A LINK WITH THE PAST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 16 November 1907, Page 3

A LINK WITH THE PAST.

to MRS BENJAMIN" WELLS. Mrs Benjamin Wells died at her residence, Wookombe Terrace, on Tuesday morning, at the advanced age of til years, and after a residence in New Plymouth intermittently of over fifty years. Mr Wells, who predeceased her, was editor of the " Taranaki News '' fifty years ago, and published a "History of i'ara naki,'' which is still quoted as an authority on the early happenings in this province. Mrs Wells was born at tiood Easter, near Chelmsford, in Essex, and arrived in New Plymouth on January lith, 1852, in the chip Lord William . ii i it-l». The ship first landed passengers at Auckland, and then sailed for New Plymouth round the North Cape. Mr Wells having preceded he-, she came out with her brother-in-law Mr Z. W. Wells, of Mangorei, Mrs Whitcomlie, then a ehild, accompanying her. When she arrived at New Plymouth she found that Mr Wells had sailed for Knglind, but she sent a _mes-age to Australia and informed him that she in New Zealand. Mr anil Mrs Well- with their family lived at Mango rci until the Taranaki war broke out, when they went to Nelson as refugee-, and there, owing to the crowding ol accommodation and the sickness which followed, they lost two children. In her later years, Mrs Wells made three trip* to America. After the death of her husband in 1881 she accompanied her married daughter, Mm McLean, to the State* and lived in Washington ter fitorv for Some time. She onee came over on a visit, bnt went back to the States again. Finally she came bark to New Zealand ia 18#5 and here remained until her death. She leaves five children—Mesm Charles Wells (Whitianga. Mercury Bay), Benjamin Wdls (£ew Plymouth), and James Wells (Tai KSpel. and Mesdawg C. D. Whitcombe INew Plymouth) and A. McLean (Avondale.. There were twenty-two grandrhildren, and five great grandchildren The eldest grand-daughter (Mrs Leefe) was married last Saturday to Mr A. P. Cowie, of the Seamen's Mission, Auckland.