John KIVELL
was born in 1826 in New Brunswick, Canada. He was a seaman and worked on numerous vessels. It is not known just when he arrived in New Zealand or on which ship. It was some time between 1852 and 1855. On 31 December, 1855 he married Mary Jane OLD at New Plymouth, daughter of Jane OLD. Mary was born in 1840 in England and together with her mother and grandparents and their family, arrived in New Plymouth aboard the "Essex" in January 1843. Jane was the daughter of Richard and Jane OLD. Mary's mother Jane married Walter BAILEY shortly after her arrival in New Zealand. She died in childbirth in 1852 after complications received in an injury while she was getting water from a well. Two of Mary and John's children were given the second name of BAILEY. It is not known who the father of Mary Jane Old was.

Another pioneering family was the WILLS family. They arrived aboard the "Timandra" in February of 1842 Mary's uncle, Robert OLD later married Maria WILLS daughter of James and Betsy WILLS.

John and Mary had a large family of eleven sons and four daughters. John worked as a farm labourer, baker and painter and had also served on a jury.

A Certificate of Discharge was given on 4 February 1848 for the "Sea Bird". Period of service was from 9 November (this would be 1847) to the 4th day of November 1848 at Hull. Previous ship has details of him serving until December 1847. (Possible error of date)

A reference was given for his service aboard the "Mary Caroline". Year unknown.

Because there was a large family of Kivells I did not attempt to write about the siblings of my grandfather Charles Ernest. The names of the children of Mary Jane OLD and John KIVELL are as follows:

We (Daily News) are sorry to announce the death of Mr John KIVELL, who succumbed on Sunday evening, after a protracted illness. Mr Kivell was an old and respected settler, of a most genial disposition.

He was father of Mr Henry Kivell, of Hawera, and Mr J Kivell, telegraphist.

The following data was obtained from Taranaki Government Gazettes 1868, 1870, 1872 1873, 1874

Registered Brands
No. 106 John Kivell New Plymouth JK Year 1868

Supplemental List of Permits to whom the Commissioners appointed under "The New Plymouth Exchanges Commission Amendment Act" have granted certificates

Name - John Kivell, New Plymouth, Taranaki Farmer Section 1,133, 1,592 Year 1870

John Kivell Claim no. 1438 Entitled to a Grant of Town Allotment No. 1,133 Town of New Plymouth. Year 1872. Granted 1874.

VOLUNTEER LAND ACT 1865

ROLL OF MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS CLAIMING ALLOWANCES, UNDER ABOVE ACT, FOR ACTIVE SERVICE DURING the years 1860, 1861, 1863, 1864, and 1865, 1868 and 1869.

Year 1873 John Kivell -Length of service 1 year - Remarks, Boats 1860

Crown Lands Office. New Plymouth 9th December 1874

The Deeds of Grant below specified having been duly executed are now ready for registration and delivery, on the following conditions -

The Grantee, or his properly authorised representative, must in the first place, make application to the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the delivery of the Grant, and pay the fee of One Pound for the Crown Grants together with acreage at the rate of one farthing per acre on every acre granted beyond 100 acres and registration fees.

The Grant will then be forwarded to the Registrar of Deeds, and the applicant will be furnished with a written authority to receive it from that officer after Registration.

NB - A fee of sixpence per month will be charged on all Grants remaining in the Crown Lands Office after three months from date of publication in the Provincial Government Gazette.