mother Mary Aubert, their founder, and reads as follows:
Miss Lawton's Godfather Jim Lawton was a champion elbow lifter. He was invited by George Rymer to come into the Taradale Hotel for a drink. Ryner picked up his glass and said "Health to King William and to hell with the Pope". Lawton immediately threw his drink at him, glass as well, and knocked his eye out. He was arrested, but as most of the Police were Catholics, he was regarded as something of a hero. Allowed home every weekend he was in prison, and when he was released. almost given a civic reception.
James' date of birth was thought to be 1833 and when he died his age was given as 84. In reality he was born in 1837 and he died at the age of 80. He died in Wairoa and is buried there. Death Certificate No 890 1980 NZ.
Extract from entry at Waiouru Museum regarding soldiers who served in the Omarunui War:
"LAWTON, James; Private, No. 4 Coy; also 62nd Foot, Armed Constabulary; Frasertown, Hawke's Bay; Omarunui 12/10/1866; Born 1844, Wiltshire, Issued 1914; 3510; AD32/1016"
I have read his file at the National Archives too. Apparently the 62nd Foot is English.
I'll have to copy other papers and send them separately.
Love to you and Mearle, good to see you both, love, -Moira.